TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
AUGUST 3, 2006
Selectmen Present: Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with nine people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
TARA SADD – TRAFFIC SIGNS: Doug Graham, Department of Transportation from the Swanzey District #4 Office, met with Mr. Miller and Mr. Sawyer at the intersection site of the Old Drewsville Road, Old North Main Street and North Road back in 2001 and explored different schemes. There is a hydrant and utility pole to deal with. One possibility they brought up was if the Town might be interested in taking the road over year-round with the premise that the State would fix it up; they could incorporate some work on the intersection at the same time. The Old Drewsville Road is a Class II State Summer Maintenance road. This area is a low priority for the State because of the nature of the road and comparing it to the other roads they maintain. There are betterment funds that can be used for projects such as this if the Town was interested. There was discussion pertaining to the previous Warrant Article and the amendment to not change the character of the intersection. Mr. Sawyer noted that there are some drainage problems so that should be corrected also. Eric Merklein provided a brief history of the project and stressed that this is a safety issue; they are concerned with the speed of vehicles. Mr. Graham noted that the lowest speed he can go down to is 30 MPH. They discussed placement of the signs. Mr. Graham suggested setting up a meeting on the site with someone from the Bureau of Traffic. Merv Stevens reviewed the Warrant Article that was presented in 2002 and stated that little was done until a few weeks ago when Jack Pratt brought it up again at a Board of Selectmen meeting. He made the amendment at Town Meeting because he understood that the Board of Selectmen wanted to put in a round-about. Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Miller stated that a round-about was never considered for that intersection. Mr. Sawyer advised that the Road Agent has plans on placement of signs but it is not available at this meeting. Mr. Graham felt that if an agreement can be worked out between the State and the Town it is possible to do the work before winter. The on-site visit was scheduled for either August 14th, 15th or 16th depending on the schedule for the Bureau of Traffic. It was agreed that notices of the meeting and copies of Jim Terrell’s plans will be sent to the following residents who were present at this meeting: Tara Sad, Eric Merklein, Colleen Hubbard, Jennifer Burr, Pauline Barnes, Adrian Basora, Barbara Bragg, and Mervin Stevens.
Barbara Bragg expressed concern with the Hodgkins & Sons trucks using the road and felt there should be consequences if they continue to do so. Mr. Miller had talked to Hodgkins and Sons about stopping the truck traffic.
Carol Hubbard strongly recommended that some equestrian signs be erected as well because at least people will be looking for the horses on the road. Mr. Basora asked that the residents receive a copy of the Road Agent’s plan before the next site visit.
HOOPER SCHOLARSHIP: Merv Stevens is on the Hooper Scholarship Committee. Although he doesn’t have an accurate count, he feels they have assisted 25-to-30 students from the Town of Walpole that are top notch and well-qualified. Continuing education is provided for Forestry, Conservation, Horticulture, Agriculture, Biology, etc.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $704,131.18. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
It was noted that the above amount includes two installments to the Fall Mountain Region School District as follows: July $328,427.85 and August $328,427.85.
Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable supplemental check register and manifest in the amount of $2,100.00. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Hooper Mansion: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve payment of the bill to the Everett.E. Houghton Company, Inc. in the amount of $813.93 for the Hooper Mansion. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending July 29, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $18,684.42 or net wages in the amount of $11,236.96. 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 $4,398.21. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- JULY 27, 2006: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of July 27, 2006, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Mr. Sawyer abstained as he was not present. With Mr. Miller and Mr. Aldrich in favor, the motion was approved.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the following meetings: 1) Zoning Board of Adjustment – July 26, 2006; 2) Planning Board – July 11, 2006; and 3) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – August 1, 2006.
BUILDING PERMITS:
REBECCA BROWN AND CYNTHIA STEWART – MAP 019-015-000: Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-042 for Rebecca Brown and Cynthia Stewart to construct an addition to their existing deck on South Street. A Non-Confirming Variance was approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
FUEL – ALLEN BROTHERS QUOTE, CHESHIRE OIL CO., QUOTE, and DISCOUNT OIL QUOTE: The Board of Selectmen reviewed the three bids received for fuel oil.
Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen sign the agreement with Allen Brothers for the fixed rate of $2.479 for No. 2 fuel oil for the Town Hall, Library, Recycling Facility, Police Station and Hooper Building. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
COLD RIVER LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Mr. Sawyer moved to appoint Laura Malinoski-Adams to the Cold River Local Advisory Committee and to sign the nomination document. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
LIMITED ACCESS ON COLD RIVER ROAD: Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen compose a letter citing the RSAs that Jim Terrell pointed out regarding limited access on the Cold River Road. The Board of Selectmen, at this time, feel that the Town would not be in compliance
to close this road to all through traffic. The letter, copies of Jim Terrell’s comments and the RSAs will be sent to the Walpole residents that signed the Petition. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
COMMON BANDSTAND: The Board of Selectmen scheduled a Public Hearing on the Bandstand for the Common for Thursday, August 10th, 2006, at 7:00 P.M.
VERIZON – UTILITY POLE: Mr. Aldrich advised that a Verizon utility pole was struck by a snow plow and there is a question of who is responsible for it. The investigation is continuing.
OLD KEENE ROAD: Mr. Sawyer moved that Mr. Aldrich, Chair, be authorized to sign the easement letters to the abutters for the Old Keene Road Bridge. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller suggested that Sandi Smith, Town Clerk, include a statement that Helen Miller is now deceased.
PAVING: Mr. Aldrich reported on the Highway Paving schedule: Main Street will be done by Tuesday; the Cold River Road and Old Drewsville Road were already paved in the flood area; and Black Jack Crossing will be started on August 14th.
NEW BUSINESS:
WORKSHOP: Mr. Miller moved to approve having Teresa Kissell attend the Local Government Center Annual Budget and Finance Workshop on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
TOWN WEBSITE: Mr. Miller moved that the Minutes of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Conservation Commission meetings be included on the Town’s website but not the agendas. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller moved that requests for special events or other important information to be put on the Town’s website be referred to the Board of Selectmen who will make a decision on whether or not to include them. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.RECYCLING FACILITY: Rick Cooper advised that a “Notice of Intent to Prosecute for Trespass” was issued at the Recycling Center.
ERNIE VOSE – RESIGNATION: The Board of Selectmen received a copy of the letter to the Zoning Board of Adjustment from Ernie Vose announcing his resignation.
VALUATION OF HYDRO FACILITY IN BELLOWS FALLS: Mr. Miller noted the recent Town of Rockingham/Village of Bellows Falls evaluation on the Hydro Facility in Bellows Falls. The Chairman will check with the Town of Walpole assessor on the subject.
STANLEY PHELPS DAUGHTER – INQUIRING ABOUT PROCEDURE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF THE BOSTON POST CANE: Mr. Sawyer advised that the Boston Post Cane goes to the oldest citizen in the Town. The Board of Selectmen will check with Sandi Smith, Town Clerk, to see if this information is available through that office. Any one with information is encouraged to contact the Board of Selectmen’s Office to notify them of residents they feel might quality as the oldest citizen in the Town.
MR. PAUL SHAUGHNESSY – REQUEST TO CHANGE NAME OF STREETS: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged a request from Paul Shaughnessy to change the name of streets. The Town has to comply with the E-911 rules and regulations. The Board of Selectmen will contact Buck Taylor and send him a copy of the request.
VACATION REQUEST – RICK COOPER: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged a request for vacation time on August 12th, 2006, from Rick Cooper.
PURCHASE ORDER: Mr. Sawyer signed a purchase order for recycling bags for the Town of Walpole.
LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:
Catholic Church: Mr. Sawyer moved that Mr. Miller be authorized to write a letter to the Roman Catholic Diocese to be presented at the next meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
Eagle Scout – Tyler Chamberlin: The Board of Selectmen signed the letter to Tyler Chamberlin relative to his achievement as Eagle Scout. Mr. Miller was given the letter that he will hand-deliver.
Kristen Tyson: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Kristen Tyson regarding property taxes. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Dana Hemenway: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Dana Hemenway regarding property taxes. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted.
Billiejo Sweeney: There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to pass over the letter to Billiejo Sweeney.
Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Miller. All in favor, so voted. The time was 10:48 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary