TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JULY 27, 2006

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, (Absent: Sheldon Sawyer)

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

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

DUNCAN WATSON – PETITION FOR LIMITED ACCESS ON COLD RIVER ROAD:  Duncan Watson explained that they have an intolerable situation with traffic as the result of the bridge being out on Route 123.  He talked with his neighbors and presented two Petitions – one Petition signed by thirteen residents of the Walpole/Drewsville part of the road and the second Petition signed by six residents of the Langdon part of the road.   Copies are attached for the record.  Mr. Watson distributed copies of the Town of Hanover “Traffic Calming Program” for the Board of Selectmen and Jim Terrell to review.  He counted 50 vehicles going by his property one morning and many were going 50-60 miles per hour.  It is a safety hazard.  Samantha Watson said she does not even like to ride her bike on the road any more as she is afraid.  Her sister almost got hit.  Some options might be a one-half road closure, a sign for “Local Traffic Only” or maybe a “Children At Play” sign and enforcement.  Mr. Watson is asking for temporary measures only because when the bridge is erected the traffic flow will once again change.  Mr. Aldrich would like to have some input from Jim Terrell and a full Board present before any decisions are made.  Mr. Watson said if they do not do something about this there will be a tragedy.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $24,434.49.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the supplemental Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $170.00.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

HOOPER MANSION:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the bill from the Royal Glass & Security Company in the amount of $157.00 for three months security monitoring of the Hooper Mansion.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending July 22, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $20,027.57 or gross wages in the amount of $12,377.57.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  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 $4,691.43.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the transfer of funds in the amount of $500,000 from the Savings Bank of Walpole to the MBIA.  The Chairman is authorized to sign the transfer documents.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- JULY 20, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of July 20, 2006, with the following correction:  page 1-under Lafayette Mobile Home- change Mr. Johnson “is” to “was” a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the Board of Selectmen’s Public Hearing of July 20, 2006, with the following correction:  change “Southwest Regional Planning Commission” to “Southwestern Community Services”.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the Executive Session of the Board of Selectmen meeting of July 20, 2006, as printed.  The Minutes will be sealed as they contain information on personnel.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  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 – July 18, 2006 and July 25, 2006; and 2) Zoning Board of Adjustment – July 19, 2006.

BUILDING PERMITS:

WELDON SMITH – MAP 016-006-MH5:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-039 for Weldon Smith to construct a 10’x 12’ shed on Hogan Lane.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

TIM AND KARIN WILLIAMS – MAP 003-012-009:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-41 for Tim and Karin Williams to construct a 14’ x 20’ deck on Whipple Hill Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

GEORGE AND SHEILA TSITSONIS – MAP 015-005-003:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-41 for George and Sheila Tsitsonis to construct a second floor and garage on Old Drewsville Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

COLD RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE:  Mr. Miller moved to pass over the appointment to the Cold River Advisory Committee until a full Board is present.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

ELAINE MOORE – VACATION TIME – FAIR:  Elaine Moore was previously given permission to take next week off as vacation time but she will now only take Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off. 

LAND BETWEEN THE TOWN HALL AND CATHOLIC CHURCH:  When the new steps and ramp were constructed on the south end of the Town Hall there was an agreement between the Town and the Diocese.  Mr. Miller recommended that the Board of Selectmen do research on the Deed to make sure that the Title is clear. 

NEW BUSINESS:

HIGHWAY SAFETY GRANT APPLICATION:  Mr. Miller moved to have the Chairman sign the “Walpole Regional DWI Saturation Patrols” grant document in the amount of $360.00 for the Police Department.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted. 

CHIEF HEWES VACATION TIME:  Police Chief Hewes request for vacation time was passed over because he no longer will take it at this time.

MUNICIPAL LAW LECTURES:  A brochure was received on the 31st NH Municipal Law Lecture Series to be given by the Local Government Center.  A copy will be forwarded to both the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

ATTORNEY JEREMY HOCKENSMITH:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the letter to Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith confirming that the Boston and Maine Railroad has not completed the work in the North Walpole tunnels.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

SAM JACOBS:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the letter to Sam Jacobs thanking him for making arrangements for the Board of Selectmen to hold their July 20th meeting in the North Walpole Elementary School.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

The Board of Selectmen recessed their regular meeting at 8:55 P.M. to meet as the Trustees of the Hooper Fund.

TRUSTEES OF THE HOOPER FUND:

HOOPER MANSION:  Richard High was present to advise that the Hooper Institute is now painted and looks beautiful.  He questioned when the Hooper Mansion will be done.  Mr. Miller explained that a letter will be written to the Brattleboro Painting and Carpentry Service to authorize them to do some carpentry work in addition to the painting on the Hooper Mansion.  Hopefully, they will be able to begin the job soon.

The Board of Selectmen resumed their regular meeting at 9:00 P.M.

Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:04 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Regina Borden