The Walpolean

Present: Chair Jan Leclerc, Vice-Chair Judy Trow, Clerk Tom Murray, Tom Winmill. Alternates: Don Sellarole, Shane O’Keefe and Myra Mansouri. Absent: Board member Pauline Barnes and also alternates Carolyn Vose and David Edkins. Mr. O’Keefe was asked to sit in for Ms. Barnes and he agreed.

Minutes: Written by Marilou Blaine. This meeting was recorded. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the November 2022 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Call to order: Ms. Leclerc called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. 

Minutes of September 2022: Mr. O’Keefe referred to page 3, second to last paragraph. “Mr. Edkins said he’s never seen an actual map of the property. The secretary had one in the file and it was circulated among members but Mr. Edkins still asked to clarify where the zone line lies. The zone line was the property line between the end of the property where the buildings are located and adjacent to the property. Also, if you add up 250 feet from Main Street, you could determine it was where the property lines meet.” Mr. O’Keefe agreed there was a map but there was no way to know where the two zoning districts were on the map that was provided and it never was established, he said. Ms. Trow made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

New Business:

Review of nonpublic meeting minutes. Should they be made public?

Mr. Winmill suggested that this item be put on the agenda. 

Mr. O’Keefe said once the reason for these minutes to be sealed is over with, the sealed minutes should be made public. The main reason to seal minutes on a nonpublic meeting is to protect someone’s reputation. He continued that once a case has been adjudicated, you should make those nonpublic minutes public. The Select Board doesn’t do it, but maybe they should for the sake of transparency and the public good. it’s good to do that. Ms. Trow added you have to keep in mind the period of time in which the nonpublic hearing should be sealed. Mr. O’Keefe agreed. 

Ms. Galloway-Leclerc asked the board if they would like to review some of the minutes of the nonpublic sessions to see if they should be made public. Mr. Winmill asked how far back would you go? Ms. Trow had made a list of nonpublic sessions going back to 2015. She found 21 nonpublic session minutes, which would be an average of about 3 per year. Other members of the board also thought it might be a good idea. Nonpublic minutes would be circulated, with maybe a couple looked at over several meetings. The secretary thought instead of just handing out sealed nonpublic minutes that the chair should look over each of the nonpublic minutes in case there was one or two that should remain sealed because it may be covered by one of the three reasons for sealing minutes.

The Municipal Association said minutes should be sealed only for three reasons.

1. Divulging information about the person would adversely affect a person’s reputation.

2. It would render the proposed action of the board ineffective.

3. The information pertains to preparation or carrying out of actions regarding terrorism.

Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said the board could review them over a period of several meetings. Board members could not take them home but could review them at a meeting. The secretary was concerned about one or two sealed minutes that were sealed because of one of the reasons above. Ms. Leclerc said she would check with the NH Municipal Association about the matter. 

Mr. O’Keefe said he didn’t know if the chair has any more authority than anyone else on the board so everyone should review them. However, he added, the board could authorize the chair to look them over first. If there’s only one, she could streamline the process by putting together the easy ones and the more difficult ones. Mr. Sellarole made a motion that the chair get to review the sealed minutes before showing them to the rest of the board. Ms. Trow seconded the motion. The board voted to approve the motion with Mr. Winmill voting no on the motion. Mr. Winmill suggested the chair refresh her memory by looking up the rules regarding sealed minutes.

Access to counsel by the entire board

This topic on the agenda also came from Mr. Winmill.

Mr. Winmill said that the reason he brought this up is that it would be his guess that one or more members of the board had received information from counsel outside of that one time when he came to visit the board about the procedure for an appeal to the board. So in light of those circumstances Mr. Winmill thought it would be better for the education of the members of the board that advice be available to everyone at the same time. Counsel’s relationship is to the whole board not to an individual because of being an officer or having title. If counsel has a personal relationship with one of the members of the board, Mr. Winmill questioned that. Maybe the board should review the retainer letter between the board and Mr. Hockensmith, Mr. Winmill suggested. Mr. Winmill continued that counsel is providing advice that is not made to the rest of the board. Legal counsel is so important and he would like to share in that benefit and partake of that advice.

Currently Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she contacts counsel after the board authorizes her to do so. That question, she said, was put to Mr. Hockenmsith at the August meeting and he said he preferred to deal with the chair. Ms. Mansouri said when she was chair and someone wanted to contact legal counsel she went to the Select Board and was told the she was the only person allowed to contact Mr. Hockensmith when it came to a probable legal matter. The board must also consider the monetary cost of these contacts and the town cannot afford to have every board member of every board contacting legal counsel. Also, Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said when she does contact counsel she emails him and shares his response with the rest of the board. 

“I would like to see the retainer letter,” Mr. Winmill said. Ms. Mansouri said he would have to speak to the Select Board. He would like to know the relationship Mr. Hockensmith, whatever it is, has to the town of Walpole. The board is receiving advice from counsel and he would like to know the dynamics of that relationship.

Mr. Murray asked if when Ms. Galloway-Leclerc reaches out to Southwest Regional Planning Commission does that merit the same mentality as what you’re suggesting. Mr. Winmill said no. Mr. O’Keefe said you can always approach the Select Board about the matter. Mr. Winmill said it would be interesting to know how our Select Board chooses our counsel. His advice to the board should be to all the board members. He could call us back when we are having a meeting. Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she could always invite him to come to a meeting. 

Mr. Winmill said that if he sends an email, he wants to be on the receiving end of that email to be apprised of any activity or any advice that this board receives. As a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment he wants to know what Mr. Hockensmith is advising. He doesn’t have to come in person but he would like an email. It’s the same benefit the chair is getting.  He would like to know the conversation. 

Ms. Trow said what she hears being said might be interpreted differently than what you hear or understand a person saying. If he were available to all of us, the board might get a clearer picture. 

​​​​​​​Mr. Winmill said that recently he had attended a Right To Know seminar on that law and by the way all discussions with counsel are excluded from the Right to Know law. He would find it beneficial if he could access counsel, ask questions and be in the loop when counsel is being asked specific questions.   

Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she thought the board should follow what Mr. Hockensmith said he wanted – that he preferred to deal with one person, the chair.  You have that option to tell me what you want to know and she can relay the question to Mr. Hockensmith and find out the answer for you. If everyone could meet with Mr. Hockensmith whenever they wished, the cost would be extraordinary. Mr. Winmill suggested that all board members would receive the email that Mr. Hockensmith sends to the chair and at the same time she receives it. Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she would be concerned about that email being made public. But, Mr. Winmill said, he thought she contacted him by email. Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she does contact him by email but feels uncomfortable about it being sent from counsel to everyone on the board. It may be something that should be discussed in nonpublic session. This back and forth continued. Mr. O’Keefe said it is very common that everyone get a copy of Mr. Hockensmith’s email advice and then it’s collected. He said someone could get hacked or you discard it and then it goes to the recycling center and all of sudden it’s on top of the recycling pile and everybody is reading it. Stuff happens. 

The question that millions of emails are going out every day from the biggest legal firms in the world and you’re worried about this is incredible, Mr. Winmill said. He thought worrying about someone’s computer getting hacked is not the reason to get not get information. Hockensmith could cc on emails, cc meaning copy. Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she would contact the Municipal Association about the best practice in this matter.

Ms. Mansouri said she would email Mr. Hockensmith and Hockensmith sometimes wouldn’t get an answer back for two or three weeks and that might be just before a meeting. 

Riggins Rules

Riggins Rules are a list of 28 suggestions of rules boards could use to run a harmonious meeting without anyone getting out of control. While it may not be a problem tonight, the ZBA board could adopt couple of rules in the future so meetings run smoothly. There being no suggestions, Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she may take this up again.

Two examples of a Riggins rule are:

No. 6.  Do your homework. Spend any amount of time necessary to become thoroughly familiar with each matter which is to come before you. It is grossly unfair to the applicant and to the town for you to act on a matter with which you have no previous knowledge or with which you are only vaguely familiar. And you will make some horrible and disturbing decisions.

No. 11. Don’t interrupt a presentation until the question period, except for a short and necessary clarifying remark or query. Most applicants have arranged their remarks in a logical sequence and the thing about which you are concerned will probably be covered if you force yourself to be quiet for a few minutes.

Review minutes of nonpublic August meeting.

There were two corrections. Mr. Murray said on page 2 the word “into” was repeated twice in the third paragraph. Ms. Mansouri said on page 3 at the end of the first paragraph, remove the word “are.” Ms. Trow made a motion that the minutes be approved as amended. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried.

After most of the board had read the nonpublic minutes, Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she thought the board should approve the minutes and not seal them.  Mr. Winmill said he thought the minutes should be sealed. 

Mr. Winmill said he took a Right to Know seminar last week. And from that he took away that advice  from counsel should be confidential. Legal advice should never be made public.  Ms. Trow said she had the same feeling. Sometimes you find yourself grappling about some issue and he (Mr. Hockensmith) made it clear to me that people have to make up their own minds about participating in the process. 

Mr. O’Keefe said Mr. Hockensmith is talking about process and not the particulars of any case. It’s for the public good. Mr. Winmill said you might say these nonpublic minutes advised the board on the process but it’s still counsel giving advice to the board.

Eventually the board voted to approve the nonpublic minutes as corrected. They will wait another month before voting on sealing them.

Gravel pits: Ms. Galloway-Leclerc and Ms. Vose inspected the Cold River Materials gravel pit on September 12, 2022. Their comment was “no issue noted.” Mr. Murray and Mr. Sellarole inspected Tim Graves’ gravel pit on Wentworth Road Oct. 12 and they noted that gravel pits need retention ponds and Mr. Graves’ pit meets the state requirements. Ms. Judy Trow and Pauline Barnes visited the Old Drewsvillle Road gravel pit on September 6th and Ms. Trow noted that on Item No. 6 there was a slope that exceeded a 1:1 grade. They noted that John Hodgkins and Josh Perry agreed to correct the problem immediately. Ms. Trow returned later and the problem had been corrected. 

Procedure for submitting applications

Following is the email correspondence between Ms. Galloway-Leclerc and the NH Municipal Association.

Hello,

Our select board has recently hired a person to be the “zoning coordinator” for the town to answer zoning questions and offer help to people in filling out the correct applications. This was done so that the ZBA could bow out of this role and only hear about people’s projects after an application has been submitted to us. As part of this new policy we have been updating our application forms to remove the parts that advise people to contact the ZBA chair if they have questions.  

The current applications advise people to submit their completed applications to the ZBA secretary or to the town offices for transmission to the ZBA, but in the more than twenty five years that I have served on the board only one applicant ever did this, and they applied for a variance when they needed an expansion of a non-conforming use.  Every other applicant came to a ZBA meeting, usually with a lot of questions. Now we have the zoning coordinator to answer questions if he is consulted, and that should help with the application process, but we would like to have people submit their completed applications to the ZBA at our monthly meeting rather than to the secretary or at the town hall. Then we can see whether the application is complete, vote to accept it and set a hearing for the following month, and the 90-day time limit would start that day.

Would it be acceptable to require that people submit their applications to the ZBA at a meeting and not give them the option of submitting it at the town hall or by email to the secretary? We’d like to be able to say, for example, “You forgot to sign the application,” and have them fix that immediately with no delay in setting the hearing. Our secretary takes the minutes, but she does not determine if applications are correct or complete, and the personnel at the town hall are not able to make those determinations either. 

Sincerely,

Jan Galloway-Leclerc

Walpole ZBA

Hello Jan,

I think the answer to this question is dictated by the first paragraph in RSA 676:5. That paragraph states: Appeals to the board of adjustment concerning any matter within the board’s powers as set forth in RSA 674:33 may be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, department, board, or bureau of the municipality affected by any decision of the administrative officer. Such appeal shall be taken within a reasonable time, as provided by the rules of the board, by filing with the officer from whom the appeal is taken and with the board a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. The officer from whom the appeal is taken shall forthwith transmit to the board all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.

The two key points here are 1. Appeals must be taken within a reasonable amount of time and, 2. Notice of appeal must be provided to the ZBA as well the officer who “aggrieved” them. The rest of the process would be dictated by the board’s rules of procedure. I think if your ZBA properly amends their rules of procedure to require that applications be submitted directly to the board at a meeting, and the ZBA in fact holds enough public meetings so that there isn’t an unreasonable delay in someone’s ability to file they would be in compliance with the statute.

Jonathan E. Cowal, Esq.

Municipal Services Counsel

NH Municipal Association

25 Triangle Park Drive

Concord NH 03301

Tel: (603) 224-7447

Email:legalinquiries@nhmunicipal.org

https://www.nhmunicipal.org/federal-funding-and-resources

https://www.nhmunicipal.org/nhmas-81st-annual-conference-and-exhibition

​​​

In order to adopt this amendment about how to submit an application, the board must add the amendment to the regular procedures section mentioned in the bylaws. The bylaws say “These bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the members provided that the amendment is discussed at two successive meetings, which in our case would be the meetings for November 2022 and December 2022.

Handout: The Board received a copy of the October 16, 2022, The Keene Sentinel article that updated the NH House decision on the short-term rentals bill. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

ZBA Secretary

The Walpole Community Giving Tree Project is getting underway again for the 2022 holiday season. 

This project helps families provide holiday gifts for their children ages birth-18 (or older if still in high school).  Participating families must be residents of the Walpole township (Walpole, North Walpole, and Drewsville).

 We are currently receiving requests from families with the help of the local schools.  Now we need to get the requests out to potential “shoppers” in the community who would like to help. 

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  From NOVEMBER 5-19 only, tags will be available at the following locations during their regular business hours:  First Congregational Church (M-F 9-12, go to back door by ramp), the Walpole Library, Spencer’s Place, The Hungry Diner, Savings Bank of Walpole on Westminster St, and Mascoma Bank. 

Tags will be attached to a bulletin board.  You will fill out your contact information on one half of the perforated tag and leave it in the container.  Take the other half of the tag as your “shopping” list, and then attach it very securely to the gift before you return it. 

Gifts may be returned to any of the above locations until the last day of November. Gifts should NOT BE WRAPPED.

If you wish to help but do not wish to shop, there are 2 other options.  You may choose a tag and leave the whole tag and a donation in an envelope in the tag container, and someone will do the shopping for you.  Or, you can just leave a donation to help purchase gifts for tags that are unclaimed. We also hope to provide wrapping paper for the families.  Every little bit helps!

This is a wonderful project that helps to brighten the holiday season for many of our local families, and we appreciate everyone’s help! 

If you have any questions, you may contact us at weilcloues8808@gmail.com.

Happy holidays to you and yours!  Please stay safe and healthy!

Jeanne Cloues and Marcia Weil, project organizers

NOTE:  You may also mail donations directly to us at 192 Upper Walpole Road, Walpole, NH.  03608.  Please be sure to make checks out to Jeanne Cloues/Giving Tree Project.  Thank you.

Selectboard Present:​Steven Dalessio, Chair; Peggy L. Pschirrer; Cheryl Mayberry

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 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 $52,928.15 for checks issued October 14, 2022.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. This included a $34,495.16 payment to the NH Retirement System (NHRS).

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending October 8, 2022, in the amount of $29,331.65dated October 14, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,496.09.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – October 6, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 29, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting – September 20, 2022;

• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting – September 27 2022;

• Conservation Commission Meeting – October 3, 2022.

TIMBER INTENTS:

Map and Lot# 013-034-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Intent to Cut for the owner(s) of Map and Lot# 013-034-000.  This cut is located off of Old Cheshire Turnpike. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS:

2022-44, MAP and LOT# 008–144-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2022-44 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #008-144-000 to install two 13’ x 22’ ground mount solar arrays”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

2022-45, MAP and LOT# 005–033-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2022-45 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #005-033-000 to install two 13’ x 22’ ground mount solar arrays”.  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, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood:

Reservoir Dam Notice: The Town received a letter from NH DES that the Town will be granted $685,956.00 for the rehabilitation or removal of the high hazard dam. Mr. Dalessio is working on the application with Fuss & O’Neill. The application is due on or by December 1^st.

School and Old North Main H & H Studies: Mr. Dalessio reported that the hydrologic and hydraulic studies had been completed by Fuss & O’Neill. The reports were sent to FEMA. The cost is very similar between the projects. The projects are moving along for mitigation funding.

Former Central Plating Site: The final plan for the new parking lot has the drainage plan included stated Mrs. Pschirrer. To cover the Town, a permission letter is being requested from Mascoma Bank related to the drainage plan. The drainage is going to the center of the new parking lot. There is a tight budget for the remainder to the project due to cost increases. Paving may need to wait until the spring.

Hartmann Tree Invoice: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the invoice from Hartmann Tree and Garden for the pruning and assessment of the trees on the Common for the amount of $4,503.00 from the Quinton Fund”.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Hartmann Tree Proposal: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the proposal from Hartmann Tree and Garden for $660.00 to remove two stumps on the Common. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Appointment Notice: Ms. Mayberry moved to sign the appointment notice for Wendy Grossman to be an alternate on the Conservation Commission. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Letter to Jon MacClaren: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign the letter to Mr. Jon MacClaren. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

HealthTrust Transmittal/Agreement for 2023: Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the chair sign the transmittal with HealthTrust. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. There was a 11.7% increase in healthcare costs which was a large increase compared to 2022’s rate.

Covid Letter to Town Employees: Ms. Mayberry moved to send the Covid letter to employees with payroll checks/stubs.Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. Thanks was given to Mrs. Pschirrer for creating the letter.

Citizen Comment 2022-14: Mr. Dalessio is to check the bright lights on Spruce and Kilburn Streets. If the lights can be turned off, they will be turned off. Ms. Mayberry supports keeping the light on Spruce Street with a diffuser or lens.

Flooring Samples for Town Hall Hallway & Kitchen: Absinthe blue was chosen as the tile sample.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Hooper Trustees Meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 7:03 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:05 PM.

Walpole Power Committee: Ms. Mayberry had sent a thank you to Mr. Paul Looney and Mr. Dennis Marcom for their work on this committee. There was a discussion of the billing changes for Liberty Utility customers.

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.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

Walpole Players are happy to announce that “Hansel & Gretel” will be extended through the first weekend in November with 3 performances:  Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 PM Saturday, Nov. 5 at 4:00 PM Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 PM Tickets are available at Galloway real Estate and Mascoma Bank in Walpole, online at TheWalpolePlayers.org, and at the door prior to each performance.

Although it is very problematic for some to access the Town Hall while daytime construction is occurring, safety takes a priority over convenience. Those visiting or walking by the Town Hall MUST remain out of the construction work zone per federal law and OSHA rules. It is a requirement that the public walk around the flagged/coned off area in front of the Town Hall while daytime construction is in process. DO NOT lift the flagging or go beyond the cones to enter the work area. The public and worker safety are high concerns with an active mechanical lift and material movement.

For those with mobility challenges, there is one handicap parking spot on Elm Street adjacent to the sidewalk to the ramp to the southern main entrance for those with handicap tags/plates. Elm Street must be accessed from Washington Street on the south end of the Common to reach the handicap parking spot.

The street and sidewalk open once the roofers are finished for the day. The above is in effect only during weekday, daytime hours.

If there are any questions regarding work zone requirements, contact the Selectboard Office at 603-756-3672 to discuss the matter.

Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Miller, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Selectboard Representative Steve Dalessio, Alternate Trevor MacLachlan. Absent: Board member Bill Carmody and alternate Travis Adams. Mr. MacLachlan was asked and agreed to sit in for Mr. Carmody. Also at the meeting was Ray Boas, editor of The Walpole Clarion.

Recording: Secretary Marilou Blaine. This meeting was recorded. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the November 2022 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Call to order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm. 

Minutes:  Mr. Marcom moved to approve the minutes of the September 2022 meeting as written. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried with an abstention from Mr. Dalessio because he was not at the September meeting.

New Business:

Fieldstone Land Consultants will present a conceptual plan for a Dunkin next to General Dollar. Chuck Ritchie will be here to explain their plans.

Civil Engineer Nate Chamberlain of Fieldstone Land Consultants was at the meeting to explain the plans for a 2,000 square-foot Dunkin Donut, which would be located on the lot south of General Dollar on Route 12. Mr. Chamberlain pointed out the locations of Red Barn Lane and Dollar General and what he called condominium lots to the east. Mr. Miller said those aren’t condominium lots and he wasn’t sure how the lot got that title. It’s just a separate lot, he said.

Mr. Chamberlain continued that the proposal is to put a Dunkin Donuts on this lot and customers would come in from Route 12, drive around a parking lot and the building to the drive-thru, which is on the north side of the building. The driveway around the building and parking lot is three lanes wide and there is plenty of queue space around the building for cars, which would also exit on Route 12, he said. He pointed out the drain for storm water. 

Regarding the pumping station next to the pond, Mr. Chamberlain said engineers are reworking the area around the easement for the pumping station.

Mr. Miller asked if there were any questions. 

Where is the proposed boundary line for the lot? Mr. Dalessio asked. Is it just at the end of the pond?  

Mr. Chamberlain said yes it is at the edge of the pond. Mr. Dalessio then asked how much green space is left on that lot? Mr. Chamberlain estimated it to be about 30 percent. Mr. Dalessio there needs to be 30 percent of the property in green space. Mr. Chamberlain said he thinks there definitely is that amount. Does that have to be noted on the final plan? he asked. Mr. Dalessio said yes. He also asked if there would garden plants there and Mr. Chamberlain said yes.

Mr. Chamberlain pointed out where the dumpster would be saying a front loader dumpster would come in and pick it up. Can the front loader get around the cars and things in the driveway? a board member asked. Mr. Chamberlain said yes but the dumpster probably would not be picked up during peak times of traffic.

Mr Chamberlain said traffic for Dunkin would enter and exit from Route 12 as well as from Red Barn Lane. Mr. Miller asked why can’t all the traffic be from Red Barn Lane instead of having another cut from Route 12. You run into the same problem as the board had before at the other place. You have good cut now, why not simplify it and use that?  Mr. Chamberlain said he will take that information back to the developer. Mr. Miller continued that if you have people coming in and out of Red Barn Lane and then there’s Pete’s Stand, which is seasonal but still brings in a good amount of traffic, it’s going to be a nightmare. It’s the same thing the state approved before but with cars going into Shaw’s and across the street to Walgreens, it created a safety situation. 

You mentioned a previous location, Mr. Chamberlain said. Where was it? Mr. Miller responded it was up by Shaw’s. 

Mr. Chamberlain said the drawback with only using Red Barn Lane is that you are not going to have two lanes. Mr. Dalessio said he would agree with Mr. Miller that the distance between the two cuts (Red Barn Lane and Dunkin) is not very large. It’s also the highest accident area in the space below the top of the hill. Mr. Miller said the cars are coming down the hill and then right across the street someone pulls out, referring to someone pulling out from Pete’s Farm Stand. It’s seasonal, but it gets a lot of traffic, a lot of people use it, he said. You have to simplify it.

Mr. Marcom said the other place was turned down because of the safety issues of people coming out onto Route 12. Mr. Dalessio said the preferred exit for the previous proposal was from North Meadow Plaza. And then everyone on the board began talking about the problems they had before with the previous Dunkin proposal.

Ms. Andros went up to Chamberlain’s display and wanted to know where the up road went. He explained that was the road out to Red Barn Lane. The land abutting this land to the east is where they are currently building storage units.

Mr. Miller asked whether the Dunkin franchise in Jiffy Mart is owned by the same developer. Mr. Chamberlain didn’t know but said he would have to check on that. Mr. Miller thought it was the previous management as did Mr. Boas. It’s the same situation as last time only the last problem was at the top of the hill and now it’s at the bottom, Mr. Boas said. The state regulates that highway and NHDOT gave an approval for that cut and also recommended multiple lanes, which the developer was willing to do, Mr. Harrington said. The problem, Mr. Miller said, is that the state regulates the highway and takes into consideration certain criteria and safety concerns but doesn’t take into consideration how local people experience driving here. 

Mr. Miller asked about a time frame. Are you ready for a public hearing next month? Mr. Chamberlain didn’t think so. So it was decided that at the November meeting, which will be on the second floor because of the election, Fieldstone Land Consultants will present the final site plan application and ask for a public hearing in December. Mr. Chamberlain agreed to that. 

Mr. MacLachlan said at that time he’d also like to see elevations of the building as well. Mr. Chamberlain said okay.

October workshop

Mr. Miller proposed having a workshop meeting this month to talk about size of lots. He referred to a letter by an abutter of land on County Road that was being subdivided in June. The letter said, “While zoning for the town’s “outlier” areas remains “rural/agricultural”, future development will be residential most certainly. Statistically, farms and farm land are dwindling and residential development of these lands is cause for concern and will require carefully thought and planning. Nobody wishes to thwart the development of these lands, but to avoid the kind of gerrymandering of lots that was on display last evening, I would urge you and Board to implement simple, common sense residential zoning for areas currently zoned “rural/agricultural.”

So on Tuesday, Oct. 25, the Planning Board will have a workshop meeting in the basement conference room starting at 7 pm.

Fees for abutters increase? The cost of sending certified letters has recently jumped to $7.85. Currently the rate to send abutter letters is $8. Should the Planning Board raise its rates?  

After a short discussion it was decided that the fee for abutter certified/return receipt letters will be the exact cost of what USPS specifies at time a letter is sent. The fees of all land-use applications will be displayed on the town website and soon placed in the hallway of the Town Hall soon.

Mr. Marcom made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Jodi has given us a heads up! – Lil

Hydrants will be flushed October 26^th and 27^th  Contact the Selectboard office with any questions 603-756-3672.

The next WOW meeting is Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 2:00pm at the home of Amy Howard, 21 Colonial Drive.

Present:  Amy Howard (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Gail LaHaise, Susan Johnson, 

Tim Lester, Sarah Mann, Erin Bowen, Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director)

Absent:  Bill Ranauro

Amy called the meeting to order at 4:33 p.m. This meeting was recorded.

Approval of Minutes:  Sarah moved to accept the September 20 minutes as written.  Tim seconded, and all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:  It was decided that Jennifer would be asked to focus on landscape maintenance rather than planting next year in an effort to stay within the projected $1,400 budget.  This year’s overage was due in part to the trees planted by the road.  

Bills:  There was no discussion about the bills.  Tim moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills.  Sarah seconded, and all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Old Business

Volunteer/Staff Appreciation Dinner:  Kathy announced the dinner will be held on November 10 at 5:30 in Town Hall.  The dinner will include trustees, staff, Friends of the Library, library volunteers, and spouses. Sarah created invitations, which Jane distributed to the trustees at the meeting. Kathy estimated that a minimum of 40 people will attend.  

Kathy has secured the caterer.  The trustees decided that they will provide appetizers, and the caterer will prepare the entree and desserts.  

Kathy has tablecloths, and she will purchase the wine and disposable plates for apps and cups.

Bill suggested having a raffle, which the committee is still organizing.  Decorations and set-up and clean-up crews will be decided at the next board meeting. Amy will prepare remarks for the occasion.

Jane said she will close the library at 5:00 that day.

Logo/Branding:  Sarah is working with the designer on icons, colors, fonts, and brand guidelines.  She plans to have this for the November board meeting, though it may be delayed due to the designer’s work schedule.

New Business

Budget:  The trustees were reminded that building maintenance and electricity and salaries are covered in the town budget. The library budget (books, etc.) is not submitted to the town. 

Jane distributed a copy of the preliminary 2023 budget and explained a few changes that she made, based on needs and usage this year.  She lowered expected donations. She added $3500 to Technology for new Chromebooks but doesn’t feel that much should be needed.  She raised the Advertising budget to fund the roll-out of the new logo (possibly bags, magnets). Sarah suggested doing research on what these items cost and how many the library would need.  Would they be given away free, or will they be for purchase?  Sarah, Susan, and Amy said they would research ideas for the roll-out and report back to the board.

Jane stated they would like to have a new moveable bookshelf in the children’s room of the main library.  Kathy stated she could research the cost, and add it to the children’s misc. line.  It would be paid for by the O. Hubbard Fund.  

Jane stated the Staff Development budget was increased to accommodate a NE/NH Library Association conference she will attend.

Jane increased the cost of museum passes because she will buy an additional one for Montshire Museum because they are so popular.

Operations 

To summarize:

​• 21 new library cards were registered in September.

​• Library visits are up compared to 2020 and 2021.

​• N. Walpole visits more than doubled from August to September.

​• Julie and some patrons are doing a research project to find out more about the history of the branch library.

​• Jane is putting together a Challenge packet, which will be presented to patrons who bring a challenge to a book or program.  It contains the library’s mission statement, collection development policy, program policy, and other information, as well as forms and information needed to bring a challenge.

​• Jane reviewed upcoming October programs.

​

Buildings and Grounds:  Jane reached out to Barry about wrapping the chimney. He said he could do it between now and mid-November.  He will send a quote for chimney removal ASAP.

Tim said he would touch base with Mark about the door.

Jane got the chalkboard paint today for the sign.

Friends of the Library:  The next two Wednesdays they will be sorting books for the book sale.

Adjournment:  With no further business to discuss, Tim moved to adjourn the meeting.  Gail seconded, and Amy adjourned the meeting at 5:29 p.m.

The next meeting will be November 8, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. at the main branch.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the November 8, 2022 meeting.

The Walpole PlayersThis Weekend’s Performances of “Hansel & Gretel” are CANCELLED Sadly,, due to a cast member testing positive for Covid-19, this weekend’s performances (Oct. 21-22) of “HANSEL & GRETEL” are CANCELLED. We still plan to have performances the weekend of Oct. 28-29, and are hoping to add an additional weekend on Nov. 4-5.  As soon as the additional dates can be confirmed we will do so! In the meantime, if you have purchased tickets for this weekend, we will honor them at any show next weekend. If you purchased tickets and cannot attend next weekend, please contact us and we will issue a full refund. Please email WalpolePlayers@gmail.com or call (603) 756-2535. Thank you for your understanding!