Tai Chi Course in Walpole – Starting 2/18/26

EVENTS 01/20/2026 Leave a comment

CURIOUS ABOUT TAI CHI?

NEW BEGINNERS GROUP STARTS FEBRUARY 18

DOZENS OF STUDIES SHOW HOW TAI CHI CAN HELP YOU:

☯ Sharpen and maintain your sense of balance. Reduce your risk of falling

☯ Lift your spirits, boost your energy, and improve your sense of well-being

☯ Improve your coordination and move with fluidity and grace

☯ Loosen your joints and expand your range of motion

☯ Lower your blood pressure 

☯ Ease symptoms of arthritis and other chronic conditions

☯ Make new friends and have fun

YOUR FIRST SESSION IS FREE – NO COMMITMENT

Come for an hour on Wednesday, February 18, at 11 a.m. Learn more, ask questions, try a few moves, and see if tai chi is right for you. We’ll meet on the second floor of the Walpole town hall. 

From then on, the group will meet every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon at the town hall.

The course is led by Ben Daviss, a senior instructor with the nonprofit Oriental Healing Arts Association. A tai chi player for 30 years, Ben also holds a teaching certification from the American Tai Chi & Qigong Association.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY:

I marvel at the effect of the classes. I feel more resilient and capable as a human being in all its dimensions thanks to tai chi. – Lark L. 

I’m not the only one who thinks the way you teach tai chi makes it most accessible. This will be my practice for years to come. – Marina C.

For more information or to register, contact Ben at 603-445-2200 or bdaviss@comcast.net.

Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 12/9/25

PLANNING BOARD 01/20/2026 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board Minutes

December 9, 2025

Town Hall

7 pm

Role Call: Board Members: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros. Absent: Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio, alternates Travis Adams and Bill Carmody.

Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm.

Review of November 2025 minutes: Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Old Business

Public Hearing: Lot Line Adjustment, Jay Landry, 100 Wentworth Road. Town Tax Map 17, Lots 5-2 and 5-4, Residential A. No new lots will be created. Changes to Tax Map 16, Lot 12 .49 acres to be annexed from 5-4; former Lot 5-3 to be annexed to lot 5-4; Lot 5-2 .04 acres to be annexed from Lot 5-4; Lot 5-4 .01 acres to be annexed from Lot 5-2. 

Mr. Landry explained that while the changes are quite small, he and his neighbors have been working on this proposed plan for months. Mr. Worth wanted a driveway that was perpendicular so that was tweaked to .04 acres added to the corner of the lot. Mr. Landry had purchased lot 5-3 but wanted to square off the property in the southeast corner in case he wanted to build a barn on that corner of his property in the future. It is .01 acres. It also will be annexed to Lot 5-4. The road frontage is on Wentworth Road and it more than 200 feet. The property, .49 acres, on Old Keene Road will be annexed to Cynthia Reeves property Tax Map 16, Lot 12 and will remain undeveloped.

Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the Lot Line Adjustments proposed by Mr. Landry. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. 

New Business

Site Plan, Ideal Location LLC, owner Greg Gay, 8 Len Tex Lane, North Walpole, Tax Map 27, Lot 8 Sub 1, 268 feet frontage on Main Street, Industrial/Commercial Zone, Existing Use Race car fabrication and vehicle storage. Add 2100 square foot for office space and parts inventory. 

Mr. Gay submitted a plan for office space and parts inventory for his business, which is at the same location. He had already been to and received permission for the project from the North Walpole Commissioners and North Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment. He explained his proposal to the Board and said he was before the Planning Board for the original proposal for the office space in 2016.

Mr. Perron made a motion to hold a public hearing in January on the matter. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Attached Dwelling Units

At its November 2025 meeting the Planning and Zoning Boards had a joint meeting to discuss recent changes from the state regarding the town’s zoning ordinances and more specifically Accessory Dwelling Units. The Board compared Walpole’s current Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance with the most recent changes by the state. An email was sent to the town’s counsel, Jeremy Hockensmith, asking what the board was required to do. Mr. Hockensmith suggested 16 revisions to our current ordinance. An example of one of them is, “The Ordinance section should be re titled from ‘DADU’ to ‘ADU’. The statute makes no distinction between attached and detached units, so the ordinance should not either.”

Master Plan 

Mr. Miller gave everyone present a copy of the completed and approved master plan sections printed and placed in a binder by the Southwest Region Planning Commission. One section needs a public hearing. Mr. Harrington made a motion to hold a public hearing for the  Community Facilities and Services section at the January meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Perron and approved by the rest of the board.

Adjournment

Mr. Harrington made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 8:37 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

WPB Recording Secretary

Scam Prevention for Seniors at the Library – 1/26/26

EVENTS 01/17/2026 Leave a comment
Monday, January 26, 2026 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at the Main Library. The Walpole Town Library is offering a program on scam prevention for seniors in partnership with the River Valley Technical Center Criminal Justice class. They will cover how to spot, prevent, and avoid scams, and what to do if you encounter one.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 1/8/26

SELECTBOARD 01/16/2026 Leave a comment

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

January 8, 2026

Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair; Carolyn Vose and Cheryl Mayberry

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present: Paul Looney, Chair of the Walpole Community Power Committee

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

The following item was added at the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest who wished to address this issue.

Electrical Service Contract – Town of Walpole

Mr. Looney presented the details of a 4-month contract with First Point Power.  The price is $0.11387 per kilowatt hour.  This is the best rate available now.  Mrs. Pschirrer reviewed the contract and feels it is acceptable.  Ms. Mayberry moved to sign the 4-month agreement with First Point Power.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was passed, and the contract was signed.

Mr. Looney left the meeting.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $204,608.82 dated 1/13/2026 including $95,450.00 payment to E.E. Houghton Company using encumbered ARPA funds for sewer pump improvements.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Accounts Payable was approved. 

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $37,962.14 dated 1/9/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,701.51.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – 12/28/2025 Corrected: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Corrected Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of 12/28/2025.  There was an error in a name that needed correction. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the corrected Selectboard minutes were approved.

Selectboard Meeting – December 31, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 31, 2025.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 31, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of December 31, 2025.  The minutes are no longer sealed.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved.

Committee Reports

Ms. Mayberry brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

  • Trail Committee Meeting – December 10, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Abatements

Map and Lot # 017-006-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Abatement for Map and Lot #017-006-000 for $4,504.00 to correct a trustee name change for an estate.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Supplemental Tax Warrant

Map and Lot # 017-006-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Supplemental Tax Warrant for Map and Lot #017-006-000 of $4,504.00 to mail the invoice to the correct trustee for a probated estate.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Veterans’ Tax Credit:

Map and Lot #016-013-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 016-013-000.  This is a Certain Disabled Veteran Exemption.  The full property value is exempt from taxation under RSA 72:36-a.  Avitar has reviewed and approved the application.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot #014-008-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 014-008-000.  The applicant served more than 90 days of active duty during a time of conflict and was honorably discharged.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Timber Intents

Map and Lot # 010-034-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 010-034-000, off Reservoir Road.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

Old Business

Updated Town Hall Air Cooling System Quote: Proposal # 2025367 from Everett E. Houghton Co. is to remove two existing air conditioning condensers and install a Mitsubishi City Mult VRF condenser and the associated equipment to cool the Town Clerk’s office, the Selectboard office, the kitchen, hall and bathrooms.  The existing ductwork will remain in place so the existing furnace can be used for heating if desired.  The cost is $87,500.00. There are optional 10-year service and labor contracts.  The Selectboard recommends including the service and labor contracts.  By consensus this will become a 2026 Warrant Article.

Fanny Mason Timer Cut Contract: Ms. Vose moved to approve and sign the Timber Sale Contract in the Fanny Mason Forest, to the east of Route 12, with Alex Barrett of Longview Forest to act as Agent and Chris Ricci as Purchaser.  The Conservation Commission endorsed the contract.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the contract was signed by the Selectboard.

Hazardous Waste Collection Commitment Letter: Ms. Vose explained this is the annual agreement with the City of Keene for residents of Walpole to leave hazardous waste at the Keene Recycling Center during collection days.  Ms. Vose moved to have the chair sign the contract.  Ms. Hakey will advertise dates when published.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed and the commitment letter was signed by Mr. Dalessio.

School Withdrawal Meeting Start Times: By consensus it was decided there will be a Walpole School Withdrawal Meeting on Wednesday February 11th, 2026, and another meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Both meetings will start at 6:30 PM.  The meeting on Saturday, February 28th will start at 1:00 PM.  It was decided to post the schedule in the Walpolean and the February Clarion.  There was a discussion on preparing all the public materials for these meetings.

New Business

NH Recycles Materials Management Contract: Ms. Vose stated that this is the new rate schedule for 2026.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Materials Management Contract between NH Recycles and the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved and Mr. Dalessio signed the contract.

Cheshire County and Commissioners Meeting with the Selectboard: Cheshire County and the Commissioners are seeking a date to meet with the Selectboard. It was suggested they attend January 22nd or 29th.  Once the date is set, it will be added to the meeting announcement in case the public wishes to attend.

SWRPC Selectboard Roundtable Meetings: Ms. Mayberry will contact them to get details.

Ruggerio Processing Facility Public Hearing: The Ruggerio Processing Facility Public Hearing has been set for February 12th at 6:00 PM at Alyson’s Orchard.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged notice of the meeting and noted it was scheduled for the same time as the weekly Selectboard meeting.

Selectboard Report for the 2025 Town Report: Mr. Dalessio volunteered to write the report.

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b) at 7:36 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:56 PM.

Ms. Vose moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Vose moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:56 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:03 PM.

Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 15, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

Planning Board & Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 11/11/25

PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD 01/16/2026 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board November Minutes

Joint Meeting with the Zoning Board of Adjustment

November 11, 2025

Town Hall

7 pm

Role Call: Planning Board members: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Jeff Harrington, Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternates: Travis Adams, Bill Carmody. Absent: Jason Perron, Joanna Andros.

Zoning Board of Adjustment members: Chair Tom Murray, Clerk Pauline Barnes, Alternate Don Sellarole.  

Call to Order:  Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 6:55 pm. Mr. Miller asked Mr. Carmody to fill in for Mr. Perron. He agreed.

Minutes: Review minutes of the October 2025 meeting. Mr. Adams made one correction to paragraph 5. His first name Travis was printed instead of his last. Mr. Harrington made a motion to approve the amended minutes. Bill Carmody seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

Josh Perry letter

Mr. Miller referenced a letter from Josh Perry regarding the comments about the inspection of if his gravel pit on Old Drewsville Road. Mr. Perry wrote that the bottom of the salt shed is asphalt and it has been there since 1996 and he is “planning on replacing it with a concrete floor, hopefully this year, but if not, the year after. Regarding the bank for the fill sand. Per the MSHA regulations the bank can be half again in height as the largest piece of equipment that is on the site. The loader reaches 20 feet to 22 feet, so the face of the bank be 30 feet.” This fill is being removed as this is where the new salt/sand shed will go.

New Business:

Lot Line Adjustment: Jay M. Landry, 100 Wentworth Road, Town Tax Map 17, Lots 5-5 and 5-4,  Zoning District Residential A. 

No new lots will be created but three lots will be tweaked. The plat shows .49 acres bordering Old Keene Road to be annexed to Cynthia Reeves Tax Map 17, Lot 12. It will remain open land and nothing will be built on this land. On Tax Map 17 Lot 5-4 and .01 acres will be annexed to Lot 5-4 to square off that corner to create enough room for the 20 feet needed between lot line and the building of a potential barn. The driveway to the Timothy Kelly Worth property on Wentworth Rd, Tax Map 17 Lot 5-2 will get .04 acres making it easier for him to access the road. This is what Mr. Landry presented to the board.

Mr. Marcom made a motion to hold a public hearing in December for the Lot Line Adjustment and Mr. Harrington seconded the motion. The motion carried. 

Joint meeting with ZBA: 

Pauline Barnes and Tom Murray  talked about the latest legislative changes to Detached Accessory Dwelling Units and compared it to our current Zoning Ordinances.  

Our ordinance says the accessory dwelling must be 150 feet of the principal dwelling. They both thought 100 feet would be enough because it would create more green space.

Occupancy limited to family members but No. 7 already says renters can be unrelated to family members.

Parking: Our ordinance says ample parking for both the principal and DADU dwellings but legislative dictates adequate off-street parking? However, In Walpole no cars should be parked on the street during a snow storm. Our standards don’t harmonize with state standards.

Raise basic standards from 900 to 950 square feet.

The state allows two bedrooms compared to our three bedrooms.

Limit of one driveway.

Aesthetics: Legislative aesthetics don’t matter to legislature. Walpole suggests that accessory building have some continuity with the main building.

Both state and Walpole prohibit multi-family uses.

Mr. Miller said he eventually would like the town’s attorney, Jeremy Hockensmith to take a look at both documents. Mr. Dalessio suggested that maybe someone from Southwest Community Services should look at it first – either Todd Horner or Carol Ogilvie.

Changes to Planning & Zoning Laws in 2025: A Guide for Municipalities

Mr. Miller brought up a concern in these updates about building on a Class VI road. Currently our ordinance says you have to get Select Board approval and also sign a liability waiver about keeping up the road open and not expecting emergency services.

But the state ordinance says:

“The statute does not prohibit municipalities from establishing separate road frontage requirements for new construction. Therefore, a municipal zoning ordinance can require frontage (of a certain length) on a Class V or better road. However, the municipal ordinance must clearly state this requirement by defining the road a “Class V or better.” If the zoning ordinance does require frontage on a Class V or better, a variance from the ZBA would still be required to build on a Class VI road. Because the statute is not effective until July 1, 2026, municipalities have time to amend their zoning ordinances if desired.”

Currently Walpole does not have such an ordinance.

Old Business

Takeaway from presentation about the PB on the Town Web Site. 

The purpose of going over the web site was to tweak it so it would be more user friendly. One thing the board did was to put together major categories. For example, under one click there is a list of all the things one must do to complete a site plan application – file out the check list, fill out the application, attach a plat, fees, rules for parking, lighting, etc.

The one hiccup is on the left hand side of the site, which is where the “menu” is, and at this time items cannot be changed.

Gravel pit inspection due. Jeff Harrington and Jason Perron did not get a chance to connect with Mr. Tim Graves about an inspection on Wentworth Road. 

Adjournment

Mr. Harrington made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 8:17 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine 

Recording Secretary

February 2026 Clarion Closing Date – 1/22/26

Uncategorized 01/16/2026 1 Comment

Time again to begin putting together the next issue of the CLARION – February 2026. For your article submissions, and new advertisements the closing date is Thursday, January 22nd – or earlier if you can. Submission guidelines, and contact email are on the CLARION website.

Your early submissions are always welcome and appreciated as I start developing the layout well beforehand. If you have some “news” send it along. In addition, I like to have on-hand material of interest that is not time-sensitive to fill space to round out a pleasing issue. So, if you would “like to be in print” and have something to write and share (images as well), send along for possible inclusion space permitting. Please do remember, it is the advertisers in each issue that make this community publication possible, so please support and thank them.

If you have any questions, or interest in placing an advertisement, reaching over 1900 Walpole, North Walpole and Drewsville addresses, I welcome your inquiries, so please do get in touch with me. Advertising information and contact information is on the CLARION website.

Thank you, RAY BOAS, Publisher

NewsBank Access through the Library

Uncategorized 01/15/2026 Leave a comment
Stay informed on the stories shaping our world today with NewsBank, your all-access pass to the latest headlines! To access NewsBank, visit https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/librarycard/WalpoleTownLibrary?destination=easy-search%3Fp%3DAWNB. You will need your library card number.

[ Link to NewsBank ]

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 1/15/26

SELECTBOARD 01/15/2026 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE

SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA

January 15, 2026

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall


SELECTBOARD MEETING

PAYROLL

  • Payroll Register totaling $36,377.53 dated 1/16/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,308.97

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

  • Selectboard Meeting – January 8, 2026
  • Selectboard Non-Public Session – January 8, 2026

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • Safety Committee Meeting – November 13, 2025
  • Conservation Committee Meeting – January 5, 2026

ABATEMENTS

  • Map and Lot# 019-039-000

VETERANS CREDIT

  • Map and Lot# 011-039-004

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Actions: Old North Main and High Streets Bridges/Culverts, School and Union Street Drainage, Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant

  • First Point Power Electricity Sales Agreement
  • Fanny Mason Timber Cut – Driveway Permit

NEW BUSINESS

  • Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Reimbursement
  • 2026 Warrant Articles – First Draft
  • School Withdrawal Mailings
  • SWRPC Winter Meeting
  • Avitar Utility Rates for 2026
  • Langdon Hazard Mitigation Plan

NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c)

Walpole School Withdrawal Informational Meetings

Uncategorized 01/15/2026 Leave a comment

The Walpole Selectboard is hosting 3 informational meetings related to the Walpole School Withdrawal Warrant Article that will be on the upcoming school district ballot. To learn more about the potential withdrawal and to ask questions, please attend one of the following meetings.

  • Wednesday, February 11th at 6:30 PM
  • Wednesday, February 25th at 6:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 28th at 1:00 PM

The meetings which include a presentation will be held in the first-floor meeting room of the Town Hall.

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 1/5/26

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 01/11/2026 Leave a comment

Conservation Commission

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

January 5, 2026

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the February 2, 2026 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Tom Beaudry (alt), Paul Happ, Peter Palmiotto (co-chair & recording), John Peska (co-chair & presiding), Lewis Shelley

Members Absent: Hale Morrell (alt), Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep)

Visitors Present: Holly Gowdy

Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternates: Tom Beaudry was seated to obtain quorum.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Paul moved to accept December 1, 2025. Lew seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried.   

Public Business

Financial Report:  No financial report was available

Correspondence: (1) Southwest Regional Planning highlights newsletter, (2) Intent to cut 65 acres Maple Grove Road, 3 Acres French Road

New Business

WCC files organization proposal – Paul proposed the commission review and update physical files in 15 minute work sessions at each meeting.  Discussion prioritize files relevant to town land and easements responsibilities with the goal of having files organized by the end of the year.  Proposal was supported. 

Old Business

Fanny Mason Forest Management: Fanny Mason Forest winter harvest contract was reviewed and supported for selectboard signature.  Commission supported Longview’s request to host a CCCD forestry workshop at Fanny Mason in early February.

Easement Monitoring: Wendy emailed an update that she submitted 3 monitoring reports – Ballam Farm, Graves and Mill Pond.  She also accompanied Phil Warren on the Monadnock Conservancy’s monitoring visit to Nelson and March Town Forests.

Reservoir Dam: The permit process for the option to breach the Reservoir Dam is ongoing.  The Federal govt clawed back a large portion of grant the town had therefore more funds need to be secured for any option to address the dam issue.  

Knapp Cranberry Bog Dam:  Paul continues to work on completing and submitting a wetlands permit to address cleaning out cattails.  Paul will secure quotes for managing vegetation at this time.  The dam’s operation manual was discussed for guidance on annual maintenance.  

Mt. Kilborne: Letter of support was sent to MCA on their desire to discuss with utility landowners about establishing a formal relationship and climbing opportunities.  

Trail Committee

Rail Trail Work Plan: Nicole reported the rail trail work plan was submitted to the state.  Commission thanked her and all that provided input.  Areas of concern were discussed, Nicole would follow up with the state when she hears back about the work plan.  To support the rail trail maintenance Ruggiero has offered support up to $5000 in 2026.  

Other Trails: Trails committee meeting will be 2nd Wednesday of month (1/14) 7 pm in town hall.  Governance of subcommittee is one agenda item (i.e. selecting a new sub committee chair).

Other Business and Updates

Hooper Institute Board: Looking for recording secretary.  Board Meeting 1/6/26.

Strategic Planning Sessions scheduled for Sat 1/10 and 1/17.

Discussion with Holly Gowdy who expressed interest in serving the town in the role as recording secretary.  Commission supported her application.  

Next Meeting February 2, 2026

Adjournment: John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Palmiotto, acting recording secretary