TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
AUGUST 17, 2006
Selectmen Present: Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. with nineteen people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
JIM RICE: Jim Rice advised that about six weeks ago he wrote a letter to the Board of Selectmen on the statistical up-date that he hopes to complete by the end of September. At that time he also requested that he be allowed to have a remote connection that would enable him to save almost three hours of travel time by being able to access the files from his home but, if the Board of Selectmen make a decision not to do this, he would at least request having a port put in the office so he does not have to displace the employees on their computers when he is working in the office. Mr. Rice analyzes every thing and when changes on the cards need to be made, he puts notes in the post-it portion and makes changes when needed. He makes out all the cards, the Town only has to file them. The old and new factors are available. He explained the process being undertaken at this time. When properties are sold he makes revisions. The Board of Selectmen expressed concern regarding security on the internet. Mr. Rice talked with the Town’s computer programmer and they felt there are safeguards. He would be willing to take the cost of a remote access off his bill and only wants it for a temporary period of time or until he finishes this job.
Mr. Sawyer moved to approve setting-up a port for Jim Rice and that they will check on the remote access. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
STUART BAILEY: Stuart Bailey noted that last week the Board of Selectmen held a Public Hearing on the Bandstand proposal but no motion was made. Mr. Sawyer explained that following the Public Hearing the Board of Selectmen felt that a coordinator was needed to work out the details on the War Memorial and the Bandstand. The Board of Selectmen has the authority to accept gifts. Mr. Aldrich could not find a marker by the spruce tree so assumes it could be moved, if necessary. Mr. Martin and Mr. Bailey will present a site plan to Mr. Aldrich. Mr. Aldrich also would like to see the plan include the planting of flowers by Jay Chamberlin who is working toward his Eagle Scout badge.
Mr. Sawyer moved that Whitney Aldrich be the contact person. Bruce Martin and Stuart Bailey will coordinate the project and work with Mr. Aldrich. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
ERIC FRINK: Eric Frink’s grandfather owns a piece of property on the Merriam Road. He would like to fix this Class VI road enough to make the property a buildable lot. Mr. Sawyer advised that he would have to apply for a Building Permit and the procedure includes having a hearing with the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen. He could up-grade the road to get to his property with the Board of Selectmen’s knowledge but it will remain a Class VI road. Mr. Miller noted that he would have to sign the Town’s liability waiver.
ERIC MERKLEIN: Eric Merklein presented a sketch of the Old Drewsville Road, Old North Main Street and North Road intersection indicating a change in the location of the barriers. After a discussion, the Board of Selectmen made a decision to try the first agreement that was made with the State of New Hampshire Department of Transportation and if it doesn’t work then they will look at different alternatives.
JOSHUA MAKINEN: Joshua Makinen attended this meeting as he is working toward his Citizenship In The Community Boy Scout badge and this is one of the requirements.
RICHARD HURLBURT: Richard Hurlburt discussed the budget and the funding available to begin setting up the Emergency Management Operations Center in the Fire Station.
Mr. Sawyer moved to allow our Emergency Management Team to spend up to $5,000 out of the Emergency Management Funds. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $56,906.03. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller moved to approve the voided check register. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending August 12, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $17,596.83 or net wages in the amount of $10,364.98. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,135.16. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- AUGUST 10, 2006: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of August 10, 2006, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES -PUBLIC HEARING- AUGUST 10, 2006: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Board of Selectmen’s Public Hearing of August 10, 2006, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –NON-PUBLIC MEETING- AUGUST 10, 2006: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of August 10, 2006. The Minutes will remain sealed as they contain information on personnel. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the following meetings: 1) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – August 15, 2006; and 2) Planning Board – July 11, 2006 and August 08, 2006.
BUILDING PERMIT:
ALICIA AND PAUL KELLER –MAP 015-024-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-045 for Alicia and Paul Keller to construct an addition to the existing kitchen on the Alstead Center Road. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
DIESEL FUEL: Mr. Sawyer moved to draw-up the contract with Allen Bros. for No. 2 heating oil at $2.479 for the Walpole Town Hall, Library, Police Department, Recycling Facility, and Hooper Building but not the Highway Department. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
DANCE PROPERTY: Mr. Sawyer acknowledged receipt of a letter from Donald and Elsie Tretler dated August 15, 2006, advising that if there is no decision on the Dance property within the next 30 days they intend to take legal action through the Cheshire County Courts against the Town of Walpole, et al.
Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen write a letter to Mr. & Mrs. Dance and Mr. & Mrs. Tretler to advise that the Board of Selectmen is seeking legal advice and their decision will be based on the legal advice that they obtain. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
There was a consensus that Mr. Aldrich will ask Elaine Moore to make the initial call to the Local Government Center.
LAFAYETTE PROPERTY: Mr. Sawyer reported that Mr. Lafayette and Mr. Poisson were at the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting last night to request being placed on the next Agenda for consideration of a Variance.
MS-1 EXTENSION REQUEST: Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen approve and sign the request for the MS-1 Extension until October 31st, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:
GARY KINYON, ESQ.: This letter was put on-hold by the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Sawyer moved that Mr. Miller make a phone call to their attorney on the Merriam Road issue, Gary Kinyon, Esq., to discuss the status. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
E-911: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to E-911 requesting the free maps that are available. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
A copy of the letter will be sent to Buck Taylor.
JILL ROBINSON: Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the letter to Jill Robinson acknowledging receipt of her letter. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted. The time was 9:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES. CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 24, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.