TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SEPTEMBER 8, 2005
Selectmen Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller
Mr. Sawyer opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M. with five people in attendance.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
SWRPC – REFINANCE THE J.H. DUNNING LOAN: Matt Suchodolski, SWRPC, advised that the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation want to refinance the loan on the J.H. Dunning Corporation building in North Walpole. This will allow for prospective new tenants as well as provide space for incubating new, start-up enterprises at the site. He requested that the Board of Selectmen approve and sign the documents to change the loan from the T.D. Banknorth to the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority.
Mr. Miller moved that the Board of Selectmen allow the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation to make this change to refinance the loan on the J.H. Dunning Corporation building in North Walpole. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Sawyer recessed the regular meeting at 7:35 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING:
TO SPEND DONATED MONEY FOR HURRICANE RELIEF: In order to satisfy RSA 31:95-d that was adopted by the Town in 1994, the Board of Selectmen will be able to transfer funds from a private source without the need of a Special Meeting. This Public Hearing is to spend donated funds from local businesses and residents to help defray the expenses to send four Walpole police officers to Louisiana to help with the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief. Police Chief David Hewes reported that a nationwide call went out earlier this week for volunteer police officers to assist.
Mr. Miller moved that the Board of Selectmen use the donated funds for expenses for the four police officers to assist in Louisiana with the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief. Upon their return, any surplus funds will be split 50-50 between the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved that to-date the Town received $4,900 to use and approved the check register and manifest to the Police Department for this purpose. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
It was noted that funding is still coming into the Town for the hurricane relief account.
Mr. Sawyer closed the Public Hearing at 7:40 P.M. and the regular meeting was resumed.
PUBLIC BUSINESS (Continued):
JIM TERRELL – FARNAM LANE TREES / HAZARD: Mr. Sawyer advised that since this is a scenic view road the trees over 6” in diameter cannot be cut unless it is done by the property owner. There are some large maple trees that are a safety hazard and Jim Terrell has requested permission to cut them.
Mr. Miller moved to allow the Highway Department to cut the trees that pose a safety hazard on Farnam Lane. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
BUILDING PERMITS:
WILLIAM AND CAMILLA DAHER – MAP 004-005-003: Mr. Daher submitted a Building Permit to construct a two story 28’x80’ double house with garage attached between on the River Road.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-039 for Bill Daher to construct a double house on the River Road. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
BILL DAHER: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-035 for Bill Daher to build residential with said conditions on Map 012-012-005. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
BILL DAHER: Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-036 for Bill Daher to build residential with said conditions on Map 012-012-006. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
DAVID WALKER: Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-041 for David Walker to construct a 28’x28’ detached garage on the North River Road. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
STEVEN MONETTE – MAP 012-044-026: Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-040 for Steven Monette to construct a 12’x16’ shed on Sand Hill Road. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
MICHAEL AND TRACY BEAM – MAP 011-044-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-038 for Michael and Tracy Beam to construct a 20’x22’ sun porch on Eaton Road. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $76,798.75. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending September 3, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $17,536.07 or net wages in the amount of $10,512.51. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,170.94. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the bill from Robie Speed in the amount of $125.00 for cleaning the rest area. This will be taken out of the Fannie Mason Forest Fund. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- SEPTEMBER 01, 2005: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of September 01, 2005, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller referred to page 3, paragraph 3 – change “the Town will keep the area closed until the Main Street project is completed” to “the Town will keep the area closed until all necessary work is done.” Mr. Sawyer abstained as he was not present at this meeting. Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Miller were in favor, the motion carried.
Board of Selectmen Meeting – September 08, 2005 – Page 3
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of September 06, 2005. It was noted that there were several holes as the result of the water construction project and that the Highway Department took care of them. An invoice was sent to SUR for the work that the Town of Walpole did.
ABATEMENT:
MATTHEW MASTEN – SEWER: There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to put this Abatement for Matthew Masten on hold. Mr. Miller would like to see if the North Walpole and Walpole meter readings agree.
WARRANT:
TIMBER CUT –SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF NH FORESTS- MAP 006-027-000: It was noted that the Society for Protection of NH Forests was donating the chips so would see no funding from the timber cut.
Mr. Miller moved to waive the Warrant for the Society For Protection of NH Forests in the amount of $11.25. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
HOOPER COTTAGE – WASHER REPAIR: It was noted that the combination washer and dryer are a part of the cottage rental.
Mr. Sawyer moved to proceed with the lowest bid to repair the washer. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
CHESHIRE COUNTY REGIONAL SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, AT 6:30 P.M.: Mr. Aldrich talked to Police Chief David Hewes regarding this meeting. Chief Hewes will be unable to attend, therefore, Mr. Miller will attend and be the Board of Selectmen’s representative.
NEW BUSINESS:
BOY SCOUTS BENEFIT CONCERT FOR HURRICANE KATRINA – USE OF COMMON: The Boy Scouts are organizing a concert with all proceeds to be donated to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. They have a band that is willing to donate their services.
Mr. Miller moved to allow the Boy Scouts to use the Common for the band concert on the afternoon of September 25th, 2005. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
TERESA KISSELL –PERSONAL TIME- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2005: Mr. Miller moved to give permission to Teresa Kissell to take Friday, September 09, 2005, off as personal time. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
WELFARE MEETING –ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION- SEPTEMBER 16, 2005: The Board of Selectmen approved a request to have one person from the office attend the Welfare Meeting on September 16th, 2005, and they will encourage Elaine Moore, as the Welfare Officer, to attend.
TOWN COMMON REQUEST – JUNE 10, 2006: Mr. Miller moved to approve the request from Kelly Forrest to use the Town Common for a wedding on June 10, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
TOWN COMMON: Mr. Miller moved that in the future the fee for use of the Town Common will be no charge for residents and $100.00 for non-residents. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
TOWN HALL VACUUM – REPAIR: The Board of Selectmen approved having the Town Hall vacuum repaired.
NEW ENGLAND POWER – APPEAL OF TAXES 2004: Mr. Sawyer advised that the Town received a notice that the New England Power Company is appealing their 2004 taxes to the Cheshire County Superior Court.
NEW LGC BILLING SERVICES: Teresa Kissell advised that the Local Government Center is willing to do the billing for past employees on COBRA and for retirees at no charge to the Town.
Mr. Aldrich moved to allow the Local Government Center to do the billing for COBRA and the retirees and to authorize the Chairman to sign in the designated areas. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
THE CHRISTIAN HOLLOW WEBSITE: There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to put this agenda item on hold.
FIRE HOUSE ROAD: Mr. Aldrich received a call from Sandy Boynton who reported that grass is growing in the ditch on Fire House Road. This will be passed on to Jim Terrell to be taken care of.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Session to discuss possible legal matters. Mr. Miller seconded the motion and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion carried. The time was 9:14 P.M.
The regular meeting resumed at 9:18 P.M. No announcements were made.
Mr. Sawyer declared the meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden
THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES. CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.