Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 1/12/16

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Walpole Town Hall

January 12, 2016 Minutes

 

Presiding: Jeffrey Miller (Chair), Robert Miller (Vice-Chair), James Aldrich, (Secretary),Steve Dalessio (Selectboard Representative), Dennis Marcom, Jason Perron.

Alternates: Ed Potter and Jeff White.

Absent: Kelley Hicks

Recording: Marilou Blaine.

Meeting Opened: Mr. J. Miller, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7 pm.

 

Roll Call: One board members was absent so Mr. Miller asked Alternate Jeff White to sit in her place.

Minutes: Mr. Marcom made a revision to the December minutes. The revision was insserted after the paragraph that begins with “Mr. Ed Potter agreed.” the paragraph before that was eliminated.

Mr. Marcom said “that approvals of the site plans are based on the assumption that the applicant will adhere to the terms of that approval. That assumption of trust is critical. In this case, Mr. Ruggiero was granted a special exception by the Zoning Board in 2011. Conditions, as stated in a letter from that Board, included that the operation could not be changed or expanded without returning to the ZBA for approval. When Mr. Ruggiero added a 2,000 square-foot building, he not only violated the town’s rules on building permits, but also broke at least one of the conditions of the Special Exception.

“Beyond that, this company, as was made evident in a letter sent to them by DES, operated for approximately 2 ½ years without the knowledge of DES, among other violations of state regulations.” For these reasons, Mr. Marcom felt that this company could not be ensured to keep their agreements and therefore approval should not be granted to them.

Another correction was the date of the Silverstein subdivision. Mr. Dalessio pointed out that it could not be 2019.

Mr. R. Miller corrected  the spelling of the name of the man he contacted at the New Hampshire Municipal Offices. It should be Cordell Johnston. He also said said Ms. Pauline Barnes statement that  the vote to seek counsel was 6 to 0 because the Chair was absent. Actually, the vote was 7 to 0 as an alternate had replaced the chair as a voting member.

Mr. Perron made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. R. Miller seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Old Business:

Public Hearing for Subdivision of one lot into two lots. William and Elisabeth Silverstein,     70 Reservoir Road, Map 10, Lot 33, Rural/Agricultural District. Lot 33 will be 1.43 acres, Lot 33-3 will be 1.53 acres and road frontage is 320 feet and 277.57 feet on Reservoir           Road respectively. 

Mr. Silverstein said that he and his wife were here a month ago and submitted an application for a subdivision and the Board voted unanimously to hold a Public Hearing. He said the subdivision was pretty straightforward. The lots were divided before and there is plenty of road frontage.

Mr. J. Miller asked the audience and Board if there were any questions. There being none, Mr. J. Miller closed the Public Hearing.

 

Old Dominion Lighting – The previous problem of light from Old Dominion shining into a bedroom of the Tabitha and Frank Anderson home abutting Old Dominion, seem to be solved. Mr. Dalessio asked Mrs. Anderson if she was happy with the response from Old Dominion. Mrs. Anderson said she was. “They were very good about it,” she said.

However, those were the old lights. Mrs. Anderson said that it looks like from the paper work that there are 11 more lights to be installed. These lights are to be installed in late January. Mrs. Anderson will notify the secretary if there are any problems after the new lighting is installed. Mr. Marc Mercier, project manager for Old Dominion, is keeping in touch with the Board.

Mr. Perron asked about the other condition from the Walpole Fire Department. Mark Houghton of the Walpole Fire Department said that the Knox boxes had been installed and tested and that Old Dominion had fulfilled that condition of the Site Plan.

 

Bensonwood – Mr. Tom Hancock of Bensonwood submitted a copy of a letter from the Department of Environmental Services granting an Alteration of Terrain Permit. The permit was needed to fulfill the condition placed on Bensonwood for final approval of the Site Plan.

 

Potato Barn – Matt Blanc received a letter from Herb Hurlburt, Captain Fire Inspector of the Walpole Fire/Ems Department, stating that the fire department will not sign off on any usage of the Potato Barn at this time. Mr. Hurlburt said that at the original meeting he ”was assured the complete building would be sprinkled and alarmed before ANY usage”  Mr. J. Miller asked that the letter be part of the Potato Barn file.

 

New Business:

Mr. Ed Potter and Mr. Bruce Potter are seeking a Lot Line Adjustment of their property       on Old Keene Road, Map 7, Lots 21 and 22-1 and Lot in the Rural/agricultural Zone. Take .23 acres from Lot 21 and add it to Lot 22-1, thus changing the western boundary line. Mr. Ed Potter requested a Public Hearing.         

Mr. Potter said about a year ago he bought a lot from Steve Brode that was 1.17 acres and the lot had enough road frontage to be developed. There is a line between the two properties that has a kind of “jag” in it, he said. Because he owns the field next to it he said he wanted to have better access to that property and also wanted to straighten the line. The adjustment would take .23 acres from Lot 21 and add it to 22-1. Mr. Potter also planted some arborvitae bushes on the new property line.

Mr. Dalessio asked who owned the property – where the property was coming from. Mr. Potter said it was his sister’s property and it is now owned by his brother and himself.

Mr. J. Miller made a motion to have a Public Hearing next month. The motion was seconded and it passed unanimously.

 

Explanation of a petition to be placed on the March 2016 warrant and a request for a Public Hearing. This petition will amend the current Zoning Ordinance as follows :

Mr. J. Miller said this is basically a brief for that article and set a hearing for February 26 at 7:00 pm.

The petition is:

To see if the Town of Walpole will vote in favor of amending the current Zoning Ordinance as follows:

Add under Article IV General Provisions Section N Recycling and Transfer Stations:

  1. In addition to the current Town recycling center at 207 Whitcomb Road, Route 123, Walpole, New Hampshire, recycling centers and/or transfer stations shall be permitted uses in the Industrial Zone subject to meeting the Town’s site plan review regulations and shall be submitted to the Planning Board for site plan review provided such facilities are owned or operated by the Town for the transfer and/or recycling of solid waste generated in the Town and provided further that the recycling center or transfer station is owned and operated by the Town or by a Regional Solid Waste District whose ownership or operation thereof is governed by and agreement entered into pursuant to RSA 149-M124.

Ms. Pauline Barnes is the person who wrote and circulated the petition. She asked to correct one typo, the RSA No. to RSA 129-M24. Mr. J. Miller said she could change the typo but not the intent of the petition. He asked her to explain the petition.

Ms. Barnes said that Walpole already had an award-winning recycling center run by an award-winning director and the facility is fully capable to handle the solid waste of our town. Because of the nature of solid waste it is important that the facility be operated only under town ownership and town control.

Mr. Aldrich asked Ms. Barnes to clarify the typo and asked if we should strike the 1 from the RSA number. Ms. Barnes agreed.

Mr. R. Miller made a motion to have a Public Hearing on January 26, 2016, Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and the motion unanimously passed.

 

Mr. Dalessio encouraged everyone to come out not only for the petition hearing but the budget hearing and all the other meetings that will be going on in the next couple of weeks.

Mr. J. Miller asked Ms. Barnes if she understood the process. Mr. Miller said the vote on the petition will be on the second Tuesday in March, when citizens vote on selectmen, school board, etc. The function of the Board is not to vote to accept or reject the petition, but vote to recommend or not recommend the petition to the townspeople.  The Board decision would appear at the bottom of the article. In all cases, the petition will be placed on the ballot.

At the Public Hearing, it will be up to the petitioner to explain the petition, just like you did tonight, Mr. J. Miller said. And answer questions from the public, Mr. Perron added.

Mr. Dick O’Brien asked if the Board voted on the article. Mr. Miller answered it is just a recommendation.

Mr. Adrian Basora asked if the petitioner needed a lawyer and if there were going to be lawyers on the other side. Mr. Miller said there will be no vote. The public will vote on the petition in March.

Mr. J. Miller repeated his explanation saying this has nothing to do with a Board vote. And you don’t have to have a show of hands from the public.

A motion was made, seconded and passed by the Board to adjourn the meeting and then realized it had not made a decision on the Silverstein subdivision. Mr. Marcom made a motion to reopen the meeting, it was seconded and it passed unanimously.

Mr. Aldrich made a motion to accept the Silverstein subdivision as presented. Mr. R. Miller seconded the motion and the Board vote unanimously to do so.

 

The meeting was adorned at 7: 25 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

 

Minutes posted inside the Town Hall, on the outside bulletin board at Walpole Grocery.

Cc: WPB, The Walpolean, Town Web site www.walpolenh.us

 

Next meeting January 26, 2016 to hear the Public Hearing on the petition.

Next regular meeting February 9, 2016.

 

Revised Planning Board Minutes

PLANNING BOARD 01/21/2016 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board

Walpole Town Hall

December 8, 2015 Minutes

7 p.m.

 

Presiding: Jeffrey Miller (Chair), Robert Miller (Vice-Chair), James Aldrich, (Secretary), Steve Dalessio (Selectboard Representative), Dennis Marcom, Jason Perron.

Alternates: Ed Potter, Jeff White.

Absent: Kelley Hicks, member.

Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes were revised at the January 12, 2016 meeting.

Call to Order: Mr. J. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Roll Call: One board member was absent so Mr. Miller asked Alternate Ed Potter to sit in her place.

Minutes: Mr. Marcom made a motion to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded and the board approved the motion.

            Old Business:Hearing for a Site Plan Review – (continued from October meeting)   Ruggiero Processing Facility, LLC, 32  Industrial Park Road, Map 1, Lot 10-1, Zoning   District Industrial – wishes to add another 2,500 square-foot pole barn, new access road,      trailer for employee break room and a scale near the entrance to the property. Joe       Ruggiero owner, Rob Hitchcock of SVE Associates, Tom Hanna, lawyer.

Mr. J. Miller continued the meeting from October and said that the Public Hearing review period had been completed. He said the applicant asked that all proceedings be continued pending some clarifications from Superior Court. At the last meeting there was some talk about the Planning Board getting local counsel. The Planning Board decided that they were pretty clear on the issues so that we didn’t think we needed clarification, Mr. Miller said.

Ms. Pauline Barnes said she was here when the Planning Board voted 6 to zero to get counsel. At what point did the Planning Board rescind that vote? she asked. Mr. R. Miller, at the January meeting, changed this to 7 to 0 because he had appointed an alternate to replace the Chair.

Mr. Eric Merklein asked that the Planning Board chair to recuse himself from the matter since he wasn’t at the meeting in October when the Planning Board voted to seek counsel. The abutters have made a good case for their problems, Mr. Merklein said. He then mentioned a letter from Mr. Ruggiero’s attorney, Mr. Tom Hanna, and the letter said Mr. Hanna had been waiting to meet with the Planning Board’s counsel but the Board had decided not to seek an attorney’s advice.

At this point Mr. J. Miller interrupted Mr. Merklein saying that the Public Hearing had been closed and that the discussion was not open for comments from the public. This is for the Board to discuss and make a decision, Mr. J. Miller said.

Mr. J. Miller then asked if members of the Board agreed with him that the Board knew what the issues were and that they could make a decision without counsel.

 Mr. Marcom disagreed with Mr. J. Miller. He said that the Planning Board had made a motion to seek counsel and he felt that what was voted should have been done.

Mr. Ed Potter agreed with Mr. J. Miller and said he thought they should continue and wait to see what happened. He made a motion to continue with the application. It was seconded by Mr. Aldrich but was voted down 7-0 by the Board.

Mr. Marcom said “that approvals of site plans are based on the assumption that the applicant will adhere to the terms of that approval. That assumption of trust is critical in this case. Ruggerio was granted a special exception by the Zoning Board in 2011. Conditions, as stated in a letter from that Board, included that the operation could not be changed or expanded without returning to the ZBA for approval. When Ruggiero add a 2,000 square-foot building they not only violated the town’s rules on building permits but also broke at least one of the conditions of the Special Exception.

“Beyond that this company, as was made evident in a letter sent to them by DES, operated for approximately 2 ½ years without the knowledge of DES, among other violations of site regulations.” For these reasons, Mr. Marcom felt that the company could not be ensured to keep their agreements and therefore approval should not be granted to them.

Mr. Dalessio said that there wasn’t a motion to reconsider the October vote. He also said the Ruggiero  application was incomplete.

Mr. Aldrich agreed that the application was incomplete and added that the matter should have gone back to the Zoning Board.

Mr. R. Miller said that on Monday he had spoken with a Mr. Cordell Johnston of the N.H. Municipal Association with respect to the Ruggiero proposal. Mr. Johnston said he had heard a little of the background,. Mr. Johnston said that he couldn’t predict how a court would rule on this case but DES, the Department of Environmental Services, does not preempt town rules and regulations. He was going to send a letter stating that but it had not arrived as of today.

Mr. R. Miller continued that he had six reasons for disapproval. They were:

  1. It is the wrong site for the proposed commercial business as it is located in an Industrial District and this business does not meet Walpole zoning requirements for the Industrial District.
  2. Pollution from noise, odor and possible rodents and the welfare of neighbors could very well be at risk.
  3. It is very likely that property values could be adversely impacted, not only affecting the businesses in this industrially zoned area but there are several homes that abut this proposed commercial venture that will most likely adversely impact the well being of the homeowners and their families.
  4. Walpole has an award-winning recycling center that is able to process all of Walpole’s MSW.
  5. No where in the Town’s Master Plan is it indicated that Walpole should become the processing center of MSW for southern New Hampshire, southern Vermont and northern Massachusetts.
  6. The Town of Walpole has spoken, “we do not need nor want this operation in our town.”

A motion was made to deny the applicant’s site plan request by Mr. Aldrich. It was seconded by  Mr. R. Miller and passed unanimously 7-0 by the Board.

 

New Business: Subdivision – William and Elizabeth Silverstein of 70 Reservoir Road would like to request a Public Hearing for a Subdivision of the property. Map 10, Lot 33, Rural/Agricultural District.

Mr. William Silverstein said that he and his wife had recently purchased property on Reservoir Road and he wanted to subdivide it. It had been subdivided once before and then the two parcels of land were put back together in a voluntary merger on May 2012. The subdivision would divide the property into two lots: one Lot 33 with 1.43 acres of land and 320 feet of road frontage; and another Lot 33-3 would be 1.53 acres with 277 feet of road frontage.

Mr. J. Miller asked if someone would make a motion to have a Public Hearing on the subdivision next month. A board member said “so moved,” Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously by the Board.

 

Hubbard Farms LLC, 195 Main Street,  Public Hearing for a Subdivision, Map 22, Lot 5.      There will be three subdivisions of the 13.7 acre property – 8 acres for the office           building,.0.3 acres for the barbecue pit, which will be donated to the town, and  5.54        acres for the two outbuildings used for storage and maintenance.

Mr. Chip O’Brien said he was representing Hubbard Farm and the subdivision in question was at the Office Site at 195 Main Street. He said the right of way to the recreation center was well marked on this map and it is 20 feet wide. The barbecue will be annexed to the Recreation Center and given to the town.

Mr. Dalessio said the Selectboard has voted and had a Public Hearing on that matter and agreed to annex it and officially accepted it.

Mr. J. Miller asked if would be a separate lot. Mr. Dalessio responded it would be merged with the Recreation Center property. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:25 p.m.

Mr. Aldrich made a motion that the Board accept the subdivision as presented. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously by the Board.

 

Old Dominion submitted a plan for lighting for its facility in the Industrial Park, which was one of the requirements for approval of their Site Plan. Mr. Frank Anderson said that the lighting is supposed to be LED lighting and down lit but it appears that something went wrong with one or more of the lights. Mr. Anderson‘s property abuts Old Dominion and the light is coming through the woods into his yard.

Mr. Dan Nash and Mr. Marc Messier, who represented Old Dominion at the Public Hearing, will be advised of the problem.

Also, there needs to be a letter from the fire department that those conditions made at the time of their hearing have been taken care of and installed. They were mainly about having Knox boxes at a couple of locations.

 

Northcott mylar: Scott and Judith Northcott submitted a subdivision plan on Valley Road, which the Planning Board approved this Spring but it was not a legal subdivision because a road went through a portion of the property in the the subdivision. Mr. Dalessio said that the Selectboard sorted out the issue and the mylar now had the correct subdivision. Mr. J. Miller and Mr. R. Miller signed it.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Zoning Board Agenda – 1/20/16

ZONING BOARD 01/19/2016 Leave a comment

Agenda for Zoning Board of Adjustment

Wednesday,  January 20, 2016

Walpole Town Hall – 7:30 pm.

 

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed

Minutes: Review minutes of December

 

New Business:

 

Old Business:

Distribute Site Plan Regulations and Subdivision Rules

Myra and Jan’s terms are up. Visit the Town Clerk on days when she is open between the dates of Jan. 20 and Jan. 29

Doug Palmer photos.

Next meeting Wednesday, February17, 2016

Planning Board Public Notice

SELECTBOARD 01/19/2016 Leave a comment

In case you missed this in The Keene Sentinel, Marilou Blaine asked me to post this here in the Walpolean. – Lil

 

The Walpole Planning Board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm. in the Walpole Town Hall to hear a petition  from the townspeople to be placed on the warrant in March, 2016.

To see if the Town of Walpole will vote in favor of amending the current Zoning Board Ordinance as follows:

Add under Article IV General Provisions Section N Recycling and Transfer Stations:

a.  In addition to the current Town recycling center at 207 Whitcomb Road, Route 123, Walpole, New Hampshire, recycling centers and/or transfer stations shall be permitted uses in the Industrial Zone subject to meeting the Town’s site plan review regulations and shall be submitted to the Planning Board for site review; provided such facilities are owned or operated by the Town for the transfer and/or recycling of solid waste generated in the Town and provided further that the recycling center or transfer stations is owned and operated by the Town or by a Regional Solid Wast District whose ownership and operation thereof is governed by and agreement entered into pursuant to RSA 149-M24.

All interested parties are encouraged to attend.  if you are unabe to attend, you may respond in writing to the Walpole Planning Board, PO Box 729, Wlaple, NH 03608 prior to the meeting.  Final action on the appliation may be taken by the Plannig Board following the Public Hearing.  The application and signatures on the petition are available for public inspection in the Walpole Town Hall during regular business hours.

Minutes of the Meetings are posted inside the Town Hall, on the bulletin board outside Walpole Grocery and the town website: http://www.walpolenh.us

EVENTS 01/18/2016 Leave a comment

Susan Tollett and Terry Zehr asked that I remind you all of the Penny Sale that is being held this Saturday fro Project Graduation. – Lil

Fall Mountain Project Grad is having a Penny Sale fundraiser on Saturday January the 23rd from 9-11 at the Town Hall, cookies and beverages will be available. The drawings will be held at 10:30. There will be themed gift boxes from each of the senior class advisories, several donated items will also be available to win.

We need your help to make project graduation a success. To purchase tickets for the drawings you can get the tickets from any of the schools and are located in the office. The tickets will be 6 for $5.00 and you do not need to be present to win.  Terry also has tickets available.

We are accepting donations as well.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 1/7/16

SELECTBOARD 01/18/2016 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JANUARY 7, 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 two people in attendance.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

Town Treasurer – Mr. Ray Boas:  Mr. Dalessio received and read a letter, dated January 6, 2016, from Mr. Ray Boas.  Mr. Boas submitted his resignation as Town Treasurer to be effective at the close of business on January 6, 2016.  He explained that he has taken on many additional responsibilities impinging upon his time and, as a result, has not been able to accomplish what he set out to do in assuming the position.  Mr. Boas will look forward to continuing to work with the Selectboard and Selectboard office in his mission of keeping the Town well informed via the Clarion, and making it a quality publication. (A copy of his letter is attached to the Minutes.)

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the resignation of Mr. Ray Boas and to express appreciation for the time Mr. Boas served as the Town Treasurer.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Aldrich moved to appoint Mr. Tom Goins as the Town Treasurer until the next Town election in March 2016.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $95,934.04 for checks dated January 08, 2016.  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 January 02, 2016, in the amount of $19,609.74 for checks dated January 08, 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 $4,347.00 for the week ending January 02, 2016.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 30, 2015: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 30, 2015, as submitted.  Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion with the following correction: Page 2, under Recess Selectboard meeting, change “Mr. Whitney moved” to “Mr. Aldrich moved”.  With all in favor, the minutes with correction were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 30, 2015: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 30, 2015, 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:

  • North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – December 29, 2015; and
  • North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – January 05, 2016.

Mr. Dalessio noted that in the minutes of the January 05, 2016, North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners meeting, the Commissioners got a copy of the Department of Labor Inspection Report and they are looking at it.  The Department of Labor is asking for responses by January 21st, 2016.

BUILDING PERMIT:

RUESSWICK, Barnett Hill Road, Map & Lot #009-048-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to table Building Permit #2015-52 for Mark and Deborah Ruesswick to “Construct 4 sets 24’ x 8’ high Solar Panels” at 64 Barnett Hill Road until complete details are submitted on the drainage ditch.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:

CUMMINS CATHERWOOD, Maple Grove Road, Map & Lot #009-008-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber, Operation #15-461-13-T, for Cummins Catherwood, Jr., off Maple Grove Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

CUMMINS CATHERWOOD, Maple Grove Road, Map & Lot #009-006-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber, Operation #15-461-14-T, for Cummins Catherwood, Jr., off Maple Grove Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

HOUGHTON, Blackjack Crossing, Map & Lot #004-044-002:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber, Operation #15-461-15-T, for Mark E. Houghton and Brooke W. Houghton, off Blackjack Crossing.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Walpole Library Building: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize Mr. Steven Dalessio, Chair of the Selectboard, to sign the contract with the ABS Company for asbestos remediation in the Walpole Library.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NH Department of Labor Audit and Inspection Report: Mr. Dalessio asked Mrs. Clough to start formulating a response to address the administrative part of the report.  The re-establishment of the Joint Loss Safety Committee is one of the biggest issues.  A meeting needs to be scheduled. He sent a letter to Ms. Cheryl Mayberry in North Walpole as the response is required by January 21st.  The Audit and Inspection Report need to be submitted by February 5th.  Mr. Dalessio will check on some equipment; we should be in good shape.  It is possible that we might hear from an Enforcement Officer.  Mr. Dalessio will talk to Mr. Mark Houghton as the Fire Department has quite a few things that need to be fixed.  The response does not need to show completion but they need to start moving on all the issues.

Walpole’s Oldest Citizen Update: Mrs. Edkins spoke to Mrs. Ciccalone.  She does not want to accept the Boston Cane.  The Selectboard agreed to keep the cane in the office in a suitable case.  The plaque will have her name on it; it will also be kept in the office.

Town Ordinance, Procedure and Policy Manual: The Selectboard will continue working on this project next month.

2016 Warrant Articles:  The draft copy of the 2016 Warrant Articles was reviewed by the Selectboard.  Mr. Dalessio is concerned with the Article for the pool repairs as they are still waiting for information from Mr. Justin Cassarino on the Pump and Filtration System.  Mr. Dalessio suggested that the Recreation Committee, Mr. Mark Houghton and Mr. Cassarino meet with the Selectboard to talk about this in detail as soon as possible.  New State regulations need to be taken into consideration.  Mrs. Clough advised that Mr. Kreissle is preparing the Warrant to be sent to the State right after the Public Hearing on February 4th.  Mrs. Pschirrer talked with Mr. Rau, Highway Superintendent, about the Warrant Article to start a Highway Capital Reserve account and asked that he put together an inventory of all their vehicle-type equipment.  Right now the weakest expensive piece of equipment they have is the loader.  There was discussion relative to purchasing the Police Department cruiser; at one time there had been a plan for replacement of vehicles.  The Selectboard will vote on the 2016 Warrant Articles during their meeting next week.

NEW BUSINESS:

Comcast: Mr. Ray Boas had sent out some emails regarding Comcast and the local FACT-TV channel 8.  Mr. Stradling of FACT-TV in Bellows Falls thought that Comcast was giving the Town money that was supposed to be used for the expansion of this broadcasting.  They talked to Mrs. Sandy Smith who confirmed that the Town did receive revenue from Comcast however it was tax money on their equipment, poles, etc.  There has been discussion relative to FACT-TV Channel 8 expanding into Walpole; it is broadcast in North Walpole. A question is if the users in Walpole are willing to pay more for this channel.  There was a consensus to let Comcast users decide what they want.  If a group wants to research this matter the Selectboard had no objections.

Citizens Report Form – Nancy Sloan:  The Selectboard looked at the Citizens Report form from Nancy Sloan and the pictures she submitted of the Ruesswick ditch to redirect their water.

Town of Walpole Election Vacancies Notice: Mrs. Sandra Smith, Town Clerk-Tax Collector, has published and posted the Town of Walpole Election Vacancies and it is on the web-site.  The following officers will be elected at the Town Election to be held Tuesday, March 8, 2016:

1  Selectman                            Three Year Term

1  Moderator                            Two Year Term

1  Trustee of Trust Funds         Three Year Term

1  Supervisor of Checklists      Two Year Term

1  Supervisor of Checklist       Six Year Term

2  Planning Board Members     Three Year Term

2  Zoning Board Members       Three Year Term

3  Library Trustees                   Three Year Term

1  Cemetery Trustee                 Three Year Term

 

The filing period for these offices is January 20 through January 29, 2016.  Those interested may file at the Town Clerk’s office during the following office hours: Monday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Wednesday 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. (one hour) Thursday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Per State Law the Town Clerk’s office will be open Friday, January 29th, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for filing only.   

City of Keene, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Letter of Commitment: A letter was received from the City of Keene advising that they are in their 9th year of their program consisting of 24 Household Hazardous Waste Collections per year.  This year’s letter of commitment is due back to them by January 15, 2016.  The Walpole 2016-2017 Fixed Cost (Participation in all twenty-four (24) collections) is $4,494.00.

Mr. Aldrich moved to authorize, Mr. Paul Colburn, to sign the Letter of Commitment for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Project, 2016-2017 Series.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Department Reports for the 2015 Town Report: Mrs. Clough has collected some Department Reports for the 2015 Town Report as well as many nice pictures.  The Selectboard will proof-read the reports.  Mr. Dalessio will work on the Selectboard’s report and have the draft ready for the next regular meeting.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD BUSINESS:

Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (b) Hiring.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:10 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:35 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of January 07, 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 7:54 PM.

OTHER BUSINESS:

2016 Budget:  Mr. Dalessio will continue to work with Mr. Kreissle to close out the 2015 Budget and to finalize the 2016 proposed Budget and Warrant Articles.

Walpole Library:  Mrs. Pschirrer will attend the Library meeting on Tuesday.  She will introduce the idea of a three year long-range plan.  Miss Rogers has been putting together some statistics that Mrs. Pschirrer would like the Board members to look at and think about where they want to be in three years from now.

ADJOURNMENT:  Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion.  With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

This Sunday – a Special Service

EVENTS 01/14/2016 Comments: 3
Sunday at the Walpole Unitarian Church:
Rev. Lisa Mobayed leads the service on Sunday, January 17 at 10 AM: Our Past that Guides Us: Many of us find ourselves turning, once again, to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King. We look to the past as we enter this new chapter of racial understanding, one that requires honest self-reflection and sincere engagement from those of us who are white and privileged.
Also on Sunday, Rev. Mobayed, Rev Susan Kershaw of St James Episcopal Church and Rev. Craig Breismeister of Walpole Congregational Church will lead a Candlelight Vigil on the Common at 5:30.
– from the poster:
Launching Walpole’s Yearlong Commitment to Cultural Tolerance: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”. MLK Jr.

The Clarion Deadline is Coming Fast

EVENTS 01/14/2016 Comments: 2
A reminder that the deadline for the February 2016 issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION is Friday, 22 Janaury 2016. Article and new advertisement submissions have already been received. Don’t be left out, send your submissions now to rayboas@comcast.net 
 
PS – and do not forget to visit http://thewalpoleclarion.com and “sign up” to get automatic announcements.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/30/15

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TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 30, 2015

 

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 8:00 AM 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.

PAYROLL: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Payroll voucher for the week ending December 26, 2015, in the amount of $14,596.01 for checks dated January 01, 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 $3,897.05 for the week ending December 26, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 23, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of December 23, 2015, with the following correction:  Page 3, under Library, third line, change “Mr. Mark Houghton contacted ABS” to “Mr. Mark Houghton recommended contacting ABS”.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes and correction were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 23, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 23, 2015, 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 meeting:

  • North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – December 22, 2015.

ABATEMENTS – Water/Sewer:

Hicks Machine, Maplewood Circle, Map & Lot #023-014-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Abatement for Water in the amount of $2,024.00 and Sewer in the amount of $1,847.55 for Hicks Machine.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

WARRANTS – LAND USE CHANGE TAX WARRANT and DRA for A-5:

Kaplan, North Road, Map & Lot #010-039-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration Land Use Change Tax A-5 and the Tax Collector’s Land Use Change Tax Warrant in the amount of $7,000.00 for Wendy Kaplan.  This is for removal of 2.650 acres from Current Use.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Primex; Workers Comp and Property Liability Insurances:  Mr. Dalessio reported that the Selectboard met with Primex.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the proposal presented to the Selectboard on December 28, 2015, from Primex, New Hampshire Public Risk Management Exchange, and to authorize, Mr. Steven Dalessio, Chair of the Selectboard, to sign the contract.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Special Meeting of December 28, 2015, with Primex, as presented.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

Police Request from the Town of Alstead:  Police Chief Paquette has taken care of this.

Walpole’s Oldest Citizen Update:  Mrs. Clough advised that Mrs. Agnes Ciccalone will call her back to set up a date and time for the presentation of the Boston Cane.

Letter to the Cheshire County Commissioners:  Mrs. Pschirrer is waiting for additional information from Police Chief Paquette.

Town Ordinance, Procedure and Policy Manual:  This is a work in-progress project for the Selectboard.

2015 Budget: Mr. Kreissle will have a report ready next week on the 2015 budget figures for the Selectboard’s review.

2016 Budget:  Last week the Selectboard voted to approve the 2016 General Fund.  Work is being done on the 2016 Warrant Articles by Mrs. Clough.  It should be ready next week.

True North:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the True North contract summary in the amount of $8,303.84 and that the Chair, Mr. Steven Dalessio, be authorized to sign this contract on behalf of the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Supervisor of the Checklist Vacancy:  The North Walpole Supervisor of the Checklist, Mrs. Genevieve Gallagher, has retired.  Mr. Gary McCormick was appointed to replace her as of December 29, 2015.

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, (b) Hiring and (c) Reputations.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 8:34 AM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:57 AM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 30, 2015, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS (Continued):

Highway Department:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to advise that Mr. Michael Rau has accepted the position as the Highway Department Interim Road Agent to be effective January 4, 2016.  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 9:29 AM.

PUBLIC HEARING – 2016 ANNUAL BUDGET AND WARRANT ARTICLES:  The Public Hearing on the 2016 Annual Budget and Warrant Articles will be held on Thursday, February 4th, 2016, at 6:30 PM.  The regular Selectboard meeting will start at 5:00 PM on this date.

ADJOURNMENT:  Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/17/15

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TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 17, 2015

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:20 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 six people in attendance.

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 and (b) Hiring.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:46 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of December 17, 2015, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $1,865,885.07 for checks dated for December 15, 2015 and December 18, 2015.  This includes a check to the Cheshire County for a tax payment and the NH Retirement payment in the amount of $1,341,493.23.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Payroll voucher for for the week ending December 12, 2015, in the amount of $19,227.07 for checks dated December 18, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the electronic payroll fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,053.18 for the week ending December 12, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 10, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 10, 2015, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #1 – December 10, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session #1 of December 10, 2015, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2 – December 10, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session #2 of December 10, 2015, 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:

  • Cold River Local Advisory Committee – October 22, 2015;
  • Walpole Conservation Commission – December 7, 2015; and
  • WRAP Committee – November 12, 2015.

BUILDING PERMIT:

RUESSWICK, 64 Barnett Hill Road, Map & Lot #009-048-000:  Building Permit No. 2015-52 was received from Mark and Deborah Ruesswick to “Construct 4 sets 24’ x 8’ high Solar Panels” at 64 Barnett Hill Road.  There was a consensus of the Selectboard that, based on what the applicants submitted, they will require a sketch and map.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to table this Building Permit until the application is complete.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

REFUNDS:

Tax Overpayments:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Tax Overpayments that resulted in a total of $7,279.89 as follows:

  • Boylan, Map & Lot #008-021-000;
  • Allen, Map & Lot #020-029-000;
  • Haynes, Map & Lot #028-097-000;
  • Lynch, Map & Lot #009-033-02-01;
  • Provencher, Map & Lot #003-084-005;
  • Gay, Map & Lot #030-075-000;
  • Checchi, Map & Lot #015-029-001;
  • Vieser, Lois J. Rev. Trust, Map & Lot #003-030-000.

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 at 7:00 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:42 PM.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Planning and Zoning Packets:  Mr. Dalessio and Mr. Jeff Miller discussed creating and having packets available to give out when requested.  They would include the up-to-date Zoning Ordinance, Site Plan Review and Subdivision Ordinance.

OLD BUSINESS:

Letter to Adam Terrell: The Selectboard signed the Thank You letter to Adam Terrell.

ACCUFUND HR Module Acceptance Notice:  Mr. Dalessio reported that a few weeks ago the Selectboard voted to purchase this software.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize the Chair, Steven Dalessio, to sign the ACCUFUND Human Resources Module Acceptance Notice.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Health Insurance:  Mrs. Clough had distributed information on the percentage the employees have been contributing for Health Insurance. The contribution was not raised in a couple of years.  In 2015 the employees have been contributing 11.5%; an increase to 12-1/2% is 1%.  Mr. Dalessio noted that the Town’s increase is 3.4%. 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Selectboard set the employee’s contribution percentage for Health Insurance at 12-1/2% in 2016.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize the Chair of the Selectboard, Steven Dalessio, to sign the Health Insurance document.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Primex: Workers Comp and Property Liability Insurances:  Mr. Dalessio and Mr. Kreissle looked at the Primex proposal and the rates are approximately 8% higher than the PLT rates were.  They want to come in to meet with the Selectboard on Monday, December 28th at 10:00 am to review the rates and go over numbers in detail.  The Workers Comp experience mod-factor came down a little.  We might be eligible for some discounts in the future but some work needs to be done to get the discounts.

Police Request from the Town of Alstead:  This Agenda item will be deleted as Chief Paquette took care of it.

Walpole’s Oldest Citizen Update:  After the first of the year the Selectboard will make a presentation of the Boston Cane to Walpole’s Oldest Citizen either in this office or her home.

Letter to the Cheshire County Commissioners:  Mrs. Pschirrer is waiting for additional information from Chief Paquette.

Town Ordinance, Procedure and Policy Manual: This is an on-going project.

2016 Budget:  The Selectboard reviewed the proposed 2016 Budget.  Mr. Kreissle will be asked to research why electricity has gone up so much.  Mr. Dalessio asked Mr. Kreissle to email the Department Heads to ask for copies of any contracts they have.

NEW BUSINESS:

2015 Sales to Assessment Ratio Analysis and Data Certificate:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to sign the 2015 Equalization Municipal Assessment Data Certificate for the Department of Revenue Administration.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

2016 Warrant Articles: The Selectboard is considering the following items as Capital Outlay:

  • Pool Filters – $25,000.00;
  • Highway Building Wall – $50,000.00;
  • Police Cruiser and Up-Dating of Other Cruisers – $60,000.00;
  • Security Renovations and Building Roofs – $88,000.00.

Total – $223,000.00.

This could be taken out of the Reserve Fund.  There will be no other Warrant Articles.

Mr. Dalessio would like to see a five-year plan on equipment from the Highway Department.

Next Meeting – December 23, 2015:

The next Selectboard meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015 at 8:00 AM.  There will be no Public Business.

Meeting – December 30, 2015:  The last Selectboard meeting of 2015 will be held on December 30th, 2015, at 8:00 AM.  There will be no Public Business.

ADJOURNMENT:    

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion.  With all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary