The Walpolean

As many of you may know Chris was badly injured after being hit by a tree limb on January 3rd, 2014 and was airlifted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon NH.  He sustained severe injuries to his head and face, necessitating major reconstructive surgery and will likely require additional surgery in the future.  They will undoubtedly have major medical expenses that would be hard for any young family to burden and so we are hoping that as a community we can come together to help them with this unexpected tragedy.  We have already seen the love and support Chris and Caitlin have received from both near and far, and we are starting this campaign to help them handle the financial burden involved.  This will allow them to better focus on Chris’s healing and getting back to their normal routines as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your love and support of Chris and Caitlin

– See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/chris-caserta-and-family-support-/123475#sthash.Wn6RR9PY.dpuf

I just spoke with Caitlin Caserta, who is at Dartmouth Hitchcock with her husband Chris.  He is awake but in a lot of pain.  There is no brain injury but most of his facial bones are broken.  His nose, jaw, and frontal lobe are broken and he has a deviated palate.  He will be having reconstructive surgery at the end of next week but that has to wait until the swelling has gone down.

For those who haven’t heard, he was airlifted to Lebanon after being injured in the woods.  He had seen the smoke (that later was discovered to be the horrific barn fire at the Galloways) and had gone on his tractor to see if it was a snow machine accident.  He did not see a hanging limb across the trail and was struck in the head.  He lost a lot of blood but was able to drive himself out of the woods.  With the freezing weather, that was certainly a blessing.

Caitlin and Chris are both overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern and love they have received from friends and neighbors.  They wanted me to express that this town is a pretty great place to live.  At this time she said that there was really no way we can help the family other than keep the prayers and positive thoughts headed in their direction. That I know we are all ready to do. – Lil

From my house I can see the lights from the skating rink behind the Episcopal Church.  People are there plowing and I am sure they will be there tonight, in the below freezing cold, to get down a layer of ice that everyone can enjoy this weekend.  Thank you, whoever you are.  We are so lucky to have people ready and willing to do this “uncomfortable” job!  – Lil

TOWN OF WALPOLE

PLANNING BOARD MEETING

DECEMBER 10, 2013

Presiding:        Jeffrey Miller (Chair); Robert Miller (Vice-Chair); Henry Fletcher, Jamie Teague (Selectboard Representative)

Alternates:      Steve Dalessio, Ed Potter, and Jeff White

Recording:      Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

These Minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the January 14, 2014, meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

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 members, James Aldrich, Dennis Marcom and Eric Merklein, were not present therefore he called upon alternate members, Steve Dalessio, Ed Potter and Jeff White to sit on the Board.

Mr. J. Miller introduced the PB members as six students from the Walpole Leadership Academy were present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING on November 12, 2013:  Mr. Fletcher moved to approve the Minutes of the regular PB meeting on November 12, 2013, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Potter.  With six members in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present at this meeting.

The PB did not hold a Workshop Session on the 4^th Tuesday of the month due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Mr. J. Miller opened this Public Hearing on this application at 7:09 PM.

Subdivision – One Lot Into Two Lots:  Martha Kingsbury, 170 Kingsbury Road, Tax Map #008, Lot #120-1, Rural Agricultural Zoning District:  Mr. J. Miller advised that this Public Hearing was advertised in the Keene Sentinel, posted, the fees were paid and abutters were notified by certified mail.

Mr. R. Miller moved to accept this application as complete.  Seconded by Mr. Potter.  With all members in favor, the motion was approved.

Clayton Platt, Licensed Surveyor, was representing Mrs. Kingsbury.  Mrs. Kingsbury is proposing to annex her land to her children.  This proposal is to subdivide 24.5+/- acres on the land opposite her house into a 10.98 acre parcel and a 13.47 acre parcel.  It is hay and forest land.  They both have 200-feet of frontage along the road.  It is more than five acres so test pits are not required.

Mr. J. Miller closed this Public Hearing at 7:18 PM.

Mr. J. Miller opened this Public Hearing on this application at 7:19 PM.

Minor Subdivision and Lot Line Adjustment:  Martha Kingsbury, Tax Map #008, Lots #118 and #118-1 & William L. and Patricia D. Kingsbury, Tax Map #008, Lot #119, Rural Agricultural Zoning District:  Mr. J. Miller advised that this Public Hearing was advertised in the Keene Sentinel, posted, the fees were paid and abutters were notified by certified mail.

Mr. Fletcher moved to accept this application as complete.  Seconded by Mr. R. Miller.  With all members in favor, the motion was approved.

Clayton Platt, Licensed Surveyor, was representing Mrs. Kingsbury and William L. & Patricia D. Kingsbury.  This property is on the other side of the road.  They are proposing to add 9.79 acres to TM #008-118-1 resulting in a total of 10.90 acres.  They are proposing to add 3.27 acres to TM #008-119 resulting in a total of 8.53 acres.  This proposal creates a proposed second lot of 27.84 acres, TM #008-118-2 with a pond.  All the lots meet the road frontage.

Mr. J. Miller closed this Public Hearing at 7:31 PM.

Mr. R. Miller moved to approve the application for a Subdivision for one lot into two lots, Tax Map #008, Lot #120-1 for Martha Kingsbury, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Fletcher.  With all members in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Ed Potter moved to approve the application for a Minor Subdivision and Lot Line Adjustment for Martha Kingsbury, Tax Map #008, Lots #118 and #118-1 & William L. and Patricia D. Kingsbury, Tax Map #008, Lot #119, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. R. Miller.  With all members in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

A request was received from Joe DiBernardo, Licensed Surveyor, to postpone the following New Business until the January meeting:

• Boundary Line Adjustment:  Raymond Aumand in North Walpole;
• Boundary Line Adjustment/Subdivision: Southwestern Community Service in Drewsville.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Workshop Session – There will be no Workshop Session on Tuesday, December 24, 2013, in observance of the Christmas Holiday.

Site Plan – Notification:  During the last meeting the PB members discussed the issue that upon acceptance of the Site Plan the applicant would have one year to make a vested interest in the development or come back to the PB to provide an up-date.  Mr. J. Miller was asked to contact Attorney Hockensmith about the legal language that would have to be used.  Attorney Hockensmith is formulating a line of rational and procedures. We should have something in writing in the near future.

Excavations – Regulations and Taxation:  Mrs. Mansouri said at the last meeting she discussed Excavations.  Mr. J. Miller was going to contact the Regional Planning Commission and/or Town Counsel to ask for legal advice and clarification for the language that is required for the Site Plan Review.  If somebody moves more than 100,000 cubic feet of dirt the question comes up as to how they integrate that into the Site Plan Review?  Mr. J. Miller will follow-up on this before the next meeting.

Walpole Leadership Academy – Mock Planning Board Site Visit:    Mr. J. Miller opened the PB meeting to discussion with the students from the Walpole Leadership Academy.  At the last meeting Dr. Peter Bowman came in for a preliminary consultation on moving his dental offices into the Reel-to-Real building.  It was basically for interior changes as the footprint of the building was not changing.  The PB did not feel that a Site Plan was needed.  Mr. J. Miller explained that to begin with Tractor Supply Store came in with their preliminary plan on the property off Route 12.  The Site Plan for the Walpole Tractor Supply Store was displayed and Mr. J. Miller reviewed each page as it was submitted by the developer.   The PB can waive certain things.  Tractor Supply had to receive approval from the Department of Transportation for the curb cut off Route 12; visibility is an issue.  Their outdoor speaker was something that the PB missed but after it was approved the speaker became loud and some of the neighbors were complaining.  The PB went to Tractor Supply who was very helpful and they switched to walkie-talkies.  The Fire Chief, Police Chief and the Water and Sewer Superintendent looked at the project and made comments.  There was a lot of detail.  Walpole does not have a Building Inspector.  Each project brings different issues such as drainage, and whether or not a sprinkler system is needed.  There are criteria and road specifications.  The PB has the authority to go to third party consultants.  The developer usually pays for the studies required.  Any zoning regulations have to be voted on by the Town.  There was time for comments and questions about various projects and responsibilities.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. R. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Fletcher.  With all members in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 8:21 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

The Walpole Seniors will meet for potluck lunch at the Town Hall on the Walpole Common at noon on Monday,January 13, 2014. (Note date and location as there are renovations at the Church.) Everyone is asked to bring a contribution for the Fall Mountain Food Shelf. Bring a dish to share. All Walpole Seniors are welcome. Come for fun and good socialization.

The Walpole Historicaal Society will sponsor another free Genealogy Workshop on Saturday January 11 2014 from 10-12 noon. Jeanne & Peter Jeffries have pursued Genealogy for over 30 years and welcome beginners as well as experienced persons. Hints regarding research sources as well as stone walls will be shared. Call for reservation at 603 756 2933. More information can be found on the Walpole Historical Society web site: walpolehistory.org .

Thank you Jennifer Kelly for makning us aware of what sounds like an interesting evening. – Lil

Mark your calendars for an evening of mid-winter poetry at the Walpole Library, on Friday January 10^th at 7 p.m.   The poets include:

• James Fowler, a 25-year Navy veteran, first became fascinated with Japanese poetry forms while stationed overseas.  Fowler, who now teaches poetry at the Village Bookstore in Bellows Falls, will be reading works that reflect various Japanese poetic traditions, including prose poems, free verse and strict iambic forms.

• Martha Carlson-Bradley has published five collections of poetry.  She’ll be reading from her most recent book, Sea Called Fruitfulness (WordTech Editions, 2013), which was inspired by a 1651 map of the Moon.

• Patricia Fargnoli,  the New Hampshire Poet Laureate from 2006-2009,  has published seven collections of poetry.  She’ll be reading selections from her latest book , Winter (Hobblebush Books, 2013) which explores the nature of winter, a time of looking to the beauties of nature, of memory, of spiritual contemplation.

• Kathleen Fagley’s chapbook, How You Came to Me, was published in July 2012 by Finishing Line Press as a finalist in the New Women’s Voices Series.  She has had poetry published in The Stillwater Review, Memoir Journal, Cutthroat, The Comstock Review and others.

The reading is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be served.  For more information, call the library at 756-9806.

It’s nice to know that there are people who will have nicely wrapped presents under the tree. – Lil

Wrapping up the holidays

On December 3^rd, Susan Tollett lead a workshop on making your own gift wrap at the Walpole Library.   Here’s Susan and a library patron painting snowflakes on festive holiday paper.

I don’t mean to take anything away from our outstanding football athletes but the highest overall rating for sportsmanship is pretty darn special, I think. Way to go Fall Mountain!  – Lil