The Walpolean

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

May 28, 2026

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

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

Guests Present: Justin Cassarino, Walpole Schools Principal

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

The following item was moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest.

Walpole Schools Update

Mr. Cassarino updated the Board on changes at the school next year.  The classes currently in North Walpole will be on the main floor at Walpole Elementary School (WES).  Grades six through eight will move upstairs.  The school district had future plans to consolidate the schools, but it is happening much faster than planned.  However, Mr. Cassarino feels it will be better for everyone to be on one campus. There is continuity for the students to move up to a higher grade. Additionally, it will eliminate the lost education time spent travelling to and from North Walpole which is six days of teaching time, and special events will be shared by all students at once instead of repeated the next day at the second building.  There is a new plan for student drop-off and pick-up that will be implemented next week. This plan will help students transfer into cars quickly. It will also help get cars into the schoolyard and off the street.  It was discussed that it is an uphill battle to rebuild community confidence in the schools. The School Board must take leadership in that process.

Mr. Cassarino left the meeting.

Payroll

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $34,753.13 dated 5/29/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,514.87.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, Payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – May 21, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 21, 2026.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – May 21, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of May 21, 2026.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved.

Committee Reports

Mr. Dalessio brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

• Planning Board Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2026 were postponed in approval.
• Library Trustees Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2026 
• Safety Committee Meeting Minutes – May 14, 2026 
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes – May 20, 2026 

Ms. Vose acknowledged the minutes from the Library Trustees, Safety Committee and ZBA.

Abatements

Map and Lot # 012-056-002: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Abatement for Map and Lot # 012-056-002 because they are a non-profit and submitted the appropriate forms on time.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot # 012-056-003: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Abatement request for Map and Lot # 012-056-003 because they are a non-profit and submitted the appropriate forms on time.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Timber Intents

Map and Lot # 003-002-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 003-002-000.  This will be a large cut, and the harvest will be extracted through East Westmoreland.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot # 009-027-004: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 009-027-000, off Derry Hill.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot # 010-026-004: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 010-026-004, off Reservoir Road.  This will be a small cut for a new home site.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Excavation Intents

Map and Lot # 014-013-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Excavation Intent for Cold River Materials on Map and Lot # 014-013-000.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot # 015-011-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Excavation Intent for Cold River Materials on Map and Lot # 015-011-000. Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

Special Town Meeting: Mr. Dalessio reported that the petition has been sent to the court and the notification to the DRA.  The requested meeting date is Monday, August 17th at 7:00 PM.   Ms. Vose acknowledged the information.  Mrs. Downing will let the Town Clerk know of the proposed meeting date so she can plan accordingly.

New Business

Employee Resignation: A laborer/driver has resigned from the Highway Department.  By consensus, the resignation was accepted.  Highway is looking for a laborer/CDL driver. Postings for the position have begun.

Municipal Red Bridge List for 2025: One of the four Walpole bridges was removed last year when the Town repaired a bridge over Mad Brook.  The other three bridges remain on the list.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)(c) at 7:03 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:47 PM.

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

Mr. Dalessio reported that members of the Police Station Building Committee met with Black River Architects today.  It was the first meeting to develop a plan for the new police station.  Mrs. Downing will be the official keeper of records, etc.  Mrs. Pschirrer will work with the Selectboard Office for fundraising mailings.

Adjournment: Ms. Vose declared the meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the June 4, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)