TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 14, 2008

Selectboard 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:

JAMES FARNSWORTH – PEARL STREET, NORTH WALPOLE:  James Farnsworth, Shirley Capron and Nancy French, residents on Pearl Street, were present.  Discussion on the town’s plowing of the Pearl Street “loop” continued.  The road and loop have been plowed by the town for 60+ years.  They referenced Title XX, Transportation, Chapter 231 –Cities, Towns and Village District Highways- Discontinuance of Class IV, V and VI Highways – Section 231:51 – Dedicated Ways.  Nancy French displayed a plan, dated April 17, 1973, when Randy Daniels sold properties on the loop; it appears that it had been dedicated.  There was discussion relative to “implied acceptance”.  Following a lengthy discussion, the Selectmen made a decision to talk with Jim Terrell and then report back to the property owners.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $436,466.25.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

It was noted that $390,125.37 of the above amount is a monthly payment to the Fall Mountain Region School District. 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the request from the Town Clerk to have the Bookkeeper issue a check for postage in the amount of $340.80.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 9, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $18,727.26 or net wages in the amount of $9,019.05.  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 $4,935.56.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- FEBRUARY 07, 2008:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting of February 07, 2008, with the following change:  Page 2 – clarify “sign the 2008 Warrant” to “sign the 2008 Town Meeting Warrant”.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Board of Selectmen’s 2008 Warrant and Budget Hearing of February 07, 2008, 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 North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of February 05, 2008.

REFUNDS:

PETER AND BRENDA GRAVES –MAP 010-004-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $67.88 for Peter and Brenda Graves because of an over-payment.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Board of Selectboard Meeting – February 14, 2008 – Page 2

WARRANTS:

SEWER DEBT USER FEE AMOUNT (TO BE APPROVED):  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the 2008 Sewer Debt Calculation for $101.00 per user.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

SEWER DEBT FEES FOR WALPOLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Walpole Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Sewer Debt Fees in the amount of $28,684.00.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

SEWER DEBT FEES FOR NORTH WALPOLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the North Walpole Warrant for the Collection of North Walpole Sewer Debt Fees in the amount of $28,179.00.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

BUILDING PERMIT:

RENEWAL: ERIC FRINK – MAP 003-054-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2008-003 for Eric Frink to construct a two story, three bedroom house with attached garage.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

BALLAM FARM – ATTORNEY HOCKENSMITH:  Mr. Sawyer had no up-dated report on the Ballam Farm at this meeting.

OLD KEENE ROAD BRIDGE:  Mr. Sawyer advised that the plans on the Old Keene Road Bridge are in the Selectboard office.  The bids were sent out and they will be opened in the Town Hall on Thursday, February 28th at 2:00 PM; the consultant will be present.

NEW BUSINESS:

SOLID WASTE FACILITY:  Rick Cooper requested a clarification to the February 07, 2008, meeting minutes that the Solid Waste Facility will be closed on two days - Presidents Day, Monday, February 18th   and Tuesday, February 19, 2008.

MS-6 BUDGET OF TOWN:  Mr. Aldrich moved that the Board of Selectmen approve and sign the MS-6 Budget of Town document.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

SB2 PUBLIC HEARING:  The Board of Selectmen announced that the Public Hearing on the SB2 Article will be held on February 21, 2008, at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall.

TOWN HALL TABLES AND CHAIR RACKS:  Mr. Sawyer purchased eight new 72” x 30” white folding tables at $40/each for the Town Hall.  Following a discussion, there was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to try to purchase ten more.  

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the purchase of eighteen tables at $40/each for the Town Hall.  Seconded by Mr. Miller.  All in favor, so voted.

Elaine Moore was asked to purchase a sufficient number of racks to hold the remainder of the Town Hall chairs that are not stored on racks.

LETTER TO BE SIGNED:

HARRY THOMSON – VETERAN’S EXEMPTION:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the letter to Harry Thomson denying a Veteran’s Exemption.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Board of Selectmen Meeting – February 14, 2008 – Page 3

Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:34 PM.

The Board of Selectmen entered into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees of Trust Fund.

HOOPER

TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUND MEETING

Mr. Miller called the meeting of the Hooper Trustees of Trust Fund to order at 9:36 PM.

BILL FOR CLEANING BURNER AT 160 PROSPECT HILL – HOOPER COTTAGE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payment to Fleming Oil Company for cleaning the burner at the Hooper Cottage.  The payment will be taken from the Hooper Maintenance Fund.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

QUESTIONS REGARDING HOOPER INSTITUTE AND HOOPER GOLF CLUB:  Reference was made to the memos received from Richard High and Eloise Clark.

Mr. Sawyer moved to allow Eloise Clark to contact T.K. Goodrich to repair the front steps and sidewalk at the Hooper Institute.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen have Elaine Moore obtain an estimate from Tim Smith for a new roof on the Pro Shop.  The Trustees will authorize payment for this estimate.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.  The time was 9:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary