TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

SEPTEMBER 18, 2008

 

Selectboard Present:      Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Jamie Teague

 

Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:12 PM with five people present in the audience.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

NON-PUBLIC MEETING:  Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a non-public meeting pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (e) Pending Claims or Litigations.  Mrs. Teague seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

 

The regular meeting resumed at 8:16 PM.

 

NORM TOUSSAINT – FOUR CYLINDER AUTO – ROUTE 12:  Norm Toussaint rents from LaVerne Horne on Route 12.  Mr. Sawyer advised that Mr. Toussaint was issued a Cease and Desist Order as the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment reported that he was in violation of his permit.  He read the list of conditions that were placed on the permit when it was issued.  Mr. Toussaint stated that he has disposed of almost all the vehicles.  He still has a plow truck and one vehicle that he uses to push some of the vehicles that come in for repairs; a few of the other vehicles are there for repairs.  Quite a bit of his business is from Walpole residents.  .  The vehicles behind the building had nothing to do with his business as they belonged to the owner.  Mr. Toussaint will continue to control the number of vehicles on the property. 

Mrs. Teague moved to remove the Cease and Desist Order and allow Mr. Toussaint to resume operation.  The Selectboard will re-inspect the property in another month.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.      

 

GAIL GOLEC:  Gail Golec reported that she is now working with Franklin Pierce College on the archeological project.  The professor she will be working with usually takes students out.  He offered to employ Ms. Golec, this would cover her and the students through their insurance.  The Town will be named as an additional insured.  She called Barbara O’Brien, North Walpole Commissioner, to explain what has transpired.  The Selectboard did not see a problem as it is educational and, as a result of the dig, everyone might learn more about the town.  At some point she will be giving a talk at the Bellows Falls Library on the artifacts.  Ms. Golec will keep the Selectboard up-to-date on the progress of this project.

 

NON-PUBLIC MEETING:

Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public meeting pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) Personnel.  Mrs. Teague seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.  The time was 8:32 PM.

 

The regular meeting resumed at 8:49 PM.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS (Continued):

SOLID WASTE FACILITY:  Paul Colburn brought the Selectboard up-to-date on the general operation at the Solid Waste Facility.  They discussed the need to fill the vacancy.

 

Mr. Aldrich moved to offer Paul Clark the position of Operating Foreman of the Solid Waste Facility.  Mrs. Teague seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

Selectboard Meeting – September 18, 2008 – Page 2

 

The Selectboard approved having the Town of Alstead pick up the glass as it will be a savings to the town in terms of processing.  They also approved having the replacement storage shed purchased from LaValley Building Supplies for the agreed upon price as it is needed for storage.  The surpac on the back lot is down to gravel; there is a need for another surface.  They are beginning to collect vegetable oil as the NRRA will be purchasing it.     

 

Paul Colburn discussed an on-going disruptive issue at the facility.

Mr. Aldrich moved to send a letter to Charlie Androse telling him that he is not welcome at the Solid Waste Facility.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Paul Colburn noted that there is $1,800 in the budget for uniforms.  He suggested changing this to a clothing allowance as this department needs jackets and safety shoes that are not provided by the uniform service.  The suggested amount was $300.00 per person and $200.00 for t-shirts as they identify the employees.  The employees would buy the items, bring in the slips and then be reimbursed. There was a consensus of the Selectboard to begin this change-over immediately to get the men ready for winter.

 

FIREWORKS:  Mark Houghton advised that a resident inquired about obtaining a permit to set off fireworks on the Common.

Mr. Aldrich moved to deny the request to set-off fireworks on the Common.  Seconded by Mrs Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.                    

 

MARK HOUGHTON:  Mark Houghton left a copy of the Evaluation Report on the Wastewater Pump Stations by Hoyle, Tanner and Associates, Inc. for the Selectboard to review.  The Town has three pumping stations and each of them has problems.  He will be looking for guidance from the Selectboard after they have had the opportunity to study the Evaluation Report.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $15,865.20.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending September 13, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $19,066.03 or net wages in the amount of $10,116.09.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,208.03.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – September 11, 2008:  Mr. Aldrich noted the following change on page 1, under Gravel Pit Reclamation Bond, “Skip Whitcomb” should be changed to “Chip Whitcomb”.

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 11, 2008, with the above correction.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the first Non-Public Selectboard meeting of September 11, 2008, as printed. The Minutes will remain sealed at this time.   Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

Selectboard Meeting – September 18, 2008 – Page 3

 

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the second Non-Public Selectboard meeting of September 11, 2008, as printed.  The Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed the minutes of the Planning Board meeting of September 09, 2008.

 

ABATEMENT:

WALPOLE UNITARIAN SOCIETY –MAP 019-045-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for 2008 Property Taxes in the amount of $3,107.89 plus interest for the Walpole Unitarian Society.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.     

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

RONALD and MARGO BANKS – MAP 009-017-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2008-041 for Ronald and Margo Banks to construct a 40’ x 14’ car port on March Hill Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

YARDLEY FAMILY TRUST, GWEN YARDLEY – MAP 012-025-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2008-042 for the Yardley Family Trust, Gwen Yardley, to allow demolition of an existing barn on the Valley Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

EMICOR ABATEMENT – FOLLOW-UP:  Elaine Moore contacted Avitar who advised that they will defend this case in court but the Town pays for filing the appearance.

Mr. Aldrich moved to hire Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith to file the Appearance for the Emicor case.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

MS-1 – UPDATED:  The Selectboard had previously signed an out-dated MS-1 form.

Mr. Aldrich moved to re-sign the Summary Inventory of Evaluations – MS-1 – form.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY –SIGNATURE NEEDED- (2008 Ford F450 w/added Equipment):  Last week Mr. Sawyer signed the Agreement but his signature was needed on the purchase document.

Mr. Aldrich moved to allow the Chairman to sign the Purchase Document for the 2008 Ford F450 Highway truck with added equipment.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

DISABILITY LEAVE:  Teresa Kissell requested guidance on disability leaves.

Mrs. Teague moved that short-term disability payments for time missed in the amount of three months or less be paid out if the employee is still actively employed as long as they have vacation time to cover the one-third.  Anything other than that should come to the Selectboard for guidance.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

NORTH WALPOLE PROPERTIES – TAX DEEDING:  This agenda item was tabled until the next meeting.

 

Selectboard Meeting – September 18, 2008 – Page 4

 

FOLLOW-UP NORTH WALPOLE- HILLCREST LIGHTING:  Elaine Moore reported that the electric company was notified about the light on Hillcrest Road and the work order will be done.

 

SWEEP ACCOUNT – SAVINGS BANK OF WALPOLE:  Martha Curtis of the Savings Bank of Walpole will come to the next meeting to do a presentation on a Sweep Account.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

VACHON, CLUKAY – ACCOUNTING SERVICES:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve payment of the bill in the amount of $10,000 from Vachon, Clukay and Company for accounting services as it is in the budget.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

TRI-VILLAGE ENERGY LETTER TO SELECTBOARD:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a letter from the TriVillage Energy Committee.  They would appreciate it if the Town’s attorney could give them a formal legal opinion stating that subcommittees of an advisory committee are not bound by the requirements applicable to advisory committees.  They are particularly concerned with the limitations on ex parte communications since the bulk of their work is conducted outside of formal meetings.  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to send a copy of this letter to the Local Government Center for a legal opinion.

 

COLD RIVER LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE LETTER:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a letter from Charles Montgomery of the Cold River Local Advisory Committee.

Mr. Aldrich moved to table this for a week to allow time to do research.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.        

 

TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve hiring Suzanne Hodgkins to work in the Town Clerk’s Office on a trial basis at $10.00/hour.   Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER:  Mr. Sawyer attended the Local Government Center’s Legislative Policies Seminar and it was excellent.  They discussed many issues including having the supervisors of the checklist to meet twice a year; it passed.  They also discussed advertising legal notices in newspapers.

 

HOOPER INSTITUTE:  Mrs. Teague attended the last meeting of the Hooper Institute.  They talked about some trees that got struck by lightning as well as other trees that need to be cut and trimmed.  She suggested that they mark the trees to see if somebody will harvest and take them away but to report back to the Selectboard before any decisions are made.  Their sign fell down and needs to be repaired.  Their next meeting was scheduled for November 19th. 

 

TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS:

FANNY MASON FOREST WALK LEADER – SWIFT CORWIN:  The Conservation Commission submitted a request to pay $200.00 out of the Fanny Mason Forest Fund to Swift Corwin, Forester, who will conduct a walk through the forest.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payment in the amount of $200.00 out of the Fanny Mason Forest Fund to Swift Corwin to lead a walk through the forest as voted upon by the Conservation Commission.  This will be forwarded to the Trustees of Trust Funds for payment.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Selectboard Meeting – September 18, 2008 – Page 5

 

 

NEXT MEETING:  The next Selectboard meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 25th will begin at 7:00 PM instead of 7:30 PM.  The first agenda item will be an appeal that was filed with the Board of Land and Tax Appeals.

 

Mr. Sawyer declared this meeting adjourned at 10:38 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

                                                                        ___________________

                                                                        Sheldon S. Sawyer

 

                                                                        ___________________

                                                                        Whitney R. Aldrich

 

                                                                        ___________________

                                                                        Jamie J. Teague

 

 

(Note:  These are unapproved minutes.  Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the minutes of the September 25, 2008, Selectboard meeting.)