Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

June 26, 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: Sue Nadeau, George Gowdy, Matthew Benoit, John Sheldon, Davis Barratt, Fritze Till, Annette Newton, Ezra Leby, Bas den Hand, and Joe Fennessey

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

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:30 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 6:57 PM.

Ms. Nadeau and Mr. Gowdy left during the Hooper Trustees meeting.

Mr. Benoit, Mr. Sheldon, Mr. Barratt, Ms. Till, Ms. Newton, Mr. Leby, Mr. den Hand, and Mr. Fennessey joined the Selectboard meeting.  The following item was moved up in the agenda to accommodate a guest who wished to speak to it.

Proposed Gazebo/Pavilion on the Drewsville Common: Mr. Benoit presented the proposed layout for a gazebo on the Drewsville Common.  The concept is to have a gazebo and flagpole on a concrete slab.  Mr. Dalessio explained that since the gazebo is intended for public use, it needs to adhere to commercial construction guidelines. Everyone who works on the structure must be licensed.  Part of the Common is commercial, and part is residential. That also needs to be considered.  There is also a wet area at the north end of the common.  It was also explained what information would be needed for a public hearing in two weeks.  Mr. Benoit was told that a petition with 15 or 18 signatures was submitted last week.  Mr. Benoit felt that with those at the meeting tonight and the petition, he did not want to continue with the project.  Mr. Benoit left the meeting.  The Selectboard had listed the rules and data needed for the public hearing and offered to schedule a public hearing in two weeks. No decision was made regarding the gazebo.  The Selectboard and the Drewsville Village residents present appreciated all the Drewsville Store does for the Town.

The remaining guests left the meeting.

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,202.28 dated 6/27/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,701.93.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – June 19, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of June 19, 2025 with two changes:  1) on page 3 under Vilas Bridge Review, “how imbedded Walpole people are in greater community” should read “how imbedded Walpole people are in the greater community”, and 2) in the next paragraph, “will be postponed until it needs to be done” should read “will be postponed until the remediation needs to be done”. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the minutes were approved as amended.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – June 19, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of June 19, 2025 with one change. The GED one applicant had was from North Carolina.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the minutes were approved as amended and remain sealed.

Committee Reports

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

• Trail Committee Meeting – June 11, 2025
• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – June 18, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Timber Yield Taxes Assessed and Warrant

Op # 24-461-04, Map and Lot # 004-033-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the assessed taxes and warrant for $2,339.40.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

Safe Streets Grant Support Letter: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the Safe Streets Grant Support Letter. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and the letter was signed.

Recycling Center Solar System Repair Update:  There was no update for this week.

Houghton Brook Bridge ARM Grant: Mr. Dalessio reported that the timeline for this project needs to be amended.  The request went to Fuss & O’Neill. They have not yet responded.  Mr. Dalessio has asked that Fuss & O’Neill keep the Selectboard and the Selectboard Office informed.

Strategic Planning Grant: Mr. Dalessio stated that if the project is complete, the Town needs to send an email.  The grant is managed by the Water Department and tied to asset management. Mrs. Downing will send a copy of the email to Mr. Houghton since he was not included in the distribution.

Reservoir Dam: Mr. Dalessio reported that the Dam Bureau would like an update from Fuss & O’Neill.  They want a timeline to complete the project.   No response has been received to date.

New Business

Cemetery Deed for Lots E618 and E619: Ms. Vose moved to approve the sale of lots E618 and E619, and to sign the deed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the sale was approved, and the deed was signed.

License to Sell Pistols and Revolvers: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the renewal application for Eric Frink of 131 Merriam Rd.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the license application was approved and signed.  Mrs. Downing will send a copy of the license application to Police Chief Sanctuary.

Sewer Manhole Rehab Proposal: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the RFQ to have 50 manholes and two wet well holes fixed.  The Chair needs to sign the RFQ. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and Mr. Dalessio signed the RFQ.  This project will repair collapsing manholes on Rt 12.

Central Air System Failures: Mr. Dalessio reported that both central air systems in the Town Hall and Police Department’s system have failed this week.   The Police Department bought two small window air conditioning units for the station.  The Town Hall is borrowing window units from staff. A quote is being prepared for one larger system that will cool the Selectboard Office, the Town Clerk’s Office, the hallway and the restrooms. 

Old Home Days Committee: The Old Home Days Committee would like to be able to accept credit cards for the hats and shirts they sell, but they cannot get approved. The Town does not have portable credit cards readers. It was suggested that they purchase a square card reader for the day.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c)(e) at 7:44 PM.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:26 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.

The next Selectboard meeting will be July 2nd at 6:30 PM.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the July 2, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD