Dr. Tom Wessels, Professor of Ecology and founding director fo the Masters Degree Program in Conservation Biology in the Department of Environmental Studies at Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, will speak about "The Myth of Progress and The Laws of Sustainability" at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow evening at St. Johns Church in Walpole as part of the Lepovsky Lecture Series.

    Wessles, author of the recent READING THE FORESTED LANDSCAPE: A NATURAL HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND, will discuss how our generally accepted paradigm of progress in our culture runs contrary to basic laws of sustainability.  Having heard Tom speak in other contexts, I can assure you that you will find it a profoundly stimulating, enlightening evening.  Refreshments follow the talk which is free and open to the public.  Chuck Bingaman

Ed. Note: Sue and I--with great help from Alex Henkel and Larry Siebrands--gave a program two weeks ago for the Walpole Seniors group called "What's a Blog? (And Why Should I Care?)".  Knowing that you read at least ONE blog--this one!--I thought I'd share our written marterials that give you a bit more information and list several other blogs you might wish to try.  Chuck Bingaman

April 17, 2006

What’s a Blog?  (And Why Should I Care?)

By Chuck and Sue Bingaman <chuck@chuckbingaman.com; sue@bingamans.com; 756-9268>

What’s a “web site”?

·       A collection of “stuff” in electric form kept on a “server” computer somewhere that can be accessed from another computer if you know the “www” URL

·       The stuff may be text, visual, sound, etc.

·       Examples: www.CNN.com, www.WEATHER.com, www.LLBEAN.com, www.CHUCKBINGAMAN.com.

So, what’s a “blog”?

·       Web log = “’blog” Special kind of web site something like personal diaries, scrap books or personal journals used to pass along personal opinions, information, or news of interest to the “blogger” who writes and compiles it and other like-minded people;

·       Over 35,000,000 blogs now on the Internet with estimated 25,000+ added EVERY DAY!

·       Most blogs are useless, navel-gazing nonsense put up by teenagers, techies and others.  But if only 1/10,000 of all blogs have valuable information for YOU, that leaves 350 blogs you could check every day!

·       Also, most blogs are set up to notify you each time that a new posting is put on them.  AND, many blogs invite readers to add their own comments.  So they are often fascinating TWO-WAY media.

·       You can set up your OWN blog—for free—at www.bloglines.com (and many other sites).

·       Why are blogs important? Direct access to people, information, opinions everywhere! Blogs have taken the most powerful communication medium EVER—the World Wide Web—and added a powerful new twist the offers GREAT benefits (as well as an ocean of trash!) Dig for the gold and ignore the rest!

·       Sample blogs: http://afemalesoldier2.com, 
www.cookingwithamy.blogspot.com, www.chromasia.com/iblog,  www.accidentalhedonist.com, http://frugalforlife.blogspot.com/2006/04/nickel-and-dime-yourself.html, http://jameswolcott.com, www.scalzi.com/whatever/, www.slate.com

What’s The Walpolean?  Answer: A blog Chuck set up a year ago to post Walpole news, information, opinions, comments, photos, etc.  See www.thewalpolean.com

·       Registering:  see site!

·       Automatic email notice of new entries

·       Commentary

·       Archiving

·       Questions/issues

o      Should you have to sign your name to post a comment?

o      When should I remove a comment?

o      What subjects should be on?  E.g. People in Walpole who are in the hospital? Personal information?

 

 

 

         

 

 

    The Friends of the Walpole Town Library, which includes both the Bridge Memorial Library and the North Walpole Branch Library, have scheduled this year's plant sale for Saturday, May 13.
     The sale will be held in front of the Bridge Memorial Library at 44 Main Street, Walpole, from 9 a.m. till 12 noon, rain or shine.  
     Any area gardeners wishing to make plant donations or who might need help dividing their own perennials is encouraged to call Lucy McVitty Weber, plant sale chairman, at 756-4338 or to email her at lwmcv@verizon.net.
     All proceeds benefit the Walpole Town Library.

Ed. Note: Thanks to Regina Borden, Board secretary, here are the April 13 Selectmen's minutes.  Chuck Bingaman

 

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

APRIL 13, 2006

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. with three people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

DAVID HEWES (EXECUTIVE MEETING):

Mr. Sawyer moved to enter into an Executive Meeting to discuss personnel with Police Chief David Hewes.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

The regular meeting resumed at 7:48 P.M.

NORTH MEADOW PLAZA:  The Board of Selectmen and Chief Hewes discussed if there would be a big impact on the Police Department if the new shopping center opened.  Chief Hewes reported that the existing businesses have grown but there haven’t been many issues.  They would prefer to only take care of bad checks over $100. but not all the small ones.  At the present time only one store forwards all their bad checks to them; some stores take care of all of them themselves.  According to State Statutes, the Police Department is mandated to take care of all bad checks referred to them. 

DRAINAGE:  Chief Hewes advised that there is a problem with drainage near the North Walpole Elementary School in the area where he lives.  There is a ditch down the side of the road but the tar is now gone so the drainage ends up on his lawn and it goes on his neighbor’s property.  Jim Terrell is aware of it.  Mr. Sawyer suggested that they might be able to do a temporary fix and look at permanent repairs in the next budget.  The Board of Selectmen is aware of other areas with drainage problems.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $18,653.25.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending April 08, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $13,902.82 or net wages in the amount of $7,300.39.  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 $3,373.06.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- APRIL 06, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of April 06, 2006, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the Minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of April 11, 2006. 

WARRANTS:

TIMBER WARRANT –WENTWORTH HUBBARD- MAP 010-019-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for Walpole Timber Tax Fees in the amount of $335.92 for Wentworth Hubbard off the Drewsville Road.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

TIMBER WARRANT –WENTWORTH HUBBARD- MAP 011-013-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for Walpole Timber Tax Fees in the amount of $1,362.79 for Wentworth Hubbard.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

TIMBER WARRANT –WENTWORTH HUBBARD- MAP 012-064-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for Walpole Timber Tax Fees in the amount of $495.12 for Wentworth Hubbard.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

TIMBER WARRANT –ARTHUR & ELIZABETH CHICKERING- MAP 001-002-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for Walpole Timber Tax Fees in the amount of $691.17 for Arthur and Elizabeth Chickering.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.  

BUILDING PERMITS:    

JEANNETTE CLARK –MAP 015-015-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-013 for Jeannette Clark to construct a two story log home on the Cold River Road.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

JOSEPH & MARINA CONEENY –MAP 019-039-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-012 for Joseph and Marina Coneeny to construct two porches on the existing house on Main Street.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

BRIAN BECKWITH –MAP 011-054-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-014 for Brian Beckwith to make a couple of additions on March Hill.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

WALPOLE GRADUATION/PLANNING BOARD CONFLICT:  Mr. Miller announced that the Board of Selectmen will allow the Walpole Elementary School to use both the Town Hall and Common for graduation and will ask the Planning Board to take their meeting to the Walpole Elementary School on June 13^th, 2006.  The school has offered use of the cafeteria if the Planning Board chooses to use it.

HOOPER PROPERTY:  Mr. Miller noted that Eloise Clark has started the process to obtain quotes for painting both the Hooper Mansion and Institute.

POLICE DEPARTMENT:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the liaison to the Police Department ask for a report on how many hours they patrol each week.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

There was discussion relative to having police presence at the Concerts on the Green.

NEW BUSINESS:

VETERANS EXEMPTION –GUY PRONESTI- 2 MAIN STREET:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve a Veterans Exemption for Guy Pronesti.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

ELDERLY TAX EXEMPTION –DERMOT DALEY- MAP 012-012-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to deny the Elderly Tax Exemption application for Dermot Daley as per the letter of explanation to them.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

CURRENT USE APPLICATION –H&H INVESTMENTS, LLC- MAP 027-005-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Current Use application for H&H Investments, LLC as presented.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

CURRENT USE APPLICATION –HUGH & ELLEN SHAW- MAP 017-006 & MAP 019-073-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to put the Current Use application for Hugh & Ellen Shaw on-hold pending an explanation and a defined map.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PREAMBULATION –WESTMORELAND-WALPOLE TOWN LINE:  The Town of Westmoreland advised that a Selectman from Westmoreland and a County Commissioner from Westmoreland will be walking the Westmoreland/Walpole Town line one day next week.

Mr. Miller moved that Mr. Sawyer, a Selectman from Walpole, will meet with the two representatives from Westmoreland to walk the Westmoreland/Walpole Town line one day next week.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.  

WRAP –SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE JOB DESCRIPTIONS UPDATE:  The Board of Selectmen reviewed the WRAP – Solid Waste Department Employee Job Descriptions as Updated and the recent advertisement for a Solid Waste Operator.

Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the job descriptions but suggested adding in “and any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor” and under the operators add “and any other duties as assigned by the Board of Selectmen”.   Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

CEMETERY DEED –ROGER & SUSAN BEER- D-349:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for D-349 for Roger and Susan Beer.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

VACATION TIME –RICK COOPER- APRIL 24^TH TO APRIL 29^TH, 2006:  Mr. Sawyer moved to allow Rick Cooper to take vacation time from April 24^th to April 29^th, 2006, as requested.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

DIGITIZATION OF ZONING MAP – SWRPC:  Mr. Miller looked at maps at the SWRPC and would like to contact them to obtain an accurate zoning map of the Town.

Mr. Miller moved that arrangements are made with the Southwest Region Planning Commission to have a base map of the Town made to be used in conjunction with the overlaps that are available in the SWRPC office.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PA SYSTEM USE:  The Board of Selectmen was unanimous in their consensus not to allow the PA system to leave the Town Hall and not be used for other than Town functions.

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

CONCERTS ON THE GREEN:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to the Savings Bank of Walpole to allow the annual Concerts on the Green beginning on Sunday, June 25^th and ending on August 20^th, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

                                                              

 

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 20, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING. 

With minutes this prompt, it's almost like being there! Chuck Bingaman

19 April 2006

Present:  M. Mansouri, L Carignan,  L. Weber,

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING MINUTES WILL BE REVIEWED ON 17 MAY, 2006.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.

It was noted that under our bylaws, three members constitute a quorum, and that all three members must agree for any action to be taken.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Timely notice of the public hearing was posted and published, and all abutters were notified by mail.

Ann Rogers--9 Rogers Street.  Ann Rogers is seeking an expansion of a nonconforming structure. She would like to replace her existing 6 x 23 porch with a 10 x 32 closed addition on the back of her house.The proposed addition will run the width of the existing house.  As a result, the new addition will be 19 feet from the property line with Verna Mack, and 15 feet from the property line with Minna Good, as is the existing house. A letter was read into the record from Michael Parent, abutter, stating that he was unable to attend the meeting, but had no objection to the proposed addition. It was moved by Ms. Weber and seconded by Mr. Carignan that the addition be approved as presented.  Ms. Weber stated that the proposal did not increase the nonconformity any more than the existing building, that there was no evidence that the proposed addition would have any detrimental affects on surrounding properties.  All voted in favor of approving the expansion.

New Business:

L. Britton arrived as this matter was being taken up, and Mr. Searles repeated his introduction for Mr. Britton’s benefit.

Scott Searles—Wentworth Road   Mr. Searles has discontinued the repair of snow machines at his residence.  He and his wife are now running a catalogue sales business from the residence.  The business currently has one employee in addition to the Searles.  Mr. Searles would like permission to have up to six seasonal employees, starting this September and continuing through about March of 2007.  The Searles are actively seeking a commercial location for the business, but realistically are unlikely to have that in place by September, when their busy season starts. Ninety five percent of the items they sell are drop shipped from elsewhere and the merchandise never comes to the property.  About five percent are items stored and shipped UPS from the Wentworth Road location.  The employees would be processing phone and web orders.  The address of the business is not advertised, and customers are told there is no retail location.  Ms. Mansouri stated that the number of employees would require a variance.  It was moved by Ms. Weber and seconded by Mr. Carignan that the matter be set for public hearing, pending receipt of a completed application.  All voted in favor.

Peter Roos—Former Longacre Nursery Property—Pleasant Street.  Mr. Roos has a contract to sell the former greenhouse buildings and four acres of land to the Walpole Village School , which would be moving from its current location in the Congregational Church.  Ms. Mansouri stated that the greenhouse operation was a nonconforming use which was grandfathered when the Zoning Ordinance was adopted.  Schools, public or private, are permitted in the Residential District under the current Zoning Ordinance.  A representative of the school stated that there would be preschool and prekindergarten classes held in the morning and afternoon, with a total of approximately 24 children attending in the morning and 20 in the afternoon.   They would also offer enrichment classes after school in areas such as music, art, and languages.  Mr. Britton asked if they added a daycare component, would that still fall under the permitted school use?  The proposed programming is all structured.  Mr. Britton inquired about the risk of herbicides formerly used at the site.  Mr. Roos stated the lower greenhouse is still gravel and unchanged, but the upper greenhouse has a poured concrete floor and had been certified for the production of food labeled organic.  Mr. Carignan said that he was satisfied that his concerns had been addressed.  Ms. Weber said that many schools have both preschool and afternoon programs in addition to regular classes, and that this project falls squarely into the permitted school use.  All Board members present were in agreement.

As no public hearing is required, some discussion took place about what recourse was available to anyone who disagreed with the Board’s decision.  It was decided that notice of the Board’s decision is provided by these minutes, and that anyone wishing to question the Board’s decision will have the normal 30 day appeal period in which to do so.

L. LaClair arrived before the presentation of the next matter.

David Westover—532 Main Street—former rental business next to Laundromat.  Mr. Westover, in partnership with Tom and Charlene Beaudry of Wentworth Road and Steve Caswell, of Ye Goodie Shoppe in Keene, is proposing to lease the premises for the production of high-end ice cream made from scratch, not a mix.  Ms. Mansouri stated that the property is in the Commercial zone, and will require a Special Exception for the operation, which falls under the definition of manufacturing.  The proposal is for retail space in the front of the store, and the ice cream making operations in the back.  The inside operations will look like a milk house as the state will require all surfaces to be easily cleaned.  There is also the possibility of a scoop shop to open seasonally, and a 10 x 20 stand alone outside freezer unit. 

The long term objective is to be able to move to larger premises in 2 to 3 years and add a dairy bottling operation, but that is not possible or proposed for this location. In answer to questions from the Board, Mr. Westover said there is adequate parking behind the building, and that the partners and 1 to 3 employees would work there.  Milk delivery once a day will be by pickup truck with old fashioned milk containers, and deliveries made by pickup truck and eventually a freezer truck like the Swann truck.  Ice cream will be made in batches of 55-60 quarts.  Ms. Weber moved and Mr. Carignan seconded that a public hearing be set on the Special Exception at the May meeting.  All voted in favor.  Mr. Westover was reminded that the ZBA will also need a recommendation from the Planning Board with regard to the proposed use.

Russell Pickering—170 Old Cheshire Turnpike.  Mr. Pickering is proposing to cover an existing basketball court with a steel arch structure 92 feet long by 50 feet wide by 18 feet high.  The structure will extend within 18.5 feet of the side line of the property.  Mr. Pickering teaches basketball voluntarily in the summer, and would like to be able to continue the activity regardless of eth weather.  He does not charge for the activity, and it is not a commercial operation.  Ms. Weber moved, seconded by Mr. Carignan, that the matter be set for a variance hearing at the May meeting, pending receipt of a completed application.  All voted in favor.

Gravel Pits.  Assignments for the gravel pit inspections are as follows:

L. Weber and L. LaClair--both Hodgkins pits and George Graves.

L. Britton and M. Mansouri—Both Cold River/Lane pits.

L. Carignan and E. Vose—Joe Sawyer and Donald Wood.

Old Business:

Approval of the March minutes as presented was moved and seconded.  All voted in favor.

Approval of the February minutes as presented was moved and seconded.  All voted in favor.

Election of Officers will be held next month.

There being no other business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45.  The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 17th, 2006 at 7:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lucy McVitty Weber

Ed. Note: Thanks to secretary Regina Borden, here are the minutes of the April 6 Selectmen's meeting.

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

APRIL 6, 2006

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

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

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

BRUCE MARTIN – AMERICAN LEGION VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL:  Bruce Martin, a member of the local American Legion #77, explained that he was encouraged to undertake a project to see if they could come up with a first class memorial for all the veterans from Walpole.  Three Hundred Forty (340) members of this town went to World War II and they probably were not as honored as they should have been.  Their intent is to go back to the Civil War but there is a need to do much more research on names.  He looked at memorials in other towns and made a trip to the Rock of Ages in Barre, VT.  An appropriate memorial will cost about $50,000.  The biggest challenge will be to come up with all the money; a big part of the cost is to put the names on the granite.  It is anticipated there will be a total of between 600 and 650 names.  A poster with two options was displayed; a single memorial or group of smaller single memorials in a semi-circle.  They would like to put up the display this Sunday during the annual Easter Pancake Breakfast and ask for input before moving forward.  The appropriate place for the memorial is the Town Common.  Mr. Martin and George Gage asked for the support of the Board of Selectmen and for use of the Common.  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to support the memorial and use of the Common as it is the most appropriate location; the cannons will remain there.  Mr. Martin will move forward and, when he has additional information, will come back before the Board.

BILL THERRIEN – UPDATE ON LIABILITY WAIVER:  Bill Therrien brought the Board of Selectmen up-to-date on the recent Zoning Board of Adjustment discussions regarding his proposed subdivision.  He distributed copies of an “Agreement on Limits of Municipal Liability” and a proposed schedule for various transactions to occur.  He will sign and submit the Liability Waiver to the Board of Selectmen after the ZBA approves his subdivision.  Mr. Therrien anticipates he will be back before the Board of Selectmen in early May.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $82,868.67.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending April 1, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $19,468.36 or net wages in the amount of $11,809.26.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,795.54.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

HOOPER INSTITUTE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve payment of a bill from E.E. Houghton Co. in the amount of $539.39 for restoring water to the Hooper Institute to be taken out of the Hooper Funds.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- MARCH 30, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of March 30, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  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 April 11, 2006.

WARRANTS:

CLAIRE WHITCOMB TRUST – MAP 019-007-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Timber Tax in the amount of $2,696.95 for the Claire Whitcomb Trust.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

CLAIRE WHITCOMB TRUST – MAP 015-035-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Timber Tax in the amount of $7,072.19 for the Claire Whitcomb Trust.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

COLD RIVER MATERIALS/LANE CONSTRUCTION – MAP 015-011-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for the Excavated Gravel Tax in the amount of $3,036.62 for Cold River Materials/Lane Construction.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

COLD RIVER MATERIALS/LANE CONSTRUCTION – MAP 014-013-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for the Excavated Gravel Tax in the amount of $186.88 for Cold River Materials/Lane Construction.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

HODGKINS & SONS, INC. – MAP 012-073-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for the Excavated Gravel Tax in the amount of $162.50 for Hodgkins & Sons, Inc.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

HODGKINS & SONS, INC. – MAP 001-010-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for the Excavated Gravel Tax in the amount of $77.60 for Hodgkins & Sons, Inc.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

EDWARD & CHERYL HASSELMAN – MAP 026-035-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Timber Tax in the amount of $636.56 for Edward & Cheryl Hasselman.   Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

BUILDING PERMITS:

BRUCE AND JANET CHAMBERLIN – MAP 004-017-001:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-010 for Bruce & Janet Chamberlin to construct a single family house and two car garage on the Old Keene Road subject to completion of the Septic Plan.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

HENRY FLETCHER – MAP 009-004-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-011 for Henry Fletcher to put a gazebo on his property.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

TOWN HALL ROOF REPAIRS:  A leak developed upstairs during the last rain storm.  Mr. Sawyer noted that the Town has a contract on the slate roof with Jancewicz and Sons to inspect and repair the roof annually.  A phone call will be made to Jancewicz and Sons to make them aware of the leak and Teresa Kissell will be asked to call the insurance carrier.

HOOPER PAINTING:  Mr. Sawyer moved to ask Eloise Clark to obtain at least two bids for painting both the Hooper Institute and Mansion.  The Mansion Committee will be asked to review them and make a recommendation to the Hooper Board of Trustees.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.    

BOWEN LETTER:  Mr. Sawyer contacted Lawrence Associates to investigate the property lines with Jill Bowen.  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a letter from Jill Bowen.

DUNNING/MEDC/J.H. DUNNING – CDBG GRANT #04-050-CDED:  The Board of Selectmen received a Certificate of Completion for the Dunning/MEDC/J.H. Dunning – Community Development Block Grant #04-050-CDED. 

NEW BUSINESS:

MS-2 – REPORT OF APPROPRIATIONS ACTUALLY VOTED:  Mr. Miller moved that the Board of Selectmen approve and sign the MS-2 report and forward it to the State.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

DES CALL – REGARDING FAILED SEWER SYSTEM:  The DES received a complaint regarding a failed sewer system and they notified the Town.  The Board of Selectmen will contact the Health Officer but if he is not available the Board of Selectmen will do the inspection.

VETERANS EXEMPTION –WALTER CAMPBELL- MAP 007-010-001:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Disabled Veterans Exemption for Walter Campbell.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

2005 PARCEL COUNT – DRA FORM:  The Board of Selectmen approved and signed the 2005 Parcel Count DRA document for the State of New Hampshire.

USE OF COMMON – APRIL 15, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve use of the Common on April 15, 2006, for a memorial gathering for Valerie Muchmore.  The fee will be waived.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

USE OF COMMON – WALPOLE SCHOOL GRADUATION:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the use of the Common on June 13th, 2006, beginning at 6:30 pm for the Walpole School Graduation.  They have permission to use the Town Hall and chairs for the ceremony.  The Police Department will be asked to close off the Common on one end before the ceremony begins.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO EXCAVATE GRAVEL –HODGKINS & SONS- MAP 001-010-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Excavate Gravel for approximately 8,000 cubic yards.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.    

 

NOTICE OF INTENT TO EXCAVATE GRAVEL – HODGKINS & SONS– MAP 012-073-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Excavate Gravel for approximately 2,500 cubic yards.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER –H&H HARDWICK- MAP 027-005-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for H&H Hardwick, LLC.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

HERBICIDE SPRAYING – JUNE 2006 IN WALPOLE:  The Town received a notice that the National Grid will be doing Herbicide Spraying in Walpole in June 2006.  The notice will be posted at the Town Hall and Burdick’s.  A copy will be sent to Barbara O’Brien for posting in the Village of North Walpole.

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:28 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 13, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.     

 

Editor's Note: Just a reminder of Sunday evening's lecture at St. John's Episcopal Church.  It's not often that we have the opportunity to hear such a distinguished scientist in our village speaking on such an important subject!  Chuck Bingaman

                   “Climactic Disruption: The World in Our Hands”

George M. Woodwell, PhD

Founder, Director Emeritus, and Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Research Center, Falmouth, MA

                                     Sunday, 23 April, 7:00 pm
                                    Free and open to the public

Editor's Note. This is an announcement from Erin Hennessy of Maplewing Artisans of Bellows Falls. She thought some Walpolean readers might be interested in these two upcoming events.  Chuck Bingaman

Maplewing Artisans invites friends and community members to a single
screening of the documentary "Dorothy Day: Don't Call Me a Saint" at 7PM
on April 21st. Dorothy Day was a noted journalist, social activist, and
co-founder of the Catholic Worker- a social justice movement that lives on
in over 180 Houses of Hospitality and Soup Kitchens around the world.
Photographer and first-time documentarian Claudia Larson has spent 14
years bringing "Dorothy Day: Don't Call Me a Saint" to the screen.   The
film comprises interviews with Dorothy, her family and friends, excerpts
from her personal writings and compelling images form her life and times.
NY, NY documentary feature at this year's Tribeca Film Festival.

4/19  Images of Iraq  We received so many requests for a second slide
show...we are happy to announce that Heidi Schuerger has agreed to present
it again at 7PM on Wednesday, April 19th.

Maplewing Artisans is located downstairs below Mike's Barbershop on the Square in Bellows Falls, Vermont. For more information contact Erin @ 802-460-4161 Thursday-Monday 10-6

    I'm delighted to report that Sue and I will be doing the program for Monday's monthly Walpole Seniors potluck lunch entitled "What's a Blog? (And Why Should I Care?)"  We'll be showing some live examples of blogs and discussing The Walpolean blog and related Internet sites.  We'll take a light-hearted, non-technical approach--we're NOT techies!--and it shuld be fun!

    Potluck lunch is at noon at the Congregational Church.  The program is from 1:00 to around 1:25 p.m. For further information, call Carol Christian at 756-3879.

    P.S. I'm looking for a large projection screen to show some web sites and blogs on. If anyone has one that we could borrow for the program, would you please phone me at 756-9268?  Thanks! Chuck Bingaman

Here is an announcement of next Thursday's annual meeting potluck for The Friends of the Walpole Library.  President Lyn Cooke tells me that she hopes to get a large turnout of Friends of the library and books in general.  Chuck Bingaman

Here's an idea we could all take up!  Cindy Westover reminds us that "our town would look nicer if everyone took a garbage bag with them when they walked and picked up the trash.  Walkers could do a different road each week.  I got 19 bags on County Road from Prospect Hill to Kingsbury Road.  It's disgusting.  Already there is trash back where I just cleaned.  VERY ANNOYING!!  Maybe we should have fines for those persons caught throwing out trash."

    Thanks for reminder, Cindy! I will take my bag with me on Wentworth from now on when I walk to town. It needs it! (And I would not hesitate to report license numbers of those I seeing littering.)  Chuck Bingaman

Editor's Note: Please take note of this announcement for an evening of woman authors reading their writings, including our own Barbara Dretzin. And, thanks to Stephanie Montgomery for putting together this fine series!  Chuck Bingaman

April brings an evening of readings by local authors to the

 Women in Memoir Series

at Heartstone Books

 Thursday April 20th at 7 pm

On Thursday, April 20, the Women in Memoir Series co-hosted by Memoir Café and Heartstone Books in Putney welcomes four unpublished authors: Elizabeth Lewis and Leslie Frothingham of Putney, Barbara Dutton Dretzin of Walpole NH, and MaryLiz Riddle of Newfane.

 Each author will read from her work in memoir.  The evening will include time for discussion about the writing process and the appeal and challenges of memoir writing.  The reading will take place in the Front Porch Café adjacent to Heartstone Books in Putney.  Refreshments will be served.

 Elizabeth Lewis says of her work,  “Memoir for me is a way of finding the path my past takes to my future.  So it's really a present state of trying to keep up.  Through writing I examine my own ever-changing shifts in time and space.  I'm a collage artist, a collage writer, an all-and-around collage.  I currently seem pre-occupied with suns, moons, planets, lights and shadows, spells broken and cast, moments that don't last......and writing in rhyme.” 

 Barbara Dutton Dretzin has lived in N.H. for 17 years.  A graduate of no college, she opted for life experience, dropping out in the middle of her senior year at Marlboro to get married.  In addition to reporting and editorializing for a small newspaper, she amassed a large pile of rejection and we’d-like-to-see-more letters.  She now writes memoir in the venue of Memoir Cafe where “no rejection slips are ever issued and everyone gets not only published but read.”  She recently wrote a group of stories drawn from her two years with the Peace Corps in West Africa.  Tonight’s story from that group is “Jacob of the Very Bad Words.”

 Leslie Frothingham is Head of the Science Department at the Putney School.  For two years, she sailed with her family to Central America and back, writing all the way.  She will read excerpts from the chronicles of her exciting, humorous, and sometimes harrowing adventure.   

 MaryLiz Riddle has lived in Southern Vermont since 1961.  She began taking her writing seriously in the mid 1980's and she attended classes in the Creative Writing MFA program at the University of Montana.  She says her “writing style blurs the borders between prose and poetry and is informed by the landscapes of Vermont and Montana.”

 This evening marks the first of three in 2006 devoted to bringing unpublished women memoir writers into the spotlight.  The programs for August and November still have some openings.  Women interested in participating are invited to contact Stephanie Montgomery at stephanie@memoircafe.com or at 603.756.2522.
                      *               *               *

 The Women in Memoir Series continues on May 20th with Mary Childers, the author of Welfare Brat.  On June 13th Laura Waterman will read from Losing the Garden.  And on July 25th Lori Arviso Alvord will read from The Scalpel and the Silver Bear.

 This series includes a radio interview with each author aired during the week of the reading at Heartstone Books on WOOL, 100.1 FM in Bellows Falls.  The weekly Memoir Café radio show airs Mondays at 10am, Fridays at 5pm and Saturdays at 7:30am.

 

 

Editor's Note: The Planning Board meets tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.  Thanks to Secretary Pam Aslinger, here's the tentative agenda. In addition to the items noted, I understand that there is a possibility that the question of the exact meaning of the 40,000 square foot limit on gross floor space in new commercial buildings will be raised and voted upon.  So it could be a very significant meeting.  Chuck Bingaman

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NH  03608

Walpole Planning Board Meeting

April 11, 2006  7:30pm  Town Hall

AGENDA

I.          Open Meeting

A.        Roll Call/Designate Alternates: Jeff Miller, Bob Miller, Dave Decoste, Eric

Merklein, Henry Fletcher, Sheldon Sawyer, Ben Daviss, Ray Boas, alt.,

Pam Aslinger, alt.

            B.            Approve Minutes of 3/14/06

II.            Review Applications Submitted:  Accept/Reject/Delay

            A.              William and Grace Therrian - Proposed 3 Lot Subdivision located on

                        Steven’s Lane and County Rd. in the Rural Ag. Zone, Map 5, Lot 44.  The

Proposal results in Lot 1 of 18.18 acres, Lot 2 of 11.64 acres, Lot 3 of 11.39 acres.  Lot 2 fronts on Steven’s Lane with the existing house.  Lot 2 and 3 front on County Rd.  The Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a variance to the Theriiran’s to allow for the non-conforming frontage requirements on Lot 1.  Lawrence Associates will represent the Therrian’s.

            B.            James Stack Trust - Proposed 2 Lot Subdivision located on Cemetary

Rd. in the Rural Ag. Zone, Map 10, Lot 6-1.  The proposal results in Lot 1 of 6.67 acres and Lot 2 of 1.78 acres.  David Bergeron of Brickstone Masons will be representing the applicant.

III.       Close Meeting/Open Public Hearing

            A.              Wm. And Grace Therrian

            B.            James Stack Trust

IV.       Close Public Hearing/Reopen Meeting

V.        Action of Applications submitted:  Approve/Disapprove/Delay

            A.            Wm. And Grace Therrian

            B.            James Stack Trust

VI.       New Business - A.  DiBernardo Assoc. for John Hubbard Trust 2 lot Subdivision

VII.            Unfinished Business:  Pending Application

            A.              Walpole Properties, LLC - Site Plan Review, continued review

                        1.  Update and status of pending application materials

                        2.  Reports from MW Engineering, Conservation Commission, Police

                             Dept., Dept. of Transportation, other

                        3.  Report from Southwest Regional Planning Commission

                        4.  Re-open continued Public Hearing/Close Public Hearing

                        5.  Action on application within 65 day limit:  Approve/Disapprove/Delay

(Call for Recess 15 minutes)

VIII.            Communications and Miscellaneous

            A.  Zoning amendment 2006 discussion/results/letters

            B.  Election of Officers for 2006, Chairman, Vice Chairman

            C.  Distribute Handouts:  Updated Ordinances, Riggins Rules, OEP Handbook

            D.  Discuss Work Sessions/Items for next meeting

IX.            Adjourn meeting

Posted:  Town Hall, Burdick’s Market, Town website

Cc:  All PB members, ZBA ch., CCC ch., Select’s Office, Fire/PoliceDept., Town Clerk

Thanks to Secretary Regina Borden, here are the Walpole Planning Board minutes from March 30, 2006.  Chuck Bingaman

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MARCH 30, 2006

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

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

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

HOOPER BOARD:  Jeff Miller and Robert Miller wanted to check to see if arrangements were made to have some painting done on the Hooper property this year.  The Board of Selectmen, the Trustees of the Hooper property, confirmed that Brendan Honey was expected to do some painting this year but they will contact him again.  They mentioned that shingles are coming off the roof to the pro shop on the east side so it is another project that should be undertaken soon.  Mr. J. Miller and Mr. R. Miller thanked the Trustees for their support and for the improvements that were done last year. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $381,488.77.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

It was noted that the above amount includes a payment in the amount of $328,427.85 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.

HOOPER PROPERTY:  Mr. Miller moved to approve payment of the bill to the E.F. Houghton Company in the amount of $841.63 for the restoration of water service at the Hooper Institute.  This will be paid by the Hooper Fund.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending March 25, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $14,142.92 or net wages in the amount of $7,852.05.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the weekly payroll for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $2,499.40.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the supplemental payroll voucher for retroactive pay raises for gross wages in the amount of $7,144.77 or net wages in the amount of $5,677.34.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.    

Mr. Miller moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the retroactive pay raises for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $1,593.35.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- MARCH 23, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of March 23, 2006, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the Minutes of the following meetings:  1) North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners meeting of March 21, 2006; and 2) the Hooper Institute Committee meeting of March 21, 2006.

WARRANTS:

GRETA HOWARD – MAP 013-061-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve a Warrant in the amount of $377.85 for a partial Timber Cut for Greta Howard.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

BUILDING PERMITS:

ROBERT KINNEY, SR. – MAP 023-001-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-007 for Robert Kinney, Sr. to construct a deck on the Angier Road.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

WALTER & SUSIE SMITH – MAP 012-055-009:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-008 for Walter & Susie Smith to construct a deck on the back of the house on Burrows Lane.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

RICHARD SCHMID & NANCY GUZICK:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-009 for Richard Schmid & Nancy Guzick to replace a window on the Old Keene Road.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

POLICE DEPARTMENT:  Mr. Miller talked to Police Chief David Hewes regarding the complaint from Mrs. Dockham about calling the Police Department about speeding but had no response from them.  Chief Hewes said the department received the message and, even though they did not return the phone call, an officer went to patrol the area.   

NEW BUSINESS:

PERSONAL TIME –ELAINE MOORE- TUESDAY, APRIL 04, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the request from Elaine Moore to take personal time off on April 04, 2006.   Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

VETERANS EXEMPTION –CHARLES STREET- MAP 019-038-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Veterans Exemption for Charles Street.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

VETERANS EXEMPTION –DELORES STREET- MAP 109-038-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Veterans Exemption for Delores Street.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

INTENT TO CUT –MARY McMAHON- MAP 003-001-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut for Mary McMahon.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

VANGUARD CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP:  Mr. Miller moved to extend an invitation to Bruce Cramer to attend a Board of Selectmen’s meeting, at his convenience, to explain the Vanguard Change of Ownership documents.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

USE OF COMMON –SEPTEMBER 02, 2006- WEDDING – SARA ADAMS:  Mr. Sawyer moved to rent the Common on September 02, 2006, to Sara Adams for a wedding for $100.00.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

2006 LOCAL OFFICIALS WORKSHOP:  A brochure was received on the 2006 Local Officials Workshop.

LETTERS:

JILL BOWEN:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the letter to Jill Bowen.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  

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

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

                                                                  

 

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 6, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.

Ed. Note: Here are the rather lengthy minutes of the March meeting of the Walpole Planning Board as reported by Pam Aslinger.  Pretty interesting and important stuff! And, you should read them as preparation for next Tuesday's Planning Board meeting that may turn out to be quite important. Chuck Bingaman

Town of Walpole, NH  03608

Planning Board Meeting

March 14, 2006  7:30PM 

Unapproved Minutes

Members Present: Dave Edkins, V-Ch., Bob Miller, Eric Merklein, Dave DeCoste,

Henry Miller, Sheldon Sawyer;  Ray Boas, alt., Fred Dill, alt., Pam Aslinger, alt.

Presiding:  Jeff Miller, Ch.

Recording:  Pamela Aslinger, Secretary

These minutes will be reviewed at the April 11, 2006 meeting.

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED

Ch. Miller began with review of the L.A. Burdick Chocolate, Inc. Site Plan Review renovations to the former RN Johnson building located at 47 Main St., Walpole, NH in the Commercial District, Map 24, Lot 38.  Purpose is to manufacture chocolate and related items in an existing commercial building.  The Zoning Board has granted a special exception for an industrial use in a commercial zone for the new operation and requires a recommendation from the Planning Board as a condition of their granted special exception.  All application materials were reviewed by the Board.  Ch. Miller called for a motion to accept the application as complete, was so moved and seconded.  Motion carried. 

PUBLIC HEARING

Ch. Miller closed the meeting and opened the Public Hearing.  Cathy Watson presented the proposal stating the sight would be for production of candies, packing and shipping. The retail store and restaurant will remain downtown.  Deliveries will be by UPS and Fed Ex only.  One large tractor-trailer delivery will be received once per year.  All deliveries will be made at the side of the building only.  The hours will be from 9-5 am except for Holidays.  Basic changes have occurred only to the outside façade.  No work is being done on the back of the building at this time, only the 7000 sq.ft. area in the front of the building.  Mr. DeCoste asked about the parking.  Ms. Watson said there are 50 spaces in the back of the building allowing for 30-35 employees.  Abutter Delbert Frost asked if the back will be used for deliveries, his property is directly in back of the building.  Ms. Watson said only employee parking will be allowed in the back, all deliveries are to be taken on the side of the building, she pointed to the map.  Ch. Miller asked about lighting.  Ms. Watson said there would be a reduction of the current lighting, only 2 motion lights will be needed in order for the neighborhood to be kept dark.  Mr. DeCoste asked if any retailing would be taking place there.  Ms. Watson stated no, only production.  Paula Schwenk asked how they would get other perishable supplies like milk.  Ms. Watson stated those supplies would be delivered to the current retail location, shuttled to the production area.

Ch. Miller called for further comments, being none closed the Hearing at 7:45 and reopened the regular meeting.

Ch. Miller asked for the Board to consider the minutes of 2/14/06.  A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made and seconded.  Motion carried.

Ch. Miller asked if the order of the meeting could be changed to allow audience members under New Business to be taken before the Walpole Properties review.  He announced the Mary McMahon application had been withdrawn.

NEW BUSINESS:

A.  David Bergeron of  Brickstone Masons representing James Stack Trust property located on Cemetary Rd. north of downtown and Old Drewsville Rd. in the Rural Agricultural zone.  Map 10 Lot 6-1.  The property is a 7.5 acre parcel currently a cornfield.  Mr. Stack wishes to build a house on the larger parcel and the smaller lot is for his daughter to build on.  It would be a minor 2 lot subdivision consisting of Lot 1 of 6.67 acres and Lot 2 of 1.78 acres.  The Board noted he would need state subdivision approval on Lot 2, locate septic pits and contact the Road agent about locating a curb cut for Lot 2, Lot 1 has an existing curb cut.  He submitted an application, 3 preliminary drawings, and abutter list.  He will provide the fees to the Secretary 3/15/06 in order to have the application processed for the April 11, 2006 meeting.  Ch. Miller called for a motion to schedule the Public Hearing for the April 11, 2006 meeting, made, seconded, vote taken, motion carried.

B.  Lawrence Associates representing Grace and William Therrien  proposed 3 lot subdivision located on Stevens Lane and County Rd. Map 5, Lot 44 in the Rural Agricultural zone.  The Planning Board conceptually reviewed this proposal at a prior meeting, recommending they seek a variance from the Zoning Board because the proposal would leave Lot 1, with the existing house, without  frontage on a Town road.  The Therrien’s have been granted a variance from the Zoning Board, allowing Lot 1 to be without the required road frontage as defined in the zoning ordinance.  Lawrence Associates representative stated Lot 2 and 3 would have a shared driveway off of County Rd.  She said the State application for the driveway permit has been filed and the State met with them on site.  Lawrence Associates submitted an application, fees, maps and abutter list.  A motion was made to schedule the Public Hearing for the April 11, 2006 meeting, seconded, vote taken, motion carried.

ACTION ON APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED:

L. A. Burdick Chocolates Inc./Walpole Chocolates LLC - A motion was made to approve the Site Plan Review as presented and to give the Zoning Board a favorable recommendation in regards to granting the special exception to allow an industrial use in a commercial zone.  Seconded.  Vote taken, motion carried.  The Board asked Ms. Watson to contact the Selectmen at next Thursday’s meeting.  Sheldon Sawyer mentioned that this is the second time Burdick’s has began construction on a project without the required permits and approvals of the land use boards.  He asked Ms. Watson to inform Mr. Burdick it should not happen a third time. Plans were signed.

OLD BUSINESS:

Walpole Properties LLC, Site Plan Review Development located on Rte. 12 and Upper Walpole Rd. in the Commercial Zone, Map 12, Lot 56.  Purpose is to build a 70,087 sq. ft. building, including common halls and loading areas.

Ch. Miller and Dave Edkins reminded all that the Public Hearing for Walpole Properties was recessed on 2/14/06 until tonights meeting, allowing continued discussion and input from the Public as new materials are added.  Planning Board members were given copies of the South West Regional Planning Commissions report at the meeting, copies had been provided earlier to the applicant, their Counsel and Engineers.  Ch. Miller introduced Kevin Russell from SWRPC and asked him to discuss the result of their review.  Mr. Russell reviewed and commented on each item.  (A copy of the report is filed with these minutes.)

Questions and comments from the Board and Public follow:  (no comments or questions were made up to Section VIII)

 - Section VIII Site Plan Submittal Requirement A-1:  Mr. Boas asked if the applicant’s standard for drainage was high or low for normal developments of this type.  Mr. Russell said it varies from development to development.

 - Submittal Requirement D:  Mr. Boas asked if the trip generation figures were hourly or daily.

Answer was hourly.  Engineer for the applicant said the study was based on the Institute of Transportation Engineers trip generation handbook.  He said the ITE book does distinguish between December and typical seasons, however the study did not use the Holiday figures.  Mr. Russell said not knowing the actual uses (tenants) of the proposal may be a problem.

 - Submittal Requirement E:  Members were concerned about pedestrians crossing the parking lot from the “restaurant” to the “grocery store”, noting that in initial review the Board preferred to have walking access to North Meadow Plaza and within the new site.

 - #4 - Ch. Miller reminded that the Conservation Commission needs to comment on this item and asked that Gary Speed be given a copy of the report and documents.

Chairman Miller concluded, saying he felt the Board needed to assimilate the information and comment at the next meeting.  Attorney Tom Hanna representing Walpole Properties said he had items to submit to the Board and they were prepared to comment on some of the items in the report.  Ch. Miller agreed it would be appropriate to address their comments and submissions at tonight’s meeting.

Mr. Hanna submitted the following:

1.  A revised elevation plan for the main building, in color.

2.  An elevation plan for the out building omitted from the original submission.

3.  An elevation plan for the sign in accordance with the zoning requirements.

Mr. Hanna commented on the Aquafir/Well Source Protection Area saying as part of the process it was the duty of the Planning Board to deny or approve the Well Source Protection Plan.  He suggested a copy be given to the Conservation Commission.  (Mr. Speed, Ch. of Conservation Comm. was in attendance later in the meeting, a copy was given to him for his review.)

Jennifer Rzepka, Project Engineer with Wagner Engineering Associates presented comments on the following items of the SW Reg. Planning Commissions Report:

 - Site Plan Submittal Requirement 6 -  Please correct building height from 48 ft. to 35 feet for the larger building and 30 feet for the smaller building, the elevation plans reflect the corrected heights.

 - Site Plan Submittal Requirement 7 - Specifically on the cross connection issue, James Keough stated they were aware of the importance stressed by the Board at prior meetings.  He stated they were in negotiations and would have more information at the next meeting as to the possibility of internal traffic movement by a cross connection.  He said the issue will be addressed.

Ch. Miller commented about the viability of the project without the inter connection.  He said he has concerns with traffic flow and safety, the current Plaza entrance is hazardous, made more difficult during inclement weather.  He stated this proposal will create a dramatic increase in traffic.  Already several accidents have occurred with the present situation.  Without the inter connection the proposal is unacceptable.  He said the Traffic Study agreed to on the present Plaza was ok. but is not ok in terms of living it.  He feels any greater expansion will compound the problem.  He is concerned about an additional curb cut causing further clustering of traffic.  He said he is expecting a report from the Police Department regarding the number of accidents occurring in specifically that area.

Mr. Edkins asked if the Traffic Study compared the inter connection concept versus the plan as shown without it.  Mr. Nick Sanders of VHB said the original traffic study does not provide that information, but he had made an assessment based on the ITE handbook.  He said 100-140 trips would be saved by using the inter connection. 

Mr. DeCoste asked if the Walpole Savings Bank had been contacted since it appeared the inter connection would be feasible close to or on part of their property holdings. 

Mr. Don Tisdale, President of the Walpole Savings Bank was in the audience. He offered no comment.

Mr. Hanna said this was a somewhat sensitive subject between property owners, that they have done what they can up to this point.

Mr. Keogh said there are still other agreements to negotiate, some with even more restrictions.

Ch. Miller said the details of the applicant’s negotiations is not a Board matter, only the results and how it effects the safety issues.

Mr. Hanna asked to clarify that the new proposal is not an expansion of the North Meadow Plaza. 

Mr. Miller disagreed and stressed, in his opinion, the two centers are connected, it is an expansion of an existing retail center with regional impacts.

Mr. Hanna stated the Walpole Properties is an independently owned property.  Further when the Dept. of Transportation (DOT) looks at this project, they will look at it independently.  He said it could be considered an expansion of commercialism, but DOT will be using criteria to mitigate the traffic flow and rates as an independent property.  He objected to Mr. Miller’s idea to make the inter connection a condition of approval of the proposal.

Mr. Miller stated in his own personal opinion, not speaking for the Board, he still views the proposal as connected to the North Meadow Plaza.  Even though they may be separate entities by ownership, the existing Plaza entrance/exit is not good.  He stated everyone living in Walpole and using the Plaza has a personal history of problems getting in and out, siting lack of visibility, steep incline, inclement weather, speeding traffic, excess traffic at certain times of the day, weekends and Holidays.  He feels the Ocean State Job Lots has maxed out what the intersection can handle, despite traffic studies and DOT approvals. He reiterated it’s the residents and users having to deal with the lack of safety and existing poor design to be considered.

Mr. Hanna said his clients would pursue what the developer wants and what the DOT recommends/requires and work to satisfy the safety issues.

Ms. Rzepka continued:

Site Plan Submittal Requirement #10 - Mr. Sanders said typically the NHDOT issues the permits in unison with the Site Plan Review Process, but not generally before the Site Plan Review has ended, taking 30-50 weeks to issue the permits.  The driveway permits are still pending and are likely to remain pending.

Mr. Edkins agreed, and asked how changes affect the permitting process.  Mr. Sanders said they would submit corrected designs, looking for acceptance based on final outcome. Mr. Miller asked if Town’s had a right to make comments on the permits before the NHDOT.  Answer was, yes.  He suggested the Town contact the NHDOT and comment on the safety issues.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement #14 - Signage plan has been submitted. The sign will be lit internally, not lit by ground or overhead floods. 

Section VII(C) page 3

Site Plan Submittal Requirement #3 - Still awaiting approval for the Alteration of Terrain Permit.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement #5 - Ms. Rzepka said they had changed the hydrants, the location of shut offs and access according to the Fire Dept. recommendations.  She clarified an oversight in SWRPC’s report stating the Fire Department suggested a traffic signal, they did not recommend a traffic signal.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement #6 - Fire Dept. will be final approval on this.

Section VIII

Site Plan Submittal Requirement A1 - A contractor will be hired to maintain and monitor the storm water runoff and sedimentation systems. Walpole Properties will provide the name and monitoring schedule of the contractor.  The system will be monitored weekly and after rainfall.  Repairs to the system will be done immediately.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement A2 - A landscape inspection will be required after one year to determine what may need replacing.  The materials will be guaranteed for one year by the contractor and will be replaced if they fail.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement C1 - The note referred to on the plan was unclear. The loading area that was included for green space goes to the edge of the curb on the internal perimeter. Even without the loading area the percentage of green space is 15%. 

Mr. Edkins stated he wanted to insure the Town has the highest percentage possible.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement C2 - Ms. Rzepka stated the landscape materials are mostly dogwood and spire.  She said they could change it to evergreen.  Mr. Edkins asked if larger evergreen trees were planned for the perimeter?  Answer was “not as planned” but these could be changed as long as site lines weren’t impaired.  Mr. Merklein asked if the maintenance of items A1 and A2 was budgeted by the developer, rather than the Town.  Answer was yes, including the landscaping and Sediment and Erosion control, all are private expenditures.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement D - Mr. Sanders noted a misunderstanding in the minutes of the last meeting.  He submitted a written explanation attached to these minutes.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement E - Mr. Keogh explained it would not be feasible or safe to have a sidewalk from the restaurant to the larger store.  Instead he proposes a designated cross walk.   Mr. Russell asked if they had seen the sidewalk through the parking lot of the new Target store in Keene. 

Site Plan Submittal Requirement F4 - Ms. Rzepka said during construction a temporary monitoring would occur including a log book kept by the contractor with weekly inspections and after every rainfall.  Once the project is in place a permanent monitoring would take place by a licensed contractor keeping the same log book and inspecting monthly and after every rainfall. This would be the Stormwater Management Plan maintained in working order and overseen by the property owners.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement H - Ms. Rzepka stated the lighting would be not be dimmed at night, will use same lighting as in the current Plaza with improved lamps that are flat lense lights.  The light source will not be seen since they are angled at 90 degrees, there will be no glare or light pollution off site.

Mr. Merklein asked to go back to the Stormwater Management issue, asking if the system was under the parking lot.  Ms. Rzepka showed on the plans where the system is located under the parking lot.  She described how the system works ie;  how the water is collected and treated, noting the system is a completely closed system.  With catch basins and sumps, large debris would be easily trapped.  She said the life span of this system is 20-30 years properly maintained.

Continuing on H, Ms. Rzepka said the signage will be internally lit only.

Site Plan Submittal Requirement M - Refer to Wagner Engineering letter addressing Well Source Protection area, (copy attached).  All Board members have received a copy for review.  Mr. Hanna stated the Well Source Protection ordinance is a conditional use permit without an application process at this time but coincides with the Site Plan Review process.

Mr. Edkins said the Board has not had an opportunity to establish a detailed procedure, however by applying the Site Plan Review process it would seem the Board could grant or deny the use.  Mr. Speed of the Walpole Conservation Commission spoke asking the Board to have the Plan reviewed by an independent consulting firm to insure the proposal would not affect the aquafir it is in close proximity to.  Mr. Hanna provided Mr. Speed a copy of the drainage study done by Walpole Properties to review.

Additional Comments Page 5

1) - Hours of operation shall be similar to the hours at the North Meadow Plaza.

2) - Mr. Keough stated the Ballfield would be relocated. The current season could be continued for now.  He had no other details.  Mr. Miller asked if they had contacted Jimmy Neil, spokesperson for the ball teams in Walpole.  Mr. Hannah said they had spoken with Steve Corey.

3)  and 4) Both items relate to previously discussed options above.

Mr. Hanna asked if the Board was considering having the Drainage plan studied independently, to move forward with that process as soon as possible to avoid delays.  He said they would prepare a written response to the SWRPC report and send it to the Secretary for distribution among the members.

Mr. Speed noted the importance of Aquafir protection siting in the Commission’s survey done in January 2006 revealing 90% of the respondents listed Aquafir protection as their #1 priority.

PUBLIC HEARING RECESSED UNTIL 4/11/06 MEETING.

Ch. Miller said the Public Hearing would be recessed at the April 11, 2006 meeting.

Continued Board review of the Walpole Properties proposal followed. 

Mr. Edkins asked if the Board was going to have the Drainage plan independently reviewed.  Sheldon Sawyer made a motion to have the Drainage Plan for the Walpole Properties proposal reviewed by an independent engineer to be chosen by the Planning Board.  Seconded, motion carried.  A list of potential engineers will be collected.  A suggestion was made to contact the New England Rural Water Association and Jennifer Palmietto will be contacted.

Ch. Miller recognized Chuck Bingaman from the audience.  Mr. Bingaman asked if the Board had considered the effect of the added shopping center on the Police Dept. workload.  He said the Police department has seen a rise in paperwork from bad checks and small crime investigations.  Ch. Miller said he would ask the Police about it when he speaks to them regarding the accident reports.

Mr. Hanna asked Mr. Miller to provide any and all reports to him, so he may have responses prepared in a timely manner.  He said his clients will also provide any emerging information to the Board as well.  He reminded the Board of the time restraints for action by the Board.  Mr. Miller agreed noting the Board may need to ask for an extension beyond the 65 day requirement.  Ms. Aslinger added as of tonight’s meeting the Board was at day 29, and at the April 11 meeting, day 57.

Mr. Merklein asked how a local citizen might approach the developer if they are interested in renting, investing or ownership.  Mr. Keogh said he was the contact person.

Discussion closed, a 10 minute break was taken to allow the hall to clear.

Communications and Miscellaneous

Ms. Aslinger mentioned copies of letters from Mr. Bingaman and Mr. Hansel had been handed out at the beginning of the meeting for Board review.

Ms. Aslinger noted upcoming workshops for Planning and Zoning.

Ms. Aslinger asked if the Board would authorize an expenditure of $75.00 to obtain 15 copies of the new Office of Energy and Planning’s new Planning Board Handbook.  The Board moved to allow the expenditure for 12 copies or $60.00, seconded, carried.

Ms. Aslinger asked for clarification of how to adopt the Capital Improvements Plan, members all agreed the procedure is to hold a public hearing and then vote to adopt the plan.  The Board decided to hold off on the Plan until the May meeting.

Other

A.  Mr. Boas asked if the Board would consider adding a work session for the 4th Tuesday in March to review the Walpole Properties proposal, feeling the Board could use the time to discuss issues among the members.  Members were concerned that we had already recessed the review and hearing to the April 11 meeting, that we would have to re-notify, re-publish and re-post.  Most members felt the need to have extra review time but not this month.  Board discussed the need to ask for an extension on final action by the Board.  A suggestion was made to hold a work session after the April 11 meeting.  The Board discussed procedures and some issues pertaining to the Walpole Properties proposal.  The Fire Chief, when leaving earlier during the break, mentioned the reason he and the Police Chief had not recommended a traffic light was that it would cause traffic to back up on Rte. 12, imagine a line of trucks for 2 miles in either direction. It is better to keep the traffic moving.  Mr. Fletcher asked if the Board remembered Berkshire’s promise to fix up the North Meadow Plaza.  Mr. Miller shed some light on the very complicated ownership and history of ownership of the existing plaza.  Ms. Aslinger will be contacting Jen Palmietto regarding the independent study and will report back to the Board.

B.  Mr. Edkins, Mr. Sawyer and Ch. Miller cautioned all members to be mindful of conflict of interest regarding published letters or circulated political media.  It is important to remain impartial on proposals or other Board matters, in order to participate in an official capacity.

Meeting was closed at 9:43 PM

Cc:  All PB Members, ZBA Ch., Select’s Office, Fire Dept., Police Dept.

Posted:  Town Hall, Burdick’s Market, Town Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

    

  

 

 

 

Well, I went in this morning to visit with Sen. Gregg's representative this and to get the inside scoop on what the Senator thinks about the issues of the day.  Audrey in the Selectmen's office was surprised that I came because, she said, "No one ever comes!  He just sits in the corner, works on his laptop for an hour and leaves!"

Undeterred, I had my list of issues to ask about, and I introduced myself to a serious but friendly fellow by the name of Matt Leahy from Sen. Gregg's Concord office.  I asked, naively as it turned out, about the Senator's thinking on the growing deficit, the war in Iraq, what steps we might take to ameliorate global warming, ways to make healthcare more available and affordable, immigration policy, etc.  The answer to all questions was, "Talk to the Senator's Press Secretary in the Washington Office.  She'll be glad to give you the Senator's position on all those matters."

The purpose of the visit, it turns out, was NOT to discuss major issues but rather to collect complaints about people's personal issues--the slow Medicare payment, the missing Social Security check, etc.  So unless you had something like that to raise (and you consider your Senator your ombudsman in Washington), it wasn't worth much!  And wouldn't be in the future!  Chuck Bingaman

Here is early info on a valuable ecology lecture series sponsored by and at St. John's Episcopal Church later this month.  Each session is free and open to the public.  Thanks to Charlie Montgomery and Mel Schupaqck for providing this information. Chuck Bingaman

                                                   Ecological  Responsibility

 in Walpole

Sunday, 23 April, 7:00 pm

George M. Woodwell, PhD

Founder, Director Emeritus, and Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Research Center, Falmouth, MA

“Climactic Disruption: the World in our Hands”

*            *            *

Sunday, 30 April, 7:00 pm

Tom Wessels

Professor of Ecology &  founding director of the Masters Degree Program in Conservation Biology  in the Department of Environmental Studies,   Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, New Hampshire

“The Myth of Progress and the Laws of Sustainability”

*         *         *

Sunday, 7 May, 7:00 pm

 Michael Heidorn

Source Protection Specialist, Mass Rural Water Association

“Water Resources in the Cold River Watershed”
*         *         *

 All lectures are free

Location: St. John’s Episcopal Church

Elm & Westminster Streets, Walpole, NH

Information: 756-4533

Thanks to secretary Regina Borden, here are the minutes of the March 23 Board of Selectmen meeting.  Note that Whitney Aldrich was elected chairman of the board at the meeting!  Congratulations Whit!  Chuck Bingaman

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MARCH 23, 2006

Selectmen Present:            Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller

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

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR 2006:  Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, asked for nominations for the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for 2006.

Mr. Sawyer moved to nominate Whitney Aldrich as the Chairman for 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  There were no other nominations.  Mr. Sawyer moved to cease the nominations and that the Secretary cast one vote for Mr. Aldrich as the Chair for 2006.  Mr. Aldrich abstained.  With Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Miller in favor, the motion was approved. 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

Highway Department Building:  Larry Burdick heard that the Highway Department building behind his building might be sold and, if so, he expressed an interest in purchasing it.  Mr. Sawyer explained that the Board of Selectmen is investigating the possibility of selling it but that it would be at least a year away.  The Board of Selectmen would like to see the Town Garage up-graded for both the Highway and Water Departments.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $46,781.66.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $300 for petty cash for the Police Department.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register for voided checks.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending March 18, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $17,753.18 or net wages in the amount of $10,855.15.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,910.65.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the individual payroll summary sheets for increases.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- MARCH 16, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of March 16, 2006, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  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 March 07, 2006, and March 14, 2006.  They thanked Jim Terrell for moving the voting booths.  The Village of North Walpole will be holding their Annual Meeting on March 28th, at 7:00 pm.

BUILDING PERMITS:

MARJORIE ANN ROGERS –DEMOLITION OF PORCH- MAP 020-038-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-006 for Marjorie Ann Rogers for the demolition of a porch.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

HUBBARD FARMS –MAP 010-006-000 & 010-006-001:  Elaine Moore explained the discrepancy of taxes involved when Hubbard LLC sold a parcel of land on North Road to the James Stack Trust.  During the meeting on March 9th the Board of Selectmen approved an Abatement to Hubbard LLC and a Warrant to the James Stack Trust.  Mr. Sawyer stated that the taxes go to the original owner on April 15th.  He recommended that Sandra Smith, Tax Collector, submit the documentation necessary to resolve the issue of interest on the taxes.  

METER READER IN WALPOLE:  The Town of Walpole is accepting applications for the position as meter reader in Walpole.  Applicants should apply at the Board of Selectmen’s Office between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. 

NEW BUSINESS:

CDBG GRANT #04-050-CDED – J.H. DUNNING / MEDC:  Mr. Sawyer moved to authorize Mr. Miller to sign the document to the New Hampshire Development Finance Authority for the CDBG Grant #04-050-CDED / J.H. Dunning and Monadnock Economic Development Corporation.  This is the last payment on this grant.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Mr. Miller abstained.  With Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich in favor, the motion was approved.

VETERAN’S EXEMPTION –BRUCE CRAMER- MAP 008-106-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Veteran’s Exemption for Bruce Cramer.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

VETERAN’S EXEMPTION – GEORGE KERSHAW –MAP 019-046-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Veteran’s Exemption for George Kershaw.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

CEMETERY DEED –D-348- WILLIAM AND JOAN BEER:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the Cemetery Deed for D-348 for William and Joan Beer.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

CEMETERY DEED –D-347- MARY AND JOSIAH BEER:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the Cemetery Deed for D-347 for Mary and Josiah Beer.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

WRAP APPOINTMENTS – GEORGE WATKINS, CAROL CHRISTIAN, MIKE NERRIE:  The WRAP Committee has one more vacancy.  Anyone interested in serving should contact a member of the WRAP Committee.

Mr. Miller moved to reappoint George Watkins with a term of appointment to expire in 2008, Carol Christian with a term of appointment to expire in 2009, and Mike Nerrie with a term to expire in 2009.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.     

INTENT TO EXCAVATE –COLD RIVER MATERIALS/LANE CONSTRUCTION – MAP 015-011-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the Intent to Excavate for Cold River

Materials/Lane Construction.  A check in the amount of $100 to the State of New Hampshire is attached.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

INTENT TO EXCAVATE –COLD RIVER MATERIALS/LANE CONSTRUCTION – MAP 014-013-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Intent to Excavate for Cold River Materials/Lane Construction.  A check in the amount of $100 to the State of New Hampshire is attached.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

INTENT TO EXCAVATE –COLD RIVER MATERIALS/LANE CONSTRUCTION – MAP 003-002-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Intent to Excavate for Cold River Materials/Lane Construction.  A check was not required due to the excavation amount.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

LIAISONS TO TOWN DEPARTMENTS:  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to be the representatives to the following Town departments for 2006:  Planning Board and Transfer/Recycling Facility – Mr. Sawyer; Highway Department and Conservation Commission – Mr. Aldrich; Police Department, Hooper Committee and Recreation Department – Mr. Miller.  Elaine Moore will send a letter listing the representatives to each department.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:  Elaine Moore discussed various miscellaneous town issues with the Board of Selectmen. 

LETTERS:

JILL BOWEN:  The letter to Jill Bowen was put on-hold pending a change. 

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:08 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES.  CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 30, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.    

   

 

Today's Eagle Times carries my story on Larry Burdick's new chocolate factory taking shape on North Main Street in the old R.N. Johnson building.  Space problems in today's issue required some cutting, though.  Here's the whole story along with some pictures.  Chuck Bingaman

4-3-06

New Burdick’s Chocolate Factory Takes Shape in Walpole

By Charles C. Bingaman, Contributing Writer

            L. A. Burdick’s Chocolates’ new factory on the east side of North Main Street in Walpole is coming together for a projected September 1 move-in date, according to General Manager Cathy Watson.

            “The new factory is going to be incredible!” according to Watson.  “We’ve outgrown the facility we’re in.  Last Christmas showed us how tight we were.  We could tell that we weren’t going to make it another year there.” 

Burdick’s currently makes its chocolates on the second floor of their building in the center of the village and moves them downstairs for packaging and shipping. “Right now,” says Watson,  "we have an elevator that brings all the chocolate down from upstairs.  But when we do certain chocolate bars, for instance, we have to bring them down on the elevator, wheel them through the packing room to a walk-in refrigerator for 15 minutes, and them wheel them back into the packing room.”

            “The flow at the new factory will be just incredible!  Now, we’ll have a carefully thought out production line in space designed especially for it.  We’ll bring the block chocolate directly into the chopping machines and on to the kitchen where we’ll make all the ganaches (including the whipped ganaches used for piping the mice and penguins and other ganaches that are rolled and cut into shapes in the production area).  Then the chocolate will move through the enrober—the machine that provides a virtual waterfall of chocolate to coat the ganache—and then on to the cool room where it sets for at least 24 hours.”

“From there,” Watson continues, “all finished product will go to the packing room (where “footers” trim the feet on the mice and penguins and add tails to the mice!) and each chocolate piece gets nested in its own paper “capsule”.  Finally, the packers will arrange the finished pieces in the different boxes and other packages we have for shipping to customers.  And—this is the best part!—it’ll all be on one level!”

            In redesigning the building, architect Andrea Warchaizer of Springpoint Inc., Alstead, and building contractor Mark Edson, Acworth, have removed the large sliding glass doors from the front of the former R.N. Johnson Small Machine building and, having encased them in frames, will be repurposing them as interior walls between inside bays to allow more light and visibility in the building.  Outside, Warchaizer designed an arching façade for the front of the building that echoes the roof arch of the rear bay so the two building segments look better together.  And, as requested by Larry Burdick, Warchaizer has redesigned the front building wall to have a more agricultural look.

            Watson reports that she does not expect to expand the Burdick’s chocolate lines or to add more employees in connection with the move.  “We have between 30 and 40 people now, and we add some between Thanksgiving and New Years and for a week or so before Valentines and Mother’s Days.  But, rather than adding people, we think the new factory will enable our people to work much more efficiently.  Their days will be better spent making top quality chocolate instead of going from one end of the building to the other just to get supplies.”

            Burdick’s café, restaurant and chocolate shop in the center of the village will not change.  “85 to 90% of our sales are by mail order, that is, by telephone, mail or Internet sales. And we are going to be focusing more on marketing when we have this new facility finished,” says Watson.  In fact, one of Burdick’s marketing emphases in 2006 and beyond will be an effort to educate customers and consumers generally on what makes high quality chocolate and why they should seek it out. 

            Larry Burdick, who takes great care with the look of his facilities, said Tuesday that he will be putting in some lawn and shade trees in front of the building and putting all parking at the side or rear.  He noted that he has been very pleased with the work of Mark Edson of Acworth, general contractor, architect Andrea Warchaizer of South Acworth, and onsite engineer Ted Fellows of Walpole who, as a team, have managed the transformation of the old small engine sales facility into a modern, highly efficient factory. --30--

 
Above, Walt Bredeen finishes reframing the former sliding doors from the front of the building so they can be used for interior walls.                                          

Building contractor Mark Edson reviews construction drawings with Burdick's general manager Cathy Watson.