TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JUNE 01, 2006
Selectmen Present: Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with seven people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
STEFFAN WRIGHT – FENCE ISSUE: Jim Whitcomb was asked to come to this meeting because of a complaint from his neighbor, Steffan Wright, about a fence. Mr. Whitcomb had asked Steffan Wright to move his fence as it is on their property. Mr. Sawyer read portions of the State statutes regarding private fences. This is a civil dispute so it is up to the individuals to solve the matter. Mr. Whitcomb is waiting for the surveyor, who recently did a survey for him, to come back to re-check the boundaries and provide him with a certified letter before he pursues the issue.
PLEASANT STREET: Jack Neary spoke about the sidewalk on Pleasant Street. It has fallen into disrepair but is still used by many people who walk and children who play there. There has been a problem with people parking on the sidewalk but when the Police Department is contacted they do investigate. He heard rumors that the sidewalk will be thrown up and abandoned but he would like to see it remain and be repaired. The Board of Selectmen will discuss it with Jim Terrell.
PLANNING BOARD: Mr. Sawyer advised Jeff Miller, Chairman of the Planning Board, that the Board of Selectmen hired Silas Little, II to represent the Town in their lawsuit. Attorney Little will be here on June 8th at 6:30 pm to discuss the matter in an Executive Session. The Planning Board members and Alternates are invited to attend.
Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen officially contact Silas Little, II of Peterborough to represent the Town in the lawsuit that was brought against the Town. Seconded by Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller abstained from the vote. Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich voted in favor. The motion carried by a 2-to-1 vote.
Mr. Sawyer will check with Attorney Little on the status of Fred Dill, an Alternate, who recused himself from the Planning Board on the Berkshire Development/Walpole Properties LLC application but was named in the lawsuit.
WARRANTS:
WILLIAM WEBB –TIMBER TAX- MAP 009-044-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Timber Tax Fees in the amount of $455.00 for William Webb. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $4,710.61. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending May 27, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $16,007.96 or net wages in the amount of $9,270.70. 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 $3,855.16. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller moved to approve the recommendation of the Town Clerk to increase the hourly wage by $1.00 for Wendy Walsh as she is now certified and trained as the Deputy Town Clerk and Tax Collector. This will be effective June 4, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- MAY 25, 2006: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of May 25, 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) Planning Board meeting of May 23, 2006; and 2) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of May 30, 2006. It was noted that Jim Terrell will attend the next meeting.
REFUNDS:
WILLIAM BALDASARO –MAP 030-029-001– ABATEMENT REQUEST FOR 2005: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Abatement Request for 2005 for a Property Tax Refund in the amount of $121.00 plus any interest and costs for William Baldasaro. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
ANDREA FISHER –MAP 026-024-000- ABATEMENT REQUEST FOR 2005: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Abatement Request for 2005 for a North Walpole Property Tax Refund in the amount of $54.82 plus any interest and costs for Andrea Fisher. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
SUSAN KING –MAP 015-014-000- ABATEMENT REQUEST FOR 2005: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement Request for 2005 for a Property Tax Refund in the amount of $62.86 plus any interest and costs for Susan King. The barn was lost in the flood. Seconded by Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller was opposed to the vote. Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich were in favor. The motion carried by a 2-to-1 vote.
BUILDING PERMIT:
MARK VAN NOTE –MAP 004-005-002: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-025 for Mark Van Note to construct a three bedroom, two story house on Halls Crossing Road. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
USE OF TOWN HALL – RENTAL FEES: There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to put this agenda item on hold pending receipt of research being done by Elaine Moore regarding rental fees of similar surrounding places.
TOWN MEETING STUDY COMMITTEE: The Board of Selectmen announced that Cindy Westover has agreed to Chair the Town Meeting Study Committee and that Chuck Bingaman and Dale Hubbard will work on the Committee. If anyone would like to serve, please contact Cindy Westover.
RECYCLE REVIEW COMMITTEE: The Board of Selectmen will begin contacting several residents to see if they are willing to serve on a Recycle Review Committee.
SAND HILL ROAD: Mr. Aldrich talked to Jim Terrell about Sand Hill Road. It is not on his list for this year but he will look at the road. Mr. Terrell is concerned about the cost of asphalt and feels he might have to cut back on paving this year.
NEW BUSINESS:
LETTER FROM TUCKER BURR REGARDING HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a letter from Tucker Burr thanking the Highway Department for the prompt removal of trash on the Old Drewsville Road.
PURCHASE ORDER: The Chairman, Whitney Aldrich, signed a purchase order for a 2007 International truck to be purchased from the S.G. Reed Truck Services, Inc. in the amount of $74,022.00 less a trade-in of $16,550.00 for a total of $57,472.00.
WESTMORELAND: The Board of Selectmen received a phone call from the Town of Westmoreland advising that the bridge on a Class VI road by the George Graves property is gone. Westmoreland will close their side of the road. Mr. Sawyer suggested that Walpole put up some barriers on the Walpole section of the road to close it off. Mr. Sawyer will talk to one of the Town of Westmoreland Board of Selectmen tomorrow.
Mr. Sawyer moved to close Wentworth Road to all thru-traffic at the end of the Walpole / Westmoreland road due to a safety issue because of the washed-out bridge. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
The Board of Selectmen recessed their regular meeting at 9:16 P.M.
TRUSTEES OF THE HOOPER FUND:
PAINTING: Mr. Sawyer moved to hire Brattleboro Painting and Carpentry Service, who is doing the painting at the Hooper Institute, to do the painting of the Hooper Mansion as per their bid. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
The Board of Selectmen resumed their regular meeting at 9:22 P.M.
Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted. The time was 9:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary