The Walpolean

No heavy lifting involved! That will come when the books head back to Main Street. – Lil

TOWN OF WALPOLE

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

OCTOBER 3, 2019

 

Hooper Trustees Present:   Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy Pschirrer; Cheryl Mayberry

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 8:11 PM.  He advised this meeting is being recorded.  

 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING – September 26, 2019: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of September 26, 2019, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

NON-PUBLIC HOOPER TRUSTEES SESSION – September 26, 2019:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Hooper Trustees Session of September 26, 2019, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

HOOPER BUSINESS:

HOOPER INSTITUTE BOARD:  Ms. Mayberry attended the October 2, 2019, Hooper Institute Board meeting.  It was a good structured meeting.  Mrs. Holly Gowdy was formally voted in as president.  In Ms. Dalbeck’s presentation, there was quite a bit of talk about the budget and staffing costs.  Ms. Karen Galloway and Mr. Bob Kimball, Trustees of Trust Funds, questioned the money market fund in Cambridge and Cheryl Mayberry suggested we put into PDIP.  Ms. Mayberry advised they voted to do this at the meeting. There was discussion about the importance of doing fundraisers.  Ms. Dalbeck gave the Board members copies of her report.  There will be more discussion about fundraising during the next monthly meeting. Mrs. Gowdy had questions about charging for some programs.  Ms. Mayberry did not feel there were any restrictions on this. She will check on it.  Mrs. Pschirrer said this all sounds very positive.  

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting.  The Hooper Trustees will return to the Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

 

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

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM 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 were six visitors in attendance.  

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

BROADBAND COMMITTEE PRESENTATION AND REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:  Mr. Paul Looney, Mr. Rod Bouchard and Mr. Bob Anderson, members of the Broadband Committee, were present.  Mr. Dennis Marcom, Mr. Dick Hill, and Mr. Steve Grenier, also members of the Broadband Committee, were unable to attend.  Mr. Looney distributed copies of the Walpole Broadband Advisory Committee’s, “Making Walpole a Connected Community” PowerPoint Presentation.  We owe a great deal of “Thank You” to Chesterfield and Westmoreland who provided a lot of information. He began with the “Summary” that states the plan is to provide Broadband Internet to the underserved in Walpole.  Chesterfield applied for a $2,000,000 bond over 20 years, but Walpole does not know what our figures will be until they get information from the vendors.  In Chesterfield, it did not require any taxpayer money. However, they did charge a fee to subscribers of $10 maximum/month so the vendor could pay off the bond.  Mr. Looney continued a page-by-page explanation of the information provided.  

 

Mr. Bob Anderson reported that according to their figures, Comcast covers 72% of the Town.  Mr. Dalessio noted it does not change the value of the Town.  

 

Mr. Looney advised their process will be to send out the RFP.  They will have an informational meeting for the Town.  They are also going to take a survey.  They want to do this electronically, but paper copies will be available. It will be advertised in the Walpole Clarion.  They hope to get information from the residents about their experiences.  After they get the RFPs back, the committee will evaluate, choose the best one and make their recommendation to the Selectboard.  They will then begin the bonding process.  Mr. Bouchard advised that the Bond Bank in NH is set up to issue primarily non-taxable municipal bonds.  Unless we get our application in soon, it could be held up for quite some time.  Non-taxable Bonds take priority.  We need to do our due diligence as quickly as possible.  Mr. Dalessio questioned having a clause in the RFP for a Surety Bond in the event the company fails.  Mr. Looney felt that would be in the contract.  Mr. Looney noted they have to have a Town Warrant Article for the Annual Town Meeting.  

 

Ms. Mayberry noted that their figures indicate 72% of the Town is covered by Comcast.  Her concern is with Consolidated and the level of service they provide.  Maybe they would provide better service with the addition of broadband service?  Ms. Mayberry pointed out that the service we are providing is to the curb.  People may have to look at the cost of improving their service when it connects into their home.  

 

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the Request for Proposal to improve the broadband service.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessioin favor, the motion was approved.

 

MR. CHIP WOOD:  Mr. Wood asked where the Selectboard is regarding the posting of weight limit signs on the Alstead Center Road for 20/ton.  Mr. Dalessio said it is posted and that is where the weight will stay.  At some time it might be revisited.  There is an alternative way through Alstead that Mr. Wood can use.  Mr. Wood noted the Town sent a letter to a company he is involved in.  It puts a financial burden on this company.  This road is in better condition than many other roads in Town. The culvert was repaired, but the dip has not been repaired. Mr. Wood thinks this is a personal vendetta with the Walpole Road Agent.  Mr. Dalessio said two more letters will be going out. Mr. Wood has rights under the RSA to pursue this.    

 

BUILDING PERMIT 2019-35; LEO BLAIR & JUDITH TRESCHUK:  Mr. Leo Blair had submitted a building permit request to erect a “24’ x 12’ Wooden Shed” at 70 Whitcomb Road.  Mr. Blair explained their house is small. His wife would like to have a shed for her art studio.  Mr. Dalessio advised they looked at this building permit last week and felt a survey is needed. There is a question on how close the shed would be to the next-door lot.  Mr. Blair had gone to the Registry of Deeds in Keene looking for a survey. They could not come up with a survey for anybody in that area except in 1973. Things have changed since then.  A survey will cost $2,500.  Mrs. Pschirrermentioned the Zoning Ordinance has regulations on expansion of non-conforming lots.  Measurements on the Town’s tax card and those on the building permit were re-calculated.  Ms. Mayberry said there is more land down the slope beyond the chain-link fence; they are missing about 90-feet on the building permit.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that every deed has a description of the boundaries. It should be recorded in Keene.  Mr. Dalessio summarized there are inconsistencies. A survey needs to be done to show the boundaries and the position of everything including the house.         

 

BUILDING PERMIT:  Mr. Peter Smith and his Father, Mr. Ralph Smith, had previously talked to the Selectboard about a building permit.  They have run into sewer issues on the private line.  Bensonwood and Chamberlain Machine are meeting with their attorneys to discuss a new sewer line connection.  Mr. Smith will need an easement to connect.  He is not sure what his next step will be.  Mr. Dalessio will confer with Mr. Mark Houghton about this.  Mrs. Pschirrer recommended Mr. Smith contact his attorney.  Mr. Dalessio suggested they wait to see what the outcome is of the Bensonwood/Chamberlain meeting.  He asked Mr. Smith to keep the office updated.

 

DEXPART:  Mr. Peter Dexter and Mrs. Kara Dexter were present.  Mrs. Dexter reported they were told to take 25 vehicles off the property by October 1st.  They did 24 and just took another vehicle off on September 27th.  Mr. Dexter said they would be removing more.  Nine or ten vehicles were moved to the back side of the property so you cannot see them from the front.  Mrs. Dexter advised they priced trees for natural screening but they were more expensive than anticipated.  They intend to do tree planting in the spring.  Mrs. Pschirrer suggested they contact the USDA office in the Industrial Park to obtain trees that will be small and usually reasonable in price.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to give Dexpart permission to do tree plantings in the spring.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.                  

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $79,648.19 for checks issued October 4, 2019.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The above amount includes a $27,210 payment for the new Police Dept. cruiser.

 

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending September 28, 2019, in the amount of $28,067.07 for checks issued October 4, 2019, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $5,676.88.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 26, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboardmeeting of September 26, 2019, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – SEPTEMBER 26, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 26, 2019, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  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:

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

2019-35, Leo Blair & Judith Treschuk, 70 Whitcomb Road, Map and Lot #025-010-000: Ms. Mayberry advised this building permit was tabled pending receipt of additional information.  

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Tax Deeded Properties:  Mr. Dalessio reported the two Tax Deeded property letters were drafted by Attorney Hockensmith.  These are 90 day notices.  

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the two letters written by Attorney Hockensmith for the Tax Deeded properties.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

 

Hiring and Exit Procedures:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Hiring and Exit Procedures.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Air Conditioning for 2nd Floor of Town Hall:  Mr. Dalessio reported the Walpole Players had their meeting to talk about air conditioning on the second floor of the Town Hall.  Mrs. Lisa Bryan pointed out that they are looking at some creative ways to raise money for it.  

 

Town Hall Locks:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Mr. Rich Kreissle’s Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Town Hall Locks.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

NH-ENS Non-Emergency Users:   Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize Mrs. Sarah Downing to sign the NH Emergency Notification System (NH-ENS) – Authorized Official Form – Non-Emergency Access.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Trivantus Payroll Service:  The Trivantus Payroll Service has notified the Town that they now have added features for keying Police Department time, pay rates, etc.  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to give them one year working with this one NH town and new service before they will re-consider entering into an agreement with them.  Mrs. Pschirrer will send them an email to this effect.

 

Old Stage Road Letter:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to sign the letter to Daniel and Amy McCabe regarding the Old Stage Road.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.   

 

Alstead Center Road Weight Limit Letters:  Mrs. Pschirrermoved to approve the letters to the Town of Rockingham and Fuzzy Brothers regarding the weight limit posting of the Alstead Center Road.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

It was noted that a similar letter will be sent to Bazin Brothers. If anyone is aware of other trucks/ trucking companies that use the Alstead Center Road, let the Selectboard Office know.

 

Pending Further Actions:

Citizen’s Complaint 2019-02 Letter:  Mr. Dalessio reported there are no updates.

 

Ramsay Hill Right-Of-Way:  Mr. Dalessio tabled this agenda item as there were no updates.

 

New Reuse Center:  Mr. Dalessio tabled this agenda item as there were no updates.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Broadband Committee Presentation and RFP:  This was presented earlier in this meeting.

 

Lola’s Pizza Beer and Wine License Endorsement:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the letter to the NH Liquor Commission to advise that the Town of Walpole Select unanimously voted to grant permission to Alexis Harris, owner of Lola’s Pizza and Subs Inc., to obtain a beer and wine license for her business, Lola’s Pizzaria, located at 16 Church Street, North Walpole, NH.  The Board made no objections to the sale of beer and wine at this restaurant.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  

 

Primex Secure Member Portal Authorization Form:   Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Chairman of the Selectboard, Steven Dalessio, be authorized to sign the Primex Secure Member Portal Authorization form.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public SelectboardSession pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Ms. Mayberry seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 8:02 PM.

 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:10 PM.

 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 3, 2019, be sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

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.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:16 PM

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Brownfields Clean-Up Project:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that tomorrow they will receive their Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Brownfields Clean-Up Project at the former Central Plating Company property.  A bid was received from the Monadnock Fence Company. She would like to fence in that area.  Mrs. Pschirrer has been talking to Attorney Hockensmith about transferring the funds.  They could be put it in PDIP where some interest could be earned.  A deposit needs to be sent to Monadnock Fence.  The fence is $4,545.00.  She would like to get it done before winter. Therefore, she asked about paying it out of Town funds and then getting reimbursed; Mr. Dalessioand Ms. Mayberry approved her request.  

 

Charlestown Withdrawal Study Committee:  Mr. Dalessioreported that last night the Charlestown Withdrawal Study Committee voted 7-to-3 to recommend withdrawal from the Fall Mountain Region School District.  There are still many steps to go.        

 

Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting:  Mrs. Pschirrer will attend the next Walpole Conservation Commission meeting next Monday night at 7:00 PM.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Minutes of previous meetings have been sketchy – more dialogue than decisions. These give a pretty good synopsis of where the Committee is at and the votes that will be taken next Wednesday at the high school Library. – Lil

Unapproved Minutes to be approved at the next meeting on October 14th

Articles of Agreement Committee Meeting Minutes

Fall Mountain Regional High School Library

October 1, 2019

Craig Vickers called the meeting to order at 5:05. Committee members Rich Nalevanko, Joe Levesque, Brenda Melius, Garret Neil, Lil DeCoste and Becky Sethi were in attendance.

Approval of Minutes: No Minutes were available.

Address voting rights on the committee: The question was raised about who should vote when we are ready to do so. Representation from each town varies. Acworth has 2, Alstead has 2, Charlestown has 4, Langdon has 0, and Walpole has 4 in attendance at the meetings.

Those present agreed that we tried very hard to get equal representation and that goal was never met. We felt that those people who have been in attendance at the meetings have earned the right to be counted as voters ( Brenda, Linda, Rich, Joe, Garret, John, Michael, Alissa, Craig, Peggy and Lil)

All votes to be taken will be announced in advance.

