The Walpolean

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Town Hall

7 pm

There will be no December meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustments.

Present: Board members: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Selectboard Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternate: Trevor MacLachlan. Absent: Board member Bill Carmody, alternate Travis Adams. There were about a dozen people who attended the hearings. 

Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes were recorded. They are unapproved and will be reviewed at the regular January 2023 meeting for corrections, additions or omissions.

Roll Call: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order a 7 pm. Alternate Mr. MacLachlan sat in for the absent board member.

Minutes: Mr. Marcom made two corrections. On page 2 paragraph 2, it should read “A motion “made” by Mr. Marcom in the fourth line from the bottom. On page 1, paragraph, 6 Mr. Marcom corrected the number of parking space from 20 to about half that number. Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

Public Hearing:

Lot Line Adjustment: Dale and Bonita Woodward and Judith Epstein. Tax Map 19, Lots 53-1 and 54. Flat and School streets, Residential B.

Surveyor Joe DiBernardo spoke for the owners at this public hearing. He said this is a very minor correction of the lot line between the two properties. With the correction the Woodwards would gain .01 acres from the Epstein property.  The totals after the adjustment would be Lot 19-53-1 would be .30 acres and Lot 19-54 would be .30 acres. There being no questions Mr. Miller closed the public hearing. Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the lot line adjustment as presented. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. 

Public Hearing:

Subdivision/Condo Lots: Avanru Development Group LLC: Tax Map 12, Lot 13-3 into 3 parcels, Commercial District.

Surveyor Joe DiBernardo described the piece of property and showed a plat with the three parcels –  Units 2A, 2B, 2C 1.43 acres, .92 acres and .98 acres respectively. The property is adjacent and in back of Dollar General, which Mr. Miller said doesn’t look as if it still has the 30 percent of the property in green space required for approval.

Mr. Miller said at the beginning of the discussion that the Board is waiting to hear from Town Counsel on the matter of condo lots.  The fact that the property is called “condo lots” is a new concept and the Board needs to have a firm grasp of what it means. Mr. Miller added that this is a subdivision and two of the requirements of a subdivision is that the parcels of land have frontage on a town road or highway and that the lot be a minimum size depending on the district. He said only one of the three lots meets the subdivision requirements. The two lots in the back, Unit 2B and 3C, have no road frontage and it doesn’t look as if there is enough room for a building, parking, as well as the required 30 percent green space, Mr. Miller said. 

Mr. Jack Franks, president of Avanru, explained the history and timeline of the surrounding properties beginning with Abenaki Springs, building No. 1. up to the building of the current storage units.  

Mr. Miller said that beside the requirements of a subdivision, the properties would need to have site plans and he didn’t think they condo lots would comply with the requirements of a site plan. Since the Board didn’t need to make a decision that evening, the hearing will be continued next month. 

Public Hearing: Site Plan:

NGP Management Group, Dunkin 2,000 square-foot coffee shop and drive-thru. Tax Map 12, Lott 13-3, Route 12, Commercial District. 234 feet frontage on Main Street, pond and wetlands to the south. 

Civil engineer Nate Chamberlain represented Fieldstone Consultants PLLC, the company handling the Dunkin project at this site. He repeated a lot of what had been said before and began by said saying that the lot is flat. The building will be 2,000 square feet and in a colonial design with clapboard siding. Customers will enter the property from a slip coming off of Route 12 from the south. They can either park in the parking lot or drive around to the drive-thru. The drive-thru is on the north side of the property. There are two proposed exits. One is back onto Route 12 or customers may drive around the parking lot and exit onto Red Barn Lane, which leads them back to Route 12. 

Mr. Chamberlain pointed out the lighting, the footprint of which will be contained on the property, and went through a list of plantings, trees and shrubs, for example, hydrangeas, lilacs, red maples. This landscaping that will be mostly in the 30 percent green space area near the pond,.however, there will be plantings around the building. The business will be open from 4 am to 10 pm. Two double tracker trailer trucks a week will service the establishment each week, Mr. Chamberlain said.   

The issue now is the permit for the cut into the Dunkin site on Route 12, which is planned by the NH Department of Transportation. The hearing will be continued to next month’s meeting.

Petition Articles

Mr. Perron made a motion to hold a public hearing next month for a recommendation on two articles written by Tom Winmill that will go on the March 2023 warrant. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Adjournment 

Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

WPB Secretary.

