The Walpolean

ATTN: Residents of Walpole, North Walpole, and Drewsville — your town library staff and Board of Trustees want to hear from you! If you have five minutes to take a brief survey on Walpole and library usage, we’d love to hear your thoughts. You can click the link below or visit the Main Library or the North Walpole Branch to fill out a paper form.  Surveys will be collected until April 15.  Thanks in advance for your help!” 

https://forms.gle/8rvjE5K1ZWicm9TbA

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.  They are meeting at the Town Hall for the first time in quite a while as opposed to doing Zoom meetings; that is good.  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 Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.  There were no members of the public in attendance.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $104,421.26 for checks issued March 25, 2022.  This includes a deposit payment in the amount of $50,000 to Melanson Company for the Town Hall roof.  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 March 19, 2022, in the amount of $28,154.28 dated March 25, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,581.33.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – March 17, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of March 17, 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 – March 17, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 17, 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 REPORT:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee report:

• Library Trustee Meeting Minutes – March 14, 2022.

VETERANS’ TAX CREDIT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the following two Veterans’ Tax Credits as follows:

• MAP and LOT #008-032-000:  For All Veteran’s Tax Credit.
• MAP and LOT #011-043-002:  For Veterans’ Tax Credit.

Both applicants served over 90 days of active service and were honorably discharged.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT:

Permit #022-09, MAP and LOT #008-009-001:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit #2022-09 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #008-009-001 to “Add two 24’ x 17’ Roof Mount Solar Arrays”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Highway Sidewalk Tractor Purchase Order and Cost Estimate:  Mr. Dalessio reported this Highway Sidewalk Tractor, Warrant Article #7, was approved by the voters at the Annual Town Meeting.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Purchase Order #389871 for $165,000 to H.P. Fairfield for a new Highway Sidewalk Tractor and equipment.  ($85,000 will come from the Unassigned Fund Balance and $85,000 will come from the Highway Capital Reserve Fund.)  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Houghton Brook Bridge Wetlands Permit:  Mr. Dalessio reported the Town received the Houghton Brook Bridge Wetlands Permit. Now they are in the process of getting bids and will move forward on the project, maybe in the Fall.  It is moving along well.

Former Brownfields Site-New Parking Lot:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised they had a very successful meeting on Wednesday at 10:00 AM with two members of the EPA from Boston; Katy Deng, Project Director, and Jim Byrnes.  Steve Rickerich, Consulting Engineer from Ransom Consulting, came with Maureen McGlone, an engineer who will be working on this project and Wendy Pelletier who is the surveyor from Keene.  Representing the Town was Mark Houghton, Mike Rau, and Sarah Downing.  Representing the Foundation was Alberta Wiemers, Karen Crowley and Tom Murray.  They were walking the area and planning the calendar because the grant runs out at the end of September. However, after they had finished the plans for that project, the EPA volunteered and told them if they needed more time, it would be given to them.  Copies of their schedule were included in the packets given to Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry.  The survey work is expected to be completed by April 8^th.  An engineering plan will be done prior to end of June.  They are laying out where the required test wells will be.  They will be tested over the next five years. The money for that will come from the escrow account.  If the test wells are not clean in five years, the testing will continue for another five years.  It was a positive meeting.  Mike Rau worked well with the surveyor and engineer when looking at the drainage project to be done.  This work will be done by Green Site Services who did the original clean-up of removing the soil.  Mr. Rau will oversee the paving.  The Foundation has already received the two double electric vehicle charging stations from SemaConnect from Rhode Island.  One station will be accessible to handicapped vans.  Mark Houghton is working with Liberty Utilities on the connections.  They will look at the survey to be positive of where the Town’s property line is located.  They will be tying the new drainage to drains on the Mascoma Bank property.  Mascoma Bank has given them verbal permission but will follow up with a letter.  Conduit will be put into the ground. It will run to the four charging stations it will go beyond that so in the future they can add more charging stations when needed.  The charging stations will go at the end of the Brownfields Project.  They do not expect them to be operating before the end of August.  The Foundation will pay for the installation   The Town needs to have a contract with SemaConnect.  The Foundation owns the strip of asphalt that will be removed and there will be grass.  Mrs. Pschirrer would like the Selectboard members to give her permission to open a checking account with Mascoma Bank for the money that SemaConnect will be sending the Town on a monthly basis (with a statement).  This will be the income that SemaConnect will generate from the charging stations when they start working.   They will pay a yearly fee to SemaConnect for troubleshooting, etc.  However, Mrs. Pschirrer needs to get them all the information; she will get a contract with SemaConnect as it should be with the Town and not the Foundation.  Mr. Dalessio questioned if the expenses exceed their revenue, what happens?  Mrs. Pschirrer felt they could increase the charge.  They need to discuss what they will charge per hour.  With these charging stations people may use a credit card to pay.  Typically, other stations are paid via a cell phone application.  The first year is free until 2023.  It will be about $1,400 per year.  The charging stations will be on a separate electric meter.  For their information, Mrs. Pschirrer asked Alberta Wiemers at the Foundation to call other towns to ask what they are charging to use charging stations.  They are usually used for two hours at a time.  Mr. Rickerich is monitoring their EPA money; they will use all that money.  Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry were in favor of having Mrs. Pschirrer open a checking account at Mascoma Bank for the charging stations’ revenue. There is no deadline for the DES money.  After Old Home Days they will schedule a Public Informational Meeting so people can make comments on what they would like to see in the green space.

Rescheduling Staff Meeting Training:  The training was rescheduled to the next Staff Meeting on April 21^st at 5:00 PM.

Pending Further Actions:

Generators, Wooden Chairs in the Town Hall, Trees on the Common, Walpole Players Posters, Reservoir Dam, Parking Ordinance, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood, Plowing Ordinance.  There were no up-dates at this meeting.

Infrastructure:  Mr. Dalessio advised that under infrastructure, the Town will receive 90% from FEMA.  The Town’s match will be 10%.  They expect FEMA to come back within the next two weeks to finish their inspection.  They were waiting for the snow to be gone.

NEW BUSINESS:

MS-232:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign the MS-232, Report of Appropriations Actually Voted Form.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

North Walpole Library Lease:  Ms. Mayberry spoke to the North Walpole Board of Commissioners regarding a renewal lease for the Library.  It is currently a one-year lease, but a two-year lease is being considered.  Mrs. Pschirrer will talk to Amy Howard tomorrow about requesting the two-year lease.  Ms. Mayberry advised the Board of Commissioners will discuss this at their next regular meeting.     

Cubicles from National Grange Insurance:  Mr. Dalessio reported that National Grange Insurance is consolidating their offices and have offered office cubicles to the Town.  He thinks they should take advantage of this.  Mr. Rau has room at the garage at High Street; they would be put up on pallets.  There was a consensus to take ten units.  They will have to make arrangements to pick them up and rent a truck to transport them.  Mr. Dalessio will email Mr. Rod Bouchard to let him know the Town wants them.  He asked Mrs. Downing to coordinate with Mr. Brad Nash and Mr. Rod Bouchard to make the arrangements to pick the cubicles up.

North Walpole Village District Meeting:  Ms. Mayberry reported that the North Walpole Village District meeting is next Tuesday, March 29^th, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the downstairs at St. Peter’s Church.       

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mr. Dalessio 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 Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:06 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:38 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 24, 2022, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer 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 7:39 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

                                                                    

WALPOLE PLANNING BOARD

WALPOLE, NH 03608

PUBLIC NOTICE

You are hereby notified of the following Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday April 12, 2022, at 7 pm in the Town Hall.

Residents living in Maplewood Circle and on Firehouse Road are invited to come to an information-gathering meeting to determine if traffic and parking in your neighborhood are a concern.

All abutters and interested parties are encouraged to attend. To be heard on these matters you or a duly authorized agent must either attend the hearing in person or submit your comment in writing, prior to the hearing, to Walpole Planning Board, PO Box 729, Walpole, NH. 03608

 Meeting minutes and public notices are posted inside the Town Hall, on the bulletin board outside the Post Office and on the town website, http://www.walpolenh.us

Marilou Blaine

WPB Secretary

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $33,006.97 for checks issued 4/01/2022

PAYROLL

• Payroll Register totaling $28,536.67 dated 4/01/22 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $5,689.64

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

• Selectboard Meeting – March 24, 2022
• Non-Public Session Selectboard Minutes – March 24, 2022

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes – March 8, 2022
• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes – March 15, 2022
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes – March 16, 2022
• Safety Committee Meeting Minutes – March 24, 2022

BUILDING PERMITS

2004-59 Renewal, Map and Lot# 009-023-000

OLD BUSINESS

• Police Department Complaint
• Color Choices for Town Hall Roofing

Pending Further Actions

• Generators, Wooden Chairs in the Town Hall, Trees on the Common, Walpole Players Posters, Reservoir Dam, Houghton Brook Bridge, Parking Ordinance, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood, Plowing Ordinance

NEW BUSINESS

• MOA for Rail Trail
• Paper Shredder & Oil Purchase Orders and Quotes
• Town Hall Server PO and Quote
• Town Hall Fire Alarm PO and Quote
• Liberty Utilities Electrical Easement Application
• Deeded Property Lien Interest
• Roundabout Request for Shaws & Pinnacle View Lanes
• Thank-You Letters

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

Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Board Members Joanna Andros and Jeff Harrington; Alternates Trevor MacLachlan and Travis Adams; and Southwest Regional Planning Commission Services Senior Planner Lisa Murphy was the facilitator of the meeting to discuss the Economic Development Section of the Master Plan.

The meeting started promptly at 7 pm.

For the past year or more the Planning Board has been working on updating the Master Plan, which hasn’t been done for more than a decade. At this meeting the Board looked at a new addition to the previous sections – an Economic Development Chapter. Ms. Murphy said one of the benefits of this new chapter is it gives a business profile of the town – employers in town, the labor force, wages and income comparisons, average weekly salaries, unemployment rate, the education level of the employees. There are text and graphs to go with each topic.

The document states that the population of Walpole “in the 2020 US Census is 3,633, which is slightly down from the 2010 census.’’ Ms. Murphy said she wasn’t confident in that figure. Because of the pandemic, census figures are thought to be lower because there was less canvassing and there was an increase of people coming to New Hampshire from other states. The only town in the Fall Mountain District that had an increase in population was Langdon.

The 10 largest private sector employer by number of employees was listed with Bensonwood and Unity Homes being the highest having approximately 120 employees. However, three other large employers were left off of the list. Mr. Miller suggested including figures for Hubbard Farms, Shaw’s supermarket and Pinnacleview Equipment. The types of work by industry was reported. Of 1,995 employees age16 and over 683 were involved in educational services, health care and social assistance; 284 in manufacturing, 184 in construction, 134 in arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services, etc. Mr. Marcom asked Ms. Murphy if she could put them in descending order and she said yes.

The townspeople’s income was compared with Cheshire County and New Hampshire from 2015 to 2020. Jobs were divided into three categories: Goods-Producing industries, Service-Producing Industries and Government. In 2015 the per capita income was $37,137 in Walpole. In 2020 it was $41,303. That’s compared to $38,984 for Cheshire County and $43,777 for New Hampshire in 2020. The median Walpole family income for 2015 was $77,802 compared to $97,153 in 2020. Cheshire County was $83,400 and New Hampshire was $97,001 in 2020. That’s a significant jump for Walpole, Ms. Murphy noted.

Producing industries provided the highest average weekly wages in Walpole. Construction provides the average weekly wage with $1,186.99. Service-producing industries provides an average of $813.42 in weekly wages among all of its categories. The average weekly wage of all governments jobs is $625.72 with federal jobs paying considerably more than local or state jobs. The highest weekly paying work is in Information, which pays a significant $2,297.52 a week. Only 10 people were in that category.

In the section on level of education: In 2020 Walpole 30 percent of residents had a bachelor degree while 13 percent had graduate degrees compared to 21 and 13 percent with bachelor degrees in Cheshire County and 23 and 15 percent with graduate degrees in New Hampshire. It was pointed out that this has an up side and a down side. Walpole has a high number of college-educated graduates but because of the tight labor market, high school graduates are currently being hired for jobs that previously went to college graduates. As one board member put it, some employers just need a warm body.

Other information shows that during the pandemic 4.7 percent of Walpoleans were unemployed compared to 6.3 percent in Cheshire county and 6.7 percent in New Hampshire.

Another section compared tax rates and ranking with neighboring town in Fall Mountain and Surry. It was suggested by Joanna Andros that maybe Ms. Murphy could get those rates also for neighboring states – Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine, as well as for the US.

Commuting patterns into and out of Walpole for work: Yes, people commute to Walpole for work. It was estimated that 903 people come to Walpole to work, while 1,268 Walpole residents commuted out of town daily. Another 217 residents both live and work in town. These figure were compiled with numbers from the Department of Transportation.

Utilities and Municipal Services that might affect work places and families: This section includes information on water, sewer, electric and broadband services. Fortunately for Walpole, the Broadband Committee saw to it that all residents did have some digital access.

The last two items of the Economic Development Chapter were zoning-related. In general, lot size in Walpole is smaller than the required lot size in some neighboring towns. Walpole lot size for the residential district is just under an acre. Charlestown has 15,000 square feet for residential district. Other towns are an acre and up to 5 and 10 acres minimum lot size for rural and forestry districts. Ms. Murphy pointed out that the 65-foot-from-the-center-of-the-road setback means that the homes have a more of a scenic face and parking is often in back and out of sight.

The last table is included a list of Walpole Districts and Permitted Uses.

Goals, Objectives and strategies for economic development are:

“Goal: To have a balance of business opportunities to meet the retail, service and employment needs at a scale appropriate for the Town.

“Objective1: To provide the necessary infrastructure in place to retain and foster economic growth of existing businesses and to attract the development of new ones.

            Action 1: Review the needs of business for additional infrastructure such as (but not limited to)       3-phase power and improved broadband.

Objective 2: Plan for a diverse mix of commercial and industrial uses.

            Action 2. Investigate options for commercial nodal development along NH 12.

Objective 3: Support a moderate level of tourism.

            Action: Update the Town website periodically to help promote the local economy.

This is a fascinating section of the Master Plan. Look at the highs and lows and the numbers in each of the categories. Consider the types of work and their remunerations.

Ms. Murphy will go back to the Commissions office and take the suggestions made by the people who were at the meeting and come back with a revision next month.

Next month the Planning Board will look at the completed Economic Development Chapter and see for the first time the Historical and Recreation Resources Chapter. This is also new to the Master Plan. The next workshop date is Tuesday, April 26. Same place, same time. The public is welcome.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

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

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

These minutes are, as yet, unapproved but might make interesting weekend reading. – Lil

Five Town Selectboard Zoom Meeting

Friday, January 28, 2022

Present:  Cheryl Mayberry (Facilitator), Steve Delessio, Peggy Pschirrer, Walpole; Jeremy Wood, Nancy Houghton, William Rescsanski, Charlestown; Devin Gallagher, Langdon; Joel McCarty (Alstead); Kara Dexter (Zoom Host), Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary)

Visitor: James McClammer (Charlestown)

This meeting was being recorded.

Cheryl Mayberry called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and took roll call attendance. 

Shortly thereafter the meeting was hacked and ended.  After approximately twenty minutes, the meeting reconvened and all but Joel McCarty returned.

Great River Hydro Relicensing:  James McClammer

Mr. McClammer, a member of the Connecticut River Joint Commission and Relicensing Work Group, introduced himself and stated he wanted to give the towns an update on the dams on the Connecticut in our area and where we are in the relicensing process. He also wanted to convey the recommendations made by the Connecticut River Joint Commission (CRJC) to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the relicensing process.  

Mr. McClammer gave a summary of his background, then explained that he is now primarily an environmental consultant, mostly on wetland issues. He was appointed by Governor John Lynch to the CRJC ten years ago.

Mr. McClammer stated that the information he was giving was his opinion, because he is not authorized to speak for the CRJC. 

He explained that Great River Hydro owns three dams on the Connecticut River:  Wilder, Vernon, Bellows Falls. All are going through relicensing.  FERC has grouped these dams with two in Massachusetts, also being relicensed, due to cumulative impacts – impact on the aquatic environment.  He said there are other issues involved. For example, Great River Hydro bought the three dams from Trans Canada, a utility.  He stated Great River Hydro is an investment company, which means it wants to maximize profits.  

Where are they now in the process?  Mr. McClammer stated they are waiting for FERC and Great River Hydro to indicate that the application they are going to propose is ready for environmental analysis. He wonders if they are getting accurate information from Great River Hydro; he believes their studies are inconclusive.  As far as erosion along the river is concerned, Great River Hydro said it is caused primarily by periodic flooding, not the operation of the dams.  Mr. McClammer believes it is caused primarily by ramping (raising and lowering the water level) to generate electricity. In other words, erosion is exacerbated by operations of the dams. He stated Great River Hydro has agreed to operate the dams by eliminating ramping.  That will create a steady flow of water through the turbines. They do not know what effect the same water level on the banks will have.

Mr. McClammer said that Great River Hydro states there is a “cycle of erosion.”  It begins, maybe in part, due to ramping but also flooding caused by the sheer force of the river. 

Ms. Houghton asked Mr. McClammer to address the relicensing and revenue sharing aspect of the project. Then Mr. Rescsanski said it is his understanding that FERC approves or denies relicensing and the only thing in the way is the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Mr. McClammer said the DES is restricted to offering water quality certifications. 

Mr. McClammer expressed disappointment with the way Great River Hydro has proceeded with discussions of the dam operations. Instead of opening discussions to all interested parties, they have restricted them to a small group of agencies. This small group has created a Right of the River Operations Model.  He reiterated that they are now waiting for the application to be submitted to determine environmental impacts so that compensatory mitigations, both environmental and human, can be planned.

Mr. McClammer stated that the Connecticut River is a public resource held in trust by the State for the people.  The people do not get much say in the process, much less compensation for the use of the river.  He suggested that the dam owners establish a Mitigation and Enhancement Fund. 

Mr. Rescsanski asked which agency is requiring the environmental impact study.  The Feds require a study of impact on natural and human environments. Then compensatory mitigations will be determined to address those impacts. FERC mandates that these studies be done.

Ms. Mayberry shared her concerns about the erosion, particularly in North Walpole. She said that, until the application is submitted, there isn’t much we can do.  We can look at it and try to assess what the impact to our communities will be. Mr. McClammer partially agreed with her. He said they need to be proactive and suggested they coalesce the legislative bodies of the towns to push profit sharing with Great River Hydro. He said the river is a public resource used by a for-profit agency (Great River Hydro) to make money.  Why shouldn’t they share the revenues?

Steve Dalessio said profit sharing could be contradictory to what you want to accomplish. You want to create an environmentally sound river.  Would you trade off mitigation to get a piece of the pie? Mr. McClammer said this idea of revenue sharing should be divorced from compensating for the environmental impacts. It is for the use of public trust resources to identify restoration projects (could be river restoration). Mr. Dalessio said he would be interested in revenue sharing if the money could be used for any river or stream project, not necessarily the Connecticut.  Ms. Mayberry stated there would probably not be restrictions on the use of that money unless it was deemed a mitigation fund. She thanked Mr. McClammer for making the distinction between profit-sharing and mitigation.

Ms. Mayberry stated she is concerned about people who have had to relocate due to repeated flooding.  Perhaps some of the money could be used to help them.

In summary, Mr. McClammer stressed two points from his presentation:

​1.  Insist on a Mitigation and Enhancement Fund.

​2.  Consider moving forward with unrestricted revenue sharing.

Mr. Rescsanski asked if they should be contacting Jeanne Shaheen or someone at the federal level. Ms Mayberry asked if there is anything else they should do.  Mr. McClammer said they could always address comments to FERC. He also suggested contacting the state legislature to discuss these ideas. 

Ms Mayberry thanked Mr. McClammer for his presentation. He concluded by saying that the only way to get things done is for the towns to work together.

Other Business:  Ms Mayberry asked who could host the next meeting and set the agenda.  She said Walpole could continue hosting, but she felt all the towns should help set the agenda.  Charlestown offered to host the next meeting and set the agenda.  Mrs. Kobeski asked if they would provide a recording secretary, or would they want her to take notes and do the minutes. They said they would get back to her.  

Ms. Mayberry asked Mrs. Kobeski to prepare a contact list for each town’s select board members, including email and phone number.

Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn the meeting; Mrs. Pschirrer seconded, and all voted in favor.  Ms Mayberry adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m.

The next meeting will be Friday, April 29, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. Location TBD.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

*** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the April 29, 2022 meeting.

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Borden called this Selectboard meeting via Zoom to order at 6:30 PM.  The first agenda item for this meeting is an Election of a Chair for the next year. 

ELECTION OF CHAIR:

Ms. Mayberry moved to nominate Mr. Steven Dalessio as the new Chair of the Selectboard for the nest year.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Borden asked if there were any other nominations.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  Mrs. Borden announced that Mr. Steven Dalessio has been elected as the new Chair of the Selectboard for the next year.

OPENING OF SELECTBOARD BUSINESS MEETING:  Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:32 PM.  The Selectboard members are in three separate locations.  This meeting was being recorded. 

Mr. Dalessio called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present:  Peggy Pschirrer was present at her home in Walpole, Cheryl Mayberry was present at her home in North Walpole and Steven Dalessio was present at his home in Drewsville.  Also attending this meeting was Jodi Daigle, Water & Sewer Clerk and Administrative Assistant, who was present at her home and Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, at a separate location.  There were no members of the public in attendance.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $673,981.64 for checks issued March 18, 2022.  This includes a monthly payment in the amount of $529,226.92 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote 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 March 12, 2022, in the amount of $31,647.23 dated March 18, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,426.61.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – March 10, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of March 10, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – March 10, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 10, 2022, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs.  Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORT:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee report:

• Planning Board Meeting Minutes – March 8, 2022.

Mr. Dalessio advised these Planning Board meeting Minutes are unapproved.

SUPPLEMENTAL TAX WARRANT:

MAP and LOT #003-082-CL8:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Supplemental Tax Warrant for Map and Lot #003-082-CL8, New Hampshire Public Broadcasting in the amount of $804.00.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT:

MAP and LOT #021-025-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Property Tax Abatement for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #021-025-000 in the amount of $3,363.89 per Avitar Associates determination that this is an unbuildable lot.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS:

Permit #2022-07, MAP and LOT #018-015-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2022-07 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #018-015-000 to erect a “1,196 sq ft Ground Mount Solar Array”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Permit #2022-08, MAP and LOT #010-043-001:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2022-08 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #010-043-001 to erect a “27’ x 12’ Ground Mount Solar Array”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Town Hall New Roof PO and Cost Estimate:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Town Hall New Roof purchase order and to authorize the Chair of the Selectboard, Steven Dalessio, to sign Purchase Order #789236 to Melanson Company.  A deposit check in the amount of $50,000 will be forwarded along with the purchase order and contract.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

PENDING FURTHER ACTIONS:

Generators, Wooden Chairs in the Town Hall, Trees on the Common, Walpole Players Posters, Reservoir Dam, Houghton Brook Bridge, Parking Ordinance, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood, Plowing Ordinance. 

School Street Project:  Mr. Dalessio reported that Fuss & O’Neill is looking into funding for the School Street Project at no charge to the Town.  He authorized them to proceed as this is a good start toward moving forward.

NEW BUSINESS:

Letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds re: New Town Facilities Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund:  Mr. Kreissle sent a letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds to establish a new Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of unforeseen repairs to Town facilities.  This Capital Reserve Fund should be called “Town Facilities Maintenance”.  Ms. Mayberry requested that they ask the Trustees of Trust Funds to clarify how they intend to process requests now that Ms. Karen Galloway did not seek re-election.  Mr. Dalessio will discuss this with Mr. Kreissle. 

Appointment Notice:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the appointment of Margaret Palmer as the Deputy Treasurer for a period of three (3) years, March 2020 through Town Meeting, March 2023.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Liaison Assignments 2022:

The Selectboard agreed to the following Liaison Assignments in 2022:

• Finance:                      Mr. Dalessio
• Highway:                     Mr. Dalessio
• Police Department:      Mrs. Pschirrer
• Recycling:                   Ms. Mayberry
• Recreation:                  Ms. Mayberry
• TC/TC                         Ms. Mayberry
• Water/Sewer                Mr. Dalessio
• Welfare:                      Mrs. Pschirrer
• Planning Board:           Mr. Dalessio
• Library:                       Mrs. Pschirrer
• Hooper:                       Mr. Dalesssio, Mrs. Pschirrer; Ms. Mayberry
• Conservation:              Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer
• Brownfields:                Mrs. Pschirrer
• Community Power:      Mrs. Pschirrer
• Police Station Comm:  Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer
• Dams, Bridges, Roads: Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry
• Emergency:                 Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Ms. Mayberry moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 6:42 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 6:46 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD MEETING:

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.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 6:49 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:10 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of March 17, 2022, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer 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.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

“Putin’s Russia”

In light of the Russian invasion and ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the topic of our first “Great Decisions” public forum will be “Putin’s Russia.”

Join us on Monday, April 4, 6:00 p.m., in the Walpole Town Library. We will meet in person in the Hubbard Community Room and via Zoom. The forum will be moderated by Tom Durnford, Professor Emeritus, and is free and open to the public. For a link to the Zoom meeting, email Library Director Jane Malmberg:  jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org 

“Putin’s Russia” is an article published by the Foreign Policy Association in the “Great Decisions” 2022 briefing book. The article is available at the Walpole Public Library or a copy may be obtained via email from Jane Malmberg (see above) upon request.

The “2022 Great Decisions” briefing book may be borrowed from the library or purchased from fpa.org/greatdecisions, or the eBook version is available from Amazon/Kindle, Apple Books, Nook, Rakuten Kobo and Scribd. 

For more information, visit the Walpole Town Library website (Adults: Great Decisions Discussion Group). Join the discussion on Monday, April 4, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Back in the Town Hall and Sarah says the coffee will be on since it is so cold and nasty! – Lil

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $104,421.26 for checks issued 3/25/2022

PAYROLL

• Payroll Register totaling $28,154.28 dated 3/25/22 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,426.61

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – March 17, 2022

Non-Public Session Selectboard Minutes – March 17, 2022

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Library Trustee Meeting Minutes – March 14, 2022

VETERANS’ TAX CREDIT

• Map and Lot# 008-032-000
• Map and Lot# 011-043-002

BUILDING PERMITS

2022-09, Map and Lot# 008-009-001

OLD BUSINESS

• Highway Sidewalk Tractor PO and Cost Estimate
• Houghton Brook Bridge Wetlands Permit
• Former Brownfields Site-New Parking Lot

Pending Further Actions

• Generators, Wooden Chairs in the Town Hall, Trees on the Common, Walpole Players Posters, Reservoir Dam, Parking Ordinance, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood, Plowing Ordinance

NEW BUSINESS

• MS-232
• North Walpole Library Lease
• Cubicles from National Grange Insurance

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

Xheryl Mayberry, SWRPC Board of Directors member, forwarded this email for your consideration. They are hoping to get a good representation of opinion. – Lil

As you are no doubt aware, SWRPC is already working on a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for the Southwest NH Region. The RHNA will look in-depth at the housing needs of our Region across all income levels. Our work will include an analysis of the latest housing and demographic datasets as well as direct engagement with regional stakeholders. Ultimately, this project will identify and prioritize Southwest New Hampshire’s top housing issues and develop recommendations to address these issues. Our final product will contain tools, recommendations, and strategies for local decision makers to help plan for housing in their communities.

Community engagement is an important part of this project. In order to assess housing needs in our Region, we need to first understand residents’ needs and perceptions about housing. We have created a housing survey to collect responses for residents that you can access through this URL: www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWRPC-RHNA.

Please help us by taking this survey and distributing it through your network. You can share this survey with friends, colleagues, neighbors, or any resident of the Region. Simply copy and paste the URL into an email, text message, or social media post to share the survey.

More information is available at the RHNA project webpage: www.swrpc.org/housing.