The Walpolean

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 no members of the public in attendance.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $688,787.75 for checks dated January 19, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry advised the above amount includes the new monthly payment plus catch up amount of $586,626.00 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Register for the week ending January 13, 2018, in the amount of $24,204.18 for checks dated January 19, 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 $4,861.76 for the week ending January 13, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – January 11, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 11, 2018, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – January 11, 2018: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of January 11, 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.

VETERANS’ TAX CREDITS:

MAP and LOT #030-003-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Veterans’ Tax Credit for Map and Lot #030-003-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

2018 Warrant Article Listing:  The Selectboard reviewed the draft Warrant for the Town Meeting on March 17, 2018.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted the final Warrant will be sent to the Department of Revenue Administration early next week for their approval.  Following are the revisions:

Article 5:  These maintenance projects will include the fire sprinkler system in the Town Hall.  Mr. Dalessio recommended deleting “remainder of the roof at the Walpole Highway Department, repairs at the Police Department, remodeling in the Tax Office” and replacing it with “updates, repairs and remodeling of Town buildings and the purchase of a new baler for the Recycling Department”.

Article 6:  Ms. Mayberry suggested changing “The said funds to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance” to “Unassigned Funds Balance”.

Article 9:  In the last sentence change “fund” to “funds”

Article 10:  In the last sentence change “fund” to “funds”.

2018-2019 Fall Mountain Regional School District Warrant Articles:  Mrs. Pschirrer referenced Article 3.  There is someone prepared to make an Amendment to this Article.  Mrs. Pschirrer will draft a letter to the Editor of the Clarion from the Selectboard urging taxpayers to attend the SB2 meeting for SAU60 that will begin at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, February 7th at the Fall Mountain High School.

AccuFund Training for R. Kreissle:  Mr. Kreissle had asked to attend this AccuFund Training for a full week; there would be three courses.  This is a very busy time for the Town. There was a consensus of the Selectboard to have Mr. Kreissle attend one course at this time.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve having Mr. Kreissle attend the Standard Report Writing for AccuFund.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Session 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 at 7:04 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:10 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of January 18, 2018, 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.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:18 PM.

NEW BUSINESS:

Walpole Fire District:  The Walpole Fire District budget was submitted.  Their Public Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 15th at 7:00 PM.

Great River Hydro Electric Company:  Mrs. Pschirrer will read the purchase order from the Great River Hydro Electric Company.  They wish to purchase (use) services from the Recycling Center for up to $2,000.  Mr. Colburn has taken miscellaneous items from them before.

Police Department:  Police Chief Paquette had handed in a proposed policy on False Alarms.  Ms. Mayberry asked if these fines should go into the Police Department Revolving Fund because the Town is paying the officers and gas used to respond to these calls.  Mr. Dalessio will call a few towns with Revolving Funds to ask how they deal with this.  He will also talk to Chief Paquette again.  Mrs. Pschirrer suggested it be broken down by a percentage.

Ticket Ordinances:  Mr. Dalessio talked with Lt. Sanctuary about the existing Ticket Policies/ Ordinances.  There is a “gap” on exactly what has to be done to enforce and collect the fines that will remain in the town.  This is a project to be worked on in the next couple of months.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Members Present: Alicia Flammia (Chair), John Peska (Vice Chair), Jackie Kensen, Lew Shelley, Kelli Wilson,

Alternates Present: Peter Palmiotto, Elaine Heleen

Members Absent; Laura Hayes, Gary Speed, Myra Mansouri, Cheryl Mayberry (Selectboard Representative)

Others Present: Steven Dumont (Recording Secretary)

Call to Order: Alicia Flammia, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM.

Seating of Alternates: As a quorum of regular members was present, no seating of Alternates was required.

Review and approve minutes – December 4, 2017. Corrections; Alicia Flammia and Byron Fletcher’s names were misspelled on page 2, as was M&W soils and the Nerrie Easement. With no other corrections, Mr. Shelley made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Peska seconded. With all in favor the minutes were approved as amended.

Public Business:

1. Mrs. Flammia did not have time to collect the correspondence or treasury report. She did have a report on some of the finances. Tom Goins asked her if she would like him to move most of the balance of the forestry account into the PDIP account to accrue better interest. Alicia agreed and it has been moved. This will be reflected on the next statements. Both the conservation and the forestry accounts are now in the PDIP. The money can be available from the PDIP account in about 48 hours if needed.

2. Correspondence: None to present, but Peter reported that he did contact the holders of the Hubbard Conservation Commission fund. He spoke with someone that explained the reasoning. Peter forgot his notes but he will write up a summary and send it out to the members. He was successful in getting the fund transferred to Alicia’s name as Chair of the Walpole Conservation Commission (WCC).

New Business:

1. Ballam Farm Monitoring: Alicia received an email from Rebecca of the Monadnock Conservancy. They cannot find the annual monitoring reports since about 2006. The WCC has minutes noting that Gary has done the monitoring in the past, though maybe not in the last couple of years. Alicia repeated the need for a record of all the easements in town, who holds the easements, the WCC’s responsibility of each easement, and where the WCC is in terms of administrative requirements for the easements. Gary has been in charge of the Ballam Farm monitoring. Alicia asked if someone else would be interested in monitoring the property. Peter asked if the WCC was responsible for monitoring that easement. It was noted that the Monadnock Conservancy has staff and volunteers and usually monitors their own easements. Lew noted that we have been doing the monitoring. Alicia restated the need for individual records of the easements. John noted it would be nice to know how many easement organizations are holding easements in town. Alicia asked if when the records are done, if that, as well as who is responsible for monitoring can be added. Peter said that it can be done. Alicia again asked if someone would take over the monitoring of Ballam Farm. Jackie stated that she would gladly do it.

2. Lew Shelley noted that there was another piece of property recently added to the High Blue Easement. Between the new parcell and the Surry town line, there are two smaller pieces of property. Lew had a question on whether or not Scoville Road was a discontinued road or it was a Class 6 road. Lew looked up old town meeting minutes from 1928 and it turns out they voted to discontinue the road in 1928. This means the road ownership goes to the abbutting properties, and that the old road could be gated. Lew would next like to go after contacting the owners of the small abbutting properties to discuss easements, with the long term goal of adding the properties to the High Blue easement. He has passed this info onto the Forest Society.

Old Business:

1. Reservoir Dam: There has been no update on engineering proposals. John noted Gary spoke with Byron Fletcher and he will get to cutting the brush as soon as he can. John asked Alicia to resend the list of engineering companies to contact for proposals.

2. Antioch University Internship: no interest yet. Laura is still considering it with her workload and schedule. The fee limit for a WCC member would be $2,000.

3. Nerrie Easement/Monadnock Conservancy: John noted to Alicia that we agreed to fund $7,500. He was unsure of whether or not the money had been dispersed. Lew did contact the Monadnock Conservancy after the meeting and Peggy Pschirrer was in attendance. Alicia will contact Annie McBride to check in.

4. Fannie Mason Feasibility Study: Lew presented a proposal to complete the feasibility study, in the amount of $850. The agreement included, among other things, assessing existing trail networks, identifying locations for a possible accessible trail, and using GPS and flagging to mark the trail locations. Lew would like to start before the beginning of Spring. Alicia asked if there were any questions. Lew discussed the layout of the property and the potential locations for new trails. With no further questions, Alicia signed the agreement for Lew to complete the feasibility study for $850.

5. Long View Forest Walk: rescheduled because of cold weather. WCC is waiting for a new date from Long View.

6. Bill Callahan Land Donation: WCC needs to hire a surveyor and have the property surveyed. DiBernado Associates has done survey work in the past for the WCC. Alicia asked if anyone had any other contacts. Steven and Lew both had suggestions of surveyors they know. Steven and Lew will forward contact info to Alicia.

Other Business:

1. Elaine noted that she has a Hooper Institute meeting coming up, and she knows they are going to ask about conservation land maps in Walpole. Elaine noted that money was approved to print more maps. Lew mentioned that land keeps on getting added to easements in Walpole. Elaine suggested that we pick a date and update the maps as of that date. Peter thinks that they can get the conservation map updated next month.

Adjournment: At 8:20 PM Kelli made a motion to adjourn the meeting. John seconded. Meeting adjourned.

Next Meeting: Monday, February 5, 2018 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 February 5, 2018.

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING – January 4, 2018:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of January 4, 2018, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

2018 Proposed Hooper Institute Budget:  Mrs. Clark submitted a maintenance budget that was separate from the regular budget.  Several changes were made by Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio.  Mr. Dalessio suggested having the educational budget as one department. Maintenance and scholarship would be different budgets.  Everything will be clearly defined.

Hooper Mansion:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that, weather permitting she will meet Ms. Boccelli to remove some of the remaining items from the Hooper Mansion.

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 7:45 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 no members of the public in attendance.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $59,660.83 for checks dated January 12, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to give Mrs. Sarah Downing the authority to approve the Payroll Register and Payroll Tax Transfer for checks dated January 12, 2018.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – January 4, 2018: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 4, 2018, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – January 4, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of January 4, 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.

SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING – JANUARY 5, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Special Selectboard meeting of January 5, 2018, as submitted.  This meeting was with the Fall Mountain Region School District Superintendent Lori Landry and Business Manager, Jim Fenn.  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 District of Commissioners – December 13, 2017;

• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – January 2, 2018;

• Walpole Planning Board – January 9, 2018.

VETERANS’ TAX CREDITS:

MAP and LOT #008-106-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Veterans’ Tax Credit for Map and Lot #008-106-000 as it meets the requirements.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #012-034-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant both the Veterans’ and Service Connected Total Disability Tax Credits for Map and Lot #012-034-000 as he meets the requirements.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT AND REFUND:

MAP and LOT #019-005-MH02:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Abatement and Refund in the amount of $80.43 for Map and Lot #019-005-MH02.  The measurements of a shed were incorrectly entered into Avitar.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

2018 Warrant Article Listing and Unassigned Fund Balance:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported the Unassigned Fund balance is $1,770,000+/-.  The Selectboard agreed that instead of having the baler as a separate warrant article it be taken out of the Unassigned Fund balance because it is so high; it will still leave them with $1,500,000+/-.  It is good to keep this fund balance high because the Town will be facing some major infrastructure projects in a few years.  The Department of Revenue Administration likes towns to have between 8% and 15% of their budget in the Unassigned Fund balance.  Mr. Dalessio mentioned they did not have to use any of this money to lower the tax rate this year.  Projects include the rest of the work at the Highway garage to finish the roof repairs, repairs at the Police Department, repairs to the Town Clerk/Tax Collector/s office and the purchase of a new baler for the Recycling Department.  Ms. Mayberry would like to look at purchasing a new Bobcat replacement for the Recycling Center next year.

NEW BUSINESS:

Jakes Market Beer, Wine and Tobacco Sales Endorsement:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the letter to the NH Liquor Commission to advise that the Walpole Selectboard voted to recommend that a new member, Bruce Bergeron, of Sugar Face and Company LLC d/b/a Jakes Market & Deli, located at 51 Main Street, Walpole, NH be granted a combination beverage/wine/tobacco liquor license.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Lola’s Pizzaria, Restaurant Beer & Wine Endorsement:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve and sign the letter to the NH Liquor Commission to advise that the Walpole Selectboard voted unanimously to grant permission to Edward Yoerger to obtain a Beer and Wine license for his business, Lola’s Pizzaria, located at 16 Church Street, North Walpole, NH.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

Certificate of Municipality:  This is required by the NH State Library for grant funding to be released that will be used to restore record books in the basement vault.  The books are being donated to the Historical Society.

Mr. Dalessio moved to authorize the Chair, Peggy L. Pschirrer, to sign on behalf of the municipality for the new NH State Library Grant.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Sandra Smith, Town Clerk, and Mr. Tom Goins, Town Treasurer will also sign this document.

Town Hall Schedule:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that Mrs. Downing assumed the Library would be using the Town Hall during their construction period.  The Library has not discussed this. Therefore, Mrs. Pschirrer felt the Selectboard Office should continue business as usual.  The Library Board is meeting with their architect and builder for final plans. Then they will have a new budget.  Mrs. Pschirrer felt multiple rentals on a week-end is at the discretion of Mrs. Downing and Mrs. Daigle.  It needs to be clear to renters that the Town does not hand-clean or shovel paths to the Gazebo; it is rented as is.

AccuFund Reporting Writing Class Proposal: The Selectboard received a request from Mr. Rich Kreissle to attend an AccuFund Reporting Writing Class from March 12th to 16th in Burlington, Massachusetts.  He outlined the expenses.  This was one of Mr. Kreissle’s objectives.  Mr. Dalessio would like to talk to Mr. Kreissle about this as it is a lot to absorb in five days; it is three separate courses.

This agenda item was put on-hold until the next meeting.

Bellows Falls Village Corporation – Wastewater Agreement:  Mr. Dalessio reported on his follow-up to the Selectboard’s letter to the Bellows Falls Village Corp.  Mr. Shane O’Keefe, Interim Manager, was given authority by the Trustees of the BFVC to sign the Wastewater Agreement with the Town of Walpole.  He plans to do so within the next 10-to-20 days.  Mr. O’Keefe will also provide updated information on the bonds.  Only portions of the bonds pertain to the Town of Walpole.  There is a bond coming up in July.  Mr. Dalessio also spoke to Mr. Mark Houghton and Mr. Rich Kreissle about moving the sewer line over from the Vilas Bridge to the new Arch Bridge. They are still working on the plans.  After this next billing cycle goes out, there are plans to have a “utilities” meeting to discuss quarterly billing, pending issues and the bond assessment.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session 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 7:08 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:25 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of January 11, 2018, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Town Ordinances:  Mrs. Pschirrer has been looking through Ordinances and Regulations.  Mr. Dalessio will show the ones relating to the Police Department on Traffic Control Regulations, Parking and Ticketing to Police Chief Paquette.  Revisions and updates will be made if needed.        

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 7:30 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:45 PM.

OTHER BUSINESS (Continued):

2018 Proposed Budget:  Mrs. Pschirrer would like to go through the proposed budget one more time.  No decision was made on a date and time.

Vilas Bridge:  Ms. Mayberry advised the Southwest Region Planning Commission and Bellows Falls Village Corp plus interested parties who are on the Vilas Bridge Committee (5-to-7 people) set their first meeting for February 7th at 3:00 or 3:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  The meeting will probably be one-to-one-and-

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 7:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Important dates coming up:

SAVE THE DATES

•           Jan. 24 – Candidate filing begins at the Town Clerk’s Office

•           Feb. 2 – Candidate filing closes at 5pm

•           Feb. 7 @ 6:30pm – SB2 SAU 60 Deliberative Session at FMRHS

•           Feb. 8 @ 6:00pm – Town 2018 Budget Hearing in main room of Town Hall

•           March 13 – Voting Day for elected Town Officials, Zoning Ordinances and SAU 60 warrant articles

•           March 15 @ 7pm  – Walpole Fire District Annual Meeting at the Fire Station

•           March 17 @ 1pm  – Town Meeting

MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD IN CONCORD

BY

THE PEOPLE WHO SPEAK FOR YOU

If you’ve wondered how to be heard on issues facing New Hampshire, State Representative Lucy M. Weber will show you how to navigate the NH legislative process at the Walpole Town Library on Saturday, February 10, from 10:00 a.m. until noon.  Lucy will demonstrate how to explore the NH House and Senate calendars in order to see what is happening, week by week, in the legislature. You will learn to use the NH government website to find a bill, read the text, and find out the status of the bill. You can also find out when hearings are scheduled on bills of interest to you, how to attend hearings, and voice your opinion on the bill being being discussed, if you would like.  Nearly everything that happens in the statehouse is open to the public and you are allowed to observe and participate. Lucy will also bring written materials for you to take home and will be available for questions after the presentation.

This presentation is non-partisan.  The event is sponsored by the Fall Mountain Alliance and the Walpole Town Library.

Worship Service at Walpole Unitarian Church, 10 AM Sunday Jan 21st:

The UU Response to Black Lives Matter movement:  “Fulfilling the Promise and the Practice of Our Faith for Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism”. 

Unitarian Universalism promises inclusion, acceptance of both diversity and of  all individuals. – And yet we have not succeeded in fulfilling that promise.

“Our worship service this morning is uniquely prophetic: it calls to us who identify as white to listen, humbly and perhaps with some discomfort, to [the voices expressing] the lived reality of black Unitarian Universalists in our midst. This discomfort is both a gesture of hospitality to voices that have not been heard enough, and a sign that we’re growing in the right direction.”

Found this on the weekly notes from Julie Rios. As a retired educator, it struck a note with me! Thank you Justine and Library staff. Not sure who had the idea, but I love it! – Lil

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program begins!  The concept is simple, read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes you can repeat books) before they start kindergarten. Does it sound hard? Not really if you think about it. If you read just 1 book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think!  There are prizes for kids and families along the way.  Our Kick-Off Party is Saturday, 1/27, at 10 am.  If you can’t make the party, no worries.  Contact the library for more information.

Hard to believe as time rolls along so quickly, but the closing date for the February issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION is approaching. Please get your submissions, announcements, articles, advertisements, images, etc. to me by this coming Monday, 22 January. Thank you, yours, RAY