The Walpolean

My apologies to Steve Grenier for missing his email yesterday. He wanted to let everyone know that the hydrants would be flushed last night (5/11) and tonight (5/12). Anyone experiencing cloudy water should let the water run until it clears.

The First Congregational Church of Walpole will be having our spring rummage/yard sale on Saturday, May 21st from 9:00-1:00.  We will have housewares and other items outside and clothing for all seasons inside.  
 Our much anticipated bag sale will happen at noon.
 A baked goods table will also be set up.
 We look forward to seeing you.

Selectboard Present:      Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy L. Pschirrer; Cheryl Mayberry

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting was being recorded.

Mr. Dalessio called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present:  Peggy Pschirrer was present; Cheryl Mayberry was present; and Steven Dalessio, Chair, was present.  Also present was Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.  There was one member of the public in attendance:  Jan Galloway-Leclerc, Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

NEW BUSINESS:

JAN GALLOWAY-LECLERC, Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA):  Mrs. Jan Galloway-Leclerc reported that last night at the ZBA meeting they talked about getting some maps made.  Mr. Peter Palmiotto had zoning maps that she distributed to the Selectboard.  These were done when they were working on the Wellhead Protection District.  She found a mistake on them; they do not show the commercial area where Pinnacle View is.  These maps might have been done before that zoning change was made.  They were going to get 20 copies made besides enough for whoever on the Boards might want them.  Maybe a few copies could be framed and put out where the Selectboard would prefer to put them.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned that Mr. Lew Shelley is going to be making a wooden rack for maps of trails, conservation land, etc. that will be put in the hallway.  There are shelves in the hallway.  Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc thought about putting them up on the walls.  Mr. Dalessio said there is an obsolete map in the office.  He suggested having an issue date put on it so they know when this map was created.  Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc felt the legend should be removed as that was added when doing the map for the Wellhead Protection District.  She wondered if the notations could go over to the side as right now you cannot tell what is underneath them.  Dearborn Circle needs to be extended and zoned correctly.  Mr. Dalessio stated it would be nice to get an old road that might have been “thrown-up” in Drewsville on the map but that was not resolved. There is not much commercial land left.  The maps were reviewed for accuracy.  Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc will do some research on a few areas before having the maps printed.  Mr. Dalessio advised the map has to be accurate before it is hung up because a developer/realtor will look at it and assume it is. When the map is accurate, he is not opposed to having it printed.  The map does not go down south far enough because it is not picking up the Industrial Zone.  Maybe they should consider having a second map or the existing map should be larger?  Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc will continue working on the map until some of the issues mentioned are resolved.                     

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (c) Reputations.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 6:53 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:44 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of April 21, 2022, will be sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $27,736.04 for checks issued April 22, 2022.  This includes a payment in the amount of $5,301.50 to Ransom Consulting.  The Town will be reimbursed for this expenditure from the former Central Plating Site Brownfields Grant.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending April 16,2022, in the amount of $29,499.79 for checks dated April 22, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,871.07.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – April 14, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 14, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – April 14, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of April 14, 2022, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  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 Board of Commissioners Meeting – March 29, 2022;
• North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners Meeting – April 5, 2022;
• Library Trustees Meeting – April 12, 2022;
• Planning Board Meeting – April 12, 2022.

VETERANS TAX CREDITS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the following three Veterans Tax Credits for the owner(s) of the following properties:

• MAP and LOT #003-058-000;
• MAP and LOT #022-002-000;
• MAP and LOT #009-063-000.

All of the applicants or their spouses served over 90 days of active duty during a time of conflict and were honorably discharged.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

CURRENT USE:

MAP AND LOT #017-013-000 and #017-014-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Application for Current Use Assessment for the owner(s) of Map and Lots #017-013-000 and #017-014-000.  These two abutting parcels in the same owner’s names have over 10 combined acres of undisturbed land.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

TIMBER TAX WARRANTS:

MAP and LOT #009-006-000 and MAP and LOT #009-008-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Timber Tax Warrants and the Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #009-006-000 in the amount of $237.56 and Map and Lot #009-008-000 in the amount of $22.40.  These lots are off of Maple Grove Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS:

Permit #2022-10, MAP and LOT #008-024-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit #2022-10 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #008-024-000 to construct a “24’ x 16’ Greenhouse”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Permit #2022-11, MAP and LOT #024-015-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit #2022-11 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #024-015-000 to build a “12’ x 24’ Shed”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

North Walpole Library Lease:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign the North Walpole Library Lease.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Police Department Revolving Fund Request:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Police Department request to purchase one (1) Motorola APX8500 Dual Band Radio that was delivered last year for the amount of $5,437.83 from their Revolving Fund.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

True North Networks Purchase Order and Quote:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #789065 for True North Networks to do an SQL update on the server for the amount of $1,639.00.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Trees on the Common:  Mrs. Downing advised that Mr. Joe Hartmann, as a first step, is to create an estimate to remove the deadwood from the trees on the Common.

Personnel Policy Handbook re: Compensation Time:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Personnel Policy Handbook amendment regarding Compensation Time.  This is updated text to limit compensation time to certified police officers.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PENDING FURTHER ACTIONS:

Wastewater Line Under the Vilas Bridge, Generators, Reservoir Dam, Houghton Brook Bridge, Parking Ordinance, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood.  There were no new updates except for the Vilas Bridge.

Vilas Bridge:  Mr. Dalessio reported there is work in-progress on Walpole’s wastewater line underneath the Vilas Bridge.  It is possible the State might require them to move that line off the bridge.

NEW BUSINESS:

Recreation Department Revolving Fund Request:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign the purchase order to Swank Motion Pictures for the amount of $2,025.00 to be withdrawn from the Recreation Department Revolving Fund.  This is for five films to be shown in North Walpole and Walpole.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Feather Flag at Jiffy Mart:  Mr. Dalessio advised that a violation was reported to the Selectboard by two individuals.  Enforcement is an issue.  People will be notified after the ordinance has been placed in the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s office.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 8:12 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:24 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any other discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

The Fall Mountain Scholarship Fund provides the opportunity for many area students to continue with their studies after graduating from FMRHS. The committee asked if I might help them share some of these success stories with my readers. Hope you are as proud of these young people as I am. – Lil

Fall Mountain Scholarship Fund Spotlight

The board members of the Fall Mountain Scholarship Fund would like to recognize Abby Ferland from Walpole N.H.  She is a past scholarship recipient.

Abby is a 2016 graduate from Fall Mountain Regional High School.  While at Fall Mountain, she was involved in Class Counsel, ran track and was President of Student Congress her Senior year.  Might we add, Abby was Salutatorian of her graduating class.

Upon High School graduation, Abby chose to attend Connecticut College in New London, Conn. She relayed that receiving the scholarship from the Fall Mountain Scholarship Fund allowed her to choose a school that she really wanted to go to and not have to worry about how she was going to pay for her continued education.  Abby graduated from Connecticut College in 2020 with a degree in Gender, Sexuality and Intersectionality Studies and minored in Slavic Studies and Government.

Currently, Abby is a Lead Coach at Jewish Vocational Services in Boston which, is a Work Force Development Program that empowers clients to build and advance their careers in the United States.  Abby primarily works with refugees and immigrants. She works with her clients on goals and developing a plan. Furthermore, she connects them with training and education resources with a long term goal of her clients achieving employment in the United States.

Abby, we applaud your decision to further your education and are proud of your success.

Roll Call: Board members present: Chair Jan Leclerc, Vice-Chair Ernie Vose, Clerk Tom Murray, Pauline Barnes, Tom Winmill. Alternates present: Don Sellarole, Judy Trow, Dave Edkins.

 Also present were Marcia Galloway, Myra Mansouri, Cindy Westover, Tim Latham, Elizabeth Roos, Deborah Tobey, Maggie Suttles and Bruce Blanchette.

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

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

Minutes: Ms. Leclerc had something to say about the minutes. She said after our last meeting a board member asked if a member could send some additions to the minutes and she said “sure” and subsequently found out that that is a big no-no. “I should have said no,” she said. She continued saying the Board cannot amend the minutes that way and today the Board will review minutes that were sent to members. The Board should not email one another on things he/she wants to change in the minutes. Also if any member wants to have his/her exact words printed in the minutes – that’s not how minutes are usually taken or printed – but if that’s what you want you must write down what you want to say, read it and give a printed copy to the secretary so the words can be printed in the minutes. Does that sound fair? Ms. Leclerc asked.

The Zoning Board’s new member Mr. Winmill had another suggestion. He said instead of the secretary drafting the minutes and distributing the minutes to the public why don’t we, as a board, look at preliminary minutes so we can make changes then. Ms. Barnes said that’s what we are doing now. But the minutes that I received were the same one that were on The Walpolean, Mr. Winmill said. Ms. Leclerc said those are the draft minutes. They have to be distributed within a certain time limit. But, Mr. Winmill said, the secretary gets to distribute the minutes without any comments from the board members. That’s her job, Ms. Leclerc said. The secretary writes a draft of the meeting and they are approved at the following meeting, she continued. “We’re required to get the minutes out to the public within a certain amount of time. The board would have to have another public meeting to correct those minutes, Ms. Leclerc said. Mr. Winmill responded that he was concerned if Adolph Hitler were drafting the minutes and if he were to say on “March 16 Donald Duck came in and he made a presentation about Goofy” and that went out to the public, wouldn’t we want to be able to change that process before it goes out to the public? Mr. Winmill asked. Ms. Leclerc said the members would say that wasn’t correct at the next meeting and it would be corrected. Mr. Winmill said it seems very cumbersome and we’re going to spend a lot of time making corrections to these minutes. If that’s the only way, so be it.

We’re also not going to consider one person’s opinion on grammar versus another person’s opinion, Ms. Leclerc said. A little bit of that is fine but the important thing is to get the facts out. So if you want your words in the minutes, word for word, please write them down. Mr. Vose said, “That makes sense.”

Mr. Winmill said he had corrections to the minutes. He would be happy to go over them word by word but it may be annoying to everyone. In the second paragraph where it says the minutes were recorded, it should say the meeting is electronically recorded. In the paragraph beginning “Does the Chair set the agenda for the meeting,” all those are things that Ms. Leclerc said but they are written as statements of fact. The secretary said that what Ms. Leclerc said “were facts.” Unless there is something that is terribly erroneous it’s not necessary make a correction unless it was something that was terribly erroneous, Ms. Leclerc said.

Mr. Winmill continued and said on the first page his name is misspelled and the paragraph suggests that these are facts. These were comments by Ms. Leclerc and not statements of fact. The problem is, Mr Winmill said, it says things like applicants contact the secretary and they are put on the agenda. Where is that written? Mr. Winmill asked. Is that the case?  They are not in the rules of procedure, Mr. Winmill said. Ms. Barnes said this is what happens. She didn’t see what the problem was.  Ms. Leclerc said if you’re worried about this you can say that Ms. Leclerc said all those things. Likewise, Mr. Winmill said on page 2, Ms. Leclerc said it is a next paragraph is also a statement of fact. And the next line, the answer was the same as above. The reference to what was the answer was the same as above refers to a question Mr. Winmill had about a possible variance. The answer to both questions is “Ms. Leclerc said an applicant has to come to a meeting to explain to the board what he/she is going to do.”

In the paragraph on the daycare center, Mr. Windmill continued, it says there is no update, but there is an update. The secretary said that Ms. Leclerc actually said there was no update and Ms. Leclerc agreed that she did say there was no update. But you go on to say, Mr. Winmill said, that the matter is in the hands of the Planning Board. That is an update, he said.

On page 3 the secretary writes New Member Agenda. “I was very put out,” Mr. Winmill said. There was a list of about 20 items for the board to consider and the list wasn’t even printed, he said. He didn’t know what he had to do to get something on the agenda, Mr. Winmill complained. “I went through each one of these and they are not even reflected in the minutes,” Mr. Winmill said. The secretary asked him to reread the minutes beginning at the bottom of page 3 and continuing on all of page 4 and the top of page 5. All that is about the items on Mr. Winmill’s list and why it would be advantageous for the board to consider them. Mr. Winmill spent several minutes rereading what he said at the March meeting. It is attached to these minutes as well as the list of items he wanted discussed at the meeting. 

Typically minutes aren’t’ that detailed Ms. Leclerc said and she asked the board how they wanted to amend the minutes with the list that Mr. Winmill handed out.

Mr. Sellarole said he didn’t have a problem with attaching what Mr. Winmill said to the minutes. He agreed that they are very detailed. So the secretary will attach the list of what Mr. Winmill said to tonight’s minutes, Ms. Leclerc said.

In the future, Ms. Leclerc said, if a person wants what they say at a meeting put in the minutes word for word, the statement needs to be written and read and given to the secretary, Ms. Leclerc said. Ms. Barnes said this is a good compromise, but she agreed that the minutes are not supposed to be word for word. They are a comprehensive summary of the business of the meeting. If exact replication is important to the speaker, then they should provide a copy of what is said.

Ms. Leclerc asked if there were any other thoughts. The Board was happy with attaching Mr. Winmill’s comments to the minutes. A motion was made and seconded that this would be the procedure. The motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. Murray opposed the motion.

The Board continued to consider the minutes. Ms. Trow made a couple of corrections. On page 1, 7^th paragraph, lets is repeated. Page 2, paragraph 5 and 6, board is repeated. on page 2. Mr. Winmill’s corrections are mentioned above. A motion was made and seconded to approved the amended minutes. The motion carried.

New Business:

Possibly Variance or Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use:

Elizabeth Roos, 14 Middle Street, Article V D-2, Tax Map 20, Lot 77, Residential B. Ms. Roos would like to change and slightly enlarge her deck on the west side of the house. The door to the deck is the second egress from the house. The door is even with the deck and gets frozen shut in the winter. Her plan is to drop the deck down one step. Request for a Public Hearing.

Ms. Deborah Tobey spoke about the proposed project. She is Elizabeth’s sister and the person residing at 14 Middle Street. She explained that she would liked to rebuild a deck at the back of the house. It is attached to the house and on the same level as the first floor. This winter there were several times she had to enter the house through the back door because the door on the deck was covered in ice and a couple of feet of snow. Ms. Tobey would like to rebuild the deck and extend it back six feet longer than now. The piece of land is 36 feet wide at the back and 39 feet at front. If you are building something it must be 20 feet from your lot line. That would mean part of the deck would be in Maggie’s yard or the parsonage yard, she said. The deck will no longer be attached to the house and she thought it would be safer if it were one step down. This way the door won’t be restricted from opening from either inside or outside the house. It would be the second egress from the house and be better in case of an emergency.

Ms. Leclerc said from the drawing presented it appears that the deck will not be any closer to the side boundaries than it is now and while it would be closer to the back of the property it would still be 20 feet away. Ms. Leclerc said she didn’t think she needed a variance, she needed an Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use. Mr. Vose also thought she needed an Expansion. It doesn’t involve the five criteria, Ms. Leclerc said. Your lot is non-conforming because of the date in which it the house was built.

Ms. Tobey said that is what she was told she needed. Ms. Leclerc said that you need an application for an Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use and you will need a public hearing next month. Ms. Tobey asked about the check she already submitted and Ms. Leclerc said that that would pay for the new application. A motion was made to have a public hearing for an Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use next month contingent on having received the application and fees paid. Mr. Winmill asked, “Why does she need a motion.” Ms. Leclerc said in order to hold a public hearing it has to be approved by the Board. Ms. Leclerc made a motion to hold a public hearing next month for an Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use for 14 Middle Street and contingent on an application being filled out and fees paid. Ms Barnes seconded the motion and the motion passed with 4 yeas. Mr. Winmill abstained.

Application corrections

Ms. Leclerc said some of our applications have a few errors or confusing language, but the Expansion application is okay to give to Ms. Tobey. Mr. Winmill said he wanted a copy too. So the secretary will send a copy of the application to both parties.

Mr. Winmill said that the application should be on the website as soon as possible. Ms. Leclerc said that she did not want the applications on the website if there were any errors. She suggested a workshop so corrections could be made, or she could give each member an application to work on and bring back to the next meeting with corrections. Ms. Trow suggested that all the board members look at all the applications and at the next meeting the members would come back with suggestions on what corrections should be made.

Mr. Winmill asked if there was a list of applications. Ms. Leclerc said “no.” It was suggested that the secretary make a list of all applications and send the list as well as copies of all the applications to the board. The secretary said she would do this after the minutes have been completed.

Signage:

US Cellular, 48 North Meadow Access Road. Article IV, D-6, Tax Map 12, Lot 55-13A, Commercial District. Owner of building is Blacker Holdings LLC. New sign company called. April or May meeting. Evelyn Negron contact. The secretary said as of today the sign company hasn’t send her a copy of the design but it may be on the agenda next month.

Special Exception in a rural/ag district:

Tim Latham has a sales agreement to purchase property on March Hill Rd. Article Vlll, C, Tax Map 11, Lot 53, 455 March Hill Road. He was at the meeting to ask for a special exception so he can use that property for his electrical business. He also attended the last planning board meeting to ask for a hearing to get the recommendation the ZBA will need. He will have his PB hearing May10th.

Mr. Latham handed out pictures of the building he plans to move his electrical business. He is moving it from his house, which is up the road from 455 March Hill. Picture No. 1 showed a building in back of a garage. Picture No. 2 is of the garage, which he will be removing because it is in disrepair and its very near the road. That will take care of a blind spot in the road, Latham said and removing the garage will give him more room for parking for his employees and customers. He has two employees. Ms. Leclerc said he’s been to the Planning Board and they set a public hearing for next month. If the ZBA decides to put a public hearing for this matter next month the board will be able to make a decision on the special exception. Mr. Sellarole asked Ms. Leclerc to explain. She said Mr. Latham wants to run a commercial business in a rural/ag district and that is allowed with a special exception. It was slaughterhouse originally, Mr. Latham said and then it was a place where they made pizza dough and the owner of the building uses it for storage now. Mr. Vose said these other businesses had to get special exceptions too. The secretary reminded him that he needed a letter from the owner. They already had one so it will go in the file. Ms. Leclerc said she did ask the Planning Board chair if we could put both the notices in one envelope and he agreed. The secretary checked with the NH Municipal Association to see it that was permissible and Attorney Jonathan Cowal said it was permitted. So Mr. Latham will have to pay for only one set of abutters who will receive certified/return receipt letters.

Mr. Murray made a motion to hold a public hearing in May for Mr. Latham to get a Special Exception in a rural/ag district at 455 March Hill, Map 11, Lot 53, for his electrician business contingent on an acceptable application and fees being paid. The motion was seconded and it carried unanimously with the board.

Bruce Blanchette, Signage at 8 Prospect Hill Road, Article IV D-4, Tax Map 19, Lot 70,  Residential A.

            Signs shall be permitted no larger than six (6) square feet in the Residential District.                            Free-standing signs shall be located no closer than ten (10) feet from a front, side or rear                             lot line. A free-standing sign shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height.

Mr. Blanchette was at the meeting to show his sign and asked if it conformed to the Zoning Board of Adjustments ordinance.

Ms. Leclerc said it might be a good idea to either go to a Planning Board meeting or get in touch with Chair Jeff Miller about the proposed gallery that the Zoning Board approved last month. Mr. Murray asked it that means he has to have a public hearing. Ms. Leclerc didn’t think so but said in the last month there has been some confusion and she didn’t want to hear that again.

Mr. Blanchette brought a picture of the proposed sign. He said the dimensions were 24 inches by 36 inches. It would be double-sided, not illuminated and on a 96-inch post, 10 feet from the street. The sign would go between the mail box and a speed sign further up the hill.

Mr. Winmill asked if there were an application for a sign. Ms. Leclerc said “no.” He asked why there was no application. Ms. Leclerc said the applicant needed to comply to the ordinance in his/her particular situation and that size of signs varied from one district to another district.

Ms. Leclerc said it appears to meet the setback, it is no larger than 6 feet and not more than 10 feet in height. Mr. Winmill asked if this information should be submitted in writing? It is standard practice that a copy of the sign dimensions and placement are submitted and put in the file. Ms. Leclerc asked if the  board agreed the sign conformed to the ordinance. The board indicated that it agreed. After the sign is up, she asked Mr. Blanchette to take a picture of the sign and send it to the secretary to put in his file. He said he would.

Old Business:

Clarion article for April. What is a Variance? Pauline Barnes.

Ms. Barnes submitted the next article that will be published in The Clarion. The secretary said a variance goes with the property. Should that be part of the article? she asked.

Mr. Edkins praised Ms. Barnes for the explanation of variance. He thought it was very well done. Ms. Barnes said it was a joint effort of three people, she, Ms. Mansouri and Mr. Vose. Regarding adding the additional information about going with the property, several board members thought it might be confusing.

Mr. Sellarole worried about the word “relaxation.” Ms. Barnes said she saw that used elsewhere. Mr. Sellarole seemed to think it was a funny choice of words. The idea is that a variance means that  someone is asking for something that is not allowed but you are asking the board to relax the reason for the ordinance. Mr. Edkins suggested using the words “strict enforcement of an ordinance.” This means allowing or relaxing that strict enforcement, he said. The rest of the board did not have a problem with the wording.

Ms. Barnes will be out of the country and won’t be back until a couple of day before the last meeting. She asked someone else from the group if he or she would take over the writing of the next article.  Ms. Mansouri and Mr. Vose agreed to do so. The Clarion deadline is after the date of the next meeting.

Copies of Zoning Map from Antioch.

Don Sellarole said he asked Peter Palmiotto if he could remove the contaminated sites from the map that the Zoning Board would like printed. He said he could. He could provide the board with 20 size A copies of the map and 2 size B copies for $100. Everyone on the board would receive a copy of this map. They would all be in color and the invoice would be sent to the Town Offices, PO Box 729 to the attention of the secretary.

The board wondered where it might be placed. Several members checked areas near the tax map and thought it might be hung out there in the hallway. Ms. Leclerc will ask the Select Board if the zoning board can have permission to hang the map.

Mr. Edkins suggested waiting until the board gets copies of the map until anything is done.

Adjournment:

Mr. Vose made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Murray seconded he motion and the motion carried.

Attachment of Mr. Winmill’s list and comments.

It was decided at the April meeting that Mr. Winmill’s list would be included at the end of the minutes of the regular meeting. Also, included are minutes he read.

Following is the list of items that Tom Mill he would like discussed at the March 16 meeting. It was discussed by the board that since it was such a long list that maybe one or two items should be discussed at upcoming meetings. In the March 16 there was an explanation of a couple of items on the list.

  Mr. Winmill then circulated to all present copies of a list of certain items for the Board to consider.

Adoption of NH model rules of procedure in place of 2019 Bylaws

Adoption of NH model forms of notices and applications

APPLICATION FORMS

• Appeal from an Administrative Decision

• Special Exception

• Variance

• Equitable Waiver of Dimensional Requirements

NEWSPAPER NOTICE

PERSONAL NOTICE

INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER VARIANCE WORKSHEET

FINDINGS OF FACTS

NOTICE OF DECISION: GRANTED

NOTICE OF DECISION: DENIED

Adoption of form of agenda

91-A:3 II (a), (b), (c) – Nonpublic session to discuss personnel

Access to the Town website for posting agendas, minutes, notices, etc.

ARTICLE XIV Penalty fines limit of $500

Building and Code Inspector outside of Flood Plain District

Discussion of New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives, Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques, Chapter 3.4 Preserving Dark Skies.

 This a copy of what Mr. Winmill read to the public at the April meeting.

“With respect to the NH model rules of procedure and NH model forms of notices and applications, Mr. Winmill stated that they were taken from the Zoning Board Handbook, The Board of Adjustment in New Hampshire: A Handbook for Local Officials – Updated 2021, which outlines the organization, functions, and duties of Zoning Boards of Adjustment in New Hampshire.  The materials are freely available on a website provided by the NH Office of Strategic Initiatives. The Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) is part of the Executive Department within the Office of the Governor.

“Mr. Winmill noted that these model procedures and forms are intended to provide a manner by which the work of the board can be carried out in a fair and effective manner.   Importantly, he stated that potentially the adoption of the model procedures and forms might also be helpful to the people of Walpole to understand what is going on and simplify how to approach the Walpole Zoning Board in appeals from an administrative decisions, special exceptions, variances, and equitable waivers of dimensional requirements.  Likewise, he said having standard forms of newspaper notice, personal notice, individual board member variance worksheet, findings of facts, notice of decision: granted, notice of decision: denied would give a greater assurance of equal treatment and fairness to all applications.

“Next, Mr. Winmill then explained the benefits of the adoption of a form of agenda whereby any matter before the board would be linked to the underlying application.  For example, if a variance were on the agenda, then the variance application would be attached so that all interested Walpoleans and others could be apprised of the matter in detail.

“Next, Mr. Winmill then requested that the Zoning Board have more immediate access to the Town website for posting agendas, minutes, notices, etc.  He noted that currently https://www.walpolenh.us/zoning-board-of-adjustment.html does not have agendas to provide notice of upcoming meetings or historical reference for past meetings.  Likewise, he noted that https://www.walpolenh.us/document-center.html might be an ideal location for all existing documents of the Zoning Board, such as its 2019 Bylaws, but also the model forms discussed above if adopted. Ms. Blaine responded by stating that currently the process is that there is a person who has been hired to put things on the website; he/she does not work in the Town Offices. Mr. Winmill said notices, agendas, minutes could all go on the website and maybe the secretary could have contact with that person and notices will be distributed to that person. Ms. Leclerc said that Mr. Dalessio told her that anything that goes on the website has to go through Sarah Downing. Ms. Leclerc stated that another problem is that someone might call the day of the meeting wanting to be put on the agenda; or actually any person could walk right in tonight and ask questions of the Board, get advice on what application he/she would need after there is an explanation of what the person would like to do. The secretary stated that she would be willing to send the agenda to Sarah if that’s what the chair thought best. Ms. Leclerc said she would like to think about it but she likes the idea that anyone can walk in and make a request or ask a question without being on the agenda.

Next, Mr. Winmill then raised the issue of the ARTICLE XIV Penalty fines limit of $500 contained in Walpole Zoning Ordinances (south of the Cold River). It was discussed that the limit negates the ability of Walpole to enforce its zoning ordinances, and past examples were discussed. Mr. Winmill requested that the Board consider ways to work with the Planning Board and Selectboard to correct this issue.  He then volunteered to draft language, such as “Any violation of this Ordinance shall be made punishable by a fine of not more than$100.00 for each day such violation may exist after the conviction date; provided, however, that the total fines imposed for any single violation shall not exceed $500.00 to the extent permitted under the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, Title LXIV (64) Planning and Zoning, or any successor statute as may then be in effect.”

Next, Mr. Winmill then noted that Walpole Zoning Ordinances (south of the Cold River) provide for no“ Building and Code Inspector outside of the Flood Plain District, and that he was not sure that there even was a Building and Code Inspector for the Flood Plain District.  Mr. Winmill requested that the Board consider ways to work with the Planning Board and Selectboard to correct this issue.

“Next, Mr. Winmill then requested a discussion of New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives, Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques, Chapter 3.4 Preserving Dark Skies. The matter was discussed and a general consensus appeared to be in favor in reducing stray light pollution in Walpole. Mr. Winmill requested that the Board consider ways to work with the Planning Board and Selectboard to correct this issue.”

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

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

Posted: Inside the Town Offices, on the bulletin board outside the Post Office.

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting was being recorded.

Mr. Dalessio called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present:  Peggy Pschirrer was present; Cheryl Mayberry was present; and Steven Dalessio, Chair, was present.  Also present was Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.  One member of the public was in attendance:  Jennie Plante.

OLD BUSINESS:

Maplewood Circle Traffic Patterns and Speed Limit:  Mrs. Pschirrer had attended the Planning Board meeting on April 12. 2022, when the Public Hearing to gather information on traffic, speed limits and parking in the Maplewood Circle and Firehouse Road neighborhood was discussed.  She pointed out that the neighborhood has changed; more people are coming and going constantly and there were several requests that the Town buy new traffic signs.  There were some good suggestions for the Selectboard to consider.  One suggestion was to make the speed limit in front of the daycare 15 MPH plus a request from a resident to consider making Maplewood Circle a one-way street.  The neighbors agreed there was too much traffic going too fast and even though there are speed signs posted, people seem to ignore them.  The three Selectboard members agree that with any posted speed signs the problem is enforcement.  The Town does not have traffic police officers.  Mrs. Pschirrer is in the process of revising the Parking Ordinances as they need to be understandable and in plain English.  Right now they are heavily quoted with RSAs.  The Parking Ordinances need to be adopted at a Town Meeting. Therefore, there is time to rewrite them before March 2023.  Ms. Plante mentioned the signs have been posted for a long time.  There are “Children at Play” signs.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that none of the Town roads are consistent on their width.  Mr. Dalessio noted every time the road gets paved, there is the possibility of the width changing slightly. He will discuss this with Mr. Mike Rau, Road Agent.  He has no problem with changing the speed limit to 15 MPH but as Mrs. Pschirrer said, the real issue is the Town does not have an officer who can sit on the corner and watch the traffic for an extended period of time.   Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the Highway Department has a way to check traffic.  There was discussion on which would be the best way to change the traffic pattern to one-way.  Mr. Dalessio advised the Town just purchased two solar speed units; one will be placed by the North Walpole School but they haven’t decided on a location for the second unit.  If they work out, more will be purchased in the future.  The first priority is to make sure everybody is safe.  Ms. Plante wants to be sure parents and children will be able to exit vehicles safely by the daycare.            

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $612,260.76 for checks issued April 15, 2022.  This includes a monthly payment in the amount of $529,226.92 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending April 9, 2022, in the amount of $28,692.21 for checks dated April 15, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,799.28.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – April 7, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 7, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – April 7, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of April 7, 2022, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  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:

• Walpole Fire District Monthly Meeting – January 5, 2022;

• Walpole Fire District Monthly Meeting – February 9, 2022;

• Walpole Fire District Monthly Meeting – March 2, 2022;

• Walpole Power Committee Meeting – March 30, 2022;

• Conservation Commission Meeting – April 4, 2022.

VETERANS TAX CREDIT:

MAP and LOT #013-009-007:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Veterans’ Tax Credit to the owner(s) of Map and Lot #013-009-007.  This applicant served over 90 days of active duty during a time of conflict and was honorably discharged.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTIONS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Solar Energy Exemptions for the owner(s) of the following two properties:

• MAP and LOT #021-023-000 for $18,000;

• MAP and LOT #021-036-000 for $12,000.

Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Endorsement Letter re: Expansion of Walpole Fire Station:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to sign the Endorsement Letter regarding the Expansion of the Walpole Fire Station to Nick Brown, District Director, and Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster(NH-02).  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PENDING FURTHER ACTIONS:  

Generators, Reservoir Dam, Houghton Brook Bridge, Parking Ordinance, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood

Trees on the Common:  Mrs. Downing is waiting for a certified arborist to contact her about the trees on the Common.

Vilas Bridge:  Mr. Dalessio reported that they were supposed to do a drone video of conditions on the Vilas Bridge for preliminary engineering on movement of the wastewater line off the bridge.

Post-Recorded Lien Interest Rate:  Ms. Mayberry advised that the interest rate for taxable property is 8% for past due payments.  Once a lien is placed on a property, the interest rate climbs to 14% annually.  After three (3) years when the Town is able to Deed the property; in the past they have stopped accruing interest.  The question was should they still be accounting for that potential debt at 8% or 14% up until the sale or buy-back?  The RSA is not clear and leaves this somewhat open which is why they were being asked to decide.  In summary, there was a consensus of the Selectboard to accrue taxable rate interest at 8% after deeding and up until the sale or buy-back.

NEW BUSINESS:

New Library Front Door Purchase Order and Contractor Agreement:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #789233 in the amount of $4,500 to Mark McGill, McGill Woodworking for a new Library Front Door that was approved at the Annual Town Meeting under Warrant Article #11.  A $2,500 payment is due with the order.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

North Walpole Library Lease:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners agreed to a two year lease for the North Walpole Library.  She will write the new lease.

Thank–You Letters:  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged receipt of Thank-You letters from the Community Volunteer Transportation Company (CVTC) and the Monadnock Family Services for the Town’s annual donations.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 7:12 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:16 PM.

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 and (c) Reputations.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:44 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of April 14, 2022, will be sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

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 7:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

I was just advised that the email link to request the Zoom link for Great Decisions is incorrect. If you need help from Jane Malmberg, you should email her at jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

Hope this helps. – Lil

War in Ukraine & Changing Demographics

The second “Great Decisions” public forum will meet on Monday, May 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hubbard Community Room at the Walpole Town Library. As the war in Ukraine grinds on without an end in sight, we will continue our discussion of Putin’s Russia and the crisis in Ukraine, then segue to changing demographics, with a focus on U.S. immigration, refugee and asylum policy and enactment. The forum will be moderated by Tom Durnford, Professor Emeritus, and is free and open to the public.

A first-hand report from two of our fellow Walpoleans who are now in Poland working with Ukrainian refugees will begin the evening. Dennis Marcom and Peter Stolley will describe their experience and the plight of Ukrainians fleeing their war-ravaged country.

The articles from the Foreign Policy Association’s “Great Decisions” briefing book that are relevant to the discussion are “Changing demographics in the world” by Joseph Chamie and “Putin’s Russia” by Allen Lynch. These are available from the Walpole Town Library or copies may be requested via email: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

Also available at the library is a “Great Decisions” DVD with Master Classes (lasting 30 minutes) on each topic. The Master Class on Demographics will be shown during the public forum on May 2.

The public is welcome to attend in person or via Zoom. To obtain the Zoom link to the meeting, please send a request to jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

Founded in 1954 under the auspices of the Foreign Policy Association, “Great Decisions” has become the largest non-partisan education program on foreign policy and international affairs in America. We are grateful for the support of Library Director Jane Malmberg and our public library in hosting this exceptionally informative discussion program. Please join us on May 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Walpole Town Library.

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $27,736.04 for checks issued 4/22/2022

PAYROLL

• Payroll Register totaling $29,499.79 dated 4/22/22 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $5,871.07

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

• Selectboard Meeting – April 14, 2022

• Non-Public Session Selectboard – April 14, 2022

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting – March 29, 2022

• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting – April 5, 2022

• Library Trustees Meeting – April 12, 2022

• Planning Board Meeting – April 12, 2022

VETERANS TAX CREDIT

• Map and Lot# 003-058-000

• Map and Lot# 022-002-000

• Map and Lot# 009-063-000

CURRENT USE

• Map and Lots# 017-013-000 and 017-014-000

TIMBER TAX WARRANTS

• Map and Lot# 009-006-000

• Map and Lot# 009-008-000

BUILDING PERMITS

• 2022-10, Map and Lot# 008-024-000

• 2022-11, Map and Lot# 024-015-000

OLD BUSINESS

• North Walpole Library Lease

• Police Dept. Revolving Fund Request

• True North Networks PO and Quote

• Trees on the Common

• Personnel Policy Handbook re: Compensation Time

Pending Further Actions

• Wastewater Line under the Vilas Bridge, Generators, Reservoir Dam, Houghton Brook Bridge, Parking Ordinance, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood

NEW BUSINESS

• Recreation Dept. Revolving Fund Request

• Feather Flag at Jiffy Mart

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES

• Hooper Trustee Meeting – April 7, 2022

• Non-Public Session Hooper Trustees – April 7, 2022

• Hooper Trustee Meeting – April 14, 2022

HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS

• March 2022 Reimbursement to the Town of Walpole from the Hooper Education Fund

• March 2022 Reimbursement to the Town of Walpole from the Hooper Maintenance Fund

• Appointment Notices

HOOPER NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II

SELECTBOARD MEETING – continued

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

**Any recording, audio or visual, and/or other devices must be declared at the beginning of the meeting