The Walpolean

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

Staff Present: Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present:  David Edkins

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

Although not on the agenda, Ms. Mayberry invited David Edkins to go first.   Mr. Edkins thanked the Board for paving the section of Main just north of the Village.  Mr. Edkins asked if the Police could patrol this area and maybe move the speed sign to the newly paved area.

Mr. Edkins left the meeting.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Vose moved to approve Accounts Payable totaling $117,522.90 dated 8/2/2024.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  This included a $46,597.83 payment to EE Houghton for water and sewer maintenance.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $38,400.01 dated 8/2/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $8,053.62.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – July 25, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 25, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – July 25, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 25, 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.

Water and Sewer Warrants

Walpole Water:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Walpole Water fees and warrant for $50,914.81.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Walpole Water fee warrant was approved.

Walpole Sewer:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Walpole Sewer fees and warrant for $80,723.01.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Walpole Sewer warrant was approved.

North Walpole Sewer:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the North Walpole Sewer fees and warrant for $61,779.19.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the North Walpole Sewer warrant was approved.

Old Business

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

Abatement Appeal for Map and Lot # 019-039-000:  An abatement was requested on Map and Lot #019-039-000, and now the abatement calculated by Avitar Associates is being appealed by the owner. This item was tabled to next week because the owner was not at the meeting.

Drainage Ditch/Stream off Main Street on Map and Lot # 019-039-000:  The drainage ditch/stream through Map and Lot# 019-039-000 has been overflowing.  This item was tabled to next week because the owner was not at the meeting.

New Business

Bridge at Elm and Main Streets:  Mr. Dalessio explained there is an area under the road that is collapsing.  The engineer recommended Daniels Construction, who looked at it immediately. They are preparing a plan to address the issue and an estimate.  The Town will need an emergency DES permit, but that is usually a quick process.  They will need to make a road to get equipment down to brook level. Fortunately, the Town owns all the land just north of the bridge.

Withdrawal Study Committee:  It appears they will have a report for the Board soon.  They are on track since the request was for early September.  The report will be submitted to Sarah Downing in the Selectboard Office.  Once the report is received, a meeting will be scheduled so the Committee can present their findings and discuss the recommendations with the Board.

Hooper Trustees

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:53 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms.  Vose and Ms. Mayberry voting in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 6:54 PM.

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c)

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c) at 6:55 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:31 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 7:31 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm in the office of the Selectboard.  Present were Rod Bouchard, Trevor MacLachlan, Jay Punt, Andrew Dey, Dave Adams, Chief Justin Sanctuary, Peggy Pschirrer.  Present on Zoom were Cheri Watson and Architect Michael Petrovick.

Mr.  MacLachlan reviewed a revised cost estimate for the new police building.  He removed the foundation for the carport; reduced the lawn value, anticipating less mowing; reduced the foundation value for concrete; upgraded the cost in finish carpentry; added costs for more secure doors everywhere; increased budget for detention doors and overhead ballistic doors; increased cost of windows to accommodate ballistic windows; added ballistic paneling in wallboard; increased cost for metal ceilings in holding areas (suggested masonry?); increased toilet partitions to be floor to ceiling; added fiber glass ballistic panels around entryways and lobby; added stainless HEPA fume hood filters for holding areas and areas where drugs are processed; added a rooftop communication tower and a generator.  The total cost increase is $1,04445.465 dollars.  

The Committee discussed potential funders such as CDFA, Northern Borders, USDA.  We need to find a grant writer.  Ms. Pschirrer suggested Sara Barrett and Rod Bouchard suggested Suzanne Bansley. 

Mr. Petrovick then shared his screen with drawings of the proposed police station.  The Sally Port is drive through with doors that open on each end. The roof is optimized for solar panels. The building will face Upper Walpole Road. The roof will not be flat but gabled, so it harmonizes with New England architecture. Mr. Petrovick suggested we look at other police stations built recently.

Mr. Dey commented that this building is on the scale of a large house at 8,000 square feet. Our current police station is about 1,500 square feet. The fittings for this structure will cost more.  We will not have cells in this building.

Our next meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Selectboard office.

Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 pm in the office of the Selectboard.  Present were Jay Punt, Andrew Dey, Rod Bouchard, Chief Justin Sanctuary, Trevor MacLachlan and Peggy Pschirrer.  Present by Zoom were Cheri Watson and Architect Michael Petrovick.  David Adams was absent.

Ms. Pschirrer reported that Jim Clifford had given two other potential buyers of part of the Dunkin Property a deadline of the next week so that he could move forward with subdividing the property.  We are still in line to buy 2.6 acres of the property for which Dunkin must get approval to subdivide.  Mr. Dey asked what the downside of our being held up on our purchase was.  Mr. Petrovick replied he would be moving forward with our building design. Mr. Bouchard asked when we would get a curb cut from DOT.  We do not have that answer.

Mr. Petrovick asked that Trevor MacLachlan review his estimates of cost for the new police station. He and Mr. MacLachlan talked earlier about his estimates.  Mr. Petrovick said the building and impound areas will be about 10,000 square feet.

 Mr. MacLachlan began by describing the site: it is flat, clean, with decent soil.  Water will come in from the Upper Walpole Road while sewer may come from Route 12.  There is a pump station on Route 12 near the Dollar Store. Landscaping of the site will be trees and shrubs, all low maintenance. Mr. Petrovick described the building as a category 4 building.

The Impound area will have a high fence around it.  Tarps will be used to cover vehicles.  The two Sallyports will be for impounded vehicles waiting for search warrants.

Changes will be made to reflect the increased costs for windows, which must be ballistic as well as outside doors which will be armed. Plans must also include costs for the interior: benches, lockers, conference tables, security systems etc.  Most of the current computers will need to be upgraded. Interior doors will all require key codes to move from one area to the next. 

The estimated cost for the building with the changes to be made will be approximately 6 million dollars.  The Committee needs to search for available grant money as well as consider fundraising.  Part of the cost will be covered by a bond approved by the voters. 

 The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 29, 2024, at 6:30 in the Selectboard office.

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

PAYROLL

• Payroll Register totaling $35,597.70 dated 8/09/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,124.77.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

• Selectboard Meeting – August 1, 2024
• Selectboard Non-Public Session – August 1, 2024

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Police Station Committee – July8, 2024
• Police Station Committee – July 29, 2024

OLD BUSINESS

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

• Drinking Water Sustainability Grant Reimbursement
• Elm and Main Street Bridge Repair Contract
• Abatement Appeal for Map and Lot# 019-039-000
• Drainage Ditch/Stream off of Main Street
• Notice of Intent for Ruggiero Processing Facility
• Public Hearing Date for School Withdrawal Study Committee’s Report

NEW BUSINESS

• FY 2025 NH DOT Highway Block Grant
• Recreation Revolving Fund Request

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

This is special news. If we help Michael And Kate with this, we also share in the rewards. Go online right away. You may have to Copy and Paste the link but that’s easy compared to all the work they put in! – Lil

AMAZING NEWS FROM DISTANT HILL!

We’re excited to announce that our ‘Distant Hill Accessible Nature Trail and Pavilion Project’ has won a $10,000 grant from Kubota Tractor Corporation and is a finalist for a $50,000 award from Kubota Hometown Proud!

http://www.kubotausa.com/hometown-proud/vote

Distant Hill and one other organization from the Northeast Region are competing for a grand prize. The organization with the most votes on the Kubota Hometown Proud website from August 1 to August 14 wins $50,000!

Every vote from each unique email address you have counts as a vote!

Vote daily from each of your email addresses. And please spread the word by telling your family and friends. Let’s turn this $10K into $50K together!

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

1.Open the Kubota Hometown Proud webpage.

http://www.kubotausa.com/hometown-proud/vote

2. CLICK on the Northeast area of the map.

You’ll see the two winners to choose from, Distant Hill and Matthew 25 Farm.

3. Scroll down and CLICK on the ‘Choose One Project to Vote For’ button’ and choose ‘Distant Hill Accessible Nature Trail and Pavilion Project’.

4. CLICK on ‘VERIFY EMAIL ADDRESS’ and enter your email address.

5. Confirm your votes – COPY the verification code on the email sent to you, and PASTE it into the webpage box. Then CLICK the Enter button. You should get a pop up thanking you for voting!

You Can Win Too!

Every vote you submit will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes for the chance to win a Kubota Z200 Series zero-turn mower or a BX Series sub-compact tractor!

Help us turn a $10,000 grant into $50,000!

WALPOLE CUB SCOUT PACK 299

ANNUAL MUM FALL FUNDRAISER

     The Walpole Cub Scout Pack 299 will be starting to take orders for their Mum Fall Fundraiser. All proceeds from this fundraiser pays for scout activities and registration.

      This year the sale is starting on August 5th, 2024, and going thru September 5th, 2024. This is a very popular fundraiser and we have a limited number of mums available.

      Mums are between 15″ to 18″ across. They are planted in 9.5″ pots. Colors available are yellow, red, orange-bronze, purple, pink, and white.

We are selling them for $20.00 each. Mums come from a grower in Bowdoin Maine.  Mums will be available for pick up/delivery on Sunday, September 22nd, on the Walpole Town Common between 9:00 and 10:00am. 

       You can place an order by finding a Cub Scout from Pack 299, or you can call Debbie Pawelczyk at 603-445 -5475