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New addition at Great Brook Farm!
Proud llama mother Jenna keeps a watchful eye on the photographer Saturday as Jack, her less-than-24-hour-old son, practices walking. Mother and son seem to be doing fine at Great Brook Farm in Walpole! CCB
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Laptop Wielding Strangers in Our Yards
Ed. Note: This notice is from Teresa Kissell in the Selectmen's Office. She thought you might want to know about the possibility of people you don't know carrying laptop computers and wandering around your yard in the next few weeks! CCB
NOTICE
Town of Walpole and North Walpole
2008 Water and Sewer Readings
Water/Sewer meters in Walpole Village and North Walpole will be read between September 2nd through the 19th .
If anyone finds they will not be available for reading during these dates, please contact the Selectmen’s Office (756-3672) to make an appointment to have the meter read.
ALL OUTSIDE USAGE METERS
MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR READING.
PER OFFICE OF THE SELECTMEN
TOWN OF WALPOLE, NH
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Child Care in Walpole
Ed. Query: Does any Walpolean reader have an objection to occasional commercial entries like this one for Walpole people doing business in Walpole? CCB
"Looking for quality childcare close to home? I have openings for an infant and/or preschoolers in my Walpole home. Lots of room outside to run, play and explore! Lots of love, imaginative play and stories inside. I'm a mother of three with over 20 years of childcare experience. For more details call Julie Rios at 756-4173."
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August 20 Minutes of the Zoning Board of Adjustment
WALPOLE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Meeting of August 20, 2008
Present: Chair Myra Mansouri, Leo Carrignan, David Calhoun, and alternates Peggy Pschirrer, and Ernie Vose. Absent: Mary Therese Lester, Larry Britton and Bill Webb.
Chair Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM and requested Peggy Pschirrer and Ernie Vose sit in as regulars to fill in for Mary Therese Lester and Larry Britton.
OPEN BUSINESS:
Minutes of July 16, 2008- David Calhoun indicated there was one typo in the minutes. Under MINUTES, line two reads: Whitcomb Construction could no have any employee ----, the minutes will be corrected to read Whitcomb Construction could not have any employee--. Peggy Pschirrer moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Seconded by David Calhoun. All in favor, so voted.
NEW BUSINESS:
Larry Jarvis representing Sunoco Oil has stated Sandri Realty, owner of the Sunoco Station in Walpole at 51 Main Street, Map 20 Lot 69, has asked Sunoco owners to refurbish the sign that has been in place at 51 Main Street for several years. Mr. Jarvis is before the Board for permission to replace the sign. He indicated the sign would be the same size and color. There will be a slight difference in the font and where the arrow on the sign there now blinks the new sign will not. Chair Mansouri asked the Board if there were any exceptions to the placement of a new sign. As there were none Chair Mansouri informed Mr. Jarvis the new sign could be set in place and a copy of the request will be placed on file with the Zoning Board.
Steve Schoppmeyer of 34 Prospect Hill Road, Map 019-067-000, was in to ask about replacing an old porch that has since been taken down. The setback of the existing house is 50 feet from the centerline of the highway. He would like to build a wrap around porch that would be 10 feet wide by 54 feet long on the back of the house and 10 feet wide by 35 feet on the northwest side of the house. This side would be as long as the house. The problem is the deck would not be within the zoning setbacks by 10 feet.
Chair Mansouri informed Mr. Schoppmeyer he would have to apply for an expansion of a Non-Conforming Use and the hearing could be set for the next Zoning Meeting – September 17, 2008. Chair Mansouri gave Mr. Schoppmeyer the necessary paperwork to complete and return no later than September 02, to request a hearing. David Calhoun moved to set a hearing for Mr. Schoppmeyer for the September meeting, seconded by Ernie Vose. All in favor, so voted.
At 7:50 PM Larry Britton arrived and Peggy Pschirrer returned to Alternate status by Chair Mansouri.
Margaret Dangler- Antonia Andreoli, representing Margaret Dangler was in for variance of Article to of the Walpole Zoning Ordinance – an expansion of a non-conforming use or structure at 76 Elm Street, in Walpole. Mrs. Andreoli stated at this time there is no fire escape from the second barn floor apartment. The steps would be an egress for the apartment. There are sliders there now but go nowhere. A four by four landing would be built with the stairs coming from the landing. The stairs will be even with the front porch of the building, which is 15 feet from the property line. The stairs are in line with the house. Ernie Vose noted there were no abutters at this meeting.
Leo Carignan moved to approve the application as presented. Seconded by Larry Britton. All in favor, so voted.
Hearing - F.W. Whitcomb- Mr. Dick Frazier was in representing Frank (Chip) Whitcomb for a Special Exception Hearing regarding a 155-E Permitting Process for property on Old Drewsville Road, Map 015-035-000. Permission to excavate was approved a Hearing held July 16, 2008 by the Zoning Board. However, Chair Mansouri informed the Board the State DRA requires the town to hold a hearing for a 155-E Permitting Process. Larry Britton asked if it was necessary to have a complete presentation as the presentation was in full at the last meeting. Mr. Frazier presented the information as he did last month indicating all materials and all paperwork are the same as previously presented, along with a 155-E Permitting Process packet that is a summary of what was already presented. The 155-E Permitting Process request is for five (5) years. Chair Mansouri indicated Walpole only grants three (3) year permits for gravel pits. David Calhoun stated as no abutters were present he would move to accept the application as presented. Seconded by Larry Britton. All in favor, so voted.
R.N. Johnson – signage change- Chair Mansouri indicted the location and size of the sign would be the same as presented last month. The change would be the wording on the sign. It will now say R.N. JOHNONS below that at yellow and green deer logo, below that JOHN DEERE NEXT LEFT. As the Board had no exceptions to the change in working, Chair Mansouri will file the change in the sign file.
OTHER: Jeffrey Ruggiero was in for information from the Board regarding a lot in the Industrial Park belonging to Hodgkins and Sons. Mr. Ruggiero would like to start a Recycling business for C&D (construction and demo products). He questioned whether Zoning would permit this kind of business in the industrial park. He would have an excavator, roll offs, and trucks. All sorting of material would be done inside the building. Ernie Vose indicated the property is in Rural/Agricultural it would require a Special Exception, if the property is in the Industrial Zone, Mr. Ruggiero would not need a Special Exception. Chair Mansouri indicated she believes the property in question is a gravel pit site and the land would have to be reclaimed. As there are questions regarding the property Zoning members will walk the site on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 4:00 PM. A Public Notice will be given of the meeting five (5) days before the scheduled meeting. Mr. Ruggiero will contact Hodgkins and Sons and let them know of the walk around. David Calhoun will take minutes of the meeting.
BY-LAWS: The Board made a couple of changes to the By-Laws. One major change was to increase the number of Alternates to five (5) members per State RSA’s. Chair Mansouri thanked Peggy Pschirrier for rewriting the by-laws. After reviewing the by-laws David Calhoun moved the adoption of the By-Laws as amended incorporating any corrections for typographical or grammatical errors. Seconded by Larry Britton. All in favor, so voted.
GRAVEL PITS: After discussion on pits, active and non-use pits in town, David Calhoun moved to send a cover letter to all gravel pit owners indicating they must complete an enclosed questionnaire and return same to the Town Hall no later than September 09, 2008. Seconded by Ernie Vose. All in favor, so voted.
Ernie Vose suggested the questionnaire be sent out yearly to all gravel pit owners. The Board as a whole agreed to this suggesting. At the next Zoning Board meeting the Board will set dates to do a walk around of all gravel pits in Walpole
The Board agreed an active gravel pit needs to sell a viable amount of gravel or lose its status.
Ernie Vose moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Leo Carignan. All in favor. So voted. Chair Mansouri closed the meeting at 9:03 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Moore
Secretary
(NOTE: These are unapproved minutes. Any changes will be reflected in the minutes of September 17, 2008.)
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Selectmen's Minutes for August 21
Ed. Note: Thanks to Elaine Moore, here are the minutes of the Selectmen's August 21 meeting. CCB
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
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August 14 Selectmen's Minutes
Ed. Note: Thanks to Elaine Moore, here are the minutes of the Selectmen's August 14 meeting. CCB
WALPOLE SELECT BOARD MEETING
August 14, 2008
Present: Sheldon Sawyer and Whitney Aldrich. Absent: Jamie Teague
Mr. Sawyer opened the meeting at 7:34 PM.
PUBLIC BUSINESS: Robert Jasse of Alyson’s Apple Orchard requests approval to sell bottled wine at Alyson Apple Orchards farm stand. Mr. Jasse has applied to the State for a license but also needs a letter of approval sent to the state liquor commission. Both Selectmen think this is a wonderful idea but want to make sure the farm stand conforms to zoning regulations. Whitney Aldrich moved to approve signing the letter with the condition the zoning regulations are met. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $9,488.75. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending August 09, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $18,414.11 or net wages in the amount of $9,840.85. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,159.50. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES: SELECTBOARD MEETING – August 07, 2008: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 07, 2008, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public meeting of August 07, 2008, as printed. The minutes will remain sealed as they pertain to Solid Waste/Recycle personnel. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public meeting of August 07, 2008, as printed. The minutes will remain sealed as they pertain to an on going police investigation. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Selectboard received and reviewed the minutes of the Conservation Commission. Mr. Aldrich noted an ERROR in the minutes. Clarification: Neither the Select Board nor the Walpole Welfare Director ever mentioned having people who are in need of firewood going into the Fanny Mason Forest to cut their own wood. The discussion was perhaps when the logging operation was done at Fanny Mason Forest, the tops, if left behind, could be brought to a secure place for use by people needing firewood. The disbursement of the firewood would be with the approval of the Welfare Director.
BUILDING PERMITS:
AMY STECHLER – SCREEN PORCH ADDITION – Map 005-017-000. Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2008-33 for Amy Stechler to build a 13’ x 13’ addition to an existing screen porch at 82 Farnum Road. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
YARDLEY FAMILY TRUST – BARN – Map 013-025-000. Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2008-34 for Yardley Family Trust to build a 24’ x 28’, one and one half story barn at 361 Valley Road. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
BRIAN ROBINSON – GARAGE- Map 008-0016-000. Mr. Aldrich moved to approve Building Permit No. 2008-35 for Brian Robinson to construct a 26’ x 30’ garage at 107 Kingsbury Road. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Recycle/Transfer – Mr. Aldrich moved to approve signing paperwork indicating an increase in pay for Paul Colburn. The motion to increase Mr. Colburn’s pay was approved at the last Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: SCHOOL BUSSING IN NORTH WALPOLE. Chief David Hewes has received many phone calls from parents in North Walpole regarding a Fall Mountain Regional High School decision not to bus students that live within two miles of the school. Chief Hewes stated the parents were told by FMRHS faculty crossing guards would be hired by the police department. Chief Hewes placed a call to Sam Jacobs and was informed the information received from parents was incorrect. FMRHS will hire the crossing guards and the cost will come from FMRHS budget.
RIVER ROAD TREES: A complaint of trees being a hazard on River Road was referred to the Road Agent. No recommendation by the Selectboard.
RECREATION: Joe Goodhue informed the Board of mischief done at the recreation center. No further action taken.
DIVISION OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE MEETING: Welfare Director Elaine Moore asked the Board for permission to attend the meeting in Keene in August 20. The meeting is in reference to winter heating expenses. Mr. Aldrich moved to have Elaine Moore attend the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
LGC ACADEMY TRAINING COURSE: Elaine Moore presented three courses on bookkeeping and accounting that will be presented by LGC. The Board will ask Teresa Fernette if she is interested in attending any of these meetings.
LETTERS:
Allen Brothers letter – placed on hold
Mr. Aldrich moved to recess this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion Passed unanimously. The time was 8:46 PM.
The Selectboard entered into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.
HOOPER TRUSTEES
MEETING
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting of the Hooper Trustees to order at 8:48 PM.
LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:
MERVIN STEVENS – THANK YOU: Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the letter to Mervin Stevens and to hold the letter until all three Board members signed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting of the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:04 PM.
The Selectboard resumed their regular meeting.
SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)
Elaine Moore informed the Selectboard of two workers compensation filings by the police department. No action taken.
Elaine Moore made note the tree purchased by the Town to be placed on the east side of the Town Hall needs to be picked up. The Selectboard instructed Elaine Moore to inform the nursery/greenhouse the tree will be picked up with two weeks.
Mr. Sawyer declared this meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Moore, Secretary Pro Tem
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The Walpolean Spacing Problems Resolved
Ed. Note: Your humble and chagrined editor is pleased to announce that The Walpolean's spacing problems of the past month seem to have been resolved. It appears that the problems were caused by my attaching an oversized photo several weeks ago, a mistake that can be avoided in the future. Sorry for the frustration that caused! Please let me know by email to chuck@chuckbingaman.com if you have any further issues! Thanks! CCB
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Friday Farmers Market at Bellows Falls
Ed. Note: A great chance to shop locally! CCB
SHOP FRESH WITH THE CHEF: LOCAL NUTRITIONIST AND COOKBOOK AUTHOR TO PRESENT A COOKING DEMONSTRATION AT THE BELLOWS FALLS FARMERS MARKET
Bellows Falls, VT—August 25, 2008— The Bellows Falls Farmers Market will host two cooking demonstrations this season with Luise Light, local cookbook author and nutritionist. The first will take place this Friday, August 29th; the second will be later in the season, on September 12th. Luise will cook up three dishes using local ingredients available at the farmers market, and attendees will be able to watch the process and taste the final product.
The first demonstration will start at 4:30 and the second of the evening at 6. Each demonstration will run for approximately an hour. No registration is required; all are welcome to watch, try, and receive the recipes to try at home.
Luise will prepare roasted beets and carrots with tart grapefruit glaze, featuring carrots, beets and maple syrup from the market; kale crunch, featuring fresh kale from the market vendors; and eggplant-almond enchiladas, featuring eggplant, onion, garlic, chilis and tomatoes from the Bellows Falls Farmers Market farmers. Vendors who will contribute ingredients to the cooking demonstration on Friday include Harlow Farm in Westminster, Guerrilla Grown Produce in Westminster, Abenaki Spring Farm in Walpole, New Hampshire, and Basin Farm in Bellows Falls.
“Cooking demonstrations are a great way for our customers to get new ideas of things to do with all of the fresh produce available at the market,” says Abi Miller, farmers market manager.
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont will sponsor this special market event, with a grant given to farmers markets who host “Shop Fresh With the Chef” events.
This week at the market also marks the second week that raffle tickets are available. Supporters of the market can purchase their raffle tickets for $5 each or 5 for $20 from Maplewing Artisans or from Village Square Booksellers in downtown Bellows Falls, or at the market on Friday evenings. The grand prize for the market is a side of organic pork from Harlow Farm. The first prize is a Brimming Market Bag, filled with market goodies, such as jam, preserves, a gift certificate for massage, and maple syrup; the second prize is a “Visit Bellows Falls” print by noted regional artist Charlie Hunter; and the third prize is the cookbook “Dishing Up Vermont”, courtesy of Village Square Books.
The market takes place every Friday night from 4 to 7 at the Waypoint Center in downtown Bellows Falls. For more information about the Bellows Falls Farmer’s Market, contact market manager Abi Miller at bellowsfallsmarket@gmail.com or 802.387.6128. The market can be found on the web at www.bffarmersmarket.com.
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Walpole Creamery Ice Cream Contest: Get Your Entry in This Week and Win!
Ed. Note: Here's a great--and fun--project dreamed up by Dave Westover at Walpole Creamery. Let's all enter! Incidentally, I recommend that you do NOT try the chocolate chocolate chip ice cream at the Creamery as I made the mistake of doing last weekend. It'll come to dominate your life, to occupy your thinking at all times of day, to distort your focus! Stick with the maple walnut! CCB
8-19-08
Ice Cream Art Benefits David’s House
By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer
Walpole Creamery is sponsoring an ice cream art contest through August 30 with all entry fees going to David’s House, a home-away-from-home in Lebanon for families with children being treated through the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Contest categories are photography, coloring, freehand drawing and poems/songs, and each entry must relate in some way to ice cream. Prizes, $30 and $20 ice cream certificates, will be awarded in each category for four age groups: 6 and under, 7-12, 12-18 and 18 and up. The fee for each entry is $5, and contestants can enter as many times as they wish for their age category.
David’s House, which will receive all contest entry fees, is a place where a child can be a child. It’s also for parents and families of children, a retreat where they can stay to find and give support to their child and to each other.
“Visiting David’s House was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” confessed Eileen Fletcher, Walpole Creamery assistant scoop shop manager this week. “It was very homelike…like a big friend’s house. And it was so clean. Very clean!”
Walpole Creamery co-founder David Westover, the initiator of the contest/benefit project, has long supported David’s House. “There is just so much trauma involved when a child is seriously ill or injured, and David’s House provides a LOT of support for both the children and their parents.”
David’s House offers 15 comfortable bedrooms with eight bathrooms, a supply of books, playrooms with toys, television with VCR, a screened gazebo, and a large yard with playground. The house is handicapped accessible and has an elevator. Fully equipped kitchens enable guests to store and prepare their own meals, and breakfast foods are provided. The house is a half-mile walk to the Medical Center and has parking for each family.
“In addition to the breakfast foods,” added David’s House Development Director Jaye Olmstead this week, “most nights we have volunteers who come in and cook hot meals or even outside food producers such as Dominoes Pizza, that bring in hot food for dinner. Some volunteers also provide frozen casseroles that families can use when they want to.
Suggested nightly fees at David’s House are $10 per family, and that include a mother and father and up to six children. Even at that low fee, roughly 40% of David’s House users cannot pay. Hence non-fee arrangements are available, and outside fund raising is necessary to operate the house. Users and non-users are invited to make contributions to offset costs.
David's House also accommodates day guests. Any parent who has a child in the Medical Center and is not staying overnight at David's House may use David's House to have a cup of coffee, relax, watch TV, take a shower, use the laundry, etc. Reservations are not necessary for a day guest, but the staff appreciates advance notice of such visits.
David’s House was named for David Cyr who was just 20 months old in the mid-1980s and still in the process of being adopted by Dick and Gerry Cyr of Hartland, VT when doctors discovered that he had acute lymphocytic leukemia. That news strengthened the Cyrs’ determination to adopt David and give him the love they already felt so strongly for him.
Because of his frequent visits to the Medical Center, David became friendly with the other children undergoing treatments there and always wanted to bring them home to his house—his haven from suffering and pain. During David’s treatments, Dick and Gerry met parents of those children—people who sometimes had to sleep in the hospital waiting rooms or even in their cars because they could not afford motel rooms. The Cyrs also began dreaming about creating a haven—one where those families could stay.
David’s House is that dream. After David died, the Cyrs dedicated their time to creating David’s House. It is the culmination of their efforts and those of families and businesses of northern New England to the parents and children who come to the Medical Center.
Development Director Olmstead also noted that David’s House is not solely for children with cancer and their families. “We also host families with children being treated for a wide range of other health issues, including injuries. Also, people should know that, while we have a close working relationship with Dartmouth-Hitchock, we are independent and independently funded. Our $630,000 annual budget is based on individual and corporate gifts—and fund raisers like that of the Walpole Creamery—and local grants that we are fortunate to get.” To learn more about David’s House, see www.davids-house.org.
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Big Sale at Wish!
End of Summer Sale!
prices reduced
50% to 75%!!!
Rush in to Wish Clothing!
52 Main Street in Walpole
Hours Tues-Sat 11-6, Sunday 12-5 Closed Monday
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After School Day Care For All at Walpole Village School
Ed. Note: This info is sent by Kristin Chamberlain, Media Relations Chair for the Walpole Village School. CCB
After School Child Care at Walpole Village School
Walpole, NH – August 21, 2008 – The Walpole Village School is now offering quality after-school child care Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 5:30 PM for children up to 12 years of age.
The program includes a supervised, invigorating, and
healthy walk from the Walpole Middle School to the Walpole Village School, located on Westminster Street in town. The group will leave on foot from the Middle School at 2:30. After arriving at the Village School, the children
will take part in learning activities and crafts in a safe and caring environment. Children need to be picked up at the Village School by 5:30 PM. The cost per child is $5 per hour. Please call Bethany Coursen or Justin Parrot at 603-756-4246 to register your child.
ABOUT THE WALPOLE VILLAGE SCHOOL: Incorporated in 1974, the Walpole Village School is a non-profit educational institution offering preschool, pre-kindergarten, and after-school enrichment programs. Its child-centered program strives to achieve a balance between offering new experiences and incorporating students’ interests and abilities. Built on a strong foundation of social skills, the goal of the school’s curriculum is to foster respect and compassion in a child’s decision-making processes.
Funding for the school’s programs comes from a combination of tuition payments, parent fundraising activities, and donations.
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August 12 Planning Board Minutes
Ed. Note: Thanks to secretary Pam Aslinger, here are the August 12 Planning Board minutes. CCB
PLANNING BOARD
Walpole, NH 03608
Regular Meeting Tuesday August 12, 2008. 7:00pm Town Hall
MINUTES
Presiding: Jeff Miller, Ch.
Members Present: Bob Miller, V-Ch., Sheldon Sawyer, Sel., Eric Merklien, Ben Daviss, Dave DeCoste, Donn Lounsbury, alt., Shane O’Keefe, alt.
Members Absent: H. Fletcher, J. White, F. Dill (resigned) Recording: Pamela Aslinger, Sec.
These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the September 9, 2008 meeting for errors,
omissions and corrections. There were 14 +/- persons in the audience.
I. Meeting opened at 7:05pm
A. Roll Call - Ch. Miller designated P. Aslinger for H. Fletcher
B. Minutes - Sec. Aslinger reported a correction to the regular minutes changing the name G. Allen Holmes who recently passed away. He had served on the various boards over the years. A motion was made and seconded to approve the 7/8/08 minutes as amended and to approve the work session 7/22/08 minutes as presented. All were in favor, motion carried.
II. New Business - Application Submissions
A. Bensonwood - Ch. Miller announced they would be delaying submission of the site plan review application until the September or later meeting.
B. Whitcomb Construction Site Plan Review - Mr. Dick Fraser of One Source Permitting was present to submit the application for a gravel excavation on Old Drewsville Rd. in the Rural Agricultural zone. The Zoning Board has granted a special exception for their operation with conditions (on file). Mr. Chip Whitcomb was present also. Mr. Fraser provided a set of plans for the conservation commission that was given directly to Mel Schupack, conservation commission member.
Ben Daviss asked the Board if they had any objections to him remaining on the board during the review process, he no longer feels he has a conflict especially since the zoning board granted the special exception. There were no objections by the board to Mr. Daviss remaining as a voting member on the review of this application.
Mr. Fraser asked if the Board would go over the checklist at this meeting and deem the application complete at the next meeting and hold the public hearing? The board agreed and consulted the provided checklist, noting a request for a waiver for B. 5. Boundary lines metes and bounds. Members were not opposed to the request. All other information as shown seemed in order. The application fee was discussed pertaining to the $50./ 2500 sq. ft. of new space. The board agreed it was directed towards building space and did not apply to this application - therefore the application fee will be $100.00. Ch. Miller called for other questions or concerns. Mr. Lounsbury asked if the site would be fenced? It was noted extending the berm rather than fencing is proposed.
A motion to place the application on the agenda for the September 9, 2008 meeting for acceptance and to schedule the public hearing for the same night was made by Mr. Sawyer and seconded by Mr. Daviss. With no further discussion Ch. Miller called for the vote. All were in favor, the motion carried.
Sec. Aslinger reminded that the application materials are available for review in the office. V. Ch. Miller took a set because Ch. Miller will be absent at the September meeting.
Walpole Planning Board Minutes 8/12/08 page 2
III. New Business - Preliminary Conceptual Consultations
A. Aumand’s Furniture - North Walpole Site Plan Review to reconstruct the furniture store lost in a fire in July. Mr. Ray Aumand was present and submitted a copy of a letter from Mark Farkus the N. Walpole zoning administrator denying Aumand’s permit to rebuild pending site plan approval from the Walpole planning board. Mr. Aumand provided a copy of the tax map and survey showing the location of the prior building basically right at the boundary lines. He plans to rebuild on the same footprint and has received a legal opinion stating he could.
Members and members of the audience reviewed the preliminary plans noting the footprint as shown is from an aerial photograph. Ch. Miller asked if the N. Walpole zoning setbacks were being adhered to? Mr. Aumand thought they could build on the same footprint even thought it does not meet the current zoning setbacks. Ch. Miller questioned whether new construction is be allowed to violate the current zoning ordinance setback requirements of 15’ on the side and rear and 20’ from the road in the commercial zone.
Attorney Robert Kasper was present representing Maura Shaughnessey the niece of Mary Shaughnessy who abuts the parcel to the west. (Mary Shaughnessey’s house was heavily damaged in the fire, the setback was agreed to in the 1950’s of less than 5 feet.) Attny. Kasper said his understanding of the ordinance is that it only discusses the issue of “use” being preserved, not the actual building. He advised that their retail use would be preserved but the ordinance and regulations do not say they get the exact building back, only the non-conforming use. He stated that their proposal is for “new construction”.
Ch. Miller suggested the Board seek a legal opinion from Atty. Hockensmith adding he personally thought the setbacks should be followed including the street setback of 20 feet.
Mr. Aumaund disagreed that the old building footprint could not be used for the replacement building and he said he received a legal opinion stating he could. Ch. Miller asked if there was a prior addition to the building that encroached on the side setback between the Shaughnessesy property. Mr. Aumand said there were eight additions over time with the garage addition affecting the Shaughnessey property constructed in the 1950’s with no disagreement.
Ch. Miller reiterated the need for the board to seek a legal opinion on the matter of where the building can be built and its adherence to the current N. Walpole zoning requirements. Mr. Aumand asked if the opinion would be requested soon and if he could be notified - board agreed.
Maura Shaughnessey asked to speak on behalf of her aunt who has lived in her home for 87 years. On July 10th, 2008 her aunt awoke to an explosion from a fire at the furniture store. Her alert neighbors came to her aid preventing her from physical injury and driving her to safety in the middle of the night. The house being only a few feet away caught fire and is so heavily damaged it cannot be occupied. She said that while her Aunt Mary is physically unharmed she is struggling over the loss of her home and treasures. She asked that the board consider the seriousness of her aunt’s situation, to use their authority to make important decisions regarding the rebuilding of the store. The primary concern of Mary’s family is for her safety and welfare. Maura on their behalf asked the Board to insist on the full setback requirements for the new construction. It is their desire to address the setback issue cooperatively, but they will persist to see it is upheld for the wellbeing and safety of their Aunt Mary who would like to spend her remaining years in her home.
Attorney Kasper added that his interpretation of the ordinance states the non-conforming use is preserved if they rebuild within one year and if they don’t expand or change the non-conforming retail furniture sales store “use”. His opinion is that the non-conforming use is different from the structure. The structure has undergone complete destruction and the board has the authority to go forward with a site plan review for the new construction and apply the current zoning setbacks.
Mr. Aumand reminded that his family too has suffered loss of family treasures. Ch. Miller added that the tragedy was by no one’s fault and recapped the need for the board to seek a
Walpole Planning Board Minutes 8/12/08 page 3
legal opinion in a timely manner to address the setback issue. He said once the set back issue is clarified Mr. Aumand can present the board with a plan based on the clarification and move forward with the site plan review process.
Ms. Shaughnessey said that the four generations living in the house had no idea they were living next to a time-bomb, a building without sprinklers or a fire alarm linked to the fire department. Ch. Miller asked to have further discussion withheld until the next meeting.
Mr. Aumand left a copy of the plans with the secretary and Attny. Kasper asked to be informed of the legal response. The Board authorized Secretary Aslinger to draft a letter to Attny. Hockensmith for his opinion.
III. New Business - Preliminary Conceptual Consultations cont’d
B. 1. DiBernardo Associates - Mr. A. DiBernardo presented a question to the board regarding a possible lot line adjustment on the property of Dorothy Galloway/Blake Farm located on Cochran Rd. Mr. Paul Galloway was also present. The board determined a lot line adjustment was warranted in order to annex a portion of lot 1onto lot 2 to include steep terrain. DiBernardo Associates will prepare the survey and present the application at the September meeting.
B. 2. Joe DiBernardo submitted an application for a minor 2 lot subdivision located on Valley Rd. Map 11, Lot 20 in the Rural Agricultural zone owned by Mr. Raymond E. Surrell. A motion was made and seconded to place the application on the September agenda for acceptance and to schedule the public hearing for the same night. All were in favor, motion carried. Joe will submit corrected maps to show the proper 65 ft. setback on Class VI Woodshed Rd. He’ll submit the corrected maps prior to the posting deadline of 8./29/08. State subdivision approval is pending and has been applied for.
B. 3. Joe noted his presentation for Claude Webster was not available for this meeting.
IV. Unfinished Business
A. Patel/State Line Grocery - Sec. Aslinger reported she had an inquiry from Mr. Gary McCormick an abutter to the site informing her that he was not notified of the boards meeting or public hearing. Upon checking she found he was correct, the abutter list and original maps did not list him. The notice was mailed to the prior owner - however the engineer had changed the revised maps presented at the hearing to reflect Mr. McCormick as an abutter, she thought the applicant should have pointed out the change. She said even though she checks the abutter lists, if the town records are not up to date she and applicants have no way of knowing about changes. She spoke with Mr. Farkus the N. Walpole zoning commissioner regarding Mr. McCormick’s participation at the zoning hearings and he felt Mr. McCormick was made aware of the planning board’s proceedings even though he never received his notice. She also said by posting and publishing the notice it was further attempt to see all interested persons are properly notified. She said Mr. McCormick was unhappy about not receiving the notice, however Mr. Farkus mentioned that Mr. McCormick and State Line Grocery were negotiating a property agreement so thought Mr. McCormick hadn’t missed any opportunity to have his issues addressed and isn’t aggrieved. The board felt it was an honest mistake and the other channels of notification adequate.
Ms. Aslinger said she complained to Mr. Farkus about all of the flapping signage on the site as being a major distraction and detraction to the neighborhood. Mr. Farkus said he had spoken to them about the extra signs beyond what is allowed in the ordinance and had given them permission for the extras for their grand opening only. Members agreed the signs are a distraction, excessive and possibly ineffective.
8/12/08 page 4
B. Dockham letter - Sec. Aslinger read the letter aloud that describes a boundary line agreement between property owners therefore not warranting a lot line adjustment or further board action. The board concurred and the letter will be sent. Mr. Sawyer asked to have future correspondence mailed to him rather than e-mailed to Mrs. Moore, that e-mails are taking up too much time. Sec. Aslinger said she would print copies and leave them in his box at the office.
V. Master Plan Update
A. Ch. Miller apologized for missing the scheduled meeting with the Selectboard to discuss payment of the SWRPC dues. The meeting has been rescheduled for 8/21/08. Ch. Miller said he referred to the budget for 2007, saw where $4000. was requested but $3000. was recommended and voted on by the Town, the recommendation was made at a budget working session. He added that the recent constraints on monies by the BOS due to high fuel costs, welfare etc. were not a concern or part of the discussion when it was decided to pay partially.
B. Ben Daviss made a motion seconded by Bob Miller to schedule a public hearing at the September 9, 2008 meeting for the adoption of the Town-wide Conservation Plan into the Master Plan with the new language as presented. 6 were in favor with 1 not in favor, motion carried. Mr. Schupack said Mr. Palmiotto would be present at the hearing for a presentation.
C. Mr. Daviss suggested accepting the final versions of the vision statement and goals and objectives and present them to SWRPC for comment. It was so moved and seconded. All were in favor, motion carried. A suggestion was made to pay SWRPC out of the funds set aside in the board’s present budget. Mr. Daviss will check with them to see if they are willing to do the review prior to finalizing the 2008 dues situation. Sec. Aslinger asked if the special exceptions language was added to the final draft of the vision statement that was previously e-mailed to members. Mr. Daviss asked the secretary to read the statement adding he would like to see it incorporated if the board agreed. Selectman Sawyer and Ch. Mansouri were concerned about regulating through the master plan. Members said the Master Plan is not a regulatory document it reiterates what is present in the zoning ordinance. The special exception planning board review criteria already requires the board to consider whether a project is consistent with the Master Plan. While it’s not a regulatory document it cannot be disregarded and should contain guidelines. Having a Master Plan is required by law so it is a legal document for the planning board to refer to. Mr. Merklien moved to include the special exception verbage into the vision statement with “should” rather than “shall”, seconded by Ms. Aslinger. 6 were in favor, 1 opposed, motion carried.
Other - Ch. Miller asked if the 30% open space requirement in the Site Plan Review regs would adversely affect a potential application such as Aumand’s new construction. Sec. Aslinger said an applicant would file a checklist with their application along with requests for waivers. She said the reason the 30% open space was put into the site plan review regs was to allow the board to be flexible about granting a waiver for the requirement if warranted. Aumand’s may be a circumstance that would warrant a waiver of the 30% requirement.
D. The work session for August was cancelled.
VI. Communications and Miscellaneous
A. Budget was not discussed.
B. Sec. handed out a notice for the Fall Planning and Zoning Conference 10/25/08.
VII. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded, all were in favor the meeting closed at 8:10pm (next regular meeting September 9, 2008 at 7:00pm)
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Home Heating Assistance Applications
Elaine Moore, secretary to the selectmen, reports that staff from Southwestern Community Services will be at the Town Hall on September 25, 2008 between 10 AM and 1PM to accept applications for Fuel Assistance for the 2008 winter season.
Those interested should call Southwestern Community Services for an appointment. Phone numbers are: 352-7512 ext. 4224 or ext. 4122. Anyone can apply for fuel assistance. CCB
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Movie Night Saturday at Inn at Valley Farms
Ed. Note: This is one of those events that makes Walpole such a great place! The notice is sent by Jackie Caserta, proprietor of the Inn at Valley Farms at 633 Wentworth Road. CCB
4th Annual Inn at Valley Farms
“Movie Night Under the Stars”
Join us for an evening of old-fashioned fun! Sit on hay bales (or bring your own blanket or chair) and watch great cinema projected on the side of our century-old barn surrounded by neighbors and friends under the stars!
7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 23rd
(Rain date: Sunday, August 24th)
The fun begins at 7:30 p.m. when we gather for desserts and conversation. At dusk (@ 8:15) the projector starts rolling with classic cartoons and @ 8:30 we’ll start this year’s feature film - STAR WARS: George Lucas's 1977 stunning sci-fi masterpiece, is arguably one of the most inventive and entertaining films ever made, garnering generations of loyal fans who are forever imprinted with the memory of its characters and dialogue.
Popcorn, drinks and homemade cookies provided.
Open to the public. Free-will donations appreciated.
Bring a dessert (finger type) to share if you can.
DON’T MISS THIS GREAT FAMILY EVENT!
The Inn at Valley Farms is located at 633 Wentworth Road in Walpole just 3 1/2 miles from the center of downtown Walpole and just past the back entrance to Alyson's Orchard. Questions? Call 756-2855.
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Griswold House Open House This Afternoon
Ed. Note: The Griswold House, just to the west of Murrays' Cafe, will be open today from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. courtesy of the Walpole Foundation which has restored and renovated it. The public is invited to see the new First Day Cottage offices and the apartments, some of which are rented and others that are still available. CCB
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Screen Issues with The Walpolean
Editor's Note: I'm sorry that some people lately have had difficulty with getting The Walpolean on their computer screens without extraneous material and spacing problems. I'm not sure what the issue is, and it may be different for different people. I am consulting with my computer expert, though, and hope to have some answers in a few days. Sorry for the difficulty! Chuck Bingaman
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August 20 Zoning Board Agenda
Editor's Note: Thanks to Board secretary Elaine Moore, here is the agenda for next week's Zoning Board meeting. CCB
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TOWN OF WALPOLE
AGENDA
August 20, 2008
OPEN BUSINESS:
Approve Minutes of July 16, 2008
NEW BUSINESS:
Larry Jarvis – Sunoco Station sign (change font)
HEARINGS:
Margaret Dangler – 2nd Floor egress from barn apartment
Map 019-023-000 76 Elm Street
F.W. Whitcomb – Gravel Permit per RSA 155-E Permitting Process
Map 015-035-000
OLD BUSINESS:
Gravel Pits - review submitted paperwork for all gravel pits
By-Laws
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St. John's Yard Sale August 23
Reverend Susan de Puy Kershaw reports that St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elm and Westminster Streets (opposite the Common) in Walpole, is holding a HUGE YARD SALE on Saturday, August 23, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., rain or shine. Wonderful and spectacular items will be for sale, including a complete eight place settings set of Havilland Bavarian china in the original box with additional coffeepot and sugar and creamer, Belleek vases, McCoy pottery, glassware, a beautiful marble pastry board and other housewares. There will also be a large collection of cookbooks. Christmas decorations, including outdoor lights and indoor ornaments, will be for sale. A great collection of sporting goods will also be available. Everything is priced to sell. The sale will be outdoors on the church’s corner, but in case of rain, will be held in the Parish Hall. For more information, please call 603-756-4533.
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August 12 Planning Board Agenda
Ed. Note: Thanks to Pam Aslinger for supplying the following agenda for tomorrow night's meeting of the Walpole Planning Board. CCB
WALPOLE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
August 12, 2008 7:00pm Town Hall
Agenda
I. Open Meeting
A. Roll Call - Designate alternates
B. Approve Minutes of July 8 and 22, 2008
C. Other
II. New Business - Application Submissions
A. Bensonwood - Site Plan Review postponed until September 9, 2008
B. Whitcomb Construction Site Plan Review on Old Drewsville Rd.
Mr. Dick Fraser presenting
1. Fees determination
III. New Business - Preliminary Conceptual Consultations
A. Aumand’s Furniture - North Walpole Site Plan Review
B. DiBernardo Associates:
1. Paul Galloway Minor 2 lot subdivision
2. Claude Webster and Ramond Surrell - Minor 2 lot subdivision County and Carpenter Hill Roads
C. Other - none scheduled as of posting but it could possibly change
IV. Unfinished Business
A. Patel/State Line Grocery - procedural question
B. Dockham letter - in regard to a boundary line agreement
V. Master Plan Update
A. Report on meeting with Selectboard re: Regional Planning dues
B. Review Conservation Commission’s changes to the Town-wide Conservation Plan
1. Schedule public hearing for Sept. 9, 2008 for adoption into Master Plan
C. Review recent final draft of the vision statement and the land use goals and objectives
D. Schedule work session for August 26, 2008
VI. Communications and Miscellaneous
A. Budget review
B. NH Fall Planning and Zoning Conference 10/25/08 Lincoln, NH
C. Other
VII. Close Meeting - next regular meeting to be held Sept. 9, 2008 at 7:00pm
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July 31 Select Board Minutes
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
JULY 31, 2008
Selectboard Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Jamie Teague
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with four people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY – MEDC / Andrus Associates: Matthew Suchodolski, Southwest Region Planning Commission, had forwarded the contract between the Town of Walpole and the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) for the Selectboard to review. The cost for the town attorney to look it over could be reimbursed through the administrative funding.
Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the CDFA contract pending the approval by Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith and to authorize Mr. Suchodolski to take it to the attorney. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
JIM TERRELL: Jim Terrell reported that the paving on Elm Street will be done by the end of next week. The sidewalk work will be eliminated for this year due to budget constraints. The Northcott’s have a stock pile of stone and have offered to allow the Town to take the stone as needed and they will not bill until the first of next year. The Selectboard approved this arrangement. Mr. Terrell will keep a running total. The drainage issue on Colonial Drive has been repaired and so far it has held up through the storms.
Mr. Terrell explained that when the lease agreement with Hillsborough Ford for the Ford “450” truck was being signed it did not include the price for the plow frame. This will not effect the payment for this year but the second and third payments will increase.
Mr. Parrott, a property owner on Center Street, reported that his fence was damaged over the years by plowing and snow pick-ups. The fence is down the middle of his property and the town’s right-of-way. Mr. Parrott is willing to buy the material if the Town will put the fence up.
Mr. Aldrich moved to allow Mr. Terrell to replace a fence that will be one-foot off the property line with materials that Mr. Parrott has agreed to buy. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
A letter was received from Stewart Bailey on Wentworth Road regarding his concern about a few trees. Mr. Terrell recommended that the Selectboard write Mr. Bailey a letter to advise that even if the trees are in the right-of-way they actually belong to the landowners. Mrs. Teague suggested that the Selectboard take a look at the trees.
Mr. Aldrich moved to send a letter to Mr. Bailey telling him of the Town policy when trees are in the right-of-way. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Vacation Time Roll-Over – Bruce Russell and Mike Symonds: Mr. Terrell advised that Bruce Russell is requesting permission to roll-over one week of vacation time in accordance with the Personnel Rules. Mike Symonds is also requesting permission to roll-over one week of vacation time.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the one week of carry-over vacation time for both Bruce Russell and Mike Symonds. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Selectboard Meeting – July 31, 2008 – Page 2
Highway Department Budget: Mr. Terrell discussed the Highway Department operating budget; after setting aside funds for salaries, benefits, etc. the remaining balance is approximately $55,000. He asked for guidance from the Selectboard on their preference for projects. The Selectboard approved having him obtain bids for the March Hill wash-out project but it will have to wait until next year. Mr. Sawyer recommended that he keep the work as close to budget as he can. In the meantime, Mrs. Teague will go over the actual budget figures to-date.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $462,505.83. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
The above amount includes a payment in the amount of $390,125.33 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided check register for check No. 052564. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided check register for check No. 052556. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending July 26, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $17,037.95 or net wages in the amount of $8,676.84. 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 $3,851.20. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC BUSINESS (Continued):
FIRE DISTRICT – Herb Hurlburt: Mr. Hurlburt referenced Article 7 that was passed at the Town Fire District Meeting for $35,000 for a roof on the Fire Station. Unfortunately the project will not be completed in 2008 but they would like to purchase the shingles before the price goes up. Mr. Sawyer advised that the money can be carried-over if they have a signed contract.
MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 24, 2008: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 24, 2008, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion passed. Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present at this meeting.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the first Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 24th, 2008, as printed. These Minutes will not be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion passed. Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present at this meeting.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the second Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 24th, 2008, as printed. These Minutes will remain sealed as they contain information on personnel. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion passed. Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present at this meeting.
Selectboard Meeting – July 31, 2008 – Page 3
Selectboard Meeting – July 17, 2008: Mr. Sawyer noted that on page 3, under Jim Terrell – Time Off Request, the request for a Personal day should be changed from “August 2nd” to “August 7th”, 2008.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the above amendment to the July 17, 2008, Selectboard meeting minutes as noted above. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed the minutes of the following meetings: 1) Cemetery Committee meeting – July 11, 2008; 2) Planning Board meeting – July 22, 2008; and 3) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting – July 29, 2008.
ABATEMENTS:
CARTER & MERRY LAKE FAMILY TRUST – Map 019-072-000 – Water/Sewer: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for the Carter & Merry Lake Family Trust for the following amounts: Water $681.80 and Sewer $496.02. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
REFUNDS:
KENNETH & WENDY WHITON –PROPERTY TAX REFUND- 2007 – Map 001-015-005: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for Kenneth & Wendy Whiton for their 2007 Property Taxes for the following amounts: Principle $853.00 plus Interest $35.75. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
JOHN HOLLAR –PROPERTY TAX REFUND- 2007 – Map 001-015-001: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for John Hollar for his 2007 Property Taxes for the following amounts: Principle $1371.00 plus Interest $57.46. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
TOWN HALL INCREASE: The Selectboard reviewed the proposed Town Hall Rental Fee Increases to be effective July 11, 2008. It was agreed to add that “Tables and chairs will not go out of the Town of Walpole”.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Town Hall Rental Fee Increases as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
FOREST FIRE WARDEN BILL: Mrs. Teague moved to send this bill from the Forest Fire Warden to the North Walpole Fire Department c/o Fire Chief Ed Hasselman. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
ROUTE 12 APPLICATION FOR ACCESS TO FANNY MASON FOREST: There was a consensus to pass over this agenda item. Mr. Sawyer will discuss this with Mrs. Galloway, Chair of the Conservation Commission.
AUMANDS & SONS – REQUEST PROPERTY ASSESSMENT ADJUSTMENT OF MAP 028-002-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the recommendation of the Town’s Assessor. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
RICK COOPER – VACATION TIME: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a memo from Rick Cooper noting that he has four weeks of vacation time so will start taking one-half or full
Selectboard Meeting – July 31, 2008 – Page 4
days off beginning on August 11th as the job requirements and training time allows. He will be available to Mr. Coburn by cell phone.
LEGAL OPINION: Mrs. Teague moved that the Chairman and any representative he chooses should meet with the Town attorney to confirm the legality of a document. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES OF VT, INC. – Waste Removal: During last weeks meeting Mark Houghton explained that this paperwork would be coming before the Selectboard. The contract is in the amount of $1,351.00 – one-half will be paid from the Water account and one-half will be paid from the Emergency Management account.
Mr. Aldrich moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Hazardous Waste documents with Environmental Products & Services of VT, Inc. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to recess this meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:46 PM.
The Selectboard entered into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees of Trust Fund.
HOOPER
TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUND MEETING
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting of the Hooper Trustees of Trust Fund to order at 9:48 PM.
HOOPER INSTITUTE – Lightning Strike: The Trustees were advised that a tree had been struck by lightning. They agreed to look at the tree.
HOOPER SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE:
Mervin Stevens- Resignation: Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the resignation of Mervin Stevens from the Hooper Scholarship Committee. A letter will be sent to thank him for his many years of service. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Appointment: Mrs. Teague moved to appoint Kim Lewis as the Chair of the Hooper Scholarship Committee. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Vacancy: There was a consensus of the Trustees to post a notice to announce that there is a vacancy on the Hooper Scholarship Committee. Letters of interest should be submitted to the Hooper Trustees of Trust Fund c/o the Selectboard Office.
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting of the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:54 PM.
The Selectboard resumed their regular meeting.
SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)
Mr. Sawyer resumed the Selectboard meeting at 9:56 PM.
Selectboard Meeting – July 31, 2008 – Page 5
NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) Personnel. Mrs. Teague seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:58 PM.
The regular meeting resumed at 10:20 PM.
Personnel: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to ask Paul Colburn to attend the next Selectboard meeting on Thursday, August 7th, 2008, at 7:00 PM.
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 10:26 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
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New Members of Walpole Artisans Cooperative
Grace Therrien, Katalin Thomas and Racheal Scott
8-10-08
Three Join Walpole Artisans Cooperative
By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer
Racheal Scott, Katalin Thomas and Grace Therrien have joined the
Walpole Artisans Cooperative and have begun showing their work in the Cooperative’s Shop at 53 Main Street in the village.
Racheal Alexander Scott of Westminster VT creates textile art garments, quilts, containers and fabric postcards, all of which are on display at the shop.
“Fiber is my thing,” she says. “Everything I do is always one of a kind. I enjoy the creative process. I work at it about five hours each day, and yes, I do think about it in bed at night!”
Scott graduated form the Penland School of Crafts in NC and attended the Maryland Institute Collage of Art in Baltimore and the Institutio
 Rachel Scott
Allende San Miguel in Mexico. Her varied work in the current shop inventory includes knitted clothing, quilted blankets and wall coverings, and felted containers. Scott’s pieces use a range of techniques including shashiko, a Japanese surface decoration style, appliqué, needle thread painting and the use of fabrics reproducing old fabrics collected in the American Textile History Museum in Lowell MA.
Katalin (Katie) Thomas made clothes for her dolls and later for herself as a child, and she still works in colorful fabrics, mostly silk. With a BFA in Crafts-Textiles from the University of Arts in Philadelphia and a diploma in graphic design from the Art Institute in Philadelphia.
In 2000 Thomas and her husband decided to seek the tranquility of Vermont and New Hampshire and moved to Putney VT. There she began her
own business where she creates heirloom quality silk textiles incorporating custom text and children’s artwork submitted by her customers. She also gradually found her way back to her own craft and started experimenting with pieced silk designs.
In her Walpole Artisans incarnation, Thomas uses a wide variety of hand dyed silks—velvet, dupioni, broadcloth, habotai, satin and wild silk—to embroider her pieced designs. On display at present are purses, table runners, and colorful pillows.
Grace Therrien, the last of the trio of new Walpole Artisans, worked as an interior designer for 30 years with a specialty in commercial space design. But, she says, “I was always a drawer from the time I was a toddler!”
Her current art interest is the creation of prints from carved wood blocks, linoleum blocks and etchings on acrylic plates.
“While I’ve been doing these kinds of prints for a long time, this,” she says, “is the first time I’ve ventured out beyond creating them for friends and family!” Therrien’s currently work on display includes highly detailed fish, a dragon and a print of the Connecticut River Valley near Walpole.
Therrien earned an Associates Degree in Fine Arts from the New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University after having grown up in Richmond NH.
The Artisans Cooperative opened in June to give now 16 artisans a place to show their work year round in a Main Street location. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. For further information see www.walpoleartisans.com or call 603-756-3020 during business hours.
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Busy Week in Walpole!
A Busy Week in Walpole: Jazz, Jungles, Woodsy Walks and Much More!
Town Notes by Chuck Bingaman, Town Correspondent
* Mid-month Thursday Night Jazz at the Restaurant at Burdick Chocolate continues Thursday evening, August 14, with Jesse Carr on vocals and tenor saxophone, Dave Wertman on bass, and Mark Applegate on guitar. Music from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For reservations, phone 603-756-9058. 47 Main St,
Walpole, NH.
* Robert Watson reports that viewers in the Unitarian Church Media Center in Hastings House will be treated to “Jungles” Friday night at 7:00 p.m. from the BBC series Planet Earth. “It’ll be a spectacular evening with this amazing production shown in high definition big screen TV with surround sound,” according to Watson. "I hope we can share the experience together @ the MediaCenter."
The Unitarian Media Center presentation is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested as space in limited to 24. For information, call Robert Watson at 603/756-3711.
*Jeff Putnam will lead a Walpole Conservation Commission Walk Saturday morning, August 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Reservoir Town Forest. This 59-acre parcel with its small dam and pond once provided water to the Town of Walpole and now harbors many bird and animal species. There is access from a locked gate on Reservoir Road and a path that leads to a recreational north/south trail maintained by the local snow mobile club. Participants will gather at the bandstand on the Common at 8:45 a.m. Rain Date: August 23.
* Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 15, 16, and 17, six intrepid Walpole area women—calling themselves The Pink Sox—will trek 20-miles-per-day through suburban Boston to raise cancer research funds as part of the Breast Cancer 3-Day® to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Walpoleans (and sisters-in-law) Chris and Patti Neal, Chris’s daughters Melissa Neal and Tiffany Guiterrez, Diane Myers-Miller, along with Angela Warren of Hanover, have been training since spring for their marathon walks. Tiffany and Melissa, especially, need our support at this point to reach their fund-raising goals. You can reach Tiffany at 313-4442 or Melissa at 756-3176. Or you can pledge online at www.the3day.org.
* Alyson’s Opening Day 2008! Chosen by New Hampshire Magazine in 2008 as the “Best Agricultural Experience” in the state, Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole will open for the Pick-Your-Own season on Saturday, August 16 (with a rain date of Sunday, August 17).
From 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., visitors will be able to pick Paula Red apples and blueberries, and participate in a wide array of family fun.
 There will be face painting and a 3-legged race for the kids, along with wagon rides in a special Fire Truck wagon pulled by a John Deere tractor. The first 100 kids who ride will receive a fire chief hat!
The farm stand will be open, offering apple pies, jams, local honey and maple syrup, cheese, chicken pies, gifts and more! Other seasonal fruits such as peaches and plums will be available at the farm stand, as well. From 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. there will be wine tasting featuring Alyson’s Heirloom Apple and Dry Apple wines, along with some new, award-winning selections from LaBelle Winery of Amherst, NH.
Cookout food, including free hot dogs, will also be featured along with local corn on the cob while you enjoy live music by “Chops” Polcari and friends.
Alyson’s is located on Route 12 in Walpole. For more information, call Alyson’s Orchard at 603-756-9800.
* Walpole School Principal Sam Jacobs reminds us that school starts Wednesday, August 27, and the class lists will be posted August 13. The Annual Fall Fair will be September 20, and the Camp Tacodah for 7th graders will be September 29-30. Parent-Teacher Conferences are set for October 13-14.
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Fuel 'er up Bessie!
Cruise Night At The Real Twist
Gale Davis reports that the Real Twist Soft Serve Ice Cream stand in Walpole, NH will hold its next Classic Car Cruise Night, weather permitting, on Sunday, August 10th, from 6-9PM. Here’s a chance for the whole family to enjoy a Sunday evening looking at old and antique cars, while enjoying pizza, hot dogs and ice cream. There will be live music by Vinnie Dibernardo. Anyone who brings his classic car to show will get a free regular sized sundae. Everyone visiting can get free jimmies, diptop or flavorburst with any cup or cone. Make sure to enter the drawing for free Pizza, ice cream or DVD’s!
The Real Twist is located next to Real to Reel Video at the North Meadow Plaza in Walpole. It is open noon – 9PM, seven days a week. Enjoy your ice cream outside, in the lovely garden, or under the porch.
The final Cruise Night of the 2008 Season is scheduled for September 7th. See you then!
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Barbra Bragg Showing in League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's 75th Annual Fair
8-1-08
Bragg Preps for New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair
“It’s intellectual, exciting and lots of surprises!”
By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer
Walpole’s Barbra Bragg returns as a juried craftsperson Saturday to the 75th Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair at Mt. Sunapee Resort east of Newport on Rt. 103.
And that’s meant that her outdoor/indoor studio space has been smokin’ for the past several weeks. Literally!
Bragg does Raku, the ancient Japanese pottery method whereby clay pieces are heated quickly to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit in special kilns and then moved to covered containers—in her case, metal garbage cans—filled with combustible materials such as saw dust and straw. The resulting, smoky process “reduces” the pottery surfaces and glazing giving them a unique, aged look and stains the exposed surface with carbon.
Bragg currently focuses on creating fanciful visual pieces she calls tongue pots (faces with removable tongues), zoo morphs (creature-like things
with legs, bodies and often dangling wire doo-dads), chimneys (stacks of ringlike pieces), story houses, and masks. Some hang on walls, some sit on tables, others are just there to be looked at. Are they functional? Bragg says “to be looked at is a function too, you know!” And they ARE something to look at!
“I first showed my work at the League’s Annual Crafts Fair 25 years ago, but then I went off and worked in porcelain, painting and sculpture—areas that aren’t shown at the fair. So now I’m back in pottery full-time, and it’s great to being going to the Fair again!”
Bragg says she likes “being on the edge, producing really primitive, archeological, earthy, ‘just dug out of the ground’ looks.” And her pieces fit that description!
But it’s not all fun and games. Bragg says her work, which she pursues nearly everyday, IS work, not fun. “I wouldn’t say it’s fun. It is intellectual, exciting and has lots of surprises. And there are frequent disappointments. Such as when people reject your work or when you accidentally crack a favorite piece in the firing process. And it’s hard to make money selling art!”
But she wouldn’t—couldn’t—trade her life for another. “I’ve been playing in the mud and making things with rocks since I was little girl. It’s what I do. I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t be making things”
Along the way Bragg has collected a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics at State University of New York at New Paltz and a Masters of Fine Arts at Johnson State College in Vermont. She’s also taught ceramics and sculpture at Plymouth State College and Granite State College. To be allowed to exhibit at next week’s Fair, her work had to be juried by a panel of her peers in the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, a serious hurdle for serious artists.
Why go to the work of creating an inventory of pieces and traveling to the Annual Fair? “Well,” says Bragg, “I hope to sell a lot of stuff! But I also want to meet representatives for several galleries that might handle my pottery and meet the managers of the New Hampshire League stores. They too might want to stock my pieces for sale. And I hope to see many New Hampshire friends over the four days I’ll be there. My booth’s #813!”
The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Annual Fair runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 2 to Sunday, August 10 at the Mt. Sunapee Resort on Rt. 103 east of Newport. In addition to hundreds of exhibitors showing baskets, pottery, fiber crafts, glass, leather, metal, printmaking and more, there are musical performances several times daily, special exhibits and workshops, and even childcare. Compete details are available at www.nhcrafts.org.
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