The Walpolean

Selectboard Present:  Cheryl Mayberry, Chair, Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present:  Ray Boas

Call to Order:  Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Ms. Mayberry moved this item to the top of the agenda to accommodate the guest who wished to speak to it.

Town Common:  There is feedback from the July Recreation Committee minutes regarding skateboarding and roller blading around the Commons.  During their meeting, the Rec Committee suggested closing streets around Town Commons for roller blading & skateboarding.  Several written and verbal comments were received by the Selectboard Office, based on the Recreation Committee minutes. The Selectboard explained that the Recreation Committee was informed of the appropriate process to be followed if they wish to make such a request to the Selectboard.  There has been no further action by the Recreation Committee to date.

Mr. Boas reminded the Board that he makes Clarion space available for Town announcements and some departments send information, but he has received no news from the Recreation Department or the Police.  Ms. Mayberry will mention it at the August Staff Meeting.

Ray Boas left the meeting.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Vose moved to approve Accounts Payable totaling $161,386.15 dated 7/26/2024.   The $7,305.39 check for the IRS will be held pending further investigation.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  This included a $61,441.85 payment to Bellows Falls for second quarter sewer usage and bond.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $38,635.77 dated 7/26/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $8,282.92.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – July 18, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 18, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – July 18, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 18, 2024.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved, and the minutes remain sealed.

Committee Reports

Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – June 11, 2024
• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – June 18, 2024
• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – June 25, 2024
• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – July 2, 2024
• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – July 9, 2024
• Conservation Commission Meeting – July 1, 2024
• Hooper Institute Board Meeting – July 9, 2024
• Recreation Committee Meeting – July 15, 2024
• Pre-K – 8 Withdrawal Study Committee Meeting – July 17, 2024
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – July 17, 2024
• Trustees of Trust Funds Meeting – July 17, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Timber Yield Taxes Assessed and Warrant

Op # 23-461-03, Map and Lot # 004-027-000:  The intent was extended.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the taxes assessed and warrant for $827.85.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Op # 24-461-02 Map and Lots # 005-004-002 and 005-004-003:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the taxes assessed and warrant for $675.84.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Building Permit

2024-25, Map and Lot# 022-014-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-25 for Map and Lot # 022-014-000 to construct a 41’ x 12’ front porch. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the building permit was approved.

2024-26, Map and Lot# 008-107-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-26 for Map and Lot # 008-107-000 to construct a 20’ x 18’ screened house. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the building permit was approved.

2024-27, Map and Lot# 003-034-009:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-27 for Map and Lot # 003-043-009 to construct a 12’ x 12’ two story addition to the house. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the building permit was approved.

2024-28, Map and Lot# 017-007-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-28 for Map and Lot # 017-007-000 to install a 550 sq. ft. ground mount solar array. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the building permit was approved.

Old Business

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

2022 Financial Audit:   Mr. Dalessio moved that the chair sign the Representation Letter for the 2022 financial audit.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and Ms. Mayberry signed the Representation Letter for the 2022 audit.

West Side of Town Hall Siding Project:  Two additional purchase orders are needed for fixing rot and structure, and for painting around large windows.  Purchase order #242570 for $1,980.00 will come from Municipal Repairs and Maintenance budget.  When the old siding was removed, it left unpainted areas on the window casings that will not be covered by the new siding.  These areas need to be scraped and painted.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve purchase order #242570 for $1.980.00 for scraping and painting around the windows.  It will be funded from Municipal Repairs and Maintenance.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed.

The second purchase order is to replace rotten wood and make structural improvements per the consultant’s recommendations.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve purchase order #242571 for $39,765 to replace rotten wood and make structural improvements.   $20,000 will come from the warrant article (PO #630679) and $19,765 from the Town Facilities Maintenance and Capital Reserve Fund.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed.

Project Updates:  Mr. Dalessio will speak on this item.   Fuss and O’Neill updates were forwarded to the Board – everything moving forward but not as fast as we would like.  Currently in study and planning phase and once ready, things will move forward.

ARPA Funding Contracts:  Mr. Dalessio will speak on this item.  Mr. Dalessio met with Mark Houghton to discuss upgrading all three wastewater pump stations. Further planning is needed then a proposal will be prepared for the Board.

New Business

Purchase Order for Lighting at Recycling Center:   Ms. Vose moved to approve purchase order #204497 for $2,150.38 for improved lighting on the dock and in the work area.  It is to be taken out of Recycling’s Grounds and Maintenance account. Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, purchase order #204497 is approved.

Dog Complaint:   A Drewsville resident has filed a complaint, and the Police are investigating.  Justin Sanctuary is out of town today.  This item is tabled to next week.

Honorarium Certificate Request:  A certificate has been requested for the upcoming 100^th birthday of a Walpole resident. The Town will prepare a certificate honoring our resident, and Ms. Vose will deliver it.

CPCNH Rate Postcards:  The postcards are to be distributed to local real estate agents.

Pinnacle View 4-H Club Flower Donation:   The Pinnacle View 4-H Club plants and maintains the flowers at the Town Hall and around the Fountain.  Last year the check was lost, and payment stopped.  Ms. Mayberry moved that a check be prepared to replace last year’s check plus a donation of $200 for this year.   The Town appreciates their efforts – the flowers make Walpole more beautiful and are enjoyed by many.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion passed.

Selectboard Office Closure:  Rich Kreissle would like to take next Friday off.  That leaves no one in the office. There were no objections.  Mrs. Downing will post the signs tomorrow, and the Office will be closed Friday, August 2^nd.  The Town Clerk’s Office is normally closed on Fridays.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b) at 7:15 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:41 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 7:41 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Selectboard Present:  Cheryl Mayberry, Chair, Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present:  Cathy Robinson, Jill Robinson and Melanie Zwolinski

Call to Order:  Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Ms. Mayberry moved this item to the top of the agenda since guests wished to speak to it.

Map and Lot # 022-014-000:  Jill Robinson, Cathy Robinson, and Melanie Zwolinski are requesting a waiver of the $500 fine for construction without a variance or building permit.  Jill Robinson summarized the timeline. Cathy Robinson, her sister, started trying to get a building permit on May 21, 2024 when she first learned she needed to have one to add a front porch.  She spent three months getting the Zoning variance.  By consensus the Selectboard dropped the fine.

Jill Robinson, Cathy Robinson and Melanie Zwolinski left the meeting.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,837.36 dated 7/19/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,107.45.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the payroll register was approved.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – July 11, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 11, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – July 11, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 11, 2024.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved and the minutes are sealed.

Committee Reports

Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

• Planning Board Meeting – June 11, 2024
• Planning Board Meeting – July 9, 2024
• Pre-K – 8 Withdrawal Study Committee Meeting – July 10, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Property Tax Abatements

Map and Lot #003-082-CL4:  This is for NH Public Radio on the NH Public Broadcasting Tower.  The non-profit should not have received a tax bill.  The A-9 and A-12 forms/financial information was submitted before the deadline.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the abatement for Map and Lot #003-082-CL4.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot #028-105-000:  This is Town owned property going up for sealed bid sale.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the abatement for Map and Lot # 028-105-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot #014-005-000:  This is another Town owned property going up for sealed bid sale.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the abatement for Map and Lot #014-005-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio 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, Houghton Brook Bridge, and Reservoir Dam

Report on Ongoing Projects:  Mr. Dalessio reported that we should get an update from Fuss & O’Neill on July 19^th.  ARPA Grant funding requires that the Town has projects under contract by 12/31/2024.  The work does not need to be completed this year.

Deputy Forest Fire Warden:  The approval occurred last week, but one form was not signed. The Selectboard signed the form.

2022 Financial Audit:  Ms. Mayberry reported that the representative letter was to be sent this afternoon by Vachon Clukay.  The Letter was not received. This item was tabled until the next meeting.

West Side of Town Hall Siding Project:  A work order for structural repairs and to add insulation is pending from Jancewicz & Son.   The work can proceed since it was already approved, and as long as the cost is less than the $20,000 contingency planned into this project.

Dunkin Donuts Pending Building Permit:  Mr. Dalessio spoke to the pending building permit.  Jason Hill, who is representing Dunkin Donuts emailed stating that the NH Dept. of Transportiong (DOT) permit process is taking a very long time. He asked permission to obtain a building permit now so that work can proceed this year.  NH DOT needs to issue their permit before the Town will issue a building permit. There was Selectboard consensus that there are no exceptions to that rule.

New Town Website:  CivicPlus is requesting a “live” date of July 26^th.  Not all content is uploaded.  The current status is that the Police Department has nothing on the new site, Highway is trying to do some updates, and Mrs. Downing is working on general updates.  The concern is that the CivicPlus contact is going on extended medical leave as of August 12^th.   The Town website will go live on August 6^th.  Mrs. Downing will let CivicPlus know.

Great River Hydro Response to Comments:  Lengthy reports have been received from Great River Hydro.   Ms. Mayberry will read the reports to see if there is anything that applies to Walpole.

New Business

Recreation Committee Resignation:  Katie Beam has resigned from the Recreation Committee.  Consensus is to accept her resignation and thank her for her work on behalf of the Town.

Town Clerk:   The Town Clerk’s Office will not offer Dept. of Motor Vehicle (DMV) services the week of August 5^th – 9^th because Meghan Hansson, Town Clerk, will be away doing her recertification.   Other services not related to DMV will be available at the regular hours.

Colonial Life Optional Employee Insurance:  The Selectboard is requested to consider moving from Aflac to a new, optional employee insurance provider.  Colonial Life offers more coverage options including pet insurance and is less expensive. This is a benefit that employees pay for.  The Board asked if Colonial Life will also cover the Selectboard?  Employees will also have the option to stay with Aflac with their current insurance coverage.

Unlicensed Dog Report:   It is an RSA obligation for the Town Clerk to provide the Selectboard with this report annually.  The Selectboard acknowledges the report and asks the Town Clerk:   What is the plan to reduce the list?

Cold River Materials Air Violation Update:  The violations have been addressed and the location is now in compliance with federal air regulations.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c) at 7:14 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:41 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.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:41 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms.  Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:51 PM.

Adjournment:  Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary