TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

FEBRUARY 10, 2026

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

Others Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Steve Varone, Treasurer

CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 5:36 PM in the Selectboard Office of the Town Hall. Mr. Dalessio introduced the Selectboard and others present at the meeting.

SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL PRESENTATION: Ms. Vose handed out copies of the draft PowerPoint slides for review. The Selectboard went through the ten slides and gave Ms. Vose feedback with suggested changes and additions. The titles on the slides were Vision, Fiscal Accountability, Why Withdraw?, 2026 Legal Framework, Financial Realities and Responsibilities with the Withdrawal, Definitions: SAU vs. School District, Forming a Walpole School District, Proposed Timeline for 2026-2027 and Community Information and Next Steps.

There was a consensus that questions would be held until after the presentation was completed.

SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL MAILINGS: The Selectboard received a question regarding the cost of the mailings. The Selectboard accepted a donation for the entire cost of the three mailings. There was no taxpayer funds used to post the mailings.

The appropriateness of the Selectboard endorsement at the end of the letter on the first mailing was questioned by a citizen. By consensus, the Selectboard agreed to sign both mailed letters. The Walpole Selectboard has a responsibility to address the impact of the school district’s budget on the Walpole tax rate. The Town approved a warrant article at the 2025 Town Meeting to conduct a feasibility study for the Town to withdraw from the cooperative school district. The initial study group concluded that it would be beneficial to the Town to withdraw from FMRSD. It is up to the voters if they want educational and financial control of the Walpole Schools.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 6:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore 

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the February 19, 2026, Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD