TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
MAY 25, 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 eight people in attendance.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
SOLAR ARRAY PROPOSAL FOR CLOSED LANDFILL PROPERTY: Mr. Ben Daviss, Mr. Jackson Daviss, Ms. Megan Hughes, Mr. Ernie Nichols and Mrs. Diane Nichols were present. Mr. Ben Daviss explained they are an informal group interested in exploring a solar array project on the closed landfill property that would benefit the Town. They met with Mr. John Kondos of the Monadnock Sustainable Network and they went out to the landfill site to see if it was a viable solar site. He felt it would be a very good solar site. Some of the power produced would go to the Transfer Facility and any excess would be credited to the Town. The panels would be mounted on concrete slabs; there would be no ground penetration however there would be an underground cable from the site to a grid connection. They are now operating under the current regulations of the Public Utilities Commission but on June 2nd they are going to issue a new set of rules governing new installations. Under the current regulations if the solar array is less than 100 kilowatts there is a less stringent set of regulations. If they are going to go ahead with this they would have to come back to the Town to ask what the total electric consumption is in a year in all municipal buildings but would not include the schools. They are here tonight just to let the Selectboard know they are proceeding to explore and will keep them up-dated. They hope this would be a resource for the schools as they could take students out there to view the site. Mr. Dalessio explained that over the next couple of years the Town has a lot of infrastructure repairs that need to be made so any capital money from the Town would be scarce. The landfill is still being monitored under a State program so the Selectboard would have to check with the company doing the monitoring to see if anything could be built on it. The Selectboard offered their support for the project.
MEMORIAL DAY – Dr. Shaw: Dr. Shaw advised the Congregational Church is still interested in going forward to have a minimal reception after the Memorial Day Parade and service on the Common that is sponsored by the American Legion. Dr. Shaw will contact Mr. Whitney Aldrich, coordinator, to ask him to make an announcement after their memorial program. They will have light refreshments; punch, water and cookies outside.
PETER GRAVES – County Commissioner: Mr. Graves discussed the County budget. The Commissioners recently hired Mr. Steve Horton to over-see their projects. The State cut a substantial amount of money from the aid to the nursing home. Everything keeps costing more. The Commissioners meet every Monday morning. Mr. Graves asked if the Selectboard has any objections to paying County taxes twice a year. This will save the County having to take out Tax Anticipation Notes (TAN). County taxes are now due December 18th. Mr. Dalessio noted Walpole property taxes are due July 1st and January 1st so the timing would not be ideal for the Town. By hitting Walpole in the middle of December there is not enough tax money left. Paying County taxes in August and January would be better. At times the Town has had to borrow the money but we are fortunate to have very stable property owners who pay their taxes as soon as they get their bills. If the Commissioners could push the due date back to the end of the month it would be better. They are not opposed to changing to twice a year.
Mr. Dalessio mentioned the Town has been doing “Coffee With A Cop” and will be doing “Coffee With A Senator”; Mr. Jay Kahn. He asked Mr. Graves to check with the other Commissioners to see if they would be willing to do a “Coffee With The Commissioners”. Mr. Graves felt they would do that. There are no Town meetings for the County therefore many people know very little about what they do, their responsibilities and the budget. They are up to a $44,000,000.00 budget this year.
Mr. Dalessio pointed out that one way the Commissioners can help the Town of Walpole is to have the County Sheriff transport juveniles to court. This is the only county in New Hampshire that does not provide this service and it costs Walpole a great deal of money. It takes two police officers to transport the juveniles to court in Manchester or Keene and two officers to bring them back. Mr. Graves will talk to the Sheriff about this.
Mr. Graves came in to talk to the Selectboard about all the signs by the fountain. The flowers are nice but the area should not be a sign board. Mr. Dalessio feels it started about two years ago.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $61,552.87 for checks dated May 26, 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 May 20, 2017, in the amount of $22,279.16 for checks dated May 26, 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 $5,058.04 for the week ending May 20, 2017. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – May 18, 2017: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of May 18, 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 – May 18, 2017: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of May 18, 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 REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:
- Zoning Board of Adjustment – May 17, 2017;
- Planning Board Workshop – May 23, 2017.
Ms. Mayberry pointed out the Planning Board Workshop minutes indicate the Selectboard turned down 2-of-the-3 proposals in the Complete Streets Policy. They were the crosswalk and the backing in but the Selectboard agreed to the shoulder. The Planning Board talked about alternatives; they are taking a survey by email on what alternatives are viable.
BUILDING PERMITS:
JAMES and PATTI NEAL, 70 High Street, Map and Lot #010-046-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2017-10 to James and Patti Neal to “Build a 12’ x 15’ home addition” at 70 High Street, Map and Lot #010-046-000. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
STEVE and ANN COREY, 180 Old Cheshire Turnpike, Map and Lot #013-031-002: Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2017-11 to Steven and Ann Corey to “Build a 20’ x 26’ Barn with attached shed” at 180 Old Cheshire Turnpike, Map and Lot #013-031-002. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Sam Jacobs Congratulations Letter: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the letter to Mr. Sam Jacobs congratulating him on his award as a “2017 A-Plus Administrator” at the annual conference of the New England League of Middle Schools. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Lola’s Pizzeria Beer and Wine Endorsement Letter: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the letter to the NH State Liquor Commission supporting the Beer and Wine License for Lola’s Pizzeria. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
FORECO Approval Letter re: Eaton Road: Mr. Klemarczyk has been talking with Mr. Mike Rau about Eaton Road and he has approved their plans. The Town will benefit because it will be an easier emergency lane to take care of.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve and sign the letter to Mr. Klemarczyk in support of their plans to make improvements on Eaton Road for the Boy Scouts camp. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Appointment Notice for Recreation Committee: Last week the Selectboard had agreed to re-appoint Mr. Bradley Tetu to the Recreation Committee. The Selectboard signed the Appointment Notice.
FMRSD School Board Response Letter: A letter was received from the Fall Mountain Region School District to acknowledge receipt of the Selectboard’s letter regarding the Articles of Agreement.
NEW BUSINESS:
Vachon, Clukay Final Audit Bill: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the final bill for 2015 from Vachon, Clukay, the Town’s auditors. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
The Auditors will start the 2016 audit on June 15th. Mr. Kreissle will coordinate all of their requests when they come in.
Vachon, Clukay Engagement Letter: Ms. Mayberry moved to authorize the Chair, Peggy Pschirrer, to sign the engagement letter with Vachon, Clukay. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Fund Balance Policy: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to postpone the Fund Balance Policy until next week to allow more time to clarify some sections with Mr. Kreissle. Mr. Kreissle will have to send this to the Town’s auditors.
NHPDIP Weekly Update: Mr. Kreissle had submitted a statement of where the Town currently stands with the NHPDIP as a result of this week’s disbursements. Following a discussion it was agreed to have Mr. Dalessio talk to Mr. Kreissle about clarification on some figures.
Department of Revenue Administration: Mrs. Downing mentioned the DRA will be in the office tomorrow to continue their audit of the exemptions and credits.
The Hungry Diner Beer and Wine Endorsement Letter: Mr. Caserta could not be present. Mr. Dalessio mentioned this will be a “farm-to-table” restaurant with beer and wine. It will also have a take-out service. The building and property are owned by Bensonwood who are doing the renovations in accordance with a plan they had submitted a few years ago.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve a Beer and Wine endorsement letter to the NH State Liquor Commission for Eat Well Culinary Group, LLC d/b/a The Hungry Diner. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Fall Mountain Region School District: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of an invitation from the FMRSD to attend a dinner and meeting on Wednesday, June 14th from 5:00-to-7:00 PM in the High School Library. The three Selectboard members plan to attend.
Water and Sewer Department: Mr. Mark Houghton reported the meter readings are going very well.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS:
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel, (b) Hiring, (c) Reputations and (e) Pending Claims or Litigation. Ms. Mayberry seconded the motion and on a roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:45 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:20 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of May 25, 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 meeting resumed at 8:33 PM.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
The Walpolean 
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