The Walpolean

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary

Others Present: Steve Varone, Treasurer

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

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 6:31 PM. Mr. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:31 PM. 

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $37,252.54 dated 8/11/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $8,509.50.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – August 3, 2023:   Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 3, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – August 3, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of August 3, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes are to remain sealed. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

     • Safety Committee Meeting – April 13, 2023

     • North Walpole Commissioners Meeting – August 11, 2023

     • Cemetery Trustees Meeting – August 7, 2023      

Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged these minutes. 

BUILDING PERMITS:

Building 2023-25, Map and Lot# 017-002-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 017-002-000 to build a 26’ x 12’ carport. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS: 

Town Hall Elevator: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve purchase order #572101 in the total of $21,790.00 for the replacement of an obsolete control board on the elevator with a 50% down payment to Otis Elevator. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Dalessio moved to have the Selectboard chair sign the Otis Elevator contract. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Houghton Brook Bridge: Mrs. Pschirrer spoke to a letter received by a Town resident with concerns about the potential single lane, wooden bridge. Mr. Dalessio stated the comments would be forwarded to Fuss and O’Neil with a request for advisement. 

School and Union Streets Drainage Project: Mrs. Pschirrer commented on correspondence received regarding the details of the drainage project. Mr. Dalessio stated that the project will be broken up into two parts.  

Volunteer Tree Group Article: Mrs. Pschirrer brought attention to an email received from Ray Boas on the formation of a tree committee. Mr. Dalessio stated that there is more to a committee such as this than simply planting trees. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a concern is that the group, if formed, would only focus on specific areas around Walpole, instead of Walpole in its entirety. Mrs. Downing was advised to respond to Mr. Boas advising the need for one point of contact and that all of Walpole should be considered when developing this tree committee. 

Former Central Plating Brownfields Site: Mrs. Pschirrer stated she would have the parking lots striped tomorrow. 

NEW BUSINESS:

Vachon Clukay & Co. Service Agreement:  Ms. Mayberry moved to have the Selectboard chair sign the service agreement with Vachon Clukay. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, andMrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Highway Block Grant Aid:  Mrs. Pschirrer stated that approximately $30,000 less will be available through the highway block grant this year.

Repainting Crosswalk on Church Street:  Mrs. Pschirrer informed the Selectboard that the State has approved repainting this crosswalk.  Mr. Dalessio stated that the interim road agent would have to be spoken to before any work could be down. Ms. Mayberry commented that there was already a crosswalk, but the paint had worn off. She stated there is no sidewalk on the western side of Route 12. Mr. Dalessio then commented that the road would need sidewalk cuts on either side.

Class Action Lawsuit Notification:  Mrs. Pschirrer stated that what was sent by the Town attorney does not apply to the Town of Walpole. 

Pearl Street: Ms. Mayberry spoke to comments she has heard alleging that the road damage in North Walpole is due to the type of vehicles being used to plow during winter. Mr. Dalessio stated he would speak to the interim road agent regarding this matter. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 8 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary

Hard to believe, summer almost over, and time for your submissions for the September CLARION. Deadline soon, 5PM(Walpole Time) Tuesday, August 22. Early submissions are always better to aid us in preparing a pleasing publication for your enjoyment. Submission guidelines, and contact email are on the CLARION website.

Remember, this is “your community resource” to share information about your group – its activities and events residents will enjoy attending. And, having a nice mix of articles for readers, I welcome “feel good” news of past local events, stories and accomplishments to share. All subject to space, of course, space that is made possible by the CLARION’s supporting advertisers. We all owe them a big “thank you.”

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, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

I don’t know about you but this is what I have been waiting for! Then I go to the Book Sale the last week-end of October, buy books, and start all over! – Lil

The Friends of the Walpole Library will be accepting Book Donations for our fall book sale at the Chicken Coop (behind the Hungry Diner) on the following dates: 

• Wednesday, August 16: 10 am to noon
• Thursday, August 17:  5 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, August 23: 10 am to noon
• Thursday, August 24: 5 to 7pm

Please no textbooks, encyclopedias, or travel guides older than 5 years. We can only sell books in excellent conditions, so please no dirty, damaged, moldy or mildewy books. 

Thank you so much!  We are grateful for your support.

Jana Sellarole says, “There will be no Friends of the Library book sorting on Thursday, August 10 at 4pm.  We’re all caught up on sorting currently. Thank you.”

I lied, but not intentionally. The Police Committee Meeting that is rescheduled to the 14th is the COMMITTEE Meeting. The public meeting continues to be on the 23rd at 7:00 PM. – Lil

The Walpole Police Committee meeting has been changed to August 14,2023 at 7:00 pm in the Selectboard office.

From Ray:

I was hoping to have your August CLARION in the mail this afternoon, but with vacation schedules my printer was running a few hours behind. So, tomorrow the hard-copy will be at the Post Offices for delivery to you, but tonight I can give you the link to read the August issue on-line. 

To see the August CLARION – Click this Link – or on the front page below. Stay safe and well, and enjoy the remainder of your summer — yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Good morning, neighbors!

As the skies clear, please continue to be careful with water recreation.  

Water levels and conditions can still change rapidly, and water quality can still be compromised, not to mention unseen debris in still-turbid water.

This post is taken from the Bellows Falls Fire Department post on Facebook on Friday, July 21.  The advisory is from Great River Hydro, about the operation of the dam.

“IMPORTANT ADVISORY: As part of our successful flood control response during the historic rain event on July 10, 2023, Great River Hydro (GRH) raised the stanchion flashboards at our Bellows Falls dam on the Connecticut River in accordance with the dam’s design, its operating procedures, and its FERC license.

With the floodwaters receding, GRH is now preparing to reset the stanchions and restore the flashboards to their normal operating positions. The restoration project will involve drawing down the impoundment upstream of Bellows Falls dam for a brief period to accomplish the work. 

As soon as early next week (dependent upon when optimal flow conditions can be reached), GRH will slowly lower the impoundment, conduct the necessary work, and then gradually refill the impoundment to normal operating levels. The entire process will take approximately 3 days. We will communicate with you again when the drawdown is set to begin.

During the drawdown, visitors to Connecticut River will see exposed riparian areas upstream of Bellows Falls dam, most visible closest to the Bellows Falls dam. We are taking every measure to mitigate, to the extent possible, risks and impact to environmental resources in and adjacent to the Connecticut River.

All recreational use of the river is strongly discouraged during the drawdown period as reduced flows may expose previously submerged hazards and dangerous quagmire conditions could exist in exposed flats. Recreational boating upstream of Bellows Falls Dam will continue to be discouraged after the impoundment is re-filled until GRH can fully restore all public safety measures. Boat ramps at the following locations remain temporarily closed for public safety purposes: Herricks Cove (Rockingham, VT), Charlestown (Charlestown, NH), and Pine Street (North Walpole, NH). Further updates will be provided as soon as possible. 

The public may contact Great River Hydro at communications@greatriverhydro.com or (802) 291-8104”

I’m hoping it dries out enough so I can mow my lawn for the  second time this summer.

Lucy