The Walpolean

Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry, Chair, and Steven Dalessio. Carolyn Vose was not present.

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present: Paul Looney and Peggy Pschirrer

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

This item was moved to the beginning of the meeting because guests were waiting to speak to it.

Knollwood Energy – Renewable Energy Credit Sale and Purchase Agreement:  Paul Looney and Peggy Pschirrer attended to provide background information. Mr. Looney explained Recycling Center’s solar system produces more electricity than is used. The system records the energy produced.  CPCNH is not yet ready to buy renewable energy credits at this time but may be in a year.  Knollwood is a renewable energy credit broker.  Once the Town signs a contract with them, Knollwood will set up and register the Town.  A year from now, the Town will have more flexibility in selling credit.  The registration is also needed to obtain the $6,000 federal credit that was part of the warrant article.  Knollwood offers two contract options: a fixed price three-year contract or a contract that automatically renews each year, but that can be cancelled with 90 days’ notice.   Mr. Dalessio asked for an annual renewal.  Mr. Looney stated that renewable energy credits are sold quarterly. Mr. Dalessio noted that per the contract, Knollwood will pay the Town when the customer pays them.  There was a consensus by the Selectboard to request ACH payment when the credits are sold.  This item was then tabled until next week to allow Mr. Looney and Mrs. Pschirrer to research whether the contract could be changed.

Peggy Pschirrer and Paul Looney left the meeting at 7:01 PM.

Payroll

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $37,177.24 dated 7/5/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,715.74.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – June 27, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of June 27, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Session – June 27, 2024:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of theNon-Public Selectboard session of June 27, 2024.  The minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the minutes are sealed.

Committee Reports

Mr. Dalessio brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

• Hooper Institute Board Meeting – December 6, 2023 

• Walpole Pre-K – 8 Withdrawal Study Committee Meeting – June 26, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Property Tax Abatement

Map and Lot 008-008-001:  The Avitar assessor visited the new home and applied data corrections.  The home has one bedroom, one bathroom and a crawl space underneath.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $3,626.00 for Map and Lot # 008-008-001.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Supplemental Tax Warrant

Map and Lot # 008-008-001:  This is related to the above abatement.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Supplemental Tax Warrant in the amount or $2,892.00 for Map and Lot # 008-008-001.  Seconded by Ms.Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Building Permit

2024-24, Map and Lot# 008-077-001:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2024-24 for Map and Lot # 008-077-001 to construct a 36’ x 24’ two story horse barn. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-22, Map and Lot# 011-027-000:  There was a discussion of follow-up questions on the number of bedrooms and the septic requirements from the previous meetings.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2024-22 for Map and Lot # 011-027-000 to construct an office addition. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 022-014-000:  A front porch is being installed at 105 North Road with no building permit.  The owner will get a $500 fine for building without a permit and without a ZBA variance.

Old Business

Pending Further Action:  Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, and Reservoir Dam

Mr. Dalessio reported that the Town has requested that Fuss & O’Neill provide an update on all the projects pending further action.

FMRSD Response re: LEAP charges to Walpole:  The amount due for the last three years is $1,751.29.  Mr. Dalessio moved that Sarah Downing send FMRSD a letter thanking them for the information provided.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

New Business

Open Container Request:   Watkins Inn and Tavern is hosting an outdoor wedding on October 12, 2024.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the request for open container to end at 10:00 PM.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

West Side of Town Hall Siding Project:   There are structural questions related to the bulge that has been uncovered.  Can a structural expert be contacted for advice? There was a consensus that the Town needs to contact a qualified person such as Annette Dey, who is a structural engineer.

New North Walpole Water User Rates:   This is for informational purposes only.  Note:  the rate increase is to cover the cost of the upgraded system.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:31 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:33 PM.

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c)

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c) at 7:33 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:38 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Pickleball Clinic, presented by Mike Hayes

Wednesday, July 10, 2024. 6-8 pm

Whitcomb Park Recreation Center

Have you ever wondered:

Was that ball mine or yours? Where do I stand when receiving the ball? Who has middle? Do I stay back or move up?

Get answers to these questions and more this Wednesday! 

Players are asked to wear a bright-colored knee sock on the leg opposite their dominant hand.

REMINDER:

“GREAT DECISIONS” MEETS TONIGHT

Join us tonight at 6:00 in the Walpole Town Library for “NATO at a Strategic Crossroads,” moderated by Adrian Basora, former United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. This promises to be a highly informative look at NATO’s evolution over the past 75 years, the Alliance’s original purpose, its structure, present challenges and options for the future.

Adrian Basora is a trustee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute and chairs its Eurasia Program. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is on the international advisory board of the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. During his 33 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Adrian served in former Soviet Bloc countries and helped develop America’s programs in support of their transition to democracy while serving at the National Security Council (1989–91).

As NATO’s 32 members – along with leaders from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea – meet this week in Washington to celebrate the Alliance’s 75th anniversary and grapple with threats to global security, we will consider NATO’s relevance and future role in a changing world.  

We look forward to seeing you either in person or via Zoom. If you are joining via Zoom, please log on at 6:20, after the Foreign Policy Association’s Master Class video, which we are not permitted to show on Zoom. For the Zoom link, contact Jane Malmberg in advance of the meeting: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org.

Sue Kibbe

The Board of Directors of CPCNH that buys power for Walpole Community Power voted 6/27/24 to establish rates for the period 8/1/24 through 1/31/25.

Current rates from 2/1/24 through 7/31/24

Granite Basic.     .081 per KWH

Granite Plus.       .084 per KWh

Clean 50.             .094 per KWh

Clean 100.           .124 per KWh

New rates from 8/1/24 through 1/31/25

Granite Basic.   .086 per KWh

Granite plus.      .093 per KWh

Clean 50.           .100 per KWh

Clean 100.         .120 per KWh

Liberty default rates for the same period are going up .012, to .10976 up from .09758 vs Walpole Community power rate of .086, while up from .081 is still a savings of .02376 or  about 20%. 

Thank you

Walpole community Power Committee

Pre-K – 8 Withdrawal Study Committee Notes

6/26/24

Present: Jo Cowgill, Stan Hutchings, Jean Kobeski, Chas Street, Tom Ronning, Steve Varone

Absent:  Diana Petrie

The meeting commenced at 6:28 p.m. 

Steve provided copies of RSA:16-a Increase or Decrease in Grades, which is relevant to the committee’s “Option 4” idea. A lengthy discussion about this option ensued, including Steve’s explanation of the financial ramifications, should the district go in that direction.  

Tom summarized where the committee is so far with our research and our recommendation for the Selectboard. The next step is for Diana and Jean to draft a summary of the pros and cons of withdrawal and our recommendation.  It will then be reviewed by the committee. Once approved, it will be sent to the Selectboard, along with our Option 4 idea. Steve reminded us that, if the Selectboard decides to write a warrant article to proceed with the study to withdraw, it would need 50% of the vote to pass. The next study committee would be made up of the Selectboard and School Board.

Though not charged with making decisions about the high school, the committee discussed high school options for students if Walpole withdraws and forms its own district. Finances, programming, and location were considered.

Jo presented a copy of a letter, which could potentially be a letter to the editor, for the committee to review. She based this on the fact that no one from Walpole ran for the school board this year.  Are we becoming complacent? It was suggested that the reason is, people are discontent with the collective model; they are frustrated. Committee members offered thoughts on the letter and decided to send it on to Diana for her opinion of how to proceed with it. It was suggested that the thoughts expressed in the letter could be included in the list of pros and cons we are compiling.

Stan said he has had some difficulty getting information from Central Office about resources in our facilities. The Superintendent needs to grant permission for the release of information;  that hasn’t happened yet. The committee then discussed what effect Walpole withdrawal would have on Central Office staff. 

 Action Items:

1. Diana and Jean will write a draft summary of the pros and cons of each of the three withdrawal options.
2. Diana and Jean will write an explanation of the committee’s idea for Option 4.
3. Stan will pursue getting the information about the resources in our facilities.

The meeting ended at 7:50 p.m.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 10, at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

Pre-K – 8 School Withdrawal Study Committee Notes

6/19/24

Present:  Diana Petrie (Chair), Jo Cowgill, Jean Kobeski, Chas Street, Tom Ronning, Steve Varone

Absent:  Stan Hutchngs

The meeting was called to  order at 6:30 p.m.

Committee members reported on topics they chose to research last week.

Teacher and Staff Interviews:  Jean interviewed staff members from Walpole Middle and N. Walpole Schools. They discussed climate within the school and district, staffing and curriculum challenges, local and district administrative support, the survey distributed to district teachers, and their thoughts on the benefits and concerns associated with the proposed withdrawal from the district. Additional interviews are scheduled for the coming week and Diana will try to schedule a meeting with teachers/or staff from the Primary School.

Financial Ramifications of Walpole Withdrawing from FMRSD and SAU60:  Steve distributed and discussed his preliminary report outlining withdrawal from the district with the three options:

1. Remaining in SAU 60
2. Joining a different SAU
3. Forming our own SAU

The above led to a discussion of the high school, and what happens after our students leave Walpole, Grade 8.  If we tuition them to FMRHS, will our Walpole district have a say in programming, etc. at the high school?  No. The committee brainstormed a fourth option that could possibly benefit all towns and the high school. A lengthy discussion about this idea ensued, ending with Diana asking how to proceed with presenting this fourth option to the Selectboard. Steve and Chas said they would look for RSA 195. Diana and Jean will craft a draft of Option 4. 

The next meeting will be June 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

Action Items:

1. Diana will try to interview staff from the Primary School.
2. Steve and Chas will look for RSA 195 as it would pertain to Option 4.
3. Diana and Jean will create a draft of Option 4.
4. Diana will ask the Chesterfield Board member the question of how Chesterfield feels about having no say on the Keene School Board.