The Walpolean

I have started work on the September issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION, and the deadline for the issue is Sunday, August 22, but a week away. You will not want to miss this issue. I am sharing Hubbard Farms history on their 100th anniversary, and celebrating the completion of ten years of getting the CLARION into your hands each month.

School is about to start. I will update you on the SOLAR and DUNKIN saga, but with COVID cases rebounding it may be questionable what else may spring back to life to report on. But if you have something to share and tell the community about please get your submissions in about those activities. Again, submissions from North Walpole and Drewsville are especially welcomed.

If you have any questions, or wish to advertise, please contact me. Thank you, stay safe, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting was being recorded.  Attending this meeting was Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration.  Members of the public present were Joy Dannenberg, Grace Chandler, Marina and Joseph Coneeny, Alan Duprey, Barb and Jody Spivey, Pam and Jim Baucom, Judy Epstein, Kevin Healy, Christopher Sink, Becky Brown, Cindy Stewart, Jon MacClaren, Richard and Jane Malmberg, Ben and Vanessa Berman.

JULY 29, 2021 STORM WATER DAMAGE:  At the beginning of the update, Mr. Dalessio thanked the Walpole Highway Dept, Fire & EMS, a private contractor and local citizens who helped the Town make quick repairs. In less than 36 hours, damaged roads were made passable. Cold River Road was badly damaged and is now re-opened. Blackjack Crossing had two washouts. One home was evacuated due to foundation damage. They are addressing each report of damage as they come in. Emergency access is a top priority. Tomorrow a preliminary estimate is due to the State to see if the Town will have access to emergency funds. The estimated damage is in excess of 2 million dollars which includes large projects. Next week the State will be visiting the Town to see the problem areas.  There are daily activities such as stabilizing roadways and making driveways passable. Short terms goals include fixing the Cold River Road, the Mill Road embankment, and a culvert structure at Old Keene and Wentworth Roads. A long-term project is the School Street drainage system. Mr. Dalessio feels that professional engineering is required. A challenge is the availability of materials. They are using networking to find supplies. A stretch of good weather is needed to get the work done. Due to rainy weather, the paving of Elm Street has been delayed until September. Funding may be a challenge and they are looking at grants. Three and a half dump trucks of debris deposited in the School Street area due to the storm.

Christopher Sink, 16 Union St.: The closure of School Street wasn’t mentioned and asked if the drainage issues were included in funding. Mr. Dalessio stated yes that cost was included. Mr. Sink stated they have 8,000 pounds of debris at their curb.

Ms. Mayberry stated they were going to allow everyone who wished to speak with a 3-minute time limit. Second questions would be allowed after that.

Judy Epstein, 46 School Street: She was not in Walpole when the storm happened. Ms. Epstein felt it was a 4 year, not a 50 to 100 year storm as stated earlier. Ms. Epstein referenced the June 22, 2017 minutes. The Selectboard had been talking with an engineer to create a plan. A wetland permit was needed. Ms. Epstein asked if the permit was applied for? There was no damage to her home but a lot of debris in her yard. Ms. Epstein is not going to clean it up by herself. Mr. Dalessio said they did not apply for a wetlands’ permit and he did not know why. An engineer did review the area in 2017. The Town is meeting with the engineer again. The road agent thought he had solved the problem. On the night of the storm, Mr. Dalessio texted the road agent who had been on School Street twenty minutes before the flooding began. The culvert had been working fine. They are going to be working aggressively to get this solved. Peggy Pschirrer stated the DES did visit to walk Butternut Brook. DES told Mrs. Pschirrer we did not have enough damage for a permit or correction. Nine years earlier, some remediation had occurred with webbing being applied to stabilize the stream banks. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that we need to be conscious of problems that are emerging such as Rt. 12 that were not originally obvious. Mr. Dalessio announced that Rt. 12 is closed, north of Walpole, due to underlying issues. Mr. Dalessio stated with the School Street area, water is coming down Prospect Hill, bringing down debris which then blocks up the catch basin. That is the problem that needs to be solved.

Joe Coneeny, 11 Main Street: Mr. Coneeny stated that the damage in not just on School Street. He agreed the issue is the same each time with the drain being blocked. When unblocked, it shoots debris over his yard. The situation is frustrating since it has happened on more than one occasion. Mr. Dalessio used School Street as a generic term. He knows it includes properties downhill from the culvert. Mr. Coneeny asked if private property damage was included in the 2 million dollars estimate of repair costs. Mr. Dalessio stated they included these costs, as much as possible, into the figure.

Jim Baucom, 40 School Street: Thanks was given by Mr. Baucom to the Highway Department. They always show up and try to do as much as they can. Mr. Baucom did see Mike Rau, the Road Agent, out on School Street right before the road became inundated. Although School Street is not the biggest problem, it is a consistent and wide-spread problem involving several streets. This has been a long-term goal that needs to move up on the agenda due to the amount of property damage. In the past they regraded their yard. They had to rip up the carpets in their basement this past weekend. Mr. Dalessio said they will be working with an engineer this year but that it would be next year, due to timing, that actual work would occur.

Pam Baucom, 40 School Street: Thanks was given by Mrs. Baucom to the Selectboard for their service. She and her husband, along with help from friends, spent the last week cleaning their yard. That is a lot of unpaid manpower. Mrs. Baucom agreed it’s no one’s fault but they cannot keep picking up their yard. Mrs. Pschirrer said that figuring this out will be a priority. The Selectboard needs to figure out the funding for the repairs. She expects more severe storms to occur due to global warming. Mr. Dalessio stated that engineering firms are factoring climate changes into their planning.

Becky Brown, 23 South Street: Ms. Brown handed out copies of pictures of the damage on her property to the Selectboard. The culvert under Ford Avenue washed out on their side. The Duprey side of the brook was fixed years ago. No bank repairs happened on their side of the brook and they keep losing banking. They had a lot of water in their basement. They have to throw-out their carpets and water damaged books. Ms. Brown explained the pictures. There have been changes with Mr. Shamash’s land bordering the brook that effect the water flow too. Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that the stream is becoming very close to Ms. Brown’s shed.

Alan Duprey, 10 Ford Avenue: Mr. Duprey stated all the problems with the culvert down at Ford Avenue come from upstream where the brook reaches over the banks. The water and the bank are level right now with no containment. Mr. Dalessio felt that the brook needs to be reviewed by someone who understands storm water management.

Joy Dannenberg, 34 Ford Avenue: Ms. Dannenberg lives at the other end of Ford Ave. There is a culvert that runs under the road from Ms. Chandler’s boundary with her neighbor. The stormwater comes down from Old Keene Road, between the two houses on the other side of the street, along with another neighbor’s drain into the culvert. Two years ago, she put in a larger pipe. This is the third time she’s had landscape damage. She cannot keep fixing the damage. The pipe gets full of debris and overflows.

Marina Coneeny, 11 Main Street: There are a lot of things property owners have already done to improve the drainage. Property owners have the experience of seeing what is happening when it floods, which an engineer would not experience. They have replaced pipes with new, larger pipes. The ditch on the north side of the property has been dug out. She asked that property owners be included in the engineering assessment discussions. They have more debris this time due to the failure of one culvert. Mr. Dalessio understands that each property owner wishes to protect their property. We must accept that what is happening on one end could affect what is happening on the other end. Ms. Dannenberg agreed since water from her neighbors’ property flows through to her yard.

Jon MacClaren, 16 Union Street: Mr. MacClaren wanted people to be aware that Union Street has eroded underneath the pavement in several spots. Those parking for Hastings House events could have cars collapsing into the road edge. There is a big hole down by the Unitarian Church per Mr. Sink.  It was agreed that there are cones near the area.

Kevin Healy, 43 School Street: Mr. Healy spoke with his driveway engineer who had recommendations. Deceleration areas were suggested, to slow the water. Mr. Healy was emailing his contact at Dufrense-Henry to Mr. Dalessio. Mr. Dalessio is open to new contacts to look at the area. We must keep debris out of the culverts.

Jody Spivey, 171 Whipple Hill Road: Mr. Spivey lives on a class VI road. He wants to make sure the damage on their road is not overlooked. There were two areas compromised. Pictures were sent to the Selectboard Office. Some of the damage is unseen.

Jim Baucom, 40 School Street: There are piles of debris on Union Street. Rain is predicted on Sunday night which may wash into the road. Mr. Dalessio texted the road agent to see if they can pick up the debris piles before the next rainstorm.

Ms. Mayberry said there is Emergency Watershed Protection Plan information that can be shared. Those interested are to write their email address on the sign-in sheet to receive the information document. The Selectboard thanked everyone for attending the meeting to voice their concerns.

LIBRARY and MUNICIPAL MASK POLICY: Mr. Ben Berman explained he was at the meeting because his seven-year old daughter is required to wear a mask at the Library. He wanted to offer a different point of view. Mr. Berman referenced an article from Parenting Science.com entitled, “Facial Expressions for Kids and Helping Kids Read Emotions.’ Mr. Berman covered highlights from the article. He also shared a copy of the article with the Selectboard. Mr. Berman has three children and feels there’s a lack of focus of what COVID-19 is doing to children and their learning. His daughter is homeschooled and a very good reader. Mr. Berman feels wearing a mask is a deterrent to his daughter’s education. He asked if the Town would change the rules. Ms. Mayberry related that the Town is allowed to make its own mask rules by the Governor and that most places have similar mask signage. She had notice that many vaccinated people are returning to wearing masks due to the Delta variant. The policies and procedures are for the majority of the people and their comfort level with masks. Masks are not to be meant to be restrictive but to curb the spread of the virus. Mr. Berman was concerned about the effect of the mask policy on his children’s development and general wellness. Mrs. Pschirrer commented she had a long discussion with Mr. Berman earlier this week. Decisions made effect the entire Town. Her scientific readings support children are spreading the virus which is why they must wear masks in the library. Mr. Berman replied that he has been reading different scientific articles with other opinions. Ms. Mayberry stated that earlier in the pandemic, masks are used to reduce the stress on the healthcare system so that it would not become overwhelmed. The Selectboard has to think of the larger population and the effect on the healthcare system. Mr. Berman stated our local healthcare system was not overwhelmed. Ms. Mayberry responded this was due to preventative steps that were taken. Mr. Berman stated he has natural immunity and things are not as they were. Ms. Mayberry said there have been growing COVID cases the in last few weeks. Mrs. Pschirrer stated there were two new cases in Walpole this week. Mr. Berman understands there is a risk to becoming sick and there are risks when active in society. The Selectboard is not willing to take that risk for the Town. Ms. Mayberry said that the Selectboard could vote on the request. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Board had discussed masks at the prior meeting due to increased cases and concerns with public meetings. Mr. Dalessio stated he is not a parent and therefore doesn’t know how he would respond. He felt that Mr. Berman presented his information very well. Mr. Dalessio feels the issue is about different parenting styles. However, the Selectboard must think of the greater good of the community. Mr. Berman stated other parents have similar concerns. Mr. Dalessio would like to hear from these parents. 

Jane Malmberg, the Library Director, stated as a parent she shares the concern with children being isolated due to COVID-19. She has discussed the issue with the Library’s Board of Trustees. Other visitors to the library could be susceptible to COVID. The library must be a safe space for the public. The library offers outside programming where masks are not needed. Under RSA 41:11-a, the Library Trustees can determine Library policy.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $33,486.00 for checks issued August 6, 2021.  This includes a payment in the amount of $5,457.03 to Granite State Minerals for Highway salt.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  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 July 31, 2021, in the amount of $36,249.25 for checks dated August 6, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,603.73.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – July 29, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 22, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #1 MINTUES – July 29, 2021: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 22, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2 MINTUES – July 29, 2021: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 22, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  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:• Conservation Commission Meeting – August 2, 2021

BUILDING PERMIT:

Permit #2021-32, MAP and LOT #012-042–000:  Mr. Dalessiomoved to grant Building Permit No. 2021-32 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #012-042-000 to add a “48’ x 47’ breezeway and addition to home”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Brownfields Cleanup of Former Central Plating Site Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the sumps in the red building had been cleaned today. The red building will be coming down on Aug. 23^rd.

Pending Further Actions:

Mill Pond Dam Inspection, Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood, Complete Streets re: Sidewalks:  There were no updates at this meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Exterior Office Door: The Selectboard reviewed the three quotes. Due to the lack of difference in price, the contractor that can complete the work in the earliest time frame will be awarded the job. Mr. Steve Dalessio moved to approve the purchase order for replacing the door for the TC-TC Office, not to exceed $27,000, to the contractor with the earliest starting date. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Cemetery Deed D577, D578, D579:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for the purchase of Lots D577, D578, D579.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Emergency Expenditures re: RSA 32:11: Mrs. Pschirrer found there is approximately 2 million dollars in the unassigned fund balance. Jamie Dow of the NH Dept. of Revenue (DRA), who had called earlier in the week to offer advice, will be back on Monday. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that is an option to request a special hearing to use these funds for repairing stormwater damage. Mr. Dalessio stated that creating actual figures will take time. Ms. Mayberry requested that the topic be placed under Old Business for the next Selectboard meeting.

Emergency Requests for Driveway Repairs: Ms. Mayberry felt that the Town should have a defined process for deciding when an emergency repair is needed for a driveway. There was a consensus that the Fire Chief and Road Agent make a joint decision. It is a collaborative judgement between the two parties.

Request for Information on Town Electricity Load: The Manager of Finance will gather the Town’s fourth quarter of 2020 electricity bills and send to the right-to-know requestor.

Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP): A copy of the information form is to be sent to Ms. Jeanette Clark of Cold River Road. Her yard flooded during the storm.

DRA Monitoring Report: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the report from a recent survey of audited properties that were re-evaluated by Avitar Associates. It was a positive report.

Home with Stormwater Damage: A letter to the Selectboard regarding a home with foundation damage on Colonial Drive arrived late in the day. The Board wished to review the history of this property. This item will be addressed at the next Selectboard Meeting.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 8:38 PM.  

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:39 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) Employees, (c) Reputations, (e) Legal Matters.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 8:39 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:54 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs.  Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.  

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

Walpole Town Hall

Friday, July 30, 2021

Present: Cheryl Mayberry (Facilitator) and Steve Dalessio, Walpole; Mary Ann Wolf, Joe Levesque, and Joel McCarty, Alstead; William Rescsanski, Jeremy Wood, Shelly Blouin-Andrus, and Nancy Houghton, Charlestown; Nate Chaffee and Devin Gallagher, Langdon; Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

Call to Order:  Cheryl Mayberry called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. in Walpole Town Hall. She welcomed everyone to Walpole. This meeting was being recorded.

Introductions: Selectboard members introduced themselves and stated the towns they represent. Ms. Mayberry thanked everyone for attending and Charlestown for providing the agenda.

Understanding Each Community: Ms. Mayberry asked if anyone would like to begin the discussion of any of the topics on the agenda.  Mr. Rescsanski stated he is grateful for the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.  Mr. Wood opened the discussion by explaining that he has heard of animosity among the towns, and he would like to show people that the towns do get along and are willing to help each other. He wants to see the towns reach out to each other and meet to discuss shared concerns among municipalities. Ms. Mayberry agreed; she has heard of such animosity but disagrees with it. She cited an example of collaborative meetings between the Walpole and Charlestown selectboards a few years ago to share advice, answer questions, talk about procedures, and discuss how meetings, etc. were run in each town. She said it was very helpful to see the issues from each town’s perspective.

Ms. Wolf stated she has not heard of any animosity. Mr. Wood said he has heard it especially during Covid times and discussions of school district issues. He stated considering all the changes that are happening, it would be advantageous for all the towns to get together and make some agreements, perhaps have inter-town recreational activities, or anything to bring the towns closer to create a tighter bond.

To enable the selectboard representatives present to better understand how the Walpole selectboard runs the town, Mr. Dalessio explained that selectboard members act as liaisons to each town department. They attend department meetings and interface frequently throughout the week with department directors. In this way questions can be answered, and decisions made without having to wait for the next selectboard meeting. 

Mr. Dalessio stated that cooperation among towns already exists. Some towns share highway equipment. Recreation departments have worked together. Ms. Mayberry stated that Walpole and Charlestown worked together when Charlestown had difficulties finding volunteer coaches. The Walpole Rec Director scheduled games and tried to help out. She stated it’s important to maintain those community connections and said Walpole is willing to continue to work with other communities on these programs. Mr. Dalessio said Walpole would be willing to work together on projects if they make sense financially and timewise.

Ms. Andrus stated Charlestown has a similar approach, having exofficios to each department to make some decisions. She agreed that the boards should get together, even if it is just quarterly, to discuss issues and what’s coming down the road. Mr. McCarty agreed as well. Ms. Andrus stated that the communities are inter-connected with families, so it makes sense that they be inter-connected as a board. Ms. Mayberry said it is just like anything. You must make time to do it. And you must work to maintain relationships. It’s purposeful communication and you are suggesting that between boards, and she supports that. Ms. Andrus cited the example of the football coach reaching out to all the towns about flag football. Mr. Dalessio suggested putting the rec directors in touch with each other and providing guidance rather than getting involved in all the projects. That will cause a lag in time because of the tight schedule of selectpersons.

Broadband:  Mr. Wood said he met with Peggy Pschirrer of the Walpole Selectboard to discuss Broadband. Mr. McCarty stated Alstead did not meet the criteria for SB-170. Mr. Levesque said Comcast told them they already provided 60% coverage to Alstead. “Lost Alstead”, the area with the 756- (Walpole) phone number was wired by CCI. Mr. McCarty said Alstead sent their packet to 18 providers and got zero responses. Mr. Dalessio asked if Alstead had a seat on the Southwest Region Planning Commission Broadband Committee. Mr. Levesque said he was the rep, but they haven’t been able to do anything for Alstead yet. They are still reviewing Alstead’s information.

Ms. Houghton asked if Alstead is associated with NH Electric Co-op. They are thinking of doing Broadband also. Mr. McCarty said Alstead has no more than a dozen customers. Mr. Wood said the Co-op is going to do it for their own customers. Ms. Houghton thought the Co-op was planning to do the town also. Mr. McCarty said the Alstead Broadband committee is still intact. He will put it on the next meeting agenda.

Selectboard Meetings:  Ms. Mayberry asked how often each selectboard meets. Langdon meets every Monday, except during the summer months when they meet every other Monday.  Charlestown meets every Wednesday. Alstead meets weekly. Walpole meets every Thursday at 6:30 PM. Every third Thursday they meet with all staff at 5:00 PM. Each director gives a report about activities, expenses, etc. so that each department knows what the other departments are doing. Mr. Wood explained Charlestown department heads meet once a month and then they have committees once a month. Workshops are held 2-3 times a month. Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry explained that Walpole has few committees. Instead, selectboard liaisons attend library trustee, Hooper, Planning Board, Conservation Commission meetings. Minutes of those meetings are also sent to the Selectboard, so they are aware of everything that is going on. The Selectboard gets financial reports and check registers earlier in the week so they can review.  This enables Selectboard Meetings to be more procedural.

Finances:  Mr. Wood asked if the Walpole Finance Director is elected. Mr. Dalessio answered that the position is appointed. Ms. Andrus said Walpole’s Finance Director is like their Administrator. She oversees the finances. Mr. McCarty asked about the difference between Finance Director and Treasurer. Mr. Dalessio said the Treasurer in Walpole is elected. Mr. Dalessio asked if Charlestown has a Town Manager, and the answer was negative. They have an Administrator. Walpole has a Finance Director and Manager of Administration. Both report to the Selectboard. 

Mr. McCarty asked if the towns do an audit every year. Walpole, Charlestown, Alstead. and Langdon do. He said if a town wants to be transparent and show voters how their money is being spent, they should do an audit. Charlestown’s audit goes into their annual report. Mr. McCarty said that if five towns went together to get bids for auditing services, they may get a friendlier price. It is something to think about.

Mr. Wood mentioned possibly going together to get bids for paving projects. Mr. McCarty suggested a way to get started doing this. Alstead has a volunteer who is doing long-term management of their capital improvements. He has created a spreadsheet of projects with target dates. He suggested if everyone created such a spreadsheet, coordination of projects could be done. Mr. McCarty said it is a bonus for the town because, for example, they don’t have to guess which is the worst road in town in need of paving; they already know what work will be done. Mr. McCarty said towns might also get together to save money on gravel. He said they have done some bartering with Acworth on hauling and rolling. Mr. Levesque said that equipment sharing among towns could be very beneficial. And he said that the capital improvement spreadsheet in Alstead also includes when they plan to purchase new equipment.

Transfer Station:  Ms. Wolf asked Langdon what they are doing with their transfer station. Alstead is looking for a place for storage. Mr. Chaffee said nothing right now, so Ms. Wolf said they would be in touch.

Mr. Rescsanski asked if anyone is having trouble recycling. He said Charlestown’s plastic is contaminated and there are problems with the glass. Alstead agreed then referred to Walpole. Ms. Wolf stated, “They run a tight ship.”  Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry credited Ben Hoy, the recycling center director for his good ideas and for working out deals with others. She said he is fortunate because the mission of the Town supports and helps sell his ideas.  She said he would be glad to give tours.

Mr. Dalessio explained that Walpole purchased a baler and bales everything. They crush glass themselves and crush and bale aluminum cans, which get compacted and picked up. Walpole does not do the transport. When asked the price of the baler, Mr. Dalessio said $85,000, and it paid for itself in less than four years.

Mr. McCarty suggested doing their homework (collect data about how many tons of what they are handling) then inviting Ben Hoy to the next meeting in 90 days to discuss options. Ms. Mayberry said he is a very energetic person. She credits him for helping to create the new reuse center; much of the work he did himself. Ms. Wolf stated he is also very good with volunteers because she is one and knows. She also recommended visiting the reuse center in Swanzey, run by a man named Josh. Ms. Andrus suggested to her board that they invite the Charlestown transfer/highway director to that meeting so he can hear the information first-hand.

Walpole was asked what they do with their corrugated cardboard. The answer was, they bale it and sell it. Mr. Dalessio explained that local businesses call on the recycling center to get rid of materials. For example, Shaws gave them fluorescent light tubes. Mr. G’s gives them cardboard. Lentex gives them large cardboard rolls. Selling these things generates revenue for the town. Ms. Andrus said they get the same from Whelen.

Mr. Dalessio stated that a challenge this past year was dealing with the increase in garbage generated by folks staying home due to the pandemic. However, he stated that collaboration at staff meetings leading to departments helping departments has saved the town money. 

It was stated that Alstead and Langdon share a transfer station. Langdon pays Alstead to use it. Ms. Mayberry said Walpole does not issue permits, and out of towners may drop garbage and recyclables there. Non-recyclable items must be put into Walpole trash bags, which are sold at local retailers.  She also explained that any money donated at the reuse center is distributed to the Fall Mountain Food Shelf and Friendly Meals. This amounts to roughly $125/month for each. Reuse Center staff makes the determination of whether an item is donatable or trash. Certain items unable to be donated cost 15 cents/pound for disposal, and that money goes back into the Recycling Center.

Fall Mountain Food Shelf and Friendly Meals:  Mr. Wood asked if Langdon and Alstead share the food shelf. It was explained that it is for everyone. Ms. Mayberry said she often sees cars from Vermont there. It is in Langdon, but Friendly Meals are hosted out of Alstead. It is on town property, so it is maintained by the town. Mr. Rescsanski explained that Charlestown has its own food self. Ms. Andrus stated that they host Congregate Meals instead of Friendly Meals. Mr. McCarty said that they stopped Friendly Meals because of Covid. Ms. Wood said they will reassess the program next spring.

General Community Information: Mr. Dalessio detailed projects in Walpole to emphasize the importance of building community support. He talked about the Walpole Library Renovation Project, Hooper Institute, Brownfields Project, and the Walker Road Project. Ms. Wolf talked about the Alstead community’s support of the Chase’s Mill Project, all of which were done without taxpayer money.

Public Deposit Investment Pool (PDIP):  Mr. Dalessio asked if the other towns are using PDIP for excess cash, such as highway block grants. Walpole tries to keep their checking account minimized. They have about 1-2 weeks’ worth of cash in the general checking at any one time. The rest goes into this program to earn interest. This includes trusts, capital project money, highway block grants, which are put into separate accounts until there is a need to spend it. The Finance Director and Treasurer work hand-in-hand and a phone call or email will get the money transferred. Mr. Wood said they want to do something like this in Charlestown for their water project. Mr. Rescsanski stated that Charlestown has a treasurer, but there is no analysis. He would like to see finances improved. Mr. Dalessio explained that Tom Goins, Walpole Treasurer, set this up. Other towns were asked if they had business managers or finance directors. Mr. Chaffee said a Selectboard Assistant does that work for Langdon. Mr. Dalessio said he thought Tom Goins would speak with anyone who wants to know more about the program. Walpole was asked if there is a minimum deposit required in a PDIP. Ms. Mayberry said she didn’t think so. She and Mr. Dalessio suggested putting tax money into the program until the county tax comes due. American Rescue Plan money can be put in there until plans are made for spending it.

Vilas Bridge:  Walpole was asked what was happening with the closed Vilas Bridge. Mr. Dalessio stated the project must be prioritized by the governors of NH and VT to get anything done. He said it is very difficult to raise money for a state project.  It is part of NH DOT’s 10-year plan for construction projects, but it will only be 50% funded and continually gets pushed back in the plan.  Ms. Mayberry explained that the state doesn’t see it as a transportation problem, but an infrastructure problem, so they don’t want to fund it. Mr. Dalessio says the main concern is the sewer line under the bridge.

Mr. Rescsanski asked if Walpole has an asset management plan for water/sewer. Mr. Dalessio said no, but if asked, Mark Houghton, Walpole Water/Sewer Director would know what needs to be done in the next 10 years. Ms. Mayberry said the DES has excellent workshops on the topic, including how to get community buy-in for projects.  She recommends the workshops.

Challenges Ahead:  Ms. Andrus asked one final question of the group before the workshop wrapped up. She wanted to know what each board felt was their greatest challenge moving forward.  Mr. Gallagher of Alstead said flooding. He and Mr. Chaffee agreed that there were no other problems at this time.  Mr. McCarty stated that Alstead is a remarkably supportive community, and they, like Langdon, do not have any serious challenges. Mr. Levesque said they are looking for someone to head up their transfer station. No one person is running it now. Mr. McCarty said his biggest challenge is wrapping his head around all the federal programs that are coming their way. Cheshire County hired someone to help him understand the proper way to get through the registration, application, expenditures, and recording of federal funds as they come in.

Steve Dalessio stated that Walpole needs to ensure that there is succession in place, because when someone leaves a position, they end up with information voids. Cross training is important. Ms. Mayberry said asset management is needed.

Ms. Andrus said Charlestown needs to put policies into play. Get buy-in from the community and establish a sense of togetherness, whether it be as a town or as a district

Ms. Mayberry asked if any of the other town had been contacted by the Community Power Coalition about cooperative purchasing of electrical power. Walpole has joined the coalition. After discussing what the group has to offer, there seemed to be general interest in the plan. Ms. Mayberry will send each selectboard the contact information for the coalition representative, Henry Herndon of Concord.

Mr. McCarty proposed that this body reconvene in 90 days and invite Ben Hoy to come and share information and answer questions. Ms. Mayberry will contact him about the meeting.  Mr. McCarty suggested October 29 at the same time in Walpole Town Hall. He also suggested submitting their data to Mr. Hoy in 60 days.

Adjournment:  With no further topics to discuss, Cheryl Mayberry adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

**Draft Minutes with edits and changes to be applied at Oct. 29^th Joint Meeting**

**NOTICE**

Friday, August 13, 2021at 3:00 PM

The Walpole Selectboard will be holding a

Public Walk and Meeting with Executive Counselor Cinde Warmington

A walking tour of local businesses in the downtown Village with a public meeting to follow at the Town Hall in the main meeting room.

The public is welcome to attend to meet and discuss concerns with Ms. Warmington

---

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting was being recorded.  Attending this meeting was Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration.  Members of the Community Power Committee present were:  Dennis Marcom, Patrick Kiniry, Ron Bouchard and Paul Looney.

COMMUNITY POWER COALITION PRESENTATION:  Ms. Mayberry introduced Mr. Henry Herndon, Member Engagement Consultant for the Community Power Coalition of NH. Mr. Herndon gave an overview of the goal of community power; to give users a choice regarding electricity from alternative energy sources, possibly at a lower cost. The process started in 2020 with a workgroup of interested municipalities.

The coalition hired a law firm with power sector experience to create the agreement that was approved in Jan. 2021. Phase I is for municipalities to join the coalition. Phase II is for each municipality to develop a plan to bring to Town Meeting. The coalition would manage the staffing and aggregation of the power programs. Each community that is part of the coalition has a designated representative and alternate.  Mrs. Pschirrer read the motion from the July 22, 2021 Selectboard Minutes for the chair to sign the Joint Powers Agreement to allow Walpole to become a member of the coalition.

Ms. Mayberry asked for a list of communities involved in the project. Mr. Hendron stated that there are now nine members which are Lebanon, Hanover, Nashua, Exeter, Rye, Dover, Warner, Harrisville and Walpole. Mr. Herndon stated a save-the-date notice for October 1^st is forthcoming for signing an updated Joint Powers Agreement with corrections and clarifications.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to appoint Paul Looney and Dennis Marcom as Walpole’s designated representative and alternate for the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $146,685.63 for checks issued July 30, 2021.  This includes a payment in the amount of $107,844 for a Highway truck that was approved by a 2021 Warrant Article.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Dr. Charles Shaw and Mr. Ray Boas came into the meeting.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD MEETING #1:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session #1 pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (d) Property.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:02 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:50 PM.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending July 24, 2021, in the amount of $32,926.85 for checks dated July 30, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,603.73.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – July 22, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 22, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  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:

• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – July 21, 2021;
• Safety Committee Meeting – July 22, 2021.

WARRANTS:

WALPOLE WATER FEES:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Water Fees in the amount of $51,684.70.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

WALPOLE SEWER FEES:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $88,421.92.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

NORTH WALPOLE SEWER FEES:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of North Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $68,971.77.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

LAND USE CHANGE TAX:

MAP and LOT #011-001-001:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Land Use Change Tax bill in the amount of $8,500 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #011-001-001.  The land was disturbed to build a new home.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT:

Permit #2021-31, MAP and LOT #012-044-500:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2021-31 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #012-044-500 to add a “28’ x 12’ Prebuilt Shed”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Granite Park Bench Donation Request: Ms. Mayberry mentioned this was discussed last week.  They asked for a picture of the bench and that was received.  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to let Mrs. Frankiewicz know they will accept the bench and find a place for it on the Common.

Brownfields Cleanup of Former Central Plating Site Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the asbestos analysis was completed.  The electricity has been turned off and they hope the water has been turned off by now.  The fence has been taken down around the grassy area and small trees have been cut.  At the request of Green Site Services, they will clean out the sumps and then start taking down the red garage building.

Pending Further Actions:

Mill Pond Dam Inspection, Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood, Complete Streets re: Sidewalks:  There were no updates at this meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

PA-36 for Discretionary Preservation Easement for Map and Lot #005-001-000:  The Selectboard needed to set a date for a Public Hearing at least two weeks from tonight in order to meet the ten day posting time.  There was a consensus to set the date for the Public Hearing as Thursday, August 12, 2021, at 6:00 PM. 

Cemetery Deed D506:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for the purchase of Lot D506.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Purchase Order for Recycling Purchase:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Purchase Order for Walpole Recycling Sweatshirts for volunteers in the amount of $786.50 from Bulldog Design LLC.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Main Street Crosswalk Signage Request: A pedestrian was almost struck while walking across the Main Street crosswalk. She had started walking in the crosswalk, got half way, and a man in a pick-up truck came out of Burdick’s yard and came real close to her, she hollered at him that “This is a crosswalk, you are supposed to Stop”, he said “Oh, I’m sorry” but kept going.  The Selectboard was in favor of getting a “Stop for Pedestrians – State Law” sign.  Mr. Rau will be asked to purchase the sign.          

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (c) Reputations.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 8:13 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:17 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs.  Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

JULY 29, 2021 STORM WATER DAMAGE

LIBRARY and MUNICIPAL MASK POLICY

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $33,486.00 for checks issued 8/06/21

PAYROLL

• Payroll Register totaling $36,249.25 dated 8/06/21 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,359.24

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

COMMITTEE REPORTS

BUIDLING PERMITS

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Actions

NEW BUSINESS

• Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office Quotes to Replace Rear, Exterior Door
• Cemetery Deed for Lots D577, D578, D579
• Emergency Expenditures re: RSA 32:11
• Emergency Requests for Driveway Repairs
• Request for Information on Town Electricity Load
• Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP)
• DRA Monitoring Report

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES

• Hooper Trustees Meeting – July 15, 2021

HOOPER BUSINESS

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

SELECTBOARD MEETING – continuedNON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) (e)

COVID by the Numbers-July 30 Edition

My last report was on July 20.  Though still low, cases are on the rise in Walpole and in the state, so here is an end-of-the-month update.  The Department of Health and Human Services no longer issues statistics on Saturday and Sunday, so the last day of the July stats will be included in their report on Monday, August 2.

Here in Walpole, 2 new confirmed cases were just added, so we continue in the 1-4 case category.  The message, though, is that the virus is definitely here in our community.

In Cheshire County, we were at a seven day average of confirmed cases per 100,000 of 2.4 on July 20.  We have now risen to an average of 3.2.  Confirmed active cases in the county have doubled in ten days from 11 cases on July 20 to 22 today.

Statewide, the seven day average of confirmed cases per 100,000 was 2.1 on July 20.  Today, that number is 4.7.  There were 270 currently active cases statewide as of July 20.  As of July 30, the statewide number is reported as 586.  There were over 100 new cases reported on 3 different days last week. That brought the seven day average of daily reported cases up to 82.  Hospitalizations statewide were at 24 on July 20, and at 29 on July 30.  Sadly, we lost 3 more citizens in the last ten days. The good news here is that hospitalizations and deaths are increasing a much lower rate than the overall increase in new reported cases.

It is increasingly clear that the Delta variant, unlike the earlier ones, can both infect fully vaccinated individuals and be transmitted by fully vaccinated individuals.  Full vaccination does, however, decrease the risks enormously, even with the Delta variant. 

On July 27, the CDC added a  “recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.”  The full text of the CDC recommendations as of July 27 can be found here:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html.

The only county in NH where transmission is currently classifies as “substantial” is Belnap County.  If you do business in Vermont, I noted that several places which had dropped their mask requirement have now gone back to requiring masks.

For more statistical information and maps than you can imagine, visit the NH DHHS web site at  https://www.covid19.nh.gov and click on “Active Dashboards.”

Take good care, stay well, and keep dry.

~Rep. Lucy McVitty Weber
217 Old Keene Road
Walpole  NH  03608

Cell: 603-499-0282
lwmcv@comcast.net

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  Ms. Mayberry will be attending but will be late.  This meeting was being recorded.  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:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $777,483.66 for checks issued July 23, 2021.  This includes a monthly payment in the amount of $607,559.42 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending July 17, 2021, in the amount of $32,484.99 for checks dated July 23, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,215.91.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – July 15, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 15, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION MINUTES – July 15, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of July 15, 2021, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

STAFF MEETING MINUTES – July 15, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of July 15, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

• Conservation Committee Meeting – July 12, 2021;
• Planning Board Meeting – July 13, 2021.

LAND USE CHANGE TAX:

MAP and LOTS #021-025 and #026-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to deny the Appeal of the Land Use Change Tax (LUCT) for the owner(s) of Map and Lots #021-025 and #026-000 based on the recommendation of Avitar Associates, since there was a lack of a credible opinion of the market value of the two lots.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

DEMOLITION PERMITS:

Permit #2021-29, MAP and LOT #019-068-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant Demolition Permit #2021-29 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #019-068-000 to “Remove 3 Car Garage, Breezeway, Front Porch & Rear Porch, Bump Out on Back of House”.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Permit #2021-30, MAP and LOT #020-063-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant Demolition Permit #2021-30 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #020-063-000 to “Remove Former Wastewater Treatment Building”.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mr. Dalessio requested that a note be put on this permit stating that: “This is part of the clean-up process for the former Central Plating Brownfields EPA site”.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Recreation Revolving Fund Request:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Recreation Department’s Revolving Fund request to purchase a new ADA chair for the Town Pool for the amount of $5,745.00 and to sign Purchase Order #678083.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry came into the meeting and assumed the position as Chair.

Community Power Coalition: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that members of the Community Power Committee met.  She had sent out copies of the “Invitation to Join the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire” along with other information.  There is no cost to join; it would give us a seat on the Board of Directors.  Walpole can drop out if they choose to do so.  It will be incorporated within the next month.  The Coalition already has 6-or-7 members; Lebanon, Hanover, Dublin, Harrisville and Nashua.  Some of these towns have already adopted their own plan.  There will be options when we choose our own: solar panels, wind-power, or none of them.  Mrs. Pschirrer will ask Mr. Henry Herndon to attend the meeting next week. Some members of the local committee plan to attend as well.         

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Walpole Selectboard enter into an inter-municipal agreement known as the “Joint Powers Agreement” under the provisions of New Hampshire RSA 53-A to create the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) for the purpose of supporting member municipalities and counties in developing and implementing electric aggregation plans, pursuant to RSA 53-E, as well as related statutory authorities.  Be it further moved, that the Selectboard, is authorized to appoint a representative and an alternate to the CPCNH Membership and Board of Directors”.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Chair of the Selectboard, Cheryl Mayberry, be authorized to sign the Articles of Agreement and the Joint Powers Agreement of Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire that was already approved by their legal counsel. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.    

Brownfields Cleanup of former Central Plating Site Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported the Selectboard approved the demolition of the former wastewater treatment (red) building on the former Central Plating site at this meeting.  Green Site Services (GSS) plans to begin this project on Monday, August 2^nd.  They are in the process of getting other permits.  She speaks with Ms. Tamis from GSS almost every day.  The project is moving forward.

Rescheduling Arborclimb Meeting on Common:   There was a consensus of the Selectboard to reschedule the Arborclimb meeting on the Common for August 5^th at 5 PM.

Rescheduling E.C. Warmington Visit: The Selectboard asked Mrs. Downing to reschedule the Executive Councilor Warmington visit on August 13^th at 3 PM

Pending Further Actions:

Mill Pond Dam Inspection, Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood

US Flag/Bunting for US Holidays Citizen Comment:  Mrs. Downing spoke with Mr. Whit Aldrich.  He agreed there were not many flags out on Memorial Day due to heavy rain.  Mr. Dalessio recommended making a note to put flags out when they can on Memorial Day and July 4^th.

Portage Parade:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported on her visit to the Connecticut River Conservancy Portage Parade last Saturday.  It was well attended.  Walpole Police cruisers escorted participants along the route.       

Complete Streets:  Ms. Mayberry sent copies of some emails to Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio.  It included links to zoom into all the sidewalks in Town.  Mr. J.B. Mack suggested the Town hire somebody to do an assessment and some outreach to get some feedback on the sidewalk project.  They allow funds for engineering but Mr. Mack thought they might get a benefit from developing a plan for sidewalks.  Mr. Dalessio asked Mr. Rau to get estimates on the sidewalks for both asphalt and concrete.

NEW BUSINESS:

Five (5) Town Joint Meeting re: Fall Mountain Regional School District: The Town of Walpole will host this Joint Selectboard meeting on Friday, July 30^th at 4:30 PM at the Walpole Town Hall.  They will have a preliminary discussion on what they want to accomplish.      

Purchase Order for One-Ton Truck for Highway Department:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the purchase of a 2022 International HV507 one-ton truck for the amount of $107,844.00 for the Highway Department as approved under Warrant Article #6 at the March 2021 Town Meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Notice of Appointments for Conservation Commission:

Appointment for Member:  Ms. Mayberry advised that Mr. Palmiotto is presently an alternate member of the Conservation Commission.  This appointment is to finish out Jackie Kensen’s term as she resigned. 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the appointment of Peter Palmiotto as a member of the Conservation Commission for a period of less than one (1) year, August 2021 through Town Meeting, March 2022.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Appointment of Alternate Member:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the appointment of Kara Dexter as an Alternate Member of the Conservation Commission for a period of three (3) years, August 2021 through Town Meeting, March 2024.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Granite Park Bench Donation Request:  Mrs. Marcia Frankiewicz would like to donate a four-foot Granite Park bench with a back to be placed on the Common in memory of her husband, Ronald Frankiewicz.  She will pay for the installation and cement pad.  The Selectboard would like to see a picture of the bench.  They will make a decision on where to place it.     

Credit Cards:  Ms. Mayberry talked to Mr. Rich Kreissle about the Town credit cards.  She asked him to look into increasing their credit limit. There is a credit card policy that might have to be revised.  There should be a purchase order policy.  Mr. Dalessio felt Credit Card and Purchase Order Policies and Procedures could be discussed at a Staff Meeting.

Communication:  Ms. Mayberry asked Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio how they communicate with the department managers after decisions are made at meetings.  Mrs. Pschirrer usually emails them after she gets back home after the meeting.  Mr. Dalessio calls Mr. Houghton on the following day (Friday).  He notifies Mr. Rau on the following Monday or Tuesday when the department is not working on Fridays.  Ms. Mayberry noted this is important especially with time sensitive issues.

Sale of Tax Deeded Properties:  Mrs. Downing advised that ads for the sale of the two tax deeded properties will be published in the Keene Sentinel.     

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Patricia lost a Nissan Murano smart key about 10 days ago somewhere in town and is hoping someone reading The Walpolean can help.  It is a car key plus a few others hung on a metal chain with a blue & white Turkish ‘evil ‘eye’ protector bead (pic below).  1 key is an oval black smart Nissan key, one is a regular metal key with a green marker around the top, etc.

I would really appreciate it if you can let me know should they turn up in your neck of the woods.   Thank you.

Patricia

Patricia M. Dooley

75 Wentworth Road

H 603 756 0909

W 603 756 9888

C 603 313 8453

The Friends of the Walpole Town Library are very happy to announce that our annual
book sale at the Walpole School gym will resume again this fall after last year’s sale
needed to be canceled due to the pandemic. So in preparation for the book sale,
please note the following information:

• Save the Date – Friday, October 29 to Sunday, October 31 (further details to
follow)

• Book Donations – We will be accepting book donations at the “chicken coop”
(behind the Hungry Diner) on the following 2 days:
Tuesday, August 24 – 10:00 am to noon
Thursday, August 26 – 3:00 to 5:00 pm

• We already have a lot of books, and limited space to sort and store them. Therefore,
we will need to be very particular about the books that we are able to accept.
PLEASE NOTE: NO BOOK DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON DAYS OTHER
THAN AUG 24 and 26. Please do not leave books at the library.

• Volunteers – We are looking for volunteers to help with book sorting. Every
Wednesday morning from 10:30 to 11:30, we will be sorting books at the “chicken
coop.” We are also looking for volunteers to help at the book sale in October. If you
are a book lover, both of these jobs can be a lot of fun, and we would really
appreciate your help! Please call Carol at 756-9537 with any questions or to
volunteer.

• PS – The Plant Sale lives on! Please continue to stop by the library porch
occasionally to check out the ever-changing inventory. Also, plant donations are
always appreciated!

• THANK YOU for your ongoing support of the library!