The Walpolean

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

OCTOBER 31, 2024

Selectboard Present:  Cheryl Mayberry, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present:  Wes Vickers

Call to Order:  Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Boulders at Primary School: Wes Vickers stated the boulders are in place next to the access road down to Primary School.  There will be a gate for the Fire Department and EMS vehicles when they need access to the field.  The school’s fence on the other side of the field, next to the Recreation area, is falling.  Mr. Vickers said it needs to be removed, and boulders put along that area. The Selectboard told Mr. Vickers that the fence is owned by the school.  The Selectboard was agreeable to the fence being removed and boulders added.

Mr. Vickers left the meeting.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $32,214.11 dated 11/1/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,513.72.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – October 24, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 24, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – October 24, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of October 24, 2024.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved and are sealed.

Public Hearing – October 24, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Public Hearing of October 24, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

WATER AND SEWER WARRANTS

Walpole Water Fees: Ms. Vose moved to approve the warrant for Walpole Water Fees for $53,814.27.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the warrant was approved.

Walpole Sewer Fees:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the warrant for Walpole Sewer Fees totaling $80,000.05.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the warrant was approved.

North Walpole Sewer Fees:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the warrant for North Walpole Sewer Fees for $60,848.58.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the warrant was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Action: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, and Houghton Brook Bridge

Reservoir Dam Update: Mr. Dalessio reported that Fuss and O’Neill have agreed to provide regular updates about the Reservoir Dam project as required by DES.  These meetings will help the project move forward.

ARPA Funding Grants: Mark Houghton will have all the figures by mid-November for generators and pumps for the three sewer pump stations so that contracts can be prepared and the ARPA Grant funds encumbered.  There is an issue at the North Walpole sewer pump station because it is not clear that the Town owns the land under and around the pump station.  The generator may have to go on the roof.  Steve Grenier will be gathering the necessary information.

High Street Dog Bite: Police Chief Sanctuary will be requested to attend a Selectboard Meeting so that the Board can learn more about what it means when someone files a dog complaint or wishes to press charges.  Also, The Selectboard wished to know what can be done if no one reports incidents because of fear of retaliation.

NEW BUSINESS

Cemetery Deed:  Mr. Dalessio moved we accept the deed for Lot D-531.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the deed was signed. 

Savings Bank of Walpole Proclamation: The Savings Bank of Walpole will celebrate its 150^th anniversary on July 2, 2025.  There will be proclamation, and SBW will coordinate with the Board.

State Driveway Permit Received: Mrs. Downing will put a copy in the file and will send a copy to the Planning Board for the land being subdivided off Upper Walpole Road/Rt. 123.

NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c)

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 6:59 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:56 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

TAX RATE: Mrs. Downing reminded the Board that the Town still does not have a tax rate.  Ms. Mayberry noted that Fall Mountain Regional School District has an extension to November 1^st to file their DOE documents.  However, The Town is also waiting for completion of the financial audit and the associated reports.  The issue is that there is a $1.8 million payment due to the Cheshire County in mid-December. The payment must be made on the due date.  Mr. Dalessio commented that without property tax income, this could be an issue. The Town may need to take a tax anticipatory note or TAN.

Adjournment:  Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:06 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the November 6, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)