Jana Sellarole says, “There will be no Friends of the Library book sorting on Thursday, August 10 at 4pm. We’re all caught up on sorting currently. Thank you.”
Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 8/8/23
Roll Call: Present: Board Members: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternate: Travis Adams. Absent: Alternate Bill Carmody. Also at the meeting were Jessi Dussault, Griffin Dussault, John Sheldon, Adam Naeck and Marilou Blaine.
Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 6: 57 pm.
Minutes of the July 2023 meeting: Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Old Business:
Public Hearing: Site Plan: Change of Use: Dussault Property Management LLC, Jessi Dussault, wants to put three apartments in the former Head Start School. The building was the original carriage house adjacent to the Drewsville Mansion, 4 Common Road, Drewsville.
Ms. Dussault said she and her husband own 18 properties in the Fall Mountain area and have a long list of people interested in renting a residential apartment. The Dussaults recently purchased the Drewsville Mansion and the Carriage House, which is in back of the mansion. The mansion already had five occupied apartments and the former carriage house was converted to a Head Start school several years ago. The school served 25 pre-school students each year for many years. The Dussaults’ vision is to put three one-bedroom apartments in that space.
The plan is to divide the space right down the middle of the first floor. There are already two entrances, one on each side the building. The basement of the building will be the third apartment. Entrance would be from the pond side and entry would go into a kitchen with a bedroom to the south. An egress window will be needed in that room. There are no plans to change the outside of the building, so it will keep its historical value, Ms. Dussault said. However, some of the trim is rotten so that needs to be replaced, Ms. Dussault said. Water is from a private well. Currently the building is tied into the mansion septic system. They are planning to upgrade the system and are talking to two septic companies with a larger tank. Ms. Dussault said there was plenty of parking and more than a dozen parking space. When the building gets a little closer to being ready, she said she will submit a parking plan.
Mr. Miller said that the Dussaults need to contact Fire Chief Mark Houghton and have him look at the space. While they may get site plan approval tonight, final approval is contingent on a letter from Mr. Houghton approving the project. Mr. Miller closed the hearing.
Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the Dussault’s site plan. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously to approve the project.
New Business:
Site Plan: Adam Naeck, owner of Alyson’s Orchard, site plan application for new campsites and a future addition to the farm store. Request for a public hearing.
Mr. Naeck put up a map of the property. He said there are three ponds on the property and currently there are three campsites around Lilly Pond, which is the largest pond. It is at the top of hill if you are entering from the Wentworth Road side of the property. His intention is to eventually have six or seven “glamping” sites here. Glamping is a term meaning “glorified camping.”
There are port-o-potties here now but in the future, on the advice from Fire Chief Mark Houghton, there will eventually be a separate bathroom facility for these camp sites. This would need an entirely new independent system. Currently the guests use the bathroom in the farm store for showers. The camp sites have been filled on the weekends and the reviews have been good, Mr. Naeck said, but during the week it’s “so-so.” He did have two families who stayed on the premises while they were they there. They swam in the pond, used the playground, ate at the restaurant and participated in the music, he said. However, the other lodging on the property has had a capacity of 70 percent compared to previous use of 12 percent. Mr. Naeck said he only uses Airbnb. They do a background check of the people and properties they advertise and according to Mr. Dalessio also pay the rooms and meals tax.
The addition to the farm store will be on the south end or if you are facing the store – the left side. The plan is for it to have its own foundation. It is a 40-feet-by-50-feet two-and-a-half story post-and-beam building. There will be a loft, 30-feet out from the building. The building will have a couple of bathrooms and the flow will be into the current farm store space. The event space accommodates up to 250 to 300 people and the septic system is currently for this building and the farm store. The siding will be ship-lap, metal roof, barn like with a nice entrance, Naeck said.
Mr. Perron made a motion to hold a public hearing in September. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Mr. Naeck was asked to bring a plan of the building to the next meeting, along with pictures of the campsite and a parking plan for the new farm store.
Workshop
Mr. Miller said that Southwest Regional Planning Commission has been short of staff lately and that is why they have consistently canceled their appearances for workshop meeting the fourth Tuesday of the month. However, there will be a workshop this month on August 22. The agenda will includes discussion and corrections or additions of the Master Plan section titled Natural Features.
In September, Carol Ogilvie will attend and Natural Features will be discussed and a final decision made on that section of the Master Plan.
Mr. Harrington made motion to adjourn. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried.
These minutes are unapproved minutes. The August minutes will be reviewed at the September meeting for corrections, omissions and additions.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
WPB Recording Secretary
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 7/27/23
Selectboard Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry; Steve Dalessio
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration
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.
PAYROLL:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $34,308.87 dated 7/28/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,321.49. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 20, 2023: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 20, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, andMrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – July 20, 2023: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of July 20, 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:
• Trustees of the Trust Funds Meeting – July 18, 2023
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – July 19, 2023
Mrs. Pschirrer so recognized these minutes.
BUILDING PERMITS:
2023-21, Map and Lot# 008-008-001: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 008-008-001 to construct a 40’ x 26’ residential home. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
September Budget Meeting: Mrs. Pschirrer found consensus of the Selectboard that the budget meeting would still be scheduled for 9/8/2023.
Pending Further Action: Mrs. Pschirrer gave a paving update the former Brownfields site/new parking lot. She stated that the parking lot line striping job has been put out to bid.
NEW BUSINESS:
DMV Letter: Ms. Mayberry moved to send a letter to the NH Department of Motor Vehicles to allow Mike Symonds, Interim Road Agent, to register vehicles and vehicular equipment. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
Personnel Policy Proposed Updates: Mrs. Pschirrer reviewed suggestions for personnel policy updates provided by Mrs. Downing. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that one of the updates is that exempt or salaried employees cannot be employed by another municipality while employed by the Town of Walpole. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that she would run these suggestions by Atty. Cole. If approved by Atty. Cole, this item would be placed back on the agenda for approval.
Selectboard Office Closure: Mrs. Pschirrer commented on the proposed closure of the Selectboard office on 8/04/2023 because of staffing obligation conflicts. The Selectboard reached consensus to approve of this closure.
Employee Appreciation Lunch: Mrs. Pschirrer announced that an Employee Appreciation Lunch is planned for Tuesday, 9/19/2023. Lasagna will be the main course.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a):
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 6:45 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting reconvened at 7:33 PM.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary
Conservation Commission Meeting Agenda – 8/7/23
Agenda
Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting
Monday, August 7, 2023
Location and Time: Walpole Town Hall, 7:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order
2. Seating of Alternates
3. Review and Approval of July Minutes
4. Public Business
Report from Chair
Treasury Report
Correspondence
5. New Business
6. Old Business
Ray Boas: Tree Replacement on the Common
Adapting Meeting Norms
Walpole Gateway Update
Commission Liaison to the Hooper
7. Other Business
Becoming a Commissioner or Alternate
Trail Committee Report
Property Monitoring
8. Adjournment
Whoops!
I lied, but not intentionally. The Police Committee Meeting that is rescheduled to the 14th is the COMMITTEE Meeting. The public meeting continues to be on the 23rd at 7:00 PM. – Lil
Police Committee Meeting – 8/14/23
The Walpole Police Committee meeting has been changed to August 14,2023 at 7:00 pm in the Selectboard office.
Update: Drawdown Initiated – 8/1/23
Thank you, Lucy for more information. – Lil
As previously indicated, Great River Hydro will be initiating the drawdown of the Bellows Falls Dam impoundment on the Connecticut River this afternoon.
GRH will slowly lower the impoundment, conduct the necessary post-flood restoration work, and then gradually refill the impoundment to normal operating levels. The entire process will take approximately 3 days. We will communicate with you again when the work is completed.
During the drawdown, visitors to Connecticut River will see exposed riparian areas upstream of Bellows Falls dam, most visible closest to the Bellows Falls dam. We are taking every measure to mitigate, to the extent possible, risks and impact to environmental resources in and adjacent to the Connecticut River.
All recreational use of the river is strongly discouraged during the drawdown period as reduced flows may expose previously submerged hazards and dangerous conditions could exist in exposed flats. Public safety devices at the dam will be restored as soon as possible. Boat ramps at the following locations remain temporarily closed until that work is completed: Herricks Cove (Rockingham, VT), Charlestown (Charlestown, NH), and Pine Street (North Walpole, NH).
Boating continues to be strongly discouraged upstream of Vernon Dam until public safety devices can be restored there as well.
Further updates will be provided as soon as possible. Please contact communications@greatriverhydro.com or (802) 291-8104 with any questions.
Brandon Kibbe
Director of Business Development and Legislative Affairs
Great River Hydro, LLC
69 Milk Street, Suite 306
Westborough, MA 01581
Mobile: (413) 834-1909
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 7/20/23
Selectboard Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry; Steve Dalessio
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary
Others Present: Jan Galloway-Leclerc, ZBA Chair; David Edkins, ZBA Vice-Chair
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, Jordan Cannon (Secretary) and Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration.
OLD BUSINESS:
Zoning Board of Adjustment: Mrs. Pschirrer commented that she has read the letters addressed to Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc from Atty. Hockensmith. Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc asked how to proceed if a Town resident goes to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) with the wrong application. She referenced Atty. Hockensmith’s letter regarding a resident’s application for an expansion for non-conforming use. Discussion was held on the role of present zoning coordinator. It includes reviewing zoning issues prior to the application being reviewed by the ZBA. Mr. Edkins stated that there needs to be a zoning administrator and put forth the argument that the Selectboard is meant to be the administrator of zoning ordinances. Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc recommended having a meeting with the Selectboard and Atty.Hockensmith to clarify the roles of the ZBA and the Selectboard. Mr. Edkins spoke about his experience serving as a zoning administrator. Mr. Dalessio commented on the steps needed for establishing a zoning administrator position in the Town.
Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc reviewed a previous meeting when discussions involved zoning ordinances. Mr. Dalessio about the need to consult with Southwest Regional Planning Commission (SWRPC). Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc asked who the individual would be to whom updates on the Town website would be submitted. Mrs. Pschirrer commented that Mrs. Gohl is working on the new website. However, this individual would not be the website administrator after the website is launched.
Mr. Edkins and Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc departed the meeting.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $143,658.47 for checks issued 7/21/2023. This includes a $65,949.59 payment to Clearwater Pool and Spa of Keene for Town pool repairs. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
PAYROLL:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $43,283.68 dated 7/21/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $10,985.42. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 13, 2023: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 13, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, andMrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – July 13, 2023: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of July 13, 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:
• Conservation Commission Meeting – June 5, 2023
• Conservation Commission Meeting – July 10, 2023
• Planning Board Meeting – July 11, 2023
Mrs. Pschirrer so recognized these minutes.
OLD BUSINESS:
Wage Rate for Pool Employees: Ms. Mayberry reviewed the lifeguards’ concern in the previous year about wages. She stated that in order to make a proportionate adjustment with a new hire, the other returning lifeguards would receive a $3 an hour increase. Discussion was held over the present recreation budget as it relates to potential increases in lifeguard pay rates. This discussion was tabled and resumed during the Non-Public session.
Map and Lot# 008-008-001: Mrs. Pschirrer spoke to a building permit notice that was sent out to a resident who was building a home without a building permit. The Selectboard confirmed that the $500 penalty remains in effect. The homeowner was told to obtain a permit at an earlier meeting. It was recorded in the Selectboard minutes.
Pending Further Action: Mr. Dalessio spoke to an update with Houghton Brook Bridge. Planning is in process for a single-lane wood plank bridge plan as an alteration to the original plan. Mr. Dalessio added that on School and Union Streets, there is a move forward to correct the drainage from the box to the edge of School Street. The Town is not going to go up the slope of Prospect Hill to fix the upstream portion.
Mr. Dalessio announced that there will be a pre-construction meeting with DES regarding Reservoir Dam. Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the paving is completed for the Brownfields site/new parking lot. Mr. Dalessio stated that nothing has been done for the sidewalks on Main Street. He hoped that work would be done in the coming year. The two priorities for the Highway Department are Middle Street and paving.
NEW BUSINESS:
FMRSD Superintendent: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that she and Mr. Dalessio met the new FMRSD Superintendent. She stated that there is a letter to notify the superintendent of community events. Ms. Mayberry stated she invited the new superintendent to attend a Selectboard meeting. Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mrs. Downing to forward the dates of the Walpole Concerts on the Common.
5-Town Meeting Cancellation: Mrs. Pschirrer discussed the previous 5-Town meeting, in which Lou Beam presented on the topic of bulk purchases of fuel. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the next meeting, scheduled to take place in Acworth, is canceled due to road closures and flood damage.
Complete Streets Grant and MAST Annual Meeting: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a meeting occurred yesterday. Mr. Dalessio stated that Complete Streets has already been covered.
HOOPER TRUSTEES:
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:34 p.m. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting reconvened at 7:44 PM.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a):
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 7:45 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:09 PM.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary
The Walpolean 
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