The Walpolean

Saturday, March 11, 5:30 p.m.

(this is the REAL date. We mistakenly submitted March 25^th 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 4^th 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