Selectboard Present:Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy Pschirrer; Cheryl Mayberry
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. He advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There were two visitors in attendance.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $148,149.25 for checks issued March 13, 2020. This amount includes a $108,271 partial payment for a new Highway Department Dump Truck. This was a 2019 Warrant Article. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Mrs. Pschirrer had reviewed the E.E. Houghton bills for work on the pump houses and testing that was done in the Connecticut River.
FACT-TV: Mr. Staats from FACT-TV came in to film this meeting.
PAYROLL:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending March 07, 2020, in the amount of $25,035.49, for checks issued March 13, 2020, and the electronic fund transfer for Employer Taxes in the amount of $4,946.37. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MINUTES – March 5, 2020: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboardmeeting of March 5, 2020, as submitted. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:
• Walpole Fire District Meeting Minutes – January 8, 2020;
• Walpole Fire District Meeting Minutes – February 12, 2020;
• Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 2, 2020.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RE: WALPOLE: Dr. Charles Shaw, Walpole Health Officer, distributed copies of his Fact Sheet – Update #1 – as follows:
This is a new virus to humans. It is transmitted into your mouth, eyes or nose by your hands (assuming an infected person doesn’t cough in your face). An infected person can appear healthy for about five (5) days before exhibiting the symptoms of fever, cough and fatigue. Older people are higher risk as are men and people with pre-existing health conditions. There is no vaccine or drug specifically for COVID-19. The longer you are with an infected person the higher the chance you will become infected.
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO
1.Keep calm and carry on. Don’t wear a mask unless you can’t keep your hand away from your face.
2.If you are sick, stay home, drink small amounts of warm fluids frequently.
3.Maintain a distance of three (3) feet from others (some are advising six (6) feet).
4.No handshaking. Use a fist bump, elbow or bow.
5.Open doors with your closed fist, hip, sleeve pulled over your hand or gloved hand.
6.Use only your knuckle to touch light switches, keypad buttons, etc.
7.Lift the gasoline dispenser handle with a towel or glove.
8.Wash your hands, Wash your hands, Wash your hands. 20 seconds each time (sing the Happy Birthday song twice – that takes 20 seconds).
9.Use disinfectant wipes in stores for handles and cart seats.
10.Have sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) available with you AND when you get home.
11.Cough into a tissue and discard. Cough into your elbow sleeve if no tissue is available.
12.Stock up on medicines, lozenges containing zinc, hand sanitizer and gloves (latex, nitrile or cloth).
Mr. Ernie Vose, Town Moderator, was present. Mr. Dalessio stated they are all in agreement to go ahead with Town Meetingon Saturday, March 14th at 1:00 PM. They have taken adequate steps. Mrs. Pschirrer added that other towns have been holding their Annual Town Meetings.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and
Walpole Town Meeting
Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 1 PM
To prepare for Town Meeting:
• Tables and chairs, floors, bathrooms and other frequently touched surfaces have been cleaned and disinfected.
• Touchless soap and paper towel dispensers have been installed in the bathrooms and a touchless soap dispenser in the kitchen.
• Attendees are encouraged to use hand sanitizer from dispensers in the hallway and in the meeting room.
NH State Health Officials are recommending the following per NPR for NH citizens:
• Stay home and avoid public places when sick.
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing;
• Wash hands frequently;
• Avoid being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick;
• Avoid sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva;
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Use your personal discretion whether you should attend Town Meeting. Those with health concerns may not wish to attend.
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS and REFUNDS:
MAP and LOT #030-064-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $764.02 for Map and Lot #030-064-000 for a home that was damaged by fire. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
MAP and LOT #008-061-001: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant this Property Tax Refund in the amount of $3,471.24 for Map and Lot #008-061-001. This is the result of a change in assessment. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Dalessio recused himself from this one Agenda item.
MAP and LOT #015-016-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the recommendation from Avitar Associates to deny this Abatement Request and to urge the applicant to Appeal. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
CURRENT USE:
MAP and LOT #013-009-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve this Application for Current Use Assessment to add land in current use to a property that had a lot line adjustmentfor Map and Lot #013-009-000. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
MAP and LOT #010-024-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve this Application for Current Use Assessment to add an adjacent lot to land already in Current Use for Map and Lot #010-024-000. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:
MAP and LOT #013-052-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Notice of Timber Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Map and Lot #013-052-000 for property located off Valley Road. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Consolidated Communications’ Master Services Agreement: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the Broadband Committee met last night and talked about asking the Selectboard to sign this agreement on March 19th. However, Mr. Rob Koester asked that we wait as this is not the correct copy. It does not have to be signed until close to bonding time. They will wait to find out what the changes will be. The committee members are prepared to make the presentation on Saturday during Town Meeting. Bond articles have passed in the other towns.
Pending Further Actions:
Lights re: Walpole, NH – Rockingham VT 42277 Bridge Renovation Project: Mr. Dalessio has not yet heard from the State of NH regarding the lights on the Arch Bridge.
Joint Meeting Request from the Village of Bellows Falls Board of Trustees: The Village of Bellows Falls Board of Trustees have not yet scheduled a date and time for their Joint Meeting.
Town Deeded Properties: Mrs. Downing is working on the Town Deeded Properties Sale packets.
NEW BUSINESS:
TrueNorth Message re: Working from Home: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of an email from True North Networks regarding employees working at home. Mr. Dalessiodid not feel we had any issues at this time. However, if a staff employee should be quarantined, they will address it.
Letter re: Glyphosate Herbicide: Ms. Mayberry advised that the Conservation Commission had talked about how to treat invasive plants. Ms. Jill Robinson read the minutes of this meeting and subsequently wrote a letter in response regarding Glyphosate – Another Inconvenient Truth. Mrs. Pschirrerexplained that Ms. Robinson is very concerned and there is a great deal of controversy in the environmental world with the use of Round Up. This is one of the things they were testing our wells for, but they did not find any. Ms. Mayberry mentioned that Laura Hayes, Conservation Commission member, brought up some good points. Ms. Mayberry summarized that there has been no approval to do any treatment, but the Conservation Commission will have a deeper conversation on this. Mrs. Pschirrer will draft a response letter to Ms. Robinson for the Selectboard’s signatures next week.
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 and (c) Reputations. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. On a roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 7:00 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:25 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 12, 2020, be sealed. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio, the motion was approved.
RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Ms. Mayberry moved to recess this Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:38 PM.
OTHER BUSINESS:
TOWN MEETING: The Selectboard reviewed the 2020 Warrant Articles and agreed to present them to
the voters as follows:
Warrant Article #2 – “Fiber to the Premises” Network –Mrs. Pschirrer
Warrant Article #3 – 2020 Town Operating Budget – Mr. Dalessio
Warrant Article #4 – Town Buildings – Ms. Mayberry
Warrant Article #5 – Highway Department Truck – Mr. Dalessio and Mr. Rau
Warrant Article #6 –Highway Capital Reserve Fund – Mr. Dalessio and Mr. Rau
Warrant Article #7 –Police Department Cruiser – Mrs. Pschirrer, Chief Paquette and Lt. Sanctuary
Warrant Article #8 –Police Cruiser Equipment – Mrs. Pschirrer and Chief Paquette
Warrant Article #9 –Police / Motorola Dual Band Portable Radios –Mrs. Pschirrer and Chief Paquette
Warrant Article #10 –Police Capital Reserve Fund – Mrs. Pschirrer and Chief Paquette
Warrant Article #11 – Police Station Study – Mr. Dalessio
Warrant Article #12 –Plastic Bags / Petition – Mr. Dalessio, Ruby Frithsen and Sidney Curven
Warrant Article #13 –Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon Dams – Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Tom Beaudry
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
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The Walpolean 
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