School Withdrawal Committee – 6/26/24

Uncategorized 07/01/2024 Leave a comment

Pre-K – 8 Withdrawal Study Committee Notes

6/26/24

Present: Jo Cowgill, Stan Hutchings, Jean Kobeski, Chas Street, Tom Ronning, Steve Varone

Absent:  Diana Petrie

The meeting commenced at 6:28 p.m. 

Steve provided copies of RSA:16-a Increase or Decrease in Grades, which is relevant to the committee’s “Option 4” idea. A lengthy discussion about this option ensued, including Steve’s explanation of the financial ramifications, should the district go in that direction.  

Tom summarized where the committee is so far with our research and our recommendation for the Selectboard. The next step is for Diana and Jean to draft a summary of the pros and cons of withdrawal and our recommendation.  It will then be reviewed by the committee. Once approved, it will be sent to the Selectboard, along with our Option 4 idea. Steve reminded us that, if the Selectboard decides to write a warrant article to proceed with the study to withdraw, it would need 50% of the vote to pass. The next study committee would be made up of the Selectboard and School Board.

Though not charged with making decisions about the high school, the committee discussed high school options for students if Walpole withdraws and forms its own district. Finances, programming, and location were considered.

Jo presented a copy of a letter, which could potentially be a letter to the editor, for the committee to review. She based this on the fact that no one from Walpole ran for the school board this year.  Are we becoming complacent? It was suggested that the reason is, people are discontent with the collective model; they are frustrated. Committee members offered thoughts on the letter and decided to send it on to Diana for her opinion of how to proceed with it. It was suggested that the thoughts expressed in the letter could be included in the list of pros and cons we are compiling.

Stan said he has had some difficulty getting information from Central Office about resources in our facilities. The Superintendent needs to grant permission for the release of information;  that hasn’t happened yet. The committee then discussed what effect Walpole withdrawal would have on Central Office staff. 

 Action Items:

  1. Diana and Jean will write a draft summary of the pros and cons of each of the three withdrawal options.
  2. Diana and Jean will write an explanation of the committee’s idea for Option 4.
  3. Stan will pursue getting the information about the resources in our facilities.

The meeting ended at 7:50 p.m.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 10, at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

School Withdrawal Study Committee – 6/19/24

Uncategorized 07/01/2024 Leave a comment

Pre-K – 8 School Withdrawal Study Committee Notes

6/19/24

Present:  Diana Petrie (Chair), Jo Cowgill, Jean Kobeski, Chas Street, Tom Ronning, Steve Varone

Absent:  Stan Hutchngs

The meeting was called to  order at 6:30 p.m.

Committee members reported on topics they chose to research last week.

Teacher and Staff Interviews:  Jean interviewed staff members from Walpole Middle and N. Walpole Schools. They discussed climate within the school and district, staffing and curriculum challenges, local and district administrative support, the survey distributed to district teachers, and their thoughts on the benefits and concerns associated with the proposed withdrawal from the district. Additional interviews are scheduled for the coming week and Diana will try to schedule a meeting with teachers/or staff from the Primary School.

Financial Ramifications of Walpole Withdrawing from FMRSD and SAU60:  Steve distributed and discussed his preliminary report outlining withdrawal from the district with the three options:

  1. Remaining in SAU 60
  2. Joining a different SAU
  3. Forming our own SAU

The above led to a discussion of the high school, and what happens after our students leave Walpole, Grade 8.  If we tuition them to FMRHS, will our Walpole district have a say in programming, etc. at the high school?  No. The committee brainstormed a fourth option that could possibly benefit all towns and the high school. A lengthy discussion about this idea ensued, ending with Diana asking how to proceed with presenting this fourth option to the Selectboard. Steve and Chas said they would look for RSA 195. Diana and Jean will craft a draft of Option 4. 

The next meeting will be June 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

Action Items:

  1. Diana will try to interview staff from the Primary School.
  2. Steve and Chas will look for RSA 195 as it would pertain to Option 4.
  3. Diana and Jean will create a draft of Option 4.
  4. Diana will ask the Chesterfield Board member the question of how Chesterfield feels about having no say on the Keene School Board.

Walpole Players Sale – 7/1/24

Uncategorized 06/30/2024 Leave a comment

Now open to anyone in our community!

Upstairs at the Walpole Town Hall tomorrow (Monday, July 1st) between 1 and 3 PM.

Mascots, costumes, uniforms, dresses, suits, kids’ items, shoes and so much more!!

By donation, please!

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 6/20/24

SELECTBOARD 06/28/2024 Leave a comment

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present:  Jennie Cure

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

The following building permit application was moved to the beginning of the meeting because the owner was present.

2024-22, Map and Lot# 011-027-000:  The owner, Ms. Cure, has several questions about the home she recently purchased, including the definition and criteria for bedrooms compared to what is recorded on her tax card.  The number of bedrooms affects the size of the septic system for the home. The Selectboard needs time to review Avitar guidelines and State code.  The owner will have an answer next week.

Jennie Cure left the meeting.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,596.21 dated 6/21/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,375.41.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – June 13, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of June 13, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Session – June 13, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of June 13, 2024. The minutes will 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 Board’s attention the following committee reports:

• Walpole School Withdrawal Study Committee – May 22, 2024 

• Walpole School Withdrawal Study Committee – June 5, 2024 

• Walpole School Withdrawal Study Committee – June 12, 2024 

• Walpole Fire District Meeting – April 9, 2024 

• Walpole Fire District Meeting – May 8, 2024 

• Conservation Commission Meeting – June 3, 2024 

• Library Trustees Meeting – June 11, 2024 

• North Walpole Commissioners Meeting – April 23, 2024 

• North Walpole Commissioners Meeting – April 30, 2024 

• North Walpole Commissioners Meeting – May 7, 2024 

• North Walpole Commissioners Meeting – May 14, 2024 

• North Walpole Commissioners Meeting – May 21, 2024 

• North Walpole Commissioners Meeting – May 28, 2024 

• North Walpole Commissioners Meeting – June 4, 2024 

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged receipt of these minutes.

Timber Yield Warrant and Certification

Op #24-461-01, Map and Lot 003-076-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the warrant and certification for $4,587.51.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Property Tax Abatements

Map and Lot 005-019-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the tax abatement for $2,706.50.  Seconded byMr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the abatement was approved.

Map and Lot 008-053-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the tax abatement for $1,132.00.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the abatement was approved.

Map and Lot 008-064-001:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the tax abatement for $2,131.07.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot 012-022-001:  Ms. Vose moved to deny the tax abatement for Map and lot 012-022-001.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the abatement is denied.

Map and Lot 019-039-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the tax abatement for $1,616.96.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the abatement was approved.

Timber Intents

Map and Lot # 004-033-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the intent to harvest timber for Map and Lot # 004-033-000 at Alyson’s Orchard.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Building Permit

2024-19, Map and Lot# 005-049-003:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-19 for Map and Lot # 005-049-003 to add a 304 sq. ft. roof mount solar array. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-20, Map and Lot# 012-013-002:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-20 for Map and Lot # 012-013-002 to construct a 40’ x 40’ sunshade canopy at Tractor Supply. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-21, Map and Lot# 009-033-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-21 for Map and Lot # 009-033-000 to install a 343 sq. ft. ground mount solar array. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-23, Map and Lot# 005-043-002:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit # 2024-23 for Map and Lot # 005-043-000 to construct an 80’ x 30’ home with attached garage. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. 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

DES Compliance Notice Update:   The notice regarded the timber cut off County Road.  The matter has been settled but any additional work requires pre-approval.

New Business

Library Purchase Order/Invoice:  Maintenance is needed on the outside of the Library – the north side of the foundation.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Library purchase order number 6019055 for $4,900.00.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in agreement, the motion was approved.

Recreation Revolving Fund Request – Portable Toilets: The bathrooms are only open when there is swimming and basketball. However, people use the Whitcomb Recreation Area at other times and need portable toilets when playing tennis and pickle ball.  The Revolving Fund currently contains over $50,000. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Rec Revolving Fund request for portable toilets for $955.00.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in agreement, the motion was approved.  

Recreation Revolving Fund Request — Movies:  $1,470.00 will cover the cost of the three movies that will be shown during the summer.  The Revolving Fund currently contains over $50,000. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Rec Revolving Fund purchase order/invoice for $1,470.00.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in agreement, the motion was approved.

Evergreen Bush Removal:  The evergreen bush at the northeast corner of the Town Hall is causing moisture to build up.  It is the only bush against building.  There is no indication it was a memorial or honorarium. By consensus the Board gives permission to remove the bush.  

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 7:35 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:23 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.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:23 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms.  Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:36 PM.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 6/27/24

SELECTBOARD 06/27/2024 Leave a comment

Clarion On Line

Uncategorized 06/26/2024 Leave a comment

And, REMEMBER, on-line we are in FULL COLOR wherever possible. Summer is upon us, the 4th just days away. Extreme weather, serious rains and flooding elsewhere – but here in Walpole we continue to be blessed with a quiet “corner of the world.”

To see the July CLARION – Click this Link – or on the front page below. Have a great summer, stay safe and well, Have a safe but fun holiday. yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Public Hearing – 7/17/24

ZONING BOARD 06/25/2024 Leave a comment

Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 6/19/24

ZONING BOARD 06/25/2024 Leave a comment

Roll Call: Board members present: Chair Tom Murray, Clerk Pauline Barnes, Shane O’Keefe, Tom Winmill. Alternates Don Sellarole and Myra Mansouri. Absent. Vice-Chair Dave Edkins.

Call to Order: Mr. Murray called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. He asked Mr. Sellarole to fill in for the absent board member and Mr. Sellarole agreed.

Minutes: Review minutes of May 2024.  Page 1, paragraph 5 Mr. Murray changed May to April and on page 3, last paragraph May to June 19. In the paragraph about alternates Ms. Barnes removed the word “and.” Mr. Murray made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Sellarole seconded the motion and the board voted 4 yeas and Mr. Winmill abstained.

New Business:

Request for a Public Hearing in July for a Variance: Cathy Robinson, 105 North Road, Tax Map 22, Lot 14, Residential A district, is proposing to build a 12-foot-by-50-foot front porch. Article V, D-1 and 2 Yard Requirements. No building may be erected closer than sixty-five (65) feet to the center line of the abutting right-of-way nor closer than twenty feet (20) to any side or rear property line.

The board received a copy of Ms. Robinson’s application for a variance and had a chance to look it over. Mr. O’Keefe called it complete and made a motion to hold a public hearing in July. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and rest of the board voted in favor of holding a public hearing at the July meeting. 

Signage at Tractor Supply, 8 Red Barn Lane, Tax Map 12, Lot 13-2 Commercial District. The company intends to keep same size as now but reface it with additional information about the Garden Center. It’s the sign out by the road. Ernie Vose, zoning coordinator, said Tractor Supply does not need to have a variance or special exception. 

The secretary explained that the garden center would be on the north side of the building. There is a Tractor Supply sign on the building. Tractor Supply wanted to put another sign above the entrance to the garden center. It was 45 square feet. The maximum size for any signage in the commercial district is 32 square feet and signs must be 100 feet from another sign so a sign is not allowed at the entrance to the garden center unless the applicant gets a variance or special exception. The secretary said that Mr. Vose said that no one from the company needed to be present. It is located in North Carolina. The applicant decided to reface the sign on the road. Mr. Winmill objected to the secretary presenting any information on the signage saying her job was to take minutes of the meeting.

Board members received three pictures regarding Tractor Supply’s signage for its new Garden Center.  

Picture No. 1 shows what the new sign will say. Picture number 2 gives the dimensions of the sign as 10 feet by 29 1/2 feet or 30.33 square feet and details its construction, support structure and illumination. The third picture shows the sign with the building in the background.

Mr. Winmill said it’s too large. It is 32 square feet on one side and 32 square feet on the other side. Ms. Mansouri said free-standing signs are double sided and advertising on both sides is permitted. Mr. Murray read Zoning Ordinance Article IV D-1 and 2. “Free Standing Sign – is defined as any sign not attached to a building. Structural dimension of a free-standing sign shall not be used in calculating the area of such sign. A free-standing sign may have two sides exhibiting advertising matter, and only one side shall be used in calculating the area of such sign.”

Mr. O’Keefe asked if there are any other signs (besides the two mentioned) that are on the property. Ms. Mansouri said that Tractor Supply came to the ZBA when it opened and received permission for the two signs that are there now. That’s all there are now, she said.

Mr. Murray made a motion to approve the sign at Tractor Supply. Ms. Barnes seconded the motion with four board members voting yea and Mr. Winmill voting nay.  

The board also received copies of the sign form, signed by both a member of the sign company,  Laurie Bisnko of the Sign Source in Denver, NC, and the owner of the property, Martin Wasserstein of New Preston, CT. All parties in the matter of signage at Tractor Supply will get letters of approval of the sign and a copy of the form.

Joint Meeting

There is a joint meeting of the Planning and Zoning Boards on the fourth Tuesday of July, July 23. The purpose is to go over the suggested organization of the Town of Walpole’s Zoning Ordinances with Todd Horner and Carol Ogilvie. Mr. Horner is the executive director of Southwest Region Planning Commission and Ms. Ogilvie is a planner with the organization. They have been working on the Walpole Ordinance since a joint meeting earlier this year. Ms. Barnes mentioned that the secretary’s email from the Planning Board chair indicated that everyone would get a copy of the Ordinance before the meeting. She wanted to be sure it happened. Chair Murray said he would contact Jeff Miller about this matter. The secretary will do the same.

Article IX

The secretary read Article IX from the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s Bylaws approved in March 2023. She read it in response to Mr. Windmill’s request that the secretary keep minutes for a year. 

“RSA 91 Raw Materials: Tapes and notes used to compile meeting minutes are governmental records as long as they are retained: policy to discard/reuse after minutes are approved is acceptable.”

Other 

Chair Murray reported he went to a meeting of the Select Board and discussed indemnity for board members. The issued was raised at the May meeting by Mr. Winmill. Mr. Murray reported that the Select Board said members of Walpole Board needn’t worry as they are covered by indemnity insurance. However, they should be vigilant as Mr. Murray said Mr. Dalessio warned that the legislature had been looking at the matter. Mr. Winmill said he had read the Select Board minutes on the matter.

Recording Minutes

Mr. Winmill again brought up the topic of requiring the secretary to record minutes and keep them for a year. Mr. Murray said we brought this topic up before at the last meeting and the vote was 3 nays to 2 nays for requiring the secretary to do this.

Mr. Winmill made a motion to require the secretary to record minutes. No one seconded the motion. 

Ms. Barnes then read from a JUSTIA brief that related to a 2023 NH Revised Statutes regarding electronic records. Section RSA 33-A:-a.

II “Electronic municipal records listed on the disposition and retention schedule of RSA 33-A:3-a that are to be retained for 10 years of less may be retained solely electronically in their original format if so approved by the municipal committee responsible for the records. 

“Electronic municipal records listed in an approved format, the records shall be transferred to paper, microfilmed, or stored in portable document format/archival (PDF/A) or another approved file format on a medium from which it is readily retrievable.” Mr. O’Keefe said having to transcribe minutes would be onerous on the secretary. He suggested looking into this matter and discussing it next month.

Adjournment

Mr. Murray asked for a motion. Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 pm. The motion was seconded by Mr. Winmill and agreed to by all board members.

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the ZBA’s July meeting for corrections.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

ZBA Recording Secretary

Public Hearing – 7/9/24

Uncategorized 06/24/2024 Leave a comment

Great Decisions – 7/8/24

Uncategorized 06/24/2024 Leave a comment

GREAT DECISIONS

“NATO at a Strategic Crossroads”

“NATO at a Strategic Crossroads” — our next “Great Decisions” public forum — will be moderated by Adrian Basora, former United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. This discussion will be on Monday, July 8, 6:00 p.m., in the Walpole Town Library, and promises to be a fascinating look at NATO’s evolution over the past 75 years, the Alliance’s original purpose, its present challenges and its options for the future.

Adrian Basora is a trustee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute and chairs its Eurasia Program. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is on the international advisory board of the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. During his 33 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Adrian served in former Soviet Bloc countries and helped develop America’s programs in support of their transition to democracy while serving at the National Security Council (1989–91).

The relevant article from the Foreign Policy Association’s 2024 publication is “NATO’s Future,” by Sarwar Kashmeri, and I highly recommend this informative examination of the Alliance’s history, its evolution and expansion, its present and future structure and purpose. A copy of the article can be emailed to you by Jane Malmberg, Library Director: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

Join the discussion at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, in the Hubbard Meeting Room at the Walpole Town Library. If you are joining via Zoom, please log on at 6:20, after the Foreign Policy Association’s Master Class video, which we are not permitted to show on Zoom. For the Zoom link, contact Jane Malmberg in advance of the meeting: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org. 

Sue Kibbe