WALPOLE SELECT BOARD MEETING
August 21, 2008
Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, and Jamie Teague
Mr. Sawyer opened the meeting at 7:31 PM.
PUBLIC BUSINESS: Jeff Miller –Chair of the Planning Board was present to speak with the Select Board regarding a Southwest Regional Planning Commission bill. At budget time last SWRPC requested $4,055 to be placed in the budget. In doing the Budget for 2008, the Selectmen made a lot of money cuts in several departments. SWRPC was allotted $3,000 for the 2008 year. Jeffrey Miller has requested the Select Board find the money, from other departments, and pay the other $1,055. The Planning Board feels very uncomfortable using SWRPC when the total amount requested was not paid. Mr. Miller believes the Select Board has thrown away $3,000, as the Planning Board does not want to ask SWRPC for their help on the Master Plan. Mr. Ben Davis presented a town report showing various line items that could be cut so the bill could be paid. The line items where from various departments. One suggestion was to cut out the Recycle clothing allowance. Mr. Miller stated Planning, Zoning, and Conservation use SWRPC. Myra Mansouri clarified that the Zoning does not use SWRPC but does use Local Government Center in Concord, which has a legal section that will answer all questions, and helps as needed, and there is NO COST for their services.
Marsha Galloway indicated her board uses SWRPC very seldom.
Jeff Miller indicated at budget time the Planning Board was not informed of the cut. Mr. Sawyer explained perhaps the Planning Board should have been informed, but the Planning Board was not treated any different than any other department when it came to requests from outside agencies. Ie: Heath and Human Services, Our Place in Bellows Falls, Fall Mt. Food Shelf, etc.
Mr. Davis indicted he had spoken with Tim Murphy, Director of SWRPC informed Mr. Davis he would be speaking with the SWRPC Board regarding the bill. Mr. Murphy indicted one of two possibilities could happen. SWPRC could give the town only $3,000 worth of their help, or they could send the $3,000 back to the Town and the Town would not be a member of SWRPC. The Select Board indicated a letter had been received from Tim Murphy, stating the Town would be billed in 2009 for the difference in this years bill. The Select Board indicted to Mr. Davis his statement was completely different from the letter sent by Mr. Murphy.
After a lengthy discussion the Select Board stated they will contact Mr. Murphy to discuss the matter. The Board would also like to know what services we are getting for $3,000 and what we would get for $4,000. It was mentioned after paying the one time fee any extra services are billed to the town at an hourly rate.
FANNY MASON FOREST: Marsha Galloway was in to discuss the proposed timber cutting at the Fanny Mason Forest. Ms. Galloway indicated one access to the forest will be to go in from the Route 12 rest area and work northerly. She stated the southerly are cannot be used due to the steep terrain. Ms. Galloway did indicate she does not believe it is the Conservations position to find an access point, but the Select Board should do it. Mr. Sawyer stated this is a land locked piece of land and access may have to come from an abutter’s property. Mr. Lazzaro on Old Keene Road has been approached regarding access from his property and he has denied the request. Mr. Sawyer stated if a piece of land is landlocked, an owner cannot be denied entry to the property. The Board will research the RSA regarding access to land locked property. Ms. Galloway will contact the forester and find out who owns the rest areas, the town or the state. Mr. Sawyer will also contact Doug Graham of DOT.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $29,233.32. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending August 16, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $20,534.24, or net wages in the amount of $11,631.61. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,591.40. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES: SELECT BOARD MEETING – August 14, 2008: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Select Board meeting of August 14, 2008, as printed. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Select Board received and reviewed the following minutes: Planning Board minutes of August 12, 2008, Zoning Board minutes of August 20, 2008, North Walpole Village minutes of August 12 and August 19, 2008.
BUILDING PERMITS:
GRETCHEN FOWLER – GARAGE – Map 002-001-000. Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2008-36 for Gretchen Fowler to construct a 24’ x 14’ one story garage at 831 Wentworth Road. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
STEVEN AND MARY SCHOPPMEYER –DECK – Map 019-067-000. Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2008-37 for Steven and Mary Schoppmeyer to construct a deck – one section rear of house 10’ x 54’ and side section 10’ x 25’. Mr. Schoppmeyer stated the deck will have a roof over it. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
MARGARET DANGLER – OUTSIDE STAIRWAY – Map 019-023-000. Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit NO. 2008-38 for Margaret Dangler to construct an outside stairway from a second floor barn apartment. It was noted Mrs. Dangler has received a Special Exception for a non-conforming use, by the Zoning Board on August 20, 2008. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Recycle/Transfer – DES has informed the Board of Selectmen a $2,500 Grant request by Walpole has been approved to establish or operate a used oil collection center/program at Walpole’s Recycle/Transfer Center. All receipts for completed work must be submitted to DES by August 13, 2009.
OLD KEENE ROAD BRIDGE: A motion was made by Mr. Aldrich to have the Chairman sign a purchase order for payment to SEA Consultants for professional services from June 29, 2008 to July 26, 2008 regarding Old Keen Road Bridge construction. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
RECREATION: Joe Goodhue reports another break-in at the Recreation Center. A small amount of monetary damage done.
BANDSTAND: The Town Common Bandstand was vandalized over the weekend. Police are investigating.
NEW BUSINESS:
Savings Bank of Walpole – Mr. Sawyer moved to have Jamie Teague and Whitney Aldrich to both sign the Corporate Authorization Resolution. This was also signed by the Treasurer. Motion passed unanimously.
Workers Compensation Law flyer – Mr. Aldrich moved to have Elaine Moore sign this document. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Planning Board – Resignation – Mr. Aldrich, with great reluctance, moved to accept the resignation of Fred Dill from the Planning Board. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Vacation Day- Elaine Moore requests a vacation day Friday, August 29, 2008. Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the request. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to recess this meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion pass unanimously. The time was 9: 48 PM.
The Select Board entered into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.
HOOPER TRUSTEES
MEETING
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting of the Hooper Trustees to order at 9:50 PM.
VOUCHER REQUEST: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve a voucher request from Robie Speed, regarding cleanup at the Route 12 rest areas. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting of the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9: 55 PM.
The Select Board resumed their regular meeting.
SELECT BOARD MEETING (continued)
Mr. Sawyer resumed the Select Board meeting at 9: 57 PM.
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn the Select Board meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sawyer declared this meeting adjourned at 10:05 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Moore – Secretary Pro-Tem