The Kempter Family will be performing for the community at the Walpole own Hall at 6:00 PM on Sunday the 22nd. The Alstead Congregational Church and the Walpole Congregational Church have combined their efforts to bring us this event.
Chickens on the Loose 5K Registration Night – 10/20/17
Friday, October 20, 2017
Walpole Elementary School Cafeteria
5:30 – 7:00 pm
PREREGISTERED? Save time on Race day by picking up your bib early.
NOT YET REGISTERED? This is the last day to take advantage of the $20 registration. $20 if you sign up before the race; $25 if you sign up on race day.
Trying to Spread the Word
For those that might be interested, Dan Mitchell of WKBK will be doing a series of interviews regarding the Town of Walpole on Tuesday, October 17th between 6 and 10am. The list of interviewees and their focus of discussion are:
- Peggy Pschirrer, Chair of the Selectboard – Municipal
- Sam Jacobs, Principal of the Walpole Schools – Education
- Ray Boas, Publisher of the Clarion and Bookseller – History
- Tom and Andrea Goins – Business and Civic Groups
Mark your calendars to listen to the segment. Dan mentioned this once a month program has been very popular with listeners.
Hooper Trustees Meeting Minutes – 10/4/17
Sara Downing thought these meetings might be more interesting than usual because of the upcoming auction. – Lil
TOWN OF WALPOLE
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
OCTOBER 4, 2017
Hooper Trustees Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Steven Dalessio; Cheryl Mayberry
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 8:19 PM.
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES:
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING – September 28, 2017: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Hooper Trustees meeting of September 28, 2017, as submitted. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Letter to Jeff Miller. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve and sign the letter to Mr. Jeff Miller with regards to the Hooper Golf Club. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned when Mr. Ron Rosko attended a meeting a few weeks the Hooper Trustees indicated they would let him know if they found anything about the Hooper Golf Club owing the Hooper Trust money. She suggested writing a letter to advise the Hooper Golf Club owes $5,900.00 to the Trust to complete their 2015 lease obligations. Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry agreed writing this letter would be appropriate.
Mansion Furniture: Mrs. Pschirrer will be meeting at the Mansion with Ms. Sharon Boccelli and another antique appraiser to look at the furniture. Mrs. Pschirrer will also contact two other people who expressed an interest in some of the furniture.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 10/4/17
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
OCTOBER 4, 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 nine members of the public in attendance.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
FAIRPOINT REQUEST: Ms. Stephanie Hosking and Ms. Jane Miller were present. Ms. Hosking had previously spoken with Mrs. Downing about a concrete pad site to set up their equipment cabinet. This site is on a pull-off across from Walpole Interiors/entrance to Whitcomb Road/ Route 123 on the west side or Rt. 12. Ms. Hosking was at the site with a NH DOT engineer who has given approval to go through their easement area to connect with the pad site. The Town of Walpole owns the strip of land to the west of Route 12 over the old railroad bed down to the Connecticut River. The existing pole would be replaced to allow them to get five (5) feet higher. They have copper and fiber-optic cables. She explained that cables run across both the Arch Bridge and Vilas Bridge to make their connections. There are currently sites and plans being made to expand to other areas. They are working on step one of their long-range plan. Ms. Hosking would like the Selectboard’s permission to put the pad there. They have staked the site. Mrs. Pschirrer noted they need permission but do they also need a legal easement. Ms. Miller mentioned in other towns they sometimes do a license or an easement. It would be a one-time license; the easement runs with the land. Poles are licensed. The Selectboard would prefer a license. Mrs. Pschirrer will forward the license to the Town Attorney for a legal opinion. Ms. Miller said before they put a shovel in the ground they call Dig Safe and contact the Town. Ms. Mayberry felt they would need a building permit as the land is located in North Walpole.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Fairpoint’s request to put a concrete pad in the pull-off directly across from Walpole Interiors for the purpose of having an equipment cabinet placed on it. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mrs. Downing to send a copy of her email to the North Walpole Commissioners for their information.
PROPERTY LINE DISPUTE: Mrs. Barbara Chabot, Mr. Jeff Aldrich, Mrs. Kim Surles and Mr. Scott Surles were present. Mrs. Kim Surles and Mr. Scott Surles own the property on 164 Wentworth Road. In March of 2015 they put their house on the market. Shortly thereafter Mrs. Chabot asked her if she could cut some trees on the Surles’ property. Mrs. Surles said “no” as the trees provide privacy. In August of 2016 Mrs. Chabot asked Mrs. Surles again if she could cut some trees. Mrs. Surles again said “no”. Mrs. Surles began documenting the small trees and brush cuttings. In October 2016 she confronted Mr. Aldrich who said he was on his own property and had every right to clean up and cut brush in that area. She told him where the stakes were; he needed to stop and get off her property. When Mr. Aldrich continued to cut Mrs. Surles went to the Police Station and filed a report. Chief Paquette told Mrs. Chabot not to cut any more trees and get off the Surles property. In August 2017 their realtor asked Mrs. Surles to clearly stake the property along Wentworth Road because a potential buyer wants to know where the lines are. Mr. and Mrs. Surles had Mr. Joe DiBernardo come, locate and stake pins. About a week later the stakes were taken down and thrown in a pile on her property so she reported it to Sgt. Sanctuary. On September 27th, 2017 Mr. Aldrich was there again cutting trees and weed whacking so Mrs. Surles called the Police Department again. Chief Paquette came and told Mrs. Chabot and Mr. Aldrich to not cut anymore until they know where their stakes are and until they have this meeting with the Selectboard. Mr. Aldrich threatened Mrs. Surles with physical harm twice; there were two witnesses.
Chief Paquette told Mrs. Surles not to confront Mr. Aldrich at all. The next day they were mowing on her property again. The Surles are going to have the surveyors come back again next week to put the pins in again and clearly marked. Mrs. Surles wanted this to be on the record. What does she have to do to protect her property?
Mrs. Chabot thought this meeting was to discuss where the stakes are and where the property line goes. She knows where the line is on the Wentworth Road and then it goes into a stake that Mr. Aldrich found and put a red tag on it. Mrs. Pschirrer asked if Mrs. Chabot has a survey of her property. Mrs. Chabot does not. Mr. Aldrich saw the stakes. He said all Mrs. Surles had to do was knock on his mother’s door and tell her where they were. Mrs. Chabot only has the deed and a map given to her by the office staff. Mrs. Pschirrer advised they share the boundary line between the two properties. The Selectboard has no authority to settle property line disputes. If Mr. Aldrich crosses that property line he is trespassing. Mr. Dalessio suggested when Mr. Joe DiBernardo comes back to re-stake the property that Mr. Aldrich and Mrs. Chabot walk the line with him so they will know where it is. They can run twine between the stakes to be sure where the line is. Mrs. Pschirrer summarized that Mrs. Surles will give Mrs. Chabot a copy of the survey and it will be recorded.
NEW CIVIC GROUP: Ms. Meghan Hughes is making a request for a new civic group, Fall Mountain Alliance, to use the Town Hall to do public presentations. A waiver of cost and insurance is requested. They are a non-partisan group. They plan to host a voter education event to allow voters to get acquainted with who represents them at the state level and to find out about what issues the state legislature will address in January 2018. Ms. Joanne Andros explained they will invite elected State officials. Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out the Town has a policy for non-profit organizations to have access to the Town Hall free of charge. Ms. Hughes said they are a local group of people; the leadership is from Walpole. Their request is to use of the Town Hall on December 6th, 2017.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the request from the Fall Mountain Alliance to use the Town Hall on Wednesday, December 6th, 2017, at no charge. The insurance coverage is waived. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $69,416.54 for checks dated October 6, 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 September 30, 2017, in the amount of $24,459.56 for checks dated October 6, 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 $5,624.28 for the week ending September 30, 2017. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – September 28, 2017: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of September 28, 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 – September 28, 2017: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 28, 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.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
The Selectboard received and reviewed minutes of the following meeting:
- Trustees of Trust Funds – August 22, 2017.
OLD BUSINESS:
Landfill Closure Monitoring: Mrs. Pschirrer reported four bids were received to do the landfill closure monitoring. Sample gathering and reporting plus lab fees and the total were reviewed. The Selectboard requested a note be placed on the purchase order stating the vendor is responsible to meet all Department of Environmental Services (DES), State and Federal reporting standards.
Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the McKibben Environmental LLC proposal for the Landfill Closure Monitoring. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve and sign the McKibben Environmental LLC contract. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Complete Streets Recommendation List: Ms. Mayberry requested the Planning Board go back and officially do the Complete Streets Recommendations in a public meeting. The Planning Board will meet again on Tuesday, October 10th. This will be an agenda item for next week.
NEW BUSINESS:
Town Hall Rental: The Saxtons River Art Guild rents the Town Hall every year. They want to use it on October 7th and 8th, 2017 and use both floors.
Ms. Mayberry moved to waive the insurance requirement for the Saxtons River Art Guild for using the Town Hall on October 7th and 8th, 2017. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Lien Discharges:
Sewer Lien Discharge: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the Lien Discharge for sewer usage at 40 Center Street in North Walpole. Seconded by Mr. Dalesssio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Thank You Letters:
YMCA: The Selectboard acknowledged a Thank You note from the Town’s continued support of the YMCA for Camp Takodah. They are requesting that this appropriation be included in the 2018 budget.
Community Travel Service: Mrs. Pschirrer reported this service has drivers in Walpole and they service Walpole therefore they are asking for the Town’s continued support.
SAFETY COMMITTEE and PRIME Discount from Primex: Mrs. Downing attended a Primex meeting recently. The Town could receive an insurance discount from Primex if they meet the requirements. Only one Safety Committee meeting was scheduled to date in April 2017. Mr. Dalessio explained the make-up of the Safety Committee and their responsibilities. Mr. Paul Colburn was to be the first Chairman of this committee but the Chair should be rotated every six months. There should be four quarterly meetings each year. A Vice-Chair can be elected. Mr. Dalessio mentioned there are two important things that need to be done: 1) a full-inspection, and 2) for each area there needs to be an inspection of fire exits. The next meeting will be scheduled by Mr. Colburn.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 81-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 8:01 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:18 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 4, 2017, 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.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:40 PM.
Audit Letter: Mrs. Pschirrer would like to find a time when they can meet with Mr. Kreissle and Mr. Goins to discuss the audit letters. There are some things to do that are not difficult. Mr. Dalessio suggested meeting on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at 5:30 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer will let Mr. Kreissle and Mr. Goins know this meeting has been scheduled.
Joint Meeting: Mr. Edkins from the Town of Charlestown has not yet confirmed the meeting date and time for the Selectboards from the five towns to have a Joint Meeting to discuss the proposed Fall Mountain Region School District budget.
Next Selectboard Meeting: The next Selectboard meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 11th at 8:00 am. There will be no public discussion.
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 8:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
Zoning Board Meeting Agenda – 10/18/17
Agenda for Zoning Board of Adjustment
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Walpole Town Hall
7:30 pm
Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed.
Minutes: Review minutes.
New Business:
Paula Burdick: new driveway Elm Street
Signage: Bruce Bergeron, representing Irving Oil, new sign at Jakes Market
Bob Mandich, 33 Prospect Hill – home business
Old Business:
Gravel Pit Inspections
Corrections to last month’s minutes about Carmody property, 6 Ames Lane
Executive session – minutes
Next meeting Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 10/10/17
Walpole Planning Board
October 10, 2017
Town Hall
7 pm
Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Co-chair Robert Miller, James Aldrich secretary, Jason Perron, Dennis Marcom, Cheryl Mayberry, Selectboard Representative. Alternates: Joanna Andros, Ed Potter,
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the November meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.
Roll Call: Mr. J. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. There were five board members present so no one was needed to fill in.
Minutes: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the regular September 12 meeting and the September 26 workshop meeting as written. The motion was seconded and approved by the entire Board.
Old Business:
Public Hearing: Lot line adjustment for James Mort and Marilyn Dooley, 105 Brewery Road, Map 14, Lot 11, residential B and Jeddadiah and Lila Pellerin, Map 14, Lot 11-1. Annex 1.6 acres to make a total 3.2 acres. Subdivision: Lot 1 is now 8.9 acres creating a second lot, .75 acre Lot 2 with 368 feet of road frontage.
Surveyor Joe DiBernardo represented the property owners Mr. Mort and Ms. Dooley. He said this lot conforms in size to Residential B’s ordinance of square footage (minimum lot 25,000 square feet), road frontage (minimum 150 feet road frontage and side and rear yard setbacks (20 feet) and front yard setback (65 feet from center line of road).
There were no questions after his presentation. The Public Hearing was closed.
Later in the meeting, a motion was made to approve both the lot line adjustment and subdivision as presented. The motion was seconded and passed by the entire Board.
Request for a Public Hearing: Jeff Carney, Liberty Utilities, cut trees on designated scenic road, Farnum Road. Request by letter, Statute 231-158.
Mr. Carney, Program Manager Vegetation and Inspections for Liberty Utilities, 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.”
Other work planned work was (pruning at):
“10 feet from conductors.
“8 feet to the side of the nearest conductor and 15 feet above the conductors, at time of pruning.
“Utilities shall implement measures such as mid-cycle reviews to identify and mitigate elevated risk from tree exposure on circuits or sections of circuits that are significantly and/or continually experiencing tree-related interruptions, where it is practical to do so.
“Utilities shall not be required to prune to the clearance standards specified in (a) of this section where:
The landowner has refused or restricted permission to prune.
A municipality or other local governing body, by ordinance or other official means, has refused or restricted permission to prune; or
Pruning to the standards specified in subpart (a) would be detrimental to the health of the tree, in which the utility shall adhere to the guidelines provided in ANSI a300 Part 1 – 2008 Edition, available as noted in Appendix B.
“Trees under the 15-inch circumference limit and brush capable of growing into the energized conducts will be cut with the landowner’s consent.
“Tree to be removed, based on risk assessment performed by Liberty Utilities and qualified foresters from Environmental Consultant, Inc (EDI) have been marked with red of pink flagging stapled to the trees. Removals are noted in the enclosed details as “Rvm and Diameter Class” by land type Unmaintained (UM) Roadside (R) and (M) Maintained.”
Mr. Miller made a motion to hold a Public Hearing in November. The motion was seconded by Mr. Perron and the Board approved the motion.
Amended DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Units)– Mr. J. Miller pointed out that the DADU that had been voted on and passed in March 2017 had been amended at the advice of the town’s attorney, Jeremy Hockensmith. The document therefore needs another hearing to be put on next year’s warrant to approve the amendments. Mr. Perron made a motion to hold a Public Hearing on the amendments in November. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and it was approved by the rest of the Board. A copy of the warrant and amendments will be at the Town Offices and posted on the bulletin board outside Walpole Grocery.
Complete Streets – 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 were sent to the Selectboard. There will be a Public Hearing in November for the public to weigh in on these recommendations. A motion to hold a Public Hearing was made by Mr. Marcom, seconded by Mr. R. Miller and approved by the entire Board. A copy of the recommendations will be posted at the Town Offices, on the bulletin board outside Walpole Grocery. Copies will be available at the Town Offices and Bridge Memorial Library.
Legal Education Mr. J. Miller asked the Board to reread four documents on the Ruggiero litigation and DCR litigation. He asked the Board to write questions that they would like answered from the town’s attorney, Mr. Jeremy Hockensmith – not about these cases – but about procedures that the Planning Board could follow in the future. Those questions will be refined at the next workshop meeting on October 24 in the basement conference room at 7 pm.
Mr. Aldrich made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and approved by the Board.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
Next regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017
Second Annual Harvest Dinner – 10/15/17
A special invitation from Judy Trow. – Lil
How about joining us at the Bellows Walpole Inn on Sunday night for dinner?It is a fundraiser for the Great River Co-op (which will be opening on Route 12 in Walpole- the sign will be installed in the next month. If you are not already, I hope you will consider becoming a member.)
The price of a ticket may seem like a lot of money (well, okay- it is) but when you consider that it includes a drink ticket for the bar, a three-course meal (if you’ve eaten at the Inn- you know the food quality will not disappoint- see the attachment to whet your appetite), gratuity AND you will be supporting the opening of our own local food co-op (priceless.)
Here is the link to buy tickets:
http://bit.ly/2017GRCHarvestDinnerandEventbrite
Please forgive me if you’ve already received this information- and please feel free to share this information with your friends, family, neighbors, book group, etc.
We hope to be enjoying your company during the cocktail hour and beyond!
Regards,
Judy & Rick
Special Unitarian Church Service – 10/15/17
“What I Love about Islam” Sermon
The tension and misunderstandings between the Islamic World and the West are costly and severe. This sermon is an effort to bridge that gap of misunderstanding. What may be intriguing about Islam for religious liberals? Join us for an opportunity to open our hearts and minds to what valuable life lessons we can gain from this powerful and inspiring religious tradition.
Presenter: Rev. Dr. Mellen Kennedy is a UU minister and also a Sufi minister. She serves as minister for the UU Church in Springfield, Vermont. Seven years ago she founded “Peace and Unity Bridge,” (PUB), an organization dedicated to cultivating friendship and understanding among Muslims and non-Muslims. Rev. Mellen is part of the national grassroots effort to counter Islamophobia. PUB is funded in part by a grant from the Unitarian Universalist Fund for Social Responsibility. (www.peaceandunitybridge.org). Rev. Mellen is also co-founder of the UU Small Group Ministry Network. She serves on the Board of the Sufi Inayati Order.
Caravan of Thieves – 10/21/17
Caravan of Thieves will perform at The Bellows Falls Opera House on Saturday, October 21st. Doors open at 7:00 and the music will begin at 7:30.
Gypsy Swinging Serenading Firebreathing Circus Freaks!
Driving gypsy jazz rhythms, acoustic guitars, upright bass and violin lay the foundation for mesmerizing vocal harmonies and fantastic stories. It’s theatrical and humorous. It’s musical and intense. It entertains, dazzles and defies classification while welcoming the spectator to join the band throughout the performance in momentary fits of claps, snaps and sing-alongs. If Django Reinhardt, the cast of Stomp and the Beatles all had a party at Tim Burton’s house, Caravan of Thieves would be the band they hired.
Opening will be special guests, The Meadows Brothers.
Tickets and information: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2974749
Partial proceeds from this concert will go to the Transportation Assistance Program at The Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Specifically to pay for gas cards which are given to cancer patients who need help covering transportation costs.
The Walpolean 
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