The Walpolean

Five Towns, One Vision.

To: ​Fall Mountain Families, Staff and Community

From: ​Lori Landry, Superintendent

Date: ​January 11, 2021

Re:​ FMRSD Update  

On November 18, the School Board voted to approve moving to a fully remote learning environment through January 15 using the Decision Making Matrix from the NH Department of Health and Human Services.  This matrix takes into consideration the level of community of transmission against the level of school impact and provides guidance to determine which learning model should be implemented. 

Tonight, the School Board met and discussed the continuing rise in transmission rates of COVID-19 within our counties and communities.  After discussion and public input, the School Board voted to continue with the remote model of instruction through February 1 and to reassess the situation at the end of January.       

We will continue to monitor transmission rates and the level of school impact daily and communicate information as necessary.  

Additional Resources

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Dashboard

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Considerations for Transitioning Between School Instructional Models Based on Level of Community COVID-19 Transmission and Impact on Local Schools (September 1, 2020)

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And another update, and a correction.

Lucy  

COVID by the Numbers-January 9 Edition

Correction and Update

First, the correction:

A constituent brought to my attention a line in my last update that was incorrect and had the potential to be misleading. 

In my last update, I referred to the vaccine as still being an experimental treatment.  That statement was incorrect, and I should have chosen my words more carefully.  

I used it because the vaccines are being used under an Emergency Use Authorization, pending full FDA approval.  However, having checked with medical experts, they do NOT consider the vaccines to be experimental at this point, and I should not have used that word.  

I very much regret if this has in any way made anyone more reluctant to get a vaccine which has been tested extensively and which has been found to be both safe and effective.  I am certainly going to get vaccinated myself, just as soon as we get to phase 2-a.

My thanks to the constituent who brought the matter to my attention, so this correction could be made, and my apologies to all.

Now, the update:

My last post was data from January 7.  Last night, the report of January 8 brought the news of 7 more cases here in Walpole.  We now have a new high of 25 currently active cases in town, more than any other town in Cheshire County.  Only the City of Keene, with 66 currently active cases, has more.  The total number of cases in Walpole over the course of the pandemic now stands at 61.

Yesterday, Cheshire County was the only county in New Hampshire that did not have a slight decrease in the number of cases per 100,000 population.  Our increase was only slight, and we are still lower in that respect than most other counties, but we are still going in the wrong direction.

The state as a whole crossed the 50,000 mark yesterday, with 50,152total cases reported and 19 new deaths.  On a more positive note, hospitalizations, which had hit a high of 335 on January 2, are now down to 297.

Wear your mask, keep your distance, wash your hands.  Please be especially careful during our own local spike in cases.

~Representative Lucy Weber

603-499-0282

lwmcv@comcast.net

Office Assistant Job Opening

Walpole Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office

The Town of Walpole is accepting applications for a full-time, temporary Office Assistant for the Town Clerk’s Office. This position will potentially become the permanent position of Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector.

Candidates should have excellent customer service skills, proficient personal computer skills including experience using MSOffice, e-file management, and be able to create and respond to e-mail communications; knowledge and use of business telephone etiquette; general office procedures; be organized and complete tasks in a timely manner, have business level math skills and data entry experience, ability to be courteous with the public and be a good listener.

A High School diploma or GED required with advanced education in a business disciplineand/or business-related experience desired. Applicant must be a resident of the Town of Walpole.

COVID by the Numbers Midweek Update, January 7 Edition

and

When Can I Get Vaccinated?

First, the numbers update.  Cheshire County has had 56 new cases in the last week.  17 of those cases appear to have been in Walpole.  We currently have our all-time high of 18 currently active cases.  Yesterday, January 6, the state recorded a record 24 deaths in one day.  Tomorrow, or the next day, the state of New Hampshire will reach the milestone of 50,000 total cases since  start of the pandemic.  COVID is not only out there, it is right here.  Be careful out there.  You know the drill:  WYM, KYD, WYH, and keep well.

Second, vaccines.  I had a request today for information about NH’s vaccine timetable.  The best graphic I have seen is to be found here:

Click to access covid19-vaccine-allocation-plan-summary.pdf

Currently, we are part way through Phase 1-a, with the first recipients starting to receive their second shot.  Be sure to check in with your Primary Care Provider to find out if your health issues permit you to jump the line.  The timeline may vary with how may doses of vaccine are allocated to NH.  Fun fact for today: Members of the clergy are first responders.

NH is not considering a vaccine mandate, and strongly recommends that employers not mandate the vaccine either.  This is still an experimental treatment.

Here is some guidance for schools, businesses, and employers/employees: 

Click to access covid-19-%20vaccine-faq-schools-employers.pdf

Finally, here is the NH DHHS Page with ALL the information.  I find it highly technical, confusing, and …sometimes conflicting, but you may find just what you need.

https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/vaccination-planning.htm

I hope this is helpful.

Lucy

~Representative Lucy Weber

603-499-0282

Lwmcv@comcast.net

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting, via Zoom, to order at 5:30 PM.  She announced that Ms. Cheryl Mayberry and Mr. Steven Dalessio, the other two Selectboard members are also present.  The Selectboard members are in three separate locations.  Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, is in the Walpole Town Hall, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, is by telephone at a separate location.  This Zoom meeting is being recorded remotely by FACT-TV.  It is available for viewing on the internet.

Public comments are to be emailed to Mrs. Downing at the Walpole Town Hall or by calling 603-756-3672.  She will display the agenda.  That will be followed by documents as they are being discussed.

Mrs. Pschirrer called for a voice roll call vote of the Selectboard present:  Cheryl Mayberry was present; Steven Dalessio was present and Peggy Pschirrer was present.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (c) Reputations.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:35 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 29, 2020, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

There was no Accounts Payable Check Register this week due to the short holiday week.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending December 26, 2020, in the amount of $30,336.25 for checks dated January 1, 2021 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,087.58.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – December 23, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 23, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 23, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 23, 2020, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Pending Further Actions:

Town Street Lights, Tax Deeded Property Sale, Houghton Brook Bridge Repair, Reservoir Dam Repairs, Emergency Generators:  These agenda items will remain on the Pending Further Actions list.

NEW BUSINESS:

Police Department Resignation:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the resignation of Police Chief Michael Paquette effective March 31, 2021.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

2021 Draft Warrant Articles:  Mrs. Pschirrer had drafted the first 2021 Warrant Articles for review.  Some need figures added in.  She did not include the Dog Ordinance.  An article for the newly elected Town Clerk’s salary plus an article to split the Town Clerk and Tax Collector’s positions also has to be added.  Mr. Dalessio noted this brings them below the figures in the existing budget.

Next Selectboard Meeting:  The next regular Selectboard meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 7, 2021, at 6:30 PM.  

Mrs. Pschirrer wished everyone a safe and healthy Happy New Year.   

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Starting at 6:30 PM via Zoom and live-streamed on Fact-TV

SELECTBOARD MEETING

SNOW REMOVAL AND DAMAGE TO PRIVATE PROPERTY• Re: snow stakes and lawn damage

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $850,089.96 for checks issued 1/08/2021

PAYROLL• Payroll Register totaling $35,473.09 dated 12/11/2020 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $8,012.77

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES• Selectboard Minutes – December 29, 2020• Non-Public Selectboard Session – December 29, 2020

OLD BUSINESS• 2021 Annual Budget Public Meeting

Pending Further Actions

Town Street Lights, Tax Deeded Property Sale, Houghton Brook Bridge Repair, Reservoir Dam Repairs, Emergency Generators

NEW BUSINESS• Municipal Resources Professional Services Agreement• Cemetery Deed D571• Cemetery Deed D572• Cemetery Deed D573• 2020 Town Report Cover Ideas• Thank You Card

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

**Any recording, audio or visual, and/or other devices must be declared at the beginning of the meeting**

PUBLIC NOTICE

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 7 pm

Walpole Planning Board January meeting

via Zoom 

www.zoom.us

and enter Meeting ID number 

931 6255 6866

WALPOLE PLANNING BOARD AGENDA

January 12, 2021

Zoom meeting: 7 pm

             ​​

Roll Call – 

Minutes – Review minutes of the November and December meetings. One correction in Roll Call of November meeting: It should say, There was a quorum for the meeting. Absent: Joanna Andros.

Old Business:

Public Hearing No. 1

Subdivision: Jay Landry two lots into four lots, Map 17, Lots 5 and 5-1, land between Old Keene Rd. and Wentworth Rd. All lots have required 200 feet road frontage and 40,000 square feet, Residential A. 

The new lots would be:

​ Lot 5.1 – 2.19 acres with 200 feet road frontage on Wentworth Road; 

​ Lot 5-2 – 1.67 acres with 200 feet road frontage on Wentworth Road; 

​ Lot 5-3 – 1.15 acres with 200 feet road frontage on Wentworth Road;

​ and 5-4 – 6.22 acres with 203.61 feet road frontage on Old Keene Road and Wentworth Road.​ ​48.5 feet road frontage on Wentworth Road.

Public Hearing No. 2:

Short-term rental zoning amendment to be added to the bed and breakfast ordinance and placed on the March 2021 warrant. It will read:

​ Article 4, Section L   Bed and Breakfast Establishments

​So called “Bed and Breakfast” and short -term rental establishments for the accommodation of ​paying, overnight guests, may be maintained in all zoning districts provided that the number ​of rooms for rent in any one establishment shall not number more than four and further ​provided that breakfast may be the only meal provided and that only to bona fide overnight ​guests. The conversion of a single-family residence or other building to a bed and breakfast or ​short-term rental shall require Site Plan approval by the Planning Board. Off-street parking for ​one car per rented room plus space for owner parking shall be provided.”

Since this item will be going on the warrant it is being postponed until there can be an in-person meeting.

New Business: 

Request for a Public Hearing for Zoning Amendments to signage ordinance, Article IV, D, be added to the March 2021 warrant.

It would be Article IV Section D3 – Limitations, second paragraph.

“Inflatable signs; wind-activated signs like feather flags; oscillating, rotating, flashing, neon or other tubular gas signs; or signs with blinking, changing or moving illumination are not permitted. These prohibitions do not apply to signs used for public safety purposes by a government entity.”

It replaces “Oscillating, rotating, flashing, neon or other tubular gas sings are not permitted except when used for public safety purposed by a government entity.”

This ordinance deals with temporary signs. It will be number 9 in the signage ordinance in Article IV, D. The current number 9 will become number 10. The new ordinance reads:

“9. Temporary Signs

A temporary sign is any sign not permanently attached to the ground, a wall, or a building that is intended to be displayed for a short and limited period of time.

Examples of temporary signs include announcement signs; real estate signs; community or civic event signs; political campaign signs pursuant to RSA 664; garage or yard sale signs or signs for other special events that occur for a limited period of time.

All temporary signs shall be removed within ten (10) days following the event or activity being promoted.

Public Hearing approved unanimously approved by PB, but since this item is going on the warrant it will be postponed until there can be an in-person Public Hearing.

Request for a Public Hearing:

Site Plan: Bed and Breakfast at the Watkins Tavern at Hooper Golf Club: Walpole D and D LLC, 116 Prospect Hill Road, Map 8, Lot , Residential A. Cindy Westover representing owner Fred Dill. Prospective owners Eric Brandolini and Steven Leclerman.

Unanimous approval by PB. Public Hearing via Zoom in January.

​ 

The December Planning Board meeting was canceled because of Gov. Chris Sununu’s mandate to Covid-19 mandate so the Select Board decided to close the Town Hall from in-person meetings and other activities. Since there were Public Hearings on the agenda and questions from abutters or the public about these hearings, the Board via email made these decisions.

Due to the increase in cases of Covid-19 in the state, the December meeting was canceled. Since the items on the agenda need discussion and input from the public as well as the WPB board members, the December items will be addressed in January via Zoom. Mr. Jeff Harrington agreed to be host of the meeting.

But the Board was asked to weigh in on the following items via email:

​Public Hearing No. 1: Subdivision: Jay Landry two lots into four lots, Map 17, ​Lots 5 and 5-1, land between Old Keene Rd. and Wentworth Rd. All lots have ​ ​200 feet road frontage and 40,000 square feet, Residential A.  Rather than giving ​conditional approval, the Board voted to give abutters a chance to weigh in on the ​subdivision proposal. Three abutters had questions they wished to ask Mr. Landry. 

​Board vote: Unanimous to hold meeting via Zoom in January. Board vote: 7-0.

​Public Hearing No. 2: Short-term Rentals, Zoning amendment to Walpole Zoning ​Ordinances. 

​Board vote: Unanimous to hold meeting via Zoom in January. Board vote: 7-0.

​However since this item was to go on the March 2021 warrant, Select Board member ​Steve ​Dalessio asked the Zoning Board of Adjustment Chair, Jan Galloway-Leclerc, to ​postpone this hearing, which means it wouldn’t go on the warrant until 2022. Although ​Ms. Leclerc felt this ​ordinance was time sensitive, she also understood that zoom ​hearings might present challenges to people wanting to participate in the hearing. This ​hearing will take place when it is determined by the Select Board that the Town Hall is ​safe to hold in-person hearings.

​

​New Business: Request for a Public Hearing: Watkins Tavern, site plan, 166 ​Prospect Hill ​Road,  Map 8, Lot 16-1, Residential A, owner-occupied Bed and ​Breakfast. Mr. Marcom made a motion to hold a Public Hearing for the Watkins Tavern ​site plan. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion.  Unanimous Board vote of 7-0.

​Request for a Public Hearing: ZBA amendments on signage – temporary signs and​feather flags. Mr. Marcom ​made a motion to hold a Public Hearing for ZBA ​ordinance on signage to be held in January.  Mr. Harrington seconded the ​motion.  Unanimous Board vote of 7-0.

​Board vote: Unanimous to hold meeting via Zoom in January. Board vote: 7-0.

​However since this item was to go on the March 2021 warrant, Select Board member ​Steve ​Dalessio asked the Zoning Board of Adjustment Chair, Jan Galloway-Leclerc, to ​postpone this hearing, which means it wouldn’t go on the warrant until 2022. Although ​Ms. Leclerc felt this ​ordinance was time sensitive, she also understood that zoom ​hearings might present challenges to people wanting to participate in the hearing. This ​hearing will take place when it is determined by the Select Board that the Town Hall is ​safe to hold in-person hearings.

The regular January 2021 meeting of the Walpole Planning Board will take place via Zoom on January 12, 2021, at 7 pm.

zoom.us  

Meeting ID is 931 6255 6866

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine