The Walpolean

The time is NOW to order your pies, specialty treats, and single serve entrees – all made by the cooks of St. John’s. (IF any leftovers, they will be sold on Saturday at the Fair.)   Cookie walk, antiques, crafts, Christmas items await you! 

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

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

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

PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $32,856.83 dated 11/3/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,819.55. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING– October 26, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Meeting Minutes of October 26, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – October 26, 2023:   Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of October 26, 2023. 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 to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

     • Walpole Police Building Committee Meeting– October 16, 2023

     • Planning Board Workshop Meeting – October 24, 2023 

     • North Walpole Village District Commissioners Meeting – October 24, 2023 

     • North Walpole Village District Commissioners Meeting – October 30, 2023 

Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged these minutes. 

BUILDING PERMITS:

2023-39, Map and Lot# 010-049-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 010-049-000 to construct a 22’ x 20’ Steel Arch Building. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Water Shut-Off Agreement: Mrs. Pschirrer reflected on a collaboration with North Walpole on a water shut-off policy. Ms. Mayberry stated that North Walpole had a meeting this week and will follow up on this matter next week. 

NEW BUSINESS:

Request for Fund to Trustees of Trust Funds: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the request of the Trustees of Trust Funds for $1,500 from Cemetery Trust #2 to reimburse the green burial section of the New Cemetery. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Gazebo Roofing Quotes: Mrs. Pschirrer stated there were three business quotes to fix the gazebo roof on the Town Common:

1) Long’s Roofing at $4,938.60 using architectural shingles

2) Melanson – $9,900 to replace roof with standard 3-tab shingles

3) Melanson – $10,950 using architectural shingles

4) Brian DeJesus Construction using architectural shingles – $7,520

Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the bid by Long’s Roofing to do the gazebo’s roof replacement at $4,938.60. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Help Wanted Stick Signs: Mrs. Downing presented an idea that may help with finding a new Highway employee by placing help-wanted yard signs. The Selectboard reached consensus to approve of Mrs. Downing’s request. Mrs. Downing stated that this would come out of the advertising line on the Town’s executive budget.

Letter to NH Public Radio: Mrs. Pschirrer presented a draft letter regarding NH Public Radio not filing State forms for their exemption with the Town. Mr. Dalessio reflected that from 2022-2023 the Town did not bill NH Public Radio (NHPR). He stated that in 2022-2023 the Town only sent a tax bill to NH Public Broadcasting (NHPB). Mr. Dalessio reflected that as of right now, the NHPR does not owe the Town any money, as it was ultimately the responsibility of NHPB. Mrs. Downing stated that normally NHPR would not have received a tax bill because their A-9 and A-12 would have been submitted. However, NPPR did not submit either of these documents. Mrs. Downing stated that she would send the response letter to NHPR via email. 

Graves Road Water Issue: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that there is a house on Graves Road that is directing water onto the road and to a neighboring property. Mrs. Pschirrer reflected on the relevant RSAs which speak to redirecting water from one’s property onto a Town road. Mr. Dalessio stated he would go to the property this weekend and take pictures.

Streetlights: Mr. Dalessio stated that a streetlight shield has been put up by a resident’s house. He will take pictures of the light this weekend to see if there was a positive change. The Town has additional shields which were purchased from Liberty Utilities. 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:  

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:56 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:06 PM. 

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public meeting at 7:06 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:29 PM. 

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the Non-Public meeting minutes sealed. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary 

See Walpole Rail Trail Improvements

Guided Hike-–Sunday, November 19

Rail Trail Project Completion: The 2023 project to improve drainage on the Cheshire Rail Trail in Walpole is complete!  Drainage ditches have been dug out, culverts have been cleared, and/or the trail surface has been raised at a few of the very wettest areas along Walpole’s rail trail. Users should find a much drier trail year-round, though there will still be some wet spots (especially when it rains.)

Public Rail Trail Hike: We invite you to join us for a guided hike at 12:30 pm on Sunday, November 19, to see and experience the newly renovated sections of the rail trail.  The hike will cover about 4 1/2 miles of the rail trail, between the Route 123 crossing on the north end and Blackjack Crossing Road on the south end.  This will be a one-way hike, with shuttles available back to the starting point.  Please send an email to walpoletrailhelpers@gmail.com to register for the hike or to get further information.  Details about where to park and what to bring will be sent to registered participants.

Visit the Rail Trail: We would encourage any interested walkers, bicyclists, equestrians or other non-motorized users to check out the renovated portions of the Walpole rail trail.  Remember, no motorized vehicles are allowed on the rail trail except for snowmobiles. Maps of the rail trail are available on the Walpole Conservation Commission website (walpoleoutdoors.org/maps/) and in Town Hall.

Thanks:  Thanks to all who’ve made this project possible, including the Recreational Trails Program, the Walpole Conservation Commission, the Walpole Selectboard, trail builder Lew Shelley of Snowhawk LLC and nine volunteer trail workers.  Thanks also to all those in the Walpole area who’ve cheered us on.

You can send any questions or comments to walpoletrailhelpers@gmail.com.

Wendy & Will Grossman

Walpole Rail Trail RTP Project Managers

Walpole Trail Committee