Tag Archives: Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting Minutes (Draft) – 12/24/24

SELECTBOARD 12/31/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 24, 2024

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Jodi Daigle, Administrative Assistant and Tax Collector, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 9:00 AM in the Walpole Town Hall.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $32,799.54 dated 12/27/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,817.49.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – December 19, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 19, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 19, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of December 19, 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:

  • Trail Committee Event – December 11, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

OLD BUSINESS

Second Tax Warrant for 2024: Ms. Mayberry stated that the total amount of the warrant was $7,382,202 with Walpole having a tax rate of $18.12 and North Walpole having a tax rate of $20.11 per thousand. The difference between the rates is related to the two Fire Departments.  Tax bills will be mailed on or before Friday, December 27th.  Tax bills will be due on Monday, January 27, 2025. Mr. Dalessio made a motion to issue the Tax Warrant for $7,382,202.  The tax rate is $18.12 for Walpole and $20.11 for North Walpole.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the Tax Warrant was signed. 

Draft Purchase and Sales Agreement for Police Station Land: It was reported that Peggy Pschirrer sent the draft agreement to Attorney Hockensmith who has confirmed receipt.   This item is holding for the Attorney’s comments.  The location of the parcel in the agreement needs to be corrected in the sections of the document.

Thank you Note:  Dave Chioffi thanked the Selectboard Office for assistance for having the old poles removed from Elm and South Streets.

NEW BUSINESS

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 9:06 AM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  

The meeting was reconvened at 9:24 AM.

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 9:24 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 31, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Police Building Committee Minutes – 12/17/24

Police Building Committee 12/27/2024 Leave a comment

POLICE BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES

December 17, 2024

Steve Dalessio opened the meeting at approximately 6:31 pm in the Office of the Selectboard. 

Present were Dave Adams, Chief Justin Sanctuary, Peggy Pschirrer and by Zoom, Cheri Watson and Rod Bouchard.   Absent were Jay Punt, Trevor MacLachlan, and Andrew Dey.  

Ms. Pschirrer reported that Jim Clifford of Ball Park Realty will send the Committee as well as the Town Attorney a Purchase and Sale Agreement this week.  The Planning Board has approved the subdivision of the land owned by Dunkin Donuts and the issue of driveway cuts has been resolved.  The Police Station will have one driveway which will split into two when inside the property line – one way will lead to public parking, the other to private impound areas.

Ms. Pschirrer has written a grant writer in Westmoreland but has not had a reply.  (The day after the meeting Ms. Pschirrer spoke with Lauren Bressett and will have another conversation after the New Year.)

The group agreed to ask Michael Petrovick for new drawings that can be posted on the Town’s website.  Ms. Watson reported that members of the Walpole community do not know what the building looks like.  The drawings of the new building have been part of a public meeting, but Chief Sanctuary will see that these drawings are posted on the Town website.  In addition, it was agreed that Michael Petrovick will be asked to create some posters of the new building which can be displayed in the Town Hall.

Chief Sanctuary asked if we could put a Warrant on the Town Meeting agenda asking voters to approve the new police station to be built when the Town has raised four million dollars and had approval or a 3.5-million-dollar bond.  There is precedent in Town Meetings to approve capital expenditures dependent upon fund raising.   

The committee also discussed fund raising within the community and offering naming opportunities for individual rooms in the new station. 

The Police Department has not had a Capitol Reserve Fund, so the discussion led to a proposal that a warrant article to create a CRF for the Police Department be put on Town Meeting agenda for $100,000 dollars.

The Police Department’s Annual Report will include pictures of the site and building.  

The next meeting will be January 13, 2025, in the Selectboard Office.

The meeting adjourned about 7:35 pm.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/19/24

SELECTBOARD 12/26/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 19, 2024

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

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

Guests Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Rich Kreissle, Steve Varone, Ray Boas, John Jones, Peter Graves, Joey Andros and Akbar Ashoury

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

2024 TAX RATE: The Board decides on an overlay and any other changes to reporting to the DRA.  

After an extended discussion, the Selectboard decided to use $400,000 from unassigned funds to mitigate the impact of the significant increase in school taxes.  The negative effect of this decision is that money planned for projects in 2025 will not be available.  The tax increase will be 5.59% for the Town compared to 9.8% if the unassigned funds are not used.  There is an additional North Walpole Village tax.  Mr. Dalessio moved that $400,000 be taken from unassigned funds to lower the tax rate.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed.   Mr. Kreissle will update the portal first thing on Friday to reflect the additional funds that will be used.  

Mr. Varone, Mr. Kreissle and Mr. Boas left the meeting.

HOOPER TRUSTEES

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:13 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms.  Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:23 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Andros left the meeting.

SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL ARTICLE BALLOT QUESTION: This item was moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest.  Mr. Graves said that he would like to see the School Withdrawal vote on the Tuesday ballot so that more people would vote on it.  Ms. Mayberry will consult Attorney Hockensmith.  This will be one of several items on which legal advice is needed.  It may take a little time to get an opinion.

Mr. Graves left the meeting.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $1,802,302.05 dated 12/20/2024 including $1,699,364.00 payment to Cheshire County for 2024 County taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,915.16 dated 12/20/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,010.76.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $2,793.33 dated 12/20/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $414.18.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.   This second register is for an employee’s one time retirement funding payment.

SELECTBORD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – December 12, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 12, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 12, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of December 12, 2024.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved. The minutes were not sealed and will be made public.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

  • Planning Board Meeting – September 11, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

TIMBER INTENTS

Map and Lot# 008-062-000: Ms. Mayberry noted that the intent was held over from last week.  The intent cannot be held per the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA).  It is a tax document.  A written note from the easement holder is to be sent to the Town.  The Selectboard is not responsible if they sign a timber intent, and the easement owner is not aware of the project.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 008-062-000 which is the Hooper Golf Properties. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 010-034-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 010-034-000. Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Conservation Easements: There was a follow-up discussion on the Conservation Commission easement tracking spreadsheet. Mr. Dalessio will talk to Peter Palmiotto, co-chair of the Conservation Commission.  The spreadsheet of the Town’s Conservation lands and easement holders is a Town document that is a useful tool for Town leaders.  It needs to be updated since this is critical information and made available to Town leaders.

BUILDING PERMIT

2023-43 Renewal, Map and Lot# 003-001-002: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2023-43 Renewal for Map and Lot # 003-001-002 to construct a one and a half story home. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-39, Map and Lot# 001-010-001: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-39 for Map and Lot # 001-010-001 to construct a drive-on scale at Ruggerio Processing Facility.  The site plan was approved, but the building permit was never submitted. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-40, Map and Lot# 001-010-001: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-40 for Map and Lot # 001-010-001 for an office trailer at Ruggerio Processing Facility. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-41, Map and Lot# 001-010-001: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-41 for Map and Lot # 001-010-001 to construct a pole barn at Ruggerio Processing Facility. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

John Jones left the meeting.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) (d) (e) at 7:52 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:53 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.

OLD BUSINESS

Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Reimbursement Request: Ms. Mayberry stated the request for $21,233.75 reimbursement needs to be signed by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry moved that Mr. Dalessio sign the reimbursement request.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the reimbursement request.

Reservoir Dam Update: Mr. Dalessio reported that a meeting has been scheduled online on 1/7/2025 at 10:30 AM to discuss the preliminary design.  Representatives from Walpole, Fuss and O’Neill and DES will attend.

Five Water and Sewer Proposals for ARPA Grant Funding: The proposals and Purchase Orders are ready.  The Board Chair needs to sign the proposals.  The whole Selectboard signs the purchase orders. 

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024381 to install a new propane generator at the Watkins Hill Pump Station and Purchase Order #201290 for $46,200.00.  Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase.

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024382 to rebuild a total of six Crane/Crown sewer pumps at the North Walpole, Mill Pond and Bailey’s Pump Stations and Purchase Order #201291 for $64,200.00.  Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed.  Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase order.

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024373 to install a new propane generator at the Mill Pond Wastewater Pump Station and Purchase Order #201293 for $121,500.00. Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase order.

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024379 to install a new propane generator at the Bailey’s Wastewater Pump Station and Purchase Order #201293 for $106,200.00.  Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase order.

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept EE Houghton’s Proposal #2024380 to install a new propane generator at the North Walpole Wastewater Pump Station and Purchase Order #201294 for $102,400.00.  The generator will be installed on the existing roof due to space constraints. Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, is to sign the proposal, and the Board is to sign the Purchase Order.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, Ms. Mayberry signed the contract, and the Board signed the purchase order.

Petition Article Legal Review: This item was continued from last week.   Attorney Hockensmith has been asked to research the question.

NEW BUSINESS

2024 Municipal Assessment to Sales Ratio Study – Equalization: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the 2024 Municipal Assessment to Sales Ratio Study.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the study was accepted.

Highway Safety Grant Agreement: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Highway Safety Grant Agreement and for Ms. Mayberry to sign it.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the agreement was accepted, and Ms. Mayberry signed it. The Selectboard noted there were a lot of additional Police Department signatures needed.  The Police Department needs to provide the Selectboard Office with a copy of the signed agreement for the Town records.

Municipal Tax Rate Setting Portal: The Town Clerk’s Office requested access to the Municipal Tax Rate Setting Portal.  Last year a scan of the paper form could be loaded.  This year is the first time all the data needs to be keyed into the portal.  Mr. Kreissle is the administrator of the portal.  Ms. Vose will ask him to give Mrs. Hansson access after he returns from vacation.  Ms. Vose will also start scheduling Mrs. Goudy to train as the Assistant Tax Collector.

Zoning Warrant Articles:   The Zoning Warrant Articles were submitted to the Selectboard and the Town Clerk’s Offices this week.  Ms. Mayberry acknowledged the Zoning Warrant Articles.

Accident Reports: Because of icy conditions, there were two slip and fall accidents.   One was at the Police Department at the end of the day as an employee was leaving at 5:35 PM.  The second fall was a guest at Recycling where the unpaved areas get icy. The Selectboard asked that each department spread salt as needed until the Highway Department can get to every site.

Employee Resignation: Lilla DeCoste resigned from her part-time Librarian position. Ms. Mayberry acknowledged the resignation and thanked Mrs. DeCoste for her service.

Thank You: Meghan Hansson thanked the Selectboard for the Shaw’s holiday gift card. Ms. Mayberry acknowledged receipt of the thanks.

Meetings during the Holidays: Because of travel plans during the holidays, there will be no meeting on December 26th.  The Board will tentatively meet December 24th at 9:00 AM to approve and sign the tax warrant if the tax rate is available from the DRA.  Otherwise, the meeting will be December 28th at 5:00 PM. 

Ms. Vose moved that Mrs. Downing have permission to sign the December 27, 2024 Payroll.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed.

The Selectboard will also meet on December 31st at 9:00 AM because of New Years and scheduling conflicts in the evenings.

ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 9:42 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 24, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 12/18/24

ZONING BOARD 12/20/2024 Leave a comment

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024

TOWN HALL

7pm

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed for corrections at the January 2025 meeting. 

Roll Call: Board members present: Chair Tom Murray, Vice-Chair Dave Edkins, Clerk Pauline Barnes. Alternate: Don Sellarole. Absent: Board members Shane O’Keefe and Tom Winmill, and alternate Myra Mansouri. 

In the absence of Recording Secretary Marilou Blaine, Clerk Pauline Barnes took the minutes. 

Call To Order: Mr. Murray called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and asked Mr. Sellarole to fill in for a missing member. He thanked Ms. Barnes for stepping in to take the minutes. 

Minutes: Review of the October 2024 and November 2024 minutes. Mr. Murray stated that the reason to return to the October minutes was Mr. Winmill’s view that the minutes did not accurately reflect his motion on signage. Mr. Edkins moved that Mr. Winmill’s email of 3:59 p.m. Sunday, October 20th to the recording secretary be incorporated as an amendment to the October 2024 minutes. Mr. Sellarole seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Mr. Edkins then moved that the October minutes be approved as amended, with Ms. Barnes seconding the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. 

Review of November 2024 minutes. In the sixth paragraph on page one, change Winmilt to Winmill. On page two, paragraph two, first line, substitute the word “motion” for “below.” Mr Edkins 

moved that the November minutes be approved as amended, with Mr. Murray seconding. The motion passed unanimously. 

Placement of Unapproved Minutes Statement. A discussion followed about where to place the statement that minutes are unapproved. Mr. Edkins moved that the disclaimer “These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the following meeting” be placed at the beginning of the minutes rather than at the end. Mr. Murray seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 

2024 Town Report. Mr Murray asked if members had any suggestions for inclusion in his summary of ZBA activities for the 2024 Town Report. Ms. Barnes offered the following: “In consultation with the Southwest Region Planning Commission, the ZBA worked with the Planning Board to update, reorganize, and clarify the Walpole zoning ordinance. This resulted in a number of warrant articles to be presented at the 2025 town meeting.” 

Adjournment: At 7:30 p.m. Mr Murray moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Edkins. The motion passed unanimously. 

Respectively submitted, 

Pauline Barnes, ZBA Clerk 

Selectboard Non-Public Session Minutes – 12/12/24

SELECTBOARD 12/20/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION

DECEMBER 12, 2024

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

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

CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio moved that the meeting enter a Non-Public Session at 7:35 PM. Ms. Vose seconded the motion.

LETTER TO FMRSD: Mr. Dalessio moved the Board sign the letter, which is a vote of no confidence in the FMRSD business department, to the Superintendent of Fall Mountain Regional School District and the Chair of the School Board.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the letter was signed.  After further discussion it was decided the letter should be shared with the Selectboards in the other Towns in FMRSD. The very overdue FMRSD tax rate information is impacting all the towns in the school district.

MEETING WITH LANGDON: Steve Varone bought Devin Gallagher, Chair of the Langdon Selectboard, coffee.  After their coffee, Mr. Varone and Ms. Mayberry were invited to meet with the Langdon Selectboard on Monday at 7:00 PM.  By consensus, the Board supports working with the other towns in FMRSD and attending the meeting on Monday.

FIRE DEPARTMENT BUILDING RENOVATION GRANT:   In order to get the grant, the Town needs to submit the 2023 Audit Report and a balance sheet.  Mr. Kreissle stated that AccuFund cannot create a balance sheet, but he can create one in Excel.  Ms. Mayberry will contact the auditors and get the 2023 audit report.   Once the grant is approved, there needs to be another meeting with Jenny Vose, Mr. Kreissle, Mr. Houghton and the Selectboard to create a process for handling the grant money which will come to the Town but be managed by the Fire Department. 

UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER: The UEI renewal is due 6/25/2025. The Board requested that Mrs. Downing put a reminder on her calendar for June 2, 2025.  Ms. Mayberry recommended that while completing the renewal in the application, one should select “Do Not Share Info”.  

ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Vose moved to adjourn this Non-Public Session of December 12, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. These minutes will be sealed.

Respectfully Submitted, 
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes.  Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 19, 2024, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/12/24

SELECTBOARD 12/20/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 12, 2024

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

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:37 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,915.16 dated 12/13/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,966.70.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – December 4, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 4, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Selectboard Meeting – November 21, 2024:  An email was received from Ruggerio Processing Facility requesting a change in the minutes.  The minutes said there would be no employees on the processing floor, but it should state there will be employees on the processing floor.  Ms. Vose moved to amend the minutes as requested by Ruggerio Processing Facility.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the minutes are amended.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

  • Trail Committee Meeting – September 11, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – October 9, 2024
  • Trail Committee Meeting – November 13, 2024
  • Cemetery Trustees Meeting – November 4, 2024
  • Police Building Committee Meeting – November 19, 2024
  • Conservation Commission Meeting – December 2, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

TIMBER INTENTS

Map and Lot# 008-062-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Intent to Cut timber on Map and Lot# 008-062-000, the Hooper Golf Properties, pending confirmation from Monadnock Conservancy.  Mr. Dalessio Seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the intent to cut timber was approved pending confirmation.

Map and Lot# 011-001-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Intent to Cut timber on Map and Lot# 011-001-000 for a property off Reservoir Road.  Mr. Dalessio Seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the intent to cut timber was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT

2024-38, Map and Lot# 013-036-001-2: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2024-38 for Map and Lot # 013-036-001-2 to install a 591.8 square foot roof-mount solar array.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Map and Lot# 009-023-002 Agreement and Deposit Receipt: Ms. Mayberry reminded the group that this form was for the landlocked, tax-deeded property sold by sealed bid last week.  Mr. Dalessio moved that Ms. Mayberry, the Selectboard Chair, sign the receipt.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the motion passed, and Ms. Mayberry signed the receipt.

Map and Lot# 009-023-002 Quitclaim Deed: It was noted that the deed was related to the above item.  Checks for the balance due, the NH Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) and the recording fees were  received.  Mr. Dalessio moved that the Quitclaim Deed be accepted and signed.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Quitclaim Deed was accepted and signed.

School Withdrawal Article: After some discussion, it was believed that the School Withdrawal article should be voted on at the Town Meeting. To be certain, Ms. Mayberry will check with Atty. Hockensmith.  

NEW BUSINESS

Voter Petition Article: By consensus the Selectboard acknowledged it received the petition which was already sent to the Planning Board. Mr. Dalessio will send the article to Mr. Hockensmith requesting an explanation of grandfathering with respect to this petition article.  For example, is Dunkin Donuts grandfathered?  If Walgreens closes and a new company buys the store, would they be able to have a drive through prescription pickup window?

DES Dredge and Wetlands Permit Application Notice: The application is for 602 Cold River Road.  The home was destroyed during the Alstead Flood and then rebuilt. However, Cold River is washing away the riverbank. The property owner has received a grant for bank stabilization. The Board acknowledged the notice was received.

Town Website Landing Page Change Request: A request was received to add the Recycling Department as a button/icon.  Mrs. Downing’s recommendation is to remove all the buttons except for action buttons/icons such as “Register a Vehicle”.  By consensus all the buttons/icons will be removed from the home page because not all the departments fit on the landing page. Department links are available on the menu at the top of the landing page.

There was a request for a disposal list on the website (i.e. the cost for disposal of big items).  Mr. Hoy should be contacted directly with the request.  He can add it to the Recycling pages since he manages those pages.

January 2nd Selectboard Meeting:   Ms. Mayberry is required to attend a meeting for her job on Thursday, January 2nd.  With New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day being holiday time, there is no other time for the Board to meet.  Ms. Vose moved that the January 2nd meeting is to be cancelled, and Mrs. Downing is authorized to sign the payroll for January 3, 2025.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting for January 2, 2025, is cancelled and Mrs. Downing is authorized to sign payroll that week.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (c) at 7:35 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:00 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 8:01PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 19, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/4/24

SELECTBOARD 12/13/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 4, 2024

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

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

Guests Present: Peggy Pschirrer, John McCollister, Devin Gallagher, Brendan Hayes, Dennis Wright, Kim Surles, Shane Lake, Terri Lake, Ben Northcott, Josette Britton, Griffin Dussault, Jennifer Marquay and Akbar Ashoury.

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

OPENING SEALED BIDS FOR TAX DEEDED PROPERTIES

The bids for the tax-deeded properties were opened.  The winning bids were:

  • Tax Map 9 Lot 23-2 – Off Derry Hill Road: Lawrence, Wyatt, and Jossie Britton bid of $6,850.
  • Tax Map14 Lot 5 – 522 Whitcomb Road:  Jiffy Real Estate LLC bid of $82,099.
  • Tax Map 29 Lot 105 – 11 Merchant Street:  Jiffy Real Estate LLC bid of $17,095.
  • Tax Map 28 Lot 120 — 27 Center Street: Jiffy Real Estate LLC bid of $72,099.

Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Wright, Ms. Surles, Mr. Lake, Mrs. Lake, Mr. Northcott, Mrs. Britton, Mr. Dussault, Ms. Marquay and Mr. Ashoury left the meeting.

HOOPER TRUSTREES

Ms. Vose moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:57 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms.  Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.    

The meeting was reconvened at 7:26 PM.   Mrs. Pschirrer left the meeting.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $321,832.91 dated 12/06/2024 including $174,687.50 payment to Daniels Construction for the emergency repair of the Elm and Main Street bridge.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $39,530.07 dated 12/06/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $8,484.69.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Public Meeting for School Withdrawal Study Committee Findings – November 20, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Public meeting for the School Withdrawal Study Committee Findings of November 20, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Selectboard Meeting – November 21, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 21, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Session – November 21, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 21, 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 – November 12, 2024
  • Library Trustees Meeting – November 12, 2024
  • Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – November 20, 2024
  • Safety Committee Meeting – November 21, 2024
  • Planning Board Workshop – November 26, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

BUILDING PERMIT

2024-37, Map and Lot# 010-020-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2024-37 for Map and Lot # 010-020-000 to pour a 19’ 10” x 10’ 2” Alaskan slab foundation for a future greenhouse. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

ARPA Grant – Water and Sewer: Mr. Dalessio explained that the pending contract will replace the generator at Prospect Hill water reservoir. The current generator is too small for the water system. Once the new generator in installed, the old generator will be used at the Town Hall for backup power.  In addition, generators will be purchased for the 3 sewer pump stations.  Mr. Dalessio said that the contract will be reviewed by the Selectboard on Dec. 13th during the departmental budget meetings. The total cost may be slightly over the ARPA grant, in which case the Water and Sewer Reserve will be used for the remainder.  The wording of the contract is that the project will be completed after all materials are available because of the backlog in generator orders.

Pending Projects: Mr. Dalessio reported that the School Street drainage project is ready for a wetlands permit.  The Houghton Brook Bridge needs to be looked at soon.  Future projects will probably not involve Fuss & O’Neill because of their workload.  Both projects are going to be expensive, and it will be hard to find funding.   Mill Pond Dam is also on the pending list.  Mrs. Downing will put all three projects on the agenda for next week.

Walpole Players Letter: As follow-up to the discussion with the Players on November 21st, Mr. Dalessio moved to sign the letter to the Walpole Players.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was accepted, and the letter was signed.

Ruggerio Processing Facility – Waive Fine Letter:  As a result of discussions with representatives of Ruggerio on November 21, 2024, Mr. Dalessio moved the Board sign the letter waiving the fine, which should have been applied to the previous owner.  Ms. Vose seconded the motion.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the motion passed, and the letter was signed.

FMRSD Letter: Steve Varone, the Town Treasurer, prepared a letter to FMRSD about the very late submission of the MS-25 form which impacts all five towns in the School District.  Mr. Dalessio moved to sign the letter.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the letter was signed.  Mrs. Downing will scan the signed letter and send it to the School District’s Superintendent and Business Administrator. After discussion, the Selectboards requested a copy of the letter be emailed to other the other four towns in FMRSD.

NEW BUSINESS

Winter Parking Ban: The North Walpole Commissioners Office sent an email inquiring about enforcement of the parking ban this winter.  Ms. Mayberry will talk to Police Chief Sanctuary about enforcing the ban.  Mrs. Downing will put a notice in Clarion and the Walpolean reminding people the ban is in effect.

Cheshire Country Proposed 2025 Budget: The total budget is $74,992,938, which is slightly less than last year.  Proposed taxes for the municipalities are $31,118,488 which is an increase of 6.96% over the 2024 budget. 

January 2, 2025 Selectboard Meeting: The first week each month the Selectboard typically meets on Wednesday, but that will be January 1st which is a holiday.  Ms. Mayberry requested this item be added to next week’s agenda for follow-up.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business, Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 12, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 12/10/24

PLANNING BOARD 12/12/2024 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board Minutes

 December 10, 2024

Town Hall

7 pm

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

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

Minutes: Review minutes of the November 2024 meeting and workshop minutes. Mr. Marcom made two corrections on the regular November meeting minutes. On page 1 he changed if to is in the sixth paragraph and on page 2, last paragraph, the middle lot of the Dunkin subdivision is Lot 2. Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the amended minutes. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

OLD BUSINESS:

Continuation of:

Public Hearing No. 2: Subdivision for Dunkin property at 418 Main Street. One lot into four lots. 

Town Map 12, Lot 56, Lot 1 56-1 will be 1.73 acres, Lot 2 will be 2.9 acres, Lot 3 will be 2.04 acres, Lot 4 will be 2.62 acres. Commercial District.

Mr. Jason Hill of TF Moran presented the subdivision of 8-plus acres on the quadrant at the corner of Main Street and Upper Walpole Road in the commercial district. There will be four lots. Lot 1 will be for a Dunkin coffee shop, Lot 2 will be a baseball field. Lot 3 is the site of the future police station and lot 4 abuts the Savings Bank of Walpole, owner to be determined. Lot 1 has access from Upper Walpole Road as well as Route 12. Lots 2 and 3 have a shared access from Upper Walpole Road and Lot 4 has access from Upper Walpole Road. The site has public water and sewer. 

There being no questions from the board or the public, Mr. Miller closed the hearing at 7:05 pm. Mr. Perron made a motion to accept the subdivision as presented. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Public Hearing No. 3: The Walpole Foundation: Construction of a new preschool, 75 Westminster St. Tax Map 20, Lot, 11, Residential B District.

Erin Lambert of Wilcox & Barton in Concord presented the proposal for The Walpole Foundation.

The new school will be 5,294 square feet. There will be five egress points on three sides of the building. There will be 48 parking spaces, two of them ADA accessible. The driveway will be one-way with a bus drop-off area at the front of the building, which faces south. There is an enclosed playground off to the west side of the building. The plans are to plant 11 trees – some shade tress, some ornamental trees – and some perennials. The poles with lighting will only illuminate the property and will be downcast so neighbors and wildlife are not affected. 

This is not a day care operation. It is a school with an educational program that is in session during the regular school year. It is not currently in session during the summer months.  There are approximately 30 students currently enrolled, not counting the students who come for after-school care. There is a community room in the new building and it has a kitchen designed for community use. Capacity is for 40 students. Not all students attend every day. Some students are on a two or three day a week schedule. The present school will remain in operation during construction of the new school. There are currently two classrooms but a third classroom will be added to the new building. This room will be used for infants, six weeks to about 2 or 2 1/2. That classroom can accommodate 6 to 8 children.

The school will be served by municipal water and sewer. The building will be fully sprinkled. Underground electric service will be provided from a pole near the driveway entrance. The building will be heated by propane.

Construction is planned to begin in the spring of 2025 with estimated completion by the summer of 2026. When the new school is up and running, Wilcox & Barton are in charge of demolishing the old school building. 

When all of the questions of both the board and the public had been answered, Mr. Miller closed the hearing at 7:30 pm.

Mr. Harrington made a motion to approve the project as present. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Public Hearing for Approval of Proposed Revised Zoning Amendments. There are eight amendments.

Mr. Miller explained that earlier this year the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Todd Horner, Executive Director of Southwest Region Planning Commission, and Carol Ogilvie, a senior planner with the organization met several times to discuss the zoning ordinance to clarify and improve organization of the document. The result was this document with eight amendments.

Mr. Miller said there was good cooperation between both boards. Two major changes are that the Planning Board will now resume yearly inspection of the town’s three remaining gravel pits and take over signage, which actually is part of the site plan process. The Select Board will handle permits for  temporary use of a mobile homes or trailers and building in the timberland district.

Powers of the ZBA were defined:

  • Hear and Decide Appeal from Administrative Decisions
  • Special Exceptions
  • Variances

Definitions will all be in one place and alphabetized.

Mr. Perron made a motion to have the Planning Board recommend this article, which will be placed on the March warrant. The motion carried unanimously

Public Hearing for a zoning amendment drafted by the Planning Board.

Mr. Miller said this zoning amendment was discussed at the November meeting and has been slightly tweaked. But the intent remains the same as the original draft.

It will be placed on the town warrant. It excludes formula businesses in the commercial district, Section 6, of Downtown Walpole Village, Article VI. Formula businesses include retail sales and restaurants that regulate by contractual or other arrangements certain standardized features that include uniforms, logos, interior or exterior design, array of services or merchandise, menus, ingredients and food preparation. 

Mr. Marcom made a motion to have the Planning Board recommend this zoning amendment, which will be placed on the March warrant. The motion carried unanimously.

Update

Mr. Miller attended a meeting in Temple last week. It was a Citizen Planning Conference arranged by SWRPC and attended by a variety of officials from several towns in the Monadnock Region. There were about 20 people at the conference, he said. He said it was a very constructive meeting with a discussion on a lot of issues. Another meeting is planned for March. He plans to attend and hopes a couple of board members will go with him.

Mr. Miller also mentioned that the group that was at the November meeting who wanted to construct three buildings on the lot south of Dollar General  had registered a plat at the Registry of Deeds without any approval from the town. Town counsel is looking into this matter.

Public Hearing for a Petition Article

Mr. Harrington made a motion to hold a public hearing in January 2025 on a petition to be placed on the March warrant that would amend the article about shops, restaurants and other retail building not exceeding 40,000 square feet to not allow drive-up window service. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Adjournment

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

It was 8:15 pm.

These are unapproved minutes that will be reviewed for corrections at the January 2025 meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Secretary

Next meeting: January 14, 2025.

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 12/2/24

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 12/09/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Members Present:  Nicole Adams, Alicia Flammia, Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto, John Peska (Presiding), Lewis Shelley

Alternates Present:  Tom Beaudry, Paul Happ

Selectboard Present:  Steve Dalessio, Cheryl Mayberry

Members Absent:  

Visitors Present:  John McCollister

Call to Order:  John called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternates:  No Alternates were needed as everyone was there.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Peter moved to accept the November 4, 2024 minutes as written. Lew seconded and all voted in favor. The minutes were approved. 

The Conservation Committee needs to go back to the old way of doing minutes to ensure public transparency as required by RSA 91A.1a.  The Recording Secretary will create the minutes and email them to all members.  Anyone can send proposed changes to John and Peter, the co-chairs.  They will determine what changes are necessary and let the Recording Secretary know what needs to be changed before the draft is sent to the Selectboard Office and the Walpolean.  If they are unsure, it will be discussed at the next meeting prior to approving the minutes.  Minutes should include general discussion, decisions, context if something is postponed, and tasks.  Names will be used only as necessary.  Minutes will be general but contain enough facts to be informative.

The Conservation Commission’s Google Drive ownership will be transferred to John, Peter, and the Recording Secretary.  The Trail Committee Google Drive will also be transferred to the trail committee chair Wendy.  Also to be compliant with RSA 91A the Trail Committee will need to have a quorum of in person attendees at meetings.

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Report from Co-Chair:  no report

Financial Report: 

  • Conservation $241,335.69
  • Forestry $51,414.09
  • Mason Forest Expendable (9/30/2024) $518,622.12
  • Mason Forest Nonexpendable (9/30/2024) $22,824.53 

Correspondence:  Monadnock Conservancy newsletter

NEW BUSINESS

2025 Budget:  Budget requests are due immediately as the Selectboard will be working on the 2025 budget next week.  The budget needs to include brush hogging the rail trail and the website domain and hosting.  John and Peter will take care of this.

Barry Conservation Camp:  A financially needy student is being selected.  The schedule is now months earlier than in the past.

OLD BUSINESS

Rest Areas – Shelters, Cleanup:  At the workday, the crumbling steps were taken up and the slope smoothed.  The Highway Department will be asked to dispose of the timbers.  Both rest areas on Route 12 are now ready for roofing the shelters and for the timber harvest.  The roofing will be done this winter.

Fanny Mason Harvesting – Update:  We have an agreement for the timber harvest on the east side of Route 12 and are working on a contract.  After a discussion, it was decided to see if the contract could be extended to include the red pine on the west side of Route 12.  The harvest will be in 2025.

Gateway and Hooper Invasives:  Peter checked the Gateway for invasives – there is still plenty of Japanese barberry and other invasives. The company that did the initial treatment also confirmed the presence of the invasive and have provided an estimate to conduct  another treatment next summer expanding the strip around the fields at the $2,500 quoted price or they will do work on a time and materials basis.  Peter will try to get a maximum cost for the time and materials option.

Property Monitoring:  Monadnock Conservancy approached Wendy about two issues identified during the June monitoring:  the washed-out snowmobile trail near Halls Crossing in Great Brook Town Forest, and the snowmobile bridge that collapsed and is now in Bertin Town Forest in the stream.  The concern is that for Town Forests where the Monadnock Conservancy holds easements, the Conservation Commission is responsible for complying with easement terms and must notify the Monadnock Conservancy at least thirty days in advance of certain work. .  Lew and Tom will do a site visit to Great Brook Town Forest.  A GPS map of the snowmobile trails needs to be made so it can be overlaid with a map of conservation land to make it clear where snowmobile trails are on town-owned conservation lands.

OTHER BUSINESS

Dam:  The hydraulics and hydrology report on the Reservoir Dam is available in the Selectboard Office and that project is coming along.  Mark Houghton and John will try to get a wetlands permit for Knapp Cranberry Bog Dam for the work needed.  The Mill Pond Dam will be next.

Hooper Institute Board Update:  They have worked the invasives treatment into their 2025 budget but would like advice from the Conservation Commission as they go forward on this project.  The Hooper Institute will work directly with those doing the invasives treatment.  Helen Dalbeck is retiring next September.  The renovations are about to start.

Trail Committee:  The Fall rail trail maintenance day had thirteen people and focused on the culverts and ditches to ensure good drainage in the winter and spring ahead.  The Happy Trails Party  will be December 11th at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.  It will have a short presentation, food and fun including a raffle of outdoor gear.  All are invited.

Guest Introduction:  John McCollister moved here from Nebraska in May.  He attended to learn about the Conservation Commission and the work it does.  Town meetings are open to the public.

Adjournment:  Peter moved to adjourn, and Alicia seconded. John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 6, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

School Withdrawal Information Meeting Minutes – 11/20/21

SELECTBOARD 12/06/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS THE FINDINGS OF 

THE SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL COMMITTEE

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

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

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

Residents and Non-Residents Present: Twenty-seven in person plus four via Zoom

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 7:05 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Carolyn Vose summarized the Committee’s work and recommendation as presented at the previous public meeting on September 19th.   Article 11 passed with a majority vote in March 2024, and thus the Committee was formed.  They were charged to study PreK – 8th grade educational opportunities.  In weekly meetings over about four months, different areas impacting education and funding were discussed including working in the current structure or creating an alternate structure.

Areas of consideration include SAU vs School District:

  • An SAU (School Administrative Unit) includes the Superintendent and Business Office.  It is responsible for managing the educational system to comply with regulations, including special education within the school districts.
  • A School District manages the education of the children through a School Board.  Districts create budgets, contracts, do hiring, organize buses and maintain buildings to provide educational services
  • An SAU contains one or more School Districts
  • A School Districts is made up of one or more towns

The Committee considered related RSA’s, related financial data and statistics from FMRSD and statewide, structure of multi-town districts in NH, discussions with knowledgeable individuals within FMRSD and other multi-district SAU’s.  The Committee recommended the Selectboard issue a warrant article to form an official sturdy committee to pursue withdrawal from FMRSD.   There were discussions relating to finding a means for the five towns in FMRSD to address the dissatisfaction between towns and to reexamine how to best meet the needs of the students, staff and taxpayers.

There was a discussion to understand why we want to vote in March to go forward with the next Study Committee.   Tom Aldrich asked why we are not hearing from unsatisfied families.  One father said he has two students, one at each end of the spectrum and neither is getting what they need.  Another father knows several families who are taking kids out of Walpole schools, and he may have to do the same.  Diana Watson Petrie stated that the Committee did talk to a lot of unsatisfied people, but they are not going to talk negatively in a public meeting about the school, which might also be their employer.  She recommended private discussions to get a more personal view.

A discussion of high school followed.  If the Town moves forward, the next study committee will need to provide detailed plans for everything (all ages and all services).  Josh Beer was concerned we would have little or no control if our students were tuitioned to FMRSD.  Mr. Varone replied that the Town has one of seven seats on the schoolboard.  The Town does not have control now. There was a comment that the Town has trouble getting someone to run for the Schoolboard.  Mr. Varone stated that the Keene School District will take Walpole students only if they get them all. However, families need the option to choose what is best for their students.   There are currently about 285 students in Walpole Schools and 115 in high school.  Jackie Ronning talked about the math teacher, 5th grade teacher and support staff that were removed from Walpole.  Teachers are sometimes relocated to other towns.  PreK – 8 is when the students need to learn the basic skills that prepare them for any high school.

Steve Varone, who was the Business Administrator at FMRSD for twenty years and is a forty-year resident of Walpole, talked about finances.  Based on EquVal per student in 2022 – 2023, Walpole is just about exactly in the middle for the State.  Walpole was   $1,895,714 and the NH average was $1,896,826.  Each town has made decisions over the years that molded the town. But, due to apportionment, Walpole is now expected to pay more.  For the same year, the cost per elementary student was $24,264 for FMRSD. The State average is $20,901.  Student populations are dropping, and some schools are managing the change more effectively to control costs.  Fifteen years ago, FMRSD had one of the lowest costs per student. Now it is among the highest. Walpole and Charlestown raise almost the same amount in taxes, but Walpole has far fewer students. This is why the Town struggles with apportionment.  However, in school districts of just one town, apportionment is never an issue.  Mr. Varone felt that if the Town was getting more than it paid, FMRSD would be happy to see Walpole go.

Mr. Varone reported that there are about 490 total students in the High School.  If FMRHS lost Walpole’s 115 students, that would be a serious problem for the High School.  One person said that Walpole is concerned about education and would have been willing to pay to keep teachers, but we are not allowed to because of the current structure.  Annie Ewaskio asked what “local control” means. People mentioned lost teachers and staff. Additionally, Walpole can no longer use a proven curriculum that produces higher test scores because the district uses a different curriculum.  Ms. Ewaskio also asked what will happen to the other four towns if Walpole withdraws from the district.  The reply was that FMRSD could become a school district of four towns, or all five towns could work together to address the dissatisfaction between towns and to reexamine how to best meet the needs of the students, staff and taxpayers.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 4, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)