Ed. Note: Planning Board "working" sessions happen on the fourth Tuesday evening of the month and usually involve discussions of future directions in towen planning. They are open to the public. CCB

TOWN OF WALPOLE
PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP SESSION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012
7:00 PM

WORKSHOP LOCATION:
Walpole Town Hall Downstairs Meeting Room

AGENDA

1. Presentation on Up-date to Water Resources Protection Ordinance –
Antioch College Students: Kim Goodu and Emily Hall

2. Continued Discussion of the Planned Unit Development Concept (PUD) –
A. Report on What Other Localities Around Us Have Done
B. Amount of Acreage Available in Route 12’s Commercial District
For This Kind of Development

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Ed. Note: Special thabnks to Selectmen's adminstrative assistant Janet Clough for passing along these minutes. Janet is particularly busy at this time due to the upcoming town meeting and Teresa Taylor's temporary absence from the office. CCB

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

FEBRUARY 15, 2012

 Selectboard Present:     Jamie Teague, Sheldon Sawyer

 Due to the absence of Whitney Aldrich, Chair, Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:34 PM in the Walpole Town Hall with two people present in the audience.  Prior to this meeting the Selectboard attended the 2012 Annual Budget and Warrant Public Hearing.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:   Mrs. Teague moved to recess this meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved. 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:45 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $521,867.83.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

The above amount includes a monthly payment in the amount of $421,551.02 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 04, 2012, for checks dated February 10, 2012, for gross wages in the amount of $17,584.22.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,792.48.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending February 11, 2012, for checks dated February 17, 2012, for gross wages in the amount of $17,622.69.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,766.15.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – February 02, 2012:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of February 02, 2012, as printed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #1 – February 02, 2012:  Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session #1of February 02, 2012, as printed.  The Minutes will be unsealed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2 – February 02, 2012:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session #2 of February 02, 2012, as printed.  The Minutes will

Selectboard Meeting –February 15, 2012- Page 2

remain sealed.  The Selectboard will re-visit this when a full board is present.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NON-PUBLIC HOOPER TRUSTEES SESSION – February 02, 2012:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Hooper Trustees Session of February 02, 2012, as printed.  The Minutes will be unsealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

·         Trustees of Trust Funds – February 6, 2012;

·         Trustees of Trust Funds – February 8, 2012;

·         Planning Board Workshop – January 24, 2012;

·         North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – February 7, 2012; and

·         North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – January 24, 2012.

ABATEMENT REFUND:

WALPOLE D&D, Old Keene Road, Map & Lot # 008-015-006:  Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Abatement for a 2011 Property Tax Refund in the amount of $1,807.00 for Walpole D&D, Inc.   Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the letter from the Walpole Boy Scout Troop 299 advising that Alexander Peck was found worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout.  There was a consensus to take under consideration the request for a letter or certificate acknowledging his achievement.  A Selectboard member will try to make the presentation.

OLD BUSINESS:

MEDICAL COVERAGE RATES:  Mr. Sawyer moved to have the Selectboard sign the Medical Coverage Rates document as presented.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:    

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 8:31 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

7: 30 Tonight at Town Hall

Tonight's your chance to hear from nearly all the candidates for town offices, including the three vying for the opening on the Select Board.

It's your chance to hear from and question Steve Dalessio, Max Imhoff and Chas Street about their views and priorities if elected selectman. Hope you can be there! CCB

Meet your town officer candidates Tuesday evening

Attend the Walpole Grange Candidates' Night this Tuesday evening at 7: 30 at town hall.  Everyone welcome.  Get all the information you need to make informed choices! See you there!

Meet Your town Officer candidates Tuesday Evening

Attend the Walpole grange  candidates' night this Tuesday evening at 7: 30 at town hall. Get all the information you need to make informed choices! See you there!

Mardi Gras Dance to be held this Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the Walpole Town Hall, 7:30 pm until midnight to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cheshire County and the Fall Mountain Food Shelf.

Tickets $10 in advance, $13 at the door, and $10 at the door with a donation of canned or dry good for the food shelf.

Live music, "Ya Know, That Band!".  Costumes are encouraged but not required.  Snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and door prizes  provided.  BYOB event and attendees must be 18 or older.

Tickets available at the Walpole Town Hall, Galloway Real Estate in Walpole or by calling Jamie Teague at (603) 445-5193 or Kate Derwin at (603) 499-3577.

Sponsored by SMART Power Sports in Keene, Affordably Elegant Cakes & Catering in North Walpole, C & S Wholesale Grocers and the Town of Walpole.

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 ¿Hablas Español?  ¿Estás aprendiendo a  hablar Español?

 Do you speak Spanish? Are you learning to speak Spanish?

Come join our Spanish conversation group in Walpole.  We meet the first Tuesday of every month from 6 to 8 pm at the Walpole Town library.  Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 7.

If you're a beginner don't worry. I'm a beginner and make lots of mistakes (or learning opportunities!).  If you're more advanced please come and share your expertise. All ages are welcome. This group is a friendly place to practice and have fun learning a language. 

If you have any questions please call Julie Rios at 756-4173 or email me atjriosfamily@gmail.com

 ¡Espero a te verte allí! We hope to see you there!

CORRECTION: TOWN BALLOTING AND IN-PERSON MEETINGS MARCH  13 AND 17

Good thing The Walpolean has alert, responsible readers! Thanks to Peggy Pschirrer for pointing out that I gave the wrong dates a few days ago for the upcoming town votes. We'll actually vote on Tuesday, March 13 on officers and school district warrant items and meet in person to consider other warrant items on Saturday, March 17.  CCB

Ed. Note: This news release comes from the Vermont State Police. Some of the burglaries involved--and the people--are from Walpole and surrounding towns. CCB

Multiple Arrests in Major Area Burglary Ring, Spanning 12 Months and 5 States

Rockingham, VT – 12/6/12 – Today the Vermont State Police held a press conference regarding a series of related burglaries and other crimes that have spanned nearly 12 months and have affected communities in 5 states. The vast majority of these burglaries have occurred in Vermont and New Hampshire, primarily the southern portions of those states. Represented today at the conference, held at the Putney Fire Department in Vermont were representatives from the Vermont State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Windham County States Attorney, Windham County Sheriff’s Office, and many local police departments.

In the late summer of 2011 law enforcement officials in the Windham County, Vermont region began to notice a pattern of similar burglaries along the Connecticut River Valley, in Vermont. The Windham Count State’s Attorney’s Office worked to organize to an information sharing meeting regarding these burglaries between the various law enforcement agencies. This working group of investigators began working together on these burglaries, sharing information on mode of operation, time of day and other factors. In October of 2011, some critical information was developed during the investigation of a burglary in Cheshire County, New Hampshire that led investigators to understand these crimes crossed the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. The group of cooperating investigators grew to include local, county and state investigators from both New Hampshire and Vermont. Information sharing meetings continued, involving investigators from both states.

Through these cooperative efforts, the group developed a comprehensive picture of these crimes and compiled evidence linking several suspects to approximately 100 burglaries in Vermont and New Hampshire as well as several in Massachusetts, four in Maine and one in Virginia. It was learned that the burglaries were generally isolated to small businesses, without alarm systems, in the early hours of the morning between 2AM and 5AM. The suspects would take non-traceable items and such as cash. Entry was usually forced and often through a window.

As a result of the investigation, the below subjects were arrested in connection to the this case on February 4, 2012 for multiple counts of burglary, unlawful mischief, and unlawful trespass and processed at the Rockingham Barracks. More charges are expected to follow. The following four subjects were cited and released on Court ordered conditions and will be arraigned at the Vermont Superior Court in Brattleboro on March 13th

Criscenzo Ruggiero, age 20 of Westminster

Travis Noyes, age 20 of Saxtons River

Lance Thomas, age 18 of Rockingham

Christopher Goldschmidt, age 18 of Athens

The following subjects are wanted in Vermont in connection to these crimes and arrest warrants are being sought for multiple counts of burglary, unlawful mischief, and unlawful trespass. They are currently in custody in New Hampshire on charges related to New Hampshire burglaries.

Cody Loewe, 20 years old, last known address of Bellows Falls, VT

Dillon Lange, 20 years old of Alstead NH

The final subject, Logan Critchfield, 21 years old of Walpole NH, is also wanted in connection to these crimes and an arrest warrant is being sought for multiple counts of burglary, unlawful mischief, and unlawful trespass. His location is unknown. The Vermont State Police encourage anyone with information on his whereabouts, to call 802-875-2112.

The victims of these crimes, while may never see their possessions returned, showed courage and conviction when coming forward to report these crimes and for enduring countless hours of interviews while evidence and information was gathered by investigators. Their assistance is invaluable and is greatly appreciated by law enforcement officials. Without their efforts, we may not have been able to piece together these crimes and suspects.

These crimes were resolved through the cooperative efforts of many local, county and State law enforcement officers. While the scale of this cooperation in this event is noteworthy, the concept is far from unusual. Cooperation between patrol officers, deputy sheriffs and state troopers is the rule in rural law enforcement, not the exception.

Anyone with information relating to these crimes, please call the Vermont State Police, Rockingham Barracks at 802-875-2112.

Investigations are still is on-going, far reaching, and new crimes are linked every week. For media questions, please contact the Vermont State Police Public Information Officer, Stephanie Dasaro, at 802-279-9773.

Agencies involved in investigation:

Vermont Agencies

VSP Rockingham

VSP Brattleboro

VSP Rutland

VSP Bradford

St. Johnsbury Police Department

Windham County Sheriff’s Department

Brattleboro Police Department

Springfield Police Department

Bellows Falls Police Department

Hartford Police Department

Vernon Police Department

 New Hampshire Agencies

New Hampshire  State Police, Troop C

Walpole Police Department

Lebanon Police Department

Canaan Police Department

Alstead Police Department

Charlestown Police Department

Cheshire County Sheriff’s Department

Chesterfield Police Department

Claremont Police Department

Sunapee Police Department

Hanover Police Department

Walpole Police Department

 

Massachusetts Agencies

Mass State Police

Deerfield Police Department

Bernardston Police Department

 Maine State Police

Virginia Beach Police Department

 ###

 Stephanie Dasaro | Vermont State Police - Public Information Officer

103 South Main Street | Waterbury, Vermont 05671

802-241-5277 (desk) | 802-279-9773 (cell)

VSP Website | Facebook | Records Requests

Ed. Note: Yesterday was the deadline for filing for election to town offices for the March 6 election. Here's what I put in today's Eagle Times. CCB

Auditions Saturday, February 4 at 2PM Walpole at Town Hall for Pygmalion to be performed in 1st and 2nd weekend in May.

Tom Winmill

917-687-0320

Ed. Note: Town Financial Clerk Teresa Taylor fell on the ice outside of Town Hall last week and injured her back. She has had surgery and is recovering at Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Lebanon. Because of Teresa's absence several meetings preparatory to the town meeting have been pushed back on the February calendar as noted below. CCB

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JANUARY 26, 2012

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 six people in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

MR. ERNIE VOSE:  Mr. Vose and the Selectboard discussed the fact that the Walpole Farmers Market wanted to use the Town Hall on the same day as the Town Meeting.  The Selectboard do not want to hold the Town Meeting on the second floor therefore Mrs. Clough was asked to contact Jill Robinson of the Farmers Market to advise that they will have to re-schedule that date. 

Mr. Vose advised that the sound system is being repaired but will be ready for Town Meeting.  He would like to try using the big speakers by putting one on each side of the head table. 

The 2012 Warrant Articles were reviewed briefly.  There was a consensus to pay $10.00/per hour for the election workers who stay more than 10 hours and $8.00/per hour for the workers who are ballot counters (less than 10 hours).  Mr. Vose allows a two hour minimum; the Selectboard agreed.    

MR. BILL KOSTER:  Mr. Koster was present to talk about the right-of-way that is on the Connors property off the Alstead Center Road.  It allows his daughter, Katie Koster, access to her land.  Mr. Koster read a portion of Katie Koster’s Deed.  That right-of-way existed as an existing road.  He provided a brief history of the area, displayed a copy of Bill Lawrence’s survey and explained where the right-of-way is.  He believes that the Connors house sits on the old right-of-way.  He is also concerned where their septic is as it should be 75-feet from the stream and, if it is, it is where the right-of-way is.  Reference was made to a Planning Board meeting on May 9, 2006.  New Hampshire requires mutual consent for right-of-ways.  Ms. Koster’s Deed clearly references the right-of-way going across the property. The Kosters agreed to a minimal change of easement during the Planning Board meeting but a proposed easement / right-of-way change was never presented to the Kosters via a Quitclaim / new Deed thus he feels the original easement / right-of-way should be in effect.  Mr. Koster feels that Mr. Connors is going back to the 2006 statement by the Planning Board “while the right-of-way referred to the Woods Road, it was noted that a right-of-way doesn’t necessarily require an exact placement, as long as the property owner allows for passage”.  Mr. Koster questioned if they can change that statement.  Mrs. Teague asked Mr. Koster to provide the Selectboard with a copy of the documents so they can send the file to Attorney Hockensmith to see what the Selectboard’s position should be.  Mr. Sawyer feels that it should go before the Planning Board.  Their next meeting is Tuesday, February 14th at 7:00 PM.                         

PAYROLL:

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending January 21, 2012, for checks dated January 27, 2012, for gross wages in the amount of $21,649.33.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,637.00.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Meeting –January 26, 2012 - Page 2

SELECTBOARD MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – January 19, 2012:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of January 19, 2012, as printed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – January 19, 2012:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of January 19, 2012, as printed.  The Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

·         Hooper Study Committee – January 17, 2012;

·         Zoning Board of Adjustment – January 18, 2012;

·         Planning Board – January 10, 2012; and

·         North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – January 24, 2012.

TIMBER CUTS:

SIMONDS, 15 Sawmill Lane, Map & Lot # 013-034-000:  Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber, Number 11-461-22-T, for Rita Simonds.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

WALPOLE FARMERS MARKET REQUEST:  Relative to the request received from Jill Robinson of the Walpole Farmers Market the Selectboard decided to table their request at this time. 

Mrs. Teague moved to advise the Farmers Market that they will be required to pay the non-profit resident rates for the use of the Town Hall for the market.  This is due to public inquiry as to why the market does not pay for use as the vendors are for profit.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

TOWN HALL ROOF:  The Selectboard is looking for alternative ways to fix the drainage issue of the water dripping off the Town Hall onto the cement walk / entryway to the Town Hall.  They requested that Mrs. Clough contact three roofing companies to get quotes.

Mrs. Clough also stated that it is dangerous to walk on the sidewalks after a snow storm as the snow slides off the slate roof and onto the sidewalk.  She questioned whether the sidewalk should be closed off.  The Selectboard advised her to look into getting warning signs for each end of the sidewalk and also to ask the same roofing companies their opinions of what could be done to help rectify the issue.

2012 ANNUAL BUDGET AND WARRANT HEARING:  Mrs. Teague moved to re-schedule the 2012 Annual Budget and Warrant Hearing from February 1st to Wednesday, February 15th, 2012, due to the absence of the Financial Clerk.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

WARRANT ARTICLES:  The Selectboard reviewed and approved the 2012 Warrant Articles as presented.

Selectboard Meeting –January 26, 2012- Page 3

DECORATIVE POLE ATTACHMENT AGREEMENT:  Mrs. Teague moved to authorize the Chair to sign the Decorative Pole Attachment Agreement with FairPoint Communications.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:  Mrs. Teague moved to recess the Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 9:50 PM.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

Mr. Aldrich called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 9:51 PM.

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 ( c) Reputations.  Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular meeting resumed at 9:59 PM.  No announcements were made.

Adjournment:  Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting. The Hooper Trustees will resume their Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)

Mr. Aldrich called the recessed Selectboard meeting to order at 10:01 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:  Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 10:02 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Ed. Note: Prior to the Planning Board's finally approving the Champlain Oil site plan application to develop a Rt. 12 gas station/convenience store January 10, Krystyna Marcom collected signatures on a petition asking the Board to reconsider its decision not to hire an outside expert to advise it on the possible risks of building the station above one of the town's aquifers. She turned over her petition and signatures to the Board January 10, and several citizens supported its points at the meeting. The Board responded by voting, 4-3, to approve Champlain's application.  Here is a statement Krystyna asked The Walpolean to post after the meeting. (Incidentally, The Walpolean has not yet posted the minutes of the Planning Board meeting because there have been delays in getting them written. The Walpolean will post the minutes as soon as they are finished and public.) CCB

Thank you Walpole residents who, on very short notice, signed a petition asking our Planning Board members to further scrutinize the impact the proposed gas station on Route 12 will have on our town's well water and other safety issues by engaging an independent engineer to study the site.  

Unfortunately, in a vote of 4 to 3, the Planning Board decided that our concerns were not valid, and ignored the voices of 260 Walpole residents. The Walpole Water Commissioner, Safety Director, and several board members voiced safety concerns which were not even acknowledged. A 3rd generation farmer who leases the land, and whose farm stand is frequented by many in our community, provided documentation pointing out that this was the most fertile agricultural land in our valley.  His plea went unheeded. 

More time was devoted by some members of the Planning Board to the examination of the tile to be used in construction than to the impact this gas station would have on our town's water supply and other safety issues.

To date, this project still needs state approval.

Krystyna Marcom