The Walpolean

Present: Chairman Scott Rodenhauser; Rec committee members Mike Hayes, Marilou Blaine and Annie Ewaskio; Selectboard Liaison Carolyn Vose, Recreation Department Director Kaian Wilkes. Absent Rec Committee member Diane Harty. Kraig Harlow joined the meeting about halfway through.

Minutes  of July meeting reviewed. Carolyn stated that anyone with questions in between meetings email Scott or Kai. Marilou motioned, Mike seconded to approve minutes. All in favor. Motion passed.

Old Business: 

Women of Walpole donation. Marilou was approached by a member of the WOW organization, in relation to a donation. Marilou was a given a check for $820.00 to purchase 2 tables, with chairs and umbrellas. Discussion as to how to proceed with this donation.  Scott moved to table the acceptance of this donation. Annie second it. Vote: Marilou is opposed; 3 in favor. Motion passed. This was tabled until more research can be done. 

Scott and Kai will do more research on this, and the option of construction of permanent pool shading.

Water Fountain: Mike started the discussion with the cost of the two  fountain options presented via emails between Kraig, Mark Houghton, Carolyn Vose, and the Recreation Committee members.  One option was a water bottle filler/fountain for the cost of over $10,000.00. Mike had two other less expensive options to present, but was not allowed to present them. Carolyn said “ It has been chosen”. Marilou stated this should be decided by a vote of the Recreation Committee, and that 3 quotes should be presented. Discussion as to who is allowed to get quotes, and what is up for debate, and who is allowed to participate . Mike was told “this is not your background” by Carolyn. This discussion was  tabled until next month. Kai will contact Mark Houghton, to ask him to attend September meeting so more options and questions can be reviewed and voted upon.

New Business:

New Recreation Department Director: Kaian Wilkes was introduced.

Pickleball supplies: Mike discussed how much money he and other pickleball players have spent on supplies, including balls, white board, sandbags, numbers, etc. He also informed the Committee how much volunteer time had been spent to refurbish the courts. Discussion as to whether the Rec Department should purchase balls. Kai mentioned that basketball players bring their own balls when they play pick up ball. Discussion as to how the sports differ. There was no motion to table. Discussion ended.

Budget for next year: Mike mentioned that he would like to be included in the discussion about next year’s budget, and that maybe it could be a meeting that all members could attend.

 Carolyn stated that Kai is in charge of the budget. Kai said there would not be many changes made.

Next meeting of the Recreation Department : Wednesday September 11th @ 6:00 pm. 

Scott moved, Annie seconded to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 pm.

This meeting was recorded for accuracy. Minutes to be reviewed at September meeting.

Scott moved, Annie seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 pm.

This meeting was recorded for accuracy. Minutes will be reviewed at September meeting.

RAIL TRAIL BRUSH HOGGED AGAIN

Last week, the grass was cut again all along the 7+ miles of Cheshire Rail Trail in Walpole!  This second brush hogging of the summer should make trips on the trail more enjoyable for pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians alike. 

In Walpole, the usable rail trail extends from the Westmoreland border in the south to a spot behind the CITGO/JiffyMart in the north.  It is accessible from Blackjack Crossing Rd., Halls Crossing Rd., River Rd., the Walpole Gateway, Route 123, and the Boat Launch WMA.  Maps of the Rail Trail are available on the Conservation Commission website (walpoleoutdoors.org) and in Town Hall. 

Last fall’s drainage project greatly improved the rail trail surface in selected areas.  Nonetheless, trail users should stay alert at uneven or wet spots, fallen trees, snowmobile bridges and road crossings.

Special thanks goes to Mike Hubbard of Connecticut Valley Yard Works, who has brush hogged the trail for the last three years.  Also thanks to Trail Committee members France Menk and Lew Shelley who helped us to clear fallen trees, branches, and vegetation from the trail in preparation for the recent brush hogging.

If you have comments about the Rail Trail, please feel free to contact Wendy Grossman, Chair of the Walpole Trail Committee, at walpoletrailhelpers@gmail.com or leave a comment on the Conservation Commission website.

Enjoy the Rail Trail!

Wendy and Will Grossman

Walpole Trail Committee

Feels like it was just yesterday when I asked you for CLARION submissions, and now it is time again to ask you to send along your submissions – now for SEPTEMBER 2024 – Please have your inputs to me by 5 pm Walpole time, Thursday, August 22.  Submission guidelines, and contact email are on the CLARION website.

Your early submissions are always welcome and appreciated as I start developing the layout. Already I have several items placed on the September layout. If you also have some “news” send it along. In addition, I like to have on-hand material of interest that is not time-sensitive to fill that space and also round out a pleasing issue. So, if you would “like to be in print” and have something to write and share (images as well), send along for possible inclusion space permitting. Please do remember, it is the advertisers in each issue that make this community publication possible, so please support and thank them.

If you have any questions, or interest in placing an advertisement, reaching over 1900 Walpole, North Walpole and Drewsville addresses, I welcome your inquiries, so please do get in touch with me. Advertising information and contact information is on the CLARION website.

Thank you, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Role Call Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternates Travis Adams and Bill Carmody. 

Guests Present: Pauline Barnes, Ernie Vose, Carolyn Vose, Becky Pearson, Surveyor Joe Bernardo.

Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order a couple of minutes after 7 pm. 

Minutes: Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve both the minutes of the regular July 2024 meeting and the Joint Meeting minutes, held on July 23, as written. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Public Hearing: Master Plan Chapters Natural Features, Historic, Cultural and Recreation Features and Economic Development.

Mr. Miller opened the public hearing on these three chapters of the updated Master Plan. He explained that they are all an inventory describing the town. However, the Natural Features chapter also includes some implementation plans to be carried out by the Zoning and Planning Boards as well as the Select Board. He asked if there were any questions.

Mr. Marcom directed the board to page 8 in the Natural Features document and the discussion of flood plains and asked about the updated analyses to which it refers. Mr. Dalessio said the Select Board gets these updates regularly and would be glad to share them with the Planning Board. Mr. Marcom also pointed to page 23, Section E. Connecticut River Scenic Byway. Marcom said he tried to get on the site to which it refers to look at the Final Connecticut River Management Plan but wasn’t able to access the link.

Ms. Barnes wanted more information about the Byway and wondered if it was for tourists. Mr. Miller said there was a commission that regularly looks as the water quality, for example monitoring the impact of farming on the river. It’s an ongoing process.

Msr. Marcom pointed out that Walpole has two designated scenic roads – Farnum Road and Old Drewsville Road. Mr. Miller said these roads are regulated so that the power company must get permission from the Planning Board to prune vegetation and do electrical work on these two roads. Abutters are notified when that happens. Scenic roads must be approved at town meeting and are presented to be put on the warrant by citizen petition.

Mr. Miller closed the hearing at 7:15 pm. Mr. Perron made a motion to approve these chapters as written. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion. Then Mr. Marcom noticed a sentence below the picture of the Historical Society in the Historic, Cultural and Recreational Resources document that needed to be changed. The sentence was corrected to say “Walpole has large number of older homes that have helped preserve the historic character and maintain the charm of the town.” The motion was amended and seconded to include this correction. It passed unanimously. 

​​

Workshop meeting

There will be a workshop meeting on the fourth Tuesday  (August 27) of this month to discuss the wording of an article to appear on the warrant about formula businesses in the commercial section of the village. Mr. Miller created a draft of a possible article based on one in the town of Jaffrey’s zoning ordinances. 

Application presented

Surveyor Joe DiBernardo presented an application and plat for a subdivision on North Road. Sam McNeil Madge and Eloise Carrier are proposing to divide that property to create two lots, The new lot to the north would be 6.39 acres leaving a remaining 13.40 acres. The lots would now be Tax Map 24 Lot 2-2 and Tax Map 24 Lot 2 respectively. Frontage on the new lot being created would be 250.96 feet and 513.03 feet on the remaining portion. Mr. DiBernardo requested a public hearing for September.

Mr. Perron made a motion of hold a public hearing for the subdivision in September. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 7:25 pm.

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the September meeting for corrections.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Secretary

cc: WPB, ZBA, Town Offices, The Walpolean.

Posted: Inside the Town Offices, on the bulletin board outside the Post Office, www.walpolenh.us

Members Present: Wendy Grossman, France Menk, John Peska (Presiding), Lewis Shelley

Alternates Present:  Nicole Adams

Selectboard Present:  Steve Dalessio

Members Absent:  Alicia Flammia, Peter Palmiotto, Tom Beaudry (Alternate)

Visitors Present:  Sarah Downing, Paul Happ

Call to Order: John Peska called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternatives:  Nicole was seated and there was a quorum.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Lew moved to accept the July 1, 2024 minutes as written. Wendy seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried.

Current Use

Sarah Downing lead a discussion on Current Use.  Current Use puts a lien on 10 or more acres of property with a promise not to develop it in order to lower the tax burden.  When a property is developed there is a tax equivalent to 10% of the value of the property.  Current Use property cannot be maintained/manicured(i.e. mowed like a lawn), but it can be hayed or brush hogged to keep it open. There is an additional tax savings if property is designated for recreational use, but recreational property cannot be posted. Current Use forests can be managed, and if forests are professionally managed the owner can save an extra 10% on taxes.  If forests are designated for recreation the owner can prevent vehicle use on the property.  

The regulations that govern Current Use start with RSA 79-A and Current Use Board rules100-300.  Current Use is governed by the State but implemented by the Town.  The Conservation Commission gets 25% of the tax when Current Use property is developed to further conservation in the Town.  The rules for posting Current Use property are found in RSA 635:4.  A special case when less than 10 acres of property can be designated Current Use is if there is a plant product, often corn.  More than 75% of Walpole is in Current Use.   There was discussion of what conditions are necessary for NH law to protect landowners from liability associated with recreational use of their property.  For landowner liability regulations, see RSA 212:34 and 508:34.

Public Business

Report from co-Chair:  no report

Financial Report: Rich Kreissle is on vacation this week, so the information is not available.

Correspondence:   Presentation on the project “Restoring the Fish Habitat of Great Brook in Walpole, NH” August 14, 2024 at 4:00 pm at Distant Hill Gardens at 507 March Hill Road, Walpole, NH.

New Business

No New Business.

Old Business

Fanny Mason Harvesting – Update:  Alex Barrett, the Town Forester, will be at the meeting September 9^th with an update on the red pine and planned harvests near Route 12, and invasives treatments.

Rest Area Mowing and Shelter Update:  The Town is not available to mow.  We need to get the rest areas mowed.  France will ask landscape companies in Town to mow one month each year.  Each company could put up a sign for their month.  Lew will be sending the shelter roofing RFP again in September – no one was able to do the work before.  Since we are working on the shelters, we probably need to paint the tables and stain exposed wood structure of the shelters.

Property Monitoring – Follow-up:  John and Wendy will both follow up on concerns as discussed at the last meeting.

Other Business

Dam Updates: Nothing to report – we are awaiting test results from the boring.

Hooper Institute Board Update:  Nicole reported that the board needs a secretary and a couple of members. They are working with the architect on building upgrades to make it year-round.  The Hooper Board does not meet in August.

Trail Committee:  Wendy reported they had a Fanny Mason workday and blazed the trail both ways from the parking area to the pole barn.   Lew has removed several big trees from trails recently.   The Rail Trail will be brush hogged August 13^th.  The gate on the north side of the boat launch was severed due to a bike accident rescue and it will be repaired.  The Committee is planning more work at the Mill Pond.  Steve reminded the Trail Committee that they are a public committee, so meetings need to be publicized with the Zoom link.  Minutes need to be published in 5 days with the disclaimer that they are unapproved, and corrections will be found in the minutes of the next meeting.

Trees for the Common:   Lew reported that Maple Hill Nursery would be glad to supply and plant sugar maples on the Common.  Sugar maples are available in two sizes:  about 8’ tall with about 1¾ inch trunks in pots or 20’ with roots in burlap.  The larger size needs equipment to dig the holes and will cost about $4-5,000 including the planting.   A decision will be made at the next meeting.  Timber taxes are supposed to go to the Forestry account, but the account doesn’t seem to be changing and that is probably the account that will be used for the Common Trees.  John will check with Rich when he is back from vacation.

Adjournment:   France moved the meeting adjourn and Lew seconded. John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:19 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the September 9, 2024Conservation Commission meeting.)