Serving Walpole, New Hampshire since 2005
From Sarah Downing:
The Town has an Invitation to Bid for four (4) properties that were tax deeded. To learn more about the properties and the sealed bid process, review the packet [see below to view or download]. Sealed bids are due on/by 1 PM on December 4, 2024, at the Selectboard Office. If interested parties have questions, they should contact the Selectboard Office for assistance.
TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
NOVEMBER 6, 2024
Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Guests Present: Peggy Pschirrer and Paul Looney
Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
Town Properties and CPCNH: Mr. Looney, on behalf of the Community Power Committee, requested the Town’s source of electricity be moved to CPCNH. The Town’s contract with Constellation Energy ends in mid-November. CPCNH can offer us a rate of $0.086 for the remainder of the year, which is better than the quote from Constellation Energy. Next year CPCNH will have a one-year rate of $0.089, part of which goes into the reserves. It is expected that two waves of towns/cities will be joining CPCNH in 2025. Therefore, rates will continue to be low for everyone. Constellation Energy has a rate of $0.0945 for a one-year contract. The Community Power Committee recommended that the Town go with the $0.086 contract for the rest of the year. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve moving the Town’s electricity supplier from Constellation Energy to CPCNH with a rate of $0.086 until 12/31/2024. Ms. Vose seconded the motion. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the Town will switch to CPCNH as the Town’s electricity supplier.
Mr. Looney reported that the updated contract to sell solar electricity credits arrived today, just before the meeting. It has not been reviewed. Mr. Looney and Mrs. Pschirrer will be back with the contract next week.
Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Looney left the meeting.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $135,027.92 dated 11/08/2024 including $70,082.76 payment to the Village of Bellows Falls for the third quarter sewer usage and bond. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
PAYROLL
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,447.57 dated 11/08/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,332.34. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the payroll register was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
Selectboard Meeting – October 31, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 31, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.
Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – October 31, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of October 31, 2024. The minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved, and the minutes are sealed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:
Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.
BUILDING PERMIT
2024-36, Map and Lot# 011-001-001: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2024-36 for Map and Lot # 011-001-001 to construct a 38’ x 12’ overhang roof to a garage. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Building Permit 2024-36 was approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Pending Further Action: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, and ARPA Funding Grants
Police Station Land Purchase Deposit: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Purchase Order #201256 to make a $10,000 deposit on the land for the Police Station and the cover letter. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion passed, and the purchase order and cover letter were signed.
Reservoir Dam Update: Mr. Dalessio reported that NH DES has reached out Fuss & O’Neill. The DES are nervous about the completion of the contract. The Dam Bureau is contacting Fuss and O’Neill directly to make sure the latest guidelines are followed. This will ensure that the planning is done correctly.
Petition Warrant Article: There is a question about appropriations being requested within a petition warrant article for pickleball courts. Per research conducted, only the Selectboard can decide upon funding. Given this information, if a warrant article passes that states where funding will come from, it will not necessarily happen.
Invitation to Bid: Four properties have been tax-deeded and will be going up for sale by sealed bid on December 4, 2024. The pamphlet has been updated. Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the invitation to bid on tax-deeded properties. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the invitation to bid was approved, and the letter was signed.
NEW BUSINESS
Facility Agreement for North Walpole Polling Area: A form was received from St. Peter’s Catholic Church, which is used for the North Walpole polling area on November 6, 2024, and the Town Election Day on March 11, 2025. Their insurance vendor also requests a Certificate of Liability. Mr. Dalessio moved the Town continue to use St. Peter’s Church for voting, complete the form, and provide the Certificate of Liability. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and Ms. Mayberry signed the form. Mrs. Downing will send the Certificate of Liability with the form to All Saints Parish.
Recreation Committee Letter: Ms. Vose moved to accept the letter to the Recreation Committee members. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the letter was accepted and signed. Mrs. Downing will email the letter to the committee members.
Payroll Service: Mr. Kreissle sent an email to the Selectboard requesting the Town hire a payroll service. Mr. Kreissle and Mrs. Daigle are having trouble entering benefit time and Colonial Life deductions. They have a work-around, but it is very clumsy and produces incorrect information on paycheck stubs. There is also an issue with water and sewer invoices. If the owner has multiple properties and has a credit on one, the credit shows on all the properties. Mrs. Daigle must create manual invoices for these accounts. AccuFund is not supportive in getting the issues resolved. The Selectboard agreed by consensus to keep using workarounds until a better financial software system can be found. The research on possible systems is not yet complete and will take some time.
Ms. Mayberry added that because of the incorrect benefit time printed on payroll stubs, Mrs. Clough in the Police Department is asking for a monthly payroll report with the correct information. Ms. Mayberry felt this request was reasonable, and Mr. Kreissle needs to send the reports monthly. A decision on this item is postponed while research on potential alternative systems continues.
Thanksgiving Feast Invitation: The Selectboard and Town Hall Office Staff have been invited to the Thanksgiving Feast at the Walpole School. The Selectboard Office staff are planning to attend. Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose have prior commitments. Mr. Dalessio is uncertain whether he will be able to attend.
HOOPER TRUSTEES
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:05 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Vose in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:26 PM.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c)
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c) at 8:26 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:43 PM.
Mr. Dalessio moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Ms. Mayberry felt that Election Day went very well because of the hard work and professionalism of everyone involved. The other Selectboard members agreed with Ms. Mayberry. The Selectboard wished to thank everyone involved: the Supervisors of the Checklist, all the volunteers and paid workers, the Walpole Community Grange and everyone who participated in any way. Thank you!!
Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the November 14, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)
From Kerry Pickering:
A huge thank you to Walpole and the surrounding communities for their donations to our 2024 Golf Out Cancer Event. Today two of our committee members, Dean and Christine Prentiss, were able to present a check to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for $14,500! We were also able to donate $2,000 to DHC-Keene for gas cards for cancer patients. Thank you to all that made this possible.
A note from Sarah Downing: The meeting was moved up a day because of meeting conflict for a Selectboard member. Next week, we are back to our normal Thursday meeting day.
TOWN OF WALPOLE
SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA
November 13, 2024
Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall
SELECTBOARD MEETING
PAYROLL
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE REPORTS
OLD BUSINESS
Pending Further Actions: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Steets Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, ARPA Funding Grants
NEW BUSINESS
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c)
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES
HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS
HOOPER TRUSTEES NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c)
This post includes a corrected list of the raffle items. – Kelli
Support the Walpole Elementary School 8th Grade and enter for a chance to win a Thanksgiving Basket with everything you need to create a Thanksgiving feast!
Walpole students will be selling tickets at the Post Office, Recycling Center & Shaws on Saturday November 16th. Tickets are also available at Diamond Pizza now through November 22nd. Students will also be selling tickets at the Walpole Farmers Market on Saturday November 23rd after which the winner will be drawn.
Tickets are $10 each. 100% of sales will directly support the 8th Grade Class graduation and end of year activities.
If you would like to buy tickets but can’t make it to a sales location, reach out to an 8th grade student or email Moriah Bascom at mbascom@sau60.org
TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 4, 2024
Members Present: Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Presiding), Lewis Shelley
Alternates Present: Nicole Adams, Paul Happ
Selectboard Present: Steve Dalessio
Members Absent: Alicia Flammia, John Peska, Tom Beaudry
Visitors Present: Members of the Monadnock Climbers Association: JC Woodward, Rob Koning, and Jeff Archibald; Katherine Kopij and Rose Bolio
Call to Order: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.
Seating of Alternatives: Because only four members were present, Nicole Adams was seated.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
No changes were requested. France moved to accept the September 9, 2024 and the October 7, 2024 minutes as written. Lew seconded and all voted in favor. The minutes were accepted.
PUBLIC BUSINESS
Report from co-Chair: John could not attend.
Financial Report: Conservation N/A
Forestry N/A
Mason Forest Expendable (9/30/2024) $527,162.08
Mason Forest Nonexpendable (9/30/2024) $23,151.85
Correspondence: NHACC membership invoice for $250; invoice to reimburse Kelli Wilson for the website domain and hosting for $220.90.
NEW BUSINESS
OLD BUSINESS
Climbing Group – North Walpole Property: The Monadnock Climbers Association, who first came to the commission in May, returned to share more information on their ideas for Fall Mountain climbing areas. The discussion furthered the understanding of their ideas as they shared a draft management plan. Peter will provide suggestions and questions on areas that need attention based on questions and comments made during the discussion. Katherine also will confer with the N. Walpole commissioners.
Rest Area Shelter – Roof Bid, Pressure Washing, Paint/Stain: Two bids were received. After discussing both bids, Lew moved that we go with Long’s Roofing for a new metal roof as described in the quote for a price not to exceed $7,500. France seconded. Lew will generate a purchase order with funds to come from the Fanny Mason Fund account and get it to Rich. A $200 deposit is required, half will be due when work starts, and the remaining balance due when the work is complete. The work will be done in cold weather and will be completed on each shelter once it is started.
The pressure washing and painting or staining will have to wait until next year – it is getting too cold now.
Workday at the shelters, November 16th at 9:30 AM, will focus on cleaning up around the buildings to provide access for the roofers. Lew and Peter will do some preliminary work the day before.
Fanny Mason Harvesting – Update: Alex Barrett (Longview Forest) is working on a contract with Chris Ricci. It should be harvested either this winter or next summer. France moved approval to pay an invoice for $4425 for marking trees for harvest. The money will come from the Fanny Mason Fund because that is where the harvest income will go. Wendy seconded. The motion was accepted unanimously.
Invasives Treatments: We have a quote for the second treatment of invasives at the Gateway: the treatment area is 3.66 acres, and it would be treated during the 2025 growing season at a cost of $2520. Nicole and Lew know other companies who also treat invasives who could be asked for a bid on the Gateway invasives. There was a discussion of the value of treating invasives, and whether once you start with one company it is critical to continue treatment with them. Questions on the effectiveness of the first treatment arose and a few commission members will assess and Peter will follow up with Longview
We also received an estimate for treating invasives in the Hooper Forest. Nicole will take it to the Hooper Board which meets November 6th.
Property Monitoring – Follow Up: From the recent NHACC conference, Wendy learned we should be monitoring all the property we own and all property with town-held conservation easements. It is important to follow up on all violations. This year, Wendy will monitor the Ballam farm, Beatrice Graves easement, and a portion of Mill Pond. For next year we need to plan and carry out more complete monitoring.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dam Updates: Steve got the drawings for Reservoir Dam just before the meeting. He will get a copy to John. We will now be getting biweekly updates from Fuss and O’Neill. The project is on schedule to be complete during 2025. The requirements changed during the project so rather than preparing for twice the 100-year flood, we now need to prepare for the 1,000-year flood.
John is still trying to find someone to mow around the Knapp Cranberry Bog dam.
Hooper Institute Board Update: The Board meets November 6th.
Trail Committee: The Committee is doing routine maintenance. Lew put up new signs at River Road Rail Trail parking area. The Mill Pond inspection walk was canceled due to rain. Rail Trail maintenance on November 23rd will focus on ditches, culverts, and getting ready for winter. There will be a Happy Trails Party open to the public at the Town Hall on December 11th at 7:00 pm. It will be informative and fun with the goals of publicizing Walpole trails, attracting new members and trail workers, and soliciting public input. France is working on a lending library for winter gear: It must be easy, centrally located and it must operate with no staff.
New Commissioner: Peter nominated Nicole Adams to be a Conservation Commissioner. Nicole accepted the nomination. All were in favor. Nicole will get a letter to Sarah Downing by noon tomorrow so it can be voted on at the next Selectboard meeting on November 6th.
North Walpole Request: There is an area between the North Walpole Park and the railroad tracks that the North Walpole Commissioners are asking for advice on how to maintain. The Park belongs to Walpole, but research is needed to determine whether this area belongs to Walpole or the railroad.
New Alternate: Katherine Kopij would like to be an Alternate. Steve asked if she is permitted to be a North Walpole Commissioner and on the Conservation Committee. That needs to be determined before proceeding with a new member.
Adjournment: Wendy moved to adjourn. Lew seconded. Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 2, 2024 Conservation Commission meeting.)
Support the Walpole Elementary School 8th Grade and enter for a chance to win a Thanksgiving Basket with everything you need to create a Thanksgiving feast!
Walpole students will be selling tickets at the Post Office, Recycling Center & Shaws on Saturday November 16th. Tickets are also available at Diamond Pizza now through November 22nd. Students will also be selling tickets at the Walpole Farmers Market on Saturday November 23rd after which the winner will be drawn.
Tickets are $10 each. 100% of sales will directly support the 8th Grade Class graduation and end of year activities.
If you would like to buy tickets but can’t make it to a sales location, reach out to an 8th grade student or email Moriah Bascom at mbascom@sau60.org
Walpole Planning Board Agenda
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
7 pm
Town Hall
Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed.
Call to order:
Minutes: Review minutes of the October 2024 meeting and October Joint Meeting minutes.
Old Business:
Public Hearing No. 1. Elm and Pleasant LLC propose a Lot Line Adjustment for property at the corner of Pleasant and Elm Streets, Town Map 20, Lot 32 and Town Map 22, Lot 3 in the Residential B District. After the boundary line adjustment the lot with the apartment will be 1.3 acres and the field will be 18 acres, a change of 7 acres. Road frontage on Pleasant Street is 236.93 feet. Although not marked on the plat, road frontage on Main Street for Lot 2 is more than on Pleasant Street.
Public Hearing No. 2. John McKee Pratt Revocable Trust proposes a subdivision on Reservoir Road, rural/ag district, Tax Map 11, Lot No. 1 will now be 26.07 acres with 268.75 feet of road frontage. It is currently a horse farm. The adjacent area to this lot is an Agricultural Easement for the benefit of Lot 1. This lot is 2.20 acres. The second lot, Tax Map 11, Lot No. 1-2, will be 15.44 acres with 200 feet of road frontage.
Public Hearing No. 3. The Planning Board has drafted a zoning amendment to be placed on the town warrant that excludes formula businesses in the commercial district, Section 6, of Downtown Walpole Village, Article VI. Formula businesses include retail sales and restaurants that regulate by contractual or other arrangements certain standardized features that may include uniforms, logos, interior or exterior design, array of services or merchandise, menus, ingredients and food preparation.
New Business:
Subdivision for Dunkin property at 418 Main Street. Four lots. Request for public hearing.
Chad E. Branon, Commercial Development on property next to Dollar General.
Fieldstone
Walpole Foundation: Plans for the new school.
Workshop: Tuesday, Joint meeting November 26 at 7 pm.
Next meeting: December 10, 2024.
An final update on the Scouting for Food Drive from Deb Pawelczyk:
On Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, Cub Scout Pack 299 and Boy Scout Troop 299 held their Scouting for Food Drive. We collected for the annual Scouting for Food Drive a total of 375 pieces of people food and pet food. We also collected $1,788.00 at the following locations: Walpole Post Office, Walpole Recycling Center, Tractor Supply and Shaw’s. Thank you to everyone who donated on this day.
This Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, we collected 650 non-perishable food items and pet food. We collected $2252.00 in monetary donations for the Fall Mountain Food Shelf. The food items have already been delivered to the Food Shelf. The monetary donations we will present to Mary Lou Huffling on Saturday, November 23rd, while we help make Thanksgiving boxes for those in need. The total for this drive came to 1025 pieces of people and pet food and $4040.00 in monetary donations.
Thank you to everyone who helped support this great drive.
Walpole Cub Scout Pack 299 and Walpole Boy Scout Troop 299
The Walpolean 
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