The Walpolean

**NOTICE**

Selectboard Meeting of April 4, 2019

Starting time: 4:00pm

Change due to scheduling conflicts

No public agenda items. The public is welcome to attend to listen.

If you’ve ever seen Miguel’s lunch,

you know you want some!  

Now is your chance! Mrs. Andrade

is making Tamales to order to help support Science Olympiad.

Order form:  

$3.00/tamale  

5 for $13.00  

10 for $25.00

Order by: Wednesday, April 10th

Pick up at Walpole School on: Friday, April 12th

Just take them home and warm them up!

Return form with payment to Michelle Whitney at Walpole School or email klewis@sau60.org to place order.

If painting is not your thing, you can play Dodgeball instead. No need to be nervous, for $2.00 you can attend the tourney, sit safely in the stands and cheer on your favorite team! – Lil

WHERE:  Walpole School Gym

WHO:  3-5th graders (4:00) 

  6-8th (5:00) 

  High School-Adult (6:30)

WHEN:  Friday, May 3rd, 2019

    Please register by April 30th

COST:  $5.00/person (6 people/team)

  Coed teams are encouraged.

No team? Sign up as a free agent!

Prizes for winning teams!

All proceeds to benefit Science Olympiad National Tournament costs.

Walpole School Dodgeball Tournament Waiver and Registration Form

May 3rd, 2019 at Walpole School Gym

Participant Name___________________                   Grade______

Phone________________________________            Email:_____________________

Emergency Contact Name:_____________________ Phone:____________________

WAIVER AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND ASSUMPTIONS OF RISKS

Please read this information carefully and be aware that in signing up and participating in this activity, you will be assuming the risk and legal liability of waiving and releasing all claims for injuries, damages, or loss which you or your minor child might sustain as a result of participating in any and all activities connected with this activity.

I recognize and acknowledge that there are certain risks of physical injury to participants in this activity and I voluntarily agree to assume the full risk of any injuries, damages or loss, regardless of the activity that my minor child or I may sustain as a result of participating in any and all activities. I further agree to waive and relinquish all claims my minor child or I may have as a result of participating in this activity at BFUHS including their staff, officials, volunteers and sponsors. Any and all medical bills associated with injuries resulting from this event are solely the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

STUDENT NAME: ____________________________

PARENT NAME: _____________________________

PARENT SIGNATURE or ADULT PLAYING:____________________________________ DATE_____________________

TEAM NAME: ______________________________

Player 1: ____________________________

Player 2: ____________________________

Player 3: ____________________________

Player 4: ____________________________

Player 5: ____________________________

Player 6: ____________________________

 Cost:  $5.00/player or $30.00/team.  Please make checks payable to Walpole School, POB 549, Walpole, NH 03608

WALPLE GRANTE OPEN HOUSE AND COMMUNITY AWARDS NITE

Walpole, NH – Walpole Grange #125 will celebrate its 131 years as a continuing organization by holding an open house meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 7:00 pm at the Walpole Town Hall.  The program will include the presentation of the annual community awards, including Citizen of the Year, as well as recognizing award winners from previous years. Musical entertainment will be provided by Walpole’s own Jim Baucom.  There will be plenty of time to meet and greet your friends and neighbors which enjoying some refreshments and a celebratory cake.  

While you’re there, be sure to check out the Grange Charter,which was issued to Walpole Grange #125 in January 1888.  This historic document has been restored and preserved by Works On Paper in Bellows Falls, matted and framed behind ultra-violet protecting glass by The Framery of Vermont of Chester, VT and is now hanging in the Town Hall.  Come and congratulate the award recipients, and help celebrate the Grange and its 131 years of service to the town of Walpole.  

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall and welcomed everyone.  She advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There were three members of the public in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

CHIP WOOD re: WEIGHT LIMITS ON ALSTEAD CENTER ROAD:  Mr. Donald Wood, Jr. explained his concern relates to the replacement of the culvert on the Alstead Center Road. He was told there would be a ten-ton limit on the road after the work is complete.  He has the farm plus a construction business and other heavy equipment including two dump trucks he leases.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the Selectboard understood he only had the farm on his property.  Mr. Wood provided an explanation of his businesses.  Mr. Rau told him the road would be restricted. However, Mr. Wood thought the road would be open to everybody after the project was done.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted the road is open to everybody but the Town has the right to post limits on it if they feel it is advisable.  It has been an expensive project so the Town would like to protect it.  Mr. Wood mentioned if it is posted at 10-ton, he will not be able to bring his commercial trucks over the road. It will create a financial burden on him. If he has to travel around the road, it is 3.2 miles. It’s only 1.1 miles using Alstead Center Road.  Some trips do go around the long way.  He can go through with Putnam Farm trucks that are registered for 80,000 pounds butnot his other trucks/equipment.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised there will still be more work to be done on this road. They were able to get a permit from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to do the culvert before the road collapsed.  Fish ladders need to be built down to the Cold River as DES found fish in there.  Mr. Wood said if they are going to fix this culvert right, which he feels they are, there should not be a weight limit on it.  Mrs. Pschirrer will have a conversation with Mr. Rau about this.  His concern is it will not hold up very long and the Town will have to go through this again if they have consistent heavy traffic going over it to the extent Mr. Wood is proposing.  Mr. Wood noted the culvert was put in in 1947.  If the culvert is fixed right, there should not be any weight limit on it.  Mr. Wood has been trying to do a logging operation; 181 acres are in Walpole.  He questioned who said this culvert would last 20 or 50 years.  Mrs. Pschirrer replied the Town worked with an engineer and will ask this question.  The Town had permits to do this work last year but then there were personnel changes at DES and fish ladders became a requirement; the engineers had to re-design everything.  The Town is using money the State gave them a few years ago; it was $119,999.  She advised that the Selectboard cannot give Mr. Wood an answer tonight but will discuss this with Mr. Rau.  Ms. Mayberry asked Mr. Wood to estimate how many trips would be needed across the culvert.  Mr. Wood does not know how many loads of wood chips the logger would take out of his land.  The logging operation will encompass Langdon, Alstead and Walpole.   Ms. Mayberry asked about the construction business.  Mr. Wood did four trips yesterday. However, he might not do any tomorrow or for the next week.  Ms. Mayberry explained when they talk with the engineer they need to know the capacity; life expectancy and longevity.  Mr. Dalessio summarized they will work on this and get back to Mr. Wood.   He would like someone with a P.E. license to give them a calculation on the estimated load limit and life expectancy of the culvert.                              

MATTHEW and THERESA BOZOGAN:  Mr. Bozogan advised they reside at Blanchard Brook Circle.  Their concern is the deteriorating condition of the road.  Sand Hill Road is deteriorating more than their road.  They have to cross Sand Hill Road to get to their road.  It gets quite a bit of traffic.  Back in 2015, when Mr. Tyrrell was Road Agent, he said they were on his 2016 paving list. It was never done.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the Town usually does about ten miles a year.  There are 70 miles of roads in the Town.  She will check with Mr. Rau to see if they are on his list.  There is still some road work that did not get finished last year.  Mr. Bozogan would like to know when it is scheduled to be done.  The patching does not last very long.  Their cars are low, and they can only go about 10 mph.  Both Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer plan to look at the roads tomorrow and will get back to Mr. Bozogan.  

North Walpole:  Ms. Mayberry reported that North Walpole will not be doing the Maple Street project this year. Therefore, it can be taken off Mr. Rau’s paving list.  They will do a section of Mountain View.          

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $595,271.48 for checks issued March 15, 2019, Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The above amount includes a monthly payment in the amount of $563,787.00 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.   

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll check register for the week ending March 9, 2019, in the amount of $25,313.42 for checks issued March 15, 2019, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $5,006.18.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – March 7, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of March 7, 2019, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #1 – March 7, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #1 of March 7, 2019, as amended, with one correction: second paragraph, third line, change “quantum” to “quantify”. These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2 – March 7, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to table the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 of March 7, 2019, until the next meeting.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

COMMITTEE REPORT:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meeting:

REFUNDS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the following Property Tax Refunds as follows:

These refunds are for overpayment of 2018 Taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot #027-001-007:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the following Property Tax Refund in the amount of $164.67 for Map and Lot #027-001-007.  This refund is the result of an Abatement for Tax Year 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS:

Chip Paliocha, 118 March Hill Road:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the renewal of Building Permit No. 2004-59 for Chip Paliocha to “Construct a 1.5 story barn and seasonal camp” at 118 March Hill Road.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Avanru Development Group Ltd, 504 Main Street:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the renewal of Building Permit No. 2011-48 for Avanru Development Group Ltd to “Construct a 2 story 104’ x 63’2” commercial building as approved by the Planning Board Site Plan approval on October 5, 2011” at 504 Main Street.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Fuss & O’Neill’s Proposal for Engineering Services re: Mill Pond Dam:  Mr. Dalessio moved that they approve and sign the Fuss & O’Neill’s proposal for engineering services regarding the Mill Pond Dam.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Town Hall Rental Problems on March 9th:  Mrs. Downing reported that the renter did not have sole use of the second floor and the gas stove did not work because when the last delivery was made the person delivering accidently turned the gas off causing a lack of gas.  The renter had planned on using the stove.  The Players had been told not to come in that day as the second floor was rented but a group did come in and disrupted the party.  Additionally, an outside door was left open last week, and lights were left on in the north entrance last night.  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to refund the renter’s deposit and rental fee.  Mrs. Pschirrer suggested they write something in the rental agreement that two groups cannot use the Town Hall at the same time.  If this disruption continues, the Selectboard will increase the rents and hire someone to oversee the events.  Mr. Dalessio recommended that every time the Town Hall is rented, an email be sent to Lisa Bryant of the Players to alert them that the Town Hall building is off-limits on that day and time.

Library:  The Library will be moving a minimal amount of books and other material into the Town Hall during their renovation project.  Mr. Dalessio recommended having a rope or something similar across the stairs to the second floor to alert people to the fact that the upstairs is off-limits.  After the Library has moved into the second floor an email will be sent to Lisa of the Players to advise that the second floor is closed.  If the Players need access, they will have to contact Mrs. Justine Fafara to make arrangements.          

Invitation of Legislative Delegation Meeting:  Tuesday, April 2nd in Keene:  This meeting will be in the Keene City Hall beginning at 6:00 PM.  Three Selectboard members plan to attend.

Advisory Board Invitation: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that Mrs. Sarah Downing has been invited to join an Advisory Board at the River Valley Community College.  They will be meeting every three months after her working hours.  The Selectboard encouraged her to accept the invitation.  Ms. Mayberry noted it is a good educational opportunity and to learn more about the community.

Primex Training Workshop:  The Selectboard approved having Mrs. Downing attend a Primex Training Workshop in Concord on Communication Skills on Wednesday morning, March 27, 2019.  There is no fee.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session #1 pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:25 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:44 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #1 of March 14, 2019, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:44 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:20 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 of March 14, 2019, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer 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 Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 8:20PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:45 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 8:20 PM.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING – March 7, 2019:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of March 7, 2019, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Reimbursement of February 2019 Expenses:  Ms. Mayberrymoved to approve the reimbursement of February 2019 expenses in the amount of $4,513.18 from the Hooper Education Trust to the Town of Walpole. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Joint Meeting of the Hooper Trustees and Hooper Institute Board:  There was a consensus of the Hooper Trustees to invite Susan Wycoff, Chair of the Search Committee, to the Joint Meeting on Wednesday, March 27th.  

Hooper Institute Board Meeting:  Ms. Mayberry attended the last Hooper Institute Board meeting.  They talked about the bylaws.  Ms. Mayberry explained her position as liaison is to be helpful to this Board.  Members are looking forward to the Joint Meeting.  They feel some items should be put aside until the job search is finalized.  The agenda for the Joint Meeting was approved and will be sent out.  The Trustees reviewed the job descriptions. Comments will be emailed to Mrs. Pschirrer.      

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Present: Myra Mansouri, Chair, Jan Leclerc, Vice-Chair, Judy Trow, Tom Murray, Pauline Barnes. Alternate: Don Sellarole. Absent: Bob Anderson.

Election of Officers:

Ms. Mansouri opened the meeting at 7:02. She asked for nominations for officers. Ms. Trownominated Jan Leclerc as Chair. Ms. Mansouri seconded the motion. There being no other nominations, Ms. Mansouri called for a vote and the motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Mansouri asked for nominations for Vice-Chair. Ms. Trow nominated Ms. Mansouri. Mr. Murray seconded the motion. There being no other nominations, a vote was called and the motion carried unanimously. 

Ms. Mansouri asked for nominations for Clerk. Mr. Murray nominated Ms. Trow. Ms. Leclerc seconded the motion. There being no other nominations, the motion carried unanimously.

Minutes:  Ms. Barnes made one correction on Page 2, first paragraph. The word “they” was repeated twice. Ms. Trow made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was seconded and approved by the Board.

Old Business:

Public Hearing: Robert Westover, 670 Valley Road, Map 11, Lot 34-1 in the rural/ag zone. Proposed use is a two car garage with a 13 foot carport. Variance for not meeting setback ordinance.

Mr. Westover passed out several excellent photographs and an 11-inch-by-17-inch detailed drawing of his house and property, approach to the proposed garage and carport and side yard where the proposed building would go. He said the property where he intends to put the building slopes down and he would have to pay a considerable amount of money to build a retaining wall on that slope. It would be double the cost. If he could move it 10 feet closer to the house and 10 feet closer to the property in back, he could avoid that problem. The ordinance states that the setback be 20 feet from abutters on the rear and sides of the property.

Mr. Westover was then asked who owned the property in back of him. Mr. Westover said it was Dale Hubbard and he used the property as a wood lot and the hill continues up. Mr. Sellarole asked what was his comment. He returned the certified letter with no comment. So he would show up if he had a problem with the variance? Mr. Sellarole asked. Or, Ms. Mansouri said, he could write a letter to the secretary or the Board.

The secretary said she received no comment from Mr. Hubbard.

Mr. Westover was asked to read his answers to the criteria for a variance.

Give specific details of project. Article VIII, Section D.

This is a request to build a 26-by-32-foot garage with a 13-foot carport located on the back of the property line in front of the house. With the existing property slope, the garage would need to be 10 feet from the property line to minimize costly site work, which would be a hardship. 

Ms. Leclerc said that money cannot be a consideration for hardship. It has to have something to do with the land. Later Ms. Barnes suggested then that it was the contour of the land that was the hardship.

The proposed use would not diminish surrounding property values because:

The garage would not be an eyesore or inhibit abutters in any fashion.

Denial of the variance would result in unnecessary hardship to the owner because of the following special circumstances of the property that distinguish it from other properties similarly zoned because:

No other place is flat enough without major and very expensive site or foundation work.

Granting the variance would do substantial justice because:

It would allow for garage space to the homeowner and increase the property value.

The proposed use would not be contrary to the spirit of the ordinance because:

It is not inhibiting abutters’ property values.

So the total is going be 32 feet and 39 wide? Mr. Murray asked. Mr. Westover said “yes.” It’s a two car garage with a lean-to that is towards the driveway.  We put the lean-to there because it would get more sun and snow would not build up. The distance from the corner of the house to the corner of the garage is about 50 feet. 

Mr. Murray asked how the carport was going to be used. Mr. Westover said for cord wood and to store a lawn mower and snow mobile. Ms. Barnes asked about the apparent large stones that were in one of the pictures. Mr. Westover said that it was fill from when the foundation for the house was built and it created a boulder retaining wall.

Ms. Barnes was trying to get a picture of where the garage would go from one of the pictures. Mr. Westover said, “You go up the driveway and the garage would be here,” he said pointing to a place on the photo. It’s where our parking area is and it could be seen in the photo where an vehicle was parked. Mr. Westover said the garage would start there.

Mr. Sellarole asked a lot of questions about what would width at building line meant. Ms. Leclerc explained that it means the width of the property line. It is not an important measurement in this case. 

Ms. Mansouri asked if there were any more questions. There being none, she closed the Public Hearing. Then she asked for comments. Mr. Murray said that the hardship is the result of the land area. He agreed that there is a hardship because of the minimal space Mr. Westover has to work with. Ms. Trow and Ms. Barnes agreed. 

Ms. Trow made a motion to approve the Variance to Article VIII Section D. in the rural/ag zone for a variance to the setback for a two car garage and carport. Ms. Leclerc seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

New Business:

Joel Stoddard was at the meeting to request a Public Hearing in April for a Special Exception to hav an automotive repair shop on the former Carmody property, Map 12, Lot 21, commercial district.  

Ms. Mansouri said an automotive repair shop is not permitted on this property. She read from the Town Well Source Protection Ordinance and had a River Well map, which shows that the area is quite wide and runs from the Connecticut River, south down to Huntington Lane, north to a line that runs at the edge of Dearborn Circle and east to the hills north of Upper Walpole Road.

Mr. Stoddard said he had an offer on this land and he read the building ordinance and then got to bottom of the page and realized it didn’t look like he can build an auto repair shop here.

Ms. Mansouri read the section titled Prohibited Uses: The following uses shall not be permitted in the Town Well Source Protection Districts: “Section K: Automotive service and repair shops, fuel sales, junk yards and salvage yard.”

Mr. Stoddard said he realized this as he was researching the project. He ran into a similar situation when he leased the property where he is now, but since an auto repair shop has been there before, he was allowed to have his shop there.

He said the owner of the building he is in now does not want to sell the property and that the heating cost is $6,000 a year and he has to shovel off the flat-topped building. It was a little frustrating. He said, “I have an offer pending.” 

How did you know to check that source? Ms. Barnes asked. He answered because of his experience before. After he left the Board discussed how to better address a situation like this.

Special Exception Forms: The Board will review forms for Planning and Zoning Boards and Special Exceptions in the Industrial and Commercial Districts and discuss them next week.

Avitar Map: Board members discussed their frustrations at finding discrepancies in the commercial lines in the Village.

Mr. Murray made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Leclerc seconded the motion and it carried.

Handouts:  

Airbnb

Next meeting: Wednesday,  April 17, 2019

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine, Recording Secretary