Serving Walpole, New Hampshire since 2005
Ryan Owens, Executive Director of the Monadnock Conservancy, brought the story that appeared in the Union Leader regarding the Hooper Golf Course becoming a conservation area. i had hoped to share it here but was unable to see the whole story because I am not a subscriber to the Union Leader. Here is the link so readers might have better luck than I did. – Lil
http://www.unionleader.com/Walpoles-Hooper-Golf-Course-becomes-conservation-area
Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment
Minutes: March 16, 2016
7:30 pm.
Present: Board Members: Chair Myra Mansouri, Jan Galloway-Leclerc, Mary Therese Lester, Ernie Vose, Bob Anderson. Alternates: Judy Trow. Stephanie Stoughton came in late.
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April 2016 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.
Roll Call: Ms. Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. All Board members were in attendance so no alternates were needed.
Guests: Ms. Pauline Barnes and Mr. Adrian Basora.
Minutes of January: There were 3 minor corrections. Ms. Lester made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Vose seconded the motion and the motion carried.
New Business: Mr. Barry Bellows was back representing Mr. Tom Krouse and Ms. Kay Enokido, who live at 195 March Hill. He was there to request a variance to construct an art studio, guest bedroom with a bathroom in a detached garage.
It is not to be a dwelling, Mr. Belllows said. It is not a primary residence. It’s not going to be an apartment. It is simply going to be a space for their out-of-state children to stay when they visit. Currently, they have a two-bedroom home and are looking forward to having that valuable space to allow them to enjoy their children.
You need a hearing and the hardship is on the land, Ms. Mansouri said and she asked Mr. Vose to concur. Mr. Vose said they’re not here to discuss the variance, they are here to set a date for a hearing.
Mr. Bellows said that the Board should know Gov. Maggie Hassen has just signed a bill passed by the House and the Senate that addresses accessory buildings.
Ms. Mansouri said she has passed out a copy of the bill. She said that bill means that you need a variance. What the bill means is that the accessory building must be “within or attached.”
Basically, it says, you have to have to have a house attached to a house, Mr. Bellows said.
If you want to do something else, Ms. Mansouri said, you have to apply for a variance. She said she would like a site walk to see the property. Both Mr. Bellows and Mr. Crouse agreed.
Mr. Crouse said he had spent time since the last meeting trying to find out what we can do to finally have what we want to happen to the property. We found that in Peterborough that a detached accessory building was allowed.
Ms. Mansouri said that what Peterborough has or what Dublin has is of no consequence to us. We have our own ordinance and we have to abide by that.
Mr. Crouse said the existing ordinance talks about dwelling, define dwelling. To me it’s where somebody lives full time. This is not a dwelling we are trying to build.
Ms. Mansouri said you’re looking at it from the position of a dwelling. We are going by what our ordinance says.
Mr. Crouse said that Walpole doesn’t really have an ordinance that strictly deals with an accessory unit, a black-and-white written policy.
Ms. Mansouri said talking about a dwelling is not germane to this issue. You’re asking for a variance.
Ms. Leclerc said there are five criteria and one of them involves the land, but there are four other criteria you have to address.
Mr. Crouse said if the Board walks the property and sees the property and thinks our way, do we still have to go for a variance. Ms. Mansouri said all the paper work must be filled out, including the variance, and it will be decided at the Public Hearing.
Mr. Vose made a motion to have a Public Hearing next month. Mr. Bellows said he couldn’t make it next month, could the Board move it until May? he asked. So Mr. Vose made a motion to have a Public Hearing on May 18. The motion was seconded and the Board voted in favor of it.
Mr. Crouse wondered why there was an ordinance of this nature. He said he asked people and it is only hearsay but some say it was done for the small lots in the village, not people who own 28 acres. Some of these homes are two miles from the line of sight of another house, he added.
Ms. Mansouri said she thought it was because people were afraid these places would be rented out or subdivided on large lots.
Mr. Crouse continued that he wanted to know the conditions he needed to fulfill to get to the point where he can build. Ms Mansouri responded they were right in the variance form.
Avanru Development – Signage
Jack Franks came in for temporary signage on Route 12. He requested permission to put a 3-foot-by-8-foot banner to advertise that the company is ready to lease apartments.
“We’re at the point where we are leasing,”. Mr. Franks said. “Response has been overwhelming. This banner would help to direct people to where to call and the Web site.” He didn’t anticipate it would be for a very long time. He expected to lease the apartments rather quickly. It depends on how many people qualify.
Mr. Jacks brought in some of the advertising fliers. He said there’s been a lot of discussion about this being subsidized. That is not true. It is not Section 8. People have to qualify.
It breaks down to a household size from when you make under $43,000, which is $21 an hour to someone who makes $12 an hour. It is designed for people who are working. They get a little bit of break on their rent.
It’s a little different than paying $1,100 for a two bedroom in town or North Walpole, the maximum you are paying is $866. It is also designed for people who are retired. It will serve the people well that’s why the response has been overwhelming. I think this will help.
He asked if he had to follow the 100 feet from another sign rule. Mr. Vose said that the regulations for temporary are different and also for real estate “For Sale” signs.
He asked if he could put it by the Loam sign, which is a 4-feet-by-8-feet sign. Or there is one at the entrance of Red Barn Lane, he said.
Ms. Mansouri asked if the termination of the sign date be July. If you need more time, Mr. Franks could come back to the Zoning Board.
Mr. Franks agreed to have the sign down by July 20 and if he needs an extension, he’ll come back to the Board.
He said eventually there will be a traffic light there. This will slow things down. Cars go through there at 45, 60 miles per hour.
“Why does that require a stop light,” Mr. Vose asked.
Mr.Franks said, “I asked Department of Transportation that same question.” They said the car counts at that time didn’t require a full-service treatment but because of Tractor Supply, and because there will be a restaurant, a bank, brewery and maybe a grocery that’s going to facilitate of traffic light.
Ms. Lester said so it”s anticipation rather than what is there now. Mr. Franks agreed. He said the original traffic study was off about 70 percent for Tractor Supply. They are extremely busy. He also said the traffic light was already engineered.
Ms. Mansouri reminded Mr. Franks that he had to deal with the state road regulations. Mr. Franks said he is fully aware of the setbacks there.
“Can’t it be where one of his other signs are now since it’s temporary? ” Mr. Vose asked. “If you spread them all over the field then you have a hazard, people are looking every which way.”
Mr. Franks said “I think the one next to Tractor Supply would be the right one. It’s easy to see.”
Someone asked about future building. He said the state regulations are that you have to be 50 percent filled before you can apply. The application process starts in June and the final date is in August. He originally planned four to six buildings with about 20 units in each building. He’s going to build according to demand. He suspects there will another 60 units.
Ordinances:
Ms. Mansouri called the Municipal Center and asked an attorney about the date on our junk yard ordinance and an attorney at the Municipal Center said it didn’t make any difference. She also call Southwestern Regional Planning Commission because Mr. Vose thought they helped to write ordinances. Their response was they don’t write any ordinance at this time. Mr. Vose said they used to.
However, the NH Municipal Association said once the ZBA gets something in place, such as a prospective ordinance, someone at the Association would go over it and the Board might have it for next year’s ballot.
Spring Zoning and Planning Conference in Manchester. The conference has been postponed. The secretary will let anyone interested in going to the conference know when it has been rescheduled.
More about Junk Yards
Board member Bob Anderson continued his quest to learn more about junk yards and made a stellar presentation about the subject.
Informal notes mean there is nothing legal about the comments, Mr. Anderson said. If you want the legal info, you have to go to RSAs.
What is a junk yard? When you get into, Mr. Anderson said, the subject you’ll hear about is that Junk Yards, Motor Vehicle Junkyards, Antique Motor Vehicles Junk Yard and even Solid Waste Junk Yards all come under the RSA of Junk Yard. They are all in one form or another a junk yard.
Metal scraps go where there is a Motor Vehicle Junk Yard. Other classifications, such as Antique Motor Vehicle Junk Yard and a Solid Waste Management Junk Yard have very specific regulations, are handled differently, and in the case of the latter, often by the Department of Environmental Services.
One paragraph sums up the total RSA of Junk Yards. There is no other mention of junk yards found in any district of the zoning ordinance.
The Walpole ordinance reads, “ Article IV, General Provisions, G. Junk Yards and Dumps
No other mention of junk yards was found in any district of the local zoning ordinances.
First an applicant must get a license, and that comes from the Selectboard. The applicant must also get a Certificate of Approval from the ZBA. This means that the applicant has to describe the land and must have a Certificate of Compliance showing it will use best management practices from from DES.
New Hampshire Greenyards is a publication that shows what DES regulates. This publication gives an overview of various laws and resources available to assist local officials about regulations of junk yards. There is a Table of Contents which explains what is in the booklet. It includes Used Oil & Used Oil Filters, Spills – Prevention & Response, Antifreeze etc.
If you were taking in cars and trying to get everything out of it, all the regulations on each of these parts are in the booklet, all triggered by the fact that you need a Certificate of Compliance from DES.
When you submit the license you have to go to DES and say you are going to do all of this.
Ms. Lester asked for clarification. Mr. Anderson said you have to have the certificate when you go to get the license. So in terms of ZBA, there is very little the Board has to check on except how far off the road you have to be.
There are aesthetic considerations but basically the junk yard has to be hidden from view. The Board determines whether it needs a fence made of solid construction or if the landscape plays a part in the view.
If it is neatly situated so nobody could see it, it wouldn’t need a fence. Fencing should be six-feet high of solid construction. The RSA does talk about preempting specific local ordinances control when there is a conflict with this ordinance. So local takes prescedency.
There was a short discussion of this idea. Ms. Leclerc asked when we have practically nothing in our ordinance, do we follow the state? The answer was “Yes.” Mr. Vose said local ordinances cannot be stricter than the state – that was his view.
You have to renew your license annually and meet all provisions of the law.
When this state ordinance was written there were already junk yards in existence so they wrote in section 4, existing junk yard must follow state regulations by April 1966.
So almost all follow the motor vehicle junk yard model. There is a whole category of junk yards that go from flea market or 40 to 50 washing machines piled up in a yard. For $8 the Board can buy “How to Regulate Junk and Junkyards.” It’s 85 pages and Ms. Mansouri asked the secretary to request a booklet.
Walpole has only one junk yard, owned by Ernie Way and he has a license. There is supposed to be a fence, but it doesn’t surround the junk yard.
There is another on County Road and the owner does not have a license. It was suggested that someone go to the Selectboard and ask that the ordinance be enforced.
Regarding a new ordinance the Board needs to spell out the regulations and new a one may be written, Ms. Mansouri said. It would include adding the fence and the 300 feet from the right of way.
Would the Board have to go to a town vote or just say that the state has a pretty good ordinance that we should be following? To be continued.
The Matrix
For the past couple of months the Zoning Board has been working on a matrix to make it easier for an applicant to understand the process for a Variance or Special Exception. Tonight the Board tinkered with Draft No. 5. Both Ms. Barnes and Mr. Franks thought the Matrix was a good idea. Mr. Franks said the Matrix was “exceptionally helpful.”
Ms. Barnes questioned what happened after the applicant went to the Planning Board for a Site Plan Review. Is that the last step? She asked.
Someone said that Planning approves it so it was suggested a box below it saying “Approved by the Planning Board.”But what if the Site Plan were turned down? Since there was no box there, another box was added saying Judgment made or Decision made.
There were different feelings about the word Judgment. A few didn’t like it, saying it was too harsh. So it was changed to Decision.
Mr. Franks said that first and foremost the ZBA makes a decision on a Special Exception and then it goes to the Planning Board. They have to considered your decision.
There was discussion over the spelling of Judgment.
Ms. Stoughton suggested just using the word “granted” with an arrow go over to Go to Planning Board. Then a box for “Denied” and stop. Then there’s no reason to use the word Judgment.
Ms. Lester suggested putting the word fee next to the word application so applicants will know they have to pay a fee for filling out the application.
So Draft No. 6 is coming up next month. Ms. Mansouri said that the Board will look at the next one and see if the Board can make No. 6 the final draft.
By-laws
Ms. Mansouri asked, “Do we want to update the By-Laws?” Also, the Board needs have to have an election of officers and we have to straighten out that Hitchcock Road has been changed to Alstead Center Road. It was named Hitchcock Road after Hitchcock Mountain.
Mr. Vose explained that these are road names that are in the ordinance that are no longer used. Mr. Basora asked if it required a variance.
Ms. Mansouri said it didn’t require a variance but the Board needed to go to the public to make the name change in the ordinance. So that would be on next year’s ballot.
Ms. Barnes said she preferred the name Hitchcock Road.
Election:
Mr. Anderson made a motion to have Myra as chair of the Zoning Board. Ms. Lester seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Ms. Lester made a motion to elect Jan as vice-chair. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously by the Board. Ms. Mansouri made a motion to elect Mr. Vose as clerk. The motion was seconded and it passed unanimously.
There was a motion by Ms. Leclerc to go into executive session. It was seconded by Mr. Vose and passed unanimously by the Board. When the Board came out of executive session it voted to accept the executive session minutes of January and February and seal them.
Ms. Stoughton, who is a nurse, said she was going to have to work on Wednesday evenings, so could not make Board meetings. We’ll have a need for another alternate.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
Walpole Planning Board
Town Hall
March 22, 2016 Workshop Minutes
Presiding: Jeffrey Miller (Chair), Robert Miller (Vice-Chair), Steve Dalessio (Selectboard Representative), Jason Perron. Alternates: Ed Potter and Jeff White. Absent: Dennis Marcom and James Aldrich.
Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April 2016 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.
Meeting Opened: Mr. J. Miller, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7 pm. Minutes: There were no minutes from a previous meeting.
Grant Program: Mr. J. Miller said he spoke with Mr. Ben Daviss about the N.H. Municipal Technical Assistance Grant Program. Mr. Daviss said it is a match of cash. The program gives towns assistance in writing grants when seeking money for grants to improve planning and zoning regulations or anything needed by one of the those Boards. Mr. J. Miller also spoke with Ms. Lisa Murphy at Southwest Regional Planning Services about the grant program.
Ms. Murphy said that the application had to be completed by April 4. Mr. J. Miller asked Mr. R. Miller if he would read the booklet of information and then come back to the Board with the information. Mr. R. Miller said he might need another workshop meeting on the 29th of March. Mr. J. Miller said Southwest is very apolitical and very resourceful. Mr. Dalessio said Walpole is a member of Southwest so the organization is available to all the Boards at no additional cost to the town.
Mr. Dalessio also spoke about the NH Municipal Association saying they are also a great resource for towns to find out more about regulations, writing ordinances, and general issues. Mr. J. Miller said the group is a lobby to help protect towns and how they function. Mr. Perron said so they lobby on the town’s behalf.
Complete applications: There was a lot of time talking about what makes an application complete. In the final analysis, it came down to that the application must be filled out and that includes that every question on the checklist must be answered yes or no. If a question on the checklist is not answered, then it is not complete. If a person answers “no”, the board may waive if it doesn’t pertain to the site plan or the applicant must come back with a plan.
The secretary also said that for an application to be complete abutters must have been notified by certified return-receipt mail, a legal posted in The Keene Sentinel and legal notices posted in two places. The application with checklist and drawings or a map must be in the Town Offices for townspeople to look at.
Mr. Perron and Mr. R. Miller also insisted that they wanted to see the application, checklist, maps and drawings and have a chance to study it before the Public Hearing. So when an applicant comes to the Planning Board to request a Public Hearing for a site plan, that person must have the application, including the checklist and pertinent maps, with him/her. That way the secretary can get these documents for the Board to study them before the Public Hearing.
Mr. Dalessio also wanted the secretary to either request a PDF for a drawing or map or nine copies, one each for a Board member and one for the secretary.
Special Exceptions: Mr. J. Miller said he was waiting for Mr. Ruggiero to go back to the Zoning Board for a Special Exception. And the discussion again came up about the path for Special Exceptions and what happens when. The secretary mentioned that the ZBA has been working on a Matrix to make the process more understandable. She said she would send a copy to the Planning Board members.
April meeting: Ms. Kelley Hicks has resigned her position on the Planning Board citing time restraints. Her position will be filled at the April meeting. Also, as per the by-laws, there will be an election of officers at that meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
Thank you Rebecca Sethi for letting us know about this. I, for one, did not know about this. It missed my “radar” I guess. – Lil
Join the Friends of Hooper Institute April 26 at 6:30 for the annual meeting. We will gather at the Institute to discuss our current projects and future dreams. You don’t need to be a member to attend and if you like what you hear, you are welcome to join. Members can be as active as they choose. The Friends of Hooper Institute was founded in 2014 to support and extend the work of the Hooper Institute in the community.
On Sunday, May 1st from 1-4, the Hooper Institute will be hosting an open house to celebrate spring and the successes of the past year. There will be a Maypole, May baskets to create and displays to learn about the Community Garden.
Jenn Breismeister wanted to bring these event to you attention. – Lil
Growing In a Life of Faith
Attention Parents, Grandparents and Guardians of Young Teens
Are the young people in your life asking questions about faith as they gain more independence? Are you looking for ways to nurture your teens’ spiritual development as they venture farther out into the wider world? Rev. Craig and the Christian Education Committee at the First Congregational Church of Walpole are offering a new program for youth age 12 to 15 to nurture the seeds of faith that have been planted in our young people as they transition to a mature expression of faith. The goal of the youth program includes getting ready for Confirmation by exploring what it means to live into the Christian faith with love, grace, mercy and justice. All youth in the Walpole area age 12 to 15 are welcome. Family membership in the church is not required.
Youth will meet two Sundays per month 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. with Rev. Craig and a parent helper. Teens and their families are then welcome to join us for worship at 10:00 a.m. We also anticipate monthly fellowship and service activities, which may include youth from other nearby churches.
There will be an informational meeting for parents, grandparents and guardians with Rev. Craig and members of the Christian Education committee on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Walpole, 15 Washington Street, upstairs conference room.
For more information, contact Cheryl Watson via text at 603-903-9474 or email at ccfordjd@aol.com.
Friendly Friday To Be Held at the Walpole Primary School on April 29, 5:30-7:30p
The food, fun and fellowship will be the same, but the venue changes for just this month. Rev. Craig and his family invite Walpole area families of all kinds to join in Friendly Friday on April 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. down at the Walpole Primary School Community Room. We’ll play group games (hopefully outside!), enjoy a delicious pot luck and learn about how our faith can give us strength to face the challenges of life. Please bring a side or main dish to share. Church will provide the drinks and dessert. For more information “like” Friendly Fridays on FaceBook or contact the church at 756-4075,walpolechurch@yahoo.com
Silent Auction at the 1st Congregational Church of Walpole April 17-May 1
The church will host a silent auction starting Sunday, April 17 through Sunday, May 1 in the Fellowship Hall. Items include experiences such as a tour of the Florentine Films offices by one of their seasoned producers, gift baskets filled with such goodies as sundae fixings and collectibles such as a DVD set of the brand new Jackie Robinson documentary from Ken Burns. The best times to access the auction are during coffee hour on Sundays (about 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and during the church supper on April 30. The auction is hosted by the Christian Education Committee and all proceeds benefit the ministries of the church. For more information, call the church office at 756-4075 or email walpolechurch@yahoo.com.
Susan Kershaw asked me to share, – Lil
March 23 — Holy Wednesday Communion, Noon
A half-hour service that invites us to remember Jesus’ last days before dying on the cross.
March 24 — Maundy Thursday Communion service, 7 p.m.
We hear the Gospel story of the Last Supper and the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. The Communion service is followed by the traditional stripping of the altar of candles and linens, and the veiling of the cross to symbolize the abandonment and solemnity of Good Friday.
March 25 — Good Friday liturgy, no communion, Noon
The Book of Common Prayer liturgy is the most solemn of the year and invites us to remember Jesus’ death.
March 27 — Easter
We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with glorious flowers, joyous music, and great excitement!
An Easter Brunch follows the service. Bring something to share and join in this time of fellowship.
The Lenten-now-Resurrection Gardens will be ready for pick-up.
A last minute reminder — the deadline for articles and advertisements for the April 2016 issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION is this Wednesday, 23 March.
Jan Kobeski and Ray Boas reviewed the developing issue this morning, but some of their regular submissions are still outstanding. Also, there is still some space for your advertisement. So please sit down and write, and send us some words.
Remember to look at the article submission guidelines and advertising information on the CLARION WEBSITE. Links to those pages are at the top of each page on the website.
Walpole Unitarian Church, 10 AM Easter Sunday:
“Easter is the time to wonder aloud and ponder deeply the mystery of liberation. We look to Scripture, Liberation Theology, the poetry of Langston Hughes, and the Gospel of Nature for illumination and understanding.”
Rev. Lisa Mobayed leads the service. Light refreshment follows.
Call Antonia Andreoli 756-9036 for more info.
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
MARCH 10, 2016
Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio (Chair); Whitney Aldrich; Peggy Pschirrer
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:00 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 approve the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $48,667.05 for checks dated March 11, 2016. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve payment of the invoice from True North Networks, LLC in the amount of $11,460.09. This includes $1,000.00 for the monthly service maintenance. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve payment of the invoice from Affordable Moving Company in the amount of $555.00. It is for moving furniture from the Town Hall to the Hooper Mansion. This should be paid from the Hooper Trust Maintenance fund. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
PAYROLL:
Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Payroll voucher for the week ending March 5, 2016, in the amount of $20,001.52 for checks dated March 11, 2016. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all 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 $4,278.04 for the week ending March 5, 2016. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – March 3, 2016: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of March 3, 2016, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – March 3, 2016: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of March 3, 2016, as submitted. These Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:
With reference to the Walpole Planning Board meeting minutes, Mr. Dalessio pointed out that Ms. Kelli Hicks resigned and the WPB will recommend an appointment next month. The WPB will pursue trying to get some grant money for re-writing the Master Plan, etc. They are consulting with the Southwest Regional Planning Commission for advice on this.
ABATEMENTS AND REFUNDS:
Property Tax Abatements:
MILLER, 51 Ramsay Hill Road, Map & Lot #008-084-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the recommendation of Avitar Associates to reduce the assessment by $15,000.00 on this property and to approve the Notice of Property Tax Abatement Refund in the amount of $365.50 for Christopher C. Miller. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
McMAHON, 58 Adams Lane, Map & Lot #003-001-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the recommendation of Avitar Associates to deny this request for a Property Tax Abatement for Mary McMahon. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
McALLISTER, 250 Meetinghouse Road, Map & Lot #008-049-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to accept the recommendation of Avitar Associates to reduce the assessment by $6,200.00 on the McAllister property and to approve the Notice of Property Tax Abatement Refund in the amount of $149.22. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
NH Department of Labor Audit and Inspection Report: Mr. Dalessio noted that Mrs. Clough will be asked to be sure that everything on the list is completed in the office for this inspection on April 5th. Mr. Houghton is aware of the fact that this needs to be done.
Town Ordinance, Procedure and Policy Manual: The Selectboard continue to work on this project.
NEW BUSINESS:
Conservation Commission Secretary Appointment: Mrs. Elaine Heleen resigned as the Conservation Commission Secretary. The Selectboard supports the appointment of Ms. Regina Borden as the new secretary.
Appointments: A list of Town Board/Committee vacancies will be posted.
True North Statement of Work: Mr. Dalessio reported that on Election Day there was some trouble with the network. The President of True North came in and recommended a replacement rotor that drives the network; it would cost between $626.00-and-$751.00. They also recommending changing the wireless access point; it would cost between $951.00-and-$1,076.00.
Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize Mr. Steve Dalessio, as Chairman, to sign the purchase orders for the up-dated equipment as recommended by the company to keep the computers and server working properly. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Office Closing – March 22, 2016: The Selectboard announced that the office will be closed on Tuesday, March 22nd. The meter readings will be done for the water and sewer and bills will be processed. Several company representatives will be present to be sure that all the data is transferred properly and there are no problems with the equipment. This will be a six month billing but the goal is to go to quarterly billing.
Gazebo Repairs: Mrs. Clough had sent out an email about the scope of work that needs to be done on the Gazebo. The Selectboard would prefer to have all the work done at once rather than piece-meal therefore they will get a quote on the entirety and then make a decision on how much they want to do at this time. A fund was set up by the donor for maintenance.
Town Hall Building: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that yesterday there was a strong smell of propane in the building. She checked the stove and everything seemed okay. A call was made to Mr. Houghton and it was determined the tank was low. There was discussion about the fact that there is just one 50-gallon tank which will not go far when the kitchen stove is being used. Consideration will be given to adding a surcharge onto rental agreements when the kitchen will be used. Should there be two 50-gallon tanks. In the future if a renter of the building forgets to turn the stove/oven off they will not get their deposit back. Mrs. Pschirrer will review the rental agreement and make recommendations for proposed revisions.
Highway Department: Mrs. Pschirrer advised that Mr. Rau, Road Agent, has the following streets on his 2016 Paving Schedule: The Commissioners in North Walpole asked him to make one change and he is willing to do that. In North Walpole – Birch Street, Brady Street, Oak Street and Cray Street. In Walpole – North Street, Kingsbury Street, Meetinghouse Road and Wilson Street. Pleasant Street will be included; it will be torn-up and replaced. He has been talking with Ms. Cheryl Mayberry, Commissioner, in North Walpole who is also on the Transportation Committee at Southwest Regional Planning Commission, about Route 12 and traffic/stop lights. Mr. Rau will work with Mr. Mark Houghton to coordinate the work on Pleasant Street. Some of that sidewalk will be replaced as asphalt.
Alstead Center Road was posted and will probably continue to be year-round because of the bump near the stream; it might cave in. Mr. Rau has a plan for repairing the culvert but has to follow-up on it. Mr. Dalessio noted that a lot of local farmers use that road but there is not a lot of public traffic.
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. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion was approved at 6:50 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:18 PM.
Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 10, 2016, will 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 Hooper Trustees meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:39 PM.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Department Head Meetings: Mrs. Pschirrer wanted the Department Heads to be reminded that there will be a meeting in the Town Hall on March 23rd at 8:30 AM to review the Personnel Manual.
Mr. Dalessio pointed out that the Department Heads are supposed to meet at the E.E. Houghton building on March 15th at 10:00 AM for the webinar on Safety Committees.
Selectboard Meetings: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to change the meeting time from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM for their regular Thursday meetings starting March 17th.
The Selectboard will continue to schedule their monthly Staff meetings on the third Thursday of each month at 5:00 PM.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
The First Congregational Church UCC on the Common will host our Spring Rummage Sale on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, in Fellowship Hall. Friday’s sale, called “First Picks” is from 4-6 p.m., while Saturday’s sale is 9-1 with the popular bag sale from 12-1. Also on Saturday, we will have a food table with lots of yummy baked goods for sale.
We will gladly accept donations of spring and summer clothing as well as tag sale items beginning Monday, April 25, through Thursday, April 28 from 9 – 6, and Friday, April 29, 9-1.
We ask that all clothes are clean and in excellent condition. We will NOT ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING: fall/winter clothes, shoes, underwear, anything with a cord, anything broken, cracked, stained, torn or dirty. No leftover yard sale items, please!
Please come and shop! You’ll be sure to find some treasures! For more information, contact Ellie Shaw, 756-4866.
The Walpolean 
Recent Comments