Selectboard Present:Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Steven Dalessio; Cheryl Mayberry
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboardmeeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There were three people from the public in attendance.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
WALKER ROAD CONSERVATION PROJECT: Mr. Ray Boas, Mr. Bob Kimball and Mr. Tom Goins were present. Mr. Boas is now comfortable they will meet the time line for the transfer of the property. Mrs. Pschirrer confirmed the Selectboard has set the dates for the Public Hearings on November 15th and 29th; they then have to wait one week when a decision will be made. Mr. Boas also wanted to talk about the fundraising and setting up an online GoFundMe.com page. Mrs. Pschirrer explained that two weeks ago, when Dr. Shaw was present, the Selectboard expressed their concern with supporting online fundraising as they did not feel the Town should be involved. They can control people writing checks to the Town of Walpole. People donating can claim a tax deduction. Mr. Boas provided some rational and background for the online fundraising. They are trying to get everybody involved including those making smaller donations. Mr. Boas and Dr. Shaw have set up a savings account at the Savings Bank of Walpole for the GoFundMe money received. Mr. Goins explained if they get a check from their savings account made out to the Town, that would be okay. He has already set up a savings account in PDIP with the initial donations. They did not want an additional burden on the office staff. It needs to be trackable. Mr. Boas had previously said they would take care of acknowledging all donations. Mr. Kimball was asked to come in to talk about the responsibilities of the receiver to make sure the person contributing receives an acknowledgement letter to satisfy the IRS. He advised the new IRS regulations do not require the EIN number on acknowledgements. They have to send letters because no one can claim the deduction in excess of $250.00 unless the donors have the acknowledgement letter from the non-profit organization. They have to have that letter in-hand before they file their income tax return. The letter has to state that no services were given in exchange. He distributed copies of a sample letter that can be used. The IRS came out with these new regulations on August 8, 2018. A copy was left with the Selectboard. These letters have to go out from the Town rather a member in this group. If the donation was not $250, they do not have to receive a letter. However a lot of towns, businesses, etc. will send a letter to everyone within a few days of receipt of the donation. The Selectboard authorized Mrs. Downing to sign the letters. Mr. Goins mentioned they have a good system in the Town Hall with everyone involved; it is easy to maintain. Mr. Boas is keeping a list of names and amounts of the donations. GoFundMe does not charge them a fee. Near the end of December they feel they will have enough money to transfer the property plus take care of the costs. They expect to hear from the LCHIP Grant the second week in November. Mrs. Pschirrer asked them to keep the Selectboard informed.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $23,214.16 for checks issued November 2, 2018. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
PAYROLL:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll register for the week ending October 27, 2018 in the amount of $24,454.15 for checks issued November 2, 2018, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $4,858.39. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – October 25, 2018: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 25, 2018, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, the Minutes were approved. Mrs Pschirrer abstained since she was absent.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – October 25, 2018: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of October 25, 2018, as submitted. These Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio., the Minutes were approved.Mrs. Pschirrer again abstained.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:
TAX ABATEMENT:
MAP and LOT #UTIL-FAIR-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $12,376.00 to UTIL-FAIR-000. This is the second and final abatement/refund for the 2011-2015 tax year to New England Telephone/FairPoint/Consolidated Communications. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
TIMBER TAX CERTIFICATION OF YIELD TAXES ASSESSED AND WARRANT:
MAP and LOT #26-10, 13, 16, 17, 19 and 22: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Timber Tax Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed and Warrant in the amount of $138.75 for Supreme Industries. This is for the Right-of-Way clearing on the south side of Fall Mountain. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
RECYCLING CENTER: Mr. Dalessio mentioned there is a large amount of logs at the Recycling Center. Mr. Colburn is the only authorized person to cut them up due to the Town’s liability. Mr. Dalessio feels there is a need for a policy to address this.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS EXEMPTION:
MAP and LOT #008-095-004: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Solar Energy Systems Exemption for Map and Lot #008-095-004. This property is off Thompson Road. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
BUILDING PERMIT:
PETER and ALICIA BOWMAN, 34 Old North Main St., Map and Lot #012-050-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2018-28 for Peter and Alicia Bowman to doa “10’ x 16’ Kitchen Addition” at 34 Old North Main Street. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
Police Revolving Fund Request: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the request of the Police Department to purchase (4) Sets of Tires for Police Cruisers for the amount of $3,121.40with funds to be taken out of the Police Revolving Fund. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
CRLAC Appointment: Fred Ernst: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the re-nomination of Mr. Frederick Ernst as a member of the Advisory Committee for the CRLAC for a three year term. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Ernst has been a member of the Cold River Local Advisory Committee for six years.
DRA Excavation Course: The Selectboard approved having Mrs. Downing attend the Department of Revenue Administration Mini Course on Regulation & Taxation of Earth Excavations on Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in Wilton, NH.
Preliminary Tax Rate – Discussion of Concerns Related to MS-1 and Fall Mountain Obligations:
The Selectboard compared their MS-1 report with the Preliminary Tax Rate Breakdown from the Department of Revenue Administration. They need to be sure enough money is raised to cover the next budget yet keep the tax rate as low as possible. Anticipated revenues fluctuate year-to-year. To date,the 2019 budget is calculated at approximated $4,300,000. Town exemptions continue to increase; solar exemptions have been added to this list. Following a lengthy discussion a decision was made have Mr. Kreissle notify the DRA that the Selectboard recommend a $60,000 Overlay, maintain a 15% Fund Balance and to raise the tax rate to $5.61. They expect to work on taxes again next week.
Community Volunteer Transportation Company: Mrs. Pschirrer attended the annual meeting last Monday night with Mr. Ernie Vose who is one of their volunteer drivers from Walpole. It was an interesting meeting. They are a healthy organization and provided the following numbers:
They are projecting a total of 4,929 trips for 2018. This calendar year through September, their volunteer drivers have driven 75,512 total miles for 265 riders from 27 of the 34 towns. They currently have 85 active drivers and unmet need, when no driver selects a trip, is 7.67%. Their goal is a total of 120 drivers hailing from each of the 34 towns. Current 2018 Walpole Statistics are: They received 239 ride requests from 19 residents: 6 “unmet need” rides did not take place. Volunteer drivers logged in 8,495 miles for these rides and donated 453 hours of service for a value of $6,795 (at $15/hour NHDOT rate). Five (5) active volunteer drivers live in Walpole. Other drivers helped to cover these rides. One (1) resident took 4 wheelchair van rides. The Community Volunteer Transportation Company is requesting a donation of $2,300. Mrs. Pschirrer noted this amount is in the 2019 draft budget.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public SelectboardSession pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 8:16 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:36 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 01, 2018, be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Mr. Dalessio moved to recess this Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 8:37 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:42 PM.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Departmental Budget Meetings: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to set a meeting date when they will meet individually with the department managers as Monday, December 10, 2018 beginning at 8:00 AM. The meetings will be in the downstairs conference room in the Town Hall.
Employee Training: Tomorrow is the employee training for the Active Shooter session that will be presented by Lt. Justin Sanctuary and Emergency Preparedness will be presented by Mr. Mark Houghton. This is a two hour session from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in the Town Hall. There will be fruit, cheese and crackers, plus cider. The Police Department will not be here except for the person doing the training.
Conservation Commission Meeting – Monday, November 5, 2018: Both Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer plan to attend this meeting.
Selectboard Meeting – November 29, 2018: The Trustees of Trust Funds will be attending this meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
The Walpolean 
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