TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SEPTEMBER 06, 2007
Selectmen Present: Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich
Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with six people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
SOUTHWEST REGION PLANNING COMMISSION – Nate Miller, Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Region Planning Commission, presented the Department of Transportation proposed plans for the reconstruction of NH Route 12 from approximately the NH 12A intersection in Charlestown to approximately the Main Street intersection in North Walpole. It is a project intended to widen the shoulders. This is needed for a number of issues including the fact that there was a fatality. This project will involve the replacement of the railway, as well as issues with the slope, run-off, tight shoulders and the river bank. It is on the State’s Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (2007-2016) and currently the project is funded for construction in 2011 at a construction cost of approximately $8,500,000. Matt Suchodolski, SWRPC, was also in attendance. Nate Miller distributed copies of the “Charlestown-Walpole #14747 Public Involvement Plan” and the “Qualities and Characteristics of Contest Sensitive Solutions”. The “Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS)” is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting and preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic and environmental resources, while maintaining safety and mobility.
The Project Team consists of: 1) The Project Lead Team (PLT), and 2) The Project Advisory Committee (PAC). The Project Lead Team (PLT) consists of NH DOT staff representing the anticipated types of disciplines that will likely be required and UVLSRPC staff to facilitate the CSS process. The PAC members are comprised of citizens, who live in Charlestown and Walpole and others who represent the elderly, schools, churches, and business interests in the area; along with town officials representing the Selectboard, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Historical Society, Town Administrator’s Office, Planning Director’s Office, Police, and Fire Departments. Also the NH DOT and UVLSRPC staff represent state and regional transportation interests. The PAC serves in an advisory role (tasked with making recommendations to the NH DOT) and is anticipated to be involved with the project from the project planning phase through the end of the project’s design. There was discussion relative to the PAC membership. It was agreed that Patrick Kiniry, North Walpole Commissioner, will be their representative and Jim Terrell will be asked to represent the Walpole Board of Selectmen. Elaine Moore was asked to contact Gary Speed to ask if he would represent the Conservation Commission and Jeff Miller to represent the Planning Board. When the remaining vacancies are filled, Barbara O’Brien, North Walpole, and Elaine Moore, Walpole, will contact Sarah at the SWRPC. The kick-off meeting is scheduled for October 10th at 7:00 PM in Charlestown (location to be announced).
JOEL McCARTY -ALSTEAD SELECTMAN- REF: COLD RIVER BRIDGE: Joel McCarty, Alstead Selectman, discussed five issues with the Walpole Board of Selectmen.
1) Cable: The Alstead Selectboard is being pursued by Comcast to renew a franchise agreement. Personally he would like to figure out a way to extend DSL service to sections of Alstead that do not have it. It was noted that the Town of Walpole does not have a cable company franchise agreement.
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2) Cold River Bridge: Joel McCarty inquired about the status of the Cold River Bridge. Mr. Sawyer referenced a letter recently received from the NH DOT. Based on the July 12th bid openings, the Department will redesign the bridge with a concrete butted box beam bridge and re-advertise the project in December of this year. The date would allow for construction of the bridge in 2008 and the bridge to be open to traffic by November 1, 2008 (approximately 3 months later than previously proposed). The Walpole Board of Selectmen would like to see it built as soon as possible.
3) Tuition Students: Joel McCarty discussed the issue of tuitioning students. There will be another School Board meeting on this issue on September 24th.
4) Solid Waste Facility: Alstead recently partnered with the Town of Langdon and is now taking their solid waste and recyclables for a nine month trial period. They took an antique fire truck and converted it into a roll-off truck so they are now able to haul their own materials. Mr. Sawyer would like to know how many residents use the Walpole facility and how many use private haulers.
5) Joel McCarty advised that the Town of Alstead door is always open to the Town of Walpole Board of Selectmen. He invited them to attend a meeting soon.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $465,658.01. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
It was noted that $434,569.77 of the above amount is a payment to the Fall Mountain Region School District.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending September 01, 2007, for gross wages in the amount of $19,377.30 or net wages in the amount of $10,028.60. 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 $4,467.83. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- AUGUST 30, 2007: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of August 30, 2007, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Miller. Mr. Sawyer abstained as he was not present. With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Miller in favor, the motion was approved.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the Minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of September 04, 2007.
BUILDING PERMITS:
PETER AND KAREN PROVENCHER –MAP 003-081-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2007-041 for Peter and Karen Provencher to build a one-and-a-half story garage to replace the garage that burned down on Scoville Road. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Mr. Miller was opposed as the application did not specify an electrician. With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion was approved.
LEO AND DONNA DROUIN –MAP 012-044-300: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2007-042 for Leo and Donna Drouin to erect a 10’ x 12’ garden shed on Abenaki Lane. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
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THOMAS AND KAREN DOUGHERTY –MAP 008-095-004: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2007-043 for Thomas and Karen Dougherty to build a 30’ x 12’ pole barn on Thompson Road. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
DISCUSS NORTH WALPOLE METER READING CONTRACT: Mr. Aldrich moved to pass over this agenda item until the next meeting as more information is needed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Mr. Sawyer amended the motion that this will be referred to Mark Houghton. All in favor, so voted.
METER READING FOR WALPOLE: Mr. Sawyer moved that the Chairman talk with Mark Houghton to see if there is a solution or the Chairman can find someone to do the meter readings. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
PUMP READINGS – PER MARK HOUGHTON: Elaine Moore advised that Mark Houghton has somebody that will do the pump readings so the figures can be provided to the Village of Bellows Falls at the end of the month. For this month the readings will be done every day but next month they will be done every other day.
57 MAIN STREET / A.G. EDWARDS PROJECT: Mr. Miller requested this agenda item as he wanted to be sure that all permits were taken care of. There was discussion relative to the fact that the interior work did not even come close to the amount of $10,000 that was previously discussed, as the interior changes included furniture and equipment.
OLD TOWN JAIL OR BLACKSMITH SHOP PROPERTY: Following a discussion, the Board of Selectmen agreed to talk to Bill Borchers, an abutter, about this small piece of property.
FLOOD REPAIRS: Mr. Vigneau talked to Mr. Aldrich relative to having the Town cover up the gravel that they put in near the retaining wall following the flood. The Board of Selectmen will look at it and then discuss it with Jim Terrell.
NEW BUSINESS:
VACATION –ELAINE MOORE- SEPTEMBER 14, 2007: Mr. Sawyer moved to grant permission for Elaine Moore to take a vacation day on September 14, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
CEMETERY DEED –ALMON AND MYRA WELCH- D462 AND D463: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for Almon and Myra Welch for two lots. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
CEMETERY DEED –DAVID AND BARBARA MAYSILLES- D395 AND D396: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for David and Barbara Maysilles for two lots. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
KMICK PROPERTY: Mr. Miller advised that the Kmick property in Alstead is for sale and was offered to the Board of Selectmen. They expressed an interest in it and will inquire about the price.
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Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer and, with all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 10:16 P.M.