Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

May 14, 2026

Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry and Steven Dalessio, acting Chair

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

Guests Present: Robbie Mahrou

Selectboard Absent: Carolyn Vose, Chair

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:32 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $50,416.27 dated 5/15/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $10,704.63.  This includes retroactive wages and the 2026 wage rates for employees.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Public Hearing for USDA Grant for Walpole Fire Station Expansion Project – May 7, 2026: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Public Hearing for the USDA Grant for the Walpole Fire Station Expansion Project of May 7, 2026. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Meeting – May 7. 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 7, 2026. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – May 7, 2026: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of May 7, 2026.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the minutes are sealed.

Committee Reports

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

• Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – May 5, 2026 

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Property Tax Warrant

Spring Property Tax Warrant: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the warrant for Spring Property Taxes for $6,772,464.00 with interest of 8% per annum effective July 1, 2026.  Tax bills will be mailed on May 22nd and are due July 1st.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Gravel Tax Warrant

Op # 25-461-02-E and 25-461-03-E, Maps and Lots 014-013-000 and 015-011-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the gravel taxes assessed and warrant for $3,392.34 for Op # 25-461-02-E and 25-461-03-E for maps and lots # 014-013-000 and 015-011-000.  This is Cold River Materials.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Excavation Intents

Op # 26-461-04-E for Map and Lot # 012-073-000-: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Excavation Intent for Op # 26-461-04-E for Map and Lot # 012-073-000, off Old Drewsville Road.  Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

Requests for Reimbursements for Reservoir Dam: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and have Mr. Dalessio sign the reimbursement requests: Request #28 is for $34,247.38 and Request #29 for $28,436.66.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the reimbursement request was signed.

New Business

Appointment Notices for Conservation Commission: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Lewis Shelley and Hale Morrell to be members of the Conservation Commission for three years, from the time each is sworn in by the Town Clerk until Town Meeting 2029.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, Mr. Shelley and Ms. Hale are members of the Conservation Commission for three years. 

Mr. Mahrou joined the meeting.

Robbie Mahrou: Mr. Mahrou has decided to run for Congress, NH District 2, and wished to speak to the Selectboard.  He would like to know what the Town needs and what the issues are that he might work on addressing if elected.  The biggest issue is lack of communication.  The Selectboard acknowledged Mr. Mahrou’s decision to run for Congress.

Mr. Mahrou left the meeting.

Police Building Committee Fundraising Letters: Mr. Dalessio explained that the committee is preparing letters which will be mailed to businesses and individuals.  Additional edits are being made. The final version will be available for the Selectboard for review.

Solar Energy Hook-ups: The Town received a complaint from a resident because Liberty Utilities is no longer allowing new solar connections to the grid.  Mr. Dalessio confirmed that Liberty has made public announcements. Liberty is waiting for National Grid to make improvements at the Bellows Falls substation. The Selectboard recommends that anyone considering a solar installation before 2030 contact Liberty Utilities before proceeding.

Propane Gas Service Issue: A citizen wanted to warn other residents of an extra fee for low propane usage (e.g. just used for cooking) and the difficulty of having propane tanks removed.  Extra fees for low usage are common. The Selectboard recommends that residents check with their provider.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b) at 7:25  PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:22 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the May 21, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD