The Walpolean

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 was one visitor, Mr. Chad Thurston, of Griffin Construction.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

GRIFFIN CONSTRUCTION:  Mr. Thurston advised that his client, Mabel LLC, has purchased 73 Main Street and is looking to put two apartments on the second floor of the building.  The first floor is undetermined.  It is in the commercial zone and the use is permitted.  This is an informational discussion.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if the two apartments will be single bedroom units.  Mr. Thurston said they would be.  There are front and back entrances/exits. The entrance will be on the side of the building with a walkway to the sidewalk.  There are enough parking spaces in the back.  Mr. Dalessio noted they will not be changing the footprint of the building.  He asked that Mr. Thurston consult with the Fire Department on the egress and other fire safety requirements.  Mr. Thurston will contact Mr. Mark Houghton and make arrangements for a walk-through.  Mr. Dalessio recommended Mr. Thurston contact the Planning Board and ask to be put on their agenda for informational purposes.  It will make the public aware of the building usage.  No building permit will be required.            

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $156,020.19 for checks issued November 1, 2019.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The above amount includes a payment in the amount of $93,736.66 to the Village of Bellows Falls for sewer usage and bonds.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending October 26, 2019, in the amount of $29,027.05 for checks issued November 1, 2019, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $5,909.76.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – October 24, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboardmeeting of October 24, 2019, with corrections.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – October 24, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 24, 2019, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

WARRANTS:

WALPOLE WATER FEES:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Warrant for The Collection of Walpole Water Fees in the amount of $48,583.88.  This is for the period of July 2, 2019 through October 2, 2019.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

WALPOLE SEWER FEES:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Warrant for The Collection of Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $69,237.44.  This is for the period of July 2, 2019 through October 2, 2019.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

NORTH WALPOLE SEWER FEES:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Warrant for The Collection of North Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $60,626.07.  This is for the period of July 2, 2019 through October 2, 2019.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.ln

OLD BUSINESS:

Rodrigues and Corduff vs. Town of Walpole Court Decision: Mr. Dalessio announced that the Rodrigues and Corduff Appeal is denied and the case is closed.  The Court Decision was in favor of the Town of Walpole.

Citizen’s Complaint 2019-02 Letter:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the letter to Jeremy and Naarah Powers regarding Citizen’s Complaint #2019-2.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  

Ramsay Hill Right-Of-Way: The Selectboard acknowledged the legal opinion from Attorney Hockensmith.  They briefly reviewed the history of the Coughlin / Smith / Ramsay Hill Road question.  Mr. Dalessio recommended asking Mr. and Mrs. Coughlin to attend a meeting for a continued discussion.     

EPA Clean-up Grant Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the evaluation group met yesterday.  They received three proposals on the clean-up that were evaluated.  All three of them could have done the work.  The group made a decision to move forward with Ransom.  Mrs. Pschirrer is waiting for sample contracts from the group members.  They will have to work out a contract with Ransom. She will form a community committee.  The community committee will include abutters because they have a lot of interest in the project.  

Broadband Committee Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that a Public Informational Meeting was held last night, October 30, 2019.  There were twelve people in attendance.  They represented areas in Walpole and Drewsville.  North Walpole was not represented.  One resident said she was not served at all.  Some people volunteered to help out in any way they could.  Survey handouts will be distributed at the Post Office and Recycling Center.     

Pending Further Actions:

New Reuse Center Plans: Ms. Mayberry reported the old Reuse Center/Trailer was dismantled by last Tuesday and the area has been cleaned-up.  

NEW BUSINESS:

2019 Equalization Municipal Assessment Date Certificate and Sales Ratio Study Report:  Mr. Dalessio advised the Town has dropped down to a preliminary median assessment to sales ratio of 97.5%.  

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign the 2019 Equalization Municipal Assessment Data Certificate.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessioin favor, the motion was approved.  

Preliminary Tax Rate Status:  Mr. Kreissle provided the following Preliminary Tax Rate Status Report as of October 31, 2019.  

Walpole:  All required reports have been filed with the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA).  Mr. Kreissle is waiting for the DRA to conduct the revenue review with him.

Fall Mountain:  Waiting for the Department of Education Assessments.

North Walpole:  Waiting for DRA to conduct their revenue review.

Walpole Fire:  All forms have been filed with the DRA. 

Budget – Draft 4: Mr. Dalessio pointed out that the 2020 Budget, Draft 4, is still showing an approximate 2.4% increase.  

Pink Heals Event on Common:  Mr. Dalessio received an email from Mr. Mark Houghton.  The Walpole Fire and EMS are requesting use of the Walpole Common for a “Pink Heals” event on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019, at 1:00pm for Paula Gallagher a former EMS Director for many years.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the request of the Walpole Fire and EMS to have a “Pink Heals” escort on the Walpole Common on Saturday, November 2nd at 1:00 pm.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessioin favor, the motion was approved.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):  Mr. Dalessioacknowledged receipt of a letter from the NH Office of Strategic Initiatives concerning the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  The Selectboard will review the Flood Plain Ordinance, adopted on March 13, 1990, at their next meeting.   

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public SelectboardSession pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Ms. Mayberry seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 7:12 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:04 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 31, 2019, be sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 8:05 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:14 PM

Recreation Committee Meeting:  Ms. Mayberry advised there will be a Recreation Committee meeting next Sunday, November 3rd, at 4:00 PM.  Mr. Cassarino and she will meet about 3:30 PM as he would like to talk about communication between the Recreation Committee and the North Walpole Park Committee.  

Mystery Dinner:  Mrs. Pschirrer had a call from a resident asking about the Mystery Dinner on November 16th as it was not on the Clarion schedule but other activities were listed.  Ms. Mayberry said the Mystery Dinner was scheduled in advance of the Fall Mountain Educational Endowment Association(FMEEA) Dinner.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that the Recreation Dept’s Mystery Dinner is still on.  

Broadband Committee:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the Broadband Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, November 6th in the Town Hall in the downstairs meeting room to discuss criteria for the Request for Proposals (RFPs) they had sent out. They are due on November 7th.            

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting adjourned at8:16 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

(Transcribed from Recorder)

NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE DISTRICT

Minutes of the Board of Commissioners

   Patrick Kiniry Melissa Colburn Celeste Aumand

Office Tel: 603-445-2453

Commissioners:   Patrick Kiniry, Melissa Colburn, Celeste Aumand

Attendees:  Bob McGuirk, Water; Bill Crawford, Fire

Other Attendees:  Greg Gay

Celeste Aumand was not in attendance at tonight’s meeting.

Commissioner’s Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm, October 29, 2019. 

Minutes of October 22, 2019, Motion by Com Colburn, Seconded by Com Kiniry to approve Minutes as written. Two in favor.

GREG GAY:

Mr. Gay was in requesting a letter from the Commissioners stating that they approve his moving forward with his plans to construct an office building at 8 Len-Tex Lane.  The building would be near the fence near 1164 Main Street.  Office sizes would be approximately 12×17 and there would be six of them, plus a restroom and a storage room.

Com Kiniry advised that this would be tabled until next week due to fact that not all three Commissioners were not in attendance this week.

FIRE:

Nothing to report.

WATER:

Keene Gas will now be delivering propane to the Village tanks – They are part of Youngs.

There are four unpaid water bills.  Customers have been notified.

Bob will get estimates for replacing the Fire Hydrant on Cray Road and a blow off on Willow street. 

Bob contacted Mike Rau and the Town Highway Dept will bush hog the road to the East Street Reservoirs.

Motion by Com Kiniry, seconded by Com Colburn to adjourn the meeting at 8:00pm, all two in favor.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:00PM.

______________________________________

Respectfully Submitted,

William H. Moses

Please bring non-perishable items between 8 and 12 to any of the following locations:

Walpole Recycling Center

Discount Food Warehouse

Shaw’s

Walpole Post Office

The Fall Mountain Food Shelf is also accepting cash donations. This is a donation match challenge. For every dollar donated, somebody will match it.

The Walpole Scouts thank you for supporting this local food drive!

Mayor Pete Buttigieg is coming to Walpole School on Sunday, Nov. 10th at 2:30 (doors open)?  He goes on at 3:00. 

WALPOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

THE SPEAKER EVENT SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH, AT 7 PM IN THE

WALPOLE TOWN HALL HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  

DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THE KEN SHELDON( AKA FRED MARPLE) PROGRAM

HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.

THIS WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE

Committee Members Present:

Paul Looney (Chair), Bob Anderson, Dennis Marcom, Steve Grenier, Dick Hill, Rod Bouchard

Selectboard Representative:   Peggy Pschirrer

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Looney called this Broadband Committee Public Informational Meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  

Mrs. Pschirrer thanked everybody for coming.  They are present to talk about Broadband services in Walpole.  Mr. Looney came to the Selectboard about three years ago and urged them to do something.  At that time they talked about it because they knew it was needed but the State had passed SB 170 that is now RSA 33 which allows towns to Bond for getting Broadband services. That is when she called Mr. Looney and said the Selectboard was ready and asked if he would be willing to be on a committee. This committee has been working since May.  They are all interested in having better service.  They need to know how many poorly served properties there are in Town.  This is an Informational Meeting but in the future there will be a Public Hearing as that will be necessary before the Annual Town Meeting vote.

Mr. Looney talked about the definition of Broadband.  About 58% of Cheshire County does not have Broadband service.  A map was displayed indicating properties in Town that are “Underserved – (1729)” and “Served – (271)”.  Providers will not get to all the homes in Walpole. Trees and hills are issues that make it difficult.  Walpole is just one of approximately 20 towns in NH now looking at bonding for the broadband process.  Other towns provided information to Walpole that helped them get started.  If you do not have good internet service at your home you might have trouble selling it regardless of the dollar value.  A better internet service will improve economic development for small businesses.  There is some thought it will help children in school and people who are homebound.  It will improve the reliability of the network in Town.  Copper wiring is susceptible to problems they have had with some providers.

The first part of this process was to contact providers and request information – Comcast and Consolidated were contacted in August.  In early October the Selectboard voted to send Request For Proposals (RFPs) to seven (7) vendors.  They are to be back on November 7th.  

Mr. Looney explained how Chesterfield decided to proceed.  They will do a Bond for $2,000,000 and Consolidated will put in $2,500,000.  The Bond will be paid by Consolidated not the Town.  There is no cost to the taxpayer but there will be fees paid to the provider for the service.  In Chesterfield the user will pay $10/month surcharge to their provider to help pay for the Bond.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the Consolidated contract with Dublin raised their monthly fee to $11.50.  Mr. Looney advised Walpole may or may not go with Consolidated as they are waiting for the RFPs to come in.  

A resident on Stevens Lane asked about the installation fee to a user’s house.  Mr. Grenier explained it is covered from the telephone pole (their phone line) on the main road up to the first 150-feet.  An underground service user will have to pay extra. This is what Chesterfield negotiated.

Several residents in attendance raised questions on paying the Bond, monthly surcharges, infrastructure ownership, completion of agreement, etc.  Mr. Grenier explained this is just what Chesterfield negotiated.  We will not know the exact terms of the contract until after the RFPs have been reviewed.  Walpole will have an opportunity to negotiate after a decision is made on their provider.  Mr. Looney said they need to be assured this will not go away.  What will happen if the company goes bankrupt or is sold?  Mr. Bouchard noted contractual issues will need to be worked out.

Mr. Grenier explained this is a municipal Bond that does not effect a town’s ability to bond for capital expense items.  

Mr. Looney talked about the public benefit.  Mr. Bouchard talked about the economic benefits.  We have to demonstrate there is a public benefit to apply for the $2,000,000 Bond.  There was a study of house sales done between 2014 and 2018 across the United States.  They were able to quantify a value of houses with Broadband Speed Available as follows:  Less than 25Mbps (1148 locations) at 2.50% – Total Property Value Change $6,928,581; 25 to 50 Mbps (581 locations) at 0.6% – Total Property Value Change $8,629,930; 50 Mbps up to 100 (271 locations) at 0.6% – Total Property Value Change $9,740,418; and 100 Mbps and higher (54 locations) were not applicable.  This has a significant value change on properties. Looking at City Data.com  these estimates are based on a Median home Value of $241,414.42 in Walpole and North Walpole. If they have a provider who will provide high speed internet across the Town the public benefit of that is about $6,900.00.  This is all information based on what they received from Consolidated Communications.  Comcast did not respond.  They estimated that 72% of the homes in Walpole have an internet speed of 50 Mbps.  Only 560 households in Walpole would see a benefit from a higher speed.  They are feeling comfortable with the public benefit.  

Mr. Dalessio asked if it is the selling value of the homes rather than the assessed value.  Mr. Looney replied they will do a calculation to justify the value for the Bond.  Mr. Bouchard said this is becoming more important.  

Mr. Looney said if all goes well they will evaluate the proposals and come back to talk to the Selectboard.  Ultimately in March there is the Town Meeting.  They have a lot of work to be done with the Bonding.  The cost is covered within the Bond itself.  

All of Chesterfield will have fiber-optic. They started doing this project in July.  The population in Chesterfield is comparable with Walpole.  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that Chesterfield has 90 miles of road while Walpole has 70 miles of road.             

Kit Bowry asked who owns the poles.  Mrs. Pschirrer replied it is Consolidated; formerly FairPoint.  Mr. Marcom said Consolidated would be involved in the proposal but they may not take advantage of that.

Mrs. Pschirrer advised the Committee sent a request for an RFP for fiber-optic to seven companies:  ARGENT Cable; Otelco (in Maine – they have responded that they cannot help Walpole as they are already too busy); Consolidated; Comcast; WiFi; Matrix; and First Light.  The Selectboard spoke to Senator Jay Kahn about companies who have not responded.  Specifically it is Comcast.  He has now introduced RSA 33 this session.  It states that anyone who is asked for information that is required should respond within two months.  At this time there is no penalty for not responding.  

The Surveys “Internet Usage” were available and distributed at this meeting.  They are on the Town’s web-site.  Kit Bowry asked how she is supposed to respond to the Survey when she does not get any internet service.  There is no space for a reply.  Mr. Marcom advised on the first page under comments she can note she does not have any service.    

Mr. Francis advised that DSL is available at certain junctions. That is the case on Ramsay Hill Road.  Mr. Bouchard said Rural Broadband is that some people have it and some do not.

Mr. Ryan Barnes asked if 20 towns are going to string out this process.  Mr. Hill advised that Chesterfield was the first and after that everybody wanted to do the same thing.  Walpole is trying to move as quickly as they can.  Westmoreland and Dublin are ahead of Walpole.  A problem is the financing.  We are now allowed to have a non-taxable Bond.

Mr. Anderson read the Summary page of Walpole Broadband Advisory Committee’s “Making Walpole a Connected Community” as presented to the Walpole Selectboard in October 2019.  There is nothing that says Walpole will get all fiber as it might be a blend.  We will hope for fiber.  Vendors will tell us what they are willing to do.  We have shown a public benefit that it will pay for more expensive options.  

Bond payments paid & guaranteed by Provider;

NO TAXPAYER MONEY – NO TAX INCREASE;

Bond paid for by Infrastructure Fee: $10 max/month;

BOND PAID OFF BY VENDORS.

We will try to protect ourselves with the contract.  Keep in mind that all the towns have to go before their voters in March.  Mrs. Pschirrer stated there will have to be a Public Hearing on the Bond.  

Mr. Barnes pointed out that from the turn-out at this meeting is there something he can do to get the word out.  Mrs. Pschirrer felt they will have to hand-out flyers at the Post Office and the Recycling Center.  

Broadband Committee Meetings:  Mr. Looney advised that Broadband Committee meetings are held every Wednesday at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall.  After the RFPs are received the members will review them and then make a recommendation to the Selectboard.  Meeting Minutes are on the web-site.  They appreciate the Clarion space.  This meeting was posted on the Walpoleon.  

They appreciate everybody coming to this meeting.  A resident thanked the Broadband Committee for all their work.  

There were approximately sixteen people in attendance.

ADJOURNMENT:  Mr. Looney adjourned this Informational Meeting at 7:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

The Walpole Selectboard is hosting a

Joint Meeting with the Rockingham Selectboard

Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 6:30pm

Town Hall, 1^st Floor Meeting Room

The public is invited to attend.

Location and Time:  Walpole Town Hall, Downstairs Office at 7:30 PM.

Report from Chair:

Members Present: Laura Hayes, Lewis Shelley, Alicia Flammia (Chair), France Menk, Steven Dumont (Recording Secretary), John Peska (Vice Chair), Jackie Kensen

Alternates Present: Elaine Heleen, Peter Palmiotto

Members Absent: Kelli Wilson, Gary Speed, Myra Mansouri

Others Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Selectboard Representative), Connie Burns, Paula Burdick, Jeff Littleton (Moosewood Ecological)

Call to Order: Alicia called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM. 

Seating of Alternates: none required.

Lew mentioned that in the previous minutes, Old Business, item 4. Town Roads, Michael Nerrie installed the gate with Lew helping. Lew voted to approve the minutes as amended. Laura seconded. All in favor.

Public Business:

New Business: 

Old Business:

Other Business:

Adjournment: At 9:02 John made a motion to adjourn the meeting. France seconded. Meeting adjourned.

Next Meeting: Monday, November 4, 2019 at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted; Steven Dumont, Recording Secretary

Note: These are unapproved minutes. Corrections, if any, will be found in the minutes of November 4, 2019.