OCTOBER 25, 2007
Selectmen Present: Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich
Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with three people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
BRAD and JACKIE FLETCHER: Mr. Fletcher referenced the Minutes from the last meeting and had a few questions about the on-going plans to acquire the Ballam Farm. Mr. Sawyer explained that the Trust for Public Land is looking into private funding. If the project moves forward the money that the Conservation Commission (CC) receives from the Land Use Change Tax, up to $25,000 per year, will be used until the bond is paid. There was discussion relative to the formation of the CC as members are appointed rather than elected.
LARRY DeVAULT – EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GRANT: Mr. DeVault reported that the Town’s Emergency Plan is out-dated. He contacted the State regarding a 50-50 grant. They are now working with the Southwest Region Planning Commission on a plan up-date. Mr. DeVault will submit the paperwork by November 8th. They will start the planning process to bring the Hazardous Mitigation Plan up-to-date. He felt that some of the 50% participation from the Town would be for in-kind services. As soon as the documents are finished he will notify the Board of Selectmen.
The Fire Department had previously put in a generator. Mr. DeVault suggested that the Board of Selectmen consider installing one for the Town Hall Building.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $40,834.65. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending October 20, 2007, for gross wages in the amount of $16,621.20 or net wages in the amount of $8,182.77. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,798.10. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- OCTOBER 18, 2007: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the public Board of Selectmen’s meeting of October 18, 2007, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the Minutes of the following meetings: 1) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – October 23, 2007; 2) Planning Board – October 09, 2007; and 3) Zoning Board of Adjustment – October 17, 2007.
WARRANTS:
WALPOLE PROPERTY TAX - 2nd ISSUE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Warrant for the Walpole Property Tax 2nd Issue in the amount of $3,458,016.00. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
Board of Selectmen Meeting – October 25, 2007 – Page 2
NORTH WALPOLE PROPERTY TAX - 2nd ISSUE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Warrant for the North Walpole Property Tax 2nd Issue in the amount of $804,777.00. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
NORTH WALPOLE SEWER – 2nd ISSUE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Warrant for the North Walpole Sewer 2nd Issue in the amount of $40,122.46. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
REFUNDS (Overpayment of Property Taxes):
Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Refunds for over-payments of the 2007 Property Taxes to the following: 1) Alexandra Kossakoski Trust; 2) Tobac, Inc. – two refunds; 3) James E. Johnson; 4) Ian Weber; 5) Lewis LaClair; 6) Douglas H. Smith; 7) Nicholas Raynor; 8) Thomas Burrows – Karen Breslend; 9) Dale Hubbard; 10) Benjamin Northcott; 11) Charles Miller; 12) John Foster; 13) Sigurd Swanson; and 14) NH Fish & Game. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
TROLLEYS: Elaine Moore will continue to research the price for dollies to stack the chairs and tables and to see if there are discounts for six units. Up to 6-foot dollies/or trolleys are required to fit in the elevator.
NEW BUSINESS:
NORTH WALPOLE PROPERTY TO BE DEEDED IN LIEU OF TAXES: Mr. Sawyer moved to acquire the property on Map #026, Lot #014 on Main Street in lieu of taxes. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
ELAINE MOORE – PERSONAL DAY, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2007: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve a personal day off for Elaine Moore on Tuesday, October 30, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
WALPOLE LIBRARY – REPLACEMENT OF TREES: Frankie Knibb, Librarian, contacted Elaine Moore to advise that about three years ago when some trees were taken down by the Library the Board of Selectmen said they would replace them but they were not. Mr. Sawyer advised that, at that time, Mr. Dudley, Chairman of the Library Trustees, did not want them replaced as the Library Building is more visible. A decision will be up to the Library Trustees.
TAX RATE: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the following Tax Rate as set by the Department of Revenue Administration:
Walpole North Walpole
Town Rate $ 3.60 $ 3.60
Local School Rate 8.95 8.95
State School Rate 2.25 2.25
County Rate 1.90 1.90
Fire .66 3.57
_____ _____
Total $17.36 $20.27
Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
AVITAR ASSOCIATES: Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the report from Avitar Associates on the Statistical Up-Date. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
Board of Selectmen Meeting – October 25, 2007 – Page 3
STATE ELECTION LAW TRAINING: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a notice that there will be four training workshops in various areas throughout the State during the month of November on the “State Election Law Training”. A copy will be referred to Ernie Vose.
BUDGET PREPARATION: Mr. Miller noted that the budget preparation has begun. A preliminary notice was sent to the Department Heads and a reminder will be sent advising that the deadline date will be November 15th. It is anticipated that the meetings will be scheduled for late afternoons on Tuesdays.
Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich and, with all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 9:14 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary