TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
JANUARY 29, 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: Chris Coates, Cheshire County Administrator; Terry Clark, Skip DiBernardo, and Claudia Stewart, County Commissioners; Sheryl Trombly, Cheshire County Finance Director; Jack Wozmak, Cheshire County Treasurer, and Ernie Vose.
Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:29 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
The following item was added at the top of the agenda to accommodate guests who wished to address the topic.
Cheshire County at a Glance
Chris Coates and the County Commissioners presented information about the status of the County. They are currently focusing on helping town officials and the public learn about County services. They are looking for more staff, especially for Maplewood Nursing Home.
- After the last renovation, Maplewood went from 85% double rooms to 70% singles. There is fresh air coming into each room. There are also twenty apartments for assisted living with some for couples and some for spouses of the nursing home residents. The number of people who can be in Maplewood is limited by the number of employees.
- Cheshire County EMS is in its third year of operation, and it is almost breaking even. They provide support for several towns and Keene, and have backup arrangements with other towns, including Walpole. They are also working with Smart Ride for wheelchairs, which provides a necessary service that also frees up ambulances for emergencies. They also do most of the transport for Cheshire Medical Center.
- The Connected Families program is about eight years old. The staff work with families to keep children in their homes and school. Keeping kids in their community is the best way to prevent future issues and the related costs.
- The Sheriff is helping with policing in communities. It is paid for by the towns using the service.
- All dispatch towers were upgraded recently, which also helps the Towns’ communications. The project was paid for completely by grants.
- Cheshire County has 41 grants totaling about $16,000,000. They will help towns with grants, and they sponsor grant writing courses.
By consensus, the Selectboard found the information presented very helpful. The flyer, “Cheshire County at a Glance – Walpole”, will be distributed at Town Meeting. Everyone should know what the County does.
All the guests left the meeting.
Payroll
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $36,579.14 dated 1/30/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,214.72. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Payroll was approved.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Selectboard Meeting – January 22, 2026: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 22, 2026. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.
Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – January 22, 2026: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of January 22, 2026. The minutes will remain 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 committee reports as listed in the agenda:
- Walpole Fire District Monthly Meeting – October 8, 2025
- Walpole Fire District Monthly Meeting – November 12, 2025
- Walpole Fire District Monthly Meeting – December 3, 2025
- Library Trustees Meeting – January 13, 2026
- Trail Committee Meeting – January 14, 2026
- Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – December 17, 2025
- Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – January 21, 2026
- Police Building Committee Meeting – January 21, 2026
Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.
Water and Sewer Warrants
Walpole Water Lien: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the warrant for a Walpole Water Lien for $1,195.82. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Walpole Sewer Lein: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the warrant for a Walpole Sewer Lien totaling $2,207.42. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
North Walpole Sewer Lien: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the warrant for a North Walpole Sewer Lien for $9,008.79. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
The Selectboard recommends that Mrs. Daigle follow up on water shut offs for unpaid bills per the Town’s agreement with North Walpole Village.
Walpole Water Fees: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the warrant for Walpole Water Fees for $46,269.90. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Walpole Sewer Fees: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the warrant for Walpole Sewer Fees totaling $72,965.87. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
North Walpole Sewer Fees: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the warrant for North Walpole Sewer Fees for $59,032.11. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Supplemental Tax Warrant
Map and Lot # 012-013-4U1: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Supplemental Tax Warrant for Map and Lot # 012-013-4U1 for $1,907. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Map and Lot # 012-013-4U2: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Supplemental Tax Warrant for Map and Lot # 012-013-4U2 for $361. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Old Business
Because of the length of the meeting tonight, discussion of the 2026 Budget and the 2026 Warrant Articles were postponed to a separate meeting on Tuesday, February 3rd at 5:30 PM in the Selectboard Office.
Reservoir Dam Update: Fuss & O’Neill have paused work on the Reservoir Dam. It is not clear why there is a pause. Mr. Dalessio will check into it.
High Street Bridge/Culvert: Ms. Mayberry explained that FEMA rejected the requested time extension. On further investigation, Ms. Mayberry found that they needed the Town’s audit and the correct reference for the project. Now that they have the information, the project is reapproved and the Town can proceed with the less expensive plan that causes less environmental impact.
School Withdrawal Meeting Handouts: The handouts were reviewed and plans were made for getting the materials printed and distributed.
New Business
Front Cover for the 2025 Town Report: Front covers samples were reviewed by the Selectboard. A favorite was chosen.
Inside Front Cover Dedication Page: By consensus, the dedication will include three people.
Whitcomb Park Rental Inquiry: Hubbard LLC would like to rent the park for their company event on Friday, July 31st or Friday, August 14th. The Selectboard agreed that the rec park is not available on July 31st but is available on August 14th. The Town needs confirmation by 3/1/2026 and the hours Hubbard LLC would like to use the rec park. The Town needs to set a cost that covers Town expenses. The rental should make a profit to help reduce the tax cost of running the recreation park.
February In-Person Staff Meeting: There is mandatory staff attendance at the 2026 Budget Hearing which will count as the in-person meeting in February.
Handrails for 2nd Floor Back Stairs in Town Hall: The Women of Walpole (WOW) is offering to pay for back stairway update, materials only. By consensus, the Selectboard agreed that WOW needs to cover both materials and installation, because Walpole doesn’t have anyone who can stain the new rails to match the current woodworking and install them to be safety compliant.
Second Floor Window Shrink Kit Coverings: The Selectboard Office asked if that because of the extremely high oil usage in the Town Hall, shrink covering should be added to the second-floor windows. The coverings could damage the varnished trim. Ms. Mayberry found that 3M and Frostline make varnish-safe kits. By consensus, the Selectboard approved the installation.
Boston Post Cane: The current cane holder, Shirley Sanctuary, passed away. There will be a search for a new candidate, who is the oldest Walpole citizen.
Municipal Clean Energy Projects: NHDES’ Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program focuses on reducing emissions and air pollution. One sector that the EPA requires is Waste and Materials Management. The Selectboard would like Ms. Hakey at the Recycling Center to review the notice and answer the questions.
Public Notice for a Subdivision Hearing: The hearing is for the lot across the street from the Reservoir Dam parcel. Mr. Dalessio noted that there are questions to be researched by the Planning Board regarding two houses that are on the existing lot that is to be subdivided.
Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)(c)
Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)(c) at 8:51 PM. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 9:24 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.
Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 9:24 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the February 5, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)
The Walpolean 
Recent Comments