Dennis Marcom forwarded this picture taken 1/19 by Bill Holtz. Doesn’t that look cold, but beautiful? – Lil
Library Trustees Meeting Minutes – 1/9/24
Present : Amy Howard (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Gail LaHaise, Susan Johnson, Bill Ranauro, Sarah Mann, Erin Bowen, Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director), Peggy Pschirrer (Selectboard Liaison)
Approval of Minutes: Gail moved to accept the November 14, 2023 minutes. Susan seconded, and all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Kathy emailed the Treasurer’s report to the board prior to this meeting. She reported that she moved money from the checking account previously discussed to a 12-month CD at 5% interest.
Kathy said we received more money than expected, due to the Friends. Expenses were right on except that we expected to spend money on bookshelves for the Children’s Room, and we haven’t done that yet. Most of the landscaping bill was related to the tree removal.
Bills: Jane sent a list of bills to the board for review prior to the meeting. The only change is that we are now paying for the Downloadables from the library budget rather than the town budget.
Sarah asked if Jane had thought of any “Wish List” items like we discussed in November. Jane said she and Amy discussed this. Amy introduced the idea of getting oak cabinets for the Community Room to replace the open, shallow shelving that is in there now. They would have closed cabinets on the top, a work surface, and drawers on the bottom for files and storage. They would increase storage capacity and be more in keeping with the design of the room. Susan asked where they would come from. Amy said we could work with companies like LaValley who could create and install them. She said she and Jane could create a rendering and present it to the board for approval.
Amy moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills. Gail seconded, and all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Old Business
Town Budget: Jane reported that repairs to the north side of the building will be added to the town budget rather than create a warrant article for them. Repair of the steps was not included in that budget, however. Amy said we probably have enough money in the library budget to cover that expense. Jane has not received an estimate for that work yet, but she will contact the contractor once again.
Budget Hearing: Peggy announced that there will be a public budget hearing on January 8 at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall. She encouraged everyone to attend.
Status of Office Repairs: Jane reported that repairs are done; the ceiling is painted, and she is very pleased. There is no further leakage.
Election Nominations: Board members wishing to have their names put on the town ballot for reelection may do so during the last week of January.
New Business
New Meeting Time: Board members decided to change the meeting time of the Library Board of Trustees to 4:00 p.m. The only exception will be in April and October when they meet in North Walpole. That start time will be 4:30 p.m.
Naloxone Kit/Training: The idea of having a Narcan kit at the library was discussed and board members felt that it is unnecessary. We are close to the clinic, the staff is trained in CPR, and our EMTs respond quickly.
Non-Resident Library Card Policy: Jane said that all state libraries are being advised to take a look at their non-resident usage policies. The use of streamable materials is increasing a great deal as are the costs of these materials. The cost to each library is based on usage and Jane provided data to show how Walpole’s usage has increased both for Libby as well as Hoopla. In order to control the number of holds and check-outs, the state suggested we look at possibly changing our rules for non-residents.
The Board discussed pros and cons of several possible actions and it was decided that Jane would draft a Non-Resident Library Card Policy for the Board to review at the February meeting.
Operations: Jane said the library is trying out a new program. Every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m., the library is sponsoring a brown bag lunch and a movie. Patrons bring their own lunch and watch a movie free of charge. Jane is trying to find movies that people may not have already seen, and she is looking for films that are 2 hours or less in length. The first movie is this Thursday, January 11th: The Station Agent.
Tech Talks, MahJong, Knitting continue to do well.
There will be an Alzheimers/Dementia program February 1.
Friends: Jane said there are four new board members.
Adjournment: With no further business to discuss, Gail moved to adjourn the meeting. Erin seconded, and Amy adjourned the meeting at 4:46 p.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 12, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary
** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the February 12, 2024 meeting.
February Clarion Deadline – 1/21/24
Upon us again, and I have started putting together the next issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION for you. You may not realize the work and time that goes into assembling the articles, images and advertisements – it is a long process, and you can help with your early submissions. The closing date for the February issue is in a week – 5PM Walpole time, Sunday, January 21. Submission guidelines, and contact email are on the CLARION website.
Space is often tight, and is costly in production, so your early submissions help in the process of including all important material in a pleasing manner on each page. It is the advertisers in each issue that make this community publication possible, so please support and thank them. If you are interested in “joining in,” do contact me.
If you have any questions, or interest in placing an advertisement, reaching over 1900 Walpole, North Walpole and Drewsville addresses, I welcome your inquiries, so please do get in touch with me. Advertising information and contact information is on the CLARION website.
Thank you, RAY BOAS, Publisher
Reminder – Pot-luck Supper Tonight – 1/13/24
Remember the Pot-luck Supper tonight at 5:30 at the Congregational Church. Free will offering to World Central Kitchen will be taken.
Lost Cat
LOST CAT
Orange Tabby
“Fritz”
Fritz was last seen on Thursday afternoon, January 11th, near Middle Street and the town common.
He lives on Middle Street in Walpole. He is an orange tabby and is VERY friendly (to a fault, it seems!)
If you see him please contact Eric at 612-703-9735 or at ericgjerde@mac.com.
Recycling Center Closed
Water has gotten into the electrical conduits so there is no power. Should be back in business on Tuesday.
Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 1/9/24
Roll Call: Present Board Members Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Trevor MacLachlan and alternates Bill Carmody and Travis Adams. Absent: Steve Dalessio.
Minutes: Ms. Andros made a couple of typo corrections and added a clarification describing the location of the glamping site on page 3, first paragraph, fourth line. The sentence should read “coming from Wentworth Road, drive to the top of the hill where the driveway flattens out. The glamping sites are to your right, just east of the pond.” Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the amended minutes, Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7 pm
Unfinished Business:
Discussion of Site Plan Application: Adam Naeck, Alyson’s Orchard, Tax Map 4, Lot 44, 57 Alyson’s Lane, Commercial/Industrial Districts, addition of two-story, post-and-beam building to the farm store and 7 glamping sites around Lilly’s Pond.
The board gathered to discuss the Alyson’s Orchard site plan application. They agreed they wanted more details and answers about the glamping sites.
Adjournment: Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 7:40 pm.
These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the February meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine, WPB Secretary
cc: WPB, ZBA, Town Offices, The Walpolean.
Posted: Inside Town Hall, on bulletin board outside Post Office, http://www.walpolenh.us
Conservation Committee Meeting Minutes – 1/8/24
Members Present: Peter Palmiotto, France Menk, Lewis Shelley, Wendy Grossman
Members Absent: John Peska, Steven Dumont, Alicia Flammia
Seating of Alternates: Nicole Adams
Visitors Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Selectboard Liaison), Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary)
Call to Order: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in Town Hall.
Review and Approval of Minutes: Wendy recommended the following corrections/clarifications be made to the December 4, 2023 minutes:
1. Ryan Owens stated that the Monadnock Conservancy would automatically send its monitoring reports to the Town rather than the Town needing to ask for them, as stated in the minutes.
2. On page 3 under Cranberry Meadow, it should be noted that no one from the Knapp family had claimed the land for 60 years; therefore the Town does own the land by adverse possession.
3. On page 4 under Rail Trail, the statement about the bond money being returned to Lew would best be placed at the end of the Rail Trail section of the minutes.
4. Phil Warren was planning to monitor Nelson Town Forest at 9:00 a.m. rather then 4 p.m. as written.
Peter noted that on p. 3 under Fanny Mason Clean-up, the steps on the east side are wooden, not stone, as written. Wendy moved to accept the minutes as amended. Nicole seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Public Business: There are no correspondences or financial report this month.
Peggy announced that on Thursday, February 8, at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall there will be a public discussion of the town budget. Among topics to be discussed is the warrant article for solar panels at the recycling center. She encouraged everyone to attend.
Old Business: Peter announced that Aiden Sweeney, an eight grader at Walpole Middle School, will receive the Barry Conservation Camp Scholarship.
Dam Update: John reported to Peter that the state is reviewing the Fuss and O’Neill plans for Reservoir Dam. John spoke to Mark Houghton about the Cranberry Meadow clean-up. Mark said equipment will definitely be needed for the job; therefore a DES permit will be needed. Wendy asked if there is money in the budget for permitting and work, and Peter answered money is available.
Fanny Mason Rest Area: Lew stated that major roof repair is needed. He said the roofs are cedar shingles. He measured the roofs and will get an estimate for materials. Peter asked if cedar is needed and a discussion of possible alternatives ensued. Peggy asked if the work would be sent out for bids and was told it would.
Lew called the state about clearing brush and trees but received no response. He said he would personally visit the offices to discuss this. He made other suggestions to improve the area:
5. Remove the wooden steps.
6. Remove some trees for greater visibility.
7. Create signage to designate the trail.
Peter led a brief discussion about mowing the area. It was concluded that ownership of the property needs to be established first.
New Business: There is no new business at this time.
Other Business
Walpole Trails Subcommittee: There was no meeting in December.
Rail Trail: Wendy reported that they have received the $20,000 RTP grant money and a positive report on the Rail Trail work from a visiting team.
The Town also received a refund of the $1,000 bond that had been provided to the State for the brush hogging Special Use Permit.
Wendy proposed that she and Will make a presentation at the March Commission meeting about the Rail Trail and discuss moving forward. It was agreed that this would be a good idea.
France reported that a friend of hers saw someone driving a truck on the Rail Trail. Lew asked that she find out precisely where it was so that they can begin to address the issue.
Lew asked Wendy if she had any information on the progress of the Keene RTP Grant work. Wendy said she and Will visited that area. Trees had been cut down and ruts smoothed out.
Monadnock Conservancy Monitoring: Wendy accompanied the Conservancy as they monitored the Nelson and March Town Forests. She went with Phil Warren, who does not actually work for the Conservancy, but does monitoring for them.
Ramsay Hill and Reservoir Roads: Wendy reported that loggers have created large ruts and have dumped trees and brush in the Watershed Town Forest. She checked with Alex at the Monadnock Conservancy on the easement. He came and walked it with her and said this was in violation of the easement and recommended that it be discussed with the landowner and logger. This was done, and the logger should be clearing the debris this week. Peggy said there was never any intent to damage property and the landowner has been very cooperative throughout the process.
Property Monitoring: Wendy completed monitoring Ballam Farm with Chris Gowdy and the Graves Easement and submitted the easement reports. She said the Forest Society needs someone to do the Aldrich easement.
Pamphlet Distribution: Peggy said she distributed pamphlets in December explaining how conservation commissions can approach the state about creating a bottle bill. Peter will check with John to see if he has the pamphlets.
With no further business to discuss, Lew moved to adjourn the meeting. France seconded, and all voted in favor. Peter adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m.
The next meeting will be on Monday, February 5, 2024.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary
** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the February 5, 2024 meeting.
WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
JANUARY 3, 2024
Selectboard Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry and Steven Dalessio
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary
Others Present: Jeff Miller
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, Cheryl Mayberry, Steve Dalessio, Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary. She also commented that Jeff Miller was present as a member of the public.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c)
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public meeting at 6:30 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting reconvened at 7:03 PM.
Mrs. Pschirrer declared the nonpublic minutes would be sealed.
PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,852.89 dated 1/06/2024and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,726.42. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 28, 2023: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Meeting Minutes of December 28, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – December 28, 2023: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the corrected Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of December 28, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer, the motion was approved. The minutes will remain sealed.
WARRANTS:
Water Tax Lien for Walpole: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept Walpole water tax lien for $576.57. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
Sewer Tax Lien for Walpole: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept Walpole sewer tax lien for $899.08. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
Sewer Tax for North Walpole: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept North Walpole sewer tax for $11,959.91. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:
Map and Lot# 023-008-000: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the refund in the amount of $7.00 for Map and Lot# 023-008-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
Map and Lot# 029-047-000: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the refund in the amount of $2,871.00 for Map and Lot# 029-047-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
Map and Lot# 029-048-000: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the refund in the amount of $11.18 for Map and Lot# 023-048-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
VETERANS’ CREDIT:
Map and Lot# 005-051-000: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the All Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 005-051-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
Map and Lot# 016-005-MH01: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 016-005-MH01. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION:
Map and Lot# 005-051-000: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the Solar Energy Property Tax Exemption for Map and Lot# 005-051-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
Map and Lot# 011-056-000: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the Solar Energy Property Tax Exemption for Map and Lot# 011-056-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
TIMBER INTENT:
Map and Lot# 010-034-000: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the Timber Intent for Map and Lot# 010-034-000 for a lot located off of Reservoir Road. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
BUILDING PERMITS:
2024-01, Map and Lot# 003-058-000: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the building permit for Map and Lot# 003-058-000 to construct a 16’ x 10’ shed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Topic/Training for 2/16/2024 Staff Meeting: Mrs. Pschirrer commented that there is a public hearing scheduled for 2/08/2024 which will require all department managers to be present to discuss the budget. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that this meeting could be considered their meeting for the month, and that the department managers should speak about their budgets at that meeting. Ms. Mayberry stated that the department managers should get a copy of the budget that is received by the Selectboard, so that they can prepare their narratives. Mr. Dalessio spoke to certain conditions of agreeing to this proposal. Mr. Dalessio commented that the meeting on 2/08/2024 would begin at 5:30 PM.
North Walpole: Ms. Mayberry stated that a meeting with the North Walpole Commissioners could be scheduled after a water shut off proposal is drawn up. The Selectboard agreed to set this meeting sometime in February.
NEW BUSINESS:
Additional Public Hearing: Mrs. Pschirrer about asked about holding a public hearing to present information about the progress of the proposed new police station. Mr. Dalessio stated that this meeting would be scheduled after the Town Meeting.
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:28 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting reconvened at 7:34 PM.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary
The Walpolean 
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