Selectboard Present:​Steven Dalessio, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry; Absent: Peggy Pschirrer, due to illness.

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:32 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.There were no members of the public present.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $119,562.72 for checks issued December 9, 2022.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.The AP included a $28,619.67 payment to the NH Retirement System.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending December 3, 2022, in the amount of $28,148.19 dated December 9, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,330.17.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 1, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 1, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 1, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 1, 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.

SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 4, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Special Selectboard meeting of December 4, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

WARRANT: 

FALL PROPERTY TAX WARRANT:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Tax Collector’s Warrant for fall taxes in the amount of $6,458,141.41.  Taxes are due on or before January 11, 2023. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved. The Walpole tax rate is $17.17, and the North Walpole Village Tax Rate is $18.65.

OLD BUSINESS:

Pending Further Actions:  Generators, Parking Ordinance,School and Old North Main Bridges/Culverts, School Street Drainage Project

Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood: Mr. Dalessio reported he had received an email from Mr. Todd Horner of SWRPC. The email alerted Mr. Dalessio that the Northern Borders Forestry Grant is open for submission. Mr. Horner recommended that the Town speak with Northern Borders since the grant is a good fit.

Reservoir Dam: Fuss and O’Neil will be providing a report as to why repairing the dam was more beneficial than removing it per Mr. Dalessio. The area is a catch basin of rain runoff. There is a good possibility that during a heavy rainstorm, water could overrun the stream banks further downstream without the dam. Mr. Dalessio plans on attending the January Conservation Commission Meeting to discuss this matter.

Rec. Revolving Fund Request and PO for Ice–Skating Rink Expansion: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the purchase order for the expansion of the ice-skating rink at of cost of $6,045.00 and the Recreation Revolving Fund Request for up to $1,500 for additional costs that would be incurred. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

ARPA Grant for Reservoir Dam: Ms. Mayberry moved for the Selectboard to sign the ARPA Grant Agreement and for the Chair to sign the ARPA Grant Consultant Justification Form. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

NEW BUSINESS:

Two Letters for Eagle Scouts: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Eagle Scout letters to John Leclerc and Jared Atkins. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. Selectboard members will be attending the Saturday afternoon award ceremony.

Town Hall Photo Request: NH Town and City Magazine has requested a photo of the Town Hall for a future front cover of the magazine. A request for a local photographer to take a high quality, updated photo is in process.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (c) Reputations and (e) Legal at 6:52 PM.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. These minutes are to remain sealed.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:03 PM.

Mr. Dalessio stated that the Selectboard will be meeting tomorrow, December 9^th starting at 8 AM for Departmental Budget Meetings with department managers.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion.  There was none.  Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

I was asked to share the following news from the Fall Mountain Food Shelf. If you, or someone you know, needs help with Christmas toys, please stop by. – Lil

The Fall Mountain Foodshelf has tons of toys for tots.   All you need to do is come to the foodshelf and pick out what your children or grandchildren might want for Christmas.  The foodshelf is located on Route 12A in Langdon.  We are open from 10:00 – 3:00 this Friday and Saturday and Wednesday and Friday next week.  Please note if we have the snowstorm that they are expecting we may not be open this Friday.

Kate Nerrie

I know, I know, you have enough to do and prepare for, but it is also approaching CLARION closing time for the January 2023, issue. The deadline is in a week Wednesday, December 21 at 5 PM Walpole time. As I explained last month, layout and design work begins 4-5days ahead of the deadline closing date. Several drafts are worked and reworked adjusting layout and spacing. Thus, early submission of your article for the community will help our process in developing each issue. If you have any questions, or interest in placing an advertisement, reaching over 1900 Walpole, North Walpole and Drewsville addresses, please do get in touch with me. And, for that last minute gift you may wish to consider one or both of my history books, AS IT WAS AND STILL IS…WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, published in 2014, and published this year, DID YOU KNOW THAT? EXPLORATIONS INTO WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORY, Each book is $20, or you may purchase both for $30 – contact information on the CLARION website. Thank you, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Walpole Unitarian Church is pleased to  hold its traditional Community Christmas Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at 4:30 p.m.  For the first time since 2019, we will once again celebrate in our Sanctuary with meaningful readings and Christmas carols.   Music will be provided by musician Marcia Oster and soloist Ajlan Beer.  We look forward to welcoming you once again!  For those who are planning to attend the live Nativity Service  on the Common at 5:30, there will be plenty of time to walk or drive and arrive there on time.

TOWN OF WALPOLE

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 4, 2022

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

Also Present: Rich Kreissle, Manager of Finance and Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 2:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.There were no members of the public present.

PRELIMINARY TAX RATE: Mr. Dalessio stated the meeting was to set the overlay and unassigned fund balance amounts as part of the process of determining a final tax rate.

Overlay: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to set a $60,000 overlay for property tax abatements and refunds. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion.  The motion was based on recommendations from the Manager of Administration and Finance. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor.

Unassigned Fund Balance: There was a consensus from the Selectboard not to use the fund balance to reduce taxes. Mr. Dalessio asked Mr. Kreissle if the Selectboard has to set the amount to retain for articles? Mr. Kreissle said yes. Last year, per Mr. Kreissle, we retained $500,000. The Town has a healthy fund balance of 2.65 million dollars. There was a discussion of potential purchases including a highway truck and police vehicle. Other potential warrant articles were discussed related to building and facilities maintenance. There was a discussion related to committee minute taking expenses. Mr. Kreissle suggested using the consultation line within the executive budget. The Selectboard agreed to this recommendation. Mr. Dalessio spoke of moving highway expenses that were paid with ARPA funds back to the Town budget. Mr. Kreissle agreed that transfers of funds will occur.  Ms. Mayberry asked for clarification. Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer confirmed that these highway expenses should have been paid for from the highway budget and not grants. Mr. Dalessio confirmed that the grant money will be used up.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to use $500,000 of the Town’s Unassigned Fund Balance of the Town. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor. All of these monies will be used for the improvement of the Town per Mr. Dalessio.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 2:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.There were no members of the public present.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the PILOT potion payment to North Walpole Village District in the amount of $35,692.13.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $115,835.46 for checks issued December 2, 2022.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The AP included a $37,933.44 payment to HealthTrust.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending November 26, 2022, in the amount of $32,143.75 dated December 2, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,196.43.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

STAFF MEETING – November 17, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of November 17, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 23, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard Meeting of November 23, 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 – November 23, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 23, 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 Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

BUILDING PERMITS:

2022-48, Map and Lot# 008-082-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept Building Permit# 2022-48 for Map and Lot# 008-082-000 to construct a 20’ x 16’ shed.  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, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood, School and Old North Main Bridges/Culverts, School Street Drainage Project

2^nd Floor Town Hall Ceiling Repair and Painting Updated Quote: Mr. Dalessio stated the purchase order to fix second-floor ceiling would be paid for by encumbered funds from warrant article #5 from 2021. Ms. Mayberry moved to approved purchase order # 091539 in the amount not to exceed $18,000 for the repair and painting of the second-floor ceiling of the Town Hall. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved

Updated HealthTrust Transmittal: Ms. Mayberry moved for the Chair to sign the updated HealthTrust transmittal. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved

Ice-Skating Rink Expansion: Ms. Mayberry explained the Recreation Committee’s concern with funding the purchase. Mr. Dalessio felt that the question to purchase the rink expansion material should be referred back to the Recreation Committee for a yes or no vote. There was a discussion regarding funding with this year’s budget and the recreation revolving fund. Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the purchase of the expansion of the ice-skating rink at of cost of $6,045.00 with the assumption there is funding to do so. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Reservoir Dam: The Town received the formal grant paperwork today per Mr. Dalessio. The grant award if for $740,400. It is a 100% funding with reimbursements from the State as expenses are incurred.

NEW BUSINESS:

Encumbrance Request for 2022 Warrant Article #10 Fund: Ms. Mayberry moved to encumber $52,605.84 for the repair of the pool and pool house. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. Mr. Dalessio said that more time was needed to complete this project.

Replacement Trailer for Highway Department: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the purchase of the 20’ x 82’ trailer for $11,000.00. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. There was a question if the old trailer should be kept or sold by the Town. A larger trailer is needed to move the new snow machine.

Disability/Life Insurance and FMLA Quotes: There was a consensus by the Selectboard to accept the Met Life insurance quote for disability and life insurance. Pricing will not change for 3 years. A formal agreement to sign will be forthcoming.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (c) Reputations and (e) Legal.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With 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 7:03 PM.

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 7:03 PM.

The Selectboard Meeting resumed at 7:07 pm.

Mrs. Pschirrer told the Board that the drainage project for the former Brownfields site/new parking lot is to start on Monday, December 5, 2022.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:09 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore