Ed. Note: Here's one of the most interesting stories I've had for a long time! CCB
9-28-09
Charlestown Firm World Leader in Space Optics
By Chuck Bingaman
Optical Solutions Inc. (OSI) of Charlestown NH, an 8-employee firm described by owner Brad Piccirillo as a “po-dunk” company, is, in fact, a world leader in development of optical components for the leading space and land based telescopes.
Despite their size and short, 13-year history, Piccirillo and company have designed and produced the optics for several of the world’s most advanced telescope instruments, including the Japanese owned Subaru telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii—one of Japan’s national treasures—and the airplane mounted Sofia telescope. See www.subarutelescope.org. and http://www.sofia.usra.edu/Sofia/sofia.html.
Most importantly, OSI was tapped through an extensive competitive program run by NASA and Lockheed Martin to create the lenses for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to be launched in space 4-6 years from now. See http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/meet-menzel.html.
The Webb telescope has been in the talking and planning stages for years and will be the successor to the well-known Hubble Space Telescope that is nearing the end of its life span. When fully functioning in space, the JWST will view much further into space than the Hubble and capture images through infrared waves that will reach back to the Big Bang itself—the beginning of time as we know it, approximately 14 billion years ago!
Piccirillo sees his company—that he formed with little capital, no space, and no specific business plan—as primarily a research and development incubator in the field of cutting edge optics. “We specialize in taking on those extremely difficult jobs that others shy away from!”
“The JWST project is the most important, most significant thing in my life,” Piccirillo
said Monday in his Charlestown office co-inhabited with his dogs, Isabella and Gracie. “The specs for the lenses were ungodly difficult, and some said they couldn’t even be made.”
Brad Piccirillo demonstrates how completed lenses undergo through computerized testing to be certain they meet or exceed specifications in his Charlestown plant Monday. Technologist Kathy Cobb assists. Chuck Bingaman photo.
“Lockheed was tasked,” according to Piccirillo, “to find the best optical company in the world to make the lenses and to use notoriously difficult lithium fluoride (LiF), barium fluoride (BaF2) and zinc selenide (ZnSe) to do so.”
“We did the sample optics and one day six years ago—sitting right here in this office and this chair—I got a call from the Lockheed Project Manager who said “you’re technical ability is second to none. Your optics are ‘far better’ than any others in the world. You’re going to get the contract for every single lens!”
“We’d put in seven frigging years at that point. And we got the job strictly on merit. It’s the job of a lifetime!
Last Monday Piccirillo showed off the actual lenses that have now been created in the OSI factory and are ready to ship to Lockheed in California for testing and eventual incorporation into the telescope. Each of the orange-ish, zinc-selenium lenses, about the size of a hockey puck, took nearly a year to make using the latest in high-tech design hardware and software, extremely narrow tolerance diamond turning, and extensive testing. OSI is making two sets of lenses for the Webb telescope—it carries a back-up set in case the first set is damaged in any way—and a number of back-up copies.
“To date,” Piccirillo notes, “every one of our lenses has performed above the specs NASA requires.”
Originally from Schenectady, New York, Piccirillo attended Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York and the State University of New York Fredonia where he got a degree in optics. When he was 32 he decided that his “thing” in life would be to make the best optics anywhere.
“I’m not interested in business management,” Piccirillo, the intense, energetic, jeans-wearing CEO admits. “What I really enjoy in the business is the working with customers on technical solutions to their needs. I think astronomers must be the smartest people in the world, but few of them are instrument makers. We get to support that part of it!”
OSI has never done any marketing. Rather, its sophisticated products and willingness to take on the most difficult R&D projects speak clearly for themselves in a relatively small community worldwide. “We can,” Piccirillo says, “make any kind of optics you might imagine and make them to tolerances or levels of quality second to none in the world.”
REMINDER; The Friends of the Walpole Town Library POTLUCK DINNER is tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 30, beginning at 6:00 pm upstairs at the Town Hall. In partnership with the New Hampshire Humanities Council, the Friends are sponsoring an entertaining after-dinner program by author and humorist Rebecca Rule whose story telling style is reminiscent of "Bert and I".
Ed. Note: These minutes submitted by Ben Daviss, a member of the Planning Board. CCB
PLANNING BOARD
Walpole, NH 03608
Work session – Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
MINUTES
Presiding: Jeff Miller, Chair
Members present: Ben Daviss, Henry Fletcher, Eric Merklein, Bob Miller, Vice Chair, Jeff White, alt.
Members absent: Pamela Aslinger, alt./sec’y, Dave DeCoste, Donn Lounsbury, alt., Sheldon Sawyer
Also present: Steve D’Alessio, Andrew Dey, Ed and Terri Houghton, Bob Kimball, Merry Lake, Mel Schupack
Recording: Ben Daviss
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 to discuss the creation of an economic development plan for Walpole. Mr. Daviss reminded that groups in town often come into conflict when a new commercial or industrial building project is proposed. He said that there are two significant reasons to create an economic development plan as a chapter in the town’s master plan. One is that the series of public discussions underlying the plan’s creation gives town residents the chance to discuss contentious development-related issues outside of the context of a specific project. This can allow for more thoughtful reflection and the chance to negotiate and build consensus around certain principles. The second is to guide a review of zoning and site-plan regulations if the planning board decides that these should be reconsidered in light of the principles and economic development plan that result from the public discussions.
Mr. Daviss introduced Steve D’Alessio, who has volunteered to help the board organize and lead the series of discussions. Mr. D’Alessio stated that he moved to Walpole three years ago after living in Charlestown. Mr. D’Alessio is the general manager of a manufacturing company in Claremont and is a graduate of the Walpole Leadership Academy.
The members of the group then took turns mentioning issues of interest or concern to them related to economic development in Walpole. Among the points raised:
Mr. Daviss noted that home-based businesses can attract entrepreneurs who earn middle-class or higher incomes and create jobs, enabling the town to strengthen its economy without losing existing greenspace to new industrial or office buildings or adding cars to rush-hour traffic.
Several agreed that the town needs a grocery store with better selections and lower prices. It was pointed out that grocery stores need to be at least 40,000 square feet in size and have a proportionately large customer base to be profitable and still offer low prices. Mr. Daviss mentioned that the development arm of North Meadow Plaza’s current owner has gone out of business; therefore, if the shopping center is to be improved or expanded, it probably will need a new owner willing to make an investment in improving the center.
Chairman Miller noted that there is little unused land remaining in town that is zoned for commercial or industrial development. He suggested that the town could consider rezoning some of this land for light industrial use and implement nodal development to minimize traffic congestion and the appearance of development along Route 12.
Vice Chairman Miller urged the town to seek clean, light industries similar to Chamberlain Machine.
Mr. Dey agreed that home-based businesses are a growth area and suggested that the town seek ways to add value to agricultural products, especially to strengthen the financial viability of Walpole’s existing farms.
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Mr. Kimball suggested that the town consider rezoning land along Route 12 for light industrial use.
Mr. Merklein said that Walpole needs to balance commercial and industrial development, with a moderate emphasis on light industry. He noted that as residential development grows, so will retail and commercial development. Walpole must anticipate this connection, be prepared for growth to occur when the economy recovers, and be ready to pace and manage growth consciously and carefully.
Mr. Fletcher suggested that an effective way to deal with residential growth could be to reduce frontage requirements for new homes. Instead of 200 feet of road frontage per lot, a smaller frontage could be allowed for access to a building lot farther off the road. This would allow farmers and other landowners to sell smaller lots, maintain more land for nonresidential use, and solve the problem of carving out a relatively large piece of land for a building a single house.
Mr. Schupack cited a variety of innovative zoning and land-use techniques are available to manage residential development while minimizing sprawl. He emphasized the need to protect Walpole’s rural character by being proactive, anticipating and preparing for growth. Similarly, industrial and commercial development should be welcomed but also directed by the master plan and the wishes of the town, not by the repeated use of special exceptions or a developer saying, “I want that.” Mr. Schupack urged the board to adopt a set of guiding principles or vision statement to guide its choices regarding economic development. He also showed the results of a study by the New Hampshire State Department of Revenue Administration that shows that a town’s property taxes increase with higher population and with higher percentages of commercial and industrial development.
Ms. Lake asked how we go about recruiting the businesses we decide we’d like to have locate in Walpole. Mr. Miller replied that the town doesn’t have the resources to recruit businesses but instead should work with organizations such as the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation and the New Hampshire Department of Resource and Economic Development to promote Walpole to businesses. Mr. Kimball noted that Charlestown has a very active and successful economic development group.
Mr. Miller noted that Walpole isn’t facing the same kind of growth pressures that boomtown areas of New England have. Instead, Walpole’s growth tends to be much slower. Mr. Schupack replied that, before the economic crisis, New Hampshire was the fastest growing state in New England and that the population curve for our region was beginning to rise in an exponential way. He urged the board to prepare for the return of this trend when the economy recovers.
Mr. Daviss asked if the group wished to discuss a particular subtopic or if it would prefer to end the meeting here. The consensus was to end the meeting and discuss specific subtopics at subsequent meetings.
It was agreed that the next meeting will discuss industrial development in Walpole and will be held on October 22, 2009, at 7 pm at the Walpole town hall.
Ed. Note: These minutes submitted by Charlie Montgomery. CCB
Minutes of 8-24-09 Meeting of the Cold River Local Advisory Committee
Members Present
Jennifer Polcari, Fred Ernst, Michael Heidorn, Deborah Hinman, Susan Lichty, Charles Montgomery, and Sam Sutcliffe.
Members Absent
Carol Drummond, Austin Hunter, Cathy MacDonald
Public Present
Richard Morrison, Langdon
Minutes of July 23, 2009
Fred Ernst moved and Mike Heidorn seconded that the minutes of July 23, 2009 be accepted as submitted. Motion passed.
Call for New Business
(Flow Gauge update and Lake Warren Management Plan and delivery of copies of books ordered last mtg)
Treasurer’s Report – Sam Sutcliffe
A written report dated August 27, 2009 was received from the Treasurer with copies to Co-Chair Charlie Montgomery and the Secretary. The only expenditure was to reimburse Debby for the printing of the Management Plan ($360.00). Income was $3.95 in interest and $15.00 for sale of Atlas maps at the Alstead Festival. The balance as of July 31 was $7760.64.
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s report was made by Fred with second from Jen. Motion passed.
The Treasurer mentioned that the Co-chairs will need to change the signature forms at the Walpole Savings Bank from Debby’s signature to their own. This will enable a second signature on any checks that might exceed $1,000. Charlie will take care of this task.
Water Quality Monitoring –Mike Heidorn
Second of three summer collections took place on August 19. Charlie and Fred were able to assist Mike. Mike reported to change in trends.
q Elevated conductivity in Langdon remained, especially on an unnamed tributary to Little Brook in the Ram Brook/Brush Meadow Brook area.
q Crane Brook still has elevated levels as well. DES will come out later in the fall to work with the LAC and a landowner who is trying to solve a problem that may contribute to this.
q Warren Brook continues to show higher temps and turbidity since the ’05 flood.
Mike also reviewed our 9-11 AM event with the Nature Museum at the mouth of the Cold River on August 22. Fifteen people attended this very informative session. David Deen, CRWC River Steward, spoke about fish habitat and the ways of rivers to form and reform themselves and what hints to look for when trying to assess the stability of a river. “Embeddedness” was a new term for most of us that day. Mike closed the day with a talk about the geology of the area and collected a water sample, giving an opportunity to explain to attendees how the probe works and what our work has shown over the years as we have sampled a total of 75 sites (although not all done at each sampling). He explained that we test for turbidity, conductivity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, relative flow, and, at a few sites, ecoli bacteria and metals. DES runs a quality control check and then posts our results online.
Discussion of Agenda format and order
Charlie and Debby have discussed the concept called a “Tickler File”. This would capture events and ideas that need to be reviewed at future dates and would help the committee stay on top of events and reports that need advance planning. Sue moved and Fred seconded that we adopt the Tickler File process. Motion passed. Jen will keep this file.
Jen proposed that we table the item about “conducting effective meetings” until next month, which met with approval.
Deb reported that she has nothing new to report on the Acworth land protection parcel so that item will be passed over tonight.
By Laws of May 23, 2003
Charlie explained that because our Bylaws describe “Chair and Vice-Chair” we do need to change them to allow “Co-Chairs”. Sam moved and Sue seconded that we add “or co-chairs” to Article IVA. Motion passed. Sentence will now read “The Officers of the Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson or Co-Chairs, Secretary and Treasurer.”
Article VII F states “Approved minutes shall be forwarded to the Selectmen or other appropriate board or commission for each of the waterfront towns named in Article IIIA.”
Discussion of sharing approved minutes took place. It was agreed to Sue, Jen, Mike, Debby and Charlie will send approved minutes to their town boards and/or to the website that posts town minutes.
David Deen, Mike Heidorn, Betsy Stacey Rivers Presentation of August 22
Quick follow up to include that Rose Miller of Brewery Road was present and reported that it took legal action to solve the problem of a redirected water flow over her property. However, she reminded us that the water flow still continues to carry turbid water directly to the Cold River although no longer over her own property.
Designated River Signs – Sue
Sue spoke with Laura Weit and our signs will be coming soon. They are singled sided so two are needed at each site, one on each side of the road. DOT will look at the sites in Walpole and Lempster. Supplies (posts) need to be picked up in Concord (Fred will handle this). Mike asked about signs on the new Alstead bridge once it is finished. We are in agreement to pay for another set. Deb moved and Fred seconded that we purchase signs for the Alstead site not to exceed $130. Motion passed.
Management Plan – Charlie
Additional distribution accomplished since last meeting includes:
q Mike to Alstead CC and Planning Board. Question was asked if we have prioritized the actions, which we have not.
q Deb to Acworth CC
q Charlie to Walpole Planning Board.
q Jen to Langdon Planning Board where they received an enthusiastic reception. Others present would also like copies. Discussion on how to handle this. Feelings of the LAC seemed to be that the building inspector should have a copy of his own.
Programs for Future Presentations
Sue would like us to meet in Lempster sometime soon to walk the Keyes Hollow Road some Saturday morning at 9am.
Mike wants to talk about a winter water monitoring series.
Storage of CRLAC Materials
Debby will keep all CRLAC materials at her house for the time being, including all of the binders from 1996 – 2008.
Stream Crossing Rules
Jen will write a letter to DES and send us a copy.
Testing Days and Sites
To be determined later says Mike.
Trout, Pools, and Rocks –Fred Ernst
Fred is glad to have a better sense of the whole river after working on the water quality monitoring for the entire day last week. He has contacted Sean Sweeney, John Magee, Jim MacCartney to learn more about what was done after the flood and what is needed for improved fish habitat. We know that the work done after the flood was of huge time pressure to get the banks stabilized. In Warren Brook at least, the gorge is deeper now and with greater slope. Sean Sweeney has sent his contract to Alstead for restoration work of the section below Cooper Hill. His work will also assess the whole of Warren Brook and design restoration plans for the rest of the sections below Cooper Hill. The Town of Alstead is ready to sign the contract at this point.
Fred has done a lot of research on this important topic and will keep members updated via email as he learns more.
Website-Jen
Jen and Karen Winterholer have made progress but snags keep appearing. Jen will see it through to solution before hiring Karen to take the project on
As new chair, Charlie stated that he does not want mail and notices and other papers to be brought to our meetings and take up undue meeting time unless they have first been announced via email so members can assess if they might be interested (or not) in spending time on such items. Charlie and Jen will send emails to members of all phone calls, emails and mail received between meetings from members and others. It was suggested that perhaps these workshop fliers and other news of interest could be brought up each meeting under “New Business”, thus not take time away from items needing more attention during the meeting but not preclude sudden finds of interest on day of meeting. There was no voting on these matters but the chair asked that members think of how we might conduct our business most effectively at our monthly meetings.
New Business-members
q Mike is pleased to report that the Stream Gauge has not been forgotten. He met with US Geological Survey team, DES, Alstead CC and Bruce Bellows of the Historical Society to discuss how and where to install the new gauging stating. It can be built on the downstream side of the bridge to accommodate a covered walking bridge that is yet to be built and still have flow and other educational information available at a kiosk and/or bulletin board.
q Mike reports that the Lake Warren Association will meet in East Alstead on Saturday September 5 at 9AM for their Annual Labor Day meeting. The Monadnock Conservancy staff will present important information about natural resource mapping and water quality protection and voluntary land protection information. Also, Mike, Kate Morgan and David Deen will present their proposal to prepare a Lake Management Plan for the Association!
q Debby brought copies to those who ordered them of the newly published book, Where the Great River Rises that we received from the Joint Rivers Commission.
q Notice has been received that Local Advisory Committees are now required to comment on all Shoreland Protection wetland applications from applicants along the river. Conservation Commissions have been removed from this obligation, which makes LAC comment more important that ever.
q Sue handed out materials from the Forest Society about a hike on Silver Mountain in Lempster on September 26. A large land protection project is underway there. Successful fund raising will protect 1750 acres.
q Sam has been reappointed as an Alstead rep to the LAC.
Richard Morrison will talk with Mike at a later date about some water quality issues of interest to him.
Ed. Note: This note comes from Ben Daviss, a member of the Walpole Planning Board. CCB
Hearings on Vilas Bridge Reconstruction Schedule
Walpole area residents who want decision-makers to know how urgent it is to re-establish the Vilas Bridge will have a chance to tell them on Wednesday this week--TOMORROW! The Governor's Advisory Committee on Intermodal Transportation will meet on at 6:30 on September 30 in Keene at the Parks and Recreation Building at 312 Washington St. After the formal business of the meeting is done -- no way to be sure how long that will take -- the public will be offered the chance to speak. It would be great to have a large contingent of people there to express our area's acute need to have our bridge back sooner than 2016, as now planned. We're told that it will take more than three years of planning and construction to re-open it, so we need that work to start this year, not two or three years from now.
For anyone who finds it more convenient, the advisory committee also will be meeting at 8 a.m. on October 14 in Alstead's town offices.
The Walpole Community Grange will offer a traditional turkey dinner in celebration of local food producers at the Walpole Congregational Church Saturday, October 17 ay 6:00 p.m.
Local foods included on the menu include butternut squash and apples for pie from Alyson’s Orchard, potatoes from Harold Putnam, cabbage for Cole slaw from Kathy Campbell, carrots from Cindy Westover, cider from Joe Dion, homemade rolls from Kathy Yardley, ice cream from Walpole Creamery, cheese for pie from Boggy Meadow Farm, and apple pies made by more than a dozen women of the Walpole Grange.
Only 100 tickets will be sold, they are $12 each, and they are available at Galloway Real Estate, 47 Main Street, Walpole.
For more information, call Kathy Yardley at 603-756-3677.
Audrey Klinger in the Selectmen's Office has notified me that next Thursday afternoon, October 1, the Water Department will begin flushing the town hydrants, and the job will take us into sometime Friday morning. The work will likely result in some discolored but not unhealthy water for a while. Frequently you can run it for a while and get past the discolored water. If you have any questions, call Audrey at 756-3672. CCB
Ed. Note: This announcement was submitted by Barbra Bragg. CCB
RAKU POTTERY WORKSHOP IN WALPOLE : TEA BOWLS & TUMBLERS
The Walpole Artisans are sponsoring a raku workshop for up to four participants October 10 and 17 from noon to 3:00 p.m. Those with previous experience, wheel throwers, and beginners (16 years and up) are welcome.
The process of RAKU always holds surprise and enjoyment. It is an ancient Japanese ceramic technique where the firing process creates its own unique effects. Raku pottery emphasizes the beauty of the simple and the natural.
Participants will create the pieces in the first session that they will glaze and fire in the raku kiln the following Saturday.
Workshop is limited to 4 participants. Fee: $65 includes materials.
Please call Barbra Bragg at 756-3213 for more information and to sign up.
Instructors : Sharyn Tullar and Barbra Bragg
Ed. Note: This reminder from Library Board member Lyn Cooke. CCB
September 30 Potluck/Program Announced by Friends of the Walpole Town Library
The Friends of the Walpole Town Library have received a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council to sponsor humorist and author Rebecca Rule as the guest speaker at their potluck dinner to be held at 6:00 pm Wednesday, September 30, upstairs in the Walpole Town Hall. Rule's subject will be "Live Free and Eat Pie!"
Rule is well known on the Humanities circuit as a master of Yankee Humor with jokes and stories collected from years of small-town gatherings in and around New Hampshire. Her storytelling style is reminiscent of "Bert and I' and often incorporates audience participation.
The potluck dinner is the Friends' kick-off for a series of entertaining and thought-provoking monthly programs being scheduled by the Friends in partnership with the Humanities Council. The remainder of the programs will take place at the Walpole library on Main Street at 7:00 pm on the 2nd Wednesday each month from October through April, except December.
All programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the Walpole programs call Judy Shumway at 603-756-3664. For information about the New Hampshire Humanities Council in Concord call 603-224-4071.
DONATE YOUR BOOKS FOR THE LIBRARY SALE BY OCTOBER 1
Carol Christian and her team of dedicated book sale volunteers have asked that everybody planning to donate books for the Annual Halloween Book Sale please do it by October l. This sale is tremendously important to the Friends of the Library whose donation to the Walpole Town Library enable purchases of new books, DVDs and programs that might otherwise not happen.
This year's sale, Saturday and Sunday, October 31 and November 1, has a few new wrinkles that make it harder than ever to get all the last minute donated books sorted and priced. The first new wrinkle is the change in venue FROM the Town Hall TO the Walpole Middle School gymnasium. Another is the addition this year of a Preview Night on Friday, October 30, from 6 to 7:30 in the evening. For this event there is a required $10 donation.
Books may be brought to the library on Main Street any time during library hours: Monday through Friday 1:30 - 5:00, Saturday 8:30 - 1:00, Monday evening 6:00 - 8:00, and Wednesday morning 10:00 - noon.
For more information, contact Carol Christian at 756-3879.
Ed. Note: Here is the agenda for the upcoming Planning Board Working Sessions to study the feasibility of creating an economic development section for the town's Master Plan. These are public meetings, and all interested persons are invited to attend and participate. CCB
PLANNING BOARD
P.O. BOX 729
Walpole, NH 03608
2009 FALL WORK SESSIONS
The Walpole Planning board will hold a series of work sessions to study the feasibility of creating an Economic Development section for the town’s Master Plan.
The meetings will be held in the in the town hall on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm until further notice. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.
Planning board member Bennett Daviss is in charge of the study committee and may be contacted for further information and materials at bdaviss@comcast.net or 445-2200.
All interested persons should plan to attend.
Future work session dates are: 10/27/09
11/24/09
12/27/09
unless otherwise scheduled.
This notice serves as an agenda for all the meetings. To view the
minutes of the meetings they will be posted at the Town Hall, Burdick’s Market and www.thewalpolean.com, www.walpolenh.us, www.walpoleplanningboard.org
Ed. Note: Thanks to Pam Aslinger for the following correction on the Tractor Supply posting made earlier in the month. CCB
According to Aslinger, secretary for the Planning Board, Tractor Supply did NOT submit an application for site plan review for the October meeting.
Fred Dill and Primax have submitted a two-lot subdivision application that will be on the October agenda and a public hearing will be held at the October meeting. It's for the subdivision only.
Tractor Supply will submit their site plan application at the October meeting but the public hearing and application review will take place at the November meeting.
Ed. Note: The following invitation is from Ben Daviss of the Walpole Planning Board who is leading the project to update the town Master Plan, particularly the parts related to economic development. This is our chance to play a role in bring the Master Plan into the 21st century and to affect the future development of the town. CCB
Walpole’s planning board and a group of citizen volunteers invite you to join in a series of discussions about Walpole’s economic future. The discussions, open to the public, will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Walpole’s town hall.
Walpole’s residents have indicated that they would like to see an expansion of our town’s economy as long as that expansion doesn’t come at the expense of our natural environment, open spaces, and small-town rural character. But what exactly does that general principle “look like” when we try to apply it?
This question is one that our community needs to answer together. The outcome of the discussions will shape the draft of an economic development section to be included in Walpole’s master town plan. The discussions will be held through the fall and winter and a draft of the economic development section is scheduled to be created in the spring of 2010.
If you can’t make a meeting but have comments, please leave your ideas and suggestions on the planning board’s website at www.walpoleplanningboard.org. (Yes, our comments section is open and working again.) Click “Your ideas and suggestions” under the “Citizen Input” tab and a message box will open. You can post any length of message and it will be made part of the record of our discussions.
Our first meeting is on Tuesday, September 22, at 7 p.m. at the town hall.
We hope you’ll join us.
SOME POSSIBLE SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION IN THE MONTHS AHEAD
1. Commercial development. Does Walpole need additional kinds of retailers? If so, what kinds? How do we recruit them? Are Walpole’s districts zoned for commercial activities too large, too small, or the right size? Should regulations governing commercial building in town be changed? If so, how? Formally or informally, should the town take steps to find a new buyer for North Meadow Plaza?
2. Industrial development. Walpole’s industrial park at the south end of town is often criticized. Can it be improved? Do we need additional land zoned for industrial use? If so, where should it be? What kinds of industries are acceptable and not acceptable in our town? What companies or kinds of industries would complement those already here and make them stronger?
3. Agriculture and timber development. Parts of the agricultural economy are troubled while organic farmers and community-supported agriculture and other forms of direct sales to consumers is growing. How can Walpole best ensure the continuation of its agricultural economy? Our town also has large stands of timber that can be harvested commercially. How can Walpole capitalize on these resources to ensure the continuation of land-based production as a key element of our town’s economy?
4. Home-based businesses and cottage industries. Home-based businesses often are operated by people with specialized skills who earn comfortable incomes. They also keep commuters off the road, add value to residential buildings by adding space and the capacity for technology, and often create part-time or full-time jobs. However, studies over decades have shown that an expanding population increases – not reduces – taxes in a town. Should Walpole encourage home-based businesses, discourage them, or do nothing particular about them?
5. Economic development and new building. Does economic development necessarily mean new commercial or industrial building? Should we do anything to encourage or discourage economic expansion on land not zoned for it now?
6. A locally-oriented economy. What can or should Walpole do to encourage the creation and continuation of businesses that are based on the use of local resources?
7. Promoting Walpole. Should the town endorse a volunteer citizens’ group or some other means to promote Walpole to the regional economic community and to attempt to recruit businesses to our town?
Ed. Note: Courtesy of Pam Aslinger, here are the minutes of the September 8 Planning Board meeting. Tractor Supply Inc. filed a site plan application which was set for hearing at the October 13 meeting. For full information on Tractor Supply, see http://www.tractorsupply.com/content/abouttsc/aboutuslanding.
PLANNING BOARD
Walpole, NH 03608
MINUTES: Regular Meeting - Tuesday Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:00 pm - Town Hall Basement
Presiding: Jeff Miller, Ch.
Members Present: Bob Miller, V-Ch., Eric Merklein, Ben Daviss, Dave DeCoste, Henry Fletcher, Jeff White, alt., Donn Lounsbury, alt. Absent: Sheldon Sawyer, Select.
Recording: Pamela Aslinger, Sec./alt.
These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the October 13, 2009 meeting for errors, corrections and omissions. There were 7 persons in the audience.
I. Meeting opened at 7:05pm
A. Roll call, all regular members were present, no alternates were designated.
B. A motion to approve the minutes with two corrections was made and seconded, vote was called, all were in favor the motion carried.
II. New Business
A. Primax Properties, LLC - Tractor Supply Co. Mr. Frank Alexander, project director and Mr. Dave Bergeron of Brickstone Masons, Inc. were present to submit an application for a 2 lot subdivision and site plan review.
Mr. Daviss mentioned that Mr. Bergeron is on the board of directors for Monadnock Family Services, his employer but does not feel he needs to recuse himself from review of the application unless members of the planning board choose otherwise. Ch. Miller hearing no objections, so noted that Mr. Daviss should remain seated on the board for the duration of Primax Properties application proceedings.
Mr. Bergeron presented the board with an application for a 2 lot subdivision located on Rte. 12 N Map 12 Lot 13 in the Commercial zone owned by 504 Main St./Fred Dill. The subdivision results in Lot 1 of 11.49 acres to be retained by Mr. Dill and Lot 2 of 4.92 acres to be purchased by Primax Properties, LLC. Lot 2 will be granted a 50 ft. ROW over Lot 1 to be used as a common driveway access but owned by Mr. Dill. Both lots meet frontage, lot size and setbacks for the zone. Fees, maps and abutter list were submitted as well as a letter of authorization from Mr. Dill allowing Primax Properties to present the application.
Mr. Bergeron presented the board with a preliminary site plan review application for Tractor Supply Co. a 19,000 sq. ft. retail store to be located on Lot 2 of the previous subdivision Map 12, Lot 13. He went over the site plan review checklist item by item noting two requests for waivers related to parking lot landscaping and overall landscaping design. He stated that the state driveway permit, alteration of terrain permit, excavation permit, EPA permit, final stormwater management and erosion control plan, reports from Town fire, police, conservation commission, approval for water/sewer connection, sign permit, and a demolition permit for the old barn were pending. Some of the permits were not yet filed and until they are returned with recommendations some aspects of the preliminary plans may be changed.
As Mr. Bergeron described the checklist requirements he gave a brief overview of where the information is shown on the plans and layouts. The following items were discussed in greater detail: Waiver request to reduce the number of islands in the parking lot to allow for easier plowing plus by increasing the size of the islands they create a larger growing area for the trees. A second waiver request for general landscaping that consolidates groupings to allow for better visibility. In both instances the number of plantings as required is maintained. They are considering porous pavement in the parking areas that also would benefit plantings. Electrical service will be buried, lighting will be building mounted and downcast with only security lighting left on overnight. The parking are lighting will be on approximately one hour before 8 am opening and 1 hour after 8 pm closing. Mr. Alexander will verify hours of operation. A fire hydrant will be installed on site. Soils are shown but there are no wetlands according to Chris Danforth, wetlands specialist via a letter. They are not within the 100 year flood hazard areas. Mr. Alexander supplied a sample chip of a light grey paint as an alternative to the standard white. He asked the board for feedback on adding a contrasting color besides the trademark red accent color. The front will
have clapboard siding with a base of block stone for safety. There are corrugated metal awnings over the windows and a standing seam roof with a barn like entranceway with decorative lighting.
Mr. Bergeron said they have included a traffic impact study that was prepared for their application to DOT and a lighting fixture detail.
Members commented on the types of landscaping materials, fewer islands, buried utilities, lighting hours and hours of operation. The three 1000 gallon fuel tanks will not be buried. Traffic per weekday peak hours will be approximately 22 entering from the north, 24 exiting from the south. Saturday mid day peak will be 50 from the north, 50 exiting from the south. Level of service was determined at A and B, both being in the higher range of adequacy, no turning lane is being recommended based on the level of service and numbers. Tractor Supply does not sell bulk toxins in large quantities, there will not be any repair services and they do not sell tractors. Members suggested contrasting paint on the building and using white on the clapboards. Ch. Miller is concerned about safety despite the traffic study not indicating the need for a turn off lane.
Mr. Alexander asked how to proceed on the site plan application. Sec. Aslinger suggested they submit their site plan application at the October meeting to allow for their major permits to be further along. Substantial changes to the plans as a result of the permits could delay the application and cause a second public hearing and extensions. Because the subdivision application is complete it can be scheduled for the October 13th meeting along with the public hearing. Once the subdivision is acted upon it would be in order to process the site plan application at the November 10th meeting and hold the public hearing, the permits would be further along allowing any resulting changes to be made to the final plans. The board agreed. Ch. Miller called for a motion to place the subdivision on the agenda for the October 13th meeting along with the public hearing, so moved, vote called, motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Alexander and Mr. Bergeron agreed to submit the site plan application at the October meeting. They will be applying for the State permits in the next week and meeting with the Town officials in regard to the water and sewer hook ups.
III. Planning Discussion
A. Master Plan – Ch. Miller signed the SWRPC contract to complete the land use section. Mr. Daviss said he was able to recruit Steve DeLessio from the Walpole Leadership Academy to help on the economic development plan study committee. He suggests public discussions be held on the 4th Tuesday of the month to go over the economic needs of the town. Ch. Miller agreed to schedule the meetings, Mr. Daviss will do the recording and Sec. Aslinger will post an ongoing notice. The first meeting will be held on Sept. 22, 2009 at 7pm in the Town Hall basement office Mr. Daviss will forward related information to the committee.
IV. Communications and Miscellaneous
A. Annual Fall Planning and Zoning Conference info was relayed to members
B. Planning board copier - Ch. Miller thought it was unlikely the BOS would authorize a purchase but agreed to submit a request.
C. Other – Mr. Daviss said SWRPC is going to try to put the Vilas Bridge back on its 2010 transportation plan instead of waiting until 2015. They are seeking a support contingency at a meeting to be held on Sept. 30th in Keene at 6:30pm at the Keene Parks Recreation building sponsored by the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Intra motor Transportation. Ch. Miller will speak to our state reps about introducing a bill to push the project along.
V. Meeting Adjourned 8:20pm
Work session to be held Sept. 22, 2009, pm, Town Hall 7pm
Next regular meeting to be held October 13, 2009, 7pm Town Hall
Stacie Gay has announced that the Playground Committee meeting, scheduled for September 14, has been moved to September 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall. Anyone interested in participating in planning for the playground at the Recreation Center is welcome to attend. For more information, call Stacie at 835-6063. CCB
Ed. Note: Thanks to Pam Aslinger, here is the agenda for tonight's Planning Board meeting. CCB
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Town of Walpole, NH 03608
Tuesday September 8, 2009 7:00pm Town Hall
AGENDA
I. Open Meeting
A. Roll call – designate alternates
B. Approve minutes of 8/11/09, 2 corrections
C. Other
II. New Business – Preliminary Discussion – application submission
A. Primax Properties, LLC – Tractor Supply Co. – Two lot subdivision and site plan review located on Rte. 12 N formerly the Bailey property below LaValley Building Supply.
B. Other – None other scheduled as of posting – may change
III. Planning Discussion
A. Master Plan
1. Sign contract with SWRPC to complete the land use section
2. Open discussion re: land use materials gathering, timing, economic development section
3. Other
IV. Communications and Miscellaneous
A. Annual Fall Planning and Zoning Conference 11/17/09
B. Planning board budget and copier
C. Other
V. Adjourn Meeting
Next regular meeting to be held October 13, 2009, 7pm Town Hall
Talked with Mary Lou Hufflink, director of the Fall Mountain Food Shelf, after reading the lead story in today's Keene Sentinel. The Food Shelf served 598 families in June and that number rose to 658 families in July. Families, not people. August numbers are not tallied yet. A year ago the Food Shelf was pressed to serve about 300 families per month. Food supplies are very short, supplies of cash to buy it are short, and the numbers of hungry people in the Fall Mountain area continues to rise. Hufflink says she can use donations of nearly every kind of food from canned goods to fresh garden harvests. Please call Mary Lou in Alstead at 835-2283. CCB
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM with no one present in the audience.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $22,091.57. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
PAYROLL: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending August 08, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $19,055.66 or net wages in the amount of $10,566.55. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. 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 $4,024.05. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING –August 06, 2009: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of August 06, 2009, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed the Minutes of the following meetings: 1) Conservation Commission – August 03, 2009; and 2) Walpole Recreation Committee – August 05, 2009.
The Walpole Recreation Committee meeting minutes included an announcement that they will be holding a Community Day on August 14th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Recreation Center. Donations accepted will be used toward bathroom renovations. There will be pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs for sale; movies shown from 8:00 pm to 12:00 pm; there will be music.
SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS:
GEORGE JEFFREY and VIRGINIA JEFFREY AITKEN –Map 021-022-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the Supplemental Warrant for 2008 Property Taxes in the amount of $764.00 for George Jeffrey and Virginia Jeffrey Aitken. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
DRA APPROVAL OF FUNDS FOR TOWN HALL REPAIRS: Mr. Sawyer announced that the Town received approval from the Department of Revenue Administration for emergency expenditures per RSA 32:11 to use up to $150,000 for Town Hall repairs.
VILAS BRIDGE: Mr. Aldrich and Mrs. Teague represented the Walpole Selectboard at the Vilas Bridge meetings that began at 4:30 pm this afternoon at the bridge site and later at the meeting in the Walpole Town Hall. Francis “Dutch” Walsh, Rockingham Development Director, will contact Elaine Moore to schedule a meeting with the Walpole Selectboard to compose a letter that will be sent to the New Hampshire and Vermont Governors, Senators, and Representatives as
Selectboard Meeting –August 13, 2009- Page 2
well as the Southwest Region Planning Commission, Department of Transportation, etc. Mr. Sawyer requested that the Walpole Planning Board be asked to write a letter in support of the bridge renovations and/or replacement.
BARNETT HILL ROAD – Viewing: Mr. Aldrich and Mrs. Teague did a site visit on Barnett Hill Road last Saturday beginning at 8:15 am. Basically it is a wide road at the Maple Hill intersection but continues to get narrower; the road is not the standard width. There was a consensus to ask Jim Terrell to do a traffic study; after that the Selectboard will look at all the data before making any decisions. A letter will be sent to Ms. Beaudoin to provide her with an up-dated report.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION – Appointment to SWRPC: Following a discussion the Selectboard agreed to send this request back to the Conservation Commission to ask them to what SWRPC Committee they want this appointment made.
MARCH HILL ROAD: Mr. Aldrich reported that repairs are now being made on the March Hill Road wash-out. The road is closed temporarily. The Selectboard extended a special “Thank You” to Representative Tara Sad for doing the follow-up with the Department of Environmental Services that resulted in the Town received their long-awaited permit to do the project.
SOLID WASTE FACILITY: Mrs. Teague talked with Paul Colburn at the Solid Waste Facility about hiring a part-time employee. The one part-time applicant was invited to attend the WRAP Committee meeting.
SELECTBOARD OFFICE: The deadline has now passed for accepting applications for the vacancy in the Selectboard Office. The Selectboard and committee will begin the selection process.
TOWN HALL CEILING: Mrs. Teague volunteered to work on the Request for Proposals for bids to do the Town Hall ceiling. Mrs. Moore will then be asked to notify several roofing companies and do the advertising.
NEW BUSINESS:
FOREST FIRE WARDEN APPOINTMENTS:
Mr. Sawyer moved to approve and sign the State of New Hampshire, Department of Resources and Economic Development, Division of Forests and Lands, 2010 Forest Fire Warden/Deputy Reappointment document for:
William E. Houghton – Warden
Harry Boynton – Deputy Warden
Arthur (Jay) French, III – Deputy Warden
Steven Grenier – Deputy Warden
Edward C. Hasselmann, Jr. – Deputy Warden
Mark E. Houghton – Deputy Warden
George Hurlburt, Jr. – Deputy Warden
Matthew Yeatman – Deputy Warden
Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Selectboard Meeting –August 13, 2009- Page 3
TIMBER CUT #09-461-06 – Jan Galloway LeClerc –Map 002-011-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the Notice of Intent to Timber Cut for Jan Galloway LeClarc on County Road. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
NH RETIREMENT SYSTEM LETTER: Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the letter that the Town is paying the NH Retirement System “under protest”. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
VACATION TIME – Paul Colburn: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve a carry-over of less than a week of vacation time for Paul Colburn. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
FANNY MASON FOREST TRUST FUND: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve payment of the bill submitted by Robie Speed for doing the Route 12 rest area clean-ups from April through July. This will be taken out of the Fanny Mason Forest Trust Fund. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
BASEBALL PARK LIGHT: Mr. Aldrich noted that the light that shines on the field next to the Church is out. Mr. Sawyer suggested that Mark Houghton be asked to replace it.
NORTH WALPOLE: Mrs. Teague discussed an incident between neighbors in North Walpole that was brought to her attention when a resident called her to inquire about the Town’s responsibility with regards to possible property erosion. There was a consensus of the Selectboard that this is a civil matter therefore the Town has no jurisdiction.
PLANNING BOARD: Mr. Sawyer advised that during the Planning Board meeting last night a preliminary hearing was held on a tractor supply business that is interested in purchasing a piece of property in Walpole for future development.
Adjournment: Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:16 PM.
