The Walpole Unitarian church is holding a sampling feast Friday, April 3, at 6 p.m. at Hastings Memorial Parish House to kick off the public sales of its new cookbook “The Walpole Unitarian Church Cookbook: Cook, Share, Love.”
“We plan to offer a sampling of many of the tempting recipes in the book, and there are plenty!” editor Dorothy Read said. “Even a few secret recipes.”
Those attending will get a copy of the cookbook and a delicious grazing feast for $15 each. There will be selections from all the chapters from soup to desserts.
The cookbook is a collection of over a hundred of the church’s best cooks’ best dishes, the ones that are served at special family or church gatherings. Some will be familiar to many, others are personal recipes that bring something unique to the cook.
“We’ve included dishes prepared for special congregational events, family weddings, or even a simple after-school snack,” Read said. “We’ve sprinkled in quotes, poems, and a few historical recipes and memories as well.” For example, one recipe, “Punch for 100,” is from the church’s 1953 fundraising cookbook, which might indicate their gatherings were full of cheer: Combine 1 ½ quarts of tea, 8 quarts of ginger ale, 1 ½ quarts of lemon juice, 1 quart raspberry syrup, 1 ½ quarts of brandy, and 6 quarts of rum.
Whether sushi or shepherdess pie, “chardakopita” or “pizzadillas” or even stone salad (with description of the exact type of stone to use) or meat-free, wheat-free lasagna, the book is packed with both unique and traditional recipes. There are even a few from the church’s partner church in Transylvania. For more information, or to order a cookbook in advance, please call 463-9333.
Ray Boas wants you to know that the Walpole Players are planning to have an ALUMNI POT-LUCK DINNER on May 16th in the Helen Miller Theater at the Walpole Town Hall. Details will follow. Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume from a favorite part they performed in, and brief performances of favorite scenes are also welcomed.
"But," Ray says, "we need your help now in identifying all present and past members so we can notify them." Think through the past 20 years performances of The Walpole Players, jot down some names and addresses and email them to Ray Boas( rayboas@comcast.net ) so the Players can compile a list. When in doubt, add the name. CCB
Walpolean reader Debbie Hutchings has noted that she uses Mozilla Firefox as her Internet browser instead of Internet Explorer, and she gets no extraneous junk in her Walpolean postings. You can find and read about Firefox at www.mozilla.com. It's an independent--and free--browser that I've used for several years to avoid spam, pop-up ads, etc., and it gets very high ratings in computer magazines. If you are experiencing annoying junk in Walpolean postings or just want a superior Internet experience to Internet Explorer, give it a try! Chuck Bingaman
Ed. Note: If I read this correctly, the suggestion is that High Street is to become one-way from Main Street to the end of the buildings that front on Main Street--about 80 feet. Otherwise High Street would remain two-way. The practical effect would be that one could ENTER High Street heading east from Main Street but could not EXIT High Street onto Main Street. CCB
TOWN OF WALPOLE
PUBLIC HEARING
April 02, 2009
7:00 PM
Select Boards Office
Town Hall
The Select Board will hold a public hearing to discuss making High Street one-way from Main Street to the end of the two building facing Main Street. (Burdick and Kaspers buildings)
There will be NO access onto Main Street from High Street.
Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:52 PM with one person present in the audience.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $33,076.98. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending March 07, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $16,114.08 or net wages in the amount of $7,637.49. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,698.42. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided payroll voucher for checks totaling $4,020.00 for the Fire Department at the request of Fire Chief Richard Hurlburt. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES:
SELECT BOARD MEETING – March 05, 2009: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Select Board meeting of March 05, 2009, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Select Board meeting of March 05, 2009, as printed. The Minutes will not be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Select Board received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings: 1) Conservation Commission – March 02, 2009; and 2) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – March 10, 2009.
ABATEMENTS:
AMY PINKERTON –Sewer- Map 028-071-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to grant the Abatement for Sewer in the amount of $34.00 for Amy Pinkerton. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
NORTH WALPOLE REALTY TRUST – Map 028-154-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to grant the Abatement for Property Taxes for interest only in the amount of $273.63 for the North Walpole Realty Trust. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Select Board Meeting – March 12, 2009 – Page 2
FINLAY-GREATHEAD REALTY TRUST –Property Tax- Map 028-019-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to grant the Abatement for Property Taxes in the amount of $18.00 for Finlay-Greathead Realty Trust. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
REFUNDS:
JANE ESTEN –Property Tax Refund- Abatement Request – Map 001-013-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve this Refund for Property Taxes in the amount of $1,102.00 plus $20.00 Interest – total $1,122.00 for Jane Esten. The assessors determined that this is a non-buildable lot. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
LINDA MAY LABEAU –Property Tax Refund- Abatement Request –Map 011-040-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve this Refund for Property Taxes in the amount of $992.00 plus $20.00 interest –total $1,012.00- for Linda May LaBeau. This is the result of a second inspection by the assessor. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
THOMAS GREATHEAD –Property Tax Refund- Map 028-072-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for Property Taxes in the amount of $136.00 plus $2.00 Interest –total $138.00 for Thomas Greathead. This is the result of a follow-up inspection by the assessor. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
RICHARD McMAHON ESTATE –Property Tax Refund –Map 003-001-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for Property Taxes in the amount of $2,804.00 plus $60.00 Interest –total $2,864.00 for Richard McMahon. This is the result of fire damage. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
DAVID and SUSAN HOWELL –Property Tax Refund –Map 007-024-001: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for Property Taxes in the amount of $482.00 plus $10.00 interest –total $492.00 for David and Susan Howell. This is the result of a Current Use change status. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
MASON FOREST FUND: Mr. Sawyer noted that the Mason Forest Fund account was not included in the Town Report. As of this meeting there is a balance of $530,798.22.
Mr. Sawyer announced that there will be a meeting of the Select Board, Conservation Commission and Trustees of Trust Funds on Monday, March 16, 2009, at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall.
NEW BUSINESS:
JIM TERRELL –VACATION TIME REQUEST- April 2 to April 10: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the request from Jim Terrell to take vacation time from April 2nd to April 10th, 2009. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
It was noted that Bruce Russell will be in charge during Jim Terrell’s absence.
DRA MINI-COURSE –Current Use Rules and Criteria- Elaine Moore: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve having Elaine Moore attend the DRA Mini-Course on Current Use Rules and Criteria on April 23, 2009, in Lisbon. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Select Board Meeting – March 12, 2009 – Page 3
VETERANS EXEMPTION –Clifton Cooke: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Veterans Exemption for Clifton Cooke. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
SURPLUS DISTRIBUTION CENTER: Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the agreement with the Surplus Property Distribution Center. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
CHARLES MONTGOMERY – Cold River Advisory Board Nomination: Mr. Aldrich moved that the Chairman of the Select Board sign the nomination form to have Dr. Charles Montgomery re-appointed to the Cold River Local Advisory Committee – NH Rivers Management and Protection Program. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
HIGH STREET – One-Way: Mr. Sawyer recommended that the Select Board with the Road Agent study the possibility of declaring High Street a one-way street from Main Street to School Street.
PHILIP CARROLL – Property Tax Question: There was a consensus of the Select Board to pass over this inquiry pending additional information.
LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:
IRVING OIL: The Select Board agreed to pass-over the letter to Irving Oil at this time.
Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the following letters regarding Abatement denials as per the recommendations from Avitar:
· Mrs. Susan King
· Mr. & Mrs. Eric Schmidt
· Mr. & Mrs. Richard Zurmuhlen, Jr.
· Mr. Alfred Bertin
· Mr. W. Bradley Willard, Jr., Trustee
Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment: Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 8:47 PM.
Patricia Franco, a student from Fall Mountain High School, writes to say that she and a group of fellow students are hoping that Walpolean readers will inform themselves about the future of the high school's French program after last week's bond issue vote failed to pass. "As a student congress," says Franco, "we have circulated petitions and gathered support from the populace. Student congress members plan to present their case to the school board at the beginning of the next meeting, Monday, March 23, using petitions and student based data to more clearly make our point."
Further, she says, "We are encouraging you, student congress members and other members of the community to attend the meeting and to support us. It is at 6:30 p.m. at Fall Mountain High School in the library. Students will gather outside a half hour before the meeting to show their support of the French program." For more information, call Patricia at 445-2049.
Ed. Note: I'm aware that many Walpolean readers, not everyone, gets lots of extraneous junk--meaningless symbols and letters mixed in--with every Walpolean posting. It has something to do with the coding for putting things on the 'net. But neither I nor my technical consultants have been able to find a practical way of getting rid of it! One idea that surfaced today from Bob Anderson is to use the new Google web browser, Chrome, when you read The Walpolean. Chrome is free and accessable on Google. You can use it for all of your Internet use or just try it for The Walpolean. Please let me know about your experience and your luck with it. Maybe, working together, we can solve this problem and make The Walolean a LOT less frustrating! YOu can email me at chuck@chuckbingaman.com or call me at 756-9268. Thanks! Chuck Bingaman
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with five people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
FIRE CHIEF RICHARD HURLBURT: Fire Chief Richard Hurlburt discussed the Emergency Management (FEMA) reimbursement for manpower during the ice storm in December. FEMA has the paper work therefore will forward the 75% reimbursement soon. Originally there was some confusion over whether the Fire District or Town would issue these employees checks. The Select Board agreed that in the future the Town will issue one check to the Fire District to cover the payroll. Chief Hurlburt will meet with Teresa Kissell, bookkeeper, to work on a policy for reimbursements from the State for Forest Fires.
MATT SUCHODOLSKI –Phone Call- BTLA Appeal: The Select Board and Loren Martin from Avitar had a conference call with Matt Suchodolski relative to his BTLA Appeal. Following a discussion Mrs. Teague felt the Select Board was not prepared to make an adjustment at this time. Mr. Suchodolski will email copies of an appraisal made on the property in February 2009. It was agreed that he would contact Ms. Martin directly to talk about several issues, including the comparables he submitted, in connection with the BTLA Appeal.
PAUL COLBURN: Paul Colburn, Solid Waste Facility, explained some inconsistencies with weight and payments in connection with shipments of cardboard to the NRA. He would like to set up a meeting with an NRA representative to work out an agreement. Mr. Aldrich is the liaison to the Solid Waste Facility therefore volunteered to attend this meeting.
ERNIE VOSE - Update Town Meeting: Ernie Vose checked-in with the Select Board for any updates in preparation of Town Meeting.
BRIAN McMASTER – Southwest Region Planning Commission –Grant Funds: Brian McMaster submitted a letter and documents to request that the Select Board sign Requisition #4 in the amount of $16,500 relative to the MEDC/Andrus Associates, LLC, CDBG #08-050-CDED.
Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the two copies of Requisition #4, in the amount of $16,500.00, to the NH Community Development Finance Authority, for the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation /Andrus Associates, LLC. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
WALPOLE FOREST ACCOUNT: The Select Board advised that the Walpole Forest account was erroneously omitted from inclusion in the Town Report. Myra Mansouri, Treasurer, noted that the Mason Forest and Hooper Forest are not included in this account. Copies will be handed out at the Town Meeting.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $491,443.87. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
The above amount includes a monthly payment in the amount of $472,979.46 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.
Select Board Meeting – March 5, 2009 – Page 2
PAYROLL: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 28, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $18,934.12 or net wages in the amount of $9,982.72. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,355.98. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES:
SELECT BOARD MEETING – February 26, 2009: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Select Board meeting of February 26, 2009, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present. Motion passed.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Select Board received and reviewed the minutes of the following North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meetings: February 03, 2009, February 24, 2009 and the Budget Hearing on February 03, 2009.
ABATEMENT:
AMY PINKERTON (Continued From Last Weeks Meeting): Mrs. Teague moved to table this Abatement for Amy Pinkerton to allow time to do more research on the Sewer Policy. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
WARRANT ARTICLES 7 and 8: Mr. Sawyer consulted with the Local Government Center and Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith relative to the new Amendment for Article 8 which proposes that any Current Use Change funding that comes in during the year will be put into a separate fund and then the following year during Town Meeting in March the voters can decide what they want to use the money for.
Mr. Sawyer moved to approve this Amendment to Article 8. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
IRVING OIL: Mrs. Teague advised that the current contract with Irving Oil expires in May.
Mr. Sawyer moved to have Mrs. Teague draft a letter to Irving Oil outlining their errors in deliveries therefore the Town wants to break the contract. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
OFFICE CLOSURE WEDNESDAYS (Continued From Last Weeks Meeting): Mr. Sawyer explained that the original suggestion was to close the office on Fridays because the Town Clerk’s office is closed on that day however the Local Government Center is not in favor of closing on that day.
Mr. Sawyer moved to close the office to the general public on Wednesdays beginning on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
This effective date will allow time to publish this change in the newspaper, to post it and have it put on the web site and the Walpolean.
Select Board Meeting – March 5, 2009 – Page 3
NEW BUSINESS:
MS-5 FINANCIAL REPORT (To Be Signed): Mrs. Teague moved to approve and sign the MS-5 Financial Report as requested by the Auditor. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
JOHN FAULKNER LETTER – Ref: Merriam Farms: The Select Board acknowledged receipt of the letter from John Faulkner and will take it under advisement.
HIGHWAY DEPT. SUMMER HOURS: There was a consensus of the Select Board to ask Jim Terrell to attend the next meeting to discuss his memo requesting summer hours of 6:00 am to 4:30 pm beginning March 28th for the Highway Department.
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR WORKSHOP: Mr. Sawyer moved to allow Teresa Kissell to attend a Benefits Administrator Workshop on Thursday, April 30th, 2009. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mrs. Teague moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel. Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 8:55 pm.
The regular meeting resumed at 9:00 pm. There were no announcements.
Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:01 PM.
Regular Meeting – Tuesday March 10, 2009 7:00pm Basement Office
MINUTES
Presiding: Jeff Miller, Ch.
Members Present: Henry Fletcher, Sheldon Sawyer, Sel., Bob Miller, V-Ch., Ben Daviss, Shane O’Keefe, alt., Dave DeCoste
Members Absent: Eric Merklien, Jeff Smith, alt., Donn Lounsbury, alt.
Recording: Pamela L. Aslinger, Sec./alt.
These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April 14, 2009 meeting for errors, omissions and corrections. There were 7 persons in the audience.
I. Meeting Opened at 7:00pm
A. Roll call – S. O’Keefe designated for E. Merklien
B. Minutes – A motion to approve the minutes as presented for the February 10, 2009 meeting was made by B. Daviss and seconded by S. Sawyer, vote called, all were in favor, motion carried.
II. Review Application submitted
A. Lawrence Burdick – Site Plan Review located at 52 Main St. Map 21, Lot 9 in the commercial district. Purpose is to historically restore and renovate the three level building to include a main level columned porch, enclose existing upper porch and add one additional apartment on the upper floor resulting in a net increase of 1046 sq. ft. The building will be expanded to the original footprint with a total exterior increase of 50 ft. It qualifies for an expedited site plan review and is subject to receiving a non-conforming use alteration permit from the ZBA. Sec. Aslinger reported that the application as described was complete except that the sets of plans had not been received but were to be available for the meeting. Mr. Burdick reported to her that Cathy Watson would be presenting the application and it has undergone several changes. Ch. Miller called for a motion to accept the application as complete, so moved and seconded, vote called, all were in favor, motion carried.
III. Ch. Miller closed the meeting and opened the public hearing (7:10pm) and asked Cathy Watson to present the application description. She provided 4 sets of plans and described the changes in returning the building to its historic facade by including the porch and columns (as shown in an old photograph) however they will not be expanding the number of apartments to two. One apartment will remain, upper porch removed, the building renovated and front columned porch created within existing footprint and the east end will be squared off with a 6 x 24 ft. addition in line with the existing east end. She explained the renovation would greatly improve safety issues coming out of High St. and the need to expedite the construction in order to meet tenant timelines. She asked if the town would make arrangements for them during the construction period to close off their portion of High St. since there isb’t set back space to work within. Mr. Sawyer said to contact J. Terrell and he mentioned there is serious discussion about making High St. a one-way street.
Myra Mansouri was present and commented on the plans and need for the ZBA permit for an expansion of a non-conforming use. Mr. O’Keefe asked if the addition encroached on the setback? Answer was no the addition was contained within an existing setback.
Sec. Aslinger reported she had filled out the site plan review checklist/waiver form with Mr. Burdick and it is on file. Due to the expedited review many items are not applicable.
Walpole Planning Board Minutes 3/10/09 page 2
IV. Ch. Miller called for further questions and concerns, hearing none closed the public hearing and reopened the meeting (7:20pm) and asked for board discussion and/or action on the application as presented. A motion to approve the application as presented was made by Mr. Sawyer and seconded by Mr. DeCoste. Sec. Aslinger asked if the motion should be amended to include “pending ZBA permitting”? Ch. Miller and others agreed it was not necessary to amend the motion, if the ZBA denied the permit the Site Plan would be invalid anyway. Mr. O’Keefe asked for clarification on the need for site plan review. Vote was called, all were in favor, motion carried.
Ch. Miller reminded Ms. Watson to speak to the Selectboard regarding the building permit and closing High St. during the construction. She said they planned to get started as soon as weather permits in order to have the retail space available for fall.
V. New Business: Preliminary Conceptual Consultations – Application Submissions
A. Other - Virginia Carter was present to discuss a planning board recom-mendation for a Special Exception and Site Plan Review needed for the construction of a 22 x 24 one story barn to house her winery operation, tasting room and gift shop space. A special exception is required to operate a commercial/retail business in the Rural Ag. district. The project is located on Barnett Hill Map 9, Lot 53-1. Ch. Miller mentioned if she were not going to sell other products not produced on the farm she wouldn’t be required to file for a special exception or site plan review because the zoning ordinance allows farms to exclusively sell their products from their farm in an accessory building. She was aware but feels it is important to offer accompanying items such as cheese and create a venue of offerings to promote the wine. She will be submitting her application to the zoning board and provided the board detailed drawings, maps and description of the proposal and a brief overview of the winery operations. She described the location, egress, parking, delivery routes, “slightly murky” water and byproduct processing, lighting and filing for a driveway permit. There will be a 12 x 22 ft. concrete slab on the backside for harvest crush, loading and processing. The building will not include a bathroom, public bathroom or septic system. She reviewed the criteria the ZBA and PB would consider to grant a special exception and sees no conflict.
The board discussed the application process stating if she filed the application prior to 3/30/09 they could process the special exception recommendation and site plan review and hold the public hearings on 4/14/09. She will be meeting with the ZBA on 3/18/09 to file her application for the 4/15/09 meeting. Ch. Miller asked Sec. Aslinger to contact Ms. Carter to go over the site plan review checklist/waiver form. Because the square footage will be less than 2500 sq. ft., an expedited site plan is allowed. Mr. Sawyer suggested she contact the fire department to go over her proposal.
B. Other - Sec. Aslinger reported she had spoken with a few of the abutters to the Frink/Merriam Farm lot line adjustment and to Eric Frink directly who reported they are on hold until the boundary dispute with Mr. Faulkner is resolved, he felt it would not be resolved until the entire parcel was surveyed. Mr. Faulkner has been in contact with Mr. Flavin, Surveyor to survey his holdings once the weather improves. Sec. Aslinger submitted two letters from Mr. Faulkner requesting that the planning board and selectboard withhold any actions until the matter is resolved. Mr. Sawyer said there has not been a building permit request from anyone regarding the wind/energy meteorological tower. Ch. Miller said the lot line adjustment application is officially canceled and they will need to re-file at a later date with the fees to be adjusted.
Walpole Planning Board Minutes 3/10/09 page 3
VI. Communications and Miscellaneous
A., B. Master Plan Update – SWRPC funding – Update is on hold until funding is determined at the Town meeting. Ch. Miller reported that Tim Murphy would attend to support the need for SWRPC’s membership and services. He asked for other members to speak up also.
C. New legislation – Members agreed after reviewing the Wind/Solar energy models that the authority for the ordinance falls under the building permit process so will not need planning board action and it may not be pertinent to Walpole due to the terrain restrictions for large scale operations. They agreed to delay discussion of Workforce housing until it is enacted.
Sec. Aslinger suggested members go to NHLGC website and review the Jan 2009 article in Town and City and review changes to growth moratorium legislation. Ch. Mansouri said she would share literature from a meeting she will be attending on the workforce housing issue.
D. Ch. Miller announced work sessions would resume in April depending on whether the Town votes to fund SWRPC and the additional $1500.00 to complete the land use section of the Master Plan.
E. OEP workshop handout – 16TH Spring Planning and Zoning conference May 2, 2009.
Other – Mr. Andrew Dey arrived late for the public hearing on the Burdick application and was informed it was approved as presented. He was given a copy of the drawings and stated no concerns.
VII. Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded, all were in favor. 8:13pm
A joint hearing with Walpole’s Selectmen, Conservation Commission and Trustees of Trust Funds moved the town’s buying a 21.45 acre plot adjacent to the Fanny Mason Forest a little closer to the finish line Monday evening.
The owner of the triangular plot on Rt. 12, John Hodgkins, had offered it to the town for $270,000 months ago and the town had tentatively accepted. However, following an earlier hearing it was determined that, before buying the land that Hodgkins had purchased in 2006 for $190,000, a survey and appraisal should be done as a matter of due diligence.
The survey turned up no surprises, and the appraisal came in at $255,000 taking into account improvements Hodgkins had made including a gravel access road, underground electricity, a pole barn and a partially completed water well.
The Selectmen seem to have concluded that the appraised value was near enough to the original tentative sale price that they should stick with it despite its being $15,000 more than the appraised value.
The Conservation Commission and Selectmen had also requested a usage plan for the additional acreage adjoining the Fanny Mason Forest, and the Lew Shelley, speaking for the Conservation Commission, delivered it Monday. Shelley said the primary use of the added land, at least initially, would be as a “log yard” and staging area for a pruning of the forest. After the forest is cleared of many older or weaker trees, he said it could be used as a demonstration forest for schools and programs of the Hooper Institute and for the development of trails for non-motorized transportation. In fact, Shelley said that trails might even be restricted to non-wheeled uses depending on what they find the soil condition to be.
Consulting Forester Peter C. Rhoades of Alstead said that he had created a plan for managing the forest years ago but had been prevented from pursuing the plan because of limited access off Rt. 12. With the new parcel, he said, access would make a timber harvest feasible and that the forest would benefit from rotating the trees. He also noted that the revenue yield from selected logging would likely increase from having the new staging area that would make logging possible exactly when the market and the soils are right for doing so. Rhoades said that, while there is evidence that the forest has been logged in the past, it had been 20-30 years before Fanny Mason gave the forest to the town through her will in 1949.
Select Board Chair Sheldon Sawyer agreed “proper forestry management has not been happening in the forest for some time.”
Along with Mason’s acreage gift to the town, she gave $10,000 for maintenance of it and, as interpreted by a New Hampshire court years ago, the purchase of adjoining property should it become available. That trust fund was valued Monday morning at $496,754.40 and would be the source of the purchase funds—not taxpayer money—if the Selectmen make the final purchase decision in a regular select board meeting in the next few weeks.
Sawyer asked for a written version of the Conservation Commission usage plan for the Select Board to review before making a final decision.
One-time Payments for Town Employees, But No Raises
By Chuck Bingaman, Walpole Correspondent
Walpole’s Town Meeting Saturday passed the Select Board’s proposed budget of $3,267,656 that Select Board Chair Sheldon Sawyer said afterward was, counting all warrant articles, $297,000 less than last year’s budget.
“We have done a lot of paring down,” Sawyer explained, “but we do not feel that we’ve lessened town services.” In lieu of salary increases, each full time employee under the new budget will get a single additional payment of $350.
One area of savings, around $12,000 budgeted but not spent for medical insurance for a new police department employee, might be spent for new bulletproof vests and radios for police officers.
Sawyer also noted that a $69,498 budgeted income item for Shared Revenue Block Grants that come through the state of New Hampshire is now in question and will depend of future actions of the legislature. He added that the Walpole share of the NH Meals and Room tax, that was $164,492 in 2008, had been subject to being stopped or cut for 2009 but that the NH legislature has now agreed to pay out similar amounts in 2009.
In the meeting’s most contentious vote, the Selectmen’s effort to get voters to reverse a town policy set in 2001 to earmark the first $25,000 of Land Use Change Tax in any given year for the Conservation Commission’s use was defeated 116 to 37 in a paper ballot vote. While that amount of such funds varies widely from year to year, it does give the Commission ready funds to pursue the transfer of land into conservation easements quickly when landowners decide to make that move. The Selectmen were hoping to capture all Currrent Use Change taxes for a new fund they would control to pay for emergencies or for conservation projects to be voted on each year at the town meeting.
In other decisions, the 160 citizens that participated in the meeting agreed as follows…
· To raise and appropriate $110,000 to repair a serious headwall collapse in March Hill Road that has been waiting for nearly a year for repair money.
· To raise and appropriate $10,000 to place in a reserve fund for the purchase of a new police vehicle n the future.
· To raise and appropriate $5,500 for the town to participate in the Southwest Regional Planning Commission for 2009. Such payment would include $4,000 annual dues and $1,500 for assistance with the updating of the town’s master plan. (The Selectmen opposed the expenditure!)
· To raise and appropriate $1,500 to place in the Walpole Old Home Days Expendable Trust Fund for use in the next Old Home Days celebration tentatively set for June 2011.
· To raise and appropriate $2,550 to pay the town’s portion of the American Red Cross Rural Ride program’s expansion to Walpole for 2009-2010. While the total cost would be $5,670, $3,120 would be offset by United Way contributions and donations. Organizer of the petition that put it on the warrant, Tara Sad, said that it would enable the setting up and operation of a system whereby volunteer drivers could be matched with people in need of transportation to doctors, hospital visits, groceries, and other destinations. The Red Cross would provide screening of volunteers, a toll-free dispatcher and liability insurance for volunteer drivers and their passengers.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Kathy Yardley, president of the Walpole Grange, presented Carol Christian with the Grange’s Community Citizen of the Year Recognition.
We see her as a friendly, efficient Burdick’s barista, handing out lattes and hot chocolates most afternoons in our popular Walpole café.
What we don’t see is Catey’s challenging work four days each week as a para-professional teaching youngsters with disabilities at a public school across the river in Vermont. And what is even less visible is Catey’s difficult dyslexia that prevents her from understanding soft vowels and makes reading very problematical.
But Catey, who has struggled with and worked around her disability since having it identified in first grade, is using her experience-based understanding of kids with disabilities to empathize with and teach them on a one-to-one basis.
“I always wanted to teach. My grandmother was a para-professional working with children with learning disabilities long before they were called para-professionals or learning disabilities,” says Catey. “Being dyslectic myself and having a learning disability makes it easier for me to understand and relate to the feelings and struggles such kids go through.”
“College,” she notes, “was just not my thing because reading was so difficult. But being around these kids enables me to further my education.”
So, four days each week, Catey spends 6 or more hours working with 7-year old Aaron (not his real name) teaching him reading, spelling, math and other subjects. Aaron has muscular dystrophy, a progressive disease that attacks the muscle tissues and interferes with muscular control. “We have a whole reading program for him that includes lots of repetition. I love him. He’s a sweetheart, even though when we began in December he told me he hated me because I made him do such hard work! Fortunately, we’ve turned that around!”
Now in her third year of work, Catey has also had extensive experience working with autistic children and she stresses that autism has a wide range of manifestations. “Every child learns differently, and we have to re-arrange how we teach with each one so it fits their needs and aptitudes. I was always a hands-on learner—still am—and learning from a book was very difficult for me. It’s the same with Aaron, so I’m constantly thinking of physical ways to help him learn. And it’s working!”
But it can be very challenging, physical work. Metcalf notes that she’s been bitten, kicked, scratched, punched and spit on over the years by children working out their frustrations and sometimes anger with their challenges. “But at the same time it’s very rewarding! You just keep going! When it’s a tough day for your child, it’s a tough day for you. When it’s a good day, it’s a really good day for you!”
The hardest part? “Not being able to speak directly and often with my student’s parents under Vermont school regulations. But I do have to provide a log of Aaron’s activities and learning in a diary style notebook that I send home with him each day. And, his mother often sends it back the next day with questions and notes. So we do have an ongoing communication about him.”
The most rewarding part? “Seeing Aaron understand things and succeed!” says Catey. “Everyday we see some progress in something. Just last week he clearly mastered the concept of his birthday. That’s got lots of elements to it, if you think about it!”
Metcalf, 27, comes to her work from a long history. Growing up on Long Island she lived with several relatives that had dyslexia and other learning disabilities. And, one of her fondest childhood memories was working in and raising funds for a camp for children with disabilities. “Plus,” she adds, “I worked for some time in a classroom with autistic children, and the teacher was awesome! I learned to know them as individuals that I could relate to even though their behavior was different from mine and other kids I knew. Now, when parents bring kids into Burdick’s that have autism or other challenges, I can often sense it right away and connect with them in ways that let them feel at ease and have a good time.”
Someone to admire and respect? You bet! Catey Metcalf tacks on 32 hours of work each week at Burdick’s Café to her 26 hours at her Vermont job. It adds up to an impressive young woman who is setting an example of industry, creativity and commitment for all of us. And making a profound difference in the life of a child with major needs!
Ed. Note: Let's turn out a LARGE crowd for tomorrow's town meeting at the Walpole School on Main Street. At 12:00 noon there is amini town fair with booths and refreshments from a number of important town organizations. Come and learn about their important activities, have a bite, and see your friends and neighbors. The business meeting itself begins at 1:00 p.m. and will feature the Grange's awarding of its citizen of the year recognition and a singing of the Walpole song by the Congregational Church choir. Yes! There IS a town song! I attach below a story that appeared in this morning's Eagle Times about one item on the agenda. CCB
3-13-09
Walpole Weighs Red Cross Ride Service
By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer
Walpole voters will decide whether the town will participate in the Red Cross Rural Ride Program providing rides to doctor visits, hospitals, grocery stores and other needed destinations for those unable to drive as part of Saturday’s annual meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Walpole School.
Placed on the warrant by a petition effort led by Tara Sad, the article asks whether Walpole voters wish to commit to raising $2550 as the town’s portion of the plan to set up and operate the program for the next 12 months.
The town selectmen, hoping to avoid additional town expenses, have said that, if it were up to them, they would vote against the program.
“We know there’s a clear need for this program based on responses made last year to the town survey of emergency needs,” according to Sad who also serves as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from Cheshire District 2 that includes Walpole.
“This service,” she added, “makes it possible for elderly or handicapped people to stay in their homes—and out of nursing homes—which, in turn, saves the town money.”
The Red Cross Rural Ride program operates a central dispatch service based in Keene that coordinates the offering of volunteer drivers from Walpole who make themselves available to transport those needing rides to medical appointments or other destinations. Such volunteers list when and how frequently they might be available, and the dispatching service matches requests for rides with the volunteers’ availabilities.
“If the warrant articles passes Saturday, we would be looking for 15 to 18 volunteers who would be willing to give occasional rides to people that need them,” noted Sad yesterday. “Such a program spreads the work around. And we suspect that people will be much more comfortable asking for a ride from a pre-screened volunteer through the Red Cross dispatcher than asking a neighbor or friend directly for a ride.”
In addition to the coordination, the Red Cross offers an 800 toll-free phone number to request rides, and it supplies and pays for liability insurance to save volunteers and riders from any liability should accidents occur. In addition, it carries out required criminal and safe driving background checks before volunteers are accepted into the program.
“Shared rides for shut-ins and others that cannot provide their own transportation have been planned before in Walpole,” Sad explained, “but they have always fallen through because of the cost or availability of insurance and the complications in matching peoples’ ride needs with volunteers on an effective basis.”
Ed. Note: In the course of our annual session with Fall Mountain High School students discussing school and town warrant articles, Tara Sad and I learned this morning of their active advocacy for the bond issue to be voted on tomorrow and against the proposed school budget. I thought I'd share their letters so you can consider their arguments in their own words...CCB
On supporting the bond issue...
"The Fall Mountain Regional High School is in desperate need of repair. We realize that budgets and funding are very limited at this time, but the roof of our high school is rundown and not equipped for another New England school year. The roof of our school was built flat, so consequently during the winter, snow piles up and weighs the roof down. Money is being wasted paying janitors to shovel off the roof periodically and the safety of students is at risk. Currently buckets line the hallways and water drips down from the ceiling tiles in rooms too numerous to count. The hazard of students slipping and falling in the hallways is dangerous, but also the build up of mold in the ceiling tiles has put far too many students at risk of sickness. Not only can visitors of our school see buckets lining the hallways, but also can catch a glimpse of our principal mopping up the puddles. Areas of our school also in need of improvement include science and woodshop rooms without good ventilation, and our locker rooms, which were put in when the school was built. The renovation plan will fix these issues among greatest concern to most Fall Mountain staff and students. On March 10th, we urge the Fall Mountain community to vote yes to Article 1, which will approve renovations to the facility and insure the future safety and health of Fall Mountain students.
Fall Mountain Student Congress
On opposing the proposed school budget for next year...
With the current economic crisis we’re facing, everyone is being impacted, particularly the education system. The French program at Fall Mountain Regional High School is currently threatened by a possible budget cut, to be decided by you the voters on March 10th at your local polling place. Not only will this budget cut damage Fall Mountain students' educational opportunities in the language department, but also there will be a corresponding increase in class sizes for the remaining two languages. Students currently enrolled in French are forced to terminate their involvement in the program, which prospective colleges find undesirable. Most colleges require three or more years of one continuous foreign language, thus putting French students at a disadvantage for college acceptance. If you’re concerned not only about current but future students of Fall Mountain, then there are various ways of showing your support.
First and foremost, vote “No.” to article two on March 10th. Voting yes puts French, and other programs including; English, Health, and Physical Education at risk. Secondly, on March 12th, there will be a parent teacher conference at Fall Mountain from 3-7pm where student congress members will have petitions for the French program that voters can sign. Lastly, we would also like to encourage supporters to attend the school board meeting March 23rd in Fall Mountain’s library at 6:30pm to express their concern. Thank you for your time. Please remember the students at Fall Mountain when you are voting on March 10.
Ed. Note: Chas Street has chaired the committee investigating the need for and making plans for the renovations of Fall Mountain High School that we will vote on on Tuesday. The work began in 2007, long before the economic downturn hit us last fall. This is Chas's final pitch to the voters. Note that it will take a 3/5 positive vote to past the proposed bond issue. Also, note that, while the language of the warrant article says the amount is $4,000,000, the state is committed to reimbursing us for 55% of it, so the actual amount to be borrowed will be around $1,300,000 plus interest. CCB
An Open Letter To Fall Mountain Voters/Residents
On Tuesday, you will have an opportunity to decide the future of the region and the school district. On behalf of the School Board, I apologize for presenting you with tough decision that only a year ago would have been the equivalent of a “no-brainer”. Our timing, on the surface, to ask you to tax yourselves in the middle of the recession, is unconscionable…or is it? If you’re a property owner and in the 5% who have lost your employment recently and not sure where you’re going to get your mortgage and tax money, then I’d vote against the high school renovation package this year too. If you’re in the 95% who are still out there plugging away and hoping we’re close to turning the tide on the recession, then I ask you to “damn the torpedoes and steam full speed ahead” (you get a gold star if you know who said that-smile). Historically, property values also have always increased where schools/systems have been renovated/improved (#1 issue for middle class homebuyers the last 50 years), and our five towns are no exception with the Hanover/Lebanon corridor growing in on us from the North and Keene expanding to the Southwest. If what I think will happen happens over the next decade, we’ll also become desirable middle/upper middle class bedroom communities (look at how nice Main Street Charlestown has become the last few years) for a rejuvenated Claremont and Springfield light industrial base right next door to us, and we need to be ready.
I also wish I could tell you it was planned, but the truth is it was “pure dumb luck” that we have a public works construction project ready to start in 2009 that qualifies for the new federal money in the stimulus package. The initial figure we received that would be allocated to the school renovation based on the House version was $500,000. The compromise that got passed, probably lessoned that amount, but even if it’s $100,000 or $250,000, it’s plain idiotic to “look a gift horse in the face” and not accept it graciously. If we don’t, you can bet your bottom dollar somebody else will. We all know “there’s no free lunch “ and eventually we’ll end up paying for it somehow, but I’d like to see our five towns get some benefit from it at least since we are paying for it. The other point I want to make here is that New Hampshire has this incredibly wonderful reimbursement program for 55% of the cost of the project. Yes, you end up paying for that too eventually, but over the last eight years I’ve seen almost all of the high schools we play in sports completely renovate their high schools (or build brand new gorgeous ones) that we helped pay for, and frankly, it’s our turn to reap some reward from the program. Because of the State participation, our part is only $2.2 million (they pay $2.7 million); you’ve already saved $900,000 of that amount, so the balance of what we need to raise locally over five years (not 20) is only $1.3 million, and the larger figure has $500K of contingency that I hope we don’t have to use and will be put aside for future projects or returned to the towns. I also don’t have to tell anyone in the building trades that material costs are at a 16 year low, interest rates are the lowest since WW II I think, and construction bids won’t be any more competitive than they are right now. In short, we should strike decisively while the iron is hot.
My last input to you is that we are so blessed to be living where we are. Our quality of life is second to none, and I think this is still the best place in the country to raise children. Much of that goes to your willingness to keep our public schools in what I consider the “excellent” category and the best rural school system in New England. Each year, that Podunk high school of ours out there gets kids into some of the best colleges, universities and technical schools in the country (So far this year for example, I’ve heard about Cornell University, US Coast Guard Academy and Culinary Institute of America acceptances). At the other end, I’ve run into some kids who had dropped out and I thought were destined for a prison camp somewhere and they’ve now turned themselves around and are back on track. Some went to the military after getting a GED, some just finally grew up and got serious about life and came back to finish school and their diploma, and others are in the workforce and gainfully supporting themselves (pretty good in today’s world for a 19 or 20 year old). The point is that you pulled together and systematically created an environment that worked for a whole spectrum of generations to date, and I ask you to do it for the next generations to come. The roof on the high school is shot and leaking profusely (23 years old). Part of the roof structure needs to be restressed because it’s the same as the part that collapsed 12 years ago ($200K you’ll never see but needs to be done). The shop areas have equipment that’s unsafe by today’s standards, and need to be upgraded ($100K), and the locker rooms and bathrooms are still not compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act- even after 37 years. The current structure has served us well for 43 years, but it’s very tired and it’s time to build something for the next 43 years. Again, if you’re in that 95% who are concerned but haven’t been directly affected particularly (except seeing your investments drop by half-smile), then I ask you to vote to pass the High School Renovation (Warrant #1) Project this year so we can start in June ’09 and finish in January ‘10. The recession will end at some point in the next 12 months and those who prepare for the future and take advantage of the opportunities they’re presented with during it will come out even stronger-including our school district. Remember…damn the torpedoes….full speed ahead (Admiral Farragut when he captured Mobile Bay for the Union under very adverse conditions during the Civil War-smile). Thank you.
Ed. Note: Thanks to Pam Aslinger, here is the agenda for Tuesday's Planning Board meeting scheduled for upstairs at Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. CCB
PLANNING BOARD MEETINGTown of Walpole, NH03608
March 10, 2009 7:00pm Town Hall
AGENDA
I. Open Meeting
A. Roll call – designate alternates
B. Approve minutes of 2/10/09
II. Review Application Submitted: Prior to public hearing Accept/Reject/Delay
A. Lawrence Burdick – Site Plan Review located at 52 Main St. Map 21, Lot 9 in the commercial district. Purpose is to historically renovate the three level building to include a main level columned porch, enclose existing upper porch and add one additional apartment on the upper floor resulting in a net increase of 1046 sq. ft. The building will be expanded to the original footprint with a total exterior increase of 50 ft. The proposal qualifies for an expedited site plan review. The existing retail space of two stores will remain. This application is subject to receiving a non-conforming use alteration permit from the zoning board of adjustment prior to final planning board action.
III. Close Meeting – Open Public Hearing
A. Burdick
IV. Close Public Hearing – Re-open Meeting – Action: Approve/Disapprove/Delay
A. Burdick
V. New Business: Preliminary Conceptual Consultations – Application Submissions
A. Other – none scheduled as of posting – may change
VI. Communications and Miscellaneous
A. Master Plan Update
B. Warrant Article discussion for Town Meeting
C. Discuss new legislation Workforce housing, Wind/Solar Energy, Growth
Moratoriums
D. Schedule work session 3/24/09
E. Other
VII.Adjourn Meeting – Next regular meeting to be held April 14th, 2009 at 7:00pm
cc:PB, ZBA, WCC, BOS, Town Clerk, related applicants and agents
Posted:on or before 3/8/09 Town Hall, Lobby, Burdick’s Market, www.thewalpolean.com
