The Walpolean

Cub Scout Pack 299 would like to Thank everyone that

came to our Annual Easter Egg Hunt and also Thank You

to Costume Ladies and the Walpole Creamery for their

generous donations.

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

PUBLIC HEARING

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Public Hearing regarding the withdrawal of funds from the Police Vehicle – Capital Reserve Fund to order at 5:02 PM.  A Warrant was passed at Town Meeting on March 17, 2018, which allows the Selectboard to take, after a Public Hearing, funds from the Capital Reserve Fund to replace a Police vehicle.  Mr. Dalessio advised they will be withdrawing $5,810.00 from this fund which is the difference between the cost of the new vehicle and what the insurance company reimbursed the Town.  Ms. Mayberry asked when this new vehicle will be on the road.  Police Chief Paquette replied they will be able to pick the Dodge Charger up next week.  It will then be delivered to the shop for installation of the equipment and hopefully be on the road in about three weeks.  They were able to recover a lot of equipment from the damaged vehicle.  Notices of this Public Hearing were posted in the usual places.  No other comments were made. There were five members of the public in attendance.  .

Ms. Mayberry moved to close this Public Hearing.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Public Hearing was adjourned at 5:08 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved to withdraw $5,810.00 from the Police Vehicle – Capital Reserve Fund.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.    

REGULAR SELECTBOARD MEETING

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 5:08 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting is being recorded and she asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There were five members of the public in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

“MEET AND GREET” Officer Devin Prince:  Police Chief Michael Paquette introduced Police Officer Devin Prince.  Chief Paquette noted Officer Prince is eager to get started and ready to go to the Police Academy.  The Police Academy can only take 67; Officer Prince is #71.  He will go to the Academy for the physical fitness test on April 16th and hopefully he will get into this session of the Police Academy that starts April 30th and lasts four months.  He will be on the reserve list.  If called he will have two hours to be in Concord.  There are three Academy sessions a year.  Right now not as many people are “jumping” into these careers; it is a lot more dangerous than in the past. Officer Prince will also be required to do 300 hours of field training.  He was in the military for six years and was overseas twice.  Chief Paquette feels he will be a good fit for the department.  He has helped set up the new “Speed” machine.  The Selectboard welcomed Officer Prince to the Town and Police Department.

LETTER FROM RAY BOAS:  Mr. Boas has been doing research on the property next to Dr. Shaw and across the road from South Street.  He shared his findings with the Selectboard.  He recommended the Selectboard look into the easement that exists to see if it is sufficient for what is being proposed.  He has been looking at Map 18 and explained the subdivision of the property in September 1994.  Mr. Dalessio appreciates the information Mr. Boas is providing but the Planning Board needs to understand the history.  Conditions may have been placed on the property by the State when they gave Walker Road to the Town.  There are a lot of questions.  Mr. Boas sent a request to Mr. Jeff Miller, Mrs. Myra Mansouri and Marilou Blaine to ask if there can be public comment prior to the Public Hearing.  He submitted a copy of his April 5, 2018, letter to the Selectboard.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $43,829.98 for checks dated April 6, 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 March 31, 2018, in the amount of $24,746.67 for checks dated April 6, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $5,229.12 for the week ending March 31, 2018.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – March 29, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of March 29, 2018, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Mr. Dalessio abstained as he was not present at this meeting.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – March 29, 2018:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 29, 2018, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Mr. Dalessio abstained as he was not present at this meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:

• Walpole Fire District Meeting – March 14, 2018;

• Walpole Fire District Annual Meeting – March 15, 2018;

• Walpole Town Library Board of Trustees Meeting – March 20, 2018.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTIONS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the following nine Solar Energy Exemptions:

• Map and Lot #005-011-003;

• Map and Lot #006-014-000;

• Map and Lot #018-002-000;

• Map and Lot #008-118-000;

• Map and Lot #008-033-000;

• Map and Lot #008-050-001;

• Map and Lot #013-035-000;

• Map and Lot #013-008-000;

• Map and Lot #009-048-000.

Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT:

DAVID & DIANA RICHARDSON, 197 Old Cheshire Turnpike Road, Map and Lot #013-036-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit #2018-04 for David and Diana Richardson to have “Solar Panels” at 197 Old Cheshire Turnpike Road, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Police Revolving Fund Request:  The Police Department has withdrawn this request.

FairPoint-Consolidated Communications Invoice:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported FairPoint-Consolidated Communications has now sent the Town a bill in the amount of $1,419.97.  They claim it was not paid.  Mr. Kreissle feels this is an error in their records not ours but they do not accept this.  Mrs. Pschirrer will ask Mr. Kreissle to call Savings Bank of Walpole tomorrow to see if records are kept back to 2009.  Fairpoint-Consolidated has threatened to send this to a collection agency and/or lien something.  Mr. Dalessio’s big concern is if they can disconnect the service.  Mrs. Pschirrer will ask Mr. Kreissle to write a letter of explanation and attach copies of our checks and copies of their bills.  The Selectboard felt this should go back to FairPoint-Consolidated Communications.

NEW BUSINESS:

State of NH Parks & Recreation Grant Program: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a letter from the NH Division of Parks and Recreation dated March 27, 2018.  It is regarding the Land and Water Conservation Fund program compliance and property stewardship.  Project sites are required to be inspected every five years by their office to ensure program compliance.  Our sites were inspected in 2006.  Ms. Mayberry will follow-up on this with Mr. Justin Cassarino.

Cemetery Deed for Lot D522:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Deed for Cemetery Lot D522.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

Thank You Card and Letter:  A Thank You note was received from Camp Takoda YMCA for the Town’s support.  It served Walpole kids.

Community Volunteer Transportation Company:  A Thank You letter was received from the Community Volunteer Transportation Company for the Town’s contribution of $2,300.  Walpole has a great team of volunteer drivers.  Maintaining a vibrant supply of drivers is critical to keep up with demand.

Fall Mountain Region School District:  The Selectboard discussed writing a request to the FMRSD to advise that the Selectboard is interested in purchasing the parking area next to the Whitcomb Recreation Area for $1.00.  It will need to be put on their warrant as an article for the next Annual Meeting.

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 6:05 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6’29.

OTHER BUSINESS:

NH Municipal Association Meeting:  Ms. Mayberry attended this meeting in the City Hall in Keene.  It was very interesting.  The NH Municipal Association discussed new bills being proposed and the towns that will be impacted the most.  She will provide copies for Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer.  They encourage towns to contact their legislators.

Library Trustees Meeting:  Mrs. Pschirrer attended the fundraising meeting.  They have applied for Historic Grants; she signed as the Chair of the Selectboard.  It enables them to apply for LCHIP Grants.

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 6:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Please note that this week’s Meeting Agenda includes a Public Hearing for adding a handicap ramp to the new restaurant, Spencer’s Place, but does NOT have a Public Hearing for the proposed gas station. This week it is only a request for a Hearing. The hearing itself would be scheduled for next month. – Lil

ZBA Wednesday, April 18, 2018 – 7:30 pm Walpole Town Hall
by Ray Boas
This is a reminder for you to attend the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting Wednesday,  April 18, 2018 , at 7:30 pm in the Walpole Town Hall.

At that time on the agenda is:

New Business:

Request for a Public Hearing for a Special Exception, rural/ag to commercial. D&C Transportation, Orleans, Vt. Map 10, Lot 2. Proposed Use: Filling Station and Convenience store with Drive Thru. James Phippard of Brickstone Land Use Consultants LLC representing D&C Transportation.

On April 10th a record crowd of from 150 to 175 concerned citizens attended the Planning Board meeting when D&C requested a public hearing for May. Wednesday’s meeting is part of the process. I encourage you and all your friends to again attend this Wednesday’s meeting (7:30 PM April 18) to show your displeasure in this request. It is not time for public comment – but one never knows.

Please widely circulate this important message.

Thank you, yours, RAY, Publisher, THE WALPOLE CLARION

It’s time once again to help out at the 6th Annual Walpole Clean Up Day, Saturday, April 28th.

It starts at the Transfer & Recycling Station at 8:00 am with coffee and donuts.  You will be given blue garbage bags and your choice of road sections to tackle.  Bring gloves and maybe ‘grabbers’ if you have them.  (It’s messy work!)

Three hours later, at 11:00, bring your booty back to the Center for weighing and judging for ‘Most Original Garbage’, ‘Grossest Garbage’, ‘Most Garbage Collected’, etc.  Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Invite your friends and family to help out.  The time flies by, and the difference those few hours make has a huge impact on the town and our roads.

If you have any questions, call Tara Sad at 756-4861.

See you on the 28th – Rain or shine!

There is an exuberance to the paintings of Karen Silve – a lovely ease in the way she captures the rich visual impression of nature and renders them, fully alive, in her canvases.  Her intuitive work relies on layers of lush colors, aggressive brushwork, and drips that push off the sides of the canvas. Based on synaesthetic impressions of the natural world, her paintings impart an unabashed appreciation of nature’s profusion of shape and color.  Her interest in Post-Impressionist and Fauvist paintings are in full evidence here, supported by her intuitive, rhythmic, calligraphic brush strokes.  Purposefully abstract, these compositions are a result of piecing together ad hoc sections of developed works, to arrive ultimately at a new and unexpected place.

Here is a link to our exhibitions page with details on the upcoming exhibit:

http://www.cynthia-reeves.com/upcoming-exhibitions/

The show will run from April 21 to May 26 2018 and the admission will be free.

Presiding Members: Jeffrey Miller (Chair), Robert Miller (Vice-Chair), James Aldrich, (Secretary), Dennis Marcom, Jason Perron, Jeff White, Steve Dalessio (Selectboard Representative). Alternates: Edward Potter, Joanna Andros.

Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the May 2018 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

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

Roll Call: All board members were present so no alternate was needed to fill in.

Election of Officers: The first regular Planning Board meeting after Town Meeting officers are elected for a year. Mr. Perron nominated and made a motion to elect Mr. J. Miller as Chair, Mr. R. Miller as Vice-Chair and Mr. Aldrich as secretary. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Minutes: Mr. Marcom noted that on page one, in the seventh paragraph, last sentence, the word “on” should be “upon.” Ms. Mayberry also made a correction by email. She said the Selectboard briefly discussed the Rounds property donation and would make no decision until there had been a formal request from Mr. Rounds. Since that time, Mr. Rounds has found a buyer for the property. Mr. Aldrich made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. The motion was seconded by Mr. Marcom and approved by the Board.

Public Hearing No. 1: One lot into 2-lots: James and Margaret Charbonneau, 170 Kingsbury Rd. Map 8, Lot 120 – 1 divided into two lots. Lot 120-1 is 5.92 acres, 359 feet road frontage; Lot 120-3 is 5.06 acres, 202 feet road frontage, for a single-family residence. Rural/ag district. Lot 120-3 will come out of current use. David Edkins represented the Charbonneaus.

Mr. Edkins spoke in behalf of James and Margaret Charbonneau on Kingsbury Road. They are proposing a two-lot subdivision of their more than 11 acre lot at 170 Kingsbury Rd. The subdivision complies with all the zoning ordinances. Both lots are over 5 acres so state approval is not required. The thought at some point is that the Charbonneaus would deed Lot 120-3 to their daughter to build a single-family residence. The other lot would be for their own use.

With no questions from the Board and no questions from the abutters, Mr. J. Miller closed the hearing.

Mr. Edkins noted that the Charbonneau’s surveyor did not want to issue a final mylar until all the pins were in. He will send the plans within a couple of weeks. Mr. Edkins will notify the secretary and bring the Mylar to the Town Offices. The secretary will notify the Chair and Vice-Chair to sign the Mylar and paper map for the town files. She will bring it to the Registry of Deeds in Keene to be recorded.

Public Hearing No. 2: Recommendation to the ZBA for a Special Exception:
Great River Consumer Cooperative Society wants to covert a chicken coop, previously used by Hubbard, on Bensonwood property for a store for the Co-op. Request for a Special Exception 835-6488, Map 12 Lot 4-2. Also, parking lot on Map 12, 4-3. Land owned by Bensonwood. Both lots in Rural/ag district. Kim Mastriani – president of Walpole Co-op will represent the group.

The Co-op has postponed this hearing until May. Mr. Aldrich made a motion to continue the Public Hearing in May. The motion was seconded by Mr. R. Miller and the Board passed it.

Decision on Public Hearing No. 1: Regarding the Public Hearing on the subdivision on Kingsbury Road, Mr. Aldrich made a motion to accept the subdivision as presented by Mr. Edkins. Mr. R. Miller seconded the motion and the motion carried.

New Business: Mr. J. Miller explained the process for this new proposal from D&C Transportaion to build next to the veterinary clinic on Route 12. The Planning Board’s involvement in this is that it has to give a recommendation after a Public Hearing. Tonight’s meeting was for a request for a Public Hearing from the applicant. The Public Hearing would be the second Tuesday in May, and after public testimony, the Planning Board makes a decision to recommend or not recommend this project to the Zoning Board.

It is one of the requirements that the Zoning Board needs to make a decision when it hears a Special Exception when there is a change of use in the rural/ag district to commercial. The ZBA then has several other criteria it must consider before making a decision.

Tonight, Mr. J. Miller said, will be a quick presentation of the proposal and then maybe some questions from the Board. And then we’ll set a date for a Public Hearing for the written recommendation to the ZBA about the Special Exception.

Request for a Public Hearing for a recommendation to the ZBA for a Special Exception: D&C Transportation, Orleans, Vt. Map 10, Lot 2, Rural/ag district. Proposed use: Filling station and convenience store with a Drive Thru. Mr. James Phippard, a land use consultant in Keene, represented D&C Transportation, the owner of the land at the intersection of Route 12, South Street and Walker Road.

With a map on display, he pointed to the land being discussed – a field located on the west side of Route 12. The Connecticut River is located at the rear of the property. The total parcel of land is 10.2 acres and includes a forested area, and fields down by the Connecticut River and the terrace of land being used for the filling station and convenience store is about 40 feet higher than the river below.

The proposal is to construct a convenience store with a filling station and drive thru. That requires a Special Exception in the Rural/agricultural zone, Mr. Phippard said. The convenience store would be 6,000 square feet in size, operated by Big Deal Convenience Stores. There are two other Big Deal convenience stores in the area – one in Keene and one in Spofford on Route 9. He suggested visiting either of those stores if interested.

There are eight filling stations with two filling stations off to the side for diesel gasoline. The property was designed to accommodate not only passenger cars but also trucks. It’s not unusual to find trucks stopping to buy products from convenience stores. So in order to accommodate them the architect designed the area, so trucks wouldn’t be parking on Route 12. There is adequate circulation for tractor trailers and there are three parking spaces for tractor trailers.

This is not a truck stop, Phippard said. It is a safety feature so trailer trucks don’t stop on Route 12, in the public right-of-way, when they visit this facility.

There will be town water extended across the street from South Street and Mr. Phippard did speak to the water department.

The driveway that is there now is the driveway to the veterinary hospital. By deed, that driveway is shared with the lot next to it. We will be improving that driveway – paving it and widening it to accommodate two exiting lanes and one entrance lane.

There will be an on-sight septic system and soils on the property are good soils so there should be no problem there. There will be underground fuel storage, which is regulated by NH Department of Environment, he said. DES has established guidelines on usage and how to install those storage tanks safely.

Mr. Phippard said the plan will comply with the town’s zoning ordinances regarding signage, lighting, landscaping and will be using screening plantings in several locations.

Also, they will be making improvements to Route 12 as the Department of Transportation requires. Currently, there is a left-turn lane for southbound traffic; a right-turn lane will be added. There has been a significant traffic study and more information on the traffic will be forthcoming at the Public Hearing.

There will be 18 parking spaces, plus the parking at the fuel pumps, so 28 vehicles can be accommodated on the property at one time. The company believes that is adequate for the volume of business that is expected.

Mr. Phippard requested a Public Hearing for May so he could complete the process and get on to the Zoning Board.

Ms. Andros wanted to know what some markings on the map signified in the top left-hand corner. Mr. Phippard said underground fuel storage tanks. Then she asked where the parking spaces were. Mr. Phippard said across the front of the store, off to the side where there are also three trucks space and at the fuel pumps. Then Ms. Andros wanted to know what they would sell at the drive thru. Mr. Phippard said the store has a large deli – so food and coffee. Customers would pick up their food at the pick-up window on the other side of the building.

Mr. Marcom wanted to know the amount of paved area. Mr. Phippard said 1½ acres.

With regard to the left-turn lane, Mr. Marcom asked, does the state pay for that. Mr. Phippard said the applicant pays for that because his operation will impact traffic along Route 12.

The applicant is required to get a DOT driveway permit. The applicant is planning a right-turn lane, which will probably include 800 linear feet of roadway. The width is already there but it has to be repaved and restriped.

Jeff White pointed to the area of the bottom right corner of the map. He said no two tractor trailers could meet there and make a safe turn onto Route 12, especially during winter. He also didn’t think three parking space for three tractor trailers was sufficient. He thought it should be more. On any given day at Jiffy Mart, there are three parked trailers as well as a propane truck, a fuel truck and a couple of logging trucks. And 28 parking spaces at 6 to 7 in the morning is not enough, Mr. White said.

Mr. Aldrich noted that the building is located just south of the Westminster Bridge where the speed limit is 55. Mr. Phippard said DOT may recognize the 55 mph problem and lower it to 40 mph. “I will be sure to raise the issue,” Mr. Phippard said.

Mr. Dalessio asked if D&C Transportation was aware they needed a Special Exception when they purchased the property. Mr. Phippard said “yes.”

Mr. Aldrich made motion to schedule a Public Hearing in May. Mr. R. Miller seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Ms. Marcia Galloway asked if Mr. Phippard was aware of the recreational trail at the edge of his property. Mr. Phippard said “yes.” Someone else asked what was going to happen to it. Mr. J. Miller said that will be discussed at the Public Hearing.

Vilas Bridge: Representative from Bellows Falls to discuss Vilas Bridge. Chuck Wilson did not show.

Carmody site plan amendment: Mr. William Carmody came to amend his site plan for his building at 4 Ames Plaza. He intends to add a one-bedroom apartment.

Originally, Mr. Carmody said there were offices on the first floor with a commercial warehouse and two one-bedroom apartments upstairs. He closed down his business in the late fall, November. He painted up the apartments. His wife and he had decided. He is planning to convert the three offices on the first floor into an apartment. He will close off the hallway. Make the two half-baths into a three-quarter bath and the apartment will be a kitchen, living room and bedroom.

What about Power Sports? Mr. Dalessio asked. Mr. Carmody said they will still be there in the warehouse space.

Ms. Andros asked about the outside. Mr. Carmody said the outside will remain the same. The changes are to the interior.

He presented a formal request to amend his site plan.

Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the amended plans. Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Discussion: How to make Complete Streets part of the Site Plan Review and/or checklist. This topic will be discussed at the Workshop on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 7 pm. Mr. Marcom said he thought the Board could take the principals of Complete Streets and put it into Section 8. Mr. Marcom will come up with some verbiage to amend the site plan.

Mr. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine