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Walpole Zoning/Planning News; Selectmen's Minutes
News Item: As I was away on business last week and have not yet gotten the 1-24 Planning Board meeting minutes, I have not yet reported that the Walpole Tomorrow-sponsored zoning amendments failed to win Planning Broad endorsement at the board's meeting last Tuesday. They'll still be warrant items for town vote, just not endorsed by the Planning Board. I should have the full Planning Board minutes to post in a day or two. In the meantime, here are the January 19 Selectmen's minutes courtesy of secretary Regina Borden. Chuck Bingaman
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JANUARY 19, 2006
Selectmen Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. with five people present in the audience.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
PERSONNEL ISSUE: Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Session to discuss personnel. Seconded by Mr. Miller and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion carried.
The regular meeting resumed at 8:18 P.M.
Mr. Sawyer announced that no action will be taken following the Non-Public Session.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
WILLIAM THERRIEN: Mr. Therrien attended the Zoning Board of Adjustment last night to request a subdivision. It went through the normal process. The request was to subdivide the 42-acre parcel into three parcels; the largest would have his home on it and frontage on Stevens Lane and the other two parcels would be about 11-1/2 acres each with frontage on County Road. Mr. Therrien expressed concern regarding the signing of the Town’s Services Waiver of Liability that the Town requires for homes on Class VI and private roads. He was not aware of this requirement until the meeting last night when Mr. Vose brought it to his attention. Mr. Therrien had a copy of the Resolution and Waiver and wanted his attorney to look them over before signing the document.
BUDGET AND WARRANT HEARING: Ernie Vose asked if a date had been set for the Budget and Warrant Hearing. Mr. Sawyer advised that the Board of Selectmen is still working on the proposed budget and warrants so a date for the Hearing has not yet been set but it has to be advertised by February 7th.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $72,965.22. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending January 14, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $15,126.01 or net wages in the amount of $8,191.97. 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 $3,721.31. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- JANUARY 12, 2006: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of January 12, 2006, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
NEW BUSINESS:
CURRENT USE APPLICATION –PATRICK FENELON- MAP 009-009-000 and MAP 009-005-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Current Use application from Patrick and Mary Fenelon to place property in Current Use. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
BOAS – APPEAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT: Mr. Sawyer and Jim Rice attended two hearings before the Board of Land and Tax Appeals.
Mr. Aldrich moved that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen sign the Board of Land and Tax Appeals Settlement Agreement for Ray and Cathy Boas. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PULS –APPEAL- SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT: Mr. Aldrich moved that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen sign the Board of Land and Tax Appeals Settlement Agreement for James and Mary Puls. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PERSONAL TIME – RICK COOPER: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the request of Rick Cooper to take personal time off as follows: Thursday, January 19th, Friday, January 20th and Saturday, January 21st, 2006. Mr. Colburn will cover in his absence. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
LETTER FROM WRAP COMMITTEE: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a letter from the WRAP Committee recommending a pay increase for Rick Cooper.
Mr. Miller moved to approve a $1.00/hour pay increase for Rick Cooper effective in the next pay check. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
REQUEST FOR CURRENT USE –DAVID AND SUSAN HOWELL- MAP 007-024-001: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Current Use application from David and Susan Howell to place property in Current Use. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
VACHON, CLUKAY & CO., PC LETTER: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to Vachon, Clukay & Company, PC to do the annual audit of the Town’s financial records and that the Chairman be authorized to sign the letter. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
2006 ASSESSMENT REVIEW WORKSHOP: Mr. Miller will attend the 2006 Assessment Review Workshop on January 24th in Peterborough.
TRANSFER STATION: Mr. Aldrich moved to increase the pay for Paul Colburn to $13.50/hour. This is based on good performance. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller moved that the Board of Selectmen vote to hire another part-time employee at the Recycling Center. There were no seconds.
Mr. Aldrich moved to postpone making a decision on another employee at the Recycling Center until after the next Budget Meeting. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
WARRANT AND BUDGET MEETING: The Board of Selectmen will meet on Monday, January 23rd at 6:00 pm to work on the proposed Warrants and Budget.
Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted. The time was 10:18 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden
THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES. CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 26, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.
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January 12 Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JANUARY 12, 2006
Selectmen Present: Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, (Absent: Sheldon Sawyer)
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:45 P.M. with no one present in the audience. Prior to this meeting there was a Board of Selectmen Workshop on the proposed 2006 Budget.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $373,345.38. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
It was noted that the above amount includes the monthly payment to the Fall Mountain Region School District in the amount of $328,427.86.
PAYROLL: Mr. Miller moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending January 7, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $17,132.98 or net wages in the amount of $9,415.78. 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 $4,439.63. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- JANUARY 5, 2006: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of January 5th, 2006, as printed. 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 January 10, 2006.
REFUNDS:
Mr. Miller moved to approve the following North Walpole Property Tax Refunds that are all over-payments for the Year 2005:
1) Sonya Clark –Map 030-017-000- 2005 Property Taxes - $140.00
2) First American Real Estate Tax Service –Re: Whitcomb- Map 029-018-000 – 2005 Property Taxes - $1,010.00
3) James Shaughnessey –Map 028-137-000 – 2005 Property Taxes - $59.75
4) Charles and Gloria O’Brien –Map 029-011-000- 2005 Property Taxes - $50.00
5) Douglas Gay –Map 027-010-000 – 2005 Property Taxes - $12.00
Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
NEW BUSINESS:
SAVINGS BANK OF WALPOLE WIRE TRANSFER RENEWAL AGREEMENT: Mr. Miller moved that the Savings Bank of Walpole Wire Transfer Renewal Agreement, dated January 5th, 2006, that was addressed to Mrs. Mansouri, be signed on behalf of the Board of Selectmen by the Chairman Sheldon Sawyer. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
INTENT TO CUT TIMBER –GRETA V. HOWARD- MAP 013-061-000: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Timber for Greta V. Howard. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
INTENT TO CUT TIMBER –MARCIA GALLOWAY- MAP 005-066-000: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Timber for Marcia Galloway. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:
NEW HAMPSHIRE BUREAU OF TRAILS – HOOPER HILL HOPPER SNOWMOBILE CLUB: Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the letter to the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails as requested by the Hooper Hill Hopper Snowmobile Club. 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 8:12 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden
THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES. CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.
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January 18 Zoning Board Meeting Minutes
Courtesy of acting secretary Lucy Weber, here are the minutes of theJanuary 18 Zoning Board meeting. Pretty long but interesting developments and issues to know about! CCB
18 January 2006
Present: E. Vose, M. Mansouri, J. Galloway-Leclerc, L. Weber, L. Carignan (alt), B. Webb (alt)
Absent: L. Britton
NOTE: THE FOLLOWING MINUTES WILL BE REVIEWED ON 15 FEBRUARY, 2006.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
Mr. Vose appointed Mr. Webb to serve as a voting member.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Pinnacle View Equipment Sign Variance.
Mike Snide represented Pinnacle View. They want to install two new signs from corporate suppliers. The signs will meet the setback requirement, but will not meet the requirement for 100 feet between signs. Each sign will be placed 50 feet from the existing Pinnacle view sign. One sign is a Kubota sign, 12 feet by 3 feet, for a total of 36 square feet, and the other is a Polaris sign, 4 feet by 8 feet, for a total of 32 square feet. The Kubota sign will require a variance from the size requirement as well, because it exceeds 32 square feet. Both signs would be lighted. Pinnacle View’s sales agreements with the corporations require that they display these signs. Pinnacle View has fought the requirement since moving to its present location, but they need to honor the agreement. The signs are provided by the companies, and are obtained wholesale, so Pinnacle View’s choice as to size and design is limited. Pinnacle View cannot have signs fabricated to their own specifications as the signs are corporate logos which have to be approved by the corporations. The distance from the proposed signage to the Rite-Aid sign is more than 100 feet.
Mr. Bingaman inquired if the applicant actually wanted the signs. Mr. Snide said he does want to comply with his agreements with the corporations.
Mr. Vose read through the criteria for a variance:
No decrease in value to surrounding property. All voted in agreement.
Not contrary to the public interest. All voted in agreement.
Hardship. Mr. Vose stated we have allowed multiple signs across the street in the past. Multiple signs on the same post are hard to see and might present a traffic hazard. Ms. Galloway stated the signs would look better if placed on separate posts. Mr. Webb noted the difficulty of mounting the two signs on one post. All voted in agreement.
Substantial justice. Ms. Weber said that many businesses in that and other parts of town have multiple signs. All voted in agreement.
Not contrary to the spirit of the ordinance. All were in agreement.
Mr. Webb moved that the variance be granted as to the placement and size of the signs. Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc seconded. All voted in favor, and the variance was approved.
L. A. Burdick Chocolates Special Exception:
Ms. Weber recused herself, as her business is an abutter. Mr. Carignan was appointed to serve in her place.
Larry Burdick has bought the former R.N. Johnson small machines building on Main Street, and proposes moving his chocolate manufacturing, shipping, receiving and storage operations to this site from their current location in the center of town. The existing retail and restaurant operations will remain at their current locations in town. Approximately 30 employees will be affected by the move. The property is all on one level, with loading docks and provision for inside vehicle receiving already in place. The proposed operation is not toxic, is not noisy, and will use 18
currently dead space. No changes are proposed to the footprint of the building, but the glass in the front of the building will be replaced with barn board and new doors and windows across the top, for a more barn-like appearance.
Mr. Vose explained the project needs a special exception because the operations fall under the Zoning Ordinance definition of industrial or manufacturing operations, as chocolate is transformed into confections. The building is also closer to the highway than the 85 feet required, but has an existing variance in place as to the setback requirement. A special exception will require the site to have adequate off-street parking and loading facilities. The proposed use may not cause undue smoke, noise, dust, odor, fumes or water pollution. A recommendation will also be required from the planning board, but the Zoning Board is not bound to follow this recommendation. Mr. Burdick will attend the next Planning Board meeting to secure the recommendation.
Peter and Chris Burchard asked what plans were for the grassy portion of the property. There are no plans for it as of now, and Mr. Burdick expressed his desire to be a good neighbor and preserve green space. In response to a question from Mr. Hurlburt, Mr. Burdick said that the only access to the property would be from Main Street, not from Firehouse Road. He was told Firehouse Road could not be used for commercial access because of covenants on the surrounding properties. Mr. Burchard asked if any other changes were proposed to the property. Mr. Burdick said a new roof will be necessary, but no other changes are planned. Mr. Buswell asked about hours of operation. One or two people come in at 6:00a.m. and the rest between 8:00a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and leave between 4:00p.m. and 6:00 p.m. During peak holiday periods, some of the employees will work later. The noise of the operation should not be heard across the street. Shipping is mostly by standard UPS and FedEx trucks. Two or three trailer truckloads of chocolate arrive in the course of a year.
Ms. Kolasienski asked if any fences or barriers were planned. She is concerned both with the nearness to her property of one driveway, and also with the safety of children riding bicycles near the traffic. Mr. Burdick said he can make sure traffic does not use that driveway. She also asked what was proposed for lighting. Mr. Burdick plans no more lighting than currently exists, and states he uses less lighting at his current location than was used before he purchased the building. She also asked about his timeline for occupation of the building. Mr. Burdick said his financing requires him to be in by September.
Mr. Buswell asked for clarification of how long a special exception stays with the property. Mr. Vose stated that it remains with the property, but only for the chocolate operation being considered today. A different manufacturing or industrial operation would be required to come before the Board for a new exception.
Mr. Jasse offered the opinion that this is a wonderful use of the building and a great thing for the town.
Mr. Vose stated that this will relieve some of the congestion in the middle of town. He entered the letter from the selectmen regarding the operation into the file. The hearing was closed.
Ms. Galloway-Leclerc moved to approve the special exception as presented, pending receipt of the Planning Board recommendation. The motion was seconded by Ms. Mansouri and passed unanimously.
Mr. Burdick asked if his new tenant will need ZBA approval for a new sign on his old building. Mr. Vose stated no approval is needed as long as the new sign is the same size or smaller than the existing sign.
Therrien Variance—Stevens Road and County Road
Ms. Weber resumed her seat on the Board. Ms. Galloway-Leclerc recused herself as an abutter. Mr. Carignan was appointed to serve in her place.
Bill Therrien, property owner, and William A Lawrence, LLS, of Lawrence Associates, of Langdon appeared to request the variance. The property in question is a 40 acre lot with approximately 750 feet of frontage on County Road, which is a town road, and 1000 plus feet of frontage on Stevens Road, which is private. A binder containing several documents was presented to the Board in support of the project.
Mr Therrien began with a history of the property. He stated that the subject parcel was part of a larger property owned by Austin Stevens. In 1947, all but the first 500 feet of Stevens Road was discontinued by the town and turned back to the adjacent property owners. Mr. Stevens began the subdivision by creating Lot 45, now owned by Coyle, by variance, in 1976. A house was built on this lot in 2000. Lot 43-2, now owned by Tim Allen, was created, also by variance, in 1979. The Therriens bought Lot 44, the subject property, in 1997. They wanted to build their house on the Stevens Road side of the property, and went to the Selectmen and executed an agreement with the selectmen granting them the same conditions as those imposed on the other owners on Stevens Road. Mr. Therrien stated a variance was obtained at that time. The Therrien house was built in 2000. Improvements were made by the owners to Stevens Road in 1987, and major maintenance was performed in 2001, after the building was completed. There are currently four lots with frontage on the town maintained portion of the road.
The Therriens are proposing to create two new lots on the southern , or County Road, end of the property, one of 11.42 acres and one of 11.66 acres. Both lots would have adequate frontage on County Road to comply with current zoning requirements, and the lots would share a common access off County Road. The variance is needed because the remaining lot, with the Therrien home, will have frontage only on the private portion of Stevens Road. The property lends itself to this division, as to divide it up otherwise would be unaesthetic. There is no suitable access from the portion of the property on which the Therrien house sits out to County Road.
Mr. Therrien and Mr. Lawrence then discussed the five criteria required for a variance.
No diminution in value to surrounding properties: The lots are large and in keeping with those in the neighborhood. Neither of the two new lots have enough road frontage to permit them to be subdivided further in the future. The documentation presented to the Board included a memorandum from Chas Street, a real estate professional, stating his opinion that the surrounding properties would suffer no diminution in value as a result of the subdivision.
Not contrary to the public interest: Stevens Road complies with the safety requirements from the Town. The home and access on Stevens Road are already in existence.
Denial of the variance would result in unnecessary hardship: The existing home already has adequate access from Stevens Road, and no viable access from County Road. This access was approved by the selectmen. The house site is approximately 130 feet higher in elevation than the County Road side of the property. Alternate subdivision plans would be less aesthetically pleasing and would be less advantageous to the property owner. The frontage on Stevens Road should be counted as adequate access to the retained parcel.
Observing the spirit of the Ordinance: The two lower parcels are in compliance with the requirements of the zoning ordinance, and have more frontage than required. The upper parcel has
greater than required frontage along Stevens Lane. The upper and lower parcels are separate from each other due to topography.
Substantial justice: The new parcels are larger than the ordinance requires. The home on the upper parcel is already in place and was approved by the Selectmen.
Mr. Vose inquired if the Therriens had signed a hold harmless letter releasing the town from liability for emergency services. Such a letter has been required from homeowners building on private access roads. Mr. Therrien stated he was not asked for such a letter, and there has been no problem with emergency services getting access to the Therrien property when needed. Mr. Therrien, in response to Mr. Vose’s question, stated he was unsure whether he would be willing to sign such a letter. He would need the opportunity to consult with a lawyer before doing so. Mr. Vose also noted that what was submitted was a letter from the selectmen approving the building on the Therrien property, not a variance from the Zoning Board.
Mr. LeClerc stated that a fire protection letter was not required when the Therrien home was built, because their lot had adequate frontage on a town road. If the only access to the remaining parcel is from Stevens Road the property should have the fire protection letter.
Ms. Galloway-Leclerc stated that the lot and house as it now exists conforms to the Zoning regulations. There are ways to subdivide off two lots and still conform to the ordinance. Whether the lots could be prettier or otherwise should not be the basis for departing from the current zoning requirements. Mr. Therrien reiterated that the selectmen allowed them to build the house and gave them a variance. Ms. Weber stated that the selectmen gave permission for building, but not a variance as none was needed at that time.
Mr. Webb said that the presence of the existing house does not convince him of the need for a variance. He asked again about Mr. Therrien’s willingness to sign the emergency services liability letter. Mr. Therrien indicated a willingness to consider it. Mr. Lawrence suggested that a variance could be issued conditional upon the receipt of such a completed agreement. Mr. Vose noted the matter could be tabled until next month pending resolution of the emergency services liability letter issue, which needs to be addressed to the selectmen. This was acceptable to Mr. Therrien.
Ms. Weber expressed her concern that the Board has not yet addressed the five variance criteria, and these would still have to be deliberated on at the next meeting, in addition to a satisfactory resolution of the letter issue. Mr. Lawrence expressed concern regarding what he perceives may be bias on the part of Board members. Mrs. Weber stated that she has not prejudged the matter against the applicant, but neither is she willing at this stage to give the impression that she has prejudged in favor of the applicant without deliberation.
Mr. Snide stated he is a supporter of back lot development personally, but there is no support for it in the Walpole master plan. Such development was acceptable in the 1970s when the Stevens created the lots, but back lot development was considered and rejected when the Master Plan was revised, and the current zoning does not permit it. He stated the two lots could still be created and conformance maintained for all three lots by drawing the lot lines differently, and retaining a strip of land connection the Therrien lot with the required amount of frontage on County Road.
Mr. Therrien stated his plan controls density and adequately addresses the needs of safety. The spirit of the law should apply to the frontage from which you access your home. He reiterated that the property owners had brought the road up to standard, but the town has not taken over
County Road. He feels caught in the middle of this long-standing issue with respect to the situation of his property. He would like to add to his argument on the hardship factor the town’s
unwillingness to take over the road. Town takeover of the road would be much more difficult to accomplish now.
Mr. Webb inquired who was doing the routine maintenance now. Mr. Therrien stated it was he and his neighbors. M. Mansouri said that the town was not required to take the road over. Mr. Vose noted that at one time the property owners were promised the road would be taken over. Mr. Webb suggested that Mr. Therrien approach the selectmen and get their approval to for the emergency services liability letter. Mr. Therrien will check with his attorney regarding the required language. Mr Boas noted that Mr. Therrien will still have to go before the planning board for approval after a variance is obtained. Mr. Webb moved that the hearing be closed and deliberation held at the next regular meeting. Ms. Mansouri seconded. Mr. Therrien agreed to this procedure and stated that he had presented all he wants to say in support of the application. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
Mr. Vose noted that the terms of Mr. Britton and Ms. Weber are up this year. The filing period for those wanting to be on the ballot is from January 25th to February 3rd at 5:00p.m.
Ms. Weber moved the approval of the December minutes. Ms. Mansouri seconded, and all voted in favor.
Old Business:
Mr. Vose noted that Todd Nielson has withdrawn his application with regard to the former Long River Garden property on Westminster Street.
Meeting adjourned. Next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 15th, 2006.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucy McVitty Weber
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Complete Your Conservation Survey!
Oh! One other thing. You should have gotten a Walpole Conservation Commission survey in the mail yesterday or today asking your opinions on a range of conservation subjects. The Commission members and the Selectmen put a lot of time into creating the survey. Your input is very much wanted and needed. Please complete and turn in your survey. If you have any questions on it, call Commssion Chair Gary Speed at 756-3702. CCB
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Walpole News Odds and Ends
As there will be no Walpolean entries for several days, I thought I might share several short subjects with you...
1. Next Tuesday's 7:00 p.m. Planning Board meeting will be the one where the Board decides whether to endorse Walpole Tomorrow's zoning amendments attempting to raise the hurdles to commercial development in Walpole. If you are interested in how this matter goes, be sure to be there.
2. Well-placed sources are reporting that Shaw's Supermarkets have concluded or are close to a deal naming Shaw's as the grocery to be in the proposed Berkshire Development building where the ballfield stands now. Neither party will confirm it explicitly, but both are making positive noises and neither is denying it. I imagine we'll hear something definitive soon. The game of chicken posturing seems to be coming to an end!
3. The weekend the Eagle Times will likely carry stories on New Hampshire's new Poet Laureate, Pat Fargnoli, on next Wednesday's Robert Burns Supper at Burdick's (to which Governor Lynch and his wife are invited), and office openings in Walpole for the upcoming elections.
CCB
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Burns Supper at Burdick's Next Wednesday Evening
Net Proceeds to Fall Mountain Educational Foundation
Next Wednesday, January 25, is Robert Burns' birthday, and it will be celebrated all over Scotland. In fact, Burns Suppers will be held all over the world where there are those with proud Scottish blood. In every case, there will be the traditional Burns Supper menu of haggis (the national dish of Scotland), chapped tatties (mashed potatoes) and bashed neeps (mashed turnips).
Burns, of course, is a national hero to the Scots and is beloved the world over for his poems celebrating common men and women.
Here in Walpole, a Burns Supper will be celebrated at Burdick's with all the traditional dishes--and more--in six courses, each to be accented with a tasting of a different single malt Scotch whiskey. Adding to the fun will be live music and readings of Burns' poems by Ron MacLachlan, Ken Burns (no relation that we know of!), and Walpole's Patricia Fargnoli, our state's new poet laureate!
Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. It's $100 per person with the net proceeds going to the Fall Mountain Educational Foundation. For information or reservations, call Burdick's at 603-756-2882.
CCB
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Agenda for Wednesday's Walpole Zoning Board Meeting
Thanks to chairman Ernie Vose, here is the tentative agenda for Wednesday's Zoning Board meeting.
Town Hall
7:30 p.m.
January 18, 2006
Public Hearings;
1. Mike Snide is requesting a variance for two new signs at Pinnacle View Equipment on Rt. 12.
2. Burdick Chocolates requesting a special exception for an industrial use in the Commercial Zone. Making chocolate candies and shipping from former “R.N. Johnson’s Small Machines building”.
Virginia Foote from Lawrence Associates requests a variance for a 3 lot subdivision for her clients Mr. Wm. and Mrs. Grace Therrian. The existing house will end up with no frontage on a class V road or better.
New Business
Old Business
Consider minutes of December 21, 2005
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Walpole's Fargnoli Named New Hampshire Poet Laureate
Gov. Lynch has named Patricia Fargnoli of Walpole New Hampshire's Poet Laureate for a term extending to March, 2009. Congratulations, Pat! More later!! CCB
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Update on Historical Society Renovation (with pictures)
Here is a CORRECTED version of the article that ran in yesterday's Eagle Times on the renovation project at the Historical Society followed by pictures I took on Friday a.m. (I had originally reported incorrectly that the new roof would be slate. In actuality, it will be architectural shingles that look like slate.) CCB
1-14-2006
Restoration Lifts Off at Walpole Historical Society
By Charles C. Bingaman, Contributing Writer
Workers Friday lifted off the cupola and bell from the roof of the 1831 Walpole Academy Building on Main Street, headquarters since 1950 of the Walpole Historical Society, as part of a $275,000 restoration of the 175 year-old structure.
Society President Sue Vose announced that about $175,000 has been pledged or raised to date including a donation of $25,000 in a matching fund from one very generous Walpole citizen. “So,” she said last week, “We need to raise or borrow—probably some of each—about $100,000” to pay for the entire job.
MacMillin Company of Keene is handling most of the construction replacing the foundations under the front columns and part of the columns themselves that have rotted and suffered from termite and ant attacks over the years, repairing the stone foundation, shoring up internal supports for the roof and stabilizing the walls of the back portion of the building that was added in1907, and restoring the structure and cladding of the cupola so the bell can be re-hung securely and even ring once again. In addition, the painted tin roof of the clapboard structure supporting the cupola will be replaced with a rubberized material, and the full building itself will receive a new roof of architectural shingles designed to look much like the former slate roof slate roof similar to the one to be removed in a few weeks.
While it was long known that the 1907 addition was underbuilt and had had some contemporary shoring up work, one person examining it this time suggested that the rear portion of the building had been only “standing by habit” for some time.
On Friday a large MacMillin crane crept up the hill to the Academy Building—in reverse—inched its way around to the parking area on the south side and extended its telescoping arm high above the building to deftly hook onto cables attached to the cupola and, later, the bell, and lifted them up and lowered them down, ever so gently, to wooden platforms waiting for them on the ground. There, the reddish painted tin roof of the cupola, now pockmarked with the ravages of more than 150 Walpole winters, will be removed and replaced with copper cladding by experts from the Melanson Company in Keene, hopefully to serve for the next 150 years. In addition, the curved wooden internal structure of the cupola that Assistant Site Superintendent David Dick Friday called “remarkable” will be replaced where rotten and otherwise restored prior to being put back atop the building after the new roof is installed in February or March. Thereafter the bell, dated 1840 and inscribed with the name George Holbrook, will be hung in a restored frame for future use.
The roof committee consisting of Gerry Galloway, Dennis Marcom, Ben Brungraber, Guy Pronesti, Bob Kimball and Susan Vose continue to supervise the project.
Vose also announced last week that the Walpole Historical Society Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall and that the speaker would be one or more representatives from the MacMillin Company who will update and answer questions from members on the building project.
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Minutes of January 5, 2006 Board of Selectmen Meeting
Here they are!
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JANUARY 5, 2006
Selectmen Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with two people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
HOOPER HILL HOPPERS – USE OF CLASS 6 ROADS: Marsha Galloway, President of the Hooper Hill Hoppers Snowmobile Club, advised that the State Bureau of Trails is asking that all snowmobile clubs receive written permission from the towns they go through stating that the Board of Selectmen, on their letterhead, give them permission to use the Class 6 roads until it is rescinded. The Board of Selectmen granted them permission to do a little repair work on the Class 6 roads when necessary.
Mr. Aldrich moved to grant permission to the Hooper Hill Hoppers to use the Town’s Class 6 roads, as requested, and to write the letter to the State Bureau of Trails. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
A copy of the letter will be sent to Marsha Galloway at her home address.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $23,671.03. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 31, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $14,217.51 or net wages in the amount of $7,390.83. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the supplemental payroll voucher for gross wages in the amount of $62.82 or net wages in the amount of $54.88. 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 $3,580.41. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller moved to put an employee pay raise on-hold until it is explained by the Department Head. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- DECEMBER 29, 2005: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of December 29, 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 following meetings: 1) Zoning Board of Adjustment – December 29, 2005, and 2) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – December 27, 2005. It was noted that the new Fire Chief of North Walpole is Ed Hasselmann.
ABATEMENTS:
DAVID WALKER AND WILLIAM WALKER – MAP 013-042-000 – PROPERTY TAX YEAR 2005: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for over-assessment of Property Taxes for the year 2005 in the amount of $463.00 for David Walker and William Walker. This
property was changed from a buildable lot to a non-buildable lot. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
REFUNDS:
DAVID WALKER AND WILLIAM WALKER –MAP 013-042-000– PROPERTY TAX YEAR 2005: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve a Refund for an Overpayment of Property Taxes for the Year 2005 in the amount of $262.00 plus interest for David Walker and William Walker. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
DAVID WALKER AND WILLIAM WALKER –MAP 013-042-000– PROPERTY TAX YEAR 2004: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve a Refund for an Overpayment of Property Taxes for the Year 2004 in the amount of $648.00 for David Walker and William Walker. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
WARRANTS:
WALPOLE SEWER DEBT FEES – YEAR 2006: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Sewer Debt Fees for the Year 2006 in the amount of $19,729.25. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
NORTH WALPOLE SEWER DEBT FEES – YEAR 2006: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of North Walpole Sewer Debt Fees for the Year 2006 in the amount of $20,473.75. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
PURCHASING DIRECTIVE: Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the Purchasing Directive Policy. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
NEW BUSINESS:
USE OF TOWN COMMON FOR WEDDING – AUGUST 26, 2006: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the request of Andrea Vickers to use the Town Common for a wedding on August 26th, 2006, from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm and to set-up for the wedding on August 25th. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
COLD RIVER ROAD: Mr. Aldrich talked to Police Chief David Hewes regarding the posting of the Cold River Road for 25 MPH. The Town of Langdon owns a section of that road and their speed limit is 25 MPH, therefore, the Walpole Board of Selectmen wanted the entire road to have the same speed limit.
Mr. Aldrich moved to post the Walpole portion of the Cold River Road at 25 MPH. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER – MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve having a representative from the Local Government Center meet with the Town’s Department Heads on Thursday, January 26th, 2006, from 9:00-to-10:00 am. This meeting is to explain the TRIM Program (Total Risk Management Agreement), Workers Compensation, to comply with safety issues. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
HEALTH INSURANCE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER: Mr. Aldrich moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Health Insurance document with the Local Government Center. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Miller attended the Conservation Commission meeting last Monday night to discuss the “Community Survey for a Conservation Plan” that the Conservation Commission wants to mail to the citizens of the entire town of Walpole including Drewsville and North Walpole. During the discussion various changes were made and some items were crossed out as they relate to the Planning Board. They incorporated a great amount of suggestions. A copy of the revised survey was reviewed at this meeting.
BOARD OF LAND AND TAX APPEALS: The Board of Selectmen were not aware of receiving any notices regarding two hearings before the Board of Land and Tax Appeals but asked Elaine Moore to find out what the schedule is for this month. If there are two hearings scheduled for January 12th, Mr. Sawyer will be in Concord and the Board of Selectmen agreed that it would be beneficial to have him attend the hearings.
LETTERS:
PRIMEX: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the termination letter to Primex confirming that the Town is canceling their coverage with them as of January 1st, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Sawyer declared the meeting adjourned at 9:12 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden
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Finding and Reading New Comments on The Walpolean
In response to my article Wednesday on Tuesday's Planning Board meeting, Walpole citizen Mel Schupack and Berkshire Development VP Tim Traynor posted Comments on The Walpolean. As you'll recall, any registered reader may post Comments. You can read Mel's and Tim's comments in one of two ways: either go to the Recent Entries box to the right, click on the Notes and Opinions from Last Night's Planning Board Meeting entry and read down to its end where you'll find their Comments in the order they were posted OR go to the Recent Comments box on the right hand side of this page and scroll down until you seek their listed Comments and click on the one you wish to read. Part of the value of this or any blog is that it provides a forum for discussing the many sides of any issue. As you'll see, this and other development issues certainly qualify as multi-sided! Chuck Bingaman
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Cupola Removal Tomorrow A.M.!
Just got a sec! Between 8 and 10 a.m. Friday they're removing the cupola from the Historical Society/Academy building on Main Street. Good time for sidewalk superintending! Chuck
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Notes and Opinions from Last Night's Walpole Planning Board Meeting
Well! It was quite an interesting meeting and a bit different from expected.
Jeff Miller announced early on that he had discovered that the required notices for voting on whether the Board would endorse the Walpole Tomorrow zoning amendments had not been posted. Hence no official vote could take place. However, he announced that proper notices WOULD be posted and the votes would take place at the Board's "working" meeting set for January 24. So, he assured the crowd present, that no harm would be done and the Board's endorsement (or lack there of) would be noted on the warrant articles to be voted on by the town in March.
Later Tim Traynor of Berkshire Develpment announced that he had filed a site plan proposal on December 27 for approval of a development taking up the enitre ball field area south of the North Meadow Plaza. It envisions a 70,000 square foot building housing a 40,000 square foot grocery and three to five adidtional stores. In addition, it will contain a free standing store in the triangular wedge of land where Upper Valley Road meets Rt. 12 that could be a restaurant, bank branch or other business. All the rest of the land will be paved for parking. A new entry is proposed for Rt. 12, and two new entries are proposed from Upper Valley Road.
There were several rather skeptical questions asked of Traynor, but general discussion was deferred until the public hearing set for February 13.
My complete article reporting the meeting is in this morning's Eagle Times.
Chuck
Opinions...
1. Berkshire's interpretation of Walpole's 40,000 square foot limit on new commercial developments as applying only to stores within a building seems, to me, contrary to the intent of the ordinance.
2. I find it hard to picture how two large groceries could coexist next door to one another in Walpole. Hence something does not add up in this picture. It's even less understandable on the limited amount of information Berkshire is sharing when one considers that the area grocery world just welcomed a gigantic new Price Chopper in the Monadnock Market Place in Keene.
3. Berkshire Development's sole agenda is to serve its investors who wish to gain maximum return from their investments in the property which is zoned as commercial--certainly within their rights. Walpole has stated in its Master Plan that it wants to retain its rural scale and nature and not become a regional economic or tourism center--certainly its perogative. This proposed development will be the subject of a major battle pitting those competing hopes for the future against one another.
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Planning Board Agenda Correction!
Sorry! I accidentally gave you the WRONG AGENDA yesterday for tonight's Planning Board meeting. Here is the correct one! It remains a VERY important meeting with the Walpole Tomorrow efforts to get the Board to support its proposed limits on commercial development size AND it apparently will be an opportunity to see exactly what Berkshire Development has up its sleeves for the North Meadow Plaza project. CCB. Here's the correct agenda...
TOWN OF WALPOLE, NH 03608
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
January 10, 2006 7:30pm Town Hall
Agenda
I. Open Meeting
A. Roll Call/Designate Alternates (Jeff Miller, Dave Edkins, Bob Miller, Sheldon Sawyer, Henry Fletcher, Dave DeCoste, Eric Merklein, Ray Boas, alt, Fred Dill, alt.)
B. Approve Minutes of November 8, 2005
II. Review Applications Submitted: Accept/Reject/Delay
A. RN Johnson Inc. Alan Johnson representing - 2 Lot Subdivision located on Homestead Ave and Main St., Commercial Zone, Map 23, Lot 3. Purpose is to create one lot of .59 acres at the end of Homestead Lane.
B. Michael and Katherine Nerrie - Lot Line Adjustment on March Hl. Rd. in Rural Ag. Zone, Map 22, Lot 59. Purpose to have boundary lines follow existing and newly created stone walls between their neighbors Dale and Joy Fernandes, Map 11, Lots 55 and 56.
C. Scott and Lynn Smith - 2 Lot Subdivision located on County Rd. in Rural Ag. Zone, Map 3, Lot 14. Resulting in 1 lot of 2.5 acres and a second lot of 2.3 acres. State subdivision approval granted and driveway easement noted.
III. Close Meeting/Open Public Hearing
A. RN Johnson - 2 lot Sub.
B. Nerrie - Lot Line Adjustment
C. Smith - 2 lot Sub.
IV. Close Public Hearing/Re-open Meeting
V. Action on Applications Submitted: Approve/Disapprove/Delay
A. RN Johnson - 2 lot Sub.
B. Nerrie - Lot Line Adjustment
C. Smith - 2 lot Sub.
VI. Close Meeting/Open Public Hearing on Proposed Zoning Amendments 2006
(See copy of Hearing Notice for wording)
A. Amendment #4 - Petitioned by Walpole Tomorrow, Commercial District
B. Amendment #5 - Proposed by Planning Board, Definition of Dwelling
C. Amendment #6 - Petitioned by Walpole Tomorrow, Commercial District
VII. Close Public Hearing/Reopen Meeting
VIII. Action on Amendments Submitted: Vote Yes/No to recommend as presented and to be placed on the ballot. (alterations not allowed)
IX. Unfinished Business - none scheduled as of this posting, could change
X. New Business - none other scheduled as of this posting, could change
A. Therrian - 3 Lot Subdivision, ZBA variance request - see hearing notice
B. Berkshire Development Corp. Walpole Properties LLC - Site Plan
XI. Communications and Miscellaneous
A. Handout - Capital Improvements Program Document/Discussion
B. NHDES Site Specific Permit - Retail/Parking - Handout
C. OEP Spring Workshop - Handout
XII. Adjourn Meeting
Posted: Town Hall, Burdick’s Market, Town Website: www.walpolenh.us
Cc: All PB, ZBA members, Select’s Office, Fire Dept., Town Clerk
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HOT NEWS FLASH! BERKSHIRE DEVELOPMENT WILL PRESENT AT LEAST SOME OF ITS DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR NORTH MEADOW PLAZA AT TOMORROW NIGHT'S PLANNING BOARD MEETING
See tentative agenda below!
Courtesy of Pam Aslinger, here is the tentative agenda for Tuesday evening's Planning Board meeting. This will be a very important meeting! CCB
Town of Walpole
Walpole, NH 03608
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 Construction, 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
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Select Board Minutes for 12-29-05
Courtesy of Regina Borden, secretary, here are the minutes of the Select Board for 12-29-05...
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 29, 2005
Selectmen Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order 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 $1,027,440.82. This includes repayment of a Tax Anticipation Note. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the check voucher to Teresa Kissell in the amount of $127.85 for paint for the Hooper cottage. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
VOIDED CHECKS: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided check voucher for check numbers 047309 & 047819 that were printed in error. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 24, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $15,829.88 or net wages in the amount of $9,188.12. 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 $3,886.38. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
TRANSFER: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the transfer of $700,000 from the MBIA to the Savings Bank of Walpole general fund and to authorize the Chairman to sign the withdrawal document. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MASON FOREST FUND: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the check voucher in the amount of $125.00 to Robie Speed for the Route 12 clean-up of the rest areas to be taken out of the Mason Forest Fund. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- DECEMBER 22, 2005: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of December 22, 2005, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed Minutes of the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting of December 21, 2005.
ABATEMENTS:
SANDRA SMITH –FOR HODGKINS- MAP 012-073-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for gravel tax in the amount of $329.20 to Sandra Smith for Hodgkins & Sons to clear the books due to a billing error. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
REFUNDS:
JAMES W. PETERSON – OVER PAYMENT 2005 PROPERTY TAXES –MAP 015-024-001: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Notice of Property Tax Refund in the amount of $29,33 for James W. Peterson. This is due to over-payment of both the spring and fall taxes. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Board of Selectmen’s Meeting – December 29, 2005 – Page 2
HOME EQUITY – for INGE EMMY CUMMINGS – OVER PAYMENT 2005 PROPERTY TAXES –MAP 018-018-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Notice of Property Tax Refund in the amount of $7.72 to Home Equity – for Inge Emmy Cummings. This for due to an overpayment of taxes. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
THOM AND KATHLEEN PERLMUTTER – OVER PAYMENT 2005 PROPERTY TAXES – MAP 003-012-009: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Notice of Property Tax Refund in the amount of $17.27 for Thom and Kathleen Perlmutter. This is due to a change in tax billing for Current Use. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
NEW BUSINESS:
VETERAN’S EXEMPTION –ERNEST BEERS- MAP 015-023-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Veteran’s Exemption for Ernest Beers. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
WALPOLE CONVERSATION COMMISSION – TASK FORCE REQUEST: Mr. Aldrich moved to put the request from the Walpole Conservation Commission – Task Force on-hold and to invite the Chairman, Gary Speed, to attend a Board of Selectman meeting to explain the survey. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
COLD RIVER ROAD – CHANGE OF SPEED LIMIT: Mr. Sawyer reported that a few residents on the Cold River Road are concerned with the extra traffic and the speed on the Cold River Road. One resident suggested that the speed limit be reduced and posted at 25 MPH because of the safety factor.
Mr. Aldrich moved that the Board of Selectmen authorize a change in the speed limit to 25 MPH on the Cold River Road after consultation with Police Chief David Hewes and if the Police Department will agree to enforcement. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller would like to see the Police reports on the traffic stops made by the Police Department.
PURCHASING DIRECTIVE: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Purchasing Directive drawn up by the Office Manager but to amend the “Travel Mileage” as follows: “All mileage slips must be submitted within 15 days after the end of each month”. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
The Board of Selectmen will sign the document after it has been corrected to reflect the above change.
BUDGET DIRECTIVE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Budget Directive as presented. If the Department Heads are going to over-spend their bottom lines they need approval from the Board of Selectmen. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
VACATION TIME –ELAINE MOORE- WEEK OF JANUARY 9-13, 2006: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the request from Elaine Moore to take vacation time the week of January 9-13, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
GOOD CIRCLE: Mr. Sawyer had a complaint from a resident of Good Circle regarding a different method of plowing by the Highway Department. Mr. Sawyer will talk to Jim Terrell and then call the resident back to discuss it further.
LETTERS:
JIM TERRELL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to Jim Terrell congratulating him for achieving the status of Master Road Scholar from the University of New Hampshire Technology Transfer Center. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
BURDICKS: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to Larry Burdick and the Zoning Board of Adjustment on the proposed move of Burdick’s Chocolates to the R.J. Johnson small machine building. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted. The time was 8:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden
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Finding Real People to Speak to On 800 Numbers
Ever had trouble finding real people to talk to on 800 "help" numbers? I discovered this week www.paulenglish.com/ivr, a web site where Mr. English has listed the unpublicized codes for breaking through telephone systems to reach live operators. If his list has companies you need to reach with humans on the other end, try it out! CCB
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Planning Meeting for Fall Mountain Spring Festival
Students, parents and community members are invited to an informational meeting to learn how they can get involved in this spring's festival Thursday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the Fall Mountain Regional High School Library. Refreshments will be served!
For more information, contact Emily Malnati at 756-9537 or at e_malnati@yahoo.com.
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Walpole Selectmen Meeting Minutes for 12-22-05
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 22, 2005
Selectmen Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with three people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
SNOW PLOWING ACROSS ROADWAYS: Mr. Sawyer reported that there have been some problems when snow has been plowed into the town’s right-of-ways and then the town was picking it up. The town has a policy for snowplowing across roadways. He will review the policy with Jim Terrell, Highway Superintendent.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $47,120.63. Seconded by Mr. Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 17, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $15,697.89 or net wages in the amount of $8,527.36. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,003.26. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- DECEMBER 15, 2005: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of December 15, 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 meetings of December 13, 2005, and December 20, 2005. It was noted that the Commissioners would like Jim Terrell to put up a “No Overnight Parking” sign at the rear of the North Walpole Town Hall.
BUILDING PERMITS:
CAROL DILL – OLD KEENE ROAD: Mr. Aldrich moved that Building Permit No. 2005-050 for Carol Dill to construct a house on the Old Keene Road was approved at the last meeting but was subject to receipt of the Energy Permit. The Energy Audit letter from Warren Stevens stating that it meets all of the requirements of the State has now been received and the Building Permit will be signed. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
WALPOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2005-051 for the Walpole Historical Society for the restoration and inside repairs to the building. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
GRANITE STATE MUNICIPAL ASSESSING & CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC: The Board of Selectmen reviewed the contract and discussed the details with its owner. Mr. Sawyer advised that the contract is for doing the assessing up-dates, starting the statistical update and incorporating all of the new buildings and subdivisions into the town’s maps at a price of $9,600.
The estimated time table is 20 days for the general assessing and if they start the statistical up-date it will be $23,200. If it goes over the 20 days there will be an hourly charge of $60.00 but it could be less days. Mr. Sawyer read a portion of the Statistical Update Proposal; as follows: “Per RSA 75:1, the Selectboard is required to maintain all property assessments at their fair and true value. Therefore, the International Association of Assessing Officials (IAAO) and the Assessing Standards Board (ASB) has established statistical guidelines that are enforced by the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA). If the results of the Sales Ratio Analysis indicate that the town’s assessments have statistically fallen outside the parameters set-forth by the IAAO and ASB, then a statistical update would be required to resolve any inequities. The sales analysis completed on 10/20/05 revealed that the assessed values established from the revaluation in 2003 have fallen below the 90% confidence level recommended by the ASB, and the coefficient of dispersion (COD) exceeds the 20% median ratio. The reason for this drop is because the real estate market is relatively strong in your community and property values are continuing to appreciate, creating greater disparities between selling prices and assessment. Based on this information, I recommend you consider performing a statistical update during 2006, or wait until 2007 as you have one year to resolve any inequities.”
Mr. Aldrich moved to accept the contract from Granite State Municipal Assessing & Consulting Services, LLC. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MBIA – LOAN: There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to put this agenda item on-hold until the next meeting.
APPOINTMENT –RICHARD HURLBURT- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR: Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the Appointment document to appoint Richard Hurlburt as the Emergency Management Director. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
NEW BUSINESS:
TIMBER CUT –JERROLD SWAIN – MAP 011-024-001: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Timber Cut for Jerrold Swain. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
CEMETERY DEED – HARRY AND SHIRLEY REMICK: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for Harry and Shirley Remick. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
SOUTH SIDE – DOOR REPAIR: The Board of Selectmen discussed damage to the south side door when it was frozen shut and approved purchasing new hardware to repair it. There was a consensus that in the future when there is a snow storm on the week-ends and the Town Hall is rented that the custodian will be asked to shovel the walkways.
USE OF TOWN HALL – TWO HOURS PER WEEK FOR TUTORING PURPOSES: The Cheshire County Adult Learning Service inquired about renting the Town Hall every Thursday morning at no charge for about 2-to-2-1/2 hours for tutoring purposes. The Board of Selectmen do not want to heat the hallway so recommended that they check with one of the churches on the Common to see if space is available.
JIM TERRELL – ROAD MASTER SCHOLAR: Mr. Aldrich moved that the Board of Selectmen write a letter congratulating Jim Terrell on achieving the status of Master Roads Scholar at the University of New Hampshire Technology Transfer Center. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
It was noted that the Master Roads Scholar is the 4th Achievement Level in the Roads Scholar Program. A copy of this letter will be placed in Mr. Terrell’s personnel file. Mr. Dill suggested posting a copy of the letter in the Town Garage for the Highway Department employees’ information.
BURDICK’S: Mr. Sawyer reported that Larry Burdick is trying to buy the small machine building owned by R.N. Johnson. It is in the Commercial Zone but Mr. Burdick has an Industrial business. He was too late to be heard for a Variance this month before the Zoning Board of Adjustment but Mr. Burdick would like to close on the property before the end of the year and the bank would like a Variance. The ZBA scheduled a Public Hearing in January. There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen that there are good reasons for recommending this move because it would free up some parking spaces in the Village and would shorten the period of time that the tractor-trailer unit partially blocks the road while delivering supplies.
Mr. Miller moved that the Chairman be authorized to write a letter, to be signed by the Board of Selectmen, to support the move to allow the Burdick’s Chocolate Industrial business to re-locate in a Commercial Zone. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
LETTERS:
DAVID WALKER: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to David Walker. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PLANNING BOARD: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to the Planning Board to acknowledge receipt of the Petitions from Walpole Tomorrow. The Petitions were reviewed and are in order; they will be placed on the Warrant. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
HARRY BOYNTON: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to Harry Boynton thanking him for his many hours of dedication while serving as the Emergency Management Director. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted. The time was 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden
THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES. CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 29, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.
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2006 Walpolean Reader Info
Good morning! And Happy New Year!
Just a reminder that I am eager to put local news (and views) of all kinds on The Walpolean, and I invite you to send me info or suggestions on topics to pursue at my email address, chuck@chuckbingaman.com.
Also, I invite all registered users to add their comments on any entry by clicking the comment box at the bottom of the entry and adding your comment in the box. That will make The Walpolean more interesting for everyone.
I attended the meeting of the Walpole Conservation Commission last night, and I will soon be posting minutes of Conservation Comm. meetings. Incidentally, the Commission is putting final touches on a survey of town citizen ideas and preferences for a town conservation plan, and it will be mailed to everybody probably next week.
I am looking forward to serving you in 2006 and welcome your suggestions. And feel free to tell others how to sign on for The Walpolean.
Chuck Bingaman
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