TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JANUARY 31, 2008
Selectmen Present: Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich
Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with nine people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
JAMES FARNSWORTH AND PEARL STREET OWNERS: James Farnsworth, a resident on Pearl Street, asked for answers on why the Town discontinued plowing the loop on Pearl Street and what could be done to have it continue. Jim Terrell, Highway Superintendent, explained that after receiving complaints as a result of the plowing, he began to do research to find out what the Right-of-Way parameters were but instead discovered that the Town does not have any legal rights to be there. The first 99-feet of the street is classified as Class V but the loop is a private road. Jim Terrell referred to the last meeting when the Board of Selectmen agreed to continue doing what is currently being done while the property owners work toward a solution.
PAUL McGUIRK: Paul McGuirk, on behalf of the Granite State Fair Tax Coalition submitted the following Petition to be included as a Warrant Article at the 2008 Annual Town Meeting:
“To see if the Town will vote to approve the following resolution to be forwarded to our State Representatives, our State Senator and our Governor:
Resolved: We the citizens of Walpole, NH believe in a New Hampshire that is just and fair. The property tax has become unjust and unfair, State leaders who take a pledge for no new taxes perpetuate higher and higher property taxes. We call on our State Representatives, our State Senator and our Governor to reject the “Pledge”, have an open discussion covering all options, and adopt a revenue system that lowers property taxes.”
OLD KEENE ROAD BRIDGE: Jim Terrell talked to the Department of Transportation representative about the Old Keene Road Bridge. They anticipate sending out the bids next week and to have the bid opening toward the end of February.
JOSH KELLY AND GARY SPEED: Josh Kelly, Trust for Public Land, brought the Board of Selectmen up-to-date on the Ballam Farm. There were some difficult things to work out but they have remedied them. They have most of the funding to acquire the property and are confident that the remaining $8,000+/- will be raised. It was agreed that the Board of Selectmen will contact Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith to determine whether the Town or Water Department will own the 8+/- acres of land as an addition to the town’s River Well property.
Mr. Sawyer moved to authorize the Chairman of the Walpole Conservation Commission to accept a Conservation Easement over 51 acres of the Ballam Farm property. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
WRAP COMMITTEE – PETITION ARTICLES: George Watkins, Carol Christian, Dan Schwenk and Dodie Ransome, WRAP Committee members, submitted two Petition Articles as follows. They requested that the Board of Selectmen consider supporting them for the Recycling/Transfer Station.
Board of Selectmen Meeting – January 31, 2008 – Page 2
Petition No. 1:
The purpose of this article is to facilitate the acquisition of a so-called “Oil Grant” from the State of NH Oil Grant Fund. In order to acquire the grant, funds must be appropriated for the expense which the grant will cover. These funds are available from the State without hassle upon application but must have a specific, oil related, municipal expense appropriately budgeted by the Town. This Article establishes the expense.
“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5000.00) for the construction and equipping of a 10’ by 12’ shed with cement pad to be used for the storage and handling of used oil. This article is contingent upon receipt of a grant in the same amount from the State of New Hampshire Oil Grant fund.”
Petition No. 2:
The purpose of this article is to increase the Capital Reserve Fund – Recycling / Transfer Station in anticipation of a need to begin equipment replacement and or make repairs to the building in the coming years. Rather than having a significant expense in one year it appears prudent to build the reserve, adding to it each year in smaller increments. Several known expenses for the coming years are upgrade of the Skid Steer, the truck, and replacement of The Center building roof.
“To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) to be deposited in the Capital Reserve Fund – Recycling / Transfer Station previously established for purchase of equipment for the Solid Waste Department.”
Mr. Sawyer moved that the Board of Selectmen accept the two Petitions providing they meet all legalities. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $425,101.31. 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. Aldrich moved to approve the voided check register for check No. 051386 in the amount of $250.00 as it was issued in error. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending January 26, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $14,902.63 or net wages in the amount of $6,980.20. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. 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 $3,561.98. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- JANUARY 24, 2008: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting of January 24, 2008, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. 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 – January 22 and 29, 2008; and 2) Planning Board Work Session – January 22, 2008.
Board of Selectmen Meeting – January 31, 2008 – Page 3
ABATEMENTS:
GREGG HOFFMAN, WILLIAM AND JOAN HOFFMAN – PROPERTY – MAP 025 – LOT 030-001: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for Property Taxes in the amount of $1,842.00 for Gregg Hoffman, William and Joan Hoffman on the Old Cheshire Turnpike. This was recommended by Avitar. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
REFUND:
GREGG HOFFMAN, WILLIAM AND JOAN HOFFMAN – PROPERTY: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Refund for Property Taxes in the amount of $131.91 for Gregg Hoffman, William and Joan Hoffman. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT: Mr. Sawyer moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the Homeland Security and Emergency Management document. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
BOSTON AND MAINE RAILROAD: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a letter from Attorney Hockensmith regarding the lack of response about the tunnels from the Boston and Maine Railroad.
Mr. Sawyer moved to notify Attorney Hockensmith to close the docket with the Boston and Maine Railroad. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
LGC – RETIREMENT COSTS: This was an agenda item carried over from the last meeting. The Local Government Center provided information on litigation against additional retirement for the NH Retirement System. There was a consensus to have Elaine Moore be the Town’s contact person.
TOWN HALL LOCKED STORAGE SPACE: Elaine Moore reported that arrangements have been made to build the storage area in the Town Hall basement to store voting equipment as requested by Ernie Vose and Joanne Hurlburt.
NEW BUSINESS:
STEVEN FLESSA –INTENT TO CUT WOOD- MAP 010-030-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood for Steven Flessa on the Reservoir Road. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
FIRE MUTUAL AID GRANT – MEETING: The Board of Selectmen received a notice of a Fire Mutual Aid Grant meeting to discuss the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. They can attend either the meeting at the Keene Fire Station on February 13th at 7:00 pm or at the Newbrook Fire Station on February 14th at 7:00 PM.
2008 CONCERTS ON THE GREEN: Mr. Aldrich moved to authorize the Savings Bank of Walpole to schedule their 2008 Concerts on the Green every Sunday from June 29th, 2008, to August 24, 2008. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
LETTER TO BE SIGNED:
JOHN & SHIRLEY LAWTON – ABATEMENT: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to John & Shirley Lawton relative to having Avitar visit their property. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. All in favor, so voted.
Board of Selectmen Meeting – January 31, 2008 – Page 4
Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted. The time was 9:25 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 9:28 P.M.
FREDERICK H. HOOPER INSTITUTE: A notice was received from the Hooper Institute Committee inviting the Board of Selectmen to attend their next meeting and Annual Potluck Dinner on March 18th at 6:30 PM.
LETTER FROM RICHARD HIGH: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of a letter from Richard High regarding replacement of the roof and exterior painting of the Pro Shop. Elaine Moore was asked by the Board of Selectmen to contact a roofer to look at the roof and a painter to look at the exterior painting; each will be asked to submit an estimate.
Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted. The time was 9:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary