Selectboard Present:  Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry and Steve Dalessio

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM. She introduced herself, Peggy Pschirrer, Selectboard Chair, Cheryl Mayberry, Steve Dalessio, and Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable totaling $283,087.56 for checks issued 11/10/2023.This includes a $63,870.70 payment to Eastern Minerals for road salt. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,768.69 dated 11/10/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,517.55. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 1, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Meeting Minutes of November 1, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – November 1, 2023:   Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of November 1, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes will remain sealed.

TIMBER INTENT:

Map and Lot# 008-102-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 008-102-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS:

2023-40, Map and Lot# 013-003-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 013-003-000 to install a 36.5’ x 10/25’ ground mount solar array. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Sewer Bond Rate: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Robert Grenier wrote a letter asking why the sewer bond payments have not been changed and remain as they were from when he brought this matter to the Selectboard in June. Mr. Dalessio stated that he had spoken with Mrs. Daigle to ask her to find the previous notes on this matter. He stated that the Town could reduce the bond rate that is being paid, but at the same time some of the sewer rate will have to be raised. Ms. Mayberry raised a question on this matter. Mr. Dalessio responded that the Town is over-collecting money for the bond, but under-collecting for the sewer. Mr. Dalessio stated that the proposal is to bring the bond to a neutral position and adjust the sewer rate so that it builds a reserve for pump station repairs. Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio spoke to the age of the Town water/sewer infrastructure.  

Water Shut Off Agreement: Mrs. Pschirrer presented a letter from the North Walpole Village Commissioners requesting a meeting to discuss how to develop a policy that would allow the Town to shut-off water service when a property owner does not pay their sewer bill. Ms. Mayberry stated that she will speak to the Commissioners about possible dates for this joint meeting. 

Dog Ordinance: Mrs. Pschirrer reflected on a dog fine that was paid. The Town Clerk sent an email to the Selectboard pointing out that the responsibility of collecting dog fines is her responsibility, and the Selectboard needs to correct its policy. Discussion of RSAs dealing with dogs took place, wherein Mr. Dalessio asked if the Town Clerk has the responsibility to collect all fines related to dogs. Mrs. Pschirrer stated she would continue to review the relevant canine RSAs and report back to the Selectboard. Ms. Mayberry commented that if the Town Clerk does have this responsibility, they should also coordinate its enforcement. 

Graves Road Water Issue: Mrs. Pschirrer reflected on a matter wherein a resident is diverting water onto the road. Mr. Dalessio stated he recently went out to the incorrect address and will plan on going to the correct address this weekend. 

NH Public Radio Letters: Mrs. Pschirrer spoke regarding a letter written by Mrs. Downing to NHPR regarding the A-12 Forms. Avitar is advising the Town to deny NHPR’s request that charitable exception not be granted for several reasons including: NHPR did not file their A-9 form until 10/24/2023, and the A-9 for 2022 is outstanding. Ms. Mayberry motioned that the Selectboard sign the letter back to NHPR regarding their tax-exempt filing status. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. Mr. Dalessio commented that he hopes the Town does not incur excessive court fees to have the back taxes paid. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Public Hearing: Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned that the Town would be receiving funds from the State, and that a public hearing is needed to receive one-time funds. Ms. Mayberry commented that these funds are additional highway block grant funds. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the funds are to be considered unanticipated revenue. There are also funds for bridges as well. Mrs. Pschirrer felt the two fund requests should be handled at one meeting. Ms. Mayberry commented in agreement. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a public hearing would be set once more information is received.

Ransom Consulting Contract: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Ransom Consulting contacted the Town and advised them that their contract with Walpole has ended for the Brownfields Grant. Ransom asked if the Town would like to sign another contract. Mr. Dalessio stated that he would be open to another contract, though it would need to be specific to the work being done. The Selectboard discussed funding mechanisms for this contract. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that she would speak to them in the coming weeks to gather more information. 

Selectboard December meeting dates: Mrs. Pschirrer asked Ms. Mayberry if she knew her upcoming schedule. Ms. Mayberry responded that she would not have this information until the coming week. 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:  

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:03 PM. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:12 PM. 

NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a):  

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public meeting at 7:13 PM. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:34 PM. 

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the Non-Public meeting minutes sealed. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary