TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JUNE 29, 2006

 

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

Mr. Aldrich opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M. with six people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

JOSH KELLY – TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND:  Mr. Miller moved to enter into a Non-Public meeting to discuss possible land acquisition.  Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion carried.  The time was 7:34 P.M.

The regular meeting resumed at 8:45 P.M. 

Mr. Miller moved that the Town of Walpole Board of Selectmen approve the Filing of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund application.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved that the Chairman, Whitney Aldrich, be designated as the authorized signatory.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

ROBERT JASSE:  At the last Board of Selectmen meeting Mr. Jasse submitted copies of his letter of March 16, 2000, regarding the enforcement to remove abandoned vehicles, old farm equipment and other unsightly piles of junk on private property that diminishes the attractiveness of our town in accordance with Section G – Junk Yards and Dumps of the Walpole Zoning Ordinance.  He requested a response within one week, in writing, from the Board of Selectmen on how and when they will enforce this issue.  At this meeting he handed in copies of a newspaper article dated April 6, 2000, on “Junk Complaints Leading to Action”.  For the record he noted he has support from other people in Town.  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to provide Mr. Jasse with copies of all the State laws and interpretations.  Mr. Miller will contact the Local Government Center to obtain copies of all pertinent statutes.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $47,785.93.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending June 24, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $21,125.09 or net wages in the amount of $13,606.28.  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 $5,041.53.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- JUNE 22, 2006:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of June 22, 2006, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting of June 21, 2006.

REFUNDS:

HUBBARD LLC – MAP 012-057-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Tax Refund in the amount of $1,610.98 to Hubbard LLC as recommended by the Town Assessor.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

HUBBARD LLC – MAP 012-057-001:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Tax Refund in the amount of $9,214.18 to Hubbard LLC.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

HUBBARD LLC – MAP 014-020-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Tax Refund in the amount of $2,612.79 to Hubbard LLC as recommended by the Town Assessor.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

HUBBARD LLC – MAP 004-003-005:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Tax Refund in the amount of $3,620.82 to Hubbard LLC.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

ABATEMENTS:

HUBBARD LLC – MAP 010-006-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Tax Abatement in the amount of $4,257.00 for Hubbard LLC.  This represents a reduction in the assessment.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

BUILDING PERMITS:

PETER AND KIMBERLY KING – MAP 012-055-022:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-031 for Peter and Kimberly King to construct a garden and storage shed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

RAY AND CATHY BOAS – MAP 020-006-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-030 for Ray and Cathy Boas to screen in an existing deck.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

DONALD AND KATHY BROWN – MAP 005-061-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-032 for Donald and Kathy Brown to rebuild an existing porch by changing the existing closed in porch to an open porch.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

RICHARD & TAMMY LAFAYETTE:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen want to enforce their decision of last week in regard to Richard and Tammy Lafayette to be sure that no construction is started without a Site Plan.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

ALPACA:  Mr. Sawyer reported that the meeting between the parties was scheduled for this evening but it was postponed because of the storm and is now scheduled for Monday, July 3^rd at 6:00 pm.

RECYCLE COMMITTEE MEMBER:  Mr. Sawyer moved to contact Bill Baldasaro to see if he would be willing to serve on this committee.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

The Board of Selectmen advised that Duncan Watson will be the Chairman of the Recycle Committee.  James Aldrich and Rick Cooper will be members of the committee.  Mr. Sawyer will represent the Board of Selectmen. 

TOWN FUEL:  The Board of Selectmen is still waiting for prices from some of the fuel dealers.

LAURA ADAMS – APPOINTMENT TO COLD RIVER LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE:  Mr. Sawyer acknowledged receipt of the Cold River Local Advisory Committee By-laws.  In accordance with the By-laws the Board of Selectmen has to look at the Town representatives and make sure that new members do not have the same specific interests.  Elaine Moore will be asked to contact Debbie Hinman to request a list of the members and what specific interests the members represent in the Cold River watershed before making any decisions. 

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS:  The Board of Selectmen is waiting to receive more information on this issue.

B & M RAILROAD:  Mr. Miller advised that the Board of Selectmen need to write a letter to the B & M Railroad as there is a broken sky light in the tunnel that lets water in.  The B & M Railroad needs to get it repaired.

COLD RIVER BRIDGE:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen endorse the single span replacement bridge on Route 123 and forward that reply to Bob Landry at the Department of Transportation.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Mr. Miller abstained as he feels the State should make the decision.  Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich were in favor.   The motion carried by a 2-to-1 vote. 

Elaine Moore will be asked to write the letter to the DOT. 

NEW BUSINESS:

ST. PETERS CHURCH – NORTH WALPOLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to allow the Office Manager, Elaine Moore, to sign the paperwork from the Diocese of the church for verification of insurance so they can use the church for the meeting on Thursday, July 20^th.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

APPOINTMENT TO NH PUBLIC WORKS MUTUAL AID BOARD – JIM TERRELL:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen allow Jim Terrell to be named to the NH Public Works Mutual Aid Board.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH – WALPOLE:  Mr. Sawyer reported that in reading the newspaper it appears that St. Joseph’s Church might be put up for sale.

Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen contact the Bishop to make sure that the Town of Walpole is put on his list of interested parties.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

JIM RICE:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen recommend that Jim Rice come into this office to review the original cards as they are readily available for review.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

WATER UPGRADE:  Mr. Aldrich signed the purchase order for $15,000 for the water control up-grade per the budget item as requested by Mark Houghton.

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

HUBBARD FARMS – ABATEMENT REQUEST:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Hubbard Farms for an Abatement Request.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.
 

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE LIQUOR COMMISSION – RE: BASTILLE DAY:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission regarding Burdick’s plans on Main Street for Bastille Day on July 14^th and 15^th, 2006.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Mr. Miller was opposed.  Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich were in favor; the motion carried by a 2-to-1 vote.

ROBERT JASSE:  The Board of Selectmen approved and signed the letter to Robert Jasse regarding suspension of the violation fine.

VACHON & CLUKAY AND CO,  PC:  Mr. Miller moved that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen be authorized to sign the letter to Vachon & Clukay and Co., PC.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

ROBERT WATSON – RE: ICE CREAM STAND:  Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer signed the letter to Robert Watson regarding the ice cream stand at the Drewsville Store requesting that he attend the next Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on July 19^th, 2006.  Mr. Miller was opposed.

The Board of Selectmen recessed their regular meeting at 10:22 P.M.

TRUSTEES OF THE HOOPER FUND:

JAY CLACE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Jay Clace letting him know that the Brattleboro Painting and Carpentry Service was hired to do the painting at the Hooper Mansion and Institute.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

The Board of Selectmen resumed their regular meeting at 10:31 P.M.

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 10:34 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden                                                                  

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