The Walpolean

Selectboard Present:  Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry; Steve Dalessio

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary

Others Present: Steve Varone, Jared Walters and David Edkins

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall. She introduced herself, Peggy Pschirrer, Selectboard Chair, Cheryl Mayberry, Steve Dalessio, Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary.  

Public Comment: Mr. Walters wanted to clarify a question he asked at the last meeting about the proposed budget with a 3.75% increase. He asked how the tax rate is calculated. Mrs. Pschirrer informed Mr. Walters that the state sets the tax rate, after the Town submits specific data. Mr. Dalessio stated that this year was an anomaly with the school district. Discussion of how the Town calculates its tax rate took place, with description provided by Mr. Dalessio. Mr. Dalessio reflected on the projected increase in various costs and taxes this year that the Town is preparing for. Mrs. Pschirrer informed Mr. Walters that he could attend the Fire District’s annual meeting on 3/21/2024. Mr. Walters asked if a member of the public could speak in a non-public session. Ms. Mayberry stated that a member of the public could ask the Selectboard to speak in a non-public session if they so wished. An explanation of tax differences between the North Walpole Village District and the Town was provided by the Selectboard. 

Mr. Varone disclosed that the Town received a response from FMRSD. Mr. Dalessio reflected to those in attendance that a slide in the recent FMRSD Deliberative Session implied that the Town of Walpole has been funding a district-wide program. Mr. Varone stated that the scope and quantification of this matter have not been provided. Mrs. Pschirrer commented that the Town’s attorney has been consulted for guidance on what possible next steps can be taken. Mr. Dalessio asked if funds could be recouped from previous school years. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Town will await the attorney’s response.

Mr. Varone and Mr. Walters departed the meeting.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $146,665.44 for checks issued 2/23/2024. This includes a $49,006.06 payment to HealthTrust for March health insurance. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,548.24 dated 2/23/24 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,408.57. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES, February 15, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Meeting minutes of February 15, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES, February 15, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Non-Public Meeting minutes of February 15, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes will remain sealed. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Dalessio brought the following committee reports to the chair’s attention.

   •​Planning Board Meeting – February 13, 2024

Mr. Dalessio noted errors in these minutes that would need correction. Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged the report.

REFUNDS: 

Map and Lot# 003-023-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 003-023-000 for $36.09 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 005-059-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 005-059-000 for $39.77 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 008-022-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 008-022-000 for $282.61 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 008-068-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 008-068-000 for $18.15 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 012-044-009:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 012-044-009 for $59.91 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 0UTIL-0UTIL-2B:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 0UTIL-0UTIL-2B for $331.97. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS: 

2024-03, Map and Lot# 013-057-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 012-039-000 to build a 10’ x 20’ shed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

2024-04, Map and Lot# 024-024-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 024-024-000 to install a 10’ x 12’ shed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Purchase Order and Sales Proposal for 6 Wheel Dump Truck: Mr. Dalessio motioned to sign the purchase order of $136,983 for the 6-wheel dump truck from a warrant article approved in 2023 as a non-lapsing warrant article. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved. Ms. Mayberry motioned for Mrs. Pschirrer to sign the sales proposal. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Purchase Order for New Police Vehicle: Mrs. Pschirrer reflected that the Chief has been out of work all week, and that the purchase order was not ready to be signed. Ms. Mayberry stated she would reach out to the Police Department to follow up on this purchase order. 

Selectboard Operational Guidelines: Mrs. Pschirrer stated she has looked through these but asked Mrs. Downing to put this item on next week’s agenda.

Pending Further Action: Mr. Dalessio stated that the Houghton Brook Bridge is about to be put out to bid again, and that School Street Drainage Project drawings are being reviewed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Recreation Revolving Fund Request: Ms. Mayberry motioned to accept the Recreation Revolving Fund request from the Recreation Department for the amount of $747.73 for basketball uniforms with these funds to be reimbursed by sponsors. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Application for Activity and Use Restriction: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Brownfields cleanup has been completed for the new parking lot, but test wells are left on the property. Mr. Dalessio motioned to allow Mrs. Pschirrer to sign the DES Application for Activity and Use Restriction. Seconded by Mr. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Biodiversity/Pollinator Grant: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Peter Palmiotto, the Conservation Commission co-chair had asked for the Selectboard’s approval in the writing of a Biodiversity/Pollinator Grant. Mrs. Pschirrer stated she would write to Mr. Palmiotto and inquire about what type of support is being requested. 

Recording Secretary Resignation: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that they were in receipt of letter from Ahmad Esfahini, the Recording Secretary, resigning from that position as of March 6^th.

Office Closure Request: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a request has been submitted to the Selectboard to close the Selectboard Office on 7/05/2024. The Selectboard reached consensus to accept this request. 

NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (c):  

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public meeting at 7:15 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:36 PM. 

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the nonpublic minutes would be sealed. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary

Present: Planning Board members Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio, Alternate Bill Carmody. Zoning Board members Chair Dave Edkins, Pauline Barnes and Tom Winmill.

Purpose of Meeting: To discuss updating/recodifying Walpole Zoning Ordinances. The ZBA also wanted some professional help – someone who would work with them while they were doing this project who has knowledge of statutory language.

Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm. He said he thought the project was a good idea.  Late last year the Planning Board used a planner from Southwest Region Planning Commission in Keene to work with the Planning Board to finish updating the Natural Features section of the town’s Master Plan. In fact, he had recently heard from Peter Palmiotto. Chair of the Conservation Committee, that that board had finally completed giving the Natural Features section a final look so Mr. Miller hoped that section would soon be printed.

Ms. Barnes and Mr. Winmill each prepared a list of what needed to be done. Ms. Barnes said that one of the main reasons for this was to clarify, update, and correct terminology. It will make the document more user friendly and easy to understand but also conform to state laws and court decisions. Think about the average citizen, Ms. Barnes wrote. She also explained that the NH Supreme Court recently found in favor of short-term rental owners vs. the city of Conway based on the language in the city’s zoning ordinance describing “household.” Mr. Winmill listed seven recommendations one of which referred to a zoning map but no map was attached.  

Mr. Miller said the next step is for the PB to invite SWRPC to a 4^th-Tuesday meeting and chat about the project, see if the commission can do the project at this time, get an idea of how much it is going to cost and a time frame. Then the board checks to if there is enough money in the budget to do this or if it has to wait until next year. It also has the option to look around for another consultant.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

WP and ZBA secretary

cc: WPB, ZBA, Town Offices, The Walpolean.

Posted: In the Town Offices, on the bulletin board outside the Post Office, www.walpolenh.us

The Town Meeting issue of the CLARION is at the post offices for delivery and now on-line. Do not forget to go to your polling place on Tuesday March 12 to mark your ballots, and then on Saturday March 16, attend Town Meeting at the Town Hall beginning at 1 pm. See you there.To see the March CLARION – Click this Link . Catch you again soon, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Roll Call: Board members Chair Jeff Miller, Clerk Jason Miller, Joanna Andros, Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternate Bill Carmody. Absent: Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, board member Jeff Harrington and alternate Travis Adams. A quorum was present.

Also at the meeting were a group representing the Walpole Fire Department: Commissioner Tom Sawyer, Retired Chief Dick Hurlburt, Retired Chief Harry Boynton, Assistant Chief Mike Flynn, Steve Horton Construction Services and the presenter Fire Chief Mark Houghton.

Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order a couple of minutes before 7 pm. He asked Mr. Carmody to sit in for Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom.

Minutes: Mr. MacLachlan moved to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried.

New Business:

Fire Chief Mark Houghton will present the Walpole Fire Department’s renovations and additions to the public. Main Street, Tax Map 24, Lot 38-1. 

Fire Chief Mark Houghton introduced the fire commissioners and past fire chiefs as well as Steve Horton, who was instrumental in putting the plan and costs together. Mr. Houghton passed out a handout to the Planning Board members, as well as the public. The handout gave an overview of the project, some renovations as well as new additions and the reasons why they were needed, and a proposed budget. 

Mr. Houghton said the last time the Walpole Firehouse was renovated was 1990. At that time the call volume was about 54 calls a year. Last year, he said, the department had 753 calls. Eighty percent of those calls were for Emergency Medical Service. Twenty percent were for fire. The renovations planned are to improve the Emergency Medical Service side of the department’s mission as well as to improve the work space for the administrative side of the department who are all currently sharing one office. The department has outgrown its space, Mr. Houghton said. There is a greater demand for our EMS service. 

There are new requirements to operate an emergency population center in the case of a flood or other disaster. Walpole is not the only town to experience more recent volatile weather events. And since Covid, personnel have to decontaminate an ambulance after every carry. Not only does the ambulance have to be decontaminated but the person as well. We can’t do that in this building, Mr. Houghton said. So there are some spaces that have been upgraded, such as communications and ADA areas. For example, an elevator will be installed.

Some spaces are entirely new. The new floor plan includes several small individual offices, a large conference room, a decontamination area that includes lockers, a laundry, shower and three-sink setup. Also, on the second floor there’s a large space for EMS housing that includes separate small rooms for bedrooms, a living area and a larger area for storage. The total new two-story footage is 5,858 square-feet of addition.  

Mr. Houghton said the department has already talked to all of the fire department’s neighbors and they are on board with the project and the department will keep the neighbors informed on what is happening. 

The total cost is $3,800,000 but the proposed renovation and addition budget has funding assistance from local, state and federal sources. Already $1,058,791 has been awarded by a FEMA grant. $1,000,000 is pending on a federal Facilities grant. Mr. Houghton said since this is a federal grant, the department has to wait until the US government’s fiscal year ends in June to know whether or not the department will receive the money. And yearly, the fire department has been putting money into a reserve fund, some times as much as $100,000 a year. So $913,994 will be taken out of the fire department’s capital reserve fund and put towards this project. That leaves the Walpole Fire Department asking for a bond for 10 years for $1,827,215, or $827,215 if the federal Facilities grant is received. 

Mr. Miller asked if the 753 calls were only for Walpole residents. He explained that the population of Walpole is about 3,500 and if the 753 calls were only for Walpole residents that would mean that about one out of every four people in town used the service this year. That number seemed high to Mr. Miller. With the police department requesting money this year for new land and a new building, Mr. Miller thought this was not the right time to be asking the public to foot the bill for another big project. The Walpole police department has been looking for land for a certainly needed new police station and the police department request could be for $3,000,000 to $5,000,000, he said. Mr. Dalessio said maybe $7,000,000.

Mr. Houghton broke down the numbers again to 80 percent of the 753 calls for EMS and 20 percent for fire. And because the department is part of the Mutual Aid system, they also have to go out of town for those calls, which he estimated were 130 last year. Mr. Horton added that construction costs are currently very high – $500 a square foot and in Vermont right now they are $575 per square feet, he said. 

But Mr. Miller continued saying that a fire department bond for $1,827,215 and a police department bond were a lot for the townspeople to absorb in the same year.

Mr. MacLachlan asked about traffic flow. Mr. Houghton said now that the ambulances are facing Main Street they do not have to come out and go around the corner, saving precious time. They will drive straight out.

Also, lighting was mentioned and the department was reminded that the light should be directed downward to minimize glare to neighboring properties. Finally some asked about start time and Mr. Houghton said “July.” 

Since the Walpole Fire Department was not required to come and explain its project, Mr. Miller thanked them for coming.

Old Business:

Public Hearing for site plan continued from December: Alyson’s Orchard: Adam Naeck application for post-and-beam addition to the farm store and 7 glamping sites. Tax Map 4, Lot 44, 57 Alyson’s Lane, Commercial/Industrial District.  

Mr. Naeck sent a cover letter and checklist asking that some of the lines pointing out that the items marked N/A meant that they were irrelevant to this specific project or that they were already existing. In fact, in the section regarding Plat Submission Items 18 of the 26 items were initialed N/A meaning not applicable. He also included an itemized list of what was inside and outside the glamping (glorified camping) units. And finally he sent a glamping site description and had large photographs of the interior and exterior units. One of the photos showed the space for parking for glampers. There is plenty of space for several cars for each glamping site. Mr. Naeck said he mistakenly said at a previous meeting that  you can see the tents from Wentworth Road. You cannot.

Mr. Miller started by going over each item on the checklist, which is normally used for every site plan application. Then the discussion turned to the glamping units. The interior space is 320 square feet with 112 square feet of covered outside space. An interior photo showed a tent with a full-size bed, a dresser and a single bed next to it. A large kitchen table for eating and couches. There’s also a mini fridge and space for a coffee bar, he said.

According to a handout  from the company describing the tents, there are two different sizes 16-feet-by-20-feet (320 square feet) and 16-feet-by-24-feet (884 square feet). The canvas tent is treated for water, mildew and fire protection. Board members asked for the specifications on the fire protection. Mr. Naeck said he would get them as they are needed for a building permit. The base structure is either a 20 foot wide by 25 foot long (500 square feet) or 20 feet wide by 30 feet long (600 square feet) pressure treated deck. Concrete precast pylons are used for footings and pressure treated wood for framing. The interior floor and the deck floor are different materials. The outside flooring is pressure treated decking. The inside is southern yellow pine No. 2 tongue and groove. This allows for longevity to weather conditions outside the tents and a nicer finish inside the tents. Railings are all over 40 inches to the top rail using high tension cable 5.5 inches apart in between the deck floor and top rail. A 7-foot awning allows for covered patio space. All tents have electricity and Mr. Houghton said the electrical system for the glamping units is underground. There is no pole. All guests are considered short-term stays. They do not allow for bookings longer than 20 days consecutively. There is no water to the tents but there are Porto o potties and a private bathroom for guests that has a shower. There are gas grills outside each tent. 

Four glamping tents will be on east side of the pond, with a couple near the event center. A photo shows the pond from the beach side. There is a sandy area and according to Mr. Naeck a fire hydrant nearby. You may have seen a small row boat there as well. 

Mr. Perron wanted to know more about what would be in the post-and-beam structure. The square footage of the addition is 4638 and there will be loft. According to a previous meeting where a drawing of the structure was distributed the roof color is green, the exterior wall will be ship lap and painted red, which matches the rest of the building. The front will have two 10 foot wide by 12 feet tall barn doors. However, Mr. Perron wanted more information.

Mr. Naeck was reminded that once he had seven glamping sites, he had to come back to the Planning Board if he was going to add more. He said that he was aware of those conditions.

Mr. MacLachlan made a motion to approve the glamping plan. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried. Mr. Naeck said he would come back next month and answer any questions about the post-and-beam building.

Voluntary Merger: Joe Sawyer, River Road South, Tax Map  4, Lot 2, rural/agricultural district.

Joseph and Sonia Sawyer of 632 River Road requested a voluntary merger to put Tax map 1, Lot 2-1 and Tax Map 4, Lot 3-6 together. The lots are where the former flea market was held on Route 12.

Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the voluntary merger. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and the motion carried. The secretary will register the voluntary merger with Cheshire County Registry of Deeds.  

Workshop: Mr. Miller said Mr. Edkins, Chair of Zoning Board Adjustment, approached him about the ZBA working on the Walpole Ordinance booklet. He suggested a joint workshop. So a workshop will be held on Thursday,  February 27, at 7 pm in the downstairs conference room to discuss updating and recodifying our zoning ordinance. Some ZBA board members will attend.

​

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the March 12, 2024 regular meeting for corrections, omission and additions.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Recording Secretary

Can you believe it? Town Meeting time? Maple Sryup? Time change on the 10th? Feels like we made it through another one! – Lil

March approaching, and Town Meeting time. I began working on the layout and design of this upcoming issue about a week ago, and last evening expanded from 12 to 16 pages having placed articles on the recent Budget Hearing, and the proposed addition to the Fire Station. But, there still is some space left for your articles, images, or advertisements (all subject to space). The closing date for the March issue is next week – 5PM Walpole time, Wednesday, February 21.  Submission guidelines, and contact email are on the CLARION website.

As always, your early submissions help in the process of including all important material in a pleasing manner on each page. Please remember, it is the advertisers in each issue that make this community publication possible, so please support and thank them. If you are interested in “joining in,” do contact me.

If you have any questions, or interest in placing an advertisement, reaching over 1900 Walpole, North Walpole and Drewsville addresses, I welcome your inquiries, so please do get in touch with me. Advertising information and contact information is on the CLARION website.

Thank you, RAY BOAS, Publisher

For those who live in Walpole we have a list of candidates that have filed for office as well as positions that will be vacant if we don’t do something. We have important budget meetings this week that will help explain what we will be voting on in March. Lots to do and lots to think about.

Let’s start with the meetings. Tomorrow night, 2/7 – 6:30 PM- Deliberative Session on the School Warrant Articles at FMRHS. This is when you get the explanations that you need and also get to vote on the final numbers that will be on the ballot on March 12th.
The following night, 2/8 – 5:30 PM – Budget Hearing on the Warrant Articles for the Town Budget at the Town Hall.

You recently paid your taxes, here’s your chance to learn about what you will pay next year and, more importantly why. – Lil

The Candidates

Running for:

Selectboard (3 yr. Term) – Carolyn Vose, David Elkins

Town Moderator (2 yr. Term) – Jack Wozmak

Town Clerk (3 yr. Term) – Meghan Hansson

Supervisor of the Checklist (6 yr. Term) – Michelle Gallagher

Trustee of Trust Funds (3 yr. Term) – Carol Malnati

Zoning Board (3 yr. Term) – Thomas Murray, Pauline Barnes.  Select 2

Zoning Board (1 yr. Term) – Shane O’Keefe

Planning Board (3 yr. Term) – Jeff Miller, Joanna Andros.  Select 2

Cemetery Trustee (3 yr. Term) – Linda Edkins

Library Trustee (3 yr. Term) – Amy Howard, Sarah Mann, Bill Ranauro.  Select 3

That’s the good news. We even have a contested race of two very capable candidates for Selectboard. However –

No one from Walpole filed either for the vacant School Board or Budget Committee seat. Without a write-in campaign, Walpole could be left with no representatives or “Donald Duck” – who knows! Please someone – step forward. Let me know that you are willing to do it and I will help spread the word! – Lil

Due to the weather, the Main Library will be opening at noon on Monday, 1/29. The North Walpole branch will open at its regular time (1 pm).
There will be no Wiggle Time. Stay safe!