This week

The Walpole Players'

very own

 

Joey Macri

 

is starring in

'Mrs. Warren's Profession'

by

George Bernard Shaw

 

 

It runs February 28 - March 4

7:30 PM

(Saturday is a matinee)

 

in the

Black Box Theater at

Redfern Arts, Keene State College

 

Box Office telephone is 358-2168

 

Support our Walpole Player members and see a great play at the same time! 

 

Break a leg, Joey!

Thanks to Regina Borden, here they are...

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 16, 2006

Selectmen Present:              Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller

Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. with one person present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

MATT SUCHODOLSKI:  Matt Suchodolski, Planner with the Southwest Region Planning Commission, submitted the Town’s Requisition No. 6 to the NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) in the amount of $15,669 for the Walpole/Monadnock Economic Development Corporation /J.H. Dunning Community Development Block Grant 04-050-CDED to the Board of Selectmen.  Copies of the invoices were attached.  After the rains in October the roof and boiler needed replacement. 

Mr. Aldrich moved that the Board of Selectmen approve and sign Town Requisition No. 6 in the amount of $15,699 for the J.H. Dunning Corporation CDBG.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $14,208.29.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided check register for two checks - number 048111 and 047901.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 11, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $13,227.86 or net wages in the amount of $6,725.31.  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 $3,231.30.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- FEBRUARY 09, 2006:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of February 09, 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 North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of February 14, 2006.

ABATEMENTS:

JEANNETTE CLARK –MAP 015-015-000- PROPERTY TAX:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for Property Taxes in the amount of $670.23 plus any and all interest and costs for Jeannette Clark who lost all buildings and personal possessions during the October flood.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Following the last meeting when Ms. Clark was present, Mr. Sawyer contacted Gary Speed, Chair of the Conservation Commission, and the US Department of Agriculture to ask them to do research to find any assistance that is available for Ms. Clark.

 

REFUNDS:

NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Refund for Property Taxes in the amount of $10,451.70 for the years 2003 and 2004 for New England Power Company.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

ROBERT & VICKIE BARRETT –MAP 030-010-000- SEWER USER FEE:   Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for over-payment of Sewer User Fees in the amount of $380.62 for Robert and Vickie Barrett.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PATRICK AND MARY ANN FENELON –MAP 009-005-000- PROPERTY TAX:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for Property Taxes in the amount of $169.14 for Patrick and Mary Ann Fenelon due to an assessing error for land that should have been in Current Use.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PATRICK AND MARY ANN FENELON –MAP 009-009-000- PROPERTY TAX:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for Property Taxes in the amount of $244.54 for Patrick and Mary Ann Fenelon due to an assessing error for land that should have been in Current Use.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

OLD BUSINESS:

JOHN & SHIRLEY LAWTON:  Mr. Aldrich moved that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen sign the Settlement Agreement between the Town of Walpole, Board of Land and Tax Appeals and John and Shirley Lawton.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.   

NEW BUSINESS:

SOUTHWEST REGION PLANNING COMMISSION – DINNER:  Mr. Miller, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer plan to attend the SWRPC dinner to be held on Tuesday, March 7th at 6:00 pm at the Keene Country Club.

SAVINGS BANK OF WALPOLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved that the Board of Selectmen borrow $1,000,000 from the Savings Bank of Walpole to be transferred to the MBIA in anticipation of property taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Aldrich moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the document for the Savings Bank of Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

FUEL OIL BID:  Governor Lynch forwarded a notice regarding State Fuel Bids for No. 2 fuel through the Department of Education that included all state towns.

Mr. Miller moved to send in the Town’s fuel use requirements so the Town and all its’ departments can be considered with the State Fuel Bids for No. 2 fuel.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

JUNK YARD PERMIT – E.W. SALVAGE, INC.:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Junk Yard Permit for E.W. Salvage, Inc. for the fee of $25.00.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

VETERANS EXEMPTION – LLOYD HALL:  The Board of Selectmen put the request for a Veterans Exemption for Lloyd Hall on-hold until the next meeting.

VETERANS EXEMPTION – WILLIAM SHUMWAY:  The Board of Selectmen put the request for a Veterans Exemption for William Shumway on-hold until the next meeting.

Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 8:58 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary                     

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 23, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.

 

 

 

 

            Bob Haight died yesterday at age 91 after a short illness.

            Speaking for Sue and myself, we feel it as a personal loss and a real loss for Walpole.  Though Bob and Georgie had to move into a condominium in Keene two years ago, they embodied the friendly, interested, community oriented spirit of Walpole that first impressed us about our town.

            Through last summer, Bob continued to organize and schedule the Walpole men’s tennis group, a couple of dozen retired or largely retired friends from both sides of the river who played together several times each week throughout the spring, summer and fall.  And he ran the season ending mixed doubles tournament with an iron hand and a twinkle in his eye that made it a favorite event for all of us.

            Bob’s lifelong level of curiosity, genuine interest in other people and their lives, devotion to lifelong learning and his gentle sense of humor made him a stimulating and enjoyable friend.  He’ll certainly be missed by many in Walpole.

            Funeral arrangements are pending according to this morning’s Sentinel.  I’ll publish them in The Walpolean when they are available. Notes may be sent to Georgie at 15 Windsor Ct., Keene 03431. CCB

If you check the "Recent Comments" box to the right of this screen and down under the Recent Entries box, you can read a series of interesting notes debating issues raised by the recent proposal to build a large commercial building south of North Meadow Plaza.  This exchange shows one of the real values of blogging--getting interested readers exchanging views where everyone may read them.  Note that, to see the Comments in the proper context, you should read them from the bottom up!  Registered readers may add their comments as well. CCB

Here are three items that have given me great stimulation, education and entertainment in recent weeks.  How about sharing your suggestions as a comment to this entry?  CCB

1. Lewis & Clark: the Journey of the Corps of Discovery written by Walpole’s Dayton Duncan.  This Ken Burns produced video was aired on PBS again in the America’s Stories series earlier this week, and we were reminded what a wonderful program it is!  Television just doesn’t get any better than this one!  And it’s available for rental at Real to Reel.  Dayton also appears in a key role on the program.  Well done!

2. The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century by Thomas L. Friedman.  I’m listening to this on a download from www.audible.com, and it’s GREAT!  Friedman looks at a wide range of technologies and ties them all together in this very practical interpretation of where our world has gone in business, communications, and social change in recent years and where we’re going in the next few years.  Fascinating stuff that every American should understand.

3. A Short History of Almost Everything by Bill Bryson.  Bryson recognized that his knowledge of modern scientific understanding was woefully shallow.  Can you relate to that?  I could! Well, Bryson has written a highly readable history of science and up-to-date description of all the key areas of scientific understanding that I—and others I have discovered here and there—have found just terrific!  It’s in paperback and at the Town Library.

Thanks to secretary Regina Borden, here are the February 9 Selectmen's Minutes...

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Selectmen Present:            Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller

Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with eight people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

BILL THERRIEN:  Mr. Therrien contacted Attorney Thomas Hanna regarding his application to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a Variance and provided copies of a letter from Attorney Hanna.  The purpose of that letter is to address two issues, namely the applicability of RSA 674:41 and the selectmen’s March 11, 2004, Resolution relating to the Class VI / Private Road Policy and, also, the hardship criterion for obtaining a variance.  Mr. Therrien is willing to sign the Town’s Hold Harmless Agreement relative to emergency services but is not willing to do it until he has permission to do his proposed subdivision.  Mr. Sawyer will speak to Ernie Vose, Chairman of the ZBA, relative to the fact that Mr. Therrien’s lot was there before the Town’s Resolution was adopted.

MICHAEL NERRIE:  Mr. Nerrie is on the WRAP Committee and had a Petition for a Warrant Article.  He bought property that has a mobile home on it and he is willing to donate it to be used as the Reuse Center (as the current one is too small) but they need money to move the mobile home from Alstead to the Recycling Center.  It will need some work but they feel most of the materials will come from the recycling center and done with volunteer labor but it will need the electric service.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Warrant Articles have already been sent to the Department of Revenue Administration for approval or disapproval, therefore, he did not accept the Petition.  It was recommended that during the budget portion of the Town Meeting that Mr. Nerrie submit a request, in writing, and be prepared to provide an explanation of the request and to ask the voters to approve that the bottom line of the budget be increased for the $3,000.  Mr. Nerrie thought that the WRAP Committee had until Friday to submit the Petition.

BERNARD KARNACEWICZ:  Mr. Karnacewicz explained the two adjustments made by the North Walpole Board of Commissioners on his water bill.  The Town had previously given him a $100 sewer credit but there should be a second adjustment for $162.76 as the water did not go into the sewer system at all.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve an Abatement in the amount of $162.76 for Bernard Karnacewicz on his sewer bill.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

JEANETTE CLARK:  Jeanette Clark lost her house and everything else during the recent floods.  She is now losing her bank because of the redirecting of the river flow.  Rudy Viegner said they were told that there were some federal funds available for people to restore and stabilize their banks and asked the Board of Selectmen for information.  Is there a way for rip-rap to be put in along the riverbank so Ms. Clark will know whether or not to rebuild in the spring.  She is supposed to have 4.6 acres but they do not know where the boundaries are now; some of the property is now across the river.  Mr. Sawyer will do some research and contact the US Department of Agriculture.                      

CINDY WESTOVER:   Cindy Westover has her accounting for the 2005 Walpole Old Home Days funds and will see that it is distributed.  The next Old Home Days event will be held in 2008 and the Committee plans to do some fundraisers before then.  Following a discussion, there was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to add a Warrant Article to establish a fund for the Old Home Days Committee. 

DAVID HEWES:  The proposed 2006 budget for the Police Department was reviewed with Police Chief David Hewes.  He explained that in terms of salaries it is important to be competitive with the surrounding towns to try to keep the current staff.

Mr. Aldrich moved to give each of the three full time officers a $2,000 raise this year.  Mr. Miller seconded the motion and amended the motion to include that the Board of Selectmen will review the salary structure.  All in favor, so voted.   

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $20,696.91.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Aldrich moved to borrow $1,000,000 from the Savings Bank of Walpole for the anticipation of the collection of taxes and to transfer it to the MBIA.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 4, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $16,734.00 or net wages in the amount of $9.546.53.  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 $4,074.52.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- FEBRUARY 2, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of February 2, 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 District Board of Commissioners meetings of February 07, 2006, and the Budget Hearing on February 07, 2006.

OLD BUSINESS:

SELECTMEN’S OFFICE – NO PHONE CALLS ON FRIDAYS:  The Board of Selectmen discussed the request from the Selectmen’s Office to take no phone calls on Fridays.  The Town Hall door will not be locked so people can come into the office.  People can leave a phone message and the call will be returned.   

Mr. Aldrich moved to close the office to phone calls on Fridays.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Mr. Miller was opposed.  With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion carried.

UTILITY UPDATE – SANCOUCY:  Following a discussion with Jim Rice, the Board of Selectmen made a decision not to hire George Sansoucy to do a statistical update of the utilities at this time as it will not affect the sales ratio. 

NEW BUSINESS:

PAVING – MYRA MANSOURI:  Myra Mansouri will be having her driveway paved and would like to be allowed to pave right up to the old Fire Station building.  Mr. Miller wanted to make sure it would make a solid seal to avoid moisture problems in the future.  Mr. Sawyer will take a look at it and, if it can be done to avoid future problems in the building, he will approve it.

OTHER BUSINESS:

BUDGET:  The Board of Selectmen continued to work on the proposed Budget – both Expenditures and Revenues. 

Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 10:24 P.M.

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 16, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.

Opinion: Why We SHOULD Vote FOR the Zoning Amendments in the March 14 Town Vote
by Chuck Bingaman

Walpole voters will be asked to vote on two proposed zoning ordinance amendments March 14.  The issues surrounding them have many sides.  The consequences of our vote could be very significant for the future of our town.

I set out below the basic issues and the arguments, as I see them, on both sides.  I invite your comments and differing (or concurring) views.

The amendments we’re considering

Article 5 (there are other issues we’ll be voting on earlier on the ballot) makes it undeniably clear that Walpole will approve new commercial retail establishments in a single building only “providing the building does not exceed 40,000 square feet in gross floor area.”

Article 6 provides that “If any proposed use is such as to attract vehicles, ample space shall be provided on the property to park and load such vehicles.  One or more retail establishments may be served by the same parking facility providing their total gross floor area does not exceed 40,000 square feet.”

If we approve these amendments, we effectively block the proposed commercial development plan on file from Berkshire Development for a 68,000 square foot building with retail stores inside it, each of which is 40,000 square feet or fewer in area, south of North Meadow Plaza in the current ball field site along Rt.12.  Berkshire, of course, could come back with a revised proposal conforming to the new zoning restrictions.

The arguments on both sides

Why I think we should APPROVE these proposed amendments…

1. The town voted several years back to impose a limit of 40,000 square feet in new commercial retail development to keep out “big box” stores such as Wal-Mart.  Many—not all—of us thought that limit applied to all “big boxes” and that the language in our ordinance was sufficient to keep them out.  Now we learn that our planning board members apparently think developers may build ANY size building as long as tenants within it have no more than 40,000 square feet apiece.  Berkshire Development, for instance, is proposing a building nearly three times as large as the current Shaw’s Supermarket with an enormous parking lot, a second, outlying, store building, and other consequences noted below. A vote FOR these amendments will force them to downsize the main building in their plan.

2. The town voted for its master plan many years ago stating that it wanted to maintain its “rural character” and scale and NOT become a regional commercial center.  A vote FOR these amendments will reconfirm that intention.

3. Keeping commercial development on a smaller scale may prevent large increases in traffic, noise, and light pollution 24/7 in the residential area abutting the commercial zone and in the town generally.  Berkshire’s traffic study shows that this proposed new development will attract 250-300 additional cars per hour on Rt. 12 in peak times.  While the state has not spoken, I suspect it likely that New Hampshire will require at least one, and possibly two, sets of lights to control added traffic on Rt. 12. Once there, it may be even easier for major retailers to move in to other sites on both sides of Rt. 12.

4. Berkshire Development has shown us only their plan for the parcel south of North Meadow Plaza. Yet this part is a significant wedge into their further developing North Meadow Plaza itself and the other adjacent land they own.  I think we deserve to see an OVERALL plan before making town-changing decisions on their intentions.

5. Despite the obvious customer value in being able to drive from the current shopping area to the proposed new one, Berkshire’s plan contains NO drive-through link between the two.  Apparently current tenants in North Meadow Plaza have veto power over such links, and they may not be too keen to approve them.  Therefore, people that wish to drive, for instance, from Ocean State Job Lot to one of the proposed new stores would have to go back out on Rt. 12 to get there, thus multiplying the traffic hassle.  (Of course they could walk on the provided sidewalks.)

6. The actual owners of the property, Walpole Properties LLC, represented by Berkshire Development, have a right to seek return on their investment through commercial development.  But they must conform to our strictures on how we want our town to grow.  (The owners, incidentally, apparently do not live in New Hampshire and have no known concern for the quality of life in Walpole.)

Why Berkshire Development would like us to VOTE DOWN these amendments, thus paving the way for approval of their proposal…

            Of course Berkshire’s fundamental goal is to find a way to get their targeted return on investment through leasing store space to tenants.  That’s capitalism, the American way and a perfectly legitimate goal.  They’d like us to help them and are seeking our support by the following arguments as to how this development benefits us.  Here is THEIR list of reasons why we should welcome the proposed developments as well as some comments of mine.  (I welcome further comments from Berkshire or from others on these points…)

1.      A larger grocery store will offer us greater choice and lower prices. (Maybe so.  But despite Berkshire’s history of denigrating Shaw’s, it now appears that they are close to lining up Shaw’s as grocery tenant in the proposed new store!  Most will agree that Shaw’s Supermarket is not a great store now.  There are no assurances that bigger will necessarily mean better management, greater choice or better prices.)

2.      More stores will add to Walpole residents’ convenience and nearby shopping opportunities.  (That’s true, although Berkshire cannot tell us what those stores might be in advance, and there is no way of assuring us what they will be in the future. Do we need another hardware, drug, greeting card, video, convenience or discount store?)

3.      More stores will create more jobs in Walpole.  (We DO need more jobs in Walpole.  But what we really need are some more good-paying, full-time jobs, not a few dozen part-time, minimum wage jobs likely with a grocery store and a few mid-sized retailers.  Would it not be more valuable if our Planning Board, a town commission or even Berkshire were actively seeking businesses with solid, full-time jobs?)

4.      Berkshire has a right to build a commercial development in Walpole’s commercial zone.  (True.  And Walpole has the right to put reasonable limits on the size and character of such commercial developments.  Voting for these amendments is, at this point, the only chance we have to make a statement with teeth in it on what we want and do not want in our town. Incidentally, this is NOT about the character of the Berkshire people. So far as I know, they are good, capable people. That is not part of the debate.  The debate is about what we want for the future of our town.)

5.      If Berkshire is denied approval of its proposal—either this one or a future variation--it has told us that it might sell to another developer that could propose something we might like even less. 

6.      If our town voters block their 68,000 square foot building, they could simply build two 40,000 square foot buildings side by side.  (That might be true.  But practically speaking, there would not be room for parking for so much commercial space.  Perhaps they COULD build two 30,000 buildings. That might be a better solution.)

7.      The Planning Board did not endorse the proposed amendments.  (True, but we do not know why they did not endorse them.  And it is up to us to tell our Planning Board and developers what we want in our town’s future growth.)

We cannot stop change, but there are ways we could improve life in our town by guiding it consistently with our master plan.  I hope to maintain the scale and nature of our town, to avoid inviting a noisy, trafficky, garish commercial strip like West Lebanon or Rt. 5 north of Brattleboro.  Approving these amendments is one way I can see to keep what I value in Walpole from going the way of so many other towns that have become cookie-cutter wastelands of 24-hour, brightly lit, paper-strewn Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Best Buys, Subways, Home Depots, etc.  (Incidentally, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that Wal-Mart has announced its intention to build 2400 new stores in the US in the next ten years.)  Once we start down this road, can we realistically think we can stop it later on?

Please pass this analysis on to others in town that might be interested.

Stephanie Montgomery sent me the following note on a program next Tuesday.  As she told me, "It’s going to be a special evening.  She is such a pistol!" CCB

Catherine Newman will appear at Heartstone Books in Putney, VT on Tuesday, February 21st at 7 pm.  She will read from Waiting for Birdy and enter into a discussion about her work and writing process with the audience.  Copies of Waiting for Birdy will be available for purchase.  The event is free to the public and refreshments will be served. 

Waiting for Birdy chronicles Newman’s daily struggles, both tender and hilarious, as she awaits the birth of her second child, does her best by her irrepressible toddler, works and plays side by side with her husband, and tries to keep her wits about her.  Candid, funny, and gritty, her memoir brings the reader right inside the secret—but universal—thoughts and fears of parents everywhere.

Newman writes her popular column Bringing Up Ben and Birdy on BabyCenter.com.  She is a contributing editor at Family Fun and Wonder Time magazines and her work has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies.

This evening with the author is the second in a new series hosted jointly by Heartstone Books and Memoir Café.  Memoir Café is an online workshop and community for women exploring their life experience in writing. 

 The series features a triple venue for getting to know the work and thoughts of each author: online in the Memoir Café postings, on the air during the weekly broadcast of the Memoir Café radio show, and in person at Heartstone Books.

 The Memoir Café radio show is broadcast on WOOL 100.1 FM, the community radio station in Bellows Falls, Vermont.  Montgomery’s  interview with Catherine Newman will air on Monday, February 20th at 10am.  It will also be available on the station’s website: www.WOOL.fm.

In March, the series hosts Laurie Alberts, author of Fault Line and Between Revolutions. Upcoming authors include Carol Ortlip, Mary Childers, and Janisse Ray.

 Every fourth month Richardson and Montgomery will invite unpublished women memoir writers to read and discuss their work.  The first of these evenings will be held on Thursday, April 20.  Those interested in participating should contact Stephanie Montgomery at 603 756 2522 or by email at stephanie@memoircafe.com.  For further information about the series, contact Caryl Richardson at Heartstone Books  802 387 2100.

 Stephanie Montgomery,Kindly Proprietor, Memoir Cafe

stephanie@memoircafe.com

Commentary: Here are the minutes of Wednesday evening's Zoning Board meeting considering a difficult, multi-faceted zoning issue. In addition to their being very timely--filed fewer than 48 hours after the meeting!--they are, in my view, a model of how town board minutes should be written in that they state very clearly everyone's REASONING behind their decisions. Well done Lucy Weber!

Following the new February minutes, I set out an excerpt of the revised January Zoning Board minutes so you can see a fuller picture of the background of the Therrien matter.  This issue about requiring a 200 foot frontage on a town road for construction (or other) purposes is one that arises with regularity.  Chuck Bingaman

15 February 2006

Present: E. Vose, M. Mansouri, J. Galloway-Leclerc, L. Britton, L. Weber, L. Carignan (alt), W. Webb (alt)

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING MINUTES WILL BE REVIEWED ON 15 MARCH, 2006.

The meeting was called to order at 7:32 PM.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Therrien Variance Request--continued from 18 January.

            Mr. Vose noted that this hearing was continued from the last meeting, that the evidence portion of the hearing was closed, and that deliberations were to begin.  The panel hearing this matter consists of Mr. Vose, Ms. Mansouri, Mr. Webb, Mr. Carignan, and Ms. Weber.

Mr. Therrien submitted, in writing, three changes to the January 18 minutes to more accurately represent his position.  All three changes were accepted by the Board and will be incorporated into the January 18 minutes.  Mr. Therrien further noted that his attorney, Thomas R. Hanna, Esq., was unable to attend the hearing, and presented a memo from Mr. Hanna in support of his application.  Mr. Vose stated that the information portion of the hearing was closed but that the Board would take the memo under advisement. With respect to the liability waiver for the Town, Mr. Therrien stated that he has met with the selectmen, and will give the Town a waiver upon receipt of approval of his variance.  The Board then considered the five criteria required for a vairance.

1.  No decrease in surrounding property values would be suffered.  Ms. Weber stated that nothing submitted in the evidentiary portion of the hearing raised any suggestion that the proposed subdivision would cause property values to diminish.  Ms. Mansouri agreed.  Mr. Vose stated that all votes on this matter would be by a show of hands.  All voted that this criterion had been met.

2.  Granting the variance must not be contrary to the public interest.  Mr. Webb stated that the history of other lots in the vicinity having been treated the same way indicates that the proposal is not against the public interest.  Mr. Vose suggested that if we grant the variance, we are making a non-conforming lot, which selectmen are no longer accepting, so we could be going against that policy.  Ms. Mansouri stated that going against the current practices of the selectmen in creating a non-conforming lot would be against public policy.  Mr. Vose noted that the selectmen are no longer allowing building on private roads.  Ms. Mansouri stated that the public policy of the town is the 200 foot requirement of public road frontage required by the Ordinance.  Ms. Weber stated that it is the departure from the 200 foot requirement that is before us, not anything that was done in the past. There are other ways of dividing the property and still preserving the 200 feet of public road frontage, but this perhaps speaks more to the hardship criterion than to public policy.

Mr. Vose read the second subcriterion under the hardship requirement; that no fair and substantial relationship exists between the general purposes of the zoning ordinance and the specific restrictions on the property. Mr. Carignan stated that if the selectmen agreed to the creation of the other lots on Stevens Lane, he does not see how we could say no to this one.  Ms. Mansouri stated the applicant can still make three lots all in conformance with the ordinance. Mr. Webb said that Ms. Mansouri’s comments convinced him that the ordinance says we are are not supposed to create a nonconformity and that it is against the public interest to create something not called for in the Ordinance.  Ms. Weber asked don’t we create a non-conformity every time we grant a variance?  That is what the variance procedure is for.

Ms. Mansouri stated that we would not be creating unnecessary hardship in not granting the variance, as the applicant would still be able to subdivide the property.  Mr. Vose read language from the Zoning Handbook suggesting that although the burden of persuasion rests on the applicant, the Board should not be sticklers for the letter of the ordinance unless the Board or abutters raise substantial issues with the proposal.  Ms. Weber stated that the issue raised here was the one of a lot with no public road frontage.  Mr. Carignan again raised the question of what the selectmen were accepting for frontage at the time Mr. Therrien brought the property.

Mr. Therrien interjected that the Selectmen granted him the same conditions as the ZBA gave to the other lots.  Ms. Mansouri noted that the selectmen have always accepted access from a point other than the public road frontage, but stated the Selectmen cannot grant conditions only available through action of the ZBA.  Mr. Carignan stated that he sees Ms. Mansouri’s point but is questioning what the spirit of the ordinance comes down to.  Ms. Weber said the spirit of the ordinance is a whole separate criterion, but they are interwoven.

Mr. Vose stated the selectmen cannot grant a variance but they could issue a building permit because this property had frontage.  Many other properties are in the same situation.  Ms. Mansouri noted that each case is voted on separately, but noted her difficulty in voting for a nonconformity.  Ms. Weber said that we often worry about opening a Pandora’s box with a particular decision, but this should not be a consideration as every case must be decided on its own merit.  There may be some room for comparison to what happens with other properties in the public policy component.

Mr. Webb asked what would be the damage caused by granting this subdivision.  All variances produce some nonconformity.  If you look at the philosophical roots of the zoning ordinance, this proposal results in less density than the ordinance requires.  Mr. Carignan agreed with this reasoning, and Ms. Weber stated that it persuaded her too.

Mr. Vose called for a vote by show of hands on the public interest criterion.  All voted that the criterion had been met.

3.  Denial of the variance would result in unnecessary hardship to the owner seeking it.  Ms. Weber stated she had been firmly opposed to this criterion as other conforming ways exist to divide the property, but is rethinking in light of Mr. Webb’s argument regarding the extent of harm.  Ms. Mansouri reiterated her reluctance to give up the frontage requirement.  Mr. Webb stated that we need to decide if the proposal is actually damaging to the town.  This proposal is not detrimental to the community in and of itself, and he is going to vote for it.

Mr. Vose brought up the three subcriteria in this category, and asked what the point of requiring technical compliance if the application is essentially in compliance with the ordinance.  Ms. Mansouri stated that zoning is an equal hardship to every property in town because everyone must conform to it. 

Subcriterion 1. The zoning restriction as applied to the applicant’s property interferes with the applicant’s reasonable use of the property, considering the unique setting of the property in its environment.  Ms. Weber read aloud the first subcriterion and the commentary accompanying it, requiring that the proposed use be reasonable, and that there be some unique characteristic about this property that it does not share with every property in the same district.  Mr. Vose stated that that the uniqueness to this property is its steep topography, the circumstances of the development of Stevens Lane, and the dual frontages on both public and private roads. Ms. Weber stated she agreed the subcriterion had been met because of the three factors stated by Mr. Vose.  Mr. Webb agreed. All voted that this subcriterion had been met.

Subcriterion 2.  No fair and substantial relationship exists between the general purposes of the zoning ordinance and the specific restrictions on the property.  Ms. Weber stated that in light of the density in the proposal and its similarity to the surrounding properties without public road frontage, the technicality of imposing the 200 foot public road requirement seems unnecessary in this case.  All voted that this subcriterion had been met.

Subcriterion 3. The variance would not injure the public or private rights of others.  Mr. Webb stated that this was self-evident from the proposal.  All voted that this subcriterion had been met.

A vote was taken on the hardship criterion as a whole.  All voted that this criterion had been met.

4.  By granting the variance substantial justice would be done.  Mr. Webb stated that this requirement was intertwined with the discussion of the first three criteria, and that it was logical to do substantial justice hereby granting the variance.  All voted that this criterion had been met.

 5.  The use must not be contrary to the spirit or intent of the ordinance.  Mr. Vose stated that we are not intended to penalize an applicant on technicalities.  Mr. Webb stated that we need to determine the reasonableness of the use and its benefit to the community.  We have determined that the proposal is reasonable.  All voted that this criterion was met.

Mr. Webb moved that the variance be granted as presented. Mr. Carignan seconded the motion. Some discussion ensued whether to amend the motion to grant the variance pending resolution of the liability letter issue.  It was decided that as Mr. Therrien’s representation that he will comply with this requirement is part of his presentation and this record, no such amendment is required.  All voted in favor of granting the variance as presented.  Mr. Therrien was thanked for his efforts.

Old Business:

            Mr. Webb moved the approval of the 18 January minutes with the changes proposed by Mr. Therrien.  Ms. Mansouri seconded, and all voted in favor.

New Business:

            Mr. Vose proposed Mr. Lewis LaClair to fill the vacant alternate position.  Mr. Webb moved the appointment of Mr. LaClair to a three year term.  Ms. Mansouri seconded, and all voted in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 8:51 pm.  Next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 15th, 2006 at 7:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lucy McVitty Weber

________________________

Excerpt from January Zoning Board minutes

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.  Mr. Therrien stated that the conditions in his agreement with the Selectmen were the same as the conditions the Zoning Board required of the other lots when granting their variance.  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. There are currently four lots with houses on them on the lower private portion of Taggert Road and there are also four lots (three with houses, including Therriens) on the private Stevens Lane.

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 have less desirable results. .  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 have less desirable results and would be less advantageous to the property owner.  The frontage on Stevens Road should be counted as adequate access to the retained parcel.

Mr. Therrien further verbally defined “less desirable” as:

1.      Inefficient use of land

2.      More curb cuts

3.      Having potential for neighbor issues due to jutting finger connection to County Road

4.      Other plans were poorer designs (for both Walpole and the Therriens)

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.

 

Here is the full text of the article I wrote on Tuesday's Planning Board meeting followed by the text of the relevant zoning ordinance language and an opinion or two.  Chuck Bingaman

FACT (OR AS CLOSE THERETO AS I CAN MANAGE IT!)

2-15-06

Walpole Board to Consider Shopping Center Site Plan Application

By Charles C. Bingaman

            The Walpole Planning Board unanimously agreed Tuesday evening to accept as sufficiently complete a site plan application for a 68,000 square foot commercial building and related construction south of the current North Meadow Plaza and to ask the Southwest Regional Planning Commission to assist in analyzing it prior to deciding whether it complies with Walpole zoning and land use ordinances.

            The full team of Berkshire Development consultants laid out the proposed plan for the 9.3 acre site including a second, 1980 square foot restaurant or store building near the intersection of Upper Valley Road and Rt. 12, a parking lot for 370 cars, and new entrances from Rt. 12 opposite Diamond Pizza and from Upper Valley Road.  Berkshire Vice President Tim Traynor, the usual spokesman for the developer, was unavailable due to family emergency, and board chair Jeff Miller was away on business.  Vice chair Dave Edkins presided over the lengthy and contentious meeting.

            Other details disclosed by chief engineer Lawrence J. Wagner of Wagner Engineering, Portsmouth, were that no new traffic signals were included in the plan although it was designed for the possibility that the state would require them, that there was an easement for a future road link from the new parking lot to the North Meadow Plaza—but no actual road at this time, and that the parking lot would be lit by downward pointing lights on 30 foot poles.

            Wagner further explained that the proposal was for a large main building with a 40,000 square foot tenant and three other tenants using the remaining 28,000 square feet. He reported the “none of the uses are defined at this time”, “none of the signage is secured at this time until we know who the tenants are but there is a sign pylon in the drawings” and “nothing in the design is firmly in place as it is schematic only.”  Wagner also described a full landscaping package including trees, bushes and shrubs surrounding the parking lot and buildings and interspersed in the parking lot.  Finally, he noted that the developer would be recommending one or more stop signs at the current intersection of Walpole Valley Road and Rt. 123, currently in partial use because of the Rt. 123 bridge destruction.

            Acting chair Edkins, while noting that the Berkshire application (actually filed in the name of the owners, Walpole Properties LLC) was “probably the most complete this board has ever seen”, suggested that the board refer it to the Southwest Regional Planning Commission for analysis and comment.  Alternate board member Fred Dill, sitting for a missing member, noted that “it’s a big deal for this town” and moved acceptance of the proposal as complete so the board could begin its formal consideration.  Dill further moved that the proposal be referred to the Regional Planning Commission.

            Following acceptance of the proposal as complete, Edkins opened the floor for audience questions.  The first questioner asked how the developer could square the 68,000 square foot main building proposal with Walpole’s zoning ordinance provision that “a building may be erected” in the commercial zone with “Shops, restaurants and other retail establishments not exceeding 40,000 square feet in gross floor area.”  Edkins answered “it’s been the interpretation of this board that no individual establishment greater than 40,000 square feet is allowed but that there is no limit on the size of the permissible building.”

            Berkshire Development lawyer Thomas R. Hanna of Keene then noted that Berkshire “had paid tens of thousands of dollars for multiple consultants including engineers, surveyors, traffic experts, architects and legal counsel to create the site plan application and it has relied on my opinion that it complies with the zoning ordinance.” Further, he argued that the board’s acceptance of the application as complete was proof that it complied with the relevant ordinances.  Edkins, who minutes earlier had assured hesitant board members that they were only voting to accept the application as complete, said, “I wouldn’t take it that far! Compliance with zoning law is not implicit in accepting an application for review!”

            In other discussion, Robin Bousa, traffic engineer with the Watertown, MA engineering firm of Vanessa Hangen Brustlin, Inc., said that her studies showed that the new development, if built, would attract 250-300 additional vehicles per hour in peak hours along Rt. 12 but that whether stoplights would be required either at the current entrance into North Meadow Plaza or at the new entries to the proposed new parking lot was up to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

            Several audience and board members stressed how important it would be to have a direct vehicular link between the proposed new parking lot and the original stores in North Meadow Plaza.  Attorney Hanna explained that such links could only be built if the existing North Meadow Plaza store tenants agreed to them and that that had not been arranged at this time.  Hanna also said that, to his knowledge, Berkshire Development has not acquired property yet for the replacement ball field that it has promised. --30--

__________________________________                                   

CCB OPINION: Here is the full text of the relevant provision of Article VI Commercial District of our zoning ordinance. It is NOT a masterpiece of clear drafting but it IS what everyone must work with...

A. Preamble: The purpose for establishing a Commercial District is to provide within the Town ample area in which business and the sale of merchandise can be conducted with its inherent traffic, loading, parking, and activity normally unpleasant in close proximimty to restful and conmfortable residences.

B. Uses Permitted: A building may be erected, altered or used and a lot may be used or occupied only for the following purposes and inaccordance with the following provisions:...

    3. Shops, restaurants and other retail establishments not exceeding 40,000 square feet in gross floor area.
____________________________________

Everyone should read those provisions very carefully, several times.  It seems to me that sub-section 3. must be read in the context of "a building" because it is a sub-section of B.  And, in order to argue that that building can be of any size so long as separate stores within it have no more than 40,000 square feet, you have to make two assumptions. First, you must assume that "gross floor area" really means "separate" or "individual" floor area and, second, the town's chosen policy with respect to size limits relates only to wholly owned stores such as Walmart or Best Buy and not to similarly sized commercial buildings that are internally segmented as Berkshire is proposing. Also you need to assume that the town really did not mean it in its master plan when it said that it did not want to become a regional shopping center.

In discussing this with Dave Edkins yesterday, he reiterated that in his and the Planning Board's opinion, the 40,000 square foot limit WAS intended only for the Walmart situation and not necessarily the current situation. Maybe he's correct on that.  But what we must make our decision on, it strikes me, is the text of our ordinance, not undocumented understandings that may be contrary to or require a tortuous interpretation of its language.

On the bright side, at least there is little traffic danger in the Berkshire proposal. Cars and trucks traveling under 10 miles per hour and stopping every few hundred feet seldom have violent collisions!

 

           

 

           

Editor's Note: After a brief time away, there is much to report.  Here are latest Selectmen's minutes. Later today, I'll have a report on last night's interesting and important Planning Board meeting...

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 8^th.

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.

It's world affairs day at The Walpolean!

The Windham World Affairs Council of Vermont will present international businessman, scholar, and author, Raymond Baker, who will discuss his newest book Capitalism's Achilles Heel: Dirty Money on how to renew the free-market system, Wednesday, February 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Brooks Memorial Library meeting room in Brattleboro.

 

Throughout his career, Raymond Baker—a tough-as-nails businessman turned scholar—has been thoroughly committed to capitalism. 

With this talk, Baker provides a fascinating look at the way criminals, terrorists, and businesspeople move dirty money around the world, impoverishing billions and corrupting capitalism’s ideals of fair play. He links banking, commerce, law, economics, and philosophy with passionate advocacy of steps that must be taken to renew capitalism’s mandate for the spread of global prosperity.

 

Raymond Baker, after a long career in international business, is a guest scholar at the Brookings Institution and a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, both in Washington DC. He appears often on television and radio in the US and overseas and testifies before House and Senate committees. Baker has an MBA from Harvard, lived in Africa for many years, and has done business across much of the developing world.

 

The lecture is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow the presentation.The event is partially underwritten by the World Affairs Council of America.
For more see, www.capitalismsachillesheel.com
Chuck Bingaman

          Fall Mountain High School’s Varsity Quiz Bowl team will compete at 7:00 p.m. next Monday, February 13, in a regional Academic WorldQuest competition at the School for International Training in Brattleboro for a slot in the national competition March 30 to April 2 in Washington, DC.

            Charlestown senior Jeryl Hewey, Walpole juniors Bryan and Pat Doyle, and Walpole sophomore Andrew Street make up Fall Mountain’s first team and are supported by alternates senior Chris Johnson of Walpole and sophomore Jim Healy of Charlestown.  Fall Mountain teacher Nick Belsky coaches the Fall Mountain team.

          Academic WorldQuest is a team competition testing competitors' knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, and culture.  The national competition is sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America while the World Affairs Council of Windham County in Vermont sponsors the regional competition with corporate support from Entergy Yankee Nuclear Power.  Pizza Hut and the Latchis Theater in Brattleboro are donating prizes for all competing teams. For this region, the competition will be between student teams from Vermont Academy, The Putney School, Brattleboro Union High School, Leland and Gray High School, Monadnock Regional High School and Fall Mountain.

          Monday's competition consists of ten rounds of five multiple-choice questions drawn from current world events subjects such as U.S. intelligence reform, outsourcing of U.S. jobs, economic development of China, Sudan and the war in Darfor, the U.S. and global poverty, and U.S. challenges in Iraq and the Muslim world. Unlike typical college bowl competitions, there is no premium on being the first to answer questions in WorldQuest.  Rather, all teams have 30 seconds to confer together and to agree on the team’s answer to each question.  The Fall Mountain team members commented on the format Friday with Pat Doyle saying that, “It’s nice to be able to confer with our team members” in the WorldQuest format, but Jeryl Hewey noted that “the only problem is that the format takes away the speed advantage that we often have.” 

          The winner of monday's match  will advance to the finals in Washington DC where last spring 49 high school teams from around the country competed for the national championship. The local area was represented last year by a team from The Putney School in Putney, VT.

          “Academic WorldQuest is a terrific way to encourage interest in international affairs among high school students,” according to Milton Eaton of Brattleboro, current chairman of the Windham World Affairs Council.  “We had a very close contest last year for our sponsored entry at the national competition, and we are pleased to have an even larger field of competitors this year.”

          The Academic WorldQuest regional competition is open to the public, and I hope a lot of people from Walpole come to support our team.  Competition begins at 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 13, and audience members who request them will get their own scorecards so they can play along if they wish.

     The competition is in the Internaitnal Center at  the School for International Training (SIT) on Kipling Road, Brattleboro.  To reach SIT, take Exit 3 off I-91 and proceed south on Route 5 at the traffic circle one quarter mile to the first traffic light, which is Black Mountain Road. Turn right onto Black Mountain Road and follow the road over I-91, past a residential area and through two very sharp curves. After the curves, Black Mountain Road bears left. Do not turn left but bear right on Kipling Road to the top of the hill. As you go up the hill you will pass an open field on your left and you will see several large white buildings to the left. Turn left on Dickinson Road at the crest of the hill where you see the World Learning and School for International Training signs and a circle of flags.

          For further information on the Windham World Affairs Council, see www.windhamworldaffairs.org. For further information on the World Affairs Councils of America, see www.waca.org. 

Chuck Bingaman

                                           

 

 

 

 

                            

Here they are! (Can't just watch the Super Bowl and do NOTHING!) CCB

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JANUARY 26, 2006

Selectmen Present:        Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller

Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. with one person present in the audience.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- JANUARY 19, 2006:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of January 19, 2006, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of January 19, 2006, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending January 21, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $17,908.93 or net wages in the amount of $9,997.56.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  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 $4,658.05.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted. 

Mr. Miller moved to approve an hourly wage of $12.00 for the Zoning Board of Adjustment Acting Secretary, Lucy Weber.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $31,469.05.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

HOOPER INSTITUTE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the payment for three months to the Royal Glass and Security Company for monitoring at the Hooper Institute.  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) Zoning Board of Adjustment – January 18, 2006; and 2) Planning Board – January 10, 2006.

REFUNDS:

RAY AND MARY BOAS – BTLA APPEAL – YEARS 03-04 & 05 – PROPERTY TAXES – MAP 020-006-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve having the Board of Selectmen sign the Board of Taxes and Land Appeals Settlement Agreement between Ray and Mary Boas and the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

JAMES AND MARY PULS – BTLA APPEAL – YEARS 03-04 & 05 – PROPERTY TAXES – MAP 005-042-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve having the Board of Selectmen sign the Board of Taxes and Land Appeals Settlement Agreement between James and Mary Puls and the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW BUSINESS:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER:  Mr. Aldrich moved that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen sign the Agreement for the Workers Compensation Program with the Local Government Center.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

ROGER & NANCY WILBUR –PROPERTY TAX- SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT:  Mr. Aldrich moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the necessary documents for Roger and Nancy Wilbur and that the Chairman is authorized to sign the Property Tax Settlement Agreement between Roger and Nancy Wilbur and the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

JOHN & SHIRLEY LAWTON:  Mr. Aldrich moved that the Board of Selectmen agree to the recommendation of the assessing agent and sign the Board of Taxes and Land Appeals Settlement Agreement for John & Shirley Lawton.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  

PERSONAL DAY – ELAINE MOORE:  The Board of Selectmen approved having Elaine Moore take a Personal Day off next week.

INTENT TO CUT TIMBER CUT –WENTWORTH HUBBARD- MAP 012-064-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Notice of Intent To Timber Cut for Wentworth Hubbard.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

RECYCLING COMMITTEE:  Mr. Sawyer reported that the Recycling Committee and Rick Cooper have some concerns about the number of volunteers dropping off, are there ways to increase recycling in Town and where we are heading.  The Board of Selectmen continue to work on this proposed budget.  Mr. Sawyer suggested that consideration be given to establishing a Study Committee.    

2006 ASSESSMENT REVIEW WORKSHOP:  Mr. Miller attended the 2006 Assessment Review Workshop in Peterborough and provided a report.  The Town of Walpole is scheduled for another assessment in 2011. 

2006 BUDGET AND WARRANT ARTICLES:  The Board of Selectmen continue to work on the proposed 2006 Budget and Warrant Articles and the Town Report. 

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2006 BUDGET AND WARRANT ARTICLES:  The Board of Selectmen scheduled the Public Hearing on the proposed 2006 Budget and Warrant Articles for Monday, February 13th, 2006, at 7:00 pm.

Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden                                                       

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 2nd, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.

    Tara Sad tells me that there will be try-outs for the Walpole Players' late May production of Joseph Kesselring's Arsenic & Old Lace--a really fun play--in March. So keep your calendar clear!  Here is her full announcement...

Walpole Tomorrrow co-chair John Hansel has called a meeting of all interested citizens for tonight at the Walpole Town Library to make further plans for getting citizen support for zoning amendments seeking to make it even more clear that town ordinances do not permit new commercial buildings exceeding 40,000 square feet.  The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. CCB