TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 15, 2011

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

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall with five people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

MR. RED SMITH:  Mr. Smith advised that back in 2010 he talked to the Selectboard about trying to resolve the water bill that was outstanding when they purchased the former Griswold House from Mr. Westberg.  This delinquent amount is still showing on their bill and the interest keeps growing.  Mrs. Teague asked Mrs. Clough to call the Local Government Center to explain the history on this bill and ask them who bares the liability, can the Town forgive the outstanding balance and how should the new owner proceed.  Mr. Smith will contact their attorney to see how the two attorneys settled the water and sewer bill at the time of the closing.  He will check back with the Selectboard in two weeks.  

NON-PUBLIC SESSION – RSA 91-A:3 II:

Mrs. Teague moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 7:44 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:07 PM.  No announcements were made. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Police Chief Michael Paquette:  Chief Paquette advised that the bullet proof vests came in.  Some other police gear was purchased at Sam’s Store.  The wiring for the computers is all done.  Some work was done on the template and they are trying that out.  They will now be able to do IDs for the Town.  Chief Paquette would like to pay one-half out of this budget and one-half out of next year’s budget.   

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $1,479,060.67.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

It was noted that the above amount includes a payment of $1,349,066.00 to the Cheshire County Commissioners and $68,893.00 to the Walpole Fire District.

Mrs. Teague moved to withhold the payment to Municipal Resources, Inc. until the Selectboard gets all of the other reports from them.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 10, 2011, for checks dated December 16, 2011, for gross wages in the amount of $19,031.94.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,131.15.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

SELECTBOARD MINUTES:

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SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 8, 2011:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of December 8, 2011, as printed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – December 8, 2011:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Session of December 8, 2011, as printed.  The Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed the Minutes of the following meetings:

·         Conservation Commission – December 5, 2011;

·         Planning Board – November 8, 2011;

·         Planning Board Workshop – November 22, 2011;

·         North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – December 6, 2011; and

·         North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – December 13, 2011.

BUILDING PERMIT:

SAWYER, Wentworth Road, Map & Lot # 005-004-000:  Mrs. Teague moved to grant Building Permit No. 2011-52 for Sheldon S. Sawyer to construct a 96’ x 17’ and a 60’ x 55’ Dairy Barn Addition on Wentworth Road.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mrs. Teague and Mr. Aldrich in favor, the motion was approved.  Mr. Sawyer abstained from the vote.

TIMBER TAX WARRANT:

GRIGG, Wentworth Road, Map & Lot # 008-004-000: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Warrant for the Timber Tax Levy and the Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed in the amount of $154.27 for Mike and Marissa Grigg on Wentworth Road.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:

Mrs. Teague moved to grant the following Property Tax Refunds for over-payment credits:

·         Philip D. Carroll and Linda S. Carroll, Taggard Road, Map & Lot #005-039-000 - $1,881.70;

·         Philip D. Carroll and Linda S. Carroll, Taggard Road, Map & Lot #019-002-000 - $449.40;

·         Robert D. Westover and Heidi J. Westerling, Valley Road, Map & Lot #011-034-001 - $82.00;

·         Scott Rutenkroger and Heather Rutenkroger, Reservoir Road, Map & Lot #010-033-001-

$132.00;

·          Dale C. Foster, Good Circle, Map & Lot #021-021-000 - $49.00;

·         Kelly A. Lynch, Main Street, Map & Lot #023-002-000 - $681.00;

·         Daniel Regan and Carolyn E. Vose-Regan, Wentworth Road, Map & Lot #001-011-005-

$469.50;

·         Randall A. Roberts and Staci A. Roberts, Carpenter Hill, Map & Lot #003-067-003 - $141.00;

·         Nathalie Houder, Prospect Hill, Map & Lot #008-067-000 - $92.00;

·         Mark L. Schoen and Peter Eldridge Cummings, Maple Grove Road, Map & Lot #008-080-000 –

$68.00’

·         William H. Daher 1993 Trust, Pete Stand Lane, Map & Lot #012-012-005 - $98.00.

Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

PROPERTY TAX CREDIT/EXEMPTION:

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VETERAN’S TAX CREDIT – Schwenk, 57 South Street, Map & Lot #018-008-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Veteran’s Property Tax Credit for Daniel Schwenk.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

NEW BUSINESS:

PERSONNEL:  Mrs. Clough noted that Jamie Hallock will be leaving the part-time office position in two weeks as she found a full-time position.  Mrs. Clough was asked to pull the applications on file for a part-time position.  Both Mrs. Clough and Ms. Taylor will look them over and make a recommendation to the Selectboard.

NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING:  The next Selectboard meeting will be held on Thursday, December 22, 2011, however the time will be changed from 7:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

NEXT BUDGET MEETING:  The Selectboard scheduled their next meeting to work on the budget for Thursday, December 22, 2011, at 1:00 PM. 

OLD BUSINESS:

MEDICAL COVERAGE:  The Local Government Center would like to be sure that the Town will renew the medical coverage with them therefore they submitted a form and requested that it be signed by the Selectboard Chairperson.

Mr. Sawyer moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign this document.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed by a unanimous vote.  

CHESHIRE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BUDGET HEARING:  As a reminder the Cheshire County Commissioners will be holding their budget meeting on December 19, 2011.

CHUCK BINGAMAN:  A few weeks ago Mr. Bingaman had been invited to attend a Selectboard meeting but he did not attend. Mr. Sawyer would like to know why they had no response from Mr. Bingaman to their request.  Mrs. Clough had been communicating with Mr. Bingaman via emails.  The Selectboard feel they supported the Walpole Leadership Academy by allowing them to use the building but now they would like to talk to him about their rules and regulations.  They are disappointed that they still have not heard from him.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 9:19 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes.  Corrections, if necessary, will be found in the Minutes of the December 29, 2011, Selectboard meeting.)