Selectboard Meeting Minutes

September 24, 2026, 6:30 PM

Town Hall, Walpole, NH

Present: Carolyn Vose (Chair), Steven Dalessio (Select Board Member), Sarah Downing (Manager of Administration). Selectboard member, Cheryl Mayberry, arrived during the Municipal Messaging Systems discussion.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 

Motion to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $413,446.96 for checks issued 9/29/2026, including a $250,000 payment to the Walpole Fire District as part of their 2026 warrant articles, as well as an ACH Payment Request for $67,247.98 that includes a $49,512.46 payment to HealthTrust, was made by Select Board Member Dalessio and seconded by Chair Vose. The motion carried unanimously.

PAYROLL 

Motion to approve the Payroll Register totaling $38,844.67 dated 9/25/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,238.03 was made by Mr. Dalessio and seconded by Chair Vose. The motion carried unanimously.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES 

Approval of the Selectboard Meeting Minutes was deferred until Select Board Member Mayberry joined, as a motion could not be made without her. Upon her arrival, the minutes were taken up later in the meeting.

Motion to approve the Selectboard Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2026 was made by Ms. Mayberry and seconded by Chair Vose. The motion carried unanimously.

Motion to approve the Selectboard Non-Public Session Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2026, with the minutes to remain sealed, was made by Ms. Mayberry and seconded by Chair Vose. The motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

Mr. Dalessio brought to the attention of the Board the Walpole Fire District Meeting Minutes of May 6, June 3, July 1, and August 5, 2026, as well as the Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes of September 14, 2026. These were so noted by Chair Vose.

OLD BUSINESS

WFD Fire Station Expansion Project 

The Board noted that reimbursement forms and a drawdown schedule had been submitted by Steve Horton, project manager. Members expressed confidence in the submitted materials and indicated that Ms. Mayberry had also wished to review them.

Building Permit for 160 Prospect Hill Road 

The Board discussed the ongoing non-compliance at 160 Prospect Hill Road, where property owners hold a variance but have continued to be unresponsive to requests to complete a building permit application. The Board agreed the matter had gone on for too long and that a fine was warranted.

Motion to fine the property owners of 160 Prospect Hill Road $500 for building without a permit was made by Mr. Dalessio and seconded by Chair Vose. The motion carried unanimously.

Municipal Messaging Systems 

The Board discussed options for a municipal messaging system and favored a simple, low-cost first-year approach. Members supported using Dial My Calls for one-way call, text, and email alerts, with group targeting and access for multiple departments. Chair Vose will gather additional details and consult with Fire, Chief, Mark Houghton. No formal vote was taken.

NEW BUSINESS

Education Tax Warrant for Tax Year 2026 

The Board noted that the Education Tax Warrant for Tax Year 2026 will be $1.03 per thousand in property value. No further action was required.

Health Officer and Deputy Endorsements for Appointment 

Motion to appoint Simon Gascoyne as the Town’s Health Officer was made by Mr. Dalessio and seconded by Ms. Mayberry. The motion carried unanimously.

The Board indicated it would confirm with Steve Grenier regarding his appointment as Deputy Health Officer prior to formalizing that endorsement.

Town Hall Replacement Ramp 

The Board held an extensive discussion prompted by questions from maintenance technician, Brad Nash, regarding specifications needed to solicit contractor quotes for a replacement ramp at Town Hall. The conversation addressed several interconnected design questions, including whether the ramp should be constructed of concrete or metal, whether heating should be incorporated, and whether a canopy or enclosure would be warranted.

Chair Vose expressed support for heated concrete as a safety measure to address ice and snow accumulation. Mrs. Downing noted that a metal ramp had been used temporarily during COVID-era elections, and that the company providing that rental also manufactured permanent heated ramps. Mr. Dalessio raised concerns that metal would freeze faster than concrete due to cold air exposure underneath and that heated mats would likely be damaged by wheelchair traffic and carts over time.

Ms. Mayberry suggested getting quotes on both concrete and metal options so the Board could make a fully informed decision. She also raised the possibility of relocating the ramp—switching the current ramp and stair positions—so that the ramp would extend onto the lawn rather than further over the existing property line. This alternative, she noted, might also improve the pitch of the ramp. The Board acknowledged that the existing ramp already encroaches slightly over the property line into the neighboring church’s lot, and that any expansion to meet ADA requirements may require approaching the church. Members expressed optimism that the church would be agreeable, given the existing shared parking arrangement.

The Board agreed that an architect or ADA specialist—specifically referencing Andrew Dey—should be engaged first to establish proper design parameters, ADA compliance requirements, and platform dimensions before approaching any contractors for quotes. Chair Vose emphasized that the Board did not want a patch job: “It’s gonna cost what it can cost” and the work should be done correctly. No formal vote was taken; Mr. Nash was directed to engage relevant professionals and return with specifics.

Walpole Welcomes Newcomers’ Party 

The Board noted that the Walpole Welcomes Newcomers’ Party will be held on the Walpole Common on Saturday, October 3rd, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, rain or shine. The event is intended as an opportunity for new residents to meet neighbors and town officials, and will feature games, raffles, pies, and sweets.

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

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.

The Board entered non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c) (e) at 7:00 PM 

Adjournment: Ms. Vose declared the meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM.

Minutes prepared by Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the October 1, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

Tagged: Meeting Minutes, SELECTBOARD