August 2026 Clarion Closing Date – 7/22/26
Time again for your submissions for the August 2026 CLARION. Closing date for the August issue is Wednesday, July 22 – 5 pm Walpole time. – or earlier if you can. Submission guidelines, and contact email are on the CLARION website.
August is always a “light month” for the CLARION with folks away, school not in session, thus fewer activities to write about. Biggest thing in this coming issue for you to read about is the Monday August 17 Special Town Meeting for voting on a bond to build a new Police Station from 7 – 9 pm. But, if you have something to share with the Walpole community, please send it along for possible inclusion.
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
Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 7/15/26
TOWN OF WALPOLE
SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA
July 15, 2026
Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall
SELECTBOARD MEETING
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) (e)
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
- PO# 498240 re: Grappone Ford
- PO# 256813 re: Recycling Mechanical
- Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $277,053.60 for checks issued 7/21/2026. ACH approval request for NH Retirement System of $31,714.38.
PAYROLL
- Payroll Register totaling $41,981.32 dated 7/17/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,700.27
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
- Public Hearings for the New Police Station – Request to Amend the Minutes
- Selectboard Meeting – July 9, 2026
- Selectboard Non-Public Session – July 9, 2026
BUILDING PERMITS
- 2026-22, Map and Lot# 019-033-000
- 2026-23, Map and Lot# 025-006-000
- 2026-24, Map and Lot# 024-038-001
OLD BUSINESS
Pending Further Actions: Old North Main and High Streets Bridges/Culverts, School and Union Street Drainage, Parking Ordinance, Library Ramp Railing Extension
- 167 Valley Road re: Mobile Home Permit
- Ruggerio Processing Facility’s DES Approval Notice
NEW BUSINESS
- Thank you Letter
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES
- Hooper Trustees Meeting – July 1, 2026
- Hooper Trustees Non-Public Session – July 1, 2026
HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS
- Hooper Institute Facility Rental Forms
HOOPER TRUSTEES NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II
**Any recording, audio or visual, and/or other devices must be declared at the beginning of the meeting**
FMRSD Cooperative Review Committee
The Fall Mountain Regional School Board is seeking diverse representation from across our district—including residents, staff, parents and leadership to serve on the newly established District Cooperative Review Committee.
This committee will conduct a comprehensive review of our cooperative school district and help ensure its long-term sustainability. The committee will focus on three key areas:
- Articles of Agreement – Review the current Articles of Agreement and recommend any necessary updates or amendments.
- Apportionment – Evaluate the district’s current cost-sharing methodology to determine whether it remains fair and equitable for member towns.
- Cooperative Structure – Assess the overall governance and operational structure of the cooperative to identify opportunities that best support students, communities, and taxpayers into the future.
The School Board is seeking individuals who are interested in contributing their time, perspectives, and expertise to this important work. We encourage residents from all member towns, staff and individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to consider serving.
The committee’s first meeting will be held on Monday, August 3, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fall Mountain Regional High School Library. Meetings will continue on the first and third Mondays of each month, with an anticipated recommendation to the board by November 2027.
If you are interested in serving, please complete this brief interest form. We will attempt to develop equal representation across the district. If selected, we will be in touch with next steps.
We appreciate your time and commitment as we work together to strengthen our cooperative district for the benefit of our students, staff and community.
Police Station Budget Public Hearing Minutes – 7/1/26
Town of Walpole, New Hampshire
Public Hearing
New Police Station Budget
July 1, 2026
Selectboard Present: Carolyn Vose, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry and Steven Dalessio
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Police Station Committee Present: Steve Dalessio, Trevor MacLachain, Peggy Pschirrer; Justin Sanctuary, Police Chief, and Cheri Watson.
Public Present: 31 residents (sign-in attached to official record of the meeting)
Call to Order: Ms. Vose called the Public Hearing to order at 6:34 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
Pursuant to RSA 32:5.1, the Selectboard held a public budget hearing to discuss the Town’s proposed budget for the August 17, 2026 Special Meeting.
Detailed estimate reports were available showing the costs of materials for the Police Station.
There was a question about the rate of the bond if approved. Mr. Dalessio explained that the State has not yet released the bond rate, but it is expected soon. It will be available before the August 17th meeting. Once the Town has that information we can determine the impact on property taxes. The information will be made available as soon as possible.
There was a question about how to avoid the same year delay that the Fire Station Expansion Project experienced. The Police Station Committee is working with and learning from the Fire District‘s experiences. The Town is already processing the documents and forms that caused delays for the Fire Station Expansion Project.
Adjournment: There being no more questions or discussion, Ms. Vose declared the meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Police Station Bond Public Hearing Minutes – 7/1/26
Town of Walpole, New Hampshire
Public Hearing
New Police Station Bond
July 1, 2026
Selectboard Present: Carolyn Vose, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Cheryl Mayberry (arrived late)
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Police Station Committee Present: Steve Dalessio, Trevor MacLachain, Peggy Pschirrer, Justin Sanctuary (Police Chief), and Cheri Watson.
Public Present: 31 residents (sign-in attached to official record of the meeting)
Call to Order: Ms. Vose called the Public Hearing to order at 6:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
Pursuant to RSA 33:8-a,1, the Selectboard of the Town of Walpole held a public bond hearing to discuss the proposed issuance of a bond in the amount of $3,000,000 to finance the construction of a new Police facility. The bond issue will be voted on at the special meeting on August 17, 2026.
Mr. Dalessio presented a summary of the process to date and then answered questions with the rest of the Committee that were in attendance. This design is about $2,000,000 less than the initial one that people felt was more than what the Town requires. Chief Sanctuary said he feels that this design meets all their current and foreseeable needs. Some of the spaces have dual purposes to help control costs. For example, the three holding cells could also be used for interrogation since each will house only one person. There are some final tweaks to the design being done such as the roofline. It will be simplified to make the attic a more effective space for the utilities. The design will be finalized before the August 17th Special Meeting. Only those doors and windows that need to be ballistic will be. The total price includes furniture. The building will be 5,700 sq. ft. including the four drive through sally ports. The new facility includes space to continue cybercrime work. Robbie Mahrou argued for a larger building because the Town is being asked to pay for this construction and should not be asked to enlarge the facility in 25 or 50 years. Others in attendance disagreed and said that was clearly not what the Town wanted as shown from feedback given at the first information session.
There was a question about absentee ballots for voters not able to attend the Town Meeting in August. There is no process for absentee ballots for Town Meetings. Personal priorities will control who is here to vote. Ms. Vose commented that the number of attendees is also an issue for Town Meetings in March. Many residents go south for the winter. Mr. Dalessio commented that if the bond vote is pushed out to March, the project will be delayed for a year. Additionally, costs will rise significantly, and the Town will lose the first year of the USDA grant.
Adjournment: Ms. Vose declared the meeting adjourned at 6:34 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 7/1/26
Town of Walpole, New Hampshire
Meeting of the Selectboard
July 1, 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: Sue Nadeau and Jonathan Crocker, Hooper Institute Board of Directors and Greta Drager, Hooper Institute Executive Director
Call to Order: Ms. Vose called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:50 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
Hooper Trustees
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:51 PM. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:32 PM.
Ms. Nadeau, Ms. Drager and Mr. Crocker left during the Hooper Trustees non-public meeting.
Accounts Payable
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $64,460.50 dated 7/7/2026, the ACH payments of $41,895.16 to HealthTrust and $99,581.25 to NH Municipal Bond Bank. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Accounts Payable was approved.
Payroll
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $41,573.77 dated 7/3/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,514.01; also the supplemental payment of $1,250.00 dated 7/3/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $299.28. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, Payroll was approved.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Selectboard Meeting – June 25, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of June 25, 2026. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.
Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – June 25, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of June 25, 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:
- Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – June 17, 2026
- Planning Board Workshop Minutes – June 23, 2026
Ms. Vose acknowledged these minutes.
Old Business
Reservoir Dam Permitting Update: Mr. Dalessio reported that the Town met the deadline of 7/1/2026 for the Reservoir Dam Wetlands Permit and had received a permit to Reconstruct an Existing Dam (i.e. to breech the dam temporarily until it can be reconstructed to meet current standards.) Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Reconstruction Permit and for Mr. Dalessio to sign it. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion passed and Mr. Dalessio signed the permit.
MS-636 for Special Town Meeting: Ms. Mayberry moved to sign the MS-636 for the Special Meeting on 8/17/2026. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion passed and the MS-636 was signed.
Dog Licensing re: Extra Fees: The Town Clerk’s Office wanted to let the Selectboard know about the additional fees for dogs taken to the Humane Society that are charged to the Towns. Mr. Dalessio recommends raising rates when the State permits higher rates.
July 5th Concert on the Green Update: Information on the July 5th Concert is posted on the Town website (walpolnh.us) under events and news. The schedule is:
- 4:00 PM: Bring your own picnic to the Common
- 4:00 – 6:00 PM: “Ask Your Selectboard a Question” table by the Town Hall
- 4:15 PM: Lucy Weber will read the Declaration of Independence
- 4:30 PM: Church bells will be rung
- 5:00 PM: Hot dogs will be available
- 6:00 PM: Concert on the Green – River Valley Dance Band
New Business
NH DOT Rumble Strip Project: The NH DOT plans to install rumble strips on Route 12 from Fitzwilliam to Newport to help keep people in their lanes. There will not be a rumble strip through North Walpole. Ms. Vose acknowledged the notice.
FMRSD-SAU 60 Leadership Format Change Memo: A notice was received stating that FMRSD will be changing its leadership format again this year and listing the qualifications for the new CEO. Ms. Vose acknowledged the notice.
Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (b)(c)(e)
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b)(c)(e) at 7:52 PM. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:20 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.
Adjournment: Ms. Vose declared the meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the July 9, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)
The Walpolean 
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