Blessing of the Animals – 10/15/23
I’ve been advised that pictures of pets, ashes of pets, and even stuffed animals are welcome. – Lil
Working on the Rail Trail
Improvements are currently being made to the drainage at several spots along the Cheshire
Rail Trail in Walpole. For the next few weeks, equipment will be working along the rail trail–
digging, hauling and spreading dirt and gravel to open up drainage ditches or fill in low spots on
the trail surface.
Work will take place on the rail trail between River Road and Halls Crossing Road; between
Blackjack Crossing Road and the Route 12 underpass area; and in the area just north of the
Veterinary Hospital.
PLEASE USE CAUTION IF YOU TRAVEL ON THE RAIL TRAIL NEAR THE WORK AREAS.
The rail trail will not be closed, but trail users may experience delays and difficulty passing
through active trail work areas. Please follow any instructions from the trail workers.
Hikers may wish to use this opportunity to explore other trails in Walpole, including those at Mill
Pond, Fanny Mason Forest, High Blue and the rail trail north of Route 123. Maps for these trails
are available on the Walpole Conservation Commission website and in Town Hall.
The rail trail improvements are being funded primarily by a Recreational Trails Program grant,
with matching funds provided via the Walpole Conservation Commission.
We will let you know when the project is completed. We hope you will enjoy the drier rail trail
surfaces!
Wendy and Will Grossman
Walpole Trail Committee
Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 10/2/23
Members Present: John Peska, Peter Palmiotto, Alicia Flammia, France Menk, Wendy Grossman
Members Absent: Lewis Shelley, Steven Dumont
Alternates Present: Kara Dexter, Nicole Adams
Visitors Present: Steve Dalessio (Selectboard Liaison), Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary),
Don Sellarole
Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:05 in Town Hall. The meeting was recorded.
Review and Approval of Minutes: Wendy made a motion to approve the September 11, 2023 minutes. John seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Public Business
Correspondence: John said the Commission received a letter from the Connecticut River Conservancy expressing interest in attending a meeting of the WCC to talk about the dam relicensing. John will invite Kate Buchman to the December meeting.
Financial Report: John sent around the financial spreadsheet he received from Rich Kreissle.
New Business: John welcomed Nicole Adams to the Conservation Commission as the newest alternate. Nicole will serve as the Commission’s liaison to the Hooper Board.
Old Business
2024 Budget: Peter submitted the proposed budget for next year to the Selectboard. He added $1500 for Rail Trail Maintenance and $1,000 for an intern. He said there was $2650 for dams fees and $2,000 for dam maintenance in the 2023 budget and asked if that money can be moved to the Commission’s General Fund since it was not needed for those purposes. Wendy also asked if more money for trail repairs could be added to the budget . Steve Dalessio said the select board members took a first look at budgets last week. They will meet with Peter in December to discuss the WCC budget.
Fanny Mason Clean-Up: Alicia stated that the person who previously cleaned the rest area for a flat fee did so once/year and gave the Commission a list of work that needed to be done. John said garbage there has increased and commissioners agreed that it should be cleaned more frequently. Kara stated she could do a weekly 10-15-minute clean-up for the same amount of compensation.
Peter made a motion to hire someone to pick up trash at the rest area for the rate that was paid in the past and request it from the Fanny Mason Fund. Alicia seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Kara said she would go to Town Hall to make necessary arrangements to start the work.
Cranberry Meadow Bog: John stated that there is still a question of ownership. A discussion ensued about where commissioners might find more information about it. Steve Dalessio said they can check the tax parcel. If no one is paying tax on the property, the Town of Walpole owns it. Wendy said she would do some research.
John stated that in May, 2019, the DES sent a Notice of Concerns and recommendations for remediation to Mark Houghton, Fire Chief.
John sent a copy of the DES letter to Mark Hubbard. Mark told John he would need a permit to clear cattails if done with machinery.
Reservoir Dam: John stated the dam is cleaned up and ready for inspection.
Nerrie Easement: The WCC agreed to pay the Monadnock Conservancy $7500 for the Nerrie Easement in 2016. It was explained that the money is used for legal costs for monitoring the property. It pays for legal defense of the conserved acreage. The money has not yet been paid because the Nerries added property after that agreement and the easement wasn’t in place. The Conservancy is now requesting the money but the commissioners are unsure of the status of the easement. Steve Dalessio stated that if the easement isn’t in place, the Commission should wait to pay it. It is not paid to pay for the easement; it is earmarked for protecting the easement. The Nerries have delayed the easement and McBride said it may not be until 2025/26.
Alicia said she would invite Ann McBride of the Conservancy to the December meeting to explain this process further and the Commission’s optional powers that she noted in an email to Peter and Alicia.
Gateway Update: 1. France will reach out to Steven Dumont about the sign for the kiosk.
2. The gate is unlocked.
3. There is less than $1,000 left in the budget.
4. Kara said the signs are on the gate.
Other Business
Walpole Trails Subcommittee:
1. Rob Westover attended the meeting and confirmed that the Hooper Institute board is setting up a committee to discuss (new) bike trails in the Hooper Forest.
2. Sharon Tuller will keep the map box stocked.
3. October 21 – bridge repair at Fanny Mason Forest
4. Mill Pond work delayed until next year.
5. Sharon Tuller expressed concern that the spillway would affect Reservoir Woods. Steve Dalessio said Sidney Craven has been involved in the discussion since this is his property.
Rail Trail: Wendy said she will verify expenses for next year.
Peter sent a letter to the Trustees of the Trust Fund requesting the $5,000 for the RTP Grant. Rich Kreissle will take care of it. Wendy said the work should begin this week and Lew projects it will be finished at the end of October. Commissioners thanked Wendy and her husband, Will, for all the work they did on this grant project.
Other:
Planning Board Workshop Update: Peter and Wendy attended the workshop to discuss the natural resources chapter of the Town’s Master Plan. They said the last time this was written was in 1998 and this section of the plan addressed conservation lands, the Rail Trail, and lands that should be targeted for conservation. Peter and Wendy will continue to work with the Planning Board to update the information.
Gateway Budget: It was decided to fold the remaining money into the General Fund and closeout the Gateway account.
Announcements:
1. Kara announced that there will be a PFAS meeting at the Walpole Congregational church October 11 at 6:00. France stated she would attend.
2. Wendy announced the NHACC annual meeting Nov. 4 at Pembroke Academy.
WCC Website: Wendy said the website needs to be updated. France offered to do it. She will be meeting with Kelly on Wednesday.
With no further business to discuss, John adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
The next meeting will be on Monday, November 6, 2023.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary
** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the November 6, 2023 meeting.
Scouting for Food
On Saturday, October 28th from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, Cub Scout Pack 299 and Boy Scout Troop 299 will be holding their Scouting for Food Drive. We will be handing out information sheets for the annual ‘Scouting for Food Drive’ at the following locations: Walpole Post Office, Walpole Recycling Center, Tractor Supply and Shaw’s.
Then, on November 4, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, we will be at the same locations collecting non-perishable food items (no glass please) and monetary donations. Pet food is also greatly appreciated. All food and monetary donations go directly to the Fall Mountain Food Shelf.
Donations in 2022 included over 1700 items of food and $2300 in cash.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 9/28/23
Selectboard Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry and Steven Dalessio
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary
Others Present: Ron Rosko
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.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $1,231,682.04 for checks issued 9/29/23. This includes a $700,531.13 payment to Fall Mountain School District, and $362,190.49 for highway paving. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. Ms. Mayberry commented that the clothing materials listed are used by the employees working at the Recycling Center. Mr. Dalessio stated that there needs to be some sort of policy regarding clothing. Ms. Mayberry reflected on a previous comment she made about the need for purchasing guidelines for Town employees. Mr. Dalessio commented that next year the Recycling Center should have set uniforms.
OLD BUSINESS:
Speeding in Town: Mr. Rosko entered the meeting at 6:37 PM and spoke about a matter he previously brought before the Selectboard regarding his concerns of cars speeding past his home. Ms. Mayberry stated she spoke to the Police Chief earlier in the week and advised him of Mr. Rosko’s concerns. Ms. Mayberry will follow up with the Police Chief on the rotation of the radar speed trailer to include being placed near Mr. Rosko’s driveway. Ms. Mayberry also spoke to the Chief regarding their phone-call return policy.
Mr. Rosko then returned to another previous matter. Mr. Rosko asked for an update regarding the water booster pump in his basement. Mr. Dalessio replied that he had spoken with Mark Houghton. It was determined that this would be the homeowner’s responsibility. Mr. Dalessio advised Mr. Rosko that he could speak with Mr. Houghton about his questions regarding the 20 pounds of water pressure near the curb stop.
PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $32,187.16 dated 9/29/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,694.37. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – September 20, 2023: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Meeting Minutes of September 20, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – September 20, 2023: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of September 20, 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:
• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – September 12, 2023
• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – September 19, 2023
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – September 20, 2023
Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged these minutes.
Map and Lot# 008-114-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the land use change tax for Map and Lot#008-114-000 for $71.00. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, and Mr. Dalessio abstaining, the motion was approved.
2023-34, Map and Lot# 024-006-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 024-006-000 to erect three 18’ x 11’ carports. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.
2023-35, Map and Lot# 011-033-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 011-033-000 to construct a 120’ x 15’ attached shed to a large barn. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Pending Further Action: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that this Saturday will be the final billing for the Brownfields Grant. The next step is to add another test well.
NEW BUSINESS:
Walpole Foundation Grant Support Request: Mrs. Pschirrer asked the Selectboard to allow the Walpole foundation to apply for a Community Development Block Grant in the name of Walpole with the Walpole Foundation as a subgrantee to support the construction of a new Village School with an adjoining Community Room. The Southwest Regional Planning Commission would manage the grant if it were to be awarded. A formal letter requesting this support will be sent by the Walpole Foundation to the Selectboard who by consensus granted permission.
NHMA Conference: Mrs. Pschirrer commented upon Mrs. Downing’s request to register and attend the NHMA Conference. The Selectboard agreed to allow Mrs. Downing to attend this conference.
Mr. Rosko departed the meeting.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) (e):
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public session at 6:57 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting reconvened at 7:30 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved to seal the non-public session minutes. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:31 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary
heads Up from Sarah in Selectboard Office
Hello all: For those that are not news readers, please keep in mind that there is a nationwide test of the emergency alert systems tomorrow. To offset any anxious moments for some that were unaware of the test, this email is being sent.
WASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.
The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.
The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test.
FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.
The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.
Do not hesitate to share this information with others.
Sarah
Sarah Downing
Manager of Administration
Town of Walpole, NH
34 Elm Street
PO Box 729
Walpole, NH 03608-0729
Planning Board Workshop Meeting Minutes – 9/26/23
Present: Board members: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio, Trevor MacLachlan.
Conservation Commission members: Wendy Grossman and Peter Palmiotto.
Facilitator: Carol Ogilvie, planner with Southwest Regional Planning Commission.
Topic: Update Natural Features chapter of Walpole’s Master Plan.
The meeting began at 7 pm. Ms. Ogilvie had previously updated and edited the document and it had been sent to the Planning Board and two Conservation Commission members. She said the first 17 pages of the document were an inventory of Walpole resources. It includes information on topography, slopes and development capability, soils (sand and farmland), water resources (aquifers, watersheds, watercourses, water bodies) construction materials, conservation and preservation techniques. Maps, drafted by Henry Underwood at SWRP, accompanied each main topic. He also provided the group with two maps on Wildlife Action Plans.
With the exception of three pages at the end of the document that was devoted to a list of current or recommended protected lands, the rest was a list of goals and objectives that were made when the document was first drafted and approved in 1998. Many of these goals will be continued, some were obsolete (management plan for Connecticut River as a new plan goes into effect) and several have been adopted (road agent approval for driveways) and have now become part of the site plan or subdivision regulations that are required in the current application.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 7 pm in the basement conference room.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
WPB Recording Secretary
Posted: Inside Town Offices, on bulletin board outside the Post Office, http://www.thewalpolean.
cc: WPB, ZBA. Town Offices, www.walpole.nh.us
The Walpolean 
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