TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MARCH 29, 2007

Selectmen Present:  Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich

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

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

BRUCE MARTIN:  Bruce Martin asked the Board of Selectmen for permission to talk to the Road Agent about moving the current Veterans’ Memorial to the Historical Society property and cut down some of the greens after it is removed.  The Historical Society has agreed to take the memorial.  The Board of Selectmen approved this request and Mr. Sawyer will discuss this with Jim Terrell.

BARKLEY BULL:  Barkley Bull referenced his recent letter that was sent to the Board of Selectmen.  He would like to know the precise location of the new Veterans’ Memorial and if the footprint would be exactly the same.  He feels it should involve the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment.  The original sketch did not include the cannons.  He questioned the granite benches and meditation garden that are in the display in the Town Hall.  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of the letter.  There are no plans for granite benches or a garden in the Common at this time.  Replacing the deteriorating Veterans’ Memorial was discussed under Article 26 during the Town Meeting.  

DAN McALLISTER:  Mr. McAllister asked if a decision had been made on his property appeal.  Mr. Sawyer advised that they just signed a contract with an assessor so this matter will be given to them to make a determination on the value. 

RICK LARSON:  Rick Larson had attended the USDA / DES meeting prior to this meeting and discussed the proposed bank stabilization project on Black Jack Crossing.  He has concerns about the funding and protecting multiple locations.  He plans to contact the DES and Town representatives tomorrow.   

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $51,541.57.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to contact Cindy Westover regarding the Hurlburt Electric, Inc. bill for microphones for the Town Meeting.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending March 24, 2007, for gross wages in the amount of $24,593.14 or net wages in the amount of $15,076.57.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $5,933.83.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

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

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the following meetings:  1) Zoning Board of Adjustment –March 21, 2007; and 2) Planning Board –Work Session– March 27, 2007.

WARRANTS:

GRETA V. HOWARD –TIMBER CUT- MAP 013-061-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Warrant for a Timber Cut in the amount of $1,478.65 for Greta V. Howard.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

ATTORNEY KASPER – SERVICES AGREEMENT:  Mr. Miller moved that the Board of Selectmen write a letter to Attorney Kasper advising that they had already made arrangements for a Town Attorney.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

CURRENT USE APPLICATION – MAP 004-037-000–MAP 004-038-000–MAP 004-040-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to put the Hazel Fletcher Trust land on Bookseller Road in Current Use as per the map submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

DEED – SIGNATURES:  The Board of Selectmen signed the Cemetery Deed for W. Patrick and Eva I. O’Keefe.  A Deed had previously been signed but required a name correction. 

DRA – ELDERLY AND VETERANS EXEMPTIONS:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve sending the follow-up information to the Department of Revenue Administration.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW BUSINESS:

DEMOLITION OF BUILDING – MAP 004-036-000:  The Board of Selectmen received and agreed to an application from Paul Frye for the demolition of a building. 

TOWN HALL USE REQUEST:  There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to deny the request from the Cold Pond Community Land Trust of Acworth, NH to use the Town Hall without the rental fee. 

VETERANS EXEMPTION – CHRISTOPHER BROOKS:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Veterans Exemption for Christopher Brooks.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

AVITAR – REVALUATION AGREEMENT – PER DRA:  Mr. Sawyer moved to authorizing the signing of the Revaluation Agreement with Avitar.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

RICK COOPER – PERSONAL TIME:  A memo was received from Rick Cooper advising that he is taking some personal time off on March 27th and March 30th, 2007.  Mr. Colburn will be in charge during his absence. 

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

SELECTMEN LETTER – REF: SB 88:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the letter regarding SB 88 that will be sent to the Town’s Senator, Representatives and other Boards of Selectmen.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

PETER PAOLETTA – REF: VALLEY ROAD:  Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the letter to Peter Paoletta regarding Valley Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

ALFRED BERTIN – REF: MAIN STREET TRAFFIC:  Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the letter to Alfred Bertin regarding Main Street traffic.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted. 

A copy of this letter will be sent to Police Chief David Hewes.

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted. The time was 9:36 P.M.