Ed. Note: In less than five minutes, transportation was arranged. Thanks!  Chuck Bingaman

Ed. Note: I need a ride to Bradley Field tomorrow, preferably in the afternoon, but would take it any time! If you're going, could you please give me a call at 756-9268?  Thanks very much!  Chuck Bingaman

Ed. Note: Thanks to Sec. Pam Aslinger, here are the minutes of this week's "working" session of the Planning Board. In the monthly "working" session, as if the Board does not work in its regular second Tuesday meeting, the Board considers longer term planning issues and needs apart from specific applications and issues needing immediate decisions. CCB

WALPOLE PLANNING BOARD WORK SESSION

 Tuesday March 23, 2010 7:00pm Town Hall

 

MINUTES

 

Members Present:  Ben Daviss, Bob Miller, V-Ch., Sheldon Sawyer, Sel., Donn Lounsbury, alt., Steve Dalessio, alt.

Presiding:  Ch. Jeff Miller

Recording:  Pamela Aslinger, Sec. alt., Regina Borden, Sec. in training

 

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April 13, 2010 meeting for errors, corrections and omissions.  There were 8 persons in the audience.

 

            The meeting opened at 7:10pm with Ch. Miller welcoming Eric Smith, AICP, Planner from SW Regional Planning Commission who was present to give a presentation on and Introduction to the “Creative Economy”.  Mr. Smith accompanied his presentation with a slide show and hand out (attached to minutes).  Mr. Smith talked briefly on each slide and took questions during the presentation and after the presentation.  He also provided several projects as examples in Providence, RI, Bellows Falls, VT, Pittsfield, MA, North Adams, MA and Claremont, NH.  He referred to several websites and publications dedicated to the concept. 

What is the Creative Economy?  Creative workers by traditional notions have included artists, musicians, writers and teachers.  Recently this worker group has expanded to include computer programmers, publishers, web designers, architects and other idea-driven professions.  This group and their transactions collectively are now referred to as the “Creative Economy”.  The Creative Economy is important to communities because new ideas are at the foundation of economic growth.  Within New England this industry employs a workforce of 250K and contributes annual payroll of $4.3B.  In New England = ¼ million jobs, higher than software jobs.  Much of the Creative Economy activity is export-based and not dependent on tourism and creates markets for other businesses.  It supports and enriches other economic sectors, enhances quality of life and helps attract businesses.  It is used as a tool for local and regional economic development.  In order to attract and support creative industries there are a number of policies, regulations and incentives a community may consider, but should not be viewed as the sole solution, but an important piece of an overall strategy for economic health.  Supporting Creative Economy requires providing affordable living and workspace for artists and entrepreneurs, ensuring compact, human scale, pedestrian-oriented communities, preserving historic and cultural facilities and open space.  Designing for a “sense of place” and upgrading infrastructure and telecommunications for creative and entrepreneurial workspaces is required as is providing space for arts and culture in the community and its public property, support principles and stakeholders in the master planning process and providing quality educational opportunities for children and adults.

In order to get started develop a Cultural Plan by inventorying and mapping assets, documenting idea-based enterprises, provide framework to assess current and future conditions by available data or survey.  Develop strategies to implement a shared vision.  Once the plan is developed integrate it into zoning via mixed use in downtowns and village centers, avail live/work artist spaces, make allowances in the building codes, parking, created a heritage commission/arts council and expand exhibit, rehearsal and performance spaces.  Finally create a marketing plan. 

Questions/Comments:  Attendees discussed Walpole’s existing amenities, functions and shortcomings. A handout was reviewed called “Arts Alive” Monadnock Arts Alive report on non-profit arts and culture organizations, (attached to minutes). 

Walpole Planning Board Work Session Minutes 3/23/10 page 2

Ms. Cynthia Reeves, former gallery owner in Walpole and currently located in Hanover, NH and NYC discussed being “head hunted” by a non-profit Hanover improvement group formed to enhance the area’s offerings to attract employees, tourists and to serve the community.  They identified the existing businesses and determined what was needed to complete Hanover’s overall offerings.  She mentioned her hopes for the Potato Barn project and plans to begin this summer with a print shop. 

David [Howell] (Walpole Artisans) discussed the need for more affordable rental spaces in Walpole and was interested in Ms. Reeves experiences.  He is concerned that while artisans work from home and bring their products to a cooperative the cost of rent causes most artisans to barely “break even”.  He’s concerned as is Barbara Schupack of Saxton’s River Arts Guild that the interest in Walpole products is down and the cost of rents are going up.  Ms. Reeves suggested creating a non-profit to address some funding issues. 

Mr. Sawyer asked about “buy local” is that considered “creative economy”?  Most agreed that agricultural buy local movement is perfectly matched to the creative economy concept.  Ms. Reeves commented that Walpole is distinguished by its agricultural heritage and its pool of talented artisans.  Ms. Schupack suggested Walpole citizens make an effort to buy local and bring Walpole products when they visit friends and family as a way to support area farmers and artisans.  Ideas on marketing were discussed such as featuring farmers and artisans on town websites, town reports and at town meeting. 

            Ch. Miller thanked Mr. Smith for his presentation and the attendees representing some of Walpole’s creative economists. 

8:10pm break

 

8:20 Meeting resumed.

            - Funds for webmaster?  Ch. Miller asked Mr. Daviss for an explanation.  Mr. Daviss said Harry Bernard voluntarily created the board’s website a couple of years ago and is willing to recreate it in a new format so the board can maintain the information and site however Mr. Bernard would to recoup some of his labor costs by submitting a fee of $150.00.  Mr. Daviss and others thought it was a reasonable amount but wondered if the amount was available in the budget.  Sec. Aslinger thought the funds could be taken from the budget although they were not specifically allocated there is a printing amount of $200.00 that could be used.  Ch. Miller asked Mr. Daviss to have Mr. Bernard submit a bill.  Mr. Dalessio and Mr. Sawyer and others questioned whether the board needed it’s own separate website.  Mr. Daviss and Ms. Aslinger said the need was due to the limited amount of information that can be placed on the Town’s website because of Teresa’s time and the fact the board is prohibited from putting information on the site themselves.  The current PB site is defunct because the software was spammed so a new site needs to be created with updated software to prevent spamming.

- Comments for Lisa Murphy re:  Master Plan Draft - Sec. Aslinger spoke with Ms. Murphy earlier in the day, she was able to finally obtain the data from the Town’s assessment information to complete the draft charts.  She asked about suggestions to the draft to be forwarded to her. Mr. Schupack and Mr. Bob Miller had comments.  Mr. Schupack thought an expanded description was needed in the agricultural portion, such adding as the vineyard.  Sec. Aslinger apologized for not completing her assignment to read through the building permits for the past 10 years in order to create a list of businesses to add to the update, but the permits are not in a convenient location to be viewed.  She noted that the data from 2007 to present showed a significant amount of agriculturally related building such as sheds, barns and the winery, many more than houses. 

Mr. Sawyer said there’s only been about 3 or 4 houses per year.  He said if the statement was broad it would cover all aspects of agriculture, becoming too specific is limiting.  Mr. Schupack reconsidered and agreed that the statement might be better if its more generalized, he

does not have a specific rewording to offer.  He also thought the recreation facilities section could

Walpole Planning Board Work Session 3/23/10 page 3

be more specific.  Mr. Dalessio thought again it was better if it was more generic, because it could change every year.  Most agreed.

Mr. Miller submitted:  Pg. 12 # 3.  delete “A manufacturer of platform tennis courts....” Add:  “A light metal manufacturer (light industry)” and Add:  “A timber frame home design and manufacturer”

            Pg. 13 # 7.  Add:  “Hooper Golf Club”, “Snowmobile Trails”, “Walking Paths and Trails”

            Mr. Schupack submitted:  Pg. 14 # 8. “The goal for conservation lands....... Conservation Plan, 2006 which is supported in this Master Plan.”  Add:  “(see appendix A?)” because it was decided by the board to reference the conservation plan but it is not actually a part of the Master Plan.  Mr. Schupack questioned whether Ms. Murphy has a copy of the plan he may have an e-mailable version or a copy may have been sent to them. 

           

- Design standards wording will be added to the agenda for 4/13 for further discussion, the wording needs to be distributed to members.  Sec. Aslinger reminded the board to consider updating the subdivision regulations once the master plan update is complete.  She spoke with Lisa Murphy about helping the board to bring them up to date with the state requirements and to apply the model SWRPC created that is being used statewide to update regulations.  Mr. Sawyer objected saying people come to Walpole because they like it the way it is and the regulations in place are fine the way they are and have been applied.

 

- Zoning amendment handout - Sec. Aslinger has added the amendment into the zoning ordinance and will need to reprint the document because it created a substantial shift in the pages.  She will have them prepared for the next meeting and asked if some members preferred having them e-mailed.  Members agreed to have an e-mailed version.  She noted that when she was inserting the amendment she noticed three items were not included or “the same” in the special exception process that are included in the commercial use in the rural agricultural district instructions.  She was concerned they were accidentally overlooked since the wording referred to “the same”.  Not finding a reference in the ZBA’s minutes she spoke with Ch. ZBA Myra Mansouri who reported the ZBA discussed the items and purposely excluded them because they were considered not applicable to the industrial zone.  Sec. Aslinger urged the board to carefully read through the amended ordinance and consider how to interpret it if an application for a special exception recommendation for a commercial use in the industrial zone comes before the board. Especially in regard to the 40,000 sq. foot building size limitation, parking requirements and setbacks and boundaries which are the three items deemed not applicable by the zoning board when they presented the amendment to establish lot sizes and add the special exception process for a commercial use in the industrial zone.  It’s not exactly the same special exception process used for a commercial use in the rural agricultural zone.  She confirmed the wording and ZBA’s intent with the NH Legal Gov’t Center in regard to the “same” reference and was advised to make the amendment exactly as it was posted and voted on.  Ch. Miller said if the board has issues they can refine it for 2011 and that it was the planning board’s fault for not seeing how the amendment would apply in actual context during its presentation.   

 

- RSA pertaining to new roads within new subdivisions and how Walpole’s frontage definition relates.  Sec. Aslinger asked the NH Legal Gov’t center a few questions that the board may find helpful.  Walpole’s current definition of “frontage” is more restrictive than the states definition that prevents new road construction in major subdivisions.  The board discussed the ramifications of changing the definition to the state’s definition.  A change would need to go through the amendment process since the definition is in the zoning ordinance.  It’s been suggested also to remove definitions from zoning ordinances and place them in the subdivision

 

Walpole Planning Board Work Session 3/23/10 page 4

regulations in order to more easily make additions or deletions.  Regulations can be amended by planning board discussions and through the public hearing process.

 

- RSA pertaining to condominium projects in NH towns without specific ordinances

and non-defined uses.  Sec. Aslinger asked the NH Legal Gov’t center attorney whether the town could refuse a project based on it not being defined or regulated in its town ordinances and regulations.  The attorney said about 95% of the time if a use is proposed and its not addressed in the town’s ordinances or regulations it is allowed and can be regulated by whatever state RSA applies.  She referred to the new wind turbine sites that are being proposed in the state, most towns have not adopted regulations or ordinances but cannot refuse them but fortunately they do fall under site plan review regulations.  She suggested the board consider RSA 356-B:5 Municipal Ordinances in regard to prohibiting condominiums based on the form of ownership.

 

Sec. Aslinger said while its good to get the Master Plan updated, not to forget the regulations they are what have the teeth.  If they are not kept up to date the town is missing out on good quality creative development projects that could make a difference in the town and address the needs of its citizens. 

 

Ch. Miller called for further discussion, hearing none closed the meeting at 8:45pm.

Ed. Note: This notice from Michael Ban and the Walpole Cub Scouts! CCB

WALPOLE EASTER EGG HUNT

 

WHO:   Children 5^th Grade and Under

 

WHERE:  Walpole Historical Society Lawn

 

WHEN:  Saturday, April 3rd

11:00 AM

 

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BASKETS TO GATHER EGGS

RAIN OR SHINE

Requiem Concert to Benefit Haiti

 

     The Walpole Community Chorus, formed by the Walpole Congregational Church Choir with an additional 17 singers from the area, will perform John Rutter's "Requiem", a well known and loved choral work in seven movements Good Friday evening, April 2, at a public concert at 7:30 p.m. under the direction of Gladys Johnsen.

 

     Dr. Johnsen is retired Professor Emeritus of Music from Keene State College where she was the founder and conductor of the Youth Chorus for ten years. She will be conducting the chorus and an instrumental ensemble of harp, cello, oboe, organ, flute, timpani, and bells. During the performance there will be a visual presentation of the text translations and artwork depicting the themes and moods of the lyrics and music.

 

     John Rutter's Requiem was written and first performed in 1985. Following the precedent established by Brahms and Faure, it is not strictly a setting of the Requiem Mass as laid down in Catholic liturgy but instead is made up of a personal selection of texts, some from the Mass and some from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, in both Latin and English.

 

      The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church of Walpole on the common. The building is wheelchair accessible. In lieu of an admission charge, donations will be collected to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. For further information call 603-756-9221.

 

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

MARCH 4, 2010

 

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

 

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with eight people present in the audience.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

POLICE CHIEF DAVID HEWES:  Chief Hewes received two quotes for software and other equipment for the new computers that were donated by Walmart at no cost to the Town.  One quote was low while the second one was high. He would like to have this resolved as soon as possible as the department is three weeks behind in sending data to the State.  Mrs. Teague recommended obtaining a third quote that will be a good comparison.  She will provide the dispatcher/secretary with some information tomorrow in order to obtain this quote.  Chief Hewes will come back to the meeting next Thursday for a final decision from the Selectboard.

 

Chief Hewes reported that there is a suspect in custody following the armed robbery last week.  Right now they are working 90% on criminal cases.  The Selectboard thanked Chief Hewes, Lt. Paquette and the other officers for doing such a good job.       

 

JIM TERRELL – Road Agent:  Jim Terrell explained the process he used when contracting for the new highway department truck.  By ordering in 2009 saved the town a substantial amount of money and he was able to order the emissions system he wanted; the actual purchasing was contingent upon a favorable vote of the residents.  Maurice Biron from L & B Trucking felt they could have saved the Town some money but due to circumstances it did not work out this time.  He asked the Town to give them the opportunity to quote the next time.  They have a new owner, are located right across the river and would provide top-notch maintenance.  He invited interested people to attend one of their demonstrations of Freightliner trucks on March 16th.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT:  Fire Chief Richard Hurlburt came in to sign the Building Permit for Shaw’s Supermarket.       

 

NON-PUBLIC SESSION – RSA 91-A:3 II:

Mr. Sawyer moved to enter into a Non-Public meeting pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and ( c) Reputations.  Mrs. Teague seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 8:11 PM.

 

The regular meeting resumed at 8:39 PM.

No announcements were made.

 

PAYROLL: 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 27, 2010, for checks dated March 5, 2010, for gross wages in the amount of $23,187.59 or net wages in the amount of $12,476.63.  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 $5,944.07.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Selectboard Meeting –March 4, 2010- Page 2

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $470,969.65.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

The above amount includes a monthly payment in the amount of $429,031.14 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.

 

NH DEPARTMENT OF LABOR:  Mr. Sawyer moved to authorize the payment of the Assessment of Civil Penalty in the amount of $900.00 for three violations of RSA 281-A:6411 and RSA 281-A:64111due to not having a Safety Summary Form, no establishment of a Joint Loss Management Committee (JLMC) and no Duties and Responsibilities of the JLMC.  This is being done and approved under protest.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

There was a consensus of the Selectboard to bring this to the attention of the Town’s Representatives Tara Sad and Lucy Weber.    

 

VOIDED CHECK:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the voided check register for check No. 055040 in the amount of $290.60 as it was a lost check.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – February 25, 2010:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of February 25, 2010, 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.

 

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of February 25, 2010, as printed.  The Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Aldrich in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present. 

 

COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meeting:

• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – March 2, 2010.

Mrs. Clough was asked to request a copy of the Warrant Articles from North Walpole.

 

REFUNDS:

NORTH WALPOLE PROPERTY TAX REFUND – David & Marybeth Gordon – Map 029-005-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Refund in the amount of $244.08 for David and Marybeth Gordon.  This was the result of an overpayment on the 2009 taxes.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

TOWN OF WALPOLE TAX CREDITS: 

Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the following Refunds.  These are the result of overpayment on the 2009 Property taxes:

• Daniel McAllister, Map 005-002-006 - $32.33;
• Steven & Cheryl Latham, Map 003-070-000 - $14.63;
• Anne M. Byrne, Map 012-055-026 - $11.85;
• Merv Management Company, Map 012-014-000 - $16.63;
• Kenneth & Hope McGill, Map 004-047-001 - $6.57;

Selectboard Meeting –March 4, 2010- Page 3

 

·         Robert S. Popovac, Map 003-013-003 - $8.21.

Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

ABATEMENTS:

TOWN OF WALPOLE, Russell Street, North Walpole, Map 030-055-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Property Tax Abatement for 2008 in the amount of $47.00 plus interest for the Town of Walpole.  This property is exempt and should not have been taxed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

TOWN OF WALPOLE, Center Street, North Walpole, Map 028-115-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Property Tax Abatement for 2006 in the amount of $802.23 plus interest for the Town of Walpole.  This is for entry ways to the railroad tunnels and should not have been billed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

WELLSTONE ASSOCIATES, 11 Maplewood Circle, Map 028-115-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement for Water/Sewer in the amount of $233.66 plus interest for Wellstone Associates.  This bill should have been for water only.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

LEE BEERS, 17 Mountain View Road, Map 029-029-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Abatement for Water/Sewer in the amount of $67.94 plus interest for Lee Beers.  They have a private septic system so should not have been billed for sewer.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE HOUSING, Map 028-102-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Property Tax Abatement for 2009 in the amount of $5.50 for the North Walpole Village Housing.  This is interest due to the delay in billing and receiving payment.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE HOUSING, Map 028-011-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Property Tax Abatement for 2009 in the amount of $27.11 for the North Walpole Village Housing.  This is interest due to the delay in billing and receiving payment.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

WARRANTS:

TIMBER TAX LEVY’S:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the three Warrants for Timber Tax Levy’s as follows:

·         Meadowsend Timberlands, LTD, Map 006-021-000 - $2,187.35;

·         Peter Renzelman, Map 013-014-000 - $98.59;

·         Peter Renzelman, Map 012-072-000 - $330.90

The total amount is $2,616.84.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

BUILDING PERMIT:

ERIC FRINK, 131 Merriam Road, Map 003-054-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2010-005 for Eric Frink to construct a two story, three bedroom house with attached garage on 131 Merriam Road.  This is a renewal of a 2009 Permit.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Selectboard Meeting –March 4, 2010- Page 4

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

BOSTON AND MAINE RAILROAD:  Mrs. Teague moved to have Teresa Kissell proceed with  Deeding ownership of the following three parcels to the Town:

• Map 26 – Lots 10 and 14; and
• Map 30 – Lot 115.

Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

PEPSI COMMUNITY PROGRAM:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a letter from Pepsi advising that they are looking for 16 towns in New England that need Pepsi volunteers who are ready to get to work and help the towns.  They are encouraging the town to apply to their Pepsi Supports Surrounding Towns Program.

Mrs. Teague moved to forward this letter to the Chair of the Recreation Committee and also to Mary Lou Huffling.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

INTERNET-EMAIL ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY:  Mrs. Teague explained that all computer passwords should be on file with the Treasurer in the event of an emergency.  There was a consensus to pass over this agenda item to allow time for further study.  A copy will be forwarded to the Department Heads who have computer availability.  Any questions or concerns should be submitted to Janet Clough.

 

ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE OPEN HOUSE:  The Selectboard encouraged Teresa Kissell to attend an Open House/Overview session for two hours next Thursday at one of the companies where she was considering purchasing some new software.

 

ROBERTS, GREENE & DROLET, PLLC:  Teresa Kissell distributed and reviewed the Control Deficiency Comment and Management Point Development Worksheet forwarded to her from the new auditing firm.  Mrs. Teague recommended that the Selectboard take the next week to read the document and bring it back to the meeting next week. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

ZONING ORDINANCE: Letter from G. Jeremy Hockensmith, Esq.:  Acknowledgement was made of a legal opinion from Attorney Hockensmith relative to a Zoning Ordinance question.  It will be taken under advisement.    

 

SELECTBOARD MEETINGS – Department Representation:  The following schedule was established to have Department Representation at the Selectboard meetings beginning in April:

• First Thursday of the Month –Police  Department– Chief David Hewes;
• Second Thursday of the Month –Solid Waste Department- Paul Colburn;
• Third Thursday of the Month –Highway Department- Jim Terrell;
• Fourth Thursday of the Month –Water & Sewer Departments- Mark Houghton.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Soda Machine Monies:  The Selectboard agreed to keep the soda machine money in a separate reserve account for this year.  Mr. Sawyer suggested that, in the future, it would be nice to use it to purchase a dishwasher for the kitchen.

 

Selectboard Meeting –March 4, 2010- Page 5

 

Adjournment:  Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously. The time was 10:06 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

                                                                    

  

 

 

 

Ed. Note: Here are the minutes of the Select Board meeting March 11, the Thursday before the Town Meeting in-person session. CCB

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

MARCH 11, 2010

 

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

 

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM with seven people present in the audience.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

CARL WISTREICH and MAURICE BIRON:  Carl Wistreich and Maurice Biron from L & B Trucking were present for a follow-up discussion to their February 26th meeting with the Selectboard and Mr. Biron’s attendance at the March 4th meeting.  Following a lengthy discussion, Mr. Wistreich questioned what the procedure is to address issues relating to Warrant Articles from the floor during Town Meeting.  He feels the Town needs a new truck but wants the voters to be aware of the fact that they were not given the opportunity to submit a quote on a new truck and could save the Town a substantial amount of money if the truck was purchased from L & B Trucking.  Mr. Vose and the Selectboard explained the procedure.  Mr. Wistreich asked to see a copy of the quote from the other company.  Mr. Terrell will provide him with a copy but did not have it at this meeting as it was in his office.    

 

JIM TERRELL:  Jim Terrell distributed information on three quotes he received for replacement of the furnace in the highway garage.  He was able to patch up the present one for now but is not sure how long it will run.  The Selectboard will review the quotes and be prepared to make a decision next week.

 

POTATO BARN – Darryl Calkins:  Mr. Calkins, Civil Engineer, is representing the owner of the so-called Potato Barn property.  He has done some research and design work for the owner; their plan is to renovate in phases.  During the Planning Board meeting last Tuesday he was referred to the Selectboard to see if they will be able to get a Waiver for the existing septic system.  Mr. Sawyer noted that they are doing research to find the paperwork that outlines conditions for the Bond that goes back to the installation of the existing sewer line.  This needs to be done before the Selectboard can give him an answer.  They discussed the original Site Plan for the property in 1995 and the proposed curb cut off Route 12.    

 

ERNIE VOSE:  Ernie Vose, Moderator, and the Selectboard reviewed the Warrant Articles prior to the Town Meeting on Saturday.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $30,071.91.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the voided check register for check No. 055305 in the amount of $1,077.94.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

PAYROLL:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending March 6, 2010, for checks dated March 12, 2010, for gross wages in the amount of $14,887.99 or net wages in the amount of $6,733.12.  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 $3,386.45.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

Selectboard Meeeting – March 11, 2010- Page 2

 

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – March 4, 2010:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of March 4, 2010, as printed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Mrs. Teague amended the Minutes as follows:  Page 1, under Jim Terrell, second sentence – change “By ordering in 2009 saved the town a substantial amount of money” to “By accepting the purchase of a 2009 left over truck Mr. Terrell informed the Selectboard that it would save the Town a substantial amount of money”.  Amendment and Motion passed unanimously.

 

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC MEETING – March 4, 2010:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of March 4, 2010, as printed.  The Minutes will remain sealed until February 2012.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:

·         North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – March 9, 2010;

·         Conservation Commission Meeting – March 1, 2010.

 

ABATEMENTS:

LEE BEERS, 17 Mountain View Road, North Walpole, Map 029-029-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the Abatement recommendation of Avitar Associates for Lee Beers, 17 Mountain View Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

LEWIS LaCLAIR, 331 North Road, Walpole, Map 008-077-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the Abatement recommendation of Avitar Associates for Lewis LaClair, 331 North Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

PHILLIP KIMBALL, Map 009-045-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2010-06 for Phillip Kimball to construct a pole shelter on Barnett Hill Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

RUSSELL LaCROIX and SUPERVALUE SHAW’S DIVISION, Map 012-055-02B:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve Building Permit No. 2010-07 for Russell LaCroix and Supervalue Shaw’s Division to remodel the grocery store at the Shaw’s North Meadow Plaza.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

TOWN HALL RENTAL – Class of 1960 Reunion:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve renting the Town Hall to the Class of 1960 for a Reunion at no cost other than the deposit that is returnable.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

LITTER-FREE NEW HAMPSHIRE:  The application for Litter-Free New Hampshire for the Annual Spring Clean-up will be sent to the Boy Scouts.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

LIBRARY BUDGET:  Mr. Sawyer moved to thank Joe Beer, Chair of the Library Board, for his response to the 2009 budget being overspent.  The letter of explanation will be given to Teresa Kissell.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously. 

Selectboard Meeting – March 11, 2010- Page 3

 

Adjournment:  Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 9:48 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

 

   

 

 

 

Friday evening's Coffee House at the Walpole Congregational Church has been canceled according to Judy Spinella. CCB

Ed. Note:  At the March 13 Town Meeting, Walpole voters rejected a warrant article proposing to purchase a 6-wheel dump truck with snow plowing equipment costing over $158,000. That price would have been offset by $8,500 in trade-in value for an old truck and $22,000 to be taken out a capital equipment reserve fund, leaving $127,998 to be funded by general taxation. The Selectmen reported that they had gotten one quote on the truck before signing a contract contingent on the voters' passing the warrant article. Carl Wistreich, a Walpole property owner and owner of L&B Trucks in Westminster, VT, spoke at the meeting and objected to the decision process. After considerable discussion, the warrant article was turned down. The following letter is Road Agent Jim Terrell's explanation of the situation.  CCB

To whom it may concern,

    In response to the articles on Walpole’s Town Meeting.

   Since well before I became Road Agent in 2002 The Town of Walpole has bought equipment on quotes – not by a formal bid process. If the townspeople want to go to a formal bid process the Selectboard or myself have no problem with that.

   In the fall of 2008 I sought quotes (not bids) on a new truck from International and Freightliner to be put in an article in the 2009 town meeting. A quote was never received from L&B Freightliner. It was later decided by the Selectboard to withhold an article for a truck that year because of the economic environment.

  L&B Freightliner was given specifications for a truck to be put in for at the 2010 town meeting. They did not give me a quote until two weeks before town meeting and long after the public budget hearing where the public could have questioned any article or budget matters before they went to print. Even then the quote from L&B Freightliner did not meet the specifications that were asked for. (ie. – a smaller motor with less power and torque, no transmission retarder, 23,000 lb. rear axel instead of a 30,000 lb. rear axel, smaller fuel tank and smaller tires among many other items. ) To this day the only written quote that I was given by L&B is $34,000 more than the quote from International. The lesser quote from L&B was only by word of mouth after the price was questioned. If this had been a formal bid process L&B’s bid would have been rejected as soon as it was opened.

   The truck from International that was rejected at town meeting is virtually the same as two previous trucks that the town voted in 2006 and 2008. This model truck works well for our requirement, is not out of line for town trucks in New England and would help standardize our fleet.

   The truck that we sought to replace cost the town a lot of money in repairs last year and lost trade in value. This years repair bill will probably be higher because we put off some repairs in anticipation of replacing the truck this summer.

    I would like to suggest that anyone that is interested in purchasing policies or the budget join in the process instead of joining a free for all at town meeting fueled by disgruntled business owners who didn’t do their homework. There were only two residents at the public budget hearing this year other than town employees and elected officials. No one from truck dealerships was present. This would have been the place to question and air concerns. This was the time something constructive could have been done. But no one was there.

     To me the biggest loser from this situation was the townspeople – for many reasons.

                                                                                       Jim Terrell

 

                                                                                       Walpole Road Agent

Ed. Note: Thanks to Secretary Pam Aslinger, here are the minutes of the March 9 Planning Board meeting. It contains important information on possible new commercial and mixed use development in Walpole. CCB

PLANNING BOARD

Walpole, NH 03608


MINUTES: Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - 7pm Town Hall


Presiding: Jeff Miller, Ch. Members Present: Bob Miller, V-Ch., Ben Daviss, Dave DeCoste, Henry Fletcher, Sheldon Sawyer, Sel., Eric Merklein, Alternates: Donn Lounsbury, Jeff White, Steve Dalessio. Recording: Pamela Aslinger, Sec./alt.

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April 13, 2010 meeting for errors, corrections and omissions. There were 15 persons in the audience.



I. Meeting opened 7:20pm

A. Roll call, all members were present, no alternates designated.

B. Minutes - Mr. DeCoste made a motion to approve the minutes as presented and seconded by Mr. Daviss. Vote called, all were in favor, motion carried.



II. New Business Preliminary Discussions/Application Submittals

A. Gretchen Young, P.E. Appledore Engineering, Inc. presented the board with an application for a Minor 2 Lot subdivision, special exception recommendation and site plan review located on Rte. 12 N. 549 Main St. Map 12 Lot 19 known as the Keefe parcel. It’s to be divided into Lot 1 of 1.26 acres and Lot 2 of 6.45 acres with existing house. The parcel is in the commercial and rural agricultural zones. Both lots have required frontage. Lot 2 is being purchased by The Hutton Company, Inc., TN in order to construct an 80 x 100 ft. building for a Family Dollar retail store. Mr. Taylor Hurd was present representing the Hutton Company. Ms. Young handed out miniature versions of the site map for the board members and described various aspects of the project. The infiltration drainage pond for the site is located in the rural agricultural zone therefore it requires a special exception for a commercial use in the RA zone. They will be applying to the zoning board at the 3/17/10 meeting. Proposal has 32 parking spaces meeting the requirement. The utilities are all on site with the sewer line being connected to the municipal system via directional drilling under Rte. 12. They are proposing an on site well locating it in the rear with the required 75ft. protective radius. There will be a propane tank for fuel. Stormwater will drain into an underground system, the infiltration pond will be used for overflow only based on the 100 year storm requirements and will they will apply for a shoreland protection permit.

Mr. Daviss asked if they owned the entire parcel, answer was no they will own Lot 1 with the store. Mr. DeCoste asked how far the pond will be from the road, answer was 351 ft. to the back of the pond. Width of the lot is 155 ft. Ms. Young stated she has a site plan and subdivision application to submit. Sec. Aslinger asked if they had applied to the zoning board already for the special exception? They will apply at the Wed. 3/17/10 meeting the public hearing will be held at the 4/21/10 meeting after the planning board’s hearing on the special exception recommendation, subdivision and site plan review. Ch. Miller said the planning board would need to consider any action on the subdivision and site plan review contingent upon the zoning board’s action at their 4/21/10 meeting because it takes place after the planning board meeting and hearing to be held on 4/13/10. The planning board can hold a public hearing on the special exception recommendation and if agreeable the subdivision and site plan review. Sec. Aslinger advised against having all three public hearings bunched together and having potential planning board action take place ahead of the zoning board’s decision on the special exception. Ch. Miller and Mr. Sawyer did not think it would be a problem.

Ms. Young offered drawings of preliminary building design and elevations of a typical Family Dollar store noting that the regulations do not specify building design but they are aware of the board’s preference to have the store relate to other stores and styles in the Town. She asked if the board could make suggestions. Ch. Miller said the building seems to be a block box with signage. Mr. Merklein asked if other designs or concepts could be presented something that would match Walpole’s existing style and not just a box? He suggested as did Mr. Daviss something like Pinnacle View or Walpole Savings Bank. Mr. Hurd said they would do the best they can with the budget they have for the building design.

Mr. Schupack asked if the site was in the well source protection area, answer was no, but it is in the aquifer.





Walpole Planning Board Minutes 3/9/10 pg. 2

Mr. Dalessio complained that the side setbacks were exactly 20 feet thinking there wasn’t room for error. It’s a fairly large project squeezed into a very small lot. Ms. Young said they were mindful of the yard requirements when placing the project and took into consideration budgetary needs of Hutton Inc. for the project. She said the landscaping and fencing help to buffer the site. Ch. Miller asked about the driveway cuts, had they applied for a State permit, did they consider that the two existing cuts may be reduced in order for Lot 1 to have it’s own access? He suggested they speak to the State prior to the site plan application hearing. He is concerned about Lot 2 loosing its access Rte. 12 is a limited access road. By subdividing the land it may change the site plan substantially. Ms. Young said they had been to the State preliminarily and they plan to contact them after tonight’s meeting.

Ms. Aslinger asked if they met the 30% undeveloped land requirement? Ms. Young stated they did meet the requirement and said she also had some waiver requests to read through.

`Mr. Hurd mentioned that the store would create approximately 6 jobs and a good long-term tax base. He talked about the need to sprinkler the building for fire protection but notes they have never had to install sprinklers due to the type of metal and block construction and the size of the building falls under the National Fire Protection Code guidelines. Mr. Sawyer asked Mr. Herb Hurlburtt the fire inspector to speak. Mr. Hurlburtt said they would have to prove to him that all life safety issues for the building can be met without installing a sprinkler system, it’s the lives of the people in the building and firefighters at risk he is concerned with, the building can be reconstructed, but not lives lost. Mr. Hurd said it would be all steel construction with few combustible materials. Mr. Hurd did a quick budget study to bring water in from the water main at Tractor Supply, it ran $80,000.00 and they have not budgeted for that because they do not have to sprinkle the building and never have sprinkled their buildings. He said that’s more than the entire profit on the job and the rent is already set.

Mr. Sawyer asked if the land was in current use? Answer was yes. Mr. Sawyer said there is a 10% tax to remove it from current use, to be aware of the expense. Mr. Hurd asked for clarification whether the board was going to require sprinkling? Ch. Miller thought if the building meets the national and/or State safety standards, it would need to be taken into consideration by the board under the site plan review. Mr. Hurd said the town regulations refer back to the National code so that’s another reason they did not budget the cost into the project.

Mr. Merklein asked if they had considered using drainage gardens? Ms. Young said while they did not design a rain garden, they have provided that all runoff will go into the landscaped areas and all the catch basins will collect potential pollutants such as sand and will be maintained yearly. Mr. Merklein asked if they considered using porous pavement. Ms. Young said due to extra cost and the small site area it wouldn’t be as productive as on a larger site such as Tractor Supply. She said that the main benefit of porous pavement is full site infiltration. She has designed the store site to be fully infiltrated so they have achieved the same result without the expense of porous pavement. Mr. Daviss asked if the utilities could be buried. Ms. Young said they did not budget for underground utilities but they could go back to the client to see if it is something they would re-consider.

Ms. Young read the waiver requests that include Section VII-B 4 & 6 plans to show structures within 200ft as non-applicable and Section VII-D 1a. Interior parking lot standards, all parking is perimeter so is non-applicable. The requests made for state and local permits should not be included as waiver request upon application submission they should be applied for with a pending/contingent status.

Ch. Miller asked about the daily traffic estimation. Ms. Young said there is a traffic report included in the application packet. The weekday total is 458, 40 trips in and out peak hour. Mr. Bob Miller asked about hours of operation. Answer was 9-9 7 days per week. Ms. Young submitted the application materials, fees and abutter list. Ch. Miller called for a motion to place the application on the April 13th agenda and schedule the public hearing for the same meeting on the 2 Lot subdivision, special exception recommendation and site plan review. It was so moved and seconded, all were in favor motion carried.

Mr. Daviss suggested the board consider adding verbage to the site plan review regulations to better define building design standards, that other developers have expressed the need for specific guidance and specifications. Mr. Sawyer cautioned against setting in stone specifications that may not be in keeping with future innovative ideas that allowing flexibility might better serve the Town. Agreeing Mr. Daviss mentioned that the Master Plan suggests and addresses many design issues for the commercial district they should be taken into consideration. He stressed the potential for one store leading to several more. Mr.



Walpole Planning Board Minutes 3/9/10 page 3

Sawyer thought the shortened depth of the commercial zone on the west side of Rte. 12 and limited building size (40K) is prohibitive and should be reconsidered at some point.



II. B. Tom Duffield of Duffield Engineering and Consulting presented preliminary plans for a multi-use development for Avanru Development located on Rte. 12 NE, the remainder of 504 Main St. LLC parcel south of Tractor Supply site. Mr. Duffield described the project on 11.5 acres and mentioned Tractor Supply’s plans to construct the 50 ft. Right of Way (ROW) and make improvements to the water and sewer lines. The remainder parcel of 11.5 acres has 547 ft. of frontage on Rte. 12. He referred to a map showing the site. He said there is a mutual agreement between the two properties regarding the 50 ft. ROW regarding cost sharing and maintenance of the public ROW even though it is not a town road but privately maintained. He said the water and sewer is adequate for their proposal of dividing the parcel into 3 lots with frontages met by making irregularly shaped lots or using the ROW as frontage. Because the ROW will be built to Class V standards even though it is privately maintained it would allow them to meet the frontage requirements and therefore configure the lots more uniformly for the uses proposed. He introduced Mr. Jack Franks to discuss the proposal according to the drawings provided.

Mr. Franks has lived with his wife Lisa Bierweiler in Walpole for 6 years and they have three children. He has served on the school board and coached baseball where he has had many discussions with citizens about the need for other amenities in Walpole. This has led to his conceptual plans to potentially develop the site into condominium elderly housing, medical/dental offices, family style restaurant and a more competitively priced grocery store. His family shops in Keene so he did an analysis and found on two items alone they were spending $1200.00. He spoke with the current grocery provider and found they have no intentions of changing so he thought some competition might be worthwhile. In speaking with other families and long time business owners they’ve suggested other amenities the community might need as his plan reflects those discussions. He feels the community would benefit by the increase in the tax base, creation of jobs and provide housing for retirees who want to downsize but stay in town. His plan shows a large-scale townhouse 50-55+community on the back parcel behind the proposed Tractor Supply building. The second parcel would be for a retail area/family restaurant and medical office building and outdoor pavilion picnic area. The front parcel along Rte. 12 would be for a mid size supermarket specializing in local or organic produce and competitively priced goods. He’s spent about 2 years researching his ideas and the last year negotiating the site. He hopes others will see the benefit of a project that will serve the community, not impact the school system, provide jobs and lower the cost of groceries while creating other family friendly amenities.

Ch. Miller called for board comments. Mr. Daviss saluted Mr. Franks for the thought he put into his mixed-use conceptual plan. He asked if he had spoken with any potential tenants? He said he had but rather not name them. He said one of the three potential tenants was very interested. Mr. Daviss asked about the size of the buildings proposed. Mr. Franks answered that the supermarket was 40,000 sq. ft., the retail space 25,000 sq. ft. and the housing would be built in 16 unit pods on an as purchased basis to total about 33,000 sq. ft. or 48,000 sq. ft. including carports. He was thinking of adding an indoor pool workout gym facility instead of having to drive into Keene for that much needed activity. A gym pass could be part of the purchase price of a unit. He was thinking of adding a fresh bakery and coffee shop.

Ch. Miller pointed out that while they are in the conceptual phase there are a few serious conflicts with what is allowed in the zoning ordinance. The first being frontage, frontage is defined in the ordinance as on a town maintained road of Class V or better. While the ROW may be built to Class V standard it is not likely to be a town road accepted by a town vote. The only alternative would be to have the Selectboard lay out the road and have the town vote on whether to accept it as a town road. The housing units are restricted by definition of a multifamily unit as being one building on one lot, it shall not be more than 3 stories and there are density limitations as well. Mr. Sawyer asked about the residential overlay district. Ch. Miller said one of the requirements is for it to be on no less than 10 acres of land. Mr. Franks said the housing is designed to be one continuous building with foyers between the sections to be used as utility and elevator areas and the sprinkling system. Ch. Miller asked if they were apartments? Answer was no, to be sold as condominiums. Ch. Miller said the town does not allow condominiums because a condominium is a single-family dwelling and the town allows one single or two-family home per lot or one multi-family building per lot. Mr. Duffield said then the definition of multi-family is not multi-family ownership? Ch. Miller answered “correct”. Mr. Franks said then condominium projects are not allowed in Walpole, answer was “correct”.

Walpole Planning Board Minutes 3/9/10 page 4

Mr. Duffield asked if the ROW could be considered a public way privately owned and maintained? Ch. Miller said it could not be used to meet frontage requirements for subdivision purposes because it is not a town maintained Class V road. Mr. Duffield thought the ROW could be considered a newly proposed road layout as part of the 3 Lot subdivision proposal. He said it’s standard procedure to design a road to access newly created lots using the proposed road built to Class V standards as viable frontage for the lots even before the road is accepted by the town, which the Selectboard has the authority to accept without a town vote. Ch. Miller said the road has to already be a town maintained road in order to count as frontage. Mr. Sawyer said the Selectboard has not accepted a new town road without the vote of the entire town at a town meeting and questions whether it would pass. Mr. Duffield said they could work with the Rte. 12 frontage but the lots will have easements over them. Mr. Sawyer said Pinnacle View had to do some creative designing to achieve what they did. Ch. Miller said if the dead end ROW is greater than 600 ft. that also is not allowed in the ordinance.

Mr. DeCoste thought it would be better to have the lots configured more uniformly, if the road could be accepted by the town it would be better. Ch. Miller agreed but said the current zoning and policy of the Selectboard prevents the use of the ROW for frontage. Mr. DeCoste asked if an exception could be made? Answer was no, a variance would not apply either. Mr. Daviss asked if the retirement housing could legally be restricted to 55 and over? Mr. Franks said he needed to study that further. Ch. Miller said the senior housing overlay district had to address that issue also and they arrived at 62 to meet guidelines.

Mr. Bob Miller found it interesting that Mr. Franks was able to find a grocer that would be satisfied with a 40,000 sq. ft. store, the board has been under the assumption that 70 or 80,000 sq. ft. was needed. Mr. Franks and Mr. Duffield agreed and have found that 40,000 sq. feet is a viable size from the grocers they spoke with. Mr. Duffield said the new store in Peterborough is a 40,000 sq. ft. store. Mr. Franks said there is a great interest in a smaller down sized store because the community can support it and the grocer can afford it more easily.

Mr. Duffield thought the available infrastructure; capacity, commercial location and compatibility with the Tractor Supply site are all positives. Clearly they have issues with the condominium portion and road. They would need to coordinate with Tractor Supply as far as the ROW, match their curb cuts and center the road between the parcels. Ms. Aslinger asked if the parcel is still under the ownership of 504 Main St. LLC and do they plan on purchasing the parcel? Answer was yes. She said so this is very conceptual but asked if they expected the planning board to grant a site plan review before they purchase the property? Mr. Franks said he would like to know where they stand according to what is allowed so they can do due diligence to see if what he is proposing fits before he invests a substantial amount of money in the property. He hopes the board and community sees the value of the proposal so they can work together.

Ch. Miller thought the two main issues were the housing and frontage. Mr. Merklein asked about having housing in the back of the property and having only one access in and out. Ch. Miller agreed saying the regulations allows a dead end road to be no greater than 600 ft. with a cul de sac turn around. Mr. Duffield said the road is slightly less than 600 feet. If they need a second access for emergency access they could work with the State, there will be a traffic study no doubt, they would be open to an emergency access with possibly gates and bars. He said Mr. Franks was in the fact finding phase doing due diligence to find out what permits he would need and criteria to meet before finalizing any purchase including paying a current use tax. Mr. Sawyer thought the project had merit and seemed to address some needs he is aware of from the citizens.

Mr. Franks asked if the board needed any further information or what steps he needed to take. Ch. Miller said to address the concerns raised and return to the board with information as it becomes available.



II. C. Other new business: Mr. Cliff Harper, of Harper Environmental approached the board with the intention of submitting a site plan review application on the Potato Barn project. He said they have met with Mark Houghton and an electrician in regard to bringing temporary power to the building and water from the caretaker’s house. He said the application is being filed contingent on a meeting with the Selectboard Thursday 3/11 to resolve the septic system issue. He would like to move forward with the application because timing for construction is running out. Ch. Miller suggested rather than submitting the application for processing and running the risk of being delayed until the May meeting to go ahead and meet with the Selectboard prior to formally submitting the application, he thinks there are several complications that need to be resolved that pertain to the Selectboard’s issues that must be taken up before

the planning board can review the application. Mr. Harper said he didn’t want to loose another month.

Walpole Planning Board Minutes 3/09/10 page 5

Mr. Sawyer said they may have some federal requirements to meet and may need to do further investigation in order to be fair to the applicant and town. Mr. Harper said if they are delayed the project

may be on hold for another year because they won’t be able to do the construction in time for a potential tenant to open a gallery in June. Ch. Miller thought it was unrealistic to think they could construct the road off of Rte. 12 and prepare the space for a tenant by June. Mr. Harper said they weren’t planning on putting in the road in phase one of the project. Ch. Miller was concerned that not having access of Rte. 12 changed the original intent of the board’s consideration of the project a full reconsideration of the project may result. He said the development of the property counted on the access to Rte. 12 and the town actually voted on the access in and out. Mr. Sawyer read the Article that was voted on: “To see whether the Town will vote to advise the Board of Selectmen to lay out a new town road off Rte 12 just south of the old potato barn. This dead end road would provide access to the proposed parking lot of the barn would engineered constructed and maintained by the barns developer and would not be constructed until the financing of the barn project be insured.”

Mr. Harper asked if it was designed by the State DOT’s engineer assessment? Mr. Sawyer said it was his understanding at the time the Town could have one access to Rte. 12 when they put the bypass in and that’s the one that was approved. Ch. Miller said the board determined because of the amount of activity the barn project would create under the original plan it was decided to direct the traffic out of the residential area behind the barn, so it was the main reason the scale of the project was allowed. Mr. Sawyer said there might be an old ROW granted just for the use of potato storage. Mr. DeCoste asked if the new septic system is large enough to cover the scale of their entire project? Mr. Harper said it was designed for 30 persons, if they go beyond that they could tie into the municipal system possibly. Mr. Sawyer said he hasn’t had enough time to look at all aspects of the issues regarding the sewer connection but one area of concern is whether the grant of money to put in the town system that was federally funded is under a strict agreement that anyone within 100 ft. of the line regardless of when they installed a septic system you must tie in, the bond is still in effect. That needs to be resolved before the Selectboard can make a determination. Ch. Miller strongly recommended allowing the Selectboard to do their research in order to be fair to Mr. Harper and the town. Mr. Harper thanked the board and will meet with the Selectboard on Thursday as scheduled.



- Discussion: Ch. Miller called for any other new business and recognized Mr. Hurlburtt. Mr. Hurlburtt explained his discussions at the back of the hall with Mr. Hurd regarding the need to sprinkle their proposed building. He said his concern isn’t necessarily the building but it is a life safety factor for the occupants of the building and his fire fighters. As far as he’s concerned the protection of the building is minute compared to the persons who respond to a fire, they are our neighbors and friends. Every developer factors in cost of maintenance. It also provides for the extension of the water line whether a developer does it or the town to serve a growing area. The codes he talks about are minimum requirements, they (Hutton) won’t go into a larger town like Keene without meeting sprinkling requirements such as Uno’s or Applebee’s that are 6 and 8000 sq. ft. buildings. He said the State adds a few tidbits to the National code but since they can’t enforce it they “deed the authority having jurisdiction” which is 99% of the time the Fire Chief who then has the authority to make the request. He likes the idea that development is happening in Walpole but feels the safety of persons in the building and our firefighters is paramount to whatever costs are incurred, whether it be $80,000.00 to bring town water to the site or the cost of $2.00 per sq. ft. for the sprinkler system.

Ch. Miller said the report from the Fire Chief according to the site plan regulations mainly addresses whether there is an adequate source of water to protect the building/site. Mr. Hurlburtt said the Keefe property is heavily watered so it shouldn’t be a problem locating a well. In addition Tractor Supply is bringing the 10” water lines to the bottom of Ballam Farm with a hydrant and “t”, they will cross the road and install another hydrant that will serve their sprinkled building, it was their idea and didn’t blink at the cost. He thinks Mr. Hurd needs to take another look at whether they can afford not to sprinkle the building.



- Discussion: Mr. Sawyer mentioned his concern that while the minutes from the last meeting are written correctly he doesn’t want to place blame associated with the Potato Barn question regarding their septic system passing through the Selectmen’s office staff. He thinks it was an honest miscommunication perhaps the question was not as specific as it could have been. Ch. Miller agreed to have it so noted.

Walpole Planning Board Minutes 3/9/10 page 6



III. Planning Discussion

A. Master Plan Update - Sec. Aslinger and Ch. Miller have spoken with Lisa Murphy, she would like to appear before the board at the April meeting to submit a draft. She’s had some conflict with Avatar trying to come up with current data to fill in the charts but should have some results or an alternative. Board suggestions to the rough draft are to be discussed at the work session 3/23/10. Mr. Sawyer noted that it was recently discovered that the current zoning ordinance is conflicted under some of the road names and designations due to implementing 911, but until a housekeeping amendment can be made in 2011 the boards will need to be aware of the areas and work under the old map and ordinance as it’s written.

B. The work session is scheduled for March 23, 2010, Mr. Daviss reports that there will be a special guest, Eric Smith from SWRPC to talk about “Creative Economy” the arts and crafts economy brings about 16 million dollars into the State and about 500 jobs. He’ll talk about how our area can capitalize on it and tie it in with economic development.

C. Mr. Sawyer attended a DOT transportation committee meeting regarding busing mostly directed at larger municipalities such as Nashua.



IV. Communications and Miscellaneous

A. Handout - OEP Spring Planning and Zoning Conference for Saturday May 8

B. Sec. Aslinger announced that she is resigning as Secretary and Regina Borden will take over her duties as of April 1st. She has been the boards back up secretary and is the Selectboard’s recording secretary so she is well versed in town matters. Members thanked Mr. Aslinger for her contribution to the board over the past 5 years.

C. Ch. Miller announced a meeting Tuesday March 16th for the SWRPC at Papagallo’s for anyone that wants to attend. Sheldon and Whitney are planning to go.

D. Eric Merklein announced his departure from the board after many years and wished the newly elected Peter Kinney good luck on joining the board. He asked if he could be considered for an alternate. Mr. Sawyer said two persons had approached him as well for consideration, Ed Potter and Jeff Michaud.

Mr. Daviss asked how many alternate seats are open? Answer is two if Mr. Lounsbury remains.

Membership will be discussed and election of officers will take place at the April meeting.


V. Meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm

Then next regular meeting of the Planning board will be held on Tuesday April 13th, 2010 at 7pm in the Town Hall meeting room. 


















PB, ZBA, WCC, BOS, M. Houghton, C. Harper, G. Young, T. Duffield, L. Murphy, R. Borden

The Walpole Artisans Cooperative at 52 Main St. in Walpole, NH will "welcome in spring" with a Featured Artist Reception on Friday, March 26 from 5 - 7 pm. The 3 featured artists: Terri Lipman, Darren Honey & Joe Beer are the newest members of the Walpole Artisan Cooperative. Although Terri Lipman is new to the Coop, she has been creating & selling her folk art, painted giftware & paste papers for 26 years. Terri's artistic philosophy is "Our home is our castle. Our person is happiness". Darren Honey of "The Ideal Board", "a family business of fine wood craftsmanship creating unique wood products for home & business," is a well known Connecticut River Valley artisan. He now joins the Walpole Artisans Cooperative and features his handmade wood products that range from end-grain cutting boards to whimsical mobiles. Joe Beer, a recently retired and much loved Fall Mt. High School educator, is displaying many of his artistic endeavors at the Walpole Artisan Cooperative, including watercolor paintings of historic Walpole buildings. Please join us in welcoming these fine artisans into the Walpole Artisans Cooperative. Refreshments will be served during the reception. For more information call 603-756-3020, visit www.walpoleartisans.org or stop by the Walpole Artisan Cooperative during the business hours of Wednesday - Saturday 10 - 5 and Sunday 10 - 3.

Ed. Note: The in-person part of our town meeting is tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. Incidentally, having been in the recently fixed- up main room on the street level for voting on Tuesday, I think it is much improved with the new ceiling and better accoustics. From 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. various community organizations will be exhibiting their activities and hoping to engage your interest. Go early and check them out! Opinion: I am particularly interested in encouraging your support for the warrant item seeking voter agreement to hire an additional police officer for Walpole. Even if voters approve, it is conditional on getting a federal grant to cover the ENTIRE cost for the first three years. Thereafter Walpole would need to cover the cost for at least one year. Having interviewed the chief and the other officers--we currently have three full-time officers counting the chief--I think we clearly need the addtional officer. Crimes and arrests are up over the past several years, and particularly since the first of the year. I set out below a story--with current crime statistics--that I wrote recently for the Eagle Times. Chief David Hewes and Lt. Michael PaQuette will be at the meeting to answer your questions. Chuck Bingaman Walpole Seeks Additional Police Officer 2009 Crime Statistics Released By Chuck Bingaman If the Walpole Police get their way, the federal government comes through with a $215,000 grant and the citizens of the town approve it at their March 13 town meeting, the town will get an additional, full-time police officer. And, he or she will not cost the town a cent for salary or benefits for the first three years under terms of the COPS Hiring Program funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2010 as long as the Walpole agrees to pay for the officer during at least the fourth year. “It’s been nine years since we added any personnel,” according to Chief David Hewes, “and we just can’t keep up with the number of calls we have. We’ve needed another full-time officer for years!” “The New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council recommends one full-time officer for every 800 residents, and were closing in on 4,000 residents now,” added Lt. Michael Paquette. “So we clearly need 4 or more officers, at least one more than the three we now have!” New Officer Grant Funding Walpole Police actually applied for the COPS grant last year and were put on a “pending” list waiting on the new federal budget to appropriate the funds. The department expects to learn in the next several weeks whether the town has been awarded the funds. While the Selectmen have voted 2-1 to accept the federal funding, should it be released, the town voters would still need to vote to accept it. That is why it is on the town meeting warrant even though actual receipt of the funds is not yet certain. The amount on the warrant is $70,842--$35,000 for salary and $35,842 for benefits—to cover the first year, all to be supplied by federal dollars. The terms of the potential grant provide that the town would need to vote for the funds annually for three years, hence the $215,000 total to fund the new officer, and the town would need to pay for the fourth year of the officer’s employment out of town funds. After that the town could decide whether to retain the fourth officer. 2009 Police Activity In 2009 Walpole police recorded 151 criminal incidents, made 138 arrests, conducted 887 traffic stops, worked 66 accidents, conducted 982 field interviews and made 25 driving while intoxicated arrests. Compared to 2008 figures, larceny was up 117%, property destruction/vandalism rose 107%, drug/narcotic violations rose 122%, and DWI arrests rose 54%. Bringing the crime figures up to date, Chief Hewes said last week that 2010 has begun with even higher activity rates with 25 criminal arrests through the second week of February. “Last year we had 42 felony arrests in Walpole, and this year we’ve already had 8 in the first six weeks of the year!” according to Hewes. And, he adds, “that doesn’t include arrests made by State Police in Walpole or by the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Department.” One bright spot in the DWI picture, reports Hewes, is that it is nearly all adults in the 21-40 age range--with a few senior citizens--and his officers are seeing very little underage drinking. Dwindling Street Patrols The added troubling aspect of the rising number of crimes and arrests is the shrinking amount of time it leaves for the department’s three full-time officers to patrol the town looking for offenders or showing potential offenders that they are being vigilant. “If they see us out patrolling, they’re less apt to do criminal sorts of things,” says Hewes. “But people haven’t seen us out patrolling for nearly a year and they’re not going to see us as long as all of these criminal cases keep coming in. We enjoy being out and being seen, but it’s just not in the cards when a growing number of crimes have to be solved, criminals arrested and court hearings attended. If we can get this new officer, we may be able to get back on the streets more.” --30--

ALERT! Unofficial results show that the Fall Mountain High School renovation bond issue passed last night with 79% of the vote!! The proposed school budget also passed easily! The proposed teacher pay increases FAILED to pass. More details and official figures to come. Chuck Bingaman

The Friends of the Walpole Town Library will present a program in the library tomorrow evening, Wednesday, March 10, at 7:00 p.m. called "Baked Beans & Fried Clams: How Food Defines Our Area" with Edie Clark. Contrary to the announcement in yesterday's Keene Sentinel, it is NOT a potluck! But we'll talk a lot about food! CCB

3-7-2010 “The best field trip ever!” Fall Mountain WorldQuest Team Heads to Nationals By Chuck Bingaman Having bested five area high school world affairs teams last Tuesday, Fall Mountain Regional High School’s four-student team of international affairs experts are heading to the Academic WorldQuest national championship at the National Press Club in Washington DC April 24. Team captain Lindsay Sanchez-Navarro, a senior from Walpole, and colleagues Mackenzie Klema, Kirk Grimsley and Quinn Prentiss-Sturgill, all seniors from Charlestown, were tied with another team at halftime in last week’s 50-question challenge. But they rode a dominant second half to victory in the “quiz-bowl”-like test of 10 areas of world affairs knowledge. Sponsored by World Affairs Councils of America and, locally by the Windham World Affairs Council of Vermont, the championship weekend in Washington brings together 50 winning teams from regional contests coast to coast. The Savings Bank of Walpole, the Walpole Foundation, and Entergy Corporation cover most expenses for the Fall Mountain team’s championship weekend. The Fall Mountain team travels to and from Washington DC by Amtrak from Bellows Falls. “We enjoy each other so much,” noted senior Klema on Friday. “We’re really good friends outside of this as well!” And faculty coach Nick Belsky added that the team’s closeness makes it easier to respect each other’s opinions when difficult questions require the team to debate possible answers and make difficult choices. Belsky also pointed out that Fall Mountain has won the regional meet in the two previous years, that WorldQuest success demands a great deal of extra study by every team member and that the team’s success must be credited in part to the full Fall Mountain faculty. “I meet with the students every week throughout the school year and teach them how to win and the strategy of winning. But I don’t teach the AP [Advanced Placement] students or their courses—that comes from the other teachers. We have a really good staff here!” This year’s Academic WorldQuest subject categories are Current Events, Great Decisions 2009, Pandemics, Genocide, International Migration Trends, Food Production and Consumption, the World Cup, World Music, The Islands of the Caribbean, and The Sultanate of Oman. The Fall Mountain team has been preparing since last fall by reading web sites and print materials on all ten subjects and holding practice competitions to deepen their levels of expertise. Last Tuesday they held a final prep session on current events for several hours at Burdick’s Café in Walpole on their way to Brattleboro, and all expect to be reviewing their areas of concentration on their train ride down to Washington in April. Fall Mountain’s team divides up the subject list so each student has primary responsibility for developing expertise in two or three of the topics. In the competition, each multiple-choice question is projected before all the teams at once and they have 45 seconds to choose their team’s answer. As the Fall Mountain team has evolved its strategy, the team member responsible for a question’s subject usually takes charge suggesting an answer. He or she wordlessly points to a letter or number on the table as his or her choice of the correct answer to avoid giving away the team’s answer to another team at a nearby table. The other three team members then use the remainder of the 45 seconds to agree with the suggested answer or work out the team’s final answer before the next question comes up. Intense, whispered consultations, debates, and negotiations are the heart of the competition. “We try to make our questions here just as difficult as those they’ll encounter in Washington,” says Windham Council President Margo Neale. “But the questions in the finals are always incredibly difficult!” In addition to the competition itself in Washington, Coach Belsky arranges a team tour through the Capital Building and this year is hoping to tour the White House as well. Also, the World Affairs Councils of America usually organizes an ice-breaking, team-building event where students can meet members of the other teams on a social basis. Prentiss-Sturgill, whose topics are the World Cup and International Migration Trends, looks forward to the Washington tournament as “a lot more serious and difficult, but outside the actual room it’s loads of fun!” Grimsley, whose 2010 topics are world food supplies and pandemics and who expects to be studying robotic engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute next year, agrees. “It’s a great trip with my good friends!” Captain Sanchez-Navarro, whose main topics this year are the Caribbean and the Sultanate of Oman, says, “It’s ridiculously difficult, but we have so much fun.” As to her return to the national finals, “It’s the best ‘field trip’ I’ve ever been on, and I’m so excited to be going again!” --30--

Ed. Note: Fall Mountain Regional High School won the Windham World Affairs Council's Regional Academic WorldQuest competition tonight, besting Hanover High School and four other area teams. They go to Washington in April to compete against 49 other teams for the national championship. See the story I wrote below for the Eagle Times last week for the names of the team members! Great job team! We're very proud of you! CCB 2-25-2010 Fall Mountain Defends World Affairs Title By Chuck Bingaman Fall Mountain High School’s World Affairs team defends its regional Academic WorldQuest championship and seeks a third straight trip to the national championship in Washington, DC Tuesday evening at World Learning in Brattleboro. Facing off against four-student teams from five other area high schools, including highly respected newcomer, Hanover High School, Fall Mountain’s coach, history and social studies teacher Nick Belsky, said Wednesday that his team knows it will be a challenging evening. “While we have won the last two years, the regional championship scores have been very close each year,” Belsky said. “But our kids, having tasted trips to Washington for the national championship in the past two years, are very motivated to get back there again!” Academic WorldQuest is a program of the World Affairs Councils of America, a national organization of nearly 100 local councils that promote the study and understanding of international affairs. WACA sponsors nearly 50 regional competitions on knowledge of world affairs with local councils, and the local regional is sponsored by the Windham World Affairs Council of Vermont. The regional competition consists of 100 questions in ten rounds of ten questions. Questions are projected on a screen, and the teams have timed periods to select and record their answers. The team with the most correct answers at the end of the ten rounds gets to go to the finals on April 24 in Washington. For more information on WACA and Academic WorldQuest, see www.worldaffairscouncils.org. This years WorldQuest subject categories are Current Events, Great Decisions 2009, Pandemics, Genocide, International Migration Trends, Food Production and Consumption, the World Cup, World Music, The Islands of the Caribbean, and The Sultanate of Oman. Belsky’s Fall Mountain team has 15 members, and the top four are chosen by internal competitions. Belsky says “we’re very lucky this year to have a strong all-senior team with three members that have been to the Washington national tournament. Lindsay Sanchez-Navarro (Walpole) is our captain, and her teammates are Mackenzie Klema (Charlestown), Kirk Grimsley (Charlestown), and Quinn Prentiss-Sturgill (Charlestown).” Fall Mountain’s successful record is hardly luck! Each of the team’s players is primarily in charge of mastering one or more of the contest’s subjects, and Belsky expects them to study relevant WACA print materials, newspapers and web sites related to those subjects. Each student must accumulate notes in his or her field of study and to have Belsky approve them. And each is expected to attend weekly practices before school on Wednesdays. At the competition in Brattleboro and in Washington, Fall Mountain team members rely on the team member in charge of a specific area of study to take the lead in answering questions on his or her subject but also to confer with the other team members before answering. Spectators will see intense discussions within the teams before any answer is given. “As much as we want to win,” says Belsky, “Winning is actually our third goal. First we want the kids to have fun and enjoy both their preparation and the competition. Second, we want the kids to learn as much as they can and to develop a life-long interest in international affairs. So we’re already achieving our first two goals this year. If we could win the regional competition and get on to Washington, that would be icing on the cake.” Belsky also noted that the questions in Washington, while on the same subjects as the regional questions, are much more difficult. And the competition is much more difficult as well. “Many of the teams that reach Washington are from large, elite schools, and many of them are from charter schools whose whole focus is on social studies or related subjects. So it is stiff competition!” “So, at the competitions, I simply tell our team to relax and have fun. Stick with our strategy of conferring with each other, and enjoy the experience. If we win, that’s a bonus!” Tuesday’s competition is free and open to the public at 6:00 p.m. in the dining hall of World Learning on Kipling Road in Brattleboro. See www.worldlearning.org/7098.htm for a map and directions. --30--

Fall Mountain Regional High School is presenting "The Sound of Music" this coming weekend, March 5th and 6th, at 7:30 pm in the FMRHS auditorium. Walt Sayer is Music Director, and Trina Carmody is Stage Director. Emma Carmody is playing Maria, Welcome Fry is the Captain, Danielle Rios is Elsa, and Ethan Daley is Max. The Von Trapp Family children are played by Rachel Baker, Reed Chuda, Hannah Yoerger, Tommy Surber, Emily Pupler, Quinn Perron, and Anna Bellows. The shows may be sold out. To reserve your tickets ahead of time, call Trina at 835-2917, x115. Adults are $5.00 and students and seniors are $3.00. CCB