TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

FEBRUARY 5, 2009

Selectboard Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich

(Absent: Jamie Teague)

Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with fifteen people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

WALPOLE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: Mr. Sawyer apologized for the delay in having the budget available for the academy members to review in a timely manner. The Selectboard spent a considerable amount of time on the proposed budget in view of the economical times. Thirteen members of the Walpole Leadership Academy were present. Steve Markiewicz began the discussion by reporting that they met with many of the departments and boards in town. They learned about some of their challenges. It became clear that the Police Department handles many issues including increased crime but do not have enough safety equipment, good communication radios, etc. Other members distributed and discussed “Police Proposal Supporting Statements and Facts” that compared other New Hampshire towns and the fact that Walpole has fewer officers; they broadly support the hiring of an additional officer. Their Summary stated that “The WLA is concerned that our police department is lacking adequate personal safety equipment, and is understaffed” as they keep the town safe. “WLA recommends that the Selectboard consider providing this amount for the equipment listed in the towns 2009 budget”; WLA believes that the safety of our police officers is a high priority and it is the towns responsibility to ensure that equipment necessary to protect them in the line of duty is available. They recommended providing (5) Bullet Proof Vests @ $750.00/ea and (2) Common Frequency Radios @ $2,300.00/ea for an additional $8,350.00 in the budget. Assuming that the proposed 2009 Police Department budget is substantially the same as 2008, this amount represents less than 3% of the total budget. Vests become out-dated as they deteriorate with age and the radios do not communicate well in certain areas with other departments/agencies. WLA encourages the Selectboard to consider this request and provide guidance on how to move forward”. WLA’s main concern is safety; they are proud of the town’s police department. Their lives are on the line. WLA would like to work with the Selectboard toward solutions. Andrew Riggio summarized their findings by reading his statement. It was noted that Mrs. Teague is the Selectboard’s liaison to the Police Department and she worked with Chief Hewes on this budget. Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich will discuss this with Mrs. Teague and it will be brought up during the Budget and Warrant Hearing scheduled for Monday, February 9^th at 7:30 PM.

MARCIA GALLOWAY: Mr. Sawyer explained the Article that the Selectboard is going to include on the Warrant relative to rescinding the vote taken at the Town Meeting of March 13, 2001, to deposit directly into the Conservation Fund at the time of collection and all future receipts from the Land Use Change Tax imposed when land is removed from “Current Use”, thereby losing its conservation status. The total amount deposited in any one year shall be limited to $25,000. A second Warrant Article would be to create an Unanticipated Town Trust Fund to be funded each year by including all Current Use Change Tax Collected for that year. The Board of Selectmen will serve as agents for this fund. A Public Hearing would be held before any money will be expended from this fund. By making this change the money could still be used for Conservation purposes or other reasons such as a town emergency. Mrs. Galloway noted some years the Conservation Commission might not get any money from Current Use Change Tax.

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Mrs. Galloway and the Selectboard reviewed the Conservation Commission proposed budget. She asked for clarification on dam inspections and forest management funds. They also discussed the Town vote of March 17, 1989 that allowed the Conservation Commission to retain its annual budget balance. She feels it should be automatically transferred into their account at the end of each year rather than the CC having to check that this is done each year. The Selectboard agreed.

Mrs. Galloway advised that the Snowmobile Club would like to build a 22’ x 32’ warming hut on Trail #5 in the Hooper Town Forest to be used for their functions. They would pay for it and maintain it. The Selectboard, as the Hooper Trustees, had no objections.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $577,686.78. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

The above amount includes a payment of $472,979.46 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided Accounts Payable check register for check No. 053354 in the amount of $4,020.00 for storm related work. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending January 31, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $18,754.75 or net wages in the amount of $9,409.02. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. 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 $4,751.71. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – JANUARY 29, 2009: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard and Trustees of Hooper Trust meeting of January 29, 2009, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of January 29, 2009. The Minutes will not be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of January 27, 2009.

WARRANTS:

MEADOWSEND TIMBERLANDS LTD (Supplemental Warrant) Map 006-021-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Walpole Supplemental Warrant for 2008 Property Taxes in the amount of $73.00 for Meadowsend Timberlands, LTD. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

WILLIAM & SUSAN NEWKIRK, PETER & HEATHER NEWKIRK (Supplemental Warrant) Map 008-001-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Walpole Supplemental Warrant for 2008

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Property Taxes (April 1, 2008 to March 01, 2009) in the amount of $286.00 for William & Susan Newkirk and Peter & Heather Newkirk. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

BOARD OF TAX AND LAND APPEALS – Henderson – Map 30, Lot 72: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to Craig Henderson explaining the assessment tax changes in accordance with Loren Martin of Avitar. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

BOARD OF TAX AND LAND APPEALS – McAuliffe – Map 28, Lot 91: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to Gerald & Hanie McAuliffe explaining the assessment tax changes in accordance with Loren Martin of Avitar. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

TRI-VILLAGE ENERGY: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to pass over this agenda item until the next meeting.

IRVING OIL: The Selectboard agreed to have Elaine Moore check with Jamie Teague regarding the agreement with Irving Oil as they would like to cancel deliveries to the Town Hall and make other arrangements.

FINALIZING WARRANT: The Selectboard went over the pre-review information received from the Department of Revenue Administration. There was discussion relative to the DRA’s recommendation to comply with RSA 21-J:35 III; the Selectboard will research this. They also noted that several Articles are not special warrant articles and should not contain the Selectmen’s recommendations/non-recommendations. After going over the DRA’s review several changes were made to the draft Warrant. The Selectboard agreed to come into the office on Monday prior to the Public Hearing to do a final check of the revised document.

FINALIZING BUDGET: No budget changes were made by the Selectboard at this meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

REQUEST FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2009 (Personal Time): Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the request from Elaine Moore to take Friday, February 6^th, 2009, off as personal time. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

INTENT TO CUT –MAP 026-019-000 (08-461-14T)- ROBERT HOBBS: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut for Robert Hobbs. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.

CONSERVATION COMMISSION –REAPPOINTMENT REQUEST: Following a discussion the Selectboard agreed to pass over this agenda item.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION PER RSA 91-A:4 Section IV: The Selectboard approved the request of Elaine Moore to use this Request for Information form. Anyone requesting information will have to fill out the form that allows the office staff up to five business days to provide that information. This will be a written record of all transactions.

Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn the Selectboard meeting and to enter into a meeting as the Trustees of Hooper Fund. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 10:32 PM.

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TRUSTEES OF HOOPER FUND

Mr. Sawyer called the meeting of the Trustees of Hooper Fund to order.

HOOPER COTTAGE: The tenant reported that the washer is no longer operating and she would like to have it replaced as soon as possible. It is a 1994 combo (washer & dryer). The Selectboard approved having the tenant replace the combo unit.

Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 10:36 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

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Sheldon S. Sawyer

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Whitney R. Aldrich

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Jamie J. Teague

(Note: These are unapproved minutes. Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the minutes of the February 12, 2009, Selectboard meeting.)