Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

August 20, 2026

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

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

Guests Present: Justin Cassarino, Principal of Walpole School, Ray Boas for the Clarion, and Charlotte King from the Brattleboro Reformer.

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

The first item was moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests who wished to speak about the topic.

Walpole School Update

Principal Justin Cassarino attended this meeting to update the Selectboard on the Walpole Schools and to invite them to attend the Open House on 8/25/2026.  The Facilities Department did an amazing job. The parking lot has been redone with new paint indicating the new drop-off and pick-up process.  All the dead trees have been removed; classrooms were moved as necessary and there was lots of painting. Some rooms have a full new paint job and some only needed touchup. Additional playground equipment will arrive in September or October; Installation shall follow. There are new security cameras around the outside of the school, and more doors with access point entry.  There are two new teachers: One for the 3–4-year-old students and one for 7th and 8th grade math. The students start the school year on Wednesday, 8/26/26.  This year there will be a no homework policy for grades K – 8.  The decision was made after reviewing test scores for grades K – 4 who have not had homework for a few years.  The Walpole School is now focusing on executive functioning.  All schoolwork will be done in school where a teacher is available to answer questions. They are focusing on math in Middle School. It was felt that students need more time in class. Therefore, the School is changing to block scheduling.  Each class will include teaching time and choice boards with multiple ways to prove the mastery of skills.  There will also be enrichment blocks with options to be part of a newspaper, debate club, and “Shark Tank” based group focusing on health. Since there will be no homework, staff will encourage the students to talk with their families about what they are doing, and there will be a list of suggestions for families, e.g. reading fifteen minutes in the evening.

Nancy LaClair is starting a mountain bike club called the Free-Range Chickens Bike Club.  She has made trails in the wooded area of the property for everyone to use.  She hopes to start a cross-country skiing club in the winter to use the same trails.  The Police Department is donating 40 helmets to the club.  The administration is working on ways to involve Police Officers in the School, as a positive presence.  One idea is to hold a fundraising raffle in which the winners will be picked up at home for one day and driven to school with lights and sirens on in a  Walpole Police, Walpole Fire & EMS, or North Walpole Fire vehicle.

Mr. Cassarino and Mr. Boas left the meeting.

Payroll

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $41,119.14 dated 8/21/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,531.08.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – August 13, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 13, 2026.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – August 13, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of August 13, 2026 with the minutes to remain sealed.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved.

Police Station Bond Information Meeting – August 15, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Police Station Bond Information meeting of August 15, 2026.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Committee Reports

Mr. Dalessio brought to the Board’s attention the following committee reports:

• Special Town Meeting Minutes – August 17, 2026 (The Selectboard does not approve the minutes, but feedback was requested)
• Planning Board Meeting Minutes – August 8, 2026 
• Police Station Building Committee Meeting Minutes – August 10, 2026 
• Trail Committee Meeting Minutes – August 12, 2026 

Ms. Vose acknowledged these minutes.

Building Permit

2026-29, Map and Lot# 003-059-001: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2026-29 for Map and Lot # 003-059-001 to construct a 32’ x 14’ deck.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Property Tax Refunds

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 027-001-006 of $19.99.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Dalessio  moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 012-025-000 of $17.57.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

Special Town Meeting Comment Letter: The Selectboard received a letter from Robbie Mahrou. Ms. Vose acknowledged receipt of the email regarding the Police Station bond vote.

Letter to State Fire Marshall: Mr. Dalessio spoke with the State  Fire Marshall today. Mr. Toomey is happy to support our Fire Chief and work with him to ensure new Abenaki Springs Phase 3 building meets the State safety codes.

Library Ramp Railing Extension:  The Library and Selectboard have been reviewing modification of the Library ramp and the railing extension. The project will be part of a warrant article for the 2027 Town Meeting.

New Business

Quitclaim Deed for Map and Lot # 012-046-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the Quitclaim Deed for Map and Lot # 012-046-000.  The owner repurchased their tax deeded home.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion is carried and the Quitclaim Deed was signed.

Quitclaim Deed for Map and Lot # 015-004-003: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the Quitclaim Deed for Map and Lot # 015-004-003. The owner repurchased their tax deeded home.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion is carried and the Quitclaim Deed was signed.

Recycling Center Truck: Ms. Vose explained that the truck is off the road and cannot be put back on the road.  The engine condition is much better than body of the truck. It could be an off-road plow truck.  Mr. O’Connor is clear on what to look for in a new truck.  He will run a sealed bid auction to sell the old truck.  The bids will be sent to the Selectboard Office and the Selectboard will open them.  The truck will be posted on Facebook Marketplace with directions on how to bid.

Scout Mum Sale and the Common: The Scouts would like to park a trailer overnight on the Common on the night of September 19th.  The trailer will be gone as soon as it is empty at approximately 7 AM.  By consensus, the Board agreed to permit the trailer to be parked on the Common overnight.

Town Clerk’s Office – Special Labor Day Hours: The Town Clerk’s Office will be open from 1:00 – 5:00 PM.  Mrs. Hansson needs to be present to complete absentee ballots for the NH State Primary the next day. Therefore, the Town Clerk’s Office for election tasks only. 

Hooper Trustees

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:12 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:15 PM.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)(c)(e) at 7:17 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:43 PM.

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

Budget Meeting: The Budget meeting is currently scheduled for September 18th, but Mr. Dalessio is not available.  The Budget meeting will be moved to 9/25/2026 at 8:30 AM.  If the Budget work is not complete in time for the Concord meeting at 6:00 PM, it will be continued another day.  Mrs. Downing will be away on the 25th, but she will have Mrs. Daigle cover.

Adjournment: Ms. Vose declared the meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the August 27, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD