Serving Walpole, New Hampshire since 2005
If the COVID numbers weren’t bad enough, here is more good news from Sandy Smith! :-) – Lil
Tax Rates:
Walpole – $26.95 per thousand
North Walpole – $29.22 per thousand
Tax bills have mailed today, 11/16/2020 and will be due on 12/17/2020. Early payments are encouraged and appreciated.
Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Jeff Colley, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Absent: Joanna Andros.
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the December 2020 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.
Roll Call: Mr. Miller opened the meeting at 7 pm. There was a quorum for the meeting.
Minutes: Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Old Business:
Public Hearing:
Lot Line Adjustment: Jeddediah and Lila Pellerin, 116 Brewery Road, Tax Map 14, Lots 11 and 11-1, Residential B. Transfer .2 acres from Lot 11 to Lot 11-1. Lot 11 is owned by James F. Mort and Marilyn D. Dooley, 100 Brewery Road.
Surveyor Joe DiBernardo represented the Pellerins. He explained the lot line adjustment was a simple transfer of property so the septic system and well that was on the Mort property would now be on the Pellerin property and there wouldn’t be any problem if the Pellerins wanted to sell. He said it is pretty straightforward.
Mr. Miller asked if there were any questions. There being none, he closed the Public Hearing. Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the Lot Line Adjustment as presented. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Subdivision:
Request for a Public Hearing for December: Mr. DiBernardo represented Jay Landry of Tilton, NH, who wants to subdivide two lots into four lots on land that is between Old Keene Road and Wentworth Road – Tax Map 17, Lots 5 and 5-1 in Residential A. Mr. DiBernardo said that all the lots conformed to the lot standards for that zoning district – at least 40,000 square feet with 200 feet of road frontage. The new lots would be:
Lot 5.1 – 2.19 acres with 200 feet road frontage on Wentworth Road;
Lot 5-2 – 1.67 acres with 200 feet road frontage on Wentworth Road;
Lot 5-3 – 1.15 acres with 200 feet road frontage on Wentworth Road;
and 5-4 – 6.22 acres with 203.61 feet road frontage on Old Keene Road and 48.5 feet road frontage on Wentworth Road.
Mr. DiBernardo passed out four plats and the Board looked at them while Mr. DiBernardo discussed the lot size and road frontage. Mr. Landry purchased the property is September.
Mr. Marcom made a motion to hold a Public Hearing in December for the subdivision. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
ZBA Request for a Public Hearing – short-term rentals:
The Zoning Board of Adjustment wants to include short-term rentals in the current Bed and Breakfast ordinance. Ms. Jan-Galloway Leclerc, chair of the ZBA, was there to explain the rationale for that request. The board members received copies of the proposed new ordinance and current ordinance for bed and breakfasts.
Ms. Leclerc said that the ZBA had a question about an Airbnb and whether that required special attention. Ms. Leclerc checked with Walpole’s town counsel, Jeremy Hockensmith, and asked if the bed and breakfast ordinance covered short-term rentals and he said no. He advised that Walpole should put something on the books as soon as possible that would address short-term rentals. Apparently, short-term rentals in New Hampshire towns are getting to be quite popular. So the ZBA Board decided to modify the bed and breakfast ordinance so a short-term rental would require site plan approval too.
Mr. Dalessio asked if there was at one time a question about the number of rooms. Ms. Leclerc said that the state says a bed and breakfast has four or more rooms. Our ordinance says up to four rooms.
What is the difference between a short-term rental, more commonly known as Airbnb, and a bed and breakfast? Walpole’s bed and breakfast ordinance requires serving breakfast and the establishment is owner-occupied. With short-term rentals the owner could be from out of state and breakfast is not served. What if the owner were on the premises, does that make it a bed and breakfast. Ms. Leclerc said yes if they are serving breakfast.
The next question was “what if they are just renting rooms?” Apparently this is a gray area, Ms. Leclerc said. The NH Municipal Association said our bed and breakfast ordinance might cover short-term rentals, but Mr. Hockensmith said no. So as it stands right now there is no oversight on short-term rentals. Some are whole houses and others are just a room, but there is very little regulation.
What’s the difference between someone renting part of a house or the whole house? Mr. Miller asked. Ms. Leclerc said it’s a question of time.
What difference does it make if it’s one week, one month or a three years? Mr. Miller asked. Someone has the right to rent their whole house. Ms. Leclerc said the behavior is different for someone renting a house for a week or weekend, when someone may be attending a wedding, than a person renting that house for three years? Mr. Miller said it’s just an agreement between the landlord and the tenant.
Mr. Perron said some towns are having issues with short-term rentals so they’ve come up as an ordinance. Mr. Dalessio said Airbnb is a company, therefore it’s commercial.
Ms. Leclerc said that the ZBA is not trying to limit short-term rentals or prevent them. The ZBA just thinks they need site plan approval so people aren’t parking on their neighbor’s lawn or doing anything that might cause a complaint.
“If it were I,” Ms. Leclerc said, “I’d like to know if we could have totally different strangers every week as neighbors.” If you’re asking the owner of a bed and breakfast, who lives there, to have site plan approval then at least it seems reasonable to ask the owner of a home being used for short-term rentals to have site plan approval.
Mr. Perron said that’s the difference. The owner of a bed and breakfast has an investment in the community. An owner with a short-term rental could have bachelor parties there every week and not even be aware of what’s going on.
Ms. Leclerc said that the Board looked at several different short-term rental ordinances from other towns. She continued that it’s important to get something on the books before this gets out of hand. Mr. Miller said, “I still go back the resident. You have a right to rent to anyone the owner wants to.”
Mr. Dalessio said he was not opposed to an ordinance, but short-term rentals needs a definition. Ms. Leclerc said there was one and the secretary would send it to the Board.
Mr. Miller said he would contact Southwest Region Planning Commission. He also thought that short-term rentals probably need a Special Exception not a site plan review.
Ms. Leclerc said from the beginning, when ordinances were adopted, site plans were needed to have a bed and breakfast. Short-term rentals fall under that category of having guests for a remuneration.
Mr. Miller said the rationale at the time the bed and breakfast ordinance was adopted was that the town had a lot of big white buildings owned by older residents and it gave them an economic incentive to open up their homes to accommodate guests.
Short-term rentals are an economic enterprise. They are subject to a room and meals tax. Mr. Miller said if a room and meals tax is applied then he could see that an ordinance is needed. Mr. Dalessio said Airbnb is a trade name and a commercial enterprise and they would pay the rooms and meals tax. But what about someone local? How does the state even know there was a home being used for short-term rentals?
Ms. Leclerc mentioned that Cheryl Mayberry told her about her hometown that is being ruined by having so many short-term rental establishments. She said it had completely changed the town and now the cost of housing is so expensive that the local property owners can’t afford to live there.
A Board member asked, “How many days defines a short-term rental? Is it 30 days, 14 days, three months?”
Mr. Miller said that the Board has some questions. Perhaps, in the meantime, in order to accommodate the zoning schedule, the WPB can start the process. There are two more months that the ZBA can hold a Public Hearing to place an article on the warrant. If short-term rentals were an ordinance that required a public hearing it would give neighbors a chance to comment and put the abutters in the know about what is happening next door. The public would also have some standing if a problem at a short-term rental occurred.
Mr. Perron made a motion to have a public hearing next month regarding short-term rentals. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.
It was left that the secretary would forward Mr. Hockensmith’s letter to the WPB and that the secretary would send the WPB copies of other ordinances from New Hampshire towns and a definition of short-term rental. Mr. Miller will contact Lisa Murphy at SWRPC about the matter.
Master Plan discussion: The Board decided that they preferred to have a discussion of the final drafts of the three updated sections of the Master Plan when someone from Southwest Regional Planning Commission could attend a meeting.
Sidewalk grant: Mr. Miller talked with J. B. Mack, who is in charge of transportation at SWRPC. Mr. Mack said at this time federal funds are not available and are “on hold.” Things might change in the spring and Mr. Mack would be in touch.
Adjournment: Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
WPB Secretary
It’s not good but we need to know. – Lil
COVID by the Numbers—November 14 edition
Buckle up folks, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
In the first week of November, there were 35 new cases of COVID-19 in Cheshire County. In the second week of November, the number of new cases more than doubled, to 78 new cases. I would give you the numbers and locations of the current cases, but the DHHS web site that gives these numbers is down for maintenance until at least Monday. The 7 day moving average of cases per 100,000 in Cheshire County as of November 12 was 10.5, up from 3.0 less than two weeks ago on November 1. Cheshire County has lost its place as having the lowest 7 day average in the state; it is now third lowest, behind Carroll and Grafton.
Statewide last week the total number of new confirmed cases was 2088, for an average of 298 new cases a day. Friday the 13th lived up to its reputation by delivering 462 new confirmed cases. Hospitalizations, which were at 38 at the beginning of the month, are now at 68. 10 more of our citizens died this week. Three of those departed were from our neighboring Sullivan County. The statewide 7 day moving average of cases per 100,000 is at 23.9 as of November 14. That is up from 4.5 on November 1. New Hampshire has gone from having the 3rd or even 2nd lowest rate per 100,000 in the United States to being 41st out of 51, higher than not only Vermont(8.0) and Maine(12.6), but also higher than New York, Washington, Oregon, California, The District of Columbia, Georgia, Virginia and Hawaii.
Nationally, the 7 day moving average of cases per 100,000 has risen from 24 to 44 since November 1.
Wear your mask. And if you breathe with that nose, wear your mask over your nose.
Keep your distance—a full six feet.
Wash your hands.
Be incredibly careful if you meet with friends and loved ones who are not members of your household.
And keep well.
~ Representative Lucy Weber lwmcv@comcast.net 603-499-0282.
Selectboard Present:Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Cheryl Mayberry; Steven Dalessio
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She introduced Ms. Cheryl Mayberry and Mr. Steven Dalessio, the other two Selectboard members. Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, are also in attendance. This meeting was being recorded. There were no members of the public in attendance.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $24,589.47 for checks issued November 6, 2020. This includes a payment to E.E. Houghton in the amount of $6,787.04 for water/sewer operations and Town building maintenance. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. 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 October 31, 2020, in the amount of $31,151.53 for checks dated November 6, 2020, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,509.62. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MINUTES – October 29, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 29, 2020, as submitted. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – October 29, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 29, 2020, as submitted. These Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.
TIMBER TAX WARRANT:
CERTIFICATION of YIELD TAXES ASSESSED For MAPand LOT #027-006-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed for Map and Lot #027-006-000, Operation Number 20-461-001-T, in the amount of $2,239.72. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
TIMBER YIELD TAX LEVY For MAP and LOT #027-006-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Timber Yield Tax Levy for Map and Lot #027-006-000 in the amount of $2,239.72. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
BUILDING PERMIT:
Building Permit #2020-48; MAP and LOT #012-059-001: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-48 for the owners of Map and Lot #012-059-001 to build a “10’ x 12’ Shed”. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
2020 Preliminary Tax Rate: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the 2020 Preliminary Tax Rate from the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA). A decision needs to be made today so Mr. Rich Kreissle can respond to the DRA tomorrow for the overlay and amount of money the Selectboard wishes to withhold to use. The Unassigned Fund Balance is $2,136,701. This is slightly less than last year but not a significant difference. Last year they retained 17% or the maximum. The minimum they can keep is 5%. For two years in a row they have retained a similar overlay of $61,192. At this time they do not know what the disparity between the sale prices of properties and their assessed value is, but they do know that properties are selling above their assessed values. Mrs. Pschirrer noted that last year they kept $400,000 which they allocated to various things the Town needed. They are retaining the maximum allowed. Mrs. Sandra Smith is anxious because she hopes by next Thursday the Selectboard will sign the warrant so she can process and mail tax bills the following Monday.
Mr. Dalessio moved to do the same as last year which is to use $400,000 of the Unassigned Fund Balance of $2,136,701 to be used for various needs in the Town and stay with the same overlay. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Reservoir Dam Repairs: There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) at 1:00 PM with Fuss and O’Neill.
Pending Further Actions:
Quote for Pool Roof: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that they cannot find any notes that indicate the pool roof was to be a part of the 2020 Article for Town building repairs. Therefore, she suggested it go into the 2021 Budget as it cannot get done until the spring. Ms. Mayberry is agreeable to having it go into the 2021 Budget.
Sewer Bond Fees: Mr. Dalessio advised they will run a model as they want to be sure there will be enough money to pay for the bond and reduce the user fee a little bit. It is being worked on.
Town Street Lights: Mrs. Pschirrer spoke with Mr. Steven Grenier about the Town street lights. He is happy to work on this project.
Tax Deeded Property Sale: This item will remain on the agenda.
Houghton Brook Bridge Repair and Grant: Mr. Dalessio hopes to have an update tomorrow.
NEW BUSINESS:
MRRTC Support Request: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that theMonadnock Regional Rail Trail Collaborative (MRRTC) would like to have the Town’s endorsement on what they want to do. They made a presentation to the Conservation Commission last Monday. Ms. Mayberry feels it will be continued at the December meeting of the Conservation Commission. At this point they are asking for support; there are no financial obligations. Mrs. Pschirrer will draft a letter of support for what the MRRTC would like to do and bring it back to the next Selectboard meeting.
HealthTrust Annual Meeting and Board Elections: A notice was received from the HealthTrust that their Annual Member Meeting & Board Elections will still be held on December 1, 2020, but it will now be a virtual format as NH continues to deal with the impacts of COVID-19.
Mr. Dalessio moved to allow Mrs. Sarah Downing to represent the Town of Walpole at the Annual Meeting and Board Elections of the HealthTrust. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Dalessio moved to authorize the Selectboard Chair, Peggy L. Pschirrer, to sign the Certificate of Authorizing Resolution to confirm that Mrs. Sarah Downing is authorized to vote on behalf of the Town of Walpole. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, motion was approved.
Yoga Classes in Town Hall: Mrs. Pschirrer reported a request was received from Kate Kim, a certified yoga instructor, to use the Town Hall to teach yoga classes. There will be no set fee but donations would be accepted that she would then give to an organization in Town. Participants would wear masks and be asked to sign COVID-19 waivers. Ms. Mayberry would be fine with this. In yoga they use mats on the floor rather than tables and chairs. Mr. Dalessio would be uncomfortable with the number of users (groups) using the Town Hall. Mrs. Pschirrer noted the Town’s Boards/Committees also meet in this room. Mr. Brad Nash has to sanitize the room after each use. Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that at some time the Selectboard might have to consider going back to Zoom meetings given increases in COVID-19 cases. They will have to alert the Town Boards/Committees of the possibility of going back to Zoom meetings. People are becoming more nervous now that everyone is moving indoors due to the weather. There was a consensus to ask Mrs. Kim to return in the spring because now is not a good time for the Selectboard to allow another group to use the Town Hall.
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. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. On a roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:02 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:13 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 5, 2020, will be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, motion was approved.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Veterans’ Day: Mrs. Pschirrer announced that next Wednesday, November 11th, 2020, is Veterans’ Day. The Selectboard Office and other Town departments will be closed to observe this Holiday.
COVID-19: Dr. Charles Shaw and Ms. France Menk came into the meeting. Dr. Shaw explained they have been working on signage. Ms. Menk displayed sketches of buttons and magnets, T-shirts and signs for outside of business/stores, the schools, etc. Mrs. Pschirrer noted many stores have their own signs. These are to remind everyone to “Wear Masks”, “Social Distancing” and “Washing Hands”. They thought the T-shirts should be a pale color so the lettering stands out. Dr. Shaw mentioned that Mr. Jacobs was concerned about parents showing up at the school fields with many of them were not wearing masks. Mrs. Pschirrer would like to see similar signs on the Westminster Street field as soon as it is used for winter activities. She asked about funds to pay for these items. The Town has used the CARES money the Town was allocated. There was discussion about the Conservation Commission having money as well as the welfare account. Ms. Menk felt the T-shirts would be sold. Mrs. Pschirrer suggested the buttons state “I Wear A Mask”. Everyone attending approved. She felt for $1,000 they could buy a lot. Ms. Mayberry felt they could use welfare funds. A couple of signs should go to the Recycling Center as they are using handmade signs at this time. Dr. Shaw suggested that they do more research on prices and come back to the next Selectboard meeting.
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. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden
I advertised the closing day for the December issue of the CLARION as November 20, but the printer, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, asked if I could have the files for printing to them on November 20. So, if you have something for the December issue, please get it to me sometime on Thursday the 19th so I can get the files to the printer, so I can have the hardcopy CLARION in your hands by the 1st.
Most all of my contributors are many days early, so this should not be a problem. But if submitting something, please do get it to me as soon as possible. Likewise, if you are thinking of advertising for the first time, please email or call me so I can make sure you are included in the last issue for this calendar year.
AGAIN – love to have your inputs a day earlier on the 19th — should not be a problem for you since about everyone is always days before the published closing date. Thank you so much, Wear your mask and stay well, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher
We know ir’s late but some days are like that! If you’ve been waiting, here is tonight’s agenda. -Lil
TOWN OF WALPOLE
SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA
November 12, 2020
SELECTBOARD MEETING
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $60,268.59 for checks issued 11/13/2020
PAYROLL• Payroll Register totaling $33,741.01 dated 11/13/2020 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,151.34
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES• Selectboard Minutes – November 5, 2020• Non-Public Selectboard Session – November 5, 2020
COMMITTEE REPORTS• Conservation Commission Meeting – November 2, 2020• Hooper Institute Board Meeting – November 4, 2020
OLD BUSINESS• ATV/Off Road Vehicles on Class V and VI Roads• Promotional items re: COVID-19 Education• 2020 Preliminary Tax Rate• MRRTC Support Letter
Pending Further Actions• Sewer Bond Fees, Town Street Lights, Tax Deeded Property Sale, Houghton Brook Bridge Repair and Grant,Reservoir Dam Repairs
NEW BUSINESS• Moose Plate Grant’s Certificate of Municipality
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**
This coming Saturday November 14th, BSA Scouts will be at the following locations from 9 to 12 to collect non-perishable food and monetary donations to benefit the Fall Mountain Food Shelf. We also accept pet food (dog and cat only) because when people can’t afford pet food they feed the pets their own food.
Please No Glass or Frozen foods. Please take the time to come and donate to this great cause. Locations are the Walpole Post Office, Tractor Supply, Discount Food Warehouse, and the Walpole Recycling Center.
COVID by the Numbers—November 7 Edition
Here is what has happened since my last report, at the end of October.
On November 7, there were 9 new cases confirmed in Cheshire County, more than on any other day so far. There were no new cases on the 1st, but in the last 6 days, there have been 35 new cases confirmed in the county. The number of currently active confirmed cases in Cheshire County have increased from 31 to 50. Currently, the active cases are in Rindge (16) Keene(12) Jaffrey(5) and the following towns with 1-4 each—Westmoreland, Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Winchester, Swanzey, Harrisville, and Dublin. The 7 day average of cases per 100,000, 3.2 as of October 29, was 5.6 as of November 5.
Statewide, the number of new cases per day topped 200 in each of the last 3 days. Statewide hospitalizations, which were at 42 at the end of November, dipped to 38 on the 1st of November, but rose to 49 on Nov. 7th. And 6 more of our citizens have died this week.
None of this is good news. Cheshire County, which still has the lowest average rate of daily confirmed infections, went from having an average 0.6 infections a day just a month ago to 5.6 a day now. Coos County, which had the lowest rates all through the spring, now has an average of 36.2 cases per day per 100,000. The numbers of actual cases are not that large, of course, because Coos County does not have 100,000 people in it, but if their rates can go up this shockingly, so can ours. All signals are that there is ever more community spread, some of it from people who are asymptomatic and who have no way to know they have the disease.
One thing I have noticed recently is that people, masked and unmasked, are far less careful than they were to keep the six foot distance. It is difficult, because most of us want to engage with other people, but measure it out, and try to observe that distance with all people not of your household.
Wear your mask, even when distancing.
Keep your distance, even when wearing your mask.
Wash your hands.
And keep well.
~Representative Lucy Weber
~Lucy
Members Present: Alicia Flammia, John Peska, Laura Hayes, Lew Shelley, France Menk, Steven Dumont, Cheryl Mayberry, Selectboard Representative, Peggy Pschirrer, Selectboard member, Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary
Members Absent: Jackie Kensen
Alternates Present: None
Visitor: Mike Kowalczyk, Michael Nerrie, Marsha Galloway
Call to Order: Alicia called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at Walpole Town Hall.
Review and Approval of Minutes: Alicia was asked by Holly Gowdy to amend the October 5 minutes to state that the field at Walker Road is not good for agriculture in its current state. With this addition, Laura moved; John seconded, and all approved acceptance of the October 5 minutes.
Correspondence: Alicia presented an invoice for $12.99 for materials for the Gateway to be paid from the Walker Road account. John moved; Laura seconded, and all approved payment.
Treasury: Forestry Account – $30, 818.84
Conservation Account – $142,745.52
Walker Road Account -$3,363.72
New Business
MRRTC Presentation: Mike Kowalczyk of the Monadnock Regional Rail Trail Collaborative (MRRTC) made a presentation about this organization, whose mission is to restore and maintain the Cheshire, Ashuelot, and Fort Hill rail trails throughout the Monadnock region. He explained the benefits of maintaining these trails are numerous: provides economic activity in the towns where they are located, increases tourism, provides bike trails, increases healthy activities, preserves ecosystems, and reduces air pollution.
Mike provided a brief history of the Rail Trail, which is administered by the NH Bureau of Trails. He outlined which are improved, unimproved, and under restoration and showed detailed maps of each trail. The Cheshire Rail Trail plan includes restoration and maintenance from the NH/MA state line near Winchendon to the state line near Bellows Falls. Trail length is 43 miles. The Ashuelot Rail Trail plan includes trail restoration from Emerald Street in Keene, NH, to Hinsdale, NH, the trail’s end. Trail length is 21.75 miles. The Fort Hill Trail is unplanned at this time.
Mike explained that restoration means the trails are being made suitable for recreational snowmobiling.
Trails need to have working drainage ditches, culverts, a 14’ wide crushed stone surface, and gates at road crossings. Maintenance includes removing trees and brush from trails, keeping culverts working, unclogging ditches, and repairing trail surfaces.
Mike outlined nine pieces of the project: 1. make plans, 2. secure funding, 3. gain municipality commitment, 4. resolve private encroachment, 5. gain federal and state commitment, 6. create maintenance plans, 7. put together working teams (volunteers), 8. create a cost estimate spreadsheet, and 9. find matching funds.
France asked if there is some way the MRRTC communicates needs. See their website at monadnockrailtrails.org. She asked if there is a policy of hanging signs on the trails. Mike said they put signs on a 4×4 post off to the side of the trail so maintenance equipment can pass. They do not hang signs on trees. France thanked him for the work that has been done in Walpole.
Marsha Galloway explained that snowmobile clubs are taking care of railroad beds for the winter. Mike stated volunteers are needed to run maintenance equipment in the summer and snowmobile clubs will do winter maintenance. She asked Mike if there are any ideas how to cross the Cold River, making a connection with Bellows Falls. Mike answered not yet.
Steven asked when the gates will open. Mike explained the DOT follows Bureau of Trails mandates.
ROW – Michael Nerrie: Michael, John, Peter, and others met with National Grid to discuss ROW. Michael stated he has a grant from NSCS to do a wildlife plan for his entire property. He believes a natural resource inventory should be done in order to decide where energies should be put in managing the wildlife. Michael said he will contact Antioch students to do a survey and they can help manage the ROW with mowing and herbicides. They all can work with National Grid and tell National Grid how they would like it managed.
Michael stated he read the WCC 2006 Plan and asked if WCC could initiate action for wildlife on the plan. Alicia asked how the WCC can take action on the plan and it was suggested that they talk first with Peter Palmiotto, who was at the National Grid meeting. It was decided at that meeting first step would be the natural resource inventory.
Bellam Farm – Christmas Trees: Alicia received an email from Holly Gowdy, who owns property near a well site. She asked if they should keep mowing. They have a conservation easement and she wonders if they can grow Christmas trees. Alicia wants to know how close the area is to the well field and if this requires herbicides, pesticides, and/or fertilizers.
Lew said it would be an effective ways to use the property. Though it would take at least 7 years to harvest the first trees, this would be a lucrative opportunity for them.
Alicia stated Holly would like to attend a WCC meeting to discuss this.
WCC Meeting Time: Alicia said she heard members talking about changing the start time of the WCC monthly meetings. Laura and France suggested 7:00. John reminded the group that other town organizations start their meetings at 7:00. Steven moved; France seconded, and all voted in favor of starting WCC monthly meetings at 7:00 p.m. beginning in December.
Public Forum: Alicia referenced her email to the group about her meeting with the professional facilitator. The facilitator suggested putting comment boxes around town with specific framed questions about camping, Walker Road, etc. Surveys could be put up at the kiosk. Then gather the comments and sift them into themes to discuss at the public forum.
Alicia asked how the WCC could connect with the community before the forum. She asked the group to think of questions to ask and locations for comment boxes for next month’s meeting.
Alicia said she is meeting this Wednesday with a facilitator who can help frame some questions, decide where to put the boxes, collate the comments, and lead the meeting.
Alicia asked if they should hire a facilitator for the forum. Lew stated they have the funds; Alicia said this person would be objective. France said it would be good to hire a facilitator so they can do it right. Alicia said she would get more information. Lew suggested having a small group work with her, so they have a tentative plan to present at the December meeting. Alicia said she would send out an email after her meeting and set that up.
Old Business
Trail Committee: Steven said he had seven responses to his article in the Clarion asking for community members to join the Trail Committee.
Trail Maps: Alicia said the SW Regional Planning Commission will take the map files and make up the maps. Just decide on the desired format and intent of the map. They will do it at a cost of $50/hour for members. Alicia said turnaround time is quick.
Laura said Antioch can do it less expensively, but since SW Regional Planning was so quick to respond, they might be a good choice. John stated they have discussed this so often, go with SW Regional Planning and get it done quickly. There are other maps; maybe they could ask Antioch to do those later.
Alicia suggested having individual trail maps done now and larger maps showing all trails later. France suggested having an individual trail map on one side and a small version of the region on the back.
Lew volunteered to help Alicia with maps.
Dates for Blazing Trails: Steven said all trails need to be marked. Lew said the Conservancy has maps that would be helpful and said they may have already marked some of the property. Laura, Steven, Alicia, Kara, France, and Lew volunteered to help. Steven said he would send an email with guidelines for marking. Lew suggested painting 3×5 inch rectangles.
Tree marking will take place Sunday, November 8. Meet at Town Hall at 10:00 a.m. Steven will get the latex enamel exterior paint and brushes.
Reservoir Dam: Fuss and O’Neill sent a letter to the town and Houghton with concerns about the new engineer. John said they have done everything in the letter of efficiency. The new engineer has put the dam in a higher hazard category than earlier assessed. There will be a meeting on Friday to figure out how to proceed.
John said he would send a copy of the F & O letter to the membership.
Other Business
Trail Maintenance: Steven is putting the Trail Committee together, including those who volunteered in response to his article. Lew has tools and will give them to Steven. Lew cautioned that they maintain existing trails before creating new ones.
Adjournment: John moved; France seconded, and all voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
The next meeting will be December 7 at 7:00 p.m.* Note new starting time.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary
*** These minutes are in draft form until approved by the Commission in December.
The Walpolean 
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