Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

September 3, 2026

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

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

Guest Present: Jane Malmberg, Library Director; Amy Howard and  Susan Johnson, Library Trustees;  Paul Looney, Chair of the Community Power Committee; Steve O’Connor, Recycling Dept. Manager

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

The first four items were moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 6:32 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 6:53 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.

Mrs. Malmberg, Ms. Howard and Mrs. Johnson left the meeting during the Non-Public session.

Mr. O’Connor and Mr. Looney joined the meeting.

Recycling Center Replacement Truck

Mr. O’Connor attended the meeting to answer questions about the replacement box truck for the Recycling Center.  The old truck can no longer be used on the road.  Mr. O’Connor test drove several box trucks and found one that seemed adequate with an asking price of $10,195.  He submitted a bid for $9,195 to U-Haul which was accepted.  There was a $49 processing fee.  A $100 in person deposit is required to hold the truck for pickup.  Mr. O’Connor plans to go to Rutland tomorrow to put down the $100 deposit.  The following Friday, 9/11/2026, he will go pick up the truck after paying for the truck with a cashier’s check for $9,144.00. Ms. Mayberry reviewed that the cashier’s check would be for $9,244.00 total coast less the $100.00 deposit. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Purchase Order # 295597 for $9,244.00 to purchase a replacement truck for the Recycling Center.  The truck will be an asset, not an expense.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion carried and the Purchase Order was signed.

Mr. O’Connor would like to sell the old truck and plow.  He will put them near the Re-Use Center with a for sale sign and directions to see Mr. O’Connor to make a sealed bid.  At a later date, Mr. O’Connor will sell the Bobcat snowblower and purchase a plow for the Bobcat.

Mr. O’Connor left the meeting.

Electricity Contract

Mr. Looney explained that there is a new contract available from First Point Power at a rate of $0.13168 per kilowatt hour for power November 2026 to November 2027.  This is a slight drop from the current rate.  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the First Point Power contract for a year starting November 2026 at a price of $0.13168.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved and the contract signed by Ms. Vose.  This is less than CPCNH by $1,000 – 1,500 per year.  

Solar System Tax Refund

Mr. Looney state that the Town had provided all the information and forms required to the IRS. However, the tax refund has not been released for the solar installation at the Recycling Center.  The status is that it is awaiting review by IRS council. Mr. Looney commented that the Town of Franklin did get their tax refund.  Mr. Looney is talking to other NH towns to try to find something that will help with the release of the Town’s solar refund.

Additionally, Mr. Looney commented that the Town has not been paid for the solar electricity credits produced by the solar panels.  The automated system was set up to be processed by a company that apparently is no longer doing that.  There is a manual system that could be used. The Town should be getting about $1,200 per year. However, no payments have not received anything since the last quarter of 2025.  He will continue to work on the issue.

Mr. Looney left the meeting.

Payroll

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $45,111.33 dated 9/4/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $8,416.25.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, Payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – August 27, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 27, 2026. Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – August 27, 2026: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of August 27, 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.

Timber Yield Taxes Assessed and Warrant

Op #26-461-01, Map and Lot #010-026-004: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the taxes assessed and warrant for $260.20. Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved and signed.

Building Permits

2014-10, Map and Lot# 012-013-4U3: Upon review of previous minutes and consultation with the Town attorney, the Selectboard is issuing Building Permit #2014-10 and reaffirming the stipulation regarding compliance as indicated on the permit:  

This permit is issued in accordance with an application on file in the Office of the Selectboard.

Contingent upon compliance with all applicable local, state and federal building, fire safety, and life safety codes and requirements prior to the commencement of Phase III construction.  Documentation demonstrating such compliance shall be submitted to the Selectboard before construction begins.  

Permit valid for one (1) year from date of issue.

Timber Intents

Map and Lot # 006-008-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 006-008-000, off Derry Hill Road.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

Town Wide Emergency Alert System: Water and sewer user alerts are to be included in a future emergency alert system.  Ms. Vose is working on finding a system that will address the Town’s needs.

New Business

HealthTrust Medicare Advantage Rate Package: This is a healthcare package that will be available to retirees if they choose to opt in at their expense.  Mr. Dalessio moved to have the Chair sign the contract.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion carried and Ms. Vose signed the contract.

NH Assessing Officials Ballot:  Mr. Dalessio moved to have the Chair vote and complete the ballot.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion passed.

Land Use Manual Order:   Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC) makes the manuals available each year.  The Selectboard Office will request three copies. The order is one copy for Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and the Selectboard Office.

Farmers Market on the Common: Saturday, November 21, 2026 is the annual holiday market.  The Farmers Market would like to use the Common again that day as they have in the past.  By consensus the Board approves the Farmers Market using the Common.

Thank You Letter: Ms. Vose acknowledged the thank you letter from Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire and Vermont.  They expressed their gratitude for the budgeted donation the Town made. 

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry  moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:09 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:34 PM.

Adjournment: Ms. Vose declared the meeting adjourned at 8:34 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the September 10, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

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