Ed. Note: Thanks to Regina Borden for these Selectmen's minutes of September 21.

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

SEPTEMBER 21, 2006

Selectmen Present:  Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

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

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE COMMISSIONERS – METERS:  Barbara O’Brien, Nancy Finlay and Patrick Kiniry, Board of Commissioners of the Village of North Walpole, were present to discuss an agreement with the Board of Selectmen to purchase meters, the installation and future maintenance.  Mark Houghton was unable to attend because of a Fire Department meeting.  Barbara O’Brien explained that there is a time limit on their funding through their contract with USDA.  They voted this into this year’s budget so the meters could be ordered.  The Board of Selectmen needs to approve ordering the meters and when the bill is received the Commissioners will write a check.  North Walpole will still maintain the meters and do the readings as they have in the past; Walpole will continue to do their readings.  Barbara O’Brien asked if the Village can buy a hand-held radio under the Town License.  Mr. Sawyer felt Mark Houghton could answer that question; the Board of Selectmen will find out. 

There was discussion relative to the agreement containing language relative to the fees for printing the bills; in the future North Walpole might print their own bills.  Mr. Sawyer noted that they try to save money for all of the residents so they would be agreeable to this clause.   The Commissioners feel that a reading in December will not be needed because when the new meters are put in they will have a reading from both the old and new meters.  It seems that the first reading will require the most time; possibly this reading could be done on an hourly basis rather than a flat fee.  The Board of Selectmen and Commissioners agreed to meet after the computer is set-up to talk about fees, etc.  North Walpole would like to continue reading the meters on/or about January 1st and July 1st.         

The Board of Selectmen agreed that the meters could be ordered as soon as possible.  Bob Brooks will do the installation.  Barbara O’Brien will call the engineer to advise that the meters will be ordered.  A copy of the purchase order will be FAXed to Barbara O’Brien along with a copy of the proposal.

Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen approve having the meters ordered for North Walpole as soon as possible.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

RICK LARSON:  Rick Larson was informed that the Board of Selectmen was going to discuss the USDA National Resources Conservation Funding in more detail at this meeting.  Mr. Sawyer advised that this was not an agenda item as the Town had not yet received the DES report.  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to notify Mr. Larson when they receive their DES assessment.

ROBERT JASSE:  Mr. Jasse said it was his understanding that Krystyna Marcom had presented a Petition to the Board of Selectmen during their meeting on September 7th that was against any building on the Village Green.  Mr. Jasse asked for clarification of the Petition.  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of the Petition.  After Mr. Jasse left the meeting the Board of Selectmen reviewed the Petition wording:  “We, the undersigned citizens and voters of Walpole, hereby petition the Selectmen to defer any decisions on the construction of all permanent

structures or monuments on the ‘Walpole Town Common’ to a vote of the town by an article on the official ballot to be voted on at the polls.”.             

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:   Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $104,371.98.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending September 16, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $18,444.46 or net wages in the amount of $11,137.08.  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 $4,191.64.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- SEPTEMBER 14, 2006:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of September 14, 2006, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Mr. Aldrich abstained as he was not present.  With Mr. Miller and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of September 14, 2006, as printed.  The Minutes will remain sealed as they contain information on real estate.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  Mr. Aldrich abstained as he was not present.  With Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Miller in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT:

MARINA AND JOSEPH CONEENY – MAP 019-039-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2006-050 for Marina and Joseph Coneeny to remodel the existing barn that will be on the same foundation, the barn will be converted into part of the house, no bedrooms being added.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

COLD RIVER – SIGNS:  The Board of Selectmen confirmed that Jim Terrell will be purchasing the signs for the Cold River Road. 

NEW ENGLAND POWER ABATEMENT REQUEST:  The Board of Selectmen had moved to approve the letter to New England Power regarding their Abatement request at their last meeting but Mr. Miller put the letter on-hold pending additional information. 

NORTH MAIN STREET, OLD DREWSVILLE ROAD AND NORTH ROAD:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen allow Jim Terrell to re-design the North Main Street, Old Drewsville Road and North Road intersection by trying the second plan.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

EAGLE SCOUT:  Mr. Aldrich acknowledged receipt of a letter from Andrew Street thanking the Board of Selectmen for the Certificate of Congratulations on achieving the Eagle Scout badge.

PANDEMIC:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a thank you note from Sarah Ward of the Public Health Network for their participation in the Pandemic Study.

NEW BUSINESS:

COLD RIVER ROAD – STREAM CLEARING – MR MILLER:  Duncan Watson contacted Mr. Miller about his concern that there will be erosion problems on his property due to the channel change of the Cold River after the flood.  It was agreed to have Mr. Miller write a memo referring this concern to Jim Terrell. 

BLACK JACK CROSSING – PAUL HEBERT – STREAM CLEARING:  It was noted that Paul Hebert is an abutter of Rick Larson.

LEGISLATIVE POLICY CONFERENCE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2006:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve having Mr. Miller attend the Legislative Policy Conference on Friday, September 29th, if he chooses to do so.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

WALPOLE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MEETING – SEPTEMBER 27, 2006:  The Board of Selectmen is invited to attend the Walpole Emergency Management Meeting to be held on September 27th, 2006, at noon in the Fire Station. 

J.H. DUNNING – DEFICIENCIES:  The Board of Selectmen received a copy of the letter from Steve Bonnette to Daniel Gray, Chairman of the CDFA of NH, regarding deficiencies at the J.H. Dunning building in North Walpole.

SCHEDULE MEETING FOR BOS AND ELAINE MOORE:  The Board of Selectmen scheduled the Staff Meeting for Wednesday, October 4th, 2006, at 5:00 P.M.

WALPOLE CREAMERY:  The Board of Selectmen was invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony and opening at the Walpole Creamery on Sunday, September 24th, at 2:00 P.M.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:  Mr. Sawyer reported that the ZBA scheduled a site visit on Saturday, September 23rd at 1:00 P.M. to look at the Lafayette property and their proposed location of the double-wide mobile home. 

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

SAM HICKS:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the letter to Sam Hicks regarding parking.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

BELLUSCIO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Belluscio Construction Company regarding their bid on the Town Hall doors.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:34 P.M.