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Help the Next Generation of Scientists – 12/13/17
You may have noticed that I am a little partial to this group! – Lil!
Mark your calendars : 12/13/17 from 5:00-9:00 PM
Grace Conety, Ruby Frithsen, Anya Bierweiler-Franks, Syon Gutierrez preparing for the Crime Busters event at the State Competition at Saint Anslems.
Hooper Trustees Meeting Minutes – 11/9/17
TOWN OF WALPOLE
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
NOVEMBER 9, 2017
Hooper Trustees Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Steven Dalessio; Cheryl Mayberry
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 6:52 PM.
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING – November 2, 2017: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of November 9, 2017, as submitted. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.
Mansion Furniture Sale: Mrs. Pschirrer advised the Mansion furniture sale begins tomorrow. There was a crew of volunteers at the Mansion today; some worked two-or-more hours. Signs were made. Some furniture was moved around. Cupboards were cleaned out. There is an inventory except for inexpensive, small items. They organized the items for sale and closed off certain areas. The heat was turned on. The sale on Friday will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer also met with Mr. Colin Sheehan today. He continues to work on plans for the property.
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 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Public Hearing Regarding Donation of Land – 11/9/17
TOWN OF WALPOLE
PUBLIC HEARING
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
NOVEMBER 9, 2017
Selectboard Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Steven Dalessio; Cheryl Mayberry
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this Public Hearing of the Selectboard to order at 6:15 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She advised this Public Hearing is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There were no members of the public in attendance.
PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE DONATION OF LAND FROM WILLIAM CALLAHAN: Mrs. Pschirrer advised this meeting is being held in accordance with RSA 41:14a for the acceptance of a piece of land. The Selectboard may accept the donation if they hold two public hearings two weeks apart and then not more than ten days later can accept the land. The Selectboard is required to given letters endorsing the acceptance of this land from the Walpole Conservation Commission and the Walpole Planning Board. The Walpole Conservation Commission has already agreed to write that letter. The Callahan land is 3.5 acres; Map and Lot # 004-012-001. It is an interior parcel of land Mr. Callahan inherited some years ago. It is completely land-locked. It abuts the Fanny Mason Forest which is land owned by the Town of Walpole. It will make a good addition to that piece of land for the extension of public right-of-way. Mr. Callahan is happy to give this land to the Town of Walpole. The members of the Walpole Conservation Commission have agreed to pay for the survey and legal fees for the transfer documents for the property.
There will be a second public hearing on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 6:15 PM. It will be posted as required. The Selectboard will then have ten days to accept the donation of this land. This State law, RSA 41:14a, was accepted by the voters of the Town of Walpole at a Town Meeting. Therefore, the Selectboard does not have to wait until a Town Meeting to accept this donation of land.
There were no members of the public in attendance; therefore there was no public comment.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Public Hearing. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, this Public Hearing was adjourned at 6:24 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 11/9/17
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
NOVEMBER 9, 2017
Selectboard Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Steven Dalessio; Cheryl Mayberry
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She advised that this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. There were no members of the public in attendance.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $39,955.33 for checks dated November 10, 2017. 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 November 4, 2017, in the amount of $24,189.95 for checks dated November 10, 2017. 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 $5,238.96 for the week ending November 4, 2017. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 2, 2017: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 2, 2017, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – November 2, 2017: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 2, 2017, 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.
PUBLIC HEARING – Acceptance of Complete Streets Recommendations – November 2, 2017: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to put these Minutes on-hold until the next meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meeting:
- North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – October 30, 3017.
WARRANT:
PROPERTY TAX: Mrs. Pschirrer read the Tax Collector’s Warrant, Property Tax Levy, State of New Hampshire, as follows:
“In the name of the State you are hereby directed to collect the property taxes in the list herewith committed to you, amounting to the sum of Five Million Six Hundred Forty Six Thousand Five Hundred Ninety Four Dollars and Eleven Cents ($5,646,594.11) and with interest at twelve (12%) percent per annum from December 18, 2017 thereafter, on all sums not paid on or before that day.
And we further order you to remit all monies collected to the Town Treasurer, or to the Town Treasurer’s designee as provided by RSA 41:29, VI, at least on a weekly basis, or daily whenever tax receipts total One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) or more.
Given under our hands at Walpole, New Hampshire, this Ninth day of November 2017.”
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept and sign this Warrant for Property Taxes in the amount of $5,646,594.11. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Citizen’s Report 2017-18: Mrs. Pschirrer will contact this citizen to discuss the matter.
Dental Rates: Mrs. Pschirrer advised the HealthTrust was looking for the Selectboard’s acceptance of the Dental Plan. The Fall Mountain Region School District will no longer administer the Dental Plan; they are changing to Delta Dental. Mr. Dalessio felt they should explore the possibility of sharing the administrative costs with the Town of Charlestown who are considering self-insuring this coverage. Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer agreed as it will save both the Town and employees money. Ms. Mayberry agreed to continue to explore this change-over. Mrs. Pschirrer will respond to the email from the HealthTrust benefits advisor.
Alstead Road: Mrs. Pschirrer reported some information was received from the CDL Company who has been looking at the Alstead Road culvert project. They submitted a proposal that meets all the State standards except the Fish and Game Department. They asked for a slight change at the end of the area. Maps were provided. Mr. Rau will now send this out for bid to at least three companies. Mr. Dalessio requested that Mrs. Pschirrer ask Mr. Rau if the plans will be stamped by a licensed engineer.
Highway Department: Mr. Rau advised three pick-up trucks are down. There is wiring damage to one of them.
Water and Sewer: Receipts to-date for Water and Sewer collections are $29,176.00.
NEW BUSINESS:
Preliminary 2017 Equalization Certificate: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the 2017 Equalization Municipal Assessment Data Certificate from the Department of Revenue Administration. It was a full revaluation. The equalized ratio of 101.2 will be used to calculate the total equalized valuation for the Town.
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the 2017 Equalization Municipal Assessment Data Certificate. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
School Board Voting Appropriation Warrant: Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged receipt of the email from the Town of Charlestown regarding the article wording that would be an amendment to the Articles of Agreement. Mrs. Pschirrer began to re-write this however it is not finished. It needs to be more detailed.
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 6:52 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:00 PM.
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.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:14 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 9, 2017, be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:16 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Complete Streets Public Hearing Minutes – 11/2/17
TOWN OF WALPOLE
PUBLIC HEARING
ACCEPTANCE OF COMPLETE STREETS RECOMMENDATIONS
NOVEMBER 2, 2017
Selectboard Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Steven Dalessio; Cheryl Mayberry
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this Public Hearing regarding the Acceptance of Complete Streets Recommendations to order at 6:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She advised this Public Hearing is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to state their name and address for the record. There were four people from the public in attendance.
The Planning Board made these recommendations after nine months of meetings and input with representatives of Southwest Regional Planning Commission and Walpole Police Chief Mike Paquette.
Following are the Recommendations:
Speeds: The speed limit, which is 25 mph, should be clearly marked and enforced in the Village. Consider installing a speed limit sign on South Street as drivers enter the village and another sign on Main Street near Costume Ladies or before Edward Jones.
Walkway/sidewalk near Jakes and Mascoma Bank: The painted walkway on the northwest corner of the Westminster St/Main St. intersections should be restored into a sidewalk. When the gas station and convenience store changes hands in the near future might be a good time to do this.
Shared Bicycle Lane Markings (i.e. “sharrows): Consider adding sharrows to Main Street and other roads in the village to indicate that motorists should share the road with bicyclists. For roads with parallel parking, sharrows should be placed outside the “door zone” of parked cars. For roads with diagonal parking, sharrows should be placed in the middle of the travel lane (closer to the yellow line) to direct bicyclists away from cars backing out of single parking spaces.
Fountain on Westminster St.: Consider continuing adding roadway markings and signage to clarify how motorists should navigate around the fountain in the intersection of Westminster St. and Main St.
Main St. connection from school to Walpole Village: Consider traffic calming by adding sharrows and/or a bike lane for students who bicycle to school, and education to raise awareness among students and drivers about how to safely share the road and decrease incidents of students walking in the travel lane. Keep overhanging brush cut.
Main St. connection from school to Mill Pond: Consider widening and improving the surface condition of the shoulders along this stretch of road where space allows. In addition consider placing signage that says “Pedestrian Crossing Ahead” to alert motorists to likely pedestrian crossing location. While this may be a large expense, consider in the future making a sidewalk from the school up to where the neighborhoods are.
Library Crosswalk: Add yield signs on the pavement before the crosswalk on both sides of the road.
NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE:
Crosswalk on Killeen St./Route 12. Consider working with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to install a pedestrian crosswalk near Stateline Grocery where the sidewalk ends on one side of the road and continues on the other side of the road.
Informal pedestrian railroad crossing from Church St. to Center St.: According to Chief Paquette, some students cross the railroad tracks to get from the bus stop on Church St. to Center St. as a shortcut to get home. Consider working with School Bus company to change the location of the bus stop, improve the fence to block children from crossing at this location, or working with the police dept. to identify other strategies to address the situation.
DREWSVILLE VILLAGE:
Check with state to keep a 35 mph speed consistent from the cemetery through the village.
Public Comment:
Mr. Ray Boas attended the last Planning Board meeting. His concern was the one-way traffic on Elm Street.
Mrs. Pschirrer began the discussion with the “Speeds”. The Selectboard has already put some of those 25 mph signs up but maybe more could be put in other places. Mr. Ray Boas of 44 Elm Street noted a lot of places have radar signs; some have come down in size. Mrs. Pschirrer advised there will be a Warrant Article on this year’s Annual Meeting to buy a radar sign that can be moved around the Village. It will have the speed limit and a camera on it that will record information on the vehicle speeding through. Mr. Dalessio was not sure the Police Department could issue a ticket but could issue a warning. Prior to the Town Meeting Mr. Boas would like to have an article from the Selectboard that he could print in the Clarion. Mr. Dalessio will talk to Lt. Justin Sanctuary about writing the article. Ms. Sarah Lynch lives at 58 South Street. She has no objections to having a sign at the end of her property as vehicles come into the Village. Vehicles also zoom out of the Village. People walk out from River Road; it is a safety issue. Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the newly paved road adds to the speed. Mr. Peter Burchstead lives at 13 Fire House Road. The signs do not say “Strictly Enforced”. If people see that they might pay more attention to the speed limits. In NH there is an implied 5mph over the posted speed limit. Mr. Dalessio will check on this with the Police Department. Mrs. Pschirrer will find out if they can buy these signs that Mr. Burchstead mentioned. The Town quite often has to buy signs. Parking spaces were put along Main Street particularly on the right hand side because it is impossible to come out of Middle Street. Suddenly people have started to park in the last space. They have ordered signage to take care of that and will paint “No Parking”. Unfortunately there are not enough parking spaces in the Village downtown.
Walkway/sidewalk near Jakes and Mascoma Bank. Mrs. Pschirrer asked how they felt about the painting that was there this past summer. Mr. Boas felt it looked good but remembers it being white. Mr. Burchstead feels people will still park in the crosswalk by Jakes. By State law the pedestrian has the right-of-way in the crosswalks. Mrs. Pschirrer said the question is should they put in a sidewalk near Jakes and Mascoma Bank. Maybe they should do this to mark off the area. Mrs. Pschirrer said there was a rumor that the gas station and convenience store changed hands but, in fact, the current owner still leases the property from the Walpole Foundation. When he leased that property there was a long lease with Sunoco for gas however he is now changing to Irving gas. It is not changing hands except for the change in gas companies. The Selectboard can do something about the sidewalk.
Shared Bicycle Lane Markings. Mrs. Pschirrer advised this is a narrow road as one travels down Main Street to the school. You finally hit the sidewalk at Elm Street. There is a sidewalk on the left but still not a lot of room. Mr. Burchstead said the markings are useful. Could signs be put up by Malnati’s Farm and on South Street. Claremont has large signs that state you are required by law in NH to give pedestrians and runners (actually it is a foot for every ten miles an hour you are going). A sign should be by Kimball’s office. Mrs. Pschirrer noted they have to be sure they were on Main Street and not Route 12.
Mr. Dalessio does not have a problem on the main drags but they could avoid markings on streets where there is parking, etc. Current thinking in urban development is not to put up too many signs because the less signage you have you pay more attention to the details. Mrs. Christine Burchstead said when she is walking vehicles go through the two stop signs on North Main Street. Some vehicles do not come to a complete stop.
Fountain: Mr. Burchstead likes the markings on the road; it used to be confusing. Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned there are markings on both sides of the fountain. They could re-enforce what is already there.
Main St. connection from school to Walpole Village. Mrs. Pschirrer said the sharrows will help. She would encourage children to stay on the sidewalk. Mr. Dalessio noted the sidewalk is in deplorable condition. Mrs. Pschirrer said they will have to start putting more money in the budget for sidewalks. The Highway Department did cut some of brush. Mrs. Burchstead mentioned the crosswalk in front of the Library; a lot of people do not stop there or even slow down and school children cross to go into the Library. Mrs. Pschirrer felt there should be a sign there to indicate vehicles have to stop for crosswalks. It is heavily used. Another recommendation was to widen the shoulders where space allows but there is not much space on that road. They wanted this done from the school to the neighborhoods. Mr. Burchstead said from the school to Hubbard’s it is cracked and falling in. When he runs he has to stay on the road. Mrs. Pschirrer said there is a need to address both sides of the street. Mr. Dalessio stated there are a few recommendations to consider repairing the shoulders and sidewalk. They can have the Police Department go into the school to talk about safety.
Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned in North Walpole a recommendation was to have the NH Department of Transportation install a pedestrian crosswalk near Stateline Grocery. Mr. Dalessio said the NH DOT did have the lines painted. This information will be sent to the Commissioners in North Walpole.
Drewsville Village: It states to check with the state to keep a 35 mph speed consistent from the cemetery through the village. Mr. Dalessio pointed out this is a State problem; there are three different speed limits.
Mr. Burchstead would like to see the signs for “Share the Road” plus putting up signs similar to the orange ones in Claremont giving pedestrians/runners their rights in accordance with RSA 245. Walpole has a lot of walkers, bikers and runners. Mrs. Pschirrer said they will check on those signs. Mrs. Burchstead added the signs need to be enforced. Mrs. Pschirrer agreed enforcement is a problem as the Police Department is stretched. Recruiting officers is difficult.
Mr. Boas asked if there is an implementation plan. Mrs. Pschirrer replied the Selectboard will have to make decisions on what to accept and make sure there are funds because that becomes a budget issue. The signs are not very expensive; they regularly replace signs. Painting signs and crosswalks takes time and money.
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Walpole, New Hampshire Complete Streets Recommendations to install 25 mph speed limit signs at various places in the Town, to restore or repaint walkway/sidewalks near Jakes and Mascoma Bank, to add sharrows to Main Street and other roads but not in the congested areas in Town, to have roadway markings for shared bicycle lanes, have roadway markings and signage around the fountain, to approve the sidewalk and shoulders on Main Street from the school to Walpole Village and also do the education with students, the Main Street connection from the school to Mill Pond needs added signage before the crosswalk on both sides of the road, to add signs on both sides of the road by the Library crosswalk. For the Selectboard liaison to the NH DOT, Cheryl Mayberry, to contact them about installing a pedestrian crosswalk near the Stateline Grocery where the sidewalk ends on one side of the road and continues on the other side of the road plus other issues involving crosswalks on NH State property. Check with the state to keep a 35 mph speed consistent from the cemetery through the Drewsville village and to provide the necessary budget to accomplish these recommendations. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Public Hearing. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Public Hearing was adjourned at 6:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 11/15/17
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Town of Walpole
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
7:30 pm
Present: Board Members: Chair Myra Mansouri, Vice-Chair Jan Galloway Leclerc, Mary Therese Lester, Judy Trow, Tom Murray. Alternate: Ernie Vose. Absent: Pauline Barnes.
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the December 2017 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.
Roll Call: Ms. Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. There were five board members present so an alternate was not needed to fill in.
Minutes: On page 2 there were a couple of grammatical corrections. For example, provided should be provide, include should be includes and in sixth paragraph there should be the word stated after Ms. Lester. Also Ms. Clerc pointed out that Mr. Sawyer’s pit on Route 12 is not grandfathered. Ms. Lester made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Ms. Trow seconded the motion and it was approved by the entire Board.
New Business:
Paula Burdick: new driveway Elm Street – Ms. Paula Burdick did not come to the meeting.
Update on Dan Mandich business From the Heart: Ms. Mansouri explained Mr. Mandich dropped off the form from the state for his home office on Prospect Hill. She signed it, made a copy and then he had to take it to the fire department for the fire chief to sign. Mr. Mandich will then bring back the form from the state and we will copy it and put it in his file. He’s not having anyone coming to to his house.
Update Carmody property, 6 Ames Lane, 2009 Town Report – There were questions about the status of the Carmody property on Ames Lane. According to the 2007 and 2008 Town Report, Dearborn Circle and Burrows Lane were changed to residential B at a vote on the warrant that resulted in 973 for and 137 against.
Ames Lane is a private road so their frontage is on Dearborn Circle, Ms. Trow said. So that means if the frontage of the lots is on Dearborn Circle, then the two lots are Residential B, not commercial.
Mr. Vose said one of the Carmody lots is on a corner so it’s also on Upper Walpole Rd. He would have the proper frontage there.
Ms. Leclerc said the lots may have the frontage on Dearborn Circle, but there is nothing in the zoning ordinance that says they have to use the frontage for access.
Ms. Mansouri said the map say it’s Residential B and the tax card says it’s commercial.
In the end, the Board looked up the recently redrawn zoning map from Avitar. That map indicates that the lot with frontage on both Dearborn Circle and Upper Walpole Road is in Residential B. It also shows the lot that was subdivided off from the corner lot is zoned commercial.
Patricia Rodrigues request
Under the Right to Know law, Ms. Rodrigues requested by email copies of the gravel pit inspection reports for Graves Gravel pit and Hodgkins Industrial Park Gravel Pit. The secretary sent her copies of each report after she supplied her mailing address.
Lighting
At the request of the Board at the October meeting, the Board asked the secretary to research lighting and to check with Mari Brunner at Southwest Regional Planning Commission. Ms. Brunner suggested looking at the manual “Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques,’’ which the secretary obtained for free from Steve Landry of the NH Department of Environmental Services. Also included in the lighting information was the Planning Board’s lighting plan in the site plan and a document that was in the file.
Ms. Trow said, regarding the Irving sign, she wanted to see the sign illuminated so in the future she’ll have a better idea of brightness. Ms. Raynie Laware said the sign would be 6700 lumens. Some of the sample ordinances in the “Innovative” book recommended1800 lumens as the optimum number of lumens. All agreed that seeing the sign will make the difference. If there’s a problem, Ms. Laware said the lights could be dimmed.
Ms. Trow asked if light is a zoning responsibility. Mr. Vose responded that the Board can put conditions on anything.
New Business:
Ms. Mansouri was at the Planning Board meeting the previous night and there was a Public Hearing on amending the Detached Accessory Dwelling Units. The Planning Board voted to recommend the amendments and they will be placed on the warrant in March.
Ms. Mansouri and Mr. Jeff Miller, chair of the Planning Board, are the ones who came up with the language for the amendments.
The amendments are:
A definition of DADU:
As defined as a residential living unit that is with the same single-family lot and provides independent living facilities for one or more persons, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel of land as the principal unit it accompanies.
1-F No conversions to condominiums and must remain in common ownership.
2-D Only one DADU per lot.
2-E Must comply with town ordinances and regulations.
Ms. Mansouri asked if the language for the amendments were going to the town attorney. She will check with the Planning Board chair Jeff Miller.
Town Warrant
Ms. Trow and Ms. Barnes were looking into the signage on Alstead Center Road, which at one time was called Hitchcock Road. Ms. Trow said that she and Ms. Barnes had the maps out and quickly felt that the descriptions were descriptions of 1960 things that they had no knowledge of. She said she always relied on the maps before and not the written descriptions in the ordinance.
Ms. Mansouri said she would contact the Municipal Association in Concord and ask them to help write an ordinance as simple as possible. But if it goes on the warrant, it needs two Public Hearings by the Planning Board. The name of the road was changed when 911 went in.
Good News
Bob Anderson said he would be happy to come back as an alternate starting in January. Everyone was very glad to see him when he stopped in and were delighted with his decision to comeback on the Board. He has been missed.
Mr. Murray wanted to know the zone of the lot next to where Dr. Chuck Shaw’s veterinary business is. Mr. Vose responded rural/agricultural.
Mr. Vose made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Ms. Leclerc and entire Board vote in the affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
Next meeting: Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 11/14/17
Walpole Planning Board
November 14, 2017
Town Hall
7 pm
Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Co-chair Robert Miller, James Aldrich Secretary, Jason Perron, Dennis Marcom, Jeff White, Cheryl Mayberry, Selectboard Representative. Alternates: Joanna Andros, Ed Potter,
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the December 2017 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.
Roll Call: Mr. J. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. There were five board members present so no one was needed to fill in.
Minutes: There were two corrections to the regular minutes. The first was a motion by Dennis Marcom regarding the Public Hearing for Complete Streets. The motion should say, “At its workshop session on September 26, Board members who were present okayed several recommendations for Complete Streets as well as the policy presented after July. The recommendations and policy should be given to the Selectboard.” Mr. Marcom made a motion to do just that and it was seconded by Mr. R. Miller. The Selectboard will have a Public Hearing in November for the public to weigh in on these recommendations and policy. Also, Jeff White’s name was not listed as being present for the October 2017 meeting.
Mr. Marcom made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion passed with a unanimous vote by the Board.
Old Business:
Public Hearing No. 1: Jeff Carney, Program Manager Vegetation and Inspections for Liberty Utilities, will prune trees on Farnum Road, a designated scenic road. Request by letter, Statute 231-158.
Mr. Carney, sent a letter to the Planning Board outlining what his team was going to do on Farnum Road, which is a designated scenic road. The scheduled maintenance follows PUC: 307.10 Pruning Standards and “with the landowner’s consent, utilities shall prune trees adjacent to all distribution circuits to the following minimum clearances on more than a five-year cycle.”
Mr. Carney was not at the meeting.
Public Hearing No. 2; Amended DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Units) The DADU is a zoning ordinance that passed in March 2017. On the advice of the town’s attorney, Jeremy Hockensmith, it has been amended to clarify the new zoning ordinance. Mr. J. Miller sat down with Zoning Board chair, Myra Mansouri, and these are the amendments that were added to the ordinance.
The first is a definition of DADU:
“DADU – As defined as a residential living unit that is with the same single-family lot and provides independent living facilities for one or more persons, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same parcel of land as the principal unit it accompanies.
“1-F No conversions to condominiums and must remain in common ownership.
“2- D Only one DADU per lot.
“E. Must comply with town ordinances and regulations.”
Everything else remains the same. Mr. J. Miller asked if there were any questions or comments. Mr. Marcom said that it all made sense to him. The Public Hearing was closed.
Mr. Perron recommended passage of the amendments to the DADU. Mr. R. Miller seconded the motion and the motion passed in a unanimous vote.
New Business: Bensonwood request for a Public Hearing in December for a small addition of a shed to one of the buildings at 6 Blackjack Crossing.
Mr. Tom Olsen represented Bensonwood. He asked for a Public Hearing for an addition to a timber frame shop that Bensonwood would like to build. He explained that the addition would be to the building on the right of the parking lot. The addition is called the Robot Shed addition because the shed will house a new timber milling machine that the manufacturers of the machine call a Robot.
This addition is 389 square feet and it will be attached to the 14,500 square-foot timber frame building. That does not include the offices, which are attached on the east side of building. It’s a single-story addition, with a shed roof and a concrete foundation.
He submitted a corrected site plan. Mr. Olsen said the previous plan was part of a parking study that shows parking spaces that don’t exit. He didn’t’ want there to be the impression the company was parking 120 cars because that’s not happening.
Mr. Olsen said there will be no increase in employment because it’s an automated machine. And currently the construction of the wall, roof and floor panels have been moved to a facility in Keene. So about 30 people who were previously working at 6 Blackjack Crossing are now working in Keene.
Mr. Marcom, a Bensonwood employee, added that there is a woodworking facility that’s on Pratt Road in Alstead and the 10 to 12 employees from that facility will now be working at 6 Blackjack Crossing.
Mr. J. Miller asked about the waivers on the checklist and if some were not applicable. Mr. Olsen said he provided some information on the document of the waived items.
Mr. J. Miller recommended that the meeting next month will be about two matters: the site plan for the Robot shed as well as for an amended site plan. These two matters will be incorporated into one Public Hearing. The minutes will reflect this request.
Mr. Aldrich made a motion to hold a Public Hearing for the addition of the Robot shed and also for the amended site plan. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and it was approved by the Board.
William Callahan – Land Donation
Mr. Miller said that there is a gentleman in town that has 3.6 landlocked acres and he wants to donate the land to the town. It abuts the Fanny Mason Forest, which has a conservation easement on the property. The procedure is to generate a letter of recommendation. That’s the process, Mr. J. Miller said.
Since Mr. Aldrich knew the background of the parcel, he explained the history of the property and why Mr. Callahan wanted to donate the land. Looking at a map, Aldrich pointed out Route 12, and a parcel of land now owned by Mr. William Callahan. Aldrich said years ago Raymond Fletcher owned the land and had a handshake deal to allow the person owning the property, now belonging to Callahan, to drive across the property, now owned by Sean Hannan. The right of way went from Old Keene Road to get to where Callahan’s property now is. Since that property is now owned by someone else, that owner did not agree to the right of way so it leaves the acreage landlocked. So Mr. Callahan wants to give it to the town as a gift. The property will become part of the Fanny Mason Forest.
Mr. Marcom asked what was the Planning Board’s duty.
Mr. J. Miller said the Planning Board has to send a recommendation to the Selectboard to allow the Selectboard to accept the land on behalf of the town. The Conservation Committee also has to send a recommendation.
Mr. Perron made a motion to recommend to the Selectboard the acceptance of the Callahan property for the town. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the Board unanimously passed the motion. The secretary will send a letter to the Selectboard.
Complete Streets – Board members received copies of the minutes of the Public Hearing on Complete Streets recommendations and policy that the Selectmen held earlier this month. Each of the Planning Board’s recommendations was taken up and commented on by people attending the meeting.
Liberty Utilities – Mr. Miller suggested keeping open the Public Hearing on pruning on a scenic road. No abutters attended the hearing and the spokesperson, Jeff Carney did not come, so the Planning Board will keep the hearing open and will continue the Public Hearing at the December meeting.
DCR – Greg Gay property in North Walpole. Selectman Mayberry said she received a new document that afternoon stating that the judge threw out the motion to reconsider their decision, which was favorable to Mr. Gay.
Mr. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and passed by the entire Board.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
Next regular meeting Tuesday, December 12, 2017
More Conservancy Land
Thank you Jane Skofield. – Lil
Newly conserved property is a sanctuary for wildlife
KEENE, N.H. — The Monadnock Conservancy recently was given a 95.4-acre parcel of land that abuts Hooper Forest in the north central part of Walpole, N.H. The property offers incredible plant and tree diversity, and also provides key habitat for wildlife.
Forested slopes, woodland views and stone walls; these are a few of the treasures of this special place. Large, mature trees dominate the landscape. The only structure on the entire plot is an old stone-lined spring. Part of the beauty of this property is how undeveloped it remains.
Now, thanks to growing support from the community and a generous donor, the property will stay that way. Jane Skofield of Walpole deeded the nearly 100 acres of land to the Conservancy.
“I inherited the land from my uncle,” she said. ”I didn’t really need it, so I thought the Conservancy could use it.” Jane further remarked that she thought it was a good spot for wildlife.
Oak trees provide ample mast for critters who like acorns. Hop hornbeam nutlets are prized by ruffed grouse and are eaten by pheasants, finches, grosbeaks, rabbits, turkeys and squirrels.
The property’s rich soil is the product of bedrock uncommonly high in calcium and undulating terrain. That, among other things, allows for a really diverse community of plants to grow — more so than your average New Hampshire forest.
“It’s unique to see all of that diversity packed into one spot,” said Rick Brackett of the Conservancy.
The Monadnock Conservancy, founded in 1989, is the only land trust dedicated exclusively to the 35 towns in the Monadnock region of southwestern New Hampshire. Its mission is to work with communities and landowners to conserve the natural resources, wild and working lands, rural character and scenic beauty of the region. Based in Keene, N.H., the Conservancy is an accredited organization that has protected 20,000 acres of forest, farmland, shoreline, wetlands, wildlife habitat and recreation trails in the region. For more information, visit http://www.MonadnockConservancy.org or call 603-357-0600.
The Walpolean 
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