TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

MAY 29, 2008

Selectboard Present:            Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Jamie Teague

Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with eleven people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

JOHN and SHIRLEY FROST:  Due to family issues, Mrs. Frost would like to temporarily site a mobile home on her son John Frost’s property off the Valley Road.  John Frost has over two acres of land with 355-feet of frontage and a new leach field that went in four years ago.  There was discussion relative to concerns about keeping the older residents in town.  In conclusion, the Selectboard felt that Shirley Frost and John Frost should present their Site Plans to the Planning Board during their meeting on June 10thth to ask for a Special Exception.  Since timing is an important issue this could possibly be finalized on July 16th. and then attend the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on June 18.

ECUC, LLC. PROPERTY:  Mr. Sawyer explained that the Selectboard is concerned with what is being done on this property.  Bob Maynard, owner, advised that he leases the property but would like to stay in compliance with the Town regulations.  He inspects the property periodically.  They were supposed to build the pole barn but stopped after the poles were installed.  There is a construction trailer and a lot of storage of materials on-site.  Last week when Mr. Sawyer and Mrs. Mansouri viewed the property there appeared to be some buried material.  Mr. Maynard said nothing was buried, it is just fill.  Mrs. Mansouri read meeting minutes that outlined the conditions of the Permit for the 2.7 acre property.  Mr. Farinoli advised that there no longer is propane on the property.  Mr. Maynard noted that there no longer are batteries or oil there; only about one-third of the equipment remains.  Mr. Farinoli owns the camper but he lives in one of the apartments.  The pole barn exception permit expired therefore a new application will be needed to complete that.  The Selectboard will check to see if the property is in the Wellhead Protection area.  Following the discussion, Mr. Sawyer advised that the Selectboard would like to see the property cleaned-up and that the stored items be placed under-cover.  At this time no time limit will be imposed but they would like to see some progress.  Mr. Maynard will talk to the company about cleaning up and keeping the area neater. 

MARCH HILL ROAD:  Jim Terrell, Road Agent, and Warren Stevens, engineer with M & W Soils, discussed options to resolve the March Hill wash-out.  They have not yet received a decision from the State on the proposed bridge.  Mr. Stevens advised that the Town can rebuild the retaining wall; he outlined options.  The cost for rebuilding would be approximately $60,000 plus excavation costs because the project is so massive.  Mr. Terrell talked to the abutters who do not have a problem with the Town going outside their right-of-way.  The Selectboard approved having Jim Terrell obtain some estimates.  Mr. Stevens will put together the application for the Wetlands Permit.

LAVERNE HORNE PROPERTY:  Laverne Horne was not in attendance.  Mrs. Mansouri read meeting minutes when this property was discussed.  Originally the permit was for minor repairs and the sale of one or two vehicles.  A Special Exception was not granted for another building on the property that is now rented and being used for vehicle repairs.  Other issues include the number of vehicles on the site and that they were not given permission to buy and sell vehicles.   

Selectboard Meeting – May 29, 2008 – Page 2

Mr. Aldrich moved to table this item because Laverne Horne did not attend this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  All in favor, so voted.

ALAN RHODES:  Mr. Rhodes received his tax bill and expressed concern with the fact that the amount nearly doubled.  There have been no significant improvements therefore he would like an explanation of what it is based on.  He had no advance notice of any changes and the assessors did not contact him about looking at the property.  Mr. Sawyer noted that the Selectboard would have the office manager pull the property records and contact Avitar for an explanation of the assessment.  Mr. Rhodes was advised that he could file for an Abatement.

KATHY MONAHAN – SIDEWALK SALE:  Ms. Monahan was not in attendance.  Mr. Sawyer reported that Ms. Monahan would like to have a sidewalk sale in front of her store utilizing two parking spaces on June 13, 14, and 15.  She would also like to put a tent over it. 

Mr. Aldrich moved to have Ms. Monahan attend the next meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008, at 7:30 PM.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  All in favor, so voted.

NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING:   Mr. Aldrich moved to have the next Selectboard meeting on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008, at 7:30 PM.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  All in favor, so voted.                    

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $403,497.68.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  All in favor, so voted.

It was noted that $390,125.33 of the above amount is a monthly payment to the Fall Mountain Region School District.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending May 31, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $17,736.62 or net wages in the amount of $9,561.16.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  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 $4,306.93.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  All in favor, so voted.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS:  Mr. Aldrich moved to authorize the Treasurer to transfer $275,000.00 from the Walpole MBIA to the Savings Bank of Walpole Town account and to authorize the Chairperson to sign the document.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  All in favor, so voted.

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – MAY 22, 2008:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the May 22, 2008,  Selectboard meeting as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion was approved.  Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present at this meeting.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed the Minutes of the following meetings:  1) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of May 27, 2008; 2) Cemetery Committee Report – May 9, 2008; and 3) SEA Meeting Minutes – Old Keene Road Bridge – May 23, 2008.

Selectboard Meeting – May 29, 2008 – Page 3

BUILDING PERMIT:

WILLIAM & KRISTEN WHITON – MAP 003-038-003:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2008-022 for William & Kristen Whiton to construct a 36’ x 12’ shed that will be attached to the existing garage on the County Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  All in favor, so voted.

OLD BUSINESS:

SAVINGS BANK OF WALPOLE – SIGNING OF SIGNATURE CARD:  The Selectboard signed the signature card for the Savings Bank of Walpole for the new Playground Account at Whitcomb Park. 

SWRPC – PAYMENT ISSUE:  Mrs. Teague moved to table the Southwest Region Planning Commission payment issue for an additional $1,055.00.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  All in favor, so voted.

There being no other business, Mr. Sawyer declared this meeting adjourned.  The time was 9:52 PM.   

Respectfully submitted,