Editor's Note: I have been deluged with requests that I change subscriber's web addresses on The Walpolean from old Verizon addresses to a new Fairpoint addresses. I'm sorry to report that I do not have time to do such maintenance of individual accounts. May I suggest that you simply register anew with your new address, and I will, over time, delete Verizon addresses I see? That may mean that, for a while, you'll get two notices of new postings. But as soon as Verizon (or Fairpoint) cancels your Verizon address, I assume that you will revert to just one notice per posting. Thanks! Chuck Bingaman
Ed. Note: Thanks to Elaine Moore, here are the minutes of the January 21 Zoning Board meeting. CCB
WALPOLE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Meeting of January 21, 2009
Present: Myra Mansouri, Leo Carignan, Mary Therese Lester, and Alternates: Jan Galloway-Leclerc and Peggy Pschirrer. Absent: David Calhoun, Ernie Vose, Larry Britton, and William Webb.
Chair Mansouri called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Jan Galloway-Leclerc and Peggy Pschirrer were appointed to act as regular members in the absent of David Calhoun and Larry Britton.
Jan Galloway-Leclerc moved the Minutes of December 17, 2008 be approved as written. Seconded by Leo Carignan. All in favor, so voted.
NEW BUSINESS: Andrew and Annette Dey of 69 Elm Street, Walpole, Map 019-033-000, were in to discuss building an In-Law apartment in the Barn. Chair Mansouri explained the foundation needs to be continuous. Mr. Dey informed the Board there is a stone foundation that connects with the barn and the house. Chair Mansouri stated a retaining wall is not considered a foundation. A foundation must be below the frost line. Mr. Dey informed the Board he does not believe the house was ever connected to the barn.
Mr. Dey explained they would like to add a breezeway also, and this would connect the with the house. The Breeze way would be placed on piers that would be below the frost line.
There was discussion regarding the difference between a foundation wall three feet below the frost line and a retaining wall. Peggy Pschirrer questioned if the breezeway would be on the retaining wall and part on piers. Mr. Dey confirmed this would be the case.
Leo Carignan had concerns regarding building on a retaining wall. Stated there could be a shifting of the building within time.
After further discussion Mr. & Mrs. Dey were informed they would need a hearing for a Variance as any proposed building will be closer than the required 20 feet from a property line. A hearing date was set for February 18, 2009. Mr. Dey respectfully requests a site review of the property before the February hearing.
OLD BUSINESS: Chair Mansouri informed the Board a letter has been sent to Mrs. Donald Wood Sr. indicating her “gravel pit” no longer qualifies for gravel pit status.
Chair Mansouri closed the meeting at 8:01 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Elaine Moore
ZBA Secretary
(These are unapproved minutes.Any corrections or changes will be reflected in the February minutes)
Judy Spinelli reports that the Walpole Congregational church will sponsor a coffee house with live music entertainment on the last Friday of the month beginning THIS Friday and going through March. This week the entetainment is Ken and Julie Olsson with vocal and keyboard jazz and standards.
Coffee, tea, hot chocoalate and homemade goodies will be available. The ocffee will be open from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sugggested donation for the evening is $5.00. CCB
Ed. Note: Here's a story on an important warrant article that we will be asked to vote on on March 10. It's a long overdue renovation of key elements of our high school with a price tag of nearly $5,000,000. But, because the state is committed--at least for this year--to funding 55% of it and because our school board has accumulated a sizable reserve fund that will make $900,000 available, the total amount of the proposed bond issue is just over $1,300,000. That's the amount--plus interest--that we are being asked to raise in new taxes over five years. I hope you will inform yourself on the details of the proposed work and commit to supporting it. Chas Street is a member of the School Board and has headed the committee that has investigated the needs, created the proposal, and is working to selling it to the voters. Obviously it's not a terrific time to be asking for a tax increase (if there is ever a good one!). But, if we want our children to be prepared for their 21st century futures, providing adequate facilities for their high school educations is something we must do. As you'll see, this is NOT a lavish plan to add unnecessary facilities. Rather, it is a modest, reasonable, and long-delayed set of upgrades to bring the building up to modern standards of educational efficiency and safety. Chuck Bingaman
Walpole's Street Pitches FM Bond Issue
by Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer
Walpole's Chas Street, having headed the Fall Mountain High School's renovation committee, is now seeking to sell a $1,300,000 bond issue to area voters in the March 10 town meeting balloting.
Fall Mountain High School, which opened in 1966, has had limited renovation since then, has never fully complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that was passed later, and is covered with a flat, leaky roof whose remaining viability is very iffy.
"We know that times are difficult for many people in our district and the prospect of even a small bump-up in taxes is a real problem," Street conceded Thursday evening in a session for parents in Charlestown. "But it really IS time for these basic upgrades to our high school to serve and protect our kids...to see that their education continues to be valuable and relevant to their futures. And, during a recession, we stand to get real bargains in building materials and labor costs!"
Street also noted that he has the state's preliminary approval to fund its major share of the project but, if this plans fails to gain voter approval, future state budgets might not be so generous.
Actually, the full cost of proposed high school renovations Street's committee is pushing stands at $4,905,910. But the state of New Hampshire is committed to paying 55% of the cost, and the district plans to allocate $900,000 from reserve funds, leaving a taxpayer bond issue decision in March to $1,307,659 plus interest over five years.
Basic Renovations
Proposed renovations include upgrading the worn-out roof--a million-dollar item itself--upgrading science classrooms with essential safety and modern science equipment, improving vocational technology areas, and modernizing inadequate restrooms. In addition, the work would update the heating systems, ADA compliance, greenhouse/horticulture facilities, student locker rooms that some have called "primitive", and rain water collection equipment. Also included in the proposal is a new covered entry to the main entrance, although Street noted that it might be bid separately and even built by students with professional supervision.
The roof, said Street, is more than 20 years old now and has limited insulation in it. As planned by Sheerr McCrystal Palson Architects of New London, NH, the new roof would be installed over the existing flat roof, have three inches of added insulation, and include pitching so water can be routed to drains.
In the vocational tech area, the woodshop would see new safety features to meet safety codes, a new dust collection system, dust-resistent lighting and modern fire alarm systems. It would also include a new roof-top HVAC system, new wood storage space and an overhead door for use with larger projects. The metal shop would also receive required upgraded safety features, an overhead door to allow for large machine movement, updated welding equipment, student lockers and new windows.
Science labs and classrooms would get single location emergency shut-offs for gas, power and water, modern lighting and ventilation equipment, and updated power feeds and GFCI power outlets.
The plan would also add new, ADA accessible locker rooms with more space, modern showers, lockers and desperately needed storage space for sports equipment.
"There's nothing in this proposal that's 'fluff'," Street emphasized. "It all goes toward making the school safer and the education we offer more effective and relevant to what our kids will need in the 21st century."
Gauging the Tax Bills
Assuming a 3.5% interest rate now available, the planning committee calculates that added annual tax bills in the district--for $100,000 of assessed valuation--would, for five years, approximate the following at current rates: Acworth $103, Alstead $161, Charlestown $270, Langdon $151, and Walpole $121. "While no one is eager to pay more in taxes," Street admitted Thursday evening, "this is really a small increase for the value we get...and it is for our most important priorities...the public good and our children's futures!"
Why Timing is Important
"It also makes real financial sense for all of us in the area," Street continued. "It enhances the value of our property because the quality of our schools is one of the first things people look at when they consider moving into an area and buying a house. An up-to-date high school builds value, and an obsolete, inadequate school diminishes it!"
Because the school district wide vote is to authorize a loan, it will require a 60% or better majority of the total votes cast in Walpole, Langdon, Alstead, Charlestown and Acworth, the five towns comprising SAU60's attendance areas.
"Right now," Street said, "we can get our loan for as low as 3.5% and we may even be able to get construction bids even lower than we have projected. So, despite the economic stress that we all have felt, this is an urgently needed project, and it's unlikely that we will be able to finance it as favorably in the future as we can now!"
Ed. Note: This story appeared this morning in the Eagle Times. If anybody would like a free five-week trial subscriptipon to the Eagle Times, let me know! Chuck Bingtaman
Walpole Town Land Purchase Stalled
by Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer
It was back to the drawing board Friday night for the Walpole Conservation Commission's effort to spend $270,000 of town trust funds for 21.45 acres on Rt. 12 to add to the Fanny Mason Forest.
What appeared to be an almost done deal stalled when Town Trustee of Trust Funds Joe Dion read an email received earlier in the day from the Attorney General's office stating conditions under which the trustees could disperse the funds. In its decision to recommend the sale, the Commission had not followed required steps of getting an up-to-date title search, a land survey, a fair market appraisal and an environmental hazards review.
"Until you satisfy these requirements," Dion said, "We're not writing a check. We'd violate our oath to protect the town's money!"
Conservation Commission Chair Marcia Galloway responded that "this is information we didn't have." But before she ended the hearing, Dion added that any costs of the land purchase--appraisal, land survey, etc.--could not be paid for by trust funds and would have to be fronted by someone else. And audience member Robert Kimball urged the Commission to hold another hearing on the matter after it gets an appraisal on the land "because I don't think the town trust fund should pay more than the land's worth."
In truth the Commission's recommendation faced pointed opposition even before Dion dropped his bomb. Lyn Cooke noted that the current owners of the land, Suzanne and John Hodgkins, had purchased it in July 2006 for $190,000, and "the real estate market has not gone up in the past few years!" Cooke also took issue with the Commission's argument that the added land would facilitate logging in the Fanny Mason Forest saying that "my idea of conservation is not a lot of activity! I also wonder at this point," she added, "if we can afford to take more land off the tax rolls at a time when we need the revenue. We just have no reason to spend our funds on an overpriced package like this one!"
Commission members noted that the Hodgkins had improved that property with a three-sided 36' by 22' pole barn, a 700-foot entry road, tree plantings and underground utilities and that future logging in the forest would generate more income for the trust. Selectman Sheldon Sawyer added that the funds for the proposed purchase had come from an original gift of $10,000 from Fanny Mason put in trust in 1949 and that has grown to more than $600,000 at present. No tax funds would be involved in the purchase.
But Walpole CPA Robert Kimball argued that the proposed purchase offered "no value" to the town. He said the parcel's improvements were not needed for the land's claimed conservation uses and the town could do any intended logging in the forest without buying the new parcel. Kimball added that its location off Rt. 12 might merely encourage problems of illegal activities occasionally seen in a nearby rest area. Finally, Kimball argued that, by leaving the 21.45 acres for residential development, the town could realize $1.5 million over the next ten years through saving and continuing to invest the $270,000 and by collecting property taxes on new residential lots on the land. "For $1.5 million, we don't need 21.45 acres of land!"
Robert Anderson of Old Keene Road, whose land abuts the east side of the parcel in question, spoke in favor of the town's purchasing the land. "We do enjoy the Fanny Mason Forest. It's a pleasant, enjoyable place that the town should protect and extend." Anderson also argued that "we and our neighbors struggle now with having enough water in our wells and prefer the idea of conservation to having additional houses built in the adjoining area. We like the idea of conservation." Finally Anderson said that he would work with the town to provide public access to the forest off of Old Keene Road and through his land if the new parcel were purchased. Anderson also read a letter from his next door neighbors, Susan and David Howell, stating their support for the purchase of the parcel that abuts their land as well and for improved access to the Fanny Mason Forest.
Commission Chair Galloway ended the hearing saying "we've got work to do!"
Just a reminder that the Walpole church congregations will jointly host a Soup Supper and Community Sing for Justice to celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 18 at 5:00 pm. The clergy of St. John’s Episcopal, the Walpole Unitarian Church, First Congregational Church in Walpole and the Westmoreland United Church invite their congregations AND ANYONE ELSE IN THE COMMUNITY to attend this event. The supper will be held at the Unitarian Church Hastings Parish House on Union Street in Walpole. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Soup, fellowship and songs of Pete Seeger led by musician Dan Seiden will be shared, and Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” will be showed in Hastings Media Center. For more information, contact Rev. Telos Whitfield at Walpole Unitarian Church at 802-376-4977.
Ed. Note: The time for this hearing was erroneously reported in the Eagle Times this a.m. at 7:00 p.m.--my fault! The official time is 7:30 p.m. CCB
1-12-09
Walpole Hearing on Town Land Purchase
By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer
What does the public think about the Walpole Conservation Commission’s recommendation to spend $270,000 of trust funds on 21.45 acres of land along Rt. 12 to add to the Fanny Mason Forest?
That’s the question to be addressed Friday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m.at a Town Hall hearing required by law and presided over by Commission Chair Marcia Galloway.
The land is owned by John Hodgkins who purchased it, according to town records, for $190,000 on July 3, 2006. Hodgkins said last Friday that he originally purchased the land “to make a homestead for my family” but that he had recently decided to purchase a nearby house and piece of land instead. Now he is seeking to have the Conservation purchase the plot for $270,000.
Commission Chair Galloway says that the land is adjacent to the Fanny Mason Forest that was given to the town by the Fanny P. Mason Trust along with funds to maintain it in 1949. Over the years the maintenance funds have grown significantly and now total between $500,000 and $600,000. The Fanny Mason Forest is on both sides of Rt. 12.
The town has not sought a current appraisal of the land.
“Having this additional 21.45 acres would benefit the town,” according to Galloway, “by giving us good access to trails in the forest, more conservation land in the town, and a very good staging area for future logging in the forest. And no town or tax money would be involved.”
Galloway notes that there will not be a vote at the hearing and that the town will not have a vote in the matter. Rather, the Selectmen have final approval on the spending of the trust funds as recommended by the Conservation Commission.
II. Review Application Submitted: Prior to public hearing - Accept/Reject/Delay
A. T-Mobile aka Omnipoint Communications Inc. - Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit under the Telecommunications Ordinance located On 32 Mountain View Rd., on the existing tower and build related equipment sheds. The proposed antenna height is at 116 feet on the 134 ft. existing tower.
Presented by Jennifer Lougee.
III. Close Meeting/Open Public Hearing
A. T- Mobile
IV. Close Public Hearing/Re-open Meeting - Action: Approve/Disapprove/Delay
A. T- Mobile
V. New Business: Preliminary Conceptual Consultations - Application Submissions
A. Verizon Wireless - Julie Richardson co-location on UNH Tower
B. Other - None scheduled as of posting, may change
VI. Communications and Miscellaneous
A. Master Plan Update - schedule work session 1/27/09
B. SWRPC dues for 2009 as warrant article
C. Budget 2009 changes
D. Handouts - Monadnock Region Land Summit gathering 1/31/09
E. Housing and Conservation OEP grant - Ben Daviss
F. Other
VII. Adjourn Meeting - Next regular meeting to be held February 10, 2009 at 7PM
Walpole Unitarian Church Area pastor Rev. Telos Whitfield has announced that Walpole congregations will jointly host a Soup Supper and CommunitySing for Justice to celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 18 at 5:00 pm. The clergy of St. John’s Episcopal, the Walpole Unitarian Church, First Congregational Church in Walpole and the Westmoreland United Church invite their congregations and the community to attend this event that celebrates Dr. King during Christian Unity month. The supper will be held at the Walpole Unitarian Church Hastings Parish House on Union Street in Walpole, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Soup, fellowship and songs of Pete Seeger led by musician Dan Seiden will be shared, and Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” will be showed in Hastings Media Center. For more information, contact Rev. Telos Whitfield at Walpole Unitarian Church at 802-376-4977.
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with one person present in the audience.
MEETING WITH DALE WOODWARD – REF: HUBBARD PROPERTY: Dale Woodward presented property assessments and tax figures for the last three years regarding his Appeal on the Hubbard Farms Property located on Map 022-005-000 to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals. In 2007 the assessor picked-up more features and changed the area. Mr. Hubbard described it as a misinterpretation of the same things. An independent appraisal was done recently; the value was $1,550,000 yet the Town’s appraisal was $2,666,000. Following a deliberation the following decision was made.
Mr. Aldrich moved that the Selectboard adjust the assessment on the Hubbard Farms property located on Map 022-005-000 to an assessed value of $1,750,000.00. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
JOAN SMITH – GOOD CIRCLE: Following a neighbor’s complaint about her property, Joan Smith provided an explanation of the circumstances. There were boxes and household items on the porch as it was being moved in slowly due to her work schedule. There are only a few items left on her porch at this time. There was never any rubbish to cause a health issue. The stuff by the brook does not belong to her. The Selectboard had driven by separately, at their convenience, and from what they observed from outside the house they did not see a problem / health issue. They will research the RSAs relative to the number of dogs allowed on a property. There was a consensus of the Selectboard to send a written letter to the Health Officer, neighbor and a copy to Joan Smith confirming their decision.
JERRY GALLOWAY: Mr. Galloway wanted the Selectboard to be aware of the arrangements an Avitar representative makes for a property site visit. Scheduling is done in blocks of time therefore no definite time is set. His property is vacant so it is not a convenience to “sit-and-wait” for long periods of time at this time of the year. Mr. Sawyer will suggest that the Avitar representative contact Mr. Galloway to make the usual arrangements for a date and approximate time but ask that they use a cell phone to call when they are on route to the Galloway property.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Jim Terrell: Jim Terrell explained how he arrived at several proposed line item figures for the next budget to produce the same services yet remain within the guidelines set by the Selectboard.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $1,369,334.65. Included in this figure is a payment in the amount of $1,133,425.00 to the Cheshire County. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending November 29, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $17,280.05 or net wages in the amount of $7,972.34. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Selectboard Meeting – December 4, 2008 – Page 2
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,120.76. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 20, 2008: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of November 20, 2008, as printed. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 26, 2008: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of November 26, 2008, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present. With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor the motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed the minutes of the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meetings of November 25, 2008 and December 02, 2008.
WARRANTS:
DANIEL NORTHCOTT –MAP 011-016-001- Property Tax: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Town of Walpole Warrant for Supplemental Taxes for the Year 2008 Second Issue in the amount of $125.00 plus interest for Daniel Northcott. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
MEADOWSEND TIMBERLANDS, LTD –MAP 006-021-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Town of Walpole Warrant for Supplemental Taxes for the Year 2008 Second Issue in the amount of $40.00 plus interest for Meadowsend Timberlands, Ltd. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
ABATEMENTS:
LLOYD and MONA-RAE HALL –MAP 011-014-000- Property Tax: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Town of Walpole Abatement for Supplemental Taxes for the Year 2008 Second Issue in the amount of $125.00 plus all interest for Lloyd and Mona-Rae Hall. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
WILLIAM and MARILYN NICHOLS –MAP 010-026-001- Property Tax: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Town of Walpole Abatement for Supplemental Taxes for the Year 2008 Second Issue in the amount of $81.00 plus all interest for William and Marilyn Nichols. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
GEORGE and KAREN FITZPATRICK – MAP 006-021-000- Property Tax: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Town of Walpole Abatement for Supplemental Taxes for the Year 2008 Second Issue in the amount of $40.00 plus all interest for George and Karen Fitzpatrick. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
OLD KEENE ROAD BRIDGE (Certificate of Substantial Completion) Needs Signature: Mr. Aldrich moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the
Selectboard Meeting – December 4, 2008 – Page 3
Bridge Over Great Brook Bridge No. 182/064, State Project No. 14267. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
EMICOR LLC vs TOWN OF WALPOLE: Mr. Sawyer advised that court dates have been set in July 2009 for the pre-trial conference and bench trial on the Emicor LLC vs Town of Walpole case.
BAZIN BROTHERS – REQUISITION #2 – OLD KEENE ROAD BRIDGE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Contractor Payment Requisition No. 2 in the amount of $194,610.73. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
JB RADIO – PAYMENT APPROVAL: Mrs. Teague moved to pass-over this agenda item. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
SET DATES TO WORK ON BUDGETS: The Selectboard set the following dates to work on the proposed Town Budget:
Change Wednesday, December 10th to Tuesday, December 9th at 5:00 pm
Thursday, December 11th at 1:00 pm
Monday, December 22nd at 9:00 am
Tuesday, December 23rd at 9:00 am.
DRA – PROPERTY EQUALIZATION DATA SHEETS: Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the Department of Revenue Administration Property Equalization Data Sheets. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE – MAAP USER AGREEMENT (for Sandra Smith): Mr. Aldrich moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the State of New Hampshire MAAP User Agreement for the Town Clerk. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION – VOUCHER REQUEST FOR MONADNOCK CONSERVANCY: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve payment in the amount of $2,247.59 to the Monadnock Conservancy for the Community Conservation Partnership (CCP) per the request of the Conservation Commission. This is being signed with the reference that it was highly irregular. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
VETERANS EXEMPTION – Francis Burns: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Veterans Exemption for Property Taxes for Francis Burns. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
WALPOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY – Use of Speakers: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the request of the Walpole Historical Society to have their annual meeting on April 28th, 2009, in the Town Hall and to use the speakers. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Selectboard Meeting – December 4, 2008 – Page 4
Mr. Sawyer declared this meeting adjourned at 9:56 PM.
