TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FEBRUARY 02, 2006
Selectmen Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with seven people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
BOB LANDRY –STATE DISTRICT PROGRAM MANAGER- RE: COLD RIVER BRIDGE: Bob Landry, State District Program Manager, introduced Jonathan Evans, Dave Scott, and Doug Graham from the Department of Transportation. They presented preliminary plans for a proposed replacement bridge over the Cold River and to see what options the Walpole Board of Selectmen preferred. A survey of the area surrounding the Cold River Bridge, various sketches of similar replacement bridges and several alternative designs were displayed. Bob Landry explained that it was the pier in the middle of the former bridge that collapsed; a replacement could span bank-to-bank. After some additional work is done and a determination is made on the right-of-way, a public informational meeting will be scheduled in about six weeks to make a presentation. However, if they are required to go to a Public Hearing it will slow the process and might take about three months. A replacement preference appeared to be a double archway with stone facing. There was a general consensus of the Board of Selectmen that people have not said anything about what kind of bridge is built but they would like to have it replaced as soon as possible because they now have to go way around. It just needs to be a nice looking bridge. There was discussion regarding the intersection up the hill from the bridge and Dearborn Road. Bob Landry will look at the area.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $403,738.88. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
It was noted that the above amount includes a monthly payment in the amount of $328,427.86 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve a supplemental Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $2,000 to J & B Lawn Care. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending January 28, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $14,799.02 or net wages in the amount of $7,699.59. 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 $500.00 or net wages in the amount of $461.74. 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 $242.91 or net wages in the amount of $207.12. 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 $3,817.84. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved to put a letter received from Police Chief David Hewes regarding salaries on-hold until the next regular meeting. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- JANUARY 26, 2006: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of January 26, 2006, 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) Hooper Institute Committee – January 17, 2006; 2) North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners meetings of January 24, 2006, and January 31, 2006; and 3) Planning Board – January 24, 2006.
REFUNDS:
JOHN & SHIRLEY LAWTON – MAP 009-034-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund in the amount of $522.00 to John & Shirley Lawton. This is the result of a Settlement Agreement. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
PERSONAL DAY FROM LAST WEEK – ELAINE MOORE: The Board of Selectmen approved having Elaine Moore change the personal day she requested this week to next week on Wednesday, February 8th.
ROGER & NANCY WILBUR –PROPERTY TAX- SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT: Mr. Aldrich moved that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen be authorized to sign the Tax Settlement Agreement between the Town, the Board of Taxes and Land Appeals, and Roger & Nancy Wilbur. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PROPOSED 2006 BUDGET: The Board of Selectmen continue to work on the proposed 2006 Budget and Warrant Articles.
NEW BUSINESS:
INTENT TO CUT TIMBER –WILLIAM WEBB- MAP 009-044-000: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Timber for William Webb. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
WRAP – APPOINTMENT OF DONALD LENNON TO WRAP COMMITTEE: A letter was received from the WRAP Committee to request that the Board of Selectmen appoint Donald Lennon to the WRAP Committee. George Watkins reported that the Committee feels that he will be a valuable addition.
Mr. Miller moved that Donald Lennon be appointed to the WRAP Committee. The term of appointment will be effective immediately and expire in March 2009. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Sawyer explained that the Board of Selectmen is considering establishing a Study Committee to look at the whole recycling operation. There has been a decrease in the number of volunteers, a question as to how many people in the Town recycle and how can we get more people to recycle. It has become a matter of economics and time. Mr. Watkins feels that Antioch College might be willing to do this study. He stated that the WRAP Committee looked at other kinds of operations and alternatives.
OUR PLACE – WARRANT ARTICLE REQUEST: Mr. Aldrich moved to put the Warrant Article request from Our Place on-hold pending obtaining additional information. This will be discussed with Elaine Moore, Welfare Officer. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
SANSOUCY BUDGET AMOUNT FOR UPDATE OF UTILITY VALUES: A proposal was requested and received from Mr. Sansoucy to update the utility values because it has not been done in a few years. Following a discussion, it was agreed to have Mr. Miller call Mr. Sansoucy to find out specifically to what extent and how he intends to do the update.
FEMA – FLOODPLAIN MAPS: A letter was received from FEMA regarding the changes made to the Town and the adoption of the new Flood Plain maps to be effective May 23, 2006. Mr. Sawyer will call the phone number listed in the letter as the Board of Selectmen has a few questions before responding to the letter.
INTENT TO CUT TIMBER –ED HASSELMANN- MAP 026-035-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut for Ed Hasselmann on the Cold River Road. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
SELECTMEN’S OFFICE –CLOSE ONE DAY PER WEEK- FRIDAY: A request was received from the Office Staff to close the office one day per week. They will still be working in the office but it will allow time to work without interruptions. Friday was suggested as the Town Clerk’s office is closed on that day. The Board of Selectmen will research closing the office one day a week and, before a decision is made, would appreciate comments from the public.
QUINTON FUND: A request was made from the Office Manager to purchase a desk for the office as the temporary table is no longer adequate. They suggested that funding could come out of the Quinton Fund. The Board of Selectmen agreed to the purchase but it will probably be paid for out of the budget.
LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:
SUSAN BECKER – E-911: Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the letter to Susan Becker requesting release of the E-911 numbers to the Southwest Region Planning Commission for use in the Regional Transportation Plan Update. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
DEVINE MILLIMET – AUDITORS LETTER: Mr. Miller moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the letter to Devine Millimet as requested by the Auditors. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.