TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

November 13, 2024

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration

Guests Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Paul Looney and Toni McDougle

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She introduced herself, Cheryl Mayberry, Selectboard Chair, Steve Dalessio and Carolyn Vose and Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration

CPCNH REC AGREEMENT: The Chair recognized Paul Looney, the Chair of the Walpole Community Power Committee. Mr. Looney explained that the contract the Selectboard was reviewing was similar to the prior contract with a different vendor. The Renewable Energy Credit (REC) contract with CPCNH would be for one year, will auto-renew and offer $35 per REC. Mr. Dalessio asked what the next step would be for the Town. Mr. Looney replied there should not be a need to do anything. Mr. Looney explained how the credits will be recorded and used by CPCNH. The proceeds from the sale of the RECs will offset the purchase price of the solar energy system. Mr. Looney reported that a State refund of $6,000 had been received. Two additional reimbursement grants are being applied for, as planned per the warrant article.

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve that the Chair sign the CPCNH REC Purchase and Sale Agreement for 2024 and 2025.  Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Looney departed the meeting.

HOOPER TRUSTEES:  

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:44 PM. Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalesio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

The meeting was reconvened at 7:01 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer departed the meeting.

RECREATION COMMITTEE: Toni McDougle understood that the Recreation Committee had been dissolved. Ms. Vose explained that going forward, the Recreation Director, Kaian Richards-Wilkes, will have support from a collection of volunteers with different backgrounds, ages and interests. The Recreation Director is developing a master plan for the Whitcomb Recreation Area that will allow space for multiple purposes. Ms. Vose recommended that Ms. McDougle speak with Mr. Richards-Wilkes. Ms. McDougle asked if Ms. Mayberry could assist with finding grants for improving the pickleball courts. Ms. Mayberry thought there were several private and government funded grants available for improving recreation facilities. There was a discussion about a petition warrant article related to pickleball courts. Ms. Mayberry confirmed that the Selectboard decides upon funding sources for articles. Mr. Dalessio put forth the idea of a warrant article using money from grants and/or donations with a portion being Town funded.

Ms. McDougle departed the meeting.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $34,540.37 dated 11/15/24 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,675.85.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 6, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 6, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – November 6, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of November 6, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Walpole Recreation Committee Minutes (approved) – August 19, 2024
• Walpole Recreation Committee Minutes (unapproved) – September 11, 2024
• Walpole Recreation Committee Minutes (unapproved) – October 14, 2024

OLD BUSINESS: 

ARPA Grant Funding: Mr. Dalessio reported that the cost for propane generators for the 3 sewer pump stations should be determined this week. Mr. Dalessio confirmed with Ms. Mayberry that this is a reimbursement grant. Once the contract is signed, the generators will be ordered.

Dog Complaint: Ms. Mayberry stated Officer Merkle is following up about the loose dogs on High Street. The Police Department cannot pre-emptively act regarding potential dog bites. Charges must be made for action to be taken.

2024 Tax Rate: Ms. Mayberry will contact the North Walpole Commissioners to find out how they are progressing with their MS-434 and MS-535 forms. Mr. Kreissle is working with the auditors to complete the Town’s MS-535. The Selectboard agreed that the tax rate setting will continue to be delayed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Recreation Revolving Fund Request: Ms. Vose moved to approve PO# 204574 for $1,499 to Bull Dog Design for basketball jerseys. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. Ms. Mayberry asked if sponsors would be reimbursing the cost of the jerseys. Ms. Vose confirmed this would happen.

Request to the Trustees of Trust Funds: Ms. Vose moved to accept the reimbursement request to the Trustees of Trust Funds in the amount of $4,425 from the Fanny Mason Fund for timber harvesting planning and preparation. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Camping Complaint for Fanny Mason Rest Area: Mr. Dalessio stated he had spoken with Police Chief Sanctuary regarding the issue. The people living in the motor home had lost their housing and were looking for a new living situation in the area. The Selectboard Office received a citizen complaint about the unhealthy impact of the motor home on the rest area. The NH DOT alerted the Town that “No Camping” signs would be installed soon. The request had been made earlier to the DOT by an unknown party.

Tree Lighting on the Drewsville Common: The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 1^st. Mr. Dalessio confirmed that the start time will be 4:30 PM. Santa will arrive in a horse drawn wagon.

Thanksgiving Selectboard Meeting: The Selectboard agreed by consensus not to meet Thanksgiving week. Mrs. Downing was given authorization to sign the Town’s weekly payroll.

Staff Meeting: There will be an in-person Staff Meeting on Nov. 21^st. Mr. Dalessio would like department managers to speak about special requests, changes and projects in each department’s budget.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 8:01 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

The meeting was reconvened at 8:39 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.

HOOPER TRUSTEES:  

Mr. Dalessio moved to reconvene the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:40 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

The Selectboard meeting was reconvened at 9:07 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the November 21, 2024, Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD