In one of the most remarkable activities of the year in the town, there will be a live nativity scene Christmas Eve at 8:15 p.m. on the Common with Christmas readings and carols followed by hot chocolate in the Town Hall. Everyone is welcome!  CCB

Thanks to Regina Borden, Board Secretary, here are the Select Board minutes for December 8.

 

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

DECEMBER 08, 2005

Selectmen Present:            Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller

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

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

DALE FERNANDES:  Mr. Fernandes and his neighbor, Michael Neary, have agreed to a land swap to adjust the land in accordance with the stone walls.  There was discussion relative to taking land out of Current Use and the penalty for doing so.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Assessor does the Current Use adjustments.  Mr. Fernandes and Mr. Neary plan to attend the next Planning Board meeting. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $805,028.38.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 03, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $14,873.96 or net wages in the amount of $8,309.56.  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 $3,517.93.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve a supplemental payroll voucher for gross wages in the amount of $3,000 or net wages in the amount of $2,345.92.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the supplemental electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $883.58.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

FIRE WARDEN:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the annual bill for Fire Permits to the Division of Forest and Lands as submitted by Bill Houghton in the amount of $500.00.  The State of New Hampshire, Division of Forests and Lands, document will be signed by the Chairman.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the payment in the amount of $307.00 to Bill Houghton, Fire Warden, for the burning of debris from the fields after the floods provided there is reimbursement from FEMA or the State.  The State of New Hampshire, Division of Forests and Lands, document will be signed by the Chairman.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- NOVEMBER 23, 2005:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of November 23, 2005, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Mr. Miller abstained as he was not present.  With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion carried.        

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- DECEMBER 01, 2005:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of December 01, 2005, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Miller with the following amendment:  Page 1 –No 2– The Board of  

Selectmen wanted to point out that the 5.1% CPI, mentioned in the questions for the Selectboard from the Fall Mountain Regional School District Budget Committee, was only for a quarter of the year, the other two quarters are 3% and the fourth quarter is not yet known.  Page 2 – Public Hearing – delete – “the Highway and Police Departments will be overspending their budgets” and change to “the Town anticipates over-spending the bottom line”.  Mr. Aldrich accepted the amendment.  With all in favor, the motion carried. 

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:  The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the Minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of December 6, 2005.

ABATEMENTS:

BRUCE AND JANET CHAMBERLIN – MAP 004-017-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement in the amount of $1,399.92 and any and all interest for Bruce and Janet Chamberlin.  This is due to an incorrect bill because of a subdivision.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

BERNARD KARNACIEWICZ – SEWER BILL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement in the amount of $292.23 for Bernard Karnaciewicz.  This is based on previous average usage due to the detection of a leak.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Mr. Miller was opposed.  With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion carried.

Mr. Aldrich moved to reconsider the above vote.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  With all in favor, the motion carried.

Mr. Miller moved to table taking action on the Abatement for Bernard Karnaciewicz until the next meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

LESLIE KREEK –TIMBER TAX ABATEMENT: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement in the amount of $27.68 for Leslie Kreek.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.   

WARRANTS

EVELYN W. HILL – MAP 004-017-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Supplemental Warrant in the amount of $1,399.92 for Evelyn W. Hill.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

REFUNDS:

THOMAS H. KINIRY – 2005 PROPERTY TAX OVERPAYMENT – MAP 020-032-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund in the amount of $2.05 for Thomas Kiniry due to an over-payment on the fall tax bill.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

FIRST HORIZON HOME LOANS – (AHMAD ALABBADI) – MAP 003-005-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund in the amount of $251.00 for First Horizon Home Loans – (Ahmad Alabbadi) due to an over-payment of the fall tax bill.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

WILLIAM AND JILL BRUMFIELD – MAP 010-044-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund in the amount of $28.05 for William and Jill Brumfield due to the wrong acreage as calculated by the assessor.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

BUILDING PERMIT:

RALPH FICO – MAP 018-003-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-049 for Ralph Fico to construct a 6’x37’ roof over an existing porch.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

BLACKJACK CROSSING PROPERTY – LETTER FROM DR. MOROSINI:  Mr. Miller moved to send a letter to the Zoning Board of Adjustment as well as Mr. Bosco and Mr. Robert Miller advising that no violations of the Zoning Ordinance were found; the sanitation was determined to be adequate for the Blackjack Crossing property.  A copy of Dr. Morosini’s letter is to be enclosed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

GRANITE STATE MUNICIPAL ASSESSING & CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC.:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen not sign the contract at this time but tentatively agree to the intent of the presentation with Jim Rice of Granite State Municipal Assessing & Consulting Services, LLC.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved that the Board of Selectmen want to abort the 2006 contract with Avitar.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

LIGHT DUTY POLICY:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Light Duty Policy and to incorporate it into the Personnel Policy.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

CARTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATES, INC.:  Cartographic Associates, Inc. does the data recording for the tax maps and tax map maintenance; the contract is for $2,475. 

Mr. Miller moved to place the Cartographic Associates, Inc. contract on-hold until the next meeting on December 15th.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

STATISTICAL UPDATE:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a letter from Jim Rice of Avitar advising that they had concluded the Sales Ratio Analysis and recommended that the Statistical Update be done during 2006 or 2007 in order to bring all of the assessments in compliance with the ASB guidelines.

FLOOD DEBRIS:  Following the meeting last week, Mr. Aldrich reported that a copy of Dr. Morosini’s letter on flood debris was put in Jim Terrell’s mail slot   Jim Terrell checked the area, found three tires and some other debris but found nothing to be concerned about. He will see that the materials are removed.

NEW BUSINESS:

BRUCE CRAMER – RESIGNATION OF HOOPER SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE:  A letter of resignation was received from Bruce Cramer, as a member of the Hooper Scholarship Committee, to be effective immediately. 

Mr. Aldrich moved to accept the letter of resignation with great reluctance and to thank Mr. Cramer for all of the years of service.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

NEXT NH POET LAUREATE:  Mr. Miller displayed a newspaper article noting that Patricia Fargnoli of Walpole was nominated by Governor Lynch to be the next NH Poet Laureate.

BUDGET MEETING:  The Board of Selectmen scheduled a meeting to work on the budget with Teresa Kissell next Thursday afternoon following the Employees Christmas Lunch at Noon.

LIGHTS AT RECREATION CENTER:  The Board of Selectmen received calls from citizens about the lights being on at night at the Recreation Center.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the area was vandalized so the lights were turned-on at night and turned-off in the morning for about a week but they have stopped doing it now.  The committee is looking into motion lights.

FALL MOUNTAIN REGION SCHOOL DISTRICT:  The Board of Selectmen encouraged everybody to attend the open debate during the FMRSD meeting on Monday, December 12th at 6:30 pm.

YOUTH HOCKEY:  Mr. Miller moved that the Youth Hockey teams sign an Indemnity Agreement to be considered in full payment of the rental of the Town Hall.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:46 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden                                                         

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 15th, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.          

Courtesy of Board Chair Ernie Vose, here is the tentative agenda for Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. meeting in Town Hall

Public Hearing: None

New Business

1.Craig Dance, Tom Hanna with an application for an appeal of an administrative decision.

2. Larry Burdick wants to move to the R .N. Johnson small machine building. What does he need from us to use it?  This could be an industrial use in a commercial zone.

3. Mike Snide about a new sign at Pinnacle View Equipment on Rt. 12.

4. Todd Nielsen wants to use the florist buildings on Westminster St. for his business (5 employees and no walk in business.)

5.John Christopher trailer, reply from the selectmen.

Old Business

Fees for applications. 

Present for bylaws change from $30 to $75 plus $5 for each abutter. The applicant supplies the list of abutters.  Second reading.

Consider minutes of November 16, 2005

 

Opinion

            Sue and I had the opportunity to attend some of the Walpole Junior Players’ “A Christmas Carol” rehearsal last night while preparing a preview story for the Eagle Times that will appear tomorrow.  I want to share some thoughts on this terrific group and the tradition they embody.

            First, they are presenting John Jake’s adaptation of Dickens’ “ A Christmas Carol” at the Town Hall Helen Miller Theater Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.  It’s amateur theater—not Broadway—and the young Thespians range widely in talent, experience and maturity.  But there is a LOT of talent in the cast and there will be highlights—guaranteed! It’ll be an experience you’ll be glad you had. You really should go!

            But what I really want to share with you is that the rehearsal reminded us again of the impressive talent and leadership pool we have in our town that we all should recognize and applaud.

            Joey Macri, only 8 years removed from participation in the Walpole Junior Players herself, is directing the 19-member cast with an eye-popping package of leadership skills that I don’t often see in my management consulting and adult learning engagements with people twice her age and more.  She models ways of teaching, encouraging and inspiring solid performance in her young actors with levels of effectiveness that leaders of all kinds frequently dream about and seldom achieve! I predict that she will have a positive and lasting impact on each member of the cast.

            And, her young cast members, in our group interview with them, eagerly described what they are learning as a result of their experience in the play and with Macri, stage manager Trina Carmody and assistant director Carolyn Norback.  Examples they gave us included “organization” (knowing where to be throughout the play), “self-discipline”  (getting into their characters, learning their lines, and expressing the meaning in them), “working together” (all-important teamwork skills) and even maintaining their good health and hydration in order to stay in good voice.  All are essential lessons—all building emotional intelligence—that they’ll draw on throughout their lives.  In short, their Junior Players' experience is not only great fun but also an intensive, invaluable learning experience that we should all respect, value and appreciate! 

            So Sue and I are going to go and enjoy the play.  But what we’re REALLY going to remember long afterward is the invaluable learning and growth opportunities the Junior Players provides its participants.  Chuck Bingaman

           

You say you want some voluminous Minutes?  With some real meat, some important issues? OK!  Here they are...

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

DECEMBER 1, 2005

 

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

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

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

SWRPC – MATT SUCHODOLSKI – DUNNING CDBG GRANT:  Mr. Suchodolski requested that the Board of Selectmen approve Requisition No. 5 to the NH Community Development Finance Authority in the amount of $7,916.00 for the J.H. Dunning CDBG 04-050-CDED grant.  This requisition includes:  1) the Southwest Region Planning Commission invoice No. 4641 in the amount of $7,166; and 2) $750 as an estimated cost for Vachon, Clukay and Company, PC to perform an audit applicable to this grant.

Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign Requisition No. 5 to the NH Community Development Finance Authority in the amount of $7,916 for the J.H. Dunning CDBG grant.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted. 

FALL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – BUDGET COMMITTEE:  Bill Perron, Russ LaCroix, and Bruce Martin, members of the FMRSC Budget Committee, were present to review the “Questions for the Selectboard” as outlined in the October 25, 2005, letter from Robert Beaudry, Chairman of the Finance Committee. 

1. What is the single biggest concern that you have regarding next year’s school budget?  Mr. Miller noted that the budget now includes $11,000 per student; that is considerably more than a lot of other towns.  Next year’s budget will probably be about 6% more because of the salaries.  There was discussion regarding the proposed retro-active pay raises that the teachers are looking for.  There are no signed agreements for the retro-active pay; a fact finder was hired and recommendations were made.  Mr. Miller said the school is hiring experienced, professionals and they are being paid to do the job.  It is a decision based on what the School Board wants to produce and what amount of money they are willing to pay for it.  Mr. LaCroix summarized No. 1 with the fact that the big issue is the teachers’ salaries and the negotiations. 

2. In view of an increased CPI of approx. 5.1% and associated increases in other costs in next year’s town budget, how are you approaching your budget process for next year?  The Board of Selectmen pointed out that the 5.1% CPI was only for a quarter of the year, the other two quarters are 3% and the fourth quarter is not yet known.  The Town tries to live within a 2-to-3% increase.  They try to put one time purchases on Warrant Articles.  The Town is now purchasing fuel with the School District at an agreed upon price that Steve Varone negotiated.       

3. Are there specific areas that you believe the Budget Committee should focus on to reduce costs?  Mr. Miller feels they do not need all of the after school activities.  Providing breakfasts is costly.  These may not result in a better product after twelve years.  The “Leave No Child Behind Act” is affecting the schools.  There was discussion relative to the new formula of each town paying for what it uses in their schools; the high school costs are shared. 

4. Would you support the concept of the school district establishing a capital roof repair, furnace replacement, plumbing repairs, etc.?  At the present time there is no money put

aside for these repairs.  Mr. Miller and Mr. Aldrich would support establishing a Capital Reserve Fund.  The towns would earn interest on the amount of money in their accounts.

5. What is the most important priority that you believe must be addressed in next year’s budget?  There was a consensus that the teachers’ contract is a big issue.  Nothing will be done until the people vote at the Annual Meeting; if it is voted down, they will go back to negotiating.  There are several other issues that need to be addressed such as the ball field and track field.  Mr. Aldrich asked if they have a priority list?  Mr. LaCroix responded that they will have that soon. 

6. What is working well in your town budget to reduce costs this year?  The Board of Selectmen concurred that it will be putting some one time purchases on Warrant Articles for the voters to make some decisions.

The Budget Committee is getting cooperation and they are trying to form a product that will be good for the District.  The Administration is going to produce some new programs.  About 25% of property owners in some towns are experiencing difficulty paying their taxes and bills now.  Bruce Martin advised that next week on Sunday the Budget Committee will get the budget presentation from the School Board.  The Budget Committee comes back a week later with their views on what they think of the proposed budget.  They will not have a lot of time to work on it.    

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES – ERNIE VOSE: 

Zoning Board of Adjustment:  Ernie Vose, on behalf of the ZBA, requested that the Board of Selectmen respond by sending them a written response on the John Christopher matter.  Mr. Miller said the Board of Selectmen received a reply from Dr. Morosini, Health Officer, and the Board of Selectmen will send a letter to the ZBA along with a copy of Dr. Morosini’s letter.       

Voter Checklist:  Ernie Vose reported that the State is putting a computer system on the internet for the checklists so the supervisors can keep it up-to-date.  After they have gone through the list and verified it they can drop the current program they are now using.  However, they need broadband access to the internet for the State system.  He asked if the Board of Selectmen would approve having internet access connected to the computer in the room downstairs so the supervisors can come in and make their changes.  They would like this service as soon as possible.  The Board of Selectmen agreed to look into it.

Voting Booths:  Ernie Vose, Moderator, advised that they were talking about making plans to replace the old voting booths with six folding voting booths each year until all were replaced but it is their understanding that the Secretary of State is going to change the size of the voting booths so they were advised not to purchase new booths this year but wait until a decision is made on the new size.

Mr. Aldrich called the Public Hearing to order at 9:02 P.M.

PUBLIC HEARING – REFERENCE OVERSPENDING OF BUDGET:  Mr. Aldrich advised that this Public Hearing was required by the Department of Revenue Administration due to the fact that the Town anticipates over-spending the bottom line as a result of the flooding in October.  The Board of Selectmen had notified the DRA and asked for permission to use some of the surplus monies to pay for the emergency bills until the end of the year.  Eventually the Town expects to be partially reimbursed through FEMA, grants, etc. and the monies will be returned to

the surplus fund  There were two members of the public in attendance.  No public comments were made.

Mr. Aldrich closed the Public Hearing at 9:06 P.M.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $103,473.55.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending November 26, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $16,386.58 or net wages in the amount of $9,250.66.  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 $4,033.79.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

TRANSFER:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the transfer of $750,000.00 from the Savings Bank of Walpole general fund to the MBIA Savings Fund.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved that the Chairman, pro-tem, be authorized to sign the transfer documents.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted. 

The Board of Selectmen signed a letter to the Department of Revenue Administration requesting use of $500,000 from the surplus fund with possibly 75% or more of the expenses being reimbursed by FEMA in 2006. 

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- NOVEMBER 23, 2005:  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to table taking action on the Minutes of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting of November 23, 2005, due to lack of a quorum.  Mr. Miller was not present at the November 23rd meeting and Mr. Sawyer was not present at this meeting.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- NOVEMBER 10, 2005:  Mr. Miller moved to amend the Minutes of the November 10, 2005, public Board of Selectmen’s meeting as follows:  Page 2-Warrants –St. John’s Church- delete “discovered that they were renting an apartment” and change to “Mr. Smith advised the town that they no longer had their interim Minister living in the apartment and they were now renting”.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the following meetings:  1) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – November 22, 2005; and November 29, 2005; and 2) the Hooper Committee – November 15, 2005.

REFUNDS:

DANIEL AND HEATHER FERLAND – MAP 019-053-000 – OVERPAYMENT PROPERTY TAXES:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Refund in the amount of $77.96 for Daniel and Heather Ferland for an overpayment of property taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

ARTHUR AND SUZANNE BAILLARGEON – MAP 005-028-000 – OVERPAYMENT PROPERTY TAXES:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Refund in the amount of $84.00 for Arthur and Suzanne Baillargeon for an overpayment of property taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

BLACKJACK CROSSING PROPERTY – LETTER FROM DR. MOROSINI:  Mr. Miller moved to postpone discussion on the letter received from Dr. Morosini regarding the Blackjack Crossing property until next week when all the Board members are expected to be present.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted. 

NEW BUSINESS:

DR. MOROSINI – COLD RIVER DEBRIS FROM FLOOD:  A letter was received from Dr. Morosini advising that there is no health issue because of the debris from the flood in the Cold River area in Drewsville.  Mr. Miller will see that a copy of the letter is forwarded to Jim Terrell.

SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. – APPROPRIATION:  Acknowledgement was made of a letter received from the SWCS regarding an appropriation request for next year. 

Mr. Miller moved to authorize the Chairman, pro-tem, to sign and check the block in the letter that this appropriation will be placed in the Town budget.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

SALES RATIO ANALYSIS LETTER FROM JIM RICE - AVITAR:  Mr. Miller moved to postpone signing the Sales Ratio Analysis Letter from Avitar until next week.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

SEWER DEBT –AMOUNT PAYABLE- JANUARY BILLING 2006:  The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposed 2006 Sewer Debt amount payable in the January billing 2006.

RECYCLE-TRANSFER – CLOSED DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged a memo from Rick Cooper advising that the Recycle-Transfer Facility will be closed the day before Christmas – Saturday, December 24, 2005, due to a lack of volunteers but will be open the day after Christmas – Monday, December 26, 2005.

Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 10:04 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden                                                   

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 8, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.       

Thanks to Regina Borden, here are the minutes of the November 23 Selectmen's meeting.  This was an abbreviated meeting as it was the night before Thanksgiving...

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

NOVEMBER 23, 2005

 

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

Mr. Sawyer opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M. with no one present in the audience.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $475,101.65.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

The above amount includes a payment in the amount of $374,651.54 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending November 19, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $13,072.18 or net wages in the amount of $6,780.80.  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 $3,112.01.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

VOIDED CHECKS:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided check register for check numbers 030830, 030832, 030834, and 030836.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- NOVEMBER 17, 2005:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of November 17, 2005, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

AVITAR:  The Board of Selectmen set a date and time to meet with Jim Rice of Avitar for Tuesday, November 29th, 2005, at 4:00 P.M.

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to the Department of Revenue Administration asking permission to use the Town’s surplus fund balance for over-expenditure of the budget due to the flooding.  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 7:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden                                                              

 

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 1st, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.

   

    Two weeks ago I discovered in the Walpole Historical Society a framed article from the September 1994 Yankee Magazine describing a stop at Walpole's Mapledell Farm in 1848 by Abraham Lincoln and a discussion he had there with a young woman concerning his future intentions regarding slavery. I wondered whether this could be an accurate story as I was not aware of a Lincoln visit to New England before a visit to Concord in the presidential electon of 1860, and I wondered why anyone, including Lincoln himself, would identify him with the slavery issue twelve years earlier.

    Through some quick Internet research, my wife Sue found that Lincoln did, in fact, travel through New England in 1848 campaigning for Zachary Taylor for President, and she nailed down some dates in September, at least, when Lincoln gave several speeches over 10 days in Massachusetts.  (There's an extensive research project called Lincoln Day by Day that has attempted to detail where Loncoln was and what he was doing every day of his adult life, and you can check it out at http://www.stg.brown.edu/projects/lincoln/index.php.)  Lincoln Day by Day does NOT show Lincoln in New Hampshire during that period, but there ARE some dates without verified entries.  So it might be possible that he made a quick trip up to the Granite State and stopped in Walpole.

    So...the point of all this is that we have a possible Lincoln visit to our town, and it would be interesting if we could nail it down with some solid information.  (BTW, the woman who wrote the Yankee story has long since died, and Ed Jennison, currently living at Mapledell Farm, has no informatoin about the young girl's diary of the visit referred to in Yankee.)

    If anyone is interested in pursuing this story with me or has information about it, I would appreciate hearing from them.  Maybe we can fill in another day or two in Lincoln Day by Day AND add an interesting chapter to our town's history in time for Lincoln's Birthday.

Chuck Bingaman

According to Frankie Knibb, Walpole Town Librarian, the Walpole Town Library was broken into around 10:20 last Wednesday evening.  Some things were stolen in the short period before police arrived.  Anyone who has or hears information about the person(s) who broke in should contact the Walpole Police at 445-2058.  CCB

            Friends of the Walpole Town Library Saturday dedicated a newly constructed children’s computer center in honor of long-time library board member and Walpole teacher Frances Illingsworth Potter who died a year ago.  Friends and relatives had made memorial gifts in Mrs. Potter’s name to fund the center. 

            The Center, consisting of an oak cabinet and desk specially made by Albert Dole of Walpole and designed to hold materials and equipment and a computer for children, will enable children to use the library’s growing collection of educational games under the supervision of library staff members or parents.  There is no Internet connection contemplated at this time.

            According to Librarian Frankie Knibb, this project, organized by The Friends of the Walpole Town Library “makes it possible now to do something for the littlest library users, those between the ages of 3 and 7.”

            Frances Potter was a teacher in Walpole, Brattleboro and Alstead in a long career of service to area children, and she was an active board member of the library.

            According to her daughter, Jill, of Walpole, “We are absolutely thrilled that this is the project the Library Friends funded.  Mother was a teacher all of her life, and she was particularly involved in Walpole’s library where she served for many years on the board. She was especially interested in children’s reading and tutored a lot of children in the neighborhood when we were young.  In fact, during the summer she used to read at 10:00 every morning, and neighborhood kids would come to our house on the south end of the Common.  Anywhere between 5 and 10 would come.  I remember “Robinson Crusoe” very clearly from that time.”

“Also when I was very small, she started an authors’ program here at the library and she would get New Hampshire authors to come and do a lectures.  I remember coming with her to see a woman named Elizabeth Yates.  What I remember most about her was that she had an incredible sweater made from the fur of her German shepherd!”

Jill Potter noted that her brothers Ed and Bruce of Walpole and niece Emily from Westminster West were also at the ceremony and that Ed had been born in the “hospital” next door to the library, now the building housing Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realty and Clark-Mortenson Insurance.

Lyn Cooke, President of the Friends of the Walpole Town Library, organized the ceremony and reception at the library and expressed the pleasure of the Friends in being able to direct memorial gifts in Mrs. Potter’s name to the children’s computer center.

Chuck Bingaman

                      

 

 

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Thanks to Carol Christian's reporting, here are the raffle winners from last weekend's raffles...

David Maysilles won the double topiary tree.

Teese Gohl won the dinner for four by Sue Vose.

Nancy Spielman won the Christmas tree.

Ron MacLachlan won the reproduction Chinese urn.

CCB

Friends of the Walpole Town Library will dedicate the new Potter Children's Center in an informal public ceremony Saturday at 2:00 p.m., reports Friends chair Lyn Cooke.

Frances Illingsworth Potter, who long participated in library affairs, especially in reading programs for children, died a year ago, and her daughter, Jill Potter of Walpole, suggested that memorials in Mrs. Potter's name be given to the Walpole Town LIbrary.  The memorial gifts have been used to purchase a small computer center for the children's area of the library. The public is invited to see the new center, greet Jill Potter and her brothers, Ed and Bruce, and enjoy refreshments.

CCB