The Walpolean

Selectboard Present:​Cheryl Mayberry (Chair); Steven Dalessio; Peggy Pschirrer

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  Also present was Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.  There were no members of the public in attendance.  This meeting was being recorded.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $502,602.60 for checks issued October 1, 2021.  This includes a payment in the amount of $408,708.50 to All States Construction for paving.  Mr. Dalessio noted this payment is $8,708.50 over the 2021 budget for Paving.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending September 25, 2021, in the amount of $29,532.20 for checks dated October 1, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,795.64.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD PUBLIC HEARING – September 23, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard Public Hearing of September 23, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

STAFF MEETING – September 23, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of September 23, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – September 23, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 23, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD MINUTES – September 23, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Non-Public Selectboard session of September 23, 2021, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORT:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee report:• Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – September 14, 2021.

With reference to the above meeting Minutes, Ms. Mayberry reported that the water in North Walpole is drinkable.  Copies of all the reports could be provided to the Library Board of Trustees.  She encouraged them to call the North Walpole Board of Commissioners to discuss this. 

OLD BUSINESS:

NHDRA Approval Letter for Emergency Expenditures:  Ms. Mayberry reported that the Selectboard did receive approval on September 28, 2021, from the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) to exceed the appropriations by $500,000 from the Unexpended Fund Balance.  Mr. Dalessio said they need to think about if they are going to use a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN). If so, who will they borrow it from and what are we going to use it for?  Mr. Dalessio would start with School Street.  To date, they have not had any luck with finding an engineer.  It would be almost a year before this project would happen.

Quitclaim Deed for Map and Lot #009-024-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Quitclaim Deed (Deed Without Covenants) for the vacant parcel located off of Evans Road, Map and Lot #009-024-000, as the successful bidders paid the balance and the Selectboard now has their Deed ready to be signed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  .           

Quitclaim Deed for Map and Lot #024-005-000: Mrs.  Pschirrer moved to approve the Quitclaim Deed (Deed Without Covenants) for the property located at 24 Homestead Avenue, Map and Lot #024-005-000, as the successful bidders paid the balance and the Selectboard now has their Deed ready to be signed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  

Request for Encumbrance for $89,500 for Painting of Town Hall: Mr. Dalessio moved to encumber Warrant Article 5-21 in the amount of $89,500 for the painting of the entire exterior of the Town Hall including the rental of a 125’ lift for four weeks.  These funds were not expended due to a labor shortage on the part of the vendor.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  

Request for Encumbrance for $15,900 for Repair of 2^nd Floor Ceiling in Town Hall:  Mr. Dalessio moved to encumber Warrant Article 5-21 in the amount of $15,900 for the restoration of the second-floor ceiling in the Town Hall.  These funds were not expended due to a labor shortage on the part of the vendor.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  

Community Power Coalition Public Meeting Notice:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that the Public Meeting Notice for the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire was posted earlier this week.  This meeting will be held on October 1, 2021, at the Kimball Jenkins School of Art, Carriage House, 266 N. Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.  Mr. Paul Looney and Mrs. Pschirrer plan to attend.  Mrs. Pschirrer will present her report at next week’s meeting.  

Meeting With the Trustees of Trust Funds:  The tentative date for this meeting regarding the Hooper Trust Funds is still October 21^st at 6:00 PM. However, they are awaiting one response.

The Restaurant at Burdick’s Outdoor Dining Request:  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that this Burdick’s outdoor Dining Request should be referred to the Planning Board for their decision.  Mrs. Pschirrer feels the platform is a safety issue.              

Catering Quotes for Employee Appreciation Lunch:  Ms. Mayberry advised that three catering quotes were received for the Employee Appreciation Lunch.  

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the quote from Joanie Joan’s Eatery & Catering from Walpole Village for the Employee Appreciation Harvest Lunch on Tuesday, October 19^th, 2021.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.        

Cleaning Cost for Town Hall Events:  Mr. Brad Nash provided a rate of one (1) hour to clean 36 chairs and 4 tables.  He also cleans and disinfects the kitchen, wipes down the center poles, all door knobs, light switches and cleans and disinfects the elevator.  Ms. Mayberry said it will all come down to the event; how many tables and chairs will be used, etc.  We would still expect the renter to do their regular cleaning.  Mr. Dalessio noted Mr. Nash’s benefits have to be included in his salary.    

Pending Further Actions:

Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood:

Vilas Bridge:  Ms. Mayberry reported the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT) Hearing is on Tuesday, October 5^th at 7:00 PM at the Keene Recreation Center.  She plans to attend.  Mrs. Pschirrer would prefer to attend via ZOOM.

NEW BUSINESS:

Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Change of Hours:  Mrs. Meghan Hansson submitted their proposed new hours and their plan to implement them.  These hours will go into effect on October 31^st, 2021.  They feel these hours will better serve their public.  Their busiest hours are the late day hours.  Appointments are required for every day; Tuesday evenings fill up quickly. For folks working an early shift, opening at 7am is not early enough; they are looking for later afternoon hours.  The Selectboard agreed that they liked the new hours.  Mr. Dalessio said this is a 10% increase for the public.   

Tax Deeding Protocol – Several Questions from the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office:  Ms. Mayberry noted that based on the body of the report they state what they want but are asking the Selectboard what they want.   She would like to see a tentative plan or outline from them.  They want them to develop a calendar and a time line.  Ms. Mayberry asked Mrs. Downing to look at the Tax Deeding Protocol and what that will require of the Selectboard.  At some point in the process, the Selectboard has to accept the liens.  Mrs. Pschirrer would like their recommendation to be concise and distinct. Ms. Mayberry said they can include payment plans in their protocol.  Mr. Dalessio felt they need to find out what the process is.  He will talk to them on Tuesday regarding procedures, etc.

NH Agency Directors’ Presentation re: Funding Opportunities for Storm Water Disaster Recovery & Mitigation: The Selectboard received a notice that there is a meeting with Senator Jay Kahn.  This request came from Lisa Murphy. Mr. Mark Houghton will attending via Zoom.  Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio plan to attend.  The Meeting will be held remotely via Zoom or in-person on Wednesday, October 6^thfrom 1:00-to-3:00 PM in Delegation Hall at the Historic Cheshire County Courthouse located at 12 Court Street, Keene. For the RSVP with SWRPC, the Selectboard prefers attending via Zoom.

Walpole Schools’ Halloween Parade and Elm Street: An email was received from Mr. Justin Cassarino at the Walpole School regarding the October Halloween Parade on October 29th.  He is asking if there would be any issues with having the kids walk up and do two laps around the Common, with parents and businesses waiting there.  Mr. Cassarino would like to make it feel like a real parade for them.  This would alleviate the issues of them worrying about traffic. They would still request a police car to help as well.  Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer felt it was a good idea.  Mr. Dalessio had no problems with the parade. He hoped the paving would be finished before the end of October.

Ms. Mayberry will send Mr. Cassarino a note to let him know the Halloween Parade around the Common is approved providing the paving is finished. 

NHMA Conference Registration:  Notices were received that the Registration is Now Open for the NH Municipal Association Hybrid Conference on November 17-to-19, 2021.  Mr. Dalessio does not plan to attend.  Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer will look over the notice and then make their decisions as to whether or not to attend.    

Avitar Notice for 2022 Utility Rates:  Ms. Mayberry acknowledged receipt of the Avitar Notice for 2022 Utility Rates at $150 per hour for new construction and superior court defense time.  

Cards:  Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mrs. Downing to get a get-wellcard for Mr. David Hewes who is recovering from surgery and a sympathy card for Mr. Ken Thompson’s wife and family.   

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (c) Reputation.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:09 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:24 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 30, 2021, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

7 pm

Town Hall

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed.

Minutes: Review minutes of September meeting.

Old Business: 

Public Hearing No.1: Continued from August meeting. Two amendments to the Walpole Zoning Ordinances: amendment one is about fabric feather flags; amendment two is a definition and examples of temporary signs. If approved, these two amendments will be put on the March 2022 warrant for approval by the townspeople.

In amendment No.1, the words “wind-activated signs like” will be removed. In amendment No. 2, in the seconded paragraph the words “may include but are not restricted to” will be inserted.  

Public Hearing No. 2:  Avanru Development Group LTD/Red Barn Lane. Tax Map 12, Lot 13-3. Agent: James Phippard, Brickstone Land Use Consultants LLC. Proposed: Vacant Lot/Self Storage Units, 37,450 square feet, 5 buildings. Red Barn Condominium. 

Possible apartments in Potato Barn with rough drawings. Barry Bellows or Steve Rudek. Preliminary meeting for a site plan review and public hearing.

New Business: 

Tom Goins will discuss Outdoor Dining Facility in front of Burdick’s. Site Plan Review. Letter from SB.

New fees for all applications. 

Workshop: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 Lisa will be at the meeting to work on updating the Land Use Analysis and Plan.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 9, 2021.

Attached: New ZBA Amendments, SB letter to Outdoor Dining recipients, Fee for Storage Unit legal. 

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $60,993.21for checks issued 10/08/21

PAYROLL

• Payroll Register totaling $28,500.95 dated 10/08/21 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $5,480.75

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

• Selectboard Public Hearing – September 30, 2021
• Non-Public Session Selectboard Minutes – September 30, 2021

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Walpole Fire Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes – September 1, 2021
• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes – September 7, 2021
• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes – September 14, 2021
• North Walpole Village Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes – September 21, 2021

BUILDING PERMITS

2121-38, Map and Lot# 008-109-000

OLD BUSINESS

• Community Power Coalition Public Meeting
• Governor’s Advisory Council on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT) Hearing
• Sen. Kahn and NH Agency Directors’ Presentation re: Funding Opportunities for Storm Water Disaster Recovery & Mitigation

Pending Further Actions

Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood, Arborclimb

NEW BUSINESS

• Heating Oil and Propane Quotes
• Recreation Revolving Fund Request
• TC-TC Office Memo re: Credit Card Payments for Property Taxes

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES

Hooper Trustees Meeting – September 16, 2021

HOOPER BUSINESS

Long View Forest Management Assessment of the Hooper Forest

HOOPER NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a)

SELECTBOARD MEETING – continued

NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (e)

7 pm

Town Hall

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed.

Minutes: Review minutes of September meeting.

Old Business:

Public Hearing No.1: Continued from August meeting. Two amendments to the Walpole Zoning Ordinances: amendment one is about fabric feather flags; amendment two is a definition and examples of temporary signs. If approved, these two amendments will be put on the March 2022 warrant for approval by the townspeople.

 In amendment No.1, the words “wind-activated signs like” will be removed. In amend No. 2, in the seconded paragraph the words “may include but are not restricted to” will be inserted.

Public Hearing No. 2:  Avanru Development Group LTD/Red Barn Lane. Tax Map 12, Lot 13-3. Agent: James Phippard, Brickstone Land Use Consultants LLC. Proposed: Vacant Lot/Self Storage Units, 37,450 square feet, 5 buildings. Red Barn Condominium.

Possible apartments in Potato Barn with rough drawings. Barry Bellows or Steve Rudek. Preliminary meeting for a site plan review and public hearing.

New Business:

Tom Goins will discuss Outdoor Dining Facility in front of Burdick’s. Site Plan Review. Letter from SB. New fees for all applications.

Present: Board members Chair Jan Leclerc, Vice-chair Myra Mansouri, Clerk Tom Murray, Ernie Vose, Pauline Barnes. Alternates: Judy Trow and Dave Edkins. Absents: Alternate Don Sellarole.

The meeting started at 7 pm.

New Business:

 Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use: Chair Leclerc presented an application for an Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use for her daughter, Jennifer Jones. The home was built in 1962 before a zoning ordinance was adopted. Her daughter is requesting a public hearing for an Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use for a 14-foot-by-24-foot two-story addition on the west side of the house for a dining room and a bedroom at 15 Ford Ave. Tax Map 19, Lot 9, Residential B. The addition is 57 feet from the center of the road, not 65 feet. but has all the proper 20-foot setbacks on the side and rear, Ms. Leclerc said. The roof line will be continued and there will a dormer off the back on the second floor. After a presentation to the rest of the Board, Mr. Vose made a motion to hold a public hearing for the application. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Purpose of workshop. In September, Ms. Leclerc presented two amendments to the Planning Board to be approved and then, if approved, presented to the public on the March, 2022 warrant. Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio immediately asked about putting out a sign with the word “Open” on it. And what about the American flag? he asked. Is that wind activated? Mr. Perron pointed out that the words “wind-activated” was a problem. So the Planning Board suggested continuing the meeting to the next month – October. The goal of this workshop meeting was to discuss feather flags and reword the amendments, go back to the Planning Board, attend its regular October meeting and present any changes.

As promised at the meeting, Mr. Dalessio sent a suggestion for an ordinance to the Zoning Board regarding flags and signs. It says “Under this chapter of the ordinance, a flag is defined as a sign that is supported on one side by a ridged member and whose construction is such that causes its motion to be random. Flags which are mounted on (a) vertical pole greater than 14 feet and has a means of being raised or lowered are exempt from this ordinance. All flags are to be considered temporary signs.”

Mr. Edkins said it is not in the purview of the Zoning Board to be writing ordinances, the Planning Board should be doing that. Why is the Select Board asking the Zoning Board to write an ordinance? The Zoning Board is an appeals board. The Planning Board is a regulatory board. The Zoning Board interprets regulations, it doesn’t make regulations. The Planning Board should be the board writing ordinances. Ms. Leclerc said traditionally Planning Boards write ordinances but we mistakenly got involved in a feather flag dispute after a person came to a regular meeting of the Zoning Board and the board got involved in a feather flag discussion and subsequently wrote a letter to the Select Board. Ms. Leclerc checked with the New Hampshire Municipal Association, which said the Zoning Board was allowed to write an ordinance, Ms. Leclerc said.

Sources used in the discussion of the amendments were:

          –  A Select Board letter to Ms. Leclerc responding to a written request from the Zoning Board of Adjustment explaining why the Select Board would not enforce the Zoning Board’s request to write a letter to Jiffy Mart asking to remove several feather flags from along Route 12. The Select Board letter said, “Consequently, in multiple conversations, we agreed that rather than writing a letter asking Jiffy Mart to move its feather flags further away from the road, avoiding the issue, which is really that we do not want to permit feather flags, we suggest the ZBA prepare an amendment to the sign ordinances in commercial zones to prohibit feather flags, as well as define temporary signs. …… We will support your efforts in amending the ordinances.”

– Two documents from the New Hampshire Municipal Association titled:

                        “The First Amendment and Your Town’s Sign Regulations”

                        “Municipal Sign Ordinances after Reed v. Town of Gilbert Do’s & Don’ts.”

Some of the points brought up during the discussion were:

            The ZBA cannot determine what a sign says.

            Political signs are within the purview of the state, not the town.

            Add “may include but not are not restricted to” to the temporary sign amendment, which means that we are not covering content.

            The board was asked to cover feather flags, so how do flags in general pertain to the ordinance?

            You can’t say American flags are exempt.

            Someone on the Planning Board suggested just saying “feather flags” and drop the wind-activated.

            Oscillating and rotating are pretty similar to wind-activated. And it’s already in the ordinance.

            The board can’t dictate what a person puts on a sign, even the word “open.”

Mr. Edkins thought the biggest problem with signs right now were “trash signs” or signs that said things like “We’re Hiring.” They are all over the state and people put these signs up and then they don’t remove the signs, he said. They become litter. Mr. Edkins referred to few local companies. His house is across from the triangle at the end of Main Street and during a political contest, that area is covered, Mr. Edkins said. Ms. Leclerc said they are supposed to have permission of the owner of the property before putting up a sign.

Ms. Barnes suggested the Select Board make a list with telephone numbers of trash signs and they should enforce it. One round of calls from the Select Board might be a gentle nudge that might work.

Ms. Leclerc said when she and Ms. Mansouri went to the Select Board and brought up the issue of feather flags never coming before the Zoning Board, it didn’t seem to make any difference. I don’t know why that aspect of the ordinance is not important.  All businesses in commercial zone are supposed to come before the Zoning Board before putting up a sign. Article IV section D.2 says “All new non-residential signs require review by the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA), for compliance with the ordinance only.” Trash signs should theoretically come before this board if they are in the business or commercial district.

After a lengthy discussion with everyone on the board either making a recommendation or suggestion on feather flags and temporary signs, the Board agreed and voted to change the wording in both amendments. In amendment No.1, the words “wind-activated signs like” will be removed. In amendment No. 2, in the seconded paragraph the words “may include but are not restricted to” will be inserted.

Amendment No. 1 will now read:

 “Inflatable signs, feather flags; oscillating, rotating, flashing, neon or other tubular gas signs; or signs with blinking, changing or moving illumination are not permitted. These prohibitions do not apply to signs used for safety purposes by a government entity.

Amendment No. 2 will now read:

Temporary Signs

            A temporary sign is any sign not permanently attached to the ground, a wall or a building that is intended to be displayed for a short to limited amount of time.

            Examples of temporary signs may include but are not restricted to announcement signs; real estate signs; community or civic event signs; political campaign signs pursuant to RSA 664; garage or yard signs or signs for other special events that occur for a limited period of time.

            All temporary signs shall be removed within ten (10) days following the event or activity being    promoted.

The changes in amendments will be sent to Planning Board members and the public hearing on amendments will be continued at the October 12^th meeting.

Educate the public on zoning ordinances.

Ms. Leclerc has said often and she stated it at the September Planning Board meeting that all signs in the commercial district need Zoning Board approval, but over and over that is not happening. Ms. Trow suggested the board should educate the public and take one part of the zoning ordinance and explain it and ask the editor of The Walpole Clarion if the article could appear in print. Instead Ms. Barnes suggested an article on the responsibilities of the Zoning Board of Adjustment be the focus of the article. Both Ms. Barnes and Ms. Mansouri volunteered to write an article.

Gravel Inspection Assignments.

RSA 155-E requires a town board to inspect gravel pits yearly. In the past few years it has been done by the Zoning Board of Adjustment during the fall months and before daylight savings time ends. This year the assignments are:

Hodgkin: Old Drewsville Road – Tom Murray and Dave Edkins

Eurovia: Cold River Materials – Jan Leclerc and Myra Mansouri

Tim Graves; Wentworth Road – Judy Trow and Pauline Barnes

Industrial Park: now owned by Cold River Bridges  – Ernie Vose. In an email from Sarah Downing she said the excavation intent was closed out on 8/10/2020. Cold River Bridges did not file an intent to finish out last year and haven’t filed an intent to excavate this year.

Ms. Mansouri made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Vose seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

ZBA Secretary

cc: ZBA, WPB, Town Offices, The Walpolean

Posted: Inside Town Hall, on the bulletin board outside the Post Office, http://www.walpolenh.us                                                                               Next regular meeting October 20, 2021.                  

WALPOLE COMMUNITY POWER COMMITTEE

Will be holding a 

PUBLIC MEETING

OCTOBER 13, 2021 @ 7 P.M. 

WALPOLE TOWN HALL

The Walpole Community Power Committee be giving a presentation to discuss: CHEAPER POWER, CLEANER POWER & LOCAL CONTROL.

Walpole Town Clerk’s Office

Will be CLOSED

Wednesday, October 13^th and Thursday, October 14^th

SAVE THESE DATES

CUB SCOUT PACK 299 & BOY SCOUT TROOP 299

SCOUTING FOR FOOD DRIVE

November 6^th 2021 from 8 am to 12 pm we will be handing out information tags at the following locations:

  Walpole Post Office

Walpole Recycling Center

Tractor Supply

Shaw’s

November 13^th 2021 from 8 am to 12 pm we will be at the above locations collecting non-perishable food items (NO GLASS PLEASE) and monetary donations.  Pet food is also greatly appreciated.

All food and monetary donations go directly to the Fall Mountain Food Shelf.

Selectboard Present:      Cheryl Mayberry (Chair); Steven Dalessio; Peggy Pschirrer

Staff Present:                Sarah Downing (Manager of Administration); Richard Kreissle (Administrator of Finance); Justin Sanctuary (Police Chief); Ben Hoy (Recycling/Reuse Center Director); Helen Dalbeck (Hooper Institute Executive Director); Jane Malmberg (Library Director); Meghan Hansson (Town Clerk/Tax Collector); Regina Borden (Recording Secretary)

Staff Excused:   Michael Rau (Road Agent/Highway Department); Kraig Harlow (Recreation Director);

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called this Staff Meeting to order at 5:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  She thanked everyone for attending.  We are all back to wearing masks again. Therefore, everyone was asked to speak loudly.  This meeting was being recorded.

Police Department:  Police Chief Justin Sanctuary had sent in their usual draft for the period of August 16, 2021, through September 15, 2021.  They had 458 Total Calls; Criminal Investigations – 127; Public Safety – 195; Motor Vehicle – 136.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked what a typical call for service example is.  Chief Sanctuary explained it is any call that is for service; it is needed for police but not an emergency.  Emergency calls are responded to but are “911”.  Mr. Dalessio mentioned the titles do not agree. At the top of the box it states, “Calls for Service” but at the bottom it states, “Total Public Safety CFS”.  Chief Sanctuary reported they are trying to utilize the radar unit more this year.  They are trying to make sure the officers are in prime locations at the busy times.  On Old Main Street coming toward the Village, 71% of all vehicles were traveling under 25 MPH; 4% were more than 35 MPH. They had a lot of complaints about County Road near the Surry line.  It will be up there for another week.  It averages 548 cars a day.  Eight percent (8%) were traveling more than 45 MPH.  They have issued tickets and there were several DUIs.  One 80 MPH vehicle was in a 35 MPH posted area.  Sixty percent (60%) of the vehicles were traveling between 25 and 35 MPH.  They are currently on Prospect Hill.  Mr. Dalessio noted the question is what do they do?  Chief Sanctuary replied they have officers on County Road during certain hours.  Mrs. Pschirrer had a comment on Old North Main Street.  People were coming to a “Stop” sign, so they slowed down; put it on the other side of the road when people are going out of Town, plus there is truck traffic.     

Chief Sanctuary requested that people call them if they have complaints.  Ms. Mayberry mentioned having more signs showing the speed limit in Town. It is 35 MPH other than where posted differently.       

Finance Office:  Mr. Rich Kreissle submitted the following report dated September 23, 2021.

Budget:

The budget meeting was held on September 10 to establish a base line budget.  It went well.  During the remainder of the year, it will be tweaked as discussions continue and numbers are firmed up.  For example, the amounts for various insurances and professional association dues for the following year usually determined at in the 4^th quarter of the year.

One result of the meeting was a request by the board for him to create an encumbrance “cheat sheet” to provide written guidance as to what encumbrances are and what’s required for funds to be encumbered.

Peterborough:

As most of you have heard Peterborough suffered a cyber-attack which cost them $2.3 million.  In a series of e-mails claiming to be from the Conval School District and the contractor working on a major bridge repair project, Finance personnel for the town gave were told that Conval had changed their bank routing number.  A payment of $1.2 million to Conval was stolen along with payments to the bridge contractor.  Peterborough discovered the theft when Conval called looking for payment.

The upshot of it all:

• Peterborough failed to follow their own procedures in confirming when a vendor changes banks.
• Though they have recovered just under $700,000, their insurance may not cover the rest.
• There are only two vendors that Walpole pays electronically because we are required to.
• Sarah and he participated in a Zoom meeting sponsored by Cheshire County to further educate ourselves about cyber-security.

Encumbering Funds

What is Encumbering:

Encumbering funds is a means by which budgeted items from the current year can be expended in the following year.  When funds are encumbered, the expenditure is recognized in the current year even though the funds are disbursed in the following year.  Funds are encumbered as the Town approaches the end of its budget year.

What can be Encumbered.

Encumbrances are limited to those purchases for which some type of contract (quotes, proposals, etc.) are used to initiate purchase.  They are not typically used for regular expenditures found within the operating budget (wages, office supplies, utilities, etc.). The reliance upon contract gives evidence that the transaction was committed to in the current budget year but will not be completed until the following year.

How long can funds be Encumbered.

Unless an individual warrant article is treated as non-lapsing article, funds can only be encumbered for one year.  Non-lapsing warrant articles can be encumbered up to five years.

What is needed to Encumber funds.

Because the encumbering of funds is restricted to larger purchases the following documents are required before those funds can be encumbered:

• A purchase order signed by both the department manager and the Selectboard

The purchase order must contain the following information

            Name of vendor

            What’s being purchased

            The estimated amount of the item being purchased

            Any deposit requirement

            The general ledger account against which the item is to be posted

                        (Finance can supply this number for you)

            The amount by which the item cannot exceed

A written indication that the manager wishes to have this purchase encumbered

against the current budget

• The quote or proposal signed by both the vendor and department manager
• Any purchase order/quote/proposal without a specific dollar amount will not be encumbered.

Any questions regarding the encumbering of funds should be directed to finance.

Ms. Mayberry explained the benefit of encumbering funds is so that you can still spend the dollars in the year in which they are allocated even if you can’t get the project done that year. Encumbering carries funds into the next fiscal year. It allows you to use the funds that were appropriated in prior year in the following year. The deadline is December 31st. It is good to know that this will allow you to allocate those funds without including them in the next year’s budget because they will not be approved until the following March after Town Meeting.

Walpole Library:  Mrs. Jane Malmberg presented their September 2021 Report:

Collection Development:

They have been using Better World Books to sell/recycle books they weed from their collection.  This service seems set up to work best for larger libraries who do much more weeding than they do as they have not been able to send them enough saleable titles to earn any kind of rebate check (their minimum requirement is $50 resale value each quarter which they never meet).  She has signed them up for a new program from Baker & Taylor for selling/recycling their discarded titles that will give them 15% credit for every book they resell.  There is no minimum requirement, they can easily track the credit they have earned and apply it to future orders. There is no cost for shipping.  So far, they have earned $20 of credit.

Programming:

Storytimes continue outdoors weather permitting.  Monday’s knitting continues to have good attendance.  They did not have any takers for this month’s Friday adult craft program, but plan to ramp up their advertising for next month.  The Thursday morning Library Book Club resumes on September 30, at 12 noon.  Future plans include Coding Club for kids in grades 2-5 on Tuesdays in North Walpole and Wednesdays at the main library (starting in October), a mini-pumpkin decorating contest in October, and three author talks: Anders Morley on October 5^th, Alice Fogel on October 25^th, and Bill Ranauro in November (TBD).  They also plan to resume their Saturday Book Club where the participants have the choice to pick from 3-4 books with a central theme.  Several staff members will take turns leading this book group – they will begin in November.

North Walpole:

They continue to have anywhere from 2-6 visitors most days and have seen three families with children.  They have not made plans for story time yet – they are planning to see what happens with Coding Club first.  The fire extinguisher has been replaced.

ARPA Grant:

She submitted her final report for the ARPA grant they received.  Feedback from patrons has been positive so far and statistics show increased circulation of Launchpads and good use of the Universal Class service.  She has applied for a grant from the Association of Small and Rural Libraries seeking funding for them to purchase their own additional copies of downloadable books and audiobooks on Overdrive so that more of the new and popular books will be available without such long wait times.

Policy:

The Library has adopted a new policy for photography/filming in the library.  It can be found on the library’s website.  Due to the increased spread of Covid in the past month, they have decided to again require masks for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, inside the library.  They feel that this is the only way they can continue to offer programs and services inside safely.

Their Monthly Library Statistics – Bridge Memorial Library – Library Visits & Hours Open for August 2020 and August 2021 plus % Change were attached. 

Hooper Institute:  Mrs. Helen Dalbeck presented the Director’s Report for September 2021.

School Programs and School Gardens:  School has started.  Mrs. Whippie is working four days a week in the classrooms and Mrs. Dalbeck is working three days.  They are harvesting each week and delivering what they have grown to the Walpole Elementary School Kitchen, which then serves all three schools. 

Harvest and gardening lessons have begun in pre-K – 4, 5^th grade is all about late season pollinators and migration.  The 7^th grade focus is new this year is with an “Ecosystem Series”, based at the Mill Pond, their outdoor classroom.

High School Work Program:  The final, final numbers are in.  Their 9 students worked 914 hours between 6/21 – 8/21/21 costing $6,855.  This summer, the NH Charitable Foundation granted them $3,000 towards this program.

Outreach and Marketing:  September, October Clarion plus many, many Facebook posts, school families, Fall Festival, and garden presentation posters.  Marketing distribution lists are expanding to include the conservation and farm to table community, community gardeners statewide, The Shopper listings and ads with added help from their Library, their schools, and friends at Distant Hill.

Facility and Land:  A group of volunteers have done some major clean-up of the Hooper front yard and gardens, building, and shed edges.  Thanks to Jackie Caserta and Sue Nadeau who led this effort and the over dozen volunteers that happily did the work.  The new sign work is ongoing.  They have settled on the design, size, placement, and she is waiting on an estimate.

Administration/Special Events and Programs and Friends:  It’s been all about the 1^st Annual FALL FESTIVAL with the help FOHI, Community Garden members, HI staff, HI board members, generous community donors, the Women of Walpole, and the Firehouse cook-out crew.  She could still use some volunteers the day of the event.  If you would like to be part of the fun, please call 756-4382.

Development:  Ongoing, on all fronts.  She is hoping 2022 will be the breakthrough year they need to support all their mission driven and exceptional programs.

Walpole Community Garden:  The “Garden Tour and Seed Saving” talk was held on September 11.  Next up is “Garlic Planting with Fritze Till”, October 16, 10 am.

Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office:  Mrs. Meghan Hansson submitted the following report dated September 23, 2021.

• Tax payments continued to come in ($34,654) – most were late payments on 2021 tax

bills (-$25,000).  Also, one supplemental warrant was collected for land use change ($8,500).

• Town Clerk collected about $88,066, out of which Walpole receives $67,833.
• 407 vehicles were registered since our last meeting.  Only 4 more boats were registered!
• The Deputy and Mrs. Hansson attended NHCTCA Town Clerk training September 8-10 in North Conway, NH.  Training covered the departments of VV, Title, Elections, and Vital Records.  They also saw vendor displays and were able to network with others.
• Software modules were installed on the server to service the Motor Vehicles computers, making them faster and providing access to updated information on vehicles, which can affect the amount of money the town gets during a vehicle’s registration process.
• They are also looking at the possibility of accepting payment for taxes by credit card.  The vast majority of towns in NH do accept credit card payment.
• Have created the first draft of her department budget for the upcoming year.
• They are considering changes to their office hours in the near future that will notably extend their late day hours.  (At least one morning a week the office will open to the public at 7 am.)
• The back door to the office has been replaced. In the process a great deal of rot was discovered, which required replacement of siding, sill, flooring, in addition to the door jamb.

Ms. Mayberry thanked Mrs. Hansson for considering some flexible hours opening earlier one morning and staying later one night.  Some residents will be very appreciative.  She is also looking forward to having a mail slot for payments on the outside of the building. 

Recycling/Reuse Center:  Mr. Ben Hoy submitted his September Staff Meeting Report.

They hosted an NRRA meeting with several solid waste operators from around the state September 8^th.  NH the beautiful Recycling Grant application information submitted to us for the acquisition of new storage trailer(s).  Town of Walpole must provide a minimum of 50% of total cost for new recyclable commodity trailer(s) if grant is approved.

Walpole recycling plastic video is complete and had many views on you tube and NRRA website.  Thanks to Eric Merklein and Tara Sadd for helping get the word out about how they recycle plastic in Walpole!  They would like to post the plastic recycling video on the Town of Walpole website.  Ms. Mayberry posted the video link on the North Walpole Forum. It was wonderful.

Concrete pad has been poured giving them a much easier work area to move and alternate heavy trash trailers with the bobcat. 

Their daily weights are about 30,000 pounds more than the average daily weight three years ago.  Right now, cardboard is worth more than steel.  NRRA made lots of suggestions on options.    

Selectboard Office Report:  Mrs. Sarah Downing submitted a report dated August 19, 2021.

Facilities Update:

• The new water fountain with a water bottle filler was installed in the Town Hall first floor hallway on the last day of August.
• The install of the exterior back door of the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office is occurring.
• A large area of rotten siding with sill decay was discovered when the TC-TC office door was being installed.  Emergency repairs are occurring.  The back entry deck will be removed and replaced with individual stairs to reduce future moisture damage this area.
• A small utility trailer has been purchased to haul items such as fall leaves and debris.  It is stored at the Recycling Center and can be used by Town departments.
• LED replacement lights were installed in the south stairway to the second floor.
• The handrails for the south entrance ramp and stairs were repainted.

Many thanks to Brad Nash for assisting or completing the above projects.

Human Resources:

On Tuesday, October 12^th, the Aflac insurance representative will be meeting with employees that need assistance with claim submissions.  He will also be hosting a lunch for employees interested in hearing about optional insurances including life, serious medical, gap insurance for short and long-term disability and additional vision coverage.

Planning for an Appreciation Lunch for employees and a virtual presentation by Health Trust to review health insurance coverage/programs and wellness offerings are in process.  The tentative date for the Appreciation Lunch is Tuesday, Oct. 19^th.  The tentative date for the Health Trust hybrid presentation is Friday Nov. 12^th.  The presentation will be displayed on the large LED screen in the main meeting room to an in-person group.

The deadline date to complete the online Harassment Awareness Training module is December 31, 2021.  Each employee will need to register on the Primex website.  An instruction sheet will be sent to all employees.  The Selectboad Office has an extra computer station and a headset for those that need assistance during worktime hours to complete the training.  The online training takes approximately 60 minutes.  Primex training certificates are to be sent to the Selectboard Office when the training module is completed.

Highway Department:  Mr. Michael Rau was unable to attend but submitted the following September 2021 report:

            While highway crews continue clean up and repair efforts from the end of July floods; many phone calls, meetings, and paperwork have been taking place in hope to receive federal funding for the storm damages to help offset costs.  We had FEMA join us for two days to evaluate all damage in town to determine if Walpole qualifies for relief funds.  Emergency permits were applied for to repair major structural damage to roads that have been temporarily fixed in or order to allow travel.  This process has many layers involved to be sure that the proper steps are taken to withstand future events, but also maintain the integrity of the environment around the damaged area.  This is an ongoing process that involved meeting with the Army Corp Engineer to evaluate and formulate a blueprint for proper construction.

            They are hoping to wrap up the Elm Street Road construction project within the next few weeks.  With limited time between now and winter, some projects that had to be delayed, as well as fall and winter preparations will need to be done prior to snow fall.

Recreation Department:  Mr. Kraig Harlow was unable to attend but submitted the Update 9/23/21.

Pool:

• The pool closed on Saturday, August 28^th.
• The pool house had its water heaters and meter pit replaced through a warrant article this year.
• The ADA Chair was replaced, and the cost of replacement was $5,745.
• The pool cover was also repaired over the summer which cost $4,167.
• Eric Franklin is replacing the pool roof which costs $15,200, through a warrant article this year.

Soccer:

• Soccer season started on September 13^th.
• The program has two PK teams, three U6 teams, three U8 teams, and two U11 teams.
• There are about 80 children signed up to play and teams are organized as co-ed teams.
• Teams were sponsored by Home Away from Home, EE Houghton Co., Craig Vickers State Farm Insurance Agency, Salon 488, Latham Electric, ServePro, WW Building, and Walpole Savings Bank.
• Practices and games will be held at Walpole Primary School and Walpole Elementary School.
• This year they provided portable toilets in with Walpole Elementary School through Allard’s Portable Toilets in Charlestown.
• This year the program generated roughly $1,200 this year.

Tennis Court:

• Wilson & Lawrence came and repaired their tennis courts for $6,924 and was covered through encumbered funds from last year.

Community Events:

• Walpole Recreation will be showing the movie Tom and Jerry on September 24^th (rain date October 1^st) at Whitcomb Park and the movie Coco on October 15^th (rain date October 22^nd) at North Walpole Park.

Masks:  Replying to a question from an employee regarding the wearing of masks during the workday, Ms. Mayberry advised that last week the Selectboard agreed that for all public meetings and events inside the Town Hall, masks are required to be worn inside the building. They agreed that at this time they would not require masks to be worn by all employees while at work but that they would encourage it especially if they are in tight quarters and cannot distance well.  Masks are now required at all public meetings and gatherings within the Town Hall. They encourage everyone to wear masks as the COVID count is increasing in the County. They will let the staff know if there are any changes to the mask requirement.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry thanked everyone for attending this meeting.  The next Staff Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 5:00 PM.  She looks forward to seeing everyone then.  She adjourned this meeting at 5:58 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary