Selectboard Present:  Cheryl Mayberry, Chair, Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present: Jack Wozmak, Krystyna Marcom, and Walpole School Withdrawal Study Committee Members:  Steve Varone and Jo Cowgill

Call to Order:  Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:04 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

The first three items were moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests.

Walpole School Withdrawal Study Committee

Only two members of the Committee were available this evening.  Mr. Varone emphasized that because of NH laws, if we leave Fall Mountain School District, financially it will be very important to also leave SAU 60 to control our finances.   That should be explained at the public hearing next month.  If Walpole becomes independent, there will be some areas where expenses increase and others where they decrease.  Westmoreland, Chesterfield, and Winchester are similar size schools to what Walpole is and all three have significantly lower per pupil costs.  The transition would be difficult but is doable.  The Town has three neighboring schools as examples.  Walpole also needs to be sure that the other towns left in Fall Mountain School District will still be strong.

The public informational meeting will help the Selectboard understand how the Town feels about continuing the process.  If the Town moves ahead, the next step will be a vote at Town Meeting.  If the vote is to proceed, another committee will be formed with one Selectboard member and one School Board member from each town.  This committee will have 180 days with access to Fall Mountain School District finances to delve into all the financial issues, etc. The State mandates what information must be gathered.  This group will answer all the hard questions.

Mr. Varone and Ms. Cowgill left the meeting.

Election Worker Party Affiliation:   The election officials have become aware that the Town needs parity between the political party affiliation of election workers. Currently, there are not enough election worker volunteers to have an even balance.   Earlier, the political parties could recommend people, but no recommendations were received.  The Selectboard needs to appoint election workers, or the moderator can find people.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the list of Inspectors of Election (i.e.  Election Workers) presented by Mr. Wozmak.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the motion carried.  The Election Workers listed were Sherry Aldrich, Antonia Andreoli, Pam Baucom, Trina Carmody, Karen Deary, Michael Deary, David Elkins, Michelle Gallagher, Joanne Gay, Patrick Kiniry, Cheryl Mayberry, Toni McDougle, Diane Myers-Miller, Margie Palmer, Cheryl Patty, Peggy Pschirrer, Brendan Reagan, Tara Sad, David Sanchez, Chas Street, Cynthia Westover, Kris Tyson and Ernie Vose.

The Selectboard and moderator are seeking election workers, especially declared Republicans, to meet the parity guidelines.  If you are interested, please contact the Selectboard Office at (603) 756-3672.

Mr. Wozmak left the meeting.

Speeding in North Walpole:  Krystyna Marcom delivers Meals on Wheels in North Walpole.  She has to make four stops on Church Street. Because of all the speeding vehicles it is extremely difficult to slow to turn into driveways or to get back out.  She was almost hit the other day.  Meals are delivered three mornings a week.  Could the police do something to slow the traffic on Church Street?

Mrs. Marcom left the meeting.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,767.03 dated 8/23/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,356.22.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – August 15, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 15, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes are approved and sealed.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – August 15, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of August 15, 2024.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the minutes are sealed.

Committee Reports

Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

•  Planning Board Meeting – August 13, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Refunds

Ms. Vose moved to approve all the following refunds.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, all the refunds were approved.

• Map and Lot # 012-019-002 for $9.44
• Map and Lot # 008-088-001 for $8,903
•  Map and Lot # 010-012-000 for $47
• Map and Lot # 009-007-000 for $53.44
• Map and Lot # 011-058-000 for $3
• Map and Lot # 013-061-000 for $95
• Map and Lot # 028-123-000 for $1,819.57

Timber Intents

Map and Lot # 004-027-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the intent to harvest timber for Map and Lot # 004-027-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the timber intent was approved.

Old Business

Pending Further Action:  Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, Reservoir Dam, and ARPA Funding Grants

Certificate of Recognition:  The Town wishes to recognize John Hansel’s 100^th birthday.  The Selectboard signed the certificate. It will be delivered at the appropriate time by Ms. Vose.

Thank You Letter:  The Selectboard wishes to thank Annette and Andrew Dey for their expertise with the Town Hall’s west side residing project.  A letter of appreciation was signed.

Public Hearing Date for School Withdrawal Study Committee’s Report & New Police Station:  There will be a public hearing on Thursday, September 19^th at 5:30 PM in the Town Hall to hear the report of the School Withdrawal Study Committee and an update on the new Police Station. The Selectboard Meeting shall follow with no public business to be discussed.

New Business

MS-1 Form:   The   Board needs to sign the 2024 MS-1 which will be uploaded to the DRA portal.  The MS-IVs are for review only.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve and sign the 2024 MS-1.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the form was approved and signed.

Cemetery Fund #2 Reimbursement Form:   $3,970.90 was spent fixing a collapsed tomb in the Old Cemetery.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the reimbursement to the Town for repairs to Joshua Bellows’ tomb.  Ms. Vose seconded.     With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the reimbursement was approved.

Cemetery Fund #2 Reimbursement Form:   $20,409.50 was spent clearing and grading roads for the New Cemetery Green Burial section. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the reimbursement to the Town for road work in the Green Burial section.  Ms. Vose seconded.   With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the reimbursement was approved.

First 2024 Tax Bill Report:  The Spring Warrant was for $6,479,674 with $203,525.31 remaining unpaid.  That is only 3% left to be paid.  Jodi Daigle, our new Tax Collector, is doing a phenomenal job!

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c)

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c) at 7:24 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:09 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Adjournment:  Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary