The Walpolean

Present:  Amy Howard (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Gail LaHaise, Susan Johnson, Bill Ranauro, Sarah Mann, Erin Bowen, Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director), 

Absent:  Tim Lester

Amy called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. in the library Community Room.  This meeting was recorded.

Approval of Minutes:  Jane made two corrections to the October 11 minutes.  Under the budget, rather than stating she added $3500 to Technology, it should read:  Jane talked about the cost of adding new Chromebooks. Also under the budget, the fourth paragraph should read, Jane stated the staff development budget will be mostly spent this year. With these corrections, Gail moved to accept the October 11, 2022 minutes.  Sarah seconded;  all voted to approve the minutes.

Treasurer’s Report: Kathy emailed a copy of the Treasurer’s Report to the trustees prior to the meeting.  Amy noticed that roughly one-third of this year’s budget is still unspent but much of it will be spent before the end of the year. There is also more money in our accounts than there was in April, so the treasury looks good.

Bills:  Jane noted that about $1600 worth of adult books came in, as did the Donegan Systems bill (moveable shelves), which increased slightly to $401.  

Jane will be talking to the copier people because there have been a number of problems with our copier.  It is 7-years-old, and Jane wants to talk to a representative about leasing options for replacement.  

Amy moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report and bills.  Gail seconded, and all voted in favor;  motion carried.

Old Business

Staff and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner: Kathy reported that the caterer is all set.  She reviewed raffle items and the group discussed how and when to hold the raffle during the event.  Set up will be at 9:00 Thursday morning.  Amy, Susan, Kathy, and Bill volunteered to do the set-up.  Whoever can stay after the dinner will do the clean-up:  wash and dry dishes, put away tables, sweep the floors.  

Logo/Branding:  Sarah presented  a slideshow of the finalized logo. She reviewed how the design was chosen and explained the choices of font style and colors. 

A roll-out plan was discussed, beginning with a Clarion article in January to introduce the new logo.  Amy suggested presenting the slideshow to the staff and volunteers before the logo is shown to the public.

Amy presented her research of promotional items including canvas bags, stickers, tattoos, and magnets.  Jane said she would like to order magnetic full-color name tags for staff and volunteers. Erin suggested that Amy call Beeze Tees in Keene for tote bag pricing.  Sarah asked for the cost of full-color printing.  Amy said she will do the research, then email these figures to the trustees.

New Business

2023 Budget:  Jane distributed a draft of the 2023 library budget.  She noted increases in advertising for the roll-out swag, technology for four new Chromebooks, and Children’s Misc. for 2 new bookshelves.  Amy asked if some Chromebooks could be purchased this year.  Jane said they could, so she would look into that. If she buys Chromebooks this year, she won’t need to increase the 2023 Technology budget,  The library actually needs three bookshelves for the Children’s Room, so the trustees okayed an increase that would accommodate this purchase. The final budget will be approved in January.

Jane submitted her figures for the town budget. When she gets a quote for the repair to the masonry on the north side of the chimney, she can request a warrant article.

Operations:    Visits are up in North Walpole and check-outs have increased in both branches.  The Saturday Book Club has been discontinued.  The children’s concert last Saturday was well-attended. 

Jane described a virtual program/ discussion taking place on Wednesday, December 7, at 7:00 p.m. Our library is partnering with several other libraries from around the state for this program.  Interested parties can contact Jane for the link. Jane also described a few programs for January that are being planned. 

Jane reported that the conference she attended was very interesting.  She cited one session about how to talk to the press about book banning. Sarah asked if Jane could share notes from this workshop;  Jane said she can send a video of the presentation to trustees and share it with the staff, as well. 

Jane and Julie plan to do a diversity audit of books in the library.  They will start next year with children’s books.  

Buildings and Grounds:  Barry is working on the quote for the chimney and he will be in touch about wrapping the chimney.  The door is delayed because our contractor cannot reach the carpenter who is making the door.  Jane is going to ask for a weekly update.

Friends of the Library:  The book sale did quite well, bringing in more money than last year with fewer books.

Adjournment:  With no further business to discuss, Gail moved to adjourn;  Amy seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 5:41 p.m.

The next meeting will be January 10, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

Sue Kreb’s, from the First Congregational Church, wanted everyone to know that on November 20, at 11:30, we are gathering on the Common for a” Thanksgiving Circle”.  Public is invited. 

It will be informal, a way to gather as a community to give thanks.  The other churches in town have been contacted.

I’ve been advised that I will not be sent minutes from these meetings. Those who may be interested (and we should be), please see the Sau60.org website. – Lil

To: FMRSD Families, Staff & Community
From: Superintendent Search Committee
Re: Superintendent Search Committee Meeting Updates Date: November 14, 2022
November 3, 2022

The Fall Mountain Regional School District Superintendent Search Committee held its second meeting on Thursday, November 3. At this meeting, the search committee developed the roles and tasks that the new Superintendent will need to perform to best support the district. Functional and dysfunctional leadership styles were identified to assist in analysis of potential candidates.

The Search Committee worked on initial components of a comprehensive survey to send to the Fall Mountain Regional School District community and discussed dissemination strategies.

Bryan Group Competencies, skills with specific indicators, were introduced that the committee will review, revise, and develop to personalize their total refined criteria to use in the search.

November 9, 2022
The Fall Mountain Regional School District Superintendent Search Committee met for their third meeting on Wednesday, November 9. During this meeting, the committee reviewed, in detail, the specific competencies that will be looked for in superintendent candidates.

The committee refined criteria, roles, competencies, leadership styles, and desired experiences needed for applicant evaluation. In addition, the draft survey was reviewed and revised with hopes to finalize and disseminate next week.

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m.

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. One member of the public present, Tom Winmill.

PETITION ZONING WARRANTS: Mr. Tom Winmill was seeking signatures from the Selectboard for two petition warrants for Town Meeting. The warrants are to amend a couple of zoning ordinances. Mr. Winmill was also seeking an endorsement from the Selectboard for the petition warrant articles.

Mr. Winmill stated that for the first warrant article, the penalty provision would change in the zoning ordinance for the area south of the Cold River. Currently the current zoning article has a $500.00 maximum penalty which is too small an amount. The zoning ordinance is out of sync with the NH statues which have a maximum penalty of $550 per day with no maximum.

Mr. Rosko joined the meeting at 6:33 PM.

The second petition article is to amend the zoning ordinance by defining restaurant and retail businesses per Mr. Winmill. He reviewed the Hanover, NH Zoning Ordinance and use the text for the article. The change would exclude under the restaurant definition “to provide food for offsite consumption”. It would also define a retail building as one to exclude drive through service. It would redefine the development of Walpole’s commercial area.

There was a discussion related to the three ways a warrant article is placed on the Town warrant. Mr. Winmill obtained more than 25 signatures for each petition. Mr. Dalessio advised that the signatures must be from Walpole registered voters with both a signature and printed name on the petition form. As a Selectboard member, Mr. Dalessio does not sign petition warrant articles. Additionally, the Board abstains from endorsing petition articles. He felt if an article is put forth by the voters, the voters should decide if it passes or not. Mrs. Pschirrer agreed.

The question of the requirement for a public hearing was asked. Warrant article text will be reviewed by the Town attorney and the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA). Mr. Winmill asked if the Town attorney could recommend edits. Mr. Dalessio said yes.

Mr. Winmill departed the meeting at 6:32PM

SKATING RINK:  Mr. Dalessio asked Mr. Rosko if he was interested in taking over the skating rink? Mr. Ron Rosko was not enthusiastic about last year’s ice rink set-up. He felt the setup was too small; it’s fine for one person. In the past, the entire field was flooded. Mr. Rosko would be willing to take over and learn about the rink. It means a great deal to him having spent a lot of time there as a youth.  There was a discussion about snow removal.  It can be labor intensive per Mr. Rosko. In the past, the Town removed the snow. Mr. Dalessio said the current rink set-up was purchased since there isn’t always snowpack or frozen ground to preserve the ice.  Mrs. Pschirrer stated the current rink could have extensions added to it. There was a discussion of the desired size of the rink, a liner and edge boards. Ms. Mayberry reviewed the process of making the ice with an additive and filling the area gradually, with layers of ice.

Mr. Dalessio stated the idea needed to go before the Recreation Committee. Ms. Mayberry asked that the vision of the change be written. Ms. Mayberry would bring the request before the Recreation Committee.

Mr. Rosko departed the meeting at 6:59 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: There were none this week per Ms. Mayberry.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending October 29, 2022, in the amount of $32,388.60 dated November 4, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,030.54.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – October 27, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 27, 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 – October 27, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 27, 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:

REFUNDS:

Map and Lot# 012-013-2U2: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve to approve a property tax refund to the owner of Map and Lot# 012-013-2U2 in the amount of $5.42. 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 and Union Streets Drainage Project: The Fuss and O’Neill contract amendment will be tabled until next week. The Selectboard is researching whether the gully was man-made or is a seasonal stream.

Streetlights on Kilburn and Spruce Streets: Mr. Dalessio visited Kilburn Street. He felt that the streetlight could be turned off, but it will make the area darker. Spruce Street cannot be removed but needs to be modified. The Selectboard would like a confirmation that the abutters to the streetlight area agree to having the light removed. A follow-up note will be sent to the Olivers.

NEW BUSINESS:

Multi or Single Year Assessing Agreement: Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Selectboard sign the one year assessing contract with Avitar Associates of New England for $12, 996. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio voting in favor, the motion was approved.

Utility Pole Easement Agreement: Ms. Mayberry moved that the Selectboard sign the Utility Pole Easement Agreement with Liberty Utilities to add an anchor and guidewires to a pole at the south end of the Common.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer, and Mr. Dalessio voting in favor, the motion was approved.

NHMA Notice: The Selectboard reached a consensus that legal notes sent by the NHMA to the Town from 2009 to 2015 are to be returned to the Town. A follow-up note will be sent to the NHMA.

Fire Hydrant Flushing Complaint: The gouging of the roadside on Union Street caused by hydrant flushing will be fixed.

2022 Tax Rate: The MS-535 form was uploaded by the auditors to the DRA web portal this afternoon stated Mr. Dalessio. Once the DRA reviews and approves, the form will be available for Selectboard review and sign. The school district has several forms that need to be uploaded to the portal.

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 7:29 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel, (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 8:17 PM.

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 8:17 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

“Great Decisions” Public Forum Tonight

Biden’s Strategy & Midterms’ Fallout

“Great Decisions” will meet again at 6:00 p.m. tonight in the Walpole Town Library.

Competition with China — what will today’s meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping accomplish? — UN Climate Change COP27, war in Ukraine, the message of the midterms, democracy’s challenges in a world of rising autocracies (and sea levels) — What do you think about all this?

Please join the discussion tonight either in person in the Hubbard Meeting Room at the Walpole Town Library or via Zoom. For the Zoom link, contact Jane Malmberg, Library Director, in advance of the 6:00 p.m. meeting: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org.

Sue Kibbe and Ron MacLachlan

With the November and December holidays, and depending upon how the days of the week fall, the closing date for the CLARION is always impacted. Our printer’s long Thanksgiving Day holiday schedule affects the closing date, but I have been able to extend the deadline to Monday, November 21 at 5 PM Walpole time, one day later than the published date. Layout and design work begins 4-5 days ahead of the deadline closing date. Several drafts are worked and reworked adjusting layout and spacing. Early submission of your article for the community will help our process in developing each issue.

I have heard of a number of holiday activities that will finally pick up again after COVID, so please get articles and notices of those events to me as soon as possible to share with the community so we can all feel some return to “normalcy,” and join in on the festive fun.

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. Thank you, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Town Hall

7 pm

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed.

Minutes: Review minutes of October 2022 meeting. 

New Business:

Jan has a response from NH Municipal Association about nonpublic minutes.

Old Business:

Next meeting December November 20, 2022.

Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Joanna Andros, Bill Carmody, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio, alternate Travis Adams. Absent: Jeff Harrington and Trevor MacLachlan. Others at the meeting were Ray Boas, Surveyor Joe DiBernardo, Tom Winmill, Chad Branon from Fieldstone Land Consultants and Michael Atkins, an attorney from Peterborough, was at the meeting representing NGP Management and Dunkin.

Recording: Secretary Marilou Blaine. This meeting was recorded. These minute are unapproved and will be reviewed at the November 2022 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Call to order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm. He asked Mr. Adams to sit in for the absent board member and Mr. Adams agreed.

Minutes: Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Old Business: Fieldstone Land Consultants will present the final site plan for the Dunkin – Tax Map 12, Lot 13-3, Route 12. Civil Engineer Chad Branon was the presenter.

Mr. Branon began by pointing out on the plat a dedicated slip lane turning into the Dunkin property. To the east of the property is Avanru Development Unit 2C. To the south is a pond and wetlands area. Across the street is a farm stand and farmland. To the north is Dollar General. The land is known as and recorded as Lot 13-3, Condo Unit 2A. It is 1.42 acres.

Mr. Branon said Customers will drive in and may go into the parking lot for the restaurant. There are about 20 parking spaces with two dedicated to handicap drivers. Another parking area is in the southeast corner with eight parking spaces for employees. The restaurant has seating for 20 people, restrooms and an ordering/pickup area. The location of the parking lot restaurant will allow people to not have to come back to Route 12 but customers may leave via Red Barn Lane. The important thing, Mr. Branon said, is that Dunkin has access from Route 12 and Red Barn Lane.

If you do not choose to go to the restaurant, there is a perimeter driveway around the building to the driver-thru, which is at the rear or north end of the building. From there customers may go out onto Route 12 or go around the perimeter road to Red Barn Lane. The dumpster in the rear of the building will be enclosed and screened. One propane tank is proposed on the back side of the building where the dumpster is. Lighting will be downward and there will be plenty of vegetation around the building as well as by the parking lot, pond and green space. Mr. Branon named a number of plants – red maple, hydrangea, lilac. Signage will consist of STOP, Do Not Enter, and handicap signs as well as arrows.

DOT wanted two access points and there are two – Route 12 and Red Barn Lane, Branon repeated. Fieldstone worked with DOT to address turning into the site and leaving from Red Barn Lane. There is also a sidewalk in front of the building. The entire area will not be paved. There is a retention basin above the pumping station that will be built and it will have a spillway. Sewer and water are along the north side of the building. Stormwater will go to the pond; culverts will be placed in the area going out to Red Barn Lane. Fieldstone still has to get a letter from the fire chief and water and sewer department.

 Branon submitted a letter from DOT Office No. 4 in Swanzey. Fieldstone talked to the highway department about restriping the lanes and were told it was not needed. So, according to Branon, the state is resolved the application is certainly in a good place to go forward. Branon said the company consulted with a traffic engineer to work on improvements to allow through traffic. An entrance has always been proposed there, he said. But Dunkin has found a way to have two entrances and two exits. The area has been researched and it is no more a hazardous exit than any all along Route 12. Mr. Branon gave the chair, Mr. Miller, a letter from DOT Office 4.

On November 8, 2022 Avanru divided the property into land condominium units. All the property, which is still owned by Avanru Development Group, is one lot but divided into four units – Unit 1 is delineated as wetlands and unbuildable. Then there are Unit 2 A, Unit 2B and Unit 2C.  Unit 2A is 1.43 acres, Unit 2B is .92 acres and Unit 2 C is .98 acres. Individual companies such as Dunkin will have rights on Unit 2A if their site plan is approved. According to the condo rules, all units share Route 12 as its frontage. This designation of the property being condominium land units was done without Avanru coming to the Planning Board to get permission and according to Surveyor Joe DiBernardo it was because Avanru’s  counsel said Avanru did not have to go to the Planning Board. While unit 2A will have one business on that unit, other units may have multiple businesses.

 Mr. Dalessio said the Dunkin lot may have proper setbacks, frontage and green space, but what about the condo lots that will be coming up. This may not be true. There was a lot of discussion back and forth about condo lot and there are questions about the definitions of condo lots and subdivision regulations. Mr. Miller said that town counsel has been contacted on the matter.

Ms. Andros asked Mr. Branon three questions. What are the proposed hours of operation? Mr. Branon said he wasn’t sure if it was the same as the Dunkin in the Jiffy Mart but he would have the information available at the hearing. 

What kind food will the restaurant serve? The standard – bagels donuts, breakfast, sandwiches, Mr. Branon said.

Will the landscaping be shown with the building at the next meeting? Yes, Branon said. It goes along the west side of building, east side, curb and in the green space.

A motion by Mr. Marcom was moved and seconded by Mr. Perron to hold a public hearing in December to approve the subdivision/condo lots lot units proposed by Avanru Development Group. The motion carried.

Mr. Perron made a motion to have a public hearing in December on the Dunkin site plan. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried. Mr. Branon said he knows the lot is a condo lot and they are happy to submit to the setback, frontage conditions, and green space of the site plan.

  New Business:

Lot Line Adjustment: Surveyor Joe DiBernardo submitted an application for a proposed lot line adjustment between Dale and Bonita Woodward and Judith Epstein on Flat and School Street. Tax Map 19, Lots 53-1 and 54. Lot 53-1 to gain 0.01 acres from 54.

Mr. Perron made a motion to hold a public hearing for a Lot Line Adjustment in December. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

Petitions for the Warrant

Mr. Tom Winmill brought two petitions to the Planning Board that he would like to go on the warrant for the townspeople to vote on by ballot.

The first was:

To the Board of Selectmen: We, the undersigned registered voters of the Town of Walpole, hereby petition the Board of Selectmen pursuant to NH 675:4, Method of Enactment by Petition, to insert the following article into the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting to be held in 2023:

 To see if the Town will vote to amend ARTICLE XIV of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Walpole, New Hampshire, to read as follows: Penalty Any violation of this Ordinance shall be made punishable by a fine to the full extent permitted under the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, Title LXIV (64) Planning and Zoning, or any successor statute as may then be in effect.

Mr. Winmill stated that currently the ordinance fine is one time only. The ordinance reads the fine “of not more than $100 for each day such violation my exist after the conviction date; provided, however, that the total fines imposed for any single violation shall not exceed $500.” The state penalty is tougher and it’s a payment each day.

His second petition article was “To see if the Town will vote to amend ARTICLE VI, Section B, 3 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Walpole, New Hampshire, to read as follows: Shops, restaurants, and other retail buildings not exceeding 40,000 square feet in gross floor area. For this purpose a (1) “restaurant” is defined as an eating establishment designed to allow patrons to eat on-site at tables, booths, or a counter, including diner, café and cafeteria, excluding an establishment that provides food for off-site consumption, except as incidental to on-site service retail sales, and (2) “retail building” is defined as one that offers the sale of goods, foods, and personal services directly to the consumer for use and consumption off-site, excluding any drive-through service, free-standing retail stand, new and used car sales and service, and trailer and manufactured housing sales and service.”

Mr. Winmill cited towns such as Wolfeboro, Hanover, Plaistow and others that already had an article like this in their zoning ordinance. People who didn’t want to sign this petition said because it was discriminatory, Mr. Winmill said. When it came to a place such as Diamond Pizza, they could either be grandfathered, Mr. Winmill said, or have to get a variance.

 Mr. Perron said he found the language of the petition confusing. Mr. Dalessio said suppose he had a small lot on Route 12 and wanted to open a small shop. This article would not allow him to do that. This article is discriminatory.

Mr. Winmill suggested the Planning Board work with the Zoning Board to improve the Zoning Ordinance and bring it up to date. He said it isn’t working for our town.

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

cc: WPB, ZBA, Town Offices, The Walpolean.

Posted: Inside the Town Offices, on the bulletin board outside the Post Office, http://www.walpolenh.us