Walpole Community Giving Tree

EVENTS 10/14/2023 Leave a comment


The Walpole Community Giving Tree Project is getting underway again for the 2023 holiday season.
This project helps families provide holiday gifts for their children ages birth-18 (or older if still in high school). Participating families must be residents of the Walpole township (Walpole, North Walpole, and Drewsville).
We are currently receiving requests from families with the help of the local schools. Now we need to get the requests out to potential “shoppers” in the community who would like to help.


PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS: From OCTOBER 20-NOVEMBER 10th only, tags will be available at the following locations during their regular business hours: First Congregational Church (M-F 9-12, go to back door by ramp), the Walpole Library, Spencer’s Place, The Hungry Diner, Savings Bank of Walpole on Westminster St, and Mascoma Bank.
Tags will be attached to a bulletin board. You will fill out your contact information on one half of the perforated tag and leave it in the container. Take the other half of the tag as your “shopping” list, and then attach it very securely to the gift before you return it.
Gifts may be returned to any of the above locations until November 30th. Gifts should NOT BE WRAPPED. We will provide wrapping paper so parents can see what their children will receive and then wrap it themselves.


If you wish to help but do not wish to shop, there are 2 other options. You may choose a tag and leave the whole tag and a donation in an envelope in the tag container, and someone will do the shopping for you. Or, you can just leave a donation to help purchase gifts for tags that are unclaimed. We also hope to provide wrapping paper for the families. Every little bit helps!


This is a wonderful project that helps to brighten the holiday season for many of our local families, and we appreciate everyone’s help!
If you have any questions, you may contact us at weilcloues8808@gmail.com. Happy holidays to you and yours! Please stay safe and healthy!


Jeanne Cloues and Marcia Weil, project organizers
NOTE: You may also mail donations directly to us at 192 Upper Walpole Road, Walpole, NH. 03608. Please be sure to make checks out to Jeanne Cloues and put “Giving Tree” in the memo line. Thank you,

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 10/4/23

SELECTBOARD 10/13/2023 Leave a comment

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration and Mike Symonds, Interim Road Agent

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 and Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration and Mike Symonds, the Interim Road Agent.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 6:30 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:37 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable totaling $85,808.22 for checks issued on 10/06/23. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The A/P included a $60,454.11 payment to the E.E. Houghton Co.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,231.83 dated 10/06/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,850.47.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – September 28, 2023:   Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 28, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – September 28, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of September 28, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes are to remain sealed. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Dalessio brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

     • North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – September 26, 2023

     Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged these minutes. 

TIMBER INTENTS

Map and Lot# 011-013-000 and 001: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Intent to Cut Timber for Map Lot#s 011-013-000 and 001. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. These lots are located off the class VI portion of Ramsay Hill Road.

OLD BUSINESS: 

Municipal Capital Reserve Request for Funds:  Mr. Dalessio moved to take $21,790 from the Municipal Capital Reserve Fund to reimburse the Town for expenditures made for unanticipated repairs to the Town Hall’s elevator. Ms. Mayberry seconded. Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

NRRA Contract:  Ms. Mayberry stated that there had been some negotiations to finalize the contract for transfer station tipping charges, etc. Decamp pick-ups were added to the contract. Mr. Dalessio moved to have the Selectboard chair sign the NRRA contract. Mr. Dalessio. Ms. Mayberry seconded. Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

November Staff Meeting: Mrs. Pschirrer noted that there were conflicts for the 3rd Thursday meeting in November. There was a consensus to move the meeting to Nov. 9th.  Department managers are to read the DUH! book and pick one issue that has meaning to them. Mrs. Pschirrer was to create the text to share with the department managers.

CT River Conservancy Meeting Request: The Conservation Commission will be meeting the River Steward at the December 4th meeting. There was a discussion of the CT River erosion issues in North Walpole. Mrs. Pschirrer would be happy to write a letter to the licensing commission.

Scarecrows on the Gazebo: There was a consensus to allow Pinnacleview 4-H to place their handmade scarecrows on the side on the gazebo. 

CCCD’s Annual Celebration Invitation: Mrs. Pschirrer announced that the Selectboard had been invited to the November 1st Cheshire County Conservation District event at Stonewall Farm.

HOOPER TRUSTEES:  

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:00 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:02 PM.

Selectboard Meeting Date Changes: The need to move dates due to schedule conflicts was discussed.The following changes were agreed to:

• Moving November 2nd Selectboard Meeting to November 1st.

• Moving Staff Meeting to November 9th.

• Moving November 16th Selectboard Meeting to November 15.

• Moving November 23 Selectboard Meeting to 8:30 AM on November 22nd due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

Planning Board Meeting Minutes -10/10/23

PLANNING BOARD 10/13/2023 Leave a comment

Present: Board members: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Joanna Andros, Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternates: Travis Adams and Bill Carmody. Absent: Board member Jeff Harrington.

Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm. He asked Travis Adams to sit in for the absent board member.

Minutes: Review minutes of September meeting and September workshop meeting. 

Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the September meeting and workshop minutes as written. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Old Business:

Public Hearing:

Site Plan: NGP Management LLC/Walpole Properties, LLC, proposes 1815 square-foot Dunkin coffee shop with drive-thru at intersection of Route 12 and Upper Walpole Road. 

Mr. Jason Hill, project manager for TF Moran on the Dunkin in Walpole proposal, submitted some changes in response to comments made at the initial meeting last month. To repeat, the location of the Dunkin coffee shop is at the point on a piece of property that is bounded on the east side by Upper Walpole Road and on the west side by Route 12. Mr. Hill said the parking lot has 16 parking spaces for customers who want to go inside. There are also two handicap spaces.  The truck parking for unloading Dunkin products will remain the same at the upper northeast side parking lot. It may also be for employees. There is room for 13 cars to queue up in the drive-thru lane. According to Mr. Clifford, in terms of the average time in the queue per vehicle, that is typically about 30 seconds. 

There are two windows on the pick-up side of the building. The purpose of the second drive-thru window is entirely to speed up the rate that cars get serviced and exit the property. All ordering and payment happens at the first window. If someone has an order that is taking longer than usual, that person can pull up to the second window allowing cars behind to continue being serviced at the first window. The second window is only there to provide efficiency. The second window is primarily there to maintain the average flow.

The picture of the landscaping shows that more trees and plants have been added to the property – more trees along Route 12 and additional plants by the transformer, cooler and along the drive thru. There is going to be signage at both the Upper Walpole Road and Route 12 entrances to the property. 

Mr. Hill had spoken with Mark Houghton and it was agreed that the movement of fire trucks through the property was approved. Mr. Hill and Mr. Houghton still have to get together on other safety measures as well as water and sewer issues.

Regarding the actual building, the trim has been painted white and will have gray siding. Board members asked about the picture they received of the building with a cupola and Mr. Hill said he didn’t know about that. It will probably be discussed further with the architect.

Mr. Miller asked about trucks entering the property for service. He noted that at Dunkin’s  current site, which offers diesel fuel for large trailer trucks, there are drivers who go into that building for coffee. Mr. Hill said that there is no parking for large trailer trucks and Mr. Clifford said they have 120 Dunkins and not a single one is designed for truck parking.

Mr. Hill has also spoken with NH Department of Transportation and expects approval soon of the driving pattern. The third lane, which will act as a turning lane and is still part of the project. He will contact the Department before the next meeting to see where approval for the cut stands. 

Traffic Report

Mr. Robert Duvall, also an employee of TF Moran, spoke about traffic. He said traffic from Upper Walpole Road will be for parking patrons only and will not have access to the drive-thru lane. On the Route 12 side of the property, there will be one lane in and one lane out. Drivers come into the property may go to the parking lot or access one of two lanes. The inside drive-thru lane is for service. There is an additional lane that bypasses the pick-up window and goes directly to the exit on Upper Walpole Road or back through the parking lot in order to exit onto Route 12.

He has the numbers on the amount of traffic that visited the current Dunkin, which is located further north on Route 12 on the opposite side of the highway at the Jiffy Mart and gas station. Traffic was calculated in the morning from 7 to 9 am, in the afternoon from 4 to 6 pm and on Saturday 11 am to 1 pm. On weekdays there were 150 trips in the morning, 75 in and 75 out. The afternoon peak hours were less than the morning hours at 71 trips and Saturday tallies were a tad higher than peak morning hours at 160 trips. Of people traveling on Route 12, 90 percent passed by and 10 percent turned into Dunkin.  

Accident Evaluation

One table in the Traffic Reports shows that the crash frequency by intersection over a 6-year period. There were 17 total accidents at the North Meadow Plaza location, four with injuries and no fatalities. At the Upper Walpole Road there were 12 accidents over the same period of time, two with injuries and no fatalities. The accidents mainly occurred at the afternoon peak hours and some with Saturday  hours. 

Speed Study

The traffic report study was conducted at the location of the Diamond Pizza driveway. The observed speed on a weekday was 44 mph in the northbound land and 47 mph in the southbound lane. On Saturday it was 44 mph in the northbound lane and 49 mph in the southbound lane. The posted speed is 35 miles per hour. However, it was noted that speeds in excess of 70 mph have been clocked on this highway.

Sight Distance

Opinions on sight distance differed greatly from the experiences express by members  on the Planning Board and what Mr. Duval reported. The largest discussion focused on driving north on Route 12 and up the hill to Upper Walpole Road and seeing the entrance to Dunkin. Mr. Duval said it is 460 feet from Upper Walpole Road to the Dunkin Driveway. But, according to board members it is uphill and you cannot see the Dunkin driveway until you get to the crest of the hill. Another complaint was that if a driver were coming out onto Route 12 from Upper Walpole Road and wants to turn left there is a problem with vegetation growth on the west side of the road that blocks the driver’s line of sight making it harder to turn left. DOT is responsible for maintaining this space and should be notified of the problem, one board member said. There is also a larger wait time at this location than other locations entering onto Route 12. It’s about a 39 second wait time in the am peak time if you are turning left. 

Regarding cars exiting Dunkin onto Route 12 and then heading north and south are as follows:

WBL means westbound left turn to head south onto Route 12 and WBR means westbound turn right heading north on Route 12: 

AM Peak : WBL is 17.7 seconds and WBR is 10.5 seconds.

PM Peak: WBL 21.6 seconds and WBR 10.8 seconds.

Saturday Peak is WBL is 21.4 seconds and WBR is 10.8 seconds.

Several people at the meeting spoke about their experiences with driving this portion of Route 12 and Upper Walpole Road. The people who spoke live in the Upper Walpole Road area, Huntington Avenue or travel the road daily to and from work or to Alstead or Fall Mountain High School. All said they were worried about an increase in traffic in this area and the speed of some of the cars and possibly additional of trucks. One woman ended her passionate statement about additional traffic saying that even one more accident is one too many. Another suggested that Police Chief Justin Sanctuary come to the next meeting and give his opinion of traffic regarding both roads. A state trooper, who lives on Upper Walpole Road, was at the meeting and he said while he doesn’t cover this territory he’s seen speeds of 55 to 60 mph. 

Mr. Dalessio asked about the cars turning into Dunkin from Upper Walpole Road. The people driving those cars cannot get to the coffee shop unless they park in the parking lot because there is a barrier for that lane to turn into the drive-thru lane. He predicted this will become a popular cut-thru for those drivers wanting to head north on Route 12

Snowmobile Trail

There is a snowmobile trail that cuts through this property, north of where the proposed Dunkin will be. The members of that group maintain that trail during the winter. Mr. Miller reminded Mr. Clifford to get in touch with the leader of the snowmobile group and discuss their trail. Mr. Clifford said he would.

Mr. Miller closed the tonight’s public hearing. It will be continued next month. Mr. Dalessio asked Mr. Hill for a lighting plan at this meeting. The architect will probably present his change and Mr. Hill will hopefully have more information on where the project stands with the NH Department of Transportation. 

Workshop this month: Tuesday, October 24: Carol Ogilvie – Continued discussion of Natural Resource section of Master Plan. 

Adjournment

Mr. Adams made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

The minutes of this meeting are unapproved will be reviewed at the November meeting for corrections, omissions and additions.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

WPB Recording Secretary

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 10/12/23

Uncategorized 10/12/2023 Leave a comment

Especially for the Kids!

Uncategorized 10/11/2023 Leave a comment

Don’t Forget!

EVENTS 10/11/2023 Leave a comment

Blessing of the Animals – 10/15/23

EVENTS 10/11/2023 Leave a comment

I’ve been advised that pictures of pets, ashes of pets, and even stuffed animals are welcome. – Lil

Learn to Knit and/or Crochet in November

EVENTS 10/10/2023 Leave a comment

Working on the Rail Trail

Uncategorized 10/10/2023 Leave a comment

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

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 10/10/2023 Leave a comment

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.