TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

AUGUST 31, 2006

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

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with twelve people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

FRANKLIN SIBLEY:  Franklin Sibley has lived on Hillside Acres Road for about two years and has made a lot of improvements to their property.  There is a triangular piece of land, owned by the Town, next to their property that they would like permission to do some work on such as cleaning it, taking out shrubs, etc.; either make improvements or purchase it as it would enhance the value of their property and the look of the area.  Mr. Aldrich advised that the Board of Selectmen will research the property and take a look at it.  This will be an agenda item for the next meeting.

DON & ELSIE TRETLER:  At the last meeting Creg Dance presented a proposal but the Board of Selectmen did not vote on it so that Mr. Tretler would have an opportunity to look at it.  Mr. Tretler noted that Mr. Sawyer made a statement that their property would not decrease in value because of the alpacas as Mr. Dance made improvements to his property.  Mr. Tretler handed in a copy of an appraisal letter he received from Powers, Smith & Associates, Inc. dated October 17, 2005, regarding the value of his property for the records; also attached were some photos that were taken from the Tretler property toward the Dance’s property.  Mr. Tretler noted that it would be preferably to him if the alpacas were moved away from the property line because of the screeching but acknowledged that there has been an improvement in the last few months.  He feels the Board of Selectmen and Zoning Board of Adjustment need to be more decisive on things such as this in the future.  We should all have to abide by the same rules.  There was discussion relative to the word “incidental”.  Mr. Dance said it would be expensive to move the fences but they have made efforts to separate and reduce the number of alpacas and propose being down to ten by June 1st, 2007.  Mr. Tretler noted that they have all been through a lot and they would like to work together to resolve this issue.  Mr. Tretler accepted the proposal. Mr. Tretler and Mr. Dance accepted the mutual agreement.

Mr. Aldrich moved that a resolution would be that the terms suggested by Mr. Dance are reasonable as incidental to residential uses.  On June 1st, 2007, the alpacas on the Dance property will be down to ten.  This is by a mutual agreement between Mr. & Mrs. Tretler and Mr. & Mrs. Dance.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.              

STEVE DONOVAN:  Steve Donovan was representing his brother who owns approximately 30 acres on March Hill.  Beyond them there is about an acre of land that has two campers with decks on it plus the main house.  There is also a problem with trash ending up on his brother’s property.  Mr. Aldrich felt that because there appears to be a violation, a site visit will be required.  At the suggestion of Mr. Miller, Myra Mansouri, Chair of the ZBA, felt some members of the ZBA would do the site visit after they receive a written complaint letter. 

BUILDING PERMIT:

CHRISTOPHER & MELISSA BROOKS – MAP 019-009-000:  Mr. Brooks was present and advised that they are on the Town septic system.  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-049 for Christopher & Melissa Brooks to remodel and add dormers to the existing house on Ford Avenue.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.     

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Mr. Miller moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 8:08 pm. 

The regular meeting resumed at 8:35 P.M.  No announcements were made.

PUBLIC BUSINESS (Continued):

POLICE DEPARTMENT:  This was a follow-up to the discussion with Police Chief David Hewes at the last meeting regarding the Charlestown / Walpole vs Retired Red Sox softball game.  The Board of Selectmen wants to be aware of activities of the departments.  Many times residents contact the office to see if the fundraising is legitimate and ask for more information.  Officer Sanctuary explained the marketing that was done for this event and, being inexperienced in these activities, said it was an over-sight on his part not to inform the Board of Selectmen.  The ball game is scheduled for September 9th, 2006, at 2:00 pm at the ball field by Shaw’s Store.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $560,008.22.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  It was noted that this amount includes a payment in the amount of $328,427.85 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending August 26, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $15,271.96 or net wages in the amount of $8,315.47.  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 $3,662.20.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the electronic transfer of $500,000.00 from the Savings Bank of Walpole to the MBIA.  The Chairman is authorized to sign the document.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- AUGUST 24, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of August 24, 2006, with one clarification:  page 4 –Town Hall Keys- there will be two master keys – one for the Town Hall and one for the Town Clerk.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of August 24, 2006, as printed.  The Minutes will remain 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 North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of August 29, 2006.

BUILDING PERMITS (Continued):

11 WESTMINSTER STREET – MAP 020-071-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-047 for 11 Westminster Street LLC to construct a 12-foot octagon gazebo on the east side of the Common, south of the Verizon building, on vacant land.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

JAMES & FAYE ALDRICH – MAP 013-019-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-048 for James & Faye Aldrich to add a car port to the side of his garage on Valley Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

REMOTE COMPUTER ACCESS FOR ASSESSOR:  Mr. Miller moved to approve an additional $140.00 to add the security software for the remote computer access for the assessor.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.   

BANDSTAND:  Mr. Aldrich contacted the Local Government Center regarding the RSAs that would apply to the donation of the bandstand and the acceptance by the Board of Selectmen. 

Mr. Miller moved to put the acceptance of the bandstand on the 2007 Town Warrant for a Town vote.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.    

JAY CHAMBERLIN:  Mr. Aldrich mentioned that Jay Chamberlin was in the Town Hall prior to the start of the meeting.  He is anxious to do plant some bushes and flowers by the monument.  There was a consensus to wait until Mr. Sawyer is present to make a decision.

NEW BUSINESS:     

CURRENT USE CHANGE TAX -504 MAIN STREET- MAP 012-013-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the Current Use Change Tax forms for Fred and Carol Dill.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW EMPLOYEE – SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT:  Mr. Miller moved to hire Ralph L. Lucia as a part-time employee in the Solid Waste Department.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

VACATION REQUEST – JIM TERRELL:  The Board of Selectmen approved the request of Jim Terrell to take vacation time on October 2nd (1/2 day) and October 3rd, 4th, 5th and 9th, 2006.

REQUEST FROM NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE DISTRICT FOR WATER METERS:  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to check with Mark Houghton on the water meters for the North Walpole Village District.

LETTER FROM HODGKINS & SONS, INC.:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged a letter from Hodgkins & Sons, Inc. responding to complaints of their trucks using the Drewsville Road.  Mr. Miller will write an acknowledgement letter to them. 

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

SHARON CUDDY SOMERS – REF: ADELPHIA FRANCHISE:  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to pass over approval of this letter pending a slight adjustment in the wording.

Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:50 pm.