The Walpolean

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called this Selectboard meeting via Zoom to order at 6:30 PM.  The Selectboard members are in three separate locations.  This meeting was being recorded.

Ms. Mayberry called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present.  Steven Dalessio was present at his home in Drewsville; Peggy Pschirrer was present at her home in Walpole and Cheryl Mayberry was present at her home in North Walpole.  Also attending this meeting was Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, at the Walpole Town Hall and Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, at a separate location. There were two members of the public in attendance: Mr. Leroy Watson and Mrs. Cheri Watson. 

SAU 60 BUDGET COMMITTEE:  Mr. Leroy Watson reported that the SAU60 voters approved Article #11 – (BY PETITION) “Shall the Fall Mountain Regional School District vote to approve the establishment of a Fall Mountain Regional School District Budget Committee pursuant to RSA 32:1?”  It passed by a 270 “YES” to 133 “NO” vote on March 8, 2022.  Mr. Watson, as Moderator, now has 15 days to appoint a Budget Committee that will serve until the next Town Meeting ballot. The seats on the Budget Committee must configure with the seats on the SAU60 School Board, with the addition of one seat appointed by the School Board, making the SAU60 Board a total of 8 members.  Except for the seat appointed by the School Board, no current School Board members may serve on the Budget Committee.  Therefore, he will be looking to appoint one member from each of the five towns and two at-large seats to serve on the initial Budget Committee.  He would appreciate any suggestions or guidance the Selectboard might have for individuals they believe could serve on the committee, either representing Walpole or one or both of the at-large seats.  Mr. Watson was also present to answer questions as to how this process will move forward.  Ms. Mayberry pointed out that this vote just missed the 2/3^rd number.  She understands this does not apply in this case.  Mr. Watson double-checked all the statutes; they go back and forth.   Education Title 195 references back to the Municipal Title 32 and it clearly states it is governed by the majority vote.  It can be abolished in the same manner.  The FMRSD which is a cooperative district falls under those parameters.  Ms. Mayberry summarized that it is a majority vote not a 2/3^rd vote.  Mr. Watson noted the Budget Committee, itself, is supposed to mirror the Board in a cooperative district.   An 8^th member is selected by the School Board; Mr. Watson appoints seven members.  Ms. Mayberry advised their terms are through the next elections in March 2023.  They would have to run for the position and be elected to it after the first year.  The terms will be staggered; some members will serve one, two or three year terms.  He will meet with Mrs. Misty Bushee to work out how those seats will look for next year’s elections.  The Selectboard mentioned several possible committee members that Mr. Watson could contact who have some knowledge of the FMRSD and/or financial backgrounds.  Mr. Watson will ask potential applicants if they would commit to more than a one year term.  He wants to maintain continuity.  He is looking forward to a group who can dig into the budget process; be able to explain to the voters why they are proposing the budget they are.  Mr. Dalessio requested the two at-large seats do not come from the same town.  Mrs. Pschirrer agreed.  Mr. Watson is asking that when the School Board meets on Monday, they will make their announcement. Ms. Mayberry felt one of the first things the Committee should do is set a time line; what needs to be posted and by when.  Mr. Watson summarized that if the Selectboard has any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out to him.  He will probably not make any announcements until close to the 15-day deadline.                     

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $65,849.03 for checks issued March 11, 2022.  This includes a payment in the amount of $27,327.92 to the NH Retirement System.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending March 5, 2022, in the amount of $27,723.63 dated March 11, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,775.24.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – March 3, 2022:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of March 3, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – March 3, 2022:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 3, 2022, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – February 15, 2022;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – February 22, 2022;
• Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 7, 2022.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Property Tax Refunds for the following owner(s): 

• MAP and LOT # 019-069-000 – in the amount of $7.49;
• MAP and LOT # 011-007-001 – in the amount of $46.28;
• MAP and LOT # 001-001-000 – in the amount of $65.47;
• MAP and LOT #003-082-CL3 – in the amount of $41.40

These refunds are all due to overpayment of taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION:

MAP and LOT #010-022-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Solar Energy Exemption for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #010-022-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Plowing Policy: Mrs. Pschirrer was unable to do anything with the Plowing Policy last week. The Selectboard had suggested adding a section under routes regarding critical town buildings.  Mr. Dalessio spoke with Mr. Mike Rau concerning the plowing of the North Walpole Fire Station. Mr. Rau is going to contact the North Walpole Commissioners to talk about this to find out what is needed and expected.  Mr. Dalessio told Mr. Rau the Selectboard would be updating the Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy. Ms. Mayberry felt having Mr. Rau talk in-person with the North Walpole Commissioners was a good solution.

Speed Signs:  Mr. Dalessio looked into speed signs. The cost is about $3,300 to $4,000.  The more expensive units will provide information back to the Town.  If they want to pursue this he suggested taking some money from the Highway Department Block Grant.  He is not in favor of moving the signs around.  Good places to locate them might be near the schools.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned they have to look at that account to be sure they know how much is left before committing to another project.  Ms. Mayberry feels it is a good suggestion.      

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.  There were no new up-dates for these agenda items.

NEW BUSINESS:

Welfare Case Summary – January and February 2022:  Mrs. Janet Clough submitted a Welfare Case Summary for January and February 2022. 

Trail Map Box:  Ms. Mayberry advised that during the Conservation Commission meeting they talked about making trail maps available at the Town Hall.  Mr. Shelley offered to make a map holder but where would they put it?  Mr. Dalessio suggested where the tri-folds are located.  Mrs. Pschirrer stated they could consider below the table that holds the maps; maybe Mr. Shelley could make something that hangs below that space.  Mr. Dalessio felt if it was big enough they could combine all the tri-folds they have into one space.  Mrs. Pschirrer will talk to Mr. Shelley.               

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 Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs.  Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:06 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:28 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 10, 2022, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any other discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Wondering how to help? I received this from Pauline Barnes and as she said, you may have more to add. – Lil

The terrible situation in Ukraine has me researching how to help.  For my own donations, I’ve started a list of organizations working both inside Ukraine and with the millions of Ukrainian refugees in surrounding countries.  But this is a short and personal list, and there are many groups striving to help.  Other Walpole residents have surely developed their own lists.  Would you be willing to publish mine and invite Walpoleans to add their suggestions?      

—Network For Animals:  UK organization partnering with animal rescuers in Ukraine   https://networkforanimals.org

—World Central Kitchen:  Feeding refugees in surrounding countries.  https://wck.org/story

—Project Hope:   Delivering medical aid in Ukraine and to refugees.   https://www.projecthope.org

—Razom:   Delivering first aid supplies inside Ukraine. https://razomforukraine.org

Thank you!

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. Myra Mansouri was also at the meeting.

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

Call to Order: Ms. Leclerc called the meeting to order a few minutes after 7 pm. She welcomed new board member Tom Winmill and Mr. Vose thanked Ms. Mansouri for all her years of service.

Minutes: Review minutes of February 2022 meeting. Ms. Barnes made a correction on page 3, second paragraph from the bottom, fifth line. Add the word “is” between “what” and “going” on the warrant. Mr. Sellarole said when the Board was talking about the maps last month, the Board discussed if they were going to be laminated. Mr. Vose made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Election of Officers

Ms. Barnes nominated Ms. Leclerc as Chair. Mr. Murray seconded the motion. Mr. Winmill asked what are the responsibilities of the Chair. The description of officers and their responsibilities are in the ZBA Bylaws. Ms. Leclerc read the following.

“Section 1. A Chairperson shall be elected annually at the first meeting following the town meeting by a majority vote of the board. The Chairperson shall serve for one year and shall be eligible for re-election. The Chairperson shall preside over meetings and hearings, appoint such committees as directed by the Board, and shall affix his/her signature in the name of the Board.”

Does the Chair set the agenda for the meeting? Mr. Windmill asked. The agenda sets itself, Ms. Leclerc said. Applicants contact the secretary and ask to be put on the agenda. Things come up at a regular meeting that are continued to the next meeting. They are put on the agenda. Sometimes Ms. Leclerc adds something she wants on the agenda or knows what other people want on the agenda and she lets let the secretary know. The vote for Ms. Leclerc as chair was unanimous.

Ms. Leclerc nominated Ernie Vose as Vice-Chair. Mr. Murray seconded the motion. Mr. Murray said he is highly qualified, he has held the position before. There being no discussion Ms. Leclerc read the ZBA definition of responsibilities for a Vice-Chair.

 Section 2. A Vice-Chairperson shall be elected annually at the first meeting immediately following the town meeting by majority vote of the Board. The Vice-Chairperson shall preside in the absence of the Chairperson and shall have full powers of the Chairperson on matters which come before the Board during the absence of the Chairperson.” The vote was unanimous to elect Mr. Vose as Vice-Chair.

Ms. Barnes nominated Tom Murray as Clerk. Ms. Leclerc seconded the motion. There being no comments, she read the duties of the clerk.

“Section 3. A Clerk shall be elected annually at the first meeting following the town meeting by a majority vote of the Board. The Clerk shall serve for one year and shall be eligible for re-election. The Clerk shall maintain a record of all meetings, transactions, and findings of the Board, and perform such other duties as the Board may direct including the affixing of his/her signature in the name of the Board.” Ms. Leclerc said this was originally written before a secretary was hired so now these are the duties of the recording secretary. The vote was unanimous in favor of Tom Murray as Clerk.

Possible variance:

Regarding Elizabeth Roos’s request, Ms. Leclerc said she has to come and explain to the Board what she is going to do. Then the Board will decide what kind of application she needs.

Mr. Winmill asked if she had submitted an application. Ms. Leclerc explained that that’s why she has to come to the next board meeting and explain what she is intending to do and then the Board can decide if she needs a Variance or possibly an Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use. The same thing with US Cellular and a new sign. Mr. Winmill asked if there was an application. The answer was the same as above. The secretary sent the sign ordinance to the caller from the sign company.

Clarion article for March:

Ms. Barnes said, as agreed by the board, she didn’t submit an article to the The Clarion for the March edition so there wouldn’t be any confusion about the zoning article on the warrant and the article on Special Exceptions. She was trying to decide what the topic would be for next month. Variance or Non-Conforming Use? Ms. Leclerc said she thought the article on Special Exceptions was perfect. Mr. Murray said at first he got confused because of five zoning districts and the five criteria for variances.  Special exceptions don’t have five criteria, he said. When he read it more slowly again, he understood its meaning. Ms. Trow said most people won’t have those five criteria in their head when they read it. She added that Non-Conforming Uses and Appeals should be last because we don’t see a lot of those applications. We do variances more often. Mr. Vose said you need to understand Special Exceptions and Variances in order to understand the reason for a Non-Conforming Use.

Update on Day Care Center

There is no update, Ms. Leclerc said. It’s in the hands of the Planning Board Board.

Applications on Website:

At the January Planning Board Board meeting Dennis Marcom noted that the Special Exception application that the secretary gave the applicant was different from the one on the website. So Mr. Dalessio said you have to fix this. Ms. Leclerc said, “So I did and in the process made it a little clearer. But it’s still not perfect.” She was looking at other applications that should be put on the website. In 2019 the Board changed the Special Exception applications so that there was an application for a special exception for each district because the criteria for approving the application is different for each district. But Ms. Leclerc said the end result is that it is not easy to understand. “I don’t think we helped it the way we did it,” she said. So Ms. Leclerc passed out copies of the applications and asked the Board to look them over and next month the Board will try to straighten them out so the applications are more easily understood. In the process she saw an error in the special exception application for the industrial district. The words “is inadequate” are missing.

She remembered that while working on the Special Exception applications there was wording to allow industrial uses. Some of the problem stems from the Planning Board’s recommendation application, their criteria is different from the Zoning Board’s criteria. Their recommendation doesn’t include all of the criteria that the Zoning Board needs to consider. She said she needs everybody’s help on this. She thought these could be written much more clearly. In both of these situations she realized that in an application to the Planning Board to give a recommendation that the instructions aren’t clear.

Mr. Edkins wondered whether it is necessary to have two applications. Is it necessary that the Zoning Board is making recommendations to the Planning Board and the Planning Board is making recommendations to the Zoning Board. Applicants have to come before both boards anyway and this makes the process more cumbersome. The Zoning Board okays variances and the Planning Board board has site plan reviews. It seems that there’s that extra step.

Ms. Trow said the Planning Board doesn’t have to have a hearing. Mr. Vose disagreed and said that a recommendation does have to a public hearing. Ms. Leclerc mentioned the Walker Road hearing when the applicant wanted to put in a gas station by the vet’s place in the rural/ag district. They had a hearing to make sure it conforms to the Master Plan and other things. Ms. Trow said they did have a hearing but I don’t think they had to. Ms. Leclerc read from the zoning ordinance on special exceptions in rural/ag. “Consideration of Planning Board recommendation on the project based on its determination following a Public Hearing:” The process is very cumbersome and the criteria is different for the different boards. They generally come to the Zoning Board and then have to go to the Planning Board. That’s when I started the joint meetings and it was ridiculous, Mr. Vose said. It obviously didn’t work.

Mr. Edkins said variances and specials exceptions are heard by the Zoning Board. But the first call should be the Select Board’s. It seems we might be able to streamline the process a bit without having to give up any control. Mr. Edkins said he would think more about that. Ms. Leclerc said applications will be discussed at the next meeting.

Zoning Map from Antioch

Mr. Sellarole sent everyone electronic copies of the map and related material created by Antioch. We talked about size and how many copies. He knows people didn’t want potential contamination sites on the map. It’s been sitting on his desk and he’ll go back to it but he doesn’t think Peter Palmiotto will want to modify the map and the copy Sellarole received can’t be modified. If he doesn’t want to modify the map, do we still want to go ahead with it and get 20 copies from him? Mr. Sellarole will find out and report back to the Board at the next meeting.

There were also two maps about the Well Head Protection Overlay District Area – Watkins Hill and the Connecticut River,  Article 19 in the Ordinance.

New member agenda

Mr. Winmill had some thoughts about the Zoning Board. He had copies of about 20 items for the board to consider. Some of the items are New Hampshire models about adoption and procedure, he said. Models come from the state of New Hampshire at the advice of the attorney general and they are available for Zoning Boards of Adjustments. It would seem advisable for the Board to look at these forms, and unless there’s a reason not to, there are a number of reasons to use these forms. One is that they are vetted by the state and probably kept up to date with any new statutes. But also they have been vetted in various court rooms etc. to stand the test of time. It also provides new forms and new disclosures that would be helpful to the people of Walpole to understand what is going on in zoning boards. For example, notice of decision granted. It’s a two-page form. It states who the applicant is, location of the parcel, reasons and conditions for the request and why it is approved. You can look back years later and see what was decided.

The secretary can draft these resolution in the minutes. It provides a legal basis for the decision and also the applicant can go to court if they wish to and have all the facts to act on and the applicable rule and for us it provides additional evidence and support for our decision months or even years after the event. It’s a tidier package, Mr. Winmill said. Applicants know what the answer was and the reason why and they take whatever action they want to. And the Zoning Board is off the hook to do further research. And there are other things that are very helpful and they are just sitting there in PDF form. You fill in a blank here and there. They can be put on the website.

Look at the NH model rules of procedure and it looks at the responsibilities of the chair and vice-chair and clerk. The bylaws or models, if we adopt them, are only fair to the people of Walpole in that they would know what to do. It isn’t a real mystery. And you don’t have to remember them because it’s all written down.

The third item is the adoption of the form of agenda. Now there are many ways to do an agenda and there’s nothing wrong with how the board is doing it now but it seems that the Zoning Board should be acting on stuff. A variance application, a special application, an equitable waiver of dimensional requirements. These are action items. The rest can just be talked about. Milford, a town just east of Walpole, has an agenda and items that refer to the application, so anyone who can see the application and what should really be acted on. I think that will save us a lot of time. This is how some items are discussed and it’s very efficient.

The next item is nonpublic session, which speaks about personnel, and that speaks for itself.

Access to the town website for posting agendas, minutes, notices, etc. It seems that everything should be on the website. Currently the process it 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.

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 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.

Mr. Murray asked how many zoning boards go into this kind of depth. There are lot of things on this list.  Ms. Leclerc said she has already given the board an assignment to look at the applications so that maybe we can look over the list and take one thing at a time.

The secretary said that a lot of this is already being done. A legal notice is written and placed in a local paper, in Walpole’s case that is the The Keene Sentinel. Every abutter, plus the applicant and conservation groups, gets a certified letter telling them the applicant’s name, what the application is for, the location, the article it pertains to in the ordinance, the tax map number and lot number. On the applicant’s letter, it tells the abutters that there is an application in the town offices so any citizen may look at the application and accompanying information, for example, a map or diagram of a project. There is an approval letter that the applicant gets after the public hearing decision. The Town Offices gets a copy and it is put in the applicant’s file. It also includes all the above information as well as the reasons for approval.

The really neat thing is that this is a way to save some time because someone has already done the brain work, Mr. Winmill said.

Ms. Barnes asked Mr. Winmill to send the Board a link so members can check it our for themselves. After some discussion about further items on the list it was decided that maybe they would like to start with the forms for Notice of Decision Granted and Notice of Decision Denied and discuss them next month.

Mr. Winmill said he would send the link to the secretary and she could distribute it to the Board.

Nonpublic Session Minutes

Board members received a copy of the nonpublic session minutes and had a chance to read them. Ms. Leclerc asked if there was any discussion. There being none Ms. Leclerc made a motion to approve the minutes and seal them. Mr. Vose seconded the motion and the motion carried by roll call vote.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Recording Secretary

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

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

                                                                                   

Received this from Lucy. – Lil

Charlestown Route 12 Repair Update – March 15, 2022

Dear Elected Officials for Charlestown, Walpole and Claremont: 

My apologies for the delayed update.  A family matter arose and in my absence, a situation developed with the Charlestown Route 12 repairs.

We are disappointed to send this update, but need to advise you that unforeseen circumstances have developed which impact the project.  

Work to install the soil nail wall began the week of February 14, 2022.  As work was advancing, the track monitoring system registered excessive movement. This movement caused the Railroad to reduce speeds to 10 mph and to rescind the Railroad’s approval of the work to construct the soil nail wall.   High groundwater, fluctuating temperatures, and fractured underlying ledge are all contributing factors.  

Clearly, the Railroad would like to resume normal speeds and the Department would like to reopen the road as soon as safety allows.  The engineers are analyzing the situation and reevaluating design options, working towards a solution with the public’s and railroad’s safety and travel needs at the forefront.

I will keep you updated more frequently, as DOT continues to meet with the Railroad and works to develop a solution.  DOT remains committed to the end goal of safely reopening Charlestown Route 12.

My Best,

Kathy

Kathleen Mulcahey-Hampson

Legislative Liaison

Senior Hearings Examiner, NHDOT

7 Hazen Drive

Concord, NH 03301

(603)271-1698

Kathleen.MulcaheyHampson@dot.nh.gov

APRIL 2022 – CLARION CLOSING DATE – MARCH 21 by Ray Boas

Here wego again with time passing too quickly. Submissions for the next issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION are due just a week away – Monday, March 21. My list of submissions already has some entries, and those articles and images placed on the working draft for April.

So, do not delay, type away, and email your submissions to me. And, I always acknowledge receipt, so if you do not hear from me the electrons went astray somewhere along the way. If you have any questions, please contact me, and new or return advertisers are welcome to contact me as well.

Soon we may even be able to start a “new normal.” In the meantime – Stay Safe and Stay Well, Yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

7 pm

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed.

Minutes: Review minutes of February meeting.

New Business:

Election of officers

Variance: Elizabeth Roos, 14 Middle Street, Tax Map 20, Lot 77, Residential B. Ms. Roos would like to change and slightly enlarge her deck on 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. The plan is to drop the deck down one step. Request for a Public Hearing. This has been postponed until April.

Signage: US Cellular, 48 North Meadow Access Road. Commercial District. New sign company called. April or May meeting.

Old Business:

Clarion article for March. Special Exceptions. Pauline Barnes.

Update on day care center. The matter is now in the hands of the Planning Board.

Applications on website – Expansion of Non-Conforming Use, Bylaws, Special Exceptions, etc.

Zoning Map from Antioch. Don Sellarole.

Review minutes of nonpublic session.

Next meeting April 20, 2022.

Handouts: When does zoning apply to governmental use of land?

Walpole Planning Board Minutes

March 8, 2022

Town Hall

7 pm

Roll Call: Present were board members Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Bill Carmody, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio and alternate Trevor MacLachlan. Absent: Chair Jeff Miller and board member Joanna Andros and alternate Travis Adams. Mr. Marcom asked Mr. MacLachlan to sit in for an absent board members.

Also present were Kelly Hoffman of Liberty Utilities, Shanda and Steve Donovan, owners of Spencer’s Tavern, Zoning Board of Adjustment Chair Jan Leclerc, Amanda Raney, abutter of the day care center on Maplewood Circle, and Shane O’Keeffe.

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

Meeting coming to order: Mr. Marcom called the meeting to order at 7 pm.

Minutes: Therewas one correction to the minutes on page 2, paragraph 2. Mr. Perron asked that the word “this” be inserted before the word “constitutes.” Mr. Perron made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion passed by voice vote. Since Mr. Marcom had not read the February workshop minutes, a vote on these minutes was postponed until next month.

Old Business

Public Hearing for Liberty Utilities for additional tree removal on Farnum Road, a scenic road.

Ms. Heather Green, Vegetation Manager for Liberty Utilities, did not attend the meeting. Kelly Hoffman, a consultant for arboreal matters for Liberty Utilities represented Liberty Utilities at the hearing. Ms. Green and Ms. Hoffman were at a public hearing in December 2021 when the Planning Board approved routine maintenance on the two scenic roads in Walpole – Old Drewsville Road and Farnum Road. In February, Liberty Utilities requested another public hearing to do additional work on Farnum Road. The fee for two legals in The Keene Sentinel as required by RSA 271:172 arrived at the Town Offices on Monday, March 7, 2022.

Board members had a diagram of Farnum Road showing the existing poles that were going to be replaced by taller poles and updated lines. Ms. Hoffman handed out a list of trees that were on the December list of trees to be removed and, on the same paper, a list of additional trees to be cut when the taller poles are installed. She said that there are some well-established cherry trees along the road that bend over the existing line and they are going to be severely impacted by the installation. Ms. Hoffman said the trees could be trimmed but it would hurt the trees. She said all the trees but one, which will be removed have been tagged

                                                                      1.                                                                  

with pink or red tags.

What happens to the wood after the tree has been removed? Mr. Dalessio asked. Ms. Hoffman said that a Liberty Utilities person talks to the landowner to get permission to remove trees. Then they typically leave the wood on site. However, if the landowner wants to use the wood for firewood, it can be cut to log lengths, she said.

When they install the new poles do they leave the old poles behind? Mr. Dalessio asked. Ms. Hoffman said yes. The Select Board is very unhappy with Liberty Utilities leaving the poles behind, Mr. Dalessio said. He asked Ms. Hoffman if she would take that information back to the company and let them know. “We’re getting tired of looking at our landscape and seeing all these poles sticking up all over the place.” He said that the request would not be approved until he hears back from Liberty Utilities about what they are going to do with the poles. He suggested driving on Route 123 if anyone were interested in seeing poles that were not removed.

Mr. MacLachlan asked about the schedule for cutting. Ms. Hoffman wasn’t sure but said that Liberty had to get approval from the board first and it was certainly not going to be cutting tomorrow. She could find out the schedule if that’s what the board wanted.

Mr. Marcom wanted to know what kind of options the board had. They could approve or not approve tonight or continue the hearing until next month and when Heather gets here she could answer questions, Mr. Dalessio said.

Shane O’Keefe said he was acquainted with Farnum Road. He has had some knowledge of the shorter poles being abandoned after taller ones are installed. He thought maybe the Planning Board could put some kind of conditions on removal of the trees. Maybe have some kind of performance review, he said. Perhaps give them six months after the work is completed to take down the old poles, he suggested.

Mr. Marcom asked if there were any other questions from the public. He closed the public hearing. Now the question was does the board want to continue the meeting until next month when they could ask questions of Ms. Green or put conditions on a motion to approve. Mr. Dalessio said six months seemed enough time for them to remove the cables and put them on the new poles.

Mr. Dalessio made a motion to approve the removal of trees on Farnum Road on the condition that Liberty Utilities remove the old poles within six months of completing their work. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the board vote unanimously to approved the motion.

Mr. Dalessio told Ms. Hoffman that if Ms. Green had any questions she could come to the meeting next month.

Spencer’s LLC – Outdoor seating and a handicap parking space. Mr. Spencer had a letter from The Walpole Foundation saying that his outdoor seating for the restaurant had to be approved by the Planning Board yearly. Also, The Foundation wanted the handicap space that was there before restored so it is at or near the end of the ramp. Mr. Perron recused himself from voting because he was the one who presented Mr. Spencer’s plan to the board

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 last month to be put on the agenda. Mr. Spencer said the outdoor seating at the restaurant will be the same as last year and the handicap parking space would be moved over one spot

to in front of Edward Jones. He said he would put up a handicap sign there as well. Mr. Dalessio made a motion to approve outdoor seating for Spencer’s restaurant and including moving the handicap parking space. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by the board.

Workshop

Mr. Marcom reminded board members that there was workshop meeting at the end of the month. It is not the usual 4^th Tuesday of the month so instead of the workshop being held on the 22^nd, it will be held on the 29^th. Mr. Dalessio reminded the secretary that because it was not on the 4^th Tuesday, the public meeting will have to be posted.

Update on day care center

Mr. Marcom told the public that the board was going into a nonpublic session to discuss an update on the day care center because it had received a letter from Town Counsel, Jeremy Hockensmith. There is an RSA that allows a board to go into nonpublic session when considering information from legal counsel, he said. He had a roll call vote of every board member and they all voted aye to go into nonpublic session.

Ms. Dalessio made a motion to go into nonpublic session to discuss based on attorney-client privilege. The motion was seconded and the motion carried. The board went into nonpublic session at 7:25 pm and Mr. Dalessio made a motion to come out of nonpublic session at 7:51 pm. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the rest of the board voted in the affirmative.

Public Session resumes

Mr. Marcom said it was decided that the board would like input from the abutters on Maplewood Circle on the day care situation. This would help the board make a decision on whether or not to have a site plan review. So the board intends to ask town counsel Jeremy Hockensmith about the matter and if he okays it, the Planning Board will hold a public hearing in April and invite the neighborhood of Maplewood Circle to comment on traffic and parking. Mr. Perron made a motion to invite the people on Maplewood Circle to a public hearing to discuss the day care center and a site plan. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Ms. Raney asked the board if the dumpster in the front yard of the day care center was going to be screened when spring begins on March 21. The Select Board minutes of December 2, 2021 state that the board was agreeable to wait until spring to have the dumpster screened. Mr. Dalessio said he would bring it up at the next Select Board meeting.

Mr. Perron made a motion to close the meeting. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Recording Secretary

cc: WPB, ZBA, Town Offices.

Posted: Inside the Town Offices, on the bulletin board outside the Post Office, www.walpolenh.us                                           3.

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called this Selectboard meeting via Zoom to order at 6:30 PM.  The Selectboard members were in three separate locations.   This meeting was being recorded.

Ms. Mayberry called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present:  Steven Dalessio was present at his home in Drewsville; Peggy Pschirrer was present at her home in Walpole and Cheryl Mayberry was present at her home in North Walpole.  Also attending this meeting was Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, at the Town Hall and Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, at a separate location.  There were no members of the public in attendance. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $14,880.31 for checks issued March 4, 2022.  This includes a payment in the amount of $8,183.65 to E.E. Houghton Company.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending February 26, 2022, in the amount of $28,603.35 for checks dated March 4, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,950.69.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.   On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – February 24, 2022:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of February 24, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – February 24, 2022:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of February 24, 2022, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

• Walpole Power Committee Meeting – February 15, 2022;
• Walpole Police Committee Meeting – February 16, 2022;
• Walpole Planning Board Meeting Minutes (updated) – February 8, 2022;
• Walpole Planning Board Workshop Minutes – February 22, 2022.

PROPERTY TAX REFUND:

MAP and LOT # 028-103-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $13.31 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #028-103-000.  This is due to an overpayment of taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

VETERAN TAX CREDITS:

Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the following Veteran Tax Credits for the owner(s) of:

• Map and Lot #006-016-000 – this is for a Veterans’ Tax Credit;
• Map and Lot #017-008-001 – this is for a Veterans’ Tax Credit;
• Map and Lot #029-036-000 – this is for an All Veterans’ Tax Credit;

They all served over 90 days of active service and were Honorably Discharged.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. 

Ms. Mayberry asked what the difference is between a “Veterans’ Tax Credit” and an “All Veterans’ Tax Credit.  Mrs. Downing explained that both get the $500 tax credit.  The Veterans’ Tax Credit is for veterans who served during a conflict and the All Veterans’ Tax Credit is for veterans who served during a time of a non-conflict.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION:

MAP and LOT #029-036-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Solar Energy Exemption for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #029-036-000.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Dalessio questioned if the applicants generate more than they use, how are they dealing with the tax credit?  Mrs. Downing talked to a few people who applied, and they claim they are just getting enough to run their homes and/or whatever is on their property.  They cannot get the grant money if the solar array produces more than they use.  With net metering, they are finding out that they might have to pay in a few dollars.  They are getting a statement at the end of the year.  A measurement is set-up.  This goes with the applicant.  Mr. Dalessio thinks that with the tax bill they should send out an affidavit to be signed and returned and to have the owner(s) give the Town a copy of the net metering statement.  They have some big producers in Town.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted that rules change.  Mr. Dalessio will continue his research.  

OLD BUSINESS:

Piano on 2^nd Floor of Town Hall:  Mr. Dalessio was fine with disposing of the piano.  Mrs. Pschirrer agreed.  At one point they could not even move it.  The Selectboard asked Mrs. Downing to advertise it as “free – provided you can move it out of the Town Hall” in the Clarion and Walpolean.  

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.

Ordinances:  Mrs. Pschirrer has been reading the Parking Ordinance but the problem with all the Ordinances is they contain so many RSAs they are not easy for most people to read; she wants to re-write them in plain English but reference the RSAs. Mr. Dalessio agreed as long as they reference the RSAs.  Should they focus on the enforcement part first?  Mrs. Pschirrer agreed with Mr. Dalessio that tickets will be needed as a part of the Parking Ordinance enforcement.  Mr. Dalessio wants enforcement added to the Dog procedures too.  Ms. Mayberry agreed.

Staff Training Session:  The next Staff Training Session is scheduled for Thursday, March 17^th at 5:00 PM.  Mrs. Downing asked if some employees will be able to attend at home or do they need to be in the Town Hall?  Mr. Dalessio suggested postponing the change-over from Zoom to in-person Selectboard meetings one more week so this Staff Training Session can be a Zoom meeting.  Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry agreed to schedule this as a Zoom meeting.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mr. Dalessio 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 Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 6:52 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 6:57 PM.

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, (b) Hiring and (c) Reputations.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 6:58 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:49 PM. 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 3, 2022, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any additional discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Starting at 6:30 PM on Zoom

SELECTBOARD MEETING

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $65,849.03 for checks issued 3/11/2022

PAYROLL

• Payroll Register totaling $27,723.63 dated 3/11/22 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $5,775.24

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

• Selectboard Meeting – March 3, 2022

• Non-Public Session Selectboard Minutes – March 3, 2022

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• North Walpole Village District Meeting – February 15, 2022

• North Walpole Village District Meeting – February 22, 2022

• Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 7, 2022

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS

• Map and Lot# 019-069-000

• Map and Lot# 011-007-001

• Map and Lot# 001-001-000

• Map and Lot# 003-082-CL3

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION

• Map and Lot# 010-022-000

OLD BUSINESS

• Plowing Ordinance

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, 

NEW BUSINESS

• Welfare Case Summary – Jan. & Feb. 2022

• Trail Map Box

• SAU 60 Budget Committee

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

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