The Walpolean

Three-Way Race for Walpole Selectman

2012-02-04T12:39:21-06:00

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

Three-Way Race for Walpole Selectman

by Chuck Bingaman

Steve Dalessio, Max Imhoff and Chas Street have filed to run for the open spot on the Walpole Select Board replacing Sheldon Sawyer who is stepping down after four terms.

All three have participated in the Walpole Leadership Academy.

In other contested elections, Ray Boas is challenging incumbent Myra Mansouri for Town Treasurer, and James D. Aldrich and incumbents Bennett Daviss and Jeff Miller are seeking two open seats on the Planning Board.

Dalessio of Drewsville is currently an alternate on the Walpole Planning Board and was named vice-chair of the Hooper Golf Course Study Committee by the Select Board last November. Dalessio, in his day job, is general manager of Lake Machine, a high tech machine shop in Claremont. While an alternate on the Planning Board, he has been active in working to update the town’s master plan.

Originally from New York City, Imhoff moved with his family to Massachsetts when he was a senior in high school. He served four years in the Coast Guard and said yesterday that he “fell in love with Walpole in 1972 and thought it would be a wonderful place to live.” Until his recent retirement, Imhoff has been employed by Alysons Orchard in Walpole.

Chas Street is an associate with Galloway Real Estate Services in Walpole and previously served on the SAU60 board of education. He is retired from the U.S. Air Force.

In other elections--all set for Tuesday, March 6--incumbent Ernie Vose is running for another two-year term as town moderator, incumbent Sandra J. Smith is running for a three-year term as town clerk, and Tom Winmill is running for a position as Trustee of Trust Funds in the slot being vacated by retiring Jerry Galloway. Also, incumbents Mary Therese Lester and Peggy Pschirrer are seeking new three-year terms on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Katherine Golec, Barbara Lounsbury and Jeanne Ramey are seeking three-year terms on the Town Library Board.

Finally, incumbent Pamela Howard is seeking an additional three-year term on the cemetery board, and Genevieve Gallagher of North Walpole is seeking a new six-year term as a supervisor of the checklist.
--30--

Walpole Players' "Pygmalion" Auditions

2012-02-03T21:44:36-06:00

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

January 26, 2012 Selectmen's Minutes

2012-02-03T07:00:32-06:00

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

Opinion: Planning Board Decision Not Given Enough Thought!

2012-02-02T10:32:32-06:00

Opinion: Planning Board Decision Not Given Enough Thought!

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

"Writing It Down!" New Writing Group Forming at Walpole Town LIbrary

2012-01-26T16:19:58-06:00

WRITING IT DOWN

Saturday Feb 11, 2012
at the
Walpole Town Library
10:00 a.m - 11:30 a.m.

How many times have you wished you'd written that story about someone in your family or some special experience of your own?

This is a group to help inspire those who keep wishing they'd get around to writing down and sharing those stories . Not a study group, this is an informal gathering with no instruction and only the kind of feedback you ask for.

Meetings will be held every 2nd Saturday morning of the month in the reference room of the library. Aim to bring a short piece to share, so we'll have time for everyone.

Contact Barbara Dretzin at 756-3831 or stop by the library for more details.

January 5 AND January 12 Selectmen's Meeting Minutes

2012-01-26T09:12:14-06:00

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JANUARY 5, 2012

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

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM in the Walpole Town Hall with seven people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

BILL DAHER: Mr. Daher had some questions relative to the assessment on his property and Current Use. He does not feel that it is assessed properly therefore asked what the procedure is to have it checked again. Mr. Sawyer explained that he would have to submit an Abatement form for the assessment; it has to be returned to the office by March 1st, 2012. Mrs. Clough noted that they will go back to the 2011 property taxes. If Mr. Daher makes a decision to add acreage to his Current Use land he will have to complete a Current Use application for that.

HOLLY GOWDY: Mrs. Gowdy advised that March 18th, 2012, is one of the dates on their Farmers Market schedule but it is also Town Meeting day. They are trying to find another location for that day. On Saturday, February 18th they are going to feature fiber so they will have knitters. She asked if a vendor could bring in a bunny in a cage. There was a consensus of the Selectboard to approve this request provided they have something under the cage to protect the floor. When they are able to move their Farmers Market outside to the Common they are going to try a time change from 3:00-to-6:00 pm to 3:30-to-6:30 PM as people have told them that they cannot get there until 3:30 so they were encouraged to change the hours.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mrs. Teague moved to recess the Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a Hooper Trustees meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 7:51 PM.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

Mr. Aldrich called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 7:54 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Mrs. Teague moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss ( d) Acquisition, Sale or Lease of Real or Personal Property. Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular meeting resumed at 8:39 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees Meeting. The Hooper Trustees will resume their meeting as Selectboard members. The Minutes will be sealed. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)

Mr. Aldrich resumed the regular Selectboard meeting at 8:41 PM.

Selectboard Meeting –January 5, 2012- Page 2

HOOPER STUDY COMMITTEE: Mrs. Peggy Pschirrer, Chair of the Hooper Study Committee, reported that they have met three times. She distributed a copy of the Agenda for the next meeting on Monday. At this meeting they will be putting together questions to ask Attorney Hockensmith during the January 23rd meeting when he will be present. She asked all committee members to read his correspondence on taxation and that includes reading the cases. In February they will talk about the Hooper Institute and she would like to schedule that meeting there. During the December meetings they discussed finances. Mrs. Pschirrer feels that the Trustees of The Hooper Trust should have a spending policy and a budget. In March they will study golf courses.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

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 8:57 PM.

The regular meeting resumed at 9:14 PM. No announcements were made.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $27,787.00. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 31, 2011, for checks dated January 6, 2012, for gross wages in the amount of $17,676.43. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,043.81. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 22, 2011: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the December 22, 2011, Selectboard meeting 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.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – December 22, 2011: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the December 22, 2011, Selectboard Non-Public Session 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.

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 29, 2011: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the December 29, 2011, Selectboard meeting as printed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With Mrs. Teague and Mr. Aldrich in favor, the minutes were approved. Mr. Sawyer abstained as he was not present.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – December 29, 2011: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of December 29, 2011, as printed. The Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With Mrs. Teague and Mr. Aldrich in favor, the minutes were approved. Mr. Sawyer abstained as he was not present.

Selectboard Meeting –January 5, 2012- Page 3

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

· North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – January 3, 2012; and

· Zoning Board of Adjustment – December 21, 2011.

ABATEMENTS:

WATER & SEWER ABATEMENT: Hubbard Homestead, LLC., 16 Old North Main Street, Map & Lot # 012-030-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Abatement for Water in the amount of $63.00 and Sewer in the amount of $36.00 for Hubbard Homestead, LLC. There has been no usage since September. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

CEMETERY DEED – Scadova, Blackjack Crossing, Lot # D-417: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for Lot # D417 for David and Rose Scadova. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

CONCERTS ON THE GREEN: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the time change for the Summer Concerts to 6:30 to 8:00 PM as requested by the Savings Bank of Walpole. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

POLICE DEPARTMENT APPOINTMENT: Mrs. Teague moved to appoint Mike Thomas Tallett as a police officer in the Town of Walpole. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

TOWN HALL BUILDING: Mrs. Clough had an inquiry from someone who would like to use the Town Hall to train her dog during these winter months. The Selectboard was not in favor of this use for the Town Hall.

OLD BUSINESS:

COMPENSATION TIME: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the response from the Local Government Center on the accruing of compensation time.

ATTORNEY CORRESPONDENCE: The Selectboard received a letter from Attorney Hockensmith regarding the collection of an unpaid water bill.

Mr. Sawyer moved to write off the bill for an unpaid water bill issued for usage between September 1, 2006 and January 29, 2007, as it is uncollectible. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mrs. Teague moved to recess this 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 9:47 PM.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

Mr. Aldrich called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Selectboard Meeting –January 5, 2012- Page 4

Mrs. Teague moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (d) Acquisition, Sale or Lease of Real or Personal Property. Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular meeting resumed at 9:58 PM.

HOOPER GOLF CLUB ASSOCIATION LEASE: Mr. Sawyer moved to make some changes in the proposed lease and then the Selectboard will sign the lease and send it to the Hooper Golf Club Association. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

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

SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)

Mr. Aldrich called this recessed Selectboard meeting to order.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 10:07 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JANUARY 12, 2012

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

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM at the Walpole Town Hall with two people present in the audience.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $112,754.59. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register for voided check No. 560780. A replacement check will be issued to Gary’s Disposal rather than Sandri, Inc. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending January 7, 2012, for checks dated January 13, 2012, for gross wages in the amount of $17,362.62. 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 $3,790.78. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – January 5, 2012: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 5, 2012, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD MEETING – January 5, 2012: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of January 5, 2012, as printed. The minutes will be unsealed. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NON-PUBLIC HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING #1 – January 5, 2012: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Hooper Trustees Meeting #1 of January 5, 2012, as printed. The Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NON-PUBLIC HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING #2 – January 5, 2012: There was a consensus to put these Minutes on-hold until the next meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

· North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – January 10, 2012;

· Hooper Study Committee – December 19, 2011; and

· Planning Board – December 13, 2011.

ABATEMENTS:

Water and Sewer Abatement – 1834 Washington Square II, LLC, 16 Westminster Street, Map & Lot # 020-063-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Abatement for Water in the amount of $265.73 and

Selectboard Meeting –January 12, 2012- Page 2

Sewer in the amount of $376.16 for 1834 Washington Square II, LLC. This bill is uncollectable due to a property transfer and the amount was either never billed or just never paid. The statute for action and/or collection has run out. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT:

TSITSONIS – Upper Walpole Road, Map & Lot #012-051-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2012-01 for Elias Tsitsonis and Athanasia Tsitsonis Lakin to construct a 12’ x 48’ Home Addition. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

PERSONNEL REQUEST: Mr. Sawyer moved to grant permission for Paul Colburn to take January 29th thru February 4th, 2012, off as vacation time. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

DRED Meeting – January 19, 2012: The Selectboard will be meeting with representatives from the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development on Thursday, January 19th at 7:00 PM.

SNOW PLOWING POLICY: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of information from the Local Government Center regarding the “Plowing Private Roads, Driveways and Class VI Roads”. This will be passed on to Jim Terrell, Highway Superintendent.

HEALTH INSURANCE MEETING: Mrs. Clough reported that the representative from the Town’s Health Insurance will be here on January 19th at 10:00 AM. She will meet with the Selectboard first and then with the employees.

HOOPER STUDY COMMITTEE: Mr. Sawyer felt that the Selectboard should make reference to the Hooper Study Committee. They will be drawing up a list of questions to be presented to Attorney Hockensmith when he meets with them on January 23rd. They will go over the RSAs and his correspondence that pertains to leases and taxation as they relate to the Hooper property.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

The regular meeting resumed at 9:01 PM. No announcements were made.

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. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

Mr. Aldrich called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 9:03 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Selectboard Meeting –January 12, 2012- Page 3

Mrs. Teague moved to enter into a Non-Public Hooper Trustees meeting pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss ( d) Acquisition, Sale or Lease of Real or Personal Property. Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting resumed at 9:18 PM. No announcements were made.

Adjournment:

Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this Hooper Trustees meeting. Mr. Sawyer seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)

Mr. Aldrich called this resumed Selectboard meeting to order at 9:21 PM.

Adjournment:

Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Teague. With all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 9:22 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Minutes of Hooper Study Committee from January 9, 2012

2012-01-25T10:51:36-06:00

HOOPER STUDY COMMITTEE

Minutes, January 9, 2012

Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Steve Dalessio, Vice Chair; Joe Dion, Charles Lennon; Holly Gowdy, Peter Kenny, Jeff Miller.

Sheldon Sawyer – ex-officio.

Whit Aldrich as Chair, Board of Selectmen

Recording Secretary: Vicki Gohl

The Chair, Peggy Pschirrer called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. The agenda and the minutes of December 9, 2011 were distributed.

Announcements

Chair noted distribution of document from Jerry Galloway which shows the questions which followed up that consent decree of 2/17/95 which were sent back to the court. The other came from on line research and is an Investment Performance Report for The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and has performance details of 2005 to 2010. Chair asked the Committee members to review these documents for the next meeting.

Chair asked the Selectmen if it would be possible for the committee to meet on the 2nd floor of the Town Hall in future so we have more room. Selectmen said yes.

Chair asked committee to submit their questions for Attorney Hockensmith:

Mr. Dion: We need to ask him for his opinion about the property taxes issue – must the golf course pay? What, if anything can be done to keep them from having to pay? The citizen that brought this to the Town’s attention did so with an attitude of his only wanting to pay his fair share. Can the court force real estate taxes be paid next year? We have a lease that does not cover that and we cannot look to our current tenant.

General discussion ensued about the issue of ownership as it relates to the taxation question. Discussion of case law about tax exempt vs. non-tax exempt. What are the relevant precedents for Town owned property and not property owned by a tax exempt organization? What is the appeal process for tax levels on a property owned by the town? Currently, the monies from the rental of the golf course go to the Hooper Institute and not to the town. Does this affect the issue in any way? Mr. Miller: If we do need to collect taxes immediately, where does it go? To the trust or to the town?

Chair: Is there a charitable aspect of the golf course? Is it doing something for the greater good? It is important that Attorney Hockensmith help us understand or clarify who actually owns the club. What are the implications of the fact that the Town owns the golf course in trust and all that this ownership entails once and for all.

Chair asked committee to turn their attention to P.4 of MacDowell Case in the binders before the meeting with Attorney Hockensmith.

Further discussion of whether payments go to the town or the trust and what payment options might be.

Chair: Does this state have “PILOT” program – a payment in lieu of tax program?

Mr. Sawyer: Whatever the outcome we need to avoid taxes being paid in 2012. Mr. Aldridge: We need this year to be left alone as the current lease was made in good faith. Mr. Dion: What if the State decides they must pay and immediately? Chair: Ironically, the State reviews the lease each time you sign one.

Chair to Mr. Miller – How could the Golf Club be restructured so that it became tax exempt? One problem is that not even 50(c)3 status would protect the Golf Club. Mr. Dalessio & Ms. Gowdy – perhaps there is some way the golf Club could become part of the Hooper Institute or be restructured to avoid the property taxes. Chair: Right now the Hooper is structured to benefit its members. Could it be re-structured? Maybe the person to answer this is not Hockensmith, but a specialist on not-for-profits. Mr. Lennon: If you look at the articles of agreement from 1959 perhaps it is already organized as tax exempt. It’s just after Hockensmith’s letter in the binder. It’s what was filed with the state in 1959.

Chair to Mr. Miller: Can you share the by-laws and incorporation papers for the club with Mr. Lennon? It would be good to have all of the documentation relating to public access. For example, what months you are open? How does the public know what the hours are? Are there certain times when the golf course is not open to public? Can you give all of those rules to Mr. Lennon so that he can use it to compare the Hooper to other clubs? Mr. Miller: Yes Chair: Be sure all of the information about public access is written down. It is in the best interest of the golf Club that all of this information is documented. You make a better case for your organization if most of the time the course is public.

Ms. Gowdy: When Vermont Academy or other schools bring their students, do they pay? Mr. Miller: Yes they do currently pay Jr. membership fees, but Fall Mountain High School is interested in having a golf team and we do not know at this time if we would charge them.

Ms. Gohl: As per our discussion last week, perhaps we should ask Attorney Hockensmith to define what exactly is the principle for the Trust? Is the line established by the State in 1997 the protected minimum or are all monies generated by the 1997 principle included? Chair: I will send him a copy of our minutes so he has background of our discussion.

Mr. Dion: Terry Knowles from the Attorney General’s office said she does not think we are charging enough rent for the golf course. What would the position of the State be regarding what we are charging and what could happen if the State insisted we charge more but the Club could not pay and the Town decided not to charge more? What kind of problems would that raise for the whole arrangement in future?

Mr. Dion: Terry Knowles also said that in a rental you can give the association credit for improvements, but if there is a sale, you cannot give any credit. If we were to draw a new lease, could we acknowledge the improvements made by the tenant if we wanted to? Mr. Miller: The consent decree acknowledges the improvements. Could that document be applied? Mr. Dion: In her email, she said “no.”

Mr. Dion: If we were to sell it, would it be legal for the Town to hold a mortgage? I know that the Trustees of the Trust Funds cannot, but can the Town?

Mr. Sawyer: Can we go to Town Meeting for a vote to get approval for non-taxation for the golf club?

Chair: Could the club restructure itself in such a way that the club could sell shares to its members so that the membership owned the course?

Mr. Miller: Its been discussed. Description of Brattleboro Club story. Given the make up of our club it seems an unlikely scenario. We used to have close to 350 members now membership is at about 220. We charge about $680 for a single unlimited membership. It would tap the Walpole Community in a tough way and I am not sure we could accomplish it.

Mr. Dion: Is it true that the Trustees can go sell the course in a private sale? Is it true that it does not have to go on the public market? They would have to have two public meetings to hear public opinion. The Trustees must get a fair market appraisal and meet that level, but my understanding is that they are not obligated to take an offer from the highest bidder.

Mr. Sawyer: There is another 200 acres that is not a part of the golf course that we are getting nothing from right now. One lot is right around the golf course and the other is lot 11 on map 10 - 133 acres on Resevoir Road which is assessed for $75,000 and has a great deal of valuable timber – red pine. Could we sell that in order to protect the golf course? Chair: Could you sell this land or the development rights for this land? What would the timber bring in? Is there a timber assessment? We do not have to ask the attorney about that – we have the right to sell that timber and it is in the will.

Mr. Dalessio: Here is another re-structuring idea. Can we give the mansion back to the town and not have it be a part of the lease? It would obviously give up the clubhouse aspect. Mr. Miller: Right now the mansion is not a draw. Mr. Dion: Most club members like a clubhouse. Ms. Gowdy: Right now its 2012, but in fifteen years the mansion might be critical. Mr. Sawyer: Individuals who were interested in the property wanted the mansion.

Chair: This is a lot of questions, but we will send him a list and see what he says.

Other Items:

Chair: I asked Bob Kimball, who does the books for the golf club association, whether he files anything with the state as a non-profit, and he said “no.” They are filing corporation tax returns.

When I handed out the calendar I did not stay consistent with the February dates because I will be away. I was thinking that on Feb 6th we might be able to meet in the Hooper Institute. If not perhaps we can meet upstairs. Discussion ensued of whether entire Hooper mansion is shut down. Check with Eloise. We also want to meet with her. Will Bickford come on the Feb 6th? Ms. Gowdy: I will check and if Bickford cannot I will ask Charlene Bowdry or Bill Perrin.

Second meeting in February is the 27th. In March we will start looking at other golf clubs. In April we will start looking at solutions.

Minutes for both meetings will be approved at next meeting on January 23rd upstairs.

Adjourned 8:02pm

These Minutes were approved by the Hooper Study Committee at the 1/23/12 meeting.

They are respectfully submitted,

Victoria Gohl

1/25/12

Minutes of the Hooper Study Committee from December 19, 2011

2012-01-25T10:42:47-06:00

Ed. Note: These minutes are supplied by Vicki Gohl, secretary of the Hooper Study Committee. A second set of minutes will be posted shortly. CCB

HOOPER STUDY COMMITTEE

Minutes, December 19, 2011

Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Steve Dalessio, Vice Chair; Joe Dion, Charles Lennon; Holly Gowdy, Peter Kenny, Jeff Miller, Jerry Galloway, Sheldon Sawyer.

Whit Aldrich as Chair, Board of Selectmen; Robert Kimball, Trustee of Trust Funds.

Recording Secretary: Vicki Gohl

The Chair, Peggy Pschirrer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. The agenda and the minutes of Dec 5, 2011 were distributed.

Committee requested three changes to minutes. Corrections from Mr. Dion: Page 4 “Mr. Smith” should read “Mr. Kenney.” Pro Shop Roof repairs cost $14,000. Page 3 bottom Total trust income for 2011 through October is $79,401.31 Motion to approve corrections. Motion approved. Minutes approved as corrected.

Announcements:

First page of Golf Club current lease distributed to clear up questions regarding ownership of the Club and who are the parties in the current lease. Chair read opening paragraph “This lease was made this 14th day of April, 2011 between the Town of Walpole, NH, a New Hampshire municipal corporation… (address) in its capacity as Trustee of the George L. Hooper Trust hereinafter called the landlord and the Hooper Golf Club of Walpole a New Hampshire Voluntary corporation… (address) hereinafter called the tenant.”

Walpole Town Attorney Hockensmith will meet with the Study Committee during their January 23rdmeeting. Chair proposes that January 9th meeting be used to review RSA’s and put together questions for Attorney Hockensmith which the Chair will send ahead to him. Chair asked committee to please bring RSA’s to the next meeting.

Further Discussion with the Trustees of Trusts Funds

The Chair received questions via email as a result of the presentation during the last meeting and these questions were sent along to Mr. Dion who met with the other Trustees and discussed them in detail.

Question #1: “When Jerry indicates that the earnings are approximately 2+%, I assume he is talking about the comingled trust funds. Does the bank break out the percentage for each trust?”

Mr. Galloway passed out the back page of November financial report and it does show the yield on the investments. This yield is for nonexpendable income or restricted funds and Hooper is not the only trust with restricted funds. The income on the others is 1.4%. Not a large rate of return.

Question #2: “Do you expect a legal opinion from Attorney Hockensmith about the ownership of the buildings and land etc and how do you think this will effect the trust money?”

Mr. Dion: I can only answer half of that. We had always felt the Trust owned the Golf Course and Assets, but we had heard it might be otherwise and we asked the Selectmen if we could ask the Attorney his opinion on this and they said we could. We asked him and he gave us a verbal that the Golf Course was owned by the town. If we are we going to get a written opinion from Hockensmith regarding who owns club, then that is up to the Selectmen to decide, it is not within our jurisdiction to request the written opinion.

Question #3: “Because the Trustees of Trust Funds are elected is there a training or “hand off” process for the successors?

Mr. Dion: The Trustees for Trust funds are elected every two years and paid $500 a year. There did not used to be a hand off process when I came on in 2007, but now there is and it is much more organized. It is not a complicated job but it is time consuming.

Question #4: “How would selling the development rights work?“

Mr. Kimball: There is a country club in Shaker Hill New Hampshire - Sunset Country Club in WRJ area. They raised money, gave it to the New Hampshire Conservancy who bought development rights for about 50% of value of property. Value was $700,000 they sold development rights for $350,000. That money went to the landowner and he could then sell the country club for $350,000. If we were to follow this example, we would raise about $500,000 from local individuals and donate it to the Monadnock Conservancy who would come to the Town of Walpole and buy the development rights. That money could then be put into a maintenance fund for the mansion and then we could sell the country club buildings hopefully to the Hooper Club Association. The land would be protected from development and kept for public use.

Question#5: If we were going to change the Trustee Funds manager how would we do it, who could we get and what criteria would be used? Mr. Dion: BOA gets 55 basis points. We are obviously not happy with them right now. Nothing has been said since the economy has been so bad, but this year we expected a little bit more. If they do not meet their benchmark this year, we will interview other companies. There are two things involved. The administrator guy at BOA is doing a good job but the investment guy is not. We would look at three or four people that are in this business that can handle the administrative aspect of this portfolio and then look at their performance last year and get permission to call their references. Perhaps there is someone out there really doing a better job.

Mr. Galloway: BOA’s situation does not instill a lot of confidence. We are not happy with them. The end of year is a bad time to change, but in the new year we will speak to the four prospects. $3.5million is a good amount and we are one of the largest in the state but we do not meet the criteria for many funds. We are somewhat limited in where we can go because we need them to do MS9’s and MS10’s on the administration side. We also have to have them approved by the State of New Hampshire. It does cost to change over, and of course they sell everything when you change but you can’t keep riding a dead horse.

Question #6: Would you consider going back to the courts for a clarification on ownership? Mr. Dion: That is up the Selectmen.

Mr. Dalessio had submitted additional questions to Mr. Dion much of which had been answered. Mr. Kimball reviewed the income and expense documents presented at the Town meeting and the last Hooper Study Meeting.

Was the $25k transfer necessary? Mr. Galloway: Eloise Clark pointed out that several bills had been paid out of her side of the fund and no monies should be paid out of Hooper I. It was a mistake before our time and we are trying to fix that.

What is the return on the investment for the cottage? We have made no investment in cottage it was a gift. Is cottage a prudent investment at its current rent? The rent of $900 per month does meet market value, but does it cover costs? Is it prudent? Cottage stands alone because it is on Hooper lands. It is not subdivided and cannot be sold, but we need to evaluate it.

Have Trustees from other town trusts complained about income at this point? No. If we have another dismal year we will change.

Can we be given a list of the specific funds that monies have been invested in?

Mr. Kimball – Handed out a sheet showing the non-expendables as they sit at BOA right now. But that is all of the town trusts combined and the Hooper monies are not broken out.

On page seven of the court decree point A states that the principal as of 12 /1991 was to remain in tact and not be preserved for future income. Can this be interpreted that so long as the principal in the accumulator fund does not fall below the 12/1991 balance, that the town could in certain instances use the principal of the trust?

Mr. Kimball: In 1991 they had accumulated income and they had the Hooper Trusts. At that point they had the accumulator and the principal. They decided that the principal must stay in tact – call it Hooper I and take what is in accumulator fund, call it Hooper II, put half in maintenance and half in scholarship funds. Question is does the decree freeze the principal at any level period or only at the 1991 level? Can you touch the growth of the principal since 1991? That is open to interpretation by Hockensmith. The principal has grown by more than $200,000 since 12/1991, can that increase be used? The current Trustees do not believe that this money can be touched.

Chair handed out spending policy and investment policy from New Haven Public Libraries as an example for consideration. Their holdings were about $2miliion. She described evaluation of investment companies and what the philosophy was behind their policies.

Mr. Sawyer recommended getting spending policy of New Hampshire Charitable Association.

There was a discussion of the matter and consequences of invading principle.

Question 8: “Why is cottage lease set up as month to month?”

Mr. Sawyer: We had an annual lease but we needed to change it to month to month in case we needed to vacate.

Question 9: “Is cottage on separate tax lot?” No.

February 18 Mardi Gras Dance and Fundraiser at Town Hall

2012-01-19T11:22:19-06:00

Mardi Gras Dance and Fundraiser at Town Hall

Did you buy a great costume for Halloween then have your event cancelled? Have the long dark days and winter cold got you hankering for something to do?? Come have fun and do something great for charity at the same time.

Come join us on Saturday, February 18th for a Mardi Gras Dance Fundraiser with “Ya Know? That Band” at the Walpole Town Hall from 7:30 pm til the stroke of midnight when we all take our masks off and reveal our true identity. Tickets are only $10 each in advance with the proceeds being split between Big Brothers/Big Sisters – Cheshire County and the Fall Mountain Food Shelf. If you buy a ticket at the door, it will cost $13 unless you bring a can or dry good for the food shelf, then it’s only $10. Snow date for the event is Saturday, March 3rd.

The ticket price includes a donation to two great non-profits, great dance music from “Ya Know? That Band”, tasty snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and an entry for great door prizes. Costumes are not required but encouraged. It is a BYOB event and attendees must be 18 or older due to the anticipated presence of alcohol. Dancing will be upstairs in the theatre with food and games available in the downstairs hall. The event is being sponsored by SMART Power Sports in Keene, Affordably Elegant Cakes & Catering in North Walpole, C & S Wholesale and the Town of Walpole. More sponsors are signing up everyday to offer their support and we’ll update that list soon.

Tickets will be available Monday, January 23rd at the Walpole Town Hall, Galloway Real Estate in Walpole, Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Keene or call Jamie Teague at 445-5193. Dust off the old suits, togas, prom and bridesmaid dresses, grab a mask and join us for an unforgettable night of fun!!

Walpole Farmers Market THIS Saturday in Town Hall

2012-01-18T09:08:35-06:00

First Winter WFM Features Backyard Gardening Sat, Jan 21, 11-2

The Walpole Farmers Market (WFM) will hold its first ever winter market in the Town Hall THIS Saturday, January 21, from 11 am to 2 pm. Think farmers markets are all about tables overflowing with fresh greens? Think again! Meat, cheese, maple products, breads, crafts, baked treats and all manner of fiber and fiber products will be available.

Winter produce production here is a bit of a chicken and egg issue. Right now, wintertime availability of local produce is limited. There is no doubt that our farmers could gear up to keep us in food year ‘round. But before they make the necessary and substantial investments to do so, farmers need to know they will have a market. Shoppers create the possibility of more local produce next winter with their purchases of what is available this winter.

Speaking of produce production, the January market will feature backyard food gardening. January is the time to plan gardens and order seeds. Sylvia Davatz, a seed grower and seed saving expert and enthusiast, will join us. Sylvia grows seed specifically adapted to our area in Hartland, VT and offers them through her catalog, Solstice Seeds. In addition to selling her seeds, Sylvia will be available to answer all your seed-related questions.

In the gardening corner, we’ll also have tables where you can sit and peruse gardening books and catalogs, pool seed orders, swap seeds with other gardeners, chat with community garden plot holders, get advice from experienced gardeners and farmers, and see a slide show of Celeste Longacre’s 2011 garden as it developed and of the community garden. Bring all your gardening questions, seeds to swap, a list of seeds you need to order, and a jump drive with your own garden slide show.

Along with gardening books, Mary Farrell, from the Walpole library, will be bringing everything she needs to issue new library cards. If you don’t have one yet, just bring along a picture ID and proof of residency or employment in Walpole, North Walpole or Drewsville.

While you enjoy marketing in the old-time way, you'll hear old-time pop piano music! Pianist Judy Spinella, will share tunes from her collection of 1900's song sheets and display the antique sheet music so that the intriguing cover art can be appreciated along with the familiar songs. Maybe you'll feel like joining her around the piano to sing as people used to do before records, CDs, and iPods were invented. We hope to see you "in all the old familiar places."

WFM will be holding winter markets every third Saturday through April. If you’d like to receive an email notice about each upcoming market, or for more information, drop an email to jill@walpolefarmersmarket.com. You can also visit the website at walpolefarmersmarket.com or call 756-3168.

Walpole's Heidi Westover in Saturday Race for a Spot on the US Olympic Marathon Team

2012-01-12T11:24:31-06:00

Ed. Note: Here's a local hard work/success story that appears in today's Eagle Times. See page 1 for a photo! I should have noted in the story that Heidi had a great career as a distance runner at Fall Mountain High School, the University of Rhode Island, and in national and international competitions over the past number of years! She has won the Burlington, Vt marathon several times and last year represented the USA in the world half-marathon championships. She's truly an elite, world-class runner! Saturday's race is a huge challenge, but we know she's going to give it all she has!! CCB

1-12-2012

Walpole’s Westover in Olympic Marathon Trial

Saturday Race in Houston

by Chuck Bingaman

North Charlestown 5th grade teacher and Walpole resident Heidi Westover Saturday will race for the honor of representing the USA on the U.S. Olympic marathon team in London next summer.

Only the best runners in the U.S, have qualified to run this weekend--about 200 of them--and only the top three finishers will make the Olympic team.

“Making the Olympic team has been the goal of every girl on that starting line since they were in high school or even before,” Westover said on Monday. “It’s been my goal for a very long time, and it’s motivated me and many others to set their goals and to achieve them.”

Westover engaged a new coach last summer, Brad Hudson of Boulder, Colorado, who works with many of the country’s elite runners. Since that time she has worked very hard, focusing specifically on getting into the best possible condition for the marathon, the ancient 26 mile, 385 yard race. Her new coach has suggested a difficult training regimen involving two to three “long” runs of 18 to 26 miles and a total of 180 to 200 miles per week.

“I feel a lot stronger now than before,” Westover reported, “and in a short race of 5 miles in November, I improved on my previous personal best by 16 seconds!”

Westover also picked up a sponsor, Mizuno, the Japanese sporting goods manufacturer, and says that it has been a plus for her career. While Mizuno may be best known for its baseball gear, Westover said their track shoes “are really flashy...and really good!” She also noted that Mizuno will be hosting dinners in Houston Wednesday and Thursday for the women it sponsors, events she’s looking forward to.

How will it feel to line up for the 8:15 a.m. start against 200 of the best women marathoners in the country? “I’m nervous already!” Westover laughed Monday. “I started getting nervous last week! But I’m nervous for all my races, and my body seems to be handling it well.” It also helps, she said, that some of her closest running friends will be in the race, friends and competitors she knows from previous national and international races in the past few years.

How badly does Heidi want to make the Olympic team? “From representing the US in the world half-marathon championships in England and in a marathon in China past year, I know that representing our country is an incredible experience! And I just want to do it as much as I can!”

Westover left for Houston before dawn Wednesday with her personal cheering section: husband Rob, her parents, Meg and Tom Westerling of Acworth, Rob’s, parents, Cyndi and Dave Westover of Walpole, and her brother, Tom.

Highlights of both the men’s and women’s Olympic qualifying Marathons will be broadcast with same-day coverage from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday on NBC (WMUR--Manchester). Complete results and race background will be available on the website www.houston2012.com.

--30--

Minutes of Selectmen Meetings on December 22 and 29

2012-01-12T11:12:38-06:00

Ed. Note: Here, in one curiously long posting, are the minutes of the selectmen's meetings on December 22 and 29. Bill Moses and other minutes junkies will be glad to know that The Walpolean has not forsaken the publication of Hooper Study Committee minutes! Rather, they will be resumed--and caught up--rather shortly! CCB

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 22, 2011

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

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 5:10 PM in the Walpole Town Hall with eight people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

WALPOLE FIRE DISTRICT: Fire Chief Herb Hurlbert and several members of the Fire Department were present. The Fire Department received a letter from the Southwest Mutual Aid stating that they are no longer getting their funding from the Cheshire County Commissioners but rather from each town. They just wanted to be sure that either the Town or the District must include $34,521.00 in their budget to cover these dues. This affects the two fire districts in Town and the ambulance service. Mr. Sawyer confirmed that it needs to be covered. The Selectboard is still in the process of working on their 2012 proposed budget.

WALPOLE FARMERS MARKET – Holly Gowdy: Ms. Gowdy wanted to clarify that the Selectboard will authorize them to use the Common and Town Hall to continue the Walpole Farmers Market in 2012. Jill Robinson had sent a letter dated December 19, 2011, with the 2012 dates to Mrs. Clough. They would like to hold a Farmers Market on December 1st and another one just before Christmas on December 22nd, 2012. They did work with Ray Boas on the hours so they will not conflict with the Christmas Play. Mr. Aldrich noted that the Town Hall is always rented on the first Saturday in December for a family gathering. Ms. Gowdy will double-check with Mrs. Clough on the schedule. They just wanted to start planning their schedule.

PAUL McGUIRK: Mr. McGuirk wanted to bring the Selectboard’s attention to a newspaper article that appeared in the Union Leader on Tuesday, December 13th relative to the Planning Board’s concerns regarding the proposed relocation of Champlain Oil on Route 12 as quoted by Eric Merklein.

JAYSON MUNN: Mr. Munn came in to talk about the Hooper Study Committee and to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to the Selectboard for listening to the Town’s people, taking the time to form a committee and come up with a Resolution. He wished the Selectboard a Merry Christmas. Mr. Sawyer noted that before that Public Hearing the Selectboard was talking about forming a Study Committee. He feels that Mrs. Peggy Pschirrer is doing a good job and is sticking to the subject. This is a seven person committee with Jerry Galloway and himself as ex-officio members. Eventually it will still have to go to the Attorney General’s Charitable Trust office.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $501,667.56. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

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

PAYROLL:

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 17, 2011 for checks dated December 23, 2011, for gross wages in the amount of $18,219.92. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Selectboard Meeting –December 22, 2011- Page 2

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,069.96. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the payroll voucher in the amount of $1,200.00 for the extra time an officer put in this past year when the Police Department was short-handed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. 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 $270.63. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

SELECTBOARD MEETING:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 15, 2011: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of December 15, 2011, as printed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – December 15, 2011: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 15, 2011, as printed. The Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

· Hooper Study Committee – December 5, 2011.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:

CONEENY, Main Street, Map & Lot # 019-039-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $272.00 for Joseph A. Coneeny and Marina J. Coneeny. This is the result of an overpayment credit. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

NEILSEN, Wentworth Road, Map & Lot # 017-007-000: Mr. Sawyer moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $301.00 for Todd R. Neilsen and Patricia M. Dooley. This is the result of an overpayment credit. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT:

LAZZARO, Old Keene Road, Map & Lot # 007-026-000: Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Property Tax Abatement for John B. Lazzarro and Lisette Lazzaro in the amount of $159.00. This is the result of an assessment change granted in 2010 that was not processed on the Avitar system. Seconded by Mr. Sawyer. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

NEW BUSINESS:

SPRINKLER SYSTEM INSPECTION: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the Town Hall Report of Inspection/Test on the sprinkler system.

OLD BUSINESS:

DECEMBER 29, 2011 – Selectboard Meeting: The next Selectboard meeting will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 7:30 PM.

Selectboard Meeting –December 22, 2011- Page 3

NEXT BUDGET SESSION – December 29, 2011: The Selectboard advised that their next Budger Session is scheduled for December 29, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Town Hall.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mr. Sawyer moved to recess the Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. The time was 5:53 PM.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

Mr. Aldrich called this Hooper Trustees meeting to order at 5:54 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION – RSA 91-A:3 II:

Mr. Sawyer moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss ( c) Reputations. Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting resumed at 6:07 PM.

SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)

Mr. Aldrich called the recessed meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:08 PM.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. The time was 6:09 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 29, 2011

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

Mr. Aldrich called the meeting to order at 7:36 PM in the Walpole Town Hall with three people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

POLICE CHIEF MICHAEL PAQUETTE: Chief Paquette talked with the Crime Star representatives and filled out the paperwork for the computer software. They sent him an invoice and are willing to accept one-half payment out of this budget and one-half payment out of next years budget. Their representative will come in to help train the department employees. They will be able to keep one computer operating with IMC for the existing documents. Chief Paquette talked with the Local Government Center and they gave him some great information on implementing the new up-dated policies. He will set up meetings with the officers so each up-dated policy will be discussed with them. They continue to work on existing and new cases. There was discussion relative to the fact that starting on January 1st, 2012, the time sheets need to be filled out to clarify over-time and compensation time so it can be tracked separately for the office records.

PAM DANSEREAU: Ms. Dansereau had submitted a letter to the Selectboard a few weeks ago and had not yet received their reply. Mrs. Teague advised that the Selectboard continues to work on the proposed 2012 budget and have not, as yet, made any decisions but will let respond to her letter as soon as possible.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $16,523.29. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending December 24, 2011, for checks dated December 30, 2011, for gross wages in the amount of $22,039.05. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Mrs. Teague moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $5,329.44. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

SELECTBOARD MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 23, 2011: There was a consensus to put the Selectboard Minutes on-hold as a quorum was not present. Mrs. Teague was not present at the December 23rd meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

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

· North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – December 20, 2011.

TIMBER CUTS:

SAWYER, County Road, Map & Lot # 005-004-005, Map & Lot # 005-004-004 and Map & Lot # 005-004-003: Mrs. Teague moved to grant the following Notices of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Sheldon Sawyer:

Selectboard Meeting –December 29, 2011- Page 2

· Map & Lot # 005-004-005, Intent # 11-461-16-T;

· Map & Lot # 005-004-004, Intent # 11-461-17-T; and

· Map & Lot # 005-004-003, Intent # 11-461-18-T.

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

EXEMPTION:

ELDERLY EXEMPTION – Houghton, Map & Lot # 010-043-001: Mrs. Teague moved to grant the Elderly Exemption for Arlene Houghton. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

ABATEMENTS:

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT – NEPLLC-Northeast Paging, 88 Scoville Road, Map & Lot # 003-082-CLA: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Notice of Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $732.00 plus interest for NEPLLC-Northeast Paging. This is the result of an incorrect assessment. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

SEWER ABATEMENT – ADAMS, 14 Church Street, Map & Lot # 028-018-000: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Sewer Abatement in the amount of $425.16 for Madelyn Adams. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

WATER & SEWER ABATEMENT – HURLBURT, 32 Homestead Ave., Map & Lot # 023-013-000: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Water & Sewer Abatement in the amount of $504.16 for Water and $394.56 for Sewer for Richard Hurlburt. This is due to a meter issue. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

WATER & SEWER ABATEMENT – WALPOLE YOUTH BASEBALL, Map & Lot # 012-057-001: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Water & Sewer Abatement in the amount of $300.00 for the Walpole Youth Baseball. This is due to the fact that the youth ball field building does not have a sprinkler installed by the Water Department. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

SUPPLEMENTAL PROPERTY TAX WARRANTS:

NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE HOUSING, 10 Merchant Street, Map & Lot # 028-102-000: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Tax Collector’s Property Tax Supplement Warrant for the North Walpole Village Housing c/o Southwestern Community Services in the amount of $1,868.00. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE HOUSING, 26 Kiniry Street, Map & Lot # 028-011-000: Mrs. Teague moved to approve the Tax Collector’s Property Tax Supplement Warrant for the North Walpole Village Housing c/o Southwestern Community Services in the amount of $1,868.00. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

NEW BUSINESS:

CEMETERY DEEED, FLANDERS, Lot #83: Mrs. Teague moved to grant the Cemetery Deed for Lot #83 in the Walpole Cemetery to John R. Flanders, Jr. & Vivian L. Flanders. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Selectboard Meeting –December 29, 2011- Page 3

CEMETERY DEED, FLETCHER, Lots #B519 and B520: Mrs. Teague moved to grant the Cemetery Deed for Lots # B519 and B520 in the Walpole Cemetery from William & Catherine Fletcher to Henry Fletcher. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

FAIRPOINT PETITION & LICENSES: Mrs. Teague moved to approve and sign the Petition and License as received from FairPoint Communications. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

EQUALIZATION STUDY: Mrs. Teague moved to approve and sign the 2011 Equalization Ratio as submitted by Avitar Associates of New England, Inc. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION PROJECT: Mrs. Teague moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Letter of Commitment for the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Project. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

HEALTH INSURANCE MEETING: Mrs. Clough talked to the Local Government Center about scheduling a date and time to come to Walpole to talk to the employees about the Health Insurance. There was a consensus of Mr. Aldrich and Mrs. Teague to try to schedule the meeting for January 19th, 2012.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Mrs. Teague moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel. Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved. The time was 9:48 PM.

The regular meeting resumed at 10:02 PM.

Adjournment:

Mrs. Teague moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. The time was 10:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections, if necessary, will be found in the Minutes of the January 5, 2012, Selectboard meeting.)

Tonight's Planning Board Agenda

2012-01-10T16:46:23-06:00

Ed. Note: Because the Champlain Oil public hearing was last month, the public is not allowed to speak at THIS month's board consideration of their site plan application. Krystyna Marcom has been circulating a petition (and has around 200 signatures) to ask the board to reconsider its decision last month to get an outside opinion on the advisability of allowing Champlain to build a gas station atop one of the town's water source aquifers. Not clear what will happen with this issue tonight. Note that the meeting is on the second floor of Town Hall because of vote counting on the first floor. CCB

PLANNING BOARD MEETING

Walpole, NH 03608

AGENDA

MEETING DATE AND LOCATION:

Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall SECOND FLOOR Meeting Room.

Open Meeting:

A. Roll Call – Designate Alternates;

B. Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting on December 13, 2011.

Public Hearings (Continued):

A. Champlain Oil Company, Inc. (Continued) – Site Plan Review and Recommendation to the Zoning Board of Adjustment to Construct a 5,200 Square Foot Building, 36-Car Parking Lot, A Pump Island and a Canopy, and a Diesel Island with a Canopy, Route 12, Tax Map # 012, Lot # 019, Located Within the Commercial and Rural Agriculture Zoning Districts. A Waiver for the Project is Being Requested. The Planning Board is Proposing a Recommendation to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a Special Exception.

New Business:

Old Business:

Planning Discussion:

A. Workshop Meeting on January 24, 2012, at 7:00 PM (Held in Downstairs Office).

Communications and Miscellaneous:

A. Handouts, Announcements and Other.

Adjourn Meeting:

cc: PB, ZBA, WCC, Town Offices, BOS

Posted: Town Hall Lobby and Outside Bulletin Board, Burdick’s, Walpolean

Walpole Village School Spaghetti Supper Benefit

2012-01-05T13:48:02-06:00

Ed. Note: This announcement comes from Bethany Coursen, Director/ Lead Teacher at Walpole Village School CCB

Walpole Village School Spaghetti Supper Benefit

Spaghetti Supper at Walpole Town Hall on Saturday, January 14th from 5:30 – 8:30.

All proceeds go to the Walpole Village School. A preschool and PreK program that has been teaching children in southern VT and NH for the past 35 years.

There will be homemade spaghetti sauce, meat for meat sauce donated by Bazin Farms in Westminster, VT, garlic bread and yummy homemade desserts.

Come out and enjoy an evening with family and friends while helping support our school and our amazing students. Bethany

BIG ZUMBA BENEFIT AT WALPOLE TOWN HALL

2012-01-04T08:10:41-06:00

Ed. Note: The following announcement comes from Paula Burdick, one of the organizers of Saturday's Zumba night. CCB

ZUMBA BENEFIT AT WALPOLE TOWN HALL

We have a FANTASTIC Zumba fundraiser this Saturday, January 7, at the Walpole Town Hall. It is to raise money for the cocoa farmers of Grenada (where Burdick's gets their yummy chocolate) and IT begins at 7pm. Suggested donation of $20, $10 for students and $5 for under 12.

We will have 4 instructors: Ajlan LaRock (Alstead), Nelly Ferland (Springfield, VT), Evelyn Thibodeau (Enfield, NH), and Leona Thomas (Walpole, NH). We will be dancing all night! There will be a raffle, delicious shakes, and lots of fun people to shake it with :)! It is a BYOB and there will be french crepes as well.

So mark your calendars and plan to come! I promise it will be a ton of fun! Paula Burdick

Walpole Spanish Conversation Group Tuesday, January 3

2011-12-30T14:33:55-06:00

Ed. Note: A message from Julie Rios. CCB

¿Hablas Español? ¿Estás aprendiendo a hablar Español?

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

Come join a new Spanish conversation group in Walpole. It'll be meeting the first Tuesday of every month from 6 to 8 pm at the Walpole Town library starting Tuesday, January 3.

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. I hope that this group will be 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 at jriosfamily@gmail.com

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

Saddle Up! Horsethieves Annual Meeting!

2011-12-30T14:29:23-06:00

Ed. Note: Here's an important notice from Charlie Montgomery! CCB

Horse Thieves Annual Meeting

The “Horse Thieves” annual meeting is Saturday, January 21 at 7 pm in the Town Hall. The meetings are renowned for dispensing with a whole year's worth of business in as little as 12 minutes and for the friendly camaraderie that fills all the time that other organizations would spend doing something productive. This year's meeting will not set a brevity record because in addition to reading last year's minutes, financial reports and the election of officers the group will have a brief discussion of the biennial Horse Thieves Banquet which will take place in September 2012.

The Horse Thieves Banquet is one of the milestones in the town's life, primarily because it happens only once every two years. The banquets often fill the town hall to capacity by featuring interesting speakers, good food and fellowship with friends and neighbors who are sometimes as interesting as the speakers.

Horse Thieves President Lewis LaClair reports that even with the extended agenda the meeting may be finished in half an hour so members should be on time. In fact, LaClair reports that some years the group spends more time waiting for a quorum of 12 than it does conducting business. It may seem shocking that a local group of about 270 members should have difficulty finding twelve members to meet for business on a snowy (yes, it almost always snows on the night of the annual meeting) January evening, but it is in keeping with the society's tradition. As Guy Bemis said many years ago, the group doesn't really do anything except have fun. However, at the annual business meeting on January 21 the group will continue two long traditions: it will continue the tradition of “meeting” and the long-standing practice of having nothing to do with catching horse thieves.

The group actually has several amazing credits to its name: First, the name itself is the longest for an organization in the town . . . possibly in the state (the full name is the “Walpole Society for Bringing to Justice Horse Thieves and Pilferers of Hen Roosts and Clothes Lines,” or WSFBTJHTAPOHRACL for those who like acronyms). Secondly, the group is possibly the oldest such organizations which has been in continuous existence in the country. The group was founded in 1816 and has met regularly since then. It is celebrating its 196th anniversary at January's annual meeting. There are one or two other groups in the country who claim to be the same age or slightly older than the Walpole, NH Horse Thieves, but some of them had periods of dormancy and there are some experts in the country who think our group is the oldest in continuous existence. (You should always question a statement like that! Who could possibly be an expert on Horse Thieves Societies??)

The Horse Thieves were founded at a time when Walpole was something of a frontier town without reliable law enforcement. Undoubtedly there was a serious need that led to the society's formation and we are sure it met that need unflinchingly. The group was originally called the “Walpole Detecting Society” --a more serious sounding name and infinitely shorter, but they fixed that in 1821 when the name was changed to the “Walpole Society for Detecting and Punishing Horse Thieves and Pilferers and Plunderers of Gardens and Orchards,” a name that is 11% longer than the organization's current name.

However, the group has successfully avoided chasing down horse thieves for roughly half its life and has smoothly transitioned to a new business model which is wonderfully articulated by members of another Horse Thieves Society in Pennsylvania which we hereby endorse and shamelessly borrow:

•To honor man's greatest servant – the horse.

•To preserve an ancient American organization handed down to us, that we may, in turn, pass it on to future generations.

•To enable its members to be part of an unusual group, without being responsible for anything other than showing up “once in a while” for a congenial evening with old friends.

And of course, as is appropriate for an organization that is closing in on 200 years in the saddle, we have many long-time members whom the society proudly honors as “Riders” --those who would be the first to leap into the saddle if needed to chase down a horse thief. All of our present “Riders” have been members of the society over 50 years and the average age and length of membership for these leaders continues to grow.

Membership in the Walpole Horse Thieves society is open to any man 18 years or older who lives in Walpole, who pays a $2 lifetime fee and signs the membership book. If you are interested in joining please contact Bob Dudley, Clerk or Lewis LaClair, President, or show up at the annual business meeting on January 21 at 7 pm in the Town Hall.

Recycling Center Closed Christmas and New Years Eve Days

2011-12-22T13:24:33-06:00

Recycling Center Closed Christmas

and New Years Eve Days

Ed. Note: Paul Colburn writes to remind us that the recycling center will be closed Christmas eve and New Years eve in observance of the holidays. CCB

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Paul Colburn, Recycling center manager

Recycling Center Closed Christmas and New Years Eve Days

2011-12-22T13:24:16-06:00

Recycling Center Closed Christmas

and New Years Eve Days

Ed. Note: Paul Colburn writes to remind us that the recycling center will be closed Christmas eve and New Years eve in observance of the holidays. CCB

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Paul Colburn, Recycling center manager

Recycling Center Closed Christmas and New Years Eve Days

2011-12-22T13:23:44-06:00

Recycling Center Closed Christmas

and New Years Eve Days

Ed. Note: Paul Colburn writes to remind us that the recycling center will be closed Christmas eve and New Years eve in observance of the holidays. CCB

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Paul Colburn, Recycling center manager