The Walpolean

The 1st Congregational Church UCC, Walpole is having –

a PEANUT BUTTER (and jelly) Drive-by/Drop off on Saturday, January 21, 10-12.  Help us meet our goal of 300 jars!  All collected will be delivered to the Fall Mountain Food Shelf.

Thanks to Mr. Cassarino we have more information from the Walpole Schools. This group meets monthly so that staff and community can discuss and share topics of interest to all. – Lil

Walpole Site Base 1/4/23

I. Forum/Approval of Minutes:

● Minutes reviewed/accepted

II. Old Business

● Budget was presented to the School Board.

● Building updates were given in November. 

Superintendent Search

● Committee has been formed and has been meeting regularly.

● Applications are in front of the committee for review.

● We have developed a job posting and the tools for evaluating candidates.

        Safe Grants for Building Security: 

● We have received grant monies to do the following: 

● WPS–$51,100

*New interior doors, locks, film for outside windows

● NWS—$74,475

*new doors, locks, film for outside windows, alert lights

● WES–$45,175 

*locks and film for windows 

Grand Total– $170,750

*These projects start spring and/or summer

Budget Committee Proposals

● The group did a very thorough job looking at allocated funds, very involved and very committed to looking at the budget 

● Admin Budget proposal::  $33,546,492.97 with a decrease of $302, 836.18:  0.89% 

● Budget Committee proposal: $32,853, 492.97, representing an additional $995,836.18  decrease or 2.94%

● Budget CommitteeCuts:  $588,000 of teachers (3 CAA, 2 FMRsD, 2 WAA, 1 AAA)

● Specifically Walpole would cut one from NWS and combine for 1 2/ 3 grade,  1 second, 1 third grade and 1 combo 2/3 grade

● The Other Recommendations—6-8, cut  1 math teacher, or reduce WES to 1 ELA teacher 

● Reasoning: There is a decline in enrollment  that merits these recommendations from the Budget Committee.

Further Recommendations: 

● $100,000 should be reduced from the para line —-the unfilled positions could be eliminated  district wide 

● $33, 000 central office cuts 

● $28,000 put back into the budget—for student needs–$20 per student in each classroom to offset the personal monies spent by teachers on classroom supplies.

Questions from Community Guests/Site Base Team to Mr. Cassarino and Mr. Varone 

● Do we need to take this advice from the committee? No, they can’t insist on these cuts, they can give the final numbers

● Combination grades were questioned.

● Was there research on combination grades? Mr. Varone mentioned 30 years of Langdon’s efforts in this area. Mrs. Rowe said it went well.  Mr. Varone mentioned the drop in population. Justin agrees that we need to develop a long term plan. 

● Justin mentioned the double math blocks that have changed test scores positively at WES.  

● Walpole test scores are above the state scores and can we really look at what we are doing. It was mentioned that Walpole is above the district and state average. Why aren’t we looking at how this was accomplished? 

● One campus possibility? We should really look at that and make a long plan. 

● Question about state ratios for classes, and have these data points been looked at. Mr. Varone mentioned the changing grade combinations in Acworth and Langdon. 

● A discussion ensued about how students are broken up into class groupings. 

● Has the budget committee looked at student opinions? This has not happened.

● Question about the intention of the budget cuts. Are these strategic decisions? 

● Mr. Varone explains the origins of the budget committee and the idea of balancing the interest of the community.  35%-40%.  

● A lively discussion continued about Walpole’s ability to manage their own tax dollars. Mr. Varone explained how the apportionment works and the possibilities of managing our own tax dollars in other words what it would take. 

● Mr. Varone explained that the budget committee looked at the bottom line. 

● Nancy LeClair, Chairperson,  mentioned how  the Site Base needs to get the information out to all community members.

● It was  mentioned to possibly look at sports as a possible cut. 

● What are the next steps?

○ We need to get this information out there.

○ Site Base will  write a letter to the School Board suggesting that a reasonable 3-5 year plan needs to be developed rather than random cuts.

○ January 9th is the next School Board meeting. (This meeting will take place in Walpole).

○ Letter committee: Alejandra Pallais, Carolyn LeBail and Justin Cassarino. Thank you to this group for volunteering. 

○ Thank you to Mr. Varone for his willingness to come to our meeting and address questions. 

III. New Business–none

IV. Other Business–none:  

Adjourned:  7:30 PM       Next Meeting: February 1, 2023, 6:00 P.M.   

School Board Meeting: January 9, 2023

The venue for the Walpole Players’ auditions for Grumpy Old Men – The Musical on Sunday, January 8, has been changed. The top floor of the town hall is currently undergoing repair, so we will be meeting at St John’s church on Elm Street in Walpole. Starting time is still 2pm. 

Selectboard Present:  Steven Dalessio, Chair; Peggy Pschirrer and Cheryl Mayberry.

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.There was one member of the public present, Mr. Ray Boas.

TREES ON THE COMMON:

Mr. Boas had seen in the December 5^th Selectboard Minutes a discussion about replacing two trees on the Common. There was a consensus that there was a plan to replace three trees. Mr. Boas wished to discuss the esthetics and funding of the replacement trees. Mr. Boas likes seeing activity on and around the Common. Mr. Boas recounted past Clarion articles related to trees on the Common. There was a discussion as to how many trees were removed since the summer. There were three trees removed on the east side, and one large tree on west side. A small, dead dogwood was also removed. Mr. Boas said if one squared off the Common, there are 6 trees on the east side and 5 trees on the west side. There is a tree across from 46 Elm Street in poor condition. Mr. Dalessio explained that the Town had hired an arborist. A staged process with removal and replacement was recommended.  Mr. Boas felt this plan was unbalanced and not pleasing. He would like to recommend planting 3 trees on the west side of the Common. Then there would be 8 trees on the east side and 7 trees on the west side of the Common.

Mr. Boas wished to discuss funding and quotes. Mr. Dalessio explained that they had terrible luck finding an arborist. The arborist hired provided a very good proposal. Mr. Boas was interested in the contractual procedures. There was a discussion if the funding would be sought through a warrant article. Mr. Boas suggested using the unassigned fund balance to purchase trees. He also felt that donations could be sought. Mr. Boas would be interested in donating money to a tree in his wife’s memory.

The Selectboard reviewed the quote for the replacement trees and the care of current trees. Ms. Mayberry commented that an arborist was hired for balance and continuity. Mr. Dalessio said that the Selectboard viewed this as a long-term project. Mr. Boas is interested in balancing out the trees on the Common. Mr. Dalessio said the three proposed trees were 2.5 inches in diameter and 10 -12 feet tall. Mr. Boas felt that the quote was too much money. The group reviewed the quote of $4,705 for purchasing trees, planting, transport, labor, compost, fertilizerand mesh protection. The quote to care for two Norway maples is $4,180. Ms. Pschirrer said that two tupelo trees and one Jefferson elm tree were recommended by the arborist. Mr. Dalessio asked if the arborist could provide a quote for the larger 4.5-inch trees. There was a watering plan included in the quote. Mr. Boas would like to see all the trees, for both sides of the Common, purchased at one time.

​

2023 TOWN BUDGET HEARING:  The Selectboard had planned the budget hearing for Thursday, February 9^th. However, there is a meeting conflict with the Fall Mountain Regional School District Deliberative Session night. There was a consensus to move the Town’s budget hearing to Wednesday, February 8^th at 5:30 PM with the Selectboard Meeting to follow.

Mr. Boas departed the meeting at 7:03 PM.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending December 24, 2022, in the amount of $30,747.28 dated December 30, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,470.35.  Seconded by Mrs.Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessioin favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 22, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 22, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs.Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 22, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 22, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs.Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.The minutes are to remain sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The following reports were acknowledged by the Selectboard:

VETERANS’ CREDIT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Veterans’ Credit application for map and lot# 029-005-00. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the veterans’ credit was approved.

TIMBER INTENTS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Intent to Cut for:

• Map and Lot# 009-006-000

• Map and Lot# 009-008-000

• Map and Lot# 010-034-000

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

BUILDING PERMITS:

2022-50, Map and Lot# 003-077-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept Building Permit# 2022-50 for Map and Lot# 003-077-000 to add a 488 square foot roof mount solar array.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Pending Further Actions:  Generators, Parking Ordinance,School and Old North Main Bridges/Culverts, School Street Drainage Project, Phase 3 Power for Industrial Drive and Bensonwood, Houghton Brook Bridge

Termination of Service Letter with The Standard: Ms. Mayberry moved for the Chair to sign the Termination of Service Letter with The Standard.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Cold River Riverbank Approval for Repair Letter: Ms. Pschirrer moved to sign the letter of approval to the NH DOS for the repair of the Cold River riverbank washout.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Walpole USPAP Review Report: There was a consensus that the letter from the NH DRA was a notice that everything was done correctly for report. No follow-up was needed said Mr. Dalessio.

Thank You Notes: From the Library Staff for their holiday gift cards, Peggy Pschirrer for get well flowers and the Nash family for a bereavement donation.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore