TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

MAY 14, 2009

 

Selectboard Present:     Whitney Aldrich (Chair), Sheldon Sawyer,

                                    (Absent: Jamie Teague)

 

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

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

MERRIAM FARM, INC. – Building on Class 6 Road:  Mr. Keurfulainen and Mr. Lampi were present. Mr. Aldrich explained that the question came up on where they will build – is it in the Timberland or Rural Agriculture district.  Jeff Miller, Chair of the Planning Board, advised that the Planning Board feels it is more in the Rural Agriculture district but the issue is whether or not there was a subdivision as that needs to be cleared up. Mr. Keurfulainen noted that they want to fix the road from the Walpole side rather than the Surry side.  It was agreed that Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich will meet Mr. Keurfulainen and Mr. Lampi on Tuesday, May 19th at 8:00 am on the Walpole side to do a site visit.

 

JASON FOSTER:  Mr. Foster did the painting of the exterior wall of the Town Hall last year but this year when he looked closer he noticed some blistering that apparently was caused by water damage.  Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich felt it might be a good idea to have Mr. Foster do a closer inspection.  Mr. Foster could do the repairs, paint and provide materials for $900 to $1,100 but would not be able to do the painting until the end of June.  The charge for doing an inspection of the steeple is $75/hour.  The Selectboard agreed to have him provide these services.  As previously agreed upon, he took the two windows to be repaired and will return them soon.

 

SOUTHWEST REGION PLANNING COMMISSION:  Brian McMasters of the SWRPC submitted Requisition No. 5 for the Andrus Associates LLC project and asked the Selectboard to approve and sign this document.

Mr. Sawyer moved that the Selectboard sign this authorization, Requisition No. 5 in the amount of $10,746.00, for Andrus Associates LLC, as submitted by SWRPC to be forwarded to the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.           

 

HOOPER GOLF CLUB:  Jeff Miller and Bill Therrien advised that the handicapped port-a-pot was not acceptable with the Health Inspector.  They feel that since this is a public building the landlord should be responsible for the handicapped bathroom.  Elaine Moore is obtaining bids for the removal of the storage tank and Mr. Therrien is working on bids for the smaller tank.  Mr. Sawyer noted that the bank-in-charge of the Hooper Funds reported that there is approximately $27,000 available for maintenance (the other half is used for education).  The Selectboard would like to retain at least $5,000 for emergencies.  Mr. Miller stated that they would like to get these things started as soon as possible so they can open up.  The Selectboard agreed to have the bathroom done, the old tank removed and the new oil tank taken care of.  Bids are still pending on the electrical up-grade but are anticipated to be about $5,000.  Bill Therrien agreed to coordinate the quotes, bring the paperwork in to the office, and supervise the work.       

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $39,766.30.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Selectboard Meeting – May 14, 2009 – Page 2

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable voided check register for two checks, Nos. 053877 and 053839.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending May 09, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $17,120.69 or net wages in the amount of $8,754.59.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,749.66.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – May 07, 2009:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of May 07, 2009, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed minutes of the following meetings:  1) Conservation Commission – May 04, 2009; 2) Planning Board Work Session – April 28, 2009; and 3) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – May 12, 2009.

 

ABATEMENTS:

22-24 SCHOOL STREET LLC –Map 019-057-000- 2008 Property Taxes:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the paperwork for this Abatement for 22-24 School Street LLC as previously approved.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

LaVALLEY BUILDING SUPPLY –Sewer- Map 027-003-000 (Put On-Hold Last Week):  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement for Sewer Fees in the amount of $624.89.  The water did not go through the sewer.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

REFUNDS:

ALAN J. and LINDA I. SMITH –Map 012-022-000- Property Tax 2008 (Requested by Town Clerk):  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Refund for 2008 Property Taxes in the amount of $14.59.  This is the result of an over-payment.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

DAVID G. GORHAM –Map 012-022-000- Property Tax 2008 (Requested by Town Clerk):  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Refund for 2008 Property Taxes in the amount of $25.43 for David G. Gorham.  This is the result of over-payment.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.   

 

DAVID and SUSAN HOWELL –Map 007-024-001- Property Tax 2007:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Refund for 2007 Property Taxes in the amount of $438.00 plus $40.00 interest for David and Susan Howell.  This is the result of an over-payment.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

JOHN and CAROL JEAN MUCCILLO –Map 030-068-000- Property Tax 2008:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Refund for 2008 Property Taxes in the amount of $1,071.00 plus $30.00

 

Selectboard Meeting – May 14, 2009 – Page 3

 

interest for John and Carol Jean Muccillo.  This is the result of an assessment change.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

ROUTE 123 and UPPER WALPOLE ROAD:  Mr. Aldrich met with Bob Landry and two other Department of Transportation representatives, Police Chief David Hewes, Lt. Michael Paquette, and Jim Terrell, Road Agent, to observe the flow of traffic at the Route 123 and Upper Walpole Road intersection.  They discussed several options that included moving some signs and re-locating the yellow line as quick fixes.  The DOT would like to grade some of the private property.

Mr. Sawyer moved to allow the Chairman to talk to Denise Gale about the options.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

ERNEST and WANDA WAY –Current Change Use Tax:  Mr. Sawyer moved to change the land value of the property to $78,200 and the Current Use Change Tax to $7,820.00 for the purchasers of Ernest and Wanda Way’s property.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

PALIOCHA LLC –Map 009-023-000- Current Use Change Tax:  Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich would like to schedule a site visit on Saturday, May 16th at 1:00 PM provided these arrangements can be made with Mr. Paliocha.

 

CHRISTOPHER and KATHY MONAHAN –Map 009-059-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to pass-over this agenda to allow time to do more research.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

BERNARD KARNACEWICZ –Land Question- Map 028-116-000:  Following some research of the Minutes from meetings in 2008, the Selectboard had made a decision not to sell Mr. Karnacewicz the Town-owned “pie-shaped” piece of property adjacent to his property but rather to allow him to keep the fence where it is as long as he continues to own that property.  A letter will be sent to him confirming this decision.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

RECYCLE EMPLOYEE PAY:  Mr. Sawyer moved to raise Tom Fitzgerald’s rate of pay by $.50/hour.  This will be retro-active back to March 14, 2009.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

CEMETERY DEED –Lot D391 and D392- John Vigneau:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the sale of two cemetery lots to John Vigneau for $800.00.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

VETERANS EXEMPTION –Wayne McLoughlin- Map 012-044-011:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Veterans Exemption for Wayne McLoughlin.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

LOCAL RIVER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOMINATION FORM –Fred Ernst:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the appointment of Fred Ernst as a Town of Walpole

representative to the Local River Management Advisory Committee and to sign the Nomination Form.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

Selectboard Meeting – May 14, 2009 – Page 4

 

RECREATION COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT –Kelley Hicks:  Mr. Sawyer moved to appoint Kelley Hicks as a member of the Recreation Committee for a three year term until March 2012.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Steve Forrest contacted Elaine Moore to advise that he is no longer interested in being a member of the Recreation Committee.

 

NH STATE LIQUOR COMMISSION –License to Sell Liquor- LP Putters Fare LLC:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard, as Trustees of the Hooper Fund, to write a letter to the NH State Liquor Commission to advise that they support having a liquor license issued to LP Putters Fare LLC. 

 

VACATION DAYS –Teresa Kissell- Monday, May 18 and Friday, May 22, 2009:  The Selectboard approved this request from Teresa Kissell to have two vacation days off.

 

USE OF COMMON –Bruce Martin:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a letter from Bruce Martin to reserve the Town Hall and Town Common for a farewell party for Pastor Larry Siebrands on September 5th, 2009.  Pastor Siebrands will be retiring on September 30, 2009.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve this request but to write a letter to advise that the Town has an “Open Container” policy therefore they will not condone alcohol on the Common.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

USE OF BANDSTAND –Tri Village Energy:  The Selectboard approved the request of the Tri Village Energy Committee to have a meeting and use the bandstand on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009, at 6:30 PM.

 

POLE LICENSES:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Pole Permit from NYNEX for one pole on Taggart Hill Road for New England Telephone and Granite State Electric Company.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Pole Permit from Verizon and the Granite State Electric Company for two poles on County Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Pole Permit from Verizon New England and Granite State Electric Company for one pole on River Road South a/k/a Halls Crossing Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Pole Permit from Verizon New England and Granite State Electric for three poles on the Old Keene Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

STREET LIGHTS:  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Selectboard will be looking into street lights in the Town to make a decision into whether they can eliminate any as a cost saving measure.  Elaine Moore will contact the electric company to obtain any information that the Town does not already have on the street lights.  

 

 

 

Selectboard Meeting – May 14, 2009 – Page 5

 

LETTERS:

IRVING OIL –Regarding Billing:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the letter to Irving Oil regarding their billing.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

MEL SCHUPACK –Thank You Letter:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the letter to Mel Schupack thanking him for past service on the Conservation Commission.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

DENIAL LETTERS:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the following letters for Abatement Denials:

                        John and Nancy Neary

                        Walpole Fort No. 3

                        Drewsville Carriage House Associates

                        North Walpole Village Housing Associates

                        David and Susan Howell

Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Adjournment:  Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting at 9:38 PM.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

                                                                        _______________________

                                                                        Whitney R. Aldrich, Chair

 

                                                                        _______________________

                                                                        Jamie J. Teague

 

                                                                        _______________________

                                                                        Sheldon S. Sawyer

 

 

(Note:  These are unapproved minutes.  Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the minutes of the May 21, 2009, Selectboard meeting.)