TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
DECEMBER 11, 2014

Selectboard Present: Chas Street (Chair); Whitney Aldrich, Steven Dalessio
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Street called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. He advised that this meeting is being tape recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There were three people in attendance.
These are unapproved Minutes.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:
PAUL COLBURN – Recycling Center: Mr. Colburn distributed and explained the copies of the “Daily Weight Report and 5 Year to Date Comparison” for the month of November. The center is down about 140 tons; the biggest item being cardboard. It is slowly going down. The weather has been affecting everybody; the last few days were low. Overall they will see a bit of a decline over last year’s numbers. The markets are holding; they are workable.
Mr. Colburn also distributed and explained the copies of the “2014 Summary Monthly Comparison 10th Month Ending 11/30/14”. These figures represent the Revenue side of the operation. The Year Forecast figure was $25,000.00 however the Estimated Year figure is $37,497.00. Bulky Items such as Furniture, carpeting, mattresses, etc. are all up.
Mr. Colburn advised that the door issue with LaValley’s has been resolved. The estimate for repairs to the Burn Pit is between $8,000-to-$10,000 therefore the Warrant Article will be for $10,000.00. A bearing on the garage door was replaced today with another unit. Mr. Martyr is going to Concord on December 16th for his Certification class. The benches at the George Watkins area need to be painted. Next year they are looking to skirt the bottom of the building. It has to be done to avoid leaking into the building that is now 20 years old. Some other preventative work needs to be done but overall everything is in fairly good shape.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $575,009.25 for checks dated December 12, 2014. This amount includes a check in the amount of $516,144.97 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District. This is for the balance of November and the month of December. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll voucher for the week ending December 6, 2014, in the amount of $25,832.31, for checks dated December 12, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the electronic transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $6,065.96 for the week ending December 6, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 4, 2014: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of December 4, 2014, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 4, 2014: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 4, 2014, as submitted. The Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
No Committee Reports were received this past week.

BUILDING PERMITS:
ELISABETH ROOS REVOCABLE TRUST, Elm Street, Map & Lot #019-022-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit No. 2014-44 for Elisabeth Roos Revocable Trust / Peter Roos to “Construct a 8’ x 30’ 2 story addition” at 82 Elm Street, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ABATEMENT REFUNDS:
MACLEAN, Valley Road, Map & Lot #011-023-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $164.00 for James A. Maclean / Serena M. Maclean at 522 Valley Road. The home was destroyed by fire prior to April 1, 2014 but the home was calculated in the assessment for the first tax billing. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

VETERANS CREDIT:
DURGIN, Hogan Lane, Map & Lot #016-005-MH04: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Veteran’s Credit for Kenneth Durgin at 110 Prospect Hill Road, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:
NH DEPT OF SAFETY – Excel Powderworks, LLC Motorcycle Inspection Station: Mr. Dalessio moved to authorize the Chair, Mr. Street, to sign the New Hampshire Motorcycle Inspection Station document for Excel Powderworks, LLC on behalf of the Selectboard. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

FOREST FIRE REPORT – Bill Houghton: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Forest Fire Report/Bill as submitted by William E. Houghton, Warden, to the State of New Hampshire for 360 Permits at $2.00 each, for a total of $720.00. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

CEMETERY SALE – Galloway: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Cemetery Deed for Robert and Virginia Galloway. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:
RUGGERIO PROCESSING FACILITY: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the letter from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, dated December 10, 2014, for Ruggiero Processing Facility, LLC. Mr. Dalessio felt the State was required to hold a Public Hearing for this up-grade to their permit. He requested that they table this until next week pending an answer to his question on the Public Hearing.

HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRACT: The Selectboard reviewed the 2015 Health Insurance contract.
Mr. Dalessio moved to authorize the Chair, Mr. Street, to sign the contract on behalf of the Selectboard for the Health Insurance for 2015. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

LETTER FROM NH DOT: The NH Department of Transportation responded to the Selectboard’s letter regarding the condition of County Road, Prospect Hill Road and South Street. Mr. Kallfelz, P.E., District 4 Highway Maintenance Engineer, stated that he understands their concern relative to pavement conditions but because of limited funding, full width pavement leveling is not scheduled for either of these roads during next year’s 2015 paving program. Road sections for the 2016 program have yet to be identified but consideration for the inclusion of one or more of these roads will be evaluated.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Mr. Aldrich moved to recess the 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 at 6:50 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:35 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel. Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:17 PM. No announcements were made.

SELECTBOARD SCHEDULE:
There was a consensus of the Selectboard to schedule future meetings as follows:
 December 18, 2014 – 6:00 PM
 December 24, 2014 – 8:00 AM
 December 30, 2014 – 6:00 PM
 January 05, 2015 – 6:00 PM *
 January 22, 2015 – 6:00 PM *
 February 05, 2015 – 7:00 PM.
*Mr. Dalessio is uncomfortable with not having a meeting for fourteen (14) days.

The Public Hearing on the 2015 Warrant Articles and proposed Budget was scheduled for February 5th, 2015, at 6:00 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved at 8:31 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
DECEMBER 4, 2014

Selectboard Present: Chas Street (Chair); Whitney Aldrich; Steven Dalessio
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Street called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:12 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. He advised that this meeting is being tape recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There were five people present in attendance.
These are unapproved Minutes.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:
MR. ERNIE VOSE and MR. BOB ANDERSON: Mr. Vose advised that a lot of people are putting in solar panels. He asked how the Selectoard are going to handle these regarding taxation, etc. Mrs. Clough checked with Avitar Associates and Mrs. Martin said solar panels are not currently being assessed unless they are the sole energy provider. Reference was made to Chapter 72, Section 72:62 and Section 72:33on Solar Energy Systems Exemption. Mr. Dalessio pointed out that the Selectboard would have to have a Warrant Article for the Ordinance. Mr. Anderson noted that the RSA section is quite extensive. It talks about sole sources of heat. Mr. Vose would like an Article especially for the exemption of solar, wood and wind. There was discussion about a wood burning furnace in the house not qualifying. They would have to adopt the provisions of the RSA. Mr. Street recommended that the Selectboard take this under advisement and talk to Avitar Associates about Renewable Energy Sources.
Mr. Vose asked if the Selectboard is going to deal with putting an article on the Warrant for Town Meeting to create this exemption or would they rather receive a Petition. Mr. Aldrich pointed out that even if the Selectboard receive a Petition they still have to vote on it. Mr. Street advised that they will keep this on their action list and do more research on the RSAs.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $18,862.64, for checks dated December 5, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll voucher for the week ending November 29, 2014, in the amount of $27,273.04 for checks dated December 5, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the electronic transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $6,800.71 for the week ending November 29, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 20, 2014: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of November 20, 2014, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – November 20, 2014: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 20, 2014, as submitted. The Minutes will not be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:
 Zoning Board of Adjustment – November 19, 2014;
 North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – November 25, 2014; and
 North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – December 2, 2014.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS:
WULLBRANDT, Wentworth Road, Map & Lot #008-022-000: Mrs. Clough pointed out that the Board of Land and Tax Appeals gave this property owner a re-assessment but it was not changed in the assessment system. Avitar Associates will need to do this.
Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Notice of Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $679.00 for Blake C. Wullbrandt and Amy Elizabeth Wullbrandt at 277 Wentworth Road. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING AND DEMOLITION PERMITS:
DEMOLITION PERMIT:
SMITH, Angier Road, Map & Lot #023-001-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Demolition Permit No. 2014-42 for Robert Smith to “Demolish a 10’ x 15’ addition on home” at 4 Angier Road. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS:
AMENDMENT TO BUILDING PERMIT #2014-28, Map & Lot #003-001-001: Mrs. Clough advised that Mr. O’Keefe is reducing the size of the addition requested in the original Building Permit.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Amendment to Building Permit #2014-28 for Shane O’Keefe and Elizabeth O’Keefe to reduce the size of the construction from 24’ x 12’ to “Construct a 18’ x 14’ 1 Story Addition” at 5 Adams Lane. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

RASCAL BABY, LLC, Map & Lot #011-033-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2014-43 for Rascal Baby, LLC to “Build a 109’10” x 92’7” 2 Story Home” at 141 Rascal Mountain Lane. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:
WARRANT ARTICLE REQUEST: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of an e-mail from Bruce Johnson to request that the Selectboard put an Article on the Town Warrant. A portion of this Article is “To see if the Town will vote to ask our Governor and our State Legislators to reform state funding for education with that reform to be directed to significant reduction of property taxes”. There was a consensus of the Selectboard to have Mrs. Clough notify Mr. Johnson that they will not be participating in his request.

MUNICIPAL ASSESSMENT DATA CERTIFICATE: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept and sign the 2014 Equalization Municipal Assessment Data Certificate. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:
AVITAR MEETING: There will be a meeting with Avitar Associates on Thursday, December 11th at 5:00 PM to review the new digital mapping and software.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (e) Pending Claims or Litigation. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:19 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:28 PM. No announcements were made.

OLD BUSINESS (Continued):
HEALTH TRUST: The Selectboard received and reviewed four health insurance plan options and rates from HealthTrust for the employees health insurance. Currently the employees have a choice of two plans. A comparison was made on the copay’s and deductibles for other services. The representative from the Health Trust provided the comparables. Mr. Dalessio asked Mrs. Clough to verify that the MTB20 plan qualifies for pre-taxes.Mr. Dalessi moved to accept the MTB20 Health Trust plan for the 2015 year. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.  Mrs. Clough will have the Health Trust forward the contract for next year.

ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:52 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Thurs. Jan. 1^st, New Year’s Day, Closed

Mon. Jan. 5^th, 12th, 26th – 10 a.m. Baby Lap Sit

Mon. Jan. 5^th, 12th, 26th – 2 p.m. Knitting Club

Tues. Jan. 6^th, 7 p.m. Non-Fiction Book Club (Mark Harris’ Five Came Back)

Wed. Jan. 7^th, 14th, 21st, 28th – 10:15 a.m. Story Time

Wed. Jan. 7^th, 6 p.m., Spanish Conversation Group

Thurs. Jan. 8^th, 15th, 22nd, 29th – 10 a.m., Homeschooler’s group

Tues. Jan. 13^th, Library Trustees Meeting

Wed. Jan. 14th, 7:00 p.m. , Evening Classics Book Club (Dostoevsky’s The Idiot)

Sat. Jan. 17th, Writing It Down, 10 a.m.

Mon. Jan. 19^th, Martin Luther King Day, Closed

Thurs. Jan. 29th, 12 noon, Library Afternoon Book Club (Wilbur Smith’s Elephant Song)

Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment

Minutes: December 17, 2014

Present: Board Members: Chair Myra Mansouri, Vice-Chair Peggy Pschirrer, Clerk Ernie Vose, Jan Galloway Le Clerc, Mary Therese Lester.

Alternates: Bob Anderson and Judy Trow.

Absent: Stephanie Stoughton

Recording: Marilou Blaine.

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the January 21, 2015, meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Roll Call: Ms. Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. All board members were in attendance, so no alternates were called to fill in.

Minutes: Ms. Trow made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Vose seconded it and the board approved the motion.

Old Business:

Mobile home on rental property owned by Jaffrey Family Trust. Last month, Mr. Jack Jordan contacted Ms. Mansouri about renting a home at 5 Hooper Road and storing a mobile on the property. Hooper Road is in Residential A District where mobile homes are not permitted. But the Jaffrey Family Trust also had another property nearby on which it could possibly be stored. But Mr. Jordan’s request was mute because a renter cannot make such a request, it must come from the owner who must attend a meeting and make the request.

So a letter was sent to Mr. Clarence Jeffrey, who is listed as the power of attorney on the Town Tax form. Mr. Lewis Jaffrey, who now has power of attorney, responded. He wrote that:

Mr. Jordan said he had a camper not a mobile home.

Mr. Jordan answered an ad for renting at 267 Old Keene Road. He decided not to rent from the Trust and  “the house is vacant and available.”

The home at 5 Hooper Road is rented by Hugh Colburn.

There is no “camp” at 267 Old Keene Road.

No one from the Jaffrey Family Trust will be attending the meeting.

House Bill 1210: This bill requires towns to notify property owners when considering changes to zoning districts. Since the Walpole Planning Board approved of an amendment to the Walpole Water Ordinance, this new HB1210 requirement will go into effect.

Chair Mansouri had a question about the wording “affect 100 or fewer properties.” How many is fewer? Government Affairs Director Bob Quinn said that fewer can refer to as little as one property. Ms. Mansouri said that the town attorney, Jeremy Hockensmith, said the more you mail, the better your are. Don’t skip.

Old Jiffy Mart: Ms. Mansouri had a call from Town and Country Realtors inquiring about zoning regulations for an auto repair shop at the former Jiffy Mart. She told the realtor that since renovations would probably cost more than $10,000, the owner of the shop would have to go to the Walpole Planning Board for a Site Plan Review. In addition, since the property is north of the Cold River, it is in the North Walpole Zoning District and the owner would have to approach the North Walpole Town Commissioners and North Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment as well. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year,

Marilou Blaine, secretary

TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Selectboard Present: Chas Street (Chair); Whitney Aldrich, Steven Dalessio

CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Street called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:58 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. He advised that meetings are tape recorded therefore asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There were two people in attendance.

These are unapproved Minutes.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $498,730.81 for checks dated November 21, 2014. This amount includes a payment in the amount of $460,493.39 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll voucher for the week ending November 15, 2014, in the amount of $22,554.52 for checks dated November 21, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the electronic transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,729.48 for the week ending November 15, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 13, 2014: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of November 13, 2014, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the minutes were approved.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – November 13, 2014: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 13, 2014, as submitted. The Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:
 Hooper Institute Committee – November 11, 2014;
 Conservation Commission – November 3, 2014; and
 Village of North Walpole Board of Commissioners – November 18, 2014.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:
DALE HUBBARD, Valley Road, Map & Lot #011-030-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber, No. 14-461-13-T, for Dale Hubbard, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:
There was no New Business to come before this meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:
AVITAR TRAINING SESSION: There will be a staff training session on the new mapping and software with Avitar Associates on Thursday, December 11th at 5:00 PM. The Selectboard may attend this session.

WATER AND SEWER: Mrs. Edkins distributed copies of an up-date on the Water and Sewer billings and payments. She got more readings from Mark Houghton today. As soon as she can get the numbers to work the bills will be mailed out. There was discussion relative to issues with the software.

BUDGET WORKSHOP SESSION: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to schedule an all-day Budget Workshop Session for Wednesday, December 3rd beginning at 8:00 AM.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Aldrich 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 all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:09 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:16 PM. No announcements were made.

ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:18 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

i received an email today from a reader making sure I had his new email address since he had not seen The Walpolean in a long time.  In one regard, I felt bad because I knew I had allowed the “Christmas business” get in the way of community service.  On the other hand, I felt good because it reminded me that there are readers out there who want to know what is happening in town and look to this blog to help them out. (By the way, if you change your email address, you will need to subscribe again using that address.)

I trust that lack of posts didn’t cause you to miss “A Christmas Carol”. They reported an audience of over 460 people, raising $3,948 for area the Fall Mountain Food Shelf and Our Place.  This brings the total raised in seven years to $24,197.18.  If you are one of the few who have never attended, I recommend that you do better in 2015. (I spoke to a woman who said she had never seen it before and she enjoyed it so much she won’t miss it again.)

if you are a subscriber to Distant Hill Gardens, you were informed of the Winter Solstice event.  it sounded like a fun opportunity to get rid of the “Grumps” that often come with the short, dark days of December.  Sorry to say, I allowed the short, dark days to get me down and stayed home!

The live Nativity on the Common was rained out, but I’m sure you realized that when you saw that the manager was missing.  Personally, I can’t remember a year that the forty-year tradition has been cancelled but I will leave it to other historians to set me straight if I am wrong. 

So, anyway, my apologies to all who have missed the posts.  I have made a New Year’s resolution to do better in 2015.  At the very least, better than the one that says I will get into better physical shape and exercise regularly!

Happy New Year to all. – Lil

Remember, if you snooze, you lose out on the cannoli.  It’s my favorite!  Sorry to see this weekly event end but I do understand.  Preparation, set up, and take down are all a lot of work for vendors.  As customer numbers have dwindled I can imagine it gets pretty discouraging.  A big thank you to the vendors who partiicipated over the years and a big thank you to Jill Robinson who was the first coordinator.  Thanks  also to Holly Gowdy who took over when Jill “retired”. – Lil

FALL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Fall Mountain Regional High School Library

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Monday, October 27, 2014

Public Session

Board Chairperson, Mary Henry called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM in the Fall Mountain Regional High School

Library. In attendance were, Andy Collins, Lil DeCoste, Gabe St. Pierre, John Streeter and Linda Christie. Also in attendance was Lori Landry.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve the minutes from Monday, October 13, 2014 Public Session. Motion passed

Minutes: (St. Pierre/Streeter) to approve the minutes from Monday, October 13, 2014 Non-Public Session. Motion passed

REPORTS OF ADMINISTRATORS

Superintendent Landry introduced Deb Connell who provided the board with a presentation on the HS NextGen Initiative.

Deb Connell explained that Virginia Barry, Commissioner of Education, recognized the leadership team on Oct. 14th in Concord. Commissioner Barry complimented the team for all of their hard work and presented them with an Education Award. Superintendent Landry explained that the HS was recently awarded a $6,000 planning grant for their completion of Phase I of the initiative. She also reported that Mark Kostin would be returning on October 31st to meet and work further with the HS staff. Superintendent Landry shared the award from the NH DOE.

Ms. Landry also reported that Friday is a district Professional Development Day. The PreK Program will be at the ELC working on rubrics, elementary staff will be working on the ELA curriculum, middle school level will be working with Paula Southard-Stevens on the Math In Focus curriculum and the HS would be working with Mark Kostin.

Superintendent Landry shared that the district will be offering a series of 4 technology workshops that will be open to the community beginning in January, focusing on Excel, PowerPoint, Google and Social Networking. These workshops will be offered to community members free of charge. In addition, the Walpole Site Based Committee will be hosting a parent workshop on November 19th with Dr. David Pook with information regarding Common Core.

Ms. Landry also mentioned that she met with teachers last week who were interested in pursuing National Board Certification.

Superintendent Landry explained that there is a teacher interested in taking a sabbatical and asked who was willing to sit on the committee. Lil DeCoste stated that she would be happy to.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Jennie Crawford, Teacher Representative commented that she has been part of the NextGen process and that it has been a great experience, further commenting that it is great to have support of school board.

Emily Phillips, Student Representative provided the board with an update of the happenings around the school. She explained that the juice vending machines in cafeteria have been very popular so they have decided to order a food machine hopeful that it will be as successful. In addition, the water fountain in the lobby has been such a great addition that they will be installing one in the academic hallway. Ms. Phillips reported that spirit week was a huge success with an increase in participation. She also reported that November is Men’s Cancer Awareness Month and they will be accepting donations throughout the month to support the cause. She also mentioned that the assembly on October 17th helped raise awareness of the bullying and harassment that was taking place on the social networking site, YikYak. Core values were reviewed with students and a message to students to “pause before you post”. In addition, the location settings were shut down for the site so that students would no longer be able to post on school grounds. SAT scores and NECAP scores were reviewed as well, noting an increase in scores throughout the school. Ms. Phillips also reported that fall sports are wrapping up and provided the board with the seasons stats. Playoffs begin soon.

Lil DeCoste complimented the staff and students on the steps taken to combat the cyberbullying issues.

Gabe St. Pierre reported that the RVTC budget and finance committees met last week to review the numbers.

Linda Christie reported that the FMRSD Finance met last week as well.

Gabe St. Pierre mentioned negotiations met with support staff union reps last week.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to approve conditional contracts for the following:

Nancy Bushway-Inclusionary Paraprofessional (CMS)

Carolyn Geheran-SLPA (District)

Sharon Martin-Food Service Technician (NWS)

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve a co-curricular contract for Cynthia Pomosko-Spirit Coach (CMS). Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (St. Pierre/DeCoste) to approve a co-curricular contract for Scott Bardis-Girls Basketball Coach (Vilas).

Motion: (Streeter/Chrisite) to move the approval of a co-curricular contract for Scott Bardis-Girls Basketball Coach (Vilas) until after non-public session. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Christie/DeCoste) to approve a co-curricular contract for Jon Beaman, JV Football Coach (FMRHS). Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to accept the following resignations:

Selina Thomas, Paraprofessional, FMRHS effective October 24, 2014

Sheryl Pierce, Paraprofessional, CPS effective November 14, 2014

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Streeter) to accept, with gratitude, the retirement of Kathryn Hesch, Kindergarten Teacher, Charlestown Primary School effective June 30, 2015. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to accept amended policy JICK-Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention-Bullying for second reading and adoption.

A discussion ensued regarding some additional language to the policy reflecting the FMRSD Core Values.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Christie) to table amended policy JICK-Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention-Bullying until committee has had an opportunity to look at it further. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to accept amended policy IFA-Instructional Needs of Each Individual Student for second reading and adoption. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to accept amended policy IK-Earning of Credit for second reading and adoption. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to accept amended policy EB-Joint Loss Management Committee for second reading and adoption. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve an unbudgeted request for an Individual Aide at Walpole Primary School.

Motion passed 4:1 (Collins)

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve an unbudgeted Shared Paraprofessional at Charlestown Primary School. Motion passed 3:1:1 (Collins/St. Pierre)

Motion: (Christie/DeCoste) to approve the addition of a Pre-K Program to Walpole Primary School beginning the 2014-2015 school year. Motion passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Motion: (St. Pierre/Streeter) to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented for period ending:

Payroll: $1,335,819.69

Accounts Payable: $1,484,847.79

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to enter into non-public session. Motion passed unanimously.

After an affirmative roll call vote, the board entered non-public session at 7:16 PM under RSA 91-A:3 (a) (c) to discuss two personnel issues and two student issues.

The board exited non-public session at 8:03 PM and resumed public session.

Motion: (St. Pierre/DeCoste) to approve a co-curricular contract for Scott Bardis-Girls Basketball Coach (Vilas). Passed

3:2 (Streeter/Christie)

Superintendent Landry commented that the Wizard’s game fundraiser had a great turn out, the high school gym was full and people seemed to really have a great time.

Lil DeCoste mentioned that the Walpole 5K fundraiser-Chickens On the Run raised over $12,000. She commented that it was a great day with a wonderful turn out.

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.

Hearing nothing further, the board adjourned at 8:06 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Misty Bushee

School Board Clerk

Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment

Minutes: November 19, 2014

Present: Board Members: Chair Myra Mansouri, Clerk Ernie Vose, Jan Galloway Le Clerc.

Alternates: Stephanie Stoughton, Bob Anderson, Judy Trow.

Absent: Peggy Pschirrer, Mary Therese Lester.,

Recording: Marilou Blaine.

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the December 15, 2014, meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Roll Call: Ms. Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. All three Alternates were needed to form a five-member board.

Minutes: Mr. Vose made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Ms. Trow seconded it and the board approved the motion.

New business: B&B: Ms. Laura M. Larsen, who is looking at the property at 10 Bookseller Road in Walpole with a B&B in mind, did not attend the meeting.

Her situation, however, was discussed and Ms. Mansouri referred to Article IV L of the Walpole Zoning Ordinance. It says, “The conversion of a single-family residence or other building to a ‘bed and breakfast’ shall require Site Plan approval by the Planning Board.” Ms. Mansouri said the house under consideration has four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Also, NH Administrative Rules require a food service license for the operation of any food service establishment or retail food store. It defines a B&B “as a transient lodging facility, that is the personal residence of its owner, is occupied by the owner at the time of rental to a patron and in which the only meal served is breakfast to in-house guests.

However, if Ms. Larsen wants to expand her business to cater large events, she needs to follow these NH Administrative Rules. ” Facilities offering other meals or serving meals to non-guests are required to be licensed as a food establishment and therefore must comply with all the requirements of NH Statues and Administrative Rules for a commercial kitchen.

The secretary will notify Ms. Larsen by email of the board’s discussion.

House rental: Jack Jordan wants to rent a home at 5 Hooper Road. The property is owned by the Jeffrey Family Trust and Clarence Jeffrey of Webster, NH is the trustee. Mr. Jordan also wants to store a trailer on the property.

Mr. Vose said that there are no regulations about having a camper on a property. Ms. Mansouri said it is not a camper, it’s a mobile home. ​The rental property is zoned Residential A, which does not allow mobile homes.

The Jeffrey Family Trust owns another property at 267 Old Keene Road that has a camp on it and Mr. Jordan asked if he couldn’t store the mobile home at his rental home, could he store it on the other property owned by the Jeffrey Trust.

Mr. Vose asked if he was going to live in it or just store it. Ms. Mansouri said he wants to store it until he can find a piece of property to put it on.

Then Mr. Vose asked how can we not allow him to store it. Ms. Mansouri said that the board could give him a time limit, saying no electricity, no plumbing.

“On what authority do we have to put to put these stipulations on him?” Mr. Vose asked. Mr. Anderson answered that mobile homes are only allowed in rural-agricultural district.  Walpole Zoning Ordinance Article IV F states “that mobile home may be used and maintained as permanent residences in the Rural/Agricultural District subject to the regulations contained in Article VIII.”

Ms. Stoughton said a permit for the temporary use of a trailer or mobile home may be granted if a person has a home under construction.

If anything is done to the property, Mr. Vose said the owner has to agree to it, not the renter. A motion was made, seconded and passed by the board to have the secretary write a letter to the owner and ask him to appear at a Zoning Board meeting so the questions the board has can be resolved.

U.S. Cellular sign: Mr. Philip Davis, 48 Meadow Access Lane, North Meadow Plaza, Walpole. Mr. Philip Davis, owner of Real to Reel requested permission to:

– change the red colors of a U.S. Cellular sign on the South side of his building to two colors, red and blue,

– remove the non-conforming Real to Reel sign on the West side of the building

– install a new red and blue U.S. Cellular sign (31.5 square feet) on the North side of the building.

Mr. Davis said all the signs are now conforming.

Mr. Davis‘ requests are in compliance with Article IV No. 8 and No. 9 – Multiple Use Signs and Special Exceptions. The sign does not exceed the thirty-two (32) square feet limit and the signs on his building are more than 100 feet apart and the building is 280 feet from La Valleys so it fulfills the special exception requirement of 100 feet between signs.

Ms. Stoughton made a motion that the board accept the removal of the sign from the West as well as the addition of a U.S. Cellular sign on the North and South sides of the building, along with the color changes. Mr. Vose seconded the motion and it was approved by the board.

Discussion of amendment to the water ordinance: Ms. Jennifer Palmiotto and Mr. Andrew Madison were at the meeting to discuss the Draft of Recommended Changes to Wellhead Protection Overlay District Ordinance. Ms. Palmiotto is executive director of Granite State Rural Water Association and Mr. Madison is a Source Water Protection Specialist for the same organization.

Ms. Palmiotto reviewed the minutes of the November 11, 2014, Planning Board meeting, which was also the official Public Hearing for the revised draft of the wellhead ordinance. The board made a motion to accept the water protection ordinance as amended, she said. It was seconded and approved by the board. The two changes were to fill in dates on page 4 and change the word considerably to considered on page 14, which she said she had done. The maps that are associated with that ordinance were approved on Jan. 14, 2014, by the Planning Board.

Ms. Mansouri said it was her understanding that the new wellhead ordinance would super cede anything that we have on record. However, Ms. Palmiotto said it won’t take care of the amendment by petition passed in 2013 regarding hazardous waste. Ms. Palmiotto called it the soil and groundwater protection plan. It is listed in the Zoning Ordinance booklet as Article IV M Hazardous materials.

“It was not our charge to examine the soil and groundwater protection ordinance,” Ms. Palmiotto said.

Ms. Mansouri said she had never seen that title. Ms. Palmiotto said it doesn’t have a title but it’s in the zoning ordinance Article IV M. The reason Ms. Palmiotto was calling it the soil and groundwater protection ordinance was because that is what the petitioners called it when they brought it up before the Board of Selectmen. It  could be called The Jiffy Mart Ordinance or just “M”, she said. This ordinance is based upon something generated by NH DES. It was drawn up when the Jiffy Mart was proposed. It’s helpful to know this as it gives you the reasons why people were trying to get it adopted.

A document was passed out titled “Preventing Groundwater Contamination at Gas Stations – What Municipalities and Water Suppliers Can Do.” It was printed by NH DES in 2012. Ms. Palmiotto asked the board to look at page 3 and the section titled “Groundwater Protection Plan.”  This is the fact sheet that was used to help develop the Soil and Groundwater Protection Act, she said. There are a lot of similarities between the language of the soil and groundwater ordinance and the language of this section of the pamphlet.  It applies to the commercial zone, to the industrial zone and land above a town aquifer. It is not interchangeable with the wellhead areas.

Ms. Mansouri asked if the wellhead is over an aquifer and Ms. Palmiotto said yes but it does not go over the entire aquifer. There are aquifers all over this towns, she said. There are no maps which identify them, so the source protection is just around the wellhead.

Ms. Stoughton said if the revised wellhead draft proposal would take the place of that amendment if the land in question was within the wellhead protection zone.

Ms. Palmiotto said you might have a conflict there. You may need to talk to an attorney. We have this ordinance on the books and we have this amendment which passed.

Mr. Anderson said his reading would be that they both apply, not one or the other. Ms. Palmiotto agreed that was true because the ordinances are asking for different things. The 2013 amendment is asking for something that is not in the wellhead protection draft. It’s totally different. It’s asking new businesses coming into town, which have hazardous or regulated substances, to follow this plan. The wellhead protection doesn’t address that at all. There is no mention of a soil and groundwater protection plan. It’s another requirement.

Ms. Palmiotto cautioned about putting two items on the ballot. If the board wants the Draft of Recommended  Changes to Wellhead Protection Overly District Ordinance to pass and then the public has to consider a revision of another item, they might get mixed up..

Mr. Vose said, “We’re almost too late”. Ms. Mansouri added when you get to many items on a ballot, the public just gets confused. Mr. Vose said they just vote no for everything.

Ms. Mansouri asked if Andrew could help the board work on new language on section “M”. Ms. Palmiotto said Mr. Madison‘s work on this project was funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. He is working with Walpole, North Walpole and Hillsborough. He helps communities try to proactively protect their water supplies. He will begin working on a new assignment in April. We have a limited amount of time when we might help.

The Zoning Board will wait until next year to begin to revising Article IV M.

A New Law requires towns, when introducing new legislation such as the Revised Draft of the Wellhead Protection Ordinance, and when it is going to affect a 100 or more people, to send out copies of the material pertaining to the new legislation. If the person has electronic media, it may be sent out electronically; if not by first class mail. Mr. Vose said, You have to send the whole thing – the old ordinance and the revised draft.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine