Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 5/14/24
Roll Call: Present Board Members: Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio and alternate Bill Carmody. Absent: Alternate Travis Adams and Chair Jeff Miller.
Call to Order: Mr. Marcom called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Minutes of April 9, 2024 and Joint Meeting with the Planning and Zoning Boards on April 25, 2024: Mr. Harrison made a motion to approved both minutes as written. Mr. MacLachlan seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Appoint Alternate Travis Adams to continue on board for another three years: Mr. Marcom said Mr. Travis expressed a desire to remain on the Planning Board as an alternate for another three years. Mr. Perron made a motion to have Alternate Travis Adams stay on the Planning Board as an Alternate for another three-year term.. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Old Business:
Public Hearing for Tractor Supply LLC, 8 Red Barn Lane, addition of 1,600 square-foot space outside – a covered canopy structure for a garden center. Tax Map 12, Lot 13-2, commercial district. Dwight MacKenny, project manager for Tractor Supply. Approval by Walpole Fire Chief Mark Houghton of new propane connection. Name of company for signage.
Mr. MacKenny said he was back for the public hearing for approval of the 1,600 square-foot space for the garden center. He said everything remained the same as presented at the last meeting. The garden center will be put on the north side of the building. It will be surrounded by fencing and has a cloth canopy in place as a roof. However, when asked about the propane tank Mr. MacKenny said that the company has a propane specialist who should have contacted Mr. Houghton. When asked about signage, Mr. MacKenny said Tractor Supply had chosen a sign company more than a month ago. The Secretary said her contact person was Beth Dorminey of OnPoint Commercial Designs and she said in an email that as soon as we have an update on the information, she “will send it over.” The secretary had not received the information on either topic as of the meeting. The Planning Board does not approved the signage. That is under the purview of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. But a sign MUST be approved for any building in the commercial district.
Mr. Dalessio called Mr. Houghton on his cell phone and asked if he had approved the propane tank. Mr. Houghton didn’t seem to know what he was talking about. After explaining to him about the project at Tractor Supply, he was notified that it didn’t have a roof. It was a cloth canopy that covered the site of the garden center. He asked to see the plans and the secretary dropped them off at the Town Offices that same night.
Mr. Marcom closed the public hearing. Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the project as presented. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
Stacey McGreer Allen, Tim Allen are proposing to build a home on Stevens Lane, Class VI road. Stevens Lane is off of Watkins Hill Road. Here’s the procedure.
1. Go to Planning Board for a Recommendation. If recommended then step 2.
2. Go to Registry of Deeds in Keene on West St. to include waiver of town responsibility for maintaining road and access.
3. Get an application from Town Offices. Fill it out.
4. Once updated step 3, ask to be put on Select Board agenda for a Building Permit.
That afternoon the secretary received two documents regarding this property at 76 Steven Lane: one was a copy of a driveway permit dated 2019 who approved it by then road agent Mike Rau and an email from Lindsey Guyette of Walpole’s current Highway Department who had sent the copy of the permit to Mr. Miller and the secretary. She copied both documents and each person on the board had copies of these two documents.
Tim and Stacey Allen came to the meeting and were a little puzzled that they had to anything more than get a building permit. Stacey Allen said they purchased the property in 1979 from Jack and Barbara Fraunfelder and had a letter saying everything was all set. The entrance to the property would have to be from Watkins Hill not Taggard Road. The entry from Taggard Road, which is part Class V and part Class VI has a portion that is not passable with a car because of ledge. There are already of couple of homes on that road called Stevens Lane, entering from Watkins Hill. However, the road is now designated as a Class VI. The Allens need to get a waiver to build on that road and it must be recorded in the deed. That’s the reason for going to the Registry of Deeds.
Mr. Marcom asked if they had a conforming lot. It is 16 acres so it’s conforming in size.
Mr. Marcom asked about conforming to building setbacks – 65 feet from the center of the road and the required distance from their boundary lines. They replied yes.
And according to Mr. Perron, who had a picture of the property on his cell phone, the frontage is about 300 feet.
Mr. Marcom asked if they were familiar with conditions of the waiver and they both said yes.
Mr. Perron made a motion to recommend that Stacey and Tim Allen be approved for the waiver. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Update on Dunkin
Tom Berube, Civil Engineer for TF Moran, Dunkin’s contracting company, sent information that he was doing the water line easement that week. That was one of two conditions of approval for the project. The second was the driveway permit from NHDOT. Jason Hill emailed the secretary that that was close to being approved and as soon as it was a done deal, he would let the Board know.
Adjournment:
Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 7:20 pm.
These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the June 11, 2024 meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine, WPB Secretary
Friends of the Walpole Library News
And in my opinion it is really good news! We have many more days to make our book donations. Should be much easier to remember Wednesday morning from 9:30-10:30 than it was the limited times available last year! Thanks, Eryn. – Lil
We are excited to share some updates regarding the Friends of the Library fall book sale coming up in October . . .
This years book sale dates: last weekend of October, 26 and 27th
This years book sale hours: Saturday 8-10 (dealers), 10-4 (public) Sunday 9-1 (public)
Details to follow.
Book sorting starts the third Wednesday of June (6/19/24). Join us every Wednesday morning throughout the summer from 9:30 to 10:30 at the chicken coup behind The Hungry Diner. We welcome all to help with this task!
Public drop off of book donations are welcome every Wednesday during this sorting time through the summer to end of August. Those unable to make Wednesday can drop off at re-use on Saturdays.
As always, we are very grateful for all the community support of the library! Funds raised by the Friends of the Walpole Library are used to buy books and other materials and equipment, in addition to library programs.
Memorial Day Parade – 5/27/24
The Memorial Day Parade starts at 11:30 AM on Monday. Those in the parade are to meet at 11:00 AM at the Unitarian Church.
The current weather forecast is for showers/rain on Monday. If the weather is too inclement, the parade will be cancelled.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 5/16/24
Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Guests Present: Tom Dupell, Peter Graves
Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
Peter Graves’ Questions: Mr. Graves put in a request for a 2023 property tax abatement on a mobile home but has not heard anything. Sarah Downing explained that all the requests were given to Avitar on or before March 1, 2024. Avitar will review each property with an abatement application. The assessor will make an appointment with the owner to view the interior of the home. The assessors have until August to give a recommendation to the Town. Mr. Graves also said he is hearing stories about the paving to be done this year. Mr. Dalessio said Arlington Paving will do Main Street. The other paving contracts have not yet been awarded.
Mr. Graves and Mr. Dupell left the meeting at 6:45 PM.
Payroll
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $440.36 dated 5/10/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $95.96. Ms. Vose corrected the date from 5/10/2024 to 5/17/2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. This payroll was for a terminated employee.
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,180.20 dated 5/17/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,331.61. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Selectboard Meeting – 5/9/2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of 5/9/2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Selectboard Non-Public Session – 5/9/2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public meeting of 5/9/2024, with the minutes to remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Committee Reports
Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:
• Police Building Committee Meeting – April 30, 2024
• Walpole K-8 Research Committee Meeting – May 8, 2024
Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.
2024-16, Map and Lot# 005-005-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-16 for Map and Lot # 005-005-000 to construct a15’ x 20’ addition to the back of the home. Seconded by Mrs. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio 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 Reservoir Dam
Vachon Clukay’s Tax Collector Audit Agreement Letter: Mr. Dalessio moved Ms. Mayberry, Chair, sign the Tax Collector Audit Agreement Letter with Vachon Clukay. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the agreement was signed. The Tax Collector audit will cover 2023 activity up through today. Mr. Kreissle has started uploading document for the audit to a secure site. The agreement needs to be sent to Vachon Clukay tomorrow. They hope to have the audit completed in a week or week and a half.
2022 Financial Audit Status: Ms. Mayberry spoke with Jennifer Dorr of Vachon Clukay. They will complete the Tax Collector audit before they finish the 2022 audit.
Letter to NH DOT Region 4: Ms. Vose moved that the Selectboard sign the letter to NH DOT Region 4regarding drainage issues in North Walpole. The letter has already been signed by North Walpole Village Commissioners and the Road Agent. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was passed, and the letter was signed.
Response Status from FMRSD – SAU 60: No response has been received to the inquiry sent earlier in the week. The due date is tomorrow. It was a deadline set by FMRSD which gave them an extra month to respond. Mrs. Downing will send an email asking for a response tomorrow at noon and copy the Selectboard.
Purple Heart Community: One current and one recently deceased Purple Heart medal recipients were identified in Walpole. The Town will not be purchasing signs, etc., but we will recognize the recipients ar the Memorial Day ceremony. A ROTC cadet will be the speaker on Memorial Day.
Walpole Schools Withdrawal Study Committee: The Committee members are Francesca “Jo” Cowgill, Stan Hutchings, Jean Kobeski, Tom Ronning, Chas Street, Steve Varone, and Diana Watson Petrie. Ms. Vose updated the Selectboard. The Committee met yesterday, and each team member has a job to come back with specific information for the meeting next week. The Committee meets at 6:30 PM on Wednesdays in the Town Hall. The meetings are public.
New Business
Conservation Commission Letter of Interest: John Peska, the current co-chair, would like to serve as a commission member for another three years. Peter Palmiotto, the Conservation Commission co-chair, is to confirm that the Commission supports Mr. Peska’s renewed membership.
ARPA Grant Funds: Funds need to be committed by the end of the year or returned. Mr. Dalessio and Mark Houghton are preparing recommendations for water and sewer projects that can use ARPA grant funds.
DES Violation Report: Because of erosion issues related to a timber harvest off County and Merriam Roads, the DES has started an investigation. The property owner is aware of the notice. Lew Shelley is to visit the area since he used to live on the property. The Selectboard Office has been called by the DES for information. The Town needs to keep a copy of all the information that is submitted with the DES Violation Notice.
DOL Safety Notice: There was a Department of Labor boiler inspection issue at the Police Station. Combustible materials cannot be stored around the boiler. The issue has been corrected.
Town Hall and the FMRSD Prom: The Advisor from FMRSD was told they need to cleanup on Sunday, but instead they put the key card under the door Saturday night. The Town Hall was cleaned up Monday after a scheduled morning meeting. There was also damage when one young woman used the wrong stairs and fell down the stairs. She fell onto the velvet rope and pulled it out of the wall. The consensus is that in the future, the Town will require a deposit for cleaning & repairs. We will charge $500 for groups over 50. The deposit check will be returned if the Town Hall is cleaned on time and there is no damage.
Hooper Trustees
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:35 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:57 PM.
Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b)
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) at 7:57 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:33 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 8:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – 5/14/24
Present: Amy Howard (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Gail LaHaise, Susan Johnson, Bill Ranauro, Tim Lester, Sarah Mann, Erin Bowen, Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director), Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Liaison)
Amy called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. in the Main Library. This meeting was recorded.
Approval of Minutes: Susan asked that the April minutes reflect the 4:30 p.m. rather than 4:00 start time. With that correction, Gail moved to accept the April minutes. Amy seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Carolyn Vose entered the meeting at 4:06. Amy welcomed her and Board members introduced themselves.
Treasurer’s Report: Kathy sent the Treasurer’s Report to the Board prior to the meeting. She reported that the bank account is balanced and we have a “very healthy” checking account. She said expenses included the children’s bookshelves and grant-reimbursed purchases.
Bills: Jane sent a copy of the Bills prior to the meeting. She reported that part of the DVD and CD bills from last month were added together with this month’s because they had been overlooked. With no further discussion, Gail moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills. Amy seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Old Business Progress has been made on several projects:
• The front stoop was repaired and invoice was paid.
• Installation of Community Room cabinets should take place in early June.
• Houghton identified the grinding noise in the basement as the dehumidifier. They are looking for parts, though it may be better to replace it with a new one ($3250)
• No start date given for side of building repair, just that it will be this summer. Jane reports that John Willette expressed interest in future pointing projects.
• Jane is looking into purchasing a new drop box (for N. Walpole) and how to get rid of the old one.
• The old sign outside the library was removed. The group brainstormed ways to dispose of it; no decision was made.
New Business: Jane reported that she has learned from several webinars on book challenges and banning, etc. that library policy should state that residents, not patrons, of the town where challenges are being brought may bring book challenges. The board agreed that our policy should be amended to use the word residents. Jane will revise our policy and present it at the next meeting for approval.
Operations:
• Sarah shared a Toddler Bag, one of several Julie has assembled with varying themes and activities for children, using grant money she has secured.
• There is a new Cheshire Children’s Museum Pass available to patrons, as well as as Bandwagon Series (Putney) tickets. These and other passes are made available to library cardholders.
• Summer Reading starts soon. Jane announced that Monadnock Falconry will be coming to the library and Grafton Museum will come weekly.
• The Cemetery Sleuth program was very successful. We had a full house. Jane said she may invite the speaker back to do some other programs in the future.
Buildings and Grounds: There was a discussion about the patch of high grass in the front yard near the bench. Carolyn said she would look into who might cut that. Kathy suggested taking out that section and covering it with stone. Amy suggested extending the garden. Tim said he would talk to Jennifer about it.
The board decided to find a replacement tree for the side yard near the picnic table. It could only be put on library land or on the neighbor’s property, with his permission.
Jean suggested moving the Moose Plate “Thank You” plaque from the space next to the front door to a spot inside the library, now that we are well past the renovation. The Board agreed.
Friends of the Library: Jane reported that the Friends will start sorting books for the book sale soon. They will sort each Wednesday during the summer for an hour and people will be welcomed to drop books off at the chicken coop at that time. No time has been set yet.
Pam Baucom is sewing blackout curtains for the Community Room to be used during the Thursday Lunch and a Movie program.
Adjournment: With no further business to discuss, Gail moved to adjourn the meeting. Tim seconded and all voted in favor. Amy closed the meeting at 4:42 p.m.
The next meeting will be June 11, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. in the Main Library.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary
** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the June 11, 2024 meeting.
Walpole K-8 Research Committee Meeting Notes – 5/15/24
Present: Diana Watson Petrie, Stan Hutchings, Jean Kobeski, Chas Street, Steve Varone, Jo Cowgill
Absent: Tom Ronning
Meeting Commenced at 6:35.
It was announced that Greg Lent has stepped off the committee.
The group again discussed the word district:
● Entity that runs one or more schools.
● Has its own school board
● Functions like a corporate entity with a tax ID number
● Puts together the local budget like FM puts together our district budget
There was a discussion about the three buildings in Walpole. All three belong to the Fall Mountain School District. If Walpole once again gained ownership, would changes need to be made to bring buildings to code? How could usage of one or more of these buildings change?
Charts were made with headings of areas the committee needs to explore. Stickies were added to the charts as the group brainstormed topics within each heading. Headings included:
● Buildings
● Transportation
● Personnel
● Programs
● Culture
● Demographic Trends
● Budget
Action Items – Committee members volunteered to research the topics:
● Stan – Will ask Mistee Bushee for the Walpole Budget and all 6 Method budgets
Walpole share of the $25 million is for Walpole
Walpole share of the remaining $11 million
● Jo – Buildings
● Jean and Diana – Personnel and Programs
● Transportation – Steve
● Culture – Chas
Walpole K-8 Research Committee Notes – 5/8/24
Members Present: Stan Hutchings, Jean Kobeski, Tom Ronning, Steve Varone,, Diana Watson Petrie, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Liaison)
Members Absent: Greg Lent, Chas Street
Leadership: Diana chosen as Chair, Tom as Vice Chair, Jean as Note-taker
The committee can recommend one of three choices:
1. Remain part of SAU 60
2. Attach to another SAU (29)
3. Form our own SAU
If we form a new SAU, we could have a part-time superintendent and Walpole would have its own school board (3-5 members). If the town votes to separate and form our own SAU, the Walpole School Board would be the decision-makers, not this committee.
If you have schools to run, you need to have an SAU. If you don’t have schools to run, you pay tuition.
A lengthy discussion ensued about the difference between an SAU and a district. Steve explained how the budget is apportioned, and he explained the history of the Fall Mountain School District and Marlow School District.
The group reviewed our charge from the selectboard:
1. Pros and Cons of local control (Walpole K-8) but staying in SAU 60.
2. Pros and Cons of forming a new SAU
3. Pros and cons for joining an existing SAU
A recommendation was made to listen to the schoolboard presentation at the past deliberative session. Go to sau60.org. Click on Business and Finance, then Budget Presentations.
Questions arose about the number of students in Walpole being homeschooled or attending charter schools. Why and what would bring them back to the public school?
It was stressed that the recommendation this committee makes will address not only financial ramifications, but will also consider curriculum: what’s being taught, resources, teacher autonomy, student preparedness for high school. What happens beyond eighth grade? Will students tuition into FMRHS or, if we pull out of the SAU, what choices are available?
The committee decided to continue meeting on Wednesdays at 6:30 in Town Hall. It was agreed that the meeting can extend to 90 minutes.
It was recommended that, before we have actual research assignments, we hear from school board members from Westmoreland and Chesterfield. Tom said he would invite Nick Belsky and the middle school guidance counselor, who serve on the Chesterfield School Board, to our next meeting.
In the meantime, Diana asked that we list on Google Docs all the elements we want to research (finances, curriculum, transportation, etc.)
Next meeting is Wednesday, May 15, 6:30, upstairs in Town Hall.
Addition to Zoning Board Minutes of May 15th.
I regret that I missed this addition when I copied the minutes. This should have been included. – Lil
The April minutes should now say Mr. O’Keefe nominated Mr. Edkins for Chair of the Board. This motion was not seconded. Ms. Barnes made a motion that Tom Murray be Chair of the Board. The motion was seconded by Mr. Edkins. The vote was two yeas, Ms. Barnes and Mr. Murray and 2 nays Mr. Edkins and Mr. O’Keefe and 1 abstention by Don Sellarole who was an alternate filling in for the absent board member. A few minutes later Mr. Sellarole said he wanted to change his vote to a yea for Mr. Murray. He did so and then the motion passed unanimously. Mr. O’Keefe then nominated Mr. Edkins for Vice-Chair and the motion was seconded by Mr. Sellarole and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Murray nominated Ms. Barnes as Clerk. Mr. Edkins seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Regarding the vote on the Minutes of 2024. It should read 3 yeas, 1 nay and 1 abstention.
The Walpolean 
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