TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 15, 2007

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:34 PM with four people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

JEFF MILLER AND PAM ASLINGER:  Jeff Miller, Chair of the Planning Board, and Pam Aslinger, Alternate member and Secretary of the Planning Board, explained their concerns on issues that come up before the boards especially under what circumstances the Board of Selectmen is required to appear to the Boards for Site Plan Review, Subdivision or Zoning compliance.  The deciding factor on procedures depends on whether the “use” is governmental or non-governmental and if it is on government or non-government land.   They referenced RSA 674:54, Title III 31:95-e (Acceptance of Personal Property Donated to Towns and Village Districts) and 41:14-a (Acquisition or Sale of Land, Buildings, or Both) that speak to the authority and procedures of the Board of Selectmen on gifts and acquisitions.  The question at this time involves a bandstand that appears to be a gift/acquisition, non-governmental use on governmentally owned land.  Does a project of this large scale, new use, and town-wide impact, require a Town vote and, if so, when does it go before Zoning and Planning?  Mr. Sawyer referred to RSA 41:11 that outlines the authority of the Board of Selectmen with Town properties.  The Town previously voted that the Board of Selectmen has the right to accept gifts.  Jeff Miller feels that the proposed bandstand will require a Site Plan Review by the Planning Board.  Mr. Sawyer noted that the bandstand is an Article on the Warrant that will be posted by February 26th, 2007.  A legal opinion that had been obtained by the Board of Selectmen was read by Mr. Sawyer.  Additional research will continue to be done by the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board.      

CINDY WESTOVER:  Cindy Westover, Chair, brought the Board of Selectmen up-to-date on the work being done by the Committee to Improve Town Meeting.  She distributed a draft cover page that will be sent out to all voters along with a copy of the Warrant; each Article will have the name and phone number of the person to be contacted if there are questions on the individual Articles rather than provide an brief explanation by the committee members.  They are moving forward with the other recommendations including the availability of child care on a donation basis and signage placed around Town.  The Committee plans to open the meeting at Noon and the Annual Town Meeting will follow at 1:00 PM.    

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $28,595.93.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

ELEVATOR:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the purchase order in the amount of $3,100.00 for Otis Elevator to repair the elevator prior to Town Meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  

PAYROLL:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 10, 2007, for gross wages in the amount of $14,568.36 or net wages in the amount of $7,030.78.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher to void check No. 029049 and replace it with check No. 029065 in the amount of $411.78.  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 $3,483.54.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the supplemental electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $179.34.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve hiring Ken L’Abbe as a part-time employee in the Solid Waste Department.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- FEBRUARY 07, 2007:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of February 07, 2007, with the following correction:  Page 2, line 2 –under Phil Davis– change “Town History books” to “Town History book”.  Mr. Miller explained that originally two books were printed (history and genealogy) but the Historical Society wishes to reprint just the history book.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.     

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of February 06, 2007.

ABATEMENTS:

WKNE –MAP 003-082-CL1:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Abatement in the amount of $24.44 plus all interest and costs to WKNE.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

JOHN O’BRIEN – MAP 018-007-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the Abatement in the amount of $6.07 plus all interest and costs to John O’Brien.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MARTHA KINGSBURY – MAP 008-120-001:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement in the amount of $5.90 to Martha Kingsbury due to an over-payment of property taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

BUILDING PERMITS:

HARRY THOMSON – MAP 021-001-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2007-001 for Harry Thomson to construct a 9’ x 13’ second bathroom and laundry area.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

MERVYN FRINK – MAP 003-054-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2007-002 for Mervyn Frink to construct a two story three bedroom house with attached garage on a Class VI road but it is subject to the Town receiving the “Notice of Limits of Municipal Responsibility and Liability” document that is to be recorded with the Deed.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

LETTER FROM KRYSTYNA MARCOM – REF: TOWN COMMON:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a letter from Krystyna Marcom with reference to the Town Common.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Board of Selectmen’s letter to Krystyna Marcom.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW BUSINESS:

DISTRICT COURT REGIONAL PROSECUTION PROGRAM:  The Board of Selectmen received a letter from Peter Heed, Esquire, advising that the Cheshire County Attorney’s Office is prepared to establish and launch a District Court Regional Prosecution Program for the benefit of the eight participating towns to be effective February 15, 2007.

SAVINGS BANK OF WALPOLE – CONCERTS ON THE GREEN:  A letter was received from the Savings Bank of Walpole requesting permission to use the Common for their summer series of concerts.

Mr. Miller moved to allow the Savings Bank of Walpole to have their weekly Sunday evening concerts on the Common from June 24th through August 19th, 2007, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

NH PUBLIC TELEVISION – ABATEMENT REQUEST:  Mr. Sawyer moved that when the Board of Selectmen have an official assessor they will request that he handle this Property Tax Abatement request for the NH Public Television.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

RICK COOPER – VACATION TIME:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a memo from Rick Cooper advising that he will be taking vacation time from February 26th through March 3rd, 2007.

NORTHEAST RESOURCE RECOVERY ASSOCIATION:  Mr. Sawyer advised that Rick Cooper is the President of the NRRA at this time.  The NRRA covers all of New England.  Mr. Cooper asked Mr. Sawyer to attend the next meeting to be held on February 28th in Concord and he is planning to attend this meeting.  

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

AUDITORS:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the letter to McLane, Graf and Middleton, Attorneys, as requested by the Auditors and that the Chairman be authorized to sign the letter.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.   All in favor, so voted.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary