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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.)

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 11/21/24

SELECTBOARD 12/06/2024 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

NOVEMBER 21, 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: Jenny Plante and Jeff Miller representing the Walpole Players, and John Jones, Tim Williams and Kyle Teamey representing Ruggerio Processing Facility

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:43 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

The following items were moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest waiting to speak to this item.

Walpole Players: Jenny Plante & Jeff Miller attended the meeting to respond to the Selectboard letter to the Players of October 2, 2024, regarding no Thursday night practices after January 1st.  Ms. Plante stated that the Players have always practiced Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  They feel it is unfair to say no Thursday practices.  Since the Selectboard meets from 6:30 – 8:30 on Thursdays, Ms. Plante suggested excluding just those hours from practice times.  When asked about who to contact in the Players, Ms. Plante and Mr. Miller responded that there is no president.  Ms. Plante is the vice president and acting president.  Ms. Plante said that in the future, the Players will notify the Selectboard Office who to contact for each play.

Ms. Plante and Mr. Miller left the meeting.

Ruggerio Processing Facility – Fine:  Ruggerio was fined $1,000 for the second offence of having no building permit.  John Jones of Elastic Executive Solutions who represents Ruggerio Processing Facility said the Selectboard letter says the fine is to pay for the past offenses.  When the new owners purchased the property, NH stated the facility was in compliance.   If the new owners pay the fine, they are admitting guilt. Therefore, the new owners of Ruggerio are asking for relief from the fine.  They are willing to submit the outstanding building permit applications to make things right, and they will apply for building permits in the future.  Mr. Dalessio moved that the $1,000 fine based on the previous owner be waived.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in agreement, the motion passed, and the fine will be waived.  Mrs. Downing will prepare a letter to Ruggerio Processing Facility stating the fine is retracted. 

Ruggerio Processing Facility – Permit Modification:  Mr. Jones wished to explain the NH DES letter that noted that the application to modify the current permit was incomplete.  Mr. Jones stated that the letter was really a request for additional information beyond that listed on the application form.  Mr. Jones and the new owners are currently preparing the additional information. Mr. Teamey, one of the new owners, explained that the plan is to create a fully automated facility with no workers on the floor. There will be machine operators. The new machinery will be able to separate all elements of trash from a garbage bag.  Mr. Dalessio reminded the Ruggerio representatives that before any expansion occurs at the property, Ruggerio representatives must attend two monthly Planning Board meetings as part of the Site Plan Review process. Additionally, there is to be no site preparation before a building permit application is approved.

Mr. Jones, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Teamey left the meeting at 7:21 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $726,650.51 dated 11/22/2024 that includes a $581,631.87 payment to Fall Mountain Regional School District.  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 $33,614.89 dated 11/22/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,716.87.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the payroll register was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – November 13, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 13, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – November 13, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of November 13, 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:

  • Conservation Commission Minutes – November 4, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

PROPERTY TAX REFUND

Map and Lot# 027-001-006: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 027-001-006 for $290.46 due to overpayment. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Tax Rate Update: Ms. Mayberry noted that the School District has not submitted their DOE form.  Mr. Dalessio has been told they expect to have the form completed tomorrow, 11/22/2024, in which case the School Board will DocuSign the form on Friday.  Otherwise, it will be signed on Monday at the FMRSD Board meeting.

Reservoir Dam: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the Hydrology and Hydraulics Study from Fuss & O’Neill for the Reservoir Dam.

ARPA projects: Mr. Dalessio reported that Steve Grenier of E.E. Houghton Co. is working on the cost numbers. The quote should be done next week.  Then a contract can be prepared and the funds encumbered for the three sewer pumping stations.  

Fire Department Renovation Grant: Mr. Dalessio said that the Fire Department is doing the work to get their grants.  They will ask for any information when they need to complete the forms.   After the grants are approved, there needs to be a meeting to determine exactly how the funds will flow between the Town and the Fire Department.

Thanks to Grange: Mr. Dalessio moved that the Board approve and sign the letter to the Walpole Community Grange thanking them for all the work they did during the election.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the letter was signed. 

NEW BUSINESS

Appointment Notice: Mr. Dalessio moved Nicole Adams be appointed a full member of the Conservation Commission.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and Ms. Adams was appointed a full member of the Conservation Commission.

MS-535: Mr. Dalessio moved the Board approve and sign the MS-535.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the MS-535 was approved and signed.  The form will be uploaded to the DRA tax portal by Mr. Kreissle. 

Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Disbursement Form: Ms. Mayberry moved that Mr. Dalessio sign the reimbursement form for the $20,230. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form. The Hydrology and Hydraulics (H & H) Study costs were included in this reimbursement.

Encumbrance Request:   The Town Clerk’s Office would like to encumber purchase order number 201306 for $8,000 for a new ballot counting device.  The expense will be applied to account 01 4140.30 830.  Ms. Vose moved to encumber $8,000 for the Town Clerk’s Office for the purchase of a new ballot counting device.  Mr. Dalessio Seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the funds were encumbered.

Reimbursement Request to the Trustees of Trust Funds: The Selectboard reviewed a reimbursement request for $200 to reimburse the Town for a roofing deposit for the Fanny Mason Rest Area shelters on Route 12 per purchase order 201264.  Mr. Dalessio moved the Town to be reimbursed by the Fanny Mason Fund for the rest area shelters.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the reimbursement was approved, and purchase order # 201264 was signed.

Landfill Methane Monitoring:   The Selectboard Office received a letter from the DES along with feedback from the Town’s environmental scientist.  The Selectboard would like Mr. McKibben to consult with DES on behalf of Walpole.    Mrs. Downing will ask Mr. McKibben if he is willing to consult with DES on our behalf.   It appears that high methane readings at one well were not being reported with an additional form to DES.

School Withdrawal Feedback: An email was received from a Walpole family in favor of the potential Walpole School Withdrawal warrant article.   

Thank You Note:   The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a thank you note from Children’s and Technology Librarian, Julie Rios.

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 8:03 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:44 PM.

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

HOOPER TRUSTEES

Ms. Vose moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:44 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms.  Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:58 PM.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:58 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.)

Planning Board Workshop Minutes – 11/26/24

PLANNING BOARD 11/27/2024 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board Workshop Minutes

November 26, 2024

7 pm

Present: Planning Board members Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros, Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Zoning Board of Adjustment members Pauline Barnes and Tom Winmill.

Topic: Draft v2 Zoning Amendment Formula Restaurants and Formula Retail Businesses in Boundaries of Commercial District, Section 6, Downtown Walpole Village.

The meeting started at 7 pm.

Mr. Harrington wrote the document v2 about the proposed zoning ordinance about excluding formula businesses in response to a letter the board received from town counsel, Jeremy Hockensmith. He expanded the section about the charm of Walpole’s historic village, added more standardized features and decreased the number establishments from 15 to 10. He will tweak the v2 draft and send a final v3 draft to the board. Since the intent of the original and v2 drafts are virtually the same, it was felt that second public hearing was not necessary.

The meeting ended at 7:20 pm.

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the regular December meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

WPB Secretary

Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 11/12/24

PLANNING BOARD 11/27/2024 Leave a comment

WALPOLE PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Town Hall

7 pm

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

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

MINUTES of October 2024 and Joint October 2024 meeting. Mr. Perron made a motion to approved the minutes of both the regular and joint meetings as presented. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Public Hearing No. 1. The Planning Board has drafted a zoning amendment to be placed on the town warrant that excludes formula businesses in the commercial district, Section 6, of Downtown Walpole Village, Article VI. Formula businesses include retail sales and restaurants regulated by contractual or other arrangements. Certain standardized features may include uniforms, logos, interior or exterior design, array of services or merchandise, menus, ingredients and food preparation. 

Copies of the amendment were made available for the public. Two members of the audience handed them out. Mr. Harrington was instrumental in the writing of this document and said that this amendment is typical of articles about formula businesses. This one is similar to a zoning article in the town of Jaffrey. Mr. Harrington mentioned that this pertains to business that are the same as 15 or more such establishments.

Another question was about where if Section 6. Mr. Miller explained that Section 6 of “downtown” Is the Commercial Zoning District. It includes some sections of Main Street, starting with where Mr. Rob Kasper’s former law office is. Then the district turns left onto to High Street and then right on School Street. There’s an imaginary line that comes down from about the middle of School Street, across Main Street to Middle Street. At the end of Middle Street, turn right onto Washington Street where the Congregational Church is, left onto Westminster Street, right on Elm Street and then finally back up to Main Street.

One gentleman asked about the gas station in the village  – Irving. Irving probably has more than 15 gas stations. Mr. Miller said it will affect only retail businesses and restaurants, not other business such as gas stations, insurance offices, banks, etc. Also, the new amendment will not affect existing businesses. The same man then asked what about a business that transfers ownership. Mr. Miller didn’t think it was relevant but he did say he would check with town counsel, Jeremy Hockensmith.

The board is considering further information on formula businesses. The public hearing on the zoning  amendment will continue at the December meeting. 

Public Hearing No. 2. Elm and Pleasant LLC propose a Lot Line Adjustment for property at the corner of Pleasant and Elm Streets, Town Map 20, Lot 32 and Town Map 22, Lot 3 in the Residential B District. Wendy Pelletier of Cardinal Surveying & Land Planning explained the plan.

The two parcels of land are bordered by Main Street, Pleasant Street and Route 12. After the boundary line adjustment, the parcel with the apartment on it will be 1.3 acres and the adjacent field would be 18 acres. This is a loss of 7 acres for the apartment parcel and a gain of 7 acres for the field parcel. Road frontage on Pleasant Street is 236.93 feet, 680 feet on Route 12 and 460 feet on Main Street. Entrance to the field is between Lowell Bauer’s property and the western boundary of Lot 1.

There being no questions from the public a motion was made by Mr. Perron to approve the boundary line adjustment as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. MacLachlan and the motion carried.

Public Hearing No. 2. John McKee Pratt Revocable Trust proposes a subdivision on Reservoir Road, rural/ag district, Tax Map 11, Lot No. 1 There are three lots. Two lots are building lots and the one in the middle between the two building lots is an Agricultural Easement for the benefit of Lot 1. 

Surveyor Joe DiBernardo presented this subdivision to the public. He said that the property is at the end of Reservoir Road and was originally a 40-plus acre lot. Lot No. 1 has a barn and a shed on it. It will now be 26.07 acres and the driveway will in corner near the property line of the property expected to have an agricultural easement on it. That section of road is Class V, but the Class V road ends a short distance from the end of the house across the street. That Class V road turns into a Class VI road and eventually goes to property under the care of the Monadnock Conservancy. The second lot is 15.44 acres and has 200 feet of road frontage on Reservoir Road. The driveway to Lot 2 is next to the lot with the agricultural easement. It has a right of way over adjacent land owned by Barbara Laroche Revocable Trust. In between Lot 1 and Lot 2 on Reservoir Road is a 2.2 acre lot that is an agricultural easement to benefit Lot No. 1. 

A question was asked if any land was in current use and, if so,  what happens to it when the land is sold. To put land in current use a landowner must have a minimum of 10 acres. The answer is that the land in current use is simply transferred to the new owner along with the rest of the parcel.

There being no further questions from the public, Mr. Miller closed the public hearing. Mr. Perron made a motion to approve this subdivision as presented. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ball Park Realty, LLC, at 418 Main Street propose subdivision of lot into four lots. Commercial District. Total parcel is 9.3 acres.

Robert Duval, an engineer for TF Moran, Inc., presented the proposal and asked for a public hearing in December.

Mr. Duval said that the proposal for the property is that it will be divided into four parcels. The southern most parcel, Lot No. 1, is for the Dunkin coffee shop. The lot size is 1.73 acres with road frontage on Main Street or Route 12 of 806.2 feet. It has a driveway coming off of Route 12 and one on Upper Walpole Road. The lot In the middle is Lot No. 3 and this is where the ball park will be. It is 2.90 acres with road frontage on Upper Walpole Road of 502.2 feet. It shares a driveway that goes to Lot No. 3, which is 2.04 acres with 336.7 feet of road frontage on Main Street. Lot No. 4, which is where the proposed police station will go, is 2.62 acres with 514.8 feet of frontage on Upper Walpole Road. On the plan that was submitted there is no indication of where a driveway cut would be and in a letter from The State Of New Hampshire Department of Transportation dated October 29, 2024 there is a statement on page 2 under conditions that says “These two drives are the second and third drives permitted on the lot of record, no additional drives will be permitted on the lot of record. See permit #04-461-0056 for the first drive permitted on the lot of record.”

At this point in the meeting it was decided that Mr. Duval had to go back to NH DOT and straighten this matter out. Mr. Miller and Mr. Dalessio offered to work with him. Mr. Marcom made a motion to hold a public hearing in December for Ball Park Realty. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried..

Chad E. Branon, Civil Engineer, Fieldstone, Commercial District property next to Dollar General, Tax Map 12, Lot 13-3, 2.9 acres with road frontage on Route 12. It was an informal meeting to discuss possible use of the property, which is termed a “condo” lot.

Mr. Branon was representing Bobby Oakes who owns a licensed development company under his name. The proposal was this lot, which is called a condo lot because it had three building parcel on it with common space, but has one owner. The property is “L-shaped. 

The proposal was threefold. It included a gas station with an island for gas pumps and a 5,000 square-foot convenience store that would border on Route 12. Above that or to the east would be a retail building and next to that building on the driveway heading toward Red Barn Lane would be a Domino’s pizza. Entrance to the parcel of land would be from from Route 12 and Red Barn Lane. The land was at one time considered for Dunkin coffee shop so a curb cut from Route 12 has already been approved.

Mr. Miller said there can only be one building on that lot. Multiple buildings are not allowed. Mr. Bran brought up the storage facility next door saying that lot has five or six buildings. 

A board member mentioned that the property is in an aquifer zone. This was confirmed by Mark Houghton, who oversees Walpole’s water and sewer. Therefore that location would not be appropriate for a gas station. A person in the audience said that Walpole already has two gas stations and doesn’t need another one. Mr. Branon said the there have been many new technological safety requirements now for gas stations from the state and that it might change attitudes. He was asked if he knew there was a wetlands area to the south that runs along the edge of the property. Mr. Branon said he was aware of the wetland and that this proposal would not be a problem to it.

This was an informal informational meeting only so Mr. Branon and Mr. Oakes may or may not be back.

Walpole Foundation: Site Plan for the new Walpole Village School at 75 Westminster St., Tax Map 20, Lot 11. Residential B District.

Peggy Pschirrer, a board member of The Walpole Foundation, said the Foundation was requesting a public hearing for December for a new school on Westminster Street property that they purchased last year.  Ms. Erin Lambert, Senior Vice President of Wilcox and Barton Inc. of Concord presented the proposal for a the new school. She said the Walpole Village School will be 5,300 square feet on one floor on the 4.02 acres of property. It will include classrooms and a multi-purpose room. The existing school will remain open while the new school is under construction.

The driveway into the school grounds starts where the current driveway is and goes around the building so cars and school buses will drop off students at the front door which is in the middle of the north side of the building. The driveway is a one-way driveway that is 22 feet wide. There are 48 parking spaces and 2 are ADA accessible. Some of the spaces are on the south side of the building and some on the east side. There are sidewalks around the school. On the northwest side is an outdoor playground. The building has town water and town sewer. Electricity will be underground. Heating the building will be by propane. There is stormwater management plan which consists of two bio retention systems, building drip edges, pervious pavement sidewalks and one subsurface infiltration system. According to Ms. Lambert the stormwater mitigation provides water quality treatment, quantity reduction, and rate control to pre-development levels.

Ms. Lambert said she will bring the lighting and landscaping plans to the December meeting. Wilcox & Barton are responsible the construction of the new school and parking lot to be followed by demolition of the existing school building.

Workshop: There will be a workshop on November 26 to work on the zoning amendment excluding formula businesses. 

Adjournment:

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

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed in December for corrections.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

WPB Secretary

Next meeting: December 10, 2024.

Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 11/20/24

ZONING BOARD 11/25/2024 Leave a comment

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

Town Hall

6 pm

Role Call: Present board members: Chair Tom Murray, Vice-Chair Dave Edkins, Clerk Pauline Barnes, Shane O’Keefe, Tom Winmill. Alternate: Don Sellarole. Absent: Alternate Myra Mansouri.

Call to order: Mr. Murray called the meeting to order a couple of minutes after 6 pm. 

Minutes: Review of minutes of October 2024. On page 2, Mr. O’Keefe’s name was misspelled in the paragraph titled “Recess;” add the word “in” to the word “with” in the last sentence. On Page 3, paragraph 6 place the word “access” between the middle of “DOT approval” and remove two letters in the line about the pylon sign. Page 4, change Thursday to Tuesday and add “These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the November meeting.” Mr. Winmill said his motion about signage was not exactly as he wrote it. After some discussion Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to hold off on approving the minutes until December. The board voted unanimously to do so..

OLD BUSINESS

Signage at Dunkin building at 418 Main Street. 

Project manager, Ann Ramsay, from Viewpoint Signs and Awnings in Northborough, MA was the presenter at this meeting.

Mr. Edkins said he looked at the Dunkin file and there was a letter about parking signs on the side of the road. The topic came up at a meeting and a letter sent to Frank Linnenbringer, the DOT contact person for Walpole. Mr. Linnenbringer said these signs were not the responsibility of DOT but it was the town or developer who was responsible for purchase and installation of the signs. Mr. Edkins asked Ms. Ramsay if her client was requesting parking signs. She responded “no.”

The Board was informed that the cup sign on the south side of the building would no longer be part of the package of signs to be approved. Mr. Edkins asked Ms. Ramsay if this was a request from the applicant. She said it was. Mr. O’Keefe asked if there was a letter proving it. She replied “yes” and said Viewpoint would send the board a letter confirming that request.

Mr. Winmillt argued that the “directional signs” were too close to other signs. Comments from board member were that the “enter” and “exit” signs were there to benefit the public and were a safety feature for drivers. 

Ms. Ramsay was asked if the directional signs were lighted. She said yes but the lights could be turned off if requested. Mr. Murray asked Ms. Ramsay if the Dunkin logo was on the directional signs. She said no. 

Mr. Edkins made a motion to approve the signage as presented and requested that the illuminated signs be turned off when the business is not open. Mr. O’Keefe seconded the motion. Mr. Murray, Ms. Barnes, Mr. Edkins and Mr. O’Keefe voted yea in favor of the motion. 

Gravel Pits

Mr. O’Keefe said he found out more about how Westmoreland and gravel pits work. The town of Westmoreland hires an engineering company to oversee gravel pits for the town. The company, not the town, handles the permitting process and also inspects the gravel pits yearly, which is a requirement of the state.

At the end of the meeting Mr. Winmill made the following below.

RESOLVED, that the permits requested be denied on the basis of Walpole Zoning Ordinance ARTICLE IV, D. Signs, as follows, and all prior resolutions of the Board relative to this matter be rescinded:

SignApplicable Section
D1 and D2 Directional signs Section 7 provides that directional signs do not exceed one in any two mile length of road and  not be within fifty (50) feet of any other sign except when mounted on a common post, and Section 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than sixty (60) feet from the edge of the traveled roadway and not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign, and that free-standing signs shall be located no closer than sixty (60) feet from the edge of the traveled roadway
A Dunkin sign Channel Letter 30” H mounted on backer on buildingSection 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign
F Drive-thru Speaker CanopySection 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign
E Drive-thru Clearance BarSection 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign
C Pylon  signSection 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign and Section 6 that provides that signs shall be no closer than ten (10) feet from the remaining lot lines

This motion was not seconded.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Edkins made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. O’Keefe seconded the motion and the motion carried, 4-0 with Mr. Murray and Ms. Barnes also voting in favor of adjourning. The time was 7:02 pm.

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the December meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

ZBA Secretary

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 11/13/24

SELECTBOARD 11/22/2024 Leave a comment

 TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

November 13, 2024

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration

Guests Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Paul Looney and Toni McDougle

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She introduced herself, Cheryl Mayberry, Selectboard Chair, Steve Dalessio and Carolyn Vose and Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration

CPCNH REC AGREEMENT: The Chair recognized Paul Looney, the Chair of the Walpole Community Power Committee. Mr. Looney explained that the contract the Selectboard was reviewing was similar to the prior contract with a different vendor. The Renewable Energy Credit (REC) contract with CPCNH would be for one year, will auto-renew and offer $35 per REC. Mr. Dalessio asked what the next step would be for the Town. Mr. Looney replied there should not be a need to do anything. Mr. Looney explained how the credits will be recorded and used by CPCNH. The proceeds from the sale of the RECs will offset the purchase price of the solar energy system. Mr. Looney reported that a State refund of $6,000 had been received. Two additional reimbursement grants are being applied for, as planned per the warrant article.

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve that the Chair sign the CPCNH REC Purchase and Sale Agreement for 2024 and 2025.  Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Looney departed the meeting.

HOOPER TRUSTEES:  

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:44 PM. Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalesio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

The meeting was reconvened at 7:01 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer departed the meeting.

RECREATION COMMITTEE: Toni McDougle understood that the Recreation Committee had been dissolved. Ms. Vose explained that going forward, the Recreation Director, Kaian Richards-Wilkes, will have support from a collection of volunteers with different backgrounds, ages and interests. The Recreation Director is developing a master plan for the Whitcomb Recreation Area that will allow space for multiple purposes. Ms. Vose recommended that Ms. McDougle speak with Mr. Richards-Wilkes. Ms. McDougle asked if Ms. Mayberry could assist with finding grants for improving the pickleball courts. Ms. Mayberry thought there were several private and government funded grants available for improving recreation facilities. There was a discussion about a petition warrant article related to pickleball courts. Ms. Mayberry confirmed that the Selectboard decides upon funding sources for articles. Mr. Dalessio put forth the idea of a warrant article using money from grants and/or donations with a portion being Town funded.

Ms. McDougle departed the meeting.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $34,540.37 dated 11/15/24 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,675.85.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 6, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 6, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – November 6, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of November 6, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • Walpole Recreation Committee Minutes (approved) – August 19, 2024
  • Walpole Recreation Committee Minutes (unapproved) – September 11, 2024
  • Walpole Recreation Committee Minutes (unapproved) – October 14, 2024

OLD BUSINESS: 

ARPA Grant Funding: Mr. Dalessio reported that the cost for propane generators for the 3 sewer pump stations should be determined this week. Mr. Dalessio confirmed with Ms. Mayberry that this is a reimbursement grant. Once the contract is signed, the generators will be ordered.

Dog Complaint: Ms. Mayberry stated Officer Merkle is following up about the loose dogs on High Street. The Police Department cannot pre-emptively act regarding potential dog bites. Charges must be made for action to be taken.

2024 Tax Rate: Ms. Mayberry will contact the North Walpole Commissioners to find out how they are progressing with their MS-434 and MS-535 forms. Mr. Kreissle is working with the auditors to complete the Town’s MS-535. The Selectboard agreed that the tax rate setting will continue to be delayed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Recreation Revolving Fund Request: Ms. Vose moved to approve PO# 204574 for $1,499 to Bull Dog Design for basketball jerseys. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. Ms. Mayberry asked if sponsors would be reimbursing the cost of the jerseys. Ms. Vose confirmed this would happen.

Request to the Trustees of Trust Funds: Ms. Vose moved to accept the reimbursement request to the Trustees of Trust Funds in the amount of $4,425 from the Fanny Mason Fund for timber harvesting planning and preparation. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Camping Complaint for Fanny Mason Rest Area: Mr. Dalessio stated he had spoken with Police Chief Sanctuary regarding the issue. The people living in the motor home had lost their housing and were looking for a new living situation in the area. The Selectboard Office received a citizen complaint about the unhealthy impact of the motor home on the rest area. The NH DOT alerted the Town that “No Camping” signs would be installed soon. The request had been made earlier to the DOT by an unknown party.

Tree Lighting on the Drewsville Common: The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 1st. Mr. Dalessio confirmed that the start time will be 4:30 PM. Santa will arrive in a horse drawn wagon.

Thanksgiving Selectboard Meeting: The Selectboard agreed by consensus not to meet Thanksgiving week. Mrs. Downing was given authorization to sign the Town’s weekly payroll.

Staff Meeting: There will be an in-person Staff Meeting on Nov. 21st. Mr. Dalessio would like department managers to speak about special requests, changes and projects in each department’s budget.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 8:01 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

The meeting was reconvened at 8:39 PM.

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

HOOPER TRUSTEES:  

Mr. Dalessio moved to reconvene the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:40 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

The Selectboard meeting was reconvened at 9:07 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the November 21, 2024, Selectboard meeting.)