TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JUNE 04, 2009

 

Selectboard Present:     Whitney Aldrich (Chair); Sheldon Sawyer

                                    (Absent:  Jamie Teague)

 

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:52 PM with eight people present in the audience.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

DEARBORN CIRCLE:  Don Jennison expressed concern about a vacant property on Dearborn Circle.  There are bags of trash, toys in the yard, the lawn has not been mowed, etc.  Something needs to be done.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Selectboard will do research on who owns the property now and follow-up on the complaint.

 

JULIE and KEN BURNS – Finding New or Possible Downtown Based Site for a Playground (in Town) Not at the Playground:  Julie Burns and Stacy Lindell were present.  Mrs. Burns explained that circumstances have now shifted from their original proposal made about a year ago for a playground at the Recreation area.  Based on a lot of thinking between her, her husband and other Walpole families they feel that the recreation area is not the optimal space.  They would like a more centralized structure.  A location where families can walk to the space rather than drive and be able to walk to local businesses for ice cream, snacks, etc.  At times the recreation area is almost deserted and it feels unsafe for a mother with a small child.  They received enough funding for a modest structure.  This is a gift to the Town but the caveat is that it cannot go down to the recreation area.  They created photos with the structure that will be in keeping with the beauty of the Town yet offer families a place to congregate.  Mrs. Lindell presented pictures of the structure and the footprint.  It could be gated with specific hours; supervised by the community.  They came to the Town to ask for space to locate this structure and suggested that consideration be given to the south end of the Common.  They want the structure to be a community gathering place.  There was discussion relative to other possible locations.  The Selectboard felt if they were to move forward with space on the Common there would need to be a Public Hearing.  They suggested that Mrs. Burns and Mrs. Lindell measure out the south end of the Common, and present a sketch of the proposed structure and lay-out plan to them.          

 

MONADNOCK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:  Brian McMasters of the Southwest Region Planning Commission requested that the Selectboard approve and sign Requisition #6 in the amount of $2,542.00 to the NH Community Development Finance Authority for CDBG #08-050-CDED for MEDC / Andrus Associates, LLC.  He keeps track of the progress of this company and will be back next month with an end of the month report that will include the number of jobs created, etc.  He requested that the town submit an invoice for the time spent for bookkeeping on this grant. 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign Requisition #6 in the amount of $2,542.00 to the NH Community Development Finance Authority for MEDC / Andrus Associates, LLC.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

TOWN HALL – Second Floor Question:  Warren Stevens was asked to do an assessment of the second floor in the Town Hall.  The Selectmen will need to get someone to shore-up the ceiling in the meeting / community room on the first floor. 

 

BOB GRAVES – Miscellaneous Items:  Bob Graves questioned how much longer it will be before the Town repairs the wash-out on March Hill Road near the Graves property.  Mr. Aldrich

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stated that the Town is waiting for the DES Permits to do the project.  There was discussion about the Town charging fees for use of the Common.  

Mr. Aldrich moved to allow the Congregational Church to use the Common, at no charge, for a fundraiser for the Music Department.   Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $487,571.78.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

It was noted that $472,979.46 of the above amount is a monthly payment to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable Payment Manifest for Tax Liens in the amount of $85,629.24.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending May 30, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $14,778.50 or net wages in the amount of $6,994.78.  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 $3,294.77.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Supplemental Payroll check voucher in the amount of $23,577.37.  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 $19,847.57.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – May 28, 2009:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of May 28, 2009, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of May 28, 2009.  The Minutes will not be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed the following meeting minutes: 1) Hooper Institute Committee –May 19, 2009; and 2) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners –May 26, 2009 and June 02, 2009. 

 

ABATEMENT:

PETER and PATRICIA WHEELER –Map 029-041-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Notice of Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $54.00 plus any interest to Peter and Patricia Wheeler.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

WARRANTS:

 

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RONALD HILL and etal –Map 029-041-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Warrant for the Tax Year 2009 First Issue in the amount of $54.00 for Ronald Hill and etal.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

BUILDING PERMIT:

JASON and CHRISTINE BARDIS –Map 015-031-001- 48 Alstead Center Road:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2009-09 for Jason and Christine Bardis to construct a 12’ x 20’ shed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

PLANNING BOARD and MERRIAM FARMS HEARING (Same Date):  Elaine Moore reported that some people have expressed concern about having the Planning Board meeting and the Merriam Farms Hearing on the same day.  Mr. Sawyer explained that it was the Selectboard’s intent to schedule it in this manner since it affects both the Planning Board and the Selectboard.  Elaine Moore will contact Jeff Miller, Planning Board Chair, to see if he wishes to make other arrangements.

 

EMICOR LLC – APPEAL HEARING:  Loren Martin from Avitar had previously agreed to represent the Town at the Board of Land and Tax Appeal Hearing when Emicor LLC is heard.  Following receipt of a letter from Attorney Hockensmith, Elaine Moore will check with Avitar to see if the Town should have an independent appraisal.

 

RECREATION AREA:  The Police Department have responded to the alarm at the Recreation area several times but discovered no problems.

Mr. Sawyer moved to shut-off the sensors at the Recreation area until the alarm can be checked.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

RECYCLE – 4th of July Holiday:  Mr. Sawyer moved to allow the Recycling Facility to close on Saturday, July 4th, 2009 for the Holiday.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.         

 

WOMEN OF WALPOLE –Common Use- August 15 and 16:  A request to use the Common on August 15, 2009, was received from Corey Field on behalf of the Women of Walpole for a flea market fundraiser.  The rain date would be August 16, 2009.  Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich agreed to approve Saturday, August 15th provided it is not scheduled for another event.  Sunday, August 16th was not approved because of the Band Concerts so a different rain date would have to be chosen.  There will be no charge for use of the Common for this fundraiser.

 

SUMMER HOURS FOR SELECTBOARD STAFF – June 22:  Mr. Sawyer moved to allow the summer hours for the Selectboard Staff to begin on June 22nd, 2009.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

(4) PETITION and POLE LICENSE PERMITS (As requested by Sandy Smith): 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the four Petitions and Pole License Permits as follows:

1)      Northern New England Telephone Operations, LLC and Granite State Electric Company – Licensing of one replacement pole (1/138-1) on Washington Street;

2)      Northern New England Telephone Operations, LLC and Granite State Electric Company – Licensing of one new pole (2/104s) on Watkins Hill Road;

 

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3)      Northern New England Telephone Operations, LLC and Granite State Electric Company – Licensing of one new pole (141/1 – ½) on Maplewood Drive;

4)      Northern New England Telephone Operations, LLC and Granite State Electric Company – Licensing of one new pole (13/8s) on North Road.

Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.   

 

NEIL and JUDY COUGHLIN – Property Assessment Change –Map 011-011-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the property assessment changes made to the Coughlin property.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

RICHARD GALVIN –Property Assessment Change- Map 015-031-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the property assessment changes made to the Richard Galvin property.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

BURDICK’S:  Burdick’s questioned who was responsible for the water line repair on their property at 288 Main Street last week.  The Selectboard confirmed the answer provided by Mark Houghton as follows: 

“The Town of Walpole is responsible for water lines and service that are located on Town property only.  It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain their water service from the curb stop, located at their property line all the way through their water meter.

 

This has been the policy of the Town since the date of installation of the Town water system”.

 

LETTER TO BE SIGNED:

DAVID and CYNTHIA WESTOVER –Map 011-034-001- Assessment Change:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the property assessment changes made to the David and Cynthia Westover property.  Elaine Moore will sign the letter.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 10:03 PM.

 

 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

 

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting of the Hooper Trustees to order at 10:04 PM. 

 

HOOPER MANSION:  Mark Houghton requested that the Selectboard approve and sign the documents for the clean-up of the contaminated oil from the leaking tank that was removed at the Hooper Mansion and the Bill of Laden to truck the soil and dispose of it properly at the Environmental Soil Management, Inc. of New Hampshire (ESMI of NH).   

Mr. Sawyer moved to have Mr. Aldrich sign the paperwork for ESMI of NH.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selectboard Meeting – June 04, 2009 – Page 5

 

 

Adjournment:  Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 10:12 PM.

 

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 June 11, 2009, Selectboard meeting.)