Keeping the community up to date on community topics
Saturday, March 11, 5:30 p.m.
(this is the REAL date. We mistakenly submitted March 25th to the Clarion)
ALL ARE WELCOME!
First Congregational Church of Walpole, UCC
Bring a main dish, dessert, or side.
We will provide beverages.
A freewill offering for WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN’s efforts in Ukraine, Turkey, and elsewhere will be collected at the potluck.
For more information: 603-756-4075 or www.walpolenhucc.org
As a former Board Member, Treasurer, and Teacher at the Walpole Village School, to say nothing about being a senior citizen, I can’t begin to express how happy this news makes me! – Lil
The Walpole Village School and the Walpole Foundation happily annoince that effective February 28, 2023, the Walpole Village School property has been purchased by The Walpole Foundation. The Walpole Village School will continue its current operation as usual with a lease held by the Walpole Foundation.
The Walpole Village School, a not-for-profit operation, has been in operation at various locations since 1974. As has been the case for all of its existence, the Walpole Village School relies heavily on the community it serves for support. Much of this is received through donations, participation in events such as the Pancake Breakfast and other contributions. The Walpole Village School will continue to serve the community and looks forward to the continued support from all whom it serves.
The Walpole Foundation will build the Village School a new energy efficient building with a Community Room. Both Boards of Directors will cooperate in planning that new school structure.
Long term plans include senior, handicapped accessible rental housing on the same property demonstrating the mutual benefits for both seniors and young children.
The Walpole Foundation is a not-for-profit organization and now owns ten residential and commercial properties in the Town of Walpole. It pays property taxes on all of its properties.
Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio, Alternate Travis Adams.
Facilitator: Lisa Murphy, Senior Planner Southwest Regional Planning Commission.
Topic: Master Plan Chapter – Natural Features. This is a new chapter being added to the Master Plan.
Ms. Murphy presented several maps about Walpole’s natural features and four pages of definitions and explanations about the maps. Those pages also included pie charts classifications by acres.
The maps were titled:
Steep Slopes
Soil Classification – 5 maps – gravel, road fill, topsoil, farmland and sand
Water Resources and water bodies including aquifers
Wetlands
Topographic map including insets of North Walpole and the Village
Shaded Relief Areas
Wildlife Action Plan – 2 maps – Habitat Land Cover and Highest Ranked Habitat by Ecological Condition
Suggestions to Ms. Murphy were make the definitions and refine the legends. Legends are on a map listing and explaining the symbols.
Ms. Murphy will be back on the 4th Tuesday of April or May with the finished product.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
WPB Recording Secretary
Walpole Planning Board
Walpole, NH
The Planning Board feels there needs to be some clarification on the recently posted Town Warrant Articles for the upcoming Town vote and meeting regarding Article 3, a proposed zoning amendment by petition regarding formula businesses.
After a public hearing in January, the Planning Board voted to Not recommend this zoning amendment.
The Women of Walpole will be meeting Wednesday, March 15 at 6:30pm (this is one of our two evening meetings during the year).
Location: Traditions Real Estate Office, 73 Main Street, Walpole, NH
Hosted by: Robyn Sanctuary
Our guest speaker for this month’s program is Don Caruso, CEO of Cheshire Medical Center who will be presenting information on the status of health care in our community. Members will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about taking care of our health.
Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair; Peggy Pschirrer and Cheryl Mayberry
Others Present: Dale Woodward, Steve Varone
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
NEW BUSINESS:
Cemetery and Green Burials: Mr. Woodward commenced a discussion regarding green burials. He stated that this past summer the library hosted a speaker from NH Funeral Resources. He stated that after this meeting, a couple of residents from Walpole spoke to him about moving forward with green burials. Mr. Woodward explained that green burials are such when there are only flat markers at the site, no embalming, and all materials used are compostable. Additionally, revisions to the by-laws permit green burials, but the question is “where” these type of burials will be located. Mr. Woodward stated that 3 ½ feet is the depth for green burials. It was suggested that the western boundary be used for green burials. The Cemetery Trustees are suggesting a 4’ x 10’ lot. Mr. Woodward stated a new access road would need to be put in. Mrs. Pschirrer asked where the funding for this new green burial site would come from. Mr. Woodward read the by-laws and said he would develop the pricing. He indicated that a warrant article would need to be written. Mr. Woodward would work on this over the summer. Mrs. Pschirrer said the Selectboard would be willing to contact the Office of Charitable Trusts on behalf of the Cemetery Trustees. Mr. Dalessio suggested that the by-laws be revised to state 7% of the lot fee be deposited into the general fund and 93% be deposited into Cemetery II Fund which is held by the Trustees of Trust Funds. Mr. Dalessio suggested to Mr. Woodward that he acquire more than one quote for each of the jobs needed for the completion of the green burial cemetery area. The Selectboard commented that creating the green burial area would be a 2024 warrant article.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a):
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 7:05 p.m. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. These minutes will be sealed.
The meeting reconvened at 7:34 p.m.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $72,039.19 for checks issued February 24, 2023. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. This includes a payment of $38,891.30 to HealthTrust.
PAYROLL:
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Check Register in the amount of $28,325.46 dated February 24, 2023, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,449.94. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – February 16, 2023: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of February 16, 2023. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – February 16, 2023: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of February 16, 2023. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes are to remain sealed.
STAFF MEETING– February 16, 2023: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of February 16, 2023. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, and Mr. Dalessio abstaining, the motion was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The following reports were acknowledged by the Selectboard:
• Planning Board Meeting- February 14, 2023
BUILDING PERMITS:
2023-04, Map and Lot# 007-020-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve a building permit# 2023-04 for Map and Lot# 007-020-000 to install a 34’ x 13’10” ground mount solar array. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Pool Repair: Ms. Mayberry stated that Rich Kreissle researched using the ARPA county funds to connect the Rec. Park to the sewer system. After the ARPA Funds were applied, this would leave the Town short $2,317.08 to complete the project. Mr. Dalessio requested that the remaining funds come from general maintenance and repair in the Recreation Dept. budget. There was a consensus with the Selectboard to move forward with the pool repair project.
Mailboxes and Structures in Town Right of Way Policy: Mr. Dalessio stated he added a graphic to the policy. Mrs. Downing stated also that she changed the wording in the policy from “avoid” to “do not use” to clarify what is not permitted. Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Mailboxes and Structures in Town Right of Way Policy. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting at 7:46 PM. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion. There was none. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary
Ray Boas
Feb 27
I just returned from the printer and the post offices, and your March CLARION should be delivered to Walpole, North Walpole, and Drewsville postal recipients hopefully tomorrow, February 28th. Another 20 page paper with much to read about what you will see on the ballots Tuesday March 14, and coming at Town Meeting on Saturday March 18. But, now it is on-line for you to begin reading.
I continue to get nice compliments when I see friends, neighbors, and even strangers when they find out I am the publisher of “your local paper.” It even happened at an event yesterday in Dummerston. Thank you, I appreciate your kind words, but bringing you the CLARION is simply something I should do for the community. But also too, making your community publication possible are the advertisers, so thank them as well. Tell them you saw their ads, and maybe even give them some business.
So just click on this link, or the cover below to see the March issue. Yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher
“Great Decisions”
War Crimes
“Great Decisions” will resume on Monday, March 13, 6:00 p.m., in the Walpole Town Library. Our first topic of the year is “War Crimes,” and the discussion will be moderated by Adrian Basora, former United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia and subsequently to the Czech Republic. Adrian is currently a trustee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute and chairs its Eurasia Program. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is on the international advisory board of the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. During his 33 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Adrian served in former Soviet Bloc countries and helped develop American programs in support of their transitions to democracy. He has followed events in Ukraine with particular concern.
The Foreign Policy Association (fpa.org) publishes an article in their annual magazine on each “Great Decisions” topic. Now available at the library: “War crimes: What are they? How can they be prosecuted?” by Francine Hirsch, describing the history of international attempts to codify and prosecute war crimes. A copy of the article can be emailed to you upon request: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague was founded in 1998, but neither Russia nor the U.S. have ever joined the ICC. Can Russia’s leaders be charged with crimes of aggression? Does the United Nations have a role to play? What kinds of ad hoc international tribunals are being considered? What authority has Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office assumed? Ukrainian and E.U. investigations have identified over 50,000 crimes against humanity.
This will be the first of two examinations of War Crimes: We will follow-up on April 3 with expert commentary from the Honorable Patricia Whalen, former judge at the Bosnian War Crimes Tribunal, and Dr. James Waller, Cohen Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College, director of academic programs at the Auschwitz Institute, widely-recognized scholar and author. You won’t want to miss either of these events!
Please join the discussion at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 13, either in person in the Hubbard Meeting Room at the Walpole Town Library or via Zoom. For the Zoom link, contact Jane Malmberg, Library Director, in advance of the meeting: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org.
Sue Kibbe and Ron MacLachlan
Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair; Peggy Pschirrer and Cheryl Mayberry
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:32 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $736,617.16 for checks issued February 17, 2023. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. This includes a payment of $700,531.13 for Fall Mt. Regional School District.
PAYROLL:
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Check Register in the amount of $30,493.74 dated February 17, 2023, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,044.62. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
PUBLIC HEARING FOR 2023 ANNUAL BUDGET– February 8, 2023: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Public Hearing of February 8, 2023. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING – February 8, 2023: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of February 8, 2023. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – February 8, 2023: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of February 8, 2023. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes are to remain sealed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The following reports were acknowledged by the Selectboard:
SUPPLEMENTAL TAX WARRANT:
Map and Lot# 012-012-004: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve a supplemental tax warrant for Map and Lot# 012-012-004, of $11,617 for a property in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program Ms. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
REFUND:
Map and Lot# 019-061-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve a property tax refund for Map and Lot# 019-061-000 for $90.44 for the overpayment of interest. Ms. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Map and Lot# 003-034-008 and 028-131-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve a property tax refund for Map and Lot# 003-034-008 and 028-131-000 for $24.19 for the overpayment of interest. Ms. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Interest vs. No Interest Refunds: The Selectboard discussed property owners’ abatements that originated from spring estimated tax payments being more than the final tax bill. Ms. Mayberry stated her opinion not to pay the interest on the refunds. Mr. Dalessio stated that the DRA states that the Town should pay the interest, and the DRA is the highest authority. However, the matter has not been settled by the DRA, Avitar and the Tax Collectors’ Association.
Ms. Mayberry motioned to sign the abatement reimbursements for the refunded amount for the abatement only, not to include interest for Map 4 lot for $67; map 6 lot 7 for $22; map 9 lot 28 for $23; map 10 lot 34 for $103; map 11 lot 50 for $18; map 16 lot 5 sub-lot mh04 for $1; map 24 lot 38 for $303. Ms. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
ALL VETERAN’S TAX CREDIT:
Map and Lot# 013-052-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve an All Veterans’ Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 013-052-000, as the applicant met the requirement by serving over 90 days of active duty and was honorably discharged. Ms. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Reservoir Dam: Mr. Dalessio stated that the executive council approved the grant of $740,000 for the Reservoir Dam. Paperwork and contracts will be coming up for that. He stated the procurement policy would need to be reviewed since this will be a requirement for the grant.
Pool Repair: Mr. Dalessio commenced a discussion regarding the pool. Ms. Mayberry informed the Selectboard that the total repair cost for the pool is $90,000. We only have $52,000-$53,000 left in the warrant. The leak repair itself is $7,000, and this needs to be scheduled now to prepare for pool opening in June. The Selectboard reached consensus to move forward with repairing the pool leak for $7,000. Mr. Dalessio advised speaking to Mr. Kreissle to determine if the count ARPA funds could be utilized to complete the entire pool repair project.
Mailboxes and Structures in Town Right of Way Policy: Mr. Dalessio stated that he will have a draft prepared for next week for a decision. Mr. Dalessio stated to remove “avoid” and to place “not permitted” in the wording of the policy concerning mailbox structures in town to demonstrate it is a directive. Mr. Dalessio stated that the new policy would be ready to sign next week.
Mascoma Bank Parking Lot Light: Mr. Dalessio stated the Town has received another complaint for Light 159-2. He confirmed that this light is owned by the Town. Ms. Pschirrer stated the issue with the light is that it is too bright and is shining into the house two doors away. Mr. Dalessio stated the manufacturers of the light are being consulted to see if the light can be dimmed.
NEW BUSINESS:
MS-636: Mr. Dalessio commented that the MS-636 was ready to sign. Ms. Mayberry motioned to sign the MS-636. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Cemetery Deed: Ms. Pschirrer motioned to approve the cemetery deed for lots E-886 and
E-887. Mrs. Mayberry seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a):
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 7:14 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:55 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Ms. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting at 8:04 PM. Seconded by Mrs. Mayberry. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion. There was none. Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary
The Walpolean 
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