Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 9/22/16

SELECTBOARD 10/06/2016 Comments: 7

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

 

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

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

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

Health Trust Dental Insurance Proposal – Melissa Hopf of Health Trust: Ms. Hopf of the Health Trust is the Health Benefits Advisor covering the Town of Walpole for medical coverage.  She was present to focus on the dental coverage.  Delta Dental is headquartered in Concord.  Keene is their nearest location. Mr. Dalessio explained that the Town employees are now covered under a dental policy through the Fall Mountain Regional School District.  Ms. Hopf picked five options that they offer and explained the coverages.  They have many other plans that the Selectboard could look at.  She had left a booklet of information and went through several sections. If the employees are enrolled in this plan they would have a Delta Dental card to show the dentist, have their treatments and the dentist will submit his bill to the company.  Some plans have a deductible, some do not.  Dental coverage rates for 2017 will be decided at the Board of Directors meeting on October 18th.  She feels they will be close to the 2016 rates.  Information would be provided to each employee on how the plan works.  Health Trust has a web-site where enrollees can access information.  Delta Dental also has a web-site.  A list of dentists in this area is available.

The Wellness Program goes along with the health coverage.  The Town of Walpole has access to it now.

  • The Slice of Life is an incentive program for people to participate in healthier activities. It opens with a health assessment; a 15 minute health questionnaire, done on-line, that is confidential.  This program continues with other incentives.
  • Health Awareness Program covers any classes (yoga, nutritional, etc.) an employee takes and reimburses them $100.00/year. Families could get up to $200 for children under age 18 for the similar programs.
  • Smart Shopper is a tool that can be used to shop for more cost effective facilities for procedures (mammograms, MRIs). The incentives are different per procedure.
  • Live Health On-Line is one of the newest programs. People can do virtual visits with board-certified doctors and licensed therapist.  It is great if people are on traveling and not familiar with health facilities, doctors, etc. in that area.
  • Life Resources is the employee assistance program for referrals to free consultations with legal, financial and social services experts, caregiver support and educational resources through online and in-person trainings. Anybody affiliated with the Town can use this.

Ms. Hopf pointed out that all the benefits will be discussed during their Health Trust Benefits Overview Presentation meeting with the full-time employees on Friday, October 21st from 1-2:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Playground Building Update:  Mr. Sam Jacobs, Principal of Walpole School, reported that school is running smoothly so far.  It is very busy.  The wooden fence by the pool belongs to the School.  Mr. Jacobs has been in the Walpole School District for 37 years.  He is always amazed at the support they get.  They are getting ready for the new playground.  About $88,000 has been raised for this project.  Some equipment has arrived and the rest should arrive on Thursday.  A part of the fence was taken down to make room for the large truck that will be making the delivery so it does not run over the soccer field.  LaValley’s has donated about 150 bags of concrete and patio blocks.  He has a very active group of parents and community members who are excited about this.  A group of volunteers will be there on Friday, September 30th and also Saturday, October 1st which is the day it will go up.  The PTG will take care of the food but other groups will be donating food including the Women of Walpole.  Mr. Jacobs provided pictures of what the playground will look like when completed.  Some employees from Bensonwood will lay out the boundary of the playground.  Mr. Mark Houghton and his crew have been clearing out brush at the edge of the woods and will dig down about 8-inches for the mulch.  They are looking good; it is coming together.  Every day the students have a count-down.  (Mr. Whitney Aldrich came into the meeting.)               

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $35,927.16 for checks dated September 23, 2016.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll Voucher for the week ending September 17, 2016, in the amount of $20,381.95 for checks dated September 23, 2016.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA in the amount of $4,235.02 for the week ending September 17, 2016.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – September 15, 2016:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of September 15, 2016, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – September 15, 2016:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 15, 2016, with a correction.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

STAFF MEETING – September 15, 2016:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of September 15, 2016, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meeting:

  • Walpole Cemetery Trustees Meeting – September 17, 2016.

Mrs. Pschirrer will talk to Mr. Dale Woodward regarding two Trust Funds as mentioned in these meeting Minutes.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Water and Sewer Liens:  Mrs. Linda Edkins is very busy right now with prepping for the next water and sewer billings.  Mrs. Downing asked that this be put off for a while plus Mr. Mark Houghton is busy.  Mr. Dalessio recommended that the Selectboard put this off but that it be done before the 2017 Town Meeting.

Selectboard Meeting –September 22, 2016- Page 3

 

Personnel Policy Handbook Up-date:  Mrs. Pschirrer had finalized the draft.  She will email the other Selectboard members to let them know what sections she feels they should look at.  Large portions remain exactly the same.  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that they have to send it to a legal attorney to review it.

 

Boston Post Cane Celebration Date and Time:  The date was set for the presentation of the Boston Post Cane for Thursday, November 17th at 5:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  There will be light refreshments.   

 

Short-term Disability & Medical Coverage:  Mr. Dalessio did some research on other towns and this will be a unique benefit for Walpole.  If an employee does not use their vacation or sick time the Town will pay for the medical coverage.  However if the employee elects to use their vacation or sick time the Town will not pay for the medical coverage because they will be getting their full pay.  Mrs. Pschirrer will add this to the Personnel Policy Handbook Up-date.

 

Salary Survey: Mr. Dalessio reported that they have a proposal.  It will take four weeks to get it done.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the proposal from MRI to do a salary survey for the amount of $3,000.00 and to authorize the Chair of the Selectboard, Mr. Dalessio, to sign it.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Pleasant Street: Mr. Jack Neary removed his sign because Mr. Mike Rau gave him the idea that the Selectboard would not have a problem moving it.  Mr. Rau was concerned with the two signs; Mr. Neary’s sign and the “No Parking” sign.  Mr. Neary has another proposal for the location of his sign where it would be very visible and only about 50-feet away from where he had proposed to put it in the first place.  He wants the “Pedestrian–Slow” sign to be very visible.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that once they made the decision on where the signs would go they dropped it. Mr. Dalessio stated that the decision on location of the signs will be up to Mr. Rau as he is qualified to do that.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Citizen Thank You:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a Thank You note from Mr. Rich Boudreau.  He wanted the Selectboard to know how kind and professional Police Chief Mike Paquette and his officers have been to them.  They appreciate it very much.

Commercial Brush Disposal Fee Change Request:  A letter was received from Mr. Paul Colburn, Solid Waste Manager.  He suggested a fee of $20.00 to $30.00 per load from landscapers and other commercial entities who bring their brush to the Walpole Recycling and Transfer Station.  As one load may be heavier than the next the price would be at the discretion of the attendant.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept this recommendation from Mr. Colburn to have a fee of $30.00 per load from landscapers and other commercial entities who bring their brush to the Walpole Recycling and Transfer Station.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Forest Fire Bill:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize the Chair of the Selectboard, Mr. Dalessio, to sign the Forest Fire Bill in the amount of $1,001.52 to the State of New Hampshire for responding to a brush fire in the Town of Acworth.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Citizen Complaint Re: Whipple Hill Road:  A Citizen Complaint form regarding Whipple Hill Road was turned over to Police Chief Michael Paquette.

 

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel, (c) Reputations and (d) Acquisition, Sale or Lease of Real or Personal Property.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:42 PM.

The regular meeting resumed at 7:58 PM.

 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 22, 2016, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all 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 Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:15 PM.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Boston Post Cane Recognition – 11/17/16

EVENTS, Uncategorized 10/06/2016 Leave a comment

All are invited to attend the award ceremony for Walpole’s newest recipient of the Boston Post Cane on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 5:30pm in the Walpole Town Hall. The Selectboard will be presenting the cane along with a certificate of title to Charmian Trundle of Elm Street who is Walpole’s oldest resident. Cake and other light refreshments shall be served.

Planning Board September Workshop Meeting Minutes

Uncategorized 10/03/2016 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board Workshop Meeting
Town Hall
September, 2016 Minutes
7 pm

Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Robert Miller, James Aldrich, Jason Perron, Dennis Marcom, Jeff White, Steve Dalessio (Selectboard Representative). Alternate: Ed Potter. Absent: Joanna Andros.
Zoning Board: Myra Mansouri, Chair.

In September 2015, the NH General Court amended a subdivision regulation dealing with Accessory Dwelling Units. Last month, the people who were at the Planning Board Workshop meeting discussed Attached Dwelling Units and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units. (See WPB minutes of August 23, 2016.) This meeting was a continuation of that discussion.

In anticipation of the first meeting, Selectman Steve Dalessio prepared a draft of what a new ordinance might look like. The draft was simply a jumping off place to start the discussion. Mr. Dalessio made a couple of changes to the draft after last month’s meeting. There was a lively exchange of ideas among those present and many viewpoints were presented. Here are a some of the major changes agreed to at the end of the meeting.

The term Accessory Dwelling Unit will not be considered because, as in many cases, the zoning ordinances already permit this type of building in all districts if the property conforms to the zoning regulations. So, the petition will address only Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADU). Here are some of the changes and some things that remain the same as the previous draft.

Minimum lot size must be 5 acres.

The minimum area of a DADU may not be less than 750 square feet nor greater than 900 square feet.

No more than three (3) bedrooms may be permitted in a DADU.

DADUs must be within 150 feet of the principal dwelling unit.

2. The DADU may be within a separate detached building on the property such as a garage or barn.

3. Unless otherwise provided for herein, all existing regulations applicable to single-family dwellings shall also apply to the combination of a principal dwelling unit and a DADU, including standards for maximum occupancy per bedroom consistent with policy adopted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

No change in No. 4 except that ADU is removed and DADU replaces it.

5. When converting an existing structure or a portion of a DADU, compliance with applicable sections of the state fire code and state building code shall be required.

6. All applications to create an DADU shall demonstrate to the Zoning Board of Adjustment that the property has ample parking for both the principal unit and the DADU.

7. When the creation of a new detached structure requires an addition to or modification of the exterior of the existing single-family home or existing detached structure, or the creation of a new detached structure, the architectural design and details to be used shall be aesthetically compatible with and maintain an aesthetic continuity with the principal dwelling unit as a single-family dwelling.

Section 8 remains the same with the DADU replacing ADU. Section 8 says that one of the units on a property with a DADU must be owner-occupied. Whichever dwelling unit is not the property owner’s principal place of residence may be rented to a person(s) unrelated to the property owner.

Such an intent on the part of the property owner is evidenced by, among other things, his or her voter’s registration, vehicle registration, driver’s license, or the placement of his or her children in local schools.

Any temporary lapse of owner occupancy in the primary residence caused by the death of a property owner shall be permitted for a reasonable period of administration.

The DADU should not be subdivided from the primary residence unless the DADU meets all the current zoning requirements.

Mr. Dalessio will rewrite his third draft. The fourth draft will be considered at the October Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, October 11, 2016. If the Planning Board approves the new draft, a request will be made to hold a Public Hearing on the petition to go on the warrant in March 2017. A Public Hearing will be held in November and the petition will be recommended or not recommended.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine

Posted; Inside Town Offices, bulletin board outside Walpole Grocery
cc: WPB, Town Offices, The Walpolean

Cemetery Tour – 10/8/16

Uncategorized 10/03/2016 Leave a comment

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Historical Society Speaker Series – 9/30/16

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Fall Arts Festival, Sat. & Sun. 10/8 & 9/16

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The Saxtons River Art Guild’s Fall Arts Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th from 10:00 to 4:00 at the picturesque Walpole Town Hall on the common in Walpole NH. A dozen artists and artisans will be showing and selling their work. Came visit this showcase of fine art and craft while touring the beautiful Connecticut River foliage.  For more information please call Donna at 603 835 2387.

The Saxtons River Art Guild is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote and encourage the advancement of the fine arts with membership throughout the southern Conn. River Valley.

Chickens on the Loose – 10/15/16

Uncategorized 09/29/2016 Leave a comment
Watch out!  Here come the Chicken on the Loose again.  It’s the third annual run. – Lil
The Walpole Parent Teacher Group is holding its 3rd Annual Chickens on the Loose 5k on Saturday October 15th. The race starts at 10:30am (registration begins at 9:00am). Walk, run or jog through beautiful downtown Walpole. A post race BBQ will include games, prizes and live music. Pre-entry fee is $20 and same day registration is $25.

Each year the Walpole PTG raises funds to provide innovative and successful educational experiences for students in grades Pre-K through grade 8. Funds raised directly benefit Walpole students.

For more information about the race contact: walpoleptg5k@gmail.com

October Clarion Now On-Line

Uncategorized 09/26/2016 Leave a comment
Monday, September 26, the 24 page issue of the October issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION went to the printer, and should be at the post offices for mailing before the first of October. This is our 61st issue, beginning our sixth year of publication.
 

But, you can beat the postal delivery and read it now on line, posted on the CLARION website. A good number of people are reading their issue early on-line, and commenting that they read both the on-line and print versions. Most importantly, by reading on-line you can get a “jump on the news,” particularly with the events that are in the first few days of the month — you can plan ahead now. Please do share with others, and encourage them to “sign up” to get these notices – see below.

Head to the home page — https://thewalpoleclarion.com – click on the image of October’s Page One, and you will bring up a PDF of the entire issue.

And, tell your friends to “sign up” to receive notices of postings from THE WALPOLE CLARION – simply provide your email address on the spot on the lower right hand side to “Follow this Blog.”

Yours, RAY – Publisher, The Walpole Clarion

From the Walpole Playground Project:

Uncategorized 09/26/2016 Leave a comment

 

 We need 100+ volunteers for Friday, Sept. 30th and Sat. Oct. 1st. Please contact Walpole School 603-756-4728 or email Christy Bardis at cbardis@sau60.org or sign up on the link http://signup.com/go/qJbtJL. There is a job for everyone!

Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 9/20/16

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Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment

Minutes: September 20, 2016

Walpole Town Hall

7:30 pm

 

Present: Board Members: Chair Myra Mansouri, Vice-Chair Jan Galloway Leclerc, Mary Therese Lester, Judy Trow.  Alternate: Tom Murray. Absent: Bob Anderson.

Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the October 2016 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Roll Call: Ms. Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. One Board member was absent so Tom Murray was asked to fill in.

 

Minutes of August: Ms. Leclerc made a motion to accept the August minutes as written. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and it was approved by the entire Board.

 

New Business:

            Request for a Public Hearing for a Variance by Lewis Shelley, acting as rep and contractor for Tara Stuart on 1252 County Road, Map 3, Lot 21, rural/agricultural district.

Mr. Shelley said the current log garage is in disrepair and needs to be rebuilt. It would be built on the same footprint. Ms. Stuart also wants a 16-foot-by-18-foot addition on the house, which is closer than the 65-foot setback on the road side. She also would like a 4-foot-by-18-foot porch at the same location. Both the porch and addition would be 59 feet from the center of the road. Placement would not fulfill the setback requirements.

Mr. Shelley said the house was built by Paul Galloway and Jerry Galloway in 1970; a year later the garage was built. There is a berm at the edge of road that helps to disguise the house from the road. Mr. Shelley said Monadnock Log Homes is doing the addition. He is doing the finish work.

The Board said the garage may be repaired or replaced on the same footprint as the current garage. Mr. Shelley just needs a building permit. The garage will be a different style and oriented differently, but the same size.

Regarding the addition, the Board said he needed a variance regarding the setback requirements. Ms. Trow made a motion to hold a Public Hearing in October for a variance to hear the arguments regarding setback requirements. The motion was seconded and approved by the Board.

 

            Request for a Public Hearing for a Variance. Jeffrey Lewis property, Old Keene Road  & Hooper Road, Map 8, Lots 8 and 8-1, Residential A. Request for a Variance to have as close to a conforming lot as possible within the parameters of the property. Mr. Joe Dibernardo was speaking for Mr Lewis.

Mr. Dibernardo explained that the property was currently taxed as two lots. In the deed there are two houses but the house to the north of the property is placed near the house at the southern end of the property, not where it actually is. The house at the southern end of the property was at one time a gas station, when Old Keene Road was the main route into Walpole Village. Besides being incorrect, the deed was written in 1958 before there were zoning ordinances. Mr. Lewis inherited the property from his father and is trying to sell it but can’t before there is a survey and the deed straightened out. Mr Dibernardo has been to the Planning Board. The Board recommended going to the ZBA for a variance for the side setback, which is not 25 feet, and the lots should follow the minimum area requirements. So the map has been modified to follow lot requirements.

Ms. Lester made a motion to have a Public Hearing in October for a variance to address the side setback. Ms. Leclerc seconded the motion and it was approved by the Board.

 

Signage: Ms. Kim Mastrianni, president of the Great River Co-op, requested permission to put up a sign at the property between The Scoop Shop and Pinnacleview Equipment on Route 12.

The sign is the one that was previously at Tractor Supply. It is 4-feet-by-8-feet, one sided, made of vinyl, and will not be lit. There will be two wooden posts. The sign will face Route 12. It is on land owned by Bensonwood. There are not signs within 100 feet.

Ms. Mastrianni contacted District 4 at the NH Department of Transportation and spoke with both Shari King and Frank Linnenbringer. Both confirmed that no permit was required.  She reviewed the site on Google Maps with Mr. Linnenbringer. The fence is 90 feet from the center line to the fence and 78 feet from the white line to the fence. So the sign may be placed roughly 10 feet on the road side from the existing fence, approximately in line with the existing Scoop Shop sign at Edwards Lane and not infringe on the DOT setback limit of 75 feet from the center line.

The Board approved the placement of the sign. Ms. Mastrianni will fill out a Sign Application and submit the application and a picture to the ZBA after the sign is up.

 

Gravel Pit Inspections: Two teams submitted Gravel Pit Inspection Reports.  Ms. Leclerc and Ms. Trow visited the Joe Sawyer gravel pit and the Tim Graves gravel pit on the Westmoreland line. Ms. Leclerc said there were not problems at either one. She said they didn’t fill out the excavation part for the Sawyer pit because he hasn’t taken out anything in years.  Mr. Sawyer said at some point he may take something out of the pit. A grandfathered pit must remove earth from it every year. A grandfathered pit has to take out one truckload a year. Mr. Sawyer’s is not a grandfathered pit.

Mr. Anderson and Mr. Murray visited the Hodgkins gravel pits. Mr. Murray said at the Drewsville pit there was a very steep slope, more than the allowed grade. However, there was a Danger sign pointing out that it was a steep grade. Roger Hodgkins said that by next year that the mountain of earth would disappear.

The gravel pit at the Industrial Park on Route 12 had some high water and there was some erosion into the gravel pit. The Department of Environmental Services had inspected it and the abutting brook and said it was okay. There was a berm that protected it.  Mr. Murray said nothing had been take out of there in quite a while. A sign on a tree that says the permit expires March 31, 2017. Ms. Mansouri said DES also monitors Cold River Materials.

 

Matrix: A couple of cosmetic changes were made to the Matrix. The document will be titled Application Procedures. A final draft will be submitted at the October meeting. It will be given out with appropriate ZBA applications and the Selectboard will be asked to give one to people who receive building permits. The whole idea of the Matrix is to make it easier for the applicant.

Ms. Leclerc said she would like to see it be more expeditious. So if the applicant goes to the Planning Board first and a special exception is needed, the Planning Board directs the applicant to the Planning Board and at the same arranges a meeting date to recommend or not recommend the special exception on the meeting following the ZBA meeting.

A motion was made at 8:15 to adjourn by Ms. Lester. Ms. Trow seconded the motion and it was approved by the Board.

 

Respectfully submitted.

Marilou Blaine