The Walpolean

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town.  She introduced Ms. Cheryl Mayberry and Mr. Steven Dalessio, the other two Selectboard members.  Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, are also in attendance.  This regular meeting is being filmed by FACT-TV in Bellows Falls, VT.  It is available for viewing on the internet.  

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

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

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:34 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $66,795.36 for checks issued October 23, 2020.  This includes a payment of $22,335.69 to Granite State Minerals for Highway salt.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending October 17, 2020, in the amount of $29,802.60 for checks dated October 23, 2020, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,017.18.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – October 15, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 15, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – October 15, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of October 15, 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.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

STAFF MEETING – October 15, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of October 15, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:• Planning Board Meeting – October 13, 2020;• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – October 13, 2020.

BUILDING PERMITS:

Building Permit #2020-43, MAP and LOT #007-020-001: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit #2020-43 for the owners of Map and Lot #007-020-001 to build a “63’ x 48’ House with 36’ x 30’ Garage”.  The owners plan to do the electrical and plumbing work themselves but it will be reviewed by the licensed contractors.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Building Permit #2020-45, MAP and LOT #008-031-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit #2020-45 for the owners of Map and Lot #008-031-000 to add a “20’ x 16’ Carport Attached to an Existing Barn”.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Building Permit #2020-46, MAP and LOT #004-003-003: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit #2020-46 for the owners of Map and Lot #004-003-003 to construct a “20’ x 8’ Shed”.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Walpole ESSER Funds re: Walpole Schools:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Selectboard response to Mr. James Fenn, Chief Financial Officer, Fall Mountain Regional School District, to notify them that the Town cannot fulfill their request regarding the CARES Funding.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.   

Cannon Wheel Repair Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported they had been notified that the wooden wheels on the cannons on the Common were rotting.  They received one bid to repair them for $3,895 from Walpole Woodworks.  No other bidders could be sourced.

Mr. Dalessio moved to repair the cannon wheels by Walpole Woodworks for the amount of $3,895.  This price will not exceed the estimate by more than 20% without prior approval by the Selectboard.  Funding will come out of the American Legion Memorial Fund.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

4-H Scarecrow Project:  Mrs. Holly Gowdy, leader of the 4-H Pinnacleview group, came into the meeting.  In October, they carved pumpkins.  They felt it would be fun to make scarecrows in November and to place them around the gazebo on the Common.  However, they would need Selectboard permission.  They would like to do this project on Sunday, October 26^th about 2:30 pm and leave the scarecrows up through that week.  It would all be taken down on Sunday, November 1^st.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the scarecrows set up along the fence of the North Walpole Park; they are terrific.  The Selectboard members agreed that the Gazebo stairways should not be blocked. They approved this request to set up scarecrows around the gazebo on the Common. They thanked Mrs. Gowdy for coming in to ask for permission.  

Pending Further Actions:

Reservoir Dam Repairs:  Mr. Dalessio did not receive the report from Fuss & O’Neill.  Mrs. Pschirrer did receive the report that is several pages long and quite detailed.  There was a consensus to carry-over this item for the agenda next week.  Mr. John Peska will be invited to attend.

Town Street Lights:  Mrs. Pschirrer received some information on facts and figures on the Town streetlights from Mr. Steve Grenier.  This will be an agenda item for next week.

Sewer Bond Fee:  Mr. Dalessio had distributed copies of the “Sewer Bond Payment/Based on Units of Water”.  The Selectboard had talked about changing from a flat $90/quarter to units of water.  He took $262,936 of Bond Dollars Received; Averaged it out to $0.088 Sewer Bond Per Unit of Water and is suggesting going to $0.110 Proposed Sewer Bond Per Unit of Water.  This will give them a little more revenue that can be put away in the PDIP account for future bond costs.  A minimum water/sewer user’s bond payment would go from $90.00 quarter to $55.00 quarter.  The Proposed Sewer Bond Collection is $331,646.48.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that, if approved, this would go into effect the first quarter of 2021.  It is based on units of water that people use.  Ms. Mayberry feels it looks reasonable.  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that there will be more bonds over the next 20 years or so.  He would like to give this to Mr. Mark Houghton to review before a final decision is made.  Mr. Dalessio feels they should be meeting at least once a year on utilities to review where they are and where they are going. Ms. Mayberry would like to see the document with bond information from the Village of Bellows Falls.

Houghton Brook Bridge Repair and Grant:  Mr. Dalessio reported the Grant Committee was meeting today on the Houghton Brook Bridge Repair and Grant but he did not know if any decisions were made.  

NEW BUSINESS:

Halloween Landscape Lighting:  Mrs. Downing felt that since this would be a quiet Halloween, it might be nice to have an LED outdoor projection light on Town Hall.  They would be on a timer; maybe 6:00-to-8:00 PM.  Ms. Mayberry said they are in the spirit of Halloween; they look great.  Mr. Dalessio mentioned the lights freak-out some dogs.  Local dogs might be being walked or traveling with Trick or Treaters.  The Selectboard approved this purchase.

Savings Bank of Walpole Event on The Common:  Mrs. Downing reported the Savings Bank of Walpole is considering hosting a holiday event on the Common during the month of November or December.  It would be some music, hot cocoa, snacks and maybe sleigh rides, and other ideas that brings holiday cheer.  Ms. Mayberry felt the SBW should pick a date that works for them and if no one else has reserved it, then it is theirs.

Recreation Department:  Ms. Mayberry has not yet received the estimate for repairs to the pool building roof.  Hopefully it will arrive before the next meeting.

Highway Department:  Mrs. Pschirrer has been noticing how many roads have been striped.  Wentworth Road is dark and there is no striping on that road.  Why has it been omitted?  Ms. Mayberry will check with Mr. Rau to see what the plan is.  He was asked to do all the roads as the lines make a big difference.  Those roads are safer.  County Road is a State road. They will have to make a request to the NH Department of Transportation.

FACT-TV:  Mrs. Pschirrer announced that this concludes the regular Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will resume their Non-Public Session.  FACT-TV discontinued filming and left this meeting.    

RESUME NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to resume the Non-Public Selectboard Session that was recessed earlier in this 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 motion was approved at 7:10 PM.   

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:23 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 22, 2020, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Recreation Area Parking Lot Deed and Sales Agreement: Ms. Mayberry reported that the documents for the Recreation Area Parking Lot are on the agenda for the next Fall Mountain Regional School District Board meeting on Monday, October 26^th.  

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.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

COVID by the Numbers—October Recap.

What a month October has been!  And Halloween ended on a scary note, with 6 new cases in Cheshire County.  Here is a recap of the month.

At the beginning of the month, Cheshire County had had 152 total COVID-19 cases, with 10 cases being active on October 1.  By Halloween, the total number of cases had climbed to 206, and the number of active cases had gone up to 32; Keene(9) Jaffrey(7) Rindge(6) and 1-4in each of Hinsdale, Swanzey, Dublin and Harrisville.  The 7 day average of new cases per 100,00 went from 1.7 to 3.2 as of October 29.  That number went down as low as 0.6 on the 7^th and 8^th, but then came rocketing back again.

The state went from 52 new cases on the 1^st to 205 new cases on the 30th —the first time that New Hampshire reported more than 200 cases in a single day.  Hospitalizations went from 15 to 42.  And the number of lives lost went from 441 to 483—42 souls departed.

Transmission has been through youth hockey, restaurants/bars, and according to DHHS, mostly through small gatherings of family and friends.  It is so easy to let your guard down when visiting with family and friends.  But even there, please be sure to keep up the precautions, especially if travelling or entertaining others over the upcoming holidays.

On a positive note, there were no new cases in Cheshire County on November 1.  Let’s do all we can to keep it that way.  And another interesting idea—some are suggesting that the precautions taken to avoid COVID, along with an extra push to get the flu shot, may also lead to a lighter flu season.  Here’s hoping they are correct.

Keep on wearing the mask, even when distancing; 

Keep your distance, even when masked; 

Wash your hands, 

And keep well.

~Representative Lucy Weber

Lwmcv@comcast.net

603-499-0282

November 1st is right around the corner – Sunday to be exact. In case you have forgotten, Dale asked me to post this reminder. – Lil

Per Walpole Cemetery By-Laws, all all floral displays, pots must be removed from the Cemeteries by November 1st.  Please be respectful and help maintain the beauty of our Cemeteries. Thanks from the Cemetery Trustees.

NOVEMBER 2020 — NOW ON-LINEby Ray Boas

Yes, already the eleventh month of this most different year. But moving right along anyway, the November 2020 issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION is now on-line for you to browse and read. Your “hard copy” in now in the mail, and you should be receiving it in a day.

So, take a look — detailed Town news from Peggy, our student articles are back, the new Reuse Center is open, some “Turkey” information, and a reminder to vote. And, just in case, I have a post ready to send on Monday to remind you to VOTE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3rd.

CLICK ON THIS LINK
FOR THE NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE

Our State Representative, Lucy Weber, is providing the community with important COVID-19 updates. She provides them to THE WALPOLEAN – a community blog. Since I am not providing as frequent updates as occur on THE WALPOLEAN, I encourage you to click on the links for the site, and sign up for email notifications – just as you have done for THE WALPOLE CLARION, or will do if you have not already done so.

Please take care, wear your masks, socially distance, stay well! RAY BOAS, Publisher

Good news for us. Glad to hear that Walpole is well at least. Stay the course! – Lil

COVID by the Numbers—October 29 morning update

In Cheshire County, the 7 day average of cases per 100,000 has jumped from 1.9 to 3.0.  That rise is driven by the 6 new cases reported on  October 26.  Of those 6 new cases, 3 are in one family in Hinsdale, and the Hinsdale police chief reports that they self-isolated early, have notified their contacts, and have had no contact with the schools.  He says they are doing well and no further information will be forthcoming.  1 of those 6cases was in Keene, and 2 were in Rindge. On October 27, 3 more cases were reported;  also in Jaffrey and Rindge. On October 28, we were back to 0 new cases.

Here’s the good news: Cheshire County has the lowest 7 day average of new cases in the state.  Hillsborough is at the top of the list, at 8.9.  And as of yesterday, October 28, both Walpole and Westmoreland were removed from the Active Cases map, so a couple of people have recovered.  Cheshire County currently has 24 active cases, down from a high of 27 a couple of days ago.  Active cases are located in Keene(10) Jaffrey(5) Rindge(5) Hinsdale(3) and Swanzey(1).

Not-so-good news:  Vermont has now restricted leisure travel from all NH counties—even though Vermont’s overall rate, at 3.6 is more than Cheshire County’s rate of 3.0, and our neighbor to the west, Windham County, is also higher than us, at 3.4.  Essential travel and travel for work are still allowed.

COVID Fatigue is a real thing.  Currently, along with youth hockey programs, the real spreaders in NH are people who let their guard down in small gatherings of family and friends.  So please hang in there, and go on using caution.

For those of you who are statistics buffs, Wendy Grossman just introduced me to a site that is new to me–Covid Act Now. ( covidactnow.org )  In addition to new cases per 100,000, they also look at four other measures—infection rate, positive test rate, percentage of ICU beds used, and percentage of tracers hired.  I’m still working at wrapping my head around some of the extra numbers, but you can take a deeper look for yourselves.  Thank you, Wendy, for passing on this useful resource.

🎼🎶Wear your mask-even when keeping your distance, 

🎵🎶keep your distance, even when wearing your mask, 

🎵🎶wash your hands, 

🎵🎶and keep well.🎶

~Representative Lucy Weber

lwmcv@comcast.net

603 499 0282

Hydrants in the Town of Walpole are being flushed Wednesday October 28 and Thursday October 29. You may experience discolored water. Run the water for about 5 minutes or until the water runs clear.

Thank you,

Walpole Water Department

Please be aware that the polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Absentee ballots must be in by 5:00 PM, however.

COVID-19 by the Numbers October 26–Evening Update

And just like that, it changes again.

The news release for today lists 6 new cases in Cheshire County, 50% more than we have ever seen on a single day to date.  That’s only 2 extra cases, but the trend is not going in the right direction.  The new cases are in Hinsdale(3), Rindge(2), and Keene(1).

Currently, Cheshire now has 26 active cases.  Given that there were 21 active cases yesterday, the good news is that someone got better and was taken off the list.

You know what to do….and keep well.

~Representative Lucy Weber

603-499-0282

lwmcv@comcast.net