The Walpolean

TOWN OF WALPOLE

PUBLIC HEARING

MARCH 16, 2017

Selectboard Present:     Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy Pschirrer; Whitney Aldrich

Others Present:             J.B. Mack (Southwest Regional Planning Commission); Karen Crowley (Walpole Foundation and representing an abutter); Cheryl Mayberry (Commissioner in Village of North Walpole); Sarah Downing (Manager of Administration); Regina Borden (Recording Secretary)

Call To Order:  Mr. Dalessio called this Public Hearing to order at 6:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  He announced this Public Hearing was advertised and duly posted that “The Walpole Selectboard will be holding a Public Hearing Regarding the Donation of Map 20, Lots 65 and 66 from the Estate of Niles Westberg (former site of Central Plating) to the Town of Walpole at 6:00 pm at the Walpole Town Hall”.

A large map of the area was on display.  Smaller copies of the map and minutes of previous public hearings held on January 26, 2017 and March 2, 2017, were available.  Mr. Dalessio turned this public hearing over to Mrs. Pschirrer as she was the first Selectboard member contacted by the Westberg Family and is in charge of this project.

Mrs. Pschirrer advised that in 2002 the Town of Walpole adopted “RSA 41:14-a” which enables the Town to accept this property provided they hold two Public Hearings and have meetings with both the Conservation Commission and Planning Board to get their approval. The Selectboard has done this.  Both the Conservation Commission and Planning Board will write letters of support to accept this project.  Two weeks after the conclusion of this second Public Hearing, the Selectboard can vote as to whether or not to accept this property being offered to them.  This offer came to the Town from the Westberg Estate; they would be happy to give it to the Town for $1.00 as it would enable them to close the Estate.  This is a “Brownsfields” property because of the past contamination.  If the Town takes control of this property, it will blend into the village area.  After all the testing is done and if it meets the requirements, the Town will apply for federal grants to have this property cleaned-up. The area will be refilled with clean soil and put to good economic use by the Town because more parking is needed in the center of town.  That land is basically land-locked at this point. A right-of-way was given to the Walpole Foundation who would like to have discontinued for the safety of their tenants.

Mr. J.B. Mack explained the plan from his perspective.  He thanked everyone for having him attend this public hearing.  He is not a scientist, so any questions about chemistry and other similar items he might have to get back to the Selectboard with answers.  SWRPC has had a Brownsfields Program since 2003.  They have worked with about 15 towns in this region on close to 50 different sites during this time period.  This is a site they were looking at.  Typically when they work with a site they want to see if there is a plan.  They were originally approached by a private entrepreneur in Town who had an interest in purchasing this property for an office building.  He invested a lot of his own money on Phase I and Phase II assessments. But after the Phase II assessment, the State came back and advised there were still some things that needed to be done.  He came to the SWRPC about doing another Phase II assessment but then decided to drop the project.  They worked with Ransom Environment Engineers and Scientists on this Brownsfields Assessment Program including the various monitoring wells and test pits, the locations of those that were tested and sent to laboratories that understand soils and groundwater.  The outcome of those tests was the Phase II environmental assessment. The Town of Walpole has a copy of that report.

They basically found a few things. There is chromium contamination in a confined area.  The State is probably going to require that a future owner remove this.  They also found some nickel and arsenic but not as much as the chromium where the electro-plating was being done on the property. In addition they found some petroleum contaminants on the property in the groundwater.  It was determined during their Phase II assessment that these were associated with the Sunoco gas station on the corner abutting the property.  That is the responsibility of the owner to work with the State to improve those conditions and they have been monitoring them.

Ms. Crowley noted the owner of the gas station just recently did another monitoring well to the west and behind Murray’s building.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the owner of the Sunoco is fairly active in monitoring this.  Mr. Mack said after the consultants finish their Phase II assessment, they will make a recommendation to the Brownsfields Advisory Committee to give them a better understanding of the chromium situation.  This information will tell them how much money would be necessary to remove and replace it with clean fill.  Ransom Consulting presented a new scope of work to the Brownsfields Advisory Committee.  He noted on the map that they plan to do another test pit in a different area to better define the chromium between the two buildings.  Because there is some groundwater contamination, they are proposing it is possible the property will have a Groundwater Management Permit just like the gas station owner.  The sump pumps will also be tested.

Mrs. Pschirrer has a copy of the new scope of work document.  When the Advisory Committee heard the scope of work, and Mrs. Pschirrer was in attendance, they were supportive.  The Advisory Committee wants to be good stewards of their federal dollars. They want to have some sort of assurance that the Town is serious about looking at this property and using the resources they have through the SWRPC to attain one of their goals.  They heard from Mrs. Pschirrer that it would be a parking lot; an asset to the Town.  The Advisory Committee recommended they go through the public hearing process and have letters confirming they would like to move forward with this project.  The SWRPC would then contact Ransom Consulting to move forward with this work as well as develop a Mediation Action Plan that will have alternatives.  It would give the Town an idea as to whether or not the grants would cover their costs.

An EPA grant is typically $200,000 per parcel and, in the past, have been available annually.  SWRPC does this program because there are a lot of Brownsfields properties in this region.  After clean-up, these properties would go back on the tax rolls, provide spaces for new facilities, clean-up the environment, and improve health conditions.  This is a tool towns can use to achieve their goals.  In addition to the scope of work the Advisory Committee is likely ready to approve paying for the Phase I Assessment. The Town would want this completed before they take possession of the property. It would protect the Town from any federal liability associated with the property.  The document has to be less than six months old.  In terms of State liability, they have their own program.  There is an application that SWRPC and/or the State will assist the Town in filling it out at no fees.  This assures the Town they are protected from State liability provided they meet conditions.  It could be a Groundwater Management Permit.  It would require the Town to continue monitoring otherwise they breach the contract.  The State wants to see these things work.  Mrs. Pschirrer feels the DES representative at the meetings seems supportive of this project.

Ms. Crowley asked why the present owners are not responsible for the clean-up of their property.  Mr. Mack said it is because they are not doing anything on the land.  Eventually the State would go after them and require they have a plan to clean-up the property.  The State has limited resources for enforcement.

Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out the Selectboard has two weeks before they vote on the project.  They will immediately send a letter with their decision to at SWRPC.  Mr. Mack noted the Advisory Committee recommends they conditionally vote for acceptance of the property based on the results of the reports.  Mrs. Pschirrer confirmed this will be an Agenda item for their meeting on March 30^th.  Mr. Mack mentioned it is really conditional on Phase II.  Phase I is basically for federal protection for liability.

Ms. Mayberry knows that chromium is a metal that is isolated to the center area but it is not water soluble. By removing the soil, they will be removing the metal.  Mr. Mack confirmed this.  She asked about the groundwater contamination in Phase II and if any are above the federal level.  She assumes some are; for example; contaminants from the gas station.  Arsenic is inorganic.  Mr. Mack read a portion of the Scope of Work that addresses this issue.  Ms. Crowley noted the level of petroleum products was not significant from the gas station.

Mr. Dalessio confirmed the Selectboard is positive about moving forward with this project.

Mr. Dalessio announced that Ms. Cheryl Mayberry is the newly elected Selectboard member who will be replacing Mr. Whitney Aldrich who is retiring.

Mr. Mack mentioned at the last Public Hearing on March 2^nd it stated that SWRPC added $5,000 to their budget for testing on Felicia Phillips property. That figure should have been $500.  He asked Mrs. Pschirrer to obtain permission, in writing, from Ms. Phillips to allow this testing on her property.

There being no other public comments, Mr. Dalessio closed this Public Hearing at 6:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

MARCH 9, 2017

Selectboard Present:     Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy Pschirrer; Whitney Aldrich

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  He advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There were three people in attendance.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $53,135.13 for checks dated March 10, 2017.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Payroll register for the week ending March 4, 2017, in the amount of $21,000.90 for checks dated March 10, 2017.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,403.65 for the week ending March 4, 2017.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – March 2, 2017:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of March 2, 2017, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD MEETING – March 2, 2017:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of March 2, 2017, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR WESTBERG PROPERTY DONATION – March 2, 2017:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Public Hearing for the Westberg Property Donation of March 2, 2017, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:

• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – February 28, 2017;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – March 2, 2017.

In the February 28, 2017, Minutes, Mr. Dalessio noticed that Commissioner Kiniry mentioned there is concern from some residents that a shooting range is being operated on the Fall Mountain area in the power line area.  Concerns are; is it on private property, who is using it and is it a licensed facility?  Mr. Dalessio advised the Police Department had checked on this; it is on private property. The date for the North Walpole Village Budget Hearing is Thursday, March 02, 2017, in the Commissioner’s Office.  The Village Meeting date is Thursday, April 6, 2017, at St. Peter’s Church.

CERTIFICATION OF YIELD TAXES ASSESSED and TIMBER TAX LEVY:

Donald H. Wood, Jr. Trust, Alstead Center Road, Map and Lot #015-018-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed in the amount of $118.12 for Map and Lot #015-018-000.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Timber Tax Levy in the amount of  $118.12 for Map and Lot #015-018-000.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT:

Peter Stolley and Christine Holtz, 36 Colonial Drive, Map and Lot #021-036-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant Building Permit No. 2017-02, for Peter Stolley and Christine Hultz to “add a woodshed to the rear of the garage”.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Preliminary 2015 Financial Statements and Auditor’s Opinion:  The Selectboard had received and read the Preliminary 2015 Financial Statements and Auditor’s Opinion.  Mr. Dalessio talked to Mr. Tom Goins and Mr. Rich Kreissle about them.  There was discussion pertaining to the Significant Audit Findings.  Some issues were boiler plate and others were already implemented.  The Selectboard will continue to work on resolving the remaining recommendations.

NEW BUSINESS:

Cemetery Deeds for Lots D387, D388, D444, D445, D446 and D449:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the sale of Cemetery Deeds for six lots: D387, D388, D444, D445, D446 and D449.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Conservation Commission Appointment Letter from Lewis Shelley:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the Appointment Letter from the Conservation Commission regarding Lewis Shelley for a three year term.  This letter will be held until after Town Meeting as that is when the Selectboard customarily makes appointments to the various Boards/Commissions.   

Town Hall Rentals:  Mrs. Downing asked for clarification for three Town Hall rental requests:

1. Employees Renting the Town Hall for business event: The Selectboard agreed that an employee can use the Town Hall for family use, at no charge, but not to run a business.
2. School District employees or spouse of SAU employee renting Town Hall for a retirement party. The Selectboard approved rental of the Town Hall for this retirement party.  This is for a Walpole resident.
3. Earth Day Group’s request for non-profit use of the Town Hall to show a free film presentation on April 22^nd. Members of this group are Walpole residents and they usually do a clean-up on this day.  There will be no charge for use of the Town Hall.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (c) Reputations.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with Mr. Aldrich, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 6:52 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:59 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 9, 2017, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mr. Aldrich moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mr. Aldrich, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:06 PM.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Wood:  Mr. Paul Colburn asked the Selectboard to recognize Mr. Ben Daviss as he originally made the suggestion and donated wood that can be picked-up by people in need.  This is now in the second year at the Recycling Center and it is working out well.

Walpole Town Library:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported the Library wants to expand.  Someone who works at the Library found a copy of a design by expanding on the property they currently own.  Mrs. Downing also found a set of drawings.  This is the direction they will plan on going as they have land to expand.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted they have a lot of programs.  They need another bathroom, meeting room and office space.  Mr. Dalessio pointed out when they are ready to move forward they should consider going to the Planning Board with their plans as a courtesy but as a Town building they do not have to do so.  A Building Permit will be required.

Adjournment:  Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Aldrich, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary