Reminder: River Valley Seniors at Home – 10/12/24

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“When Home is Where You Want to Be”

Join River Valley Seniors at Home and Home, Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services for a discussion of local resources and home care benefits available through Medicare.

Saturday, October 12 at 2:00 pm, at the Walpole Library

Featured speakers will be Tasha Palmieri and Susan Ashworth from HCS. The presentation will discuss what services are available for people who want to “age in place,” and what Medicare coverage is available for home care. 

The presentation is free and open to everyone. Older adults and those who would like to know more about services for their family members are especially encouraged to attend. 

For more information, contact Tara Sad – 603-756-4861, or tara.eric@gmail.com

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 10/2/24

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

OCTOBER 2, 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 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $34,034.77 dated 10/4/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,830.75. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – September 26, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 26, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Session – September 26, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of September 26, 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 and Zoning Board Joint Workshop – September 24, 2024
  • Cemetery Trustees Meeting – September 26, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

TIMBER INTENTS

Map and Lot # 013-059-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the intent to harvest timber for Map and Lot # 013-059-000. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the timber intent was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT

2024-31, Map and Lot# 003-076-001: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-31 for Map and Lot # 003-076-001 to construct a 26’ x 26’ garage. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the building permit was approved.

2024-32, Map and Lot# 003-076-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-32 for Map and Lot #003-076-000 to construct a26’ x 26’ garage. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the building permit was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Action: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, Reservoir Dam, ARPA Funding Grants, UCC Sign at Rt 12/South Street

Reservoir Dam: We received an update and forwarded it to Steve Doyon at the Dam Bureau.

Letter to Walpole Players: A letter was drafted as requested at a prior meeting. Ms. Downing will confirm that we have their current insurance. Ms. Vose moved the Selectboard approve the letter and sign it. The letter requests the Players no longer practice on Thursday evening starting January 1, 2025, because the overhead noise makes it difficult for the Selectboard to meet. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the letter was signed.

2nd Political Sign Complaint: Another complaint was received about 27 Main Street’s large banner. We need to respond as with the last complaint: the Selectboard has no governance over political signs during election season.

November 20th Informational Meeting – Zoom Option Request: There was a request that Zoom be offered at the November 20th Informational Meeting. The Town doesn’t have all the equipment to Zoom a large meeting. However, we will do our best or we might need to record it and put it on the walpolenh.us website.

Vendor Review Request: The request is for work completed on the west side of Town Hall. Ms. Downing has permission to put a positive review online for the work on the west side of Town Hall.

NEW BUSINESS

Drinking Water Sustainability Grant Reimbursement: Mr. Dalessio needs to sign the reimbursement for $9,829.32. Ms. Mayberry moved we approve the reimbursement and that Mr. Dalessio sign the form. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the reimbursement was approved, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form.

Request to Use Whitcome Rec Area Parking Lot: The request is for the Walpole Elementary School’s Fall Festival and Touch a Truck. This request is consistent with prior agreements and is not inconvenient for the Rec Area. By consensus, use of the parking lot was approved.

WES Halloween Parade and the Bridge at Elm and Main: Can the students and staff cross the closed bridge? The students and staff can cross the bridge during the Halloween Parade as long as the students and staff go behind (on the work side of) the barriers, not on the traffic side.

Tractor Supply Parking Lot Event: Is a permit needed? The vendor is seeking a confirmation of no permit needed. No permit is needed. Ms. Downing will send an email to the vendor.

Adding a Civic Group to Town Hall No-Fee Listing: Can the Hooper Hill Hoppers Snowmobile Club be added to the “no fee” list to use the Town Hall? The Hooper Hill Hoppers can be added to the list for free use of Town Hall. Reminder: If they plan to have alcohol at the Christmas Party, they need to be sure their insurance covers alcohol use.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (c) at 7:02 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:14 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 7:14 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the October
10, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 9/26/24

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
SEPTEMBER 26, 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, Andrew Dey and David Chioffi

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

The following item from NEW BUSINESS was moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate a
guest.

Utility Poles on the Common: David Chioffi attended because he has questions. What is timeline of moving the remaining lines from the old to the new poles and removing the old poles? The remaining lines need to be transferred to the new poles from the top down. Mrs. Downing is addressing the issue. The top tier has been moved which is the electric line from Liberty Utilities. The second line may be First Light, a commercial fiber service. The third line is Comcast Cable. The last, bottom line is Consolidated Communications (CCI). Each utility will notify the following company when their work is complete. CCI, formerly FairPoint, owns the poles. Mrs. Downing will move the process along. Mr. Chioffi volunteered to help make phone calls to the utilities.

HOOPER TRUSTEES

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:42 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:25 PM.

Ms. Pschirrer, Mr. Dey, and Mr. Chioffi left the meeting.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Vose moved to approve Accounts Payable totaling $689,852.31 dated 9/27/2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. This included a $581,631.87 payment to Fall Mountain Regional School District.

Starting in November, payments will be available the first week of the month, not early. Ms. Mayberry will discuss the change with Mr. Kreissle

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,650.32 dated 9/27/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,430.12. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Public Informational Meeting – September 19, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 19, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Meeting – September 19, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 19, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – September 19, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of September 19, 2024. The minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved and the minutes are sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

  • Trail Committee Meeting – February 2, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – March 13, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – April 10, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – May 8, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – June 12, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – July 10, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – August 14, 2024
  • Police Building Committee Meeting – September 5, 2024
  • Library Trustees Meeting – September 17, 2024
  • Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – September 18, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

OLD BUSINESS

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

New Trees on the Common: Thank you to Peter Palmiotto and his team for quickly getting trees and getting them planted. Great Job! Also, thanks to Brad Nash for setting up the automatic watering.

NEW BUSINESS

Refund Request to the Trustees of Trust Funds: The work on the west side of Town Hall is complete. The transfer amount was $19,765. Mr. Dalessio made a motion to direct the Town Facilities Maintenance Fund be used to pay $19,765. for the repairs on the Town Hall.

Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed.

HealthTrust Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug Plan Package: HealthTrust has updated their retiree medical package. Currently, there are no Town employees that participate in age 65+ plans. Mr. Dalessio moved to have the Chair sign the agreement. It would only take effect if someone retires and uses the program. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the agreement was signed by Ms. Mayberry.

Appointment Notice for Conservation Commission: Mr. Dalessio made a motion to accept Paul Happ as an Alternate member of the Conservation Commission. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed and Paul Happ is now an Alternate Member on the Commission.

Inspection Notice and OMR for Knapp Cranberry Meadow Dam: The notice will be sent to John Peska who has been trying to get the dam repaired but cannot get a contractor. If Mr. Peska needs anything, he should let the Selectboard Office know.

Emergency Vehicle Weight Limits on Bridges: Signage is to be added by the State. The notice was sent to the Fire Chief and Highway Department. Mr. Dalessio said that the State is posting the signs, but the Town is responsible for the signs once installed.

Primex Workplace Injury Notice: Ms. Mayberry noted that In cases of death or severe injury of an employee while working, there are shorter notification times to Primex and the State DOL.

SWRPC Fall 2024 Meeting Invitation: The meeting will be October 8th and starts at 5:30. The topic is building a brighter housing future. Ms. Mayberry will be there.

Political Signage Complaint: There was a complaint about a sign at 27 Main Street. Political signs during the political season are exempt from regulation due to Freedom of Speech protections. Ms. Mayberry responded to the person who complained and explained the laws.

Tanker Cars near Route 12: A Harrisville resident had safety questions for our environmental officer, which we do not have. There item defaulted to the Selectboard. The inquirer asked, what is the condition of the tank cars and the contents? We have emergency plans, but the cars are on railroad property and the Town has no governance over railroad property. Mrs. Downing will respond and include the phone number for Green Mountain Railroad.

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 7:59 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 2, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Britton Farm Receives Conservation Award

Larry and Josie Britton are shown with their family in front of the colorful mural on their barn at their farm on Watkins Hill Road.
Larry and Josie Britton (center) of Britton Farm and their family. Photo provided by Josie Britton.

Britton Farm on Watkins Hill Road in Walpole has been chosen as the Cheshire County Conservation District’s “Cooperator of the Year” for 2024.

This local dairy farm, founded by Lawrence and Yvonne Britton in 1948, is currently being stewarded by third- and fourth-generation farmers Larry and Josie Britton and their son Wyatt, with help from their extended family. Britton Farm is a member of the Agri-Mark Cooperative (known for its Cabot Creamery brand), and the family also sells Wagyu beef, pork, milk, eggs, and maple products at their farm store.

According to Amanda Littleton, district manager at Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD), Britton Farm was chosen as this year’s recipient of the award for the farm’s focus on soil health, water quality, energy efficiency, and other conservation work. Britton Farm will be honored at CCCD’s Annual Celebration on October 10th.

You can learn more about Britton Farm and the family’s conservation initiatives at CCCD’s website.

by Kelli Wilson

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 10/2/24

The first Selectboard Meeting of the month is being held on a Wednesday because of a work meeting conflict for a Selectboard member.

TOWN OF WALPOLE

SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA

October 2, 2024
Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

PAYROLL

  • Payroll Register totaling $34,034.77 dated 10/04/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,830.75.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

  • Selectboard Meeting – September 26, 2024
  • Selectboard Non-Public Session – September 26, 2024

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • Planning Board and Zoning Board Joint Workshop – September 24, 2024
  • Cemetery Trustees Meeting – September 26, 2024

TIMBER INTENTS

  • Map and Lot# 013-059-000

BUILDING PERMITS

  • 2024-31, Map and Lot# 003-076-001
  • 2024-31, Map and Lot# 003-076-000

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Actions: Parking Policy, Generators, Reservoir Dam, Old North Main and High Streets Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, ARPA Funding Grants, UCC Sign at Rt. 12/South St.

  • Letter to the Walpole Players
  • 2nd Political Sign Complaint
  • Nov. 20th Informational Meeting – Zoom Option Request
  • Vendor Review Request

NEW BUSINESS

  • Drinking Water Sustainability Grant Reimbursement
  • Request to Use Whitcomb Rec Area Parking Lot
  • WES Halloween Parade and the Bridge @ Elm/Main
  • Tractor Supply Parking Lot Event
  • Adding a Civic Group to Town Hall No-Fee Listing

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

Celebrate North Walpole History – 10/26/24

Join the North Walpole Commissioners and the Walpole Town Library to learn about the history of North Walpole and share your memories on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 10:00 am to noon at the Village Hall and the North Walpole Library.

Great Decisions at the Library – 10/21/24

“Great Decisions” will meet at the Walpole Town Library on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm. For more information, contact Library Director Jane Malmberg at jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org.

Planning Board Agenda – 10/8/24

Walpole Planning Board Agenda
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 7 pm in the Town Hall

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed.

Call to order:

Minutes: Review minutes of the September 2024 meeting and Joint Meeting minutes.

Old Business:

Finalize Draft Zoning Amendment

Finalize District 6 on map of commercial district in Walpole Village District. Recheck warrant article. Request a public hearing for November.

Workshop: Joint meeting Tuesday, October 22 at 7 pm.

Next meeting: November 12, 2024.

Basement & Garage Sale – 10/5/24

Sock Hop at FMRHS – 10/26/24

The Fall Mountain Regional High School Band Department is holding a Sock Hop Fundraiser on Saturday, October 26, 2024 – 100% of the proceeds will help send FMRHS music students to Disney World this spring where they will attend Disney Imagination Campus Soundtrack Sessions and work with professional Disney musicians. They will get to record their own demo tracks and learn about the process of making soundtracks for movies!