Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

January 8, 2026

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

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

Guests Present: Paul Looney, Chair of the Walpole Community Power Committee

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

The following item was added at the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest who wished to address this issue.

Electrical Service Contract – Town of Walpole

Mr. Looney presented the details of a 4-month contract with First Point Power.  The price is $0.11387 per kilowatt hour.  This is the best rate available now.  Mrs. Pschirrer reviewed the contract and feels it is acceptable.  Ms. Mayberry moved to sign the 4-month agreement with First Point Power.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was passed, and the contract was signed.

Mr. Looney left the meeting.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $204,608.82 dated 1/13/2026 including $95,450.00 payment to E.E. Houghton Company using encumbered ARPA funds for sewer pump improvements.  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 $37,962.14 dated 1/9/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,701.51.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – 12/28/2025 Corrected: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Corrected Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of 12/28/2025.  There was an error in a name that needed correction. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the corrected Selectboard minutes were approved.

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

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 31, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of December 31, 2025.  The minutes are no longer sealed.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved.

Committee Reports

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

• Trail Committee Meeting – December 10, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Abatements

Map and Lot # 017-006-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Abatement for Map and Lot #017-006-000 for $4,504.00 to correct a trustee name change for an estate.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Supplemental Tax Warrant

Map and Lot # 017-006-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Supplemental Tax Warrant for Map and Lot #017-006-000 of $4,504.00 to mail the invoice to the correct trustee for a probated estate.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Veterans’ Tax Credit:

Map and Lot #016-013-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 016-013-000.  This is a Certain Disabled Veteran Exemption.  The full property value is exempt from taxation under RSA 72:36-a.  Avitar has reviewed and approved the application.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot #014-008-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 014-008-000.  The applicant served more than 90 days of active duty during a time of conflict and was honorably discharged.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Timber Intents

Map and Lot # 010-034-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 010-034-000, off Reservoir Road.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

Old Business

Updated Town Hall Air Cooling System Quote: Proposal # 2025367 from Everett E. Houghton Co. is to remove two existing air conditioning condensers and install a Mitsubishi City Mult VRF condenser and the associated equipment to cool the Town Clerk’s office, the Selectboard office, the kitchen, hall and bathrooms.  The existing ductwork will remain in place so the existing furnace can be used for heating if desired.  The cost is $87,500.00. There are optional 10-year service and labor contracts.  The Selectboard recommends including the service and labor contracts.  By consensus this will become a 2026 Warrant Article.

Fanny Mason Timer Cut Contract: Ms. Vose moved to approve and sign the Timber Sale Contract in the Fanny Mason Forest, to the east of Route 12, with Alex Barrett of Longview Forest to act as Agent and Chris Ricci as Purchaser.  The Conservation Commission endorsed the contract.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the contract was signed by the Selectboard.

Hazardous Waste Collection Commitment Letter: Ms. Vose explained this is the annual agreement with the City of Keene for residents of Walpole to leave hazardous waste at the Keene Recycling Center during collection days.  Ms. Vose moved to have the chair sign the contract.  Ms. Hakey will advertise dates when published.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed and the commitment letter was signed by Mr. Dalessio.

School Withdrawal Meeting Start Times: By consensus it was decided there will be a Walpole School Withdrawal Meeting on Wednesday February 11th, 2026, and another meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Both meetings will start at 6:30 PM.  The meeting on Saturday, February 28th will start at 1:00 PM.  It was decided to post the schedule in the Walpolean and the February Clarion.  There was a discussion on preparing all the public materials for these meetings.

New Business

NH Recycles Materials Management Contract: Ms. Vose stated that this is the new rate schedule for 2026.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Materials Management Contract between NH Recycles and the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved and Mr. Dalessio signed the contract.

Cheshire County and Commissioners Meeting with the Selectboard: Cheshire County and the Commissioners are seeking a date to meet with the Selectboard. It was suggested they attend January 22nd or 29th.  Once the date is set, it will be added to the meeting announcement in case the public wishes to attend.

SWRPC Selectboard Roundtable Meetings: Ms. Mayberry will contact them to get details.

Ruggerio Processing Facility Public Hearing: The Ruggerio Processing Facility Public Hearing has been set for February 12th at 6:00 PM at Alyson’s Orchard.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged notice of the meeting and noted it was scheduled for the same time as the weekly Selectboard meeting.

Selectboard Report for the 2025 Town Report: Mr. Dalessio volunteered to write the report.

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b) at 7:36 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:56 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.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Vose moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:56 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:03 PM.

Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 15, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD