The Walpolean

Betty Prentiss sent along this request from the Walpole Cemetery Trustees.  Something we all tend to forget and yet compliance will make the work of the “grounds crew” so much easier.  Thanks, in advance. – Lil

All pots and decorations must be
removed from cemetery lots by
November 1 to facilitate fall
clean-up. Thank you.

Walpole Cemetery Trustees

Just some reminders about this weekend.  9/25 is the first Friendly Friday at the church.  Saturday is the Pastel Workshop and the Apple Festival is this Sunday at Alyson’s.  Given the great weather forecast, it should be a good one.  Enjoy! – Lil  

PS, the details on these events can be easily found through the Links on the Events page.

This is my final copy and paste from Julie Rios’ library information.  You can sign up directly with the library and receive them for yourself. After all, if you have registered here and signed up with them you are probably annoyed that you get two notices! – Lil

Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment

Minutes: July 15, 2015

Present: Board Members: Chair Myra Mansouri, Bob Anderson. Alternates: Judy Trow and Stephanie Stoughton.

Absent: Members Vice-Chair Jan Galloway Le Clerc, Clerk Ernie Vose,  Mary Therese Lester.

Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the August 2015 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Roll Call: Ms. Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Alternates Ms. Trow and Ms. Stoughton filled in for missing board members.

Minutes: Ms. Trow made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Ms. Stoughton seconded the motion and it passed by board vote.

New Business: Mr. Steven Markiewicz of 215 Wentworth Road complained about having a wood-frame batting cage in the front yard of his across-the-street neighbor, Jeff Michaud. He said the batting cage is closer to the road than the setback ordinance alllows. The property is zoned Residential A.

Mr. Markiewicz’s letter to the Selectmen says, “In addition to being unsightly and likely to reduce our property value, the use of the batting cage is a nuisance from the loud crack of the bats and so forth.”

At Wednesday’s ZBA meeting, Mr. Markiewicz said it’s about 10 feet from the road. It’s a structure. It’s very big. It shouldn’t be there. They (the Michauds) should have applied for a variance before they put it up but it probably wouldn’t have qualified, because there’s no hardship. It should be put  in the back. It’s a ancillary structure. It doesn’t mean Mr. Michaud can’t make use of his land because of that.

Ms. Trow asked if the batting cage required a building permit. Ms. Mansouri answered “no” because it’s not a building. Ms. Mansousri said it’s not a building and it’s not a permanent structure. It’s 1-by-2 boards screwed together.

Mr. Markiewicz said it doesn’t have a roof, but it’s not temporary. You can’t pick it up and move it.

Ms. Mansouri said she spoke with Mr. Michaud and he said at the end of the summer he’s going to unscrew it and put it away. It’s not going to be up there all year round.

Mr. Markiewicz said the batting cage should put it in the backyard. Ms. Mansouri said she hadn’t been to the back of the property so she didn’t know if it could go there because of the slope of the land.

Mr. Markiewicz said if someone had a shed there and it wasn’t on a permanent foundation, he didn’t think the zoning board would allow it. Ms. Mansouri said if the shed were temporary, it would be allowed.

Ms. Stoughton read the definition of a building in Article 17: “Building is a structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of any individual, animal, process, equipment, goods or material of any kind or nature.” Then she asked Mr. Markiewicz if it had a roof. Mr. Markiewicz said no but the top is wire. Mr. Stoughton said then it’s not a building. Mr. Markiewicz said it’s a structure not a building. Ms. Mansouri said she knows it not a permanent structure because she’s talk to Mr. Michaurd.

Then Ms. Mansouri asked if Mr. Markiewicz had approached Mr. Michaud to see if he would take it down and put it in the backyard. Mr. Markiewicy said he had not.

Zone Residential A Yard Requirements say nothing about structures, Ms. Trow said. The ordinance states that “No building may be erected closer than sixty-five (65) feet to the center line of the abutting right-of-way nor closer than 20 feet (20) to any side or rear property line.”

Mr. Anderson said, “It only talks about a building.”

Mr. Blount said Mr. Michaud was his next door neighbor. The batting cage is big, it’s ugly and it’s in use almost every day. It is 10 feet from the road and the kids are running back and forth playing baseball. “We’re going to lose a kid up there,” he said. There’s a team and some are working in the batting cage and some are playing baseball in the yard.

Ms. Mansouri asked if the kids were in the road. Mr. Blount said he hadn’t seen them but they are close to the road. Then she asked if there was adult supervision. Mr. Blount said “not necessarily.”

Ms. Blount said that she didn’t think the kids used the batting cage unless Mr. Michaud is there, but they play outside in the yard. Mr. Blount said the ball sometimes comes into his yard or goes across the street and someone has to go get it.

Mr. Markiewicz said this structure must weigh a couple of tons. It’s pretty large. Those of us who are ready to put our houses on the market, this detracts from property values.

Ms. Mansouri said she could take the opposite view because it shows that kids have a place to play, they’re on the front lawn, parents know where they are and they are playing.

Mr. Blount said we’re not against kids have fun and playing, that was part of growing up. And Ms. Blount said she and her husband were not against the batting cage, but it should be in the back.

According to the rules and regulations of the Walpole Zoning Ordinance, it’s not a permanent structure, Ms. Mansouri said.

Ms. Stoughton said this is neighbor talking to neighbor.

The suggestion was that the Mr. Markiewicz and Mr. and Mrs. Blount talk with Mr. Michaud and since Mr. Michaud is going to take it down at the end of the season, they may ask him if next year he can put the structure in the backyard.

Mr. Anderson agreed. Mr. Michaud is going to take it down and next season, if it’s not a burden, ask him if he would put it in his backyard.

Other business:

Series of training seminars in Chesterfield: Board members and Alternates received copies of a list of 15 seminar topics that will be hosted by the Chesterfield Selectmen sometime in the future. The seminars are intended for municipal officials with and interest in any aspect of municipal land use and open to planning and zoning board members. If any board member is interested in attending a seminar, he/she should contact Steve Dateless by calling the the Selectman’s office at 756-4249. or contacting him by email at sdalessio@ix.netcom.com. Responses are needed by July 28.

Update on the Terry Holcombe, 54 Taggard Road, shed variance: It was determined that Mr. Holcombe and his neighbors live on a road that was thrown up in 1947 and are responsible for plowing and maintaining it. This means that setbacks and other road requirements do not apply, and that if Mr. Holcombe so desires, he can put up a shed for a tractor without getting a 65-foot setback variance.

Mr. Holcombe has spoken to Mr. Jim Terrell about the road, and he and his neighbors will have to decide if they want to take their plight to the town in the form of a warrant to be accepted  by the townspeople next March. The road will have to be fixed up to town specifications and will be costly.

By-Laws, Zoning Ordinances and Maps: Board members and Alternates made corrections to the Zoning Board By-Laws and updated Zoning Ordinances. They will receive corrected copies next month and anyone who wants an electronic may get one by asking the secretary after she has made the necessary corrections.

The Board members and Alternates also received a large map of the Zoning Districts in Walpole, Conservation Lands of Walpole, maps of where the Walpole Wellheads are – Watkins Hill and the River Well, and a map of Walpole’s Public Water Supply.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Mondays from 6:00-9:00 are now “Blues Night with LC Donaelson & Friends” at Bellows Walpole Inn Pub.  There is a $4 cover charge that goes to a local charity.  This month that charity is the Fall Mountain Food Shelf.  Of course, larger donation will be accepted and appreciated.  – Lil

The following information was copied from the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority website.  The notice of the Public Hearing refers to the one that happened last week but there is a link included that you may find interesting to read.  (Not exactly a good “beach read” but interesting nonetheless.)  It also provides a link where you can respond to what you have read.  Note the deadline for response is July 24th.

Additionally, I contacted Julian Morgan and learned that the minutes from the meeting are to be posted early this week.  I will keep checking in and will post as soon as I can.  With all the information, pro and con, regarding the Abenaki Springs I project, it is important to have as much factual information as we can get. – Lil

“LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Public Hearing

A public hearing will be held at 7:00 P.M. on July 13, 2015 at the Walpole Town Hall, 34 Elm Street, Walpole, New Hampshire, 03608, with respect to proposed financing by the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. New Hampshire Housing plans to use Affordable Housing Funds in accordance with NH RSA 204-C:57, for the construction of 21 units of rental housing. Abenaki Springs is to be located at 504 Main Street, Route 12, Walpole, NH. The anticipated owner of the project is Abenaki Springs I Limited Partnership.

For more information contact:

Julian Morgan, Program Manager Multi-Family Business Development

New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority

Bedford, NH 03110

603-472-8623

jmorgan@nhhfa.org

*NEW!* Click here to see the Market Study. This document is protected by copyright law against unauthorized reproduction and distribution. Public comments may be submitted to multifaminfo@nhhfa.org. Comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24.”

Walpole Planning Board

Walpole Town Hall

July 14, 2015 Minutes

Presiding Members: Jeff Miller (Chair), Robert Miller (Vice-Chair), James Aldrich (Secretary), Kelley Hicks, Steve Dalessio (Selectboard Representative), Jason Perron. Alternate: Jeff White.  Absent:  Dennis Marcom, Member. Alternate Ed Potter.

Recording: These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the August 2015, meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Meeting Opened: Mr. J. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Roll Call: One board member was absent so Mr. J. Miller asked Alternate Jeff White to sit in his place.

Minutes: Ms. Kelley Hicks made a motion to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded and passed by the board.

New business:

            Request for a Public Hearing for a Site Plan Review – Commonwealth Construction LLC.   Renovate one building. Construct another approximately 7,000 square-foot building. Both on the former LaValley property in North Walpole. Map 27, Lot 3. Zoned Industrial. Yobhel Brosseau Manager.

Mr. Brosseau said there is already a millwork facility in one building on the property. That will remain.

The plans were to renovate an existing open L-shaped structure into a heated and unheated warehouse space. The building would be closed in.

Phase two is the erection of a pre-engineered single-story metal building approximately 7,000 square feet for production space, office and support space. This building will be used for the manufacture of  USDA certified organic personal care products. This building would be placed in the front right corner of the of the property.

Mr. J. Miller asked how many people would be employed. Mr. Brosseau said he wasn’t exactly sure yet, but probably under 10.

Mr. Brosseau said there would be no new driveways, no change as far as drainage because the whole piece is paved. The chain-link fence would be removed making it more aesthetically pleasing.

Mr. Brosseau spoke with Mr. Mark Houghton, water superintendent, who told him Route 12 was being repaved so any utility hookup could go under the road. But Brosseau’s site engineer suggested cropping the property so there wouldn’t be a need to dig under Route 12.

Mr. Dalessio wanted to know the square footage of all the buildings – the existing ones plus the one that will be built. Mr. Brosseau wasn’t sure but he said he could figure out if the board gave him a few minutes. Mr. Dalessio asked if it would be more than 40,000 square feet. Mr. Brosseau said he didn’t think so.

Mr. Brosseau said he was following regulations that stated one-third of the property had to be free space. The frontage and setbacks follow Planning Board guidelines. There will be no retail sales.

After being asked about the number of employees at the millwork building, Mr. Brosseau said six. The millwork area is where it says “Proposed Addition” on the map. In back of that is warehouse space.

Mr. Dalessio asked if he had talked to the fire chief in North Walpole regarding sprinklers and other matters. Mr. Brosseau said the fire chief walked him through the requirements. He plans on putting in a modern sprinkler system and all the things the fire chief said needed to be done.

Mr. Dalessio asked if the board needed anything from the North Walpole Zoning Board. Mr. J. Miller said that this comes under commercial and therefore is handled by this board. He asked that out of courtesy a legal notice be sent to the North Walpole Commissioners.

Mr. R. Miller asked in what district the property was in. Mr. Brosseau said Industrial. Then he read from the handbook which clarified the purposes of an Industrial District.

Mr. J. Miller made a motion to hold a Public Hearing next month. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by the board.

            Request for a Public hearing for a Site Plan Review – SVE Associates or Ruggerio a solid waste business located in the Industrial Park. The company has already built a pole barn without a building permit or site review plan. It also wants to add a concrete slab which will be a scale to weigh trucks, a business office and another pole barn.

Mr. Robert Hitchcock of SVE Associates did a survey for Mr. Joe Ruggerio, also at the meeting and who  had a company that collected demolition debris at its facility on Industrial Park Road.  Mr. Ruggerio said he thought because a pole barn was not a permanent structure and not on a foundation, he didn’t need to go to the Planning Board for permission.

Mr. Hitchcock said since Wheelabrator closed in Claremont, Ruggerio’s company had to travel farther to get rid of the waste and that make it more expensive. The company applied for and received a permit from DES to haul MSW or Municipal Solid Waste, which Mr. Hitchcock described as household waste. Mr. Ruggerio said he brings in the MSW, repacks it into larger dumpsters and then hauls it away to Berlin or whatever place he can.

Mr. James Aldrich asked if the containers had to be on an impervious surface. Mr. Hitchcock said not according to DES rules. That’s the reason why the pole barn was built, Mr. Ruggerio said,  was so containers with MSW could be under cover in the pole barn until being moved out. He said that’s why he wants to build another one.

Mr. Aldrich asked how long the containers stayed at the Industrial Park. Mr. Ruggerio replied a couple of days, typically 72 hours. He added that all the loads have tarps over them. Right now we’re bringing in a couple of 100 “yarders” a week, so the trash that’s coming in is rotating every couple of days.

Mr. Aldrich asked how much of this trash is generated in the town of Walpole. Mr. Ruggerio replied that right now the company has about one-third of the trash it collects is New Hampshire trash. The rest comes from from Vermont and Massachusetts.

Ruggerio continued and said when he set up operations in Walpole, he was a Vermont operation handling about 3 to 5 percent of New Hampshire trash. In the last three years, this has changed. There’s a lot of opportunity and  has contracts with several neighboring towns – Acworth, Gilsum etc.

In this area there are only a couple of haulers – Waste Management and Casella and the only places you can dump now are owned by WM and Casella in Newport. They charge a premium. Mr. J.  Miller said so you offer an alternative to these  larger haulers. Mr. Ruggerio agreed.

Then Mr. Aldrich asked how far the facility was from Houghton Brook. Mr. Ruggerio didn’t know but said there was a large berm there. Mr. Aldrich said the Brook has had several washouts when there’s heavy rain.

The board voted to hold a Public Hearing next month. Mr. J. Miller asked him to make sure he brought to the meeting things that concern the new definition of waste, runoff, lighting and safety lighting.

Mr. Dalessio suggested that he read the new Wellhead Protection Ordinance.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine, secretary

Levi Frye is back from his internship in Africa and will be sharing his experience with us on Tuesday, July 28^th at Alyson’s Orchard. Hope you can help spread the word—and it’s free!

“HUNTER: An Internship in Africa”

A Lecture by Levi Frye

at Alyson’s Orchard

Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 7PM

Everyone is welcome!

Agenda for Zoning Board of Adjustment

Wednesday,  July 15, 2015

Walpole Town Hall – 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed

Minutes: Review minutes of June

New Business:

Steven Markiewicz of 215 Wentworth Road complaint about his across-the-street neighbor, Jeff Michaud,  having wood-frame batting cage in his front yard, closer than the 65-foot setback requires. He doesn’t like to hear the “crack” every time the baseball is hit. Wants him to put it in the backyard.

Training seminars in Chesterfield

Review of  new copies of By-Laws

Review of Updated copies of Zoning Ordinances

Distribute Maps

Next meeting Wednesday, August 19, 2015