The Walpolean

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

mbers Present:  Alicia Flammia, John Peska, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto, Lewis Shelley,

​​          Steven Dumont  

Members Absent:  Laura Hayes

Seating of Alternates:  Wendy Grossman;  Kara Dexter in attendance via Zoom

Call to Order:  Alicia called the hybrid meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. in the basement of Town

​​ Hall. This meeting was recorded.

Review and Approval of Minutes:  John moved to accept the November 7, 2022, minutes as

written.  Lew seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Business

Treasury Report:                    Conservation     $189,581.51

​​                                 Forestry​      $23,522.17

​​          Walker Road/Gateway         $1,989.75

Alicia said last month she paid the Long View invoice for invasive species treatment at Walker Road from the Conservation account because there was not enough money in the Walker Road account to cover it.

New Business – none at this time

Old Business

Hooper Forest Update:  Alicia has not heard from Alex Barrett about the Hooper Forest timber harvest. She suspects he’s either very busy right now or has not had a positive response from the logger previously discussed. She does not have information from Alex to support either of those theories, however.

Commission Website:   Kelli has been paid her deposit.  Though she has been working on the website, progress has been delayed as she awaits comments and content from the commissioners. France and Steven reported they have sent Kelli their comments.  Wendy pointed out that Kelli needs content to be able to continue. France stated she has already sent some. Alicia asked France to contact Kelli to find out exactly what information is needed.  She agreed to do that.  Alicia stated that, once they know this information, content can be distributed among commissioners, so that no one person is responsible for providing it.  France stated she thinks the commission should have one or two coordinators to work with Kelli.

Alicia will invite Kelli to the February meeting after they have a chance to compile some of the content.

Other Business

Walpole Trails Subcommittee:  Last month the committee planned events, trail work, and items to be taken care of in the year ahead. The tasks are laid out and appear on Google Docs.

Lew reported that he has done some tree clearing at High Blue.  He said he also plans to meet with the Forest Society about becoming the co-steward of High Blue.

Reservoir Dam:  John reported that Steve Dalessio has signed the grant paperwork for $749,000 for dam repair.  Cheryl stated that will cover 100% of the expenses. John also said Fuss and O’Neill has the permit for the DES ready to go. He said the state is anxious to get proof that the work can get underway in order to use the stimulus money.  John said the town is “as shovel ready as we can possibly be to make this happen in 2023.” The work will include the culvert, slope of the dam, center pipe removal, and spillway upgrade.

Alicia questioned where the commission’s role of advisor to the select board stands because the commission, Mark Houghton, and the select board had been leaning toward dam removal, based on the Fuss and O’Neill final report and recommendations.  Would it be wise to spend the money necessary for repair, knowing it would have to be done again in the future?  If there were no grant money, would they be looking at removal rather than repair?  Cheryl said it would come down to to the cheaper option, perhaps with a vote of the public. 

Alicia said she is having difficulty understanding why a decision has been made when they haven’t even received a final report from Fuss and O’Neill yet.  She believes a decision was made based on funding rather than good science. 

Peter pointed out that when you serve on an advisory board, you need to be aware that your advice may not be taken.  He feels that the issue here is, who is holding Fuss and O’Neill accountable for this report?  Should they be paid if the dam is repaired before the report is done?

France said it would seem better economic sense to remove the dam. Since the cost of repair or removal is about the same, removing it eliminates future repair costs.  Hence, the less expensive option. 

Alicia asked if the state would have given them money if they had chosen removal.  Steven said he thought there was state funding for dam removal.  Cheryl said she would ask about it and get more information.

Other:  Kara asked for an update on the Gateway. John is still talking to Mark Houghton about the turn-around/drop/off.  John said he will have an estimate for the work at the January meeting. Lew offered to do the work pro bono if the Commission will cover costs for moving his equipment to the site as well as cover the cost of materials.  That is only if Houghton’s will not do the work in a timely manner in the spring. 

John also spoke to Mike Rau about the timber stacked at the site. Mike told him if they can get it all picked up, there is a place on Alice Smith Road where it can be dumped.  John said he would talk to a couple of people to get an estimate for removal.   

John asked Lew if he had any information about pumping water out of reservoirs, streams, brooks by hydro seeding trucks.  Lew said the hydro seeding company needs to get approval from the landowner to pump the water.   

Steven asked about a survey for the Walker Road area.  Alicia said it was not a priority.  Lew said they should firm up the line before construction and Alicia added they should calculate the area of disturbance.

Wendy asked for a conservation easement update.  Alicia reviewed the process and stated they will hire an intern to help.  Peter said he would write a job description for the internship during his break. Wendy volunteered to help with the easement monitoring.  

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

The next meeting will be on Monday, January 9, 2023.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the January 9, 2023 meeting.