Want to remind everyone that today is the day we all get to join the parade and let Justine know how much we are going to miss her. The parade will leave from the school parking lot at 5:00 so be sure you are there between 4:30 and 5:00. See you there. – Lil
FYI from the Town Hall
At the Town Clerk’s request, the application form for obtaining absentee ballots (for Sept. 8th and Nov. 3rd) and sample State Primary Ballots for Republican and Democratic, are available on the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s webpage
Last night’s Selectboard Meeting had many guests. And, FACT-TV did tape the meeting. There was a lot of discussion from state legislation, to masks/facial coverings and food for election workers/goodie table for the upcoming State primary election, etc.
Still no news from Lori Landry although Bill Stahl, who was present last night, stated that the discussions are ongoing. There’s a School Board Meeting next Tuesday. Maybe we’ll know more after that meeting regarding a district update (?)
Hooper Trustees Meeting Minutes – 7/16/20
Hooper Trustees Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Cheryl Mayberry; Steven Dalessio
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 7:12 PM. This meeting is being recorded.
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING – July 9, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of July 9, 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:
Grants: Ms. Mayberry received an email about one of the Foundations offering a grant that she forwarded to Mrs. Helen Dalbeck for her information.
Hooper Institute Board: Mr. Dalessio reported that the Hooper Institute Board is looking into a bunch of fundraising ideas. Some ideas mentioned are a 5-K Run in September or October; it might be a virtual or off-in- waves run. There will be more discussion but suggestions keep moving along.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting. The Hooper Trustees will return to the Selectboard meeting. 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 at 7:16 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
________________________________________________________________
Peggy L. Pschirrer, ChairCheryl MayberrySteven Dalessio
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the July 23, 2020, Hooper Trustees meeting.)
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 7/16/20
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. This meeting is being recorded by FACT-TV and is available for viewing on the internet. She asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There was one visitor in attendance; Ms. Celeste Aumand.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
CELESTE AUMAND: Mrs. Pschirrer welcomed Ms. Celeste Aumand who is a Commissioner of the North Walpole Village District. Ms. Aumand had several matters to discuss with the Selectboard.
Mountain View: Ms. Aumand has asked in the past about putting up the flashing speed sign on Mountain View by the school. Her father has given permission to the Town to put it on their property. There are kids riding their bikes and she just wants drivers to slow down for safety reasons.
Monument by Arch Bridge: Ms. Aumand reported they cut back small trees, bushes and weeds so everyone can now see the Monument near the Arch Bridge in North Walpole. Ms. Mayberry advised that Mrs. Barbara O’Brien did that for many years. The Selectboard expressed their appreciation for having this project taken care of.
Railroad Tracks: Ms. Aumand contacted Mr. Gary McCormick about the railroad tracks by the Five Star Store and asked him to do something about the problem. The first step is probably to notify the railroad company. Several years ago, the railroad company had put rubber inserts in there to absorb some of the vibration/bounce as vehicles drive over the tracks. When people come from Church Street, they usually stop before going over the tracks. Vehicles coming off the bridge do not. There could be an accident.
Catch Basins: Ms. Aumand asked if the Town will be taking care of the catch basins around the Village. Will they be putting tar down? Ms. Mayberry will follow-up with the Highway Department. She assumes they will be taking care of the catch basins.
Village and Town: Ms. Aumand stated the Village has no problems with helping the Town. What can they do to help with the dumping problem across the highway by Aubuchon’s Store? Mrs. Pschirrer replied that the Town will be posting “No Dumping” signs. The people who were camping there had their RV and car removed. Ms. Aumand noted there is now another camper in there. Mrs. Pschirrer said if it is on the Connecticut River side, they will contact Fish and Game to make them aware of this. There has to be access to the river in case Fish and Game and/or Emergency Responders (Police Departments and/or Fire Departments) are responding to an emergency. There are 37 miles to monitor in Walpole. With “No Dumping” signs the Police have the authority to go through bags looking for evidence of who dumped it. Thee Police can put out an arrest warrant for the individual. Mr. Dalessio pointed out that camping is allowed on Town property but dumping is not allowed. Mrs. Pschirrer will alert the Police Department about the new RV camper.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $626,201.01 for checks issued July 17, 2020. This amount includes a $615,232.00 monthly payment to the Fall Mountain Regional School District. 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 July 11, 2020, in the amount of $31,693.33 for checks issued July 17, 2020, and the electronic 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,125.24. 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 9, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 9, 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 9, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of July 9, 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:
• Conservation Commission Meeting – June 1, 2020;
• Conservation Commission Meeting – July 6, 2020.
BUILDING PERMITS:
Permit #2020-22 – MICHAEL and TRACY BEAM, 20 Eaton Road, Map and Lot #011-044-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-22 for Michael and Tracy Beam to build a “24’ x 12’ Woodshed” at 20 Eaton Road, Map and Lot #011-044-000. 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.
Permit #2020-23 – BRUCE CARRUTHERS, 28 Main Street, Map and Lot #019-042-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-23 for Bruce Caruthers to build a “22’ x 12’ Single Bay Garage” at 28 Main Street, Map and Lot #019-042-000. In accordance with the condition of the Site Plan there is an alarm system that the Fire Department approved and no matter what happens to this property the monitoring must remain in place. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrerasked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Permit #2020-24 – KAREN GALLOWAY, 2009 Revocable Trust, 885 County Road, Map and Lot #005-065-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-24 for Karen Galloway to build a “36’ x 36’ Horse Barn” at 885 County Road, Map and Lot #005-065-000. 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.
Permit #2020-25 – LaROCHE REVOCABLE TRUST, 190 Reservoir Road, Map and Lot #011-001-001: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-25 for LaRoche Revocable Trust to construct a “38’ x 30’ House w/attached 38’ x 24’ Garage” at 190 Reservoir Road, Map and Lot #011-001-001. 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:
NH DOT Municipal Work Zone Agreement: Ms. Mayberry moved to authorize the Chair, Mrs. Peggy L. Pschirrer, to sign the Municipal Work Zone Agreement for Walpole, NH – Rockingham, VT. This is State Project: 42277; Federal Project: X-A004(799). 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.
Mrs. Pschirrer advised that a copy of this signed document must be given to the Police Department because it speaks specifically to the control of traffic.
NH DOT New Arch Bridge Municipal Lighting Agreement: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the NH Department of Transportation invited us to make any additions or corrections to this New Arch Bridge Municipal Lighting Agreement therefore she sent it to Attorney Hockensmith for his review. They were both concerned about liability to the Town if there should be a major accident on the bridge. Ms. Mayberry asked what would happen if Walpole wanted to end this project. It does not state who would take down the poles; it is left open-ended. Mrs.Pschirrer sees this as going forward for a number of years. She feels the State would take down the poles because they are on their bridge; they will own them. On page 3, No. 9, Mrs. Pschirrer added at the end “by the Department”. She will send this draft back to the NH DOT to see how they accept our changes.
Huntington Realty Sewer Easement Deed: Mr. Dalessio advised that he and Mr. Mark Houghton are concerned with protecting the other Walpole Sewer Users. There are comments. Mrs. Pschirrer noted that some things are highlighted. There was a consensus to table this agenda item until the Selectboard meeting next week.
Recreation Area Parking Lot: Lot Line Adjustment and Deed with Letter: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the Selectboardis scheduled to be on the next Planning Board agenda in August for the Recreation Area Parking Lot; Lot Line Adjustment. The papers were filed by Mr. Joe DiBernardo. Mrs. Pschirrer gave Mrs. Downing maps to be kept in the office.
OHRVs and Class VI Roads: Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged receipt of an email from Officer DeLisle of NH Fish and Game and a response from Lew Shelley of the Walpole Conservation Commission regarding OHRVs and Class VI roads. The NH Fish and Game is in charge of managing all the OHRVs. Ms. Mayberry felt they want to be sure that the Police will enforce what the rules are. Mrs. Pschirrer said NH Fish and Game is supposed to be taking care of some of this monitoring. We have been putting signs up. The Walpole Police cannot be everywhere at the same time. The Selectboard does not want to take the authority away from NH Fish and Game. The Conservation Commission will continue to talk about this. Mr. Shelley is interested with the Class VI roads. Snowmobiling in Walpole is a big activity, but they control themselves. At this time the Selectboard will leave the monitoring as is.
Town Hall and Walpole Businesses re: Masks: Mrs. Pschirrer advised they have a request from one local business owner that the Selectboard mandate wearing masks in Town businesses. Yesterday the court upheld the right of the City of Nashua and their aldermen to mandate that everyone wear a mask. In accordance with this decision and an opinion from the NH Municipal Association, the Selectboard can mandate that people wear masks inside Town buildings. Mr. Dalessio feels the Selectboard should mandate wearing masks in all Town owned buildings but leave it to the business owners to enforce wearing masks in their establishments. Mrs. Pschirrer stated they can write a letter to this effect and urge them to do that. Disposable masks will be available for those who need face coverings whilein Town buildings. Hand sanitizer dispensers are in the hallway and in the large meeting room. Tables and chairs continue to be disinfected after each meeting. They could ask Dr. Shaw as Health Officer to support their efforts to wear masks as he has the authority to mandate wearing masks. Mrs. Pschirrer will let Mr. Tom Goins know that everybody in Town buildings will be mandated to wear masks. They will support Mr. Goins efforts to have everyone wear masks while inside businesses.
Pending Further Actions:
The following agenda items will remain on this pending list as there is no new information available at this time.
• Town Deeded Properties;
• Houghton Brook Fish Ladder;
• Mill Pond Beaver Activity;
• Hitching Post Area by Walpole Grocery.
NEW BUSINESS:
Two Cards to Sign: The Selectboard signed a Thank You note to Mrs. Jan Galloway-Leclerc who donated the milling of the wood for the Reuse Building at the Recycling Center. They also signed a condolence card for the Paquette family.
Senator Jay Kahn: Mrs. Pschirrer announced that next week Senator Jay Kahn will be here to provide us with a Legislative Update. The meeting will start at 6:30 PM. The Boy Scouts will be present as observers. They are working on their “Citizenship in The Community” badges.
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 7:12 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:16 PM.
FACT-TV: Mrs. Pschirrer announced that this concludes the regular Selectboard and Hooper Trustees meetings. The Selectboard will be entering into a Non-Public Session. FACT-TV ceased filming and left the meeting.
Farewell Parade: Mrs. Pschirrer announced that there will be a Farewell Parade on July 27th, 2020, for Justine Fafara who will be leaving as the Director of the Walpole Library. Everyone is invited to join in. They will stage at the elementary school. The police will lead them past the Library at 5:00 PM. There will be fire trucks. Mrs. Fafara will be on the Library porch. A Search Committee has been formed to find a new director. Jamie Rios and Chris Burchstead will share the responsibilities until a new director has been hired.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public SelectboardSession 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 7:17 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:21 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of July 16, 2020, 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.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting. 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 meeting was adjourned at 7:22 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Selectboard Agenda – 7/23/20
Tonight’s the night when Jay Kahn is visiting, if you are interested. – Lil
SELECTBOARD MEETING
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $224,096.82 for checks issued 7/24/2020
PAYROLL
• Payroll Register totaling $34,257.20 dated 7/14/2020 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,569.67
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
• Non-Public Selectboard Session – July 16, 2020
COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Cemetery Trustees Meeting – July 6, 2020
• Town Library Board of Trustees Meeting – June 10, 2020
• Town Library Board of Trustees Meeting – July 14, 2020
• Planning Board Meeting – July 14, 2020
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – July 17, 2020
BUILDING PERMITS
TIMBER INTENTS
• Map and Lot# 009-012-002
• Legislative Update with State Senator Jay Kahn
• Election Days re: Food
• 2023-2032 Ten Year Transportation Plan
• Gay Office Building Letter
• Drewsville Common re: Soccer Net Donation
• Huntington Realty, Karlson Realty and Chamberlain Machine Sewer Easement Agreement
• Brownfields EPA Grant Update
• Rec Area Parking Lot: Lot Line Adjustment and Deed with Letter
Pending Further Actions
• Houghton Brook Fish Ladder, Mill Pond Beaver Activity, Hitching Post Area by Walpole Grocery
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES
• Hooper Trustees Meeting – July 16, 2020
HOOPER BUSINESS
• June Reimbursement from the Hooper Education Trust to the Town of Walpole
• June Reimbursement from the Hooper Maintenance Trust to the Town of Walpole
HOOPER NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II
SELECTBOARD MEETING – continued
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c)
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
• Selectboard Minutes – July 16, 2020
**Any recording, audio or visual, and/or other devices must be declared at the beginning of the meeting**
Broadband Update
Broadband Info on Town Website
The actual work of installing fiber optic cable throughout our town is set to begin in mid-August and Walpole’s town website – https://www.walpolenh.us/ – now has a page devoted to keeping track of that work as it progresses towards completion. The page contains a MAP of the project, FAQ’s, and background info on the project.
Once work begins the page will be updated with progress reports every two weeks.
To access the page from the town website, navigate to ‘GOVERNMENT’ then to ‘Town Projects’ where you’ll find info on both ‘Town Broadband’ and the ‘EPA Cleanup Project’
Walpole Broadband Committee
A Different Look at the Statstics – from Lucy Weber
As rosy as our statistics are here in NH, the latest NY Times analysis provides some food for thought. Here is the comparison, by county, of the number of COVID cases per capita, compared with two weeks ago. Here in Cheshire County, the rate is very low–0.8 cases per 100,000 residents currently. But that represents a 33% INCREASE over two weeks ago, when that rate was at 0.6 per 100,000.
Four counties have LOWERED their rates of infection:
Belknap: 1.6->1.2
Carroll: 3.7->1.2
Grafton: 1.0->0.5
Sullivan: 1.0->0.7
Two counties have stayed the same:
Coos: 0.9=0.9
Merrimack: 0.9=0.9
And four counties have Increased their rates of infection:
Cheshire: 0.8<-0.6
Hillsborough: 4.0<-2.9
Rockingham: 1.4<-1.2
Strafford: 0.8<-0.5
Now is not the time to let down your guard. Wear your mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, and keep well.
~Rep. Lucy Weber
Good News from St. John’s Episcopal Church
The wardens and vestry of St. John’s are very excited to announce the calling of the Reverend Duncan Hilton as Priest in Charge. Duncan comes to St. John’s and the Diocese of New Hampshire on August 24th, 2020 after serving as Priest for Discipleship and Discernment at St. Michael’s in Brattleboro, Vermont since 2017.
At St. Michael’s, Duncan was commissioned to raise up leaders inside and outside the church to listen and follow their call through prayer and action. His activities included the launching of six small independent discipleship groups, the training and coaching of four teams to develop mission projects, the creation of a parish partnership with a support group for people transitioning out of prison, and the facilitating of the discernment of a L’Arche Community in Southern Vermont (an international network of communities that help care for people with intellectual disabilities).
Before arriving in Vermont and being ordained in the Episcopal Church, Duncan worked for five years as Executive Director with the Leadership Development Initiative (LDI), where he trained Episcopal parishes in Massachusetts, Texas and Tennessee in team-based leadership practices in order to help them launch local mission projects. He also worked as Training Director for Life Together, the Boston-based Episcopal Service Corps program, and as a Teaching Fellow with Professor Marshall Ganz at the Harvard Kennedy School in his class, “Organizing: People, Power, Change”. Duncan’s career in ministry started with congregational ministry in the United Church of Christ, where he served as a minister for youth and children. This is the denomination that Duncan belonged to during his childhood in Durham, New Hampshire.
Duncan has taught the unemployed and underemployed in Vermont. He has facilitated groups for those suffering from addictive behaviors as well as providing end of life care to patients and families. He has lived with and cared for people with intellectual disabilities both here and abroad. In 2010 he worked as field coordinator in a voter registration campaign in Arizona resulting in the registration of over 13,000 new voters.
Duncan and his new bride, Bethany, have just moved onto the family farm in South Londonderry, Vermont. He enjoys playing the guitar, cooking, gardening, playing and watching sports.
One might think with his long list of achievements and service to others as well as his stellar educational background that St. John’s has received a gift from above. Indeed, after meeting Duncan (over Zoom and in person), we know that we are very blessed to have such a humble and delightful young man to lead us in worship and service. We will have a welcoming celebration in the late summer. Please stay tuned to our church website or visit Walpole’s online newsletter (www.thewalpolean.org) for upcoming details so that you can join in the welcome. And please know that we welcome all neighbors, known and unknown to us, as we take up worship alongside Rev. Duncan Hilton. Be with us on his first Sunday, August 30th and whenever, thereafter. Details of the service whether by Zoom or other “space” will be on our website. (www.stjohnswalpole.org)
Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 7/17/20
Present: Board members Chair Jan-Galloway Leclerc, Vice-Chair Myra Mansouri, Clerk Tom Murray, Ernie Vose. Alternates: Don Sellarole, Judy Trow, David Edkins. Absent: Board member Pauline Barnes, Alternate Bob Anderson.
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the August 2020 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.
Roll Call: Ms. Leclerc called the meeting to order at 7 pm. Board member Ms. Barnes was absent so she asked Mr. Sellarole to fill in for her.
Minutes: Ms. Trow corrected two typos. Page one, at the end of the fourth paragraph, add “Le” to clerc to make the word Leclerc. On page 2, second paragraph, the word procession should be processing. Ms. Mansouri made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
First Congregational Church handicap ramp at parsonage: Request for a Public Hearing. Dale Woodard and Paul Looney represented the church. Mr. Woodard explained that a renovation project was started this winter on the parsonage and it needed a handicap access so a builder was hired. Mr. Woodard said they didn’t know that they had to have a building permit as well as permission from the zoning board. The ramp is more than the 100 square-foot requirement, which means a building permit is needed. And the parsonage is 59 feet from the center of the road, when the ordinance requires 65 feet. The ramp starts from the side porch on Middle Street and goes toward the road and then makes a 90-degree turn toward the driveway.
Mr. Woodard said the ramp is greater than 130 square feet and closer to the middle of the road than the required footage. He said the new pastor has a study in the parsonage and people are going to want to visit him there. The ramp is partially done, but hasn’t been finished. The house is non-conforming so it’s thought that this is an expansion of a non-conforming situation.
Ms. Leclerc agreed and said that a ramp is in the same category as front steps because it’s necessary and therefore it wouldn’t fall under the category of variance.
Mr. Vose made a motion to hold a public hearing next month (August). Ms. Mansouri seconded the motion and the motion carried with a unanimous vote.
Mr. Woodard asked if he had to do anything else. He has already filed an application and paid the fees. It was suggested he have a darker drawing of the ramp than he presented to the Board so the public can see it from afar when it’s on an easel.
Home business: Miranda Michaud would like to open a hair salon at her home at 488 Wentworth Road, Rural/Ag district.
Ms. Michaud brought in photos of her place – the parking area and her salon space. Ms. Leclerc asked if she was going to have any employees. Ms. Michaud replied “no.” Ms. Leclerc asked if she had plenty of parking and she replied “yes.”. Ms. Leclerc explained that in the rural/ag district home businesses are permitted if there are no more than two employees and if there is adequate customer parking.
Mr. Sellarole surmised that Ms. Michaud would need parking for two cars – one for the client she was working with and one for the client who would be her next customer. Her photograph of the garage and driveway showed that there was clearly enough space for two extra cars.
Mr. Vose made a motion to approve the hair salon at 488 Wentworth Road. Mr. Sellarole seconded the motion and the motion carried with a unanimous vote.
Ms. Michaud said she was going to be putting up a sign for her business and she was told she had to come back to the Zoning Board for permission. Article IV-6 says her sign in the rural/ag district could be 32 square feet in size and no higher than 10 feet. Free-standing signs must be no closer than that 20 feet from the front, side or rear lot line. She asked to be put on the August agenda for signage.
Zoning ordinance cover. Addition of two ordinances to 2019 copy of Walpole Zoning Ordinances. How should these additions be noted?
In 2019, Zoning Board members discovered two ordinances that were previously approved by a vote of the townspeople at a Town Meeting but were not in the current Walpole Zoning Ordinances document. They were added, but since they weren’t new ordinances voted in at the 2019 Town Meeting, it was decided that it should be noted that this new document was different than the previous 2019 document. The question was how should that be noted.
The first suggestion was to put an asterisk after the 2019 on the cover of the document. Then place another asterisk on the inside of the cover noting the Article number and number of the ordinance and a couple of words about the ordinance – for example, Article VI – Boundaries of Commercial District – No. 7.
Mr. Edkins suggested putting the date that the ordinance was approved at Town Meeting and Mr. Sellarole and Ms. Leclerc suggested using the bottom of the page of the Table of Contents since it is two-sided. The Board thought both ideas were good ideas, so that was what was decided.
Non-public session.
Mr. Vose made a motion to go into Non-Public Session at 7:25 pm. Mr. Sellarole seconded the motion.
At 8:05 Mr. Vose made a motion to come out of Non-Public Session. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried by unanimous vote.
Short-term rental ordinance.
The secretary wrote up a sample short-term rental ordinance that included a definition of a short-term rental as well as several conditions the owner of the residence must follow. An example of some of the conditions are:
Detached Accessory Dwelling Units are prohibited from use as a short-term rental.
Short-term rental units must be inspected by the chief of the Walpole Fire Department.
All existing regulations applicable to single-family dwellings shall also apply to dwellings used for short-term rentals.
After some discussion, it was decided to add short-term rentals to the current Bed-and-Breakfast ordinance in General Provisions rather than have a separate ordinance. It will now read:
2.
Article IV
General Provisions
L. Bed-and-Breakfast and Short-Term Rental establishments.
So called “Bed and Breakfast” establishments for the accommodation of paying, overnight guests, may be maintained as home occupations in all zoning districts provided that the number of rooms for rent in any one establishment shall not number more than four and further provided that breakfast shall be the only meal provided and that only to bona fide overnight guests. The conversion of a single-family residence or other building to a “bed and breakfast” shall require Site Plan approval by the Planning Board. Off-street parking for one car per rented room plus space for owner parking shall be provided.
Short-Term Rental is a dwelling unit where transient lodging is provided for compensation for stays of between one and 30 consecutive days, and where the dwelling unit would normally be considered a residential living unit not associated with regulated commercial activities such as a hotel, motel, rooming/boarding house, or bed-and-breakfast establishment. A Short-Term Rental establishment shall require Site Plan approval by the Planning Board.
Ms. Mansouri made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
ZBA Secretary
cc: ZBA, WPB, Town Offices.
Posted: Inside and outside the Town Offices, on the bulletin board outside of the Post Office, www.walpolenh.us, Walpolean.
3.
The Walpolean 
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