Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 5/9/24

SELECTBOARD 05/17/2024 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: Peggy Pschirrer and Paul Looney

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:44 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Old Business – Part one

New Ransom Agreement and Scope of Work:  Peggy Pschirrer reported we have the final bill but will continue to pay for monitoring of the former Central Plating Site.  Ransom is still deciding whether another test well is needed toward Elm Street. Ms. Mayberry moved to have Peggy Pschirrer continue working with Ransom Consulting.  Ms. Mayberry will be the Selectboard contact. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion passed.   Peggy Pschirrer will confirm the April 11th bill has been paid.

Bank Signatory:  Peggy Pschirrer was informed she is still signatory for the Town of Walpole banking. Rich Kreissle is to remove Peggy Pschirrer as a signatory from the bank accounts and add Carolyn Vose as a signatory.

Solar Installation at Recycling Center:  Paul Looney and Peggy Pschirrer reported that Liberty Utilities has completed their research. Solar Dave tested sun exposure and found it is 88% at the edges. There is no need for additional trees to be removed.  The Dept. of Energy grant application was scheduled to be available in December 2023. It is still not available and probably will not be published until August.  The grant will require filing income taxes in January even though the Town is exempt.  Two changes have been made to the solar system. It will still be within cost approved by warrant article 6. The additions are to add an inverter to record and report energy credits and add Wi-Fi so that performance of each panel can be tracked.  

Solar Dave will apply for a $6,000 grant from NH Saves, but the application needs a Selectboard signature. Solar Dave requested $42,120 up front and the remaining $43,320 will be due when installation is complete.  

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the purchase order for a total cost of $85,440 for Solar Dave.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the purchase order was approved.  

Mr. Dalessio moved the Chair sign the contract for $85,440 with Solar Dave for the installation of the solar system at the Recycling Center.   Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the contract was approved and signed.  

Mr. Dalessio moved the Chair sign the grant application for $6,000 that Solar Dave will submit to NH Saves.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion carried and the grant application was signed.

Ms. Pschirrer and Mr. Looney left the meeting.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Vose moved to approve Accounts Payable totaling $878,919.91 dated 5/10/2024.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  This included a $462,339.85 monthly payment to Fall Mountain Regional School District, $175,000 and $100,000 payments to the Walpole Fire District for WFD Warrant Articles #7 and #8.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,031.90 dated 5/10/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,287.72.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – May 1, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 1, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Non-Public Session – May 1, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public session of May 1, 2024, and the minutes are 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:

• Library Trustees Meeting – April 9, 2024 

• Trustees of Trust Funds Meeting – April 24, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Current Use

Map and Lot # 005-011-002:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the  Current Use Application for Map and Lot # 005-011-002.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business – Part Two

Pending Further Action:  Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, and Reservoir Dam

Request for Reimbursement Funds to the Trustees of Trust Runds:  The new boilers in the Town Hall are installed and working well. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the request to reimburse $28,000 from the Municipal Building Capital Reserve Fund for the boilers.  Seconded by Ms.  Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the request was approved.

Draft Letter to NH DOT Region 4:  This item was tabled pending additional details needed to complete the letter.

May 16th Staff Meeting:  The topic will be using managerial eyes to ensure safety practices are followed, provide training, and notice issues (workplace or home) that impact performance. Mr. Dalessio will create the agenda.

New Business

E.W. Salvage Junkyard Permit:  Ms. Vose moved to sign the permit to allow operation of the E.W. Salvage junkyard for one year, July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion carried, and the permit was signed.

ARPA Grant Funding Reimbursement – Reservoir Dam:  Ms. Mayberry moved that as the authorized signatory, Mr. Dalessio sign the request for disbursement of $1,415.59 on the ARPA Grant for the Reservoir Dam.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the request for disbursement signed.

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c)

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c) at 7:49 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:42 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 8:42 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 5/16/24

SELECTBOARD 05/16/2024 Leave a comment

Open Garden Weekend & Plant Sale – 5/18 & 19/24

Uncategorized 05/16/2024 Leave a comment

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 5/6/24

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 05/15/2024 Leave a comment

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

Members Absent:  France Menk

Alternates Present:  Nicole Adams, Tom Beaudry

Visitors Present:  Alex Barrett, Town Forester

Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall. This meeting was audio recorded for the purpose of taking accurate minutes. 

Seating of Alternatives:  There were five members so there was a quorum.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Corrections to the April 1, 2024 minutes:  Holly & Christian Goudy own and operate Brookfield Farm, the Ballam Farm is part of the Gowdy’s farmland in Walpole (i.e. they own the land called Ballam Farm).Tom Beaudry owns and operates Elm Island Farm; the Conservation Commission cannot support or endorse the Monadnock Climbers’ Association’s plan for Fall Mountain until they develop a draftmanagement plan and coordinate with North Walpole.

Peter moved to accept the April 1, 2024 minutes as amended. Alicia seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

Public Business

Report from co-Chair:  no report

Financial Report: Conservation:  $223,411.78 and Forestry:  $25,176.40

Correspondence:  We received an announcement about the Lakes Conference.  The Commission will cover the registration fee if anyone on the Commission wishes to attend.

New Business

Forest Management – Fanny Mason update/next project:  Alex Barrett, Town Forester, reported that the project about three years ago at Hooper was very successful.  The project at Fanny Mason forests has been on the back burner but now has his attention.  Some work was done a couple years ago by Peter Rhoades (former town of Walpole Forester), who did a good job and left even more buffer than required by law.  The next step is to focus on the east side of Route 12.  There is a small grove of large hemlock trees that should be conserved, and also what may be old growth white oak east of the north bound rest area.  According to DOT, we own up to 100 feet from the center line.  Alex will contact DOT about access from Route 12 for the harvest which will likely be next winter and summer unless this is an extremely dry summer.  Specifically, he will inquire about using the rest areas as access points for hauling out logs.  Alex will have a planning map for the June 3rd meeting.

Alex also suggested some proactive items for consideration:

• There is a stand of red pine on the west side of Route 12.  There is a lot of red pine scale in the area which blows in and kills the trees.  It would be worth considering proactively taking the red pine before they get hit with scale.

• A couple of years ago invasives were treated at the Gateway and Hooper.  It might be time to treat those areas again in August or September, and some treatment will likely be needed in the Fanny Mason harvest area.

• Suggestion:  create a “Friends of the Town Forest” – a nonprofit for fundraising.  There is a lot of money available now for nonprofits, but it is not available to the Town.  The Friends might not be formed in time for the current funding, but it will be ready next time.

Commissioner Seat Available – Advertise: Steve Dumont resigned so that seat needs to be filled.  The vacancy will be posted on the Walpolean.  

Old Business

Dam Updates:  Reservoir Dam – Fuss and O’Neill were to select an access route for the drilling rig to the dam and select locations for three bore holes.

Walpole Gateway: The gate has been unlocked and the area is accessible to the public.  A carabiner is being used to hold the chain up.  It is unlocked.  Persons are expected to put the chain back up after dropping off boats.

Master Plan – Conservation Lands Map/Table:  Peter and Wendy have been identifying issues with the maps and table.  The previous map although only six years old carried information forward about from twenty years ago and, in that time, we have added a lot of land with easements, etc. The map includes the cemetery and school which are public, but don’t have easements.  The consensus is that we need two maps – one for the public showing public lands with and without public access which should include NH access rules, and a second map for the Conservation Commission showing all useful data on all conserved land including details of easements, etc.  There probably also needs to be education for the public, for example in Maine and New Hampshire trees marked with two purple rings means the land is open to hiking but not hunting.  Current use property with the 10% recreational allowance is open to the public. Peter feels the Conservation Commission’s maps need to include historical information such as that High Blue used to be Warner Forest for the owner who put the land into conservation, or that Harold Putnam put the Town Forest into easement, which was one of the first easements on town owned land in the State.

Property Monitoring:   Monadnock Conservancy monitors all land with easements including Town forests. Wendy will walk three lots with them on June 8th.  The remaining five lots will be walked later.John, Peter and Wendy are the current contacts for Monadnock Conservancy, and they will forward notices to the rest of the Commission so others can join the walks if interested and available.

Rail Trail – Bureau of trails visit, use permit:  Wendy reported “permitted uses” signs would be helpful if available.  We need a bond or memorandum of agreement.  The permit to bush hogging is still in process.  There is now $2,000,000 available – there is a good chance to get funding if apply.  We need people to work on grants. In the fall we will need a group to apply for funds for next year. DOT finished the work at Great Brook.

Trail Committee – HOT Day Reflection:  Wendy reported that Saturday was a great day.   Twenty-four people participated.  Leaders from the Trail Committee and volunteers did a number of projects, including painting out all the graffiti at the pole barn.   Paint and other supplies totaled $170.90.  Lew moved Wendy be reimbursed $170.90 from the Conservation account.  Alicia seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Lew reported that the RFP’s for repairs (roof replacements) to the Fanny Mason shelters are ready and will  be sent to several vendors.

Other Business

Hooper Institute Board Update: To date no scholarship applications have been received, but one is expected.  Encourage others to apply – see the Clarion for qualifying requirements.

Distant Hills: Distant Hills is sponsoring a Liberty Utilities biodiversity study.  They will be available on May 8th from 9:00 – 12:00 on March Hill Road.  

Cold River Materials:  Cold River Materials has made a hazardous materials list available.

Next Meeting:  June 3, 2024 at 7:00 in the Town Hall

Sarah Dumont and Westminster Fit Body: Sarah Dumont owner of Westminster Fit Body created a garbage collection challenge with a goal of 50 bags to be collected wherever participants were.  A total of 179 bags were collected including 22 bags collected by Kara Dexter.  As the beneficiary, the Conservation Commission will receive $500.

Adjournment: Lew moved the meeting adjourn. Seconded by Wendy.  John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the minutes of the June 3, 2024Conservation Commission meeting.)

Walpole, NH  Conservation Commission

Spring Birding

Uncategorized 05/15/2024 Leave a comment

 Join me, Sharyn Tullar, this Thursday May 16th to walk and share in our common love, curiosity and wonder of birds!

Expertise not needed, just a love of the outdoors and learning about our connection to the world around us.
Meet me at the Rail Trail entrance parking lot off Rte 12  at 8am. (just north of the Westminster Bridge and south of Malnati Farm) 
Dress for a walk in the woods and use tick/bug spray.
Bring your own binoculars.
I will cancel if raining.
For more info and to RSVP:  sstullar@comcast.net

Clarion Deadline – 5/22/24

Uncategorized 05/15/2024 Leave a comment

Time again to send along your submissions for the next issue of the CLARION – now for JUNE 2024 – Please have your inputs to me by 5 pm Walpole time, Wednesday, May 22.  Submission guidelines, and contact email are on the CLARION website.

Your early submissions help in the process of including all important material in a pleasing manner on each page. Often when completing an issue there will be some extra space to fill (you may know publications work in four page segments). I like to have on-hand material of interest that is not time-sensitive to fill that space and also round out a pleasing issue. So, if you would “like to be in print” and have something to write and share (images as well), send along for possible inclusion space permitting. Please remember, 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

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 5/1/24

SELECTBOARD 05/10/2024 Leave a comment

Meeting of the Selectboard

May 1, 2024

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 Ronning, Steve Varone, Stan Hutchings, Jean Kobeski, Greg Lent, Katy Hass, Francesca Cowgill, and Carolyn Norback.

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Walpole School Withdrawal Study Committee

Ms. Mayberry presented the Mission/Call to Action from the Selectboard to the Committee.  She asked that they set the next meeting date and elect a chair. They will meet next Wednesday, May 8th at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall.  Ms. Vose will be the Selectboard liaison.  The Committee will report back to the Selectboard by Monday, September 16, 2024, in case a warrant needs to be prepared for Town Meeting.  Whatever the Committee recommends, we need to ensure community support before there is a vote.  The focus will be on K-8 and the issue is that we need to control the quality of education for Walpole students.   

The Walpole School Withdrawal Study Committee departed and at 7:19 PM the meeting turned to regular business.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $32,247.30 dated 5/3/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,471.27. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – April 25, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 25, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Non-Public Session – April 25, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve & seal minutes of the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of April 25, 2024. 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:

• North Walpole Village District Commissioners Meeting – April 2, 2024 

• North Walpole Village District Commissioners Meeting – April 9, 2024 

• North Walpole Village District Commissioners Meeting – April 16, 2024 

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Timber Yield Taxes Assessed and Warrant

Op # 23-461-05, Map and Lot # 011-033-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Timber Taxes Assessed and Warrant for $489.07.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Op # 23-461-06, Map and Lot # 004-033-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Timber Taxes Assessed and Warrant for $3,919.69.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Current Use

Maps and Lots 018-013-000 and 016-011-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Current Use application for Maps and Lots 018-013-000 and 016-011-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Excavation Intent

Map and Lot # 012-073-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Intent to Excavate for Map and Lot # 012-073-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Building Permit

2024-14, Map and Lot# 011-033-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit# 2024-14, Map and Lot# 011-033-000 to construct a 120’ x 15’ shed addition to a barn. Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-15, Map and Lot# 020-006-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit# 2024-15, Map and Lot# 020-006-000 to construct a 14’ x 10’ summer reading shed with a deck. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose 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, and Houghton Brook Bridge.

Reservoir Dam:  Mr. Dalessio reported that they are currently doing borings on Reservoir Dam in preparation for seismographic testing.

Joint Letters with North Walpole Village:  The letters are being prepared but are awaiting additional details that need confirmation.

New Business

Great River Hydro Confidentiality Agreement:    Walpole needs to share assessing information with Avitar as part of the assessment.  Both Walpole and Avitar and signing confidentiality agreements with Great River Hydro. Ms. Vose moved that Selectboard Chair, Ms. Mayberry, sign the confidentiality agreement with Great River Hydro.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the agreement signed.

Thank You Letter from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): A thank you letter was received from CASA for the Town’s annual donation in support of abused and/or neglected children.  Ms. Mayberry acknowledged receipt of the thank you letter.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:33 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms.  Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:35 PM.

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c)

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c) 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 8:42 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 8:42 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 5/9/24

Uncategorized 05/09/2024 Leave a comment

Spring Birding – 5/11/24

Uncategorized 05/09/2024 Leave a comment

Join me, Sharyn Tullar, this Saturday May 11th to walk and share in our common love, curiosity and wonder of birds! Expertise not needed, just a love of the outdoors and learning about our connection to the world around us.

Meet me at 128 Reservoir Road at 8am. Dress for a walk in the woods and use tick/bug spray. Bring your own binoculars.

I will cancel if raining.

For more info and to RSVP:  sstullar@comcast.net

Zoning Board Meeting Agenda – 5/25/24

Uncategorized 05/08/2024 Leave a comment