The Walpolean

Your issue of the November 2022 CLARION is at the post office for delivery, and now also on-line for reading. You may click on this link, or the image below to view and read this twenty page issue.

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

Staff Present:    Sarah Downing (Manager of Administration); Richard Kreissle (Administrator of Finance); Ben Hoy (Recycling Director); Helen Dalbeck (Hooper Institute Executive Director); Jane Malmberg (Library Director); Kraig Harlow (Recreation Director); Meghan Hansson (Town Clerk/Tax Collector)

Excused: Michael Rau (Road Agent); Justin Sanctuary (Police Chief)

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of staff to order at 5:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. There were no members of the public present.

Mr. Dalessio started the meeting by asking Mr. Hoy to give his report.

RECYCLING:

Recycling received Walpole trash bag order from boxes and bags unlimited. Placed order in March, just received. Production and staffing issues still plaguing plastics industry. Mr. Hoy has started a new order to get the bags before they come close to running out again. The current order cost $18,500.

Mr. Hoy visited APC paper last month, and just visited Soundview paper in Putney with Walpole resident Jeff Miller. Making many new connections with those responsible for recycling our materials. Also learning much about the recycling industries that we are supplying. Thanks Jeff! The Clarion article regarding the visit was posted on the NRRA website.

Structural engineer Annette Dey from Walpole gave an initial assessment for Walpole recycling. Annette inspected the truss and attic area at Walpole recycling. She would like to know the manufacturer of the roofing truss as that information is not included in the blueprints. The architect has passed away, and builder of Walpole recycling building Jeff Kennedy does not remember the manufacturer name. Annette seemed confident that solar panels could be installed but would be interested in knowing more about the truss manufacturer if possible. Mr. Dalessio stated that a professional engineer or PE stamp was required for documentation regarding the roof.

Reuse center is in full holiday swing. They have decorations and nick knacks for the upcoming holiday seasons.

The recycling department is reliant on safe and accommodating storage. They are in dire need of a new storage facility to replace our rusted and frankly dangerous storage trailers. There was a discussion regarding storage being provided by Alstead. Currently, no recycled material is being stored in Alstead.

Mr. Dalessio asked Mr. Hoy if hearing protection in the form of earmuffs had been purchased. Mr. Hoy stated they had not been purchased. Mr. Dalessio instructed Mr. Hoy to purchase what was needed.

Mr. Hoy was nominated by NRRA executive director Reagan Bissonette to join the Department of Environmental Services board of directors’ solid waste working group

RECREATION:  Mr. Kraig Harlow read the following recap report.

Pool & Pool House

• The pool closed on August 26^th.
• Brad Nash came and fixed all of the lights and globes down at the pool this summer.
• Pool filtration motor blew up on July 15^th and we quickly were able to repair it within a week with the help of E.E. Houghton.
• Associated Concrete Coatings LLC finished the concrete non-slip surface on August 1^st at the price of $15,450. The repair was paid through the warrant article.
• We were over Pool Chemicals again by $1,557.28 this season due to the increase price in chemicals and the blown filtration motor.

EE Houghton has winterized the pool house and we’re official closed until next season

Summer Basketball

• Summer Basketball ended on August 18^th.
• The program had 74 children sign-up for this program which generated roughly $1,850 in revenue. 18 of the 74 signups were from Walpole meaning we have a lot of other towns playing in the league.
• We had three companies sponsoring teams: Cold River Materials, Bowman Dental, Chroma Technology. Each sponsor received a plaque with a team photo.
• Bowman Dental was this year’s winners.

Soccer

• Soccer signups happened August 15th through August 19th and the program began September 6^th
• We had 97 children signup throughout the K-6 program and generated $1,000 in signups.
• Teams were broken into four groups of U4, U6, U8 and U11 with practices taking place at North Walpole School, Walpole Elementary School, and Westminster St. field.
• Our sponsors this season were Home Away From Home, Craig Vickers State Farm, Dog Daze, Salon488, Hubbards, McGill Woodworking, and Diamond Pizza.
• Soccer season ends October 22nd with end of season jamboree put on by the help of Craig Vickers.

Community Events

• We’ve held three movies over the summer: Space Jam: A New Legacy, Sonic and Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Sonic 2.
• We are having roughly 30-50 members of the community show at each movie.

Our best showing was 73 people in North Walpole Park for Clifford and our worst was 3 people at Encanto at Whitcomb Park

Recreation Committee

• The recreation committee met August 24^th about the budget and on September 28^th discussed North Walpole to build a committee to seek donors to add a pickleball court.

Mr. Harlow stated that has been a lot of interest in pickleball. Also, the pool leak was found in the gutter area of the pool. Warrant article funds to repair the leak issue will be encumbered to use for next year.

FINANCE: Mr. Rich Kreissle read the following report.

Budget

• Subsequent to the budget meeting held in September, updated the budget with the changes discussed and documented those changes.  These notes ran 4 pages.
• Received the new health insurance, property and liability, workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation rates for 2023 – incorporated them into the budget.
• Discussions will be held about the effects of these rate changes on the budget and how to lessen the impacts on these rate changes.
• Tweaked my spreadsheet version of the budget to be better able to tell the board the effect on any changes made to the budget.

• Since we last met, the audit field work has been completed and all the information requested to date from the auditors have been supplied.
• I’ve started sending inquiries to them as the progress of completing the MS-535 so it can be sent to the DRA (Department of Revenue Administration).
• The MS-535 is critical to the setting of a new tax rate.
• The auditors suggested some procedures/processes that would enhance the audits.
• I’m now coming in around 7 a.m. to better able incorporate those procedures.
• My workflow on any given day usually consists of a series of widely varied tasks that, though they not necessarily take a long time, do require different thought processes.
• The only tasks that take extensive time are the processing of payroll and the issuing of accounts payable checks.
• The MS-434 has been uploaded to the DRA’s portal.  This document, which reports projected revenues, is also used in the calculating the new tax rate.
• I’ve started to create my auxiliary Excel files for 2023; will start boxing 2021 paper files within the next month.

HOOPER INSTITUTE: Mrs. Helen Dalbeck reviewed the following report.

School Programs and School Gardens: The school lessons that we teach in grades pre-K – 7th every week are at the core of what we do as Hooper educators. The gardens are also demanding our end of season attention with lots of harvesting and bed prep happening in the lower grades and planting the high tunnel and beds of garlic at the middle school. Both Becky Whippie and I have met with each of the teachers that we work with and with Principal Cassarino. Our collaboration has deepened with the teachers so as to help them meet national and state science standards in Hooper classes while we stay true to our focus areas and mission. The middle school lessons are becoming even more hands on and experiential. Subjects have been switched around due to changes in all grades. Becky and I are staying nimble and intrigued by new ideas, teacher needs and creative program development. More to follow as the year progresses.

Outreach and Marketing: Clarion, flyers, Facebook. I plan to reconnect with The Walpolean. A different opportunity arose and I will be attending the Fall Mountain Regional High School Career Fair on October 26, representing the Hooper Institute and opportunities that the Institute can provide Walpole students (High School Work Program and Scholarships). I have degrees in agriculture, biology, zoology, and conservation education and can share my own professional pathway to date. We can talk and make a snake craft, extras left from the Fall Festival. 

Walpole Community Garden: Upcoming October 22, Garlic Saturday with a garlic planting demonstration, 1 pm. A Walpole Community Garden member tea will follow. The garden clean-up day and closing is October 29.

Administration: Ongoing, in every way. Budget, Total Return Policy, reports, communication, maintenance, fundraising, land, building and gardens

Special Events, Programs, Scholarship and Friends:  2nd Annual Fall Festival was 9.24, Garlic Saturday is 10.22 and I plan to set up at the Thanksgiving Farmers Market in November (no date yet). Wreath making is Dec 2 and 3. Save the date for Winter Fun Day, February 11, 2023

Development/Fundraising: This has been “The Year of the Hooper Institute”. We have raised $53,160 thus far with additional monies from the 2nd Annual Fall Festival ($802 with $250 donation from EE Houghton). A postcard is in development and at the printer soon. I am working with Braden Printing in Keene; Friends of Hooper Institute will cover both the printing and postage cost for the appeal. The fall campaign is called “Lend a Hand to the Hooper Institute”. I missed the window to join NH Gives this November so will consider a GoFundMe campaign via Hooper Facebook.

Scholarship The total awarded for the school year 2022-23 is $15,000.

Other news: Hooper Institute logo cloth tote bags are available, yours for a $10 donation.

The Year of the Hooper Institute: 2022 Calendar

February- Winter Fun Day 2/12/22 plus kick off of GH Hooper Birthday Fundraising Campaign

April- Earth Day Celebration at the Hooper 4/23/22 9-10 am Woods Walk 10am – 12pm Crafting for Old Home Day Alumni Tent; Opening Day Walpole Community Garden 1 pm 4/23/22

May- George Hooper Birthday Party 5/14/21 11am – 1pm Parking at the Watkins Inn and Tavern

June- Birthday campaign will continue into July; Old Home Days Hooper Institute Alumni Display on June 25, Town Common; 6th grade River Trip (June 10 only); 2 weeks Hooper Day Camp and 1 week Adventure Camp (overflow into July)

July- High Summer School Work Program; 1 week Woodworking Camp; 6 weeks Flower Bouquet CSA began July 1: Presentation Night for HS Work Program (July 27, 7 pm) and Hooper Scholarship Recipients

August- High School Work Program ends August 26, Flower CSA ends August 19

September- 2nd Annual Fall Festival (September 24) Annual Giving Appeal

“Lend a Hand to the Hooper Institute”

October- Annual Giving Appeal “Lend a Hand to the Hooper Institute”

Garlic Saturday October 22 with Fritze Till; Walpole Community Garden Closing Day, October 29

November- Thanksgiving Farmers Market

December- Wreath-making Workshops (Dec 2 and 3), End of Year Appeal

LIBRARY: Mrs. Jane Malmberg gave the following report.

We registered 21 new library cards in September!  Library visits were up compared to 2021 and 2020.  Physical circulation was down slightly from last year, but Overdrive circulation was up compared to 2021 and 2020.

Art Exhibit

The Road Not Taken: artistic interpretations of the poetry of Robert Frost was mounted in both the Main Library and the North Walpole Branch on September 2.  The show will be up through the end of October. This is a traveling exhibit which has been making the rounds of New Hampshire libraries since 2011.

Building Maintenance

I reached out to Barry Bellows about wrapping the chimney before the winter weather sets in.  He said he thought that was a good idea and that he would be able to do it between now and mid-November.  He will get a quote to us for the chimney removal/reconstruction as soon as he can and we should plan for that work to commence in the spring.

Bill Rohdenburg kindly offered his time and expertise to reinforce some bookshelves in the children’s room that were in danger of collapse. 

Collection

We have four brand new STEAM kits for school-aged kids available for checkout:  Fort Building, Ozobots, Magformers and Keva Planks.  Thanks to Julie for putting these together.

North Walpole

Visits to the branch more than doubled from August to September.  Checkouts were down only slightly. Julie and some of the patrons in North Walpole have taken on a research project to find out more about the history of the branch library. 

Outreach

The library hosted tables at the Historical Society’s Christmas in September on Saturday, September 24, and at the Welcome to Walpole held on the Common on Saturday, October 1.

Programming

We had some new programs in September and October. 

A Caregiver Support Group facilitated by Walpole resident Judy Epstein has been meeting on the second Tuesday of the month. 

We had good attendance at “Finding Ways to Reduce Your Final Exit Footprint: Natural Burial”, on October 13, presented by Lee Webster from NH Funeral Resources. The Great Decisions discussion group took on the topic of Climate Change at their discussion on October 17. 

On Saturday, November 5, at 10:00 am, we will have a children’s concert featuring Lisa Nichols. Lisa’s parents, Diane and Ernie are Walpole residents and frequent library users. 

Staff Development

I will be attending the joint New England Library Association and New Hampshire Library Association conference from October 23-25.

TOWN CLERK-TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE: Mrs. Meghan Hansson read the following report.

• Since August 22, we collected about $96k in property taxes.  August 18^th, we sent out reminders of unpaid taxes and had a good response.  Total outstanding receivables stands at $285k.
• One of the properties eligible for deeding has changed hands. The property is in North Walpole and has caused concern due to its abandoned state.  A certified letter has been sent to the new owner (presently living in CA) of the arrearages, and we hope this property can get back on track.
• The State Primary Election was held on September 13th.  The State is pressuring election workers to make sure all State procedures are implemented.  Protocols were added making the testing of the ballot counter take longer.  Even preparing “test ballots” for this process took over 4 hours of my time.  The Moderator and I also brought in five or six residents to help with processing and counting write-ins and overvotes on ballots election night.  This not only improved accuracy with multiple people counting but also more eyes on the ballots and the counting process should improve voter confidence in outcome.
• The State General Election will be Tuesday, November 8th.  We have been registering new voters and taking requests for Absentee Ballots.  Per the State, this year Covid will not be allowed as a reason to request an Absentee Ballot.  We already have one hundred absentee ballot requests.

• Deputy Vicki Gohl attended the Tax Collector’s Conference September 6-9th.  She noted a particularly informative presentation by the DRA, specifically on the subject of Timber Taxes.  There was much discussion on the procedure to properly lien Timber Taxes.
• I attended the Town Clerk’s Conference (NHCTCA), commuting to Manchester on October 12th and 13th.  There were some really good sessions on Running an Election, on Right to Know Requests, and on being Keeper of the Records…storage and preservation.
• We have had a significant increase this fall in birth and marriage certificates and, most notably, marriage licenses.

SELECTBOARD OFFICE: Mrs. Sarah Downing summarized the following report.

Facilities Update

The Town Hall roof replacement project has begun. Initially scaffolding on the east and west sides of the building was installed. Starting on 10/19/22, Melanson workers began removing the old slate roof. The completion date is dependent on the weather. A large leak was recently found above an upstairs storage closet. The new roof will resolve the leak issues that have been ongoing for several years.

Asplundh Tree Service, on behalf of Liberty Utilities, requested that two trees be removed from the west side of the Common. Both trees were structurally compromised due to internal rot. They would have caused serious damage to the Veterans Memorial and the power, phone and cable lines if not removed. The stumps are to be Hartmann Tree and Garden.

Painting of the Town Hall hallway is ongoing. Brad Nash is working on this project as time allows.

Assessing:

Since the last report, updated property value assessments were mailed to property owners. Avitar Associated conducted phone meetings with property owners to answer questions and concerns. For property owners that feel that their assessment is not correct, the next course of action will be to complete an abatement form. Printed copies of the abatement form are available in the Town Hall. The forms can also be downloaded from the Document Center page on www.walpolenh.us  Abatement forms will be accepted at the Selectboard Office AFTER the final 2022 tax bill is mailed.

The MS-1 form, which is the total property valuation for the Town, was signed by the Selectboard on September 29th. This form along with the MS-434 Revised Revenues which is submitted by Rich Kreissle, once uploaded to the DRA portal, start the tax rate setting process.

Human Resources:

Since the cost of the September Employee Appreciation Meal was very reasonable in cost and effort, a second luncheon meal for employees is being planned for Tuesday, December 13th. This meal will feature baked lasagna, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Much thanks to Peggy Pschirrer for making her wonderful apple pies and Brad Nash for cooking up some delicious minestrone soup for the September meal. Additional thanks to Jodi Daigle and Vicki Gohl for their help with the room set-up and take down.

Open enrollment for healthcare is starting. Forms and notices will be sent to employees in November. This is the time of year for full time, benefited employees to change their coverage if they wish to move from a spouse’s policy to the Town’s policy or visa versa.

HIGHWAY: The following report was submitted by Road Agent Mike Rau.

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 6:07 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 7:39 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 $597,534.22 for checks issued October 21, 2022.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The payables included a $529,226.92 payment to Fall Mountain Regional School District (FMRSD).

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending October 15, 2022, in the amount of $31,586.58 dated October 21, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,084.29.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – October 13, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 13, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

REFUNDS:

Map and Lot# 013-049-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve a property tax refund for Map and Lot# 013-039-000, in the amount of $51.05 due to the overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 001-009-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve a property tax refund for Map and Lot# 001-009-000, in the amount of $8.79 due to the overpayment of taxes. 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 Union Streets Drainage Project, School and Old North Main Bridges/Culverts, Streetlights on Kilburn and Spruce Streets:

Reservoir Dam: The Town received an email from the DES Dam Bureau today per Mr. Dalessio. An additional 7% was allowed. The funding for repairs is now at 100%. The Selectboard felt this was wonderful news. An amended notice form is to be sent by the DES. Mr. Dalessio stated that Fuss and O’Neill is working on the project definitions as part of the application.

Houghton Brook Bridge: Mr. Dalessio stated the drawings have arrived and are being reviewed. If approved, the project will go out to bid next week. Ms. Mayberry asked if one printed copy of the drawings could be provided by the engineers? Mr. Dalessio will make this request to Fuss and O’Neill.

SWRPC Fall Meeting: There was a general discussion of impressions and information from the meeting in relation to cooperative manufactured housing parks.

NEW BUSINESS:

Petition to Pave Hooper Road: The Road Agent, Mike Rau, is to research the estimated cost to pave the road. It will be reviewed for possible inclusion into the paving budget for 2023.

NHMA Conference: No members of Selectboard will be attending the conference due to other commitments. Mrs. Downing will be attending the Nov. 16-17 conference.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Hooper Trustees Meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 8:01 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 8:09 PM.

Ben Hoy Appointment to NH DES Solid Waste Working Group Board: Ms. Mayberry brought forward a question from the Staff Meeting regarding the Selectboard endorsement of Mr. Hoy to be a member of the NH DES Solid Waste Working Group Board. The group meets once a month on Fridays from 9 AM to 12 PM. The NHMA would need to vote upon Mr. Hoy’s election to the position. Mr. Hoy is currently on the NRRA board. Mrs. Pschirrer asked how often the NRRA board meets? Ms. Mayberry will follow-up on this question.

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 8:16 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

Present: Chair Jan Leclerc, Vice-Chair Judy Trow, Clerk Tom Murray, Tom Winmill. Alternates: Don Sellarole, Shane O’Keefe and Myra Mansouri. Absent: Board member Pauline Barnes and also alternates Carolyn Vose and David Edkins. Mr. O’Keefe was asked to sit in for Ms. Barnes and he agreed.

Minutes: Written by Marilou Blaine. This meeting was recorded. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the November 2022 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Call to order: Ms. Leclerc called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. 

Minutes of September 2022: Mr. O’Keefe referred to page 3, second to last paragraph. “Mr. Edkins said he’s never seen an actual map of the property. The secretary had one in the file and it was circulated among members but Mr. Edkins still asked to clarify where the zone line lies. The zone line was the property line between the end of the property where the buildings are located and adjacent to the property. Also, if you add up 250 feet from Main Street, you could determine it was where the property lines meet.” Mr. O’Keefe agreed there was a map but there was no way to know where the two zoning districts were on the map that was provided and it never was established, he said. Ms. Trow made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

New Business:

Review of nonpublic meeting minutes. Should they be made public?

Mr. Winmill suggested that this item be put on the agenda. 

Mr. O’Keefe said once the reason for these minutes to be sealed is over with, the sealed minutes should be made public. The main reason to seal minutes on a nonpublic meeting is to protect someone’s reputation. He continued that once a case has been adjudicated, you should make those nonpublic minutes public. The Select Board doesn’t do it, but maybe they should for the sake of transparency and the public good. it’s good to do that. Ms. Trow added you have to keep in mind the period of time in which the nonpublic hearing should be sealed. Mr. O’Keefe agreed. 

Ms. Galloway-Leclerc asked the board if they would like to review some of the minutes of the nonpublic sessions to see if they should be made public. Mr. Winmill asked how far back would you go? Ms. Trow had made a list of nonpublic sessions going back to 2015. She found 21 nonpublic session minutes, which would be an average of about 3 per year. Other members of the board also thought it might be a good idea. Nonpublic minutes would be circulated, with maybe a couple looked at over several meetings. The secretary thought instead of just handing out sealed nonpublic minutes that the chair should look over each of the nonpublic minutes in case there was one or two that should remain sealed because it may be covered by one of the three reasons for sealing minutes.

The Municipal Association said minutes should be sealed only for three reasons.

1. Divulging information about the person would adversely affect a person’s reputation.

2. It would render the proposed action of the board ineffective.

3. The information pertains to preparation or carrying out of actions regarding terrorism.

Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said the board could review them over a period of several meetings. Board members could not take them home but could review them at a meeting. The secretary was concerned about one or two sealed minutes that were sealed because of one of the reasons above. Ms. Leclerc said she would check with the NH Municipal Association about the matter. 

Mr. O’Keefe said he didn’t know if the chair has any more authority than anyone else on the board so everyone should review them. However, he added, the board could authorize the chair to look them over first. If there’s only one, she could streamline the process by putting together the easy ones and the more difficult ones. Mr. Sellarole made a motion that the chair get to review the sealed minutes before showing them to the rest of the board. Ms. Trow seconded the motion. The board voted to approve the motion with Mr. Winmill voting no on the motion. Mr. Winmill suggested the chair refresh her memory by looking up the rules regarding sealed minutes.

Access to counsel by the entire board

This topic on the agenda also came from Mr. Winmill.

Mr. Winmill said that the reason he brought this up is that it would be his guess that one or more members of the board had received information from counsel outside of that one time when he came to visit the board about the procedure for an appeal to the board. So in light of those circumstances Mr. Winmill thought it would be better for the education of the members of the board that advice be available to everyone at the same time. Counsel’s relationship is to the whole board not to an individual because of being an officer or having title. If counsel has a personal relationship with one of the members of the board, Mr. Winmill questioned that. Maybe the board should review the retainer letter between the board and Mr. Hockensmith, Mr. Winmill suggested. Mr. Winmill continued that counsel is providing advice that is not made to the rest of the board. Legal counsel is so important and he would like to share in that benefit and partake of that advice.

Currently Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she contacts counsel after the board authorizes her to do so. That question, she said, was put to Mr. Hockenmsith at the August meeting and he said he preferred to deal with the chair. Ms. Mansouri said when she was chair and someone wanted to contact legal counsel she went to the Select Board and was told the she was the only person allowed to contact Mr. Hockensmith when it came to a probable legal matter. The board must also consider the monetary cost of these contacts and the town cannot afford to have every board member of every board contacting legal counsel. Also, Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said when she does contact counsel she emails him and shares his response with the rest of the board. 

“I would like to see the retainer letter,” Mr. Winmill said. Ms. Mansouri said he would have to speak to the Select Board. He would like to know the relationship Mr. Hockensmith, whatever it is, has to the town of Walpole. The board is receiving advice from counsel and he would like to know the dynamics of that relationship.

Mr. Murray asked if when Ms. Galloway-Leclerc reaches out to Southwest Regional Planning Commission does that merit the same mentality as what you’re suggesting. Mr. Winmill said no. Mr. O’Keefe said you can always approach the Select Board about the matter. Mr. Winmill said it would be interesting to know how our Select Board chooses our counsel. His advice to the board should be to all the board members. He could call us back when we are having a meeting. Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she could always invite him to come to a meeting. 

Mr. Winmill said that if he sends an email, he wants to be on the receiving end of that email to be apprised of any activity or any advice that this board receives. As a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment he wants to know what Mr. Hockensmith is advising. He doesn’t have to come in person but he would like an email. It’s the same benefit the chair is getting.  He would like to know the conversation. 

Ms. Trow said what she hears being said might be interpreted differently than what you hear or understand a person saying. If he were available to all of us, the board might get a clearer picture. 

​​​​​​​Mr. Winmill said that recently he had attended a Right To Know seminar on that law and by the way all discussions with counsel are excluded from the Right to Know law. He would find it beneficial if he could access counsel, ask questions and be in the loop when counsel is being asked specific questions.   

Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she thought the board should follow what Mr. Hockensmith said he wanted – that he preferred to deal with one person, the chair.  You have that option to tell me what you want to know and she can relay the question to Mr. Hockensmith and find out the answer for you. If everyone could meet with Mr. Hockensmith whenever they wished, the cost would be extraordinary. Mr. Winmill suggested that all board members would receive the email that Mr. Hockensmith sends to the chair and at the same time she receives it. Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she would be concerned about that email being made public. But, Mr. Winmill said, he thought she contacted him by email. Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she does contact him by email but feels uncomfortable about it being sent from counsel to everyone on the board. It may be something that should be discussed in nonpublic session. This back and forth continued. Mr. O’Keefe said it is very common that everyone get a copy of Mr. Hockensmith’s email advice and then it’s collected. He said someone could get hacked or you discard it and then it goes to the recycling center and all of sudden it’s on top of the recycling pile and everybody is reading it. Stuff happens. 

The question that millions of emails are going out every day from the biggest legal firms in the world and you’re worried about this is incredible, Mr. Winmill said. He thought worrying about someone’s computer getting hacked is not the reason to get not get information. Hockensmith could cc on emails, cc meaning copy. Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she would contact the Municipal Association about the best practice in this matter.

Ms. Mansouri said she would email Mr. Hockensmith and Hockensmith sometimes wouldn’t get an answer back for two or three weeks and that might be just before a meeting. 

Riggins Rules

Riggins Rules are a list of 28 suggestions of rules boards could use to run a harmonious meeting without anyone getting out of control. While it may not be a problem tonight, the ZBA board could adopt couple of rules in the future so meetings run smoothly. There being no suggestions, Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she may take this up again.

Two examples of a Riggins rule are:

No. 6.  Do your homework. Spend any amount of time necessary to become thoroughly familiar with each matter which is to come before you. It is grossly unfair to the applicant and to the town for you to act on a matter with which you have no previous knowledge or with which you are only vaguely familiar. And you will make some horrible and disturbing decisions.

No. 11. Don’t interrupt a presentation until the question period, except for a short and necessary clarifying remark or query. Most applicants have arranged their remarks in a logical sequence and the thing about which you are concerned will probably be covered if you force yourself to be quiet for a few minutes.

Review minutes of nonpublic August meeting.

There were two corrections. Mr. Murray said on page 2 the word “into” was repeated twice in the third paragraph. Ms. Mansouri said on page 3 at the end of the first paragraph, remove the word “are.” Ms. Trow made a motion that the minutes be approved as amended. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried.

After most of the board had read the nonpublic minutes, Ms. Galloway-Leclerc said she thought the board should approve the minutes and not seal them.  Mr. Winmill said he thought the minutes should be sealed. 

Mr. Winmill said he took a Right to Know seminar last week. And from that he took away that advice  from counsel should be confidential. Legal advice should never be made public.  Ms. Trow said she had the same feeling. Sometimes you find yourself grappling about some issue and he (Mr. Hockensmith) made it clear to me that people have to make up their own minds about participating in the process. 

Mr. O’Keefe said Mr. Hockensmith is talking about process and not the particulars of any case. It’s for the public good. Mr. Winmill said you might say these nonpublic minutes advised the board on the process but it’s still counsel giving advice to the board.

Eventually the board voted to approve the nonpublic minutes as corrected. They will wait another month before voting on sealing them.

Gravel pits: Ms. Galloway-Leclerc and Ms. Vose inspected the Cold River Materials gravel pit on September 12, 2022. Their comment was “no issue noted.” Mr. Murray and Mr. Sellarole inspected Tim Graves’ gravel pit on Wentworth Road Oct. 12 and they noted that gravel pits need retention ponds and Mr. Graves’ pit meets the state requirements. Ms. Judy Trow and Pauline Barnes visited the Old Drewsvillle Road gravel pit on September 6th and Ms. Trow noted that on Item No. 6 there was a slope that exceeded a 1:1 grade. They noted that John Hodgkins and Josh Perry agreed to correct the problem immediately. Ms. Trow returned later and the problem had been corrected. 

Procedure for submitting applications

Following is the email correspondence between Ms. Galloway-Leclerc and the NH Municipal Association.

Hello,

Our select board has recently hired a person to be the “zoning coordinator” for the town to answer zoning questions and offer help to people in filling out the correct applications. This was done so that the ZBA could bow out of this role and only hear about people’s projects after an application has been submitted to us. As part of this new policy we have been updating our application forms to remove the parts that advise people to contact the ZBA chair if they have questions.  

The current applications advise people to submit their completed applications to the ZBA secretary or to the town offices for transmission to the ZBA, but in the more than twenty five years that I have served on the board only one applicant ever did this, and they applied for a variance when they needed an expansion of a non-conforming use.  Every other applicant came to a ZBA meeting, usually with a lot of questions. Now we have the zoning coordinator to answer questions if he is consulted, and that should help with the application process, but we would like to have people submit their completed applications to the ZBA at our monthly meeting rather than to the secretary or at the town hall. Then we can see whether the application is complete, vote to accept it and set a hearing for the following month, and the 90-day time limit would start that day.

Would it be acceptable to require that people submit their applications to the ZBA at a meeting and not give them the option of submitting it at the town hall or by email to the secretary? We’d like to be able to say, for example, “You forgot to sign the application,” and have them fix that immediately with no delay in setting the hearing. Our secretary takes the minutes, but she does not determine if applications are correct or complete, and the personnel at the town hall are not able to make those determinations either. 

Sincerely,

Jan Galloway-Leclerc

Walpole ZBA

Hello Jan,

I think the answer to this question is dictated by the first paragraph in RSA 676:5. That paragraph states: Appeals to the board of adjustment concerning any matter within the board’s powers as set forth in RSA 674:33 may be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, department, board, or bureau of the municipality affected by any decision of the administrative officer. Such appeal shall be taken within a reasonable time, as provided by the rules of the board, by filing with the officer from whom the appeal is taken and with the board a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. The officer from whom the appeal is taken shall forthwith transmit to the board all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.

The two key points here are 1. Appeals must be taken within a reasonable amount of time and, 2. Notice of appeal must be provided to the ZBA as well the officer who “aggrieved” them. The rest of the process would be dictated by the board’s rules of procedure. I think if your ZBA properly amends their rules of procedure to require that applications be submitted directly to the board at a meeting, and the ZBA in fact holds enough public meetings so that there isn’t an unreasonable delay in someone’s ability to file they would be in compliance with the statute.

Jonathan E. Cowal, Esq.

Municipal Services Counsel

NH Municipal Association

25 Triangle Park Drive

Concord NH 03301

Tel: (603) 224-7447

Email:legalinquiries@nhmunicipal.org

https://www.nhmunicipal.org/federal-funding-and-resources

https://www.nhmunicipal.org/nhmas-81st-annual-conference-and-exhibition

​​​

In order to adopt this amendment about how to submit an application, the board must add the amendment to the regular procedures section mentioned in the bylaws. The bylaws say “These bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the members provided that the amendment is discussed at two successive meetings, which in our case would be the meetings for November 2022 and December 2022.

Handout: The Board received a copy of the October 16, 2022, The Keene Sentinel article that updated the NH House decision on the short-term rentals bill. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

ZBA Secretary

The Walpole Community Giving Tree Project is getting underway again for the 2022 holiday season. 

This project helps families provide holiday gifts for their children ages birth-18 (or older if still in high school).  Participating families must be residents of the Walpole township (Walpole, North Walpole, and Drewsville).

 We are currently receiving requests from families with the help of the local schools.  Now we need to get the requests out to potential “shoppers” in the community who would like to help. 

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  From NOVEMBER 5-19 only, tags will be available at the following locations during their regular business hours:  First Congregational Church (M-F 9-12, go to back door by ramp), the Walpole Library, Spencer’s Place, The Hungry Diner, Savings Bank of Walpole on Westminster St, and Mascoma Bank. 

Tags will be attached to a bulletin board.  You will fill out your contact information on one half of the perforated tag and leave it in the container.  Take the other half of the tag as your “shopping” list, and then attach it very securely to the gift before you return it. 

Gifts may be returned to any of the above locations until the last day of November. Gifts should NOT BE WRAPPED.

If you wish to help but do not wish to shop, there are 2 other options.  You may choose a tag and leave the whole tag and a donation in an envelope in the tag container, and someone will do the shopping for you.  Or, you can just leave a donation to help purchase gifts for tags that are unclaimed. We also hope to provide wrapping paper for the families.  Every little bit helps!

This is a wonderful project that helps to brighten the holiday season for many of our local families, and we appreciate everyone’s help! 

If you have any questions, you may contact us at weilcloues8808@gmail.com.

Happy holidays to you and yours!  Please stay safe and healthy!

Jeanne Cloues and Marcia Weil, project organizers

NOTE:  You may also mail donations directly to us at 192 Upper Walpole Road, Walpole, NH.  03608.  Please be sure to make checks out to Jeanne Cloues/Giving Tree Project.  Thank you.

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 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 $52,928.15 for checks issued October 14, 2022.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. This included a $34,495.16 payment to the NH Retirement System (NHRS).

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending October 8, 2022, in the amount of $29,331.65dated October 14, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,496.09.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – October 6, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 29, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting – September 20, 2022;

• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting – September 27 2022;

• Conservation Commission Meeting – October 3, 2022.

TIMBER INTENTS:

Map and Lot# 013-034-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Intent to Cut for the owner(s) of Map and Lot# 013-034-000.  This cut is located off of Old Cheshire Turnpike. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS:

2022-44, MAP and LOT# 008–144-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2022-44 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #008-144-000 to install two 13’ x 22’ ground mount solar arrays”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

2022-45, MAP and LOT# 005–033-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2022-45 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #005-033-000 to install two 13’ x 22’ ground mount solar arrays”.  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:

Reservoir Dam Notice: The Town received a letter from NH DES that the Town will be granted $685,956.00 for the rehabilitation or removal of the high hazard dam. Mr. Dalessio is working on the application with Fuss & O’Neill. The application is due on or by December 1^st.

School and Old North Main H & H Studies: Mr. Dalessio reported that the hydrologic and hydraulic studies had been completed by Fuss & O’Neill. The reports were sent to FEMA. The cost is very similar between the projects. The projects are moving along for mitigation funding.

Former Central Plating Site: The final plan for the new parking lot has the drainage plan included stated Mrs. Pschirrer. To cover the Town, a permission letter is being requested from Mascoma Bank related to the drainage plan. The drainage is going to the center of the new parking lot. There is a tight budget for the remainder to the project due to cost increases. Paving may need to wait until the spring.

Hartmann Tree Invoice: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the invoice from Hartmann Tree and Garden for the pruning and assessment of the trees on the Common for the amount of $4,503.00 from the Quinton Fund”.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Hartmann Tree Proposal: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the proposal from Hartmann Tree and Garden for $660.00 to remove two stumps on the Common. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Appointment Notice: Ms. Mayberry moved to sign the appointment notice for Wendy Grossman to be an alternate on the Conservation Commission. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Letter to Jon MacClaren: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign the letter to Mr. Jon MacClaren. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

HealthTrust Transmittal/Agreement for 2023: Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the chair sign the transmittal with HealthTrust. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. There was a 11.7% increase in healthcare costs which was a large increase compared to 2022’s rate.

Covid Letter to Town Employees: Ms. Mayberry moved to send the Covid letter to employees with payroll checks/stubs.Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. Thanks was given to Mrs. Pschirrer for creating the letter.

Citizen Comment 2022-14: Mr. Dalessio is to check the bright lights on Spruce and Kilburn Streets. If the lights can be turned off, they will be turned off. Ms. Mayberry supports keeping the light on Spruce Street with a diffuser or lens.

Flooring Samples for Town Hall Hallway & Kitchen: Absinthe blue was chosen as the tile sample.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Hooper Trustees Meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 7:03 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:05 PM.

Walpole Power Committee: Ms. Mayberry had sent a thank you to Mr. Paul Looney and Mr. Dennis Marcom for their work on this committee. There was a discussion of the billing changes for Liberty Utility customers.

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 7:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

Walpole Players are happy to announce that “Hansel & Gretel” will be extended through the first weekend in November with 3 performances:  Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 PM Saturday, Nov. 5 at 4:00 PM Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 PM Tickets are available at Galloway real Estate and Mascoma Bank in Walpole, online at TheWalpolePlayers.org, and at the door prior to each performance.

Although it is very problematic for some to access the Town Hall while daytime construction is occurring, safety takes a priority over convenience. Those visiting or walking by the Town Hall MUST remain out of the construction work zone per federal law and OSHA rules. It is a requirement that the public walk around the flagged/coned off area in front of the Town Hall while daytime construction is in process. DO NOT lift the flagging or go beyond the cones to enter the work area. The public and worker safety are high concerns with an active mechanical lift and material movement.

For those with mobility challenges, there is one handicap parking spot on Elm Street adjacent to the sidewalk to the ramp to the southern main entrance for those with handicap tags/plates. Elm Street must be accessed from Washington Street on the south end of the Common to reach the handicap parking spot.

The street and sidewalk open once the roofers are finished for the day. The above is in effect only during weekday, daytime hours.

If there are any questions regarding work zone requirements, contact the Selectboard Office at 603-756-3672 to discuss the matter.