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

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

Others Present: Steve Varone, Jared Walters and David Edkins

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

Public Comment: Mr. Walters wanted to clarify a question he asked at the last meeting about the proposed budget with a 3.75% increase. He asked how the tax rate is calculated. Mrs. Pschirrer informed Mr. Walters that the state sets the tax rate, after the Town submits specific data. Mr. Dalessio stated that this year was an anomaly with the school district. Discussion of how the Town calculates its tax rate took place, with description provided by Mr. Dalessio. Mr. Dalessio reflected on the projected increase in various costs and taxes this year that the Town is preparing for. Mrs. Pschirrer informed Mr. Walters that he could attend the Fire District’s annual meeting on 3/21/2024. Mr. Walters asked if a member of the public could speak in a non-public session. Ms. Mayberry stated that a member of the public could ask the Selectboard to speak in a non-public session if they so wished. An explanation of tax differences between the North Walpole Village District and the Town was provided by the Selectboard. 

Mr. Varone disclosed that the Town received a response from FMRSD. Mr. Dalessio reflected to those in attendance that a slide in the recent FMRSD Deliberative Session implied that the Town of Walpole has been funding a district-wide program. Mr. Varone stated that the scope and quantification of this matter have not been provided. Mrs. Pschirrer commented that the Town’s attorney has been consulted for guidance on what possible next steps can be taken. Mr. Dalessio asked if funds could be recouped from previous school years. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Town will await the attorney’s response.

Mr. Varone and Mr. Walters departed the meeting.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $146,665.44 for checks issued 2/23/2024. This includes a $49,006.06 payment to HealthTrust for March health insurance. 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 $31,548.24 dated 2/23/24 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,408.57. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES, February 15, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Meeting minutes of February 15, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES, February 15, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Non-Public Meeting minutes of February 15, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes will remain sealed. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Dalessio brought the following committee reports to the chair’s attention.

   •​Planning Board Meeting – February 13, 2024

Mr. Dalessio noted errors in these minutes that would need correction. Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged the report.

REFUNDS: 

Map and Lot# 003-023-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 003-023-000 for $36.09 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 005-059-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 005-059-000 for $39.77 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 008-022-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 008-022-000 for $282.61 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 008-068-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 008-068-000 for $18.15 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 012-044-009:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 012-044-009 for $59.91 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 0UTIL-0UTIL-2B:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 0UTIL-0UTIL-2B for $331.97. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS: 

2024-03, Map and Lot# 013-057-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 012-039-000 to build a 10’ x 20’ shed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

2024-04, Map and Lot# 024-024-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 024-024-000 to install a 10’ x 12’ shed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Purchase Order and Sales Proposal for 6 Wheel Dump Truck: Mr. Dalessio motioned to sign the purchase order of $136,983 for the 6-wheel dump truck from a warrant article approved in 2023 as a non-lapsing warrant article. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved. Ms. Mayberry motioned for Mrs. Pschirrer to sign the sales proposal. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Purchase Order for New Police Vehicle: Mrs. Pschirrer reflected that the Chief has been out of work all week, and that the purchase order was not ready to be signed. Ms. Mayberry stated she would reach out to the Police Department to follow up on this purchase order. 

Selectboard Operational Guidelines: Mrs. Pschirrer stated she has looked through these but asked Mrs. Downing to put this item on next week’s agenda.

Pending Further Action: Mr. Dalessio stated that the Houghton Brook Bridge is about to be put out to bid again, and that School Street Drainage Project drawings are being reviewed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Recreation Revolving Fund Request: Ms. Mayberry motioned to accept the Recreation Revolving Fund request from the Recreation Department for the amount of $747.73 for basketball uniforms with these funds to be reimbursed by sponsors. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Application for Activity and Use Restriction: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Brownfields cleanup has been completed for the new parking lot, but test wells are left on the property. Mr. Dalessio motioned to allow Mrs. Pschirrer to sign the DES Application for Activity and Use Restriction. Seconded by Mr. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Biodiversity/Pollinator Grant: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Peter Palmiotto, the Conservation Commission co-chair had asked for the Selectboard’s approval in the writing of a Biodiversity/Pollinator Grant. Mrs. Pschirrer stated she would write to Mr. Palmiotto and inquire about what type of support is being requested. 

Recording Secretary Resignation: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that they were in receipt of letter from Ahmad Esfahini, the Recording Secretary, resigning from that position as of March 6^th.

Office Closure Request: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a request has been submitted to the Selectboard to close the Selectboard Office on 7/05/2024. The Selectboard reached consensus to accept this request. 

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public meeting at 7:15 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:36 PM. 

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the nonpublic minutes would be sealed. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary