Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Town Hall

 7 pm

Roll Call: Present: Board members Chair Tom Murray, Vice-Chair Dave Edkins, Clerk Pauline Barnes, Shane O’Keefe and alternate Myra Mansouri. Absent: Board member Tom Winmill and alternate Don Sellarole.

Call to Order: Mr. Murray called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. Mr. Murray asked alternate Ms. Mansouri to sit in for the absent board member. She agreed. 

Minutes: Tonight’s minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the board’s regular March meeting for corrections.

Minutes of January 2025: Mr. Sellarole’s name was misspelled in two places: in the section on Call to Order and the section on Minutes. In the section titled 2024 Town Report the result of the Joint Meetings with the Southwest Region Planning Commission and Planning Board was one warrant not “a number of warrant articles.” Mr. Edkins made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected, Ms. Barnes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

New Business:

Variance: Jennie Cure, Map 11, Lot 27, 529 Valley Road, Rural/Ag District. Proposed is a wheelchair ramp. But will be too be too close to the center of the road. Mr. Phelps is asking for a public hearing for a variance. He has talked with Zoning Coordinator, Ernie Vose. Zoning Ordinance: Article VIII D-2.

Mr. Edkins recused himself from sitting as a board member on Mr. Phelps’ request because he is a long-time friend of not only Mr. Phelps but also the applicant, Jennie Cure. 

Mr. Phelps came to the meeting, explained what he wanted to do and submitted an application, sketch of the situation and wrote check for the application and letters to the 8 abuttters. He asked for a public hearing in March 2025.

Ms Barnes read RSA 6754:33 Section V. The ordinance says:

“V. Notwithstanding subparagraph I(a)(2), any zoning board of adjustment may grant a variance from the terms of a zoning ordinance without finding a hardship arising from the condition of a premises subject to the ordinance, when reasonable accommodations are necessary to allow a person or persons with a recognized physical disability to reside in or regularly use the premises, provided that:
(a) Any variance granted under this paragraph shall be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance.
(b) In granting any variance pursuant to this paragraph, the zoning board of adjustment may provide, in a finding included in the variance, that the variance shall survive only so long as the particular person has a continuing need to use the premises.” She gave Mr. Phelps a copy.

There was discussion about when to hold the meeting on the public hearing for Ms. Cure’s proposal. Two board members were not going to be at the March meeting. Also the Board would vote on election of officers. Should the Board wait until the April meeting for the public hearing? However, Mr. Phelps said if the wheelchair ramp were to be approved, Ms. Cure wanted him to to start building it on March 20. So a motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to hold a public hearing for Mr. Phelps’ client at its regular March 2025 meeting to build the handicap ramp and proceed with the election of Board member titles for the new term.  

Old Business:

Gravel pit inspection report: Chair Mr. Murray asked for the board to accept a single-signature inspection report for the gravel pit inspection of JP Trucking Inc. on Old Drewsville Road even though gravel pit inspection reports are usually signed by the two people conducting the inspection. Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to accept the single-signature report, Mr. Edkins seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.

One of our own

Ms. Barnes, Ms. Mansouri and Ms. Blaine couldn’t let this meeting end without acknowledging the passing of one of our own, Bob Anderson. When Bob was on the ZBA he was an important member. He was known for his inventiveness, professionalism, fair play, wit and compassion. He was admired by all, even by people who didn’t always agree with him. And, as Ms. Mansouri said, he was one of the kindest men she has ever met.

Mr. Winmill’s last meeting

Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to thank Mr. Winmill for his three years of service on the board. Mr. Murray seconded the motion. Mr. Edkins agreed. Ms. Barnes and Ms. Mansouri abstained. 

Adjournment

At 7:48 pm Mr. Edkins made a motion to adjourn. Mr. O’Keefe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Recording Secretary

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, ZONING BOARD