Walpole Planning Board Minutes

September 8, 2026

Town Hall

7pm

Role Call: Board members: Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternates: Travis Adams, Tom Murray. Absent: Board members Joanna Andros and Trevor MacLachlan.

Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm. He asked Mr. Murray to sit in for Mr. MacLachlan and Mr. Adams to sit in for Ms. Andros. They both agreed.

Review of the August 2026 minutes:

Mr. Marcom had two corrections on page 1. In the second to last paragraph, the number of children should be 7, not 2, to 12 children. In the last paragraph, timberland should be included as districts allowing this type of day care. Mr. Dalessio said the entire sentence can be deleted because the previous sentence says “allowed in any zoning district where residential use is permitted.” Mr. Murray pointed out that the date of meeting was September 11 not September 8. Mr. Miller asked for a motion on the amended minutes. Mr. Marcom made the motion for approval of the amended minutes. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.

The rest of the meeting the board discussed adding Plan Approval Limitations, as an amendment, to the site plan. 

Plan Approval Limitations: Planning Board site plan approval shall lapse after a two (2) year period from the date of approval unless substantial development had commenced or a request for an extension for one (1) year has been submitted prior the original approval lapsing. To receive protection pursuant to RSA 674:39, and as it may be amended, the applicant shall have completed active and substantial development and substantial completion as follows:

1. Active and substantial development: construction of basic infrastructure to support the development, including, but not limited to, foundation walls and footings, driveway and parking lot construction to a minimum of gravel base, utilities, construction of all drainage improvements, and installation of all erosion and sediment control measures.

2. Substantial completion: completion of all on-site and off-site improvements specified in the plan approval.

Trevor McLachlan’s comment.

In New Hampshire, the term “substantial completion” in construction contracts is defined as the stage where the project is defined where the project is sufficiently complete to be utilized buy the owner for its intended purpose, according to the district of New Hampshire. This means the project is not necessarily 100% finished, but rather, it is at a stage where it can be used for its intended function even if some tasks or defects remain.

Elaboration:

Purpose-driven: Substantial Completion is about the ability to use the project for its intended purpose, not necessarily about the final, absolute perfection in every detail.

Practical utility: The project is considered substantially complete when it is functional and can be occupied or utilized for its intended use, even with minor defects.

Key milestone: Reaching substantial completion in a construction project, as it triggers various legal and contractual obligations, such as payment deadlines and warranty periods.

Not final completion: Substantial completion is distinct from final completion of all remaining work, including punch list items.

Mr. Miller will send a copy of this amendment to the town attorney, Jeremy Hockensmith for his comments.

Eventually this amendment will need to have a public hearing. It does not go on the March warrant. It does need approval from the Walpole Planning Board.

Adjournment

Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 7:44 pm.

Respectfully submitted

Marilou Blaine 

WPB Recording Secretary

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, PLANNING BOARD