Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

July 7, 2025

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

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, France Menk, John Peska (Cochair & Presiding), Lewis Shelley

Alternates Present: Hale Morrell

Members Absent: Paul Happ, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair), Carolyn Vose (Selectboard), Tom Beaudry

Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Gazebo on the Common. 

Seating of Alternates: There was a quorum of members, so no alternates were seated.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Wendy moved to accept the June 2, 2025 minutes as written. Nicole seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

Public Business

Financial Report:

• Conservation $282,690.37
• Forestry $52,747.05

Correspondence:  We received Hale’s appointment letter – she is now officially an Alternate.  Thanks, Hale, for joining the Conservation Commission.  We also received the Conservation Commission Newsletter.

New Business

NH Association of Conservation Commissions: Lesley Johnson would like to talk to the Walpole Conservation Commission at the August meeting.  The NHACC is developing a strategic plan, and they would like to see what the local Conservation Commissions would like them to do for us.  

Route 12 Rest Areas:  France moved to accept the quote from Connecticut Valley Yard Works for mowing at the rest areas. Lew seconded. With all in favor, the motion carried.

Several things that need to be done at the rest area will be rescheduled to fall.  There was so much rain this spring and early summer that the work couldn’t be done as previously planned.

Old Business

Old Home Days Summary: Both the Conservation Commission and Trail Committee tables were busy the whole time.  People seemed to be picking up the materials that were available.  Only 20 raffle tickets were entered for the snowshoes, but the winner was thrilled to get them. There are some tree survey results.  It was suggested that Conservation have a float at the next Old Home Days. Thank you to all who helped with the tables and events.

Forest for the Birds: Chris Liazos did not get any takers for a bird walk before the Old Home Days parade, but he did have some very engaging conversations.

Gateway Management (Invasive Control): The invasive control work will be started after June30th and completed by the end of September.  There was a discussion of warning signs that will be posted when the invasives are treated to warn people to stay away for 24 hours. 

Trail Committee 

Updates: Tom Murray created the new trail at the Gateway.  It is the first new trail created by the Trail Committee.  Thank you, Tom.  There was a small attendance at the Trail Committee events Sunday morning of Old Home Days at the Gateway.

Rail Trail Brush Hog: The permit was received June 19th and the brush hogging was done late the following week.  All sticks need to be removed from the trail before brush hogging.  They were very accommodating, and they did a great job.  The Malnati bridge is no longer adequate for a tractor. The Hooper Hill Hoppers are awaiting information and materials from the Bureau of Trails so they can replace the bridge.

The new draft memorandum of understanding has been received from the State.  It will replace the annual Special Use Permit for brush hogging and other projects.  In addition to the memorandum of understanding, an annual work plan will need to be submitted.

Other Business

Dam Updates: A lot of attention is currently being devoted to the changes in the planned dam repairs.

Hooper Institute Board Update:  Greta Drager, the new Executive Director, started last week.  George Gowdy, the new Educator, will start in August. Renovations are paused for the camps, then the contractors will be back and finish the work.  There was a question about Invasives Control at Hooper – a copy of the paperwork is needed

Adjournment:  France moved to adjourn the meeting.  Nicole seconded.  John declared the meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Tagged: CONSERVATION COMMISSION, Meeting Minutes