TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JULY 23, 2009

 

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

 

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

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

TIM GREENE – AUDITING:  Tim Greene introduced his partners, Tamar Roberts and Sue Drolet, from the auditing firm of Roberts, Greene and Drolet.  Mr. Sawyer explained that the Town has had the same auditing firm for more years than recommended by the Department of Revenue Administration therefore they are contacting other auditing firms to meet them and obtain quotes.  It is not that the Selectboard was dissatisfied with them.  Mr. Greene advised that they have been doing government work for about 30 years with other firms but this is a new firm.  Ms. Roberts noted that their goal would be to get the audit back within 30 days.  Mrs. Teague recommended that they contact the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners to meet with them.  Mr. Greene said they had looked over Town Reports and will make an appointment to visit with Teresa Kissell, Bookkeeper, next week.  After doing some additional research they will submit a quote for doing the audit.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $7,039.64.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending July 18, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $21,497.98 or net wages in the amount of $12,977.50.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the supplemental payroll voucher for the week ending July 18, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $500.00 or net wages in the amount of $442.14.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,573.54.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.   

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS (Continued):

TRI VILLAGE ENERGY – Tara Sad and Andrew Dey:  Tara Sad and Andrew Dey were present to present some good news!  Last year Andrew Dey applied for a grant through the Public Utility Commission known as “REGI”.  They applied for $43,000 but were granted $138,000 because they would like to do a retro-fit in both the Town Hall and the North Walpole Fire Station building that also houses the Commissioner’s Office and Library.  The goal is to reduce green house gas emissions.  They will plan to do the work this fall.  This will show what can be done in older buildings.  Mr. Dey would like to meet with the interested parties and re-visit the analysis, buildings and scope of work.  Mrs. Sad noted that the Tri Village Energy Committee would like to take care of the advertising, education on the savings and outreach planning.   A meeting will be scheduled in early August.

 

 

Selectboard Meeting –July 23, 2009- Page 2

 

VILAS BRIDGE – Francis “Dutch” Walsh:  Mr. Walsh, Community Development Director for the Town of Rockingham, advised that the Town of Rockingham Selectboard would like to meet with the Town of Walpole Selectboard to discuss the Vilas Bridge and to work on a well-crafted letter to be sent to both the New Hampshire and Vermont Governors, Senators, Representatives, etc.  They need to know that it is having an impact on the quality of life on both sides of the river.  Mr. Walsh had been looking over past correspondence and noted that in 1994 there was an agreement between the parties that said within ten years they were going to restore this bridge.  Mr. Sawyer noted that it is now scheduled for the year 2014.  Mr. Walsh mentioned that the closing of the bridge has had an economic impact in the area.  Business in Bellows Falls is down 30% and the increased traffic flow on the other two area bridges is significant.  It is especially noticed in North Walpole when the traffic is backed up because the railroad is going through their crossing.  There was a consensus of the Walpole Selectboard to meet with the Rockingham Selectboard and they agreed to host the meeting since most of the bridge is in NH.  Mrs. Teague recommended that the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners be invited.  Mr. Walsh will take back two proposed meeting dates to the Rockingham Selectboard to see which one is best for them. 

 

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING –July 15, 2009:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of July 15, 2009, with the following correction:  Page 1, Merriam Farm, delete “They were denied a Class V up-grade” and replace it with “The Selectboard previously denied the occasion for a Class V up-grade”.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Mr. Aldrich abstained as he was not present.  With Mr. Sawyer and Mrs. Teague in favor, the motion was approved.

 

SELECTBOARD PUBLIC HEARING –July 20, 2009:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the Public Hearing of July 20, 2009, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC MEETING –July 09, 2009:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Selectboard Non-Public meeting of July 09, 2009, with the following change:  First sentence, change “resignation” to “retirement”.  The Minutes will not be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:  1) Planning Board –July 14, 2009; 2) Conservation Commission –July 06, 2009; 3) North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners –July 14, 2009; and 4) Zoning Board of Adjustment –July 15, 2009.

 

REFUNDS:

DAVID and SUSAN HOWELL –Map 007-024-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Refund for 2008 Property Taxes in the amount of $2,818.00 Principle and $119.51 Interest for David and Susan Howell.  This is the result of their Appeal to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

BUILDING PERMIT:

PETER KING –Map 012-055-022:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2009-014 to construct a 12’ x 16’ shed for Peter King on Dearborn Circle.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Selectboard Meeting –July 23, 2009- Page 3

 

OLD BUSINESS:

TREE IN DREWSVILLE CEMETERY:  This agenda item is still pending therefore the Selectboard agreed to table it for a future meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:           

MYRA MANSOURI – Saving Bank Signatures:  Mr. Sawyer moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Wire Transfer Agreement renewal between the Walpole Savings Bank and the Town of Walpole for the MBIA account.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

RESIGNATION – Recycle Center:  Mrs. Teague moved to accept the resignation of Ann Marie Estes with gratitude.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mrs. Teague moved that the Town advertise for a part-time attendant for the Solid Waste / Recycling Facility.  It will be posted at several local areas, put on the web site and sent to the Unemployment Offices in Claremont, Keene and Springfield.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

RECYCLE VOLUNTEERS:  The Selectboard discussed Paul Colburn’s concern regarding children volunteering at the Solid Waste / Recycling Facility. 

Mrs. Teague moved to give permission for having children volunteer at the facility with the following conditions:  1) They must be a teenager; 2) they must be 13 years or older; and 3) a parent must sign a liability waiver document in the office prior to the person beginning to volunteer and Paul Colburn must witness the signature on the document.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

RECYCLE – Vandalism:  Mrs. Teague reported that vandals cut the lock to the old dump for a third time.  There was a consensus to have Paul Colburn talk to a Cold River Materials representative to see what can be done to secure the site in a different manner.

 

RECYCLE – Paul Colburn Will Attend the Alstead Board of Selectmen Meeting to Observe on July 28, 2009:  The Selectboard agreed that Paul Colburn should attend this meeting.

 

VACATION REQUEST – Chief Hewes:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the request for vacation time for Police Chief David Hewes and Lt. Paquette.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

Corporal Sanctuary and Sgt. Huntley will be in charge during their absence.  Lt. Maslan of the NH State Police will be available.

 

INTENT TO CUT TIMBER –Mary McMahon- Map 003-001-002 and Map 003-001-000:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the two Notices of Intent to Cut Timber on Map 003-001-002 and Map 003-001-000 for Mary McMahon on Whipple Hill.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.   

 

BOSTON POST CANE:  The Selectboard announced that they are looking for the oldest person in Walpole over the age of 96.  If anyone is aware of a Town resident who would be eligible to hold the Boston Post Cane please notify the Selectboard office.

Mr. Sawyer moved to pass on the Boston Post Cane to the oldest resident they can find.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Selectboard Meeting –July 23, 2009- Page 4

 

ROCKINGHAM OLD HOME DAYS:  Mrs. Teague reported that Police Chief Hewes applied for permission to close the bridge for the Rockingham Old Home Days fireworks on Saturday, August 1st.  This has not yet been received in writing.  Chief Hewes is planning to bring in two or three additional officers

 

Adjournment:  Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 9:26 PM.

 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

 

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting of the Hooper Trustees to order at 9:27 PM.

 

SMOKE DETECTORS:  Mr. Aldrich noted that there was a fire in the Hooper property barn but it was under control in a short period of time as a golfer noticed it before it did much damage. 

Mr. Sawyer moved to have Elaine Moore contact Countryside Lock and Alarm for a quote on smoke detectors.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

LETTER REGARDING SERVING OF ALCOHOL ON PORCH:  When the letter from the State came back to L.P. Putters Fare, LLC they noticed that it did not include serving alcohol on the porch of the Hooper Mansion Club House.  They need a letter from the Selectboard to request this extension of their Liquor License.

Mr. Sawyer moved to sign a letter stating that the Selectboard approves having L.P.Putters Fare, LLC serve alcohol on the attached porch of the Hooper Mansion as well as the Club House.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 9:32 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 July 30, 2009, Selectboard meeting.)