TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
Selectboard Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Jamie Teague, Whitney Aldrich (late)
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with six people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
HILLCREST ROAD: John Rogers reported that there have been a few break-ins in the area. The street light near his home is very dim so he would appreciate having it replaced. Mr. Sawyer will check to see if Walpole or North Walpole is responsible for the lights in that area and they will contact National Grid.
PLEASANT STREET: Jack Neerie saw some signs about no parking on the grass near the Common and asked if it would be possible to place some similar signs on Pleasant Street. People do not seem to realize they should not park on the sidewalk that is adjacent to the road. There are a lot of kids in the neighborhood. Mrs. Teague advised that they would talk to the Road Agent.
GRAVEL PIT RECLAMATION BOND: Myra Mansouri reported that the Zoning Board of Adjustment set an amount for the reclamation of the Whitcomb gravel pit. She asked the Selectboard to set-up an escrow account at the Savings Bank of Walpole. Elaine Moore was asked to write a letter to Chip Whitcomb confirming that the Town of Walpole needs to be paid $50.00 for a permit fee and $5,000 for the reclamation bond.
DAVID McALLISTER: David McAllister submitted a Notice of Intent to Timber Cut.
Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Timber Cut on Wentworth Road for Map 005-002-006. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Police Chief David Hewes: Mrs. Teague moved to enter into a non-public meeting pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) Personnel. Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously. The time was 7:54 PM.
The regular meeting resumed at 8:14 PM.
Police Department: The Selectboard reported that Police Chief David Hewes will be away from his position for two-to-three months due to a personal matter. Lt. Paquette will be the person in charge during his absence.
Chief Hewes advised that they have been having problems with their computers. World Wide Computers recently did an evaluation and advised that the memory is full. For approximately $300 they will get the computers running hopefully through the end of the year. The Selectboard made a recommendation to go forward and to have them submit an estimate for a contract for next year’s budget.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $111,841.62. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Selectboard Meeting – September 11, 2008 – Page 2
PAYROLL: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending September 6, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $15,608.23 or net wages in the amount of $7,158.36. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Teague moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,729.85. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – September 04, 2008: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 04, 2008, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Teague moved to approve the first session of the Selectboard Non-Public Meeting of September 04, 2008, as printed. The Minutes will remain sealed as they contain information on personnel. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Teague moved to approve the second session of the Selectboard Non-Public Meeting of September 04, 2008, as printed. These Minutes will not be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of September 09, 2008.
ABATEMENT:
JOHN and LISA OSTROWSKI – MAP 030-007-000: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Abatement for Property Taxes in the amount of $51.36 for interest for John and Lisa Ostrowski. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 TO BEGIN AT 7:00 PM TO REVIEW ABATEMENT APPEALS: The Selectboard will begin their next regular meeting on September 18, 2008, at 7:00 PM to discuss the Property Tax Appeals filed with the Board of Land and Tax Appeals with Paul Galloway and Anthony Bosco.
FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY – SIGNATURE NEEDED – (2008 Ford F450 w/added Equipment): Mrs. Teague moved to approve having the Chairman sign the Municipal Finance application. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Whitney Aldrich came into the meeting.
NORTH WALPOLE PROPERTIES – TAX DEEDING: There was a consensus to table this agenda item pending receipt of additional information.
MARY JO CLARK – CAR DAMAGE: The Selectboard concurred with Jim Terrell’s recommendation to turn this letter from Mary Jo Clark over to the Town’s insurance company.
Selectboard Meeting – September 11, 2008 – Page 3
SPECIAL POLICE DETAIL VEHICLE REPAIRS: The Selectboard agreed that any payments for repairs to the special police detail vehicles will be taken out of that account.
CEASE AND DESIST: Mrs. Teague moved to approve and sign the Cease and Desist letter to Four Cylinder Auto. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
ROBERT HESS LETTER REGARDING WALPOLE BAGS: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a letter from Robert Hess regarding the new Walpole bags. Elaine Moore wrote a letter in response advising that the bags are the same size but the difference is the tie.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the letter to thank Robert Hess for his concern. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
DATA VERIFICATION: Avitar would like to do the Data Verification on Errors and Omissions from September 22nd through September 26th, 2008.
HIGHWAY HOURS: Jim Terrell reported that effective Monday, September 15th the Highway Department will resume their normal working hours – Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
EMICOR VS. TOWN OF WALPOLE: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a Petition for an Abatement of Property Taxes in Superior Court from Emicor.
Mr. Aldrich moved to use the Avitar representative as an attorney on the Emicor case. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING: The Selectboard presented the following letter to the Planning Board during their meeting held on Tuesday, September 9th. They wanted it to be incorporated into the Minutes of this meeting as well as to be published in The Walpolean and put on the Town web site. Following is the letter:
*******************************
“September 4, 2008
To: Town of Walpole Planning Board
From: Town of Walpole Select Board
Re: Adoption of “Farms, Forest, Streams and Wetlands: Walpole’s Conservation Plan” into the Town’s Master Plan.
As Selectpersons of the Town of Walpole, we commend the Planning Board for its dedication in revising the Master Plan for the people of Walpole. We recognize the time you have spent in extra meetings and the thought you have exhibited throughout the whole process.
We wish to express our opinions and concerns at this public meeting and request that our comments become a part of the meeting’s official minutes. A copy will be provided.
We have three areas of concern we want to express:
- The adoption of the entire Conservation Commissions Plan as it was written in 2006.
Selectboard Meeting – September 11, 2008 – Page 4
- The insertion of “overlaps” of districts rather than a direct approach for change through a warrant article, and
- the confusion that may result from a Master Plan which has the potential to conflict with current zoning ordinances adopted by vote of the townspeople of Walpole at Annual Town Meeting and North Walpole at Annual Village Meeting.
First, the Conservation Commission, as an appointed body, has a specific role under RSA 36-A:2 to index all open space, marshland, swamps and other wetlands. As a result of this role, the Commission may then recommend “a program for the protection, development or better utilization of all such areas.” Including the entire Conservation Commissions Plan may exceed the Commission’s authority and confuse, rather than enhance the Master Plan. We suggest the Planning Committee adopt the Conservation Commission’s Objectives (found on pages 12 & 13) that do not duplicate objectives already in the Master Plan. Further, we suggest the index of wetlands, swamps and open spaces be attached as an Appendix to the Master Plan.
Second, the proposed Master Plan contains several “considerations for overlay districts.” We aren’t sure what “overlay” means in reality. If it is the intent of the Planning Board to introduce Warrant Articles for such things as “Historic District,” we believe that it is prudent to be more direct than to state an “overlay” is being considered. The use of the term “overlay” suggests a vague form of restriction is being applied.
Our third and final comment is in regards to the Master Plan. It is important to remember that Master Plans are advisory in nature to be used as a guide for development in a community; they have no force of law. It is our opinion that the Master Plan should not conflict with current Zoning Ordinances. Nor should the Master Plan seek to restrict a person’s right to enjoy and use his/her land. We believe the Master Plan as it considers the future must acknowledge that change in the Plan will occur as the larger environment changes and different priorities become apparent.
We urge the Planning Board to use its best independent judgment as it is charged with amending the Master Plan by RSA 674 and communicate the Plan to the Town as a whole as widely as possible by a variety of means. It is imperative that the Citizens of Walpole understand the role of the Master Plan.
Respectfully shared,
Sheldon Sawyer, Board Chair
Whitney Aldrich
Jamie Teague”
:
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mrs. Teague moved to enter into a Non-Public meeting pursuant to RSA 92-A:3 II (a) Personnel. Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:33 pm.
The regular meeting resumed at 10:03 PM.
Solid Waste Facility: The Selectboard will invite Paul Colburn to attend their next regular meeting on September 18, 2008 to discuss personnel.
Selectboard Meeting – September 11, 2008 – Page 5
Mr. Sawyer declared this meeting adjourned at 10:07 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary