MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 23, 2009

Selectboard Present:            Whitney Aldrich (Chair); Jamie Teague, Sheldon Sawyer

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 4:06 PM with four people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS:  Joe Dion and Jerry Galloway, Trustees of Trust Funds, came in to discuss four trust accounts that they may need to take action upon:

• The Hooper Institute Trust Account
• The Brag Trust Account
• The Quinton Fund Trust Account
• The Walpole Recreation Trust Account

They also discussed the various Capital Reserve accounts to see if the Selectboard may be looking to remove or transfer monies out of these accounts in the near future.  The Trustees are looking into other types of accounts where there would be a better interest return.  If they know a certain department is anticipating taking money from an account then they won’t look into a new type of account for that money.

They also stated that there are two accounts – The Landfill Closing and the Statistical Update account - that will need to have Warrant Articles in 2010 to close them.

SMART PARTS:  Mr. Dion spoke to the Selectboard and stated that he has an issue with “Smart Parts” on 144 Wentworth Road.  He feels that it is more than a catalog business and that Mr. Surles is running a retail business out of his home in a residential area.  The Selectboard advised Mr. Dion that the situation had previously been brought before them and assured him that the concern is being researched.

DICK HURLBURT:  Mr. Hurlburt came in regarding the stand alone generator that the Emergency Management and Walpole Police Department are looking to install at the Walpole Police Department for emergency power. 

Mr. Sawyer moved to have the Emergency Management and the Police Department purchase the Stand Alone Generator.  The cost will be divided between the two departments.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Dick Hurlburt will contact Mr. Herb Hurlburt to order the generator. 

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 19, 2009, for gross wages in the amount of $22,152.48 or net wages in the amount of $12,084.86.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,978.12.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $51,283.23 for checks dated December 24, 2009.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

Selectboard Meeting –December 23, 2009- Page 2

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 17, 2009:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 17, 2009, as printed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

ABATEMENTS:

TIMBER TAX ABATEMENT-DALE HUBBARD, Old Drewsville Road, Map 012-061-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement for Timber Tax Fees in the amount of $230.40 for Dale Hubbard.  This will void an incorrect amount issued on September 10, 2009.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT- KITCHEN & KEMP, Spruce Street, Map 028-075-A:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve an Abatement in the amount of $13.00 for Kitchen & Kemp.  This is due to a computer error with South and North Walpole districts.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

EXEMPTIONS:

VETERAN’S EXEMPTION – Aaron Thayer, River Road, Map 004-001-001:  Mr. Sawyer moved to grant a Veteran’s Exemption for Aaron Thayer.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.     

VETERAN’S EXEMPTION – George Jeffrey, High Street, Map 021-022-000:  Mrs. Teague moved to grant a Veteran’s Exemption for George Jeffrey.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

WALMART DONATIONS:  Mrs. Clough spoke with Sam Jacobs at the Walpole School regarding the donations that Walmart has made to the Walpole School.  Mr. Jacobs stated that Walmart has donated annually 335 whole chickens for the Walpole 8th grade chicken barbeque.  They have donated a tremendous amount of school supplies and also utility tables.  Mrs. Clough also spoke with Lt. Mike Paquette regarding the donations that Walmart has made to the Walpole Police Department.  They donated 3 computers and 5 bullet proof vests.  Both the Walpole School and the Walpole Police Department spoke about future donations that they are expecting to receive.  The Selectboard requested that Mrs. Clough write a Thank You note to Walmart.

VILAS BRIDGE:  Mrs. Clough received an email from John Agan who works in the office of Congressman Hodes regarding the Vilas Bridge issue.  Congressman Hodes received a copy of the letter written to Commissioner Campbell regarding the Vilas Bridge.  Mr. Agan has requested that Mrs. Clough contact him with any updates on the bridge.  Mrs. Clough asked the Selectboard how they want to answer his request.  Mrs. Clough has been requested to respond to Mr. Agan to let him know that our Town Representative Lucy Weber and the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners also sent letters to Commissioner Campbell.  The construction is set for 2015 and although the town has expressed great concerns the project is not moving up on the State’s “to do” list.  She was also advised to send copies of the letters written by the Commissioners and Ms. Weber to Mr. Agan. 

Selectboard Meeting –December 23, 2009- Page 3

NEW BUSINESS:

NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING:  Mr. Aldrich moved to change the Selectboard meeting of Thursday, December 31, 2009, to Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at 4:00 PM.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment:

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 5:27 PM. 

(Note:  These are unapproved minutes.  Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the minutes of the January 07, 2010, Selectboard meeting.)