The Walpolean

Selectboard Present:​Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy Pschirrer, Cheryl Mayberry

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 8:00 AM

in the Walpole Town Hall.  He advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There was one visitor in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

ABATEMENT PROCESS COMMENTS:  Mr. John McDonald was present to discuss his abatement application on his property at 95 North Road.  He distributed copies of the Complaints and Comments documents he was going to address at this meeting.  He is concerned over the damage done by the plowing at the intersection of North Road and specifically the destruction of almost the full front corner of their yard this winter.  Mr. Dalessio advised that the Road Agent has been asked to come back with recommendations on what could be done.  This is following their meeting with neighbors at the last Selectboard meeting.  Mr. McDonald noted his displeasure with the Avitar Associates Guidebook.  He mentioned several of the categories.  In particular, the tax cards should be straight forward and easily understandable.  He provided highlights of his concern.  Tax cards are important.  Their tax card was filled with gross errors and unexplained rulings.  Mr. McDonald suggested that at some point Avitar Associates be told that as part of their contract they should be able to match up simple definitions that are in their guidebook.  Avitar should be forthcoming in explaining to taxpayers what their process is.  If the Avitar representative had gotten out of his car the day he looked at the McDonald property, he would have seen the condition of the roof and windows, etc.  There are a number of things that are not visible from the road.  Mr. Dalessio would encourage people to look at their tax cards.  Sometimes things are removed from the property but the office was not made aware of it.  As a citizen, he agreed that the tax cards are difficult to understand.  Mrs. Pschirrer agreed.  Ms. Mayberry suggested having a note on the tax cards that says “Additional information is available at the Selectboard office”.  Mr. Dalessio explained that the abatement process works.  Avitar will look at the abatement application and visit the property again to do an inspection.  They will make adjustments and report back to the Selectboard.  Mr. McDonald would like the information to be more “Resident Friendly”.  Mr. Dalessio thanked Mr. McDonald for bringing these concerns to their attention.                      

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $44,306.33 for checks issued March 6, 2020.  This amount includes a $20,347.52 payment to the NH Retirement System.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending February 29, 2020, in the amount of $26,766.77, for checks issued March 6, 2020, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $5,636.07.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – February 27, 2020:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboardmeeting of February 27, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.  

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – February 27, 2020:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of February 27, 2020, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

WATER & SEWER AND PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:

MAP and LOT #030-072-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $900.34 to the owners of Map and Lot #030-072-000.  The cause of this refund is an overpayment of Fall 2019 taxes.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.    

MAP and LOT #019-045-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Sewer Abatement in the amount of $404.34 to the owner of Map and Lot #019-045-000.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

ELDERLY PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION:

MAP and LOT #008-059-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Elderly Property Tax Exemption for the current owners of Map and Lot #008-059-000.  Mrs. Loren Martin reviewed and approved this exemption.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  

OLD BUSINESS:

EPA Conference Presentation Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported there is an EPA conference in early October and they expect to put in their application.  She is working with Mr. Steve Rickerich, Mr. J.B. Mack and Mr. Mike McCluskey.  They will be submitting a session application for a 75-minute presentation.  Mr. McCluskey has agreed to be their moderator.  Mr. Rickerich, Mr. Mack and Mrs. Pschirrer will be panelists.  It will begin with Mr. Mack who will talk about how they got involved.  Earlier studies were picked up from Mr. Robert Kimball.  Mrs. Pschirrer will talk about the Town’s obtaining the property, etc.  She feels we have a good chance at being chosen.  In the past the majority of projects were with larger towns/cities; Walpole is considerably smaller.      

Police Department:  Last week Mrs. Pschirrer advised that the 2013 Ford SUV cruiser has had major engine problems.  There is a Capital Reserve Fund and this is a good reason to use it.  Cruisers are regularly serviced and those records are available for review.  The cost of the new cruiser is $37,356.00; it is the NH State’s quote.  Chief Paquette provided a Quotation for Emergency Equipment in the amount of $11,010.00. Not everything can be transferred from the 2013 to the 2020 cruiser because of the difference in the structures.  Mrs. Pschirrer suggested they approve this but hold it until after Town Meeting.  There is currently $49,000+ in the Capital Reserve Fund.  

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve this purchase of the new cruiser and equipment but to place the order after Town Meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.    

Pending Further Actions:

Town Hall Locks:  Mr. Dalessio recommended they do not rekey the Town Hall tomorrow.  People with cards are convinced they do not work and have lost confidence.  They need to know system changes were made.  It has been frustrating.  Mr. Brad Nash came into the meeting.  Mrs. Daigle explained how the system would be working now.  Mr. Dalessio feels they have to start all over again for people to regain their confidence.  Send out notices to the users asking them to continue for about a one month trial period   He suggested the following schedule be programmed for Monday through Friday:  Open the Town Hall at 7:45 AM every morning and lock it at 9:00 PM every night.  Do not change the locks until they have a month for validation and then set a date for the change.  Tentative date will be Monday, April 6th, 2020.          

Lights re: Walpole, NH – Rockingham, VT 42277 Bridge Renovation Project:  Mr. Dalessio reported there has been no new communication on the bridge lights.

Joint Meeting Request from Village of Bellows Falls Board of Trustees:  The Village of Bellows Falls Board of Trustees have not yet set a date and time for their Joint Meeting with the Selectboard.

Town Deeded Properties:  Mrs. Downing is finalizing the Town Deeded Properties “For Sale” packets.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Ms. Mayberry moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 9:18 AM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 9:24 AM.

ADJOURNMENT:  Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessioasked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary