The Walpolean

Friday, August 11 at 7 pm at the First Congregational Church on the Common in Walpole.
The concert is free with donations accepted to benefit the church.
The chorus includes singers from a number of northeast states. The performance will include a wide variety of music which includes musical theater, pop, patriotic, glee club and spiritual selections.

Friends of the Walpole Library

Preparations for our annual Book Sale are in full swing. The Friends of the Library Book Sale will take place at the Walpole School gym on the weekend of October 27 – 29.

We are currently looking for community help with the following:

Book Donations at the Chicken Coop (behind the Hungry Diner)

Wednesday, August 16 and 23, 10:00 am to noon
Thursday, August 17 and 24, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
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.

Book Sorting at the Chicken Coop

Every Wednesday morning, 10:30 to 11:30
Every Thursday afternoon, 4:00 to 5:00

Also note that our plant sale at the Reuse Center in ongoing. We are currently focusing primarily on house plants and perennials.
We are very grateful for all of your help! Please call 603-439-7778 with any questions.

Tonight’s band concert featuring The Temple Bank will be in the Town Hall due to weather concerns. The concert starts at 6:30 PM.

The Congregational Church will be hosting a pie sale. As usual, the Scouts will be selling hot dogs, cold drinks, etc.

Chairs will be provided.

***Town of Walpole Water Department Emergency Notification Update***

Walpole Water system has returned to normal operations as of 11:54am today.  Both wells are back online and the water restriction has been lifted.  Thank you for everyone’s support and assistance during this unusual event.

Mark Houghton

Walpole Water Department’s “River well” located behind Pinnacleview Equipment has been shutdown due to historical flooding associated with the recent rainfall.  Walpole’s second water source is on Watkins Hill and has experienced a catastrophic pump failure.  As we wait for the replacement pump to arrive, we ask that everyone take measures to conserve water at this time.  Please refrain from any outside water usage and use water in your homes sparingly until we can return our wells to normal operation.  We will keep you advised as this event unfolds.

Thank you,

Mark Houghton

Energy Service rates from 8/1/2023 through 1/31/2024 have been set:

Granite Basic: 10.9 cents per kWh

Granite Plus:   11.3 cents per kWh. With 33% renewable

Clean 50:         12.3 cents per kWh  with 50% renewable

Clean 100:       15.2 cents per kWh with 100% renewable

Liberty’s Default rate will also drop to 12.242 cents per kWh 

Just as a reminder Walpole Community Power is a member town in Community Power Coalition of NH (CPCNH). 

This is a reduction from the May-July rate of 15.8 for Granite Basic. Most Walpole Community Power customers are on Granite Basic. 

Liberty and all of the utilities are not allowed to make a profit on the  “Energy Service” portion of our bills. They do receive a small administrative fee for processing.  Because utilities operate as monopolies  they have to request increases in the Distribution Charge through the NH Public Utilities Commission. Liberty has filed an increase in the Distribution Charge of 6.2%. The increase in the Distribution Charge should not be related to the Energy Service rates and the savings we are receiving. The Distribution Charge  is reviewed by the NH Public Utilities Commission and is to pay for the  operation of the Utility (poles, wires, trucks, crews and profit).  Walpole Community Power along with CPCNH will review the request to see if there is reason to register opposition with the PUC.  There may be an opportunity for you to send comments to the PUC. 

Billing error:

We all received a notice that our Energy Service rate was calculated using the Liberty rate of 22.07 cents per kWh it should have been calculated using the Walpole Community Power May-July rate of 15.8 cents per kWh. Liberty has agreed to correct this mistake and are in the process of doing this.  Walpole was the very first town in NH to implement Community Power. As a result we are the town that experienced the issue. The other towns, Hanover and Lebanon etc., are not having the same issues.

If you need help with you bill as Liberty tries to resolve this issue you can reach out to the CPCNH customer service representatives at the 1-866-603-POWR. 

Net metering:

The utilities are not yet providing the necessary solar power production information so that CPCNH can properly credit customers that have solar or have Time of Day use rates.  The rules that were adopted by the NH PUC for community power expected that the utilities would be supplying the data. The utilities are saying that it is too costly to change their systems.  CPCNH has requested the PUC to enforce the rules as they were adopted.  We will keep you informed of the progress of this request. There may be an opportunity for those interested in sending comments to the PUC. 

Thank You

Walpole Community Power Committee

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

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

Others Present: Ray Boas

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:29 PM. She introduced the Selectboard, Recording Secretary, and Manager of Administration. 

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,242.08 dated 6/23/2023 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,620.81.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – June 15, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of June 15, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – June 15, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of June 15, 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 attention to:

• Walpole Library Trustees Meeting – June 13, 2023

• Walpole Planning Board Meeting – June 13, 2023

Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged these reports. 

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT:

Map and Lot#028-012-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the property tax abatement for Map and Lot# 028-012-000 for $138.00 due to a data error on the property card. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION:

Map and Lot#010-046-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the solar energy exemption for Map and Lot# 010-046-000. The application was received before 4/15/2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot#005-042-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the solar energy exemption for Map and Lot# 005-042-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Trees on the Common: Mr. Boas opened a discussion with the Selectboard regarding the trees on the Common. At the beginning of the year, “trees” were listed under “Old Business”. Mr. Boas thanked Ms. Mayberry for a comment made in a previous meeting wherein she spoke about the possibility of collecting donations for the purchase of new trees on the Common. Mr. Boas has reviewed relevant RSAs and the practices of other New Hampshire municipalities regarding how trees are managed within municipal limits. Mr. Boas put forth the idea of establishing a tree committee open to all Town residents. He would like to submit his proposal to the Conservation Commission. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the next meeting for the Conservation Commission is 7/10/2023 and she encouraged Mr. Boas to attend. Mr. Boas disclosed a personal obligation he has that will make him unable to attend the July meeting. Mrs. Pschirrer said that she will bring up the information that Mr. Boas presented when she attends the July Conservation Commission meeting. Mr. Boas proposed the formation of a sub-committee within the Conservation Commission that would focus on trees. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Conservation Commission meets the first Monday of each month. The July date was rescheduled because of a holiday. 

Fuel Bids: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Lou Beam, of the Langdon Selectboard, has contacted the Town regarding fuel bids for bulk Five-Town purchasing. In his email, Mr. Beam requested a Five-Town meeting to review these bids. Mr. Dalessio commented upon the need for the town finance manager to evaluate and provide a recommendation. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that she will attend this scheduled Five-Town meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, 6/26/2023. Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry hope to also attend.

Pending Further Action: Mr. Dalessio raised an issue about the electric charging station. He felt that a Telsa type of connector should be included since it is becoming the industry standard connector. Ms. Mayberry commented that the charging station may have a Tesla adapter option. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Highway Department would like to place no parking signs in the old section of the parking lot so that this section can be plowed. Mr. Dalessio commented that the police should establish a ticketing procedure if no parking signs are placed. 

NEW BUSINESS:

Cemetery Deed:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the cemetery deed for Lot# D586. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. 

CCPNH Rate Change:  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if anyone received a bill with the new rates. Ms. Mayberry stated that the present rate is 22 cents per kilowatt hour on her bill, and this is not the updated decreased rate. Mrs. Pschirrer commented upon an email she received from CCPNH regarding their plan for changing their rates. Mr. Dalessio stated that Liberty Utilities is increasing their distribution fee. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that on 6/30/2023 CCPNH will be setting the rates for the fall period and are asking the Selectboard what rate to choose. Mrs. Pschirrer reached agreement with Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry to select the least expensive rate. 

Short Road Closure for Old North Main:  Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Mr. Parrot, a tree removal professional, is asking permission from the Selectboard to close a portion of Old Main Street because he will be removing a large tree. Mr. Dalessio stated that the abutters should be notified, and that the scheduling should be done between 10 AM and 3 PM so that the tree is removed during off-peak hours. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Mr. Parrot is requesting this road closure for either 8/2/2023 or 8/3/2023. Ms. Mayberry stated that Mr. Parrot’s approval would be contingent on him notifying the abutters and operating during off-peak hours. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the tree under discussion is obviously dying. Mrs. Pschirrer advised Mrs. Downing that Mr. Parrot can proceed, but he must notify the abutters.

Close Legal File Return Notice:  Mrs. Pschirrer commented that she did not know the reason the Town was sent the closed legal file return notice from Mitchell Municipal Group. 

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (e) at 7:16 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:47 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary 

The grass has been cut all along the Cheshire Rail Trail in Walpole! It’s a great time for pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians to explore the 7+ miles of State-owned Rail Trail within the town’s borders.

Again this year, the Conservation Commission has funded brush hogging of the Rail Trail under a State-issued permit. For 2023, the plan is to have the Rail Trail brush hogged a second time later in the summer, so that the grass and weeds can’t grow too high.

Trail users in Walpole can enjoy views of forests, farmlands, historic railroad features, the Connecticut River and Vermont. The trail surface is mostly grass/weeds and dirt, with some wet and muddy spots.

In Walpole, the usable trail extends from behind the CITGO/JiffyMart in the north to the Westmoreland border in the south. The Cheshire Rail Trail then continues southward to Keene and beyond.

The Rail Trail is accessible from Blackjack Crossing Rd., Halls Crossing Rd., River Rd., the Walpole Gateway, Route 123, and the Boat Launch WMA. There is limited parking at many of these locations.

Please be respectful of the private landowners who abut the trail. Please follow trail signs, especially through Homestead Farm. Please practice “leave no trace” principles. Do not litter. No motorized vehicles are allowed (except for snowmobiles.)

Maps of the Rail Trail are available on the Conservation Commission website ( http://www.walpoleoutdoors.org/trail-maps and in Town Hall. 

Many thanks to the Walpole Trail Committee, the Walpole Conservation Commission and the Walpole Selectboard for supporting this project.

Enjoy the Rail Trail!

Wendy and Will Grossman

Walpole Trail Committee