TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

DECEMBER 07, 2006

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. with eleven people in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

OPEN BIDS – USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION COMMISSION: 

Mr. Aldrich opened the bids for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program as follows:

            Keene Tree Service

DSR #48 -    $ 9,500.00

            DSR #55 -            $38,500.00

            DSR #57 -            $32,500.00

 

            Eastern Logging

            DSR # 48 -            $10,500.00

            DSR #55 -            $43,930.00

            DSR #57 -            $38,160.00

Mr. Sawyer announced that these bids will be discussed with Jim Terrell, Road Agent, when he arrives at this meeting.  A decision will be made within two days and both companies will be so advised.  The Town has the right to accept or reject any and all bids.  Mr. Johnson advised that the weather is permissible now so the sooner a decision is made the better it will be for the company that is awarded the bid.  Jeff Tanley from the USDA stated that both companies are capable of doing the work.

Mr. Sawyer moved to have the Chairman sign the “USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services Amendment No. 1 to Project Agreement Locally LED Contracting”.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the “ADS 78 Form - Land Acquisition”.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

When each project is completed the USDA representative and someone from the Town will do an inspection and, if satisfactory, they both will sign off the project.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS FUND – REV.  SIEBRAND:  The Community Christmas Fund was set-up many years ago.  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to sign this Savings Bank of Walpole account over to three churches in the Town of Walpole.

Mr. Aldrich called the Public Hearing to order at 7:30 PM on the Frink Property.

PUBLIC HEARING – FRINK PROPERTY:  Mr. Frink would like to fix up 500-600 feet of the Class VI Merriam Road from where the road goes from Class V to Class VI.  He has 300+ feet of road frontage and wants to build a single family house and maybe a garage in the future.  Mr. Sawyer read and explained the Resolution for a Liability Waiver that will need to be signed by Mr. Frink as the Town will try to provide emergency services but if it is unable to do so this document relieves the Town from liability.  He explained that this Public Hearing was scheduled

because the Board of Selectmen feels that all abutters should receive notification and have an opportunity to make comments.  Andrea and Don Morgan, abutters, were present.  Pam Aslinger, Secretary for the Planning Board, read the conditions and comments made during the Planning Board meeting.   The Planning Board asked Mr. Frink quite a few questions so they had a good feeling of what he intends to do.  There were no other comments.

Mr. Aldrich closed this Public Hearing at 7:40 PM.

Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen would entertain a Building Permit for a dwelling off the Class VI Merriam Road provided it meets all of the requirements.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

NORTH RIVER ROAD – PUBLIC HEARING – WHITCOMB TRUST:  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Public Hearing for the Claire Whitcomb Trust property access on the North River Road was cancelled because of the discovery that the Town does not own the road.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Mr. Sawyer moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss the bids and contracts with Jim Terrell.  Seconded by Mr. Miller and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion carried.  The time was 7:44 P.M. 

The regular meeting resumed at 8:02 P.M.

USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION COMMISSION:  Ed Hansalike and Jeff Tanley from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services were present.      .     

Mr. Sawyer moved that the Town of Walpole accept and award the bids for Projects No. 55 and No. 57 to Keene Tree Service.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Aldrich moved to give the authority to Elaine Moore to sign the adjustment contracts between the Town of Walpole and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Commission.  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 $891,230.94.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer mentioned that $812,797.00 of the above amount is for the Cheshire County Tax payment.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 02, 2006, for gross wages in the amount of $15,260.91 or net wages in the amount of $7,637.51.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  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 $3,706.17.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve payment in the amount of $100.00 to Robie Speed for cleaning the Route 12 rest areas with payment to be taken out of the Mason Forest Trust Fund.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION:  The Board of Selectmen put an Employee Compensation request on-hold pending an explanation from the Department Head.

BUDGET MEETING:  Mr. Miller moved that the next Budget meeting will be held on December 13th, 2006, at approximately 1:30 pm after the Holiday Employee Lunch instead of 6:00 pm.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

ATTORNEY CASPER – REGARDING PUBLIC LAND TRUST:  Attorney Kasper was present to discuss the Trust for Public Land and the Cabot Trust property.  He has not yet viewed the Title Search or the Environmental Assessment.

Mr. Miller moved to sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Town of Walpole and the Trust for Public Land for the Cabot Trust land.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted. 

The Board of Selectmen signed the document and it was given to Attorney Kasper.

FIRE PERMITS:  The Forest Fire Report was put on-hold pending receipt of information from Bill Houghton.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- NOVEMBER 30, 2006:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of November 30, 2006, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE MEETINGS: 

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioner meetings of November 21, 2006, November 28, 2006, and December 5, 206.

ABATEMENTS:

PETER AND BRENDA GRAVES –MAP 010-004-000- PROPERTY TAX:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Abatement in the amount of $214.00 for Peter and Brenda Graves for a land adjustment to Current Use.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

JOHN LAWTON –MAP 034-000-000 – PROPERTY TAX:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement in the amount of $185.00 for John Lawton for a change of property value.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

KAREN GALLOWAY –MAP 017-024-000 – WATER/SEWER:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement in the amounts of $84.28 for Water and $64.83 for Sewer for Karen Galloway due to a meter reading adjustment.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

BEVERLY ANN DAVIS –MAP 028-087-000 – PROPERTY TAX:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement in the amount of $166.00 for Beverly Ann Davis due to a property transfer.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

WARRANTS:

NORTH WALPOLE PROPERTY TAX WARRANT –MAP 028-087-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Warrant in the amount of $166.00 for Sheila Wilson due to a property transfer.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PAUL GALLOWAY – TIMBER CUT – MAP 006-013-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Warrant for a Timber Cut in the amount of $675.00 for Paul Galloway.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

CONTRACT FOR REGIONAL PROSECUTING ATTORNEY:  Elaine Moore contacted the Town of Hanover for a copy of their Regional Prosecuting Attorney contract.

ATTORNEY HOCKINSMITH LETTER REGARDING ADELPHIA CABLE:  The meeting with Attorney Hockinsmith to discuss the Adelphia Cable tax issue is scheduled for December 11th, 2006, at 6:00 pm in the Walpole Town Hall.

SWRPC APPOINTMENTS – ON HOLD FOR MR. MILLER:  Mr. Miller advised that everyone wants to be re-appointed.

Mr. Sawyer moved to make the following reappoints to the Southwest Region Planning Commission:  Natural Resources Advisory Committee – Mel Schupack; Economic Development Advisory Committee  – Jack Pratt; and the Transportation Advisory Committee – Charles Miller.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted. 

NEW ENGLAND POWER:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the letter to Kacavas and Ramsdell, PLLC, Attorneys-At-Law in Manchester, NH regarding the New England Power Company Abatement.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

GRANITE STATE ASSESSING CONTRACT – ON HOLD FOR NEW CONTRACT TO BE WRITTEN:  Jim Rice, Granite State Assessing, is preparing a new contract for the Board of Selectmen’s consideration.

NEW BUSINESS:

NORTH WALPOLE ROAD NAME:  Mr. Sawyer moved to name the extension of road coming off Marshall Street in North Walpole as Castellano Lane.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

LANGDON RECYCLE MEETING:  Elaine Moore and the Board of Langdon Selectmen will set a date for the Recycling Meeting.

TOWN HALL RENTAL QUESTION:  Mr. Miller moved to pass over a decision on the QiGong exercise class using the Town Hall pending receipt of additional information.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.  .      

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

LISA BIRMINGHAM – COMCAST:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the letter to Lisa Birmingham at Comcast.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

DR. DONALD WELDON:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the letter to Dr. Donald Weldon.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

COLD RIVER BRIDGE:  Mr. Sawyer reported that following the Public Hearing with the Department of Transportation he attended the meeting with Benson Wood Working when they were supplied more information relative to a covered timber frame bridge over the Cold River.  They will be coming up with more information and hopefully another meeting will be arranged in early January.  The Department of Transportation will attend this meeting that will only be for the additional information on the covered timber frame bridge. 

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:52 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary