The Walpolean

In case you don’t yet Follow the Walpole Library, I wanted to help Justine bring this reminder to your attention. – Lil

A Friendly Reminder about Donating by Walpole Town Library Due to a lack of storage space at the library we can only accept donations of books, movies and audio books between June and October when the Friends of the Library group is working on the book sale. Please do not leave donations on the porch or in the book drop. If you have something you think would be a wonderful addition to our collection, please contact Justine before bringing the materials to the library. Thank you!

TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
DECEMBER 22, 2016

Selectboard Present:Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy Pschirrer; Whitney Aldrich

CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. He advised that this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There were three people in attendance.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $592,302.30 for checks dated December 23, 2016. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
The above amount includes a monthly payment in the amount of $535,300.00 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.

PAYROLL:
Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll voucher for the week ending December 17, 2017, in the amount of $24,911.10 for checks dated December 23, 2016. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $5,787.06 for the week ending December 17, 2016. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 15, 2016: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the regular Select-board meeting of December 15, 2016, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #1 – December 15, 2016: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #1 of December 15, 2016, as submitted. These Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2 – December 15, 2016: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 of December 15, 2016, as submitted. These Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

STAFF MEETING – December 15, 2016: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of December 15, 2016, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meeting:
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – December 6, 2016.

VETERANS TAX CREDIT:
Map & Lot # 008-013-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Veterans Tax Credit for Map and Lot # 008-013-000. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Map & Lot # 008-065-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to decline approval for the Veterans Tax Credit for Map and Lot # 008-065-000. This applicant does not meet the service requirements. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Map & Lot # 012-006-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Veterans Tax Credit for Map and Lot # 012-006-000. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ABATEMENTS – WATER AND SEWER:
Map & Lot # 027-008-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Abatement for Sewer in the amount of $56.00 for Map and Lot # 027-008-000. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Map & Lot # 029-001-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Abatement for Sewer in the amount of $27.27 for Map and Lot # 029-001-000. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Map & Lot # 019-054-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Abatement for Water in the amount of $3.78 and Sewer in the amount of $3.36 for Map and Lot # 019-054-000. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Map & Lot # 030-005-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Abatement for Sewer in the amount of $90.50 for Map and Lot # 030-005-000. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Map & Lot # 012-015-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Abatement for Water in the amount of $392.30 for Map and Lot # 012-015-000. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Map & Lot # 019-069-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Abatement for Water in the amount of $63.00 and Sewer in the amount of $56.00 for Map and Lot # 019-069-000. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT with REFUND:
Map and Lot # 013-016-001: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Property Tax Abatement with Refund in the amount of $2,138.71for Map and Lot # 013-016-001 for the 2015 Tax Year; this includes the accrued interest. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot # 013-016-001: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Property Tax Abatement with Refund in the amount of $2,152.24 for Map and Lot # 013-016-001 for the 2016 Tax Year. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:
Map and Lot # 012-036-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $60.00 for Map and Lot # 012-036-000. This was the result of an over-payment. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot # 006-002-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $2,542.00 for Map and Lot # 006-002-000. This was the result of an over-payment. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:
Personnel Policy Handbook: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to put this on-hold. It will be on the Agenda for the next meeting.

Draft Warrant Article re: Elderly Tax Exemption: The Selectboard felt this draft met their approval. It will be a Warrant Article.

NEW BUSINESS
2017 Town Budget Donation Request: Mr. Ernie Vose had made a request to change the appropriation for the Cheshire YMCA from $500 to $1,000.

Forest Fire Invoices – Gove Road in Acworth: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize Mr. Steven Dalessio, Chair of the Selectboard, to sign the Forest Fire Invoice for Gove Road in the Town of Acworth . Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize Mr. Steven Dalessio, Chair of the Selectboard, to sign the second Forest Fire Invoice for the Town of Acworth. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Draft Warrant Articles: The Selectboard reviewed and discussed the Warrant Articles that Mrs. Pschirrer had drafted.

Thank You Note for Adam Terrell: The Selectboard approved and signed the Thank You note for Adam Terrell for decorating the gazebo for the holidays.

Genealogical Book re: Clarence Jeffrey, Jr.: Mr. Jeffrey grew up in Walpole. Recently a genealogical book was sent to the office. The Selectboard will send him an acknowledgement for the book.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:
Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel, (b) Hiring and (d) Acquisition, Sale or Lease of Real or Personal Property. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:10 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:23 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 22, 2016, be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Mr. Aldrich moved to recess this Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:28 PM.

OTHER BUSINESS:

ADJOURNMENT:
Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

The January 2017 issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION went to the printer just before Christmas, and should be ready for mailing in another day or so. But, as is my custom, I have updated the CLARION website beforehand, and the new issue is now available for viewing. Simply “click on this link” to bring you to the PDF — https://walpoleclarion.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/clarion-jan17-topress.pdf

The closing date for the February issue is January 23, and I will send reminders. I have also been including some information received too late to include in the sidebar to the right of the CLARION website pages. So, if you have not, please sign up to get these posts, and encourage friends to do so also. — Thank you, RAY

KEENE, N.H. — The Monadnock Conservancy, in partnership with an anonymous donor, has created a new fund to support Monadnock region farmers who have been impacted by disasters, including this year’s drought.

“Time is of the essence, as farmers desperately need cash now to buy hay for the winter,” said Stacy Gambrel of the Conservancy.

The Farm Disaster Relief Fund has $100,000 available immediately to help local farmers. The fund was formed in response to the devastating effects of the recent drought and historically low milk prices — both of which have put significant economic strain on the region’s farmers.

To be eligible for funding, an applicant must operate a farm in the Conservancy’s service area, have suffered at least $5,000 in damages from a fire or natural disaster, and generate at least 25 percent of total household income from the farm operation. Funds may be used to replace or repair infrastructure, seed, feed, livestock, supplies and equipment lost or damaged as a result of the disaster. The maximum award available per applicant is $25,000. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and for as long as funds are available; the first awards could be made as early as this month or in January. For complete guidelines and to download an application, please see http://MonadnockConservancy.org/news-events/farm-fund.html.

“We are honored to support local farmers and farming with this fund. Farms that stay in business are less likely to be developed. This not only benefits our local economy, but also helps protect what’s so special about the Monadnock region — its abundance of open space, wildlife habitat and scenic rural character,” said Ryan Owens, executive director of the Conservancy.

For more information or if you want to discuss an application, please contact Stacy Gambrel at Stacy@MonadnockConservancy.org or call 603-357-0600, ext. 106.

The Monadnock Conservancy, founded in 1989, is the only land trust dedicated exclusively to the 35 towns in the Monadnock region of southwestern New Hampshire. Its mission is to work with communities and landowners to conserve the natural resources, wild and working lands, rural character and scenic beauty of the region. Based in Keene, N.H., the Conservancy is an accredited organization that has protected nearly 20,000 acres of forest, farmland, shoreline, wetlands, wildlife habitat and recreation trails in the region. For more information, visit www.MonadnockConservancy.org or call 603-357-0600.

Photo caption/credit: Dry pastureland during the drought of 2016. Photo courtesy of Monadnock Conservancy, © Stacy Gambrel

Yes, a tad earlier because of how the holidays fall — the closing date for the January 2017 issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION is coming up on Tuesday, December 20.

If you, or your organization have news or upcoming events to share with the Walpole community (the paper is mailed to every postal address in Walpole, Drewsville and North Walpole), please get us your article or press release. Article submission guidelines are on the CLARION website if you wish to review them. Concise articles (300-350 words maximum) are desired with needed details – who, what, when, where and why – the basics.

A great opportunity to be in front of everyone, the bottom of the calendar page is available for your ad. Advertising rates remain the same as we enter 2017, and have not changed since November 2015.

If you have any questions – or submissions – please get in touch with me by email (rayboas@comcast.net) – Thank you, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS, yours, RAY

Family First at the Walpole Unitarian Church Celebrates the Flaming Chalice with Brunch

Sunday’s here! And after a hectic start to the holiday season, why not an easy Sunday morning? Just roll yourselves out of bed and plan to come at 10 a.m. and just enjoy brunch and each other’s company. No cooking! You have enough ahead of you this month!

Breakfast is provided for a hassle-free time for adults and the entire family to interact with other families (of all sizes), and talk with members of the congregation about values and spiritual dimensions in our lives.

Our topic for December is Chalice Week, which is seven days of contemplation and action celebrating our seven Unitarian-Universalist principles.

Those principles: We embrace and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society; the goal of word community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and, respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

We have a special activity planned for the children, a chalice to enjoy at home, and materials for everyone!

The 20 page issue of the December 2016 issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION is at the printer, and will be mailed mid-week. Everything you need to know about what is happening in Walpole over the upcoming holidays is hopefully on these pages. Please do share with others, and encourage them to “sign up” – see below. Head to the home page — https://thewalpoleclarion.com – click on the image to Page One, and you will bring up a PDF of the entire issue. I have also begun a new section on the website – Walpole Historical Items for Sale. As you may be aware, I have an extensive collection of Walpole postcards, books and ephemera that I have used in research for my book and DYKT articles. But, I also have a large number of “duplicates.” I enjoy sharing (as readers of my travel blog – Shunpiking With Ray – know), and it is time to share those “duplicates” with others so they may enjoy building their own collections. So, follow this link — https://thewalpoleclarion.com/walpole-historical-items-for-sale/ — and enjoy. Finally, tell your friends to “sign up” to receive notices of postings from THE WALPOLE CLARION – simply provide your email address on the spot on the lower right hand side to “Follow this Blog.” Catch you next month, yours, RAY – Publisher, The Walpole Clarion

Here is something you can do on Friday, the 18th. – Lil