Ed. Note: This notice comes from Planning Board member Ben Daviss who is chairing the Board's subcommittee looking to update the town's Master Plan. These are the meetings that will shape our town's future. They're open the public! Note that the meeting is in the basement of the Town Hall. It may not look like ANYTHING is going on, but find your way down the stairs and you'll eventually find the meeting! CCB
Chuck: Please post a notice on The Walpolean that the planning board is holding a work session next Tuesday, November 24, at 7 pm at the town hall to decide directions about issues discussed at the last meeting related to industrial development -- particularly whether to rezone more land in town for industrial development and, if so, where that land might be.
Ed. Note: I happened to see this story on Tedd Benson from EcoHome Magazine through a Google Alert. Thought you might be interested. Chuck Bingaman
Custom Builder Squares Off with Production Builder Over Green Construction
Tedd Benson commands pros to build high-performance homes, while Rick Andreen states that big builders have made progress.
By Jennifer Goodman
At the Greenbuild Conference in Phoenix last week, custom builder Tedd Benson faced off against Shea Homes’ executive Rick Andreen in front of several hundred professionals over the green home-building movement. Speaking in a quiet, but forceful tone, Benson, owner of Bensonwood Homes in Walpole, N.H., chastised home builders for not crafting high-quality homes anymore. “A Consumer Reports investigation found that 15% of new homes are seriously defective,” Benson told pros attending the conference’s Residential Summit. “This is the hard truth about what we do and what plagues us all.” Green builder Benson questioned why his counterparts, both large and small, aren’t constructing houses that save energy and resources and that make better the health of the occupants. “We’ve known what to do since the 1970s …but our industry leaders have been fighting the rules and regulations,” he added, quipping that before the housing debacle, that big builders were more concerned about “ceaseless growth and unfettered profitability.” Benson said that once the recession abates, pros must “build long-term value into homes that improves peoples’ lives. The materials are available to you. This important work we do comes with an obligation.” But the 30-year veteran builder told the audience that high-performance homes cost more than standard houses. “You can’t double the insulation or add better windows without increasing costs.” In addition, Benson said that buyers must be made aware that “a $20,000 home theater will cost $75,000 over 25 years because of the additional energy costs.” The green construction advocate also called for increased builder education. He noted that in almost every state, professional hair stylists need licenses to practice their craft, but that “you only need a ladder and a hammer” to be a contractor. “We lost the old skills and haven’t yet acquired new ones,” said Benson, the author of three books on timber frame construction. “Building trades people can’t be stupid anymore.”
SIGNS OF PROGRESS
Andreen, the Phoenix-area president for Shea Homes, the nation’s largest private home builder, said Benson was a tough act to follow. As a production builder, he said “I must take some responsibility” for the industry’s failings. But he added: “There has been progress; not all has been bad. Homes are significantly higher quality than they were 5, 10, 15 years ago.” “Profits are not evil,” he continued. “We just have to find ways to take the technologies we have … and make them affordable.”
For example, Andreen said that models in the Shea Green Certified Homes program, which launched two years ago, come standard with photovoltaic panels, but that the builder loses money on each installation. If solar were optional, Andreen said he doesn’t think many buyers would pay for it. Despite their higher costs, Shea Homes is exploring other energy-efficient technologies, including home generation stations, natural gas HVAC equipment, and photovoltaic thermal systems. The Shea Green Certified Homes package soon will be standard on all the company’s Trilogy models. The green homes, which use 15% fewer materials, have a 48% reduction in their carbon footprint compared to the standard new house, Andreen said. With average energy and resource savings of 20% compared with conventional homes, Shea Certified Green Homes exceed by about 30% the International Energy Code, according to the firm’s Web site. Besides solar systems, the eco-friendly houses include, among other products, solar-powered attic fans; Energy Star-rated appliances; dual-pane, low-E windows; and high-performance insulation. During the question-and-answer segment, there was one significant point Andreen and Benson agreed on; that is, that consumers aren't powering the green home movement.
“There are always going to be people who want the fancy granite countertop, but it’s changing, and [builders] are going to have to drive it,” the Scottsdale-based executive said. Benson concurred: “The only way that the built environment is going to get to zero [environmental] impact is if we push our clients, push our manufacturers, and push ourselves.” Jean Dimeo is Chief Editor Online for EcoHome.
Library Friends leader Judy Shumway tells me that the Friends are looking for an energetic person to chair the annual October Book and Tag Sale in 2010. And, they're looking for someone with a large, dry, first floor space to store sale books from the time they begin accumulating in the late spring until the sale in October. Anyone with ideas, interests, questions or suggestions on those two important items shuld call Judy at 756-3664. Chuck Bingaman
Walpole Historical Society Museum and Gift Shop Announce Christmas Shopping Hours
The Walpole Historical Society Museum and Gift Shop usher in the holiday season on Saturdays, November 21 and 28, from 10-3 and Sunday, November 29. from 11-3. The shop is selling Christmas cards, Advent calendars, unique gifts and stocking stuffers. Also available: the Society’s just released book, “Walpole”, a pictorial history written by society members, and the recently published 2010 Calendar, “Postcards of Walpole”. In addition, you will find numerous Walpole themed items (e.g. maps, postcards, afghans, books).
Ed. Note: This announcement comes from Rev. Telos Whitfield of the Walpole Unitarian Universalist Church. CCB
Walpole Giving Tree Project in Search of Families in Need
The congregations of Walpole, NH have a Community Christmas Fund and every holiday season the area clergy join with the Ecumenical Youth Group to offer the Giving Tree Project to families in need. This project offers holiday gifts to families in Walpole and North Walpole. An offering is taken at the Community Thanksgiving Service to support this fund. This year’s service will be on Wed. Nov. 24 at 7pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Walpole.
If you know of a family that could benefit from being part of the Giving Tree Project, please contact Rev. Susan Kershaw at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 603-756-4533. The deadline for entry into the Giving Tree Project is November 13. Many families have to choose how they use their limited resources and it must go to heating their houses and putting food on the table before winter clothing, books or a toy for their child. Let us come together as communities of faith to support one another and this local village project. For further information call Rev. Telos Whitfield at 802-376-4977.
It's Veterans' Day, the day we stop and honor our veterans who have served us with distinction, courage and selflessness over our lifetimes. We have pride and admiration for each one of you! CCB
Ed. Note: Thanks to alert Walpolean reader and tipster John Hubbard, I learned that I overlooked two other Walpole runners in last week's New York City Marathon, Christie and Tom Winmill. I tracked down Tom by email and asked for a short report on their experiences. CCB Tom wrote back as follows:
"Christie’s NYC Marathon run last year in 4 hours, 40 minutes, inspired me to join her training regimen this year. After Walpole’s Old Drewsville Road, our favorite training route was the Sugar River Rails to Trail in Claremont. On Nov 1, I finished in 4 hours 49 minutes and Christie (with a bad case of swine flu) completed the 1/2 Marathon, 13.1 miles, in 2 hours and 22 minutes. We are grateful for the many encouraging cheers and wonderful music along the route through NYC’s five boroughs. A band playing on its church steps “This is the Day which the Lord Has Made” gave us a particularly heartening boost!"
Opinion: I doubt that I am the only one today who has packed up all of our garbage and recycles and driven them to the town recycling center only to find that it is closed today for Veterans' Day! I am in favor of honoring--celebrating!--Veterans' Day. But, for a town service that is available only three days each week, it seems to me more than a little excessive to close the dump the day BEFORE a holiday. And, unless I failed to see obvious notices, it seems a little inconsiderate to those who rely of the dump's schedule to close without clear and repeated advance notices. Let's close the dump on Veterans' Day if it falls on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. Let's leave it open on its regular schedule when it's NOT a holiday! Chuck Bingaman
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with five people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
JANICE BARDIS – 21 Hillside Acres, Map 018-016-000: Janice Bardis explained the drainage problems in her backyard that is caused by water and debris coming down the hill. Last year it washed-out a part of her driveway and some foundation work had to be done. It has gotten worse in the last five years. Mr. Sawyer spoke to the Highway Road Agent, Jim Terrell, who has done extensive work in that area; he is aware of the drainage problem.
FRANK SIBLEY – 15 Hillside Acres, Map 018-015-000: Frank Sibley is a neighbor of Ms. Bardis. The storm last Saturday caused more damage. He displayed some pictures of the damaged areas on his computer. Mr. Sibley walked the area, did some extensive research and stated that the surface water is coming from Wentworth Road that then flows onto the Old Keene Road. He traced this flow on a map. There is a gully with the capacity to take much of the water if it is routed there. Mr. Sibley offered to explain this solution to Mr. Terrell; estimated cost of the project would be about $720.00. Mr. Sawyer advised that Mr. Terrell plans to attend the Selectboard meeting next Thursday. This will be an agenda item.
ERIC SMITH – Southwest Region Planning Commission: Mr. Smith, Planner with SWRPC, submitted Requisition No. 7 in the amount of $1,018.00 for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) / Andrus Associates LLC located in the Dunning Building in North Walpole.
Mr. Sawyer moved to sign Requisition No. 7 in the amount of $1,018.00 for the CDBG for Andrus Associates LLC. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Smith left some information on the Brownfields Program. SWRPC has funding to do site assessment work and they are available to assist the Town if requested to do so. There was a consensus of the Selectboard to find out more about this program therefore a tentative meeting date was scheduled for Thursday, December 3rd at 7:00 PM.
LUCY WEBER – Vilas Bridge: Mrs. Weber wanted to up-date the Selectboard and to be sure they are not missing any opportunities to move forward with the Vilas Bridge. The Vilas Bridge is on the State’s Ten Year Plan; scheduled for repairs in 2015. She has talked with the Assistant Commissioner. She recommended that the Selectboard write a letter to him. Mrs. Teague will formulate the letter and ask the North Walpole Board of Commissioners to sign it also as closure of the bridge impacts them a lot. A few of the concerns are safety, Mutual Aid access, traffic and being good neighbors to our surrounding communities. The Planning Board will be asked to send a similar letter. Copies of the letters will be sent to the SWRPC as the Town would appreciate their support of this project. Lucy Weber and Tara Sad will be happy to attend any meetings that the Selectboard feel they should go to.
ANDREW DEY: Mr. Dey up-dated the Selectboard on the grant for the weatherization of the Town Hall and the North Walpole Fire Station building. The next step is for the Town to invoice the State for one-third of the grant. He will work with Mrs. Clough on the direct deposit.
Selectboard Meeting –October 29, 2009- Page 2
Originally he felt the work could be done this fall but the process took longer than he thought so some work might not begin until the winter. Mr. Dey would like to meet with some key people on Wednesday, November 4th at 8:30 am. They need to walk the buildings, re-visit how to use the money to make the best use of it. He will meet with the North Walpole Board of Commissioners during one of their regular meetings soon.
BETHANY COURSEN – Monthly Bingo: Bethany Coursen inquired about holding a monthly bingo at the Walpole Village School as a fundraiser. Mrs. Teague advised that the State has regulations on bingo; this information will be passed onto Mrs. Coursen.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $45,086.99. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
PAYROLL: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending October 24, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $17,283.33 or net wages in the amount of $9,500.72. 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 $3,872.32. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING –October 22, 2009: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 22, 2009, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich in favor, the Minutes were approved. Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present at this meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed the Minutes of the following meetings:
· Zoning Board of Adjustment – October 21, 2009; and
· North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – October 27, 2009.
ABATEMENT:
WALPOLE WATER –Hazelton– 105 Prospect Hill Road- Map 008-066-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Water Abatement for interest only in the amount of $33.69 for Priscilla Hazelton. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
REFUND:
WALPOLE SEWER –Moore- 38 Center St.- Map 028-113-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Refund in the amount of $153.83 for Kimberly Moore. This is the result of an over-payment of the Sewer bill. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
WARRANT:
SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANT –Agnes Blanchard- Map 013-021-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Tax Collectors Supplemental Warrant, Tax Year 2009, Walpole Property Taxes in the amount of $250.00 to Agnes Blanchard. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Selectboard Meeting –October 29, 2009– Page 3
BUILDING PERMIT:
MICHAEL & KATHERINE NERRIE -507 March Hill Rd- Map 011-059-000: Mrs. Teague moved to approve Building Permit No. 2009-027 to add a roof mounted Photovoltaic System to the existing roof (solar) for Michael and Katherine Nerrie. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
2010 MEDICAL INSURANCE RATES: Due to the projected 2010 increased rates, Mrs. Teague will research the health insurance options and report back to the Selectboard.
CARTOGRAPHICS – Don Butson: Mr. Sawyer suggested that a representative from the Planning Board be asked to attend the next meeting when Mr. Butson from Cartographics will do a presentation. This meeting was scheduled for Thursday, November 5th starting at 7:00 PM.
TURKEYS FOR EMPLOYEES: Mrs. Clough obtained prices per pound for turkeys from several stores in the area.
Mr. Sawyer moved to order the turkeys from Ralph’s Market in Charlestown. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
VACHON, CLUKAY & CO., PC – Second Invoice: Mrs. Teague volunteered to do some research on the additional invoice and to write a letter to Vachon, Clukay & Co., PC with a copy to be sent to the State.
SEWER JETTER: Mark Houghton asked Jim Terrell if the Highway Department would be interested in buying the sewer jetter but he is not, therefore Mark Houghton would like to advertise it. The Selectboard approved his request.
DOWNSTAIRS MEETING ROOM: The painting in the downstairs meeting room is finished, a window and vents have been installed and the carpeting should be done next Wednesday.
NEW BUSINESS:
LETTER FROM ROBERT KASPER, Walpole Veterans Memorial: Mr. Sawyer moved that the Selectboard accept the letter from Robert Kasper, on behalf of the Bridge Wilson Post #77, and accept the check in the amount of $9,500.00 to be used for the perpetual up-dating of the names inscribed on the Walpole Veterans Memorial. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
LETTER FROM JIM and PAM BAUCOM -40 School St.- Map 019-055-000: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a letter from Jim and Pam Baucom outlining flooding problems on their property several times each year. Mr. Aldrich spoke to Jim Terrell about this and he is going to do some research on it. Mrs. Teague recommended that a letter be sent to Jim and Pam Baucom to advise that the Selectboard has been in touch with Jim Terrell who is researching the flooding on their property and he will address it as soon.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY –Flood Maps: Mrs. Clough was asked to contact Richard Hurlburt to make him aware of this correspondence from Homeland Security.
STU BAILEY –Ball Playing on the Common: Mr. Bailey replaced the two broken spindles on the Band Stand. He is concerned with people playing ball near the Band Stand and requested that
Selectboard Meeting –October 29, 2009- Page 4
the Selectboard restrict this. He originally agreed to pay for maintenance but not vandalism. Following a discussion, the Selectboard agreed to erect some signs and to monitor the area with a video camera to see what is causing this damage.
RADIO INTEROPERABILITY GRANT: Mrs. Teague moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Radio Interoperability Grant application for the Fire Department. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
GREAT BROOK BRIDGE: Mr. Aldrich announced that the Great Brook Bridge is out therefore Mill Road is closed for the winter. (This is similar damage to what occurred on March Hill).
STREET LIGHTS: Mr. Sawyer would like to work on the street lights to see if some of them can be eliminated. Mrs. Clough was asked to contact National Grid to ask for a listing of the street lights. This information will be reviewed during the budget process.
LETTER TO BE SIGNED:
SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES –Warrant Item: Southwestern Community Services requested that the Town include $1,200 on the Warrant.
Mrs. Teague moved to agree to include Southwestern Community Services on the Town Warrant for $1,200. The Chairman is authorized to sign the confirmation letter to them. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment: Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:49 PM.
MEETING OF THE HOOPER TRUSTEES
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting of the Hooper Trustees to order at 9:50 PM.
HOOPER ELECTRICAL UPGRADE INVOICE: Mr. Sawyer moved to send the invoice from the Everett Houghton Co., Inc. in the amount of $5,550.00 to the Trustees of Trust Funds to be paid out of the Hooper Maintenance Fund. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:56 PM.
Ed. Note: This news release comes from Walpole's Holly Gowdy who serves as Extension Educator for 4H Youth Development for the Cheshire UNH Cooperative Extension. You can contact Holly directly at hgowdy@ceunh.unh.edu. CCB
Hero Packs for Operation Military Kids
For Immediate Release:
An invitation to help us help others, through the New Hampshire Operation Military Kids Hero Pack Program.
UNH Cooperative Extension, through 4-H Youth Development programming offers support to New Hampshire’s Operation Military Kids. OMK is a youth outreach program that supports all branches of the military, functioning in all 50 states, including New Hampshire.
One form of outreach to military families in New Hampshire is with the Hero Pack Program. Hero Packs are given to youth; when their parents are deployed. Hero Packs are a way for the community to recognize the sacrifices that these youth make and to let them know that they are heros too. Through the National OMK Office, UNH supplies the backpacks; and then the community organizations fill them with items that will help youth stay connected with their family member while they are deployed. In 2009 4-H Clubs in Cheshire County worked on OMK Hero Packs as a form of Community Service. With these packs and others from across the state UNH/OMK was able to distribute approximately 150 Hero Packs to NH Youth, at the time of deployment. In 2010 the anticipated number of Hero Packs needed for NH families being deployed will be approximately 2500.
The Cheshire County UNH Cooperative Extension Staff have set a goal to assemble 100 Hero Packs. We would like to invite citizens, civic organizations, and other groups to participate in this project with us. How can you help? Make a donation of some of the required items, provide a collection container at your work site, or deliver donated items to the Cooperative Extension Office at 800 Park Ave. Donations of Hero Pack items would be received at the Cooperative Extension office beginning December 1st. Our 4-H Members will be writing the Hero letters. The Hero Packs themselves will be assembled on December 14th .You will find a list of items required for Hero Packs, why not collect some of these items and make a donation to this worthwhile cause?. Our goal for this project is to fill 100 packs. If we have surplus materials, we will get additional packs from UNH. This is a project that will continue for sometime, we anticipate sponsoring additional Hero Pack Support Drives well into 2010 and beyond. For more information on this project contact Cheshire County Cooperative Extension at 352-4550.
Each Pack must contain four connection/communication tools such as: disposable cameras, international calling cards, photo albums, scrapbook, journal, pen, stationary, and postage stamps. Each pack should contain 5 fun items such as: Frisbees, Art supplies, children’s books, movie coupons, stickers, stuffed animals, and games. Finally, and most importantly the Hero Pack’s should include Handwritten Appreciation Letters from non military youth to military youth and their deployed family member thanking them for their service and sacrifices to our country. For more info go to www.nhomk.com
Thank you for your support
UNH Cooperative Extension programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on non-discrimination regarding age, color, handicap, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status.
Minutes of October 27 "Working" Session of the Planning Board
Ed. Note: Planning Board vice-chair Ben Daviss passed along these minutes of the October 28 working session. These public sessions are especially important because they are seeking to rewrite the town's Master Plan. CCB
Walpole Planning Board
Work Session, October 27, 2009
Attending:
Jeff Miller, Chair
Bob Miller, Vice Chair
Sheldon Sawyer, Select board
Eric Merklein
Ben Daviss (recording)
Jeff White, Alternate
Donn Lounsbury, Alternate
Steve D’Alessio, a citizen volunteer co-chairing the economic development effort, facilitated the discussion.
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm.
Mr. Sawyer made a prepared, eloquent statement about Walpole’s history of small business development. He noted than in 1945, Walpole had 56 producing dairy farms and in 1958 was the state’s largest poultry producer. Zoning was implemented in 1967 and the town now has eight square miles of forest. Over time, more land has been protected through conservation easements and the Fanny Mason Forest has grown in size. He noted that the select board is always looking for ways to promote entrepreneurship and small business in Walpole.
Most locally owned businesses in Walpole, including Pinnacle View Equipment and Bensonwood Homes, began in out-of-the-way locations where property prices were low, he noted, and moved to more prominent locations after the businesses had become established. By restricting the kinds of businesses that can be operated in non-commercial areas, we stifle entrepreneurship and do not allow local businesses to take root; and, by restricting commercial activity to a small area -- such as the Route 12 strip -- we drive up property prices so that small, locally-owned businesses cannot afford to take space there. Mr. Sawyer said that by over-regulating small business, we risk creating a situation that rich retail chains find more hospitable than local businesses do.
Mr. D’Alessio noted the difference between guidelines and regulations and that special exceptions can be sought in order to allow businesses to operate in areas outside of the commercial or industrial zones.
Carter Lake pointed out that towns can offer developers different levels of development rights. Under these negotiated arrangements, the greater the scale of development, the more control a town can exert over the nature and character of a project. A “development agreement” is the highest level of control, a contract that can spare a town the brunt of the cost of the infrastructure needed to support development.
Chairman Miller noted that only a small amount of land in town is zoned for commercial and industrial use.
Mr. Sawyer remarked that Bob Jasse would not have been able to establish Alyson’s Orchard, which has become an enormous asset to our town, if he had been forced to locate it in the commercial zone because land prices would have been prohibitive. He added that the 250-foot commercial zone on the west side of Route 12 is very restrictive.
Chairman Miller said that development in town has been somewhat haphazard but that the result has worked well enough.
Mr. Merklein commented that most of the land in the Route 12 strip is vacant and that developers are not beating a path to Walpole. He asked why, under these circumstances, should we proactively rezone land from rural-agricultural to commercial or industrial use if no one is asking for it. Instead, Walpole should focus its attention on recruiting or fostering high-quality businesses that have less impact on land and traffic.
Chairman Miller suggested that more industrial development could be accommodated by expanding the definition of “commercial” as it applies to the Route 12 strip.
Mr. Merklein asked how much leeway the Zoning Board of Adjustment has in changing land use. Chairman Miller said that land use can be changed through petition or by special exception. The town must vote in order to change zoning designations.
Mel Schupack noted the importance of infrastructure -- such as three-phase power and public water and sewer lines -- to industrial development. He suggested choosing the land where the town wants to concentrate new industrial development and creating the infrastructure there to support it. There was a discussion about the cost of extending infrastructure. Mr. Daviss suggested the reverse -- looking where the infrastructure is now, then deciding if that is an appropriate place to zone for industrial use.
Chairman Miller noted that Tim Traynor of Berkshire Development had commented that Walpole was fortunate in that the village was clearly separated from the commercial and industrial districts. Chairman Miller suggested changing the zoning along Route 12 in a way that expands the land area available to industry. Mr. Sawyer added that the area along Route 12 from Homestead Farms to North Meadow Plaza also could be zoned for light industry.
Mr. Lounsbury asked about zoning the strip of 123 from Route 12 toward Fall Mountain Regional High School. Mr. Schupack noted that the area has three-phase power but does not have public sewer or water service. Mr. Schupack emphasized that development needs to be planned for carefully to ensure that industrial growth comports with the goals set forth by the town in its master plan.
Mr. Merklein expressed a preference for the special exception process, not rezoning, to retain greater control over growth. He noted that industrial development brings commercial development and, unless the board and the town anticipate such ancillary development, growth could take place in ways that the town would later realized was deleterious.
Mr. Schupack added that industrial development is tax-positive for a town only up to a point. He distributed a chart created by the New Hampshire Department of Revenue that supported his assertion.
Mr. Lake said that the more attractive towns put light industry in a particular place that is not a prominent area of town, such as the main highway gateways.
Chairman Miller urged that, before proceeding with detailed discussions about rezoning land, the board should complete its revision of the master plan’s land-use section to see how the final result might bear on ideas about rezoning or expanding land for industrial development.
Michael Kreek asked what specific problems Walpole faces that industrial development would solve. Mr. Daviss replied that the idea is that industrial development will raise a property’s tax value to the town and moderate the continual rise in residential property taxes.
A member of the audience asked about setting aside some additional portion of land in town in exchange for tighter controls on development in other parts. Mr. Daviss concurred with this approach. Mr. Lounsbury added that a certain amount of leeway should be granted for businesses operating in the rural-agricultural zone.
Mr. Daviss asked what the next steps in the process should be. Chairman Miller suggested that the board receive a draft of the completed land-use plan from Lisa Murphy at Southwest Region Planning Commission. At a work session, the board then could compare the land-use draft with suggestions gathered at this meeting. The board then could decide whether to amend the land-use section to accommodate current suggestions regarding economic development. Chairman Miller suggested that the board also develop a budget for technical assistance from SWRPC to create a final version of the master plan’s economic development chapter.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 pm.
Please note: comments on these ideas and additional suggestions on the subject are welcome. They can be posted on the planning board’s website at www.walpoleplanningboard.com. If you have problems gaining access, e-mail comments to bdaviss@comcast.net and the comments will be posted for you. If you wish to be included in future discussions and notices about industrial and other aspects of economic development in Walpole, please send your e-mail address to bdaviss@comcast.net.
Ed. Note: Thanks to Pam Aslinger, here is the agenda for the November 11 Planning Board meeting. CCB
PLANNING BOARD MEETING Town of Walpole, NH03608
Tuesday November 10th, 2009 7:00pm Town Hall
AGENDA
I. Open Meeting
A. Roll Call - designate alternates
B. Approve minutes of Oct. 13, 2009 and work session
II. Review Applications Submitted - Once an application is accepted as complete the meeting is closed and the public hearing is held. Once the hearing is closed the meeting is re-opened and the Board may take action on the application by approving, disapproving or delaying final action.
A. Primax Prop. LLC/Brickstone Masons Inc. Eng. Site Plan Review Map 12, Lot 13-1 Rte. 12 N, commercial zone. Proposed 19,000 sq. ft. Tractor Supply, Co. retail building. Town water and sewer extension, waiver request for reduction in landscaped parking islands and changes to the location of landscaping materials. State and local permits have been properly applied for. A 50 ft. right away over Lot 13 allows access.
B. Hodgkins and Sons, Inc. 2 Lot Minor Subdivision Map 1 Lot 10 off Rte. 12 S. Industrial Park Dr. Industrial zone to create Lot 1 of 13.88 acres and Lot 2 of 6.23 acres. Waiver request for topo contours.
C. Hubbard LLC - Lot Line Adjustment, 2 Lot Minor Subdivision, Expedited Site Plan Review Map 12, Lot 57-1 Upper Walpole Rd. Rural Agricultural zone. Lot 1 of 17.49 acres to be annexed to Lot 58 Map 12, Lot 2 of 11.62 acres with existing buildings and Lot 3 of 13.34 acres with existing baseball field. Site Plan proposes two baseball fields (Walpole Youth Baseball Foundation) on Lot 2 with removal of hatchery buildings.
III. Close Meeting Open Public Hearing on a Zoning Ordinance Amendment - Article VII Industrial District: As suggested by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in order to create a set of lot size and frontage standards for the industrial district by adding: “C. Requirements 2. the lot area in the industrial district shall not be less than 25,000 sq. feet and every lot shall have a minimum frontage of 150 feet”. And adding “Address specifics in D. Boundaries and E. Special exception for commercial uses”. Public comment is appreciated.
IV. New Business - Voluntary Merger
A. David and Suzanne Green request merger of two of three lots (formerly Ballam Farm) for taxation purposes according to RSA 679:39a. Notification and a public hearing are not required but a signed form shall be recorded at the registry of deeds.
V. New Business - Preliminary Discusssion and Application Submissions
A. Bensonwood Homes - Lot Line Adjustment Rte. 12 N. formerly Huntington Farm parcel
B. Gretchen Young - Rte. 12 development across from Walpole Creamery
C. Anna Smith - Lot Line Adjustment Prospect Hill Map 8 Lot 106 and 107
D. Other
VI. Planning Discussion
A. Master Plan - Land Use Analysis questions
B. Work Session results on Economic Development Schedule December work session?
C. Design Review provisions
D. Other
VII. Communications and Miscellaneous
A. Handouts and announcements
B. Other
VIII. Adjourn Meeting
Next regular meeting to be held December 8, 2009 at 7pm in the Town Hall
cc:PB, ZBA, WCC Town Offices, BOSposted:10/6/09 Town Hall, Lobby, Burdick’s Mkt., websites
Walpole Couple's Firm Has Revolutionized Steel Construction
By Chuck Bingaman
Kristyna Wallace is president/CEO and husband Chris Curven is vice president of Applied Bolting Technology, a twenty-employee business in the woods off Rt. 103 in Bellows Falls, that has cornered the market on a unique way of indicating bolt tightness for building the world’s refineries, bridges, windmills and other large structures.
The Walpole couple’s firm’s Squirter® DTIs—that’s Direct Tension Indicators—have transformed the old technology for bolting steel girders together into an easier, safer, less expensive and much more reliable process. And the company is expecting to sell well over 10 million of them by the end of 2009!
“You’ll find our Squirter DTIs being used in major building projects right now in the Middle East, Alaska, South America and all over the US,” according to Chris Curven, Vice President and Field Bolting Specialist. “We work with the largest engineering and construction firms that often specify our product to indicate that the proper clamp load has been achieved in their structural steel connections.”
Curven shows tightened bolting assemblies for windmill construction. Looking carefully around the edges of the bolts you can see the orange silicone that indicates that the bolts are tensioned properly. Chuck Bingaman photo.
DTIs are washer-like rings with bumps punched into them when they are stamped out of steel strips. When inserted between a nut and the girders or other pieces of metal being bolted together and then tightened, the bumps flatten out to show that things are tightening up. That technology has been around for a while.
But every such nut and bolt assembly needs to be checked by inserting a skinny piece of metal called a feeler gauge all around the DTI in spaces between the bumps. Steel erectors have thought they could measure the tension in the coupling by the amount of “torque” or force needed to turn the nut. But, of course, that really measures how much effort it took to turn the nut, not the eventual tension in the sandwich of nut, bolt, washer and girders, a tension based on how much the bolt actually stretches in the tightening process. Knowing the tension in the bolt was just right in every case was a costly, sometimes haphazard construction challenge.
Then along came Applied Bolting eight years ago with its bright—and patented!—idea!
Director of Quality Assurance John Herr had an inspiration, headed to Aubuchon Hardware in Walpole, and bought some plastic wood and a small Dremel tool. He thought he might fill the depressions made on the backside of DTIs where the bumps were punched with some flexible material that would be forced out when the bolts were tightened and the bumps flattened.
After a lot of experimentation—some goo was too soft, some too messy, some too affected by temperature extremes—Herr and his co-workers settled on a silicone concoction, dyed bright orange, that worked just right! When the tension level hit the minimum requirement for a tight bolt, it flattened the bumps in the washer-like ring and the orange silicone in the backside depressions shot out the little creases running to the edge of the DTI. Voila! Perfect tension, regardless of how easy or difficult it was to screw it together.
Equally important, the visual proof of proper tension enabled inspectors to check the tens of thousands of bolts on large projects like bridges in South America, gold mines in Alaska and oil rigs in Abu Dhabi just by looking at them and spotting unsquirted DTIs or loose bolts in a flash. And, by avoiding having to do over hundreds or thousands of bolt assemblies, building firms avoided costly add-ons.
Applied Bolting’s Squirter®DTIs so change the procedures on a large steel fabrication job sites that the company sends representatives out to many sites just to train steel workers in using them. And, where a job site is in Algeria, Abu Dhabi or South America, where many languages make job-site or classroom instruction difficult, the visual cue to a properly tightened nut and bolt has proven even more valuable.
From initial production of Squirters where the silicone was inserted by hand with syringes, Applied Bolting has created its own robotic assembling systems that can turn out thousands of precisely filled Squirter®DTIs per hour. Travis Congdon, Manager of Squirter Manufacturing and Process Improvement, has adapted robotic filling equipment and bread proofing ovens from the restaurant industry to help the silicone cure at the proper rate for perfect consistency. And, he has built sound baffling walls to contain the roar of the machinery.
Amy Millette runs one of the robotic SquirterDTI filling machines for Applied Bolting. Chuck Bingaman photo.
Started by Canadian Wayne Wallace, Applied Bolting was enticed to Ludlow, Vermont originally by then Governor Howard Dean in 1994. Applied Bolting moved to its own building in Bellows Falls in 2001. Wallace’s daughter, Kristyn, who moved in to help her dad in the business after college, and is now President/CEO.
“We run a company without much of a hierarchy,” says Kristyn. "We’re all working together, and we want a good environment for all of our people to work in. Family matters come first, and we believe in full benefits for employees.”
“2009 will be our largest year ever,” adds Curven, “and we’re looking for even more growth, especially in the wind energy market as more and more projects get built.” See www.appliedbolting.com for further information on the company.
Ed. Note: This announcement comes for the Local Food group within TriVillage Energy. Might be a direction Walpole should move in.
Also on the local food scene, the Old Tavern in Grafton is sponsoring another of its Tuesday evening "Localvore" dinners with seatings beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the 10th. Chef David Smith creates a new menu each week from local producers of a variety of foods. For reservations, call 800-843-1801. CCB
Exploring Town Agricultural Commissions
The Cheshire County Conservation District will be hosting a public exploratory forum on Agricultural Commissions on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 6:30 pm at Heberton Hall, 76 Winter Street (next to the public library) in Keene, NH. An Agricultural Commissions is a non-regulatory town board, a voice for the agricultural community, a resource for mediation, and a link to assistance providers. This gathering is a continuation of a series of forums hosted by the Monadnock Farm and Community Connection (MFCC) program over the past two years that have focused on supporting local farms and strengthening our community’s connection with local agriculture.
The November 10 forum will introduce farmers, town officials, and community members to the concept and benefits of a Town Agricultural Commission and discuss some of the next steps necessary to create these commissions in Cheshire County towns. This event is free and open to the public. For more information please contact 756-2988 ext.116 or Amanda.costello@nh.nacdnet.net.
The Monadnock Farm and Community Connection is a program of the Cheshire County Conservation District, driven by community input with a goal of supporting our local farms. Established in 1945, the Conservation District operates out of Walpole NH where it works alongside the Natural Resource Conservation Service and other conservation partners. For more information, contact Amanda Costello at 603-756-2988 ext.116 or email at amanda.costello@nh.nacdnet.net.
Ed. Note: Our TriVillage Energy Committee is a bunch of LIVE WIRES! Thanks to Jill Robinson and her colleagues on the committee for their work. Here is yet another project of theirs to benefit the community. CCB
Thanksgiving Farmers Market on November 21!
TriVillage Energy is sponsoring a special Farmers Market on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 21, from 9 am to 2 pm. It will be held on the Walpole Town Common if the weather is fair, or in the adjacent Town Hall if the weather is foul.
The market will feature farmers selling items from their own farms; artisanal bakers, brewers, and cheesemakers. Vendors will offer such timely groceries as pasture raised heritage breed turkey, produce, maple products, honey, eggs, cider, naturally leavened bread, wine, beef, and cheese and other dairy products.
Walpole hosts three other popular annual events on the same day. St John’s Episcopal Church’s Christmas-on-the-Green Bazaar and First Congregational Church’s Mistletoe Mart offer a chance to get jump on holiday shopping. They feature beautiful handmade gifts, delicious baked goods, and live houseplants, and also run from 9 am to 2 pm. The Walpole Historical Society is holding its Holiday Sale from 10 am to 3 pm.
TriVillage Energy, Walpole’s energy committee, works to help reduce Walpole’s consumption of non-renewable energy and its emission of greenhouse gases. Experts estimate that 1/4 to 1/3 of our fossil fuel consumption goes into growing, processing, and transporting our food. Shifting our food purchases to locally and sustainably grown food is one of the easiest and most pleasant ways to dramatically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we emit. Locally and sustainably grown food has the added advantage of being fresher, tastier, and safer.
Eating locally means eating in season. In New England, that can be tough. But as our ancestors (who had no other way) knew, planning and preparation make it entirely possible. With a lot of hard work, our farmers are able to provide a fantastic variety of foods even in November! Now is the time to be thankful for the dedication of our farmers, to show our support for them, and our appreciation of the fabulous food they provide us. Come to the market and enjoy!
For more information about the Thanksgiving Farmers Market or any of TVE’s activities, email info@trivillageenergy.org or call 756-3168.
Throughout history, most people grew at least part of their food, saving seeds from their most prized vegetables to plant again next year. Over the last 100 years, however, the growing of food has become more centralized. Many Americans don’t really know where their food comes from, and growers buy seed every year. Most of the seed comes from a very few giant transnational corporations. These corporations are offering fewer and fewer varieties, and increasingly selling seed that cannot be saved and planted on. Since the turn of the 20th century, we have lost an astonishing 97% of our commercial vegetable varieties.
This trend has begun to reverse. Last year, 7 million more American households planned to grow some food, a doubling of the 10% increase seen the previous season. Interest in saving seed is surging as well, though the know-how is no longer common knowledge.
Sylvia Davatz has acquired this knowledge and is sharing it throughout our region. An expert seed saver, she works with US-based Seed Savers Exchange and Switzerland-based Pro Specie Rara to preserve heirloom and rare or endangered vegetable varieties.
Sylvia will be conducting a seed saving workshop on Saturday, November 7, from 10 am until noon at the Town Hall in Walpole, NH. The workshop will cover the basics of seed saving, including timing, spacing, annual vs. biennial varieties, isolation, and collecting, cleaning and drying seed. Terms such as open-pollinated, hybrid, “selfer” and “crosser” will be explained. The philosophical as well as the practical benefits of preserving our irreplaceable vegetable diversity will be discussed. The suggested donation for the workshop is $10.
The workshop is sponsored by TriVillage Energy (TVE) of Walpole, NH and The Sustainability Project of Gilsum, NH. TVE, the energy committee for the town of Walpole, works to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases in Walpole. Its Local Food Subgroup promotes regional food self-sufficiency. The Sustainability Project (TSP) promotes local food security by making gardening accessible to everyone. TSP’s Monadnock Community Gardening and Seed Saving Initiative meets monthly and welcomes the public. The two organizations are working together to create an active, regional seed saving network. For more information, contact TVE at info@trivillageenergy.org or 603-756-3168 or TSP at info@emersonbrookforest.org or 603-357-0860.
Ed. Note: This notice comes from Jill Robinson on behalf of TriVillage Energy, our town energy study/action committee. CCB
Dartmouth Symphony Benefit Concert in Walpole November 20
The Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Walpole resident Anthony Princiotti, will perform music by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Beethoven as a benefit for TriVillage Energy. The concert will be on Friday, November 20, at 7:30 pm, in the Walpole Town Hall. Tickets are not required, the $10 suggested donation will be taken at the door.
The concert opens with the excitement and elegance of a grand ball in Tchaikovsky's WaltzSerenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48. The second work, Shostakovich's dramatic Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 107, premiered in Leningrad in 1959 and offers moods ranging from sensitive to intense, highlighted by flashes of timpani. from the 1882
The concert closes with Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, one of the world's most famous, which mirrors not only the composer's genius and personal struggles but also the political turmoil of early-19th-century Vienna.
Anthony Princiotti, Music Director and Conductor of the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra, is also the Associate Conductor of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and the Music Director and Conductor of the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra. Princiotti began his musical training at the age of four, studying the violin with his father. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1980 from the Juilliard School, where he studied violin. As a graduate student at Juilliard, he studied conducting with Sixten Ehrling and Alfred Wallenstein.
The DSO is made up primarily of Dartmouth students and is dedicated to
performing standard works from the symphonic repertoire, while occasionally including pieces off the beaten path.
The concert will benefit TriVillage Energy (TVE), Walpole’s energy committee. TriVillage Energy works to help reduce Walpole’s consumption of non-renewable energy and its emission of greenhouse gases. It recently secured a $138,000 grant from the Public Utilities Commission to weatherize the Walpole Town Hall and the North Walpole municipal building. Recognizing that nearly a third of the energy we consume is used to grow, process, and deliver our food, TVE promotes local and sustainably grown food. One initiative, The Walpole Community Garden, which completed a very successful first year, will be expanding next year, and is now taking signups for next year’s plots.
Other upcoming events include a Seed Saving Workshop with Sylvia Davatz on Saturday, November 7, from 10 am to noon at the Walpole Town Hall; and a Thanksgiving Farmers Market on Saturday, November 21, from 9 am to 2 pm, on The Common if the weather is fair, or in The Town Hall if it is not.
For more information about the concert or any of TVE’s activities, email info@trivillageenergy.org or call 603-756-4861.
Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with four people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
ELISE WYMAN: Mrs. Wyman would like to have something done to clean-up the vacant property at 3 Dearborn Circle. Mr. Aldrich advised that when there was a health issue there they did step in but, as the Selectboard, they have no authority on the grass, shrubs, etc. She then asked for information on the bank that holds the mortgage. Mrs. Clough will do some research and notify Mrs. Wyman.
BLANC AND BAILEY – Matt Blanc: Matt Blanc reported that Mark Houghton will be doing the electrical work involved with the Town Hall ceiling repairs. The Selectboard approved his request to have a dumpster and job trailer on the lawn between the building and sidewalk. Mr. Blanc recommended that the HVAC system be isolated from the first floor hall to control the dust throughout the building; this work will be under a change order (they can isolate the zones). He will talk to Andrew Dey about implementing the grant with this work. The work will be done around the Town Hall schedule to keep everything neat and orderly. They expect to begin immobilizing the beginning of next week. The Selectboard are anxious to get this project done as soon as possible.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – Larry Devault: Larry Devault brought the Selectboard up-to-date on the Town’s preparations regarding “H1N1”. Currently the vaccines are coming into the Greater Monadnock Network. Pregnant women, children and first responders are eligible. The Fire Department will be taken care of by the Visiting Nurses Association. Points of distribution might be opened after January 1st, 2010. They feel they are on top of this and are in decent shape in terms of taking care of the townspeople; the planning stages are in place.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Jim Terrell: Jim Terrell reported that effective November 1st The wash-out area on March Hill is all done. There is a problem on another area of March Hill near the Ricci property; to avoid another emergency the headwall was taken care of. The island on Brewery Road was taken out and it has been paved over. The work on River Road North is finished. Winter salt has been ordered. A culvert was replaced on Bookseller Road; the headwall will be removed soon. the Highway crew will be back on regular winter hours.
Jim Terrell handed in the traffic count that was done on Barnett Hill. The count was minor and speeds were average; almost all were passenger cars. This is an average width road, 19’ to 21’, for Walpole. He intends to do another count in one area.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $14,866.14. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payment to Cold River Bridges, LLC. in the amount of $18,771.40 for repairs to the other part of March Hill. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Selectboard Meeting –October 22, 2009- Page 2
PAYROLL: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending October 17, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $13,134.21 or net wages in the amount of $6,413.88. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. 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 $2,835.00. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – October 15, 2009: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 15, 2009, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed the Minutes of the North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners meeting on October 20, 2009.
ABATEMENTS:
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT – Map 005-018-001: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the 2008 Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $20.96 for Map 005-018-001 due to a computer error. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sawyer requested that Mrs. Clough ask the Town Clerk for the number of tax liens that were placed on Town properties.
WARRANTS:
WARRANT FOR WALPOLE WATER FEES: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Water Fees in the amount of $86,649.38. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
WARRANT FOR WALPOLE SEWER FEES: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $51,562.86. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
WARRANT FOR NORTH WALPOLE SEWER FEES: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Warrant for the Collection of North Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $42,459.42. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
BUILDING PERMIT:
BEVAN & WENDY FARNHAM -418 March Hill Road- Map 009-041-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to grant Building Permit No. 2009-026 for Bevan & Wendy Farnham to rebuild the barn that was previously burned. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
DOWNSTAIRS ROOM: Sherwin Williams Carpet Quote and Line of Credit Application: Sherwin Williams will be able to do the carpeting in the downstairs meeting room as quickly as November 4th. Everything has been removed from that room. Jerry Brady will do the painting. The Recycling Center has some windows with screens that will be used for ventilation.
Selectboard Meeting –October 22, 2009- Page 3
Mr. Sawyer moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Sherwin Williams credit application. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
BLANC & BAILEY CONTRACT: Mr. Sawyer moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Blanc and Bailey contract. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
TREES AROUND THE VETERAN’S MEMORIAL: Chris Ricci looked at the trees and has agreed to trim several trees near the Memorial and Town Hall.
LETTER FROM THE TOWN OF LANGDON: A letter was received from the Town of Langdon Selectboard advising that the meeting date for the roundtable discussion for creative ideas relative to the Food Shelf has been changed from Monday, October 26th to Monday, November 2nd at 7:00 pm at the Langdon Town Office.
Mr. Sawyer moved to pass over this agenda item. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
TOWN HALL ROOF: Mrs. Clough advised that Guyer and Son Roofing will be here tomorrow or the first of next week to check the roof; he will take care of it before there are any ice build-ups.
NEW BUSINESS:
2010 MEDICAL INSURANCE RATES: The medical insurance rates did not increase last year but the Town has been notified of a 19% increase for 2010.
Mr. Sawyer moved to wait to discuss this agenda item until a full Selectboard is present. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
REPLACING THE SPINDLES ON THE BAND STAND: The Selectboard were notified that there are two broken spindles on the Band Stand. Mrs. Clough was asked to contact Stu Bailey to see if he had any extra spindles.
POLICE GRANT FORM: Mr. Sawyer moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the Police Grant document for the Police Department radio up-grades. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
FEMA REIMBURSEMENT FOR 2008 ICE STORM: Mr. Sawyer moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Acceptance of Audit Requirements - DR 1812 for the December 2008 Ice Storm. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
3 DEARBORN CIRCLE PROPERTY – Susan Doyle: Acknowledgement was made of an email from Susan Doyle from the BH & G Masiello Real Estate office stating that the neighborhood values are being affected by the condition of this property. She asked the Town to mow the lawn, etc. The Selectboard previously clarified their position under Public Business.
HOLIDAY TURKEYS: Mr. Sawyer moved to handle Thanksgiving Day turkeys for the employees in the same manner as last year. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Selectboard Meeting –October 22, 2009- Page 4
TERESA KISSELL – Request for Time Off: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the request from Teresa Kissell to take one personal day off on Tuesday, October 27th. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
LETTERS TO BE SIGNED:
2009 PARCEL COUNT REQUEST: Mr. Sawyer moved to sign the Department of Revenue Administration 2009 Parcel Count document. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment: Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:08 PM.
Ed. Note: Thanks to Ron and Tammy Vittum, here is the latest from our local Boy Scout troop. Congratulations to the boys and their leaders! CCB
Boy Scout Troop 299 held their Court of Honor at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Walpole on Monday, October 19, 2009. Forty-seven merit badges were awarded to 18 scouts. Merit badges handed out included swimming, leatherwork, weather and orienteering, among others. Other summer camp awards were also handed out including snorkeling, kayaking and mile swim and the Polar Bear Plunge.
Ron Makinen and Josh Makinen completed training to become BSA Lifeguards.
Six ranks were awarded. Ben Bashaw and Macane Dunbar were awarded the Tenderfoot rank. David Faulkner was awarded Second Class rank. Alex Peck was awarded Star. Graham Kaletsky and Kaelan Hansson were awarded Life Rank.
Graham Kaletsky was also awarded the World Conservation award.
Don Martin received the Parent of the Year Award for his outstanding service and dedication to the scouts of Troop 299.
Ed. Note: Why do they call it Fall Mountain? Why do they call it Bellows Falls? What was it like before the canal? Here's where we can FINALLY get the answers! CCB
HISTORY OF “THE GREAT FALLS” COMES TO LIFE IN WALPOLE LIBRARY PROGRAM
The great falls in the water course of the Connecticut River has had a great effect on life in the area long before the closing of the Vilas River Bridge on Route 12! Gail Golec, professional archaeologist, has been “digging up” evidence for many years about the falls and its importance through thousands of years to life along the river.
Golec will describe some of her amazing and thought-provoking archaeological findings on Wednesday, November 11, at 7:00 pm at the Walpole Town Library, Main Street, Walpole. The free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Walpole Town Library and the public is invited.
Ed. Note: This is a notice of an excellent program from the Windham World Affairs Council in Brattleboro. It's free and open to the public. CCB
PETER GALBRAITH TO SPEAK ON AFGHANISTAN
Dr. Peter Galbraith will speak on Afghanistan: War of Necessity or Quagmire? onThursday, November 12, 7:30 PM, at the Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro.
In September 2009, Galbraith was recalled from his position as UN Deputy
Special Representative to Afghanistan by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon over his disagreements with superiors regarding the fraud that occurred in the
August 20 Presidential elections in that country. According to Galbraith in an October 4 Washington Post column, “… the fraud was a fact that the United Nations had to acknowledge or risk losing its credibility with the many Afghans who did not support President Hamid Karzai.”
Galbraith will talk about the election and discuss the U.S. future in our “other war.” Peter W. Galbraith is a former US Ambassador to Croatia, and a Senior Diplomatic Fellow at the Center for Arms Control. He is a principal at the Windham Resources roup, which has worked in Iraq. He was the deputy special representative of the secretary-general of the United Nations in Afghanistan from June 1 to Oct. 1. His many articles and publications include an October 27, 2009 op-ed piece for the New York Times,
"Afghanistan Votes, the U.N. Dithers" and his most recent book is, Unintended Consequences: How War in Iraq Strengthened America's Enemies, published in 2008.
The Windham World Affairs Council of Vermont is part of the “World Affairs Councils of America” (WACA), the largest international affairs non-profit organization with 484,000 members and participants. WWAC is an all-volunteer council and proudly maintain all events free of charge to the public. To join the Windham World Affairs Council of Vermont and receive regular mailings of events, please send an email to info@windhamworldaffairs.org.
St John’s Episcopal Church in Walpole will hold its annual Christmas-on-the-Green Bazaar on Saturday, November 21, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
St. John’s crafters have been busy all year creating beautiful handmade items that will be for sale at the Bazaar, including felted hats, slippers, and bags; knitted hats, scarves, and mittens; tea cozies and coasters; hand painted Santas and Christmas ornaments; and personalized glass Christmas ornaments. The Baked Goods Table will feature delicious homemade offerings of jams and preserves, pickles, pies, plum puddings, fudge, soup mixes, dog biscuits, holiday breads, and other gourmet holiday goodies. The famous Cookie Can Corner will have hundreds of delectable cookies for selecting to pack a “cookie can” –including a few gluten free varieties. The cookies sell out, so come early! Lavender sachets, dried flowers, live plants and beautiful decoupage birdhouses will be available at the Nature Place. Attractive, small gifts appropriate for use as holiday expressions of appreciation for teachers and party hosts, along with Christmas items, will be found at the Gifts to Go table.
The Tombola game of chance table will have wonderful prizes, including gift certificates to local businesses, new books, large plants and other surprises. All the proceeds of the raffle go to support the food programs of the Fall Mountain Food Shelf in Langdon, NH, and the food shelf at Our Place in Bellows Falls, VT. The St. John’s Café will be serving coffee, cider and donuts in the morning. A light lunch, featuring hot dogs and sandwiches, will be available from 11:00 – 1:00.
St. John’s Christmas-on-the-Green Bazaar is one of several fairs in Walpole on November 21, including Congregational Mistletoe Mart, the Farmers’ Market Christmas Sale, and the Holiday sale at the Walpole Historical Society. Come out early in the day and visit all the Christmas sales! For more information, please call St. John’s, 603-756-4533.
Heidi Westover was the 13th woman finishing the New York City Marathon in a time of 2 hours, 44 minutes and 59 seconds. She averaged 6 minutes and 18 seconds per mile for the 26 mile, 385 yard distance! World-class performance!
Kathy Monahan was the 5,791 woman to finish in a time of 4 hours, 23 minutes and 17 seconds, averaging 10.03 minutes per mile! She also raised in the neighborhood of $5,000 for Boston Children's Hospital. Another amazing performance! You can still add to her pledge total at www.childrenshospital.org/newyork. CCB
Ed. Note: Want to see how our marathoners are doing in the middle of the race? You can get up to the minute times and maps at http://athletetracker.ingnycmarathon.org. Just put in Kathy Monahan or Heidi Westover, and you can pop up a map of the marathon course and see right where they are along with their times. Amazing! CCB
