TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

SEPTEMBER 25, 2008

Selectboard Present:  Whitney Aldrich, Jamie Teague

(Absent:  Sheldon Sawyer)

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with one person present in the audience.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $15,216.79.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the voided check register for check No. 052744 in the amount of $13,274.89.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

PAYROLL:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending September 20, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $14,825.35 or net wages in the amount of $6,478.33.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  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 $3,452.86.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – September 18, 2008:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of September 18, 2008 as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Selectboard First Non-Public Session of September 18, 2008, as printed.  These Minutes will not be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Selectboard Second Non-Public Session of September 18, 2008, as printed.  These Minutes will remain sealed as they contain information on personnel.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION:  Matt Suchodolski:  Mr. Suchodolski, SWRPC, reported that the grant application for Andrus Associates, LLC was approved for business acquisition and funding for the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to conduct leasehold improvements at the NH Dunning Facility in North Walpole.   

Mrs. Teague moved that the Selectboard approve having Sheldon Sawyer, Chairman, serve as the Environmental Certifying Officer for Grant Number CDBG 08-050-CDED.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting of September 16, 2008.

Selectboard Meeting – September 25, 2008 – Page 2

OLD BUSINESS:

OLD KEENE ROAD BRIDGE – EXTENSION REQUEST:  Mr. Aldrich advised that Bazin Bros. is asking for an extension until the first week in November to complete the Old Keene Road Bridge as there have been delays caused by issues beyond their control.  In view of the issues the Selectboard felt this request was justified.

Mrs. Teague moved to authorize Elaine Moore to handle any bridge delay issues.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

NORTH WALPOLE PROPERTY TAX DEEDS:  Teresa Kissell, North Walpole Tax Collector, previously advised that there are three properties in North Walpole that can be taken by the Town for non-payment of delinquent property taxes on September 30th, 2008.  All efforts for collection have been made.  The Selectboard approved putting Town liens on the three properties.

NORTH WALPOLE PUMP STATION:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to put this agenda item on-hold.

COLD RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE:  This agenda item was continued until a full board is present.

CLOTHING ALLOWANCE:  This agenda item was continued until a full board is present. 

NEW BUSINESS:

FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES:  Fairpoint Communications and the Hooper Institute have requested that Exemption Certificates be approved and signed by the Selectboard.  These are required for exemptions from the NH Communications Services Tax.  

Mrs. Teague moved to authorize Whitney Aldrich to sign the Exemption Certificates for Fairpoint Communications and Hooper Institute.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

VACATION DAYS – JIM TERRELL:  Mrs. Teague moved to allow Jim Terrell to take off Thursday, October 2nd and Friday, October 3rd, 2008 as vacation days.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

ANDREW LEWIS –BLTA- APPEAL:  Mrs. Teague moved to invite Andrew Lewis to attend the Selectboard meeting on October 9th at 7:00 PM to discuss his BLTA request for the 102 Blackjack Crossing property.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

GAIL GOLEC:  Mrs. Teague moved to allow Elaine Moore to handle the communications between Franklin Pierce College and the Town relative to the archeological dig terminus project in North Walpole.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PROGRAM:  Larry DeVault, EOP Deputy Director, had submitted an Emergency Operations Program booklet to the Selectboard for their review.  This plan involves all Town departments.  There was a consensus that the Selectboard supports this plan and they will do whatever is required to insure full cooperation with the Department Heads.  Mrs. Teague would like the North Walpole Fire Department to receive notices of all meetings.  Elaine Moore will talk to Larry DeVault about possibly scheduling a mandatory meeting and will report back to the Selectboard.

Selectboard Meeting – September 25, 2008 – Page 3

LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:

TriVillage Energy:  Mrs. Teague moved to sign the TriVillage Energy letter.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Aldrich requested that the letter not be sent until Mr. Sawyer has had the opportunity to review and sign it.     

Carl and Nancy Chaffee:  There was a consensus to put this letter on-hold as some wording changes were suggested. 

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Mrs. Teague moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-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 8:44 PM.

The regular meeting resumed at 8:52 PM.

Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 8:53 PM. 

The Selectboard entered into a meeting as the Trustees of the Hooper Institute.

TRUSTEES OF HOOPER INSTITUTE

Mr. Aldrich called this meeting of the Trustees of the Hooper Institute to order at 8:55 PM.

Trees:  Mrs. Teague received an email from Eloise Clark regarding the trees discussed during their last Hooper Institute meeting.  Ms. Clark measured and identified the trees; they are not that big.  It was noted that Chris Ricci is the Town forester.  Elaine Moore will contact him to request that he look at the trees.  Mrs. Teague will do a follow-up with Ms. Clark to advise that the Selectboard is looking into taking care of the trees. 

Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 8:59 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary