The Walpolean

TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
MARCH 6, 2014

Selectboard Present: Whitney Aldrich, Chas Street; (Absent: Jamie Teague, Chair)
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Aldrich called this meeting to order at 6:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall with six people in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:
MR. JACK PRATT – Expression of Interest Request: Mr. Joel McCarty, a Selectman in Alstead, and Mr. Pratt were present to ask the Town of Walpole Selectboard to support an Expression of Interest as a prelude to a grant application to use federal money to extend broadband optical high speed fiber into Alstead, Langdon, Marlow, Walpole and Surry, five of the most rural towns in Cheshire County. Mr. McCarty stressed that it is extremely important that more residents and businesses have the opportunity to connect directly to a network that will enable them to work at home easily, find online medical care, and continue their education anywhere in the world as well as video. This will change the way residents in these towns work, play and live their daily lives. Investing in broadband will help existing businesses to grow by bringing innovation, new companies and new jobs. It will encourage local enterprise and give more people the flexibility to work from, thereby saving transportation costs. This program will foster competition in the open-access networks, which will be connected by the proposed 46 Community Anchor Institutions. Currently this does not exist in these five rural towns and will result in increased choices with possible cost reductions. Mr. Pratt advised that the letter has to be submitted tomorrow as the deadline is March 7th.
Mr. Street moved that the Walpole Selectboard endorse the expansion of broadband optical fiber through the Connect America Fund and to support the County Commissioners in their efforts to bring it through the five country towns. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
The Selectboard approved and signed the letter to the Rural Broadband Council, Federal Communications Commission Staff.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Mr. Street moved to recess this Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, motion was approved at 6:19 PM.
The regular meeting resumed at 6:39 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Street moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (c) Reputations. Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 6:40 PM.
The regular meeting resumed at 6:51 PM. No announcements were made.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Street moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest for checks dated March 7, 2014, in the amount of $72,799.29. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:
Mr. Street moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending March 1, 2014, for checks dated March 7, 2014, in the amount of $19,767.38. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Street moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,521.47. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – February 27, 2014: Mr. Street moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of February 27, 2014, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.
NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – February 27, 2014: Mr. Street moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of February 27, 2014, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:
 Conservation Commission – March 3, 2014;
 Planning Board Workshop – February 25, 2014; and
 North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – March 4, 2014.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:
GRAVES, Graves Road, Map & Lot #005-009-000: Mr. Street moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Peter Graves, No. 13-461-12-T, on Map #005, Lot #009-000 off Graves Road. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NEW BUSINESS:
SEWER MAIN BREAK: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the letter, dated February 24, 2014, from M & W Soils Engineering, Inc. regarding the Sewer Main break, off Route 12 at Mad Brook Culvert Crossing. A sketch and pictures were enclosed showing the location of the temporary line and culvert.
Mr. Street moved to send a letter and the bills to the Department of Transportation for reimbursement on the break of the sewer line off Route 12 when the Town has all the bills. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

WALPOLE MOUNTAIN VIEW WINERY – Request Letter: A letter was received from Virginia L. Carter of the Walpole Mountain View Winery requesting that the Selectboard grant permission for her to sell wine produced from her grapes at Barnett Hill Vineyard and also to sell wine at bone fide Farmers Markets, of which Walpole Farmers Market is one.
Mr. Street moved to grant permission for the Walpole Mountain View Winery, proprietor is Virginia L. Carter, to sell wine at Barnett Hill Vineyard and also at Farmers Markets, of which Walpole Farmers Market is one. A letter to confirm this motion will be sent to the State Liquor Commission, Bureau of Enforcement, in Concord, NH. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PERSONNEL FORMS:
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: The Highway Department has hired both a full-time employee and a part-time employee as follows:
Mr. Street moved to approve the hiring of Leland Gray, Jr. as a full-time employee in the Highway Department as recommended by the Department Head. His starting date will be March 10th, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Street moved to approve the hiring of Kenneth J. Silva as a part-time employee in the Highway Department as recommended by the Department Head. His starting date will be March 31st, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Street moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:19 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Meeting Waters YMCA will open the doors to its Y-ASPIRE program in Walpole to all elementary school students in the Fall Mountain Regional School District during the upcoming April break. The “Vacation Camp” will provide full day care for working parents and their children from Monday the 21^st through Friday the 25^th.

Y-ASPIRE runs from 8:00 until 6:15 during all school vacations, teacher in-service days, and most holidays as well as from 3:00-6:15 on all 180 school days. Vacation Camp extends this valuable support to other parents that need quality, engaging and enriching care during the school system’s spring break. Each day will include group projects, physical activity, two healthy snacks (parents provide a healthy lunch), arts projects, and free choice time (reading, board games, drawing, writing, legos, and more).

Vacation Camp will be held in Y-ASPIRE’s base of operations in the Community Room at Walpole Primary School, as well as on the school’s fields and playground. It will be led by the Meeting Waters YMCA’s Y-ASPIRE @ Walpole Schools’ staff.

Registration for Vacation Camp is now open. The cost for Vacation Camp is $125 for the week or $30 per day. New Hampshire Child Care Financial Assistance is accepted. Other financial aid is available through Meeting Waters YMCA. As in all of its programs, no child will be denied access to Vacation Camp for lack of ability to pay the full program fees.

To register for Vacation Camp, call the regional Y’s main office at (802) 463-4769 or email info@meetingwatersymca.org. For more information about Meeting Waters YMCA, visit http://www.meetingwatersymca.org or follow them on Facebook.

Founded in 1895, Meeting Waters YMCA is a charitable, social service organization serving the Fall Mountain, Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, and Springfield regions. It strengthens the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, social responsibility and family strengthening.

On Tuesday, we demonstrated, with our vote, that we feel Town Meeting is important.  Show again how important you feel it is by being at the Town Hall Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 PM.  See you there – Lil

FALL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Fall Mountain Regional High School Library

Monday, February 24, 2014

6:30 PM

Chair Henry called the meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Fall Mountain Regional High School Library. In attendance were John Streeter, Andy Collins, Linda Christie, Lil DeCoste and Gabe St. Pierre. Lori Landry and Jamie Teague were also in attendance.               

    Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve the minutes from Monday, February 10, 2014 Public Session. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to approve the minutes from Monday, February 10, 2014 Non-Public Session. Passed unanimously.

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS/PUBLIC INPUT

Chair Henry recognized Susan Tollett (Walpole) who expressed a concern regarding the proposed budget cuts that include the elimination of the High School Crisis Counselor.

Three letters of concern were presented to the board for review.

Chair Henry recognized Linda Sue Webb, Licensed Family Therapist who practices in Walpole. Ms. Webb expressed her concerns stating that provided service to several Fall Mountain district adolescents ranging from elementary to high school. She stated that in recent years, there has been a dramatic increase of social emotion needs in adolescents. Ms. Webb strongly urged the administration to reconsider their decision.

Mike Tollett (Walpole) stated that he was attending on behalf of his three sons who attend the Fall Mountain Regional High School. Mr. Tollett commented that he is a full time police officer for the Winchester Police Department, part-time officer for Walpole as well as a Youth Safety Officer for the Winchester School District. He commented that he has witnessed first hand, the needs of adolescents today and the issues that today’s teenagers have to deal with. Mr. Tollett respectfully requested that the position be looked at differently, stating that removing this position will not enhance the safety environment of the school.

Andy Collins requested that Tom Ronning provide and explanation for the justification of the elimination of the position.

Tom Ronning addressed the board and parents regarding their concerns. Mr. Ronning explained that when looking at the ASCA Model and accreditation standards, the guidelines for counselor to student ratio is one counselor to every 250 students. With approximately 540 students and three guidance counselors on staff, the high school would meet the criteria. Mr. Ronning further expressed his gratitude for the parents and students who came out to discuss the issue.

Mr. Collins asked if with their current caseloads, the counselors would be able to handle students in crisis.

Lisa Ranauro responded by stating that the counselors handle students in crisis everyday. She further explained that the decision was made with careful consideration. Their primary concern is meeting academic and social emotional needs of each student. They will be setting up a rotating call schedule and receiving training is responsive services. Ms. Ranauro stated that she felt that the department was prepared and ready for the change.

A brief discussion ensued regarding student needs and declining enrollment.

Mr. Tollett (Walpole) asked how the caseload of 20-25 students would be redistributed.

Ms. Ranauro reiterated that there would be a rotation schedule in place.

Cameron Tollett (Walpole) stated that he is currently a junior at the FMRHS. Mr. Tollett expressed a concern with the possibility of more than one student being in crisis and how the rotating schedule would work.

Ms. Ranauro explained that the guidance office deals with students in crisis everyday and that responsive services are part of the role as guidance counselor.

Mr. Ronning pointed out that other district services could be utilized as well.

Lil DeCoste commented that while she has concerns, she does have faith in the administration and feels that they would not make this decision unless they truly believed that there was a safety net in place. Cuts are difficult, but there needs to be faith in the administration.

Joanne  Andros (Walpole) expressed a concern that while Resource Officers are being added in many districts due to the increase in needs, we are eliminating a position. With incidents of anxiety and depression on the rise, she felt that the need for someone who specialized in the area was essential.

Andy Collins and Mary Henry reiterated Ms. DeCoste’s comment that there needs to be faith in the administration.

Susan Tollett (Walpole) expressed concerns with the addition of technology.

Lil DeCoste mentioned that Lynne Lyons will be visiting in August to speak to staff regarding Childhood Anxiety.

Gabe St. Pierre respectfully requested that the public input portion of the meeting be closed and the meeting be moved forward.

The board thanked the public for coming and speaking.

REPORT OF ADMINISTRATORS

Superintendent Landry read a letter from the Commissioner of Education commending the district for the hard work.

Ms. Landry also mentioned that she was asked to speak at the Commissioners Expanded Cabinet, where she provided feedback regarding the SWIFT Initiative in the district.

A survey showed that 90 percent of teachers felt that SWIFT could make a difference.

Ms. Landry spoke to the recent snow day and commended the administration for the hard work. The early release day was a success.

Ms. Landry informed the board that the Fire safety meeting has been rescheduled to March 20, 2014 from 8:30-10:30AM.

OLD BUSINESS

John Streeter reported that the policy committee would be meeting again on March 10^th.

A discussion ensued regarding the guidance model.

Lori Landry mentioned that the administration has revised screening for mental health and suicide/at risk screenings and are posted for staff to use.

Tom Ronning reiterated that our district has vast resources and will work together to ensure that student needs are met.

The board closed the discussion and will revisit it on March 24, 2014.

Gabe St. Pierre reported that RVTC had 13 Business and Finance students participate at DECA. Sara Fernette took 1^st place and received a SNHU scholarship valued at $4000. Taylor Rock, another FM student took 2^nd place in the buyer and merchandising category and received a $4000 scholarship as well. The board will recognize these students with board honors at a later date.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve an unpaid leave of absence for Kim Costello, Teacher. FMRHS. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter /DeCoste) to approve an unpaid leave of absence for Amanda Neilsen, APS-Failed 2:3 (St. Pierre/Collins/Christie)

A discussion ensued regarding unpaid leave requests.

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to revisit the unpaid leave of absence request for Amanda Neilsen, APS. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve proposed policy GEA-Athletic Team Coaches for first reading. Passed 4:1 (St. Pierre)

A discussion ensued regarding background check and the procedure and process of evaluation and discipline.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve amended policy JKA-Restraints for first reading. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve amended JICI-Weapons on School Property for first reading. Passed 4:1 (St. Pierre)

A brief discussion ensued.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve proposed policy GBB-Weapons in the Workplace for first reading. Passed unanimously.

The board requested that “uniformed” officer be added.

A discussion ensued, Lori Landry will check with Rose Millard regarding the addition.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve amended policy ADD-Safe Schools for first reading. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve amended policy AC-Non-Discrimination for first reading. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/Collins) to grant permission to the Town of Walpole to lease a school bus for the Children’s Winter Festival, Sunday, March 2, 2014 traveling from WES to Hooper Institute. Passed unanimously.

OTHER

Andy Collins requested that the Policy Committee revisit the Sunday Event Policy.

The Board conducted a straw poll vote of those in support of eliminating the policy 4:2 (Streeter/St. Pierre)

Jamie Teague informed the board made of a change that was made to the tax rate.

Tom Ronning reported that the Varsity Girls Basketball Team made the playoffs. They will play Thursday at home and if they win, they will move on to Saturday 7:00 PM for the quarterfinals at SNHU.

Upcoming district events include the Walpole Academic Fair, Wednesday, March 5^th 6:30-8:00 PM. Also the Alstead Attendance Area will host an Art Show, Thursday, March 6^th.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Motion: (Christie/Streeter) to approve the Treasurer’s Report for period ending February 24, 2014. Passed unanimously.

Account Payable: $510,399.75

Payroll: $873,618.20

Motion: (Streeter /DeCoste) to approve an unpaid leave of absence for Amanda Neilsen, APS-Passed 3:2 (St. Pierre/Collins)

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to adjourn. Passed unanimously

Hearing nothing further, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Misty D. Bushee

School Board Clerk

Dave Edkins was elected moderator.  Incumbents, Mary Henry and John Streeter were reelected to their positions and David Hogan was the successful write-in candidate from Alstead.  All the warrant articles passed as well.  It will be nice to meet again on the 24th with a budget in place and a full seven member Board.

Two poets will be reading at the Bridge Memorial Library on Main Street in Walpole, NH on Friday March 14^th at 7 p.m.

Becky Sakellaroiu is a New England-born poet who currently splits her time between Peterborough, NH and Euboia, Greece. Over the past fifteen years, she has published poetry in many journals, most recently in White Pelican Review, Beloit Poetry Journal, Comstock Review, Persimmon Tree, Passager and Common Ground Review.

A finalist in five chapbook contests since 2009, and nominated for the Pushcart Poetry Anthology twice, she also won first prize in the 2005 Blue Light Press Chapbook Contest for her chapbook, The Importance of Bone. Her poem, “Bone”, won first prize in the Sow’s Ear Press Poetry competition in January, 2009 and her new book, Earth Listening, came out in the fall of 2010, published by Hobblebush Books, Brookline, New Hampshire, USA. Her most recent chaperbook, “What Shall I Cry?” was published in October, 2013. by Finishing Line Press.

Candace Bergstrom is a writer and teacher. She holds a M. A. in English and an M. F. A. in poetry. She lived in Texas for 35 years and recently returned home to New England. She teaches English and writing and lives in the woods of Stoddard with her partner, Michael and her cat, Arlo.

The reading is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served

• Progress Reports have been either handed to parents at Parent-Teacher Conferences or mailed home. Please contact the school if you have any questions. Through working together, we can provide the best possible education for the youth in our community.
  
• Several students from our high school traveled to El Salvador to help build houses for the needy.
  
• Our Girls Varsity Basketball team represented our high school at the Division III state title game. Unfortunately, we are runners up. We greatly appreciate all of the support given throughout the winter season for all of our student-athletes.
  
• This past weekend the Rookie FMRHS Robotics Team competed against 36 teams from throughout New England. Our team came in 7th and lost in the quarter finals. Our team earned the award for the highest seed of a rookie team.
  

1.  Mary Farrell says the library will be closing at noon on March 12th.

2.  The Town Hall was locked with a note saying, “If the weather is bad, the office may be closed.”  Consequently I was unable to get the official tally from the elections yesterday.  I “heard”  that Steve, Jason and Kelley won their respective races and that SB2 was defeated.  Hope someone out there can tell us more.

Lil

Doesn’t this poster catch your eye?  Thanks David and Susan Howell for finding a way to remind us that spring really is coming! – Lil

The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) is throwing a party at Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole, New Hampshire, on Saturday, April 5^th starting at 5 p.m. This year’s festivities will include music by Samirah Evans and The Band of Love, appetizers, food stations, and a desert bar by Hardy Foard Catering, a great selection of beer and wine, and dancing to your heart’s content. Also, a silent and live auction of amazing art, jewelry, fine wine, dining experiences, and vacation getaways. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased online at http://www.brattleboromuseum.org or by calling 802-257-0124, ext. 101.