“Tibetan Women’s Stories” Premiers at Compass School

by Sue Bingaman, Contributing Writer

“To Life in Exile: Tibetan Women’s Stories” by Michelle Bos-Lun and Compass School students  Asah Cramer, Anna Bowler and Christine Thrasher,  an original interpretation of a modern day exodus, will be staged Friday and Saturday March 30 and 31 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday April 1st at 2:00 p.m. at the school in Westminster, VT.

It is more than a play. Written under the guidance of project leader and organizer Michelle Bos-Lun, “To Life in Exile” is a montage of the students’ experiences and interviews during first-hand visits to India in 2004.  Their interviews with Tibetan refugees in Dharmsala, India, where many Tibetan refugees now live, provided the content—and the inspiration—for the work’s monologues and vignettes.­­

The work sketches the stories, both factual and emotional, of four Tibetan women and the Karmapa, a high ranking monk. It traces the tragedies and triumphs encountered while fleeing their homeland and their perilous journey across the Himalayas to safety in India. A mass exodus of Tibetans began in 1959 ten years after the Chinese occupation of Tibet began. It continues to this day. All the refugees portrayed in the play fled Tibet in the last ten years.

All characters including Jampa, the mother of Tenzin, and five others are on stage through the entire performance. Monologists Asah Cramer, Amelia Keefe, Hannah Venman-Clay and Isabelle Barnard are supported by Ann Chase and Kristi Rumrill. Names of all the characters are fictionalized because the Tibetan women still fear repercussions from Chinese authorities.

Bringing the play to the stage has itself been a long journey. Three years ago, Michelle Bos-Lun and her husband Ron, a math teacher and director of this play, went to India to arrange the itinerary and home stays for Compass students several weeks before the student trip. Following that, thirteen Compass School students and their chaperones, the Bos-Luns and Louise Van Order, another math teacher and school administrator, went to India stayed for a month, participated in home stays, gathered stories and recorded interviews.  Then, last fall, Bos-Lun, assisted by several students, created this dramatic interpretation based on the true life stories they gathered.

The play reflects recent events in Tibetan history evidenced in cultural tensions between the People’s Republic of China and Tibet, an autonomous region in western China abutting India. The Dalai Lama, Nobel Laureate and moral leader of Tibetans, intermittently negotiates with Chinese authorities and seeks to gain genuine Tibetan self-rule to preserve their civilization and unique culture, religion, language and way of life. To do this, the Dalai Lama has said that “it is essential for Tibetans to be able to handle all of their domestic affairs and to freely determine their social, economic and cultural development.” The dialogue to reach accommodation continues to this day.

The lengthy process of bringing the interviews from a far-off culture has impacted Compass School students and leaders in many ways. Amelia Keefe said “It really opened my eyes to how much the Tibetan people went through”. Louise Van Order comments that “All of the stories are so powerful”. She also observed that since her trip she has “Changed her view of the women as warm, caring individuals to respecting them and being in awe of them. It really opened my eyes about relationships and hope even in most difficult circumstances.” Hanna Venman-Clay summed up her attitude toward the play saying that she is “honored to represent the woman I portray.” Preparing the play gave Isabel Barnard “an opportunity to have Tibet and the lives of the people become more real.” Ron Bos-Lun, the director, commented that “throughout the interviews, and within the play, the theme of the importance of and the limited opportunities for education of the Tibetan children continually arise.” Ron also commented that “if life had continued as it was in Tibet, there would not have been a problem.  But China has pushed their culture into modern life.”

As a direct result of the students involvement in this project an active ‘Students for a Free Tibet’ has evolved at Compass School.

Admission to the event is by donation. All proceeds will support projects for Tibetan women living in exile in India on whose lives this play is based. The Compass School is an innovative, non-profit, non-sectarian, independent school serving students in grades seven through nine.

For more information or reservations, call the school at 802-463-2525. The Compass School is located off of Route 5 just south of Bellows Falls.

                                         --30--

                            [SIDEBAR]
Upcoming events sponsored by the Monadnock Friends of Tibet

Monday, April 16, Keene Unitarian Universalist Church at 7 p.m. Local Tibetan Monk tells his story of escape from Tibet. Geshe Ngawang Singey of the Thosum Gephelling Institute will share his life story of growing up in Tibet and choosing to go into exile for religious training and freedom. See (http://www.thosumgephelling.com/).

Monday, May 7, 7:00 p.m. Screening of the film The Forbidden Team at the Hooker-Dunham Theater in Brattleboro, VT. Exciting documentary film about the exiled Tibetan national soccer team striving to participate in international competition.

                              --30--

PLANNING BOARD

WORK SESSION March 27, 2007 - 7:00pm Town Hall Basement

MINUTES

Presiding:  Jeffrey Miller, Ch.

Members Present:  Ben Daviss, Bob Miller, V-Ch., Dave DeCoste, Fred Dill, alt.

Members Absent:  Dave Edkins, alt., Sheldon Sawyer, Henry Fletcher, Eric Merklein

Recording:  Pamela Aslinger, alt. Secretary

Master Planners Committee:  Mel Schupack, Mary Lou Montgomery, Shane O’Keefe, Dennis Marcom, John Hansel

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April 10, 2007 meeting for errors, omissions and corrections.

I.            Meeting opened at 7:15 pm.

II.            Ongoing Business - Master Plan Update

A.  Discussion on draft vision statement.  The following topics were discussed within the body of the draft, some changes noted, additions made:

            - The draft is comprehensive, includes a lot of subtopics, has a friendly feeling.

            - What is the definition of affordable housing, which implementation measures work?

- Present allowance of manufactured and mobile housing in all districts and medium priced housing developments.  Revisit and consider cluster-housing, limitations of building permits, limiting growth to 1 - 2%. 

- Housing pressures from Keene, and Claremont/Newport areas, Walpole’s role.

- Creating nodules of light industrial uses behind some of the commercial districts along Rte. 12.  Encourage this type of economic development to sustain the loss of Hubbard Farms and agricultural businesses in general. 

- Insure that infrastructure is brought up to date to service nodule locations as long as the sites are not within the well head protection areas, although measures are available to allow certain “clean” industries to be located near the protective areas.

- Concept of working farms as being light industrial uses.  Promote continuance of farming and agricultural uses pertinent to the character and identity of Walpole.  Incorporate ways to maintain farming “as a good way of life”, as long term enterprises, and create incentives. Farmers are often land poor, retirement depends on being able to sell land assets.  Suggest higher density development rights to preserve open land for farming.  A concept being used in NJ - “Density credit exchange”, where a farmer owns 1000 ft. of frontage, could have 10 lots, instead sell the “frontage” to a matched housing developer, who is able to obtain 10 more lots towards another development.  The farmer is able to “cash out” without loosing the land.  PA leads the nation in protective easements.

- Consider that agriculture may have a different base in the future rather than just dairy farms, such as “locally grown” food coops, greenhouse-grown crops or ethanol production and be mindful of future transportation costs, reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

Walpole Planning Board Minutes W/S 3/27/07 page 2

- Historic architectural design review study, possible creation of a historic inventory through the efforts of the Town’s historical society to maintain Walpole’s historic integrity.  Incorporate shopping “villages” as opposed to commercial strips.  Encourage impact plantings; reduce parking lots by increasing pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle options throughout the Town.  Suggestion was made to view Manchester, VT’s progress-sive approach.  Add design review phase to site plan and subdivision regs. (674:4).

- Reconsider wording related to “intelligent growth”, it disallows all possibilities except for “bottomland” development; it may be too restrictive and broad.

- It was asked if temporary growth management measures could be taken to allow for the update of the Master Plan.  Most agreed it was not necessary during the update of the land use section.  The rest of the document is in good order at this time.

Throughout the above discussion Ch. Miller was able to find within the text of the current Master Plan under the goals and objectives sections, specific instances relating to each of the topics discussed, leaving everyone believing the current document addresses the same criteria as outlined in the new vision statement.  Members were encouraged by this information and the scope of review required to complete the update in a timely manner.

Result of the discussion:

1.  Mr. Schupack will incorporate the discussion into a “revised draft vision statement”. He asked for each to consider the implementation section of the Jaffrey master plan, and make suggestions to him via e-mail on how Walpole’s should be drafted. He’ll plan to have a draft implementation plan ready for the next meeting. 

2.  Ch. Miller instructed Mr. Daviss and Mr. B.Miller to contact SWRPC, perhaps meet with them in Keene to go over the draft vision statement and implementation statement to determine their participation in the process.  He noted the funds are now available.  Ms. Aslinger mentioned some difficulties providing SWRPC with data for GIS mapping.  She thought the Town may not have adequate digital records nor is the data available for SWRPC’s use through the Town’s records.  She asked if they could discuss with SWRPC other options.  Mr. O’Keefe suggested Cartographics records are digitized, that perhaps the Town hasn’t purchased the data from them. 

3.  Mr. Daviss commented since the vision statement seems to reflect the intent somewhat of the current document, the committee should move forward with reviewing the goals and objectives at the next meeting.  He handed out a handy outline form of the goals and objectives for everyone to review prior to the next meeting.  He mentioned the need to proceed as quickly as possible to allow time for the planning board to make the necessary amendments to the zoning ordinance for 2008, and update the site plan and subdivision regulations for 2007.  He thought some of the regulations updating could run parallel with the land use update.

III.              Planning Board - New Business

            A.  Review commercial district from Fall Mtn. Bldg. Supply to existing ball field.  Sec. Aslinger handed out a two-page drawing showing each lot, who the landowner is and who the business owner is.  A drawing of the Plaza with the same information is also shown.  This will be used for “reference only” for future proposals.

IV.            Other -none

V.            Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm

Cc:  PB, MPU, WCC, ZBA, BOS, NWVC

Posted:  Town Hall, Lobby, Burdick’s Market, www.walpole.nh.us, www.thewalpolean.com

MARCH 15, 2007

Selectmen Present:  Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. with five people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

AVITAR:  Gary Robarge, Avitar Assessing Service, reviewed their proposed contract for assessing services and provided information regarding the assessing of utilities including the dam and cell towers.  The difference between Statistical and Updates was explained.  They would be available to begin the assessing work no more than a week after the Board of Selectmen make a decision.    

JAY CHAMBERLAIN:  Jay Chamberlain is working toward his Eagle Scout badge and advised that the committee wanted him to pursue his project before their next meeting on Wednesday.  His proposed project is to do landscaping on the Common or by the Town Hall and it has to be completed by September.

Mr. Miller moved that the Chairman be authorized to work with Jay Chamberlain on the Eagle Scout project.  Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion.  All in favor, so voted.

Following a discussion the Board of Selectmen felt the project could be coordinated with the building work being proposed for the north end.  Mr. Chamberlain will meet with Mr. Aldrich on Tuesday to work out the final details.

MODERATOR – TOWN MEETING:  Ernie Vose, Moderator, provided a brief report on his preparations for the Town Meeting.  He reviewed several of the Warrant Articles to be discussed and voted on.  He will preside in accordance with the RSA guidelines.

RIVER BANK RESTORATION:   Jeff Tenley and Deborah Weymouth, USDA, discussed the River Bank Restoration projects that will be going out for bid.  Since the State voted down the funding for these projects the landowner’s could do the work on their own or pay the 25% portion of the project.  The funding will stay in the account until May 8th but extensions could be requested; this money was designated within the Emergency Water Project   Mr. Tenley explained the projects as follows: 

            DSR #56 – Ford Avenue;

            DSR #43 – Near the former Cold River Bridge in North Walpole;

            DSR #48 – Main Street by the old Town Garage;

            DSR #49 – Graves Road in two spots; and Mill Road;

            DSR #55 – Black Jack Crossing – three separate sites. 

Mr. Tenley requested that the Board of Selectmen talk to the landowners about the projects.  Ms. Weymouth left four copies of all the documents to be signed for each of the projects if the landowners choose to proceed.  They would like the Conservation Commission to go over the projects as a letter will be needed from them if a landowner decides to go forward. 

ROBERT CLEMENT – 24 NORTH RIVER ROAD – REMOVAL OF DEBRIS:  Mr. Clement requested that the Town remove debris from his property following the fire.  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen that the Town does not remove debris on private property.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $484,034.01.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the check register and manifest for voided check No. 050114.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending March 10, 2007, for gross wages in the amount of $14,357.15 or net wages in the amount of $6,779.81.  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 $4,179.75.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the supplemental payroll voucher for gross wages in the amount of $2,500.00 or net wages in the amount of $2,040.50.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

TRANSFER:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the transfer of funds in the amount of $200,000.00 from the MBIA to the Savings Bank of Walpole and that the Chairman is authorized to sign the transfer documents.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- MARCH 08, 2007:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of March 08, 2007, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

BUILDING PERMIT:

RICHARD PSCHIRRER – MAP 004-050-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2007-006 for Richard and Peggy Pschirrer to build a replacement 24’ x 36’ three car garage that will be the same as the old one except 8-feet wider.  The current one will be taken down.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

ASSESSING:  Mr. Miller moved to hire Avitar Assessors as per their contract.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

COPIER CONTRACT:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve purchasing the Imagistics copier.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

REGIONAL PROSECUTOR PROGRAM:  Mr. Sawyer moved to pass over the Regional Prosecutor Program agenda item until the next meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW BUSINESS:

IAN ZIMMERMANN – TOWN HALL RENTAL:  Mr. Zimmermann requested permission to rent the Town Hall for a concert for teens in early June.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve renting the Town Hall to Ian Zimmermann with the stipulations that three responsible adults sign the agreement for the rental and that three adults be in attendance. At 10:00 PM the live music will be tuned down to a reasonable decibel level that will not disturb the neighbors; the windows will remain shut. The music will end at midnight.  This will be on a trial basis.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

2007 LOCAL OFFICIALS WORKSHOP:  The 2007 Local Officials Workshops will be held at the Jaffrey Fire Station.  Mr. Miller and Mr. Sawyer will attend the Advanced Workshop on May 24th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Elaine Moore will attend the Basic Workshop on May 10th and the Advanced Workshop on May 24th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.        

PLANNING BOARD:  Pam Aslinger of the Planning Board submitted a memo requesting that she assist Teresa Kissell in setting-up and periodically up-dating the town’s website to include a section for the Master Plan Up-date 2007.

Mr. Sawyer moved to give Teresa Kissell permission to work on the Master Plan website and that her time will be charged to the Planning Board Master Plan account.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn the Board of Selectmen’s meeting and to enter into a Trustees of Hooper Trust meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:52 P.M.

TRUSTEES OF HOOPER TRUST

Country Side Lock and Alarms, Inc. – Monitor & Service Agreement for Hooper Mansion:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Monitor & Service Agreement in the amount of $340.00 for the Hooper Mansion with Country Side Lock and Alarms, Inc.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn the Trustees of Hooper Trust meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:58 P.M. 

PLANNING BOARD WORK SESSION

March 27, 2007

7:00 pm

Town Hall Basement Office

All interested persons are encouraged to attend, Master Plan Update volunteers still needed!

I.          Open Meeting

A.  Roll Call

B.  Other

II.            Ongoing Business - Master Plan Update

A.  Discuss draft overall vision statement

B.  Determine specific criteria to present to SWRPC for determining cost estimate of the update

C.  Other - Website

III.            Planning Board - New Business

           A.  Review commercial district from Fall Mountain Building Supply to the existing ball field to determine terms of ownership and site layout information, (requested by members of the Board at the March 13, 2007 meeting).

B.  Other

IV.       Other

            A.  Review possible agenda items for next work session to be held April 24, 2007.

            B.  Other

V.        Close Meeting

cc:  PB, MP, WCC, ZBA, BOS, NWVC

Opinion: Nine Things I Think I Think About the Town Meeting by Chuck Bingaman

1.     Whether it was the added publicity, the mini town festival or several issues that stirred people’s emotions, it was terrific to see 350 people attend the town meeting!  It was three or four times the number that town meeting has attracted in recent years.  (BTW, I thought the Boy Scouts had a particularly good exhibit and all of the boys did a stellar job in explaining their activities!)

2.     Bob Dudley was a super choice for the Grange’s Citizen of the Year, and Bob’s acceptance remarks set an example for graceful remarks that we all could emulate.

3.     Ernie Vose and his assistant, Bill Webb, struck a very nice balance between pushing us along through a lenthy agenda and encouraging full and balanced debate on controversial issues.

4.     There were a few instances where the truth got twisted a bit and mean spiritedness overcame civility.  And a few people, as usual, preferred to take punches at straw men rather than deal directly with the issues.  At the same time, there were good examples of dignified argument unintimidated by bullying.

5.     I am glad that the issues surrounding the bandstand and the veterans memorial have been put to rest, although I believe I heard that, even though approved, they are being referred to the Planning Board now. Tell me I’m wrong about that! 

6.     I was delighted that the climate change article passed by a wide majority.  If the selectmen follow through with the energy savings committee it asks them to appoint and if they encourage the committee to do a thorough job, I bet the town can save a substantial amount on future energy bills.  In fact, I bet we could offset most or all of the annual $3,000 cost of the proposed Ballam Farm conservation easement with energy savings.  How great—and appropriate--THAT would be!

7.     As much as I like the Chamberlain Machine management and hope that they can find a suitable location in Walpole, I was glad to see agricultural land at Huntington Farms saved last week and support the conservation easement of Ballam Farm.  I think there is a good chance that trucking many of our fruits and vegetables from California may become prohibitively expensive in a few years, and we’ll be glad we preserved high quality local food growing land.

8.     I give Whit Aldrich credit for the most pointed and pithy—not to mention appropriate and painful—comment of the day.  In answer to a question about what we can do to combat the steep and seemingly endless jumps in real estate taxes we are facing, Whit voiced the truth that we all must face: “Pass an income and a sales tax!”

9.     Meeting in the upstairs meeting hall and using the outstanding PA system that Eric Merklein obtained added greatly to the occasion and allowed all to hear better than in any past Walpole town meeting I have attended.

Opinion: Nine Things I Think I Think About the Town Meeting

1.     Whether it was the added publicity, the mini town festival or several issues that stirred people’s emotions, it was terrific to see 350 people attend the town meeting!  It was three or four times the number that town meeting has attracted in recent years.  (BTW, I thought the Boy Scouts had a particularly good exhibit and all of the boys did a stellar job in explaining their activities!)

2.     Bob Dudley was a super choice for the Grange’s Citizen of the Year, and Bob’s acceptance remarks set an example for graceful remarks that we all could emulate.

3.     Ernie Vose and his assistant, Bill Webb, struck a very nice balance between pushing us along through a lenthy agenda and encouraging full and balanced debate on controversial issues.

4.     There were a few instances where the truth got twisted a bit and mean spiritedness overcame civility.  And a few people, as usual, preferred to take punches at straw men rather than deal directly with the issues.  At the same time, there were good examples of dignified argument unintimidated by bullying.

5.     I am glad that the issues surrounding the bandstand and the veterans memorial have been put to rest, although I believe I heard that, even though approved, they are being referred to the Planning Board now. Tell me I’m wrong about that! 

6.     I was delighted that the climate change article passed by a wide majority.  If the selectmen follow through with the energy savings committee it asks them to appoint and if they encourage the committee to do a thorough job, I bet the town can save a substantial amount on future energy bills.  In fact, I bet we could offset most or all of the annual $3,000 cost of the proposed Ballam Farm conservation easement with energy savings.  How great—and appropriate--THAT would be!

7.     As much as I like the Chamberlain Machine management and hope that they can find a suitable location in Walpole, I was glad to see agricultural land at Huntington Farms saved last week and support the conservation easement of Ballam Farm.  I think there is a good chance that trucking many of our fruits and vegetables from California may become prohibitively expensive in a few years, and we’ll be glad we preserved high quality local food growing land.

8.     I give Whit Aldrich credit for the most pointed and pithy—not to mention appropriate and painful—comment of the day.  In answer to a question about what we can do to combat the steep and seemingly endless jumps in real estate taxes we are facing, Whit voiced the truth that we all must face: “Pass an income and a sales tax!”

9.     Meeting in the upstairs meeting hall and using the outstanding PA system that Eric Merklein obtained added greatly to the occasion and allowed all to hear better than in any past Walpole town meeting I have attended.

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MARCH 08, 2007

Selectmen Present:   Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with five people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT:  Rick Cooper, Solid Waste Department, distributed details and proposed figures that outlined the general concept of working with the Town of Langdon and to make it equitable for the Town of Walpole.  This will be for a six month trial period.  The $25,000 that he suggested putting in the budget will be an in-and-out line item. 

Mr. Sawyer moved to go ahead with this proposal and that Rick Cooper set-up a meeting with the Town of Langdon Board of Selectmen to review this data and if any of the Walpole Board of Selectmen is available they will attend.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich were in favor; Mr. Miller abstained.  The motion carried by a 2-to-1 vote. 

COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE TOWN MEETING:  Cindy Westover, Chair of the Committee, brought the Board of Selectmen up-to-date on the progress of the committee with their recommendations to improve Town Meeting.  She displayed the posters being placed around town and advised that there were 1,900 mailings to voters.  Mr. Sawyer commended the committee for all the work they have done.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $36,179.36.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the supplemental Accounts Payable check register and manifest to the NH Water Works Association in the amount of $100.00 for Mark Houghton to attend classes.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $303.84 for the mailing  the Town Meeting brochures by the Committee to Improve Town Meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $177.48 for mailing the Town Reports.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending March 3, 2007, for gross wages in the amount of $20,445.13 or net wages in the amount of $11,134.43.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  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 $5,311.42.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- MARCH 01, 2007:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of March 01, 2007, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the following meetings:  1) Planning Board –Work Session– February 27, 2007, and 2) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – March 06, 2007.

ABATEMENTS:

UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (Public Radio – Map 003-082-000) – YEARS 2005-2006:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement for the 2005 Property Taxes in the amount of $32,075.55 plus all interest and costs to the University of New Hampshire and its public TV.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement for one-half year of the 2006 Property Taxes in the amount of $14,943.00 plus all interest and costs to the University of New Hampshire and its public TV.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.   All in favor, so voted.

BUILDING PERMIT:

ERIC GOODMAN and LISA PROFETTO – MAP 003-034-004:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2007-005 for Eric Goodman and Lisa Profetto to construct a 13’6” x 9’10” sunroom and deck on the County Road.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

WARRANT:

SUPPLEMENTAL TOWN WARRANT:  The Attorney General informed the Board of Selectmen that they should put the Petition as submitted by Krystyna Marcom on the Warrant to be acted upon during the Saturday Town Meeting; it cannot be amended.  The Board of Selectmen signed the Supplemental Town Warrant to add Article 26.

OLD BUSINESS:

BRUCE MARTIN – VETERANS’ MEMORIAL:  Bruce Martin provided an up-date report on the progress being made on the Veterans’ Memorial.  At this time there will be 1,152 names on the memorial and they were all validated.  One of the cannons has been refurbished and the other one is on is way. 

The Board of Selectmen had received a copy of the letter from Carol Christian, on behalf of the Women of Walpole, regarding the Community Christmas Tree on the Town Common.  Bruce Martin distributed copies of his reply to her letter.

Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen, at the present time, intend to allow the Community Christmas tree to stand as it is unless the tree interferes with the placement of the actual Veterans’ Memorial.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW BUSINESS:

PROTEST PETITIONS (2):  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of two Protest Petitions for Warrant Articles. 

The first Protest Petition was received from Attorney Thomas Hanna on Article 3:  It will now require a two-thirds vote to pass.

The second Protest Petition was received from Thomas T. Rogers on Article 4.  It will now require a two-thirds vote to pass.

VETERANS EXEMPTION –BRUCE BIERWEILER- MAP 008-046-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Veterans Exemption for Property Taxes for Bruce and Susan Bierweiler on Meetinghouse Road.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

VETERANS EXEMPTION –CHERYL SHERWIN- MAP 030-005-00:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Veterans Exemption for Property Taxes for Christopher and Cheryl Sherwin on Capron Street in North Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

CEMETERY LOT SALE –PATRICK AND EVA O’KEEFE – D414 AND D415:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the sale of Cemetery Lots No. D414 and D415 for Patrick and Eva O’Keefe.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

STRUCTURES ON COMMON:  The Board of Selectmen took no action on this agenda item.

VACATION TIME – ELAINE MOORE:  The Board of Selectmen approved vacation time for Elaine Moore for 4 hours on March 12th and 4 hours on March 13th, 2007. 

FOREST FIRE WARDEN APPOINTMENT (1):  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the appointment of William E. Houghton as the Forest Fire Warden.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

FOREST FIRE DEPUTY WARDEN APPOINTMENTS (8):  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the appointments of the eight Forest Fire Deputy Wardens: 

Raymond Houghton

Edward C. Hasselmann, Jr.

Arthur (Jay) French, III

George Hurlburt, Jr.

Harry Boynton

Richard Hurlburt

Steven Grenier

Mark Houghton

Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

RESIGNATION OF DEPUTY WARDEN (1):  Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the resignation of William J. Callahan as one of the Forest Fire Deputy Wardens.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

SAVIN COPIER:  Mr. Sawyer moved to allow the Planning and Zoning Boards and the Conservation Commission to have the old Savin copier put in their downstairs room for their use.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

COLD RIVER BRIDGE:  Mr. Sawyer talked with Bob Landry on the Cold River Bridge.  The project is moving slowly because he is involved with other construction projects but he will get to it shortly.  The final decision will be made by the Commissioner.

SWAIN:  Mr. Sawyer talked with Attorney Hockinsmith who will contact Attorney Kinyon to schedule a meeting with the Board of Selectmen and Eileen Swain.

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

BTLA – PELLEGRINO:  Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign the letter to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals regarding the resolution agreement between Dennis Pellegrino and the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Miller moved to adjourn the Board of Selectmen’s meeting and to enter into a Trustees of Hooper Trust meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:38 PM.

TRUSTEES OF HOOPER TRUST

COUNTRY LOCK AND ALARMS – MONITOR & SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR HOOPER MANSION:  Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Miller signed the Annual Security Agreement to monitor and service the security system for the Hooper Mansion with Country Lock and Alarms.

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn the Trustees of Hooper Trust meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:46 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

3-17-07

Walpole Town Meeting Approves New Budget, Bandstand Gift

By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer

            A standing only crowd of over 325 at Saturday’s Walpole town meeting approved a proposed $3,209,577 budget and, by a secret ballot vote of 221-88, accepted Stu Bailey’s gift of a bandstand to be built on the Common.

            Voters also rejected an article seeking to set a policy that town citizens  should pass on proposals for construction of permanent structures on the Common. 

            In another secret ballot vote, Walpoleans defeated a proposed ordinance outlawing the keeping—in sight of passersby—a long list of junk items.  By a vote of 243 to 44, those voting seemed to argue that the proposal, while well-intnetioned, was overly broad and would be difficult to enforce fairly.

            Joining over 125 New Hampshire towns, Walpole voters passed the Carbon Coalition sponsored warrant article putting Walpole on record “in support of effective actions by the President and the Congress to address the issue of climate change” and asking Walpole Selectmen “to consider the appointment of a voluntary energy committee to recommend local steps to save energy and reduce emissions.” 

            What was expected to be a controversial item, the $302,000 conservation easement purchase at Ballam farm was put off to a recessed town meeting now set for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 5 at Town Hall.  Another, unrelated item, the proposed closing of Cochran Road as a class six town road, was also deferred until the May 5 session as proper notices to abutting landowners had not been sent.  The Ballam Farm easement purchase had to be deferred because Selectmen had failed to hold a required hearing on  the town’s issuing bonds for its part of the purchase price.  Had the recess not passed, according to Josh Kelly of the Trust for Public Lands, financing arrangements for more than $400,000 of grants from state and federal agencies funding the remainder of the purchase price might have been lost. 

            Voters approved an appropriation for $16,248 for costs of the legally mandated statistical adjustment of real estate assessments in 2007.  During the discussion, Selectmen disclosed that they had, on Thursday, chosen to hire Avitar Associates of New England, the Chicchester, NH assessment firm they had replaced two years ago, for a five-year contract at $42,500 per year to be their assessing company at least through the 2011 re-assessment.

          
            In other actions, voters approved a new $140,000 dump truck with plow and wing to replace a ten-year old truck, approved a $12,000 shed at the Highway Department garage, and passed several articles funding highway improvements in the town.  They also approved $5,000 for town cemetery headstone repair, $17,425 for repair of Town Hall pillars and ramp, and a proposed committee to study whether to change to a single tax collector for the town rather than having separate collectors for Walpole and North Walpole.

            In a new addition to this year’s town meeting, the Walpole Grange made its Citizen of the Year presentation to Robert J. Dudley at the start of the session.  Dudley, who has lived in Walpole since 1993, has chaired the Walpole Town Library Board for 11 years.  He has also been an important volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and he has chaired the Walpole Seniors Group and the Walpole Society for the Bringing to Justice of Horse Thieves and Pilferers of Clotheslines and Hen Roosts.

            The defeat of the article asking to let voters approve proposals for erecting permanent structures on the Common and the acceptance of the bandstand gift puts to rest issues that had been simmering since summer.  Proponents of the policy, many of whom had wanted the Common to remain open green space, thought, that the town should approve any permanent changes in the Common.  Some veterans and their families that had contributed to the new memorial under construction saw the proposal as a threat to their project.  And some of those that favored accepting the offered bandstand saw the proposal as a threat to its acceptance.

            Walpole’s efforts to attract larger numbers to its town meeting seemed to have worked with 324 people—four times that last few years’ average turnout—registering for paper ballots.  Warrant items bringing opinionated voters certainly attracted people to the meeting, and the mini-town fair, refreshments, added publicity and childcare helped as well.

                                                   --30--

PLANNING BOARD MEETING

March 13, 2007  7:30pm Basement Meeting Room

MINUTES

Presiding:  Robert Miller, V-Ch.

Members Present:  Sheldon Sawyer, Selectman, Henry Fletcher, Eric Merklein, Ben Daviss, Dave DeCoste, Fred Dill, alt.

Members Absent:  Jeff Miller, Ch., David Edkins, alt.

Recording:  Pamela Aslinger, alt. and Secretary

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April 10, 2007 meeting for errors, omissions and corrections.  (There were 6 additional persons in attendance.)

I.              Meeting opened at 7:35pm

A.  Fred Dill was designated for Jeff Miller, Pam Aslinger designated for Jeff Miller during F. Dill’s subdivision preliminary consultation.

B.  Minutes from 2/13/07 were approved as amended, a clarification by Mel Schupack and a comment added to the minutes by John Hansel.  The 2/27/07 work session minutes were approved as presented.

II.            V-Ch. Bob Miller closed the meeting and opened the Public Hearing on the Site Plan Review

amendment as shown on the agenda.  Mr. B. Miller read the amendment out loud. He then read a letter into the record, received by the Planning Board via e-mail to the Secretary on 3/12/07 from Attny. Thomas Hanna on behalf of Walpole Properties LLC and Berkshire-Walpole LLC who own property in the commercial district.  The letter questions the Board’s authority to enact a change in the Site Plan Review regulations when the intent is to mandate a limitation on lot coverage he thinks should be addressed in the zoning ordinance.  He asks for the Board “to drop its effort to impose a coverage requirement through the site plan review amendment process”.  V-Ch. Miller announced due to receiving the letter at the 11th hour, he said he felt it was important to get an opinion as to the Board’s actions other than from Mr. Hanna with all due respect to his question.  He said Ms. Aslinger had contacted SWRPC and NH Local Govt. Center for their input, she reported the NHLGC Legal Services would be responding by 3/14/07 and they advised Town counsel be asked to give an opinion as well.  V. Ch. Miller asked the Board to table further action on the amendment until an opinion could be presented.  It was so moved and seconded.  Mr. Dill asked if the Board would be continuing the Public Hearing until the April 10, 2007 meeting in order to avoid additional notification costs? Mr. Sawyer withdrew his motion and moved to continue the Public Hearing and Board action on the amendment until the April 10, 2007 meeting.  The motion was seconded, vote called, motion carried.  It was requested of the Secretary to simply re-post the notice of the continued Public Hearing for the April meeting.  Sec. Aslinger said she would inform the members by e-mail once the NHLGC responds.  She said there are two RSA’s pertaining to wording requirements both in the Zoning Ordinance and Site Plan Review Regulations, the Zoning Ordinance (674:16) addresses “percentage of a lot that may be occupied and other open spaces” but Site Plan Review (674:44) may also “provide for open space and green spaces of adequate proportions.” She noted it is ambiguous but the Board should not attempt to zone through the site plan review regulations.

III.           Public Hearing was adjourned until the April 10, 2007 meeting.  Meeting was re-opened.

IV.           Board delayed action on the Site Plan Review amendment until the April 10, 2007 meeting.

V.                Unfinished Business

                A.  Jeff Michaud 2 lot minor subdivision approved at the Feb. 13, 2007 meeting.  Sec. Aslinger

reported the Board approved the subdivision plan without obtaining the State Subdivision Approval required on lots under 5 acres.  She said she notified Mr. Michaud on 2/14/07 who agreed to apply for the approval and not to record the plan until approval had been granted.  She spoke with him earlier today he is waiting for the frost to melt before his engineer can perform the

Walpole Planning Board Minutes 3/17/07 page 2

test pit.  He said he was not planning to build on the site this year, but would keep the Board informed as to the outcome of the State Subdivision approval.

Comment:  Mr. Hansel asked to make a comment, although it was “out of order”.  V-Ch. Miller did not object.  Mr. Hansel asked for the Board during the Site Plan Review amendment process to review the “Statement of Purpose” as outlined in the Site Plan Review regulations that expresses very clearly what the Board’s powers are as a prelude to the Site Plan itself.  He asked the minutes reflect his comment, that the Board takes it into consideration during future deliberations on the Site Plan amendment. 

VI.           New Business:  Preliminary Conceptual Consultations

A.  V-Ch. Miller called for Mr. Fred Dill to make his presentation of a Major 12 lot subdivision located on Hooper Rd. Map 8 Lot 15 in the Rural Agricultural and Residential A districts.  Mr. Dill recused himself Ms. Aslinger was designated as alternate for J. Miller. 

Mr. Dill presented preliminary map/plans for the Board to review.  The plans showed 12 new lots, with the existing farmhouse and pond shown as a pre-existing lot.  Lots 1-11 range from 1.45 acres to 3.34 acres with Lot 12 as 13.59 acres. Lot 12 and 4 have frontage on Wentworth Rd.  Lot 11 and 10 are accessed by a ROW off Hooper Road but have the required frontage on Old Keene Rd.  The remaining lots are accessed and have frontage on Hooper Rd.  Test pits have been dug on all lots.  It was noted south of Hooper Rd. is Rural Agricultural zoning district, north is in the Residential A district. (Sec. note:  3/15 Mr. Dibernardo questions the zoning designation, according to his GPS findings and zoning map, the entire area appears to be only in the Res. A. zone, this information will be clarified prior to submission of the completed application.)  All lots conform to the zoning requirements as shown, no new roads.  Mr. Dill said he hadn’t applied to the State for subdivision approval pending any problems the Board may see on the preliminary plans.  He said it has been logged recently, he suggested members drive by to get a better idea.  Mr. DeCoste asked about Lot 9 if the acreage of 1.47 included the ROW, it does.  Mr. Dill explained the steep terrain on the lots abutting Old Keene Rd. was a factor in designing the shared driveway/ROW on lots 11 and 10 adding it was aesthetically more pleasing.  Mr. Sawyer asked if Mr. Dill would consider “like in the old days” putting in a Bandstand on Lot 12?   He said the Boston Pops would come up on Sundays so the Bellow’s could be entertained.  He pointed out where the old Bandstand had been in about lot 6 and 7.  He said people used to come up on the train.  Mr. Dill questioned whether it might have been across the street in the big house?  Mr. Miller noted the frontage measurement was missing from lot 4.  Joe DiBernardo said the plans were preliminary and missing some information, he said it is 200 ft.  Mr. Miller said it was obvious the number of lots were “maximized”.  Mr. Dill pointed out not so, the big lot with an added road would have allowed for 5 or 6 more lots.  He added the lots of more than 2 acres are larger than the Town’s requirement, saying he might have been able to get an additional couple of lots by reducing the acreage requirement.  Mr. Miller noted Lot 12 has the minimum 200 ft. of frontage thereby is not re-subdividable.  Mr. Dill said Lot 12 could be expanded to 5 or 6 lots by putting in a new Town road.  He said he didn’t think the Town was accepting new roads nor was he willing to go to that expense.  He said he thought Lot 12 was more desirable as a larger lot.  Mr. Miller inquired about the old wagon missing from the lot he enjoyed seeing it.  Mr. Dill said he thought it had been plowed into the woods it was falling apart and there were a lot of bees in it.  Mr. Miller said it was a pleasant view for the area.  Mr. Dill said when he described the property to anyone he usually said where “the big dog was”.  Mr. Miller asked about the existing farmhouse lot and Lot 1, specifically the wetlands designation.  Mr. Dill said two spots are wet on Lot 1, also pointed out the stream on Lot 12.  Mr. Sawyer asked about a small piece of property belonging to Mr. Jeffreys, Mr. Dill said he knew about it but is unsure of it’s status.  Ms. Aslinger asked if the zoning designation could be shown on the maps?  It was explained to members it followed Hooper Rd.  Ms. Aslinger pointed out the subdivision had the look of a higher density development along the road with a large piece of land, Lot 12 in the back. She asked Mr. Dill if Lot 12 would be designated a “park” for the new lot owners.  Mr. Dill said no, then it would be called cluster development, not allowed in Walpole and cluster is a bad word in Walpole.  She said the plans did have a “cluster” style design to it which was nice but minus the common open space.  He said he was for cluster housing but thought is was a lost cause.  Mr. Sawyer agreed saying there could have been a lot more open space incorporated into the design if it was allowed.  Ms. Aslinger asked if the large lot connected to any other conservation land possibly creating a corridor?  Mr. Dill said he didn’t think it did.  Mr. Sawyer pointed out the Lazzaro property off Old Keene Rd. and also below Wilson Rd. the Phsherrer property is in conservation.  Mr. Merklein asked Mr. Dill if

Walpole Planning Board Minutes 3/27/07 page 3

he would consider putting Lot 12 into a conservation area.  Mr. Dill said he has a problem with the conservation land in Walpole, being neglected, never logged, no walking trails, he would rather not contribute to their land practices.  Mr. Merklein asked about keeping it as open space.  Mr. Sawyer offered he had spoken with the Conservation Commission, they are willing to have a forester go in and look over a property, he would suggest it as a possibility.  Mr. Dill said he was open to suggestions, but not willing to put the land in the bank and have it deteriorate.  He said the Lazzaro property couldn’t even be walked on he thought it was a waste to let it go.  Mr. Sawyer said Lazzaro had done some recent logging.  Mr. Merklein said on his recent trip to an Alablaman tree farm,  management practices were amazing, when a tree was ready it was taken down and another put in its place.  Mr. Dill said he knew of those types of farms and how you could see the tree rings in the stump showing it’s age and growth patterns.  Mr. Miller said he is concerned that the lot layouts are similar to the lots towards Keene he wants to avoid the undesirable look of that development.  Mr. Sawyer pointed out Wentworth and County Roads have similar layouts already.  Mr. Dill said if you look at areas of Town that have shared driveways, it improves the look and he has incorporated some of that “clustering” in his design.  He said there is certainly fear about cluster housing; if you make it easier for the builder he’ll build more, but he said, cluster housing is much more appealing by incorporating a park area and placing the homes along a winding road.  Mr. Merklein reminded the members of the presentation OEP made regarding Village Overlay Subdivisions.  Mr. Joe Dibernardo said he has done cluster developments across the River, saying it is the best use of the land because there is usually a percentage of the area reserved for open space and common land.  He said it is better to locate the house sites by considering the terrain instead of frontage requirements.  Mr. Dill said most people don’t want to maintain 2 acres of land, with cluster development you can offer housing with less land maintenance.  He said Mr. Jasse’s property lent itself to having the open land in the front with the houses placed in the woods, this parcel doesn’t have that feature so is somewhat limited.  He said the large lot isn’t situated where it would be convenient for the rest of the residents.  Mr. Sawyer said some Towns offer a 50 foot ROW off the frontage into a large lot in the back as an option to keep houses from lining the streets.  Ms. Aslinger said also known as “pork chop” lots as opposed to “spaghetti lots”.  She asked if the plans were complete, Mr. Dill pointed out on the existing farmhouse lot, they moved the back line to accommodate Lot 1’s wet area. (Sec. note:  The plans show a 12 lot subdivision and lot line adjustment on existing lot and lot 1)  He said they have not spoken to the Town about the road, Mr. Sawyer said the Town upgraded Hooper Road two years ago, put in culverts and resurfaced it.  He would be submitting his application to the Board for the April 10, 2007 meeting formal acceptance and Public Hearing will be scheduled for the May meeting.

B.  Dale Woodward - Minor subdivision Hubbard Farms, Huntington Farm property -  Mr. Toby Tousle was present to discuss a 3 Lot subdivision on Map 12 Lot 54, the parcel being voted on today which may or may not change the zone from Rural Ag. to Industrial.  He explained in order to close on his deal, Hubbard wished to retain roughly 3 acres along the northwest boundary to include 3 buildings as a new Lot 3, as well as retain their Lab on the northeast corner in the Commercial Zone as new Lot 2, with the remainder of the parcel being Lot 1.  The access for the lab and Lot 2 would be via the existing lane.  He showed the area on an aerial photo/map.  No frontage if the zone changes to Industrial is required for proposed Lot 3.  He said eventually there would be some changes to Huntington Lane to accommodate future industrial sites he’s had some other inquiries.  He pointed out the land below the buildings approximately 10 acres would never be built on and is in the flood plain and wellhead protection area.  V-Ch. Miller read a letter into the record from Mark Houghton, Superintendent of the Water Department asking the Board to take into consideration his comments on any proposals within the wellhead protection area.  The letter was dated 3/12/07 and received by the Board 3/13/07 for tonight’s meeting.  It also offered facts regarding the possible re-zoning of the “Hubbard B Farm” and the potential for degradation of the Town’s drinking water sources.  It mentioned the protective measures the Department with the Source Water Protection Committee, and Land Use Boards have taken, such as adopting a wellhead protection overlay district voted on by the Town as a zoning change in 2004 based on a 2003 report.  Mr. Houghton closed with this thought:  “Walpole is fortunate to have two aquifers to draw water from -- that’s two more than many of our neighbors have.  Using a proactive approach to guide development on land over these aquifers today will ensure an invaluable resource for tomorrow.”

Sec. Aslinger said she would send him a copy of the minutes from tonight’s meeting and future agendas to keep him informed.  Mr. Dave DeCoste said he felt strongly Mr. Houghton should be part of any review brought before the Board involved with drinking water protection. 

Walpole Planning Board Minutes March 13, 2007 page 4

Mr. Tousle reminded the Board he had contacted Brackett Geo. Services, the same firm the Town uses, who wrote a letter to the Board about the well-head protection zone.  Mr. Tousle said they were prepared to install monitoring systems or whatever means necessary to insure the wellheads were protected and protect the aquafir.  He said he had spoken with Mr. Speed of the Conservation Commission.  He said the proposal he was presenting tonight is already an existing use so has no additional consequence.  Mr. Hansel asked if they would be drilling new wells, answer was the parcel would use Town water, not a private system. 

Mr. Dill asked if the zoning change doesn’t pass, would that affect this proposal.  Mr. Tousle answered if the change fails this proposal would “go away” along with the sale of the property as it stands today.  He said they might negotiate something different.  Sec. Aslinger asked when they would like to submit this 3 lot subdivision, she said the Board normally takes applications at their meetings only, but if the Board would vote to divert from that procedure, he could submit his application by March 26th for the April 10, 2007 meeting.  He said he would like to have the proposal on for the April 10 meeting but he is not prepared to submit the application at tonight’s meeting.  A motion to allow the applicant to submit their application to the Secretary prior to March 26th, to be processed for the April 10, 2007 meeting was made and seconded.  The motion carried.  Mr. Tousle and/or Mr. Joe DiBernardo will contact the Secretary later in the month.

C.  Mr. Bob Jasse - Joe DiBernardo presented maps and application materials for a 3 Lot Subdivision located on Wentworth Rd. and Graves Rd.  Map 5 Lot 2-9 in the Rural Agricultural District.  Mr. DiBernardo pointed out Lot 3 of 13.93 acres as non-developed, Lots 1 & 2 are buildable but include conservation areas, no build zones, shown in hatch marks. Lot 1 is 13.75 acres, Lot 2, 11.01 acres.  He indicated a ROW from Wentworth Rd. across Lot 1 extending to Lot 3 and Lot 2.  He noted that a cluster ordinance would have enhanced this project.  Mr. Jasse explained the purpose of the subdivision was to create 2 more lots and set aside the non-buildable lot.  He stated his intention is to provide for his family and to leave his options open.  He is doubtful a broad based tax will be realized; he worries that a view tax will make it impossible to continue with his operation.  Ms. Aslinger stated she had been assessed a view tax in Warner, NH raising her taxes on her view property from 7000.00 to 12000.00 in one year.  Mr. DeCoste objected to the complaint of a view tax when the surrounding property has been sold for higher prices not because of a view but because the land is valued higher.  He agreed with Mr. Jasse about the need for a broad based tax.  Mr. Jasse made one final point, he said when he bought the land he went to Cornell and UNH, they suggested land with good air drainage.  He said the land had good air drainage and wasn’t thinking about the view, in fact there were many trees on the property when he bought it.  He said he planted 28,000 trees dug 4 acres of ponds, put in a runway, we created a few good views, so he doesn’t think this wound should be inflicted on him.  He said as an asset Alyson’s Apple Orchard has a definite time limit.  Mr. Fletcher noted if he owned a piece of land and decided to cut trees down that opened up a view on an abutting property, the abutter could be taxed for that view.  Mr. Dill asked if the “not to be developed” Lot 3 was being deeded that way, Mr. Jasse said no it is currently a woodlot.  All other lots shown on the plans pre-exist.  A motion to place the application on the April 10, 2007 meeting and schedule the Public Hearing was made and seconded, motion carried.  Fees are pending.

D.  Sec. Aslinger said she receives calls throughout the month from potential applicants and wished to keep the Board informed.  By phone, Mr. Snow from Appledore Design in Portsmouth asked about parking lot ratios and sizes in regard to a parcel between the Ames building and Fall Mtn. Bldg. Supply which includes the Reel to Reel Store. She answered back to him by e-mail stating parking lot sizes and ratios are not specified in the Site Plan Regs, the Board relies on current industry standards.  She said to the Board, the parcel is owned by Berkshire Development and may have some frontage constraints as Meadow Lane bisects the parcel but cannot be used as frontage.  She thought they would need to subdivide the land because Walpole only allows one building per lot.  Mr. Dill thought the original developer had an approved plan that showed two buildings on that property prior to Berkshire and Randy Daniels, when the grocery store was built.  He remembered seeing a map showing pre-approved buildings on either side of Meadow Lane.  Sec. Aslinger suggested because each part of the Plaza has special ownership issues, the Board should review all the past approvals and try to reconstruct who owns what.  Members agreed and asked to have the materials gathered for the next work session so the Board would be dealing in facts on future development of the area. 

Ms. Aslinger also received a letter from Judith Barden of Barden Holdings, LLC or Keene, petitioning the Board to approve a subdivision of Lot 42, Map 9 located on March Hill Rd with the intention of selling the property to Dennis and Patricia Beaudoin abutters, Map 9 Lots 53 and 54.  Ms. Aslinger replied in writing notifying her the Board did not approve subdivisions by petition, explained the application process but has not heard back from her.  Mr. Fletcher noted he saw a transfer of property in that location in the Keene Sentinel a couple a weeks ago that may be related.  Sec. Aslinger hoped property wasn’t being transferred without subdivision.   

  VII.                  Communications and Miscellaneous

                A.  Work Session Agenda 3/27/07 - Ben Daviss said the work session generated a good group of people interested in the Master Plan update and in deference to their input rather than reviewing the Goal and Objectives sections, Mel Schupack was gathering ideas for an introductory vision statement to Master Plan and Land Use section identifying the values of the Town.  Mr. Schupack will have a draft presentation of those ideas for the March work session.  Mr. Daviss said in order to move the update process ahead he has contacted Teresa Kissell in the Town Office about expanding the Town’s website to include the update by way of message boards, draft documents, meeting notices, minutes so it can speed up and include more people in the process.  He asked if the Board would authorize her to do this.  Ms. Aslinger noted the Board of Selectmen would need to give her permission to add the extra work into her schedule.  Ms. Kissell stated she is pressed for time but would be able to incorporate additional information as time allows.  Ms. Aslinger said Ms. Kissell had very kindly added a special section for the Master Plan ahead of this request and was willing to make the site more user friendly for the Town.  Ms. Aslinger thought it was a good use of the site and thought it would be good to have townspeople get used to using the site not only for the Master Plan but for minutes and agendas of meetings.  Mr. Dill asked if Ms. Kissell’s additional time would be taken out of the Planning Board budget.  Mr. Sawyer said Teresa would allocate her time to the Planning Board.  Mr. Daviss said he hoped to find a volunteer to take over some of the duties as well.  A motion to make a request of the Board of Selectmen to authorize Teresa Kissell to expand the Town website to include the Master Plan update was made, seconded, motion carried.

                B.   Review agenda items for 4/10/07, as mentioned above.

                C.   SWRPC - Sec. Aslinger stated Ch. J. Miller was questioning when their estimate might be complete.  Mr. Daviss said he would contact them again.  Mr. Dill asked about using SWRPC on questions like the Tom Hanna letter, who pays for it.  Answer:   Under the Town’s membership we are allowed some free information and there is free legal assistance available at the NH Local Govt. Center as a member of the Municipal Association.  Ms. Aslinger said while the advice is free, the lawyer on call stated we should back up their opinion with Town Counsel however it is helpful to have initial information to use to ask an intelligent question of Town Counsel.  

D.   Other - Ms. Aslinger mentioned her “notes” that she and Ch. Miller did meet with the

Selectmen in regard to when they decide to include the land use boards in reviewing Town projects.  She said the Selectmen were very helpful and informative and basically agreed the land use boards should be included in Town project reviews and have been in the past.  She said Ch. Miller stated if the Bandstand passes it may or may not be reviewed based on what it costs under the Site Plan Review.  She said rather than going into further details at this time it is best to wait until after Town Meeting, members agreed.

                D.  Other - Mr. Sawyer said for everyone’s information at the Saturday Town meeting, the first article will be on the Ballam Farm bond issue, it will be passed over until May 5th so they can hold the bond hearing that wasn’t properly held.  He said the article at the May 5th meeting would be a vote by ballot.

VIII.  Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm

Next regular meeting will be held 4/10/07.  A work session will be held 3/27/07 in the basement office at 7:00pm.

2-27-07

By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer

Walpole’s Lucy McVitty Weber and Tara Sad were recruited to run for the New Hampshire House of Representatives last summer and, to their surprise and delight, both won in November.  Since then, life has been a whirl of new learning, new colleagues from around the state, and new experiences.  The Eagle Times queried them on their first six weeks of experiences as legislators.  Here are the edited responses.

1.  What made you decide to run for the House, when did you decide, how did you campaign?

Sad: While I had voted in every election since I was eighteen, I was never involved in politics until the 2000 election.  Seeing the way the country was going and feeling I had to do something, I had house parties in my home, made telephone calls and stood outside the polling location holding signs on the coldest day in recorded history (or at least it seemed the coldest).  Then, last summer, Jack Pratt, the state representative from our district, called to say he was not going to run for representative in the upcoming election.   There were two slots to fill on the ballot.  Jack asked me and my friend and fellow telephone-caller-and-door-knocker, Lucy Weber, to run.  He invited us to his house for a meeting.  Jack is a very persuasive person, and by the end of the meeting, against all rational thought and common sense, Lucy and I both agreed to run!

Weber: I had begun to feel that, unless I made some kind of effort to change the things I thought were wrong with the world, I should not continue to complain about them.   I considered running two years ago, but discovered it was too late in the process to change my voter registration from Undeclared to Democrat.  Jack Pratt reminded me nearly every time we met in the next two years that I should run in 2006.  Having just sold my business [The Walpole Inn], I had also reached a point in my life when it was possible for me to consider running for the Legislature.

 I think our campaigns were pretty similar—we went to every function and candidates forum we were invited to and knocked on doors.  We each took different routes to cover twice as much territory, and each of us handed out the other’s flyer as well.

2.  What lessons, surprises, etc., did you take away from your campaigns?  Was campaigning drudgery? Fun? Rewarding?

Sad: Campaigning!  Campaigning is an exhausting and terrifying experience, but exhilarating and fun at the same time.  The process fills you with self-doubt and despair, then lifts your spirits and propels you on to do more.  Back in August, Lucy and I attended two classes on ‘how to campaign’.  By the time they were over, we were both stunned.  We never realized all the work – fundraising, letter writing, mass mailing, knocking on doors, printing handouts, more fundraising, printing and planting signs, and more fundraising – that seemingly was required in a campaign!  There were ‘meet the candidate’ events, public question and answer panels, house parties and fundraising events for national candidates.  We passed out literature at the post office, the recycling center, and local events. Our district, Cheshire 2, is made up of seven different towns – Alstead, Marlow, Nelson, Roxbury, Sullivan, Stoddard and Walpole – and the physical distance between them is considerable, so we spent quite a bit of time in the car. 

One of the best decisions we made at the beginning was to run as a team.  Lucy and I would ride to meetings together, knock on doors together, shake hands together – the weight of the load was shared.  And it made it fun. We had someone to commiserate, worry and laugh with. 

My favorite part of the campaign process was knocking on doors, meeting and talking to people.  I not only told them about myself and why I was running, but I learned their problems and issues were.  The stories they told were of deep problems  -- financial, educational, medical – that no one was addressing in the government.  They needed help.  I felt more and more a responsibility to do what I could.  I was running the race not for myself but for them.  It made it easier. 

Election day came.  Eleven hours of standing outside and greeting voters.  In a small race in a small district, there are no polls or survey, so you really don’t know where you stand in the race.  It wasn’t until after midnight that I learned Lucy and I had won. 

Weber: I found campaigning difficult for two reasons.  First, I was painfully aware how little I knew about the legislative process.  I had opinions on many issues, but no way of formulating reasonable expectations of what could actually be accomplished.  I didn’t want to make promises I couldn’t deliver on, but I didn’t want to just make broad, vague statements, either. 

 Second, I was trained at an early age that boasting was not an attractive character trait, so telling strangers why I was the best person for the job was a real strain.  It was much easier to tell them why I thought they should vote for Tara. 

 On the plus side, I was astonished by the positive reactions I got from people, both friends and perfect strangers, when I told them I was running.  Two particularly nice things occurred on Election Day.  One was the woman who thanked me on her way into the polls and said that she had never seen another candidate come to her (rather remote) part of town.  The other was several people whose politics I know to be completely opposed to mine, and who I know wouldn’t vote for me, but who thanked me for caring enough to run.  The biggest surprise was that not only did we both win, but we are now, unexpectedly, in the majority.

3.  What have you actually DONE in the first 60 days since being sworn in on December 6? 

Sad: In November, after the election, we ‘freshmen’ spent two and a half days in Concord at orientation.  We learned the proper conduct during House sessions, how the committee process works, and how to not get lost in the meandering tunnel system running between the State House and the Legislative Office Building.  Very informative.  Then on December 6th, ‘Organization Day’, we were officially sworn in as State Representatives.  Sitting in Representatives’ Hall with the full House and Senate – the oldest continually occupied chamber in the country -- looking up at the imposing oil paintings and the coffered ceiling, I couldn’t help but feel humbled.  It is truly thrilling.  The first day of actual work was January 3rd, 2007.  I was assigned to the Environment and Agriculture Committee, one that truly represents my main interests.

Weber: One of the less-known jobs of the County Legislative Delegation is to approve the County Budget.  Tara and I were both appointed to the Delegation’s Executive Committee.  This is not so much an honor as a way of introducing new legislators to the County budget process and County functions.  In Cheshire County, the Executive Committee has met every Monday, and as of February 26th, we have reviewed the County budget line by line, and reduced the rate of increase in the proposed budget by over half. 

4.  What have been some of the important--and interesting but
trivial--things you've learned so far?  How have the more veteran
legislators treated the newcomers?

Sad:  We have learned what ITL and OTP mean.  (ITL – Inexpedient to Legislate – is how you vote when you do not want a bill to pass, and OTP – Ought To Pass – is how you vote when you are in favor of the bill’s passing)  We have learned which button to push when you vote (Green for Yes, Red for No).  We have learned that you never cross in front of the Speaker of the House during a session, and if you are unfortunate enough to forget, you must make a formal apology from the well (the position under the Speaker of the House’s platform where one goes to speak).  And perhaps of more importance, we have also learned where the lockers, cafeteria and bathrooms are!

The veteran legislators have been very welcoming to all of us first timers.  They are generous with their knowledge and advice – Republican and Democrat alike.

Weber:  The more experienced lawmakers have been amazingly welcoming and very generous with their time and experience. They have been working hard at training us to be effective, contributing members.  The only exception was one returning legislator who told me that as a new member, I could not understand the complexities of a particular issue.  I found this so condescending that I replied that I was a new legislator, not a new person.  The incident has not been repeated.

5.  What committee assignments have you been given?  What have they done so far?
Sad:  So far in my committee – Environment and Agriculture -- we have voted on bills regarding landfills, recycling, meat inspection, raw milk, dog and cat neutering and spaying, state veterinarians and hazardous waste, among others.

Perhaps my favorite so far is the bill that came to our committee to make it illegal to release more that 25 helium balloons at one time.  When I first read the bill, I thought it was rather silly.  Balloons?  But the day of the hearing came, and there to testify were six or seven school children dressed in red t-shirts and armed with posters and statistics.  They explained that deflated balloons, and the ribbons that hold them, are deadly for marine life.  To many sea birds, the balloons bobbing on the ocean resemble jellyfish.  Once eaten, however, they get lodged in the throat, suffocating the birds.  In addition, the ribbons often get wrapped around the long beaks of fish-eating birds, binding them shut.  The birds die of starvation.  The pictures were moving, the testimony by the children well-researched and heartfelt.  This is an example of how your perspective can be changed with testimony in a hearing, and how even the most insignificant seeming bill can in fact be very significant.  Of course, we voted unanimously to make the release of even one balloon intentionally a violation of the litter laws.

Weber:  My committee—the Judiciary Committee—has conducted hearings on over half of the 64 plus bills referred to it, Including such issues as a constitutional amendment regarding the definition of marriage, the repeal of the parental notification law, and (one of my personal favorites) the repeal of the ban on Sunday dancing.  We have held subcommittees on some to consider changes to the original language or to consolidate several bills dealing with the same subject.  Then each bill gets an executive session, where the committee discusses the bill and then votes on whether the bill ought to pass (OTP) or inexpedient to legislate (ITL) or whether it should be retained for further study.  Then the bill goes to the full House for a vote.

5. How much time are you putting in each week, and exactly what are you doing?  Is the workload more or less than you anticipated?  What are the surprises you've encountered

Sad:  We are now in a busy period.  We are having hearings and sessions on every bill that is assigned to our committee and voting on them and getting them out before March 22nd when the House hands over all the bills to the Senate for their vote.  We will then get the Senate bills.  We have been assigned over thirty bills so far, with more still to come.  So scheduling the necessary hearings and sessions before the deadline means we are meeting or in session Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday every week.  In the hours that we are home, there are constituent e-mails to answer, voluminous amounts of mail to read, and preparations to be made for the next day.  It’s very much like homework.  The hours are about the same as a full-time job – unfortunately the salary is not!

Weber:  Up to now, I have been going to Concord three days a week, two days for committee meetings and one for full House session. In addition Monday mornings and some Monday afternoons are spent in Westmoreland reviewing the County budget.  This next week is our winter break, and starting on March 5th, my committee will be holding hearings Mondays as well, so I will be in Concord at least four days a week, and we are being threatened with Friday. 

7.  Is the job larger or harder than you expected?

Sad:  Other than the time requirements, the work itself is important but not daunting or intimidating. 

Weber:  I think every new legislator is astonished by the amount of work.  And it has to be said that several of those who recruited us to run have admitted publicly that they lied.  (“One day a week and a few committee meetings”—right!)

 The other thing (aside form all the things mentioned elsewhere) no one tells you about are the number of meetings in your district and region that people want you to attend.  These include breakfast with the President of Keene State College, Extension Service presentations, Selectmen’s meetings, service organization meetings, hearings on a new bridge, tours of farms, tours of our jail and Strafford County’s jail, the 4-H quiz bowl, the Farm Bureau meeting, and many others.  For me, these events are absolutely the best part of the job—I learn the most about constituents and their needs, and how these needs are being met—or not.  People are describing their work, or their interests, and they are fascinating.  The Alstead Selectmen have a meeting after each election and invite everyone in town to meet all their elected officials—Representatives, State Senator, and County Commissioners, and everyone has a chance to say whatever is on their mind.  I wish every town in the district would try something similar.

One of the things that never fail to amaze me is how many things are resolved in the committees on a totally bipartisan basis.  Many bills come out of committee with a vote of 20 to 0 or maybe 18 to 2 with a recommendation—either that they either ought to pass (OTP) or are inexpedient to legislate (ITL).  These are bills that have been examined by the committee and found to be either good or bad, and they go on the consent calendar and are voted on in a block.

 It also surprises me how very formal the proceedings are.  There are many rules, written and unwritten, for how each type of meeting is run.  For example, if you are speaking, you may not refer to another member’s first name.

 Some aspects [of the work] are absolutely exhilarating.  One of the best parts is that you are learning something new all the time, and every day is different.  Another is when you are able to take an issue on which there is a fair amount of disagreement and find a compromise that most are willing to accept, or find a new way of looking at a problem that aids in a solution.  On the other hand, we sit through many hearings in which everything that can possibly be said about the issue before us has already been said.  But we have to sit, patiently and attentively, while everyone else present says it again….and again….and again.  These are times I wonder if my head might actually explode!

8.  What are your legislative (and other) priorities now that you have some experience and have seen how things work?  What do you think you can achieve for your constituents?

Sad:  My first priority is to get some immediate aid to our state’s dairy farmers.  We have several bills we are working on to do that, and I am a member of an ad hoc committee to investigate the best methods of providing this help.  My next goal is to do what I can for the environment – with increased recycling and safe disposal of solid waste, sludge and hazardous waste.  Bills on all these topics are coming before our committee. 

Weber:  It looks like the smoking ban in restaurants and the minimum wage hike are going to pass.  Oh, yes, and you will no longer be breaking the law if your Saturday night dance runs over after midnight.

 In my committee, we are working on any number of more difficult tasks.  One is a set of several bills ranging from a constitutional amendment mandating that marriage be between one man and one woman and that no other union shall be recognized.  On the other end there are bills proposing civil unions or gay marriage.  I would love to see us affirm the separation of church and state by having the state recognize a civil contract between any two adults.  Each individual religion could then define marriage and direct the manner of its solemnization in accordance with its own teachings.  Persons wanting a religious marriage would simply have that ceremony in addition to the civil proceeding, as happens now in several European countries.  I have no idea where this particular issue will come out.

 Education is, of course, the big issue.  I would prefer to have the state fund an adequate education for each child. This would allow us to relieve some of the pressure created by the state property tax.  The governor, however, has proposed funding only the more needy school districts, and will propose a constitutional amendment to allow this.  I suspect that my committee will review the amendment, but it has not been submitted yet.  The concern I have with this method of dealing with education funding is that Vermont, having taken a similar route, is more than five years ahead of us in the process, and their towns are in full property tax revolt.  I think a better solution is to spread the entire education funding burden across the state using either a combination of taxes, or with the funding tied to a tax specifically earmarked for education and based on the individual’s ability to pay. 

 Oh, and I really want to get a new jail sited and built. I could go on and on here!

8.  How do you expect to communicate with your constituents and how can they best communicate with you?

Sad:  I enjoy hearing from the constituents and welcome e-mails or telephone calls.  My e-mail address is tara.sad@leg.state.nh.us.  My telephone number is in the book. 

Weber:  I communicate with my constituents in whatever way they prefer.  I answer telephone calls and emails as soon as I can and talk to people wherever and whenever I meet them—at local meetings, in the bank or post office, or when they get out of their cars and stop me in the middle of my walk. 

 10.  How are you working together? e.g. one of you told me about the
synergy of one of you driving to Concord and the other reading key materials aloud.

Sad:  Not only do Lucy and I ride in together, but we have two other representatives in our car pool – Bill Chase from Westmoreland and Suzanne Butcher from Keene.  We meet at a church parking lot early in the morning and drive in together most days.  So we have representatives from Environment and Agriculture, Judiciary, Science and Technology and Health and Human Services in one car discussing legislation we are working on in each of our committees.  A valuable education, and fascinating!

Weber:  Mr. Chase and Ms. Butcher are on the Science and Technology and Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committees.  These are all committees I am particularly interested in and it is useful to hear what is happening in each of them.  In addition, when there are informational meetings scheduled at the same time, Tara goes to one meeting and I go to the other so we can share that information.

10.  Are you already thinking about your next campaign?

Sad:  I’m so busy right now with the work I am doing that I campaigning again is the last thing on my mind! 

Weber:  At this point, I can barely plan past next week.  I do think, though, that it is easier to run on a record.  If people like what I did this term, they will vote for me and if not, it is their right to elect someone else.  And I could, perhaps, go and get a job with a real salary!

                                                --30--

March 14, 2007

Walpole Voters Nix New Industrial Park, Elect New Officers

By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer

          Walpole voters, by a count of 591 to 501, Tuesday nixed a proposed zoning change that would have turned 34 agricultural acres of Hubbard LLC land, known as Huntington Farm, behind Diamond Pizza on the west side of Rt. 12, into an industrial park.

          The defeat of the Huntington Farms rezoning means that Keene developer Toby Tousley cannot proceed with his proposed industrial park on the land and cannot bring in Rockingham firm Chamberlain Machine as its first tenant.

          In other votes, the Planning Board’s proposal to change zoning ordinance language preventing commercial “establishments” of more than 40,000 square feet to commercial “buildings” of more than 40,000 square feet passed by 764 to 337 despite area commercial landowners’ attempt to kill it with a petition requiring a two-thirds vote.

          The commercial property owners’ two-thirds vote petition did succeed in sinking the Planning Board’s proposal to lower the current limit of three stories on new multi-family residences to two stories.  While the majority of voters favored the reduction, the vote was 700 for and 393 against—less than a 2/3 majority.

          The Planning Board’s recommended change of zoning of Dearborn Circle from commercial to residential—not opposed by nearby commercial owners with a ‘two-thirds petition’—passed by a vote of 937 to 167.

          In other voting, voters elected Whitney Aldrich to a second term on the Walpole Select Board, defeating Nancy Finlay of North Walpole 717 to 275.

          Voters also elected Robert F. Miller with 403 votes and Eric Merklein with 331 votes to the Planning Board, besting first-time candidate, Shane O’Keefe, who tallied 320 votes.

          Lyn Cooke (671 votes), Lilla DeCoste (638) and Carole Zachary (609) were elected to three-year terms on the Walpole Town Library Board, besting Patricia Dooley who had 472 votes.

          In uncontested races, Myra Mansouri (943 votes) was elected to another one-year term as Town Treasurer, Teresa Kissell (903 votes) was elected to a one-year term as North Walpole Tax Collector, Joseph Dion (882 votes) was elected to a three-year term as trustee of trust funds, and Paul Massicotte (912 votes) was elected to a three-year term as cemetery trustee.  Finally, Leo Carignan (775) and Myra Mansouri (784) were elected to three-year terms on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

                                       --30--

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MARCH 01, 2007

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with two people present in the audience.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $62,596.00.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 24, 2007, for gross wages in the amount of $15,751.53 or net wages in the amount of $7,737.29.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  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 $3,975.29.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- FEBRUARY 22, 2007:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of February 22, 2007, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting of February 21, 2007.

ABATEMENTS:

BURTCO, INC. – SEWER:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement for Sewer in the amount of $607.03 plus all interest for Burtco, Inc. because of an inaccurate reading in 2004.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

UNIVERSITY OF NH – PROPERTY 2005:  Mr. Sawyer moved to put the Abatement for Property Tax in 2005 for the University of NH on-hold pending additional information.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

BUILDING PERMIT:

DRAGOS AND ANN SHURLEA – MAP 011-050-003:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit 2007-004 for Dragos and Ann Shurlea to construct a garage with an attached mud room and deck.  All will be attached to the existing house.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

MERVYN FRINK – MUNICIPAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the Waiver for the Notice of Limits of Municipal Responsibility and Liability for Mervyn and Lilo Frink.  The document was previously  signed by Mervyn and Lilo Frink.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW BUSINESS:

LORIN MARTIN – ASSESSING:   Lorin Martin, Avitar Assessing Service, reviewed their proposal to the Town for a Statistical Up-date plus added components and full Revaluation in 2011.  Following a discussion relative to doing the utilities; it was agreed that Gary Robarge would schedule a separate meeting on the utilities.  The questions submitted by Elaine Moore were reviewed.  Mrs. Martin advised that they are prepared to do a full review and their office is set-up to do the mailings.  They would take the data out to work on it but, after that is completed and brought back, Elaine Moore could resume doing the up-dates.  Communication would remain open.  They would provide a manual and print-off a full set of cards for the whole data base.  Before finalizing anything they would leave the data with the Board of Selectmen to review for about two weeks and then they would move forward.  Mrs. Martin explained that they try to include a plan so that the towns do not have any unexpected expenses.      

OLD BUSINESS   (Continued):

MARY AND JIM CATALDO:  The Board of Selectmen and Jim Terrell will be meeting with Mary and Jim Cataldo to view their damaged fence on Monday, March 5th at 5:30 PM.

EILEEN SWAIN:  Mr. Benson requested that the Board of Selectmen schedule a meeting with his Attorney Gary Kinyon, the Town Attorney Jeremy Hockinsmith and the Board of Selectmen to continue their discussion with Eileen Swain. 

NEW BUSINESS (Continued):

TIMBER CUT – MAP 010-019-000 and MAP 010-022-001:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the two Notices of Intent to Cut for Dale Hubbard on the Old Drewsville Road.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

E.W. SALVAGE – JUNK YARD PERMIT:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Junk Yard Permit for E.W. Salvage.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

SWRPC – LOCAL ACCESS MANAGEMENT:  Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen do not wish to go forward with the Local Access Management proposal from the Southwest Region Planning Commission.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY FOREST FIRE WARDEN – MATTHEW YEATMAN:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged a request from William Houghton to appoint Matthew Yeatman as the Deputy Forest Fire Warden. 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the appointment of Matthew Yeatman as the Deputy Forest Fire Warden.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

INFORMATIONAL – MEETING IN ALSTEAD REGARDING RESTORATION PLAN OF COLD RIVER:  There will be an informational meeting in Alstead regarding the Restoration Plan of the Cold River at the Vilas Middle School on March 8th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. 

WARRANT ARTICLE:  The Board of Selectmen received a letter from Attorney Jeremy Hockinsmith requesting more information on a Petition received from Krystyna Marcom relative to the Walpole Common after he was contacted by the Attorney General.  The Board of Selectmen will have Elaine Moore FAX the information to him and a meeting will be scheduled.

CHESHIRE COUNTY COURTS:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of an invitation to attend a meeting in the Keene District Court on March 16th beginning at 10:00 am to discuss combining the County Superior Court, the Cheshire County Probate Court and the Keene District Court into a common site.

ATTORNEY KASPER BUILDING:  Mr. Sawyer reported that the sidewalk plow scraped the side of the wall of Attorney Kasper’s building.  Attorney Kasper contacted Jim Terrell.  It was agreed that a report should be made to the insurance carrier.

LETTER TO BE SIGNED:

SIGUARD SWANSON:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the letter to Siguard Swanson regarding his assessed acreage.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.     

Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:58 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Changes in Walpole Warrant Plans

By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer

            Only a day before voting, what’s on, what’s off, and what votes will be required on Walpole’s town meeting warrant have changed!

New Warrant Article Allowed

            Last week Walpole Selectmen, following a ruling of the New Hampshire Attorney General, added to the warrant an article asking whether town voters wanted proposals to build permanent structures on the Walpole Common brought before them for vote rather than being accepted or rejected by the Board of Selectmen.

            Although the petition requesting such a vote of the town had been timely filed with 76 names last September 6, the Board of Selectmen had held the petition for several months and then concluded that its specific request to be on the “Official Ballot to be voted on at the polls” disqualified it from consideration on the warrant.  After petition sponsor Krystyna Marcom repeatedly questioned the selectmen about their inaction on the petition, the selectmen finally asked the town attorney, Jeremy Hockensmith of Peterborough, for a legal opinion on the petition’s validity on February 2.

            Hockensmith’s opinion, dated February 6, supported the Selectmen’s opinion that the petition’s language did not fit the limited subject matter permitted by statute on the official ballot.  Hockensmith also recommended that the board ask Marcom if it was the intention of the petitioners to have their issue be a warrant item that could be considered at the deliberative session on Saturday afternoon.  If so, Hockensmith told the board, it had a duty to put it on the warrant under New Hampshire law. 

            Instead, the selectmen sent Marcom a denial of her petition’s request and made no further inquiry into the petition’s intent.  (Selectmen Sheldon Sawyer has said that he specifically asked Krystyna Marcom at a meeting last fall if she would want her petition placed on the warrant and that Marcom had said no.  Marcom says no such exchange took place.)  Select Board Chair Whitney Aldrich said Friday night that the board tried several times unsuccessfully to explain to Ms. Marcom the reasons why the petition as written could not be accepted as an item on the official ballot.

            After being turned down, Marcom, joined by local citizen Pam Aslinger, contacted the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, shared their petition and other communications and asked if they had cause to complain.  Attorney James Kennedy of the AG’s Office spoke in detail to Aslinger, studied the statutes and the petition, and interviewed several of the petition’s signers to verify their intent.  Satisfied that their petition, drawn up without advice of counsel, was essentially a request to be heard, one way or another, by the whole town—not, as interpreted by the selectmen, a narrow attempt only to get on the official written ballot for Tuesday’s voting—Kennedy contacted Hockensmith on March 1 and said it was the AG’s ruling that the petitioners HAD met the requirements for getting their request on the warrant.  The Selectmen thereupon put the petition on the warrant for consideration at next Saturday’s meeting—not on the official ballot for voting on Tuesday.

            The language of the petition that Saturday’s town meeting attendees will see will still have the improper and, by then, untimely language requesting that the petition be put on the official ballot, but the sponsors may amend the language at the meeting before the vote.

            “We’re just delighted that democracy works,” said Marcom Saturday.

            Select Board Chair Whitney Aldrich said Friday that the board has found the whole process very frustrating because its members have attempted to explain the problems with the petition but have not been listened to.

            Because Marcom’s petition was originally filed before the Veteran’s Memorial was officially agreed to by the town in October and because the selectmen had, in fact, placed on the warrant the question of whether to accept a gift bandstand for construction on the Common, it is unclear what affect passage of the Marcom petition would have on those projects. 

Super Majority Petitions on Zoning Articles

            With respect to changing the language of the zoning ordinance disallowing commercial “establishments” of greater than 40,000 square feet to commercial “buildings” of greater than 40,000 square feet, commercial property owners filed for the super majority requirement early last week.  Later in the week, Thomas Rogers of Alstead, another Walpole commercial property owner, filed a similar petition signed many of the same commercial property owners to require a 2/3 vote to pass the warrant article that proposes to cut the allowed number of stories in new multifamily housing from three to two.  The Walpole Planning Board endorses both proposed changes and was not involved in the petitions to require super majorities.

Glitch in Conservation Vote

In addition, last week, Walpole resident David Edkins questioned whether the Board of Selectmen had held a required “bond hearing” in connection with the ballot item seeking voter approval of borrowing $330,000 to place a conservation easement on Ballam Farm.  As of late Friday, attorneys for The Trust for Public Land were studying whether it was a problem and whether there were options for solving it and enabling the vote to go forward on Tuesday.

Paper Ballot Requests for Saturday Meeting

According to Moderator Ernie Vose on Saturday, he had already received several requests for secret paper ballots to be used on warrant item votes at next Saturday’s meeting.  Because secret ballots are required to allow an hour for submission, Vose is considering seeking meeting attendee authority to move all articles for which secret ballots had been requested to the beginning of the meeting.  As of last Friday, secret ballots had been requested for the votes on the Ballam Farm conservation easement, the offered bandstand gift, and the junk prohibition ordinance.  Other requests for secret ballot may be made during the week or at the meeting itself. 

                                                --30--

3-11-07

Walpole to Decide on Officers, School Contracts, Zoning Changes, and More

By Chuck Bingaman

            Walpole voters Tuesday elect new officers, weigh proposed a 2007-2008 school budget and new contracts for Fall Mountain teachers and staff and decide four zoning issues. Saturday’s deliberative session promises an even wider slate of financial and policy decisions for in-person voting.

Tuesday Balloting

            Nancy Finlay of North Walpole is challenging incumbent one-term Selectman Whitney Aldrich for a three-year term on the Select Board. Incumbents Eric Merklein, and Robert Miller, along with former Bellows Falls town manager Shane O’Keefe, are vying for two openings on the town Planning Board.  Incumbent Carole Zachary and Lyn Cooke, Lilla DeCoste and Patricia Dooley are running for the three open seats on the Walpole Town Library Board.

            In uncontested elections, Myra Mansouri is seeking another one-year term as Town Treasurer, and Teresa Kissell is seeking another one-year term as Tax Collector for North Walpole.  Joseph Dion is seeking a three-year term as Trustee of Trust Funds, and incumbent Paul Massicotte is seeking a three-year term as Cemetery Trustee.  Leo Carignan and Myra Mansouri are running for the two open slots on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

            The proposed $23,463,838 Fall Mountain school budget, although less than the default budget by $900,000, does not include the funds for new teacher and staff contracts that are included in other articles.  [The Fall Mountain SAU60 budget proposal is covered in detail in other Eagle Times stories.]

Tuesday Zoning Issues

            In addition to Tuesday’s officer elections and school finance issues, voters will be asked if they want to rezone Dearborn Park from commercial to residential, to make it clear that no new commercial building larger than 40,000 square feet will be allowed in Walpole, to forbid new multi-family dwellings higher than two stories, and to rezone Huntington Farm from rural-agricultural to industrial.  (Last week owners of land in the commercial zone took advantage of a statutory provision that thye have used successdully before to block proposed zoning changes by requiring a 2/3 majority or more to pass zoning changes.  Unlike the last time, these zoning changes are recommened by the Planning Board.)

The Huntington Farm article asks whether the town wants to rezone 43 acres west of Rt. 12 (and behind Diamond Pizza) so Keene developer Toby Tousley can create a new industrial park there.  Already Tousley has lined up Chamberlain Machine of Rockingham to buy 8 acres, if the rezoning goes through, and to build a new, larger factory there for its high-tech pump business.  Later, Tousley hopes to sell remaining parcels to “5 or 6” other businesses.

In Person Saturday Voting

            At Saturday’s deliberative session beginning at 1:00 p.m., Walpole’s Selectmen will present their proposed 2007 town operating budget of $ 3,209,577.  The proposed budget expenditures represent an increase of $ 92,974 or 3% compared to the actual expenditures in 2006.  The total town budget, including all proposed warrant items, would be $4,353,977.  2006 Tax rates were as follows (with projected 2007 rates in parentheses)

 Walpole Residents

Town rate                                 2.90

Local school rate                  11.27

State school rate                  2.95

County rate                              2.43

Walpole fire dist.                  .77

Property tax rate                  20.32

North Walpole Residents

Town rate                                 2.90

Local school rate                  11.27

State school rate                  2.95

North Walpole Village  4.08

County rate                              2.43    

Property tax rate                  23.63  

Also at Saturday’s session, the Conservation Commission, backed by the Select Board, will propose that the town purchase a conservation easement on 59 acres of farm land, now called Ballam Farm, to ensure that it is never developed, retain a fee interest on 8 acres for town pump buffering, and sell the remaining interests in the land for farming uses. The land, owned by the Cabot Trust, is currently subject to development.  The Walpole Conservation Commission and town selectmen, working with The Trust for Public Land, have arranged to buy the farm for $775,000. However, the Selectmen, Commission and TPL have arranged for federal and state grants that reduce the needed cash outlay to Walpole to around $330,000 that they are proposing to finance with Municipal Revenue Bonds that will cost the town just 2.8% interest over ten years.  [Actually David Edkins pointed out a possible overlooked hearing step in the process late last week that may block a vote on this measure. Ed. Note]

In an article added to the warrant on March 8 at the regular meeting of the Select Board, voters will be asked whether they wish to adopt “ARTICLE 26:  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.  (50 signatures required).”  This petition, originally signed by 76 citizens and filed September 6, 2006, was not acted on by the selectmen until February 2007 when they asked for a lawyer’s opinion on its suitability for going on the warrant.  The selectmen were advised that they need not put the matter on the official ballot.  But the petition’s sponsors sought an opinion from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, and the Attorney General found that the town was required to post the petition as a warrant article.  [Ed. Note: More about this later!]

In other town items, the town will vote on whether to accept a gift from Stuart Bailey of a 32’ x 20’ bandstand to be built on the northern end of the Common south of the flag pole and of funds to be placed in trust to maintain it. 

Voters will also decide whether to adopt an ordinance under the town’s police power to require land owners to properly dispose of junk, unregistered automobiles, and abandoned machinery for the purpose of conserving and safeguarding the public safety, health, welfare and economic growth and stability.  This article was placed on the warrant by petition of citizens and, if passed, would be effective September 1, 2007.

Climate Change Petition

Along with nearly 200 other New Hampshire towns, Walpole will vote on whether “the town will go on record in support of effective actions by the President and the Congress to address the issue of climate change which is increasingly harmful to the environment and economy of New Hampshire.

            There actions include: 

1.      Establishment of a national program requiring reductions of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions while protecting the U.S. economy.

2.      Creation of a major national research initiative to foster rapid development of sustainable energy technologies thereby stimulating new jobs and investment.

In addition, the Town of Walpole encourages New Hampshire citizens to work for emission reductions within their communities, and we ask our Selectmen to consider the appointment of a voluntary energy committee to recommend local steps to save energy         and reduce emissions.”     This item was placed on the warrant by petition of Walpole citizens working with the New Hampshire group Carbon Coalition.

Even More Warrant Items

 Saturday’s voters will also decide

·                    Whether to buy the town highway department a new dump truck for $122,500 after trade-in

·                    Whether to build a new shed at the Highway Garage for $12,000

·                    Whether to purchase a new 40’ concrete box culvert for Old Drewsville Rd. for $65,000

·                    Whether to reconstruct and pave 440’ of Elm Street, repave the underdrain and sidewalk of 125’ of Pleasant Street, and pave Russell Street along with 540’ of Birch Street

·                    Whether to put $10,000 into the police vehicle reserve fund.

·                    Whether to buy a 30’ $4,500 roll-off box for the Recycling Center

·                    Whether to appropriate $15,000 for a non-capital reserve fund for the real estate valuation statistical update required of the town by 2008

·                    Whether to appropriate $5,000 for repair of 26 headstones in the Old Cemetery on Main Street.

·                    Whether to appropriate $17,400 to repair Town Hall pillars and ramp.

·                    Whether to raise and appropriate $3,000 for Walpole Old Home Days 2008.

·                    Whether to create a Revolving Fund for management of fees Walpole police are paid for Special Police Details.

·                    Whether to form a Study Committee on whether to have a single tax collector for Walpole and North Walpole.

--30--

Walpole Planning Board Meeting

March 13, 2007  7:30pm Town Hall BASEMENT OFFICE

Agenda

I.          Open Meeting

            A.  Roll Call/Designate Alternates

            B.  Approve Minutes of 2/13/07 and 2/27/07

            C.  Other

II.        Close Meeting/Open Public Hearing on the following change to the Site Plan

            Review Regulations under Section VIII General Standards:  Add new:  B. 

Open Space Standards: No less than thirty (30%) of the entire lot to be developed shall be retained as undeveloped open space, unencumbered by buildings, parking lots, accessory structures, other impervious surfaces or other manmade improvements except those improvements that protect natural features and/or support undeveloped open space that can be used for lawns, gardens, landscaping, and human recreation.  Said undeveloped open space may include setback areas as defined in the Walpole Zoning Ordinance. (amended wording after 2/13/06 Pub. Hearing in italics)  Second part:  change from existing B. Screening through Q. Underground Utilities to C. Screening through R. Underground Utilities.

III.       Close Public Hearing/Re-open Meeting

IV.       Board Discussion and Action on Proposed Amendment to the Site Plan Review:  Approve - Disapprove - Amend - Delay

V.            Unfinished Business

            A.  Michaud - State subdivision approval pending/letter

VI.       New Business:  Preliminary Conceptual Consultations

            A.  Fred Dill - Major Subdivision Wentworth Rd.

            B.  Dale Woodward - Minor Subdivision Hubbard Farms

            C.  Bob Jasse - Subdivision Alyson’s Orchard

            D.  Other

VII.            Communications and Miscellaneous

            A. Review items for work session agenda 3/27/07 Master Plan

            B.  Review items for next meeting 4/10/07

            C.  SWRPC Correspondence

            D.  Other

VIII.            Adjourn Meeting

Cc:  all PB, MP, ZBA, WCC, BOS

Posted:  Town Hall, Lobby, Burdick’s Market, 

Walpole, NH  03608

PLANNING BOARD

WORK SESSION February 27, 2007  - 7:00pm Town Hall Basement

MINUTES

Presiding:  Jeffrey Miller, Chairman

Members Present:  Ben Daviss, Bob Miller, V-Ch.

Members Absent:  Sheldon Sawyer, Dave DeCoste, Henry Fletcher, Eric Merklein,

Fred Dill, alt., Dave Edkins, alt.

Recording:  Pamela Aslinger, alt., Secretary

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the March 13, 2007 meeting for errors, omissions and corrections.  (There were 9 persons in attendance:  Mel Schupack, Krystyna Marcom, Chas Street, Chuck Bingaman, Dave Calhoun, John Hansel, Mary Lou Montgomery, Robert Anderson and Bob Jasse)

I.              Meeting opened at 7:10pm (no quorum until B. Miller arrived, although per Ch. Miller, because no voting matters are taken up at work sessions, a quorum isn’t required) Note:  E. Merklein was out because of the flu, D. DeCoste was out because of vacation.  S. Sawyer was attending a Selectmen’s meeting.  F. Dill was out of state.

II.        Ch. Jeff Miller announced the Planning Board is  underway in the update of the Land Use section of the Master Plan.  He has asked the Conservation Commission as well as town volunteers to form an adhoc committee to help.  He said the SW Regional Planning Commission (SWRPC) would be involved in formulating the final document and by adding updated maps and data.  He asked Mr. Ben Daviss to describe the Master Plan’s role:

-           Mr. Daviss began by saying the current Master Plan Land Use section was reviewed in 2000, and while it may seem too soon to be doing it again, SW Reg. Plan. Comm. recommends continually updating some portion of the master plan annually due to an upturn in legal pressures.  He said the recent Planning Board review of the N. Meadow Plaza development brought out certain gaps between the Master Plan Goals and Objectives and what has been embodied in the Town’s zoning ordinance and regulations.  He said before tackling those differences it seemed like a good idea to revisit the Goals and Objectives to see if the Town is still behind them.  He said it is important to stay current with regard to the rapid changes and growth being felt in the town and region.  He said SWRPC is also asking towns to add an economic development chapter into their master plan, which Walpole has not done.  He thought it made sense to look at the master plan through the lens of economic development so it can either be reconfirmed or changed to include how land is designated and used.  Mr. Daviss said what he hoped for tonight is to see how many interested persons would want to be a part of the process.  He is looking for a consensus from the attendees on how to proceed such as setting up separate subcommittees per aspect or simply meeting every 4th Tuesday and discussing aspects with whom ever attends.  Returning to the agenda he said State laws RSA 674.1 & 2 are the basis for zoning regulations.  He said towns are not allowed to form a planning board without a master plan and zoning regulations.  The master plan is the legal basis for a town to have a voice on how the town’s land is used.  He said a case recently showed where a town did not have a master plan; the town could not stop an explosives company from moving in.  He asked everyone present to begin by looking at the current goals and objectives section of the master plan.

-           Ch. Miller suggested reviewing each and every goal individually to see how much could be taken up at tonight’s meeting.

-           Mr. Mel Schupack preferred beginning by creating an introductory section that he believes is missing from the Walpole master plan.  He referred to Jaffrey’s recently adopted (1/07) master plan showing an initial vision statement setting the background and tone for what follows in their master plan.  He stressed it is important to articulate what we want Walpole to be and to use the statement as a guide as to what comes later.  He said the Jaffrey plan places an emphasis on what it wants to be and how to implement it.

-           Ch. Miller said the Board’s primary goal was updating the land use section only at this time.  Mr. Schupack agreed but felt it was important to set up a prior statement setting the basic principle as to how the rest is organized.  Ch. Miller thought the present introduction was adequate.  Mr. Schupack thought it was vague and not up to date.  Ch. Miller said there was no reason why it couldn’t be brought up to date as long as it stays related to the land use section.  Mr. Schupack said the prior one does not include what the values are in Walpole.  Mr. Daviss said he was hoping for a larger turn out thereby insuring a broader viewpoint to represent the town’s values.  He thought it would be an ongoing discussion throughout the entire updating process especially during review of the goals and objectives.  He said the discussion would very much include discerning the values of the town.

-           Ch. Miller read the first goal shown on the agenda and referred to pg. 19 of the land use section.  (note:  the agenda version showed only the first line of  goals not the entire section.  The first goal on the agenda read “open land” but actually states “Walpole’s land”).  He said he thought this first goal and objectives are still viable today.  The Connecticut River protection overlay had been created and is still applicable.  He said the big change he has seen during his lifetime of living in Walpole is the number of houses being built.  He thought limiting house building was a way to “preserve the scenic elements of the natural environment and protect Walpole’s land”.  He thought it may be time to reconsider a measure to increase lot sizes especially within the Rural Ag. and Timberland zones, possibly up to 5 acres.  He said one good thing was that recent development has actually been in larger 3 acre plus lot sizes.  He said the market values for Walpole lends itself to larger lot sizes. 

-           Mr. Robert Anderson said he is concerned about Walpole becoming suburbia.  He sited the preferred layout of Mr. Jasse’s subdivided land that placed the houses on large lots away from the open pasture land, thereby protecting it for cattle grazing and for it’s scenic elements vs. Mr. Dill’s proposed subdivision that will be a more standard subdivision of 3-4 acre lots with less consideration to protect the land’s historically scenic elements.  Ch. Miller agreed, asking how far would the town be willing to go to protect an area with scenic value that will now be known for its residential value, a moratorium on building permits, increasing lot sizes?  He said he thought residential development was far more significant an issue as to maintaining the values of Walpole. Unlike commercial developments that undergo a more stringent scrutiny through the site plan review process.  He said the only way to limit commercial development was to take the land away from the zone.  He said the most significant impact on Goal #1 would come from residential development.  Mrs. Krystyna Marcom asked if the Planning Board would actually recommend increasing the lot size, that it was tried earlier but failed.  She said Alstead just increased their sizes and had little objection to it.  Ch. Miller said he very much would support increasing lot sizes to uphold Goal #1 plus other creative ways, especially in the rural agricultural and timberland districts.  He read the objectives section stating each one of them continued to be viable.  He thought each should be pursued such as natural resources overlay district being somewhat created by the Conservation Commissions efforts.  He said supporting the agricultural aspect of the Town is changing and may not apply at this point. 

-           Mr. Schupack asked if there are ways to use planning and even the zoning ordinance to encourage the preservation of agricultural lands.  He said increasing the lot size requirements is good but what could result is land chopped up into 5 acre McMansions that he feels is destructive. 

Town Meeting Committee Explanatory Note:  These are the warrant articles to be voted on by registered voters.  Articles 1-5 will be decided by ballot on March 13.  Articles 6 through 25 will be voted on at the in-person session Saturday afternoon, March 17.  We have inserted names and phone numbers of qualified town citizens that have agreed to speak with you about the article before the meeting. Childcare will be provided Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m. (or 30 minutes after the meeting adjourns, if earlier) at the Walpole Village School; call Stacie Gaye at 835-6063 for reservations.  A mini-town fair will be held from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Town Hall on March 17 before the meeting.  See below for polling places, hours, etc.

Town Meeting March 13, 2007

To the Inhabitants of the Town of Walpole qualified to vote in Town Affairs:

You are hereby notified to meet at the Town Hall, 34 Elm Street, Town of Walpole, on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at 8:00 A.M., to act on Articles 1-5, which are the Articles to be voted on at the polls. Polls at the Walpole Town Hall and at North Walpole

St. Peter’s Church will open at 8:00 A.M., and will remain open until 7:00 P.M.  Following the counting of the ballots, the meeting will be recessed until Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 1:00 P. M., at the Town Hall, at which time the balance of the Articles will be acted upon.

ARTICLE 1: To elect the necessary Town officers for their respective terms.

ARTICLE 2:  Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #1, as proposed by the Planning Board for the Walpole Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To amend Article VI Commercial District and Article V Residential District changing Dearborn Circle and Burrows Lane zoning district designation from Commercial to Residential B.  Recommended by the Planning Board; Selectman Miller 756-3500. 

ARTICLE 3:  Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #2, as proposed by the Planning Board for the Walpole Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To amend Article VI Commercial District, Section B. Uses Permitted 3.  “Shops, restaurants, and other retail establishments not exceeding 40,000 square feet in gross floor area.” and Article VIII Rural Agricultural District, Section C.  Special Exceptions: (g) “No retail commercial establishments shall be permitted which exceeds 40,000 square feet in gross floor area.” By replacing the words “establishments” with buildings”. Recommended by the Planning Board; Selectman Miller 756-3500

ARTICLE 4:  Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #3, as proposed by the Planning Board for the Walpole Zoning Ordinance as follows:

ARTICLE 5:  Are you in favor of the adoption of the amendment, as proposed by petition for the Walpole Zoning Ordinance as follows:  (full text shown) “Amend the zoning district for the portion of Tax Map 12 Lot 4, presently zoned Rural Agricultural, known as the so-called Huntington Farm, owned by Hubbard, LLC from Rural Agricultural to Industrial.  Recommended by the Planning Board; Selectman Miller 756-3500

ARTICLE 6:  To see if the Town of Walpole will vote to 1) raise and appropriate the total sum of $775,000 for the purchase of a conservation easement and an 8 acre addition to the Town’s river well property in fee simple and for associated project costs to permanently protect the Ballam Farm property consisting of approximately 60 acres more or less in Walpole, shown as Map 12, Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, located on the western side of Route 12 north of the Rite Aid; of this amount up to $302,000 is to be financed through the issuance of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA33) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to make any necessary organizational decisions, issue, negotiate and regulate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; the remainder of such total to include a grant from the Conservation Commission of $25,000, a federal grant of $295,000 from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Farm and Ranchland Protection Program and a grant of $153,000 from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for and receive such grants to be applied towards the acquisition and permanent protect of the property; and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to authorize, approve, and execute all documents deemed necessary for such purchases, which shall include but not be limited to a conservation easement in perpetuity to encumber said Ballam Farm in which the terms and conditions shall be approved by said Board of Selectmen in its sole discretion; and to authorize the Conservation Commission to manage, monitor, and steward the conservation easement. Further, to raise and appropriate $33,938.00 for the 1st bond payment due in 2007

The purpose of purchasing this conservation easement is to protect the Town’s drinking water well known as the “River Well’’ down gradient from the property, to keep prime working farmland working, and to preserve almost ½ mile of undeveloped shoreline along the Connecticut River.    (2/3 Vote Required)  (By Ballot)  (The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article); Selectman Miller 756-3500

ARTICLE 7:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of

$3,209,577 which represents the operating budget for the general government of the Town.  Such sum does not include special or individual articles addressed. (The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article.)  (Majority vote required.) Selectman Miller 756-3500

ARTICLE 8:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($140,000) for the purchase of a 2008 International truck w/side dump body, plow and wing, for use by the Town Highway Department. The new truck will replace the 1998 International Dump Truck, and to fund this appropriation by trading the 1998 International Dump Truck (trade in value of  $17,500) with the balance of $122,500 to be funded by general taxation.   (The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article.)  Road Agent Jim Terrell  445-5655

ARTICLE 9:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000) to build a shed at the Highway Garage near the salt shed, and to build a loft above the fuel tank.   (The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article.) Road Agent Jim Terrell  445-5655

ARTICLE 10:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000) for work to be done on the Old Keene Road Bridge #182/064.  This is the second of a three-year warrant article to complete the project.  When the project is complete the State will inspect, and when approved will reimburse the Town 80% of the total cost to repair the bridge. (This article is non-lapsing for 5 years) (The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article)     (Majority vote required)  Road Agent Jim Terrell  445-5655

ARTICLE 11:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($17,500) for the purchase of a 9’ wide x 5’ high 40’ long Concrete Box Culvert with Block wing walls to be placed on Old Drewsville Road.  This Culvert will be installed by Town crew.  (The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article.)  Road Agent Jim Terrell  445-5655

ARTICLE 12:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty Five Thousand Dollars ($65,000) to reconstruct and pave (in conjunction with Water Project) 440’ of Elm Street, with the underdrain and sidewalk 125’ of Pleasant Street with sidewalk and to Reconstruct and pave Russell Street, North Walpole with sidewalk  (540 feet of Birch Street.)  (The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article.)  Road Agent Jim Terrell  445-5655

ARTICLE 13:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars  ($10,000) to be deposited in the Capital Reserve Fund-Police Vehicle, previously established for the purchase of a police vehicle.  (The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article)  Selectman Miller  756-3500.

ARTICLE 14:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500) for a 30-yard roll-off box for the Recycle/Transfer Center.  This price includes delivery.  (The Board of Selectmen Approves this Article)  Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 15:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for a Non-Capital Reserve Fund-Statistical, under the provision of RSA 35:1-C, this fund will be used to help pay for a Statistical update which is required of the Town for 2008; and to appoint the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend from this fund for that purpose.  (The Board of Selectmen Approves this Article) Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 16:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 for repairs to 26 headstones in the Old Cemetery on Main Street.

(The Board of Selectmen Approves this Article.)  Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 17: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventeen Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($17,425) to repair the Town Hall (North End) ramp and pillars.  Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be taken from the General Fund Balance and Seven Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($7,425) to be raised by taxes.  (The Board of Selectmen Approves this Article.)  Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 18:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) for Walpole Old Home Days 2008, and to place the Three Thousand Dollars in the existing Old Home Day Fund.  (Non-Lapsing for 5 years)

(The Board of Selectmen Approves this Article.)  Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 19:  To see if the Town will vote to dissolve the Capital Reserve Tax Assessment/Certification interest account held by the Trustees of Trust Funds in the amount of $797.66.  This amount will go into the General Fund.  (The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article.)  Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 20:  To see if the Town will accept a gift of a 32’ x 20’ Bandstand from Stuart Bailey, and to place the Bandstand on the northern end of the common southerly of the Flag Pole.  Maintenance fees will be paid for by a Trust Fund set up by the donor.

(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article.)  Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 21:  To see if the Town will approve to form a Study Committee to look into having One (1) Tax Collector for Walpole and North Walpole, and to have the Moderator of the Town of Walpole and Moderator of North Walpole each choose three (3) people for the Study Committee.  The Study Committee to report findings to Board of Selectmen by December 30, 2007.  (The Board of Selectmen Approves this Article.)  Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 22:  To see if the town will discontinue Cochran Road as a town road.  Cochran Road is currently a class six road with only four abutting landowners.  The properties accessed by this road have significant conservation value and have no development potential.  We, the undersigned believe that discontinuing Cochran Road as a town road will be helpful in assisting the abutting landowners with conservation efforts, thereby keeping valuable conservation lands protected for the people of Walpole.

(PETITION ARTICLE)  Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 23:  To see if the Town will adopt an ordinance under the Town’s police power to regulate junk, unregistered automobiles, and abandoned machinery for the purpose of conserving and safeguarding the public safety, health, welfare and economic growth and stability.  Outside storage of junk, more than one (1) unregistered (but registerable) vehicle, or any discarded or abandoned machinery is prohibited anywhere in the Town, except those places for disposal provided by the Town.  The term junk shall mean old or scrap copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber debris, waste, or junked, dismantled, or wrecked automobiles, trailers, or machinery, or parts thereof, iron, steel, and other old or scrap ferrous or nonferrous material.  Equipment salvage sites on operating farms shall be exempt from this ordinance as long as such equipment is screened from public ways.  The effective date of this ordinance shall be September 01, 2007.  (PETITION ARTICLE)  Selectman Miller  756-3500

ARTICLE 24:  To see if the town will go on record in support of effective actions by the President and the Congress to address the issue of climate change which is increasingly harmful to the environment and economy of New Hampshire.

            There actions include: 

1.      Establishment of a national program requiring reductions of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions while protecting the U.S. economy.

2.      Creation of a major national research initiative to foster rapid development of sustainable energy technologies thereby stimulating new jobs and investment.

In addition, the Town of Walpole encourages New Hampshire citizens to work for emission reductions within their communities, and we ask our Selectmen to consider the appointment of a voluntary energy committee to recommend local steps to save energy         and reduce emissions.   (PETITION ARTICLE)

ARTICLE 25.  To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.

Given under our hand and seal this 15th day of February in the year of our Lord Two Thousand Seven.

Board of Selectmen: Whitney R. Aldrich  Charles D. Miller   Sheldon S. Sawyer

ATTEST: A true copy:  Whitney R. Aldrich                   Charles D. Miller       Sheldon S. Sawyer

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 22, 2007

Selectmen Present:  Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

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

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

JOEL THOMSON – CURRENT USE PENALTY:  Mr. Thomson discussed the Current Use tax bill he received on a parcel purchased recently.  He had been advised that the penalty would be 10% of the selling price.  Mr. Aldrich advised that it is 10% of the ad valorem value at the time it was taken out of current use.  There was discussion relative to the selling prices of several surrounding parcels.  Robert Jasse displayed the drawing of a conservation area he is creating and properties that surround it; he read a portion of the covenant.  The Board of Selectmen advised Mr. Thomson that if they cannot reach an agreement his option is to go to the Bureau of Land and Tax Appeals.     

MARY AND JIM CATALDO - FENCE:  Mr. and Mrs. Cataldo live on Derry Hill Road.  During the last storm when the road was being plowed a few of their fence panels were totally knocked over and another panel was fractured because snow was plowed against their fence.  Mrs. Cataldo explained that the fence is necessary both for safety from the vehicles that come down the road and for privacy.  They are asking that the town fix the fence and give them assurances that there will be another policy for plowing snow on Derry Hill Road so the snow will not be pushed up against their fence.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the Board of Selectmen would refer this to the Road Agent to see if there is any way to solve this matter.

DAN McALLISTER:  Dan McAllister questioned how the Current Use Change Tax would be calculated if he purchased an adjacent parcel.  Mr. Sawyer explained how it is calculated and that Mr. McAllister needs ten acres of clear land to be in Current Use.

ROBERT GRAVES:   Mr. Graves handed the Board of Selectmen a newspaper article that the voters in the Town of Alstead will be voting on to modify the elderly exemptions.  He would like to see this happen in the Town of Walpole.

BALLAM FARM:  Prior to this meeting Attorney Robert Kasper left an “Amendment Request, FRPP Cooperative Agreement 73-14280508”, for the Board of Selectmen to consider accepting the provisions of this cooperative agreement and request approval of the amendment submitted by the Five Rivers Conservation Trust.

Mr. Sawyer moved to authorize the Chairman, Whitney Aldrich, to sign this cooperative agreement.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

The Trust for Public Land will be holding a Public Hearing on the parcel identified as the Ballam Farm and owned by the Trustees for the Henry Cabot 1967 Trust on Wednesday, February 28th, 2007, in the Town Hall.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $68,836.03.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 17, 2007, for gross wages in the amount of $18,516.91 or net wages in the amont of $10,239.55.  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 $4,733.00.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- FEBRUARY 15, 2007:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of February 15, 2007, as printed.  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 meetings of February 13, 2007 and February 20, 2007.

BUILDING PERMIT:

JIM SEIPEL – MAP 026-025-000:  Mr. Miller moved to approve Building Permit No. 2007-003 for Jim Seipel to construct a sunroom.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

SET DATE TO DISCUSS ASSESSORS (Selectmen and Elaine Moore):  The Board of Selectmen scheduled this meeting for Thursday, March 1st at 6:30 PM.

NEW BUSINESS:

VACATION DAY – ELAINE MOORE:  The Board of Selectmen approved having Elaine Moore take off Wednesday, February 28th, 2007, as a vacation day.

DSR #49 – MILL ROAD:  This DSR #49 document No. 6914280731 for structural work on Mill Road is for the amount of $14,200 with the Town’s share being $3,550.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the DSR #49 Agreement for a competitive bid for structural work on Mill Road and that the Chairman is authorized to sign this document.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

DSR #49 – GRAVES ROAD:  This DSR #49 document No. 6914280730 for structural work on Graves Road is for the amount of $85,500 with the Town’s share being $21,375.

Mr. Miller moved to approve the DSR #49 Agreement for a competitive bid for structural work on Graves Road and that the Chairman is authorized to sign this document.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

504 MAIN STREET – CURRENT USE APPLICATION:  Mr. Miller moved to approve the Current Use application for 504 Main Street.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

SNOW REMOVAL REQUEST:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a letter from Mr. Tyson regarding snow removal during the night and early morning hours.  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to have Elaine Moore write a letter to Mr. Tyson advising that they are cognizant of his concern but the best time to remove snow is during the night for safety reasons and when there is less traffic. 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE – DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:  A notice was received notifying the Town that the NH DOT is going to be working on Route 12 from the North Walpole line to the intersection of the FMRHS over-pass a distance of approximately two-and-a-half miles.  A copy of this letter will be forwarded to the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners. 

NORTHEAST RESOURCE RECOVERY ASSOCIATION:  Rick Cooper is the President of the NRRA (New England area) at this time.  There is a controversy over giving a company $60,000 to do research and development.  Mr. Sawyer was asked to attend a special meeting on Wednesday, February 28th to cast the vote for the Town.  Mr. Cooper would like to have as many of the towns vote as possible on this important issue.

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

JUDD GREGG, PAUL HODES, JOHN SUNUNU, CAROL SHEA-PORTER:  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to pass-over signing these letters.

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