Serving Walpole, New Hampshire since 2005
Remember that I announced that Bellows Walpole Inn was opening its Pub on May 1? I just had a call from Bobby, to say that they are doing a “practice run” tonight from 4:00 to 8:00. They have a limited menu, but a full bar, ready to go and they can’t wait to try it out. I’m willing to be a guinea pig. How about you?
TOWN OF WALPOLE
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
APRIL 8, 2014
Presiding: Jeffrey Miller (Chair), Robert Miller (Vice-Chair), James Aldrich, Kelley Hicks, Dennis Marcom, (Jason Perron – late), Chas Street (Selectboard Representative)
Alternates: Ed Potter, Jeff White
Recording: Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
These Minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the May 13, 2014, meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions. There were nine people in attendance.
Meeting Opened: Mr. J. Miller, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. He advised that meetings are tape recorded therefore asked anyone that wishes to speak to identify themselves.
Roll Call: Mr. J. Miller noted that regular member, Mr. Jason Perron, was not present, therefore, he called upon alternate member, Mr. Ed Potter, to assume Perron’s seat on the Planning Board.
Mr. J. Miller welcomed Kelley Hicks and Jason Perron as the newly elected Planning Board members.
ANNUAL RE-ORGANIZATION:
CHAIR: Mr. R. Miller nominated Mr. J. Miller as the Chair for 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. There were no other nominations. With six members in favor, the motion was approved. Mr. J. Miller abstained from the vote but accepted the position as Chair.
VICE-CHAIR: Mr. J. Miller nominated Mr. R. Miller as the Vice-Chair for 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. There were no other nominations. With six members in favor, the motion was approved. Mr. R. Miller abstained from the vote but accepted the position as Vice-Chair.
SECRETARY: Mr. R. Miller moved to nominate Mr. Aldrich as the Secretary for 2014. Seconded by Mr. J. Miller. There were no other nominations. With six members in favor, the motion was approved. Mr. Aldrich abstained from the vote but accepted the position as Secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING on March 11, 2014, and the WORKSHOP SESSION on March 25, 2014: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Planning Board (PB) meeting on March 11, 2014, and the Workshop Session on March 25, 2014, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Potter. With all members in favor, the Minutes were approved.
Mr. Perron came into the meeting; Mr. Potter assumed his Alternate Member seat.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
There were no Public Hearings scheduled for this meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
HODGKINS & SONS, INC.: Mr. John Hodgkins advised that they would like to do a Lot Line Adjustment on land they own in the Industrial Park, off Route 12. The existing parcel is 13.88 acres; they would like to subdivide this into a 7.00 acre and a 6.88 acre lots. Both lots will have the required road frontage. SVE Associates did the design. Mr. Hodgkins explained that they have taken all the gravel off this parcel, there is some loam, the granite curbing will be removed. There is some crushed gravel left; they are in the process of hauling material away. It is now flat land.
Mr. Aldrich moved to schedule a Public Hearing at the May 13, 2014, meeting. Seconded by Mr. Marcom. With all members in favor, the motion was approved.
532 MAIN STREET, LLC: Attorney Robert Kasper advised that the property at 532 Main Street has the Creamery, the Wash ‘N Dry and the Walpole Valley Tire businesses. They want to make some improvements to the building. A change they are proposing is to take the existing 3-bay wooden structure out front and build a new structure on the back of the building so Walpole Valley Tire will be doing the tire changing on the back side. They will also put a new door in on the back of the building for the Tire service. Even though this is a Zoning Board matter he wanted everybody to know that they are proposing to replace the 19’ x 3’ signs with 8’ x 3’ signs for each company with a matching background. This will reduce their signage quite a bit.
Mr. R. Miller moved to schedule a Public Hearing at the May 13, 2014, meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all members in favor, the motion was approved.
JOHN SHELDON: Mr. Joe DiBernardo, DiBernardo and Associates, LLC, was representing John Sheldon. The application is for a Lot Line Adjustment but there are multiple parts to it. Mr. Sheldon is one of the owners involved in this proposal. This property is located at Cheshire Turnpike and Common Road in Drewsville. Mr. Sheldon is buying 5.46 acres from Southwestern Community Services that will become a part of the Sheldon existing parcel. In addition they would like to straighten out some of the other boundaries. Mr. DiBernardo explained the proposed changes on the plan. Mr. J. Miller explained that this would all be fine if they wanted to do it in a Phase I and Phase II process but the PB cannot create a non-conforming lot. They are creating another lot because they are moving the line. He suggested they clean it up by going to the Zoning Board for a Variance then in the future if they want to sell or move the line it is all corrected and there will be no non-conforming issues. Mr. DiBernardo and Mr. Sheldon felt it best to go to the Zoning Board first for a Variance and then come back to the Planning Board.
HAL WILKINS: Mr. Wilkins was present for a preliminary consultation about a possible business expansion. There are three lots on the R.N. Johnson, Inc. parcel. He has a client who is interested in purchasing the southern parcel. Because there would be no access on Main Street they worked out a way to create access that will benefit all the parcels. It is a 50-foot wide by about a 350-foot-long right-of-way which allows everyone access in and out. The problem is that his client is interested in moving a line over to some point because it might involve demolishing the building. His question has to deal with Variances. The shed is right on the property line. If his client purchases this parcel he would have an existing building in a pre-existing situation. If the line moves they shift the Variance into the Johnson parcel. Do they really have to tear the sheds down to create a 20-foot green space for a set-back or would the PB consider allowing the shed to remain until such time as they know what will happen to the middle parcel. Mr. J. Miller felt they could have a conditional Variance if that were the case but there might be a time frame. It is the Zoning Board that has the say for Variances. Mr. Wilkins said they want to move forward with this. He noted that this is now 3.7 acres but they will make it 4 acres. Mr. J. Miller pointed out that after they figure out where the boundary line will be that will be the appropriate time to come back to the PB. Mr. Wilkins asked if the right-of-way is an acceptable way to solve the problem of access. He discussed this with Jim Terrell, Road Agent. Mr. J. Miller said it sounds logical but the curb cut off the road is going to have to be adequate for what will be developed there.
OLD BUSINESS:
Excavation Tax and RSA 72-B – Proposed Draft For The Site Plan Review: Mr. J. Miller recommended that this be an Agenda item for the Workshop Session.
PLANNING BOARD:
Workshop Session – Reminder: There will be a Workshop Session on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall Downstairs Office.
ADJOURN MEETING:
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Marcom. With all members in favor, the motion was approved at 7:39 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections, if necessary, will be found in the Minutes of the May 13, 2014, Planning Board meeting.)
Sounds like this question will be answered during Old Home Days. Virginia Carter asked me to put out an alert so you can be ready when the Clarion publishes the Entry Form. – Lil
For some old-fashioned fun, enter “The Great Walpole Old Home Days Cookie Bake-off” for cash prizes given to the 3 most popular cookies and also category ribbons (i.e. bragging rights) for:
“Best old family recipe” – “Best Gluten-free” – “Best Vegan” – “Best Youth” – “Best Native Walpolean” – “Oldest Recipe” – “Best Recipe from a Magazine/Newspaper” – “Best Recipe from the Internet” – “Best Original Creation” – “Best Recipe from a Friend/Co-worker”
Entry date and community judging date are both Saturday, June 28th, during Walpole Old Home Days weekend. You’ll need an entry form, $5 fee per cookie entered, and 6 dozen cookies per entry for judging.
Watch for the entry form with all the details in your next Walpole Clarion. An entry form will also be in the Walpole Old Home Days Program, and you can call or e-mail to have one e-mailed to you to print out as many as you want on your own computer. A stash of them will also be located at Galloway Real Estate on Main St., next to Walpole (Burdick’s) Grocery.
Contact Virginia Carter or Mariah Kranowski (leave a message at 756-3948 or e-mail: cartervirginia@msn.com) for entry forms, info, or questions.
Reach Out to Youth” Wednesday the 30th
The Restaurant at Burdick Chocolate, located on Main Street in Walpole, will host a sixth annual benefit dinner for Meeting Waters YMCA’s “Reach Out to Youth Fund” on Wednesday, April 30th. That night, owners Paula and Larry Burdick will donate 10% of all dinner receipts to the regional YMCA’s youth scholarship fund.
Contributions to the Y’s Reach Out to Youth fundraising drive and the event at Burdick’s help ensure that all children have access to Meeting Waters YMCA programs. Specifically, donations support financial assistance to the regional Y’s ASPIRE after-school programs in Brattleboro, Dummerston, Putney, Bellows Falls and Walpole and its Y Day Camp, as well as underwriting some of the $20,000 cost of summer camp bussing. More than half of all children and families served by the Y’s youth development and healthy living programs receive financial assistance. In addition, the camp busing—which includes stops each day for eight weeks in Walpole, North Walpole, Charlestown, Brattleboro, Putney, Bellows Falls, Westminster, Chester and Springfield—is equally important in making the regional Y’s summer enrichment programs “accessible to all.”
According to Meeting Waters YMCA’s Executive Director, Steve Fortier, the annual event at the Restaurant at Burdick Chocolate has raised more than $4,000 for the Y’s scholarship fund over the past five years. He adds, “This event is always about people enjoying a great meal for a great cause.”
Reservations for the benefit dinner can be made by calling The Restaurant at Burdick Chocolate at 603-756-9058.
Meeting Waters YMCA is a charitable, social service organization founded in 1895. Its programs and services focus on youth development, healthy living, social responsibility and family strengthening. Its annual Reach Out to Youth Campaign is a key component of the Y’s commitment to ensuring that its programs are accessible to all youth in the Fall Mountain, Bellows Falls, Springfield and Brattleboro regions. To learn more about Meeting Waters YMCA’s services, go to http://www.meetingwatersymca.org.
Thanks to Mary Farrell and Jennifer Kelly at the Walpole Library for the alert, here is another source for “portable” summer reading. – Lil
Hankering for a classic by Dickens or Austen? Got a yen for old gardening books? Want to settle in with an Agatha Christie story? Project Gutenberg offers over 45,000 e-books free of charge and available anytime and anywhere you have an internet connection.
Project Gutenberg was founded in 1971 by Michael Hart. Hart had been given $100,000,000 of unrestricted computer time by the operators of the Xerox Sigma V mainframe at the Materials Research Lab at the University of Illinois. He decided to use his time to create an online repository of books. He began by posting ASCII text versions of public domain literature, but today Project Gutenberg offers texts in all the common e-reader formats – with Kindle, html and PDF formats.
Anyone can browse Project Gutenberg’s catalog, download books and read them on any mobile device. If you don’t have a Kindle, for instance, you can download a free Kindle app for your smart phone, iPod or computer.
There’s plenty to read at Project Gutenberg, too. Although most new books are excluded because of copyright restrictions, the database includes a trove of great literature – all of Dostoevsky, all of Jane Austen, all of Shakespeare and Dickens. Because U.S. copyright protection extends 50 years after the author’s death, there are some surprising omissions. You can read F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby, for instance, but nothing by Ernest Hemingway, because Fitzgerald died sooner.
Visit http://www.gutenberg.org to get started. If you have any difficulty uploading books to your digital device, stop by the library and our technology specialist Julie Rios can help.
I received this email from Justin Derby the new Executive Chef at the Bellows Walpole Inn. The opeinng is right around the corner. – Lil
One of the things that the Friends of the Walpole Library does with the money raised from the upcoming Plant Sale (May 10th, hint hint) is provide passes to a number of great museums. with school vacation next week, you might be interested. Just stop by the library and the person at the desk can help you out.
Passes can be borrowed for:
Monstshire Museum of Science – Norwich, VT
The Currier Museum of Art – Manchester, NH
VINS – Quechee, VT
Billings Farm and Museum – Woodstock, VT
The Fort #4 – CHarlestown, NH
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art – Amherst, MA
While I have your interest, I want to remind you that the Plant Sale will be here before you know it. As soon as you can get in your garden and find you have plants you need to divide they will appreciate your donations. – Lil
If you have wondered what the Fall Mountain Endowment Association is for, these notes from Patricia Royce should help you out. These things would not have happened if the funds had to go through the regular budget process and the Fall Mountain students reap the benefits. I, for one, thank them for all that they do. – Lil
Fall Mountain Educational Endowment Association
Spring Grants Awarded
By
Patricia J. Royce
The following grants totaling over $8,535.00 were recently awarded by the Fall Mountain Educational Endowment Association:
Walpole School – Children’s Theater Week – $1500.00
No Walpole School – Billings Farm – $200.00
No Walpole School – Thunder Chickens Running Club – $600.00
Charlestown Middle School – garden – $574.00
Walpole Elementary – Boston Aquarium – $611.00 (adjusted later to $221.25 since no charge for chaperones)
No Charlestown Community School – Boston Aquarium – $795.30
Charlestown Middle School – Dartmouth College – $200.00
Vilas School – Nature’s Classroom – $2500.00
FMRHS – Metropolitan Museum of Art – $345.00
Charlestown Primary School – Book of Memories – $200.00
Walpole School – Robotics and Science Museum – $710.00
FMRHS – Body Works in Boston – $300.00.
Programs such as these would not be possible without special funding provided by the Endowment. We thank all those people who have contributed to our fundraising over the years.
FALL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Fall Mountain Regional High School Library
Monday, March 24, 2014
6:30 PM
Superintendent Lori Landry called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM in the Fall Mountain Regional High School Library. In attendance were John Streeter, Andy Collins, Linda Christie, Lil DeCoste, David Hogan and Gabe St. Pierre. Jamie Teague was also in attendance.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Motion: (Collins/DeCoste) to appoint Mary Henry as School Board Chairperson. Passed unanimously.
Motion: (Collins/DeCoste) to appoint John Streeter as School Board Vice-Chairperson. Passed unanimously.
Motion: (Collins/DeCoste) to appoint Gabe St. Pierre as School Board Treasurer. Passed unanimously.
Motion: (Collins/DeCoste) to appoint Linda Christie as School Board Secretary. Passed unanimously.
Chair Henry thanked everyone for coming and welcomed David Hogan, Alstead Board Representative.
BOARD HONORS
The Fall Mountain Regional School District School Board honored the following students for their achievements.
Gabe St. Pierre presented board honors to Taylor Rocke and Sara Fernette for their participation in the DECA competition at RVTC.
Tom Ronning presented school board honors to Macane Dunbar, Paul Beliveau, Kristina Judkins, Brenna Gallagher, Nick Heath and Jason Powers for their participation in the Robotics Club. The Robotics Team placed 7th place out of 36 teams at the recent completion in Nashua.
Matthew Schmidt recognized the Girls Varsity Basketball Team for receiving Runner-up at the NH State Championship – Sophie Bushey, Kellie Walker, Bailey Roberts, Amanda Rogers, Marisa Tewksbury, Madison Lord, Elizabeth Earle, Erin LeDrew, Bethany Aumand, Josie Holt, Morgan Ferland, Peighton Ahlberg and Brooke Aumand.
Coach Aumand mentioned that Morgan Ferland (Junior) had been selected for 1st Team All-State; Bethany Aumand (Senior) for 2nd Team All-State and Bailey Roberts (Senior) received an honorable mention. In addition, Mr. Aumand also reported that Elizabeth Earle (Junior), Erin LeDrew (Junior), Bailey Roberts (Senior) and Bethany Aumand (Senior) were recognized by the NHIAA for outstanding academic achievement.
Mr. Collins expressed how proud he was for their hard work and dedication.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2014 public session. Passed unanimously.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATORS
Superintendent Landry reported that the early release day was an overall success. Ms. Landry also mentioned that the teacher evaluation committee met again and will be bringing forward a presentation soon.
Ms. Landry stated that the district would begin with the Smarter Balance assessment pilot throughout the district beginning tomorrow.
Superintendent Landry introduced Matt Schmidt, Athletic Director who provided the board with an update on Winter Athletics.
Simon Pierpont, Student Representative reported that the Robotics team will be competing in Hartford and a Blood Drive is scheduled for Thursday at the high school.
Brandon Hill, Teacher Representative provided the board with an overview of the happenings throughout the district.
OLD BUSINESS
Superintendent Landry announced that after thoughtful consideration to the communities concerns regarding the elimination of the Crisis Counselor at the HS, the administration has decided to restructure the position. A Crisis Counselor will be provided two days at FMRHS and 3 days in the Alstead Attendance Area.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to approve the 2014-2015 contract recommendations.
The board requested that this be discussed further in non-public session.
Motion: (St. Pierre/Christie) to approve a conditional contract for Joel McCarty, Bus Driver effective, March 25, 2014. Passed unanimously.
Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to approve a co-curricular contract for:
Christopher Beneat, Softball Coach, CMS
Richard Senerchia, Baseball Coach, WES
Ernie Perry,Drama Leader, WES
Justin Cassarino, Girls Softball Coach, WES
Maria Franciosa, Piano Accompanist, FMRHS.
Cheryl Mayberry, Perkins Grant Coordinator
The board requested that this be discussed further in non-public session.
Motion: (Collins/Streeter) to accept the resignations of the following effective June 30, 2014:
Rachel Alford, Teacher, Charlestown Primary School
Evelyn Pogorzelski, Special Educator, Skills Center.
Eryn Sellarole, Paraprofessional, Charlestown Primary School
Andrea Vickers-Sivret, Teacher, Charlestown Primary School
Christopher Rosinski, Special Education Teacher, Charlestown Primary School
Passed unanimously.
Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to accept the resignation of Shelley Hart, Paraprofessional, Alstead Primary School effective, March 19, 2014. Passed unanimously.
Motion: (DeCoste/Christie) to accept the retirement of Michael Joyce, Special Education Teacher, Vilas Middle School effective, June 30, 2014. Passed unanimously.
Motion: (Collins/Streeter) to approve a request for FMRHS students to attend an overnight trip to Italy, April 15-25, 2015.
Passed unanimously.
Bill Renauro spoke briefly about the planned trip. The students will be visit 3 nights in each Rome, Florence and Venice.
Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve proposed policy GEA-Athletic Team Coaches for second reading and adoption.
Passed unanimously.
Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve amended policy ADD-Safe Schools for second reading and adoption. Passed unanimously.
A brief discussion ensued regarding the added language “The Fall Mountain Regional School District School Board respectfully requests that off-duty police officers refrain from carrying their weapons on school grounds.”
Motion passed 4:2 (DeCoste/St. Pierre). Ms. DeCoste and Mr. St. Pierre disagreed with the addition of the language.
Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve GBA-Equal Employment opportunity for first reading. Passed unanimously.
Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve amended policy GBEA-Staff Ethics for first reading.
A discussion ensued and a request was made to bring it back to the policy committee for further review.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Motion: (St. Pierre/Streeter) to approve the Treasurer’s Report for period ending March 24, 2014. Passed unanimously.
Account Payable: $143,465.07
Payroll: $647,512.30
Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to enter into non-public session.Passed unanimously.
After an affirmative roll call vote, the board entered non-public session at 7:41 PM under RSA 91-A:3 (c) to discuss two personnel issues.
The board resumed public session at 9:36 PM.
Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve the amended 2014-2015 contract recommendations. Passed unanimously.
Motion: (Collins/Streeter) to approve a co-curricular contract for:
Christopher Beneat, Softball Coach, CMS
Richard Senerchia, Baseball Coach, WES
Ernie Perry,Drama Leader, WES
Justin Cassarino, Girls Softball Coach, WES
Maria Franciosa, Piano Accompanist, FMRHS.
Cheryl Mayberry, Perkins Grant Coordinator
Passed unanimously.
Motion: (DeCoste/Streeter) to adjourn. Passed unanimously
Hearing nothing further, the meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Misty D. Bushee
School Board Clerk
Thanks to Jennifer Kelly, we can see what is happening at the Walpole Library during the month of May. – Lil
Every Thursday @ 10 a.m., Homeschooling Group
Every Monday @ 10 a.m. Baby Lap Sit
Every Monday @ 2 p.m. Knitting Club
Tues. May 6th, 7 p.m. Non-Fiction Book Club (Mary Roach’s Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal)
Every Wednesday @ 10:15 a.m. Story Time
Wed. May 7th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Spanish Conversation Group
Sat. May 10th, 9-11 a.m. Friends of the Library Plant Sale
Tues. May 13th, 4:30 p.m., Library Trustees Meeting (N. Walpole Branch)
Wed. May 14th, 7 p.m. Evening Classics Book Club (Stella Gibbons’ Cold Comfort Farm)
Sat. May 17th, 10-11:30 a.m. Writing It Down
Thurs, May 22nd, 12 p.m. Library Afternoon Book Club (Erik Larson’s In the Garden of Beasts)
The Walpolean 
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