TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

SEPTEMBER 07, 2006

 

Selectmen Present:        Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

 

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with five people present in the audience.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

HILLSIDE ACRES PROPERTY - FRANKLIN SIBLEY:  Mr. and Mrs. Sibley attended the last meeting to inquire about a triangular piece of land that abuts their land on Hillside Acres Road.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Town does not intend to sell this piece of land because of the severe steepness; the Town needs to control it from a standpoint of drainage.  The Board of Selectmen has no objections to their making it more attractive but requested that Mr. Sibley contact Jim Terrell, Road Agent, to discuss his plans for improvements.  Mr. Sawyer suggested that Mr. Sibley might also want to contact Gary Speed, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, to have him look at it to make recommendations.

 

ROGER WILBUR:  Mr. Wilbur submitted a Building Permit to the Board of Selectmen.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve this 2006 Building Permit for Roger Wilbur to construct a three stall attached garage with an apartment over it on the County Road.  It will have an outside stairway.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

DUNCAN WATSON:  Duncan Watson addressed the letter he received from the Board of Selectmen relative to the Cold River Road.  He recently was jogging on the road and counted 72 vehicles going by him in 32 minutes.  He asked the Board of Selectmen to reconsider posting this road on a temporary basis as the speeding is intolerable.  It got worse with school being open; it is not safe. He asked the Board of Selectmen to think about it and write him a letter with their decision.

 

KRYSTYNA MARCOM:  Krystyna Marcom presented a Petition with 76 signatures relative to altering public space.  Following is the wording on the Petition:  “We, the undersigned citizens and voters of Walpole, hereby petition the Selectmen to defer any decisions on the construction of all permanent structures or monuments on the ‘Walpole Town Common’ to a vote of the town by an article on the official ballot to be voted on at the polls.”  (50 signatures required).  The Board of Selectmen accepted the Petition.

 

COLD RIVER ROAD:  Mr. Miller moved to consult with Jim Terrell on the advisability of putting up “Limited Access” signs and/or “Local Traffic Only” signs on the Cold River Road.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $13,278.20.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the voided check register and manifest for check No. 049012 in the amount of $486.08.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending September 02, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $16,571.75 or net wages in the amount of $9,291.51.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Board of Selectmen Meeting – September 07, 2006 – Page 2

 

Mr. Miller moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,049.69.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

 

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- AUGUST 31, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of August 31, 2006, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

 

Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Board of Selectmen Session of August 31, 2006, as printed.  The Minutes will remain sealed as they contain information on personnel.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

 

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- AUGUST 30, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of August 30, 2006, with the following correction:  Mr. Sawyer was in attendance.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Board of Selectmen Session of August 30, 2006, with the following correction:  Mr. Sawyer was in attendance.  The Minutes will remain sealed as they contain information on personnel.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of September 05, 2006.

 

ABATEMENTS:

DAVID GORHAM – PROPERTY TAX – Map 027-001-004:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Abatement for Property Taxes in the amount of $81.67 for David Gorham due to a posting error.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted. 

 

FRANK BROWN, JR. – PROPERTY TAX – Map 027-011-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Abatement for Property Taxes in the amount of $2.80 for Frank Brown, Jr. due to a posting error.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

MS-1:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the MS-1 document to be submitted to the State.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  

 

OFFICE PROCEDURE:  The Board of Selectmen reviewed a memo from Elaine Moore, Office Manager, that all projects, research, miscellaneous jobs, etc. that need to be done by the office staff be presented to her and she will disburse the assignments.

 

BOSTON POST CANE:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen give the Boston Post Cane to Stanley Phelps signifying that he is the oldest citizen in Town.  If somebody else comes forward that is older it will be given to that person.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

 

Mr. Sawyer moved that an active file be kept in the cabinet on the Boston Post Cane so the Board of Selectmen will know where it is at all times in the event of a change.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Board of Selectmen Meeting – September 07, 2006 – Page 3

 

 

FRENCH ROAD PROPERTY:  Mr. Sawyer would like to do further research on the French Road property issue.  The letter was put on-hold.

 

SHED ON SKIDS:  About two weeks ago Mr. Aldrich inquired as to whether or not a Building Permit would be required for a small shed on skids that will be moved from property-to-property. There was a consensus that a Building Permit would not be required.

 

JAY CHAMBERLIN PROJECT:  There was discussion relative to the Jay Chamberlin proposed project to plant shrubs and flowers by the flagpole.  It was suggested that Mr. Aldrich ask Jay Chamberlin if he would be interested in doing similar work in front of the Town Hall due to the delay of the project on the Common.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

NO TRESPASSING SIGNS AT RECYCLE/TRANSFER STATION:  Mr. Sawyer moved that he and Mr. Miller check the property to see where the gate and signs will go.  The inspection will be done tomorrow at 8:00 am.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

VACATION TIME – RICK COOPER:  Mr. Sawyer moved to acknowledge Rick Cooper’s request for taking his vacation time on September 15th and 16th and from September 19th through 23rd, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

RECYCLE/TRANSFER EMPLOYMENT:  Mr. Sawyer moved to hire Kraig Pereira for the Solid Waste Department for 32 hours a week.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.   

 

TOWN HALL DOORS:  The Board of Selectmen approved the proposal from Old Ways Building Company to rebuild one set of double doors in the Town Hall.

 

LIEN DISCHARGE – CALLAHAN:  Mr. Miller moved that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen sign the Lien Discharge for William Callahan.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

 

BALLAM FARM:  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Board of Selectmen received a FAX from the Trust for Public Land with reference to the Ballam Farm.  They will await further information.  

 

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

SHARON CUDDY SOMERS – REF: ADELPHIA FRANCHISE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Sharon Cuddy Somers to not review a contract regarding a proposed Adelphia Franchise with the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

TUCKER BURR:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to I. Tucker Burr regarding the Memorial and Bandstand.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

MICHAEL MUCHMORE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Michael Muchmore regarding property taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

 

 

 

Board of Selectmen Meeting – September 07, 2006 – Page 4

 

 

DUNCAN WATSON:  The Board of Selectmen previously discussed this matter with Duncan Watson under Public Business, therefore, the letter will not be sent.

 

CHIFFRILLER:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Mr. Chiffriller regarding all lines near the school and the condition of the Old Drewsville Road.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

ANDREW STREET:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Andrew Street who has achieved the Eagle Scout status.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

 

Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 10:12 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

                                                                                    ______________________

                                                                                    Whitney R. Aldrich

 

                                                                                    ______________________

                                                                                    Charles D. Miller

 

                                                                                    ______________________

                                                                                    Sheldon S. Sawyer

 

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 14, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.