[Editor’s Note: Occasionally, The Walpolean receives correspondence that addresses a current topic. Annie Ewaskio asked me to share her letter (below) regarding the development of land located in Walpole, near the intersection of Routes 12 and 123, across from Malnati Farm. This matter was discussed at a public hearing that took place during the Planning Board meeting on May 12, 2026 (relevant minutes excerpted below Annie’s letter). The public hearing will be continued at the next Planning Board meeting on June 9, 2026 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. —Kelli]

I understand that this area of Walpole is zoned commercial, so there’s nothing the Planning Board can do to stop this plan. Still, I have to voice my concerns. I am opposed to this plan because it will further commercial development’s rapid encroachment on Walpole’s fertile and irreplaceable farmland. I think it is shortsighted to build on this uniquely rich Connecticut River valley soil, which is now serving the agricultural community (and related food networks) as a cornfield. There is no way to reverse the destruction of the farmland once this site is developed. And pollution and runoff may further impact our groundwater and our natural environment, in addition to removing more land from our beloved local food system. The Hubbards are known as stewards of Walpole, and I am grateful to the entire Hubbard family for what they have done for the town. Yet I fear that this development will harm the natural world, which is so quickly disappearing not only here but all over New Hampshire. Walpole should be serving as a beacon of hope in this regard, not as an active destroyer of its own priceless and irreplaceable farmland. 

Thank you,

Annie Ewaskio 

From the Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 5/12/26:

Site Plan Application: Snowplow Sales Development, Brookside Real Estate LLC and Levi Hubbard, 538 Main Street, Tax Map 12, Lot 58, Commercial District. This includes a 3,360 square-foot office and a two-story 8,000 square-foot store for snowplow and small equipment sales. There will be open bins on the eastern boundary line with various types of gravel, soil and mulch and two larger ones for sand and salt. They will also host a landscaping business. 

Preliminary to starting the Public Hearing scheduled for this meeting, Mr. Miller said there had been a couple of “hiccups” and another meeting will be held next month to continue the Public Hearing. First, six of 13 certified letters were returned to sender (Planning Board) because they couldn’t be delivered because there was no numerical address. Mr. Miller contacted Mr. John Noonan of Fieldstone Land Consultants and informed him of the problem. Mr. Noonan said he able to reach three of the six abutters who were supposed to be notified by certified/return receipt mail. The second problem was that the public hearing was not posted on the bulletin board at the post office and inside the Town Hall, a legal requirement. 

Mr. Noonan started explaining the Snowplow Sales proposal. The property is 75 acres and proposed are two buildings: one a 3,060 square-foot office and the other a two-story 8,000 square-foot store for equipment sales. There would be three trees along the perimeter of Route 12 and six trees along the eastern boundary line. On the southern boundary there would be multiple bins with different size stones and gravel and different kinds of mulch. Two larger ones at the end would be covered and contain sand and salt. The bin with salt would have an asphalt floor. The parking lot would be paved. There would be a small display at the front entrance. 

The Route 12 cut for a driveway has lapsed so a new application had to be filed and NH Department of Transportation should be getting back to the applicants in two to six weeks, Mr. Noonan said. Mr. Miller asked about oil. Mr. Levi Hubbard said it would be very small, like cans, not like an automotive operation. Drainage on the property is diverted around the property to the back where there is a stormwater management area. Septic and water from a well will be private systems. Lighting will be on poles around the perimeter. Other lighting is LED and down lit so no light should leak off the property, Mr. Noonan said. There is a landscaping plan for plantings in the hatched area containing such plants as azaleas, lilacs and hydrangeas.

The area of most concern from the Board was the cut for the entrance to the property. Traffic was entering from Main Street, continuing on Route 12 past the driveway and cars traveling south could be turning left into the entrance.

Mr. Noonan will be back next month with an updater from NHDOT, a picture of the sign and answer any further questions the Board might have.

Tagged: Opinons