TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

APRIL 24, 2025

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

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

Guests Present: Matt Benoit

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

The following New Business item was moved to the top of the agenda.

Drewsville Common Gazebo Donation: Mr. Benoit, owner of the Drewsville General Store, attended the meeting to discuss his request with the Selectboard.  He would like to lead the fundraising and building of a small gazebo on the north end of the Drewsville Common. Mr. Benoit wanted to know what the process would be to build the gazebo.  After Mr. Benoit submits a sketch with measurements and distances to the edge of the Common, etc. to the Selectboard, there will be two public hearings, usually two weeks apart for public feedback.  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that it would help if extra funds were raised to establish a maintenance fund.  The construction can be done by volunteers, but the electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician with a license number on the building permit.

Yellow Bags: Mr. Benoit also recommended that the yellow Walpole garbage bags be made available at the Recycling Center for the convenience of users and the stores that sell them.

Mr. Benoit left the meeting.

PAYROLL

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,705.74 dated 4/25/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,031.14.  Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – April 17, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 17 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – April 17, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of April 17, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the minutes are sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

• Planning Board Meeting – April 8, 2025
• Trail Committee Meeting – April 9, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

GRAVEL TAX WARRANT

Op # 24-461-02, Map and Lot # 014-013-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Gravel Tax Warrant for $118.84.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Op # 24-461-03, Map and Lot #015-011-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Gravel Tax Warrant for $4,734.70.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for

• Map and Lot # 009-033-002-1 of $29.03

Seconded by Ms. Vose.   With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT

2014-10 Renewal, Map and Lot# 012-013-004: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit Renewal #2024-10 for Map and Lot # 012-013-004 to construct the third building at Abenaki Springs Phase I & II.  Since there are a lot of TBD’s (To Be Determined) on the application, a letter will accompany the renewal restating that compliance with the Town laws is required, including the names and licenses of the electrician and plumber must be on file in the Selectboard Office. Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  

2025-11, Map and Lot# 010-049-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-11 for Map and Lot # 010-049-000 to construct a 26’ x 24’ detached garage. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

2025-12, Map and Lot# 011-001-002: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-12 for Map and Lot 011-001-002 to construct a 40’ x 30’ single family home. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Reservoir Dam Grant Disbursement Form: Ms. Mayberry moved that Mr. Dalessio sign the Reservoir Dam Grant Disbursement form for $21,850.50 from the ARPA grant.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form.

Hooper Hill Hoppers RPT Grant Support Letter: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the letter of support for the Hooper Hill Hoppers grant application.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Dalessio announced that In the next week or two, there will be a letter explaining what is needed when requesting a letter of support from the Selectboard.

Walpolean Support Request: This item has been continued from last week.   By consensus, since the Town has no control over the content of the Walpolean, no funding is available.

Old Home Days: The Old Home Days flyer has been posted on bulletin boards, and on the Town website.  Two Committee members will be attending the Selectboard meeting next week to discuss the Street Dance and an open container request.   

NEW BUSINESS

Rancho Viejo Liquor Endorsement Letter: The letter is to support the application for a full liquor license with seating on the deck.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the letter of endorsement for Rancho Viejo.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the letter was signed.

River Valley Seniors at Home: A letter was received from the River Valley Seniors at Home thanking the Town for the donation which will be used to provide scholarships for those who cannot afford the membership fee.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged the letter.

The Bellows Falls Senior Center: Ms. Mayberry explained that the Bellows Falls Senior Center is no longer permitted to serve “Meals on Wheels” to residents in NH. Friendly Meals will be providing Meals on Wheels to 5 to 7 additional residents of Walpole.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 7:16 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:59 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 8:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the May 1, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD