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

Uncategorized 09/29/2016 Leave a comment

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

ZONING BOARD 09/26/2016 Leave a comment

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

Uncategorized 09/26/2016 Leave a comment

Jana Sellarole sent a reminder of “an offer you can’t refuse”.  If you ever shop on Amazon, you can slso help our local library. I just changes mine, Jana. – Lil

 

  • AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Friends of the Walpole Town Library every time you shop at Amazon, and at no cost to you! When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the same shopping experience as you do on Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the value of your purchase to the Walpole Library.https://smile.amazon.com/ch/45-3910850 to select the Friends of the Walpole Town Library. Then every time you want to shop on Amazon, you just go to smile.amazon.com (instead of Amazon.com), and your purchases will support the library. Please spread the word!
  • Thank you for supporting the Friends of the Walpole Town Library!
  • Whether you currently have an Amazon.com account or not, just go to:

Book Sale – 10/28-30/16

Uncategorized 09/26/2016 Leave a comment

library-poster

 

We are still accepting donations of clean, gently used books at the former RN Johnson’s (in bays 14 and 15 to the left of the main building) on Wednesday mornings from 9 – 10, and on Thursday afternoons from 3 – 4. Please no cassette tapes, VHS tapes or encyclopedias.  If these times are not convenient for you, please call Cheryl at 756-4066 to arrange an alternative drop off time.

We are also in need of sturdy cardboard boxes that are approximately 20x16x6 inches.

Vendor tables are still available for sale to organizations and individuals. Please call Cheryl (756-4066) for more information.

Thank you! We are looking forward to seeing you at the sale.

Great River Co-op Harvest Dinner – 10/16/16

EVENTS 09/26/2016 Leave a comment

grc-event-photo

The Great River Co-op is proud to partner with the Bellows Walpole Inn to present an evening in celebration of local food! Join us for a harvest dinner featuring delicious ingredients from local farmers and producers to raise money for the new Great River Co-op store!  The more money the co-op raises through gifts and the sale of shares, the less money the store will have to pay in interest and instead can use its cash to create a better store.

The evening will begin with a “Know your Farmers” cocktail hour where you can mingle with area growers, learn more about the store’s progress, and find out how you can help!

Your ticket will include a multi-course meal that highlights and celebrates the hard work and expertise of the growers and producers in our Great Falls Region.

If you would like to contribute to the dinner, sponsor the event, or provide an item for the silent auction, please email us at info@greatriverfoodcoop.com.

More details to follow!

 

 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 9/15/16

SELECTBOARD 09/23/2016 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

SEPTEMBER 15, 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 three people in attendance.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $570,812.55 for checks dated September 16, 2016.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

The above amount includes a monthly payment in the amount of $513,448.73 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll voucher for the week ending September 10, 2016, in the amount of $22,151.42 for checks dated September 16, 2016.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  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 $4,679.04 for the week ending September 10, 2016.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – September 8, 2016:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 8, 2016, with the correction on page 3, under Proposed Budget, to delete the “n” on Mr. Dalessio’s name.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meeting:

  • Walpole Planning Board – September 13, 2016.

 

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:

ROBERT and MARY INGRAM, 16 Old Stage Road, Map & Lot #003-027-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Robert and Mary Ingram.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.  

JASON J. WILKINSON, 1049 County Road, Map & Lot #003-011-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Jason J. Wilkinson.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Town Hall Facilities Policy:  The Selectboard continued to review the proposed Town Facilities Use Policy.  Following a discussion on insurance coverage, Mr. Dalessio suggested moving the second sentence in Section 3, sub-set #2 “The Selectboard reserves the right to waive insurance coverage if deemed to be in the best interest of the Town” to No. 3, sub-set #4.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to take the second sentence from Section 3, sub-set A.2 and make it sub-set #4. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

A small box will be put on the top of the rental form to indicate if insurance is required or not.  Mrs. Pschirrer recommended that a Waiver for Liability should also be signed.

Water and Sewer Liens:  Mrs. Edkins did not have an opportunity to work on this policy as she did payroll and other routine work this week.  Mrs. Downing noted that a few people that received notices have paid their bills.

Employee Policy Handbook Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer and the committee continue to work on the Employee Policy Handbook Update.  They will be meeting again on September 20th.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Employee Health Care Coverage:  The Selectboard discussed an employee having vacation and sick time and paying medical coverage when he/she is out on Workers Compensation / Disability coverage.  Should the Town pay the employee’s portion of the medical coverage while they are out on Short-term Disability?  There is a need to be consistent; there should be a policy.  The Selectboard agreed that more research needs to be done.

Tri-Fold Brochure and Selectboard Office Hours:  Mr. Dalessio suggested putting another page in the tri-fold brochure with the hours for the various departments.

Mr. Aldrich came into the meeting.

 

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (c) Reputations.  Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:01 PM.

The regular meeting resumed at 7:14 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 15, 2016, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Highway Department:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that since an employee has been out the Highway Department has been short-handed therefore they are running behind schedule.  Mr. Rau would like to continue with the same hours until October 17th because they feel they get more work done in 10 hour days.  The Selectboard approved this request.

 

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mr. Dalessio moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:16 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:20 PM.

 

OTHER BUSINESS (Continued):

Heating Oil Contract:  The Selectboard looked at the quotes received for heating oil from several companies.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to renew the contract with Allen Bros. for heating oil for the coming season.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Dalessio suggested they ask Allen Bros. if they can give the same price to Walpole residents.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Cemetery Tour – 10/8/16

Uncategorized 09/23/2016 Leave a comment

cemetery

On Saturday, October 8th, not July 24 as it says in the poster, the old Walpole Cemetery will once again be visited by spirits of years past, and the spirits are just dying for company!

The Walpole Historical Society has been producing these tours since 2002, and each one has a different cast of characters from Walpole’s past anxious to talk about their lives with the audience.

 

The tour will meet at the Walpole Middle School front lawn at 2:00 pm, when the ‘Funeral Director’ will start the procession through the beautiful cemetery with its stone markers – some of which have been standing for 300 years – stopping along the way to talk to long-departed citizens from Walpole’s past. For those who haven’t yet taken the tour, we urge you to come and see for yourself how Walpole’s history comes alive on this one day each year.

There is no admission. Refreshments will be served. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, and come prepared for all weather – the tour goes on rain or shine! We all look forward to seeing you.

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