Selectboard Non-Public Session Minutes – 12/12/24

SELECTBOARD 12/20/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION

DECEMBER 12, 2024

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

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

CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio moved that the meeting enter a Non-Public Session at 7:35 PM. Ms. Vose seconded the motion.

LETTER TO FMRSD: Mr. Dalessio moved the Board sign the letter, which is a vote of no confidence in the FMRSD business department, to the Superintendent of Fall Mountain Regional School District and the Chair of the School Board.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the letter was signed.  After further discussion it was decided the letter should be shared with the Selectboards in the other Towns in FMRSD. The very overdue FMRSD tax rate information is impacting all the towns in the school district.

MEETING WITH LANGDON: Steve Varone bought Devin Gallagher, Chair of the Langdon Selectboard, coffee.  After their coffee, Mr. Varone and Ms. Mayberry were invited to meet with the Langdon Selectboard on Monday at 7:00 PM.  By consensus, the Board supports working with the other towns in FMRSD and attending the meeting on Monday.

FIRE DEPARTMENT BUILDING RENOVATION GRANT:   In order to get the grant, the Town needs to submit the 2023 Audit Report and a balance sheet.  Mr. Kreissle stated that AccuFund cannot create a balance sheet, but he can create one in Excel.  Ms. Mayberry will contact the auditors and get the 2023 audit report.   Once the grant is approved, there needs to be another meeting with Jenny Vose, Mr. Kreissle, Mr. Houghton and the Selectboard to create a process for handling the grant money which will come to the Town but be managed by the Fire Department. 

UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER: The UEI renewal is due 6/25/2025. The Board requested that Mrs. Downing put a reminder on her calendar for June 2, 2025.  Ms. Mayberry recommended that while completing the renewal in the application, one should select “Do Not Share Info”.  

ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Vose moved to adjourn this Non-Public Session of December 12, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. These minutes will be sealed.

Respectfully Submitted, 
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes.  Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 19, 2024, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/12/24

SELECTBOARD 12/20/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 12, 2024

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

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:37 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,915.16 dated 12/13/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,966.70.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – December 4, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 4, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Selectboard Meeting – November 21, 2024:  An email was received from Ruggerio Processing Facility requesting a change in the minutes.  The minutes said there would be no employees on the processing floor, but it should state there will be employees on the processing floor.  Ms. Vose moved to amend the minutes as requested by Ruggerio Processing Facility.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the minutes are amended.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

  • Trail Committee Meeting – September 11, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – October 9, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – November 13, 2024
  • Cemetery Trustees Meeting – November 4, 2024
  • Police Building Committee Meeting – November 19, 2024
  • Conservation Commission Meeting – December 2, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

TIMBER INTENTS

Map and Lot# 008-062-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Intent to Cut timber on Map and Lot# 008-062-000, the Hooper Golf Properties, pending confirmation from Monadnock Conservancy.  Mr. Dalessio Seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the intent to cut timber was approved pending confirmation.

Map and Lot# 011-001-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Intent to Cut timber on Map and Lot# 011-001-000 for a property off Reservoir Road.  Mr. Dalessio Seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the intent to cut timber was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT

2024-38, Map and Lot# 013-036-001-2: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2024-38 for Map and Lot # 013-036-001-2 to install a 591.8 square foot roof-mount solar array.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Map and Lot# 009-023-002 Agreement and Deposit Receipt: Ms. Mayberry reminded the group that this form was for the landlocked, tax-deeded property sold by sealed bid last week.  Mr. Dalessio moved that Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, sign the receipt.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the motion passed, and Ms. Mayberry signed the receipt.

Map and Lot# 009-023-002 Quitclaim Deed: It was noted that the deed was related to the above item.  Checks for the balance due, the NH Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) and the recording fees were  received.  Mr. Dalessio moved that the Quitclaim Deed be accepted and signed.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Quitclaim Deed was accepted and signed.

School Withdrawal Article: After some discussion, it was believed that the School Withdrawal article should be voted on at the Town Meeting. To be certain, Ms. Mayberry will check with Atty. Hockensmith.  

NEW BUSINESS

Voter Petition Article: By consensus the Selectboard acknowledged it received the petition which was already sent to the Planning Board. Mr. Dalessio will send the article to Mr. Hockensmith requesting an explanation of grandfathering with respect to this petition article.  For example, is Dunkin Donuts grandfathered?  If Walgreens closes and a new company buys the store, would they be able to have a drive through prescription pickup window?

DES Dredge and Wetlands Permit Application Notice: The application is for 602 Cold River Road.  The home was destroyed during the Alstead Flood and then rebuilt. However, Cold River is washing away the riverbank. The property owner has received a grant for bank stabilization. The Board acknowledged the notice was received.

Town Website Landing Page Change Request: A request was received to add the Recycling Department as a button/icon.  Mrs. Downing’s recommendation is to remove all the buttons except for action buttons/icons such as “Register a Vehicle”.  By consensus all the buttons/icons will be removed from the home page because not all the departments fit on the landing page. Department links are available on the menu at the top of the landing page.

There was a request for a disposal list on the website (i.e. the cost for disposal of big items).  Mr. Hoy should be contacted directly with the request.  He can add it to the Recycling pages since he manages those pages.

January 2nd Selectboard Meeting:   Ms. Mayberry is required to attend a meeting for her job on Thursday, January 2nd.  With New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day being holiday time, there is no other time for the Board to meet.  Ms. Vose moved that the January 2nd meeting is to be cancelled, and Mrs. Downing is authorized to sign the payroll for January 3, 2025.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting for January 2, 2025, is cancelled and Mrs. Downing is authorized to sign payroll that week.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (c) at 7:35 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:00 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.

ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:01PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 19, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 12/19/24

SELECTBOARD 12/19/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE

SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA 

December 19, 2024

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

2024 TAX RATE

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS

  • Griffin Construction Contract
  • Hooper Maintenance Trust
  • November 2024 Reimbursement to the Town of Walpole from the Hooper Education Fund
  • November 2024 Reimbursement to the Town of Walpole from the Hooper Maintenance Fund

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES

  • Hooper Trustees Meeting – December 4, 2024

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

SELECTBOARD MEETING (continued)

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

  • Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $1,802,302.05 for checks issued 12/20/2024.

PAYROLL

  • Payroll Register totaling $33,915.16 dated 12/20/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,010.76.
  • Payroll Register totaling $2,793.33 dated 12/20/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $414.18.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

  • Selectboard Meeting – December 12, 2024
  • Selectboard Non-Public Session – December 12, 2024

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • Planning Board Meeting – September 11, 2024

TIMBER INTENTS

  • Map and Lot# 008-062-000
  • Map and Lot# 010-034-000
  • Conservation Easements

BUILDING PERMITS

  • 2023-43 Renewal, Map and Lot# 003-001-002
  • 2024-39, Map and Lot# 001-010-001
  • 2024-40, Map and Lot# 001-010-001
  • 2024-41, Map and Lot# 001-010-001

OLD BUSINESS

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

  • Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Reimbursement Request
  • Reservoir Dam Update
  • Five Water & Sewer Proposals re: ARPA Grant Funding
  • Petition Article re: Legal Review
  • School Withdrawal Article Ballot Question

NEW BUSINESS

  • 2024 Preliminary Assessment to Sales Ration Study – Equalization
  • Highway Safety Grant Agreement
  • Municipal Tax Rate Setting Portal
  • Zoning Warrant Articles
  • Accident Reports
  • Employee Resignation
  • Thank You

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

** Any recording, audio or visual, and/or other devices must be declared at the beginning of the meeting **

Thank You from Cub Scout Pack 299

COMMUNITY NEWS 12/16/2024 Leave a comment

From Deb Pawelczyk:

Walpole Cub Scout Pack 299 would like to say “Thank You” to everyone who helped make our Bake Sales at the plays a huge success. Also a big Thank You to the Walpole Players for thinking of us to do this. If anyone is doing an event and they would like some concession done Cub Scout Pack 299 may be able to help. If interested please contact Deb Pawelczyk at 603-445-5475.

No Wiggle Time at the Library Today – 12/16/24

Uncategorized 12/16/2024 Leave a comment

There will be no Wiggle Time today, December 16th, at the Walpole Town Library.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/4/24

SELECTBOARD 12/13/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 4, 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: Peggy Pschirrer, John McCollister, Devin Gallagher, Brendan Hayes, Dennis Wright, Kim Surles, Shane Lake, Terri Lake, Ben Northcott, Josette Britton, Griffin Dussault, Jennifer Marquay and Akbar Ashoury.

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

OPENING SEALED BIDS FOR TAX DEEDED PROPERTIES

The bids for the tax-deeded properties were opened.  The winning bids were:

  • Tax Map 9 Lot 23-2 – Off Derry Hill Road: Lawrence, Wyatt, and Jossie Britton bid of $6,850.
  • Tax Map14 Lot 5 – 522 Whitcomb Road:  Jiffy Real Estate LLC bid of $82,099.
  • Tax Map 29 Lot 105 – 11 Merchant Street:  Jiffy Real Estate LLC bid of $17,095.
  • Tax Map 28 Lot 120 — 27 Center Street: Jiffy Real Estate LLC bid of $72,099.

Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Wright, Ms. Surles, Mr. Lake, Mrs. Lake, Mr. Northcott, Mrs. Britton, Mr. Dussault, Ms. Marquay and Mr. Ashoury left the meeting.

HOOPER TRUSTREES

Ms. Vose moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:57 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms.  Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.    

The meeting was reconvened at 7:26 PM.   Mrs. Pschirrer left the meeting.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $321,832.91 dated 12/06/2024 including $174,687.50 payment to Daniels Construction for the emergency repair of the Elm and Main Street bridge.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $39,530.07 dated 12/06/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $8,484.69.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Public Meeting for School Withdrawal Study Committee Findings – November 20, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Public meeting for the School Withdrawal Study Committee Findings of November 20, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Selectboard Meeting – November 21, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 21, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Session – November 21, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 21, 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 the minutes are sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

  • Planning Board Meeting – November 12, 2024
  • Library Trustees Meeting – November 12, 2024
  • Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – November 20, 2024
  • Safety Committee Meeting – November 21, 2024
  • Planning Board Workshop – November 26, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

BUILDING PERMIT

2024-37, Map and Lot# 010-020-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-37 for Map and Lot # 010-020-000 to pour a 19’ 10” x 10’ 2” Alaskan slab foundation for a future greenhouse. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

ARPA Grant – Water and Sewer: Mr. Dalessio explained that the pending contract will replace the generator at Prospect Hill water reservoir. The current generator is too small for the water system. Once the new generator in installed, the old generator will be used at the Town Hall for backup power.  In addition, generators will be purchased for the 3 sewer pump stations.  Mr. Dalessio said that the contract will be reviewed by the Selectboard on Dec. 13th during the departmental budget meetings. The total cost may be slightly over the ARPA grant, in which case the Water and Sewer Reserve will be used for the remainder.  The wording of the contract is that the project will be completed after all materials are available because of the backlog in generator orders.

Pending Projects: Mr. Dalessio reported that the School Street drainage project is ready for a wetlands permit.  The Houghton Brook Bridge needs to be looked at soon.  Future projects will probably not involve Fuss & O’Neill because of their workload.  Both projects are going to be expensive, and it will be hard to find funding.   Mill Pond Dam is also on the pending list.  Mrs. Downing will put all three projects on the agenda for next week.

Walpole Players Letter: As follow-up to the discussion with the Players on November 21st, Mr. Dalessio moved to sign the letter to the Walpole Players.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was accepted, and the letter was signed.

Ruggerio Processing Facility – Waive Fine Letter:  As a result of discussions with representatives of Ruggerio on November 21, 2024, Mr. Dalessio moved the Board sign the letter waiving the fine, which should have been applied to the previous owner.  Ms. Vose seconded the motion.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the motion passed, and the letter was signed.

FMRSD Letter: Steve Varone, the Town Treasurer, prepared a letter to FMRSD about the very late submission of the MS-25 form which impacts all five towns in the School District.  Mr. Dalessio moved to sign the letter.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the letter was signed.  Mrs. Downing will scan the signed letter and send it to the School District’s Superintendent and Business Administrator. After discussion, the Selectboards requested a copy of the letter be emailed to other the other four towns in FMRSD.

NEW BUSINESS

Winter Parking Ban: The North Walpole Commissioners Office sent an email inquiring about enforcement of the parking ban this winter.  Ms. Mayberry will talk to Police Chief Sanctuary about enforcing the ban.  Mrs. Downing will put a notice in Clarion and the Walpolean reminding people the ban is in effect.

Cheshire Country Proposed 2025 Budget: The total budget is $74,992,938, which is slightly less than last year.  Proposed taxes for the municipalities are $31,118,488 which is an increase of 6.96% over the 2024 budget. 

January 2, 2025 Selectboard Meeting: The first week each month the Selectboard typically meets on Wednesday, but that will be January 1st which is a holiday.  Ms. Mayberry requested this item be added to next week’s agenda for follow-up.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business, Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 12, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Walpole Seniors Potluck Lunch – 12/16/24

EVENTS 12/13/2024 Leave a comment

Walpole Seniors’ Potluck Lunch – Monday, Dec. 16:

High Noon at the Congregational Church

Bring a dish and chat with friends!

Walpole Players Show is Sold Out

EVENTS 12/13/2024 1 Comment

ALL shows of the Walpole Players 2024 Holiday Fundraiser of “A Christmas Story, The Musical” are SOLD OUT. You cannot buy tickets at the door! 

Please text (no calls) Jenny Plante at 603-313-9319 if you bought tickets and are not coming, if you would like to be put on the waitlist or if you have any questions.

Congratulations to the ACS Cast & Crew on a wonderful opening night!

Walpole Unitarian Church Holiday Food Sale – 12/14/24

EVENTS 12/13/2024 Leave a comment

WALPOLE UNITARIAN CHURCH

HOLIDAY FOOD SALE

Saturday, December 14th between 9 and 11:30 a.m.

In Front of Walpole Post Office

We will have our popular boxed holiday cookies ready for gift giving. There will also be holiday breads and desserts, along with savory items such as quiches, casseroles, lasagnas, etc. These items will be ready to take home and serve, or kept in the freezer until later.  All of our offerings are homemade  and there are always unexpected surprises that arrive at our table the day of the sale!  Come early to get the best choices!

Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 12/10/24

PLANNING BOARD 12/12/2024 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board Minutes

 December 10, 2024

Town Hall

7 pm

Roll Call: Present: Board members Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternate Travis Adams. Absent board member Trevor MacLachlan and alternate Bill Carmody.

Call to order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm. He asked Mr. Adams to fill in for the absent board member. Mr. Adams agreed.

Minutes: Review minutes of the November 2024 meeting and workshop minutes. Mr. Marcom made two corrections on the regular November meeting minutes. On page 1 he changed if to is in the sixth paragraph and on page 2, last paragraph, the middle lot of the Dunkin subdivision is Lot 2. Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the amended minutes. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

OLD BUSINESS:

Continuation of:

Public Hearing No. 2: Subdivision for Dunkin property at 418 Main Street. One lot into four lots. 

Town Map 12, Lot 56, Lot 1 56-1 will be 1.73 acres, Lot 2 will be 2.9 acres, Lot 3 will be 2.04 acres, Lot 4 will be 2.62 acres. Commercial District.

Mr. Jason Hill of TF Moran presented the subdivision of 8-plus acres on the quadrant at the corner of Main Street and Upper Walpole Road in the commercial district. There will be four lots. Lot 1 will be for a Dunkin coffee shop, Lot 2 will be a baseball field. Lot 3 is the site of the future police station and lot 4 abuts the Savings Bank of Walpole, owner to be determined. Lot 1 has access from Upper Walpole Road as well as Route 12. Lots 2 and 3 have a shared access from Upper Walpole Road and Lot 4 has access from Upper Walpole Road. The site has public water and sewer. 

There being no questions from the board or the public, Mr. Miller closed the hearing at 7:05 pm. Mr. Perron made a motion to accept the subdivision as presented. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Public Hearing No. 3: The Walpole Foundation: Construction of a new preschool, 75 Westminster St. Tax Map 20, Lot, 11, Residential B District.

Erin Lambert of Wilcox & Barton in Concord presented the proposal for The Walpole Foundation.

The new school will be 5,294 square feet. There will be five egress points on three sides of the building. There will be 48 parking spaces, two of them ADA accessible. The driveway will be one-way with a bus drop-off area at the front of the building, which faces south. There is an enclosed playground off to the west side of the building. The plans are to plant 11 trees – some shade tress, some ornamental trees – and some perennials. The poles with lighting will only illuminate the property and will be downcast so neighbors and wildlife are not affected. 

This is not a day care operation. It is a school with an educational program that is in session during the regular school year. It is not currently in session during the summer months.  There are approximately 30 students currently enrolled, not counting the students who come for after-school care. There is a community room in the new building and it has a kitchen designed for community use. Capacity is for 40 students. Not all students attend every day. Some students are on a two or three day a week schedule. The present school will remain in operation during construction of the new school. There are currently two classrooms but a third classroom will be added to the new building. This room will be used for infants, six weeks to about 2 or 2 1/2. That classroom can accommodate 6 to 8 children.

The school will be served by municipal water and sewer. The building will be fully sprinkled. Underground electric service will be provided from a pole near the driveway entrance. The building will be heated by propane.

Construction is planned to begin in the spring of 2025 with estimated completion by the summer of 2026. When the new school is up and running, Wilcox & Barton are in charge of demolishing the old school building. 

When all of the questions of both the board and the public had been answered, Mr. Miller closed the hearing at 7:30 pm.

Mr. Harrington made a motion to approve the project as present. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Public Hearing for Approval of Proposed Revised Zoning Amendments. There are eight amendments.

Mr. Miller explained that earlier this year the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Todd Horner, Executive Director of Southwest Region Planning Commission, and Carol Ogilvie, a senior planner with the organization met several times to discuss the zoning ordinance to clarify and improve organization of the document. The result was this document with eight amendments.

Mr. Miller said there was good cooperation between both boards. Two major changes are that the Planning Board will now resume yearly inspection of the town’s three remaining gravel pits and take over signage, which actually is part of the site plan process. The Select Board will handle permits for  temporary use of a mobile homes or trailers and building in the timberland district.

Powers of the ZBA were defined:

  • Hear and Decide Appeal from Administrative Decisions
  • Special Exceptions
  • Variances

Definitions will all be in one place and alphabetized.

Mr. Perron made a motion to have the Planning Board recommend this article, which will be placed on the March warrant. The motion carried unanimously

Public Hearing for a zoning amendment drafted by the Planning Board.

Mr. Miller said this zoning amendment was discussed at the November meeting and has been slightly tweaked. But the intent remains the same as the original draft.

It will be placed on the town warrant. It excludes formula businesses in the commercial district, Section 6, of Downtown Walpole Village, Article VI. Formula businesses include retail sales and restaurants that regulate by contractual or other arrangements certain standardized features that include uniforms, logos, interior or exterior design, array of services or merchandise, menus, ingredients and food preparation. 

Mr. Marcom made a motion to have the Planning Board recommend this zoning amendment, which will be placed on the March warrant. The motion carried unanimously.

Update

Mr. Miller attended a meeting in Temple last week. It was a Citizen Planning Conference arranged by SWRPC and attended by a variety of officials from several towns in the Monadnock Region. There were about 20 people at the conference, he said. He said it was a very constructive meeting with a discussion on a lot of issues. Another meeting is planned for March. He plans to attend and hopes a couple of board members will go with him.

Mr. Miller also mentioned that the group that was at the November meeting who wanted to construct three buildings on the lot south of Dollar General  had registered a plat at the Registry of Deeds without any approval from the town. Town counsel is looking into this matter.

Public Hearing for a Petition Article

Mr. Harrington made a motion to hold a public hearing in January 2025 on a petition to be placed on the March warrant that would amend the article about shops, restaurants and other retail building not exceeding 40,000 square feet to not allow drive-up window service. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Adjournment

Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.

It was 8:15 pm.

These are unapproved minutes that will be reviewed for corrections at the January 2025 meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Secretary

Next meeting: January 14, 2025.