The Walpolean

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, Paul Looney, Ernie Vose, and Wendy Pelletier

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

HOOPER TRUSTEES

Mr.  Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:32 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms.  Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.   

The meeting was reconvened at 6:38 PM.

To accommodate guests wishing to speak to items on the agenda, the Old and New Business were done next.

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Action: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, UCC sign at Rt 12 & South Street

Whipple Hill Road:  Wendy Pelletier of Cardinal Surveying requested that 410 feet of Class VI Road become Class V on Whipple Hill Road.  Her clients would like to subdivide an acre and a half with 200-foot frontage. Extending the Class V Road would eliminate several issues.  Mr. Dalessio explained that to upgrade the road, RSA’s must be followed. This includes adding a warrant article that documents the cost of the road upgrades.  The best way to request a warrant article is a petition signed by twenty-five Walpole registered voters.  There will be a hearing with the rest of the warrant articles.  There will be a betterment assessment on all property owners on the improved section of road. Impacted landowners can prevent the improvements from happening.  Also there needs to be a turnaround for the plow truck. Mr. Vose commented that It would be unreasonable to expect that big truck with the wing and plow to back up that hill.  The Selectboard Office needs the petition by mid-January. Receiving the petition earlier is much better.

Ms. Pelletier left the meeting.

CPNH Renewable Energy Credit Sale and Purchase Agreement:  Paul Looney explained the new contract is not complete.  In order to get the $6,000 refund that the Town is owed, Mr. Looney sent a letter saying Walpole is working with CPCNH.  The contract is still being worked on, but it will be 1-year, renewable and pay at a rate of $35/credit.  The Power Committee is tracking energy generation at the Recycling Center.  Currently half the power goes to Recycling and half to Town Hall.  Mr. Looney will create a budget for the Recycling Center and Town Hall electricity for 2025.  Mr. Dalessio commented that an EV charger may need to be repaired at the Town parking lot. Additionally, the breakeven rate needs to be determined.  Currently there are two charging online location applications reporting that one charger is active and the other is offline.

Ms.  Pschirrer and Mr. Looney left the meeting.

Reservoir Dam Grant Reimbursement Forms:  Ms. Mayberry moved that Mr. Dalessio sign the three reimbursement forms for the Reservoir Dam Grant.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and the three forms were signed. 

Great River Hydro Pilot Request: This request revisited a request from last year.  Because the assessments are set for the 2024 tax year, there is nothing that can be done for almost a year. Mr. Dalessio stated at this point we do not have tax rates or any other information that is needed.  There is nothing that can be done until 2025.  Mrs. Downing will send feedback to Great River Hydro.

Reservoir Dam: Mr. Dalessio stated there would be a design review with DES in a couple of weeks.  Once that is complete, the Town can start the work.  The dam needs to be thicker, and the spillway needs to be wider. 

ARP Grant Funding:   Mr. Dalessio will be meeting with Mark Houghton to work out the contracts for water-sewer projects.  The contracts need to be signed this year to encumber the ARPA Grant funds into next year.

NEW BUSINESS

Zoning Coordinator:  Mr. Vose attended to discuss his thoughts about the position.  It has been easy so far.  His concern is with all the changes being discussed and what they will mean for this position.  Currently Mr. Vose has an advisory position. He looks at what inquirers want to do and helps them know how to do it following the rules.  Mr. Dalessio felt it was not clear when the changes might happen.  Mr. Vose will continue with the job as it is.  If it changes, he will talk to the Board again.

Mr. Vose left the meeting.

Encumbrance for Vent Hood: Mrs. Downing reported that the vent hood repair may not be able to happen this year. However, there is a contract with EE Houghton and the funding had been approved in 2024.  Mr. Dalessio moved to encumber the vent hood repairs in the Town Hall kitchen.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the kitchen vent hood repair funding was encumbered.

The Board complimented Mrs. Downing on an excellent letter containing all the necessary information.  Ms. Mayberry will send it as an example to all the department managers with a reminder they need to encumber funds for projects that will not be completed this year.

Engagement Letter re: AccuFund Support:   A cover letter from Mr. Kreissle and the Brisbane Consulting agreement form were sent to the Board.  Clarity is needed regarding the rate range of$150 – $275 per hour.  Mr. Kreissle is asked to give Brisbane Consulting the existing insurance issue, ask how they would fix it and the cost.  Since more information is needed, the item is tabled until next week.

Ruggerio Processing Facility – Building Permits:  Mrs. Downing reported that there is no permit on file for the pole barn or for the office trailer.  The trailer did not receive a fine.  The Town fined the owner for building the barn without a building permit.  The Selectboard agreed that to make the records complete, a building permit for the pole barn was needed. Mr. Dalessio commented that the property owner said they were not adding a trailer or scale and were only doing site work during Covid. However, both structures have since appeared.  There was a consensus by the Selectboard to clear up the building permits for the existing scale and trailer.  There is a new owner of the business who must pay for the past.  The fine for the lack of a building permit for the office trailer is $1,000.  Mrs. Downing will write a letter explaining the need for the building permits and the fine.   Once it is taken care of, the Town can start working with the new owner of the facility who appears to be cooperative.

Building Permit Forms: Adding language that site prep cannot begin until the building permit is approved to building permit forms was agreed upon by the Selectboard.  Generally, people comply voluntarily, but the form needs clarification.  Mrs. Downing will change the building permit forms to include language that no site preparation is permitted until the Selectboard has approved the building permit.

Political and Other Signage on Town Property:   A verbal and written complaint was received about a negative sign at the junction of North Road, Old Drewsville Road, and Old North Main.   The Selectboard agreed by consensus that no signs are permitted on Town property.  All signs (political and commercial) will be removed from Town property. Signage will be stored at the Police Station for the owners to retrieve.

CPCNH Meeting Notice: The next meeting will be in a hybrid format on October 25, 2024, and will start at 8:00 AM. The Selectboard is to RSVP via Survey Monkey to attend.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Vose moved to approve Accounts Payable totaling $1,109,535.73 dated 10/11/2024.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  This included a $403,089.15 payment to Bazin Brothers for paving and a monthly $581,631.87 monthly payment to the Fall Mountain Regional School District. The Selectboard requested that the Highway Department send estimates with invoices. Purchase orders need to refer to the budget line item.  There were quotes for the Highway Department before the paving project started. Mr. Dalessio will request them.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,093.73 dated 10/11/2024and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,285.65.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – October 2, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 2, 2024.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – October 2, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of October 2, 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.

ABATEMENTS

Map and Lot # 019-039-000: An internal and external inspection of the property occurred.  Additional edits were applied to the property card.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the abatement for Map and Lot # 019-039-000 for $643.21.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION

Map and Lot # 005-002-003: The exemption form had been pending.  New construction updates in the assessing program have now been completed.  Now the solar system is recorded on the tax card and can be exempted from property taxes.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the solar energy exemption for Map and Lot # 005-002-003.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS

2024-33, Map and Lot# 011-036-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-33 for Map and Lot # 011-036-000 to construct a 44’ x 24’ two story home.  The prior home was demolished in 2016. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-34, Map and Lot# 014-011-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-34 for Map and Lot # 014-011-000 to construct a 45’ x 40’ one and half story home.  The prior home was destroyed by fire.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 8:06 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:31 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 8:31 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the October 17, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)