TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
DECEMBER 19, 2024
Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Guests Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Rich Kreissle, Steve Varone, Ray Boas, John Jones, Peter Graves, Joey Andros and Akbar Ashoury
CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
2024 TAX RATE: The Board decides on an overlay and any other changes to reporting to the DRA.
After an extended discussion, the Selectboard decided to use $400,000 from unassigned funds to mitigate the impact of the significant increase in school taxes. The negative effect of this decision is that money planned for projects in 2025 will not be available. The tax increase will be 5.59% for the Town compared to 9.8% if the unassigned funds are not used. There is an additional North Walpole Village tax. Mr. Dalessio moved that $400,000 be taken from unassigned funds to lower the tax rate. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed. Mr. Kreissle will update the portal first thing on Friday to reflect the additional funds that will be used.
Mr. Varone, Mr. Kreissle and Mr. Boas left the meeting.
HOOPER TRUSTEES
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:13 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:23 PM.
Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Andros left the meeting.
SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL ARTICLE BALLOT QUESTION: This item was moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest. Mr. Graves said that he would like to see the School Withdrawal vote on the Tuesday ballot so that more people would vote on it. Ms. Mayberry will consult Attorney Hockensmith. This will be one of several items on which legal advice is needed. It may take a little time to get an opinion.
Mr. Graves left the meeting.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $1,802,302.05 dated 12/20/2024 including $1,699,364.00 payment to Cheshire County for 2024 County taxes. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
PAYROLL
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,915.16 dated 12/20/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,010.76. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $2,793.33 dated 12/20/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $414.18. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. This second register is for an employee’s one time retirement funding payment.
SELECTBORD MEETING MINUTES
Selectboard Meeting – December 12, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 12, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.
Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 12, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of December 12, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved. The minutes were not sealed and will be made public.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:
- Planning Board Meeting – September 11, 2024
Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.
TIMBER INTENTS
Map and Lot# 008-062-000: Ms. Mayberry noted that the intent was held over from last week. The intent cannot be held per the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA). It is a tax document. A written note from the easement holder is to be sent to the Town. The Selectboard is not responsible if they sign a timber intent, and the easement owner is not aware of the project. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 008-062-000 which is the Hooper Golf Properties. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Map and Lot# 010-034-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 010-034-000. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Conservation Easements: There was a follow-up discussion on the Conservation Commission easement tracking spreadsheet. Mr. Dalessio will talk to Peter Palmiotto, co-chair of the Conservation Commission. The spreadsheet of the Town’s Conservation lands and easement holders is a Town document that is a useful tool for Town leaders. It needs to be updated since this is critical information and made available to Town leaders.
BUILDING PERMIT
2023-43 Renewal, Map and Lot# 003-001-002: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2023-43 Renewal for Map and Lot # 003-001-002 to construct a one and a half story home. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
2024-39, Map and Lot# 001-010-001: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-39 for Map and Lot # 001-010-001 to construct a drive-on scale at Ruggerio Processing Facility. The site plan was approved, but the building permit was never submitted. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
2024-40, Map and Lot# 001-010-001: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-40 for Map and Lot # 001-010-001 for an office trailer at Ruggerio Processing Facility. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
2024-41, Map and Lot# 001-010-001: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-41 for Map and Lot # 001-010-001 to construct a pole barn at Ruggerio Processing Facility. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
John Jones left the meeting.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) (d) (e)
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) (d) (e) at 7:52 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:53 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.
OLD BUSINESS
Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Reimbursement Request: Ms. Mayberry stated the request for $21,233.75 reimbursement needs to be signed by Mr. Dalessio. Ms. Mayberry moved that Mr. Dalessio sign the reimbursement request. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the reimbursement request.
Reservoir Dam Update: Mr. Dalessio reported that a meeting has been scheduled online on 1/7/2025 at 10:30 AM to discuss the preliminary design. Representatives from Walpole, Fuss and O’Neill and DES will attend.
Five Water and Sewer Proposals for ARPA Grant Funding: The proposals and Purchase Orders are ready. The Board Chair needs to sign the proposals. The whole Selectboard signs the purchase orders.
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024381 to install a new propane generator at the Watkins Hill Pump Station and Purchase Order #201290 for $46,200.00. Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase.
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024382 to rebuild a total of six Crane/Crown sewer pumps at the North Walpole, Mill Pond and Bailey’s Pump Stations and Purchase Order #201291 for $64,200.00. Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed. Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase order.
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024373 to install a new propane generator at the Mill Pond Wastewater Pump Station and Purchase Order #201293 for $121,500.00. Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase order.
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024379 to install a new propane generator at the Bailey’s Wastewater Pump Station and Purchase Order #201293 for $106,200.00. Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase order.
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024380 to install a new propane generator at the North Walpole Wastewater Pump Station and Purchase Order #201294 for $102,400.00. The generator will be installed on the existing roof due to space constraints. Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase order.
Petition Article Legal Review: This item was continued from last week. Attorney Hockensmith has been asked to research the question.
NEW BUSINESS
2024 Municipal Assessment to Sales Ratio Study – Equalization: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the 2024 Municipal Assessment to Sales Ratio Study. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the study was accepted.
Highway Safety Grant Agreement: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Highway Safety Grant Agreement and for Ms. Mayberry to sign it. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the agreement was accepted, and Ms. Mayberry signed it. The Selectboard noted there were a lot of additional Police Department signatures needed. The Police Department needs to provide the Selectboard Office with a copy of the signed agreement for the Town records.
Municipal Tax Rate Setting Portal: The Town Clerk’s Office requested access to the Municipal Tax Rate Setting Portal. Last year a scan of the paper form could be loaded. This year is the first time all the data needs to be keyed into the portal. Mr. Kreissle is the administrator of the portal. Ms. Vose will ask him to give Mrs. Hansson access after he returns from vacation. Ms. Vose will also start scheduling Mrs. Goudy to train as the Assistant Tax Collector.
Zoning Warrant Articles: The Zoning Warrant Articles were submitted to the Selectboard and the Town Clerk’s Offices this week. Ms. Mayberry acknowledged the Zoning Warrant Articles.
Accident Reports: Because of icy conditions, there were two slip and fall accidents. One was at the Police Department at the end of the day as an employee was leaving at 5:35 PM. The second fall was a guest at Recycling where the unpaved areas get icy. The Selectboard asked that each department spread salt as needed until the Highway Department can get to every site.
Employee Resignation: Lilla DeCoste resigned from her part-time Librarian position. Ms. Mayberry acknowledged the resignation and thanked Mrs. DeCoste for her service.
Thank You: Meghan Hansson thanked the Selectboard for the Shaw’s holiday gift card. Ms. Mayberry acknowledged receipt of the thanks.
Meetings during the Holidays: Because of travel plans during the holidays, there will be no meeting on December 26th. The Board will tentatively meet December 24th at 9:00 AM to approve and sign the tax warrant if the tax rate is available from the DRA. Otherwise, the meeting will be December 28th at 5:00 PM.
Ms. Vose moved that Mrs. Downing have permission to sign the December 27, 2024 Payroll. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed.
The Selectboard will also meet on December 31st at 9:00 AM because of New Years and scheduling conflicts in the evenings.
ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 9:42 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 24, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)
Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD
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