Town of Walpole, New Hampshire
Meeting of the Selectboard
October 9, 2025
Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair, and Cheryl Mayberry
Selectboard Absent: Carolyn Vose
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Guests Present: Mark Houghton, Water & Sewer Director; Kyle Teamy and Tim Williams of Ruggerio Processing Facility LLC; Peter Dexter; Meghan Hansson, Town Clerk,
Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
The following items were moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests who wished to speak to them.
Water/Sewer Update
Mark Houghton had updates on several items:
- Well Contracts: Mr. Houghton requested that the Selectboard counter-sign contracts for the Stopler and Sanctuary wells. Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the final well contracts for the two wells on Old Drewsville Road so they can use their wells, and they no longer need to be on the Town water system. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Mrs. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in agreement, the motion passed, and the contracts were signed.
- ARPA Grant Funded Pump Generators: Mr. Houghton updated the Board on the project status. They are working their way through the generator installations at the sewer pump stations. Mr. Houghton reported that the ARPA grant funded project should be completed on time.
- Generator for Town Hall (former Water/Sewer generator): The old generator from the Watkins Hill well will be installed at Town Hall. The generator could be placed where the propane tank is now located. A 1,000-gallon propane tank will also be needed. One tree that is not healthy would need to be removed from the north side of the Town Hall. Mr. Houghton will quote the job. It was hoped that the cost can be included in the 2026 budget.
- Strategic Planning Grant Closeout: The Strategic Planning Grant has concluded, with the Water Department returning about $1.47. The strategic planning project leads into an asset management project. Mark Houghton confirmed that NH DES hired Underwood as the engineering firm and assigned them to work with Walpole on this project.
Mr. Houghton left the meeting.
Ruggerio Processing Facility
Mr. Teamy, co-owner of the facility, and Mr. Williams, the operations manager, said they want to ensure the Selectboard is aware of their plans. They need to add a building beside the current tipping floor to do the automated separating. After everything that can be recycled has been removed, the garbage will be bailed and sealed to eliminate odors and facilitate shipping. Overall, the project will use automated separation to cut costs and minimize the amount of garbage that needs to go into landfills. Mr. Dalessio reminded Mr. Teamy and Mr. Williams that before starting the new building, Ruggerio Processing Facility will need to go to Planning Board for a Site Plan Review and have a public hearing. Once the Site Plan is approved, they need to obtain a building permit from the Selectboard Office. Mr. Dalessio stated that Ruggerio Processing should be prepared to address traffic and odors concerns related to the facility.
Mr. Dexter, Mr. Teamy and Mr. Williams left the meeting.
Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b) at 7:17 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:52 PM.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Mrs. Hansson left the meeting during the Non-Public Session.
Town Clerk Office Closing for a few Days
The Town Clerk’s office will be open Monday, October 27th, but closed October 28th (Tuesday) –October 30th (Thursday) and November 3rd (Monday) – 4th (Tuesday).
Accounts Payable
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $186,663.11 dated 10/14/2025 including $62,297.40 payment to All States Construction for paving. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Payroll
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,739.16 dated 10/10/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,007.88. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Selectboard Meeting – October 1, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 1, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – October 1, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of October 1, 2025. The minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the minutes are sealed.
Building Permit
2025-34, Map and Lot# 008-008-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-34 for Map and Lot # 008-008-000 to construct a 10’ x 12’ shed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
2025-35, Map and Lot# 025-016-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-35 for Map and Lot # 025-016-000 to construct a 462.5 square foot roof mount solar array. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. Text has been added to the permit stating the Town takes no responsibility regarding the availability of connection to the electrical grid. The Town has been told by several contacts that new solar systems cannot be added to net metering.
Old Business
Arcomm Phone Installation Proposal: Arcomm will charge $2,520 to disconnect the analog service, install phones, configure the new VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) system, named GoTo, and train users in eight Departments. It is estimated the monthly savings will be $850. Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the proposal from Arcomm, sign the Arcomm contract, and sign Purchase Order #544093 for $2,520.00 (half to be paid when contract is signed with the remainder due on project completion). Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and the contract and purchase order were signed.
Reservoir Dam Online Meeting: Mr. Dalessio updated the Board on the online meeting 10/3/2025 with Walpole, DES, and Fuss and O’Neill. There is not enough time or money to get the whole project done. Therefore, DES recommends using this contract to get permitting in place. Permits are good for five years. Walpole will need to get another grant to implement the changes to the dam.
High Street Bridge: Ms. Mayberry reported that there will be a meeting with FEMA on Friday, October 17th at the High Street Bridge to discuss repairing the bottom of the culvert rather than replacing the whole bridge. This proposal would save a lot of money and give the bridge an additional ten to twenty years of life.
New Business
Recycling Trailer and Container Repairs: Recycling would like to repair the trailer and container needed for storage. Ms. Hakey reported that there would be no charge for the repair, and it would be completed with help from the Highway Department. They have a metal plate that can be placed over the hole in the floor so it can still be used for storage. By consensus, the Board agreed to moving forward with the project.
Recycling Replacement 40-Yard Roll-off Container: The dumpster used for metal recycling is in bad condition. Mrs. Hakey has received two quotes. Mr. Dalessio requested that Ms. Hakey shop around for a dumpster of heavy construction and try to buy it from a manufacturer. Ms. Vose will work with Ms. Hakey to go through the process of looking at the budget to determine if the money is available this year or if it needs to wait. They will need the 2025 actual financial data to know what is available at this point in the year and possibly move money to the correct account line to cover the expense.
Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Reimbursement Requests: There are two requests, $10,935 and $8,000, related to dam and wetlands permits. The cost for each is reimbursable through the ARPA grant. Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign both ARPA grant reimbursement requests. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the reimbursement requests.
Houghton Brook Bridge Update: Mr. Dalessio explained that the Houghton Brook Dridge is now on the State’s ten-year plan. Payments for overdue invoices are being sent to Fuss and O’Neill.
HealthTrust Risk Pool Update: HealthTrust is a non-assessable risk pool. Mr. Dalessio acknowledged receipt of the information.
Veterans’ Tax Credit RSA Change: Due to a change in the RSA, a warrant article will be required to maintain the current combined credit amount in Walpole. Currently, the State allows the stacking of the $500 for Veterans Tax Credit with the $1,400 allowed for a 100% disabled veteran. The new RSA does not permit stacking. To maintain the overall credit, The Town will need a warrant to change to $500 for veterans or $1,900 for those who are totally disabled. Mrs. Downing will work on this.
North Walpole Commissioners Letter to Forest Street Resident: Residents on Forest Street are parking in the Class VI portion of the road and blocking access. This is illegal and a safety risk if fire and/or rescue vehicles need to access any of the properties on that section of Fall Mountain.
NHMA Conference: Mrs. Downing is planning to attend the conference in November.
Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the October 15, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)
Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD
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