The Walpolean

WALPOLE PLANNING BOARD AGENDA

TOWN HALL

Tuesday,  June 12, 2018

                7 pm

Roll Call – Appointment of alternates if needed.

Minutes – Review minutes of the May 2018 meeting.

Old Business:

Business: Avanru, Jack Franks, Building C on the original plan, Lot 1, where the Co-op was going to go: Request for a Public Hearing for a commercial building. Public Hearing postponed until July.

Public Hearing: Add two changes to the site plan.

Section 8

J. Street Access / Traffic Pattern: Access to public streets will meet the requirements of the NH Department of Transportation and/or the Town of Walpole.

Any new road constructions shall conform to the road standards as specified in the Walpole Subdivision Regulations.

The internal traffic pattern will accommodate the proposed use, as well as providing easy unimpeded access for emergency vehicles.

Add. “New road construction is consistent with the stated guidelines of Walpole’s Complete Streets Policy; that our streets be ‘safe, convenient, and accessible to a wide variety of users and modes of transportation’.”

Section 12: Remove the words “recorded subdivision plat.”

Add: “An approved site plan application may be revoked”………

Discuss recent letters from Town Offices regarding Brewery Road property, Trebor property, Boas letter.

Planning Board Web Site – what should be on it? Members names and terms, Site Plan applications and Checklist. Site Plan Review. Photo

Workshop?

Next regular meeting Tuesday, July 12, 2018

ummer Fun at the Library 2018

by Walpole Town Library

The theme this summer is Libraries Rock and we have lots of rockin’ programs planned!

Stop by the library to pick up one of these brochures!

Walpole Town Library | June 5, 2018 at 4:51 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: https://wp.me/p7CsPy-hZ

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

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. SEATING OF ALTERNATES

3. REVIEW and APPROVE MINUTES – May 7, 2018

4. PUBLIC BUSINESS:

Report from Chair:

A. Treasury Report.

B. Correspondence.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Kristopher Wilkes, VHB: minimum impact expedited Wetlands Permit Application.

6. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Great Brook Town Forest/Boggy Meadow – Update.

B. Gowdy Property – Update.

C. Reservoir Dam Engineering – Update.

D. Town Easement Report – Update.

E. Fanny Mason Feasibility Study – Update.

F. Bill Callahan Land – Survey Update.

G. Town Conservation Maps – Update.

H. Membership Re-appointment – Update.

7. ADJOURNMENT

Members Present:

Alicia Flammia (Chair), Jackie Kensen, Lew Shelley, John Peska (Vice Chair), Duncan Watson, Kelli Wilson,

Alternates Present:

Myra Mansouri, Peter Palmiotto

Members Absent:

Gary Speed, Elaine Heleen, Laura Hayes

Others Present:

Steve Dalessio & Peggy Pschirrer (Selectboard Representatives), Steven Dumont (Recording Secretary), Jeff White (Guest)

Call to Order: Alicia Flammia, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM.

Seating of Alternates: None required.

Review and approve minutes – April 2, 2018. No corrections. Lew made a motion to accept the minutes as written. John seconded. With all in favor, the minutes were accepted.

Public Business:

1. Treasury: The Conservation fund had a deposit of $9,021.32. The Forestry account had a deposit of $766.12 for the Garland Lumber invoice. The PDIP Conservation Fund account has a balance of $98,126.74.

2. Correspondence:

a. Connecticut River Conservancy is asking for donations.

b. Monadnock Conservancy is asking for donations.

c. Monadnock Conservancy survey.

New Business:

1. Cold River Local Advisory Committee has an open position. Kim Lewis is not signing up for another term. They are looking for someone to fill the position.

2. Great Brook Town Forest/Boggy Meadow: A farmer has been farming a small piece of the land for a number of years, and is now looking for formal permission to continue farming. The land is under conservation easement, with the Monadnock Conservancy as having executory interest and the WCC being the holder. The farmer (Marcus) leases his land and possibly the small land in the Great Brook Town Forest. The WCC needs more info to determine if the WCC land would be leased to someone else with money being involved. Alicia will email Marcus for details, to discuss at next meeting.

3. Merriam Forest: Lew got a call from Rebecca D., who has gotten word that there has been ATV traffic in the forest. There are two stone walls which have had sections removed. There are ATV tracks, sediment and stream crossings with sediment. Lew followed the tracks to an abutters house and spoke with the owner, who denied driving ATV’s in the forest. Lew put up signs and flagging in the traffic areas to notify them that ATV’s are not allowed in the forest. Rebecca notified NH Fish & Game, who is responsible for ATV activity. They came out and met with Lew. Fish & Game also followed the tracks back to an abutter. They spoke with said abutter and notified them of the penalties. Lew does not think this will continue to be a problem. Lew is looking for volunteers to help restore the walls and erosion.

4. Jeff White, who owns a house and property on Dearborn Circle, was in attendance. Jeff abuts the Gowdy property, and very frequently walks the surrounding fields and forests around his property. Jeff understands that the property is under conservation easement, and was inquiring about what is allowed to be done on the easement. He has noticed a large amount of forestry in that area, and he is concerned about the scope of the forestry. He voiced concern about wood duck nests and coyote dens being disturbed. Alicia told Jeff we gave permission, based upon the easement language, to do maintenance cutting in the easement. Alicia will check with Holly to see if she has any concerns, and what her comments are. No WCC members have walked the property before or after the cutting.

Old Business:

1. Reservoir Dam: No new updates/proposals. 5 Respondents have declined. Nobis Engineering is interested. Another possibility is CDL Consulting Engineers. They have worked with the town before. John will send them an email to gauge their interest.

2. Walpole Easement Database: Laura has gone through most of the files. Some easements do not have files. Laura gave Alicia a list of which ones she is missing. Alicia will touch base with Laura with information on missing easements.

3. Fannie Mason Feasibility Study: Lew has done more work and is hoping to wrap up for the next meeting.

4. Bill Callahan Land Survey: Alicia reached out to Eric and has not heard back on progress of the survey.

5. Town Conservation Maps: Laura has not had time to work on them this month.

6. WCC Appointments: John and Myra are re-appointed. Kelli is willing to stay on as a regular member but is busy and is okay becoming an alternate if someone else would like to take a regular position. Elaine is an alternate, and Alicia will follow up to see if she is interested. If not, Steven was offered the position.

7. Long View Forest Walk: Jackie and Lew were in attendance Thursday April 26th. Met with Alex and Tom from Long View. Walked forest, took pictures and did some mapping. Lots of red pine on a section of property that is ready to be cut. Reviewed logging that has recently been done. Came across a mountain bike trail through the forest. Long view is working on rapid assessment to present to WCC.

8. Trail Work Day: Saturday April 28th, Jackie Lew & Alicia were in attendance. Did some work and cleanup. There is need for further work on the trail.

9. WCC Outing Day: Just Lew, Alicia & Alicia’s daughter walking High Blue.

Other Business:

1. Proposed Gas Station, D&C Transportation: Myra, Steve & Peggy excused themselves as they are member of the planning or select boards. Jeff White also left as he is a member of the Planning Board. Alicia drafted a letter that she would like to submit to the Planning & Zoning Boards. Discussion of existing Jiffy Mart gas station and other development down the road. It was noted that those developments are commercial zoned, but Jiffy Mart received a small exception for a slight encroachment on agricultural land. John mentioned that whatever the WCC’s view is on this, it is going to set a precedent for any further development on agricultural land. Duncan made a motion to present the letter, with minor edits, with WCC members names assigned to the letter, presented at the public hearing. John seconded. All in favor.

2. Rediscussion of Jeff White and Holly Gowdy property: reaffirmation of need to contact Holly about work done. Steven noted that as of the last meeting, he didn’t believe that the easement language allowed for commercial logging, only maintenance logging. He is questioning if the logger is doing maintenance pruning, or more extensive cutting. Lew mentioned that after the meeting they determined that there can be commercial logging done, but they have to have a Forest Management Plan done beforehand. The extent of the cutting is not determined as no WCC members have been to the property. Alicia will touch base to with Holly.

Adjournment: At 9:05 Duncan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. John seconded. Meeting adjourned.

Next Meeting: Monday, June 4, 2018 at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted; Steven Dumont, Recording Secretary

Note: These are unapproved minutes. Corrections, if any, will be found in the minutes of June 4, 2018.

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 7:36 PM.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING – May 17, 2018:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of May 17, 2018, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

HOOPER BUSINESS:

April Reimbursement Request:  Mr. Dalessio moved to transfer funds from Hooper Education Trust 1 to the Town of Walpole in the amount of $5,199.79.  This is for expenses incurred in April 2018.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Maintenance Disbursement Report in Detail:  Mrs. Pschirrer explained Mr. Kreissle expected another communication authorizing him to transfer these funds.

Mr. Dalessio moved to transfer from the Hooper Maintenance Trust to the Town of Walpole the amount of $16,088.29 for invoices for the period of August 26, 2017 to April 18, 2018.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Meetinghouse West, LLC:  Mr. Jeff Miller came into the meeting.  He had reviewed the “Letter of Agreement”.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the Hooper Trustees had hoped Meetinghouse West LLC would have some money left at the end of the year; it would go into the Hooper Education Trust.  This Agreement was written before the Trustees knew about the pending sale.  Mr. Miller advised some unanticipated repairs needed to be made this year.  Mrs. Pschirrer will set-up a meeting with the Monadnock Conservancy and Mr. Fred Dill.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the three Hooper Trustees sign the Letter of Agreement with Mr. Jeff Miller of Meetinghouse West, LLC.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.    

ADJOURNMENT:  Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:08 PM.  

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 5:30 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 four members of the public in attendance.

BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS REVIEW:  For about a year, Mr. Dalessio had been working on a draft “Building Permit Process Review”.  After much research and talking with many people, he felt it was time to present this draft document.  The objectives are:

• Update Building Permit Fee Schedule To Be Fair and Balanced;

• Update The Building Permit Process To Ensure All Requirements Are Met;

• Tighten The Link Between Site Plan Review and Building Permit;

• Determine Levels of Building Inspection That Might Be Required.

It is a site review and not a construction review, although it might involve a small amount of construction review in terms of safety issues, lighting, etc.  The RSAs allow the Planning Board to form a committee to look at those types of things in a non-binding way.  He reviewed:

• Today’s Process and Requirements Commercial/Industrial;

• Today’s Process and Requirements Residential.

The Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment set their own fees.  There is a little bit of a “gray” zone; everything should be in place before applicants get a building permit.  They need to get what the State requires and what the Town should require to come together.  Building permits are good for one year for a $1.00 fee.

An example is given on Where Site Plan Needs to Support Building Permit.

• Conditions of approval may not always be clear or known when applicant comes for building permit.  Example: Life Safety Requirements should be stated up front.

• Site Plan Review does not always account for downstream permitting. Example: Water/Sewer Permit should be part of Site Plan Review.

• Applicants often need Site Plan Review/Building Permit for Financing or Promotion of Property Process today does not allow for “Finance” permitting, leads to missing information or changing information.

• There is no guidance or policy regarding the installation of “Energy” systems.  Asking for building permit but there is no guidance for compliance.

Building Permit Process Concerns:

• Application instructions are not always clear and concise.

• Approvals and permits are not always available or not provided.

• Verification of work performed is not part of the process unless required by other permits.

• Homeowner plans are somewhat confusing or not complete;

• All construction is considered the same.

• Process does not allow for “Energy System” because lack of ordinance.

• No way of knowing when building permit should

Mr. Mark Houghton explained the Fire Department’s role:  For example: There would be a Planning Board Site Plan Review of a commercial project. But, the Fire Department would not know about it and yet a building permit would be issued.  In New Hampshire, the Fire Department is to uphold life safety issues but there was no mechanism to trigger that.  It is now better than it was.  Mr. Dalessio said approval should not be given until that element is fulfilled.  All the elements of Site Plan Review need to be documented whether it is an excavation permit or wetlands permit. They all need to flow down to the building permit level.  It needs to be in a policy.  Life safety should be at the beginning, not the end.  For the Fire Department, it is for anything more than two units plus all commercial, industrial, school, place of assembly, etc.  There is a permit required for gas and oil burner installations.

The Town of Walpole is probably the only city/town in the State with a $1.00 building permit.  Permits are good for one year. But, at this time, can be renewed for another year for $1.00.  The building permit should be good for a year as long as substantial completion is underway and that has to be defined.  Most permits are residential for decks, sheds, garages, etc.

Permit Types (Proposed):

Permit “A: – For Residential Construction of Less than 400 Square Feet;

Permit “B: – For Residential Construction of Greater Than 400 Square Feet;

Permit “C – For All Commercial/Industrial Construction.

The Current Fee, Proposed Base Fee and Additional Square Foot Dollar were outlined.

Substantial completion is not defined.  It could just be the foundation is poured.  There has been some discussion on this but it has not moved forward.  Mr. Houghton asked what the fee will fund.  Mrs. Pschirrer would like it to fund a part-time building inspector.  Building Permits trigger having an Avitar Associates assessor go out to do an inspection.  There was a consensus that the proposed fees are reasonable.

Enforcement vs Verification

Code Enforcement is the responsibility of the Selectboard since there is no Enforcement Officer.  At no point in our process does the Town ask for construction details other than some part of Life Safety (Sprinkler Plans).  Code Enforcement requires knowledge of the applicable building, electrical, plumbing and Life Safety Codes.

Construction Verification is the responsibility of the Selectboard since there is no Enforcement Officer.  Our process asks for knowledgeable people to provide the necessary documentation, i.e. permits, licenses numbers, etc.  Verification requires some degree of construction knowledge but relies on professionals to do the job properly.

Code enforcement would require the town to hire or sub-contract for a licensed building inspector or code enforcement officer.  It would also require more complete construction drawings on the part of the applicant.  For the majority of building permits issued, the cost would be excessive.  Verification might be a better choice for our town.

Next Steps:

• Agree on basic concepts;

• Update Application Procedure;

• Update Fee Schedule;

• Train;

• What to do with “Energy Syst

Mr. Dalessio felt this discussion gives them a basic concept of the direction they want to go in.  Now they can start doing more detailed work, writing procedures and policies.

Four residents came into the meeting.

Walker Road Property:  Mr. Houghton asked if they should be looking at a source-site for an additional well for the Town’s water supply system.  He does not want to put any time into doing research if the Selectboard does not want to pursue the purchase of this property.  Some funding is available.  Mr. Boas mentioned a group meeting with Mrs. Jennifer Palmiotto to discuss a grant she is looking into.  This grant is to supply water intake.  They are working on the application; funding can be 50% of total project cost.  He is asking for the support of the Selectboard.  Mr. Houghton asked if we should seek this opportunity to look at another water site.  Mr. Dalessio felt under the current scheme that property would end up with the Conservation Commission; it could be developed into a future water well site.  Mr. Houghton explained there is always worry about what would happen if problems developed to one of their well sites.  There is not enough land near Watkins Hill Well to support another well; he worries about this well the most. Mr. Houghton would like to have Mrs. Pschirrer set-up a meeting with the CDL Engineer to go over the Reservoir Dam deficiencies, make sure everybody is on the same page and then just make it happen.

Walker Road Property:  Mr. Boas and Dr. Shaw are hoping to meet with D & C Transportation next week to discuss concessions.  Mrs. Pschirrer explained the process for applying for a tax abatement.

Meetinghouse Road:  Mr. Tom Sawyer inquired about maintaining this Class 6 road.  Mr. Peter Graves was here last week to ask if he could work on the road himself.  Mrs. Pschirrer talked to Mr. Mike Rau, road agent, who said if Mr. Graves wants to maintain the road himself he could.  She was going to talk to the other Selectboard members about writing a letter to Mr. Graves to let him know it is okay for him to maintain the road providing he waives any liability.  Since it is a Class 6 road, the Town will not maintain this road.  Mrs. Pschirrer understands that Mr. Graves and Mr. Sawyer use the road for farm equipment; it is their short cut.

Cold River Materials:  Mr. Gary Patch, Plant Manager for Cold River Materials, was present.  Prior to Cold River Materials owning this business, Frank Whitcomb Construction owned it for many years.  It is a gravel and ledge operation that has been there for about 70 years.  He does not think Cold River Materials and the Town of Walpole have a good relationship and he does not understand why.  This is the third year in a row that Mr. Patch was not even asked to give a quote for asphalt.  Walpole spends a lot of money for trucking to go to Winchester to pick up asphalt.  Cold River Materials is a big taxpayer in Town.

They employ local help but Mr. Rau has never called him for a price on any of their products.  Their road got posted this year for five weeks. Yet it had never been posted before in about 70 years.  They had to do work on the road themselves.  This year they are doing the District 4 paving for the State of New Hampshire.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised for this year they have again signed with Mitchell.  Mr. Dalessio mentioned a few years ago there was a quality problem.   Mr. Patch feels that Mr. Rau, as Road Agent, should want to get the best price for the Town.  Mr. Patch would like to have a better relationship with the Town.  Mr. Dalessio would like to see a total cost analysis next year from Mr. Rau.  Ms. Mayberry would like to try to support local businesses.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $47,657.63 for checks dated May 25, 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 May 19, 2018, in the amount of $25,030.04 for checks dated May 25, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was received.

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $5,021.51 for the week ending May 19, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – May 17, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 17, 2018, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2 – May 17, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session #2 of May 17, 2018, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

STAFF MEETING – May 17, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of May 17, 2018, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORT:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meeting:

• Zoning Board of Adjustment – May 16, 2018.

NOTICES OF INTENT TO EXCAVATE:  

MAP and LOT #012-013-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Notice of Intent to Excavate for Map and Lot #012-013-000 off Red Barn Lane.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #012-013-003:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Notoce of Intent to Excavate for Map and Lot #012-013-003 off Red Barn Lane.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

ABATEMENTS – PROPERTY TAX:

MAP and LOT #023-003-002:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #023-003-002 for both the former owner of this property and the current owner who applied for an Abatement.   R.N. Johnson, former owner, will receive the amount of $888.53 and the current owner, EH and CH Trust will receive $893.42.  This abatement was recommended by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

MAP and LOT #003-016-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #003-016-000 in the amount of $516.57.  This Abatement was recommended by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #025-001-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund for the past owner of Map and Lot #025-001-000 in the amount of $1,158.58  This Abatement was recommended by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #003-065-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #003-065-000 in the amount of $231.97.  This Abatement was recommended by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #012-044-021:  Ms. Mayberry moved to deny the Property Tax Abatement for Map and Lot #012-044-021.  The Selectboard will support the recommendation made by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #013-010-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #013-010-000 in the amount of $288.63.  This Abatement was recommended by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #021-019-000;  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #021-019-000 in the amount of $77.49.  This Abatement was recommended by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #008-095-004:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #008-095-004 in the amount of $314.40.  This Abatement was recommended by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #026-033-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to deny the Property Tax Abatement for Map and Lot #026-033-000.  The Selectboard will support the recommendation made by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #003-082-CL9:  Ms. Mayberry moved to deny the Property Tax Abatement for Map and Lot #003-082-CL9, Great Eastern Radio.  This is on the NHPB tower.  The Selectboard will support the recommendation made by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.    

MAP and LOT #003-040-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to deny the Property Tax Abatement for Map and Lot #003-040-000.  The Selectboard will support the recommendation made by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #008-051-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to deny the Property Tax Abatement for Map and Lot #008-051-000.  The Selectboard will support the recommendation made by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT# 028-002-000; 028-016; 028-143; 028-145:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #028-002-000 in the amount of $2,473.24 but moved to deny the Property Tax Abatement for Map and Lots #028-016, Map and Lot #028-143 and Map and Lot #028-145. These four properties are owned by Aumand Realty Corp.  Only one property received an abatement recommendation.  It was for the main showroom building.  

MAP and LOT #013-053-001: Ms. Mayberry moved to deny the Property Tax Abatement for Map and Lot #013-053-001. The Selectboard will support the recommendation made by Avitar Associates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Water and Sewer Receipts to Date: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the Water/Sewer Receipts to Date May 23, 2018, from Mrs. Jodi Daigle.  Total Receipts for Quarter #1 – 2018 Billing is $96,549.41 or 63.7%.

Brownfields Project:  Mrs. Pschirrer has been reviewing documents and recent reports on the Brownfields Project.

NEW BUSINESS:

Police Revolving Fund Request:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the withdrawal from the Walpole Police Revolving Fund NH State Flagger Training in the amount of $600.00; Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

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 and (c) Reputations.  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 7:24 PM.  

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:35 PM.  

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of May 24, 2018, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer 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 Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:36 PM.  

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:08 PM.  

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

”Good Things Come to Those Who Wait!”

It has been a long wait, but the Club Car Onward electric cart that we won in a Facebook contest last December was finally delivered last week! In case you don’t remember, we entered an online contest last fall to win a four-person electric golf cart to use at Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail. We plan to use the cart to transport visitors with physical limitations to sites on Distant Hill that they otherwise could not access.

Well, thanks to over 400 Facebook friends who voted for Distant Hill Gardens in the contest, we won the cart. The Onward was ordered to our specifications back in January, but it took a bit longer than the estimated six to eight weeks to finally get it!

The Onward will be available, free of charge, for all Open Garden Weekends, Private Garden Tours, and to access Distant Hill Nature Trail during scheduled events. I’m sorry to say, the new Distant Hill Geology Trail is still too rough for the new vehicle to easily use, but we are working on it.

If you, or someone you know, has been putting off visiting Distant Hill Gardens or Distant Hill Nature Trail because of a mobility issue, your wait is over. The Onward can seat up to three guests, and will be available on a first-come basis for scheduled events, or you can Contact Us through our website to set up a date and time for a Private Tour.

Michael & Kathy Nerrie

Thanks Again to Everyone Who Voted For Us on Facebook

WINE TASTING

BENEFITING BRIDGE MEMORIAL LIBRARY

TUESDAY, JUNE 12

5:30 – 7:00 pm

The Barn at 28 Main Street, Walpole, NH

Tickets $30 per person

ABOUT THE EVENT

CYNTHIA-REEVES presents the second in a series of wine tastings at the gallery in Walpole, NH, Tuesday, June 12th from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. The evening will feature two white wines, including a beautiful Falanghina, and finish with a series of reds from Puglia, Campania and Sicily.

Proceeds from the wine-tasting event on June 12th will support the Bridge Memorial Library Renewal Project in Walpole.  

Guests at the wine-tasting will receive a packet with descriptions of each of the wines and information on where to purchase more of these succulent wines, as well as information on the Bridge Library and its expansion plans.

DETAILS

Windham Wines brings the world of wine to Southern Vermont and New Hampshire. This family-owned shop features a global selection of curated wines, based on the owners’ personal knowledge of and relationships to vintners in Europe and the US. The shop is located Brattleboro off Exit 3; note that all cases receive a 10% discount.

Windham Wines

Black Mountain Square

972 Putney Road

Brattleboro, VT 05301

802-246-6400

info@windhamwines.com

For reservations please email info@cynthia-reeves.com, or call 603 756 4160. Seating is limited.

Payments should be made out to the Walpole Town Library as a tax-deductible contribution.



From Gray to Green Overnight!

The shrub gardens are at their best in June!

Spring continues to be much cooler than average here at Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail. We have had less rain than I would like, and much of the rain we did get came on weekends when we had events scheduled.

The cold wet weather may have lowered the attendance at our workshops and open gardens a bit, but I will take the lower numbers for a good rain any day. These spring showers are what bring on the magical change that comes each year: when the dormant trees, shrubs, and perennials that gave us a drab gray winter landscape, transform the scene to a lush green landscape in the blink of an eye.

And that magical transformation has finally taken place here at Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail!

The Yellow Swallowtail butterflies at back in the gardens of Distant Hill.

As life returns to the plants of Distant Hill, the birds, butterflies, bees, and other animals that rely on the green and flowering plants are appearing. We have a number of special events scheduled at Distant Hill Gardens in June to celebrate the return of the flora and fauna, along with two special ‘Open Garden Weekend’ fundraising events. I hope you can join us to help us celebrate the return of life to Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail.

Michael Nerrie

The sound of the spring warblers and other avian songsters are a welcome addition to the landscape.

JUNE EVENTS AT DISTANT HILL GARDENS

Click on any event below to learn more and to Register…

There is no need to signup for an ‘Open Garden Day’, but please Register for the other special events and workshops.

Morning Bird Walk – Saturday, June 2, 8-10 am

Walpole Library ‘Open Garden’ Fundraiser – Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3, 10am-4pm

Bloom Tour of Distant Hill Gardens – Friday, June 8, 4:30-6:30pm

Mid June ‘Open Garden’ Saturday – Saturday, June 16, 10am-4pm

Garden Conservancy ‘Open Garden’ Sunday at Distant Hill – Sunday, June 17, 10am-4pm

Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden – Sunday, June 17, 2-4pm

And remember you can visit Distant Hill Nature Trail anytime. It’s open seven days a week, dawn to dusk.

Distant Hill Nature Trail on ‘Trail Finder.com’ ►

“Thanks for all your support.” Michael and Kathy Nerrie

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing (Manager of Administration); Michael Rau (Highway Department), Police Chief Michael Paquette (Police Department); Lt. Justin Sanctuary (Police Department); Sandra Smith (Town Clerk/Tax  Collector); Rebecca Whippie (Hooper Institute); Justine Fafara (Library Director); Paul Colburn (Recycling Center); Richard Kreissle (Manager of Finance)

Staff Absent:   Justin Cassarino (Recreation Department)

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Staff Meeting to order at 5:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  She advised this meeting is being recorded.

Mrs. Pschirrer advised there will be a slightly different agenda for this meeting.  She thanked everyone who submitted their monthly reports in writing.  The Selectboard wants to talk about changes to these Staff Meetings which have been going on for about two years.  These meetings have been invaluable.  Mrs. Downing distributed two recent changes to the Personnel Manual, Vacation Time and Compensation Time.  They were brought up a while ago, the Selectboard considered and voted to approve them.

Compensation Time is a liability for the Town.  Many employees are entitled to it but the Selectboard needs to control their liability. Therefore, they have re-written this policy.  Nothing will be taken away from employees but they are being asked that it is used in a more timely fashion. If employees decide to resign or retire the Town must pay them for Compensation Time.  The first paragraph is the same as it has always been.  The second paragraph needs to be called to their attention.  Starting January 2019, the Town’s eligible employees will accrue comp time up to 100 hours.  As soon as they reach this cap, no additional comp time may be accrued until the employee uses his/her comp time such that it falls below the 100-hour cap.  When an employee is not eligible to receive comp time because she/he has accrued the maximum amount of time allowed he/she will be paid cash overtime for any/all overtime hours worked.  An employee must be permitted to use comp time on the date requested unless doing so would unduly disrupt the operation of the department.  The Police Department is allowed to accumulate up to 480 hours of comp time; that is a huge liability to the Town.  When that person decides to leave/retire, the Town has to come up with all that money.  It is not necessarily in the budget.  Other eligible employees are allowed to accumulate 240 hours of comp time.  Employees are still able to do this but the Selectboard is setting a limit which they can do legally.  This cannot be a savings account.  Relative to the last paragraph, last sentence; the Department Heads will make the decision about an employee using comp time on a certain date so it will not disrupt the operation of the department.

Mrs. Pschirrer encouraged employees to take this home and read it again.  It will be discussed again at another meeting.

Mrs. Pschirrer advised they have also been talking about Vacation Time.  Some people have mis-interpreted the existing language that was printed. The Selectboard has tried to make this clearer.  Employees will accumulate vacation time 3.33 hours per month.  An accounting system will need to be set up to deal with this.  Everything in this section is pretty much the same except employees will earn it a month at a time.  On January 1st, 2019 employees annual accrual shall begin on January 1st and each employee’s accrual rate shall be based on the number of years of service that employee would obtain as of their next anniversary date.  Employees will not lose what they have.  Mr. Rau expressed concern as the Highway Department employees usually cannot take vacation time during the summer.  Mrs. Pschirrer replied they will not lose any of their time.  Someone taking four weeks at one time is rare but two weeks at a time has been granted.  Accurate records will have to be kept.  We will have to work together in January 2019 as there will be challenges.  Many people in some departments have accumulated a great deal of vacation time.  The Selectboard wants employees to take vacation time as it is healthy.  Vacation time will have to be requested so it can be recorded.  This will be discussed again as it gets closer to the end of the year.

The Selectboard feels these Staff Meetings have been very productive. They have learned a great deal about what every department is doing.  Also each department is kept informed of what other departments are doing.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted it is about time to evaluate these meetings and whether they should change or remain the same.  It makes us a better team.  She asked what would be best for the Department Supervisors and what would they like to see at these meetings.

Mrs. Downing suggested meeting every other month rather than every month.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked two people to not just read their report but tell us about something they are doing in their department that is different.

Highway Department:  Mr. Mike Rau is going to talk about some of his experiences.  For example: the Alstead Center Road.  This culvert replacement project started about a year ago this summer.  Step by step they met with an engineering company onsite. They went to permitting and everything looked great until they got a new DES representative.  The Cold River is within a quarter mile of the culvert.  There is a three-page document from DES outlining what they wanted them to do in addition to what had already completed.  They are now close to $8,000 just for engineering.  DES made the project more complicated than just replacing the culvert.  They now want the Town to do a “Fish Ladder”; Mr. Rau explained how the fish would move down the stream.  Fish and Game said there are three kinds of fish there.  They tried to negotiate an alternative option with DES. It would be to place a “Fish Ladder” in the Houghton Brook near Blackjack Crossing.  DES was okay with this but then said if they are going to do this, it all has to be done at the same time.  DES is now recommending they do the “Fish Ladders” in both places.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised this will delay this major project.  This project will be funded with the extra Highway money the Town received about a year ago.  If the project is not done, the road will probably collapse.  It will be better if they could get the approval from the DES rather than do the project under an emergency permit.  Just the culvert alone is $10,000.  A lot of other details need to be done to get this project done. An access road will be needed. The landowners need to be on-board with this. In summary; they will go back-and-forth with DES for a period of time. If the project is denied, they will have to start the project all over again.  The road may have to be closed.

Finance Department:  Mr. Rich Kreissle spoke about the RSAs and the auditing process.  An Income Statement is always changing.  Usually the auditors spend about 3-to-4 days here because the work is very intense.  Occasionally they ask for information from previous years.  They look for purchase orders, invoices, account numbers, etc. to be sure they were approved by the Selectboard.  The auditors meet with the Town Treasurer, Library, Town Clerk and other employees if there are questions.   It gives Mr. Kreissle a chance to speak with fellow accountants.  They talk about internal controls, changes with the NH Retirement System and other issues.  The previous auditors never mentioned the standards or if we are in compliance with them.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted the auditors work 3-to-4 days in the downstairs office.  Mr. Kreissle has witnessed that each year is different.  Jodi, Sarah and Rich have worked hard to get water and sewer straightened out.  The auditors are very comfortable to work with and answer questions which the former group did not.

Mrs. Pschirrer is pleased with her interactions with them.  They look at things that are different and “pop out”.  Employee Time Sheets are now similar for each department.  They have installed a system in the office to double-check payroll.  Police Chief Paquette asked if they are close to getting their vacation time finalized.  Mrs. Pschirrer said they are close.  Mr. Kreissle has given the Selectboard some information they will look at tonight.  Chief Paquette thanked Mr. Kreissle for talking about purchase orders because a lot of them do not understand all the processing of paperwork he has to go through.  They now understand the work involved with keeping all the paperwork together.  Chief Paquette advised that this Selectboard is turning things into a more professional management system.

Police Department:  Police Chief Paquette reported that Officer Devin Prince is finishing up his third week at the Police Academy.  Every Friday he stops in at the Police Station to give an update.  Last week they sent Detective Bromley and Sgt. Ray Gosetti to a class on fraud investigation as they keep getting more and more cases.  Some is from overseas but a lot is local. The new cruiser came in last month.  They are waiting for the cruiser that was approved in March at Town Meeting.  They have been in touch with lettering companies to get a couple different designs to put on their cars.  A “Coffee with A Cop” will be held tomorrow at 9:00 AM at Mascoma Bank.  At the recent “Take Back Drug Day” they did not collect as much as they did back in the Fall but Walpole does quite a bit.  They are looking at work to be done on the building.  There are still problems with the back door so are pushing to get something done.  Relative to details – they have not been out much.  It is getting more congested going north on Route 12.  Chief Paquette has discussed the conditions with the DOT.  The contractor expects to have more traffic enforcement as they progress.  They had a flagger on the crack sealing project south of Town.  Chief Paquette is doing research on traffic control in the construction areas and will continue to discuss this with the DOT.

Hooper Institute:  Ms. Becky Whippie said it is getting close to the end of the school year and it is growing season.  Through the Cheshire County Conservation District they were able to order three cranberry bushes to plant in the garden near the tunnel at the Walpole Elementary School.  She ordered one Dolgo crab-apple which is supposed to be very nice.  Mrs. Eloise Clark had been communicating with the community garden folks quite a bit and is promoting the annual fee collection, discussing the water source and hose issues.  The people that mow around the Hooper Institute area have taken on the area around the community gardens.  Mrs. Clark’s gardens have been harvesting asparagus, spinach, lettuce and pea shoots that are going into the school’s salad bar.  From the Primary School garden, the students tasted asparagus, mint, garlic, chives and sweet violet blossoms.  They planted kale seeds and radish seeds.  They have been watering the plants and seeds.  Last spring Ms. Whippie had a gift of some strawberry plants.  At the North Walpole School, they are tasting the chives, (garlic and common) and popped strawberry popcorn. They are planting radishes, kale, strawberry popcorn seeds, cabbage, and are watering the soil around rhubarb, cabbage, radishes, and herbs. Water the soil and not the plant.  They transplanted sugar maple tree seedlings from the school lawn, sowing herb seeds to take home in a cup – Dill, Thyme, Sage.  In the second grade they have been working on farms and animals.  The students just started designing their dream farms on paper.  The fourth grades did a few nice visits to a sawmill (Woodell & Daughters Forest Products) and saw Morgan horses at Meadow Farm.

Mrs. Pschirrer asked those who did not have time to report today to come up with something special they would like to share with the other departments at the next Staff meeting.  Mr. Colburn, Mrs. Downing, Mrs. Fafara, and Mrs. Smith were asked to do this in June.  We will meet in June but take July off.

Written reports had been submitted by the Police Department, Selectboard Office, Recreation Department, Walpole Library, and Recycling Center.

Mrs. Pschirrer closed this Staff Meeting at 6:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary