The Walpolean

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing (Manager of Administration); Michael Rau (Highway Department), Police Chief Michael Paquette (Police Department); Lt. Justin Sanctuary (Police Department); Sandra Smith (Town Clerk/Tax  Collector); Rebecca Whippie (Hooper Institute); Justine Fafara (Library Director); Paul Colburn (Recycling Center); Richard Kreissle (Manager of Finance)

Staff Absent:   Justin Cassarino (Recreation Department)

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Staff Meeting to order at 5:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  She advised this meeting is being recorded.

Mrs. Pschirrer advised there will be a slightly different agenda for this meeting.  She thanked everyone who submitted their monthly reports in writing.  The Selectboard wants to talk about changes to these Staff Meetings which have been going on for about two years.  These meetings have been invaluable.  Mrs. Downing distributed two recent changes to the Personnel Manual, Vacation Time and Compensation Time.  They were brought up a while ago, the Selectboard considered and voted to approve them.

Compensation Time is a liability for the Town.  Many employees are entitled to it but the Selectboard needs to control their liability. Therefore, they have re-written this policy.  Nothing will be taken away from employees but they are being asked that it is used in a more timely fashion. If employees decide to resign or retire the Town must pay them for Compensation Time.  The first paragraph is the same as it has always been.  The second paragraph needs to be called to their attention.  Starting January 2019, the Town’s eligible employees will accrue comp time up to 100 hours.  As soon as they reach this cap, no additional comp time may be accrued until the employee uses his/her comp time such that it falls below the 100-hour cap.  When an employee is not eligible to receive comp time because she/he has accrued the maximum amount of time allowed he/she will be paid cash overtime for any/all overtime hours worked.  An employee must be permitted to use comp time on the date requested unless doing so would unduly disrupt the operation of the department.  The Police Department is allowed to accumulate up to 480 hours of comp time; that is a huge liability to the Town.  When that person decides to leave/retire, the Town has to come up with all that money.  It is not necessarily in the budget.  Other eligible employees are allowed to accumulate 240 hours of comp time.  Employees are still able to do this but the Selectboard is setting a limit which they can do legally.  This cannot be a savings account.  Relative to the last paragraph, last sentence; the Department Heads will make the decision about an employee using comp time on a certain date so it will not disrupt the operation of the department.

Mrs. Pschirrer encouraged employees to take this home and read it again.  It will be discussed again at another meeting.

Mrs. Pschirrer advised they have also been talking about Vacation Time.  Some people have mis-interpreted the existing language that was printed. The Selectboard has tried to make this clearer.  Employees will accumulate vacation time 3.33 hours per month.  An accounting system will need to be set up to deal with this.  Everything in this section is pretty much the same except employees will earn it a month at a time.  On January 1st, 2019 employees annual accrual shall begin on January 1st and each employee’s accrual rate shall be based on the number of years of service that employee would obtain as of their next anniversary date.  Employees will not lose what they have.  Mr. Rau expressed concern as the Highway Department employees usually cannot take vacation time during the summer.  Mrs. Pschirrer replied they will not lose any of their time.  Someone taking four weeks at one time is rare but two weeks at a time has been granted.  Accurate records will have to be kept.  We will have to work together in January 2019 as there will be challenges.  Many people in some departments have accumulated a great deal of vacation time.  The Selectboard wants employees to take vacation time as it is healthy.  Vacation time will have to be requested so it can be recorded.  This will be discussed again as it gets closer to the end of the year.

The Selectboard feels these Staff Meetings have been very productive. They have learned a great deal about what every department is doing.  Also each department is kept informed of what other departments are doing.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted it is about time to evaluate these meetings and whether they should change or remain the same.  It makes us a better team.  She asked what would be best for the Department Supervisors and what would they like to see at these meetings.

Mrs. Downing suggested meeting every other month rather than every month.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked two people to not just read their report but tell us about something they are doing in their department that is different.

Highway Department:  Mr. Mike Rau is going to talk about some of his experiences.  For example: the Alstead Center Road.  This culvert replacement project started about a year ago this summer.  Step by step they met with an engineering company onsite. They went to permitting and everything looked great until they got a new DES representative.  The Cold River is within a quarter mile of the culvert.  There is a three-page document from DES outlining what they wanted them to do in addition to what had already completed.  They are now close to $8,000 just for engineering.  DES made the project more complicated than just replacing the culvert.  They now want the Town to do a “Fish Ladder”; Mr. Rau explained how the fish would move down the stream.  Fish and Game said there are three kinds of fish there.  They tried to negotiate an alternative option with DES. It would be to place a “Fish Ladder” in the Houghton Brook near Blackjack Crossing.  DES was okay with this but then said if they are going to do this, it all has to be done at the same time.  DES is now recommending they do the “Fish Ladders” in both places.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised this will delay this major project.  This project will be funded with the extra Highway money the Town received about a year ago.  If the project is not done, the road will probably collapse.  It will be better if they could get the approval from the DES rather than do the project under an emergency permit.  Just the culvert alone is $10,000.  A lot of other details need to be done to get this project done. An access road will be needed. The landowners need to be on-board with this. In summary; they will go back-and-forth with DES for a period of time. If the project is denied, they will have to start the project all over again.  The road may have to be closed.

Finance Department:  Mr. Rich Kreissle spoke about the RSAs and the auditing process.  An Income Statement is always changing.  Usually the auditors spend about 3-to-4 days here because the work is very intense.  Occasionally they ask for information from previous years.  They look for purchase orders, invoices, account numbers, etc. to be sure they were approved by the Selectboard.  The auditors meet with the Town Treasurer, Library, Town Clerk and other employees if there are questions.   It gives Mr. Kreissle a chance to speak with fellow accountants.  They talk about internal controls, changes with the NH Retirement System and other issues.  The previous auditors never mentioned the standards or if we are in compliance with them.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted the auditors work 3-to-4 days in the downstairs office.  Mr. Kreissle has witnessed that each year is different.  Jodi, Sarah and Rich have worked hard to get water and sewer straightened out.  The auditors are very comfortable to work with and answer questions which the former group did not.

Mrs. Pschirrer is pleased with her interactions with them.  They look at things that are different and “pop out”.  Employee Time Sheets are now similar for each department.  They have installed a system in the office to double-check payroll.  Police Chief Paquette asked if they are close to getting their vacation time finalized.  Mrs. Pschirrer said they are close.  Mr. Kreissle has given the Selectboard some information they will look at tonight.  Chief Paquette thanked Mr. Kreissle for talking about purchase orders because a lot of them do not understand all the processing of paperwork he has to go through.  They now understand the work involved with keeping all the paperwork together.  Chief Paquette advised that this Selectboard is turning things into a more professional management system.

Police Department:  Police Chief Paquette reported that Officer Devin Prince is finishing up his third week at the Police Academy.  Every Friday he stops in at the Police Station to give an update.  Last week they sent Detective Bromley and Sgt. Ray Gosetti to a class on fraud investigation as they keep getting more and more cases.  Some is from overseas but a lot is local. The new cruiser came in last month.  They are waiting for the cruiser that was approved in March at Town Meeting.  They have been in touch with lettering companies to get a couple different designs to put on their cars.  A “Coffee with A Cop” will be held tomorrow at 9:00 AM at Mascoma Bank.  At the recent “Take Back Drug Day” they did not collect as much as they did back in the Fall but Walpole does quite a bit.  They are looking at work to be done on the building.  There are still problems with the back door so are pushing to get something done.  Relative to details – they have not been out much.  It is getting more congested going north on Route 12.  Chief Paquette has discussed the conditions with the DOT.  The contractor expects to have more traffic enforcement as they progress.  They had a flagger on the crack sealing project south of Town.  Chief Paquette is doing research on traffic control in the construction areas and will continue to discuss this with the DOT.

Hooper Institute:  Ms. Becky Whippie said it is getting close to the end of the school year and it is growing season.  Through the Cheshire County Conservation District they were able to order three cranberry bushes to plant in the garden near the tunnel at the Walpole Elementary School.  She ordered one Dolgo crab-apple which is supposed to be very nice.  Mrs. Eloise Clark had been communicating with the community garden folks quite a bit and is promoting the annual fee collection, discussing the water source and hose issues.  The people that mow around the Hooper Institute area have taken on the area around the community gardens.  Mrs. Clark’s gardens have been harvesting asparagus, spinach, lettuce and pea shoots that are going into the school’s salad bar.  From the Primary School garden, the students tasted asparagus, mint, garlic, chives and sweet violet blossoms.  They planted kale seeds and radish seeds.  They have been watering the plants and seeds.  Last spring Ms. Whippie had a gift of some strawberry plants.  At the North Walpole School, they are tasting the chives, (garlic and common) and popped strawberry popcorn. They are planting radishes, kale, strawberry popcorn seeds, cabbage, and are watering the soil around rhubarb, cabbage, radishes, and herbs. Water the soil and not the plant.  They transplanted sugar maple tree seedlings from the school lawn, sowing herb seeds to take home in a cup – Dill, Thyme, Sage.  In the second grade they have been working on farms and animals.  The students just started designing their dream farms on paper.  The fourth grades did a few nice visits to a sawmill (Woodell & Daughters Forest Products) and saw Morgan horses at Meadow Farm.

Mrs. Pschirrer asked those who did not have time to report today to come up with something special they would like to share with the other departments at the next Staff meeting.  Mr. Colburn, Mrs. Downing, Mrs. Fafara, and Mrs. Smith were asked to do this in June.  We will meet in June but take July off.

Written reports had been submitted by the Police Department, Selectboard Office, Recreation Department, Walpole Library, and Recycling Center.

Mrs. Pschirrer closed this Staff Meeting at 6:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

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.  She advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There were six members of the public in attendance.

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 (c) Reputations.  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.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:37 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of May 17, 2018, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 6:

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

RAY BOAS LETTER TO SELECTBOARD:  Mr. Ray Boas and Dr. Charles Shaw were present.  Mr. Boas had submitted a letter to the Selectboard dated May 17, 2018, regarding the property next to Dr. Shaw on Route 12.  A small group of Walpole residents researched and discussed the threat of commercial development to rural/agricultural land in Walpole, specifically at the southern entrance to the village.  They feel the next step is to “tighten-up” Walpole’s Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Site Plan Review.  They would like to acquire the land.  Mr. Boas, Dr. Shaw and others spoke to Mr. Saba and thanked him for withdrawing his request.  Mr. Boas and Dr. Shaw met with D&C Transportation last Thursday morning.  They agreed to sell the land for what they paid for it.  Mr. Boas and Dr. Shaw are doing research to be sure they are doing everything right.  They are looking into seeking funding for the purchase.  Donations would be tax deductible.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised they need to write to the Planning Board as they are responsible for the Master Plan.  It has not been updated in about ten years; it is time to do so.  She suggested a meeting be set-up with the Town Treasurer, Director of Finance, the Selectboard, Mr. Boas and Dr. Shaw to talk about procedures for various options.

PETER GRAVES:  Mr. Graves wanted to confirm that the Town hired Avitar Associates to do the appraisals over a five-year period.  Mrs. Pschirrer explained their inspections are random all over Town.  Mr. Dalessio noted the Selectboard is trying to avoid a 100% revaluation in one year; this will spread it out over five years.   It will be less expensive this way.  Mr. Dalessio does not feel the values will change unless something significant has been done to the property.

Mr. Graves asked if the Town has bought their asphalt for the year.  Mrs. Pschirrer said they had because they got last year’s price from the same vendor.  Mr. Graves advised that Cold River got the State contract for this year.  They do make good asphalt.  He asked if they could speak to the Road Agent about the Golf Course Road (Meetinghouse Road – Class 6 portion).  Mrs. Pschirrer said it is a Class 6 road. Therefore, the Town is not obligated to take care of it.  Mr. Graves asked if he can smooth it out.  A lot of people use it especially with farm equipment.  It is a shorter route for them.  The Town used to maintain it except for the last few years.  Mrs. Pschirrer will check on the Town’s liability for allowing someone to smooth out the road before giving Mr. Graves an answer as to whether or not he can continue to do this.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $710,774.23 for checks dated May 18, 2018.  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 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District in the amount of $586,628.00 and the first quarter payment to the Village of Bellows Falls for sewer usage and bond payment of $92,275.96.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Register for the week ending May 12, 2018, in the amount of $24,412.59 for checks dated May 18, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,915.37 for the week ending May 12, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – May 10, 2018: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 10, 2018, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed minutes of the following meetings:

• North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners Meeting – May 1, 2018;

• Walpole Planning Board – May 8, 2018.

WARRANT:

SPRING TAX WARRANT:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Tax Collector’s Spring Tax Warrant in the amount of $5,648.117.  The prior Fall Tax Warrant was $5,646,594.11.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

CURRENT USE:

Map and Lot #005-043-001:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Application for Current Use for Map and Lot #005-043-001 off the Taggard Road.  The 8 acres is being added to 45 acres already in Current Use.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

BUILDING PERMIT:

Steve and Patricia Smith, 79 Main Street, Map and Lot #020-054-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2018-09 for Steve and Patricia Smith to construct a “8’ x 12’ Mudroom Addition” at 79 Main Street.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Water and Sewer Receipts to Date:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the Water/Sewer Receipts to Date May 16, 2018.  Total receipts for Quarter #1 2018 Billing are at 44% collected.

SWRPC Endorsements: Ms. Mayberry explained that the Selectboard need to recommend her and Mr. Ben Daviss as the Town’s Commissioners to the SWRPC.  The form goes to Mr. Tim Murphy at Southwest Region Planning Commission and they decide who gets appointed to their Board.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked about Mr. Robert Miller as he is a Town commissioner to SWRPC.

Mr. Dalessio moved to recommend to the SWRPC that Mr. Ben Daviss and Ms. Cheryl Mayberry be appointed as the Town’s Commissioners.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  Ms. Mayberry abstained from the vote.

Mrs. Pschirrer will write the letter to the SWRPC.

Great River Hydro Abatement Appeal:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported the Great River Hydro settlement would be slightly less than what the Town would bill them.  Mr. Dalessio recommended having Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith write a draft letter in response to the Appeal settlement.

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the settlement offer of the Great River Hydro Appeal.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Tax Deeded Property on Homestead Avenue:  Ms. Mayberry researched but could find no record of the owner.  Mrs. Pschirrer would like to be sure the property was added to the Primex policy, if not, it should be added.

NEW BUSINESS:

Letter to NH Division of Historical Resources:  Ms. Mayberry moved to sign the letter to the NH Division of Historical Resources that the Walpole Selectboard is supporting the application from the Bridge Public Library for a Moose Plate Grant.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Appointment Notice: Mr. Dalessio moved to appoint Ms. Evelyn Beliveau as a representative to the Recreation Committee.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Vehicle Registration Refund:  Acknowledgement was made of a letter from Mrs. Sandra Smith, Town Clerk-Tax Collector, requesting a vehicle registration refund.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the refund to Twin State Management, LLC in the amount of $405.00.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NHRS Tax Shelter Election: Reference was made to the letter sent to Mr. Kreissle from the New Hampshire Retirement System.  The Town of Walpole can decide to report member contributions on a pre-tax basis prospectively instead of the current post tax reporting to NHRS.  If the Town elects to tax shelter member contributions the election form will include all existing and future members.  Ms. Mayberry will write a letter to go to all employees explaining the advantages and that this is an “all” or “not all” decision.

Science Olympiad Thank You Note:  A Thank You card with pictures was received from the Science Olympiad Team.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel, (b) Hiring and (c) Reputations.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion, on a roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 8:07 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:46 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 of May 17, 2018, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mr. Dalessio moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:52 PM.

OTHER BUSINESS:

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:  Ms. Mayberry moved that the Selectboard authorize the Minutes of the March 29, 2018, Non-Public Session be unsealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Recreation Department:  The Selectboard recognized that Mr. Justin Cassarino was elected as the Educator of the Year by the Walpole Community Grange.

Next Selectboard Meeting:  Mrs. Pschirrer announced that the next Selectboard meeting on Thursday, May 24, 2018, will begin at 5:30 PM.  There will be a discussion on the Building Permits, Site Plan Reviews, etc.  Mrs. Pschirrer will talk about the Brownfields research she has been doing.

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 9:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Thanks for the info Sarah Downing. Every year someone asks me and every year I am not sure. You saved me from embarrassment! – Lil

The Memorial Day Parade is being held on Monday, May 28th.

Those in the parade will gather between 11:00 and 11:15am at the corner of Union and Main Streets by the Unitarian Church. The parade is to begin at 11:30am.

This year’s speaker for the American Legion ceremony on the Common will be Tara Sad.

WALPOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM AND GIFT SHOP OPENING SATURDAY, JUNE 2,2018

Our season opens on Saturday June 2nd from 12 noon- 4pm.  Please come to browse and view the Museum Exhibits and Gift Shop items.  We will be open every Saturday through the Columbus Day weekend in October from 12 noon – 4pm.

Our new exhibit is Busy Hands –the industry and art of fabric and needlework in our community.  This is a wonderful display of historic and contemporary needlework of many kinds from the Walpole area.

Our award winning Children’s Exhibit, featuring children’s clothing from the 1800’s to 1960’s, remains in place this year as does the Timeline Walpole display of over 200 years of local history.

The Gift Shop has something for every age.  New wooden toys and puzzles for the young.  Colorful stained glass pieces– scarves and accessories, napkins, candles, mugs, adult coloring books, magnets, and framed pictures and locally crafted wooden bowls.  Our shop is stocked and ready for your browsing and shopping.

Open every Saturday starting June 2- October 13th . (by appointment anytime 603-756-3449)

* Take Academy Lane for parking behind our building or park out front on street side.

JUNE 2018 CLARION — Now ON-LINE

by Ray Boas

The June issue of The Walpole Clarion has gone to the printer, but is now on-line for you to read and enjoy and learn what is happening. Take a look because a few events, such as a special evening at Burdick’s, occur early in the month. Reading the issues early on-line, before your print copy arrives, enables you to plan ahead, deciding what you would like to do in the community in the coming weeks. Encourage your neighbors to sign up for Clarion website posts so they too can “read early.”

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ THE JUNE ISSUE

As promised for you to read about, arrangements have been made for your tax-deductible donation to preserve and conserve the land bordering the Connecticut River at the southern entrance to the village. Your check to assist may be made payable to “Walker Road Conservation” and dropped off at the Selectboard office at the Town Hall, or mailed to the Town of Walpole, PO Box 729, Walpole, NH 03608-0729. These funds are being kept separate from other Town funds. If you wish to make a commitment for this conservation effort please contact me, Ray, at 603 756-4545. Please read the articles beginning on page one.

Thank you, Ray Boas, Publisher, The Walpole Clarion

The Friends of the Library would like to thank the Walpole community for your generous support of our recent plant sale.  To date we have made $1,353 to benefit Walpole Library programs.

This annual sale would not be possible without the generous donation of plants by many local residents!  We would like to offer special thanks to Michael Nerrie of Distant Hill Gardens, Liz Collinsworth of the Fall Mt High School Horticulture Department, Bob Kimball, Jackie Caserta, and Andrea Daley of Village Blooms, all of whom contributed many unique and beautiful plants.

Thank you again for making this annual sale a big success!

Selectboard Meeting of May 24, 2018

Starting time: 5:30pm

Change due to a special Building Permit Process Discussion

The public is welcome to attend.

Regular Selectboard Business Meeting to follow.

TOWN OF WALPOLE

SELECTBOARD MEETING

MAY 10, 2018

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 8:00 AM in the Walpole Town Hall.  She advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There were no members of the public in attendance.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $32,515.28 for checks dated May 11, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Register for the week ending May 5, 2018, in the amount of $24,412.83 for checks dated May 11, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,742.66 for the week ending May 5, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – May 3, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 3, 2018, with the following correction: page 2, under Audio System, change “Ramon” to “Roman”.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes and correction were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – May 3, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of May 3, 2018, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:

• Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting – April 2, 2018;

• Walpole Fire District Meeting – April 11, 2018;

• Library Board of Trustees Meeting – April 10, 2018;

• North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners Meeting – April 10, 2018;

• North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners Meeting – April 17, 2018;

• North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners Meeting – April 24, 2018.

PROPERTY TAX REFUND:

MAP and LOT #016-012-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $1,708.57 for Map and Lot #016-012-000.  This is the result of a duplicate payment.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

ABATEMENTS – PROPERTY TAX:

MAP and LOT #008-087-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Abatement for Property Taxes in the amount of $20.59 for Map and Lot #008-087-000.  Ms. Roehl had a woodshed removed; Avitar Associates verified this.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #007-010-001:  Ms. Mayberry moved to deny this request for an Abatement for Property Taxes for Map and Lot #007-010-001 as recommended by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTIONS:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Solar Energy Exemptions for the following properties:

• Map and Lot #021-028-000 – on North Road;

• Map and Lot #004-001-004 – on River Road.

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

BUILDING PERMITS:

ERIC & KHEUAVANH GOUGH, 95 Blackjack Crossing, Map and Lot #001-018-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit No. 2018-08 for Eric and Kheuavanh Gough to construct a “New 18’ x 24’ 1-1/2 Story Barn/Woodworking Shop” at 95 Blackjack Crossing. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

BROOKHURST, LLC, 256 North Road, Map and Lot #010-042-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit No. 2018-10 for Brookhurst, LLC to build a “12’ x 16’ Timber Frame Shed” at 256 North Road.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

BEVERAGE/WINE/LIQUOR ENDORSEMENT LETTER:  Mr. Dalessio moved that the Walpole Selectboard had no objections to and recommend that Steven and Shanda Donovan be granted a Restaurant Beverage/Wine/Liquor license.  Both are members of Spencer’s Place located at 10 Westminster Street, Walpole, NH.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAPLEWOOD NURSING HOME GROUND BREAKING INVITATION:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the invitation from the County of Cheshire to attend the Ground breaking ceremony to commemorate the start of the reconstruction of the Maplewood Nursing Home on Monday, May 21, 2018, at 2:30 PM at the Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, NH.

SWRPC ANNUAL MEETING INVITATION:  The Selectboard received an invitation to attend the Southwest Region Planning Commission Annual Meeting on June 12th, 2018, at Keene State College Alumni Center.

TOWN-OWNED PROPERTY:  The Selectboard will consider putting a Town-owned property up for sale.  This property was acquired on May 17, 2017.  Research will be done to locate the previous owner so the Selectboard can proceed with the tax sale process.

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 8:26 AM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:38 AM.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Staff Meeting – May 17, 2018:  Mrs. Pschirrer will ask Mr. Rau to discuss some of the projects the Highway Department will be doing this year.

Selectboard Meeting – May 24, 2018:  Mr. Dalessio requested the Selectboard meeting on May 24, 2018, be started at 5:30 PM.

Recreation Committee:  Ms. Mayberry reported the Recreation Committee has two applicants for the Pool Manager position.  They will do the interviews tonight.

Selectboard Meeting:  Ms. Mayberry will be unable to attend the Selectboard meeting on July 5, 2018.

Selectboard Meeting – May 17, 2018:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised the Agenda for this meeting will include discussion on the Hydro Electric appraisal, Brownfields Project and the property on Homestead Avenue.

Credit Cards:  Mrs. Downing advised the Selectboard Office will go on-line to start using credit cards for water and sewer payments next Tuesday.  Mr. Dalessio noted they will also be able to take reservations for rentals.  Visa will not accept payments for utilities.

Brownfields:  Mrs. Pschirrer will put some information on Brownfields together on the Westberg property.  The Department of Environmental Services (DES) sent her all the paperwork needed to apply for the Covenant Program.

Auditors:  The Auditors will be in the office starting next Monday, May 14th.

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 9:05 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

TOWN OF WALPOLE

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

MAY 10, 2018

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 8:26 AM.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING – May 3, 2018:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of May 3, 2018, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

HOOPER BUSINESS:

Hooper Property Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the roof on the Hooper Mansion was repaired.  A deposit of $250 was made; the final bill is $1,050.

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the final invoice for repairs to the Hooper Mansion roof.  It should come out of the Hooper Maintenance Trust.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Hooper Property:  Mrs. Pschirrer has been talking with Mr. Dill about various issues.  He now has access to the buildings.  Ms. Downing is trying to contact someone about cleaning the Cottage.

Golf Course:  Mrs. Pschirrer gave Mr. Dill a copy of the Agreement the Hooper Trustees will request that the Meetinghouse West, LLC sign.  It will acknowledge they are on the golf course this season.  Mr. Jeff Miller will be asked to attend the next meeting on May 17th to sign this agreement.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:38 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Present: Board Members: Chair Myra Mansouri, Vice-Chair Jan Galloway Leclerc, Tom Murray, Pauline Barnes. Alternate: Ernie Vose. Absent: Board member Judy Trow and alternate Bob Anderson.

Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the regular June 2018 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Roll Call: Ms. Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. Alternate Mr. Vose was asked to fill in as a Board member.

Minutes:  Pauline Barnes made several corrections – one typo, a couple of words left out or repeated. A motion was made to accept the minutes as corrected. The motion was seconded and approved by the Board.

Old Business:

This hearing has been postponed for a few months.

Public Hearing: Special Exception for Great River Consumer Cooperative Society, Inc., Route 12, Map 12, Lot 4-2 and 4-3 for parking, rural/ag to commercial. Convert a former chicken coop to a food co-op featuring local products. Article VIII C.1.

Kim Mastriani, president of the Co-op, is representing the organization.

If the Co-op returns, it will need a new application and drawings of the plan for the store and the parking lot. Later in the meeting, the Board voted to return the abutter and legal fees for this meeting. The amount was $116.00.

Upcoming on June 20, 2018. Public Hearing for a Special Exception, rural/ag to commercial. D&C Transportation, Orleans, Vt. Map 10, Lot 2. Proposed Use: Filling Station and Convenience store with Drive Thru. James Phippard of Brickstone Land Use Consultants LLC representing D&C Transportation. D&C Transportation owner, Paul Saba, withdrew his application at the WPB meeting at the Public Hearing for a recommendation for a Special Exception of a commercial project in rural/a – May 8, 2018. A return of $112.00 will be sent to Brickstone Consultants for payment of the abutter fee and legal for the proposed June 20, 2018 ZBA meeting.

Signage: Doug Palmer has withdrawn his request for a Public Hearing for a sign for his business at 4 Ames Plaza Lane.

Update Matrix – the matrix for a Special Exception for a commercial proposal in a rural/ag district was discussed. It can be confusing for applicants who do not know what to do in their specific situation. The Board suggested adding three names. telephone numbers and emails to the Matrix so applicants may call someone to find out if they need a Variance, Special Exception or something else. The contacts will be the Chair, Vice-Chair and the Secretary.

All applicants are welcome to a ZBA meeting to discuss their proposals with the ZBA Board. Otherwise, if applicants know they need a Special Exception for their project in rural/ag, they go to the Planning Board first to request a Public Hearing for a recommendation for a Special Exception from the Planning Board. However, the ZBA should be notified of the request because it is that Board that makes the final decision.

Regarding the matrix for property in Residential A and B, the only Special Exception is for: “Conversions of existing larger home to multi-family dwellings may be allowed by Special Exception from the Board of Adjustment provided the Board determines that the following conditions are met:

The property is suitable to accommodate multi-family use without adversely affecting the area.

Adequate off-street parking is available.

The exterior architectural appearance and/or size of the structure shall not be substantially altered.

The property has received Site Plan approval from the Planning Board.” Article V – 7. This should be added to the Matrix document.

Ms. Barnes asked, What about an application that isn’t complete? Does a completed application have to be given to Board before the Board goes ahead with the process.

Mr. Vose said that sometimes the Board allows the applicant to correct the application and then sends it to the secretary. Mr. Leclerc added, “If it’s a small thing.”

So they can still go to the Planning Board? The Planning Board gets the same application and drawings that the Zoning Board gets. If there is a major reason why the application isn’t complete, the Planning Board will need to know. It just adds a month, Ms. Leclerc says.

Ms. Barnes said, “How does anyone know what to do? Shouldn’t there be someone they can speak to when they are filling out the form. There should be something that says, “Let us help you.”

Mr. Murray asked when an applicant comes to the ZBA someone should say to them that they have to go to the Planning Board first for a recommendation. “We should have the same path every time,” he said.

Ms. Leclerc said I still think the matrix is a good idea. You need a Special Exception. And they can follow it.

Ms Mansouri said maybe we need an extra page explaining the difference between a special exception and a variance. And then some examples.

Ms. Mansouri pointed out that at the conference one speaker explained the difference between a Special Exception and a Variance. “A variance seeks to do something that is now allowed by zoning. A Special Exception is something that is allowed by Zoning if all conditions are met.”

Mr. Vose suggested that what they need is to contact someone who knows what the ordinances say. There should be an email, telephone number or tell them to come to a zoning meeting.

Ms. Joanna Andros, WPB, alternate, said that in the gas station proposal the applicant came with full drawings, a traffic study and an application and the Planning Board was ready to go. Mr. Phippard presented a full plan to the Planning Board. Ms. Leclerc said he knew ahead of time because he was well-versed in all the ordinances, Master Plan, etc.

Report on Zoning and Planning conference in Concord in late April.

Ms. Trow submitted the Power Points on two of the sessions she attended: The role of the ZBA and the Decision-Making Process. These documents were passed out to the Board.

This conference had a lot of advice on decisions so they would hold up in court, Ms. Leclerc said. The Board should have a written statement saying why it decided something based on the criteria.

Ms. Barnes agreed and said the decision-making section referred to a lot of law cases.

Ms. Leclerc went to a solar presentation, which she said was interesting. The speaker was someone who sold a lot of panels in New Hampshire and had also written a sample zoning ordinance. He advised that solar panels are coming and it would be wise for communities to anticipate them and get an ordinance on the books before it happens. Some installations can be very large and don’t have to be offensive to the neighbors. Ms. Leclerc said she would send a copy of the ordinance to the secretary to distribute to ZBA members.

Ms. Leclerc also went to the accessory dwelling session where there were several people talking how the change in law was working in their communities. Generally most people said it was working very well. People who weren’t rich could add a DADU and could still live there as a rental.

Ms. Barnes said that was interesting because she thought of them as good in terms of people aging. Ms. Leclerc said there was an architect with pictures of places that were 750-or-1,000 square-foot units into all different types of areas with older homes like around here. “Everyone was all for them,” Ms. Leclerc said.

Ms. Barnes said the best way to avoid going to court is to focus on procedure. There was a real emphasis on procedure and developing a record, as you go along, of what you are doing as a Board and checking your rules of procedure.

Pauline asked the speaker about a current situation where two different parties were asking for Special Exceptions to have commercial projects in a rural/ag district. The speaker said you have to be very clear. For example, if you have a round table covered by a white tablecloth and 8 chairs around it over here and a round table covered by a white tablecloth and 8 chairs around it over there, you have to be very clear on why you are treating one table differently than another table. Barnes said he was very forceful on that point.

Also mentioned at the conference was a “table of use,” Barnes said. It a chart that shows what is permitted and what is not permitted in a particular district. Ms. Barnes had a sample chart from Alstead and passed it around. It’s a pretty simple chart to use, Mr. Vose said.

One topic discussed was the variance criterion of substantial justice. The speaker said there was not a whole lot of information on this topic. The only thing that applies is, “if there is any loss to the individual that is not outweighed by a gain to the general public is an injustice.”

Ms. Leclerc said, for example, if someone in the village wants a shed but because the lot is too small and the person doesn’t have the proper land for a 20-foot setback, who does it hurt if there isn’t a proper setback?

Ms. Leclerc said at the Co-op meeting three members had to recuse themselves. If the alternate missed the first meeting but can be brought up to speed and then knows what is going on with the proposal – has read the minutes, application for example – the alternate may serve on the Board for he continuation of the hearing.

Mr. Vose asked if the session addressed the fact that three people recused themselves and there wasn’t a full five-member Board. Ms. Barnes said, “you do not have the right to a full-member Board. “No party is entitled to have a hearing by a full board.”

If you have a policy, you must apply it to everyone, Ms. Leclerc said

There was a session on voting individually or as a Board for a Special Exception or a Variance. Ms. Leclerc said the speaker at the conference recommended that the Board vote as a group. She said that a vote on each criterion makes it possible for the proposal pass, but the intention of the Board may be to vote no on the proposal.

“Voting on Variances

Applicant must satisfy all of 5 criteria in RSA 74:33 to obtain a variance and must receive 3 votes in favor.

If the board votes separately on each of the 5 criteria, it is possible for every factor to have at least 3 votes in favor even if no single member voted that all 5 criteria are met.

Obviously, the board should discuss all 5, but there are varying opinions on whether to vote separately on each one.”

Ms. Leclerc added that everyone that sat in on that conference session was happy with the new  Dwelling Unit ordinance.

There was some discussion on sending registered certified mail or regular mail to abutter. Ms. Leclerc said that there have been cases when groups do not want something to go through, so they don’t pick up their mail. Myra said it is better to have it return receipt registered. The Board then has a record of a letter being sent and the Post Office makes every attempt to get the letter to the person being addressed.

Ms. Barnes said one of the lawyers said she would much rather defend a Board that has done too much than a board that had done too little.

Request to return money

There was a request from Mr. Phippard and from the Co-op to return money not spent on sending letters to abutters and placing a legal in the newspaper. Mr. Vose moved that the money for abutters be returned. Ms. Mansouri seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

New ordinances

Ms. Mansouri said that there were a couple of things the Zoning Board had to deal with during the rest of the year.

Write an article that will rescind the article voted on in March 2018 because it was illegal. She just wanted a change in a street address that was changed, but not recorded in the ordinance when 911 went into place.

Look into ordinances for solar and wind turbines. Ms. Leclerc  has a link to the solar ordinance and will send it to the secretary and she’ll get it to the rest of the Board.

Ms. Mansouri will write to the chair of the Planning Board about writing ordinances on both items.

Then the Carmody problem has to be resolved by rescinding the two specific lots on Ames Plaza Lane and have the those two lots taken out of Residential B and put into the commercial district.

Corrections: Mr. Vose corrected two items that were mentioned at two different previous meetings.

Mr. Dalessio’s remarks at the April ZBA meeting about the reason Bensonwood went to Keene was because it was too difficult to get permission here in Walpole is incorrect because Bensonwood got permission to build on their property on Route 12. The reason they went to Keene was because they got a good deal and the building had already been built.

Mr. Vose also mention that at the May 8, 2018 meeting with the WPB, the person at the D&C Transportation hearing erred in her statement about denial of a former request to build on that property. The reason that nothing was built on that property was because at the Zoning Board hearing for a Special Exception there was so much opposition to the project that the applicant withdrew the application.

New Alternate

Mr. Don Sellarole was at the meeting to see what happens at a ZBA meeting. He was not discouraged after spending the evening at the Town Hall and said he was still willing to be an alternate. Ms. Leclerc made a motion to approved Mr. Sellarole as an alternate. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vose and approved by the rest of the Board. The ZBA may have three alternates. Mr. Sellarole has to go to the Town Clerk and be sworn in.

Mr. Carroll on Taggard Road

Mr. Carroll has three pieces of abutting property on Taggard Road. He may get a Voluntary Merger from the Planning Board to erase the lot line between two pieces of land he owns and then use one of the lots for his residence and another lot for an accessory building, which he has already gutted, for an accessory building. He does not need a Public Hearing for a Voluntary Merger.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine, Secretary