TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

FEBRUARY 27, 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: Justin Cassarino, Principal at Walpole Elementary School

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

WALPOLE SCHOOLS

Mr. Cassarino asked to talk with the Selectboard about the process for consolidation.  This year, his relationship with the Selectboard seemed to be different from the past. Mr. Cassarino felt that he was caught off guard during recent meetings.  Mr. Cassarino wants good working relationships and to do what is best for the Town.  Walpole is currently at the minimum required staff.  The school district has asked him to look at buildings, etc. to cut expenses. One option is consolidating the schools into one campus, but that means changes to the buildings will be required. For some time now the Selectboard has received no information from the school. Mr. Cassarino will ensure Site Based Team minutes and newsletters are sent to the Selectboard. A discussion followed on how to improve communications and how to get community buy-in which is critical for anything to succeed.  It was decided that Mr. Cassarino will attend Selectboard meetings regularly. 

Mr. Cassarino left the meeting.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $38,161.89 dated 2/28/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $8,272.68.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – February 20, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of February 20, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – February 20, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of February 20, 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:

• Police Building Committee Meeting – January 13, 2025
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – February 19, 2025
• Safety Committee Meeting – February 20, 2025

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these reports.

TIMBER TAX CERTIFICATION OF YIELD AND WARRANT

Op # 24-461-06, Map and Lot # 013-059-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the taxes assessed and warrant for $1,531.81.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and both forms were signed.

BUILDING PERMIT

2025-03, Map and Lot# 011-027-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2025-03 for Map and Lot # 011-027-000 to construct a 397 square foot deck around a home addition. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2025-04, Map and Lot# 008-015-006: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2025-04 for Map and Lot # 008-015-006 to construct a 70’ x 50’ single story home. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Town Meeting and Warrant Articles: At Town Meeting the articles, discussion will be led by: 

Article 5: The Budget – Ms. Mayberry 

Article 6: Conduct a feasibility and sustainability study of withdrawal from Fall Mountain Regional School District – Ms. Vose

Article 7: Police Building Capital Reserve Fund and appropriate $55,000 – Mr. Dalessio

Article 8: Raise and appropriate $40,000 to the Municipal Building Capital Reserve Fund – Ms. Mayberry

Article 9: Raise and appropriate the sum of $280,000 for the purchase of a 6-wheel truck – Mr. Dalessio

Article 10: Raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000 for the Highway Capital Reserve Fund – Mr. Dalessio

Article 11: Raise and appropriate the sum of $80,000 for a vehicle for the Police Department – Ms. Mayberry

Article 12: Raise and appropriate $15,000 for the Police Department Capital Reserve Fund – Ms. Mayberry

Article 13: Raise and appropriate the sum of $26,000 for the Town Wide Assessment Capital Reserve Fund – Ms. Vose

Article 14: To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting – All as needed

Police Station Land Closing: The attorneys are still working on setting up the closing date. The process is moving ahead.

Fire Station USDA Grant: Form SF424 and the attorney representation form are complete. No signatures are needed.  The Selectboard acknowledged the forms.

NEW BUSINESS

Authorization Letter for the Road Agent: The letter gives the Road Agent permission to register the new 2025 International dump truck.  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the authorization to register the 2025 International dump truck.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the authorization was accepted and signed.

School District Reorganization Study: Ms. Mayberry reviewed the letter. A Selectboard member from each town is to serve on the Town committee that is part of a Research Group. Additionally, a resident, school Board member and school administrator are also to serve on the committee.  The Selectboard is ready to participate.

2025 Community Funding Requests: A notice from Maggie Goodlander’s Office for funding requests states the due date is Friday, March 7,2025.  The notice was acknowledged.

Zoning Violation:  This item will be addressed next week to allow time for additional preparation.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(e) at 7:28 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:48 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.

ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the March 5, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

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