TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MAY 24, 2007

Selectmen Present:        Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, (Absent: Charles Miller)

Sheldon Sawyer, Vice-Chair, 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 $30,606.56.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending May 19, 2007, for gross wages in the amount of $14,865.49 or net wages in the amount of $8,056.00.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,630.78.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

FIRE WARDEN:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve signing the document to the State of New Hampshire, Division of Forests and Lands, for William Houghton in the amount of $15.00 for taking care of a small party fire.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve signing the document to the State of New Hampshire, Division of Forests and Lands, for William Houghton in the amount of $15.00 for taking care of a small party fire.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

RON MAKINEN:  Ron Makinen explained that the Walpole Boy Scouts have been sharing closet space downstairs in the Town Hall with the Lions and they have talked with the Lions about moving their equipment for quite some time.  When this arrangement began the Boy Scouts had 8 members but now have close to 20 members and no longer have enough space for their equipment.  The Town owns the closet but the Lions built it.  The Selectmen and Ron Makinen went downstairs to look at the closet and other available space.

Mr. Aldrich moved to allow the Boy Scouts to build another storage area in the basement so that the Lions can move into one-half of that area.  The Boy Scouts will remain where they are but will be responsible for building the new closet.  The Town will pick-up the cost of the materials.  Ron Makinen will contact Dave Adams about moving their equipment.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- MAY 17, 2007:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of May 17, 2007, with the following clarification:  Page 3 –Replacement of Dying Tree on Common– the tree is not on the “Common” but on “Elm Street between the street and the sidewalk”.  Tim Allen will be asked to look at the tree and make a suggestion for a replacement.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Board of Selectmen Meeting – May 24, 2007 – Page 2

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the Minutes of the following meetings:  1) Zoning Board of Adjustment – May 16, 2007; 2) Planning Board – May 08, 2007; and 3) North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – May 22, 2007.

WARRANTS:

WALPOLE FIRST ISSUE PROPERTY TAX WARRANT:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the 2007 Walpole First Issue Property Tax Warrant in the amount of $2,920,864.00.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

NORTH WALPOLE FIRST ISSUE PROPERTY TAX WARRANT:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the 2007 North Walpole First Issue Property Tax Warrant in the amount of $517,614.00.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

PUBLIC BUSINESS – (Continued):

HOOPER BOARD:  Richard High, Hooper Board, discussed the following issues at the Hooper Property.  1)  The maple tree that is broken at the base should be taken down as it is a safety issue.  Mr. Aldrich advised that the Hooper Trustees voted to have that taken care of during their last meeting.  It was agreed that Jay Clace can contact somebody to take it down.  2) Mr. High asked if there is any chance of doing some repairs and painting of the barn, at least the front of it.  Mr. Sawyer felt they have to check on the funding that is still available.  3)  Mr. High noted that somebody talked to the Hooper Board about harvesting the trees.  Mr. Sawyer said Gary Speed of the Conservation Commission is aware of this, he will look into it and contact a forester.  4) Several other minor repairs that are needed were mentioned.     

ABATEMENTS:

DAVID JOHNSON –WATER ABATEMENT- MAP 021-029-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Water Abatement in the amount of $208.31 for David and Andrea Johnson.  This is due to charging for an incorrect amount of water usage.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.               

GREGORY PIERSON –WATER & SEWER ABATEMENT- MAP 017-015-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Water and Sewer Abatement in the amounts of $155.39 for Water and $114.95 for Sewer for Gregory Pierson.  The meter was not read so an incorrect average amount was entered.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

CHARLES MILLIKEN –SEWER ABATEMENT- MAP 029-031-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the Sewer Abatement in the amount of $41.89 for Charles Milliken.  An average amount was used; if there are any changes it will show up with the next reading.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

NORTH SIDE OF TOWN HALL:  Elaine Moore advised that the work will begin on the north end ramp on Tuesday.  The plants that are removed during the project will be set aside in back of the Town Hall and will be replanted.  The excavator will take the ramp out on Wednesday so it will be noisy for a short period of time.

Board of Selectmen Meeting – May 24, 2007 – Page 3

NEW BUSINESS:

MS-2 – REPORT OF APPROPRIATIONS:  Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the MS-2 Report of Appropriations as voted on at the Town Meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

CEMETERY DEED –MERVIN STEVENS- D-492 & D-493:  Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the Cemetery Deed for Mervin Stevens when the correction is made for the fee.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

CEMETERY DEED –ELLEN CROWLEY- D-386:  Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the Town of Walpole Cemetery Deed for Ellen Crowley.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

VACHON, CLUKAY & CO., PC:  Mr. Aldrich moved that the Vice-Chair be authorized to sign the Auditors Report of the financial statements.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

GARY SMITH REQUEST:  A request was received from Gary Smith, WOOL – Great Falls Community Broadcasting Corp, to have a few vendors and farmers selling their produce on the Common during their annual meeting and free concert on June 30th, 2007. 

Mr. Aldrich moved to deny the request from WOOL, Great Falls Community Broadcasting Corp, to set-up a Farmers Market and to have vendors on the Common on June 30th, 2007.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

NEW RECYCLE EMPLOYEE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve hiring Ann Marie Estes as a part-time Solid Waste employee, at $9.75/hour.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.  

ANTHONY PRINCIOTTI LETTER:  The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a letter from Anthony Princiotti asking them for a response as to how the Veterans’ Memorial and the bandstand was handled by them.  Mr. Sawyer will write the response letter. 

E-911 MAPS:  Elaine Moore received the new E-911 maps.  There are three sets – one set will remain in the Town Hall and one set each to the Fire Department and the Police Department.  An extra copy will be made for the Planning Board. 

CUB SCOUTS:  Mr. Sawyer noted that the Cub Scouts requested permission to put some plants around the small island on Middle Road and Main Street.  The Board of Selectmen approved this request. 

LETTERS:

STREAMBANK RESTORATION DSR #48:  Elaine Moore advised that two bids were opened today for the Streambank Restoration DSR #48 Project.

Mr. Aldrich moved to authorize the Vice-Chair to sign the new agreement to increase the amount to $16,480.00 for the Streambank Restoration DSR #48 project with the CFC Connolly Frink Construction Company.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

  TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND – JOSH KELLY:  Mr. Aldrich moved to pass-over this letter to the Trust for Public Land –Josh Kelly – regarding payment of the bill from Attorney Kasper.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

Board of Selectmen Meeting – May 24, 2007 – Page 4

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:02 P.M.