Tag Sale – 10/21/17

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The Walpole Unitarian Church will have a Tag Sale on Saturday, October 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 on the lawn. In Case of rain, it will be held at Hastings House up the street. The proceeds will go toward renovation of our beautiful large windows.  The church is accepting donations of quality used items such as furniture, small appliances, housewares, china, glass, ceramics, paintings or other art, clothing, and tools. If interested in donating to the sale, contact Joanna Andros at 756-3560 to make arrangements to drop off your items. Hastings house will be open from 4-8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20 to accept donations. If you are unable to transport your items, please call to arrange a pick up in the week preceding the sale or earlier. 

Those who have nothing to donate to the sale, may make a monetary donation to the window renovation, by writing a check to the Walpole Unitarian Church specifying that it be used for the windows. Thank you!  

Library Book Sale – 10/27-29/17

EVENTS 09/19/2017 Leave a comment

Jana Sellarole wanted to share these last minute details about the upcoming Book Sale. – Lil

 

  • The deadline for donating books for the sale is Thursday, October 12. Book donations are accepted every Wednesday (9-10 am) and Thursday (3-4 pm) at the former RN Johnson facility.
  • Would you like to sponsor a table at the Book Sale? Your $10/table donation would help to offset the cost of table rental, and help increase the sale’s profit. Contact Cheryl Hoffman (756-4066) for more information. Thank you so much for considering this!
  • Thank you for all your support of this annual fundraiser to support our wonderful local library!

Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 9/12/17

PLANNING BOARD 09/19/2017 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board

September 12, 2017 Minutes

Town Hall

7 pm

 

Presiding Members: Jeffrey Miller (Chair), Robert Miller (Vice-Chair), James Aldrich, (Secretary), Jason Perron, Cheryl Mayberry (Selectboard Representative). Alternate: Joanna Andros.  Absent:  Board members Jeff White and Dennis Marcom, Alternate Ed Potter.

Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the October 2017 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Meeting Opened: Mr. J. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 

Roll Call: There were enough Board members present for a quorum.

 

Minutes: Mr. Aldrich made a motion to approve the minutes of the August meeting. Mr. R. Miller seconded the motion and it was approved by the Board.

 

Public Hearing No. 1: Lot Line Adjustment for Trebor Properties LLC, Map 13, Lots 3-1 and 9, Valley Road, rural/ag.  Add 10 acres to Trebor Properties to make a larger parcel of 12.32 acres, leaving Madden property with 49.10 acres. Property owners Glenn and Laura Madden, Hayes Road.

 

Mr. Joe DiBernardo, surveyor, represented Trebor Properties, which is owned by Robert Palmer. Trebor Properties wants to acquire 10 acres from the Maddens and add it to property fronting on Valley Road. Mr. DiBernardo showed a map with Mr. Palmer’s property being a triangle and touching a point in the middle of the 10-plus acres. There is a power line easement of 125 feet running the length of the newly acquired parcel on the western side of the property.

Mr. Aldrich asked how large was the area where the point was on the map. Mr. DiBernardo said abut 10 feet. Mr. Aldrich asked about road frontage. Mr. DiBernardo said 224.75 feet. Mr. Aldrich asked if it encroached on the driveway of the abutting property. Mr. DiBernardo said yes but that the property belongs to his son Douglas. Mr. DiBernardo added that he is buying the property for protection for his children’s abutting lots.

At about this point Alternate Joanna Andros walked in and Mr. Aldrich recused himself from voting because he is an abutter. Mr. J. Miller asked Ms. Andros if she would act as a Board member in in his place. She agreed.

Abutter Mike Hayes went to look at the map more closely. He said he was interested in where the property line was between his property and the property being acquired. He was concerned he might lose some property if the pins weren’t in the right place. Mr. DiBernardo said the pins hadn’t been placed yet but he could accompany him when he was doing so. He also invited Mr. Hayes to his office to see the map and boundary lines on Goggle Earth. He was assured by Mr. DiBernardo and Mr. J. Miller that he wouldn’t lose any property.

Mr. Jason Perron made a motion to approve the Lot Line Adjustment as presented. Mr. R. Miller seconded the motion and it was approved by the Board unanimously.

 

Public Hearing No 2: Site Plan, Commonwealth Construction in North Walpole, Manager Yohbel Brosseau, Map 23, Lot 4, Industrial Zone, Church Street. Changes to original site plan, build new warehouse, 13,000 square feet in place of demolished wooden building, new driveway.

Mr. J. Miller asked if he had a permit for the driveway from the NH Department of Transportation. Mr. Brosseau said yes.

Mr. Brosseau introduced himself and stated he was there to show where the current warehouse was being built. He said the previous wooden structure, which was to be the warehouse, was found to be not as structural sound as thought for this purpose so the company was building a new 13,000 square-foot space that is 75-feet-by-160-feet long structure for the same purpose. The building is a little shorter than the other building and abides by the 20-foot setback rule that the other building did not. There is also a change to the driveway, which Mr. Brosseau said would work better for trucks.

Mr. Don Lennon, an owner of the abutting Len-Tex building welcomed Brosseau to the commercial district and said his construction was enhancing that zone and it was a good thing for North Walpole. He said the Len-Tex business is the last stop along the water line on Route 12. He asked him about water consumption and discharge at the manufacturing site.

Mr. Brosseau that the discharge papers were in progress of being completed and that an engineer from Bellows Falls was helping him. The pipes were 71/2 -inches, which would be sufficient, and 8-inch wide pipes. He was mainly doing the paperwork.

Mr. Brosseau added that all plans for the manufacturing operation were approved in 2015. Both buildings are sprinkled and permission granted from the North Walpole Fire Department.

Mr. Lennon then asked if he had an engineered plan for runoff from the roof of the new warehouse.  Mr. Brosseau said that the runoff was onto grass and it was 20 feet from the abutting property. He added that the slope of the parking lot was away from the building.

Ms. Mayberry, a previous commissioner for North Walpole, said that she thought Len-Tex opted not to hook up to the Route 12 water line. She said that is the way it looks on the waterline map. Mr. Lennon was adamant that his company was last on the Route 12 water line. Ms. Mayberry said she would look into the matter.

Mr. Brosseau was asked to come before the Board and update his site plan when it was discovered he had started building an additional building without coming back to the Planning Board to change the original site plan. Some Board members noticed the structure going up as they drove by and as one person noted – it’s hard to miss a 13,000 square-foot building.

Mr. Brosseau had a building permit from Mr. John Foster. A discussion ensued about permits being issued without following the correct process and without going through the proper channels.

Mr. Lennon said he was concerned about this as projects seemed to be allowed without going through the right steps. Mr. Brosseau added he was also concerned.

Mr. J. Miller remembered when Aubuchon was being built. He said all of a sudden this building was going up at the corner of Route 12 and Route 123 and he stopped in and inquired what was happening. The builders said they had permission from North Walpole. But there had been no site plan or permission from the Walpole Planning Board.

The situation is unique. North Walpole has its own commissioners and a Zoning Board. But it does not have a planning board so anyone in North Walpole needing a subdivision, lot line adjustment or site plan must go before the Walpole Planning Board.

Ms. Mayberry suggested inviting the North Walpole Village Commissioners and Zoning Board to meetings that involve property in their district.

Mr. Perron made a motion to accept the site plan as presented but discharge plans need to be sent to the secretary. The building process of the warehouse may continue while the water discharge plans are being finalized.

Mr. R. Miller seconded the motion and it was approved by the Board.

 

New Business:

Mr. DiBernardo requested a Public Hearing for October for James Mort on Brewery Road for a Subdivision and Lot Line Adjustment. It is Map 14, Lot 11, Residential B.

A motion was made to hold a Public Hearing in October. The motion was seconded and approved by the Board.

 

The Amended DADU – Discussion and Complete Streets Discussion will be held at a September workshop on Sept. 26 in the downstairs conference room at 7 pm.

 

Mr. J. Miller would also like all Board members to read the decision by the judge regarding the Ruggiero litigation. He is concerned about the state overriding local decisions.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 9/7/17

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TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

SEPTEMBER 7, 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 four members of the public in attendance.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

WESTBERG PROPERTY:  Mr. Mike McCluskey, Process Coordinator with the Department of Environmental Services Brownfields Program, and Mr. J.B. Mack, Southwest Region Planning Commission, were present to provide a progress report on the Westberg property.  Many towns have come to similar circumstances whereby if the town does not do anything to clean-up a property no one else will do it. The Town of Walpole would like to use the Westberg property for additional parking in the Village.  Ransom Consulting has been doing a lot of testing.  Mr. McCluskey wants to be sure all the data is being communicated to the Town.   He gave a synopsis of where we are now and what information they think is needed.  A brief history of the property and its usage was provided.  He distributed copies and provided an explanation of a site plan as prepared by Ransom Consulting Engineers and Scientists (Legend and Notes).  Initially they focused on metals in connection with the plating operation but did not find elevated levels in their report.  In New Hampshire, beginning in March of 2016, testing began for PFAS (Per-Poly-Fluorinated Alkyl Substances).  They have records that show Central Plating used these chemicals so it is appropriate to sample for them.  Mr. Mack mentioned New Hampshire has PFAS standards for groundwater but not soils. Mr. McCluskey said they need to determine the extent of this contamination.  The good news is residents in the Village do not have private wells but are on the Town water system.  They feel the chemicals are pretty well confined and know where they came from.  They will be sampling for 23-or-24 compounds.   Mr. McCluskey talked to the attorney for the property owner to get permission to test for PFAS and to get permission for DES to go onto the property. There was discussion relative to extending testing beyond the property line.  There would be a need to find a funding source to test on abutting Lot #63 plus they would need to work out an agreement with the property owner.  DES works with a different consulting firm than SWRPC; DES is waiting for a scope of work from their consulting firm.  Right now Mr. McCluskey needs to execute agreements with the attorney of the property owner.  Deadlines for grant applications were mentioned.  November 17th is the deadline for getting the application in for the grants.  If the Town wanted to make application for the grants they would need to take ownership prior to November 17th.  Relative to liability, the Town would be looking at both the federal and state side.  Phase I needs to be finalized prior to the acquisition of the property.  Mr. Dalessio agrees with moving forward but does not want to rush the process.  If they miss this deadline there will be other opportunities to apply for the grants.  After Phase I is completed, the Town would have six months to purchase the property.  The Selectboard thanked Mr. McCluskey and Mr. Mack for attending this informational meeting.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $223,585.26 for checks dated September 8, 2017.  Of this total $181,838.38 was for paving material.  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 2, 2017 in the amount of $22,822.01 for checks dated September 8, 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 $4,913.34 for the week ending September 2, 2017.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – August 31, 2017:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of August 31, 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 – August 31, 2017:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 31, 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.

SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING – August 31, 2017:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Special Public Hearing of August 31, 2017, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meeting:

  • Zoning Board of Adjustment – August 21, 2017

 

BUILDING PERMIT:

CRAIG and JENNIFER VICKERS, 85 Wentworth Road, Map and Lot #017-008-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2017-29 for Craig and Jennifer Vickers to “Construct a 62’ x 27’ kitchen and master bedroom addition”” at 85 Wentworth Road.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

JOHN J. McGUIRK and CONSTANCE M. ADAMS, 202 Upper Walpole Road, Map and Lot #012-035-000:  Ms.Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2017-30 for John J. McGuirk and Constance M. Adams to “Construct an 18’ x 11’ carport” at 202 Upper Walpole Road.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

GARY and SUSAN LITTLEPAGE, 26 Old Keene Road, Map and Lot #019-002-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2017-31 for Gary and Susan Littlepage to “Construct a 24’ x 24’ garage with basement” at 26 Old Keene Road.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

STEVEN and MEGAN COREY, JR., 23 Maplewood Circle, Map and Lot #024-016-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2017-32 for Steven and Megan Corey, Jr. to “Construct a 22’ by 12’ +/- deck per attached sketch” at 23 Maplewood Circle.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

 

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT WITH REFUND:

MAP and LOT #030-074-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Property Tax Abatement for Map and Lot #030-074-000 in the amount of $929.03.  This home was demolished just prior to April 1, 2017 cut-off date for building on a property. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

 

 

CURRENT USE LAND CHANGE:

MAP and LOT #001-016-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Current Use Land Change for Map and Lot #001-016-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Commonwealth Construction:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the letter to Commonwealth Construction as discussed at the last meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Corrective Deed for Map and Lot #026-010-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer explained they are dealing with a piece of property that was mistakenly taken and changed from the New England Power Company by a Tax Collector’s Deed recorded June 6, 2010.  This was an error.  The Selectboard now have a deed that is correcting that and removing the tax deed.   The land goes back to the New England Power Company.  This was already approved. Therefore, the Selectboard signed the deed.  It will be recorded.  A warrant will be issued shortly as New England Power Company will pay the property taxes back to the spring of 2017.  This decision was made quite some time ago.

Recreation Revolving Fund Request – Volley Ball Net:  Ms. Mayberry requested that this agenda item be continued.  She talked to Mr. Justin Cassarino and now will talk to Mr. Bill Gallagher and the North Walpole Village Commissioners as they all share the same concerns about vandalism.

Water & Sewer Receipts to Date:  The Selectboard reviewed the weekly report from Mrs. Jodi Daigle.  Collections are going well.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Savings Bank of Walpole Account Forms: The Town has opened an account at the Savings Bank of Walpole for the Town Clerk’s use of credit cards.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Selectboard approve and sign the forms for the Savings Bank of Walpole for the Town Clerk for her credit card account.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Letter from Peter Powers:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a copy of the letter Mr. Peter Powers sent to the Army Corp of Engineers in Concord regarding the improvements to Route 12 between North Walpole and Charlestown.  He objects as he does not feel they are going to solve bank stabilization issues along the Connecticut River.

HealthTrust Training in Keene:  Mrs. Sarah Downing asked to attend a HealthTrust Training Workshop in Keene on October 5th from 9:15 am to 12:30 pm.  It is free.  The Selectboard approved this request.

 

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 (e) Pending Claims or Litigation.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 8:00 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:10 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 7, 2017, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer 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 8:12 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:24 PM.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Friends of the Library Book Sale 10/27-29/17

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Clarion Deadline – 9/21/17

Uncategorized 09/14/2017 Leave a comment

One week away comes the deadline for the October 2017 issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION. So, it is time to sharpen those pencils, exercise your keyboards and get your submissions to me for upcoming Walpole events, happenings, recent successes, and the like. Ads too, are always welcome to help support the publication costs of this community service.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me. Contact information is on the home page of the CLARION website. Thank you, yours, RAY – Publisher

Walpole Schools September Newsletter

Uncategorized 09/12/2017 Leave a comment

Here is the link to the first School Newsletter of the 2017-2018 school year. – Lil

 

https://sites.google.com/a/sau60.org/walpole/info/newsletter

Zoning Board Agenda – 9/20/17

ZONING BOARD 09/12/2017 Leave a comment

Agenda for Zoning Board of Adjustment

Wednesday,  September 20, 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 – Tom Aldrich will explain

 

Maybe Pro Signs: New signs at Jakes

 

Gravel Pit Inspections

 

Old Business:

Letter to Zoning Board

 

 

 

Next meeting Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 8/7/17

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 09/12/2017 Leave a comment

Minutes for the regular meeting of the

Walpole Conservation Commission

Monday, August 7, 2017

 

Present:  Alicia Flammia, John Peska, Gary Speed, Myra Mansouri (alt.), Peter Palmiotto (alt.), Jackie Kensen, Kelli Wilson, Lewis Shelley, Cheryl Mayberry (SelectBoard representative), Elaine Heleen, acting secretary

Not Present:  Duncan Watson

 

Ms. Flammia, chair, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

 

Seating of Alternates 

Ms. Mansouri was seated to achieve quorum.

 

Treasury/Budget Report

No Treasury or Budget reports were available.

 

Minutes

Mr. Peska moved to accept the minutes for the July 10, 2017 meeting as presented. Ms. Wilson seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.

 

New Business

  1. Much discussion ensued regarding trail work needed at Mill Pond and Fanny Mason and getting other volunteers to assist. Members will contact other groups such as school kids who need volunteer hours, snowmobilers, bike club, walking group, scout troops, Hooper students, Ag Dept of High School, etc.  Late fall is best for heavy work as there are less ticks.
  2. Aquatic Resource Mitigation Fund Program (ARM) re: funding for dam removal/replacement through DES. Mr. Peska will contact Warren Stevens, engineer to get an estimate on time needed to assess the Reservoir Dam and cost to hire him.
  3. Prioritize Town Forests for the Town Forester to assess. The Commission members recommend Fanny Mason, Hooper Forest, Reservoir Forest, Nelson, March, Burton, Watershed, Trombley, Great Brook, and Sawyer Easement.

 

Old Business

  1. Palmiotto says that nothing has been done about the Antioch University intern project as school is just getting started again.
  2. Monadnock Conservancy/ Nerrie Easement request for $9,000. The sticking point is still the Easement Stewardship Fund. Commission members remember that in the past only the cost of Surveys and Legal fees were covered; it was not the intent to cover the Easement Stewardship costs.  Shelley moved to state that going forward the Conservation Commission will only cover Survey and Legal Fees related to Easements.  No one seconded as attempts to correct the language flooded in.  Mr. Peska moved to table Mr. Shelley’s motion until the Town Attorney could review the motion and recommend the best language to correctly state the intent of the situation. Ms. Mansouri seconded Mr. Peska’s motion which passed with all in favor.
  3. Mayberry will confirm that the Selectboard appointed Laura Hayes to the Conservation Commission.

 

 

Other

  1. Fanny Mason trails have gotten overgrown. A feasibility study needs to be done to establish what work is needed and what it would take to have the trails cleared and completed. Shelley has done feasibility studies for other groups at around $50/hr and he estimates that the FM would take 3 days including write up.  Ms. Flammia will check with the Town Attorney on how to best avoid any conflicts of interest if Mr. Shelley is to be hired to do the study.
  2. Peska has looked into the best place for the Commission’s monies. Mrs. Pschirrer, Selectboard member, has recommended a state fund that would earn better interest for the Conservation fund.  Mr. Peska made a motion to move the Conservation Fund to the State fund. Ms. Mansouri seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.
  3. Additional property will be added to the High Blue Easement of 40 acres to the North of the current 260 acres with a neighbor contributing over half of the funding.

 

The next meeting will be Monday, September 11, 2017.

 

Mr. Peska moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:45pm.  Ms. Mansouri seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Heleen, Acting Recording Secretary

NOTE:  These are unapproved minutes with corrections to be found in the minutes of the next meeting.