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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting via Zoom to order at 6:33 PM.  The Selectboard members are in three separate locations.  Also attending this meeting is Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, in the Walpole Town Hall and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, by telephone at a separate location.  This meeting was being recorded.  There were two members of the public in attendance.

Ms. Mayberry called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present:  Steven Dalessio was present; Peggy Pschirrer was present and Cheryl Mayberry was present.  This meeting will be in accordance with Virtual Meetings, Emergency Order #12, which has been effective since March 2020.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $98,936.30 for checks issued June 4, 2021.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry advised this includes a payment in the amount of $70,647.58 to E.E. Houghton for a combination of regular and Elm Street Water/Sewer project invoices. Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending May 29, 2021, in the amount of $28,327.24 dated June 4, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,395.61.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms.  Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – May 27, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 27, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION MINUTES – May 27, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of May 27, 2021, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – May 4, 2021;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – May 11, 2021;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – May 18, 2021;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – May 25, 2021;
• Walpole Fire District Monthly Meeting – May 5, 2021;
• Cemetery Trustees Meeting – May 6, 2021.

BUILDING PERMIT:

Permit No. 2021-25, MAP and LOT #005-031-002:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant Building Permit No. 2021-25 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #005-031-002 to add a “20’ x 12’ Deck” to a house.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

NHMA Notice:  In-Person Meetings Starting June 12^th, 2021:  Ms. Mayberry announced that a notice was received from the New Hampshire Municipal Association that the Governor’s Emergency Order will be ending effective June 12^th, 2021.  Next week’s Selectboard meeting on Thursday, June 10^th, will still be remote with Senator Jay Kahn starting at 4:30 PM.  In-person meetings in Walpole will begin on Thursday, June 17^th, 2021, at 6:30 PM.

Economic Revitalization Zones – Hubbard Farms:  Ms. Mayberry advised that Michael Bergeron and Bridgett Beckwith from the State of New Hampshire were to attend a Zoom meeting on June 17^th.  Due to the fact that this meeting will now be an in-person meeting and involve travel for them, Mrs. Downing will look into the possibility of having a hybrid meeting.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned it would be helpful if we could do it for this meeting.

National Scenic Byway Funding Opportunity:  Ms. Mayberry talked to Mr. J.B. Mack at the Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC).  Scenic Byways is different than Scenic Roads.  This funding was not available for about ten years but it is coming back again.  An interesting part of this is access to recreation areas. Therefore, she forwarded it to Mrs. Alicia Flammia of the Conservation Commission as there might be an opportunity to improve access to Walker Road.  Ms. Mayberry asked if it is something they could talk about at the next Conservation Commission meeting.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the Connecticut River is a NH Scenic Byway.  Mr. Ray Boas advised there is also a line item for Native American sites.  A resident, Gail Golec, is extremely knowledgeable about archeology.  Maybe there could be a roadside monument/plaque or sign erected?  He recommended they contact her as she could provide some input into the area and the history.  Ms. Mayberry will do that.  If the Conservation Commission agrees to do this, they could just put a letter out there to meet the deadline of June 15^th.  Mr. J.B. Mack will keep her updated.  Mr. Boas noted that Walker Road was also on his list.        

Senator Shaheen Congressionally Directed Spending Item Request Form FY 2022 and Addendum re: Vilas Bridge Sewer Line:  Ms. Mayberry reported they need letters of support from people who benefit from this project.  Mr. Dalessio reached out to Mr. Ron Bouchard at Cheshire County.  The Connecticut River is the water source for the Maplewood Nursing Home.  There would be a huge problem if it was contaminated.  Mrs. Downing wrote to Ms. Kathy Urffer at the Connecticut River Conservancy to see if they could provide a letter of support.

Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood:  Ms. Mayberry talked to Mr. J.B. Mack at the Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC) and he feels it is a great idea to make the proposal.  A suggestion is for Mr. Dalessio to talk to Mr. Todd Horner for funding resources and see if we, as a Town, can petition them; this is an economic priority.  Mr. Dalessio felt that next year they should keep an eye on the Northern Borders Grant Program.  Mrs. Pschirrer told Mr. Dennis Marcom that they would continue to look for funding sources.  Bensonwood is running out of their own power and needs some assistance.  The prices quoted by Liberty Utilities are huge numbers.  Ms. Mayberry advised that they want to keep as much of Bensonwood in Walpole as they can.                 

Grange Night:  Mrs. Pschirrer confirmed that the Grange will move their Awards Night to July 20^th, 2021, in the Town Hall. 

Pending Further Actions:

Tax Deeded Property Sale, Mill Pond Dam Inspection, Reservoir Dam, Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators:  Mr. Dalessio had no new updates on any of these agenda items. Therefore they will remain on the Pending Further Actions list.

NEW BUSINESS:

Letter of Commitment to NH Bureau of Trails:  Ms.  Mayberry thanked Mrs. Wendy Grossman for attending this meeting.  They just need to move to approve the letter.  Mr. Dalessio noted all the information she sent was beneficial.  Ms. Mayberry mentioned they had a high level conversation at the Conservation Commission meeting.  They appreciate everything she has done and hope it gets approved.  Mrs. Grossman noted they will know in August or September if the grant is approved. 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Letter of Commitment to the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Recreation Revolving Fund Request:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Recreation Department’s request to purchase metal benches for sporting events for the amount of $1,900 to be withdrawn from their Revolving Fund.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Purchase Order for Recycling Center Paving:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the purchase order for the Recycling Center paving for the amount of $20,700.  This project was approved at Town Meeting under Warrant Article #9.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Community Power Committee Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported the Community Power Committee has met three times.  Mr. Paul Looney is the Chair.  Steve Grenier, Dennis Marcom and Ron Bouchard are the committee members.  They reached out to other possible members but they have not as yet responded.  They hope to expand by two-to-three more members.  There has been legislation in the State of New Hampshire since 1996 that would allow unity coalitions to buy power at a cheaper rate.  Right now there is a coalition in Hanover and Lebanon; Harrisville and Exeter are expected to join soon.  Their aim is to buy electric power as a group at a cheaper rate. Hopefully all towns will move from ground power to green power but it takes time and a great deal of effort to put together a contract, the concept and then take it to a Town Meeting.  Her first request is that the Selectboard authorizes the committee because that would be a requirement of anything they might do in a connection with a State coalition.  The County is also forming a coalition but, at this point, the legislation does not allow it to act as a State coalition.  They will come back to explain the proposed plan.  If the warrant should pass that we join that coalition everybody will get a letter asking them if they want to opt out of the program.  Liberty Utilities buys power on the market; they do not generate it.  This is much more complicated than Broadband.     

Mr. Dalessio moved to appoint a committee for the Community Power Committee and allow it to be headed up by Paul Looney.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.                  

SWRPC Focus on Aging Group:  Mrs. Pschirrer attends these meetings at the Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC).  They would like to have us participate in an Aging Study for the County.  At the last meeting there was discussion about the priorities in each community.  She felt a little left out because there were so many economic development people there; Walpole does not have an Economic Development Committee or anyone who does grant writing.  She talked about things in the Town of Walpole knowing what she did for the EPA Grant.  We have at least 1,000 people over the age of 60.  We might not know about the 2020 Census until 2022.  Our Annual Reports for the last few years have shown the Town has more people dying than are being born.  She feels housing and public transportation should be discussed.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio’s permission, she is going to start talking to the River Valley Seniors about transportation as they provide medical rides, do grocery shopping, etc.  She will also talk to the Walpole Foundation who is interested in housing and may, in the future, do some kind of building.  Housing is needed for people who want to down-size but remain in Walpole.  It was an interesting discussion because there were so many similarities to other area towns.  A few towns wanted to focus on social programming.  Walpole already does that.  As the result of their Brownfields Project, Walpole will have a perfect spot for people to come for public transportation.  Mr. Dalessio does not see any reason why we should not keep going but he added the Master Plan addressed some of these things.  It is important to connect these two things.  He assumes they will see that document at the end of June.  Housing and transportation are at the top of the list.  Mrs. Pschirrer feels it is important for her to talk to all these groups.  We do not have an Economic Development Plan; young people need to be considered.  Mr. Dalessio noted without transportation, we are not going to keep young people in Town because the jobs will not be in Walpole.  Ms. Mayberry stated we do not have housing.  It is limited and a challenge; there is a shortage around the country.  SWRPC wants Mrs. Pschirrer to put together a committee. She will start to work on this.  Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry offered to help her.              

Cub Scouts Event in Town Hall:  The Selectboard approved the request from the Cub Scouts to have a Pinewood Derby after July 15^th but before September 1^st.  September 1^st is the agreed date to open up the Town Hall to community events and rentals. 

Ms. Mayberry thanked Wendy Grossman for attend this meeting to do a presentation on the Cheshire Rail Trail Rehabilitation RTP Grant.  She also thanked Ray Boas for his input on Walker Road and the Native American sites.      

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:14 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:18 PM.

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) Reputations.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:19 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:43 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of June 3, 2021, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

                                                                       

PICTURE THIS — A STATEMENT OF CONCERN

If you remember the show called the Golden Girls, you must remember Sophia, the feisty one who always shared her memories by beginning with “Picture this…” naming a location and giving the year.  I am going to channel her tonight to share some memories which have lived on to the present and I fear will continue into the future.  

Picture this – NH Route 12 – 1973

We were house hunting and took a ride down RT 12 so that I could prove to my husband that there was no house in the spot that he was describing – even though he said there was. I had lived just across the river all my life – and I told him there was nothing there but fields and chicken barns…but sure enough — in the midst of them, there was a house and we have lived in it since that time.   

I know that everyone loves to look at numbers…they don’t work for me.  I need the stories behind the numbers. I have lost count of the accidents that have taken place at the intersection of 12 and 123.  I know that number would be even larger if you added the ones that have taken place at the intersection by Shaws – including the one last Tuesday…..You know that intersection – you look to the north, to the south, to Pinnacle View, to Walgreens – but don’t start to go because you can bet that someone is coming from the north or the south again.  

I put off putting my concerns in writing.  However, I finally came to the realization that if another tragic accident took place there and I had not done something, I would not be able to pass the “look myself in the mirror” test.   

I apologize that I do not have number of accidents that have taken place there. I have always found that the best way to share information is to ask questions that may allow people – including myself – to reflect on the situation at hand.  Here are the questions that I have been reflecting upon…for many years.  

1 – Have you ever had your high school student (who is now 50) sit down at the supper table one night and suggest that you make his younger siblings stand at the mailbox to wait for the bus because he had – in his words – almost been taken out by a car while waiting for his bus that morning.  

2 – Have you ever had that same student watch a series of accidents and submit a plan for his Eagle Scout project to put a light at that intersection based on the concern he had over safety in this area, only to have it refused by the State. I understand that any decision that they make is based on law that binds them to approve certain driveways and some historical data on the efficacy of signals in dangerous areas.

3 – Have you ever been sitting in your chair and heard a loud crash and looked out the window to see that there has been an accident at that intersection and have seen people who are frightened, angry, confused, and injured?

4 – Have you ever looked at an accident at that intersection and noticed that all traffic leaving from the nearby machine shop – after waiting patiently for a considerable amount of time had to be rerouted across your driveway to reach the neighbor’s driveway and access Route 12 above the accident.

5 – Have you ever looked at an accident at that intersection and observed that the person sitting on the side of the road sobbing and shaking with fright is someone that you worked with?

6 – Have you ever been awakened in the night to find a young couple and their baby knocking on your door (prior to the days of cell phones) because it was cold and they hoped you would let them in – at least to use the phone.

7 – Have you ever looked at an accident at that intersection and noticed that one of the cars belongs to your neighbor, and his daughter is standing there crying, trying to reach her father for help?

8 – Have you ever looked at an accident at that intersection and seen the absolutely horrified look on the first responders face when she realized that it was her child who was in the accident.

9 – Have you ever heard that bump and noticed that a huge trailer truck had traveled off the road and partially embedded its front end in the slope up to the field above the road?

10 – Have you ever heard the thump at that intersection and seen a lifeless body under a motorcycle?

11 – Have you ever heard that thump and selfishly thought, “Please dear God, don’t let it be one of mine”?

12 – Have you ever heard that thump and thought – “There but for the grace of God go I”?

That road – especially that intersection – is not safe.  To increase the traffic in that area – in my humble opinion – is not a wise decision.  All I can do is to share that opinion with you.  Having done all that I can do, I can pass the “look myself in the mirror test”.  Thank you for listening.  Please keep in mind that listening – when it is not followed by action – results in nothing.  “If you always do what you’ve always done, you always get what you’ve always got.

If what has been done since the day we found our home, I am very much afraid of what we are going to get.

– Cathie Davignon

Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 6/8/21

Roll Call: Present: Board members Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Bill Carmody, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio and Alternate Trevor MacLachlan. A full board was present so an alternate was not needed to fill in.

Recording: Secretary Marilou Blaine. This meeting is being recorded. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the July 2021 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Meeting coming to order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Minutes: Mr. Marcom made two corrections. He questioned the square footage numbers for the Dunkin’ phase one project. The numbers are 2280 square feet for the Dunkin’ property and 3,800 square feet of retail space and 4,729 square feet as a future option. On the bottom of page 2, the number of new trip numbers  should be 100 trips in the peak am hours, 200 in the peak pm hours and 177 trips in the peak Saturday hours. Mr. Perron made a motion to accept the amended minutes, Mr. Harrison seconded the motion and he motion carried.

Old Business: Public Hearing for a site plan for property at Map 24, Lot 13, 308 Main Street, Commercial District.

Laura and Doug Palmer are purchasing the former RN Johnson building at the corner of Maplewood Circle and Main Street, now owned by Wellstone Associates LLC, and across from CPA Robert Kimball’s office. If the proposal is approved, the Palmers plan to use the southern portion of the building for storage, the middle of the building would be a warehouse for products sold for their Power Sports business. The northern section would be for retail space for the business with two small offices. Power Sports is currently located on the corner of Upper Walpole Road and Ames Plaza Road. Power Sports is a 90 percent mail-order business with 10 percent retail. It sells motorcycle and ATV parts, clothing and equipment. Mrs. Palmer showed a picture of the property and surrounding areas on the large screen in the Town Hall. She said the couple has also already purchased the double wide mobile home on the adjoining property on Maplewood Circle.

Mrs. Palmer explained that at the south end is the driveway and there would be parking behind the building on the east side for employees and customers. That driveway would be widened and paved. There is a right of way now to the house that’s in the meadow to the east. That will remain as is. On the north end, the anticipated entrance to the retail section, there will be a walkway/step up to an entrance that will come from parking on the east of the building. The entrance is anticipated to be a stone wall created from Allan blocks or other comparable product.. All three overhead doors will be replaced and siding is to be repaired. The goal is, Mrs. Palmer said, to have the north entrance look like an old barn.

On the west end the roof is to be replaced with new metal. On the east end, the main roof is also to be repaired with new metal. All sliding doors will be framed out and closed with the exception that one will be converted to an overhead loading dock door. Grass will be added along the east side of the driveway. There will be 8 to 10 parking spaces. Traffic will be pretty negligible, Mr Palmer said, and lighting will all be dark-sky lights and be minimal. Abutter Robert Kimball asked about changes to the west side. Mr. Palmer said that there may be one or two windows. There being no further questions from the audience, Mr. Miller closed the public hearing.

Mr. Perron made a motion to accept the site plan as presented contingent on dark-sky lighting. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

New Business: Stormalong Cider/Alyson’s Orchard, owner Shannon Edgar, architect Randall Walter.

Mr. Edgar said he is considering buying the Alyson Orchard property on Wentworth Road and Route 12. He has been making hard cider commercially since 2014 and now the product is available in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. He’s looking for a place to call home. His plan is to keep Alyson’s as it already is. There will still be pick-you-own apples at the orchard and all the wedding and event functions they are currently doing there. He just wants to add his hard cider into the mix and have a place where people can enjoy what he’s doing, he said. At some point, maybe in 2022 or 2023, he’d like to have a production building on site. It would probably be a 15,000 to 20,000 square-foot facility. Alyson’s grows several heirloom variety apples that he already uses in the hard cider now and would plan to plant more different heirloom variety apples that are hard to find and costly. Alyson’s would continue to operate as it’s been running, but transition to adding cider in 2022. They would need time and need to do studies on architectural plans etc. and want to adhere to guidelines here in town. They already use apples from several growers in Lebanon and have one production facility in Shelburne, VT and a bigger one in Leominster.

Mr. Walter said said there are three parcels for sale. The main one is the orchard with an entrance off of the north-south corridor on Route 12 and a secondary entrance on Wentworth Road, a country road. There’s a wooded northern section and southern section on South Wentworth, which is pastoral. Each section has a different character and there are no plans to change the area.

The first question from the audience was would Alyson’s still be open to the public. Mr. Edgar said  definitely, that’s the case. We going to have retail, but would also like to educate people about cider and apples. He’d like people to come and enjoy the apples and the orchard.

Mr. Walter said that right now the people at Alyson’s don’t get a chance to talk to their customers now but with a business such as Stormalong there would be plenty of conversations with the customers. There is no intention of giving up weddings and events. Mr. Edgar says he has a 12-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl and wants to keep the place family-friendly.

An audience member asked about the business structure. Mr. Edgar said its’ a single entity LLC. Then someone added that he was super delighted “to have you guys here.” There was applause and the audience seemed receptive to Mr. Edgar proposal for a hard cider facility.

Someone else asked how he was going to move his product in and out. He assumed he would use Route 12 as opposed to Wentworth Road, as it’s a country road. If he was using Route 12, what kind of changes would you make? He asked. Mr. Edgar said he would pave the road and that there would be one or maybe two deliveries a day. A woman in the audience said that tractor trailers are already going up to that property. Another question from a gentleman in the audience was what are you going to do with the other two parcels. Mr. Edgar said he can’t see pulling it out of current use. He also said that the two houses that are already on the property are being used for lodging for the weddings and that won’t change. He doesn’t foresee any changes.

Who is Shannon Edgar. Mr. Edgar said he was in music for 20 years, went to college in Boston, moved to the West Coast and moved back 2012 and started Stormalong in 2014. He and his wife bought a 120-acre farm with an apple orchard in Nadick. MA. He began making small batches of hard cider and the batches kept getting bigger and bigger. Originally he thought maybe they would have a small farm-type business, but sales started to improve, people liked our product and one minute we’re making cider for us and our friend’s consumption and then we ended up using a building in Leominster, MA that was perfect for our business. So he said the company is on a pretty good footing right now and Stormalong is a very stable business.

Mr. Miller thanked Mr. Edgar and Mr. Walter for their introduction to the business and hoped to see them back in the future for a site plan review.

 New Business: Site Plan. Installation of solar array. Tax Map 12, Lot 56, Route 12, Commercial District. Request for a public hearing. Short presentation, Ned Raynolds and Steve Dzubak of Revision Energy.

Mr. Steve Dzubak said Revision Energy has been in business 17 years and has five offices, one of which is in New Hampshire. Revision was the contractor for the Chamberlain Machine array behind its building on Huntington Lane in Walpole. The company installs both commercial and residential solar energy and partners with Bensonwood on some residential plans. The plans for this solar array are for a 1 mega watt installation on five acres at the above site. There will be 400 panels and it will be feeding power into the proposed Dunkin’ site and retail stores on the rest of the property. The proposed development will have no access from either Route 12 or Upper Walpole, but will be from the other part of the NGP Management property. So there will no traffic and no noise as solar panels are silent, Mr. Dzubak said. The property will be fully screened with a 7-foot high black chain-link fencing on the perimeter of the fencing and with two types of plantings – forsythia and a green shrub. Those are the basics, Mr. Dzubak said and then asked for questions.

The first question for an audience member was “what’s the benefit for Walpole for this solar array?” Answer from Mr. Dzubak, “It’s a new power source and clean energy is one benefit.” 

Mr. Eric Merklein suggested that another plant replace the forsythia since during the winter when the plant has no foliage, the panels would be seen through the fencing. And, he said, it should be a security fence, so somebody can’t get in there. Mr. Dzubak said the fence is 7 feet high, gated and locked. He’ll also look into replacing the forsythia.

Talk about what does the town of Walpole get from the solar array came up again? Mr. Dalessio asked why can’t you set up a net metering system and give the credits to the Town of Walpole. 

Mr. Clifford said this solar project really started because of the Dunkin’ project and the original thought was that we would do a much bigger commercial development here. But the initial feedback from the town was that they didn’t want to see that. It was in keeping with the character of Walpole. That’s why the company decided on the solar array. Defining a green use doesn’t create any traffic. The landscaping will make it look nice and it is a clean way of power generation. This is very expensive for NGP Management and New Hampshire is one of the worst states for developing solar power. But to give power away, it would be just like if we opened Dunkin’ Donuts doors and gave everybody free food.

Mr. Dalessio said the power would go to the Dunkin’ site and whatever businesses are there and whatever is left could come back to the town of Walpole to offset the enormous tax loss. Just about 10 to 12 percent of the power is being used on the site and the rest is going back to the grid. Mr. Clifford said the company can’t invest a million dollars to pay your electric bill. I wish we could.

Mr. Perron said he hadn’t heard anyone saying they didn’t want development on that land. Mr. Clifford said that before he presented his plan to the Board he had initial conversations from people in the town and that’s what he was told.

Mr. Kimball said there is an ordinance in town that limits development to a 40,000 square-foot commercial building. This is more than 40,000 square feet. Mr. Miller said that refers to an actual building.

Bob Anderson said he understood that 10 to 15 percent of the power created will be used on site. In the original warrant article on solar energy, it was written to allow tax property relief with solar, both residential and commercial, when consumed on site. In order to be eligible for tax relief all the power generated on site is intended to be used on the site. So he said to Mr. Clifford, you do not qualify for tax relief.

Mr. Dalessio asked about the required 30 percent green space on the site. Mr. Hill said there are two things that make this an approved site. The angle of the design of the panels and the fact that is it going directly into the ground. No gravel is being use. These do not qualify as impervious, Mr. Hill said. The NH Department of Environmental Services rates the impervious quality of solar installations. The installation NGP Management is proposing has a rating of 20 to 40. DES rates an impervious surface to be 98 to 100 percent. Mr. Dalessio added that there needs to be a stormwater plan to along with the plan. Mr. Hill said he was aware of the need for a stormwater plan.

Ned Raynolds asked Mr. Hill to put another picture of another solar array, the former Brunswick air station, on the screen. It showed a solar installation and snow. It was a photo of a former airplane runway. This way that panel is installed is with a single pile into the ground. No excavation, no concrete, the entire surface is soil. Also, Mr. Raynolds continued, in order to a permit, the company is required by NH DES to plant a pollinator grass seed mix after the installation is done. Everything becomes green and it’s up to owner on how often the area should be mowed. Mr. Raynolds said he has seen installations with grass three or four feet high. One site had a traveling goat to do the “mowing.” Revision Energy has an environmental mission, Raynolds said. At this point someone suggested that a farmer could use the grass. That person said he had seen it done in Rhode Island. Mr. Clifford said he wasn’t sure he wanted farm animals on the property.

 At this juncture in the meeting, Mr. Miller reminded every one that this meeting was just a preliminary meeting. Mr. Perron made a motion to hold a public hearing for the solar array next month. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Mr. Raynolds addressed exporting the energy. He said you get more energy during the day than at night and more energy in summer than winter. The array will produce nine times more energy (kilowatts) all year long than needed. That is just if there were a Dunkin’. It will be more if additional retail space is utilized. The energy goes to a local grid and whenever there is demand, that is how the energy will be used right away. Whatever extra energy is left it is exported and the owner of the property gets credits. You in town will be buying that extra energy from Liberty Utilities. The electricity is going to go immediately on the grid and be used and the fact is that it is going to be used here. The benefit to you is that the energy is coming to you from nearby, which means that Liberty Utilities doesn’t have to enlarge the size of its transformers and distribution system and it won’t need to pass that cost onto your bill. The energy will be immediate and doesn’t have to come from a distance. The town will have a clean, quiet power plant in the middle of town and reduce the demand on the power grid.

Dunkin’ Site Plan: Tax Map 12, Lot 56, Commercial District. Public Hearing continued from last month. Phase 1 proposal includes building a 2,280 square-foot Dunkin’ drive-thru and an attached 3,800 square-foot retail space and future expansion of a 4,729 square-foot retail space with associated parking and drive-thru lanes. At the meeting were Jim Clifford representing the applicant, NGP Management LLC of Reading, MA and agents Jason Hill and architect Seven Born of TFMoran Inc. of Bedford, NH.

Recently, the Board has received a letter from someone living across from the Dunkin’ project concerning accidents at the corner of Route 12 and Upper Walpole. The writer was from Catherine Davignon who lives on Huntington Lane. The Board sent a copy of the letter to NH Department of Transportation and asked them to comment on the letter. See attached letter and comment from NH DOT. Mr. Dalessio asked Mr. Clifford about the letter.

Mr. Clifford said the NHDOT  requested some additional information from Dunkin, which Dunkin’ gave them, but when we asked for accident data from DOT they said they couldn’t provided it because of privacy concerns. He said the company has spent two or three weeks trying to get that data but because of that attitude from NHDOT we haven’t been been able to get information yet.

Mr. Perron wanted to see the Dunkin’ phase, both parts. Mr. Clifford said that the may want to simplify everything and it may be easier to build the whole thing at once.

Mr. Hill said that the goal tonight was to finish up on addressing any concerns expressed before with exception of the DOT question, to which they will get an answer. The site is currently served by public sewer and water systems. He and the town’s consultant, Mark Houghton of the Department of Water and Sewer and also with the same person who is fire chief. They reviewed both water and sewer. A letter is being issued today on Mr. Houghton’s conclusion, he said.

There are changes to sewer line along the highway and a portion will be that will be a public service so people across the street can tie into that. We own the water line around the property and asked for an easement so it can be protected. So we’re agreeable for a 20-foot easement around the relocated Hubbard Brook water main. There’s a manhole at the Saving Bank of Walpole and Dunkin’ is proposing a new line in the right of way a gravity line that will be extended south across the driveway and tie into a manhole above that point. That will benefit the public because they’ll have future tie-in points.

A small portion of the water line cutting across the property is being relocated. Dunkin’ will convey an easement to the water department so they can actually tie in if needed. They are adding a couple of hydrants providing fire service. There will be a sprinkler system in the buildings and that allows the fire department to tie into it with hoses and manually pump water into the buildings. There will also be a Knox box to be coordinated with a fire department connection. Finished concrete around the perimeter of the building and curbing are planned. Landscaping was modified so tree planting will be revised from maple and oaks to Bradford pear trees. We’re seeking a waiver to relocate a tree to the parking area because the tree will obscure signage on the building.

Architect Steven Born address the updated architectural drawings responding to comments about wanting a more colonial style. He said a more interesting roof line, siding, trim and aluminum doors framing were added. There is an asphalt shingle roof. Dunkin’ is going to a standard color with the rest of it a complementary color. It was mentioned that the town didn’t want to see the roof equipment, so a parapet roof was added and it drops into a type of well in the center of the roof where the equipment will be. The 6-foot gable is both in the back and front.

Ms. Andros asked about the white and green spaces on the landscaped portion of the property. Mr. Hill said the green space are seeded grass areas. There is a section at the Upper Walpole Road area that is owned by DOT and that will be field condition. The dark green is the stormwater rainwater basin that will have vegetation. There is ditch between the highway and the site.

Mr. Eric Merklein said he spoke about month or so ago with Mr. Clifford and was assured that the architectural proposal would be tasteful. Instead Mr. Merklein said it has a typical strip mall look and is rather cookie cutter. He did not see it as tasteful.

Mr. Clifford said he was surprised and would like to see specifically what people want. Commercially one can only do so much but in my mind it has a definite colonial look.

Catherine Davignon lives near the intersection of Route 12 and Route 123. She asked the audience to picture  Route 12 in 1973. There was nothing there but fields and chicken houses. She has lived there 43 years. Ms. Davignon recreated a series of accidents that occurred at that corner and she asked the audience to imagine her life there and the sight of the faces in those accidents. She has a number of scenarios that began with “Have you ever:”

• been a high school student 50 years ago, who had almost “been taken out by a car waiting for the bus.”

• seen that same student watching a series of accident and choosing to make eagle scout project a desire to get a traffic light at that intersection and being refused because of signage and a light would actually make things worse.

• been sitting in your chair and heard a loud crash and gone outside to see people looking frightened, confused and injured.

• been awakened and learned that one of the cars belonged to your neighbor who was horrified after discovering it was her son.

• heard that bump and thinking please dear God, don’t let it be one from mine.

Ms. Davignon is worried about an increase in traffic and an increase in accidents.

She told about crossing the road from the Shaw ’s exit. First you look south, then you look north, and across the street to the Rite Aide. By the time you’re finished looking there’s a car coming. The audience applauded her presentation.

Mr. Miller said the Board still has the an issue with DOT and the Board really thinks that safety is paramount. There is no reason, he said, that you can’t connect to Shaw’s without going on a public road. The Board has more time. The time line is 90 days. “We’re not ready here. We’d like more info from DOT. Safety is a concern.” Mr. Perron said he would also like to hear more from DOT.

He asked the secretary to put this on the agenda for next month. And he said he needed more feedback on the architectural elevations. The Board isn’t ready to make a decision.

Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

WPB Secretary

Department of Education launches COVID survey, building on last spring survey that generated over 56,000 responses

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Education is proud to announce the 603 Bright Futures Survey, giving parents, educators and community members a chance to share their perspectives on the response by New Hampshire schools to the COVID-19 pandemic this past year and how the experience should influence instructional as plans are made for fall learning. Last spring, a Department survey of remote instruction and the return to school generated more than 56,000 responses, helping to shape the state’s K-12 Back to School Guidance .

“The survey we conducted last year at this time generated a tremendous amount of valuable information, helping shape our return to school across the state,” said Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. “The 603 Bright Futures Survey will provide valuable feedback – what worked and what did not work – and provide valuable information for schools that are already crafting plans for fall instructional programs.”

The survey includes an opportunity for anyone interested – parent, educator or community member – to provide feedback. The Department will open survey on June 1, 2021 and it will remain available through June 30, 2021 to allow everyone the opportunity to respond. Parents responding for more than one child should complete the survey once for each student. Once the survey closes, the results will be made available through the Department’s website.

The links to the survey can be found below.

Survey Links: Distribution of survey links has been greatly simplified from previous years. Please share the links below. From there, respondents will be able to choose their school from a dropdown menu:

• Families in K-12, Preschool, and Private Schools: bit.ly/nhdoefamily
• Staff in Public and Private Schools: bit.ly/nhdoestaff
• Community Members: bit.ly/nhdoecommunity

*Please note that “Community Members” are those who do not have students enrolled in New Hampshire public schools. Those who do should complete the family surveys instead.

June 10, 2021

Starting at 4:30 PM via Zoom. Visit walpolenh.us -Town News for access info

SELECTBOARD MEETING

AMERICAN RESCUE FUNDS (ARF) DISCUSSION WITH SEN. JAY KAHN

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $76,675.40 for checks issued 6/11/21

PAYROLL• Payroll Register totaling $30,115.41dated 6/11/21 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $5,706.88

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES• Selectboard Minutes – June 3, 2021• Non-Public Selectboard Session Minutes – June 3, 2021

EXCATION INTENTS• Map and Lot# 014-013-000• Map and Lot# 015-011-000

OLD BUSINESS• Economic Revitalization Zones – Hubbard Farms• Brownfields Clean-Up Contractor Bid Reading and Recording

Pending Further Actions• Tax Deeded Property Sale, Mill Pond Dam Inspection, Reservoir Dam, Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge,Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood

NEW BUSINESS• Town Hall Copiers• Municipal Utility Trailer• Thank You Card

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

**Any recording, audio or visual, and/or other devices must be declared at the beginning of the meeting**

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting via Zoom to order at 6:30 PM.  The Selectboard members are in three separate locations.  Also attending this meeting is Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, in the Walpole Town Hall and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, by telephone at a separate location.  This meeting was being recorded.  There were two members of the public in attendance:  Mr. Ray Boas and Mrs. Barbara Spivey.

Ms. Mayberry called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present:  Steven Dalessio was present; Peggy Pschirrer was present and Cheryl Mayberry was present.  This meeting will be in accordance with Virtual Meetings, Emergency Order #12, which has been effective since March 2020.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $58,441.83 for checks issued May 28, 2021.  This includes a payment in the amount of $41,581.81 to HealthTrust.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote 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 May 22, 2021, in the amount of $29,236.95 for checks dated May 28, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,624.98.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – May 20, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 20, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION MINUTES – May 20, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of May 20, 2021, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

Whipple Hill Road: Mrs. Barbara Spivey requested that the Minutes of the May 13, 2021, Selectboard meeting be corrected. She stated her husband, Mr. Jody Spivey, said “When they bought the property they were not completely aware of the fact that this was potentially a snowmobile trail”. He did not say “When they bought the property they were not aware of the fact that this was a road and not a trail”. Mrs. Pschirrer advised the Minutes of the May 13, 2021, meeting had already been approved by the Selectboard. This request for the correction by Mrs. Barbara Spivey will be so noted in these May 27, 2021, meeting minutes.

STAFF MEETING MINUTES – May 20, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of May 20, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. Ms.  Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote 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:• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – May 19, 2021.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS:

MAP and LOT #003-082-C14:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $3,114.00 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #003-082-C14.  The non-profit submitted their paperwork on time for a 2021 Property Tax Exemption.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #008-015-002:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $4,675.00 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #008-015-002.  A property tax card correction during the tax warrant needs to be applied.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, themotion was approved.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:  

MAP and LOT #013-060-001:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #013-060-001.  This property is located near Cheney Hill Road with access through Alstead.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.    

CURRENT USE:

MAP and LOT #004-003-005; MAP and LOT #010-006-000 and MAP and LOT #014-020-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the applications for Current Use for the following three properties:

Map and Lot #004-003-005;

Map and Lot #010-006-000

Map and Lot #014-020-000

These A-10 forms are for Hubbard LLC.  They are adding additional acreage into current use.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT:

Permit No. 2021-24, MAP and LOT #017-011-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant Building Permit No. 2021-24 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #017-011-000 to add a “16’ x 12’ Porch to the Home”.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

American Rescue Funds for Clean Water:  The Selectboard will be meeting with Senator Jay Kahn on June 10th at 4:30 PM via Zoom to discuss this funding source.  Ms. Mayberry advised an invitation will be forwarded to Senator Kahn.  

National Scenic Byway Funding Opportunity:  The Selectboard agreed to table this agenda item; there will be discussion during the next regular meeting.

Emergency Operation Plan Committee Meeting Date:  This meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021, at 4:00 PM.  Mr. Dalessio would prefer this be an in-person meeting in the Town Hall.

Arborist Evaluation of Trees on Common and Meeting Date:  A tentative date was set for July 8th, 2021, at 5:00 PM on the Common.  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to schedule this date.

Senator Shaheen Congressionally Directed Spending Item Request Form FY 2022 and Addendum: Ms. Mayberry pointed out that support letters are due tomorrow. Mr. Dalessio did not think they would meet tomorrow’s due date but will keep trying. Ms. Mayberry had been asked about the Three (3)-phase power. Would that fall under the economic benefit? Mr. Dalessio replied it does. We can state the economic benefits are limiting the Industrial Park and limiting the growth of one of our largest employers. Ms. Mayberry will complete a response to the business and follow-up with SWRPC.

Grange Awards Night:  At the previous meeting the Selectboard suggested having the Grange postpone their Awards Night until July 20th as the paving of Elm Street is expected to be completed by this date.  Mrs. Pschirrer notified them last week about moving from June to July but has not yet had a reply.  This will remain “on-hold” until the next regular Selectboard meeting.

Pending Further Actions:

Tax Deeded Property Sale, Mill Pond Dam Inspection, Reservoir Dam, Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators, Boston Post Cane:  Mr. Dalessio reported there is nothing new to discuss on these pending items at this time.  

Brownfields Project:  Mrs. Pschirrer talked with Mr. Steve Rickerich of Ransom Consulting. They asked her to extend their deadline to June 9th not because of their bids but an issue came up with the Department of Environmental Services (DES).  They worked with Mr. Mike McCluskey at the Department of Environmental Services (DES) but another division had questions.  They need to answer the questions.  One question is how to label the contamination.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised everything will be pushed off a week.  The June 2nd meeting to open bids was pushed out to June 9th, 2021.

NEW BUSINESS:

Cemetery Deed D565:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for Lot D565.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Economic Revitalization Zones:  A request was received from the State Division of Economic Development for the Town to approve five (5) areas owned by Hubbard LLC for a State Funded Tax Credit.  The Selectboard had no objections. Mrs. Downing advised that Michael Bergeron and Bridgett Beckwith will plan to meet with the Selectboard during their Zoom meeting on June 17th, 2021.  

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Zoning Board of Adjustment:  Mrs. Jan Leclerc, Chair, and Mrs. Myra Mansouri, Vice-Chair, of the Zoning Board of Adjustment asked to be admitted to the Zoom meeting.  Mrs. Leclerc had forwarded an anonymous complaint letter to the Selectboard.  Somebody thought there was too much “junk” on a property.  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the letter but did not comment because the letter was anonymous.  Mrs. Leclerc requested that Mr. Steven Buckley at the NH Municipal Association provide them with an opinion as to how they should handle this complaint.  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that Mr. Buckley said it is the enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance but they do not have an ordinance in Town to cover this.  There is nothing they can do.  The Planning Board has to generate new ordinances.  Mrs. Pschirrer has driven by this property; there is some old farm equipment.  Mrs. Leclerc mentioned some farmers on occasion have a scrap pile but they wait for the prices to go up before they sell.  There was a consensus that this complaint is now closed.

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) Reputations.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 6:56 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:18 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of May 27, 2021, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Notice to the Public that the Town of Walpole, NH is Seeking Oldest Resident

The Walpole Selectboard is seeking nominations for the oldest resident who shall be the honorary holder of Walpole’s Boston Post Cane. 

For more information, contact the Selectboard Office at 603-756-3672 or email sdowning@walpolenh.us

COVID by the Numbers—End of May Edition

What a difference a month makes.  The biggest news is that this is the first day in months that DHHS has said there are 0 currently reported cases of COVID here in Walpole.

Statewide, the seven day average of reported cases per 100,000, was 17.4 as of May 1.  Today the statewide seven day average is 4.8, an over 75%decrease.  The number of reported currently active cases in the state was 2,459 on May 1.  That number fell to 476 today.   Hospitalizations in the state declined from 84 on May 1 to 40 as of this writing.   There were 49 deaths in the state this month, down from 58 in April.

In Cheshire County, the average of reported cases was 16.0 on May 1.  The county average dropped to 8.6 as of today.  We are still third highest in the state, but we were #1 for a good part of the month, so that is better.  There was only 1 new death in Cheshire County this month, the same number as April.  There were 5 new hospitalizations this month, which is actually up from April, when there was only 1.  Current active reported cases in the county were 111 on May 1.  Today, that number stands at 32.

In Walpole, our total number of cases went from 138 on May 1 to 144 today for a total of 5 new cases this month..  There were 8 new cases in April.  

Please continue to take good care of yourselves and each other.  Remember that even when fully vaccinated, there is a small chance that you might contract COVID, and if so, you could pass it on to others, especially if you have an asymptomatic case.

Enjoy your travel, and your gatherings, and may your Zoom sessions grow ever less.

~Representative Lucy Weber

lwmcv@comcast.net

603 499-0282

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

Staff Present:                Sarah Downing (Manager of Administration); Richard Kreissle (Administrator of Finance); Michael Rau (Road Agent/Highway Department); Kraig Harlow (Recreation Director); Helen Dalbeck (Hooper Institute Executive Director); Jane Malmberg (Library Director); Meghan Hansson (Town Clerk/Tax Collector); Regina Borden (Recording Secretary

Staff Excused:               Chief Justin Sanctuary (Police Department); Ben Hoy (Recycling Director)

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called this Staff Meeting via Zoom to order at 5:00 PM.  The Selectboard members are in three separate locations.  This meeting is being recorded by the Town.

Ms. Mayberry called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present:  Peggy Pschirrer was present (at home) and Cheryl Mayberry was present (at home).  Steven Dalessio is expected but will be late.

Ms. Mayberry also called for a voice roll call of the Staff members present.  All Staff Members responded that they were present and provided the location.

Finance Office:  Mr. Richard Kreissle, Administrator of Finance, submitted the following report:

            Life in the bean-counting office has been dominated by pulling transactions for our auditors, Vachon, Clukay out of Manchester.  There is less emphasis on the tax collector’s office as they did a tax committal audit required by law because of Sandy Smith’s retirement so that’s lessened the load a bit.

            Audits are an exercise in determining the risk that an entity is exposed to due to their safeguarding of resources (i.e., assets).  The greater the strength of the controls involved in accounting incoming resources and those involved in the disbursement of those resources.  And by resources it all comes down, in the end, to how the cash of the entity is accounted for.  Cash is the oil of any entity that keeps it lubricated and allows it to continue to run.  It should come as no surprise then that billings and receipts are closely looked at, disbursements of cash are also examined closely, and the reconciliation of bank accounts are also examined.  We’ve developed a good track record of controlling these three functional areas but still they ask us to pull a number of specific records (i.e. source documents) to be ever vigilant in their efforts.

            Fortunately, they don’t ask for every record but rather a sample and make a determination of the veracity of the overall financial position of the town based upon those samples.  Therefore, the completed audited financial statements do not purport to testify that the financial statements are 100% accurate but instead state that they are a reasonable representation of the financial position of the entity as of the time period that was audited.

Printers & Copiers:

Mr. Kreissle contacted four outside vendors to bid on replacing the printers and copiers in the town hall and is happy to report that all four have expressed interest in bidding.  The copier in the Selectboard office is getting increasingly cranky and it’ll be nice to have machines with features that we currently don’t have with the current machines.

Elm Street:

Work on Elm Street has started requiring a careful tracking of the costs so we can pull the correct amount out of the water/sewer surplus that has built up over the years.

Walpole Recreation:  Mr. Kraig Harlow provided the following report:

Basketball Camp:

• The recreation department hosted a week long basketball camp from April 26 to April 30.
• Walpole Primary School has allowed us to use the gymnasium to host the event.
• The camp had 25 children total and generated roughly $600.

Pool:

• The recreation department is preparing to open the pool for June 10^th.
• They are looking to hire a couple more lifeguards for the summer season.
• Ralph has taken off the pool cover and started treating the pool on May 2^nd.
• The pool cover will be needing a repair this summer due to general wear and tear.
• The select board has rewarded Eric Franklin the contract to repair the pool roof at the cost of $15,200.

Walpole Summer League:

• The select board has approved the recreation department to host the annual summer basketball league.
• In 2020, the league was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• The grades 5-8 basketball will be played at Whitcomb Park with a 5/6 B team and a 7/8 A team.  Teams are co-ed.
• The league is 8 weeks long and will include guaranteed 2 playoff games.
• They have added two basketball programs for younger kids.
• Kids finishing K-2 program will meet once a week to teach the fundamentals on Monday nights and kids finishing grades 3 and 4 will play in a 3v3 league.

Tennis:

• Wilson and Lawrence will be repairing the tennis courts this spring.
• They have an estimate from last fall of $5,796 dollars from the fall and have encumbered the funds from last year’s budget.
• The courts may need additional repairs due to new cracks and damages from winter.

Sport Camps:

• The recreation department is working with local coaches to help host multiple week long daily camps which include volleyball, football, and soccer.

Community Events:

• The Hooper Institute will be hosting an owl event on May 22^nd down at Whitcomb Park.
• The recreation department just purchased an outdoor movie screen to host events once a month during the summer. 

Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned movie night will be in collaboration with the Library. Mr. Harlow replied that after talking with Mrs. Malmberg, they learned that their contract is for movies to be shown at the Library. He will try to work with another company.  Mrs. Malmberg mentioned having Mr.  Harlow talk to her because they might have movies on DVD at the Library that can be shown.           

Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office:  Mrs. Meghan Hansson submitted the following report:

• Have deposited $181,598 of property taxes since the last staff meeting.
• Intent to Deed Notices were sent out to owners with accounts two full years delinquent.  (5 for 2018, 2 should have been deeded in 2017).  Of the five, one has cleared.  One has cleared the 2017 but is still working on 2018.
• Redemption information will be sent to Cheshire County Registry of Deeds for 7 liens.
• Waiting for approval of tax pre-payments.
• Tax Collector needs to be involved in decisions involving unusual scenarios…payment plans, deferrals, unusual PID assignments, etc.
• Tax Collector has different viewpoint from assessing regarding outcome.
• Tax bills are now out in the mail. 
• Deputy Vicki Gohl is now doing MV renewals, E-registrations, and dog licensing.
• Registered 578 vehicles between the last staff meeting and this one.  Of the $106,682 collected, about 80K belongs to the Town.
• Have registered 23 boats between the last staff meeting and this one.
• Have licensed 325 dogs (had licensed 264 by this date last year – COVID year).  Maximum number of dogs ever licensed was 514 two years ago.  (445 last year)
• Have sent a couple of dog licensing reports to the Police Dept for their use.  I have sent them information on a service that our software provider offers that allows police departments to access the Clerk’s dog database.

Ms. Mayberry asked what the cost would be for the Police to have access to the dog database.  Mrs. Hansson said the software company could do a live demo if the Police express an interest.  At that point they could discuss cost.  Ms. Mayberry feels it is a good thought for future consideration.     

Walpole Town Library:  Mrs. Jane Malmberg provided the following report:

Circulation of materials continues to increase which is encouraging.  They are open their regular hours now with one small change: instead of closing between 12 noon and 1 pm on Mondays and Wednesday, they are open from 10 am – 7 pm both days.  They continue to require masks and try to main social distancing as much as possible in the library.

North Walpole Library:

Their biggest news is that they are planning to reopen the North Walpole on Monday, June 14^th.  It will be a soft opening as they will still need to require masks and distancing.  They plan on having a bigger celebration in the Fall when they can open both libraries for programs inside.  Technology-wise it is looking good.  The new hours for the North Walpole branch will be Mondays 1 pm – 4 pm, Tuesdays 3 pm – 7 pm, Fridays 10 am – 1 pm and Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm.  They will have materials for adults, teens and children.  They hope to have story times and other programs soon.

Museum Passes:

They have renewed their museum passes for patrons.  They have the following available to check out: American Precision Museum, Brattleboro Museum, Currier Museum, Eric Carle Museum, The Fells, Montshire Museum and Vermont Institute of Natural Science.  They are adding a new pass this year: MASS MoCa (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art). She just ordered it; they should have it in a week or so.  (Mr. Dalessio came into the meeting).

Programming:  Their Talking About Race was successful with 11 attendees from Walpole and surrounding communities.  They will be meeting again (without the guest presenters) to discuss possibilities for further discussion/action.  Round 2 of their Virtual Bake Off was disappointing with only two entries from adults and three from kids.  Since they didn’t have enough entries to vote on, they gave prizes to all who entered.  She thinks the time of year was most likely a factor, winter seems to be a better time for this type of contest.

Their seed library is well stocked with seeds from Walpole gardeners and donations from Seed Savers.

Their Friends of the Library are once again holding a plant sale on the front porch of the library.  There is a good variety of plants available. The sale will continue through the summer.

Summer Reading plans are underway.  It will be an online program again this year for all ages.  The program runs from June 16 through August 8.  Details will be forthcoming on the website and on Facebook soon.

Outreach:

The library participated as one of the locations for the Walpole Chick Scavenger Hunt during the Walpole Parent Teacher Group’s screen-free week activity.   They handed out 59 activity bags to students who stopped by to look for the chick.  They were able to sign up 17 new adults and kids for library cards that week.  They were also a location for a display for the Hooper Institute that was part of their activity for the scavenger hunt.

The library had hoped to be able to provide a site license to show movies outside this summer with the Recreation Department.  Unfortunately, they found out that the license only covers movies shown on library premises.  Hopefully, the Rec Department can get its own license to cover the summer movie showings.  The library has offered to provide copies of the movies on DVD for each showing.

Policy/Procedures:

They now have a new Collection Development policy for the library.  It has been posted on the library website.

Monthly Library Statistics were also attached to the May 2021 Report.

Hooper Institute:  Mrs. Helen Dalbeck submitted the following report:

“The work that they do at the Hooper Institute is informed and inspired by their mission to provide educational and scholarship programs to the youth and citizens of Walpole in the following focus areas: Agriculture, Forestry, Botany, Soils and Environmental Science”.

School Programs and School Gardens:  Right now, the gardens are the focus of a variety of lessons throughout the grades with lots of composting, garden planning, some planting and mulching of beds at all 3 schools.  They are keeping drought conditions in mind.  The 6^th grade canoe trip over 2 days is happening in June and to prepare, there have been river and watershed lessons.  Regular Hooper science classes continue daily, mostly outside in the field, pre-K through 6^th grade.

Outreach and Marketing:  Ongoing, on all fronts; Facebook, the Clarion, Friends of Hooper Institute, posters, Walpolean, school newsletter, the library, friends and more.  Program announcements posted in The Shopper, Monadnock Shopper News, and local newspapers promoting Eyes on Owls on May 22 and Circus in the Woods, May 23.  She also utilized her connections in the youth circus community in NH and VT to spread the word.

Facility and Land:  Connecticut Valley Landscaping was hired to clean up front lawn debris and two fir trees, cut downed by wind, the other pillowed and going.  Our building has been cleaned including all of the old wainscoting and woodwork.  She takes care of the gardens and beds around the Hooper Institute.

Administration:  Joni Cormier and Kim Anderson are their newest board members.  FOHI members have begun to plan a Fall Festival at the Hooper Institute on September 11.

Public Programs:  Circus in the Woods on May 23 is sold out.  (200 people over four shows).  She is getting lots of calls and inquiries about the live owl program and is expecting a good crowd on Saturday.

Camps:  Yes, camp is happening during the last two weeks of June (Hooper Day Camp and Adventure Camp) and the week of July 19 (Woodworking).  They could use more campers week 1, June 21-24 in both camps.  Please spread the word.  Campers that week are entering grades 1-2 and grades 5-8.

High School Summer Work Program:  She has six mentors (including Hooper Camp counselors) and has interviewed 10 students.  She plans to accept them all. She has a few more calls to make, then acceptances will go out, work forms signed, processed and we are off to the races.  She expects many will begin to work on June 21 and will stay on the job until August 21 or whenever they complete the hours that they were granted through their program.

Walpole Community Garden:  The WCG (with FOHI) is hosting four garden talks/presentations this year.  The first one was May 15.  “No-Till Gardening” with Jackie Caserta.  Seven people attended.  Next one is July 31 on “Pollinators” presented by her.    

Scholarship Program:  Mrs. Dalbeck would like to schedule the Scholarship Program for July 28^th.  This is when the college students come back to make reports on the Hooper scholarships they received. 

Selectboard Office:  Mrs. Sarah Downing submitted the following report:

The Spring Tax Warrant was approved by the Selectboard on Thursday, May 13^th.  The signed warrant was handed over to the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office.  The warrant is the document that directs the tax collector to bill and collect the tax as set forth on the list taxable property.  Three copies of the listing of properties and associated tax were printed.  The first copy is given to the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office.  A copy for public viewing is kept in a binder on a shelf under the maps in the Town Hall hallway.  The last copy is archived in the basement storage area.

The spring tax Warrant normally has over 30 days payments to be received.  The warrant must be created and signed by May 15^th by RSA with taxes being due on or after July 1^st, also dictated by RSA.

Looking ahead, with the Brownfields clean-up grant remediation beginning, there will be at least two public meetings via Zoom.  One will be on June 2^nd for identifying and reading the bids for cleaning up the site.  The second will be a public hearing on July 6^th with all the stakeholders and any interested public visitors.

The summer of construction has begun with the removal of pavement from Elm Street and the replacing of water/sewer lines.  The Town Offices have managed to get by without water for several days.  The group will be very happy and appreciative once the bathrooms and kitchen are once again functional.

Highway Department:  Mr. Michael Rau provided the following report:

The Elm Street project has begun.  All utilities have been marked prior to construction.  The old asphalt has been removed and trucked away.  Things seem to be moving along well.  Chloride was put on it yesterday to keep the dust under control.  While they wait for the next phase of Elm Street, crews have been busy replacing insufficient culverts and ditching roadsides in preparation for paving.  Routine mowing of town properties has also begun for the season.  On Monday they have a project scheduled at North Main Street and Drewsville Road to help some drainage problems.  There will be some disruption to traffic for a few days.  Hopefully they will have a good paving season in July.  They will be graveling all the dirt roads they did not get to last year and will put chloride down to help control the dust.  They have all the equipment to do this.  Everything seems to be going well at the Highway Department.  Paving on Elm Street should be done by mid-July. 

Selectboard Notes:  

CDC Guidelines:  Ms. Mayberry mentioned it is summer and there will be nice weather.  With the CDC guidelines changing they feel more will open up in a few weeks.  As of right now the Selectboard has not made any changes to mask requirements or social distancing.  The Selectboard will keep them updated. 

Vacations:  It is also time to schedule vacations.  Make use of this time.  The Selectboard has not talked about a carry-over waiver this year.  Some employees have a lot of vacation time.  They want people to manage their stress.  Make sure your staff is using their vacation time.  If you have any questions, contact the Selectboard or Mrs. Downing in the office. 

Mission Statements:  At the last meeting they asked everyone to come back with their Mission Statement.  Everyone now has another month to prepare for this.  It will be expected for the next meeting.

Drive-By – Police Department:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that on Thursday, May 27^th, at 1:00 PM the Police Department is planning a Drive-By Salute for former Police Chief Michael Paquette who is retiring on May 31^st from the Police Department after at least 20 years of service in the Town of Walpole   They have invited Police Departments and Fire Departments from numerous communities; it will be a big parade.  They are asking everybody to gather at the Fire Station and/or across the street in E.E. Houghton’s parking lot.  Because of all the construction they will be coming down only Main Street.  The Library has graciously agreed to position Mike and others on the Library steps.  The parade will come up Main Street, past the Library, go back down South Street and out to Route 12.  As many of you as possible are invited to attend.                     

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry thanked everyone for attending this meeting.  She adjourned this meeting at 5:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary