The Walpolean

Costume Ladies was recently announced as one of 40 stores across the United States which will participate in the first-ever Colossal Coachman Contest — a hat design contest presented by headwear manufacturer and distributor, elope Inc.

On Friday, July 3, contestants 18 years of age and older are invited to Costume Ladies’ shop to fill out an application and receive a free Coachman top hat to decorate however they please. The Kick-off Party begins at 2 pm and will last until 6. There will be door-prizes and Walpole Creamery coupons, as well as fresh popcorn from Ray Boas’ old-time popcorn cart. Contestants must return to the store by Friday, July 17, to submit their original coachman designs. These designs will be judged based on their use of the elope hat style, creativity, overall effect, and crowd appeal. The panel of 5 judges will include local notables of acknowledged creativity and artistic appreciation.

On Monday, July 20, 3 of our local contestants will be chosen as our store winner and national semi-finalist, along with 2 runners-up who will receive 2^nd and 3^rd place prizes. The semi-finalist will then be in the running for the grand prize, which is a $1100 prize package of elope hats and party-planning supplies.

elope Inc. is a leading distributor of costumes and accessories. “We love costuming and creating original designs. Our goal with this contest is to share that DIY and maker sensibility with our retailers,” said CEO Kevin Johnson. “We want to inspire creative costume parties that are about fun and friends – and not just on Halloween!”

The grand prize winner will be announced on or around August 19, 2015. Full details and national contest rules are available at elope.com/colossal.

The Walpole Library has hired Justine Rogers as new library director, starting August 1st.

Ms. Rogers is finishing her Master’s Degree of Library Science at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania this July. She has been working as an intern at the Carnegie Library of Homestead in Pittsburgh as well as part time at the Murrysville Community Library, also in the Pittsburgh area.

Because of the distance involved, the library’s search committee originally interviewed her on Skype. Then in mid-June, she came to Walpole for a final interview and introduction to the town.

Trustee Chairman Carole Zachary observed that, “Justine’s credentials and recommendations were excellent. Last week she came to visit Walpole and meet the search committee. Julie Rios gave her a great tour of the library. Lyn Cooke provided a delightful lunch for several of us. After lunch we took her on a walking tour of the village and then a short drive further afield. We were all very impressed with her demeanor and personality.”

The library extended her an offer on the following Monday, which Ms. Rogers accepted. She met, again by Skype, with the library staff late in June.

“I am very excited to join the team at the Walpole Library,” Ms. Rogers said, on accepting the position. ”I look forward to getting to know the community and finding ways for the library to meet their needs.” She will be moving to the area shortly after she finishes her degree in July.

Photo caption: Justine Rogers met with current Walpole Library Trustee Chair Carole Zachary and past Chair Lyn Cooke in mid-June.

Peggy Ann McCanna asked for my help in spreading the word about the upcoming Celebration of Life. – Lil

On Saturday, August 15, 2015 I am planning a Celebration of Life for long-time resident Jeffrey F. McCanna. It will be at the town hall from 10 -11:30 am with refreshments and an opportunity for folks to share their memories of Jeff.

This is a link to his March 1^st obituary.

http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=2991746&fh_id=12873

The great Book Sale we enjoy in October doesn’t just happen like spontaneous combustion.  Hours of collecting, sorting, moving take place all during the summer and early fall.  Please help make the sale a success in any way you can. – Lil

Andrea Goins sent this plea for help.  I also noted another Yard Sale on North Main Street on Saturday.  A “two-fer” day in Walpole! – Lil

Thanks to Peggy Pschirrer for correcting my statement.  Services for Chick Miller are being scheduled on July 24th, NOT June 24th.  

I just learned this morning that a very special “Walpolean” died on Friday.  Charles “Chick” Miller, contributed so much to our community with his service on boards and communities too numerous to mention.  Around the time of his retirement from community service, he was honored by the Grange as Citizen of the Year which says it all.  Watch the newspaper for details regarding services to be held on June 24th. – Lil

Library patrons, volunteers, friends and board members gathered at the Walpole Library on June 6^th to celebrate Mary Farrell’s four-year tenure as head librarian. Over her four years as library director, Ms. Farrell has greatly expanded the library’s technological capabilities, added to its programs for adults and children and presided over increased evening hours. Ms. Farrell is retiring to Walpole, Maine with her husband Ian.

The library’s board of trustees has been interviewing candidates and hopes to announce a new library director soon.

Mary Farrell and Library Trustee, Jeanne Ramey share the delicious treats!

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JUNE 4, 2015

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

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 four people in attendance.

These are unapproved Minutes.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

DAVE ADAMS: Mr. Adams had previously talked to the Selectboard about speeding limits; At times Main Street appears to be a race track.  Mr. Dalessio advised that to start with they put out a vehicle counter that the Town owns because it also records speeds and other information.  Elm Street has been done and Main Street is next.  They are trying to capture the time of the speeding so a cruiser can be placed in that area.  An application was submitted for a grant for a digital speed counter but they will not know until September if they received the grant.  Mr. Terrell will be asked to look at the speed signs.

Relative to sidewalks, Mrs. Pschirrer reported that two streets are being done this year: Elm Street and Old North Main Street.  These will finish this year’s budget.  Sidewalks are alternated each year between North Walpole and Walpole therefore North Walpole will be on the schedule next year but subject to the next budget cycle.  Mr. Adams advised that a lot of sidewalks have lifted up so is a safety issue.  The Selectboard will ask Mr. Terrell to look at them.

VICKY MORTON: Ms. Morton had some questions relative to a subdivision that is being proposed before the Planning Board.  It is being proposed by Rita Simonds and located in Drewsville.  Ms. Morton had previously talked to Mrs. Mansouri, Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. It is a piece of property that is being subdivided into three separate lots. Her questions were on a lot she might be interested in purchasing.  Of interest is the building that was a chicken coop and converted into a garage as there is an apartment on the second floor that she does not believe had been approved by the Town.  She asked where the septic system is for this apartment.  Mrs. Clough advised that she will have to go to the State for this information.  Mrs. Clough pointed out that they do not have an apartment in their assessing records.

Ms. Morton advised that her two questions were: 1) where is the septic for the apartment; and 2) if it is an illegal apartment can it remain if she were to purchase this property.  A third question is that there is a second Right-of-Way that goes through the parcel; how far should that be away from the building.  There is one legal Right-of-way on the property but she questions the second one.  Mrs. Pschirrer said that is a zoning issue.  She recommended that Ms. Morton look at the Deed as the Rights-of-Way and locations should be in it.  Mr. Dalessio noted that Mr. Joe DiBernardo, surveyor, is working on this subdivision.

Mr. Dalessio summarized as follows:

1) she needs to go to the State for an answer on the septic system;

2) the other questions are zoning questions that this Board would be uncomfortable answering therefore she should attend a Zoning Board meeting to ask those questions.

The Selectboard would have to do some research regarding the apartment and get back to Ms. Morton.  She asked what steps would need to be followed if she were to put a business in the old sawmill building.  The Selectboard determined that this zone is Rural Ag so she could have a commercial business but would need to go before the Planning Board for a new Site Plan Review.  After that she would need to come back to the Selectboard office for a Building Permit.

Mr. Dalessio suggested that she attend the next Planning Board meeting as this subdivision is on their agenda for Tuesday, June 9^th, at 7:00 PM.  The next Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17^th at 7:30 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $30,411.44 for checks dated June 5, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Payroll voucher for the week ending May 30, 2015, in the amount of of $21,134.25 for checks dated June 5, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the electronic transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,689.79 for the week ending May 30, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – May 28, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of May 28, 2015, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #1 – May 28, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #1 of May 28, 2015, as submitted.  The Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2 – May 28, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 of May 28, 2015, as submitted.  The Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed the Minutes of the following meetings:

• Conservation Commission – June 1, 2015;

These Minutes indicate that they would like to recommend to the Selectboard that Ms. Kelli Wilson be offered a three year membership and Ms. Sharyn Tullar be offered a two year alternate membership.  The Selectboard are waiting for final approval pending receipt of the paperwork.

• Cold River Local Advisory Council – April 30, 2015;

These minutes reflect the names of their members and the term expiration dates.

BUILDING and DEMOLITION PERMITS:

BUILDING:

BALLOU, 25 Dearborn Circle, Map & Lot #012-055-016:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant Building Permit No. 2015-27 for Christopher Ballou and Amy Ballou to “Construct a 12’ x 20’  1 Story Shed”, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

NOMINATION TO THE LOCAL RIVER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL:  The Local River Management Advisory Committee is nominating Gary Speed as a member.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the nomination of Gary Speed to the Local River Management Advisory Council.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

TAX CARD FEES:  Mrs. Clough had sent an email to the Selectboard to advise that, in the past, the $1.00 fee for a copy of the tax cards has been waived for Galloway Realty.  The Selectboard felt that a policy should be established that everyone is equal.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Town charge everyone who comes in for a tax card a fee of $1.00.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Clough explained that they used to charge $200.00 for a copy of the Grand List when it went onto a CD but it is a little different now.  At that time they used to run a Warrant on it but now when people come in and ask how it is sorted she asks if they want it sorted by map and lot number or alphabetically by home owner, etc.  They give this to her in writing and she charges them accordingly for it.  The fee is $25.00 if they want basic information but if they want everything including the taxes and assessment value it is double the size so the fee is $50.00.  This takes a lot of Mrs. Clough’s time.  She can no longer do the CD program with the new computer program.  It is no longer recommended that copies of the Warrant be made.  The Selectboard discussed if a standard report takes one hour the fee will be $50.00 but if it takes longer than an hour it should be $200.00.  It was agreed that Mrs. Clough will come back with a recommendation for sliding scale fees for the Grand List depending on what the people request.

Mrs. Pschirrer would like them to consider moving the tax card files out of the hallway into the interior of the office for security reasons.

CREDIT CARD MACHINE:  Mr. Dalessio spoke with Mrs. Sandy Smith, Town Clerk / Tax Collector, about the use of credit card machines.  The State is requiring that by September they have to switch over to the new computer system.  They had also been approved for new computers in this year’s budget.  It appears that Mrs. Smith is in favor of the credit card machine but her concern is that it all works with their system plus there is a lot going on.  Mr. Dalessio feels people should have a choice on how to pay their Town bills and are willing to assume any additional fees for the convenience of putting this on their cards.  There are a lot of reasons to keep moving forward but we are not at a point of making the final decision until Mr. Kreissle gets all the information to the Selectboard.

EMAIL FROM MARKIEWICZ, 215 WENTWORTH ROAD:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of an email from Mr. Markiewicz regarding a neighbor’s batting cage.  Mr. Dalessio recommended that they forward this to the Zoning Board to ask them for a formal decision as to whether it is allowed there or not.  Based on that the Selectboard will move forward.  Mrs. Clough will respond to his email to tell Mr. Markiewicz that they are referring this to the Zoning Board for disposition.

LIEN DISCHARGE NOTICES: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to sign the Lien Discharge for the property at 79 Church Street in North Walpole as their water and sewer fees were paid.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to sign the Lien Discharge for the property at 40 Dearborn Circle in Walpole as their water and sewer fees were paid.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

JEFFREY AND CATHY WHITE: The Selectboard received a letter from Jeffrey and Cathy White advising that at 3:10 AM Mr. White heard loud noises in the parking lot at North Meadow Plaza at the rear of Ocean State Job Lot Store.  Two workers were using backpack, and wheeled push-type leaf blowers to clean the parking lot.  Mr. Dalessio advised that the Selectboard would write a letter to Ocean State Job Lot asking them to refrain from doing their work at 3:10 AM as that is unacceptable.

MONADNOCK CONSERVANCY:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that Stacy Gambrel has requested being on next week’s agenda.  She is from the Monadnock Conservancy and wants approval for grants that she is writing for the Ernie and Susan Vose conservation easement.

OLD BUSINESS:

BRENDA DAMAZIAK:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to deny the application for the tax abatement for tax year 2014 for Brenda Damaziak, Tax Map #025, Lot #009.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

WEP VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FOLLOW-UP:  Mrs. Clough provided an up-date on the WEP Volunteer Program.  She interviewed one person who was recommended by this program.  If the drug testing and background check is in order she could start work two days the week of June 22^nd and then full time the week of June 29^th.  Mr. Dalessio suggested that some of this time be given to Mrs. Smith.  Mrs. Clough pointed out that this person is aware of the fact that she would be working for other departments as well as the Selectboard office.

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, (c) Reputations and (e) Pending Claims or Litigation.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:12 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:26 PM.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

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

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:37 PM.

LIBRARY:  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned that the Library is beginning their interviewing process.  It will take place over the next two weeks.

ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:40 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary