TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JANUARY 30, 2025

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

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

Guests Present: Jeff Miller, Planning Board Chair

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

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(e) at 6:30 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:13 PM.

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

Mr. Miller left during the non-public session.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,147.08 dated 1/31/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,583.61.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – January 23, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 23, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – January 23, 2025:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of January 23, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved, and the minutes are sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

• Trustee of Trust Funds Minutes – January 15, 2025

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

WATER AND SEWER WARRANTS

Walpole Water Fees: Ms. Vose moved to approve the warrant for Walpole Water Fees for $45,238.53.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the warrant was approved.

Walpole Sewer Fees: Ms. Vose moved to approve the warrant for Walpole Sewer Fees totaling $70,892.56.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the warrant was approved.

North Walpole Sewer Fees: Ms. Vose moved to approve the warrant for North Walpole Sewer Fees for $56,707.05.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the warrant was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT

2025-02, Map and Lot# 010-026-002: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2025-02 for Map and Lot # 010-026-002 to construct a 36’ x 24’ inground pool. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the permit was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

2025 Warrant Articles: The Board received feedback from Attorney Hockensmith regarding Article #7.  No petition articles have been received.  The last day petition warrant articles can be submitted is February 4th.

2024 Town Report Covers: The Selectboard selected and/or approved front, inside front and back cover designs for the Town Report 

2024 Selectboard Report for Town Report: The Selectboard Report was reviewed and edited.  A revised copy will be sent to the Board for final approval. 

2023 Town Financial Audit:  The Vachon Clukay letter was received and sent to Mark Houghton.  The audit should be complete by February 28th.

NEW BUSINESS

Highway Truck Incident: Mr. Dalessio gave a report regarding the incident. A Town dump truck was returning from being repaired. While the truck was going up the beginning of Valley Road, the truck started to smoke. The driver pulled over into the entrance of Sand Hill Road. As the driver reached for his belongings, fire burst through the dashboard. A Report of First Injury was filed for the driver who had his hair singed. He lost his wallet, lunchbox and other personal items in the fire. An insurance liability claim was also submitted for the truck.  The Town is now down to two working trucks, with two more waiting for parts that are expected soon.  Additionally, the loader may need a new wiring harness.  It has been wired back together but is only partially working and cannot load salt/sand.

Reservoir Dam Grant Reimbursement Form: Ms. Mayberry moved to have Mr. Dalessio sign the Reservoir Dam Grant reimbursement form in the amount of $3,267.50.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed. Mr. Dalessio signed the Reservoir Dam Grant reimbursement form.

School Board Study Memo: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a FMRSD memo regarding a School Board Study Pursuant to RSA 195:16a. The Selectboard attended a School Board meeting earlier in the week.

Walpole Schools Budget Request Memo: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a community letter from Principal Justin Cassarino regarding Walpole Schools budget requests and two proposed warrant articles. Copies of the letter are available at the Town Hall.

Federal Grant Funding Freeze and Un-Freeze: Mr. Dalessio stated that the internal grant tracking spreadsheet has been updated.  The Reservoir Dam funds are held by the State. Only the memo freezing funds was rescinded, not the freeze.  The legality of the freeze will be determined by the federal courts.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Update: Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry will participate in the update.  The rest of the team will be similar to the group who created the plan. There was discussion about needing meetings set up or whether they will be on Zoom.

Community Power Membership: The committee membership is included in the committee’s report in the Town Report.  The committee will likely work together for a couple more years.

Thank You Note and Cake: All the people working at Town Hall received a thank you note and wonderful carrot cake from Pam Baucom in appreciation for all they do.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the February 4, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD