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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary

Others Present: Steve Varone, Jackie Ronning and Lil Decoste

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She introduced herself, Peggy Pschirrer, Selectboard Chair, Cheryl Mayberry, Steve Dalessio, Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary.  

OLD BUSINESS:

2024 Warrant Article #11: Mrs. Pschirrer read Warrant #11 regarding a Walpole school study committee. Mr. Varone commented that the issue is in three parts: the first is to form a Walpole School District, then tuition high school students elsewhere; the second is to partner with SAU29 where the Town circumstances are similar to that school district; the third, where do the Walpole children go to high school. He stated that a Walpole schoolboard would take on the responsibility of providing an education for K-8 students within the Town if it was formed. Mr. Varone described that the State mandated method of apportionment is 50% on number of students, and 50% on tax base. Presently with SAU 60, Walpole has 29% of the students and 42% of the tax base. Mr. Varone then offered a comparison to SAU 29 in which Walpole would comprise 12.97% of the tax base and 10.4% of students. Walpole has a similar tax base with towns in SAU 29. It is possible for Walpole to form its own SAU (School Administrative Unit), but this would be a longer, more complicated process. Mr. Varone brought attention to the issue of where Walpole would send their high school students. One option is to choose the high school the children are sent based upon zip code. Mrs. Pschirrer apologized that the Selectboard was unable to meet with SAU 29 today. 

Mrs. Ronning stated that she was here as a private citizen, not as an employee of the school district (SAU 60). She believes that within the Walpole attendance area, autonomy is being lost. She reflected on changes within the Walpole schools. Mrs. Ronning’s is worried about continuing in a district that is continually taking away the amount of hours teachers can give students. Within the Walpole Schools there are many certified teachers, and this is not true in other parts of the State. Having teachers create their own curriculum far outweighs what might be handed down through the school district. Mrs. Ronning stated that as a parent, other parents within Town want to keep their autonomy. 

Mr. Varone stated that this issue is about local control; making sure Walpole dollars stay in Walpole. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Selectboard views this issue as important, and that the Town be allowed to discuss and decide. Mrs. Decoste spoke about her concerns of losing local control by joining SAU 29. Mr. Dalessio stated he sat on the Charlestown withdrawal committee, and a concern raised was that if Charlestown left, Walpole would be the majority within the district. Mrs. Pschirrer reflected on two issues being discussed: the formation of a Walpole school board, and which SAU to send high school students. Mr. Dalessio reflected that the warrant was intended to allow Town residents to decide on whether or not to pursue this matter. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that next week the Town will be having a budget overview. She can see how the discussion of this warrant may consume the entire meeting. Mrs. Pschirrer stated there is a disconnect between test scores for the Fall Mountain High School and test scores for Walpole Schools. Ms. Ronning stated that the data for all the attendance areas for testing for K-8 is district-wide. Mr. Varone coordinated with the Selectboard on choosing rescheduling dates for a meeting with SAU 29. 

PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $36,052.82 dated 2/02/24 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,362.19. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES, January 25, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Meeting minutes of January 25, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES, January 25, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Non-Public Meeting minutes of January 25, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes will remain sealed. 

WARRANTS: 

Walpole Water Fees: Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the Walpole Water Warrant for $42,439.62. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

North Walpole Sewer Fees: Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the North Walpole Sewer Warrant for $56,524.14. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Walpole Sewer Fees: Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the Walpole Sewer Warrant for $72,591.63. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION: 

Map and Lot# 005-005-000: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the solar energy exemption for Map and Lot# 005-005-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

TIMBER INTENTS: 

Map and Lot# 004-044-002 and 003: Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 004-044-002 and 003. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS: 

2024 Warrant Article Listing: Mrs. Pschirrer asked if Mrs. Downing would reprint the warrant articles for the Selectboard to sign after two edits were made. Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the 2024 Town Meeting Warrant as presented. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

2024 Budget: Mrs. Pschirrer reflected that the Selectboard has the budget before adjustments, and an adjusted copy. Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the 2024 adjusted budget. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

North Walpole Water Utility Discontinuance of Service Agreement with Walpole Water Utility: 

Ms. Mayberry stated that North Walpole should review the document before signing. Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mrs. Downing to send this to the North Walpole Commissioners for review, and comment that it has been reviewed by the Selectboard. 

Budget Hearing: Mrs. Pschirrer stated she has created a PowerPoint for the budget hearing, and asked if the other two members would review and provide feedback before it is presented. Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry reviewed and made comments on the prepared PowerPoint presentation. 

Pending Further Action: Mr. Dalessio stated there will be updates on School Street, Houghton Brook Bridge, and Reservoir Dam projects for next week’s meeting.  

NEW BUSINESS:

2023 Town Report Covers: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Selectboard must choose from the options chosen for the 2023 Town Report Cover. The second option was chosen to be the cover. 

2023 Landfill Post Closure Report: Ms. Mayberry motioned to have chair sign the 2023 Landfill Post Closure Report from McKibben Environment LLC. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Walpole Fire and EMS District Meeting: Mrs. Pschirrer asked if the Selectboard wanted to reschedule the meeting for 3/21/2024 because it conflicts with the Walpole Fire and EMS District Meeting. The Selectboard agreed to move this Selectboard meeting to 3/20/2024. 

CRLAC: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that information of the Cold River Local Advisory Committee (CRLAC) chair’s departure will be sent to the Conservation Committee.

Graffiti: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a resident had written a letter about graffiti on Fanny Mason Hiking Trail. Mr. Dalessio stated that the police department could be asked to put up a camera. Ms. Mayberry stated she would follow up on this issue. 

Eagle Scouts: Mr. Dalessio stated that on 2/19/2024 there will tentatively be a Court of Honor for two Eagle Scouts. 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:  

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:51 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:00 PM. 

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Non-Public meeting at 8:01 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 8:22 PM. 

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the nonpublic minutes would be sealed. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary