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: Helen Dalbeck and Dale Woodward

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

HOOPER TRUSTEES

Ms. Vose moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:30 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

The meeting was reconvened at 7:00 PM.

Ms. Dalbeck left the meeting.  Mr. Woodward arrived.  The following item was moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest.

Congregational Church Sign at Rt. 12 and South Street: Mr. Woodward provided details on the church sign’s location and what the sign will look like. The UCC would like to increase recognition of the Church when people come into town.  The sign is 20” x 30”. It will be on a 2” square metal post that will be 93” high and have a beveled cap.  The sign will be on the north side of South Street.  There is a manhole cover and post above the corner. The sign will be about 10 to 12’ east of the manhole cover to allow for tractor mowing.  The Town will write to NH DOT District 4 to inform them that the sign has been approved by the Selectboard.

Mr. Woodward left the meeting.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,006.49 dated 10/18/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,274.37.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – October 10, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 10, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – October 10, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of October 10, 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 remain sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

• Walpole Fire District Monthly Meeting – August 7, 2024
• Walpole Fire District Monthly Meeting – September 4, 2024
• Conservation Commission Meeting – October 7, 2024
• Planning Board Meeting – October 8, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

TIMBER TAX WARRANT AND CERTIFICATION OF YIELD TAXES ASSESSED

Op # 24-461-03, Map and Lot # 011-039-004: Ms. Vose moved to approve the timber taxes assessed and timber warrant for $670.55.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and both forms were signed.

BUILDING PERMIT

2024-35, Map and Lot# 010-033-001: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-35 for Map and Lot # 010-033-001 to construct a 14’ x 33’ living room and sunroom addition. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

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

Reservoir Dam Grant Reimbursement Form: Ms. Mayberry moved that the Town accept the grant reimbursement for $9,077.98 and that Mr. Dalessio sign the form.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the grant reimbursement was accepted, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form. 

Draft Purchase and Sale Agreement for New Police Station Land: Mr. Dalessio felt there are too many blanks in this draft.  The Police Station Building Committee is sending it back to the seller. They will handle getting the contract ready.  Mr. Dalessio stated that before the sale can take place, the parcel needs to be sub-divided.  Therefore, the sale probably will not happen this year.

NEW BUSINESS

Appointment Notices to the Recreation Committee: Marilou Blaine and Laurie Harrinton are up for appointment.  This item was tabled.

Purchase Order #242495 for Desktop Computers:   The Town will purchase three desktop computers with monitors for the Selectboard Office and Recycling Center along with a monitor for Town Clerk’s computer. The total cost is $4,150.30.  Ms. Vose moved for we purchase three computers and four monitors plus project fees for a total cost of $4,150.30.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor the motion passed, and purchase order #242495 was signed.

HealthTrust Benefits Renewal Package and Transmittal: There was a 7.4% rate increase.  The Board felt this was a reasonable rate increase. Mr. Dalessio moved that the Chair sign the HealthTrust Transmittal.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and Ms. Mayberry signed the Transmittal.   Mr. Dalessio explained that the Town’s health insurance is pooled with other towns to minimize risk and get better rates.

Two Important School District Dates:   Mr. Dalessio pointed out that there are two important dates:

• October 26 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the District Offices there will be a workshop for the School Board on the Articles of Agreement.  
• October 28^th at 5:30 PM there will be a School Board meeting in the FMRHS Library to review a draft of the 2025 budget.

ELF Article: The Keene Sentinel ELF publication included an article about Julie Rios of the Bridge Memorial Library.  Ms. Vose explained that Julie was recognized in the ELF for the “Children’s Librarians” program. Children chosen to be librarians put together a display of their choice and serve as junior librarians.  The Selectboard recognizes Mrs. Rios and thanked her for her outstanding service to the children of Walpole.

In-person Staff Meeting on November 21, 2024: Ms. Mayberry will contact Dr. Gerri King, author of The DUH! Book of Management and Supervision to see if she is available.

Recreation Gift: A town resident would like to make a donation to the Town to be used for funding families in need to ensure that everyone can participate in Rec programs and use the Recreation facilities.  There will be a public hearing next week at the Selectboard meeting to determine whether the gift will be accepted.  The Board will determine the best way to manage the funds in NH PDIP.

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 8:07 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:26 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 8:26 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the October 24, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)