The Walpolean

Dear Walpole community:

Thanks to so much generosity from so many people, the 2022 Community Giving Tree provided a brighter holiday season for almost 30 local families and almost 100 local children. 

We would like to thank The Congregational Church of Walpole, St. John’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, The Hungry Diner, Spencer’s Place, the Walpole and North Walpole Libraries, Mascoma Bank, and The Savings Bank of Walpole on Westminster Street for displaying tags and collecting gifts.  We would like to also thank the “Toys for Tots” program based at The Savings Bank of Walpole in the Shaw’s plaza for providing many extra toys so that parents could choose 2-3 more gifts besides those that they requested.  The staff at the Westminster St. Savings Bank of Walpole also provided wrapping paper and tape for the parents.  We thank everyone who sent us donations, as we purchased over $600 worth of gifts for tags that were not taken.  Finally, we want to thank EVERYONE who chose tags and purchased gifts.  A special thanks also to the “Women of Walpole” who chose many tags and purchased many gifts. 

This whole project is a perfect example of small town holiday spirit.  THANK YOU SO MUCH to all who helped in any way! HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours!  We hope that 2023 brings you peace, joy, and good health!

Thank you again,

Sincerely,Jeanne Cloues and Marcia Weil

Giving Tree Project coordinators

Good news! Thanks to the efforts of Marilou Blaine, Janet Chamberlin, and myself, we are able to resume AIM classes. Janet Chamberlin (you may know her from the clinic) will be our instructor. 

Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 10:00 AM downstairs at the Town Hall starting January 17th. The cost is $3.00 each time you participate. You will be asked to get a release form filled out by your doctor. That paper can be picked up in the 17^th or whenever you are ready to start.

Please share this news with your friends and neighbors. Many of you participated back in the Pre-COVID days and we hope to see you again. This is a fun way to build strength and flexibility and is designed especially for Seniors.

Selectboard Present:  Steven Dalessio, Chair was in the Selectboard Office with Mrs. Pschirrer participating by speaker phone.

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.There were no members of the public present.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel at 6:30 PM.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Ms. Mayberry, Mrs.Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. These minutes are to remain sealed.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 6:58 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $650,329.89 for checks issued December 23, 2022.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. It included a $353,063.62 payment to All States Construction for highway asphalt.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending December 17, 2022, in the amount of $36,213.84 dated December 23, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $7,499.62.  Seconded by Mrs.Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessioin favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 15, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 15, 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 15, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 15, 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:

• North Walpole Village District Commissioners’ Meeting – December 6, 2022;

REFUNDS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the following property tax refunds: 

• Map and Lot# 029-019-000 for $7.00 due to overpayment.

• Map and Lot# 012-024-000 for $3,266.00 due to a duplicate payment.

Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the property tax abatements were approved.

TIMBER TAX WARRANT:

Map and Lot# 011-045-000, Op# 24-461-04-T: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Timber Tax Yield Certification and Warrant for Map and Lot# 011-045-000, Op# 24-461-04-T.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs.Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the following Solar Energy Exemptions: 

• Map and Lot# 022-014-000

• Map and Lot# 012-044-010

Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the property solar energy exemptionswere approved.

TIMBER INTENTS:

Map and Lot# 011-003-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot# 011-003-000.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved. The intent to cut was for the Hooper Forest.

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

NEW BUSINESS:

NH DOT One Time Bridge Payment: A payment of $100,849.86 was received. Mr. Dalessio recommended saving the monies to use as part of the matching funds to pay for the Houghton Brook Bridge. There was an agreement by consensus to this plan.

2023 Budget Hearing Date: The meeting must be before 2/17/2023. There was a consensus to hold the meeting on Thursday, 2/9/2023 at 5:30 PM. The snow date would be the following Thursday, 2/16/2023.

Community Forestry Survey: The Board requested the survey be sent to Alicia Flammia and Peter Palmiotto of the Conservation Commission for completion.

Legislative Delegation Meeting: The meeting is to be held in Keene on January 4^th at 6:30 PM stated Mr. Dalessio. Unfortunately, Mrs. Pschirrer has a meeting conflict that night. Both Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry plan to attend. An RSVP will be sent.

January 12, 2023, Selectboard Meeting: Mr. Dalessio requested that the January 12, 2023, Selectboard meeting be moved to Wednesday, January 11^th.  The Fall Mountain Budget Hearing is on January 12^th. Mr. Dalessio must attend the meeting since he is a committee member. There was an agreement to change the Selectboard meeting date to 1/11/2023 with the usual start time of 6:30 PM.

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 7:12 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

And, at the post offices to deliver tomorrow to Walpole, North Walpole, and Drewsville. Smaller issue than usual with less going on, and fewer advertisements, but browsing through my hardcopy now (benefit of being the publisher and picking up at the printer) I hope you enjoy the nice mix of articles from MOOver; Eagle Scouts, weasels, and our school contributors. You may click on this link to read on-line, or on the page one image below.

Happy New Year — RAY BOAS, Publisher

WALPOLE PLANNING BOARD 

Town of Walpole, NH 03608

PUBLIC NOTICE 

You are hereby notified of the following Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 7 pm in the Walpole Town Hall. 

Public Hearing: Recommendation of two petitions to the Walpole Zoning Ordinance to be placed on the 2023 Town of Walpole warrant. The articles will be voted by the public at the polls on Tuesday, March 14 2023. 

Article 1:

To see if the Town will vote to amend ARTICLE XIV of the Zoning Ordinance of theTown of Walpole, New Hampshire, to read as follows:

Penalty

Any person who violates any provision of the ordinance shall be subject to penalties in accordance with RSA 676:17, or any successor statute as may then be in effect,provided that the amount of the civil penalties to be assessed in accordance with such statute shall be determined in the discretion of the Selectboard.

Article 2:

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Article IV “General Provisions” of the Walpole Zoning Ordinance to include regulations regarding Formula Businesses by adding the following as Section P:

P. Formula Businesses – This Section establishes standards to limit the concentration of businesses that are homogeneous and visually obtrusive for thepurpose of preserving the unique and distinctive appeal of the Town’s character and commercial development. These standards are aligned with the purpose ofthese Zoning Regulations as described in Article I and are vital to the continuation of the Town’s ability to attract both residents and visitors.

1. A Formula Business is a business, including but not limited to retail sales, hotels,and restaurants, that both (a) maintains two or more of the following fivestandardized features: (1) array of services, menus, or merchandise, with 50% ormore of in-stock merchandise bearing uniform markings; (2) trademark, logo, orservice mark; (3) architecture, facade, or exterior design; (4) decor or color scheme; (5) uniform (other than name tags); and (b) shares the same or substantially the same two or more features as 10 or more other businesses, regardless of ownershipor location.

2. The total number of Formula Businesses in the Town of Walpole at any one timeshall be limited to 12. When this limit is reached, no new Formula Businesses may beestablished unless an existing Formula Business closes, adapts so that it no longer qualifies as a Formula Business, or relocates outside of the Town boundaries.

3. If a business in current operation becomes a Formula Business by means ofadditional locations being established, this business shall count toward the totalnumber of Formula Businesses but shall not be considered as a Formula Business being established.

4. Formula Businesses shall not include post offices, places of worship, schools, government facilities, banks, gasoline fueling stations, professional offices, or health care facilities.

Marilou Blaine

WPB Secretary

Selectboard Present:  Steven Dalessio, Chair was in the Selectboard Office with Mrs. Pschirrer participating by speaker phone.

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.One member of the public, Library Director Jane Malmberg, was in attendance.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a), Personnel, (c) Reputations and (e) Legal at 6:30 PM.  Seconded by Mr.  Dalessio. Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. These minutes are to remain sealed.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 6:51 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $338,657.44 for checks issued December 16, 2022.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The AP included a $117,500 payment to Melanson Company for the installation of the Town Hall roof.

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept a second Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $1,768,801.00 for a check issued to Cheshire County on December 16, 2022.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  This payment is the Town’s allocation of Cheshire County taxes that are due on December 19^th. Mr. Kreissle will hand deliver the payment.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending December 10, 2022, in the amount of $32,224.23 dated December 16, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,281.22.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 1, 2022:  A correction to the December 1, 2022, minutes to confirm that the new highway trailer is 84 inches wide and 20 feet long. It was acknowledged.

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 8, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 8, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved. Mrs. Pschirrer abstained since she was not present at this meeting.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 8, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 8, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved. The minutes are to remain sealed. Mrs. Pschirrer recused herself from the vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The following reports were acknowledged by the Selectboard:

WARRANTS:

Water Tax Lien for Walpole: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Water Tax Lien for Walpole for $1,061.64.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.

Sewer Tax Lien for Walpole: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Sewer Tax Lien for Walpole for $1,862.54.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.

Sewer Tax Lien for North Walpole: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Sewer Tax Lien for North Walpole for $20,446.18.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved. There was a discussion of working with the North Walpole Village District to shut off North Walpole properties for non-payment of sewer bills.

REFUNDS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the following property tax refunds that were due to overpayment:

• Map and Lot# 001-003-006 for $1,182.00
• Map and Lot# 007-024-001 for $535.00
• Map and Lot# 009-023-003 for $48.65
• Map and Lot# 003-058-000 for $445.00
• Map and Lot# 017-012-000 for $171.00
• Map and Lot# 011-007-002 for $10.00

Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the property tax refunds were approved.

ABATEMENTS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the following property abatements due to the revaluation process which caused an overpayment of spring taxes:

• Map and Lot# 011-049-000 for $15.00
• Map and Lot# 008-076-000 for $975.00
• Map and Lot# 025-028-000 for $692.63

• Map and Lot# 010-034-000 for $103.00
• Map and Lot# 011-045-000 for $12.00
• Map and Lot# 030-030-000 for $1.00
• Map and Lot# 006-007-000 for $22.00

• Map and Lot# 024-038-000 for $303.00
• Map and Lot# 004-040-000 for $67.00

Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the property tax abatements were approved.

TIMBER INTENTS:

Map and Lot# 027-005-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Supplemental Intent to Cut for Map and Lot# 027-005-000.  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,

Quinton Fund Check Request: Ms. Mayberry moved to sign and send the letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds for a $660.60 reimbursement to the Town from the Quinton Fund.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.

Trees on the Common: Ms. Mayberry said a quote had been received for replanting and tree health care for trees on the east side of the Common. The quote care for two Norway maples was $4,180. The quote for replacing tree trees was $4,705 with various quotes for watering/drip irrigation for the new trees. The Board felt that this project should be a warrant article and include the drip irrigation system.

MetLife NH PFML Insurance Enrollment Form: Ms. Mayberry moved for the chair to sign the optional MetLife NH PFML Insurance Enrollment Form.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.

Phase 3 Power for Industrial Drive and Bensonwood:  Mrs. Pschirrer and the Power Committee have been speaking about a Northern Borders grant to fund 3-phase power to Industrial Drive, Bensonwood and potentially for a solar field. They have learned that since the Town would not own all the assets for 3-phase power, the Town is not eligible for Northern Borders funding. They were redirected to an economic group to apply for funding. Mrs. Pschirrer said that the Power Committee would like permission from the Selectboard to pursue this funding. The Selectboard agreed to this by consensus.

Updated Penalty Petition Warrant Article: An updated “Penalty” petition warrant article was received from Mr. Tom Winmill. It was sent to Atty. Hockensmith for review. Ms. Mayberry felt the wording should be “at” not “in” the discretion of the Selectboard.

NEW BUSINESS:

NH DRA 2022 Sales Monitoring Report: The Selectboard acknowledged the report from the NH DRA that audited Avitar’s findings. A few small errors were reported.

Town Hall Kitchen Refrigerator: The refrigerator that was donated to the Town has died stated Mr. Dalessio. Mrs. Pschirrer felt a new refrigerator was needed. There was a review of samples of Bosch refrigerators sent earlier. Mrs. Pschirrer moved to purchase the 800 series, 72” high refrigerator made by Bosch. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Motion was approved.

Police Committee Presentation to WOW: The date was set for January 18^th. After some discussion of the location and the presentation plan, it was decided that it was better to have the presentation within the Town Hall. Mrs. Pschirrer will follow up with Mrs. Johnson regarding the matter.

Christmas Eve: Ms. Mayberry proposed that the Recycling Department have half a day on Saturday and those that work on Friday, have a half-day on that day. Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio agreed with this proposal. Ms. Mayberry stated that Recycling would be closed tomorrow and would be using this day as their Christmas floating holiday since they are normally closed on Mondays.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Hooper Trustees Meeting.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 7:35 PM.

The Selectboard Meeting resumed at 7:43 pm.

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.  Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore