The Walpolean

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.

Selectboard Present:  Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry; Steve Dalessio

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

Others Present: Steve Varone, Jared Walters and David Edkins

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall. She introduced herself, Peggy Pschirrer, Selectboard Chair, Cheryl Mayberry, Steve Dalessio, Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary.  

Public Comment: Mr. Walters wanted to clarify a question he asked at the last meeting about the proposed budget with a 3.75% increase. He asked how the tax rate is calculated. Mrs. Pschirrer informed Mr. Walters that the state sets the tax rate, after the Town submits specific data. Mr. Dalessio stated that this year was an anomaly with the school district. Discussion of how the Town calculates its tax rate took place, with description provided by Mr. Dalessio. Mr. Dalessio reflected on the projected increase in various costs and taxes this year that the Town is preparing for. Mrs. Pschirrer informed Mr. Walters that he could attend the Fire District’s annual meeting on 3/21/2024. Mr. Walters asked if a member of the public could speak in a non-public session. Ms. Mayberry stated that a member of the public could ask the Selectboard to speak in a non-public session if they so wished. An explanation of tax differences between the North Walpole Village District and the Town was provided by the Selectboard. 

Mr. Varone disclosed that the Town received a response from FMRSD. Mr. Dalessio reflected to those in attendance that a slide in the recent FMRSD Deliberative Session implied that the Town of Walpole has been funding a district-wide program. Mr. Varone stated that the scope and quantification of this matter have not been provided. Mrs. Pschirrer commented that the Town’s attorney has been consulted for guidance on what possible next steps can be taken. Mr. Dalessio asked if funds could be recouped from previous school years. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Town will await the attorney’s response.

Mr. Varone and Mr. Walters departed the meeting.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $146,665.44 for checks issued 2/23/2024. This includes a $49,006.06 payment to HealthTrust for March health insurance. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,548.24 dated 2/23/24 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,408.57. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES, February 15, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Meeting minutes of February 15, 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 15, 2024: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Selectboard Non-Public Meeting minutes of February 15, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes will remain sealed. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

   •​Planning Board Meeting – February 13, 2024

Mr. Dalessio noted errors in these minutes that would need correction. Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged the report.

REFUNDS: 

Map and Lot# 003-023-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 003-023-000 for $36.09 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 005-059-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 005-059-000 for $39.77 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 008-022-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 008-022-000 for $282.61 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 008-068-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 008-068-000 for $18.15 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 012-044-009:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 012-044-009 for $59.91 for an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 0UTIL-0UTIL-2B:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the refund for Map and Lot# 0UTIL-0UTIL-2B for $331.97. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS: 

2024-03, Map and Lot# 013-057-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 012-039-000 to build a 10’ x 20’ shed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

2024-04, Map and Lot# 024-024-000:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 024-024-000 to install a 10’ x 12’ shed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Purchase Order and Sales Proposal for 6 Wheel Dump Truck: Mr. Dalessio motioned to sign the purchase order of $136,983 for the 6-wheel dump truck from a warrant article approved in 2023 as a non-lapsing warrant article. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved. Ms. Mayberry motioned for Mrs. Pschirrer to sign the sales proposal. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Purchase Order for New Police Vehicle: Mrs. Pschirrer reflected that the Chief has been out of work all week, and that the purchase order was not ready to be signed. Ms. Mayberry stated she would reach out to the Police Department to follow up on this purchase order. 

Selectboard Operational Guidelines: Mrs. Pschirrer stated she has looked through these but asked Mrs. Downing to put this item on next week’s agenda.

Pending Further Action: Mr. Dalessio stated that the Houghton Brook Bridge is about to be put out to bid again, and that School Street Drainage Project drawings are being reviewed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Recreation Revolving Fund Request: Ms. Mayberry motioned to accept the Recreation Revolving Fund request from the Recreation Department for the amount of $747.73 for basketball uniforms with these funds to be reimbursed by sponsors. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Application for Activity and Use Restriction: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Brownfields cleanup has been completed for the new parking lot, but test wells are left on the property. Mr. Dalessio motioned to allow Mrs. Pschirrer to sign the DES Application for Activity and Use Restriction. Seconded by Mr. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Biodiversity/Pollinator Grant: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Peter Palmiotto, the Conservation Commission co-chair had asked for the Selectboard’s approval in the writing of a Biodiversity/Pollinator Grant. Mrs. Pschirrer stated she would write to Mr. Palmiotto and inquire about what type of support is being requested. 

Recording Secretary Resignation: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that they were in receipt of letter from Ahmad Esfahini, the Recording Secretary, resigning from that position as of March 6^th.

Office Closure Request: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a request has been submitted to the Selectboard to close the Selectboard Office on 7/05/2024. The Selectboard reached consensus to accept this request. 

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public meeting at 7:15 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:36 PM. 

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the nonpublic minutes would be sealed. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary

Present: Planning Board members Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio, Alternate Bill Carmody. Zoning Board members Chair Dave Edkins, Pauline Barnes and Tom Winmill.

Purpose of Meeting: To discuss updating/recodifying Walpole Zoning Ordinances. The ZBA also wanted some professional help – someone who would work with them while they were doing this project who has knowledge of statutory language.

Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm. He said he thought the project was a good idea.  Late last year the Planning Board used a planner from Southwest Region Planning Commission in Keene to work with the Planning Board to finish updating the Natural Features section of the town’s Master Plan. In fact, he had recently heard from Peter Palmiotto. Chair of the Conservation Committee, that that board had finally completed giving the Natural Features section a final look so Mr. Miller hoped that section would soon be printed.

Ms. Barnes and Mr. Winmill each prepared a list of what needed to be done. Ms. Barnes said that one of the main reasons for this was to clarify, update, and correct terminology. It will make the document more user friendly and easy to understand but also conform to state laws and court decisions. Think about the average citizen, Ms. Barnes wrote. She also explained that the NH Supreme Court recently found in favor of short-term rental owners vs. the city of Conway based on the language in the city’s zoning ordinance describing “household.” Mr. Winmill listed seven recommendations one of which referred to a zoning map but no map was attached.  

Mr. Miller said the next step is for the PB to invite SWRPC to a 4^th-Tuesday meeting and chat about the project, see if the commission can do the project at this time, get an idea of how much it is going to cost and a time frame. Then the board checks to if there is enough money in the budget to do this or if it has to wait until next year. It also has the option to look around for another consultant.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

WP and ZBA secretary

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

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