Decisions need to be made on:

– the fairness of the funding method

– can it be made more understandable, ie. Lil’s suggested format

– changes in governance, ie. Peggy’s suggested separate elementary school boards or empowering site-based committees

All decisions we make are only recommendations to the school board. As the elected representatives, they make the final decision.

In general we agreed that clarification is needed that:

Only 20 cents of every tax dollar comes under the Methods of funding. 80 cents is attributable to the town’s direct expense.

Methods language should be simplified with an appendix of details. Our draft can be submitted as a starting point but will need to be verified and refined by Jim Fenn.

Definition is needed of ADM-R and ADM-A. This seems to be creating a great deal of confusion.

Article review provided the following agreement:

Article 1, no change

Article 2, vote will be required

Article 3, change to “responsible for grades Pre-K through 12”

Article 4, Clarification needed regarding “empowered to lease such buildings within the district”

Articles 5&6 have to do with the methods and are numbered with Roman Numerals

Article I needs simplification and clarification as stated above

Article II requires the definition of ADM

Article III transportation issue should be part of the annual report/review by School Board prior to submission of the MS25.

Article IV and any other references to grade levels K-… should be changed to Pre-K…

Article V – what does it mean?

Article VI – can be moved to Appendix

Article VII – more explanation needed

Article VIII – is this done with the signing of the MS25?

Article XI – where is this report? When is it done? Review should include Methods 1 & 2.

Articles 7-12 are fine as is.

Articles 13-17 should be removed

Article 18 is fine

We recommend that the pages be numbered.

Next Agenda (10/4/19)

– Approve Minutes

– Review changes into a working document

– Preliminary votes:

Fairness of methods

Changing articles based on our review

Governance

Respectfully submitted,

Lil DeCoste

Please forgive the headline. Just couldn’t resist! – Lil

Ben Hoy sent the following email:

“Hello Lil,

The town of Walpole would like to put the damaged Reuse Center up for bid. The bid deadline is October 24th, and the entire trailer must be removed from the recycling center by December 31rd.

If you could post this information in the Walpolean it would be greatly appreciated.“

 

Spike Dogtooth brings their Brattleboro-based free-range acoustic music to Stage 33 Live, 33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls, VT on Sunday, October 13. Door at 6:00 PM, music at 7:00, suggested $5 donation at the door. There are no presale tickets. The venue’s 40 chairs are first-come first-served, plus standing room. Attendees may bring their own portable seating. There will be space for dancing. More info at stage33live.com

– – –

Spike Dogtooth and Sam Duffy at Stage 33 Live

Festival-jam favorites to play Stage 33 Live

BELLOWS FALLS — Spike Dogtooth plays acoustic music without restriction — bluegrass, Irish, cowgirl-swing, folk, acoustic rock, country blues. The Brattleboro-based band’s core players and revolving crew of guest musicians have developed a loyal following since 1996. Interesting trivia note: They played the first-ever Strolling of the Heifers.

A campground favorite at music festivals over the past 30 years, they’re best known for their legendary all-night jams. This is a rare opportunity to hear them play on a stage that’s inside of a building, showcasing all-original tunes.

At the band’s enthusiastic request, Sam Duffy opens and they’re planning to participate in each other’s sets.

There will be dancing room in front of the stage.

Door at 6:00 PM, music at 7:00 on Sunday, October 13 — a suggested donation of $5 at the door. There are no presale tickets. Seating is limited to 40, first-come first-served. There’s also plenty of standing room; attendees may bring their own camp-style seating if they wish.

The listening event will be recorded and filmed.

Stage 33 Live is located at 33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls, VT, and documents live performances and presentations of original material on a small stage in a former factory building for downstream audiences. Its listening events are all about honoring the stage — not sticking it in the corner and talking over it. No kitchen, no liquor license, but you can find establishments with those things nearby. Coffee, soda, water, and weird snacks by donation. Find more info about the nonprofit all-volunteer project, and this and other other upcoming events online at stage33live.com

AGENDA

 

WALPOLE CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING

October 7, 2019

 

Location and Time:  Walpole Town Hall, Downstairs Office at 7:30 PM.

 

 

 

 

Report from Chair:

 

 

 

 

Members Present: Laura Hayes, Lewis Shelley, Alicia Flammia (Chair), France Menk, Steven Dumont (Recording Secretary)

 

Alternates Present: Peter Palmiotto, Myra Mansouri, Elaine Heleen, 

 

Members Absent: John Peska (Vice Chair), Kelli Wilson, Gary Speed, Jackie Kensen

 

Others Present: Cheryl Mayberry (Selectboard Representative),

 

Call to Order: Alicia called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. 

 

Seating of Alternates: none required.

 

Laura voted to approve the minutes of August 5, 2019. France seconded. All in favor.

 

Public Business:

 

New Business: 

 

Old Business:

 

Other Business:

 

Adjournment: At 8:41 Lew made a motion to adjourn the meeting. France seconded. Meeting adjourned.

Next Meeting: Monday, October 7, 2019 at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted; Steven Dumont, Recording Secretary

Note: These are unapproved minutes. Corrections, if any, will be found in the minutes of October 7, 2019.

School Withdrawal Committee 

FMRHS Library

October 2, 2019 6:00 PM

 

Present:  Albert St.Pierre; Lucien Beam; Steven Dalessio; Frank Emig; Alan Dustin; Sarah Vogel; William Stahl; Scott Bushway; Joseph Levesque; Mary Henry

Chairman Mr. St.Pierre called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 

 

Motion made to approve the minutes of the September 25, 2019 meeting by Mr. Emig, Second by Mrs. Vogel.  All in favor.  Mr. Levesque abstained.  Minutes are accepted as presented.  

 

Motion made by Albert St.Pierre that the Withdrawal of Charlestown from the Fall Mountain Regional School District is recommended and a plan be created to be presented to the State of NH Board of Education, according to the requirements of RSA 195.  Seconded by Mrs. Vogel.  

 

Mr. Dalessio offered a statement.  “It has become clear that Charlestown, through their Select Board, wants to withdraw from the Fall Mountain School District.  They have tried unsuccessfully for decades to have the apportionment formulas and the articles of agreement changed.  This is a long time coming.  The study process has brought to the table many issues.  Such as local control and better understanding of the cost of education.  These discussions must continue for the betterment of the school district.  Voters, I encourage you to become involved.  Go to school board meetings.  Go to budget hearings.  Go to the Deliberative Session.  That also includes going to your local selectmen asking questions.  Ask the hard questions of your school board reps as well.  Selectmen sitting here at the table, we started working together and I think we should continue that for the betterment of all of our communities.  The vote tonight, if passed, will allow the process to move forward.  Both the NH State Board of Education and the citizens of each of the five member towns must approve the plan before they can move forward.  It seems fair to Charlestown to let the process move forward.  The understanding will be an uphill battle to approve the withdrawal at the polls in March, due to the expected increase in costs for the four remaining towns.  Thank you.”

 

Mr. Levesque asked for clarification of the motion.  Mr. St.Pierre noted that if the motion passes, the committee will continue for the purpose of preparing a plan to send to the NH Board of Education.  The committee has about a month to put a plan together for the state’s review, to be in compliance with the timeline laid out in RSA 195.

 

Mr. Stahl noted another option: If we vote against the plan, we [the committee] can file for an extension.  Mrs. Vogel clarified this as the three options in the RSA.  Yes, No, or Need More Time.  Mr. St.Pierre expressed that the motion was made, but that if the motion is defeated, then someone could offer another motion to include the three options.  Or, an amendment to the current motion could be made.

 

Mr. St.Pierre called for the vote on the motion, alphabetical by town as agreed at the September 25, 2019 meeting.

 

The vote is as follows:

 

Francis C. Emig, Jr., Acworth Select Board n

Sarah Vogel, Acworth School Board n

Alan F. Dustin, Alstead Select Boardy

Joseph A. Levesque, Alstead School Board  y

Albert A. St.Pierre, Charlestown Select Board  y

Scott Bushway, Charlestown School Board  y

Lucien Joseph Beam, Langdon Select Board  y

Mary Henry, Langdon School Board  n

Steven J. Dalessio, Walpole Select Board  y

William K. Stahl, Walpole School Board  n

 

By a vote of 6 to 4, the motion passes.

 

Motion by Mary Henry to ask for an extension of the November date.  Second by Mr. Stahl.

 

Mr. Dalessio asks how long is needed for an extension?  Mrs. Henry does not know, but will not delay past deadline to get the plan before the voters in March.

 

Amendment to the motion made by Mr. Dalessio to set the date of extension to November 15, 2019, if approval of an extension is given by the State of NH BOE.  Mr. Dustin seconds the amendment.  

 

Discussion on the amendment to ask for an extension until 11/15 to present the plan.  Mrs. Vogel asks for original date.  Mrs. Henry clarifies the date as November 1, according to RSA 195.

 

Mrs. Henry requests that legal counsel for the district be allowed to speak to the process.   Mr. St.Pierre asks the committee to vote by a show of hands.  At the board’s majority but not unanimous approval, Mrs. Henry introduced Atty. Gordon Graham of Soule, Leslie, Kidder, Sayward & Lougmann.  Mrs. Henry asked what this committee is charged with reporting to the state of NH? 

 

Atty Graham clarified that RSA 195:26 lists all the elements required by the State of NH.  The Plan must include

 

Mr Dalessio asked for clarity regarding the School District’s bylaw stating that adopting a change to the articles of agreement requires a ⅔ vote of the five towns,  but a withdrawal requires only 50%.  Atty Graham does not know –  though he would predict that because the change to the Articles of Agreement may be in the withdrawal plan, they would be subject to the simple majority 50% vote.  Mrs. Vogel asked whether each town must vote in the affirmative or a majority of all votes total in the five towns?  Atty Graham states that each town must vote in the affirmative for a withdrawal.  Mrs. Henry clarified that if one town does not vote in the affirmative, the withdrawal would not pass.   Mr. St.Pierre asked for the RSA stating that each town must vote yes.  Atty Graham read from RSA 195:29.   Upon reading the RSA, it was determined that the total vote of the five towns must be a simple majority of 50%.  

 

Discussion to adjust the amendment to the motion for a deadline of December 1, 2019, pending that the State of NH will grant  an extension.  Made by Mr. Dalessio and seconded by Mr. Dustin.  By a vote of 8 in favor, 2 opposed, the motion passes.

 

Original motion to request an extension from the State Board of Education, as made by Mrs. Henry and seconded by Mr. Stahl.  All in favor.  Motion passes.

 

Mr. St.Pierre continued to the next agenda item, asking if the committee is ready to work on a plan.  Mrs. Henry asks if the committee will vote on the plan when it is complete?  Mr. St. Pierre notes that that will be a majority vote.

 

Public comment:

Mr. St.Pierre opened the floor.  Tom Cobb, Charlestown, thanked the members of the board for their dedication and hard work.  He appreciates that the board is allowing the vote to go to the voters.  Mike Patton, Charlestown, questioned if Charlestown withdrawing will save money or if it is a reallocation of money to the remaining towns?  Mr. St.Pierre clarified that a plan will be put together and the committee has numbers to do so.  Mrs. Henry and Mrs. Vogel feel they have hard numbers from the CFO, showing that costs will go up.  Mr. Dalessio spelled out that the finance subcommittee presented drafts of budgets, showing that some things will go up and some will go down as a result of a Charlestown withdrawal.  Only Charlestown has offered a reduction from the proposal by Jim Fenn, CFO.  Mr. Dalessio advised Mr. Patton to have a conversation with the finance subcommittee or the Charlestown Withdrawal Advisory Committee for clarification.  Mr. Emig clarified that the State BOE has to approve the plan before it goes to the voters.  Shelly Andrus, Charlestown, asked that a majority vote of the committee has to approve the plan before it goes to the voters?  Yes, the committee will vote on the plan before the plan goes to the state.  If the State BOE approves the plan, then it will go to the voters.  Mr. Dalessio lays out that the committee will:

 

Mr. St.Pierre clarified that the minority report may only be filed with the school board of the cooperative, a majority report is filed with the state.  Mrs. Henry asked Atty Graham where the minority report is to be filed.  The Attorney read the statute.  The minority report does not go to the State BOE.  Terry Spilsbury, Charlestown, contended that the statute has two provisions.  One is that if the majority votes yes, which is what occurred, then the majority prepares a plan and files it with the state by the November 1 deadline, unless an extension is obtained.  Those who voted no are entitled to file a dissent with the State BOE.  The other provision is that if the vote was negative, then the minority report would go to the School Board.  In this case, those who voted yes are obligated to prepare the plan and those who voted no are entitled to write a dissent.  Atty Graham called Terry’s interpretation only one interpretation.  Atty Graham feels that their are other interpretations that include that the motion that was approved was to create a plan, not a vote for recommendation for withdrawal.  Mr. Spilsbury requests that Mr. St. Pierre reread the motion.  “Withdrawal of Charlestown from the Fall Mountain Regional School District is recommended and a plan be created to be presented to the State of NH Board of Education, according to the requirements of RSA 195.”  Mrs. Vogel specified that this is the motion created according to the discussion in the September 25, 2019 meeting.  

 

Motion by Mr. Dalessio to reconsider the original motion. Second by Mrs Henry.  Vote is 7 in favor, 3 opposed.  The motion will be reconsidered.  

 

Mr. Bushway asks if we are supposed to be voting on withdrawal or a plan?  Mrs. Henry asks to put forward a plan.

 

Jerry Henry, Langdon, the committee should have had a plan.  Tom Cobb, Charlestown, purpose of this committee is to put together a plan for withdrawal.  Trina Dearborn, Charlestown, original conversation was to create a plan over the summer.

 

Motion made by Mr. Dalessio.  That withdrawal of Charlestown from the FMRSD is recommended.  A plan will be created to be presented to the State of NH BOE according to the requirements of RSA 195, after approval of the FM Withdrawal Committee studying the Charlestown withdrawal proposal.  Second by Mr. Stahl.

 

Mrs. Henry asks to make the motion simpler.  Mr. Dalessio speaks to the hard work that has been put in by the committee to get to this point.  He clarifies that RSA 195 allows the committee to vote on a recommendation to withdraw, and that is what we want to do.  It does not say we have to have a plan in place to recommend withdrawal.  Mr. Beam reinforced that there is elements of a pretty good plan that has already been  presented by Charlestown.  It looks at educational impact and financial impact.  The committee knows what the impact is to all the districts.  There are things Charlestown will take over.  Different proposals have already been looked at.  Mr. Beam felt these were enough to make a recommendation for withdrawal.  Mrs. Henry noted that this committee has no authority over the tuition agreement.  Mr. Beam agreed, but that the committee can go forward.  Mr. Bushway clarifies that if the committee votes for the amended motion, there is another option to defeat the plan before going to the state.  Mr. St.Pierre calls for a rereading of the motion, and then the vote.

 

Francis C. Emig, Jr., Acworth Select Board n

Sarah Vogel, Acworth School Board n

Alan F. Dustin, Alstead Select Boardy

Joseph A. Levesque, Alstead School Board  y

Albert A. St.Pierre, Charlestown Select Board  y

Scott Bushway, Charlestown School Board  y

Lucien Joseph Beam, Langdon Select Board  y

Mary Henry, Langdon School Board  n

Steven J. Dalessio, Walpole Select Board  y

William K. Stahl, Walpole School Board  y

 

 

By a vote of 7 to 3, the motion passes.

 

Mr. St.Pierre asked if the committee can continue to meet Wednesdays?  Yes.  A discussion/comparison of other towns/districts in this situation will be discussed.  Mrs. Vogel will forward the plan put forth from Middleton Farmington to Alissa Bascom to be forwarded out for viewing by the committee.  Is there any objection to the Charlestown plan that was presented earlier this summer being re-presented?  The committee would like to see it again.  A review of the subcommittees will occur.  

 

Mr. Beam would like to understand what areas the board feels they don’t have enough information on? There is already a Tuition proposal and answers to the questions specifically in the RSA.  Is anything else needed for the educational impact?  Mr. Emig noted the impact on the teachers needs to be determined.  A copy of the sick leave buyback and the specific positions and town’s needs to be requested. 

 

Mr. St.Pierre will ask for the extension from the State of NH Board of Education. 

 

Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Dalessio.  Seconded by Mr. Stahl.  All in favor.  Meeting is adjourned at 7:23 pm. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Alissa Bascom