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 member of the public in attendance:  Mr. Ray Boas.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

RAY BOAS:  Mr. Boas advised that Mr. Eric Merklein had also intended to attend this meeting. However, sends his apologies as he was unable to do so.  Mr. Boas pointed out that he and Mr. Merklein were the only non-participants at the Planning Board (PB) meeting last Tuesday night.  

For the record, they both wanted to express their dismay at how Mr. Franks bullied the PB and how the PB handled the situation as far as allowing him to, in their opinions, run over the PB.  It was sad to see that it happened.  

He understands what Mr. Franks is doing to his property; it laboriously went through the proper channels.  The Selectboard enforces the Town’s executive branch.  Both he and Mr. Merklein are requesting that the Selectboard, as executive branch, put a stop to this project right now until such time as the owner of record comes in to present what he plans to do.  

The whole way it was presented on Tuesday night was appalling. Mr. Dalessio had also attended this PB meeting.  The plans that were submitted by Avanru Development were fully approved by the PB.  Mr. Franks has a building permit.  He had plans that were vetted through the Fire Department, all other agencies and were all permitted.  RSAs state that permits follow the land and not property ownership.  

The Site Plan does not state they have to disclose the tenant.  Mr. Franks states he was under a Non-Disclosure Agreement.  It was a gentlemen’s agreement that Mr. Franks would let us know when he closed.  He closed between PB meetings.  This was not documented in his approval letter.  His approval letter documented four things; which he did.  

Mr. Dalessio’s suggestions to the peak of the building are suggestions but are not requirements.  This is when he made the motion that the new owner come to the August PB meeting to be introduced to us so they know who he is.  All the things, landscaping, lighting, etc. that Mr. Merklein brought up at the PB meeting were already submitted in the Site Plan.  It should have been stated prior to the Site Plan approval letter, that the new owner would be introduced.  Anything not in the approval letter is difficult to enforce after the fact.  

Mr. Boas understands but said both he and Mr. Merklein wanted to express their dismay and to have it documented.              

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $146,523.70 for checks issued July 12, 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 of $104,023.70 to the Village of Bellows Falls for usage and sewer bonds.

 

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending July 06, 2019, in the amount of $32,706.40 for checks issued July 12, 2019, and the electronic fund transfer for the Employer Taxes in the amount of $6,448.20.  Seconded byMrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES – July 3, 2019:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 3, 2019, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Ms. Mayberry abstained from the vote as she was not present at this meeting.

 

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – July 3, 2019: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of July 3, 2019, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Ms. Mayberry abstained from the vote as she was not present at this meeting.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:

 

BUILDING PERMIT:

RICHARD and KRISTEN HILL, 549 Wentworth Road, Map and Lot #005-002-012:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2019-24 for Richard and Kristen Hill to build a “34’ x 24’ Storage Shed” at 549 Wentworth Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Water/Sewer Receipts to Date:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the Water/Sewer Receipts to Date report received from Mrs. Daigle.  Currently it is at 91.1% paid with $13,909.68 remaining to collect for the first quarter.  

 

Well Repair at Closed Landfill:  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged receipt of the letter from McKibben Environmental, LLC to the NH Department of Environmental Services regarding the Monitoring Well Repair at the Walpole Landfill site.  This work has been completed.        

 

NH-Emergency Notification System (ENS):  Mr. Dalessio had a couple forms that were ready to be signed.  

 

Point of Contact Form: Mrs.Pschirrer moved to authorize Sarah Downing to sign the NH-ENS Point of Contact form.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Non-Emergency Access Form:  The three Selectboard members are designated.  Mr. Dalessio provided the following example: There was a flooded road and alternate routes needed to be identified, as opposed to there being a fire and people would have to evacuate the area.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize Sarah Downing to sign this Non-Emergency Access Form.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Emergency Access Notification Form: This Emergency Access Notification form will need to be signed by Mr. Mark Houghton, Police Chief Paquette and Mr. Dalessio, as Chair of the Selectboard.    

 

Tax Deeded Properties:  Mr. Dalessio sent a message to Attorney Hockensmith requesting a time when they can meet or talk on the phone. Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer plan to attend the Rodrigues Hearing on July 22nd at 9:00 AM in Superior Court.  

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Recreation Department Revolving Fund Request:  A request was received from the Walpole Recreation Committee to purchase twelve (12) staff shirts for the lifeguards.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the request from the Recreation Department to purchase 12 staff shirts for the lifeguards.  The cost of $149.25 will be taken out of theirRevolving Fund.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Police Department Revolving Fund Request:  A request was received from the Walpole Police Department to purchase one (1) Portable Radio Charging Station.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the request from the Police Department to purchase (1) Portable Radio Charging Station.  The cost of $1,475.00 will be taken out of their Revolving Fund.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Junkyard License:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Operating A Junkyard License for E. W. Salvage on Valley Road for the term of one year from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

License to Sell Pistols and Revolvers: The Selectboard had a State of New Hampshire License to Sell Pistols and Revolvers for Eric Frink of 131 Merriam Road, Walpole.  Mr. Frink appeared before the Planning Board and Zoning Board about a year ago to be able to do this.  He is a licensed Federal Firearms Dealer.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the State of New Hampshire License To Sell Pistols and Revolvers to Eric Frink on Merriam Road.  This license will expire on July 1, 2022.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

 

Town Common Use Policy: Mr. Dalessio felt when the issue of political candidates campaigning on the Town Common came up, there should be a Town Common Use Policy.  Anyone can use the Town Common as it is a public space, but political gatherings will have restrictions.      

 

2019 Unlicensed Dog Report:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the 2019 Unlicensed Dog Report from the Town Clerk.  There is an RSA requirement to present the report to the Selectboard.  Mrs. Pschirrer recommended the Town Clerk put a notice in the next Clarion to state to dog owners that their licenses are over-due.  State they need to come into the Town Clerk’s office now.  It is an expense to send letters or post cards to all the dog owners on the list.    

 

Thank You Card:  A Thank You card was received addressed to Mrs. Pschirrer from Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire thanking the Selectboard for the Town’s donation.

 

State of New Hampshire – Office of the Governor:  A letter was received from Governor Sununu’s office relative to the Legislature’s budget.  He is having a state-wide meeting next Friday.  

 

 

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  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 7:05 PM.

 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:14 PM.

 

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of July 11, 2019, be sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, 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.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:40 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 7:42 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

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

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 7:15 PM.

 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES – July 3, 2019:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of July 3, 2019, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Ms. Mayberry abstained from the vote as she was not present at this meeting.

 

NON-PUBLIC HOOPER TRUSTEES SESSION – July 3, 2019: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Hooper Trustees Session of July 3, 2019, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Ms. Mayberry abstained from the vote as she was not present at this meeting.

 

HOOPER BUSINESS:

Hooper Institute Board Appointment Notices:

Amy Owens:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the appointment of Amy Owens to the Hooper Institute Board.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Holly Gowdy:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the appointment of Holly Gowdy to the Hooper Institute Board.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Emma Kobeski:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the appointment of Emma Kobeski to the Hooper Institute Board.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

New Hooper Educator/School Requirements:  Ms. Mayberry explained the agreement they have with the FMRSD in the past with reference to having the Hooper educators present in the schools.  The background check to fulfill the school requirements would be to have Ms. Dalbeck complete a volunteer form and then do the fingerprinting portion through the school district.  That allows her to be in the schools.  Mr. Fenn feels they should have a Certificate of Liability from the Hooper Institute.  Mrs. Pschirrer explained the Town owns the Hooper land through the Hooper Trust.  Ms. Mayberry felt the Certificate of Liability should be to the FMRSD. It will cover all three Walpole schools.  Mrs. Downing advised the Certificate of Liability will go right from Primex to Mr. Jim Fenn at the FMRSD.         

 

NON-PUBLIC HOOPER TRUSTEES SESSION:

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

 

The regular Hooper Trustees meeting resumed at 7:0 pm

 

 

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Hooper Trustees Session of July 11, 2019, be sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Hooper Trustees will return to the regular Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Hooper Trustees meeting be adjourned.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 PM. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

— 

Present: Chair Jan Galloway Leclerc, Bob Anderson, Ernie Vose, Pauline Barnes, Tom Murray.

 

The purpose of the meeting was to take a look at the recently printed Avitar map of the zoning districts in Walpole and see how it coordinates with the descriptions of the zoning districts mentioned in the document titled Walpole Zoning Ordinances.  The group decided to start at the beginning with Residential A.

 

The first description is:

“1. 250 feet back from edge of highway on either side of Hitchcock Road, from the Commercial District on the north and from the Residential, Type B, on the south to 2,000 east of intersection of Whitney (Old Cheshire Turnpike) and Alstead (Whitcomb) Roads.”

 

A small colored area in the top right hand section of the Avitar map indicates this location. Hitchcock Road is now Alstead Center Road. The problems were that the districts were crossed and the distances incorrect. This problem was repeated time and time again. In the commercial area the area on the west side of the road was not designated rural/ag after the 250 feet from the highway. 

 

A map created by Emily Horton-Hall at Antioch University New England created for the Planning Board in May 2012 and revised in 2012 was found to be a better map designating zoning districts than the Avitar map. Two of the problems with this map is that there an inset of the entire town in the bottom right corner and the name of the Town in the upper right hand corner that hides a portion of the map of the entire town.

 

A copy of the original 1968 zoning ordinance was found and it was noted that there were a couple of errors in some of the amendments of the current 2019 document. For example, on page 12, number 6, there is a description of the commercial district in the village. In the original copy Union Street is mentioned as a boundary but it is not included in the 2019 version.

 

Ms. Leclerc will return the Avitar map to the Town Offices and point out some of the errors and hopefully Avitar can correct them.

 

Another concern is the listing of districts on the tax maps. Avitar states the use of the property not the district it is in as the location of the property. There should be a listing of the actual district the property is in and a notation of the use if it’s different than allowable uses in that district. The way it is currently listed can be misleading, especially to real estate agents or people unfamiliar with the zoning districts in Walpole.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

ZBA Secretary

 

Present: Chair Jan Galloway Leclerc, Vice-Chair Myra Mansouri, Clerk Judy Trow, Pauline Barnes. Alternates: Bob Anderson. Absent:  Don Sellarole. Board member Tom Murray came in a few minutes late.

 

Roll Call: Ms.  Leclerc called the meeting to order at 7 pm. She asked alternate Mr. Anderson to fill in for the missing Board member. Mr. Murray came in a few minutes late. Mr. Anderson stepped down.

 

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

 

Minutes: Ms. Barnes made one correction on page 1. The first paragraph under New Business had a floating “M” at the end of the sentence. There should be an “r” after the “M” to make the word “Mr.” Ms. Trow made a motion to approve the amended minutes. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and it passed. 

 

Old Business: Dollar General: Map 12, Lot 13, Red Barn Lane and Main Street. Signage.

Action Signs in Rensselear, NY is making two signs for a business – Dollar General –  on property that is on the corner of Red Barn Lane and Main Street. There will be one sign attached to the building and another free-standing sign on a 19-foot pole and 60 feet from the edge of road. Signs are 100 feet from one another.

 

At the June meeting it was decided that one sign is 32.17 square feet and that exceeds the 32 square-foot limit for signs in a commercial district so the sign company would need to come in for a variance. The Board felt if a person gets a permit for a sign that is .17 square feet above the permitted limit without applying for a variance then it would create a precedent for someone to ask for one .25 square feet above the limit and that could snowball into more square feet. So it was decided that Dollar General would need a variance for one of the signs. The sign company and the representative for Dollar General were notified.

 

In two letters dated July 9, one letter from the sign company and another from the representative of Dollar General, both agreed to the follow the rules of the ordinance and will not be requesting a variance. Dollar General’s Gary Eucalitto of Harwinton, CT., said he “agrees that all work will be done in compliance with all applicable laws, codes and ordinances, and any stipulations or restrictions listed on the permit.”

 

Ms. Barnes had a question about the word fluorescent and if that was the same as a tubular gas sign, which, according to Article IV, Section 3 is not permitted. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Jeffrey White, who was in the audience, explained that it’s back lit and in a housing. Mr. Vose said, “You will not see the bulb.” These are acceptable or permitted in signage.

 

Later in the meeting, a motion was made to approve the two signs, the motion was seconded and approved by the rest of the Board.

 

New Business:

Variance: Peter King, 46 Dearborn Circle, Map 12, Lot 55-22. Proposed garage – Setback less than 20 feet from the property line. Mr. King was not at the meeting. Ms. Jodi Daigle, an employee in the Town Offices, received a call from Mr. King on Wednesday saying to tell the ZBA that he would not be at the meeting because he was not ready to go ahead with the project. The secretary received an email.

 

Pamela Little, 42 Main Street, next to the library, 45.5-inch-by-25-inch sign. The sign is one sign between a couple of posts that can advertise multiple uses of businesses at this address. The ordinance says all the signs combined shall not exceed 32 square feet. 

Ms. Little showed a picture of her sign and said there was one other sign between the multiple use sign post.

 

Mr. Murray said that it conforms with the ordinance and made a motion to approve the sign as specified by Ms. Little. The motion was seconded and the Board voted to approve Ms. Little’s request.

 

Avanru Development LLC request for 32-square-foot temporary sign at the corner of Red Barn Lane and Main Street. The signage is required by the NH Housing.

 

The sign says “The Residence at Abenaki Springs PH II”. It includes all the names and addresses of the people involved in the project at 17 Avery Lane. Those names are the architect, construction manager, manufacturer of the building, capital partners, surveyor, civil engineer, engineering associates and the bank that is financing the project.

 

There was some discussion about the sign being too close to the Dollar General sign. There is an ordinance that says signs must be 100 feet apart. It was decided that since this was a temporary sign, which will come down in six months, the 100-foot rule could be waived. 

 

Ms. Mansouri made to approve the sign with the condition that it be removed six months after it has been put up. Ms. Leclerc seconded the motion and the Board voted in favor of the motion.

 

Map and Ordinances: The ZBA had a workshop meeting about matching a recently printed Avitar map with zoning districts. There was discussion of the many problems with the Avitar map and it was not accurate. “They are following property lines and not the districts,” Ms. Leclerc said.

 

Mr. Vose agreed and said that when they started looking at Residential A in Drewsville, some of the property lines of the Residential A lots crossed into the commercial district. 

 

Ms. Leclerc said she thinks she should go to the Select Board to discuss the problem because the Select Board is waiting for the ZBA to coordinate the Avitar map with the Zoning Ordinances. She was reminded that the Select Board was having a Public Hearing on Thursday regarding the paving of the dirt section of Old Drewsville Road and that many people were planning to attend that meeting. She will be on vacation for the next two weeks after that.

 

Ms. Mansouri decided she could go to the Select Board’s meeting the following week to discuss the maps and she asked Mr. Ernie Vose to go with her. 

 

During the meeting it was also discovered that not all of the amendments to the zoning ordinances, which had been voted on at Town Meeting and approved by the voters were entered into the zoning ordinances. Mr. Vose cited as an example the vote in 1991 on the Pinnacleview property on Main Street in the commercial district. It is not mentioned in the ordinances and it’s not reflected on the Avitar map.

 

An additional problem is in the typing from one year to another by many different people over the 40-plus years since the 1968 date that the zoning ordinances were adopted. An example is in one description of a boundary in the commercial district in the village. In describing the commercial district in Article VI, Section F, No. 6, Union Street has been omitted. It was in the original ordinance, but at some point it was omitted. It is not know when this occurred. 

 

Another problem is the tax cards. Many of the tax cards have the use of the property on the card and not the zoning district. The Board understands that the property must be taxed on its use, but the correct zoning district should be on the tax card and a notation made of its current use. When that use stops, it should also be recorded on the tax card.

 

What should the Zoning Board do about all these problems? Ms. Trow said the Zoning Ordinances have to be accurate. It’s what the Board is all about. It was decided to have a workshop on Thursday, August 1.

Board members, starting at 1 pm, will go through each of the Town Reports and check to see if a vote came up for an amendment to the zoning ordinance. Then that person has to check the following year to see if the amendment was approved. If it was, that Board member should photocopy the page with the year and the amendment. Some of the amendments will not have the boundary lines printed but that                        information can be found in the Planning Board or Zoning Board minutes. There are eight Board members who will be doing this so that means that every Board member will need to check about five years worth of town reports. 

 

New Alternate: Ernie Vose, who has served on the Zoning Board for several years but resigned last year because of time restraints, was back to serve as an alternate. Ms. Trow made a motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Vose as an alternate to the ZBA. Ms. Mansouri seconded the motion. And the Board unanimously approved of the nomination. Everyone was glad to see Mr. Vose return. Welcome back Ernie.

 

Mr. Murray made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Trow seconded the motion and it carried. 

 

Handouts: NHMA Sign Dos and Don’t s

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

ZBA Secretary

 

Time again — yes, I need your input (articles – photos – advertisements) Monday, 22 Julyto put the August CLARION together. August is usually a light month for news, but even if you have something coming up early in September, I may be able to devote some space.

These are unapproved meeting minutes. Corrections may be found in the minutes from 7/24/19.

 

Present:  Albert St.Pierre;  Lucien Beam;  Steven Dalessio;  Joseph Levesque;  Mary Henry;  Frank Emig;  William Stahl;  Sarah Vogel

Absent:  Scott Bushway;  Alan Dustin

 

Chairman Mr. St.Pierre called the meeting to order at 5:36 PM.  He noted that the meetings are recorded.  Patrick Adrian from the Eagle Times is present.  

 

Motion to approve the minutes of June 26, 2019 meeting made by Mr. Beam, second by Mr. Emig with the following change.  

[Mr. Levesque clarifies that in Method 4, on page 2, it should be corrected to 4 bus routes in Charlestown, not five.]

All members vote in the affirmative.

 

Report of Subcommittees

 

Finance:  Mr. Beam presented handouts on an updated budget.  

-Preliminary estimate of adequacy aid proposed by the state for all towns.  The amount Charlestown is due to receive from the State of NH  for Adequacy Aid in 2019 is $5,254,417.  In 2020 the amount is $5,204,087. and in 2021, $5,103,287.  Under the amended amounts approved by the State of NH, in 2020, $5,675,996.  And amended 2021 $6,680,075.00. The 2020 FY amended amount is an increase of $471,909.  In FY 2021 an increase of $1,576,788. is the amended amount.  

 

Mr. Beam handed out a packet with new revised budget, with a bottom line total for Charlestown of $15,508,715.48.  This is down $76,000 from budget 1 proposal of 6/26/19.  The current SAU 60 budget has many line items included though they are  proposals for future curriculum, IE 3 & 4 year old PreK in all towns.   Currently this program is in Alstead only.  The future budget contains this new preschool program at CPS.  Many of the increases are a result of projected pay and insurance increases.  Mr. Dalessio asked how a budget line could go from $7,000 to $140,000?  This is for 2  LEAP students at the ELC.  Ms. Vogel explained that this is a new line item for Charlestown, as the current ELC is not Special Ed and Charlestown would need to provide SpEd for 3 and 4 yr. old children needing special services.   Mr. Dalessio asked for further clarification, as this number increases in all towns.  Scott Wade, of Charlestown, asked what the remaining district looks like without Charlestown.  According to Mr. Beam, the committee will be looking at a budget for the remaining four towns and highschool.  There will be increases in certain areas, as well as decreases in certain areas.  These specifics will be looked at next.  Committee asked that a Charlestown Withdrawal Committee provide a budget comparison in the same format.

 

The Finance Committee has discussed finding funding for a third party set of eyes to have an unbiased look at all the information.  They would offer agreement or disagreement, as a neutral party.  Mrs. Henry has reached out to a contact.  Other mentioned options are:  Tom Connors from Winchester,  John Aubin from Claremont, and George Caccavaro of Newport.  The challenge is that this committee has no funding.

 

The final handout included the revenue portion of the budget.  Based on the proposed budget, the Charlestown apportioned amount is $8,516,302.  With additional revenues, of building aid, CAT aid, Education Tax, Kindergarten Aid, etc. the total is the budget of $15,508,715.00 .

 

 

Education:  Ms. Vogel presented a spreadsheet gathering information from student numbers of each of the different schools.  All of the numbers are not yet present.  The committee is looking for the number of students sent to the high school from each town and for the Alstead Attendance Area regarding how many students from Langdon and Acworth attend the Vilas middle school.  Ms Vogel noted that teachers per grade at the HS is not an applicable number as teachers teach a subject, not a specific grade.  This committee is not able to get a per school SpEd number due to FERPA Laws.  In addition, if there are fewer than 10 students in a building, they cannot be reported as it begins to identify the child.  Ms. Vogel was able to get percentages of students from each town who participate in the LEAP program — 25% of kids are from Charlestown,  41% are from Walpole, and there is  less than 20% each from three remaining towns.  

 

Vilas middle school is not broken down by grade, as all teachers teach all three grades.  Alstead Primary is co-taught Math vs ELA (English Language Arts).  

 

Ms. Vogel noted that the subcommittee met with the Principals at their A-team meeting — all together, as requested by the principals.  Ms. Vogel explained to the principal that the goal of the committee is to make the best, educated decision.  The numbers are needed to show future high schoolers.  It is important to see how all three schools work, as all three schools do things slightly different.  

 

Mr. Stahl asked the three attendance area  principals for their feelings on the potential withdrawal.  He read from a handout:

 

“The following statements represent opinions of Fall Mountain Regional School District administrators expressed on July 2, 2019.  Some are direct quotes.  Others are summations.

 

It’s not just a one town leaving perspective we need to take.  We need to look at this in two ways.  On one hand, principals in one town might have an easier time without others holding us back.

We’ve also had a long time working together as residents and professionals, preparing students for high school.

 

This idea is not wise.

 

Charlestown, one time after another, has brought this up going back for decades.

 

Overall, we’re better off together.

 

In smaller schools, teachers might feel isolated.  Currently, they can call on teachers in Charlestown for resources and advice.

 

Charlestown has challenges that might be overwhelming to take on if it’s on it’s own, like three years of pre schools.

 

Breaking apart would be detrimental to Charlestown and the whole district in general.

 

I worry about Charlestown if this does happen — and the rest of the district.  Kids will bear the brunt of the decision.

 

This is a long, slow distraction from our district’s core mission.  Teachers distracted filters down to the kids.

All the town’s will suffer.

 

No matter what, we’re better off together.

 

Charlestown is stretched right now, even with the resources from the district.  A lot of situations arise and need expertise available now from within the district.

 

This is actually hurtful to a lot of people.  They don’t get why we’re doing this.  Once the final decision is made, go forward.  This can’t be a thing that’s ongoing.  It’s hurtful to everyone.

 

I’m not convinced that needs are being met to establish feasibility.  We’re supposed to be supporting all of the kids in the region.  Whether or not the committee determines Charlestown would be better off apart, I don’t see how the needs of the students will be met.

 

There are teachers in Charlestown with thirty – plus years of experience.  That equals committed.

 

Even with the status quo resources the needs of the district are not being met.

 

There is currently educational consistency within the district.  Transfers within the district work well because of that consistency.

 

High school programs will be affected if there is a lack of consistency.

 

Property values will be affected by educational status, which is currently good.

 

It will be harder to attract young families.

 

What if Charlestown can’t make it’s 90% quota.  What if it’s only 70%”

 

Mr. Dalessio appreciates the work, but this does not answer in a quantifiable way what will happen to the quality of education in the high school if Charlestown withdraws.  Ms. Vogel notes that it is difficult to quantify a feeling about the education.  Ms. Vogel talked about the impact on the union contract.   There are two contracts in the SAU, one is the teachers, one is the support staff.  By law, the contract must stay in force until the contract is up for negotiation.  The Teachers contract end coincides with the July 2021 formation of the new district.  A new negotiating unit would need to be formed for Charlestown, thereby creating a new contract for the 2021/22 school year.  The same would go for the Support Staff, after their contract is up for renewal.  Some services cannot be contracted out by the withdrawing town until the Support Staff contract is up.  As long as workload etc is within the contract, it can be done.  Because the Charlestown District would be a new negotiating unit, the teachers in Charlestown would start at level one in terms of longevity.   A 30 year teacher would start at level one, causing them to want to stay in the FM negotiating unit.  They could effectively take an opening, or take the position (bump) from someone else in the other four towns due to their longevity within the FM district.  Mr. St.Pierre wonders why they would be a first step?  He notes that in his previous experience at the negotiating table, a teacher being hired in the district comes into the district at the level they were at in their previous district.  He notes that for this committee’s purpose, Charlestown can continue the contract as they need to.  Charlestown is not looking to change the contract.  Mr. St.Pierre notes that Charlestown may be able to do better for teachers. Longevity would be the issue according to Ms. Vogel.   It is longevity in the district that Ms. Vogel feels will be lost in the move to a new negotiating unit in Charlestown.  Mr Dalessio feels this is irrelevant to this committee.   Mrs. Henry states that longevity is non negotiable, it is a rule from the State.  Mr. St.Pierre responded that this was done all the time in negotiations.  Mrs. Henry states that this cannot be done now.  Ms. Vogel explains that this discussion is relevant as the teachers and support are key to the educational experience of the students and the impact of the union on the split.

Mr. Beam asked about “bump”, teacher/support with seniority, what are their options?  Another teacher/support staff member with less seniority  could lose their position.  This could increase costs in the remaining district.  Mrs. Henry noted that this could be a domino effect and Ms. Vogel called it an administrator’s nightmare.

 

The Support staff contract was passed in March 2019, on the same day that Charlestown voters voted to invoke RSA 195.  The Support Staff contract will go into effect in the  fall of 2019.  Mr. St.Pierre notes for the committee that when a town votes for withdrawal by invoking RSA 195, no new contracts can be entered in to. 

 

Mr. Beam notes that once the withdrawal proposal is seen, then the team can determine impact on education.  

 

Buildings:  Mr. Beam handed out some information put together by Mr. Jim Fenn.  Mr. Fenn put together some information regarding each building.   The  handout has square footage of each building in the district.    Mr. Dalessio notes that the negotiation will be all about the energy project.  95% is the energy project.  Mr. St.Pierre wonders how much oil could be purchased for the $39,000 in interest?   Mr Dalessio interprets the statement as, “is the Energy Project making a return on investment”?  Ms. Henry says yes, the energy project is making money. 

 

Charlestown Withdrawal Committee

 

Mr. St.Pierre introduced Mr. Terry Spilsbury regarding the findings of Charlestown.  Charlestown’s local committee appreciated the invite to present.  Mr. Spilsbury clarified that Charlestown and the remaining towns  are taking the journey together.  We are all learning as we go.  Mr. Spilsbury presented two handouts to the committee.  The first is the Goshen Lempster Withdrawal study presentation to the State.  In it, there is a page of background, three pages of specific requirements for meeting RSA 195.  Each is addressed one at at time in simple declarative prose.  The report is conclusory, not reason or rational.  This withdrawal report was approved by the state in a 5-2 vote.   Their numbers are illustrations of an approach and format.  In the four pages, they gave a whole plan.  Charlestown has reviewed this, and appreciate the simple approach.  We would propose that this template be used as the withdrawal plan for Charlestown to be presented at the 7/24 meeting.

 

The second document is a draft contract specifically to serve the purposes of the Charlestown district arrangement with FM.  This draft contract was written by Atty Jim O’Shaughnessy.  The Charlestown Committee has not reviewed this draft with the attorney, and as such, it is subject to negotiation.  We would require changes as it is currently presented.  For example, the draft contract mentions tuitioning of students k-8, and we are not intending to do so.  The intent of Charlestown is to tuition only high school students.  The contract discussed numbers of students, with an annual targeted enrollment — including a 90% bottom floor commitment.  There would be a 110% ceiling of the projected number of students, noting that we can send additional as FM deems fit.  The discretion to decline additional students would be left with the school board of FM.  This estimated number of tuitioned students would be negotiated yearly.  Charlestown will determine how many students would use school choice and go elsewhere.  The 90% and 110% benchmarks are relative to the projected number estimated by Charlestown.  Mr. Beam wonders if Charlestown would be required to notify taxpayers if they could send students elsewhere?  Yes, according to Mr. Spilsbury.  RSA 193:3 allows parents to elect where they send their student.  We see the student going elsewhere as the exception.  The intention of Charlestown is to send the students to FM.  Mrs. Henry comments that the board would have to approve and accept the students.  Mrs. Vogel notes that Charlestown in good faith will be sending their students.  Mr Spilsbury notes that if you look at the Goshen Lempster agreement, they received bids from other school districts and they indicate to the State what it is that they want to do.  The plan is not a contract.  It is a negotiation.  Mr. Dalessio would like to know the impact of the difference between 90% and 110%.  In the original budget, the number 205 is used.  

 

The third topic is in regards to draft budget.  Mr. Spilsbury noted a few concerns that the cost could rise as dramatically as it does.  The draft budget takes Charlestown from $12.7 to $15.5 million.  Why?  Is the high school attendance from Charlestown truly at 205 students, or is Charlestown 20% under that already?  The tuition assumption in the draft budget is at $15,500, is this the right/final outcome?  Special needs out of district expense is $1.9 million.  This number will have to be looked at closer.   We do question the three new administrative positions at the SAU.   They are conflicting the info from Mr. Fenn, as he advised there is not a lot of additional cost accounting.  These are open questions.  The Charlestown committee does not intend to go through this line by line and will not be second guessing the numbers.  It is understood that there is a transition.

 

Fourth — The Middle School and NCCS are non controversial and will come back at $0.00 net cost to Charlestown.  Charlestown is forfeiting its interest in the high school.  We will take on outstanding indebtedness.  The energy project will have 7 remaining payments after 7/2021 date of separation.  There is a separate Charlestown Capital Reserve fund that will be turned over.  The Charlestown Primary was analyzed briefly at the last meeting.  Scott Bushway though that it would be roughly $500,000 value.  It is a building built in 1968.  It is fully amortized.  Secondly, regarding the major improvements from 1998/99.  $769,000 was spent on three schools.  Charlestown paid 35%, after 55% was received in state building aid.  $750,000 came from Capital Reserve funds.  When looking at the age of improvements and what Charlestown contributed, that this building should also be given to Charlestown.  Unavoidably giving up rights to the high school, our hope is that this will be looked upon kindly.  We would like to know what share of the High School Capital Reserve and Health Insurance Reserve Funds would come to Charlestown.  Mr. Beam wonders how the committee can be of assistance?  Mr. Spilsbury will come back in two weeks with specific questions for Mr. Beam to take to Mr. Fenn.  

 

 

Public Comment

 

Mr. St.Pierre asks if the committee will take public comment?  Consensus is yes.  Seeing none, moving on. 

 

 

Other Business

 

Mr. Beam asked about assessed values and the NH Board of Education — do we have a response?  Not as of yet.  Mrs. Henry offered to contact an acquaintance.  

 

Charlestown Committee will be meeting in the Community Room in Charlestown on July 15, at 6 pm.

 

A consensus of the present members is reached that the new meeting time for the School Withdrawal Committee will be 6 pm.  Mr. Beam notes that he is interested in attending the Charlestown Withdrawal meeting, but it is a conflict with Langdon Selectboard meeting.  

 

Motion made to adjourn made by Mr. Emig, seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  All vote in the affirmative.

 

Adjourn 7:11.  

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Alissa Bascom

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