TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
NOVEMBER 10, 2005
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 HEARING:
HAZARD MITIGATION PUBLIC HEARING: Harry Boynton, Emergency Management Director, and Meredith Cooper, Southwest Region Planning Commission, referenced the proposed Town of Walpole Hazard Mitigation handbooks that had previously been distributed to the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Cooper advised that the plan was reviewed by FEMA and they have signed off on it but they require a Public Hearing. The Committee did a great job in putting a solid plan together. It is supposed to be reviewed annually and up-dated regularly especially after a President declared disaster. FEMA requires that it be reviewed every five years and signed off by them. The five year review can be done by the Town. If the Town makes substantial changes over the five years they should be sent to FEMA. Ms. Cooper read the Resolution. There are three copies: one for FEMA, one for the Town and one for the SWRPC.
Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the Certificate of Adoption for the Town of Walpole, New Hampshire, Board of Selectmen, “A Resolution Adopting the Walpole Hazard Mitigation Plan”. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Sawyer closed the Public Hearing at 7:45 P.M.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: Meredith Cooper handed-in the additional items that were missing from the proposed Capital Improvement Plan. She spoke to Rick Cooper who is working on the list for the Recycling Center. The things on his list are not imminent for this year’s budget. The Capital Improvement Plan is a guidance document.
JEFFREY AND CATHY WHITE – BYLAW REQUEST REGARDING NOISE: Jeffrey White had sent two letters to the Board of Selectmen regarding noise in the Dearborn Circle area. He referenced construction of a house when work began at 5:30 am and lawn mowing in the neighborhood in the early evening; in the future there will be additional noise from the nearby Mall when expansion begins. He is just looking for reasonable hours and people to be courteous. Mr. Sawyer advised that the Town does not have a Noise Ordinance and, since they are not in charge of making zoning changes, copies of his letters were sent to the Planning Board. The letters were read at the last meeting of the Planning Board but no action was taken.
CINDY HAYES: Mr. Sawyer advised that Mr. Hayes came into the office and had concerns regarding their current use assessment. Mrs. Hayes was expected to attend this meeting for further discussion.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Session to discuss real estate. Mr. Miller seconded the motion and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion carried. The time was 8:10 P.M.
The regular meeting resumed at 8:26 P.M. No announcements were made.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $9,716.82. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending November 5, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $13,869.83 or net wages in the amount of $7,610.23. 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 $3,293.35. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
HOOPER COTTAGE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voucher request for three gallons of paint for the Hooper Cottage. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- NOVEMBER 03, 2005: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of November 03, 2005, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Miller. 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 November 08, 2005. The Commissioners questioned what position they are to fill if there is a disaster as they are not mentioned in the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Mr. Sawyer noted that there is no official duty mentioned but they can volunteer where assistance is needed.
BUILDING PERMIT:
RICHARD AND KINTER LENNON – MAP 009-051-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-045 for Richard and Kinter Lennon to construct a 6’x26’ wood shed behind the garage. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
WARRANTS:
ST. JOHN’S CHURCH – MAP 020-017-APT: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Property Taxes in the amount of $608.00 for St. John’s Church. The Church property was tax exempt until it was discovered that they were renting an apartment. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
JERROLD SWAIN – MAP 011-024-001: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Property Taxes in the amount of $162.00 for Jerrold Swain. They did not receive the original tax bill. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE – TOWERS: Mr. Miller moved to deny the request from the University of New Hampshire to issue separate tax bills. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
NEW BUSINESS:
WINTER PARKING POLICY: Jim Terrell is putting the annual Winter Parking Policy notice in the newspaper.
WASTEWATER GRANT FOR 2006: Mr. Miller moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the “Application for Annual Installment of State Grant” for the calendar year 2006 for three wastewater grants Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
INTENT TO CUT TIMBER –MAP 011-013-000- DALE HUBBARD: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Notice of Intent to Cut Timber for Dale Hubbard. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
SALES RATIO SURVEY: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Sales Ratio Survey for 2005 Equalization Data. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
OFFICE MANAGER: The Board of Selectmen discussed the designation of an Office Manager. No action was taken at this meeting.
ROAD AGENT: Mr. Aldrich moved that the Town gross out an amount of $2,500.00 to the Road Agent for the extra time he put in during the flood disaster. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Session to discuss personnel. Mr. Miller seconded the motion and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion carried. The time was 9:22 P.M.
The regular meeting resumed at 9:35 P.M. No announcements were made.
SANTAW LAND: Mr. Sawyer called Thaddeus Self, Galloway Real Estate and David Walker to advise that no action would be taken during this meeting as the Board of Selectmen is still researching documents and waiting for a legal opinion.
SEMINAR: The Board of Selectmen discussed scheduling a seminar for all Department Heads on the proper procedures to follow for Hiring and Firing employees. Elaine Moore will be asked to look into finding a qualified speaker.
LETTERS:
BLACK JACK CROSSING: Mr. Sawyer reported that a letter was written to Mr. Christopher to suggest that he come to the next meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
AVITAR: Mr. Sawyer advised that a letter had been sent to Avitar asking what criteria they used for lowering the assessment on New England Power Company property.
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted. The time was 9:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden
THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES. CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 17th, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.