Keeping the community up to date on community topics
And, at the post offices to deliver tomorrow to Walpole, North Walpole, and Drewsville. Smaller issue than usual with less going on, and fewer advertisements, but browsing through my hardcopy now (benefit of being the publisher and picking up at the printer) I hope you enjoy the nice mix of articles from MOOver; Eagle Scouts, weasels, and our school contributors. You may click on this link to read on-line, or on the page one image below.
Happy New Year — RAY BOAS, Publisher
WALPOLE PLANNING BOARD
Town of Walpole, NH 03608
PUBLIC NOTICE
You are hereby notified of the following Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 7 pm in the Walpole Town Hall.
Public Hearing: Recommendation of two petitions to the Walpole Zoning Ordinance to be placed on the 2023 Town of Walpole warrant. The articles will be voted by the public at the polls on Tuesday, March 14 2023.
Article 1:
To see if the Town will vote to amend ARTICLE XIV of the Zoning Ordinance of theTown of Walpole, New Hampshire, to read as follows:
Penalty
Any person who violates any provision of the ordinance shall be subject to penalties in accordance with RSA 676:17, or any successor statute as may then be in effect,provided that the amount of the civil penalties to be assessed in accordance with such statute shall be determined in the discretion of the Selectboard.
Article 2:
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Article IV “General Provisions” of the Walpole Zoning Ordinance to include regulations regarding Formula Businesses by adding the following as Section P:
P. Formula Businesses – This Section establishes standards to limit the concentration of businesses that are homogeneous and visually obtrusive for thepurpose of preserving the unique and distinctive appeal of the Town’s character and commercial development. These standards are aligned with the purpose ofthese Zoning Regulations as described in Article I and are vital to the continuation of the Town’s ability to attract both residents and visitors.
1. A Formula Business is a business, including but not limited to retail sales, hotels,and restaurants, that both (a) maintains two or more of the following fivestandardized features: (1) array of services, menus, or merchandise, with 50% ormore of in-stock merchandise bearing uniform markings; (2) trademark, logo, orservice mark; (3) architecture, facade, or exterior design; (4) decor or color scheme; (5) uniform (other than name tags); and (b) shares the same or substantially the same two or more features as 10 or more other businesses, regardless of ownershipor location.
2. The total number of Formula Businesses in the Town of Walpole at any one timeshall be limited to 12. When this limit is reached, no new Formula Businesses may beestablished unless an existing Formula Business closes, adapts so that it no longer qualifies as a Formula Business, or relocates outside of the Town boundaries.
3. If a business in current operation becomes a Formula Business by means ofadditional locations being established, this business shall count toward the totalnumber of Formula Businesses but shall not be considered as a Formula Business being established.
4. Formula Businesses shall not include post offices, places of worship, schools, government facilities, banks, gasoline fueling stations, professional offices, or health care facilities.
Marilou Blaine
WPB Secretary
The Walpole Players will be holding auditions for “Grumpy Old Men – the Musical” by Dan Remmes, music by Neil Berg, on Sunday, January 8, from 2-4 PM in the Helen Miller Theater at the Walpole Town Hall. The play is a comedy about an old feud between two neighbors complicated by the arrival of an attractive widow, with a romantic subplot involving the two antagonists’ children. If you have already received a script to read, please bring it with you. Auditions will include singing as well as reading. There are several parts to be cast, including some primary and secondary characters, as well as many smaller parts. Show dates are May 12, 13, 19, and 20, directed by Barbara Kasper with Walt Sayre as musical director.
Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair was in the Selectboard Office with Mrs. Pschirrer participating by speaker phone.
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.One member of the public, Library Director Jane Malmberg, was in attendance.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:
Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a), Personnel, (c) Reputations and (e) Legal at 6:30 PM. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. These minutes are to remain sealed.
The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 6:51 PM.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $338,657.44 for checks issued December 16, 2022. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The AP included a $117,500 payment to Melanson Company for the installation of the Town Hall roof.
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept a second Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $1,768,801.00 for a check issued to Cheshire County on December 16, 2022. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. This payment is the Town’s allocation of Cheshire County taxes that are due on December 19th. Mr. Kreissle will hand deliver the payment.
PAYROLL:
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 1, 2022: A correction to the December 1, 2022, minutes to confirm that the new highway trailer is 84 inches wide and 20 feet long. It was acknowledged.
SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 8, 2022: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 8, 2022, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved. Mrs. Pschirrer abstained since she was not present at this meeting.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 8, 2022: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 8, 2022, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved. The minutes are to remain sealed. Mrs. Pschirrer recused herself from the vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The following reports were acknowledged by the Selectboard:
WARRANTS:
Water Tax Lien for Walpole: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Water Tax Lien for Walpole for $1,061.64. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.
Sewer Tax Lien for Walpole: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Sewer Tax Lien for Walpole for $1,862.54. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.
Sewer Tax Lien for North Walpole: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Sewer Tax Lien for North Walpole for $20,446.18. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved. There was a discussion of working with the North Walpole Village District to shut off North Walpole properties for non-payment of sewer bills.
REFUNDS:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the following property tax refunds that were due to overpayment:
ABATEMENTS:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the following property abatements due to the revaluation process which caused an overpayment of spring taxes:
Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the property tax abatements were approved.
TIMBER INTENTS:
Map and Lot# 027-005-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Supplemental Intent to Cut for Map and Lot# 027-005-000. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Pending Further Actions: Generators, Parking Ordinance, School and Old North Main Bridges/Culverts, School Street Drainage Project,
Quinton Fund Check Request: Ms. Mayberry moved to sign and send the letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds for a $660.60 reimbursement to the Town from the Quinton Fund. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.
Trees on the Common: Ms. Mayberry said a quote had been received for replanting and tree health care for trees on the east side of the Common. The quote care for two Norway maples was $4,180. The quote for replacing tree trees was $4,705 with various quotes for watering/drip irrigation for the new trees. The Board felt that this project should be a warrant article and include the drip irrigation system.
MetLife NH PFML Insurance Enrollment Form: Ms. Mayberry moved for the chair to sign the optional MetLife NH PFML Insurance Enrollment Form. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.
Phase 3 Power for Industrial Drive and Bensonwood: Mrs. Pschirrer and the Power Committee have been speaking about a Northern Borders grant to fund 3-phase power to Industrial Drive, Bensonwood and potentially for a solar field. They have learned that since the Town would not own all the assets for 3-phase power, the Town is not eligible for Northern Borders funding. They were redirected to an economic group to apply for funding. Mrs. Pschirrer said that the Power Committee would like permission from the Selectboard to pursue this funding. The Selectboard agreed to this by consensus.
Updated Penalty Petition Warrant Article: An updated “Penalty” petition warrant article was received from Mr. Tom Winmill. It was sent to Atty. Hockensmith for review. Ms. Mayberry felt the wording should be “at” not “in” the discretion of the Selectboard.
NEW BUSINESS:
NH DRA 2022 Sales Monitoring Report: The Selectboard acknowledged the report from the NH DRA that audited Avitar’s findings. A few small errors were reported.
Town Hall Kitchen Refrigerator: The refrigerator that was donated to the Town has died stated Mr. Dalessio. Mrs. Pschirrer felt a new refrigerator was needed. There was a review of samples of Bosch refrigerators sent earlier. Mrs. Pschirrer moved to purchase the 800 series, 72” high refrigerator made by Bosch. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mrs. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.
Police Committee Presentation to WOW: The date was set for January 18th. After some discussion of the location and the presentation plan, it was decided that it was better to have the presentation within the Town Hall. Mrs. Pschirrer will follow up with Mrs. Johnson regarding the matter.
Christmas Eve: Ms. Mayberry proposed that the Recycling Department have half a day on Saturday and those that work on Friday, have a half-day on that day. Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio agreed with this proposal. Ms. Mayberry stated that Recycling would be closed tomorrow and would be using this day as their Christmas floating holiday since they are normally closed on Mondays.
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:
The Selectboard Meeting resumed at 7:43 pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion. There was none. Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore
Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Town Hall
7 pm
There will be no December meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
Present: Board members: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Selectboard Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternate: Trevor MacLachlan. Absent: Board member Bill Carmody, alternate Travis Adams. There were about a dozen people who attended the hearings.
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes were recorded. They are unapproved and will be reviewed at the regular January 2023 meeting for corrections, additions or omissions.
Roll Call: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order a 7 pm. Alternate Mr. MacLachlan sat in for the absent board member.
Minutes: Mr. Marcom made two corrections. On page 2 paragraph 2, it should read “A motion “made” by Mr. Marcom in the fourth line from the bottom. On page 1, paragraph, 6 Mr. Marcom corrected the number of parking space from 20 to about half that number. Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Public Hearing:
Lot Line Adjustment: Dale and Bonita Woodward and Judith Epstein. Tax Map 19, Lots 53-1 and 54. Flat and School streets, Residential B.
Surveyor Joe DiBernardo spoke for the owners at this public hearing. He said this is a very minor correction of the lot line between the two properties. With the correction the Woodwards would gain .01 acres from the Epstein property. The totals after the adjustment would be Lot 19-53-1 would be .30 acres and Lot 19-54 would be .30 acres. There being no questions Mr. Miller closed the public hearing. Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the lot line adjustment as presented. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing:
Subdivision/Condo Lots: Avanru Development Group LLC: Tax Map 12, Lot 13-3 into 3 parcels, Commercial District.
Surveyor Joe DiBernardo described the piece of property and showed a plat with the three parcels – Units 2A, 2B, 2C 1.43 acres, .92 acres and .98 acres respectively. The property is adjacent and in back of Dollar General, which Mr. Miller said doesn’t look as if it still has the 30 percent of the property in green space required for approval.
Mr. Miller said at the beginning of the discussion that the Board is waiting to hear from Town Counsel on the matter of condo lots. The fact that the property is called “condo lots” is a new concept and the Board needs to have a firm grasp of what it means. Mr. Miller added that this is a subdivision and two of the requirements of a subdivision is that the parcels of land have frontage on a town road or highway and that the lot be a minimum size depending on the district. He said only one of the three lots meets the subdivision requirements. The two lots in the back, Unit 2B and 3C, have no road frontage and it doesn’t look as if there is enough room for a building, parking, as well as the required 30 percent green space, Mr. Miller said.
Mr. Jack Franks, president of Avanru, explained the history and timeline of the surrounding properties beginning with Abenaki Springs, building No. 1. up to the building of the current storage units.
Mr. Miller said that beside the requirements of a subdivision, the properties would need to have site plans and he didn’t think they condo lots would comply with the requirements of a site plan. Since the Board didn’t need to make a decision that evening, the hearing will be continued next month.
Public Hearing: Site Plan:
NGP Management Group, Dunkin 2,000 square-foot coffee shop and drive-thru. Tax Map 12, Lott 13-3, Route 12, Commercial District. 234 feet frontage on Main Street, pond and wetlands to the south.
Civil engineer Nate Chamberlain represented Fieldstone Consultants PLLC, the company handling the Dunkin project at this site. He repeated a lot of what had been said before and began by said saying that the lot is flat. The building will be 2,000 square feet and in a colonial design with clapboard siding. Customers will enter the property from a slip coming off of Route 12 from the south. They can either park in the parking lot or drive around to the drive-thru. The drive-thru is on the north side of the property. There are two proposed exits. One is back onto Route 12 or customers may drive around the parking lot and exit onto Red Barn Lane, which leads them back to Route 12.
Mr. Chamberlain pointed out the lighting, the footprint of which will be contained on the property, and went through a list of plantings, trees and shrubs, for example, hydrangeas, lilacs, red maples. This landscaping that will be mostly in the 30 percent green space area near the pond,.however, there will be plantings around the building. The business will be open from 4 am to 10 pm. Two double tracker trailer trucks a week will service the establishment each week, Mr. Chamberlain said.
The issue now is the permit for the cut into the Dunkin site on Route 12, which is planned by the NH Department of Transportation. The hearing will be continued to next month’s meeting.
Petition Articles
Mr. Perron made a motion to hold a public hearing next month for a recommendation on two articles written by Tom Winmill that will go on the March 2023 warrant. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Adjournment
Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
WPB Secretary.
Selectboard Present:Steven Dalessio, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry; Absent: Peggy Pschirrer, due to illness.
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:32 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.There were no members of the public present.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $119,562.72 for checks issued December 9, 2022. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.The AP included a $28,619.67 payment to the NH Retirement System.
PAYROLL:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending December 3, 2022, in the amount of $28,148.19 dated December 9, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,330.17. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 1, 2022: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 1, 2022, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 1, 2022: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 1, 2022, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved. The minutes are to remain sealed.
SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 4, 2022: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Special Selectboard meeting of December 4, 2022, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.
WARRANT:
FALL PROPERTY TAX WARRANT: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Tax Collector’s Warrant for fall taxes in the amount of $6,458,141.41. Taxes are due on or before January 11, 2023. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved. The Walpole tax rate is $17.17, and the North Walpole Village Tax Rate is $18.65.
OLD BUSINESS:
Pending Further Actions: Generators, Parking Ordinance,School and Old North Main Bridges/Culverts, School Street Drainage Project
Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood: Mr. Dalessio reported he had received an email from Mr. Todd Horner of SWRPC. The email alerted Mr. Dalessio that the Northern Borders Forestry Grant is open for submission. Mr. Horner recommended that the Town speak with Northern Borders since the grant is a good fit.
Reservoir Dam: Fuss and O’Neil will be providing a report as to why repairing the dam was more beneficial than removing it per Mr. Dalessio. The area is a catch basin of rain runoff. There is a good possibility that during a heavy rainstorm, water could overrun the stream banks further downstream without the dam. Mr. Dalessio plans on attending the January Conservation Commission Meeting to discuss this matter.
Rec. Revolving Fund Request and PO for Ice–Skating Rink Expansion: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the purchase order for the expansion of the ice-skating rink at of cost of $6,045.00 and the Recreation Revolving Fund Request for up to $1,500 for additional costs that would be incurred. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
ARPA Grant for Reservoir Dam: Ms. Mayberry moved for the Selectboard to sign the ARPA Grant Agreement and for the Chair to sign the ARPA Grant Consultant Justification Form. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
Two Letters for Eagle Scouts: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Eagle Scout letters to John Leclerc and Jared Atkins. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. Selectboard members will be attending the Saturday afternoon award ceremony.
Town Hall Photo Request: NH Town and City Magazine has requested a photo of the Town Hall for a future front cover of the magazine. A request for a local photographer to take a high quality, updated photo is in process.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (c) Reputations and (e) Legal at 6:52 PM. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. These minutes are to remain sealed.
The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:03 PM.
Mr. Dalessio stated that the Selectboard will be meeting tomorrow, December 9th starting at 8 AM for Departmental Budget Meetings with department managers.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion. There was none. Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore
I was asked to share the following news from the Fall Mountain Food Shelf. If you, or someone you know, needs help with Christmas toys, please stop by. – Lil
The Fall Mountain Foodshelf has tons of toys for tots. All you need to do is come to the foodshelf and pick out what your children or grandchildren might want for Christmas. The foodshelf is located on Route 12A in Langdon. We are open from 10:00 – 3:00 this Friday and Saturday and Wednesday and Friday next week. Please note if we have the snowstorm that they are expecting we may not be open this Friday.
Kate Nerrie
The Walpolean 
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