Ed. Note: Thanks to Secretary Regina Borden, here are the minutes of the October 20 Selectmen's meeting.

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

OCTOBER 20, 2005

Selectmen Present:            Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, (Absent: Charles Miller)

Mr. Sawyer opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M. with three people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

POLICE - SPENDING OF FUNDS:  Officer Mike Paquette discussed the funds that are left in the Hurricane Katrina account.  Originally a motion was made by the Board of Selectmen to split it between the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.  He questioned if a check for a larger amount could be sent to the Red Cross for Katrina in Mississippi and Louisiana and a smaller check to the local Red Cross in Keene for the needs of the local community.  A lot of local people had water in their cellars; furnaces, washers and dryers were ruined.  Many people worked around the clock.  People provided casseroles, sandwiches, coffee, etc. to the National Guard and they were very appreciative of that.  Officer Paquette spoke about the good work that the ASPCA was doing with thousands of animals following the hurricane in Louisiana where the officers assisted for a week.  They were looking for money and he wondered if some of the left over funds could be sent to them.  The Board of Selectmen approved having Officer Paquette proceed by calling the Red Cross in Keene to ask about issuing two checks to separate the funds and to obtain mailing addresses for the Salvation Army and ASPCA.

MR. AND MRS. TRETLER:  Mr. and Mrs. Tretler attended the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting yesterday when the Dance property on Wentworth Road was discussed.  Mr. Tretler is concerned about the noise from the animals, the businesses and on-going construction.  They just want to enjoy their home and yard.  Mr. Sawyer advised that Mr. and Mrs. Dance had investigated and believed that they had complied with most of the ordinances.  They have contacted the State and are now meeting with the local Planning Board & Zoning Board of Adjustment. 

THADDEUS SELF:  Mr. Self dropped off a packet of information for the Board of Selectmen to review, at their convenience, regarding Santaw Lane. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $334,107.19.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted. 

It was noted that the above amount includes a payment in the amount of $328,427.86 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending October 15, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $25,935.03 or net wages in the amount of $15,840.23.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  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 $7,233.26.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS:  Mr. Aldrich moved to transfer $250,000.00 from the MBIA to the Savings Bank of Walpole general account and to authorize the Chairman to sign the documents.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

FOREST FIRE WARDEN:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the reimbursement in the amount of $145.60 to the Forest Fire Warden, Bill Houghton, to attend a seminar.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- OCTOBER 13, 2005:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of October 13, 2005, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioner’s meeting of October 18, 2005.

ABATEMENTS:

BURDICK & BURNS – WATER AND SEWER:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatements for Burdick and Burns for the past three billings as follows:  $5,957.80 for Water and $4,640.59 for Sewer.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

WALPOLE SAVINGS BANK – TAX ANTICIPATION NOTE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Tax Anticipation Note in the amount of $1,000,000.00 through the Savings Bank of Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MERRIAM ROAD UPGRADE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to retain Attorney Gary Kinyon to represent the Town of Walpole in the Merriam Farms Upgrade issue.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY:  Mr. Sawyer advised that Jim Rice of Avitar will be in the Town Hall on Tuesday, therefore, they tabled signing the letter regarding the New England Power Company assessment until they have discussed it with Mr. Rice.

NEW BUSINESS:

TAX RATE:  Jamie Dow of the Department of Revenue Administration will be in the Town Hall on October 24th, 2005, at 11:30 am to work on the Tax Rate.

AVITAR TRAINING:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve having Elaine Moore attend a computer training seminar sponsored by Avitar on November 7th, 2005, in Chichester, NH.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted. 

STORM DAMAGE:  Mr. Sawyer reported that, as of tonight, there are only three roads that are closed in the Town of Walpole – 1) at the easterly end of Cold River Road and Whitcomb Road and 2) the end of the Meeting House Road and County Road; and 3) High Street.  Duncan Watson has his phone service but is waiting for the electricity to be reconnected.  Allen Smith has been hired to do the sidewalk by the American Legion building and to shore up the culvert on March Hill. 

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

FITZ VOGT AND ASSOCIATES:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to Fitz Vogt and Associates of Walpole congratulating them on the fact that they were recognized as being in the 39th place within the top 100 companies [in New Hampshire in 2005]. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.         

Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden                                                              ______________________

 Sheldon S. Sawyer

                                                                                 ______________________

 Whitney R. Aldrich

                                                                                 ______________________

 Charles D. Miller

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 27, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.

Editorial Note: Comment: Here are the minutes of last week's Walpole Planning Board meeting, courtesy of Ernie Vose.

Editorial OPINION: Everyone in Walpole should attend a Selectmen's, Planning Board or Zoning Baord meeting at least once or twice a year, maybe more, just to see how our leaders are handling them.  As someone that attends quite a few meetings, I must say that I am impressed by the overall functioning of our town government.  I find it fascinating and, on the whole, pretty impressive how everyone seeks to hear all sides, to respect each other, and to find common ground.  Sometimes it's frustrating, annoying and downright maddening to see that others have diametrically different ways of looking at things.  But it's also inspiring to see ordinary citizens working hard to resolve issues in civilized and fair ways.  And sometimes that even happens! So, while we may not always agree on things, I think our process, messy as democracy usually is, is working reasonably well in Walpole.  And it needs and deserves the observation and participation of all of us.

Walpole Planning Board Meeting Oct. 11, 2005

Unapproved Minutes

Members Present:  J. Miller, Ch., D. Edkins, V-Ch., S. Sawyer, Select’s Rep., H. Fletcher, R. Miller, D. DeCoste, R. Boas, alt., F. Dill, alt.

Presiding:  J. Miller, Chairman

Recording:  P. Aslinger, Secretary

Meeting opened 7:40 pm, Chairman Miller designated Fred Dill to act in place of Eric Merklein, away on vacation.  Minutes of 9/13/05 and 9/27/05 were approved as presented.

Review of application submitted and public hearing:  Asher Construction, LLC  - minor 2 lot subdivision located on Alstead Center Rd. in Drewsville, Map 15 Lot 17 3.24 acres in the Res. A zone, resulting in 2 lots, lot 17 of 2.23 acres and lot 17-1 of 1.01 acres.  The application was accepted as complete at the 9/13 meeting and qualified for an expedited review.  Virginia Foote was present representing the applicant.

Ch. Miller opened the public hearing.  Ms. Foote presented a description of the proposal and provided a copy of the State subdivision approval.  Ch. Miller called for questions or comments, being none, closed the public hearing and re-opened the meeting.  Ch. Miller called for action on the proposal.  A motion was made to approved the subdivision as presented, seconded, vote was unanimously in favor.  Mylar was presented for signing and recording, final fee collected as well.  Secretary Aslinger will record the mylar later in the week.

Ch. Miller passed over VI. Unfinished Business and called for VII. New Business:

A.  Barbara A. Salak presented a 2 lot minor subdivision on 319 Old Cheshire Tpk. Rd. Map 13, Lot 39 of 11.06 acres in the Rural Agricultural zone resulting in Lot 1 of 6.02 acres with existing house and Lot 2 of 5.04 acres.  Board reviewed the maps for conformity with regulations and frontage, noted that the property is not in current use.  Sec. Aslinger reported that the application materials and fees were complete.  Ch. Miller called for acceptance of the application.  A motion was made and seconded to accept the application as presented and schedule a public hearing for the Nov. 8, 2005 meeting, vote was unanimously in favor.

C.  Other - Virginia Foote presented a Site Plan Review application proposing a  four bedroom bed and breakfast on behalf of the Dance Alpaca Farm located on Wentworth Rd. in the Res. A zone.  The bed and breakfast is existing and an application for a variance to operate (existing) Alpaca farm is before the Zoning Board.  The Board asked about the location and capacity of the septic system, Mr. Dance, present, pointed out the location as right of the driveway in the big lawn area, the capacity being adequate for the additional bedrooms.  The Board asked about parking,

Walpole Planning Board meeting 10/11/05 minutes page 2

Mr. Dance pointed out the designated parking spaces of four in the front and an additional ten spaces out back.  Application and notification fees were presented, a motion was made to accept the application as presented and schedule a public hearing for the Nov. 8, 2005 meeting.  Motion was seconded, vote was unanimously in favor.

C.  Other - Mr. Joe Dion of Galloway Real Estate was present representing a client interested in purchasing a lot on Sawtaw Rd. off Valley Road, Map 13, Lot 42, 6.28 acres currently owned by Walker, which is a Class VI discontinued highway.  The lot is the second lot in, on the discontinued road.  Selectman Sawyer stated that some questions had been raised in the past as to the status of the road, but that it had definitely been discontinued and is a Class VI road.  Mr. Dion stated that he was appearing before the Board on a preliminary basis to determine the procedure to follow to obtain permission to build on the lot, and if the lot would be “buildable”.  He asked if the Planning board makes a recommendation and holds a public hearing along with the Selectmen?  The Board stated that the Selectmen would hold the Public Hearing and review the request according to the “Class VI Road Resolution” to see if the proposal met the criteria outlined in the resolution, that the Planning board would make a recommendation before a final decision was made by the Selectmen.  Ch. Miller suggested Mr Dion and his client attend Thursday’s selectmen’s meeting to remind them to begin the steps necessary for a public hearing.  Ch. Miller cautioned that a decision by the Board of Selectmen to allow building on Class VI roads in general was contrary to the spirit of our present Master Plan and ordinances, that it creates scattered and premature development of outlying areas of Town and would lead to upgrading and improvements of additional roads in Town that haven’t been “planned” for.  He further stated that the resolution was adopted to allow for a few special circumstances, he questioned how many interior lots might exceed the 600 foot limit placed on “private roads” set forth by the Town’s emergency service responders. 

Chairman Miller tabled the remaining “New Business” until later in the meeting skipping to VIII. Communications and Miscellaneous - C. Build Out Study - Ch. Miller introduced Jeff Porter from SW Reg. Planning Commission to discuss a request by the Board and specifically Eric Merklein to address SWRPC’s capability and costs of doing a “Build out Study” for the Town of Walpole.  He referred to a memo dated 8/22/05, (copy attached to minutes, and copies distributed to board members), in response to Mr. Merklein’s request for planning assistance.  Mr. Porter stated that SWRPC’s proposes a “development potential analysis” using Geographic Information Systems data, similar to highway corridor studies.  He provided a map of Rte. 101 Dublin/Peterboro corridor study for comparison.  He referred to Tables 9, 10, 11, 12 of the memo, identifying “number of residential housing units” and “square feet of commercial and industrial floor space” for both Towns.  The data takes into consideration existing zoning standards and severe environmental constraints versus theoretical possibilities of unused capacities of housing and commercial space.  Mr. Porter said the process of collecting the data is simple but the analysis is fairly complicated to infinitely complicated.  He noted the  Towns  of Stoddard and Ipswich have completed town wide build out studies that yielded a lot of data but less fruitful for analysis than anticipated.  He suggested Walpole target

Walpole Planning Board Meeting 10/11/05 Minutes page 3

specific areas of the Town for large scale housing developments, towns that are seeing mostly small subdivisions will begin to see 40, 60 and 100 lot subdivisions in the next 5 years.  He said there is a potential for 1000’s of lots in some towns.  The Board reviewed the corridor map of Rte. 101 prepared in 1998 as an example of targeting specific areas with tests for:  subdividable land that is free of severe environmental constraints, subdividable land that meets current zoning frontage and subdividable land that does not meet frontage.  The maps had color designations for each of the areas.  Members discussed the importance of the mapping and wondered if the current tax maps could have overlays representing some of the data to be used for future planning and zoning designations.  A suggestion was made to integrate the information with USDA, DOT  and the Master Plan maps already prepared for steep slopes and conservation lands.  Mr. Porter felt that a good mapping resource overlay would prove to be invaluable and could be brought to each meeting, that it was a viable alternative to a full build out study.  Members questioned whether the information would be accurate enough to base future planning changes such as increasing lot sizes, frontages etc.  Mr. Porter referred to Ipswich and Stoddard studies citing that both Towns had reached some capacities prior to doing the studies.  Stoddard had many limiting environmental constraints and Ipswich was a few lots from full residential capacity, that there are caveats on all data.  He suggested the Board come up with a comprehensive list of questions and target areas of the Town to have “studied”.  He will send a memo proposing a “straightforward” approach, that 6 weeks would be a reasonable timeframe, the cost could be billed out at $45.00 per hour or a contract price, a complete build out study could cost between $3500.00 - $10, 000.00.

Members asked about other services from SWRPC specifically Planning Board Assistance Program where SWRPC reviews all Site Plan Reviews and Major Subdivisions for the planning board, submitting a list of concerns for the board and applicants to address, the fee for the review is borne by the applicant.  Currently the SWRPC is assisting the towns of Mason, Antrim, Troy and Dublin in that capacity.  S. Sawyer mentioned that the Board of Selectmen recently declined to have Cartographics do an aerial mapping of Walpole due the expense approximately  $ 90,000.00.  Mr. Edkins said that the Town of Charlestown was in the process of using the Cartographics aerial mapping method and would share the results with the Board.  Charlestown decided to have the mapping done due to the excess amount of missing information in the deeds and tax records.  Mr. Porter introduced Kevin Russell recently hired as a senior planner for SWRPC.  The Board agreed to address specific study targets at future work sessions.

Ch. Miller returned to VI. Unfinished Business

A.  Lentex  - Maps and mylar were signed, letter to be sent reminding them to pick them up.

B.  Gohl - Ch. Miller said he had received a call from Ms. Gohl asking why the Board was holding the approval, Ch. Miller told her of the conditions, she said she had provided the information and had received a letter from the Planning Board detailing the conditions of the approval.  S. Sawyer said the selectmen had been remiss in taking care of the Board’s condition regarding the tree planting, that Ms. Gohl had given the

Selectmen the information, but it was misplaced.   The Board instructed P. Aslinger to send a letter to Ms. Gohl requesting duplicate information if the originals could not be located.

C.  Jasse  - Alyson’s Orchard has been granted a special exception from the Zoning Board, so the conditions of the planning approval have been met, maps were signed.

D.  Dill - Mr. Dill stated that he had recorded his mylar with the registry.

Chairman Miller allowed Mr. Hansel representing the Walpole Tomorrow Group to present  revised suggestions for zoning changes and site plan review changes.  Mr. Hansel handed out copies and stated that after the lively discussion at the last work session the group had made some adjustments.  He stated that he would like to discuss these at the next work session, time being a concern at tonight’s meeting.

Chairman Miller returned to VII.  New Business - B.  Berkshire Development - P. Aslinger stated she had received a telephone call from Nick Sanders of VHB, doing a traffic study for NH DOT after their scoping meeting, he wanted to know if the Board knew of any current or future developments that might effect the study, other than a couple of minor subdivisions.  Ch. Miller stated that the study might be skewed due to the additional traffic on Rte. 12 caused by the flooding and people taking alternate routes.  P. Aslinger suggested VHB contact SWRPC for their input and mentioned that the development may be considered a “development of regional impact” which would involve the planning commission further in the application process.  P. Aslinger also received a telephone call from Attorney Tom Hanna, representing Berkshire, regarding proposed zoning and/or regulation changes, he specifically wanted a copy of Walpole Tomorrow’s proposal.  She suggested he contact Mel Shupack or John Hansel directly since she was in Montana and could not readily provide the information, he agreed, Mr. Hansel stated Mr. Hanna had not been in contact with him.  

D.  Mr. Edkins asked if the Board could proceed to the Cray preliminary subdivision review since Mr. McCormick, N. Walpole Zoning Commissioner had been patiently waiting.  Mr. Edkins described the conversations between he and Mr. McCormick regarding the denied 2 lot subdivision of the Cray property in North Walpole due to lack of frontage on the second lot. Despite much discussion regarding the mis-interpretation of the zoning ordinance by Mr. McCormick, Mr. Edkins felt that a reasonable compromise would be to allow the non-conforming subdivision as long as the second lot was designated as non-buildable.  Mr. Edkins stated that Mr. McCormick’s position as Zoning Commissioner allowed him to interpret his ordinance as he sees fit.  Mr. McCormick submitted a letter describing his interpretation that will be part of the re-application, he felt he had made the correct interpretation and agreed that the lot would be “non-buildable”.  The Board agreed by motion to hold a public hearing at the Nov. 8th  meeting providing the Cray’s submit an application and fees within the deadline.  Vote was in favor except for one no vote.  Some members felt the interpretation was still in error.   A follow-up may be needed for confirmation and Mr. Dibo, surveyor should be contacted.

C.  Scott Smith - no one was present representing Mr. Smith.  P. Aslinger said she had put Mr. Smith on the agenda at his request for a minor 2 lot subdivision on County Rd.  Mr. Smith had stated the property had been subdivided in the past but re-joined.  Ms. Aslinger suggested he confirm if the merger had been recorded at the registry, that he would need to come in for a minor subdivision if it had been recorded as merged.

Mr. Dill  asked for clarification on the issuance of building permits on Class VI roads, are we wasting people’s time by having them go through the process of review by the Selectmen and Planning Board when the Selectmen have agreed not to issue building permits on Class VI roads.  Ch. Miller stated that the RSA’s allow for review on a case by case basis and that Walpole, through its resolution has fulfilled the RSA requirement.

VIII.  Communications and Miscellaneous (not in order)

B.  Zoning changes - D. Edkins stated that he had been in contact with the Fire Dept., they would require that multi-family buildings not be more than three stories.  Mr. Edkins is planning to have a new multifamily draft ready for the work session.  He said he was working on the number of parking spaces according to a parking generation manual, and was looking at open space percentages.  Mr. Edkins handed out copies of a Design Review Standard article he thought would be helpful for the members on how to make developments “look better”.  He also handed out a calendar reflecting deadlines for proposing zoning changes.

D.  SWRPC follow up on Meredith Cooper, CIP - Ch. Miller stated that members would be reviewing the draft Capital Improvments Program at the work session.  S. Sawyer complained that the draft did not include any information from the Selectmen or recycling center, that the draft was missing a lot of information.  Ch. Miller said he would contact Meredith and ask her to contact the Selectmen to address their concerns. 

A.  Application/fee schedule adoption - P. Aslinger asked the Board to consider adoption of the new application and fee schedule at tonight’s meeting, She reviewed the final changes, the Board discussed when to make it effective.  A motion was made to adopt the application and fee schedule as presented, making it effective immediately.

Motion was seconded, vote all in favor except for one no vote.

F. Dill revisited parking space sizes relating to some of the upcoming developments, he noted that parking spaces have actually gotten smaller, that the Board should consider parking layout such as diagonal when looking at the potential density of projects, that the number of spaces shouldn’t be the only criteria to create an effective layout.

D. Edkins in agreement with other members stated that the new application and fee schedule should be monitored for effectiveness, to seek some feedback from the users.

Meeting closed:  9:10PM

These minutes will be reviewed at the November 8, 2005 meeting.  Posted:  Town Hall, Burdicks Market, Town Website, Walpolian website.  CC:  All PB members, ZBA, Selectmen’s Office, Town Clerk

Above, Peggy and Joe Dion, Carol Christian, and Sarah Tucker unload donated books for sorting in preparation for the October 29 and 30 Friends of Walpole Town LIbrary Giant Book and Tag Sale to be held at the Town Hall.

Below, .Boy Scout Troop 299 is lending muscle power to the Friends of the Walpole Town Library as they prepare for their giant two-day Book & Tag Salel.  Pictured above are Cole Bensenhaver, Joshua Makinen, Kaelan Hansson, and Jeremy Williams carrying some of the thousands of books donated to the sale to benefit the library system of Walpole, North Walpole and Drewsville.

Troop 299 is noted for its willingness to give back to the community and engages in civic tasks throughout the year, most recently holding a concert on the town green to aid in Hurricane Relief effort.

These activities also add to the service hours needed for rank advancement.  The troop, which meets Monday nights at the Town Hall, currently has 22 members from 6th to 12th grade.  Lou Kaletsky is Scoutmaster.

Ed. Note: Here is the Zoning Board agenda for Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. meeting, courtesy of Chairman Ernie Vose.  I learned Tuesday evening that Creg and Jill Dance of withdrawn their application for a vairance, so the actual agenda will look different from this.

I also attach an article I prepared earlier today for the Eagle Times giving background on the Dance application and the text of the zoning law and variance conditions under NH law.  Even though Mr. Dance is not pursuing the variance at this time, I thought Walpolean readers might wish to have the text of the law at hand.

October 19, 2005

Public Hearing;

.
Creg Dance will be in for a variance to keep alpacas at his farm on Wentworth Rd.

 

New Business

 

Fees for applications.

Present for bylaws change from $30 to $75.

To the Eagle Times

10-18-05

AlpacaDance Owners Seek Variance From Walpole Zoning

By Charles C. Bingaman, Contributing Writer

            Creg and Jill Dance, owners of AlpacaDance Farm on Wentworth Road in Walpole, will seek a variance from Walpole residential zoning restrictions to operate an alpaca breeding and sales farm and retail shop at tonight’s 7:30 p.m. meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

            In a separate action, they are submitting a proposed site plan to the Walpole Planning Board for operation of a bed and breakfast in their residence as required by Walpole zoning ordinance.

            The Dances, who purchased land on Wentworth Road in 2000, renovated an old but never completed mansion and brought in a herd of alpacas from the State of Washington in 2002.  Since that time, they have built pens, barns and other structures to house their herd that currently numbers between 30 and 40 animals.

            In August, in response to a complaint by another resident of Wentworth Road, the Zoning Board requested that the Walpole Select Board write a letter to the Dances, all of whose property is in town’s Residential A zone, warning them to stop violating zoning restrictions.  Current Walpole zoning allows bed & breakfast businesses in all zones, providing that they are limited to four rooms and have site plan approval from the Planning Board, an approval the Dances never sought. 

In related issues, Dance said that, while he had advertised the property’s availability for weddings and receptions on his web sites, www.alpacadance.com and www.pillarsandporches.com and elsewhere, he had no intention of seeking such business, would not do so in the future and was having the web sites changed.  The two meetings he had held there during the summer, a bank sponsored meeting and a friend’s wedding, were, he said, special cases.

The preamble to the residential zone ordinance provides that its purpose is “to preserve from the distraction of business, traffic noise and odor, those areas in Town suitable for quiet and safe residence and to assure those who built houses there that they may continue to dwell in such comfortable surroundings.”

The Walpole zoning ordinance provides limited exceptions to permissible uses other than residential homes in the Residential A zone.  But it does allow “ Farm and garden activities… when incidental to primary residential use, and home food and garden produce may be exposed for sale in this district, provided that such use is in no way injurious, obnoxious or offensive to the neighborhood.”

At a preliminary meeting with the Zoning Board in September, Creg Dance argued that the alpaca herd is, in fact, “incidental” to the Dances’ residential use of the property and stated that he would be asking the Board’s approval to enlarge the herd from time to time to as many as 50 animals.  He also offered to close the retail shop, although he has now included its continuing operation in the variance application.  Dance also emphasized that he wanted to comply in full with Walpole zoning law.

It is expected that abutting and other nearby neighbors of the Dances will argue at the hearing that a herd of 30 to 50 alpacas is far beyond “farm and garden activities…incidental to primary residential use”, that they have found the noise made by the herd “obnoxious or offensive to the neighborhood” as forbidden in the zoning law, that running a retail shop violates restrictions on residential use, and that the activities in violation of the residential zoning restrictions must cease.

        Whether the Dances can be granted a variance to operate outside the restrictions of the Walpole zoning law depends, according to New Hampshire case law, on their persuading the Zoning Board that they meet five conditions:  1) Granting the variance would result in no diminution of value of surrounding properties; 2) Granting the variance would benefit the public interest; 3) Denying the variance would result in unnecessary hardship to the owner seeking it; 4) Granting the permit would do substantial justice; and 5) The use, if granted, would not be contrary to the spirit of the zoning ordinance.

                                    --30--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officials from Walpole announced this morning they have lifted the town-wide boil order that had been in place since Oct. 11.

The order, which instructed all residents to boil water before using it, was lifted after test results received today indicated a complete absence of fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria, according to Mark Houghton, Walpole superintendent of utilities.

It was the fourth straight negative test, Houghton said.

Ed. Note: Thanks to Secretary Regina Borden, here are the minutes of the 10-6-05 Selectmen's meeting.

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Selectmen Present:            Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller

Mr. Sawyer opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M. with four people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

MID GRANT PUBLIC HEARING -MATT SUCHODOLSKI OF SWRPC– RE: J.H. DUNNING JOB RETENTION GRANT:   During March of 2005, the Town was awarded a grant of $450,000 for the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to acquire the J.H. Dunning facility in North Walpole.  The Mid Grant Public Hearing is a requirement of the Grant’s terms and conditions.  Advanced notice of this hearing was made on September 24, 2005, with an advertisement in the Keene Sentinel and 3 postings, at the Walpole Town Hall, the Walpole Public Library and the public posting board at Toll’s Grocery.  

In turn J.H. Dunning now leases business space from MEDC and has entered into a Beneficiary Employment Commitment Agreement to retain a minimum of 23 jobs, 60% of these jobs are to be held by persons from Low or Moderate Income Households.  To date, J.H. Dunning has 28 employees on their payroll roster, of which 22 are low and moderate income.  One more job retention report will be submitted to the Community Development Finance Authority prior to the closing of the grant.

Mr. Suchodolski asked if there were any questions.  Mr. Walker asked about the space in the building.  Mr. Suchodolski responded that 2/3rds of the space is the Monadnock Network space or incubator space and 1/3^rd is leased to the Water’s Edge Distributors, Inc.  Mr. Sawyer asked if everything is going along well with the Grant?  Mr. Suchodolski said about 3 weeks ago the Community Development Economic Agency did an inspection and they advised that the Town is in good standing with the grant.

The Board of Selectmen closed the Public Hearing at 7:35 P.M.

The regular meeting resumed at 7:38 P.M.

PUBLIC BUSINESS (Cont’d):

THADDEUS SELF – RE: ABANDONED ROAD:  Thaddeus Self had discussed the status of Santaw Lane with the Board of Selectmen during a previous meeting.  He displayed a map and explained that this road goes by his property; he believes that it is an abandoned road.  In 1947 the road was discontinued by the Town.  Mr. Miller said that according to the letter from Attorney Faulkner in 1981 the road went from a Class V road to a Class VI road not subject to gates and bars.  The road was discontinued by a Town vote but not thrown up.  The State makes a distinction between discontinued and thrown up.  The Town can still work on Class VI roads to maintain access for emergency vehicles and forest fire vehicles.  Abutting property owners can maintain the road so they can get their vehicles in-and-out.  Mr. Walker was present and had documentation to confirm that he maintains access to his property via Santaw Lane.    

WALPOLE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:  Harry Boynton wrote a letter to the Board of Selectmen advising that the Emergency Management had spent about $13,000 of their grant for the new radios that are now being used by the Fire, Police and Highway Departments.  There is still approximately $8,633 in the State’s Emergency Management account that they have not spent but need the paperwork and an invoice from the Town prior to October 20^th to request the check from the State of New Hampshire as the close-out for the grant is October 30^th.         

Mr. Boynton submitted his resignation as the Emergency Management Director to be effective December 31, 2005, unless someone is found to replace him sooner.  He will finish up the Homeland Security Grant and Hazard Mitigation Plan before leaving his position and will brief the new Director when appointed.  The Board of Selectmen will contact Mr. Boynton to obtain a job description. 

Mr. Miller moved to accept the resignation of Harry Boynton as the Emergency Management Director with regret and to thank him for his support and volunteering his service for many years.  The Chairman will make arrangement to have the thank you letter written.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $420,670.97.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  It was noted that $374,651.54 of the above amount is a payment to the Fall Mountain Region School District.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve a supplemental Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $2,000 for a monthly contract.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending October 1, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $16,444.95 or net wages in the amount of $9,725.41.  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 $3,822.42.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve a supplemental payroll voucher for the week ending October 1, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $302.00 or net wages in the amount of $255.78.  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 $64.32.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the check voucher for Robie Speed in the amount of $100.00 for cleaning the rest areas.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve a transfer of funds in the amount of $600,000.00 from the MBIA to the Savings Bank of Walpole and to authorize the Chairman to sign the confirmation signature.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- SEPTEMBER 29, 2005:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of September 29, 2005, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Miller in favor, the motion carried.  Mr. Sawyer abstained as he was not present at this meeting.  

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S NON-PUBLIC MEETING- SEPTEMBER 28, 2005:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of September 28, 2005, as printed.  The Minutes will remain sealed as they contain information on personnel.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the Minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of October 4, 2005.

ABATEMENTS:

CHARLES CRISS – WATER AND SEWER INTEREST:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for Water and Sewer interest in the amount of $10.33 for Charles Criss.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved that the people that do not send back their post cards for water and sewer usage on time will be charged a $10.00 penalty.  The motion failed due to lack of a second.

BOSTON & MAINE –NORTH WALPOLE TAXES- MAP 30 – LOT 55:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for North Walpole property taxes in the amount of $187.72 because the property was transferred from the Boston and Maine Railroad to the National Passenger Corporation in September of 1988.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

BOSTON & MAINE –NORTH WALPOLE TAXES – MAP 26 – Lot 13:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for North Walpole property taxes in the amount of $1,704.85 plus interest because this property is owned by Katherine Kane instead of the Boston & Maine Railroad.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY:  A FAX was received from Attorney Walter Mitchell regarding the New England Power Company assessment.    

Mr. Miller moved the acceptance of $4,500/per acre for the New England Power Company for the year 2005.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted. 

Mr. Miller moved that the Board of Selectmen contact Gary Robarge at Avitar to ask for a written reply as to why he suggested locking-in the price for the New England Power Company until the next Town-wide assessment.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.      

NEW BUSINESS:

BOARD OF SELECTMEN:  Mr. Miller will not be present during the regular meetings on October 20^th and 27^th, 2005.  Mr. Aldrich will not be present during the regular meeting on October 13^th, 2005.

RICK COOPER – HOLIDAY TIME:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the request of Rick Cooper to take Saturday, October 8^th, 2005, off to replace Columbus Day.  Mr. Colburn will be in charge of the Recycling Center on that day.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED: 

LETTER TO MR. PELLERIN REGARDING BREWERY ROAD:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and send the letter to Jedd Pellerin and the other signers of the Petition regarding the Brewery Road request to the Board of Selectmen.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

PRELIMINARY BUDGET:  There was discussion relative to the Chairman sending out a request memo to the Department Heads for their first preliminary budget in the near future.

Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:04 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden                                                            

                                                                         

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 13, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.

Ed. Note: I reprint below a news release from the Windham World Affairs Council on next week's program on Iraq by Peter Galbraith.  (As a matter of full disclosure, I am on the board of directors of the Windham World Affairs Council and have worked on arrangments for the program.)  Galbraith does an annual program in the fall for us, and it is always most interesting.  He spends a good deal of time in Iraq, and it is not often that we get to hear directly from someone with his experience in tough places around the world.  He usually talks for 40-45 minutes--with maps, etc.--and then takes at least that much time with questions from the audience. 

Incidentally, we usually have dinner beforehand at Panda North, a Chinese restaurant on Rt. 5 one-half mile north of Exit 3 in Brattleboro.  This meeting is at the School for International Training (also known as World Learning).  To get there, take Black Mountain Rd. west from Route 5, about half a mile south of the Exit 3 traffic circle.

If you can come, be sure to get there at least 20 miniutes ahead of the program.  Galbraith usually attracts an SRO crowd.

AMBASSADOR PETER GALBRAITH:

LAST CHANCE FOR IRAQ: CIVIL WAR, IRAN, AND THE CONSTITUTION

---

            Ambassador Peter Galbraith will address The Windham World Affairs Council of Vermont on Thursday, October 20, at 7:30 PM in the International Center on the World Learning campus in Brattleboro, Vermont on Last Chance for Iraq: Civil War, Iran, and the Constitution.

           

        Galbraith is one America’s leading authorities on Iraq. Working for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the 1980s, he uncovered and publicized Saddam Hussein’s genocidal campaign against Iraq’s Kurds. In 1988, he led a mission that documented Iraq’s use of chemical weapons, leading the Senate to pass unanimously comprehensive sanctions.  Galbraith has made more than a dozen trips to Iraq since Saddam Hussein’s overthrow in 2003, and was a news consultant in Baghdad for  ABC news in the chaotic weeks immediately following the regime’s collapse. He is the author of two recent articles in Iraq in the New York Review of Books: "Iraq: Bush's Islamic Republic" (August 2005), http://www.nybooks.com/articles/18150, and "Last Chance for Iraq" (October 2005), http://www.nybooks.com/articles/18297.

 

        Peter W. Galbraith served as the first US Ambassador to Croatia where he mediated the 1995 Erdut Agreement that ended the Croatia War. He is currently Senior Diplomatic Fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation and principal in a Vermont-based firm specializing in international negotiations. He is a regular contributor to the New York Review of Books. He is married to Tone Bringa, a Norwegian anthropologist, and has three children. He lives in Townshend, Vermont.

        The presentation is free and open to the public.

---

 

Rick Blake called to say that Shaw's Supermarkets is donating gift certificates for $1,000 to the program Phil Davis is setting up, and Shaw's has donated a large quantity of bottled water available for Walpole residents to pick up for FREE at the Walpole Fire Station or at the Selectmen's Office in Town Hall.

Incidentally, a reminder that registered readers of The Walpolean are encouraged to add their own comments to this entry--and ALL entries on The Walpolean.  Just click on Comment below, a little box pops up, and you add your entry and click Save.  Your email address is the only identification on the comment as it appears, but of course you can add you name at the bottom of your entry if you wish. I'd really like to get more comments!

I note that we had a useful Comment just yesterday with a news tip on an item I had wondered about.  Comments appear at the bottom of entries to which they apply.  Or you can just look up comments on the dated list to the right side of the page.

Call me at 756-9268 or email me at chuck@chuckbingaman.com if you have questions about Comments or any other Walpolean issue.
Chuck Bingaman

Ed. Note: Just got this in from Phil Davis, via Mel Schupack.  Well done, Phil!

Greetings to All,
 
As you know, Alstead has suffered a devastating flood...Many of our friends & neighbors there have lost everything.
I met with Captain Robert Kountz, the Commander of the Salvation Army Operations in Alstead last night, to discuss what
those of us in surrounding towns could do to help.
The immediate need is for clothing, toiletries, etc.
After getting his OK, the plan is to collect money and convert the funds into gift certificates from Sam's Army and Navy,
Brooks Drug, and any other merchants who can supply needed items to the victims.
 
Gift Certificates will allow the flood victims to immediately get clothing & sundries of the type that they really need and,
unlike cash, will involve no delay or paper work for the Salvation Army workers.

(I will also be working hard to obtain discounts from any participating merchants, so that your donations will stretch farther.)
The Salvation Army will distribute these Gift Certificates directly to those who need help.
 
No bureaucracy or administrative costs will come between your donations and those who really need them.
 
In addition, some of the money will also go to provide any requested supplies, (or, little luxuries like soda, energy bars, etc.), 
to the many workers, Guardsman and responders who are currently working long hours in Alstead.
 
Please give what you can. 
Please make your checks out to Real to Reel, and mark them for "Alstead Flood Relief".
You can drop off your checks at Real to Reel,
or mail them to :
Real to Reel,
PO Box 577
Walpole, NH 03608
 
Please pass this email along to others who might be interested in contributing.
 
Thanks in advance for your help.
Best Regards,
Phil Davis

Ed. Note: Just got this in from Alex Henckel. It does appear that this covers Alstead and Walpole.   CCB

Responding to the Flood Disaster…

Your help is needed, NOW!

Are you able to spare two hours for training and a minimum of a workday to help your neighbor?

In speaking with Andrea Johnston, Executive Director, the American Red Cross, NH West Chapter in Keene, NH needs at least 50 additional trained Disaster Assessment volunteers. There will be a training session tonite, Tuesday, October 11, 2005, at the Chapter office at 83 Court Street from 7 to 9 p.m. No need to reserve your spot, just show up.

Once trained, Assessment Teams will be covering 20 towns in the Monadnock region, going into homes to make initial evaluations of the damage caused by the floods. Working in pairs, the information collected by the volunteers will be used to determine levels of support that will come from a variety of agencies; the American Red Cross (shelter, food and clothing); F.E.M.A., as well as local town governments and social service agencies. Over the course of the next week, it is the goal of the American Red Cross to complete the initial assessments.

Please pass this on to anyone and everyone at your business, service club, church group, book group….and your family and friends. For more information, please call the Red Cross in Keene at 352-3210.

Director of Community Building
Monadnock United Way
23 Center Street
Keene, NH 03431
603.352.4209 (phone)
603.352.0750 (fax)

I just got word from Mark Houghton, superintendent of the Walpole Water System, that fecal coliform or e. coli bacteria were found at the Watkins Hill water supply in samples collected yesterday, most likely caused by the flooding.  These bacteria can make you sick and are of particular concern to people with weakened immmune systems.  May cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.     BRING ALL WATER TO A BOIL FOR AT LEAST 2 MINUTES, AND LET IT COOL BEFORE USING OR USE BOTTLED WATER. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

NH Department of Environmental Services has been  notified.  For more info, call the Selectmen's Office at 756-3672.  CCB

If you check www.cnn.com this morning--at least until something displaces it--the flooding in Alstead and other parts of our area is a lead story with a picture.  The headline is "Flooding in Eastern States Leaves 10 Dead." This is a convenient piece for emailing to friends elswhere who might be interested in the story.

Incidentally, don't terrible events like this bring out amazing stories? Yesterday morning, while chatting with Neal Swift of Alstead and Chick Miller at the gas station in Walpole, a woman and two cildren appeared with bags of freshly baked cookies to give to the fellows working on the street clean-up.  I'm kicking myself that I failed to get their names. CCB

Ed. Note: Here are the minutes of the September 29 Select Board meeting provided toThe Walpolean by Board secretary Regina Borden.

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

SEPTEMBER 29, 2005

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, (Absent: Sheldon Sawyer)

In the absence of Mr. Sawyer, Mr. Aldrich opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M. with four people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

CONCEPT ONE CUSTOMS – REQUESTING SALE OF NEW & USED MOTORCYCLES:  Chris Paquette requested that the Board of Selectmen approve Concept One Customs applying for a Dealer License from the State of New Hampshire to sell new and used motorcycles in the Industrial Park.

Mr. Miller moved to grant the request of Concept One Customs to apply for a Dealer License from the State of New Hampshire to sell new and used motorcycles in the Industrial Park.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

BREWERY ROAD:  Judd Pellerin asked for an up-date on the Brewery Road Petition recently submitted by the residents on Brewery Road.  Mr. Miller called Whitcomb Construction to discuss the concerns of the residents and was advised that Whitcomb Construction / Lane Construction had one more night of paving.  Their night trips were due to a State contract on Route 9.  Mr. Miller asked them to restrict use of the jake brakes on Brewery Road.  Mr. Miller will see that a copy of the results of this discussion will be sent to all the signers of the Petition.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $142,682.25.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve voided check register No. 001331-01.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $336.06.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending September 24, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $14,544.93 or net wages in the amount of $8,192.08.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,597.98.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

HOOPER INSTITUTE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Hooper Institute bill from E.E. Houghton & Company in the amount of $296.78 for work on the pressure tank.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- SEPTEMBER 22, 2005:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of September 22, 2005, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of September 22, 2005, as printed.  The Minutes will remain sealed as they contain personnel information.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved that Whitney Aldrich follow through on paragraph 3 of the Non-Public meeting of September 22, 2005.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of September 27, 2005.

BUILDING PERMITS:

TOM & SHARLENE BEAUDRY – MAP 002-002-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-042 for Tom & Sharlene Beaudry to construct a 10’x30’ deck on Wentworth Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

ALAN & KATHLEEN CHMIEL:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-043 for Alan & Kathleen Chmiel to construct an addition to their house on Maple Grove Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

CDBG 04-050-CDED – REQUESTION #4:  Matt Suchodolski, representing the Southwest Regional Planning Commission, had sent a letter requesting that the Board of Selectmen approve and sign Requisition No. 4 for the J.H. Dunning Corporation Community Development Block Grant.

Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign Requisition No. 4 in the amount of $6,373.00 for Administration of the CDBG for the J.H. Dunning Corporation.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

TRETLER LETTER:  A letter was received from Elsie L. Tretler regarding the Dance’s property on Wentworth Road.

Mr. Miller moved that the Board of Selectmen write a letter to Ms. Tretler stating that her concerns have been forwarded to the Zoning Board and they should contact Ernie Vose, Chairman, in order to obtain an agenda notice advising when the Dance property will be scheduled for a Public Hearing so they can attend and express their concerns.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW BUSINESS:

TIMBER CUT –HENRY FLETCHER- MAP 009-012-002:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the Notice of Intent to Timber Cut for Henry Fletcher – Map 009-012-002.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.      

TIMBER CUT –HENRY FLETCHER- MAP 009-004-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the Notice of Intent to Timber Cut for Henry Fletcher – Map 009-004-000.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

TERESA KISSELL –REQUEST TO ATTEND LGC INFORMATIONAL MEETING:  The Board of Selectmen approved having Teresa Kissell attend the Local Government Center Informational Meeting on October 20^th, 2005, on Medicare.

TRAFFIC RESEARCH / STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE:  There will be a State of New Hampshire traffic research meeting on Tuesday, October 4^th in Concord on the Berkshire Development proposed plans on Route 12 near the softball triangle.

Mr. Miller moved that a copy of this State of New Hampshire letter be forwarded to the Planning Board.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 8:15 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden                                                            

                                                                 

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 6, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING. 

Ed. Note: This morning's Eagle Times has excellent coverage of the flooding of yesterday with a number of pictures from Alstead and other places nearby.  Here is our article--one of the smaller ones in today's edition--on the Walpole situation.

Flash Flood Soaks Homes in the Center of Walpole, Knocks Out Rt. 123 Bridge to Drewsville

By Charles C. and Sue L. Bingaman, Contributing Writers

            Flash flooding early Sunday morning caused Mad Brook to overflow near the intersection of School and High Streets in Walpole sending a torrent down High street, around and through nearly two dozen houses and businesses, and destroying an 800 foot stretch of Main Street that had been newly paved on Friday and the new storm drainage system beneath it.  It also destroyed the historic 1907 stone-arched bridge over the Cold River on Rt. 123 three miles north of the village.

            Following heavy rains Friday evening and all day Saturday, a large culvert under the High Street Bridge near School Street appeared to clog with branches and other storm debris causing the then teaming stream to roar over its bed around 4:00 a.m.

            “We heard the water roaring, looked out our window and saw that we had ‘water-front property’ right here on Old North Main Street around 4:30 a.m.”, Kris Tyson laughingly described it Sunday afternoon.  “Then we looked in our basement and saw all kinds of things floating.  It was terrible, but it me made realize how much more fortunate we were than the people in New Orleans.”

            Down the Main Street hill, Rita Wiley said she had 18 inches of water in her basement but that “things were a lot worse for Jerry McDougle whose apartment was directly in the path of the flood waters at the back of the Kasper building on Main Street.”  Wiley spent Sunday moving wet clothing, bedding and other items from McDougle’s apartment and washing them at her house, including salvaging McDougle’s 100^th Anniversary Boston Marathon shirt, a valuable memento of his run.

            At the bottom of Main Street Erica and Mark Wojchick and their two children awoke around 4:30 a.m. to find their house “literally an island in a raging river.  The Walpole firemen initially shouted to us to stay in the house but a short time later they told us to come out.  We removed a front window, climbed out with the kids, and waded through the water to the fire truck.” Although the water reached as high as two and a half feet around the walls of the house, very little came inside.  “We’ve lost our lawn, gardens and fence, but we’re pretty lucky otherwise”, Erica said last night.

            Through the day yesterday, Walpole lawyer Rob Kasper and his family and friends were removing furniture, rugs, files and everything that could be moved to allow his offices at the corner of Main and High to begin drying out after taking the brunt of the flash flood right through a back door that the water knocked down.

            Thomas F. Chiffriller, whose house is the oldest in Walpole and sits on Old North Main diagonally across the street from Kasper’s office, had several inches of water in his basement, but he fared better that several neighbors who were looking at several feet on it in theirs.

            Three miles north of the village, the 1908 stone arched bridge carrying NH Rt. 123 over the Cold River was washed out during the night as the river became a raging torrent.  Sunday afternoon crews were fixing power lines over the remains of the bridge resting in the river.  Built in 1907 and opened in early 1908, the stone arched bridge carried Route 12 until the current bridge over the Cold River was opened further downstream in 1958.  The stone arched bridge replaced an even older covered bridge that had long spanned the Cold River at the same spot and had burned down in 1907.  During the building of the stone bridge, wooden arches supporting the partially finished stone arches were twice washed out during periods of heavy rain and swift currents according to A History of Walpole by Martha McDanalds Frizzell.

 

                                          

 

 

Ed. Note: Thanks to Pam Aslinger, here is the agenda for Tuesday evening's Walpole Planning Board meeting.  Several potentially important items...

Walpole Planning Board Meeting

October 11, 2005  7:30 PM Town Hall

­AGENDA

I.          Open Meeting

            A.  Roll Call/Designate Alternates

            B.  Approve Minutes of Sept. 13, 2005 and Sept. 21, 2005

II.            Review Application Submitted

A.  Asher Contstruction, LLC - Minor 2 lot subdivision located on Alstead Center Rd. in Drewsville, Map 15, Lot 17 of 3.24 acres in the Res. A zone, resulting in 2 lots, lot 17 of 2.23 acres and lot 17-1 of 1.01 acres.  This application was accepted as complete at the Sept. 13, 2005 meeting and qualifies for an

“expedited review”.

III.       Close Meeting/Open Public Hearing

            A.  Asher Construction, LLC

IV.       Close Public Hearing/Re-open Meeting

V.        Action on Application Submitted:  Approve/Disapprove/Delay

            A.  Asher Construction, LLC

VI.            Unfinished Business:  Pending Applications

            A.  Lentex Site Plan Review - Maps need signing

B.  Gohl/Sandri Walpole Village Market Site Plan Review - Conditional approval              requiring landscape plan, materials list, handicap parking, letter from road agent and selectmen regarding tree planting.

C.  Jasse/Alyson’s Orchard - Site Plan Review follow up on conditional approval pending a special exception from the Zoning Board.

D.  Dill - 2 Lot approved subdivision pending recording at Registry by Mr. Dill

E.   Other

VII.     New Business:  Preliminary Conceptual Consultation(s)

            A.  Barbara A. Salak - 2 lot subdivision on 319 Old Cheshire Tpk. Map 13, Lot 39

             of 11.06 acres in the Rural Agricultural zone, resulting in Lot 1 of 6.02 acres with

            existing house and Lot 2 of 5.04 acres.

            B.  Berkshire Development additional info re: traffic study, zoning changes ‘05

            C.  Scott Smith - 2 lot subdivision on County Rd.

            D.  McCray - North Walpole non-conforming subdivision, 2 lots

            C.  Other

VIII.            Communications and Miscellaneous

            A. Distribute final draft application/fee schedule

B.  Zoning Changes - Walpole Tomorrow’s and Planning Board suggestions

C.  Build Out Study - Jeff Porter

D.  Follow up on SWRPC meeting with Meredith Cooper 9/27 work session

E.  Discuss Work Session items for 10/25/05

IX.       Close Meeting

Posted:  Town Hall, Burdick’s Market, Town website, Walpolian website

Cc:  All PB and ZBA members, Select’s Office, Fire Dept., Town Clerk

 

 

 

Ed. Note:  Mel Schupack sent me the following notice of an intersting program and hike on Saturday morning, October 22.

READING THE FORESTED LANDSCAPE

A morning with Tom Wessels, author of Reading the Forested Landscape.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Sponsored by the
Walpole Conservation Commission

8:30 to about 10:00 AM
Presentation and Slides
By Tom Wessels
Location: Fire Station on Main Street, Walpole (opposite R.N. Johnson’s.)

Tom Wessels is the author of Reading the Forested Landscape: A Natural History of New England
&
The Granite Landscape: A Natural History of American Domes from Acadia to Yosemite

Tom is Professor of Ecology and founding director of the Masters Degree Program in Conservation Biology in the Department of Environmental Studies at Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, NH.

There will be a roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hour field trip following the presentation. This will have to be limited to the first 24 who sign up for the hike (“moderately easy”, half up hill) in the nearby forest around Mill Pond.
Please sign up by contacting Mel Schupack at 603-756-9389 or preferably email<melschupack@aya.yale.edu>

No charge but donations to the Walpole Conservation Commission appreciated.

As Tom wrote: “It is wonderful to know nature through one-on-one encounters with other organisms, but it is perhaps more empowering to gain a fuller understanding of the patterns that have shaped its landscapes. Through some knowledge of history and the broader view of seeing a forest and not just its trees, the pattern of decay in stumps, the construction of stone walls, and the lay of the land, it is possible to unravel complex stories etched into our forested landscape. This process could easily be called forest forensics, since it is quite similar to interpreting a crime scene.”

Tom’s most recently published writing in Untamed Vermont (Thistle Hill Publications) is a collaborative work with photographer Blake Gardner. Tom provides the commentary, which accompanies Gardner’s photographs. Together they explore the extraordinary natural diversity the Green Mountain State offers.

Tom is former Chair and continuing board member of the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation, which fosters environmental leadership through graduate fellowships and organizational grants. He has conducted workshops on the natural history of landscapes throughout the United States for more than 25 years. When not traveling or teaching, Tom spends his time with his family in Westminster, Vermont exploring the woods around his home.