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Corrected Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 8/19/20
Roll Call: Present: Board Members: Chair Jan Leclerc, Vice-Chair Myra Mansouri, Clerk Tom Murray, Ernie Vose. Alternates: Don Sellarole, Judy Trow. Absent: Pauline Barnes, Bob Anderson, David Edkins.
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April 2020 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.
Meeting Opened: Ms. Leclerc called the meeting to order at 7 pm. There being one Board member absent, Ms. Trow was asked to sit in for Ms. Barnes.
Minutes: Ms. Trow made a motion to approved the July 2020 minutes as written. Mr. Vose seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Old Business:
Public Hearing No. 1.
Expansion of a Non-conforming Use: First Congregational Church of Walpole handicap ramp at the parsonage. Mr. Dale Woodward presenting. Tax map 20, Lot 76, Residential B. Ramp must be 65 feet from the center of the road. Article V, D-2.
Mr. Woodward introduced himself as representing the church trustees. He was at the public hearing for a non-conforming use for a handicap ramp at the parsonage on the Middle Street side of the building. It is closer to the middle of the road than the required 65 feet as is the house and the whole neighborhood, he said. The end of the ramp is 40 feet from the center of the road and 17 feet from the sidewalk. The porch is 60 feet from the center of the road.
The ramp is needed because the new minister has a study in the parsonage and people want privacy when consulting with him. Our church has an aging population and some are cane and wheelchair users, Mr. Woodard said. The congregation fixed up the parsonage this spring and made it wheelchair accessible throughout the building. Mr. Woodward didn’t realize that a permit was needed to build the ramp.
Ms. Mansouri asked about access. Mr. Woodward said access is off of the driveway. The ramp slope is built to code.
There being no more questions, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Vose made a motion to approve the expansion of a non-conforming use as presented. Ms. Trow seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Woodward was told that since the handicap ramp on Middle Street is more than 100 square feet, he must also go to the Town Office and apply for a building permit.
New Business:
Signage: Walpole Foundation – Replace two signs where Walpole Village Market signs already are – same sizes and same places. The gas station and market are at the corner of Main and Westminster Streets. Raynie Laware of the Walpole Foundation presented.
1.
Ms. Laware did not show up until 7:30 pm. She said she went to the town web site and the web site said ZBA meetings starts at 7:30 pm. Personnel at the Town Offices will be notified of the time change.*
Ms. Laware passed out pictures of two signs, one showing a smaller vertical sign saying “Jake’s Walpole Market,” which is already there. The two replacement signs will be in the same places and look like the larger sign in the picture. One sign will face Main Street and the other sign will face Westminster Street. One sign will be 71/2 inches by 14 inches high and the other is 8 feet long by 14 inches high.
Seeing as both signs are conforming and replacement signs, Ms. Trow made a motion to approve them as presented. Ms. Mansouri seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Signage: Auto parts store in North Meadow Plaza. No one came to the meeting and the secretary hadn’t had any emails from Gene Niska as of noon on meeting day, her contact with the sign maker in Springfield, MA.
Nonpublic Session: Ms. Mansouri made a motion to go into nonpublic session at 7:30 pm. Mr. Murray seconded the motion. The rest of the Board approved the vote. The Board came out of nonpublic session at 7:50 pm. Ms. Trow made a motion that the Board come out of nonpublic session and keep the minutes nonpublic. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Discussion of signs that would be exempt from ZBA approval.
The Board received a copy of some signage in Charlestown. The list categorizes these signs into three types of signs: signs not requiring board approval, temporary signs and prohibited signs. Board members thought some of the items on the list should go into Walpole’s sign ordinance. However, some were redundant, some could be combined because they were of a similar nature and some didn’t fit Walpole’s ordinances. Ms. Trow will pull together a list of ordinances from the night’s discussion of the Charlestown list and it will be ready for discussion at next month’s meeting.
An example is letters items “a” and “k” can be combined. Those ordinances are “Signs bearing only property numbers, postal numbers, and other non-commercial identification” could be combined with “house names and historical markers.” This sign would be under the not requiring board approval category.
Adjournment: Mr. Vose made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Mansouri seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
ZBA Secretary
Posted: Inside Town Offices, on the bulletin board outside the Post Office.
cc: ZBA, WPB, Town Offices, Walpolean.
*Correction of minutes: The Walpole web site www.walpole.nh.us has the correct time for the start of ZBA meetings. Sarah Downing explained it in an email. She said that Raynie Googled the name of the board and that took her to a hidden/draft web page that hasn’t been published. She fixed the time on that page, checked off the box that the webpage be eliminated from search engines and made a note in the text that it’s a draft page. The correct time was posted on a different published page.
2.
Planning Board Agenda – 8/25/20
Walpole Planning Board Workshop
Walpole Town Hall
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Just a reminder that there’s a Planning Board workshop meeting on the second floor of the Town Hall on Tuesday, August 25, at 7 pm. We’ll be discussing the Draft copy of the Master Plan of the Transportation Section and the Implementation Plan.
Marilou Blaine
Secretary
Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 8/19/20
Roll Call: Present: Board Members: Chair Jan Leclerc, Vice-Chair Myra Mansouri, Clerk Tom Murray, Ernie Vose. Alternates: Don Sellarole, Judy Trow. Absent: Pauline Barnes, Bob Anderson, David Edkins.
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April 2020 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.
Meeting Opened: Ms. Leclerc called the meeting to order at 7 pm. There being one Board member absent, Ms. Trow was asked to sit in for Ms. Barnes.
Minutes: Ms. Trow made a motion to approved the July 2020 minutes as written. Mr. Vose seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Old Business:
Public Hearing No. 1.
Expansion of a Non-conforming Use: First Congregational Church of Walpole handicap ramp at the parsonage. Mr. Dale Woodard presenting. Tax map 20, Lot 76, Residential B. Ramp must be 65 feet from the center of the road. Article V, D-2.
Mr. Woodard introduced himself as representing the church trustees. He was at the public hearing for a non-conforming use for a handicap ramp at the parsonage on the Middle Street side of the building. It is closer to the middle of the road than the required 65 feet as is the house and the whole neighborhood, he said. The end of the ramp is 40 feet from the center of the road and 17 feet from the sidewalk. The porch is 60 feet from the center of the road.
The ramp is needed because the new minister has a study in the parsonage and people want privacy when consulting with him. Our church has an aging population and some are cane and wheelchair users, Mr. Woodard said. The congregation fixed up the parsonage this spring and made it wheelchair accessible throughout the building. Mr. Woodard didn’t realize that a permit was needed to build the ramp.
Ms. Mansouri asked about access. Mr. Woodard said access is off of the driveway. The ramp slope is built to code.
There being no more questions, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Vose made a motion to approve the expansion of a non-conforming use as presented. Ms. Trow seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Woodard was told that since the handicap ramp on Middle Street is more than 100 square feet, he must also go to the Town Office and apply for a building permit.
New Business:
Signage: Walpole Foundation – Replace two signs where Walpole Village Market signs already are – same sizes and same places. The gas station and market are at the corner of Main and Westminster Streets. Raynie Laware of the Walpole Foundation presented.
Ms. Laware did not show up until 7:30 pm. She said she went to the town web site and the web site said ZBA meetings starts at 7:30 pm. Personnel at the Town Offices will be notified of the time change.*
Ms. Laware passed out pictures of two signs, one showing a smaller vertical sign saying “Jake’s Walpole Market,” which is already there. The two replacement signs will be in the same places and look like the larger sign in the picture. One sign will face Main Street and the other sign will face Westminster Street. One sign will be 71/2 inches by 14 inches high and the other is 8 feet long by 14 inches high.
Seeing as both signs are conforming and replacement signs, Ms. Trow made a motion to approve them as presented. Ms. Mansouri seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Signage: Auto parts store in North Meadow Plaza. No one came to the meeting and the secretary hadn’t had any emails from Gene Niska as of noon on meeting day, her contact with the sign maker in Springfield, MA.
Nonpublic Session: Ms. Mansouri made a motion to go into nonpublic session at 7:30 pm. Mr. Murray seconded the motion. The rest of the Board approved the vote. The Board came out of nonpublic session at 7:50 pm. Ms. Trow made a motion that the Board come out of nonpublic session and keep the minutes nonpublic. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Discussion of signs that would be exempt from ZBA approval.
The Board received a copy of some signage in Charlestown. The list categorizes these signs into three types of signs: signs not requiring board approval, temporary signs and prohibited signs. Board members thought some of the items on the list should go into Walpole’s sign ordinance. However, some were redundant, some could be combined because they were of a similar nature and some didn’t fit Walpole’s ordinances. Ms. Trow will pull together a list of ordinances from the night’s discussion of the Charlestown list and it will be ready for discussion at next month’s meeting.
An example is letters items “a” and “k” can be combined. Those ordinances are “Signs bearing only property numbers, postal numbers, and other non-commercial identification” could be combined with “house names and historical markers.” This sign would be under the not requiring board approval category.
Adjournment: Mr. Vose made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Mansouri seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
ZBA Secretary
Posted: Inside Town Offices, on the bulletin board outside the Post Office.
cc: ZBA, WPB, Town Offices, Walpolean.
*Correction of minutes: The Walpole web site www.walpole.nh.us has the correct time for the start of ZBA meetings. Sarah Downing explained it in an email. She said that Raynie Googled the name of the board and that took her to a hidden/draft web page that hasn’t been published. She fixed the time on that page, checked off the box that the webpage be eliminated from search engines and made a note in the text that it’s a draft page. The correct time was posted on a different published page.
Good News From Lucy
After a spike in the Cheshire County COVID numbers earlier this month, it is great to see our numbers going down again. At less than 1 case per 100,000, Harvard Global Health now rates Cheshire County as “On Track for Containment” and today the county changed from the cautionary yellow color signifying “Community Spread” to the green of “On Track”.
As of August 21, the 7 day average of new cases in the county is back down to 3. That can change quickly—the 7 day average was 5 yesterday, 4 the day before yesterday, and 6 the day before that. It was as high as 11 earlier this month.
Keep on being careful out there.
From the Harvard Global Health Institute web site, Friday, August 21: (For those wanting to play with the interactive map, the link is here: https://globalhealth.harvard.edu/key-metrics-for-covid-suppression-researchers-and-public-health-experts-unite-to-bring-clarity-to-key-metrics-guiding-coronavirus-response/ ) Click on Explore the COVID Risk Level Map. It is a wonderful resource, and updated every day.
~Representative Lucy Weber
Selectboard Agenda – 8/20/20
TOWN OF WALPOLE
SELECTBOARD and HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING AGENDA
August 20, 2020
SELECTBOARD MEETING
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
PAYROLL
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE REPORTS
BUILDING PERMITS
Pending Further Actions
NEW BUSINESS
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES
HOOPER BUSINESS
HOOPER NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II
SELECTBOARD MEETING – continued
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**
Anti-Racist?
Let’s see what we can do.
Meet me on the Common
in front of the
First Congregational Church of Walpole, UCC
Friday, August 21 at 7:00 PM.
In the August issue of The Clarion, I wrote about the moment of history we experienced right around the time I arrived in Walpole. George Floyd was murdered two weeks after I began as Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Walpole. Days later, a vigil gathered on the common to…
To do what? Clearly there is Anti-Racist sentiment in our overwhelmingly white community of Walpole. I ended my article with an invitation:
Don’t let the summer end without doing SOMETHING. I invite anyone &everyone interested in participating in positive change to gather on the common and start making change.
WEAR A MASK OBSERVE SAFE DISTANCING
This is not a church thing.
This IS a community thing.
This IS a HUMAN thing.
I hope to see you there.
Peace be with you,
Richard Malmberg
Pastor, First Congregational Church of Walpole, UCC
Hooper Trustees Meeting Minutes – 8/6/20
Hooper Trustees Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Cheryl Mayberry; Steven Dalessio
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 7:05 PM. This meeting is being recorded.
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING – July 30, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees Meeting of July 30, 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.
HOOPER BUSINESS:
Maintenance Projects: Mr. Dalessio reported that the Hooper Institute Board would like to do some of the maintenance projects that will need to be done. No. 1: Upgrade the alarm system in the building; and No. 2: fix the roof on the little garage in back of the building. Mrs. Pschirrer will ask Mrs. Downing to check with the insurance company relative to a claim because last Tuesday during the storm the old Sugar Maple tree split and came down on the Institute building. Mr. Dalessio talked to Mrs. Dalbeck about getting the roof damage repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Hooper maintenance projects for the alarm system and the garage roof. Funds will come out of the Maintenance Trust. 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 motion was approved.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting. The Hooper Trustees will return to the 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 7:13 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 8/6/20
Selectboard Present:Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Cheryl Mayberry; Steven Dalessio
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There was one visitor in attendance.
Mrs. Pschirrer introduced Reverend Richard Malmberg, the new Minister at the Walpole Congregational Church. She had invited him to attend a Selectboard meeting to listen to what they do. She introduced Mr. Steven Dalessio and Ms. Cheryl Mayberry, Selectboard members, Mrs. Jodi Daigle, Water & Sewer Clerk and Administrative Assistant, and Ms. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $57,522.69 for checks issued August 7, 2020. 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 August 1, 2020, in the amount of $34,658.32, for checks issued August 7, 2020, and the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $6,981.64. 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 – July 30, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 30, 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 – July 30, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of July 30, 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.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:
BUILDING PERMIT:
Permit No. 2020-28: SIDNEY CRAVEN, 100 North Road, Map and Lot #022-016-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-28 for Sidney Craven to construct a “28’ x 26’ Two Car Garage” at 100 North Road, Map and Lot #022-016-000. 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:
Recreation Area Parking Lot: Lot Line Adjustment and Deed with Letter: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the Public Hearing on the Recreation Area Parking Lot will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, for the lot line adjustment. She anticipated there will be no issues as it was approved by a vote of the five towns in the Fall Mountain Regional School District last March.
Map and Lot #020-052-000 re: Building Permit: Mrs. Pschirrer advised they had notified a property owner that she needed a building permit. She had previously appeared before both the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board. However, the Selectboard did not get a report on the fire code status from the Fire Department. Mrs. Pschirrer will draft a letter to the owner stating what items should be accomplished.
Fall Mountain Regional School District: Ms. Mayberry mentioned that last week the Selectboard brought up the issue of the FMRSD using a space in the Town Hall for their remote learning. Ms. Lori Landry, Superintendent, had asked if it could be available five days a week. If so, she was thinking about up to 20 students. She knows the students would need to be supervised/monitored. They could move upstairs for a few days when that space was needed for another function. Ms. Landry said thank you as she thinks this is a great idea.
Access to River: Ms. Mayberry reported that access to the Connecticut River, off Route 12 across from Aubuchon’s, was blocked off last week. Mrs. Kara Dexter would like access to take a truck down there to remove the trash. Mrs. Pschirrer spoke to the Police Department about this. They know Mrs. Dexter wants to clean it up. Ms. Mayberry will let her know that she should contact the Police Department. Mr. Dalessio felt they should put up a proper gate at some point. Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry agreed.
Pending Further Actions:
The following Agenda items will remain on this pending list as there is no new information available at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Police Revolving Fund Request: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the request from the Police Department to purchase (1) APX8500 Dual Band Radio for the sum of $5,265.52 to be withdrawn from the Walpole Police Department Revolving Fund. 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.
Walpole Highway Block Grant Aid for 2021: Mrs. Pschirrer advised that the Town received the July 2020 Payment for Maintenance, Construction and Reconstruction of Class IV and V Highways in the amount of $41,258.76 from the State. The total for FY 2021 is less than FY 2020. It should be spent in the year it is received. There will be another payment in October 2020. Mr. Dalessio proposed using it to stripe the roads on the sides especially the dangerous ones. Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned March Hill Road, Old Drewsville Road, Prospect Hill and Barnett Hill as just a few of the roads that are dangerous at night.
Mr. Dalessio moved that we direct the recent Highway Block Grant Aid to be used for the re-striping of lines on the roads in the Town. This is for safety reasons. 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.
Comcast Internet Essentials and Sponsorships: Copies of this email received from Comcast on Internet Essentials Broadband Service for Low-Income Families was forwarded to Ms. Landry, Superintendent of the Fall Mountain Regional School District.
Cemetery Deed to Sign: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the sale of the Cemetery Deed for Lot D514. 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.
Walpole Conservation Commission: Ms. Mayberry advised that the Walpole Conservation Commission has a roster with names, emails and other information on the members. She asked if Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer had any objections to having their names and similar information included. They had no objections.
Camping: Mrs. Pschirrer has been following recent Conservation Commission emails. Ms. Mayberry does not know why there is a “No Camping” sign by Walker Road. Mr. Dalessio noted that when money was being raised for the Walker Road property, it was to be available for recreation. Mrs. Pschirrer had a complaint from somebody today who said when he went to put his kayak in the river, he realized there is a gate there. He could not carry his kayak all the way down to the river. The first complaint was from someone who gave money to purchase this property. He was told it was for recreation and there would be access to the river but there is not. Mr. Dalessio would not have agreed to lease the property if he had known about the gate. Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that when they were raising money for the property, the big interest was access to the river. Ms. Mayberry will follow-up on how long the Gowdys have on their hay agreement. People need a fire permit if they are going to be camping. Mr. Dalessio suggested inviting Mrs. Alicia Flammia, Chair of the Conservation Commission, to attend a meeting to discuss the Walker Road property.
RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Ms. Mayberry moved to recess this Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. 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 motion was approved at 7:05 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:13 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 and (c) Reputations. 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 7:14 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:30 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 6, 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, the motion was approved.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Quarantine Time: Ms. Mayberry moved that the Selectboard opt out of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): Employer Paid Leave Rights. 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 motion was approved.
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 7:36 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 8/11/20
Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Jeff Harrington, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternates: Joanna Andros, Jeff Colley. Absent: Clerk Jason Perron.
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the regular September 2020 meeting for corrections, additions or omissions.
Roll Call: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order 7:04 pm. Mr. Colley and Ms. Andros were asked to fill in for the one absent Board member and one of the vacant Board positions respectively. Board member Jeff White resigned his position because he is moving to the Lebanon area after being furloughed from Whelan Engineering Co. in Charlestown.
Minutes: Mr. Marcom made one correction. Remove the word “chair” before Jeff White’s name on page 1. Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the amended minutes. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
There was an addition via email noted on the agenda that Raynie Laware, representing the Walpole Foundation, wanted added to the July minutes – the tree that was removed between the fountain and pumps at the gas station on the corner Main and Westminster Streets wouldn’t be an issue for the Foundation in the future.
Old Business:
Public Hearing No. 1:
Ruggiero Processing Facility LLC: Site Plan: Tom Hanna represented Ruggiero. The proposal includes a change in location of driveway, new scale, new modular office to monitor the scale, a well and septic system. Tax Map 1, Lot 10-1, Industrial Park, Industrial District. Architect Rob Hitchcock of SVE was also at the meeting.
Mr. Hanna introduced himself as a Keene lawyer with BCM Environmental Law. He stated this is a Public Hearing for a site plan for Ruggiero. It is a site plan with minor changes being made to the plan approved by this Planning Board in 2011, he said. The driveway is being relocated from the easement or right-of-way and moved to its original position that was previously approved. Other changes include a 20-foot-by-40-foot modular office that will oversee a new scale in the entrance. At the same time there will be a state-approved septic system installed and a well. All these changes will be on the original 6.23-acre lot that was approved in 2011.
Mr. Dalessio said that when the Zoning Board met about the special exception there were questions about fire protection. Mr. Hanna said he was told by the Zoning Board that he did not need a special exception. Mr. Dalessio said that there were some questions in the letter about fire at the facility. Walpole Fire Chief Mark Houghton met with Mr. Ruggiero and there was a gentleman’s agreement between Mr. Joseph Ruggiero and the fire chief that if the Ruggerio Facility expanded beyond 6.23 acres, a pond would be installed.
Mr. Hanna said in the letter there was a reference made to a section of the administrative rules that talked about waste stock piles. There are no waste stockpiles at the site. The DES permit doesn’t allow for waste stockpiles.
The other thing Mr. Hanna touched on regarded a letter from abutter France-Menk concerned about the noise at the Ruggiero. Mr. Hanna said that’s one of the issues with the operation, design and construction of this kind of facility. Noise is under the purview of the Department of Environmental Services and is not regulated by this Planning Board. Also, the letter concerns 5½ days. Currently, and for a year and a half, Ruggiero has been operating five days a week.
Mr. Hanna asked about a building permit. Mr. Dalessio said he would need a permit for all the items on the site plan.
Mr. Marcom had some questions. He wanted to make it clear that the permit for the site plan was on the original piece of property. Mr. Hanna agreed. Regarding the miscellaneous items on the PDF plat, Mr. Marcom said he could not read them. He was given a larger copy. Some of the items were:
“There are no physical features or land uses within 200 feet of the site boundary.
There are no fire hydrants or fire ponds on or adjacent to the site.
No building permit for the office shall be issued prior to NHDES approving the septic system.”
Mr. Colley asked if under the current hours that Ruggiero is operating, how many tons of trash does he transport per week. Mr. Joseph Ruggiero calculated about 120 tons per week.
Ms. Myra Mansouri, Vice-Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, said that the Zoning Board met in June and determined that it could not ask Ruggiero Processing Facility to come back for a Special Exception but the Zoning Board did make recommendations to the Planning Board. Ms. Mansouri said that Zoning Board member Mr. Anderson made a motion that the Zoning Board inform the Planning Board that no new Special Exception is required provided that all construction and activities are confined to the original 6.23 acres for which a Special Exception was previously given. Further, the Zoning Board asked the Planning Board to require that, per NH Administrative Code 404.05, any waste stockpile be located, sized, and configured as required by our fire chief for the purpose of fire safety; that the fire chief also inspect all construction for any potential safety hazards, and that Ruggiero be required not to exceed the hours of operation stipulated in the original Special Exception.
They ZBA also asked that the hours of operation remain at 7 am to 5 pm weekdays and 7am to 1 pm on Saturday. The vote was unanimously approved by the Zoning Board.
Kara Dexter said she was speaking on behalf of DexPart, a business in the Industrial Park. She said the Ruggiero driveway is across the street from DexPart’s driveway and that she and her husband, Peter, feel that this is going to be a huge improvement. The trucks on the current driveway put a lot of dirt on the road, she said. She also didn’t think Ruggiero is making an exceptional amount of noise in the Industrial Park. So, she said, the Dexters are for the site plan.
With no other comments, Mr. Miller closed the Public Hearing. He asked for discussion from the Board. There being none Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the site plan as presented. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Hearing No. 2:
Laura Madden, Lot Line Adjustment: Laura Madden 74 Hayes Road. Tax Map 13, Lot 3 and 3-1, rural/ag district. Mrs. Maddens is selling to Timothy J. and Margaret C. Hayes. Joe DiBernardo represented Mrs. Madden.
Mr. DiBernardo identified himself as the land surveyor on the project. He said Hayes Road is off of Valley Road. Currently Ms. Madden has two lots, map 3 and 13-1 and lot 3 used to be just the little house lot and 13-1 wasthe rest – all the land in back of the house. Mrs. Madden proposes to adjust 13-1 and shrink it down, grab frontage on Hayes Road, fan out to the power line back parallel to the western boundary and back to Hayes Road. The house lot would expand and grab this land out in back. After the adjustment the house lot would be 30.22 acres and the other lot 13-1 would be 22.71 acres. The house lot would have 323.71 feet of road frontage and the other lot would have 200.05 feet of road frontage. There’s a sign on Hayes Road indicating it becomes a Class VI Road. The property is is in the rural/ag district. The minimum lot size in rural/ag is 40,000 square feet and minimum road frontage of 200 feet.
Mr. Dalessio asked about land on the left of the plat. Mr. DiBernardo said it’s a 100-foot wide corridor that fans out in the back.
Mr. Marcom said it seems the property is more accessible from Valley Road than Drewsville Road. Mr. DiBernardo agreed. Mr. Miller asked for questions. There being none, he closed the public hearing.
Mr. Harrington made a motion to accept the lot line adjustment as presented. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing No. 3
Town of Walpole Lot Line Adjustment: 1.48 acres on Main Street to be annexed to Map 22, Lot 5-1, residential B. Town of Walpole purchased the land from Fall Mountain School District. Parking for Rec. Center. Joe DiBernardo will represent the Town.
Mr. DiBernardo introduced himself as the land surveyor representing the Town of Walpole. He explained the plan. The Hubbard Farms office building is north of the parking lot where the pool, tennis court and basketball court are. To the south of the property is the Walpole Elementary School. This property used to be an easement that the town could use for the school district parking and access to rec department park. The town wants to buy that easement and annex it to the pool rec area. It has 150 feet road frontage. It is in the Residential B district. So the 1.46 acres of the easement and the 3.9-acre rec center land will become a 5.6-acre property.
Select woman Peggy Pschirrer said that the Fall Mountain School District agreed to sell the property to the Town of Walpole for $1 if the town would bear the expenses of the survey. The agreement was on the March 2020 warrant and passed by townspeople. There being no questions, Mr. Miller closed the public hearing.
Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the lot line adjustment as presented. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
Wellstone Associates Lot Line Adjustment: This property is on Maplewood Circle off of Main Street, across from the Bellows Inn. There are 3 small lots, Lot 14-1, 14-2 and 14-3. The lot lines are going to be changed so that 2 lots will have 150 feet of road frontage. Lot 14-1 will be .55 acres; lot 14-3 will be .39 acres. Lot 14-1 will have 170.20 feet of road frontage and Lot 14-3 will have 150. The zoning districts are commercial and residential B.
Mr. Marcom approved the request for a Public Hearing in September. Mr. Harrison seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Election of Officers: Mr. Marcom proposed Ms. Joanna Andros to fill out the term of James Aldrich who passed away in April and Mr. Jeff Colley was proposed to fill in for Jeff White, who resigned in July. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Both new members have to be sworn in by Town Clerk Sandra Smith. Mr. Aldrich’s term expires in 2021. Mr. White term ends this year.
August Workshop: There will be a workshop on Tuesday, August 25 in the Town Hall to discuss the transportation section of the Master Plan.
Mr. Marcom made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
cc: WPB, ZBA, Town Offices, Walpolean.
Posted: Inside Town Hall, bulletin board out side post office, http://www.walpole.nh.us
The Walpolean 
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