TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JANUARY 28, 2010

 

Selectboard Present:     Whitney Aldrich (Chair); Jamie Teague

                                    (Absent:  Sheldon Sawyer)

 

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM with five people present in the audience.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

MATT BLANC –Blanc & Bailey Construction, Inc.:  Matt Blanc presented a binder to the Selectboard to assist them in tracking the original bid, changes and what was billed (a complete analysis of the project).  The final close out figure is $45,204.22 for the Town Hall ceiling project.  The Selectboard members will bring the binder to Mr. Sawyer’s attention so he will have the opportunity to review the documentation.     

 

ERNIE VOSE:  Ernie Vose and Steve Grenier tested the speakers in preparation of Town Meeting in the Town Hall.  They will continue to make sure the entire system is working properly.  Mrs. Teague will bring in a second system as back-up. 

 

JANET WARREN – American Red Cross:  Janet Warren from the American Red Cross provided information on the Walpole Rural Rides Transportation Program and their Request for the continuation of this program in 2010 in the amount of $2,500.  Volunteer drivers provided 88 door-to-door rides to Walpole residents who needed help getting to much-needed local or long-distance medical appointments in Keene, Claremont, Lebanon and in Walpole.  Average mileage is 60 miles per trip.  There are 9-to-10 drivers in Walpole.  Many people requesting rides have cancer or require dialysis and are unable to drive themselves.  They receive no government funding.  This program is being scrutinized by their national organization; it needs to be self-sustaining. They provide an “800” number with centralized Red Cross dispatchers 5 days a week; arrange for criminal and DMV background checks for volunteer drivers; and provide auto insurance coverage for volunteers.  They also provide other services in Town that they do not charge for.  The Selectboard agreed to include this request as a 2010 Warrant Article for the amount of $2,500.     

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $12,972.66.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mrs. Teague moved to approve Invoice #2679 in the amount of $24,603.56 and Invoice #2696 in the amount of $15,300.66 for a total amount of $45,204.22 to close out the Blanc and Bailey Construction, Inc. repairs to the Town Hall ceiling.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

PAYROLL:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending January 23, 2010, and dated January 29, 2010 for gross wages in the amount of $16,380.48 or net wages in the amount of $7,804.75.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  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 $3,914.52.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Selectboard Meeting –January 28, 2010- Page 2

 

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING –January 21, 2010:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 21, 2010, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:

·         Zoning Board of Adjustment – January 20, 2010; and

·         North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – January 26, 2010.

 

WARRANT:

SUPPLEMENTAL TAX WARRANT –O’Brien Living Trust, Map 024-034-000, 16 Maplewood Circle:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Tax Collector’s Property Tax Supplemental Warrant in the amount of $250.00.  This is the result of removing the Veteran’s Exemption following transfer of ownership.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

BOUNDARY & ANNEXATION SURVEY:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to take this under advisement.

 

TRI-VILLAGE ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND KEY REQUEST:  Mrs. Teague will attend their next meeting on February 18th at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall when she will discuss the key request and other issues with the committee.

 

CHECKS AND BALANCES MEETING WITH MARK HOUGHTON:  Mark Houghton brought the Selectboard up-to-date on the installation of a state approved septic system at the Potato Barn building and referred to the Walpole Sewer Use Ordinance adopted on April 3, 1985.  He will be meeting with the engineer on-site tomorrow at 9:00 AM.  Mr. Houghton feels it is important for the Chairman of the various Boards, the Department Heads and Planning Board Secretary to meet together to work on “Permit Processes”.   

 

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD, DEPARTMENT HEADS, CHAIRMAN OF THE VARIOUS BOARDS AND PLANNING BOARD SECRETARY:  Following a lengthy discussion relative to “Permit Processes” the Selectboard felt it in order to schedule a meeting with the Department Heads, Chairman of the various Boards and the Planning Board Secretary on Monday, February 1st, 2010, at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall.

 

NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING:  Mrs. Teague will not be able to attend the next regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting on Thursday, February 4th as she will be required to attend the Fall Mountain Regional School District Deliberative Session on that evening.  The other Selectboard members would also like to attend this meeting.

Mrs. Teague moved to change the next Selectboard meeting from Thursday, February 4th, 2010, to Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010, at 7:30 PM.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE ADMINISTRATION EQUALIZATION RATIO:  An acknowledgement was made of a letter from the DRA advising that they conducted a sales-assessment ratio study using market sales, which has taken place in Walpole between October 1,

Selectboard Meeting –January 28, 2010- Page 3

 

2008 and September 30, 2009.  Based on that information they have determined the average level of assessment of land, buildings and manufactured housing as of April 1, 2009.

 

LETTER TO BE SIGNED:

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION PROJECT – Letter of Commitment:  Mrs. Teague moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the letter of commitment with the City of Keene for their Household Hazardous Waste Collection Project, 2010-2011 Series in the amount of $3,402.00.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Adjournment:  Mrs. Teague moved to recess this meeting until Friday, January 29, 2010, at 8:00 AM to discuss the 2010 Warrant and Budget.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 9:26 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 February 3, 2010, Selectboard meeting.)