The Walpolean

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

April 16, 2026

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

Staff Present: Jodi Daigle, Tax Collector, Water-Sewer Clerk and Administrative Assistant, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present: Peter Palmiotto and Paul Happ

Call to Order: Ms. Vose called the Selectboard meeting to order at 7:02 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Note: Tonight’s meeting started with the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:30 PM, and then the Selectboard meeting was opened.

The next item was moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests who wish to speak to it.

Conservation Commission: Peter Palmiotto wished to discuss tree planting on the Common with the Selectboard.  There will be a tree planting on May 16th.  There was a discussion about what trees will be planted.  The new trees will not interfere with the power lines even when mature. The tree planting expenses have been paid by donations. After this planting there will still be funds available.  Ms. Mayberry will create a report showing donations and expenses for all the trees planted.  By consensus, the Selectboard agrees that Mr. Palmiotto may ask the Highway Department to pre-dig the holes for the May planting.

Mr. Palmiotto reported that the red pine cut at the southbound rest area on Route 12 is going well.  The cut is necessary because red scale is already in Keene.  Once the trees get infected, they die and can no longer be sold.  At that point, it would be a necessary expense for the Town to remove the dead trees. There would be no way to recover the cost.  There is a sign at the rest area explaining red scale. The area will be able to fill in naturally in the future. New England forests regenerate naturally.  Longview will do invasives treatment in that area.  There will be a similar harvest of red pine on Maple Avenue near the Junior High School in Keene shortly.

Longview Forestry was hired several years ago to be the Walpole Forester per Mr. Palmiotto.  Alex Barrett, a Longview forester, has done a great job as the Town Forester. However, he is about to be promoted and another of their employees will become the Town Forester.  Because this is a small community with a limited number of people who have an extensive knowledge of forestry and conservation, there may be some conflicts of interest.  However, the Conservation Commission members are very aware of conflicts. They will recuse themselves when appropriate.

Mr. Palmiotto and Mr. Happ left the meeting.

Accounts Payable: An invoice from EE Houghton was missed earlier this year.  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable for $15,847.33 to EE Houghton.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the Accounts Payable was accepted.

Payroll

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,388.77 dated 4/17/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,518.62.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, Payroll was approved.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – April 9, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 9, 2026. Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Ms. Vose in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – April 9, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of April 9, 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.

Property Tax Abatements

Map and Lots # 006-019-000, 006-020-000 and 006-021-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Abatement for Map and Lots 006-019-000, 006-020-000 and 006-021-000 and a refund of $12,069.68 because of the poor harvest of primarily white pine and oak harvested past prime with blister pine and spider oak disease present.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor,  the motion was approved.

Timber Yield Taxes Assessed and Warrant

Yield Tax Levy – Map and Lots # 006-019-000, 006-020-000 and 006-021-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Yield Tax for Map and Lots 006-019-000, 006-020-000 and 006-021-000 of $11,030.42 because of the poor harvest.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Yield Tax Warrant: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve a yield tax of $11,030.42 on map and Lots 006-019-000, 006-020-000 and 006-021-000.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Yield Tax Warrant was approved.

Veterans’ Tax Credit:

Map and Lot # 028-026-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Veterans’ Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 028-026-000.  A new form was required due to a change in the ownership records.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Solar Tax Exemption:

Map and Lot # 009-048-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Solar Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 009-048-000.  A new form was required due to a change in the ownership records.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot # 008-076-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Solar Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 008-076-000.  A new form was required due to a change in the ownership records. Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor,  the motion was approved.

Building Permit

2026-06, Map and Lot# 012-079-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2026-06 for Map and Lot # 012-079-000 to construct a 20’ x 10’ shed.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

New Police Station Grant Documents: Additional forms need to be submitted in order to have the grant processed.  The Selectboard has been in contact with both Jean Shaheen’s Office and the USDA. Since the Fire Department recently successfully received a USDA grant for the Fire House expansion, the Town will use those applications to complete the forms for the Police Station.

Fire Department USDA Grant: The Fire District needs to place an ad in the newspaper announcing another hearing to determine if the Town is willing to accept the grant funding.  The hearing will be May 7th at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall.

250th Anniversary: Due to other commitments of the likely participants, the Town will not be able to pull together an anniversary event for July 4th.  However, the Selectboard welcomes separate events sponsored by the citizens and organizations in Town throughout the summer.  Please let the Selectboard know of your events so they can be advertised on the Town website and supported by everyone.  It is hoped the Congregational Church will still hold its delicious Chicken Barbecue, perhaps moving it to a concert evening.

2024 Financial Audit: Ms. Mayberry announced that the auditors will be here May 11th to finish 2024 audit.  Ms. Mayberry has also requested a discussion on what Walpole can do to make the 2025 audit easier for Vachon Clukay to complete.

New Business

First Point Power Agreement: Our current contract with First Point Power will expire in July and they are expecting a rate increase soon.  The existing contract is $0.11 per KWH.  The current price is $0.09 per KWH for July 26 through November 26.  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the contract with First Point Power for 7/26 – 11//26/2026 at a rate of $0.09 per KWH.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved, and Mr. Dalessio signed the contract.

Walpole Community Power Appointment Notice: This item has been moved to the April 22nd meeting when Mr. Looney will be able to attend.

Lack of Building Permits: It has been observed that decks have been built without building permits at 52 Main Street and 160 Prospect Hill Road.  By consensus, both owners will be sent letters telling them to visit the Selectboard Office to complete building permit forms by 5/31/2026.

Cold River Local Advisory Committee: The State is reactivating The Cold River Local Advisory Committee (CRLAC).  They are looking for Walpole residents to join the committee.  Interested parties can learn more at the CRLAC website or contact Tracie Sales at 603.271.2959 or Tracie.Sales@des.nh.gov. If you would like to represent Walpole on the CRLAC, contact the Selectboard Office for the application. 

Playground Site – Map and Lot # 028-162-001: This discussion was moved to next week because additional information is needed.

EV Charging Stations: The electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the new parking lot are losing money. Ms. Mayberry will look at the reports and determine what rate needs to be charged to break even.

Water/Sewer Project: The Selectboard needs to meet with the Water/Sewer Department.  Dates that work for the Selectboard include May 30th or June 2nd, 16th, 23rd, or 24th.  These dates will be sent to  the Water/Sewer department.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c) at 8:57 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 9:15 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.

Hooper Trustees

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 9:15 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 9:18 PM.

Adjournment: Ms. Vose declared the meeting adjourned at 9:18 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the April 22, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)