The Walpolean

Good morning,
A reminder that our Salute to Sandy Smith is today at 4 pm.  Everyone is to gather in the parking lot of the Walpole Middle School so that we can kick off at 4 pm led by the Walpole Police Department.
Sandy will be standing in the double door entrance on Elm Street.  So far, she is unaware this is happening.  Her family will be joining her this afternoon.

Broadband Install Update: December 2020

The infrastructure for Walpole’s fiber optic cable is going great guns. As of Dec 14, of the 3 phases of the ‘backbone’ for this project – 97% of the fiber was laid, 75% of the splicing was done, and now the testing of the network has begun. (Look for an updated report on the install of the ‘backbone’ coming out just before the New Year. This will be posted on the Walpole Town website.)

Those 3 phases of the ‘backbone’ lead to the stuff that matters – making the connection to the internet. Turns out that this is a two-step process. See the info from Consolidated Communications below regarding this final phase of the project:

“For awareness the installation process (connecting the fiber optic cable to the house/premise) has started.  CCI has begun calling residents that pre-registered on the landing page for pre-drop placements and will begin to run the fiber from the street to the outside of the house.  CCI will continue with this part of the installation(the part outside the home) through the end of January and then will begin to transition over to the in-home installations portion and begin to bring customers online.”

For more information visit Walpole’s town website here: 

https://www.walpolenh.us/Broadband.html

Or pre-register at Consolidated Communications webpage here:

https://www.consolidated.com/  (Note that you may need to disable some adblocking features on your computer to in order to get information specific to your location.

Or if you prefer the phone, this number Is posted on their website:1.844.968.7224 Residential Sales & Service: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (M-F)

I also see this phone number posted outside Consolidated’s building in the village 855-401-6423

Dennis Marcom, for Walpole’s Broadband Committee

**NOTICE**

Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 at 5:30 PM

The Walpole Selectboard will be holding an Online Selectboard Meeting.

Non-public session at start of meeting with public meeting to follow.

Contact the Selectboard Office if you wish to be sent a Zoom invitation to discuss a specific topic during the meeting or check www.walpolenh.us for meeting information.

Questions to the Selectboard are to be submitted to sdowning@walpolenh.us or by calling 603-756-3672.

FYI – the next meeting of the Selectboard is 12/29 at 5:30. Sarah said she will be posting the Zoom link on their website if you would like to join. – Lil

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting via Zoom to order at 6:30 PM.  She announced that Ms. Cheryl Mayberry and Mr. Steven Dalessio, the other two Selectboard members, were present.  The three Selectboard members are in separate locations.  Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, is in the Walpole Town Hall, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, by telephone at a separate location. This Zoom meeting is being recorded remotely by FACT-TV and can be viewed on their YouTube channel.  

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $1,646,816.23 for checks issued December 18, 2020.  This includes a payment of $1,601,676.00 to the Cheshire County for the yearly payment.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending December 12, 2020, in the amount of $28,081.56 for checks dated December 18, 2020, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,363.58.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – December 10, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 10, 2020, as submitted. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Ms. Mayberry abstained from the vote as she was not present at this meeting.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 10, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 10, 2020, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessioand Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Ms. Mayberry abstained from the vote as she was not present at this meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:• Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting – December 7, 2020;• North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners Meeting – November 17, 2020;• North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners Meeting – November 24, 2020;• North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners Meeting – December 1, 2020;• North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners Meeting – December 8, 2020.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:

Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the following Property Tax Refunds.  These are all the result of over-payments:• Map and Lot #020-043-000 in the amount of $48.00;• Map and Lot #024-016-000 in the amount of $2,180.00;• Map and Lot #005-035-000 in the amount of $11.00;• Map and Lot #008-015-005 in the amount of $5,918.00.

Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

TIMBER TAX WARRANT:

MAP and LOT #007-024-001:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Timber Tax Warrant and the Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed in the amount of $248.44 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #007-024-001.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:

MAP and LOT #004-041-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #004-041-000 for a cut on a lot located off Route 12.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Travel Policy for Employees:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the Travel Policy for Employees was put “On Hold” at the last meeting as some additional wording was needed.  The policy was updated with ten (10) days of quarantine or seven (7) days quarantine with a PCR test.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve this updated COVID-19 Travel Policy for Employees.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Emergency Generators:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that Mr. Sam Jacobs and Mr. Justin Cassarino at the Walpole Elementary School talked to them about the need for an emergency generator now that they have been included as an approved shelter in the Walpole Emergency Plan.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted that an emergency generator is also needed at the Town Hall.  Mr. Dalessio spoke with Mr. Mark Houghton who is aware of this.  Mrs. Downing wrote to Ms. Liz Gilboy at the NH Homeland Security to ask where they need to apply for the Grant she spoke about and if the money is still available.

Pending Further Actions:

Tax Deeded Property Sale:  At the beginning of next year Mrs. Pschirrer would like to advertise this Tax Deeded Property Sale.  Mrs. Downing will begin the process.

Town Street Lights, Houghton Brook Bridge Repair, Reservoir Dam Repairs:  These items will remain on the agenda as Pending Further Actions.  

Annual Town Reports:  Mr. Dalessio asked Mrs. Downing to remind department managers that their annual reports will be due for the Annual Town Reports right after the first of the year.

NEW BUSINESS:      

Vachon Clukay & Co. Letter of Agreement for Tax Collector Audit:  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that Mrs. Smith will be retiring as the Town Clerk-Tax Collector on December 31, 2020. Therefore, an audit is required for the Tax Collector’s position.  Mrs. Smith will be closing the books on December 28, 2020.   

Ms. Mayberry moved to authorize the Chair of the Selectboard, Peggy L. Pschirrer, to sign the Letter of Agreement with Vachon Clukay & Company for the audit.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.   On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Date for Annual Budget Public Hearing: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to set the date for the Annual Budget Public Hearing for Thursday, February 4, 2021.  It will be done either by a Public Hearing or a Zoom meeting.  In accordance with State RSAs the last date it can be held is February 11, 2021.  This information will be sent to Mr. Ray Boas for publication in the January and February Clarion.  This will be held at either 5:30pm or 6:00pm prior to the regular Selectboard meeting.

Next Selectboard Meeting:  Due to the Christmas Holiday next week, the next Selectboard meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at 9:00 AM.  This will be a Zoom meeting.

Selectboard:  The Selectboard members will come into the office tomorrow or over the weekend to sign documents approved at this meeting.  

FACT-TV:  Mrs. Pschirrer announced that this concludes the regular Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session and Hooper Trustees meeting.  FACT-TV discontinued filming this meeting at 6:47 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION: 

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel, (c) Reputations and (d) Acquisition, Sale or Lease of Real or Personal Property.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 6:50 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:07 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 17, 2020, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mr. Dalessio moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:08 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:20 PM.   

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, this meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

COVID by the Numbers—December 23 Edition

Happy holidays, everyone,

As has been the case for the last few weeks, the numbers are both alarming, and bewildering.  It is hard to discern any really clear patterns, as some numbers are better and others are worse.  Making it more difficult to compare apples to apples, rather than oranges, is the backlog of tests as yet unreported to DHHS, so I am reporting based on the daily numbers from DHHS, and not on the reallocation of the new numbers back to the dates they actually belong to.  If that last sentence makes no sense, welcome to my world.  My guess?  We are coming down from the post-Thanksgiving spike, and given the numbers of people travelling, we are now in the lull before the post-Christmas spike.   The good news is that vaccines have arrived and are being administered in New Hampshire.  Front-line health care workers and a few nursing home residents were the first recipients.

As of December 22, Walpole had 9 active cases of COVID, up from 5 active cases in my last report, but down from a high of 11 a couple of days ago.  Total cases in Walpole went from 22 to 31.

Cheshire County had 150 new cases last week; down significantly from 241 the week before.  Again, I am not sure how this number may be influenced by the delay in reporting numbers from the backlog.  The daily average for the week is now down to just under 21.5 cases per day, down from just over 30 cases a day a as of my last report.  The Cheshire County 7 day moving average for number of daily cases per 100,000, as of December 21, is 24.6, down from a high of 43.6 on December 13. Because we are under 25 cases per 100,000, today, for the first time since December 1, we are colored orange rather than red on the Harvard Global Health initiative map.  Sullivan and Grafton counties are even lower than we are; but these numbers are down in every county.  Currently, Cheshire County has 195 active cases, down from a high of 258 on December 13th.

Statewide, the 7 day moving average of daily cases per 100,000 is now 49.4, down from a high of 65.0 on December 13^th.

Hospitalizations are at 297, an all-time high, up from 252 on December 15.

52 lives were lost last week, up from 38 last week, including at least one from Cheshire County.  The only good news here is that the last two days have added no deaths to that total.

Current active cases by town:  Keene-64, Jaffrey-22, Swanzey-19, Winchester-12, Rindge-11, Hinsdale-10, Walpole-9, Chesterfield-6, Marlborough-6, Troy-6, Westmoreland-5, Richmond-5

Towns with 1-4 cases: Alstead, Marlow, Stoddard, Nelson, Gilsum, Winchester. Harrisville, Roxbury, Dublin, Fitzwlliam.

Sullivan alone is at 0.

EddieFalkor begs you all to have a peaceful holiday season, full of joy, and friends, and family, even if at a distance.

As do I.

Please note that I have not trained EF to climb up on the ottoman and fix me with the Dog Stare while sitting pretty.  

This is a training technique he developed all on his own, designed to make a recalcitrant and untrainable human pay attention.

I can report it is very effective.

Wear your mask, keep your distance, wash your hands,

Keep well, and thank you all for being members of this wonderful community.

~ Representative Lucy Weber lwmcv@comcast.net 603-499-0282.

TOWN OF WALPOLE

SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA

December 23, 2020 at 9:00 AM

SELECTBOARD MEETING

PAYROLL• Payroll Register totaling $28,759.93 dated 12/24/2020 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $5,837.24

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES• Selectboard Minutes – December 17, 2020• Non-Public Selectboard Session – December 17, 2020

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS• Map and Lot# 003-038-005• Map and Lot# 030-072-000• Map and Lot# 013-014-000

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Actions

Town Street Lights, Tax Deeded Property Sale, Houghton Brook Bridge Repair, Reservoir Dam Repairs, Emergency Generators

NEW BUSINESS• Date for FMRSD Deliberative Session• Possible Property Tax Refunds for 12/28/2020 and Check Register

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

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

To Sandy Smith, out Town Clerk, who is retiring on December 31st. Please join us December 29th in the Walpole Middle School parking lot at 4:00 PM to driveby and wish her well.

We hope to keep it a surprise and spread the word to everyone except Sandy!

Walpole Community Giving Tree

As coordinators of the “Giving Tree Project”, we would like to thank everyone who participated in any way.  This project provides gifts for children in our communities whose families need a little extra help during the holiday season.  This project was especially challenging this year due to so many health restrictions, but we were still able to make it happen in a way that was safe for everyone. 

It wouldn’t have happened without the support of SO MANY!  The congregations of the First Congregational Church of Walpole, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and St. Peter’s Church took tags, purchased gifts, and gave many generous donations.   The Savings Bank of Walpole, Mascoma Bank, the Walpole Public Library, and Spencer’s Place also displayed tags, and many employees and other community members also purchased gifts or gave donations.  The “Toys for Tots” program donated approximately 100 gifts so that parents could choose 1 or 2 more gifts for each child, plus we received a donation of wooden cutting boards from the family of Carol Failla; the adults who came to pick up gifts for their children really appreciated these!  The “Walpole Firefighters’ Auxiliary” made a very generous monetary donation which helped us purchase any remaining gifts as well as wrapping paper for each family.  Andrea Vickers-Sevret put out a facebook plea to a group of friends who helped fill the gaps that were not filled other places.  Other people made tags that families could choose from.

When all was said and done, we provided many holiday gifts for almost 30 families (over 100 children).  THANK YOU to everyone who helped with this amazing project.  You made a lot of little children very happy and made their 2020 holiday a lot brighter!  This is a clear demonstration of the true meaning of the holiday season, and a wonderful testament to the generosity of our community.  Thank you all so very much!We wish you all an enjoyable holiday season and a healthy, happy, and peaceful year in 2021!

Jeanne Cloues and Marcia Weil

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  She introduced Mr. Steven Dalessio, a Selectboard member.  Ms. Cheryl Mayberry, a Selectboard member, will not be attending this meeting as she is not feeling well.  Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, are also in attendance.  This meeting is being recorded.

Mrs. Pschirrer announced that everybody was asked to sign-in. There were 35 sign-in attendees.  A copy of this roster is attached to these minutes for the record.    

Because of the importance of this issue, it will be the first item on this week’s agenda.  We are here tonight to discuss the rules and regulations of ATV/Off Road vehicles.  The Selectboard invited Officer Jonathan DeLisle, who has been with the NH Fish and Game for almost ten (10) years.  The concerns began last spring when people in the community were aware of property damage on private property.  Off road vehicles were sold out all over Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire.  People are not following the rules and regulations.  Everyone will have a chance to speak.  Officer DeLisle will try to answer as many questions as people might have.  We have a new flat screen display where the RSAs are being projected.

Officer DeLisle reported that COVID-19 brought a lot of new stuff to this area and the State.  A recent stop he made on November 8^th is probably instrumental in having this meeting. The reason the stop was made on an ATV was because the operator was endangering a child passenger and that is a criminal offense. The ATV had what is called a special commercial plate; it goes through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  They have to have certain requirements to get these plates.  A special commercial plate is for farming, agricultural, maple sugaring, cutting wood, and industrial use.  It is not for recreational use.  This operator and passenger were basically joy riding on a road in Walpole with a special commercial plate.  Rather than issue a ticket, he made a decision to treat it as a learning experience for them and to educate them on the rules and regulations of what the special commercial plate is for so they would be able to use it properly.  

The laws are created by the State and he has to enforce them like any State Trooper or Town Police officer.  For 9, almost 10 years, he has only had issues with people damaging private property and/or operating where they should not be.   Fish and Game covers 20 towns.  When you get a special commercial plate through your Town, you get a sheet that has to be signed for with the “UTV Requirements for Special Commercial (Spec Comm) Plates/Road Use”.  When it is being abused, it hurts the people who are using them properly.  He does not control license plates.  These machines are allowed to be operated on the roads like any other vehicle.  The requirements for the equipment are for their safety as many people are not looking for them to be on the roads.  That is why lights, reflectors, etc. are required.  They are not used for recreation but rather transportation purposes. Under RSA 215, it describes OHRV use for recreational purposes.  How he enforces this is with discretion.  There are usually factors, circumstances; there is a reason.  He takes all that into perspective in how he enforces that rule.  It is not always “black-and-white”.  

He quite often gets questioned as to why one cannot ride ATVs all over like they do up north.  Up north some towns and cities have ordinances and have voted to allow ATVs on either all their roads or some of their roads.  In some towns the Selectboard can authorize the opening up of certain roads.  Up north anyone can come in from all parts of the country/world, unload their machines and they can ride on those roads. Those towns also have more ATV Clubs that get permission from private land owners.  It is similar to our local snowmobile clubs who work very hard to get permission to use private properties for snowmobile trails.  Up north the towns and cities are not the only ones doing enforcement, they are working with the Fish and Game, Sheriff’s Department and Border Patrol.  These agencies are equipped with machines for patrols, they are trained for enforcement, court documents, etc.  They are having an influx of people seven days a week.  People are bringing in their machines or renting machines and riding.  The question of the rail trails came up.  They are closed to motorized vehicles but they are open in the winter for snowmobiles.  The State and/or Snowmobile Clubs might use motorized vehicles to repair the trails, etc.  You can walk, hike, and ride a bike.  You can ride an electric bike on a rail trail unless it is 750 watts or more.  

Officer DeLisle opened up the discussion for questions / comments from those in attendance.

Mr. Tom Dupell lives on County Road.  He asked if they have a properly registered ATV, are they allowed to ride on Class VI roads in Walpole.  Officer DeLisle responded that if they are properly registered, they cannot ride on any public right-of-way and Class VI roads. The difference is recreational use vs transportation use.  Mr. Dupell said they can ride on the Class VI roads in Walpole with a registered truck or Jeep but they cannot ride on them with an ATV.  Officer DeLisle asked if he knew of anybody who got a ticket for this.  Mr. Dupell said “no”.  With proper registration can they ride on that road and the answer was “no” not in the Town of Walpole.  Officer DeLisle said you cannot ride for recreational purposes.  Mr. Dupell said if they have an off-road sticker on an ATV they cannot ride on a Class VI road.  Officer DeLisle said it depends on whether he is using it for recreational or transportation use.  Mr. Dupell said he can go over to Derry Hill Road and ride all over the place with his truck or Jeep.  He can ride on Class VI roads in Walpole but not with an ATV.  Mr. Dupell said the Town would have to make an exception for this.  Officer DeLisle noted if one wants to ride recreationally, one has to go to an area that is approved.  Derry Hill is a Class VI road.  Officer DeLisle is not aware of anyone getting a ticket for riding an ATV on that road as there are landowners who need ATVs for transportation to and on their property. The State laws state they cannot operate on a public right-of-way so he has to use his discretion. They cannot operate an ATV for recreational purposes.  Mr. Dupell said they can work with the Selectboard to put an ordinance in place.  Officer DeLisle said that would open it up to the entire country/world.  He is not aware of anyone getting a ticket for riding on a Class VI road.  

Mr. Dalessio questioned if Mr. Dupell owns a piece of property on Derry Hill. If so, he could drive up to his property in a legal way.  Officer DeLisle said “of course”.  Mr. Dalessio said by not being a landowner, it becomes recreational.  Mr. Dupell asked if he can have two registrations.  Officer DeLisle said he could. Visiting his friend would be recreational.  The only way to have recreational use on a Town road would be for the Selectboard to vote to open it to everybody.  It would put all enforcement solely on the Town and not NH Fish and Game.  

Mr. Gary Speed lives on Maple Grove Road.  He is also on the Conservation Commission.  This off road usage has been an issue for years.  There is a group from out-of-towners that goes over all these roads and they go up to High Blue.  It is not illegal. Mrs. Pschirrer advised they could present a warrant article by petition at Town Meeting.  RSA 215-A:6 includes a statement as follows: “IX. Pursuant to RSA 215:A:15, city or town councils and board of selectmen may authorize the use of sidewalks and class IV, class V or class VI highways and bridges, or portions thereof, for use by OHRVs.”  This would require a Public Hearing following a 14 day notice.  This is an alternative to an ordinance or going to Town Meeting.  It would be a majority vote by ballot.  They would have to talk about the implications as this would include the work load of the Walpole Police Department.

Mrs. Jan Galloway-Leclerc asked if the Town should decide to permit ATVs, it would be for anybody from anywhere?  Officer DeLisle said it would open it up to everybody.  It could be all Class VI roads or certain Class VI roads or portions of some Class VI roads.  Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc stated it could be a problem for property owners.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted the RSA are clear the use of the roads could not be limited to local residents.                                  

Mrs. Kara Dexter advised that we are not limiting people from coming into Town using these roads.  It would not change anything.  Officer DeLisle said they are allowed to use the public-way.  With her motorcycle she can ride on any public-way.  Mrs. Dexter has a motorcycle with plates and a permit.  It is important to keep these class VI roads open.  She picks up a lot of trash town-wide.  When she goes into the woods on her motorcycle and finds trash, she does not have the proper vehicle to pick it all up.  She has friends with trucks and ATVs who can go in there and pick up the trash.  It is important to keep these roads open.  

Todd Patch lives on the Upper Walpole Valley Road.  He snowplows his own area plus a neighbors’ driveway, but he has to go on the road to get there.  Officer DeLisle replied that Mr. Patch is not using it recreationally or as part of a business; that is something he would not address.

Responding to a question Officer DeLisle said the Selectboard can open any roads or sections of roads not only Class VI roads.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that if they are interested in a change they should get together as a group and organize so they can come back and present something concrete that they would like to see happen.  The Selectboard can do all the publicity and call the public meeting.  If they come up with something, as a group, that they want, they will need to persuade the whole Town who will have the opportunity to vote.  They need to be willing to take on and defend the ordinance because it will increase the Town’s expenses.  The Selectboard will leave the next step to the people.

Mrs. Pschirrer noted that farm vehicles have great latitude in where they go.  However, we are not talking about those vehicles but rather the 4-wheel drive vehicles that go wherever they please.  Some are destructive.  In the north-country they opened up the roads to survive.  Officer DeLisle said the majority of people in this area are respectful of other people’s properties.  They have to use their plates in compliance with the State’s rules and regulations.  While people stay on the rights-of-way that is acceptable but once they leave and go onto private property and do damage that is something Officer DeLisle takes very seriously.

Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio thanked Officer DeLisle for attending.  They also thanked all the people present for coming into this meeting.               

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $60,424.22 for checks issued December 11, 2020.  This includes a $24,214.89 payment to the NH Retirement System.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending December 5, 2020, in the amount of $28,607.82 for checks dated December 11, 2020, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,510.47.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – December 3, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 3, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 3, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of December 3, 2020, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following committee reports:• Walpole Fire District Meeting – October 14, 2020;• Walpole Fire District Meeting – November 11, 2020.

WARRANTS:

WALPOLE WATER TAX LIEN:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Walpole Water Tax Lien in the amount of $1,534.89.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

WALPOLE SEWER TAX LIEN:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Walpole Sewer Tax Lien in the amount of $3,804.44.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NORTH WALPOLE SEWER TAX LIEN:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the North Walpole Sewer Tax Lien in the amount of $15,830.45.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:

MAP and LOT #021-014-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $5,146.00 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #021-014-000.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #024-015-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $300.90 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #024-015-000.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #010-024-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $2,497.03 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #010-024-000.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION:

MAP and LOT #007-024-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Solar Energy Exemption in the amount of $13,200.00 for the new property owner.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:

MAP and LOT #009-006-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Map and Lot #009-006-000 located off of Maple Grove Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #009-008-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Map and Lot #009-008-000 located off of Maple Grove Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #009-029-003 with #009-030-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Map and Lots #009-029-003 and #009-030-000 (two small lots) located off of French Road (Class VI).  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Travel Policy for Employees:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to put the Travel Policy for Employees “on-hold” until the next meeting.

Sewer Bond and Usage Fees:  Mr. Dalessio spoke with Mr. Mark Houghton and they decided to leave the sewer user rates the same but to modify the bond rate based on usage.  This will be effective with the first quarter bills generated in April 2021.  

Pending Further Actions:

Town Street Lights, Tax Deeded Property Sale, Houghton Brook Bridge Repair and Reservoir Dam Repairs will remain on future agendas pending further action.

NEW BUSINESS:

Cemetery Deed D582:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for Lot #D582.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. 

Cemetery Deed D593:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for Lot #D593.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Emergency Generators:  Mr. Justin Cassarino would like to discuss getting an emergency generator as the Walpole Elementary School has been listed as an approved shelter in the Walpole Emergency Plan.  Mr. Dalessio suggested Mrs. Downing contact Ms. Liz Gilboy of NH Homeland Security as she had mentioned that federal monies were available for this.  He also recommended that after the first of the year they should get Mr. Mark Houghton involved.  Mrs. Pschirrer will email Mr. Cassarino to let him know they will contact Ms. Gilboy.    

December Staff Meeting:  The Selectboard agreed to cancel the Thursday, December 17^th, 2020, Staff Meeting. The department managers have been working on their 2021 proposed budgets and will be meeting individually with the Selectboard tomorrow.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into a Non-Public SelectboardSession pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:41 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:03 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of the December 10, 2020, meeting will be sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

The Town Clerk and Tax Collector’s Office will not be open on Friday, 12/18/2020. However, the Town Hall will be staffed from 8 am to 4 pm. If someone would like to pay their taxes, they need to knock on the outside door and they can drop their tax payment off. The Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office will be open on Monday morning.