TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
APRIL 22, 2010
Selectboard Present: Whitney Aldrich (Chair); Sheldon Sawyer; (Absent: Jamie Teague)
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with twenty-seven people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
MR. JOE DION & MR. JERRY GALLOWAY: Mr. Dion, member of the Hooper Golf Course Committee, explained that they need to move forward on the procedure they will follow to commence negotiations with the Hooper Golf Club. Mr. Dion and Mr. Galloway submitted their proposed Golf Course Committee procedure. Mr. Sawyer noted that they will review the proposal presented.
ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY BY SELECTBOARD OFFICE: Cindy Westover introduced Tim Golden who owns a house in Walpole but will be switching houses with a friend who owns a house in Charlestown. Mr. Golden’s house is a one family home but at the last minute it was discovered that the tax card indicated that it was a duplex house.
Mr. Sawyer moved that the Selectboard secretary make the changes on the official tax card. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sawyer recused himself from this agenda item.
USE OF LIQUID MANURE: Mr. Aldrich advised that Jack Neary came into the meeting last week and talked about liquid manure being spread in his neighborhood. Mr. Aldrich was not sure of all the circumstances however a motion was made to discontinue this process based on the Zoning Ordinance, Article 4, Page 3, General Provisions. Mr. Sawyer was late coming into that meeting so was not aware of this decision. Mr. Aldrich is now asking for a reconsideration of that vote as his decision was done in haste. He no longer has a problem with what is going on in that neighborhood.
Mr. Sawyer contacted Walpole farmers; there were 26 sign-ins on the attendance sheet of which approximately 21 were farmers. He noted that most of these people believe that the best fertilizer is manure. The Planning Board is working on the Master Plan and it says that agriculture plays an important role in the Town. He read a portion of the Master Plan. Best Management Practices should be applied.
Representative Tara Sad read her statement, dated April 22, 2010, relative to the policies of the State of New Hampshire with regard to agricultural practices, in particular the spreading of manure or other soil amendments. (A copy of her statement is attached for the record).
Mr. Aldrich said that the Hooper Institute and the Farmers Market will promote natural fertilizers.
Sue Bauer is the land owner in the Neary neighborhood. Sheldon Sawyer is the farmer who takes care of their land and they have never had any concern with how he does that.
Holly Gowdy noted that they do organic farming. Manure is a natural product. They get their manure from Hubbard Farms or from their own cows. It is more economical than other fertilizers; they have to watch every penny they spend.
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22, 2010- Page 2
Peter Barrett lives and farms in Westminster, VT and also rents a farm in Walpole; they cover their fields with manure. It is an excellent fertilizer.
Susan Jasse is an apple farmer. This is Earth Day. What greener practice is there than to use natural fertilizers.
Several other people in attendance voiced their support on the spreading of manure as a fertilizer.
WALPOLE FARMERS MARKET:
Erin Bickford and Holly Gowdy came to this meeting to address some questions that were raised by the Selectboard about the Walpole Farmers Market rules and regulations in-house. Mr. Sawyer noted that it is the Selectboard that gives permission to use the Common therefore he would like issues to pass through them. There was a discussion about the definition for “sustainable” and locally produced products. Their vendor agreement is a work in-progress. They feel the vendors should be able to speak about their product and to produce the product they are selling. They want to start small but try to do a good job. Currently there are ten vendors.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $56,786.67. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
PAYROLL:
Mr. Sawyer moved to
approve the payroll voucher for the week ending April 17, 2010, for checks
dated April 23, 2010, for gross wages in the amount of $14,970.97 or net wages
in the amount of $6,901.11. 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 $3,431.14. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD
MEETING – April 15, 2010: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of
the Selectboard meeting of April 15, 2010, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE MINUTES:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:
· North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – April 13, 2010;
· Planning Board – April 13, 2010; and
· TriVillage Energy Committee – April 15, 2010.
BUILDING PERMITS:
TRUBIANO, 1537
County Road, Walpole, Map & Lot #003-034-003: Mr.
Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2010-14 for John & Andrea
Trubiano to construct a 16’ x 10’ wooden storage shed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
WALPOLE D & D,
INC., 8 Deer Run Lane, Map & Lot
#008-015-005: Mr. Sawyer moved to
approve Building Permit No. 2010-15 for Walpole D & D, Inc./Fred &
Carol Dill, to construct a 32’ x 42’ house with
Selectboard Meeting –April
22, 2010- Page 3
a 26’ x 10’
breezeway and a 26 x 10 attached garage subject to the approval of the State
for the septic system. Seconded by Mr.
Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
TIMBER WARRANT –
REPORT OF CUT:
MOROSINI, 80
Kingsbury Lane, Walpole, Operation #09-461-11, Map & Lot #008-114-000: Mr.
Sawyer moved to accept the Warrant for the Timber Tax Levy for the Tax Year
April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 in the amount of $1,493.49 for Dr. Charles
Morosini. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
GALLOWAY-LeCLERC, 721 County Road, Walpole, Operation #09-461-06, Map & Lot #002-011-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the Warrant for the Timber Tax Levy for the Tax Year April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 in the amount of $33.00 for Jan Galloway LeClerc. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
EXCAVATION –
NOTICE OF INTENT TO EXCAVATE:
GRAVES, 834
Wentworth Road, Walpole, Operation #10-461-04-E, Map & Lot #001-016-000: Mr.
Sawyer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Excavate Gravel. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
ABATEMENT:
GAFFNEY, 199
Wentworth Road, Walpole, Map & Lot #008-027-000: Mr.
Sawyer moved to grant the Abatement in the amount of $115.68 for Patrick
Gaffney. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
WARRANTS – GRAVEL
TAX:
GRAVES, 834
Wentworth Road, Walpole, Operation #09-461-06, Map & Lot #001-016-000: Mr. Sawyer
moved to approve the Warrant for Gravel Tax Levy for the Tax Year April 1, 2009
to March 31, 2010, in the amount of $247.62.
Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion
passed unanimously.
WARRANT – TIMBER
TAX:
MOROSINI, 80
Kingsbury Lane, Walpole, Operation #09-461-11, Map & Lot #008-114-000: Mr.
Sawyer moved to approve the Warrant for the Timber Yield Tax in the amount of
$1,493.49 for Dr. Charles Morosini.
Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion
passed unanimously.
GALLOWAY-LeCLERC, 721 County Road, Walpole, Operation #09-461-06, Map & Lot #002-011-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Warrant for the Timber Yield Tax in the amount of $33.00 for Jan Galloway-LeClerc. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
LETTER FROM L.A. BURDICK: A request was received from Cathy Watson of L.A. Burdick Chocolate to have various celebrations; Robert Burns, Bastille Day, Oktoberfest just to name a few. Some of these will include outdoor music and other activities in front of their 47 Main Street location.
Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the request from L.A. Burdick Chocolate to serve alcohol mainly beer and wine outside under the tent. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
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22, 2010- Page 4
WALPOLE VILLAGE SCHOOL BINGO NIGHT: A request was received from the Walpole Village School to utilize the Town Hall every last Tuesday of the month for bingo. They have these bingo nights to raise money for the school. Mrs. Clinger questioned if their $25.00 deposit fee could be rolled forward for each month providing there is no damage after each bingo night and if they should be charged the $25.00 fee for rental as they are raising money for the school.
Mr. Sawyer moved to pass over making a decision until a full Board is present. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
LETTER FROM THE WALPOLE SCHOOL: A request was received from Sam Jacobs, Principal of the Walpole Attendance Area Schools, to allow the 2010 Walpole School eighth grade graduating class to use the Walpole Common on Tuesday, June 15 at 6:30 PM for their graduation ceremony. They would also like to utilize the entire Town Hall for their graduation party immediately following the ceremony. He also requested that the police close off the Common on one end before the ceremony begins.
Mr. Sawyer moved to grant this request to allow the graduating class of the Walpole School to use the Town Hall and Common on Tuesday, June 15th at 6:30 PM at no charge. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Clough will contact the Police Department relative to closing off the Common on one end.
OLD BUSINESS:
TRACTOR SUPPLY / 504 MAIN STREET, LLC, Easement & Maintenance Agreement (Water Line): Mark Houghton met with Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith to work on the Easement & Maintenance Agreement for the water line to Tractor Supply / 504 Main Street, LLC. A draft copy was available for review however the original document had not been received.
Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the Easement & Maintenance Agreement when it comes in. It will be signed by each member individually. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
POTATO BARN SEWER ISSUE: There was no new additional information available on the Potato Barn Sewer issue. Mrs. Clough acknowledged receipt of an email from Cliff Harper relative to the on-going sub-surface sewer system that was reviewed by the Selectboard.
FAMILY DOLLAR STORE: Mr. Sawyer reported that the Planning Board did not act on the Site Plan application for the proposed Family Dollar store. One concern is the entrance as the PB felt it could be utilized as a shared driveway. They discussed the new Ordinance for the water and sewer extensions.
POTENTIAL CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT: Mr. Sawyer referenced an opinion from Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith that condominiums might be allowed if they meet the requirements.
PLANNING BOARD WORK SESSION: Mr. Sawyer advised that, during the Planning Board Work Session on Tuesday, April 27th at 7:00 PM, they will be discussing the “Land Use Analysis and Plan” chapter of the Town Plan. He referenced page 14 as he felt the “25%” figure mentioned as the goal for conservation lands should be deleted; there should be no percentage figure.
LETTER TO BE
SIGNED:
SWRPC AMENDMENT REQUEST: A letter was received from the Southwest Region Planning Commission requesting an extension for the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Selectboard Meeting –April
22, 2010- Page 5
and Andrus Associates, LLC contract to a new completion date of to June 30, 2011. The reason for this no additional cost extension request is based on a delay in Andrus Associates, LLC achieving their job creation goal.
Mr. Sawyer moved that the Chairman sign the letter to the Southwest Region Planning Commission agreeing to the requested extension. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment: Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:48 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 April 29, 2010. Selectboard meeting.)