Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

January 15, 2026

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

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

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:33 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $36,377.53 dated 1/16/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,308.97.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – January 8, 2026: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 8, 2026.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – January 8, 2026: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of January 8, 2026.  The minutes will remain 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:

• Safety Committee Meeting – November 13, 2025 
• Conservation Committee Meeting – January 5, 2026 

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Abatements

Map and Lot # 019-039-000: This abatement is the settlement of BTLA property tax appeal of 2023 that rolled into the 2024 tax year.  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Abatement for Map and Lot # 019-039-000.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Veterans’ Tax Credit:

Map and Lot #011-039-004: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 011-039-004.  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.

Old Business

First Point Power Electricity Sales Agreement: Ms. Mayberry explained that a revision to the contract signed earlier is needed.   There is a better rate for five months than the earlier contract for four months.  Ms. Mayberry moved to sign the revised contract for a lower rate for five months.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed and initialed the contract.

Fanny Mason Timber Cut: Mr. Dalessio explained there is a temporary permit for the Fanny Mason Timber Cut logging driveway that has been obtained from the State. This allows logging trucks to turn onto Route 12.  It is the same landing and driveway used last time cutting was done in that area. 

Hooper Revised Reimbursement request to Trustees of Trust Funds for the Renovations: Ms. Mayberry stated that the previous request was halted when an error was discovered in the Hooper Renovation expenses.  The corrected amount has now been sent to the Trustees of Trust Funds. 

New Business

Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Reimbursement: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the ARPA grant reimbursement of $10,227.50.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form.

2026 Warrant Articles – First Draft:  The Selectboard reviewed the first draft of the Warrant Articles. Additional reviews will be done weekly as missing information is added. 

The Selectboard Office received three petition articles that are formatted in an unusual way. Attorney Hockensmith has been asked to determine whether they can be used as is, or if they need to be reformatted.  Mr. Dalessio noted that there is plenty of time to make sure everything is done legally.

School Withdrawal: Fall Mountain Regional School District will have a budget hearing on Monday, January 26^th.  There will be no rebuttal presentation. Everyone can attend and ask questions.  The Selectboard also worked on some of the information being prepared for residents.

SWRPC Winter Meeting: The SWRPC Winter Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 in Heberton Hall in the Keene Public Library Annex First Floor.  The Social Hour begins at 5:00 PM and the program will start at 5:30 PM.  

Avitar Utility Rates for 2026: Avitar sent a letter stating that work relating to utilities will be billed at the annual rate of $200/hour.  This also includes property valuations and defense of valuations for BTLA.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged the letter.

Langdon Hazard Mitigation Plan: SWRPC invited other towns and interested parties to participate in the Landon process.  The Selectboard will send Langdon a copy of Walpole’s hazardous mitigation plans, which were updated recently.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)(c) at 7:13 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:53 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.

Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 7:54 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 22, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD