The Walpolean

Concert and performance fundraiser for the Rockingham Free Public Library featuring David Rosane & The Zookeepers, Chard diNiord, Owen Nied, Verandah Porche, Patty Carpenter, and World Under Wonder Playhouse cast members on Saturday, August 31at Stage 33 Live, 33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls VT. Tickets are available at the Rockingham library, online at stage33live.com, or at the door — suggested minimum donation per ticket is $20, and 100% supports the library. Door at 6:00 PM, show at 7:00 sharp.

Present:  Albert St.Pierre;  Lucien Beam;  Steven Dalessio;  Joseph Levesque;  Mary Henry;  Frank Emig; Alan Dustin;  Sarah Vogel;  Scott Bushway

 

Absent:  William Stahl

Chairman Mr. St.Pierre called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.  He noted that the meetings are recorded.  

 

Motion made to approve the minutes of the July 24, 2019 meeting by Mr. Emig, Second by Mr. Dustin.  All in favor.  Minutes are accepted as presented.

 

Report of Subcommittees

 

 

 

 

Report from Charlestown  Terry Spilsbury of the Charlestown Withdrawal Advisory Committee is present.  A new template for a withdrawal of Charlestown, with documentation of the source origination of the document, clearly stated on the front cover as an unsolicited proposal by the Charlestown Withdrawal Advisory Committee, is handed out and will be electronically sent to the absent members.  This is simply a framework, offered for the School Withdrawal Committee to decide if they want to borrow from it or start from scratch for a report to the State of NH DOE.  

 

Mr. Spilsbury notes that there is a point of confusion regarding the budget.  The Charlestown Withdrawal Advisory Committee does not know what is driving the increase so high. There is a dramatic increase, not the expected 2%.  This will need to be discussed at the next meeting when Jim Fenn is present.  The Charlestown only budget, for FY20, which ends 6/30/20, is $14,064,000.00.  The four remaining town’s budget has an estimated total of $20,540,000.  The total budget of the district is $34,604,000.  That is an increase of over 10%.  This is before Withdrawal could happen in 2021, and the district is still whole.  This is the anticipated budget if Charlestown is separate, according to Mrs. Henry.  Charlestown is part of the district in 2020.   Why, then, asks Mr. Spilsbury, is the aggregate 34 million?  Mrs. Henry advised that the new numbers are an estimate of Charlestown withdrawing.  The Charlestown Withdrawal Advisory Committee hypothesized that the number given to Charlestown would provide a savings to the four remaining towns.  However, what is presented is that the cost of separating will cost more.   Mr. Dalessio advised that he does not feel that Walpole voters will not pick up an additional $808,000.  Mr. Dustin echoed the sentiment for Alstead voters.  These numbers will need to be explained, in detail, by Jim Fenn.  Mr. Spilsbury agreed, noting that what makes this more dramatic is that the FY21 number, for Charlestown, is estimated at $15,508,000.  When the 22 million for the four remaining towns are added in, the total budget is $37,627,000.  Another additional 3 million.  Why does it change again, with no change to the methodology, in FY21?  This does not sound credible.  Mrs. Vogel advised that she was under the impression that Mr. Fenn needs to answer these questions.  Mr. Spilsbury offered that this is a macro view, and posed the question to the committee, “how is it credible that the budget would increase by $6.4 million dollars in two years?”.  Mr. Dalessio would like to have Mr. Fenn for several meetings, as he will not accept the increases without a lot of detailed explanation.  Mr. Emig reminded the committee that the School Board needs to ask permission of the Superintendent to allow Jim Fenn to attend the remaining meetings of the School Withdrawal Committee?  Mrs. Henry noted that Mr. Fenn has been approved to come to the next meeting.    

 

Motion by Mr. Dalessio, seconded by Mr. Dustin, to ask the business manager, Mr. Fenn, to attend the remaining meetings of the School Withdrawal Committee.  All members vote in favor.  Mrs Henry will ask the Superintendent to allow Mr. Fenn to participate in all of the remaining meetings of the School Withdrawal Committee.

 

The committee would like to meet every Wednesday through September, starting with the August 28, 2019 meeting. Mrs Henry will request permission from Mrs. Landry for the presence of Mr. Fenn at each of the remaining meetings.  Mr. Emig will not be present September 4 & 11, Mrs. Vogel will be late, Mr. Beam will not be present at the September 11 meeting, and Mr. Levesque will not be present on September 18.  

 

Mr. Dustin asked if Charlestown has a separate budget for presentation?  Mr. Spilsbury offered that a budget is a product of the Charlestown School Board and not something the committee would presume to put together.  That school board will be created during the transition giving them time to create a budget.  We are currently under the current budget and the budget that will be presented in this coming winter.  We think a 2% increase is feasible — but if that is not what happens, then we would expect all the five town’s voters to vote down that budget.  Mr. Dustin feels that a number should be presented by Charlestown.  Mr. Spilsbury noted that a macro level target budget will be presented, rather than specific target decisions that will have to be made by the future school board.   Mr. Beam asks how the education committee can make a decision about the impact on education, without a Charlestown budget?  Mr. Spilsbury notes that we do not know what decisions are going to be made by the future board.  We are making a commitment to the same educational program that we have in place now.  We have a roster of ideas that will increase the quality of education in Charlestown, however, these are not things for this district wide committee.  Charlestown has one of the worst educational ratings and quality in the state of NH, and demonstrably numerically worse than any of the other towns in this district.  We are very motivated to improve the education of the children in Charlestown.  It is not just a dollars game — it is about aligning the dollars and our resources in a way that is impactful and effective.  Mr. Dalessio appreciates the synopsis as given by Mr. Spilsbury.  However, he wonders if the district is unsustainable if there is an imbalance of student population — that something is wrong when there is a larger population of students in one town.  If Walpole becomes the biggest, are the methods valid any more?  Mrs. Henry agrees that the methods are already skewed. Mr. Dustin noted that this is exactly why we are all sitting here.   Charlestown has been in that position for decades.  Mr. Spilsbury agrees.  He noted that the town of Charlestown has tried to change the formulas as they do not work for Charlestown.  

 

Mr. St.Pierre states “Charlestown wants out”.  Mrs Henry feels she is looking out for the remaining town’s when asking for specific numbers.  Mrs. Vogel clarified that the committee will decide if they will vote to make the decision.   Mr. Dustin asked how much scrutinization will the state DOE take on the numbers?  Mrs. Henry said that the state will take into account the committee’s recommendation.  Mr. Dustin notes that no voter will vote for the increase.  Mr. Dustin states his appreciation for what Charlestown is trying to do.  Mr. Dalessio states that if all the things are true in the reports, then the numbers being presented are suspect.  How does this committee vet the numbers?  Mary Henry gave the numbers to another business administrator.  Mr. Dalessio does not feel that it is appropriate for a personally known entity review the numbers.  Mr. Beam noted that the action to put numbers in front of an outside party was within the budget subcommittee.  

 

Mr. St.Pierre pulled out a report from 1985 that reported that Charlestown was paying more than its fair share.  In 1998, a report showed that the formula is unbalanced.  The 2002 change created chaos.  Mrs. Henry claimed knowledge of a letter signed by Mr. St.Pierre in favor of the 2002 change.  Mr. St.Pierre would like to see said letter.  Mrs. Henry will produce it.  Mr. St.Pierre stated that change needs to happen — we have been having the same argument for 52 years.  Charlestown will take the increased number.  Let us fight for our own town instead of within all the town’s.  It does not matter what the numbers are.  We can stop this argument.  Something is wrong.  There is no where else for Charlestown to go — we have the HIGHEST school taxes in the state.  The town of Charlestown is asking for this committee to do something about it.  Mrs. Vogel notes the argument is with each other instead of to the state.  Mr. Dalessio goes back to the numbers.  He hears suggestions about reducing costs, and that never seems to get through to the budget committees.  The purpose is to look for better ways.  Local control of school boards is coming.  Mr. Dalessio gave the example that Walpole asked if they could add to Walpole’s budget and not affect other town’s, Mr. Fenn said that CANNOT happen as it would affect the other town’s, based on the methods.  Mr. Dustin noted that this could be done with local control.  

 

Mr. Beam wonders if the taxpayers of Charlestown have an expectation of a reduction?  Mr. Beam feels that every town should have the right to make their own decisions, however, he is concerned that the budget will be dramatically higher than Charlestown anticipates.  It is a dilemma.  Mr. Spilsbury wonders if he should forecast what the charlestown voters will do?  He believes that they will trust the committee and the school board that they elect.  They want a lid on the costs.  A 2% increase is a number that can be given to the voters of Charlestown, and they will be ok.  The Charlestown Committee is aware that Special Education costs cannot be predicted, down the line, but there are so many other things we can make choices on IF we are given the opportunity.  Mr. Spilsbury suggests that the committee not worry about what Charlestown will pay.  The only way to find out is to allow Charlestown the freedom to make value judgements for itself.  Mrs. Henry feels that this will be at the cost of everyone else. Mr. Beam feels the importance of understanding the impact on the remaining town’s. Mr. Spilsbury suggests that the remaining town’s should be concerned with the remaining town’s, and not with the budget of Charlestown.  Perhaps the answer is to vote us down and keep us captive.  Or the answer is to grapple with the genuine issue that the school board does not address.  Mr. Spilsbury offers that the withdrawal plans approved by the State DOE do not have a budget included.  The state does not ask for any.  The DOE wants to know what are the commitments of the town’s to the education of their students.  Goshen did not even state where they were sending their students for HS.  Scott Wade, Charlestown, notes that the DOE website has minutes posted that include discussion of withdrawal plans.  Mr. Wade clarifies that in a few withdrawal plans that he has read, he noted that the DOE asks simple questions, such as “Are the guidelines met?”  If the withdrawal committee approved it, and the committee was complete, then the board will approve. 

 

Mr. Dustin conjectures that if the articles of agreement could be changed to truly put each town in charge of its own K-8 perhaps all the towns will be happier?  Mr. StPierre asks if 100% Equalized Value at the high school would be accepted?  

 

Mr. Levesque wonders if Winchester was a part of another district?  Mrs. Henry says that they are not better off now that they are out of the Monadnock District.  Winchester is at the mercy of wherever they send their high school kids to.  

 

Mr. Dalessio wonders why each town shouldn’t educate special ed kids?  Mrs. Vogel notes that the cooperative evens out the cost — sometimes pay in and sometimes benefit.  

 

Charlestown will present a macro budget to the committee, not a line by line budget, at the September 11 meeting.

 

Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Emig, second by Mr. Beam.  All present vote in the affirmative.  Meeting is adjourned at 7:15 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Alissa Bascom

The First Sunday Organ Concert series at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Walpole, NH, continues on Sunday September 1, 2019 at 3 p.m. Dr. Christopher Evatt, organist of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Walpole, as well as a staff pianist at Keene State College, will play a selection of pieces. In 2018, Dr. Evatt received his DMA in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music, with a minor emphasis in organ, from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester (NY). 

The proceeds of the concert presented on Sunday, September 1, will benefit the Giving Tree project, a Walpole community program that provides Christmas gifts for area children.

More information about the First Sunday Organ Concerts can be found on www.stjohnswalpole.org or on the church’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/stjohnswalpole.

Submitted by:

Ninja Monkey are the longstanding Southern Vermont champs of original rootsy rock and funky blues. Local heroes Ezra Veitch, Josh Maiocco, Michael Lenox, Garth Tichy, and John Janiszyn will be playing an all-Monkey, all-ages, everybody-dance show on Saturday night, August 24 at Stage 33 Live; door at 6:00, show at 7:00, $5 suggested donation.

Ninja Monkey has been around for more than ten years and have hit their stride with just the right balance of both tight and loose, blending quality musicianship and high-spirited fun. It’s somehow meaningful that they almost called themselves “Frikin’ Chicken and the Plastic Quesadilla Band.”

This won’t be a listening-room event; this will be loud good-time Southern-Vermont Rock. The floor will be open for dancing.

All ages. Suggested donation $5 at the door, more if you can. Door at 6, band at 7. Saturday, August 24. Stage 33 Live at 33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls, Vermont.

The performance will be recorded and filmed.

Find more information about Stage 33 Live and their upcoming shows at stage33live.com

Hooper Trustees Present:     Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy Pschirrer; Cheryl Mayberry

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 7:39 PM.  He advised this meeting is being recorded.

 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES – August 1, 2019:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of August 1, 2019, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

NON-PUBLIC HOOPER TRUSTEES SESSION – August 1, 2019:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Hooper Trustees Session of August 1, 2019, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

HOOPER BUSINESS:

Meetinghouse West LLC Tax Obligation Invoice:  The Hooper Trustees acknowledged receipt of a tax obligation invoice received from Mr. Robert Kimball for Mr. Joseph Goodhue.  Following a discussion of the past history and a review of documents there was a consensus of the Hooper Trustees that they were under no obligation to pay this bill.  

 

Mrs. Pschirrer picked up a copy of the first Hooper Probate Court order in 1926 from Mr. Kimball.  Mr. Kimball is in possession of many old historic Hooper documents given to him before he was elected a Trustee of Trust Funds.  It appears that many valuable Hooper documents were destroyed in the past as they did not have a designated safe-keeping location for storage.   

 

Joint Meeting – Hooper Trustees and Hooper Institute Board:  The Hooper Trustees felt the Joint Meeting yesterday with the Hooper Institute Board was well attended and was a good meeting.                 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting.  The Hooper Trustees will return to the Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:14 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

Hooper Trustees:   Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy Pschirrer; Cheryl Mayberry

 

Hooper Institute Board:    Karen Galloway, Holly Gowdy, Elaine Heleen, Emma Kebeski,

Heather Brady, Amy Owens, Eloise Clark (Retiring Director); 

Helen Dalbeck (Director); Absent: Marcia Galloway

 

Hooper Employee: Rebecca Whippie (educator)

 

Trustees of Trust Funds:   Robert Kimball and Karen Galloway (also on Hooper Institute Board) 

 

Guests: Susan Wyckoff, Rebecca Sethi ,

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Joint Meeting of the Hooper Trustees with the Hooper Institute Board to order at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting is being recorded.  He asked everyone to go around the room and introduce themselves as there are three newly appointed members to the Hooper Institute Board.

 

Frederick H. Hooper Institute – 1916:  Mrs. Pschirrer began her presentation on the Hooper history and the Trusts; informational packets were distributed.  She discovered some documents contradict themselves.  Times have changed on how issues are recorded; meeting minutes are now more accurate.   

 

George L. Hooper:

 

Mary Davis Beal Hooper:

Mr. and Mrs. Hooper were actually residents of Massachusetts.  As you read his will, a lot of money was left to people in that area.  Mrs. Hooper also left large sums of money to various people.  

 

Walpole Accepts Hooper Land and Buildings:

Mrs. Pschirrer could not find anything on the discussion at this Town Meeting especially in regards to the Golf Course.  She read they started playing golf in 1927.  Mr. Kimball stated the golf course got their Charter in 1927.  About this time, the Town also received $85,000 in cash but it was determined it was not enough money to build the kind of school that George Hooper envisioned.  In 1926 the Town formed an Accumulator Fund; it was 20% of what was left to the Trust after a year of expenditures.  In 1926 there is a list of what was given to the Town in 1925.  

 

There are approximately 123 acres of Hooper land plus a small parcel on Reservoir Road that also belongs to the Trust.  The Conservation Commission is talking about timbering again.  This would bring in more income for the Trust.    

 

Hooper Institute:

Mrs. Pschirrer has figures that go up to 1954 as to what was being spent and what was being accumulated.    

 

New Hampshire Charitable Trust Department:

Today we elect three Trustees of Trust Funds to oversee all the Town’s trusts.    

 

Fall Mountain Regional School District:

The Trust is intended for only Walpole students.  

 

Eloise Clark, Director:

Nineteen seventy-seven (1977) is a significant year when Mrs. Clark becomes the Director.  We can thank her for the next 42 years of what she has accomplished with other people.  In 1994-1995, there was a brief interruption of programs.  In 1993 the Trustees of Trust Funds asked the Probate Court to look at the Accumulator Fund that had been growing.  George Hooper had intended this to grow for many years and then it would be used to build new buildings.  However, it needed to be used for maintenance.  Consequently, there was a hiatus and Mrs. Clark and Ms. Fritze Till were not employed.  This led to the 1995 Court Decree.    

 

1995 Court Decree:

As times change, all courts have the right to look at a Trust but try to make it as close to the original as possible.  It is not unusual for Trusts to be changed nor.  At this time if the Court did not feel the Hooper Trust was being handled properly, it could have been divided three ways (Kimball Union Academy, New Bedford for scholarship programs and to a New Bedford hospital ).       

 

Hooper Study Committee:

Prior to 2011 it was determined the Golf Course was not bringing in enough money.  That committee did not get very far because the Hooper Trustees signed a ten year lease with the Golf Course.  The Office of Charitable Trust stated if the Hooper Trustees could not resolve the problems of the Golf Course, they would.  In 2011, after obtaining information on golf courses being sold for development, Mrs. Pschirrer called Mr. Ryan Owens of the Monadnock Conservancy to talk about putting a Conservation Easement on the Golf Course. They raised over $500,000 to pay for the easement and there was enough money to pay for expenses.             

 

Probate Court Decision:

The Probate Court also gave permission for them to go back to the Office of Charitable Trust to request using the Maintenance Trust funds without going back to Probate Court because that is expensive.         

 

Progress Between 2015-2018:

 

Mr. Dalessio felt this was a good refresher presentation given by Mrs. Pschirrer.  It was a good idea especially for newly appointed Hooper Institute Board members.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that the public has access to the Golf course land in the winter, when there is snow on the ground, for various activities.  The easement was written in two sections: the golf course is about 50 acres and about 80 acres is woodland.  The easement does not permit any building on that property.  

 

Mr. Robert Kimball said going back to 2015, much of this came about when a Walpole resident wanted to purchase the property to develop it.  That is why the committee went forward with the easement and to raise the money.  

 

Mr. Kimball said the Accumulator Fund still sits in the Education Fund – there is no principal any more but there is $8,682.00 in the Education Trust and $88,899.56 in the Scholarship Fund.  In the past, not much of the Scholarship Fund money was awarded.  They are now starting to give more out.  Part I Education Trust has a principal of $3,636,108.64.  Part II Maintenance has $1,124,462.93.  These total $4,760,571.57.  The fund generates about $40,000/year.  To date they received $16,596 but they do not see a lot of the income until November/December.  Ms. Galloway explained we are spending down.    

 

There was discussion relative to the Scholarship Fund and the amount given out.  Mrs. Wycoff reported their expenditures fluctuate year-to-year.  Ms. Galloway said they have guidelines; an applicant needs to be a Walpole resident.

 

Mrs. Whippie clarified that we have the original Trusts and the principal cannot be touched – the two categories are separate – Education and Maintenance.  Mrs. Pschirrer said at some point the Scholarship Committee was told to only spend $10,000.  In those years $125,000 had accumulated in interest on the Scholarship Fund.  Then a decision was made to spend more money.  The Scholarship and Education funds were merged but they were asked to keep them as separate budget items.              

 

Mr. Dalessio explained the Town of Walpole pays all the Institute bills and then once a month collects from the Trust.  Ms. Galloway said there is also a Capital Reserve Fund in the amount of $17,645.00.  Mrs. Sethi asked what happens when the programs in the schools are not happening because there is no money but there is a huge principal.  Mr. Dalessio replied the principal cannot be touched.  Even with the sale of the golf course money, there is a need to fundraise.  Investments are volatile.     

 

Mr. Dalessio did a presentation on fundraising; informational packets were distributed.

Hooper Trust – The Need to Fund Raise:

If the minimum wage law passes it could almost double wages of summer interns.  Mrs. Clark asked if there will be exemptions for agriculture.  Mr. Dalessio will question our legislators about this.  The Hooper Scholarship Fund has about two years before that will have to come out of the combined Trust.    

 

Hooper Trust – Let’s Start the Fundraising Discussion:

Hooper Golf Course Easement

Library Expansion

Walker Road.

Dr. Shaw and Mr. Boas raised almost $300,000 for Walker Road in a short period of time.

Businesses

Individuals

Grants

Mrs. Sethi mentioned it is easier to raise money for a thing rather than general operating expenses.  

 

Hooper Trust – Let’s Start the Fundraising Discussion:

These are just ideas.  Good or Bad.

 

Mr. Dalessio pointed out if they do not start fundraising now, it will hurt a year or two down the line.  

 

Ms. Mayberry recommended they put good proposals down on paper and then prioritize.  Many times the Institute entrance has come up but never carried forward.  Suggestions need to be forwarded to the Hooper Trustees for their consideration.  Mrs. Sethi said it has been hard as they were in a holding pattern for the last eight-to-nine years.  Strategic planning was something they did not feel could be done until they knew what was going to happen to the golf course and where they were at.  Farming is shifting but they have to move along.  The entrance of the building will depend on how they are going to use the building.  They need a vision.  

 

Board Training:  At one of their meetings Mrs. Pschirrer would like them to set some time aside for her to talk about the Board duties and responsibilities.  Boards have special duties: Planning, setting policies, handling personnel, public relations plus fiduciary responsibilities of handling the budget.  Ms. Mayberry noted that Mrs. Clark always had opened the meetings.  Mrs. Pschirrer said Ms. Dalbeck will be the advisor for this board.  The Board needs to meet, elect officers and facilitate meetings with Ms. Dalbeck. The Hooper Institute Board’s members are:  Marsha Galloway, Karen Galloway, Holly Gowdy, Elaine Heleen, Heather Brady, Emma Kebeskiand Amy Owens.

 

Mrs. Wycoff mentioned in the interest of communication,someone from the Hooper Scholarship Committee should be invited to attend Institute Board meetings.  Mrs. Pschirrer said there is a position for somebody from the Scholarship Committee. They are looking for adults to take classes such as bee keeping, organic gardening; people might pay a fee for these.  They want to engage the community more widely.  Mrs. Sethi advised the Hooper Institute Board had talked about the disconnect between that Board and the Scholarship Committee. Mr. Dalessio sees the Hooper Trustees as an umbrella.  They all need to come together.  This is the opportunity to move forward.            

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Hooper Institute Board:  The next meeting of the Hooper Institute Board will be on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 7:00 PM at the Hooper Institute Building.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Mr. Dalessio declared this meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted, Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

 

 

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 four members of the public in attendance: Mrs. Lisa Bryan, Mr. Ray Boas, Mr. “Chip” Wood; Mr. Bill Stahl.  

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

AIR CONDITIONING OF SECOND FLOOR OF TOWN HALL: Mr. Dalessio asked Mrs. Bryan, Walpole Players, to come in to talk about air conditioning of the Town Hall second floor.  This had been discussed some time ago but then moved to the bottom of the list.  At that time EE Houghton submitted an estimate of approximately $34,000.  Recently with the Library move to the second floor, the effects of extreme heat/humidityresurrected itself. This would go into next year’s budget season; it would probably be a Warrant Article.  Mrs. Bryan felt the Walpole Players can help out but specific fundraising would be done for the air conditioning.  The money they have will be used for some bigger shows they plan to put on; they rarely make much money on their productions.  She asked if other groups that use the second floor could help out as well.  Mr. Dalessio said it is possible, but this is their first discussion on this subject.  Mrs. Bryan explained they plan on doing something for Radio Follies in March.  She has reserved the first floor for a Christmas play and their schedule is on the calendar for Old Home Days.  It has been too hot for them to continue working on the stage repairs at this time.  Mrs. Bryan suggested putting in ceiling fans that are architecturally appropriate plus the air conditioning; fans could run independent of the air conditioning.  Mr. Dalessio will email a copy of the original estimate to everybody involved for their review. Mrs. Bryan will talk this over with the Players Board; their next meeting is September 8th.  It would open the space for more possibilities.  Mr. Dalessio noted they will meet again in September.            

 

OLD DREWSVILLE ROAD:  Mr. “Chip” Wood advised they have not yet fixed the dip in the Old Drewsville Road.  Mr. Dalessio replied that they just finished paving and will go back to the road posting issue soon.  Mr. Wood said the road is still posted for 20 ton.  Large trucks are coming down the road from the sandpit in Langdon and running on Walpole roads.  The issue of some roads being posted and others not posted was discussed.  Mr. Dalessio agreed it needs to be resolved because what is good for one should be good for everybody.                

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $47,852.02 for checks issued August 9, 2019.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The above amount includes a $22,486.26 payment to M & L Asphalt Services, LLC.

 

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending August 3, 2019, in the amount of $36,424.80 for checks issued August 9, 2019, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $7,444.69.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – August 1, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 1, 2019, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – August 1, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 1, 2019, with an amendment for a wording correction.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

JARED and LISA STOLPER, 193 Old Drewsville Road, Map and Lot , #010-013-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2019-28 for Jared and Lisa Stolper to construct a “12’ x 15’ Two Story Screened Porch” at 193 Old Drewsville Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

THOMAS TATRO and LORIBETH ROBARE, 183 Old Drewsville Road, Map and Lot #010-012-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2019-29 for Thomas Tatro and Loribeth Robare to construct a “76’ x 81’ Single Story House with Attached Garage” at 183 Old Drewsville Road.   Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Old Drewsville Road:  Mr. Dalessio advised that paving on the Old Drewsville Road was completed.  Signs were ordered for the Old Drewsville Road.  Mr. Rau and Police Chief Paquette are studying the area to determine where the “Stop” signs should be erected.  

 

EPA Cleanup Grant Notice of Award:  Mr. Dalessio announced the great news is that the Town got their grant notification for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Therefore, the Town is all set to move forward with the clean-up.  We got the grant; this is the approval to get the $500,000.  

 

Harassment Awareness Training:  The Harassment Awareness Training for employees has been scheduled for November 15th at 1:00 PM.

 

Petitioners’ Summary and Response to Town of Walpole Hearing Brief:  Mr. Dalassio acknowledged receipt of the Petitioners’ Summary and Response to Town of Walpole Hearing Brief for Rodrigues and Corduff.

 

Old Stage Road Gates and Bars: The Selectboard is waiting for a response soon from the NH Municipal Association on the Old Stage Road Gates and Bars.  

Tax Deeded Properties:  The Selectboard is waiting for a response from Attorney Hockensmith.

 

Edkins and O’Brien Complaint:  The Selectboard is waiting for a response from Attorney Hockensmith.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

EE Houghton Invoices:  The Selectboard reviewed and initialed invoices received from EE Houghton.  In the future this will be included as an Accounts Payable agenda item.   

 

Cemetery Deed for Lots D497, D498 and D499:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Cemetery Deed lot transfers for D497, D498 and D499.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

NH DOT FY2020 Walpole Highway Block Grant Aid:  A notice was received from the NH Department of Transportation(DOT) advising that the State Highway Block Grant Aid available to Walpole in State Fiscal Year 2020 (July 1, 2019 thru June 30, 2020) is $145,456.77.  This is in payment for maintenance, construction and reconstruction of Class IV and V highways.  The Town has received the first quarterly payment in the amount of $43,637.03.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted that each quarter should go into the General Fund as it reduces the Highway Department budget. 

 

NH DOT Former Arch Bridge Preservation Work Letter: The Town received notice from the NH Department of Transportation (DOT) that they are planning to do bridge preservation work on the New Bridge in the former Arch Bridge location.  Tentative advertising date for this project is January 7, 2020.  Ms. Mayberry advised this same letter was sent to the Walpole Conservation Commission.

 

Recreation Committee Letter of Interest:  Mr. Brian Beckwith submitted a letter of interest requesting an appointment to the Walpole Recreation Department.  Ms. Mayberry reported that Mr. Justin Cassarino talked to Mr. Beckwith and thought he would be a good fit for the Recreation Committee.  

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the appointment of Mr. Brian Beckwith to the Walpole Recreation Committee.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Federal Funding Workshop:  An invitation was received to attend a Federal Funding Workshop on August 14th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in Claremont, NH.  Rep. Ann McLane Kuster will be there.  Mr. Dalessio plans to attend.    

 

Emotional Intelligence Workshop:  The Selectboard approved having Mrs. Sarah Downing attend this Emotional Intelligence Workshop on Wednesday, December 18th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at The Foundry at Primex in Concord, NH.   

 

Walpole Clarion:  Mr. Boas reminded the Selectboard that he would like to publish an article to introduce Ms. Helen Dalbeck, Director/Educator of the Hooper Institute, to the community.  Ms. Mayberry will work on this.  The next deadline for the Walpole Clarion is August 23, 2019.  

 

Staff Meeting:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard that the Staff Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 15, 2019, will be cancelle

 

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Selectboard enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 7:20 PM.

 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:38 PM.

 

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 8, 2019, be sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer 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 7:39 PM.

 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:14 PM.

 

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 was adjourned at 8:15 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

                          

Presiding Members: Chair Jeffrey Miller, Secretary James Aldrich, Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Jeff White, Selectboard Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternates: Jeff Colley, Joanna Andros. Absent: Vice-chair Dennis Marcom. Mr. Marcom came in a couple of minutes late

 

Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the September 2019 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions. 

 

Meeting Opened: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm. 

 

Roll Call: Mr. Miller asked Alternate Jeff Colley to fill in for absent Board member Mr. Marcom. Mr. Marcom arrived a few minutes later and Mr. Colley stepped down. 

 

Minutes: Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the July minutes. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.

 

Old Business:

Public Hearing: amended site plan for Phase II of Abenaki Springs, TX Map 13, Lot 13-4, 17 Avery Lane, build a 1,056 square-foot office and maintenance building.

 

Jack Franks, general contractor of Abenaki Springs Phase II, introduced himself and Architect Tim Sampson. Mr. Sampson addressed some of the questions about lighting and heating brought up at the previous meeting in July. He pointed out that the 100-gallon propane tank on the south side of the building and the two light fixtures that were added to the drawing. The building will have two offices, a conference room, an ADA approved bathroom and space for storage and maintenance equipment. The building is wood frame with cedar shakes.

 

Mr. Dalessio asked about approval of the building from the fire department. He was concerned that someone could back into the propane tank. Mr. Franks said that the walking space where the propane tank would be located was only three feet wide, below grade and filled with crushed granite. There is no way anyone could back into that propane tank, he said. Mr. Dalessio said all site plans need approval from the fire department. Egress is always a question.

 

There being no further questions from the Board or the public, the Public Hearing was closed. 

 

Public Hearing Decision: At the end of the Planning Board meeting, the Board discussed this project. A motion was made by Mr. Marcom to approve the amended site plan with the conditions that it have a letter of approval from the police and fire departments and add the new building to the building permit. The motion was seconded. Six Board members voted to approve the amended plan with one condition. Mr. Aldrich voted no on the site plan. 

 

Dollar General: Gary Eucalitto from Harwington, CT introduced himself.  Mr. Eucalitto is the landlord of the building under construction at the site next to Tractor Supply on the corner of Red Barn Lane and Main Street. A Dollar General store is being built on the site. Mr. Eucalitto said nothing has changed on the site plan except he may run some stone on all four sides and he may change to vinyl siding. 

 

Mr. Dalessio said that when the site plan was previously discussed, the Board had asked if a peak could be added to the front entrance of the building similar to the one at Tractor Supply, but your building is going up so fast. Mr. Eucalitto said there is about a 60-day turnaround. Mr. Miller reminded him of the landscaping that was on the site plan – the trees and shrubs. Mr. Eucalitto said his project manager is in charge of that. 

Mr. Eucalitto said he’s built stores in rural areas and small towns before. The company focuses on the local. It sells bread, butter, milk. People stop on their way home from work to pick up something. It’s a Dollar store that doesn’t sell things for a dollar. Its main competitors are Walmart, Cumberland farms ans Target. 

Mr. Marcom said that his comments are not a position of the Planning Board but Walpole is a little town and there is concern from the townspeople that Dollar General will put some local businesses out of business. Mr. Eucalitto said Dollar General has been in a lot of little towns and it hasn’t affected other businesses in those towns. 

 

Mr. Eric Merklein said the town was promised other businesses would go in that space – a beautiful office building, an ice cream spot for the kids. A lot of people are furious with what’s going on up there. What you could do to make it more palatable and attractive to some townspeople is to add tall greenery and year-round plants.

 

New Business:

Request for a Public Hearing: Caribou Realty LLC, Old Keene Road, Boundary Line Adjustment – Tax Map 18, Lots 18 and 19, Residential B.

 

Lot 18 is owned by Griffin Sivret and Andrea Vickers-Sivret and Lot No. 19 is owned by Caribou Realty LLC. Lot No. 10 is taking a strip of land from Lot No. 18. The first 50 feet is 12 feet wide and the remainder of the line bumps out to 15 feet wide. There is a shed on Lot No. 18. That shed encroaches on the side yard setback of 20 feet. As proposed the shed will be 7 feet from the new property line. Caribou Realty LLC has an application into the Zoning Board to ask for a variance to Article V Subsection C-2 of the Zoning Ordinances (side yard setback).

 

Mr. Miller said if there were timing issue, one of the owners could have shown up to request the Public Hearing. The Board decided that Caribou Realty LLC should get the variance from the Zoning Board before it has a Public Hearing on their request for a boundary line adjustment from the Planning Board.

 

Request for a Public Hearing, Boundary Line Adjustment -Sam McNeil Talmadge and Eloise Carriere.

The property is at 211 North Road, two lots on the east side of the road. Tax Map 10, Lots 24-2 and 24-2-1. Currently parcel 24-2-1 is a 7-acre parcel. They are proposing taking one acre from that parcel and adding it back to parcel 24-2 making 24-2-1 a 6-acre lot.

 

Mr. Marcom made a motion to have a Public Hearing in August for this Boundary Line Adjustment. The motion was seconded by Mr. White and the motion carried.

 

Rules of Procedure – It was decided that additions, deletions and corrections to the Rules of Procedure will be done at the regular September Planning Board meeting. The secretary will send a Word document of the Rules of Procedure to all Board members.

 

Master Plan – Ms. Lisa Murphy will be at the September workshop, September 24, to continue working with the Board on the Transportation and Population section of the Master Plan.

 

Mr. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and it carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Secretary

 

WALPOLE PLANNING BOARD AGENDA
TOWN HALL
Tuesday,  August 13, 2019 — 7 pm

Minutes – Review minutes of the June meeting.

Old Business:

Public Hearing: 

Amended site plans of Phase II Abenaki Spring: Map 12, Lot 13-4, 17 Avery Lane, addition of 1,056- square-foot office and maintenance building.

New Business: Gary Eucalitto, representing Dollar General, will be here to answer questions about the site plans for the store at Map 12, Lot 13, corner Red Barn Lane and Main Street.

Caribou Realty LLC requests a Public Hearing for September 2019 for a Boundary Line Adjustment for property on Old Keene Road. Map 18, Lot 18 and 19.  Previous owner was Mark Putnam. Caribou will need a variance for a setback problem at the back of the lot.

Talmadge, Sam Mac Neil Boundary Line Adjustment, North Road. Map 10 Lot 24-2-1 and 24-2. Request for a Public Hearing.

Ralph Smith wants to turn a garage into living space for his grandson.

Discussion: Planning Board Rules of Procedure – corrections, additions. Please bring your copy with you of the corrections and additions you have made.

Coming up in September Master Plan: Lisa Murphy, senior planner at Southwest Regional Planning Commission, will be at the meeting to discuss the Transportation and Population sections of the Master Plan. You should all have copies of her previous changes to this section. If not, let me know and I will get a copy to you.

Workshop: August 24 meeting.

Handout: RSA 91 about recordings and minutes. Discussion.

Next meeting: August 13, 2019