Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

August 6, 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: Kyle Houghton, Mike Nachajski, and Brad Nash, Maintenance Tech

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

The following item was moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests who wish to speak to it.

Town Hall Air Conditioning System Proposal

Mr. Houghton and Mr. Nachajski of E.E. Houghton presented the proposal for air conditioner/heat pumps in the Town Hall offices, kitchen, hall and bathrooms for a cost of $87,500.00.  They recommend a City Multiline from Mitsubishi which has multiple zones and thermostat settings. The system does heat and cooling at the same time, to allow everyone to be comfortable.  It can use heat from a too warm area to heat another area where extra heat is needed.  Mr. Nachajski explained that if the Town do not choose this system, it will take three compressors to cover the same part of the building.  There are rebates available. The amount the Town can expect is being calculated. The amounts should be available in about a week.  The recommendation is to disconnect the existing boiler from this area but still have it available for the rest of the building.  The proposed system would be the most efficient option for the most frequently used areas.  Mr. Dalessio commented that because of the cost, this system must go to Town Meeting for approval.  There were additional questions such as what is the cost impact if the system is sized for a couple more offices. Mr. Dalessio requested a service contract quote.  There was a question about whether a generator could run this system.  The Town is waiting for a quote to install a generator at the Town Hall.

Mr. Houghton, Mr. Nachajski, and Mr. Nash left the meeting.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $150,782.45, dated 8/11/2025 including $86,860.90 payment to the Village of Bellows Falls for the second quarter sewer usage and bond. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Accounts Payable was approved. 

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $36,136.05 dated 8/8/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,906.84.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, Payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – July 31, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 31, 2025.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – July 31, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 31, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved, and they remain sealed.

Old Business

Reservoir Dam: There is a request from the Conservation Commission and new information from Fuss and O’Neill.  Fuss and O’Neill have prepared a new design that should be available this week to avoid having a cement spillway.  Mr. Dalessio stated the estimate to remove the dam is $400,000 – 580,000 plus treatment of contamination or living organisms and removal of accumulated silt.  The current grants would not be applicable to removing the dam. Other grants are available to remove a dam.  The work must be completed in about a year for the ARPA grant.  John Peska and Peter Palmiotto will be asked to attend the Selectboard meeting next week to discuss the topic. 

Property Tax Collections Summary Report: Mrs. Daigle has defined the letter meanings for each type of warrant as requested last week.  That clarified the report.

New Business

Library Repairs Purchase Order and Invoice: Ms. Vose moved to approve and sign Purchase Order # 619057 for $6,000.00 for pointing the left and right sides of the front of the building, repairing the crack on the side of the ramp, and repairing the piers on the porch.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the purchase order was approved and signed.

Conservation Commission Topics: Ms. Vose said that the Conservation Commission is ready to plant the next batch of trees for the Common on October 19th.  The Tree Committee will determine what is needed in Drewsville and North Walpole.  Ms. Mayberry will check with the Commissioners to see what North Walpole might like for trees.

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Update: Revised maps are available for review and comment.  The next step is to schedule a public meeting.  After that the official maps will be released.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b)(c) at 7:32 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:21PM.

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.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:25 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:47 PM.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Dalessio 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 August 14, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD