MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

OCTOBER 27, 2005

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

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

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

SANTAW LANE:  Thaddeus Self had submitted a packet with his research information and a letter on Santaw Lane at the last meeting.  He believes that the term “thrown-up” is not defined; “discontinued” seems that it is “thrown-up”.  Mr. Self provided a copy of Chapter 231 “Discontinuance of Class IV, V and VI Highways”, Section 231:43 “Power to Discontinue”.  He questioned why it took a Town vote to simply stop maintenance on Santaw Lane when the Board of Selectmen is authorized to do this.  A copy of the 1947 Town Meeting vote on this Article was reviewed.  Clarification of the 1947 interpretation between “thrown-up” and “discontinued” would be helpful.  A copy of the letter to the Walpole Board of Selectmen from Faulkner, Plaut, Hanna, Zimmerman and Freund, dated April 9, 1981, was reviewed as it referenced RSA 234:18-a - “Previously Discontinued Highway”.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Board of Selectmen continue to do their research on the history of the road.  This road was originally called “Old Mill Road”.  Krystyna Marcom had a copy of the RSA on the “Power to Discontinue”.  The road abuts Hooper Conservation land and goes to the Reservoir Road.   Mr. Walker has been taxed for this property as a building lot.  There is an injunction on the road because he cannot be denied access to the property.  There was discussion regarding Class VI roads, private lanes and roads being subject to gates and bars.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Board of Selectmen will consult an attorney to get an interpretation before they make a ruling on this issue.  Hopefully, this opinion will be obtained for the next meeting.       

NORTH RIVER ROAD:  David Walker advised that there are two plugged culverts near his North River Road property and requested that the Highway Department come back to clean them out. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $106,370.98.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided check register for check No. 030661 in the amount of $3,984.00.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending October 22, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $16,210.67 or net wages in the amount of $8,782.41.  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 $4,157.25.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

TRANSFER:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the transfer of $750,000 from the Savings Bank of Walpole to the Fleet Bank (MBIA) and that the Chairman is authorized to sign the documents.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

HOOPER INSTITUTE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve payment for the Hooper Institute to the Royal Glass and Security Company in the amount of $57.00 for the security at the mansion.  It will be sent to the Trustees of Trust Funds.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- OCTOBER 20, 2005:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of October 20, 2005. as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Mr. Sawyer amended the motion as follows:  Page 2 –Storm Damage- “Smith and Allen” should be changed to “Allen Smith”; No. 2 – “end of the County Road off Drewsville Road” should be changed to “end of Meeting House Road and County Road”; and add No. 3 as High Street.  Mr. Aldrich accepted the amendment.  With all in favor, the amendment and motion carried.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the following meetings:  1) the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – October 25, 2005; and 2) the Zoning Board of Adjustment – October 19, 2005.

WARRANTS:

WALPOLE PROPERTY TAX WARRANT 2ND ISSUE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Collection of Walpole Property Tax Fees for the Second Issue in the amount of $2,527,757.00.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

NORTH WALPOLE PROPERTY TAX WARRANT 2ND ISSUE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Collection of North Walpole Property Tax Fees for the Second Issue in the amount of $443,434.00.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

NORTH WALPOLE SEWER FEES:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of North Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $39,685.86.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

SET THE 2005 TAX RATE:  Mr. Sawyer announced that the Department of Revenue Administration met with the Board of Selectmen and office staff. 

The 2005 Tax Rate was set as follows:

Town Tax $2.80; Local School $9.64; State School $2.79; County Tax $2.20 – Equals $17.43.      

North Walpole Precinct Tax $3.82; Fire District Tax for South Walpole $.62.  The 2005 Tax Rate is down for South Walpole by $.44 or 2.46%.  

The 2004 Tax Rate is:  Town Tax $3.29; Local School $9.74; State School $2.78; County Tax $2.06; Fire District Tax for South Walpole $.64.  The North Walpole Precinct Tax $5.21.

The difference for the North Walpole Precinct Tax is down substantially from $5.21 to $3.82. 

TIMBER CUT –PETER PAOLETTA- MAP 011-043-004:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Timber Tax in the amount of $481.50 for Peter Paoletta.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT LETTER – REF: COMPLAINT ON BLACK JACK CROSSING:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged a letter from the ZBA expressing concern about a property on Black Jack Crossing.  The ZBA determined that Mr. Christopher may be in violation of wastewater or sewer and requested that the Board of Selectmen shall take immediate steps to enforce the provisions of the Ordinances by seeking an injunction in the Superior Court or by any other appropriate action.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Board of Selectmen will continue to obtain additional information.

DANCE PROPERTY:  Mr. Sawyer noted that the Zoning Board of Adjustment discussed the Dance property during their last meeting on October 19th, 2005.  It is anticipated that there will be additional information provided during the December meeting. 

NEW BUSINESS:

LETTER IN REFERENCE TO 2005 ASSESSING & EQUALIZATION STANDARDS - Boards Public Forums:  There will be a public forum on the 2005 Assessing & Equalization Standards on Thursday, November 17th in Manchester.

TIME OFF FOR ELAINE MOORE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Elaine Moore’s request to take November 3rd and 4th, 2005, off without pay.  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                                                              ______________________

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 3rd, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.