The Walpolean

Working on getting the totals from the school district. (These are just Walpole.) Will post ASAP. – Lil

Members Present: John Peska (facilitating), France Menk, Alicia Flammia, Wendy Grossman, Peter Palmiotto, Lewis Shelley

Members Absent: Steven Dumont

Alternates Present: Kara Dexter, Nicole Adams (recorder of minutes)

Visitors Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Selectboard Liaison), Will Grossman (presenter), Peter Dexter, Kris Snowman-Shelley

Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:01pm in the Town Hall. This meeting was audio recorded for the purpose of taking accurate minutes. 

Review and Approval of Minutes: Lew moved to accept the February minutes as written. France seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried. 

Public Business 

There was no financial report reviewed this month.  

Correspondence: A check was received from the Robert P Hubbard Conservation Commission Conservation Fund in the amount of $9,555.97, which has been deposited into the Conservation Fund account.

A receipt was received from Long View Forest Contracting for timber harvesting in the amount of $56,507.18. No action is required of the Commission. Peggy will pass the paperwork along to the Hooper Institute’s Finance Manager.

New Business

Rail Trail presentation: Wendy and Will Grossman shared a presentation on the Rail Trail including its history, location, and approved uses; an overview of recent improvement efforts; state, regional and local stakeholder groups; options for continued maintenance and/or improvements in the future; and potential funding sources for improvements. 

Wendy noted that drainage is significantly improved, usage seems to have increased, and there has been positive feedback on the recent improvements. 

France asked that we find a way to make the information from the presentation available publicly, and Alicia noted that this could be a good way to engage the town and get feedback on what people want for the Rail Trail in the future. Wendy suggested a public presentation and a survey later in the season when the Rail Trail is in peak use.

Lew noted that he has some ideas for low-cost improvements that could potentially be funded via the Forestry Fund or Mason Forest Fund. Peter noted the potential for a joint project with Westmoreland to improve the section that connects the two towns. Kara pointed out that it would be helpful to get insight on ADA accessibility needs for the trail. Wendy suggested pulling together a list of potential small/short term project opportunities to be shared with the Trail Committee for further discussion.

Alicia moved to continue maintenance of the Rail Trail in its current condition. France seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried. 

Commissioners and visitors enjoyed delicious carrot cake, courtesy of Pam and Jim Baucom, to celebrate the completion of the Rail Trail improvement project and to thank the commission for all the work it does for conservation in the Town. 

Posting minutes protocol: Peter noted that meeting minutes need to be posted at the Town Hall and Post Office within 5 days of the meeting by sending the minutes via email to Sarah Downing and WCC members.

Master Plan – conservation lands table: Peter shared an updated draft list of “Land Areas Recommended for Protection” for inclusion in the Planning Board’s updated Master Plan, with proposed additions of the Houghton Brook Watershed Protection Corridor and the Rt 12 Green Corridor. Peter will extend the end points of all listed watershed protection corridors to the Connecticut River.  

Peter noted that updates are also needed to the map of conserved lands and the corresponding table that are included in the Master Plan. Peter and Wendy will work together on that, in coordination with the Antioch University Spatial Analysis Lab which produces the map. 

John made a motion to allocate up to $200 to procure updated maps of Town and Conservation Lands via the Antioch Spatial Analysis Lab. Alicia seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried.  

Old Business 

Website: France investigated hosting subscription options for the Commission website and found that the higher cost plan is not worthwhile, so the current plan will be renewed for this year. France confirmed that the plan includes back-end security protection. 

Walpole Gateway: An opening date for the gate has not been set since it depends on spring road conditions. Conditions will be monitored, and the gate will be unlocked once conditions allow. Peter suggested that a public announcement be made in both the minutes and the Walpolean once the gate is unlocked. 

Tom Beaudry will be invited to the April meeting to talk with the Commission about farming practices, and Holly Gowdy will be invited to discuss treatment of invasives. Based on the information shared, the Commission will revisit the topic of exploring options for use of the Gateway fields. 

Fanny Mason: Lew is working on an RFP for replacing the roofs on both parking area pavilions. He has two bidders noted already and will line up a third soon and present the RFP within the coming month. Green metal roofing is the preferred material option based on cost and maintenance requirements.

Peggy will confirm with Chief Sanctuary whether the police have wrapped up their investigation regarding the graffiti on the Fanny Mason pole barn and other locations in town. Once they have, the Commission will organize volunteers and procure supplies to have it painted over as soon as possible to discourage additional instances.

Dam updates: Updates were received from Fuss & O’Neill on all town projects except the Reservoir Dam. An update on that project is expected next month. 

Ramsay Hill & Reservoir Road update: Wendy confirmed that the piles of brush and trees near the end of the road have been removed. Road conditions are somewhat improved but there are still ruts and puddles. Logging isn’t done yet but should be within the next month, so no action is needed at this time.

Other Business 

Walpole Trails Subcommittee: The second annual Help Our Trails Day is scheduled for May 4^th, with additional details to be provided next month.

Transmission line replacement: Hilltop Public Solutions, in coordination with Liberty Utilities, presented a plan to the Select Board to replace high power transmission lines and towers between Charlestown and North Walpole. Work will not begin for 2+ years and there will be public hearings prior to the start of work. 

Property purchase: A group from Keene has expressed interest in purchasing a piece of property in the vicinity of Fall Mountain to use for climbing outings. Representatives from the group are planning to join the next Conservation Commission meeting to share more information on their plan. 

Thank you to both Peggy and Kara, whose terms are ending this month, for their service to the Commission! 

The next meeting will be Monday, April 1^st, 2024 in the Town Hall. 

Adjournment: With no further business to discuss, John adjourned the meeting at 8:34 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Nicole Adams, acting Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the April 1st, 2024 meeting.

Polls are open until 7 PM. Vote for our elected officials and the FMRSD budget today and then go to Town Meeting on Saturday at 1:00. – Lil

Cabin Fever Radio Follies goes on the air on Saturday, March 16. Doors open at 6:30 at the Helen Miller Theater in the Walpole Town Hall. Tickets and table reservations are available at Mascoma Bank on Main Street in Walpole. Bring dinner, drinks, snacks and friends. 

Selectboard Present:  Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry and Steven Dalessio

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary

Others Present: Meghan Hansson, Town Clerk/Tax Collector; Carolyn Vose and David Edkins

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She introduced herself, Peggy Pschirrer, Selectboard Chair and Steve Dalessio, Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted that Ms. Mayberry was not yet present.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public meeting at 6:31 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:01 PM. 

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the nonpublic minutes would be sealed. 

Mrs. Pschirrer reflected that Ms. Mayberry entered the meeting at 6:31 PM during the Non-Public meeting. 

PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $36,334.96 dated 3/01/24 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,617.44. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES, February 22, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Meeting minutes of February 22, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES, February 22, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Non-Public Meeting minutes of February 22, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. These minutes were not sealed and are public.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Dalessio brought the following committee reports to the chair’s attention.

   •​North Walpole Village Commissioner’s Meeting – January 23, 2024

   •​North Walpole Village Commissioner’s Meeting – January 30, 2024

   •​North Walpole Village Commissioner’s Meeting – February 6, 2024

   •​North Walpole Village Commissioner’s Meeting – February 13, 2024

   •​Conservation Commission Meeting – February 5, 2024

   •​Police Building Committee Meeting – February 6, 2024

   •​Library Trustees Meeting – February 13, 2024

   •​Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – February 21, 2024

Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged these reports.

REFUNDS: 

Map and Lot# 023-012-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 003-023-000 for $16.37 for overpayment. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

TIMBER TAX WARRANT: 

Op# 23-461-08, Map and Lot#s 011-013-000 and 001:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the timber tax warrant for Map and Lot#s 011-013-000 and 001 for $11,153.05. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Op# 23-461-09, Map and Lot# 005-050-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the timber tax warrant for Map and Lot# 005-050-000 for $2,548.63. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS: 

2024-05, Map and Lot# 003-082-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 003-082-000 to add new antennas, radio equipment, and a generator to the NHPB cell tower. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Three Phase Power for Bensonwood and Industrial Park Drive: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Power Committee met last night and discussed the issue of three phase power for Bensonwood and the Industrial Park. The Community Power Committee has been reading messages from US Senators regarding funding for three phase power. Bensonwood asked the Selectboard to investigate federal grants so that that three-phase power can be added to Industrial Park Drive. The Selectboard was in consensus of allowing the Community Power Committee to research these grants.  Mr. Dalessio spoke to those in attendance of the upcoming increases in various costs the Town must anticipate.

Meeting with SAU 29: Mrs. Pschirrer asked if the Selectboard could meet at Keene High School on 3/13/2024 at 8:00 AM. The Selectboard reached consensus, and Mrs. Pschirrer advised Mrs. Downing to relay this message to Steve Varone, so that the meeting could be confirmed.

Purchase Order for New Police Vehicle and Equipment: Mrs. Pschirrer spoke to the purchase orders of the Police Vehicle and Equipment being non-lapsing.  

Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept purchase order# 629242 for a police cruiser for $65,000 to encumber from warrant article 10-23 from 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept purchase order# 629244 for police vehicle equipment for $16,500 to encumber from warrant article 11-23 from 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Pending Further Action: Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mrs. Downing to get a quote from Constellation for a new contract when the present one expires in November. Mr. Dalessio stated that next week, the School Street and High Street Project will go out to bid. Drawings are presently being reviewed. 

Selectboard Operational Guidelines: Mr. Dalessio stated he marked his copy and will send it out. Mrs. Pschirrer commented that she would do the same, and then send these to Mrs. Downing.  

NEW BUSINESS:

Warrant Article #2: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a reporter from Keene Sentinel contacted the Town and informed them that the Walpole town budget was set to increase at 5.06% this year. Upon confirming this information, Mrs. Pschirrer stated that this was a correct statement, even though it had been proposed to increase by 3.85%. The Selectboard was advised to amend the budget article per direction from the DRA(Dept. of Revenue Administration) to match the previously stated increase of 3.85%. Mrs. Pschirrer will put forth the amendment at Town Meeting. 

Town Meeting: Mrs. Pschirrer reflected on the upcoming town meeting. Mrs. Pschirrer stated she would speak to Article #2 and #7; #3, #4, #8, and #11 by Mr. Dalessio; #6 and #9 by Ms. Mayberry; Mrs.Downing #5 and #10; and a non-resident would be speaking to article #12.

Ransom Consulting Scope of Work: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that another test well may be installed by Ransom Consulting in the future. Mr. Dalessio motioned for the chair to sign the Ransom Consulting 5-year contract for monitoring of testing wells on the former central planning site. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Letter of Support for AARP Grant: Ms. Mayberry motioned that the Selectboard sign the letter of support for the AARP grant for Distant Hill Gardens. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Legislative Delegation Meeting: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Selectboard was in possession of an invitation to a meeting at Keene Public Library on 3/26/2024 at 6:00 PM to discuss upcoming legislation. 

Whitcomb Park Dedication Plaque: Mrs. Pschirrer stated a resident advised the Town that there was a dedication plaque missing from the monument at Whitcomb Park. The recreation director and the Recreation Committee will follow up on this matter.

SWRPC: Ms. Mayberry informed those in attendance that there would be upcoming staffing changes at SWRPC (Southwest Regional Planning Commission).  Mrs. Downing was asked by Mrs. Pschirrer to place this topic item on next week’s agenda. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary 

Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 pm.  Present were Rod Bouchard, Andrew Dey, Jay Punt, Trevor MacLachlan, Chief Justin Sanctuary, Cheri Watson on Zoom, Peggy Pschirrer, Michael Petrovick, and Hunter Davis of Michael Petrovick Architects.  Dave Adams was absent.

Cheri Watson asked that the January 22, 2024, minutes be corrected to correct her last name: Watson rather than Watkins.  The correction was noted, and the minutes were approved.

Michael Petrovick led the Committee in a discussion about the police station.

His first question was “what did we see or what did we like in our visits to other police stations?

We visited Brattleboro, VT, Hinsdale and Chesterfield, NH and the County Jail.

Steve Dalessio likes linear stations.  Peggy Pschirrer commented on the positive Booking Room, holding cells and separate juvenile cells in the County Jail.  Others commented on the separate entrances for citizens and detainees.

Brattleboro had sound issues in the building.  Andrew Dey commented he liked the exterior of the Chesterfield building which was part of the Chesterfield Town Hall it has a New England appearance.

Peggy Pschirrer commented that the staff work room had individual spaces, but they were crammed into a room which was too small.  

Steve Dalessio said we would have a site plan review that would include lighting, landscaping, parking etc.

Mr. Petrovick suggested we look at the Fire Station design, which is environmentally sensitive, ADA complaint and Code compliant.

It was suggested that our roof be designed for solar panels in the future.

Mr. Petrovick’s second question dealt with operations and specifically directed to Chief Sanctuary.

Chief Sanctuary responded that there are two officers working every day with overlapping shifts. The Administrative Assistant works four ten-hour days; a part time officer works with evidence.   

Each officer needs an individual workspace with his/her own computer. Moral is higher with individual spaces. The Station also needs private space for State Police Officers and or detectives who work with Walpole on larger cases.

Currently the Walpole Police Department has five officers and a Chief at full staff.

In 2020 the Town’s population according to the census was 3,633 residents. Recently some articles have referenced 3700. 

There may be a demand for more officers in the future; it is suggested that there be an officer for every five hundred (500) residents. The future will bring more demand for services. 

A question was asked “how does the building get expanded?”

Mr. Petrovick asked when the Chief might need more administrative staff. Chief Sanctuary responded that when the Administrative Assistant retires in about two years, he will need at least one and a half (1-1/2) people to cover records and evidence. He will need space for two administrators.

The building will probably cost from $500-$600 per square foot. It will be a Category 4 building; it must be substantial.

Individual offices are needed for the Chief, a Lieutenant, a Sergeant and possibly a Detective.

Further, an evidence room must have two openings and a drug room needs proper ventilation. Separate spaces are needed not only for drugs but firearms as well.

There must be heavy duty doors, walls, and a high level of security.

Chief Sanctuary said we need a secure room for guns and tasers.

The Sally Port should lead into a processing room, handicapped accessible. The Booking Room must be large enough for Bail Commissioners, as well as finger printing equipment. There must be separate space for the accused from the victimized.   Centralized intake is desirable. There must be a separate Juvenile space, an interview room, and separate cells.

EMS must have access to the building. We also need a restraint chair with straps.

Officers need locker rooms, showers, and heavy-duty laundry facilities. In addition, we need a place to disrobe, decontaminate and have clean uniforms.

Storage space for cruiser tires, transport seats, file storage. We are slowly moving to digital storage.

Sally Port must be heated and secure. Further it must have proper exhaust and space to work on cars.  A cover for police cars is important to protect them during heavy weather- ideally fenced in with lights and cameras.

The station needs a break room with a minimum of a microwave, a stove, and a refrigerator. There should be a hood for fire suppression. The break room should not be too small.  

An exercise room is also needed.

There should be a conference room for training, maybe off the lobby. 

Of course, the station must have generators.

It was suggested we could look at some more stations: Antrim, Hillsboro Moultonborough, Amherst.

The next meeting will be February 20, 2024, at 6:30 in the Selectboard Office.