The Walpolean

Unapproved Minutes

Conservation Commission

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

January 5, 2026

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the February 2, 2026 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Tom Beaudry(alt), Paul Happ, Peter Palmiotto (cochair & recording), John Peska (cochair & presiding), Lewis Shelley, 

Members Absent: Hale Morrell (alt) Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep)

Visitors Present: Holly Gowdy

Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternates: Tom Beaudry was seated to obtain quorum.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Paul moved to accept December 1, 2025. Lew seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried.   

Public Business

Financial Report:  no financial report was available

Correspondence: (1) Southwest Regional Planning highlights newsletter, (2) intent to cut.  65 acres Maple Grove Road, 3 Acres French Road

New Business

WCC files organization proposal – Paul proposed the commission review and update physical files in 15 minute work sessions at each meeting.  Discussion prioritize files relevant to town land and easements responsibilities with the goal of having files organized by the end of the year.  Proposal was supported. 

Old Business

Fanny Mason Forest Management: Fanny Mason Forest winter harvest contract was reviewed and supported for selectboard signature.  Commission supported Longview’s request to host a CCCD forestry workshop at Fanny Mason in early February.

Easement Monitoring: Wendy emailed an update that she submitted 3 monitoring reports –Ballam Farm, Graves and Mill Pond.  She also accompanied Phil Warren on the Monadnock Conservancy’s monitoring visit to Nelson and March Town Forests.

Reservoir Dam: The permit process for the option to breach the Reservoir Dam is on- going.  The Federal govt clawed back a large portion of grant the town had therefore more funds need to be secured for any option to address the dam issue.  

Knapp Cranberry Bog Dam:  Paul continues to work on completing and submitting a wetlands permit to address cleaning out cattails.  Paul will secure quotes for managing vegetation at this time.  The dam’s operation manual was discussed for guidance on annual maintenance.  

Mt. Kilborne: Letter of support was sent to MCA on their desire to discuss with utility landowners about establishing a formal relationship and climbing opportunities.  

Trail Committee

Rail Trail Work Plan: Nicole reported the rail trail work plan was submitted to the state.  Commission thanked her and all that provided input.  Areas of concern were discussed, Nicole would follow up with the state when she hears back about the work plan.  To support the rail trail maintenance Ruggiero has offered support up to $5000 in 2026.  

Other Trails: Trails committee meeting will be 2nd Wednesday of month (1/14) 7 pm in town hall.  Governance of subcommittee is one agenda item (ie selecting a new sub committee chair).

Other Business and Updates

Hooper Institute Board: Looking for recording secretary.  Board Meeting 1/6/26.

Strategic Planning Sessions scheduled for Sat 1/10 and 1/17.

Discussion with Holly Gowdy who expressed interest in serving the town in the role as recording secretary.  Commission supported her application.  

Next Meeting February 2, 2026

Adjournment: John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Palmiotto, acting recording secretary

Conservation Commission

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

January 5, 2026

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the February 2, 2026 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Tom Beaudry (alt), Paul Happ, Peter Palmiotto (co-chair & recording), John Peska (co-chair & presiding), Lewis Shelley

Members Absent: Hale Morrell (alt), Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep)

Visitors Present: Holly Gowdy

Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternates: Tom Beaudry was seated to obtain quorum.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Paul moved to accept December 1, 2025. Lew seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried.   

Public Business

Financial Report:  No financial report was available

Correspondence: (1) Southwest Regional Planning highlights newsletter, (2) Intent to cut 65 acres Maple Grove Road, 3 Acres French Road

New Business

WCC files organization proposal – Paul proposed the commission review and update physical files in 15 minute work sessions at each meeting.  Discussion prioritize files relevant to town land and easements responsibilities with the goal of having files organized by the end of the year.  Proposal was supported. 

Old Business

Fanny Mason Forest Management: Fanny Mason Forest winter harvest contract was reviewed and supported for selectboard signature.  Commission supported Longview’s request to host a CCCD forestry workshop at Fanny Mason in early February.

Easement Monitoring: Wendy emailed an update that she submitted 3 monitoring reports – Ballam Farm, Graves and Mill Pond.  She also accompanied Phil Warren on the Monadnock Conservancy’s monitoring visit to Nelson and March Town Forests.

Reservoir Dam: The permit process for the option to breach the Reservoir Dam is ongoing.  The Federal govt clawed back a large portion of grant the town had therefore more funds need to be secured for any option to address the dam issue.  

Knapp Cranberry Bog Dam:  Paul continues to work on completing and submitting a wetlands permit to address cleaning out cattails.  Paul will secure quotes for managing vegetation at this time.  The dam’s operation manual was discussed for guidance on annual maintenance.  

Mt. Kilborne: Letter of support was sent to MCA on their desire to discuss with utility landowners about establishing a formal relationship and climbing opportunities.  

Trail Committee

Rail Trail Work Plan: Nicole reported the rail trail work plan was submitted to the state.  Commission thanked her and all that provided input.  Areas of concern were discussed, Nicole would follow up with the state when she hears back about the work plan.  To support the rail trail maintenance Ruggiero has offered support up to $5000 in 2026.  

Other Trails: Trails committee meeting will be 2nd Wednesday of month (1/14) 7 pm in town hall.  Governance of subcommittee is one agenda item (i.e. selecting a new sub committee chair).

Other Business and Updates

Hooper Institute Board: Looking for recording secretary.  Board Meeting 1/6/26.

Strategic Planning Sessions scheduled for Sat 1/10 and 1/17.

Discussion with Holly Gowdy who expressed interest in serving the town in the role as recording secretary.  Commission supported her application.  

Next Meeting February 2, 2026

Adjournment: John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Palmiotto, acting recording secretary

Town of Walpole

Conservation Commission

December 1, 2025

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 5, 2026 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair & Presiding), John Peska (Cochair), Lewis Shelley, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep)

Alternates Present: Hale Morrell

Members Absent: Tom Beaudry

Visitors Present: Chris Liazos, Alex Barrett

Call to Order: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternates: A quorum was present, so no Alternates were seated.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Paul asked for two corrections to his comments under Hooper Institute Board: “just beautiful” should be “beautiful” and he feels both Greta Drager and George Gowdy are doing a great job.  Wendy said the header “Rail Trail Work Plan” should be “Rail Trail Work”.  John moved to accept November 3, 2025 minutes as amended. France seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried.   

Public Business

Financial Report: 

• Conservation $283,352.18
• Forestry $53,687.58

Correspondence: (2) Monadnock Conservancy newsletters

New Business

Bird Friendly Family Forests: Chris Liazos’ goal is to help us understand our Town.  He brought a printed draft report.  His three suggestions for Walpole are (1) encourage white oak regeneration, (2) try to make large blocks of forest with mixed canopy, and (3) use report as ongoing resource because of all information he included.  We need to get Hooper Institute involved, especially getting the students building boxes (plans available) for the birds found in his study.  The Town will need to plan what to harvest next to make more young forests of at least 2.5 acres.  Chris asked that the Commission review his report and get comments to him right away.  His goal is to have the final copy of report by the beginning of 2026.

Trail Committee

Rail Trail Work Plan: Will and Wendy will not manage rail trail maintenance next year because of other commitments.  They will turn the project over to someone else, but Wendy is willing to consult on the 2026 Work Plan.  She gave a summary of rail trail work history, potential projects for 2026, and responses from the Bureau of Trails to questions about work plan preparation.  As a minimum, Nicole is willing to use the 2025 special use permit to write the rail trail work plan for next year.  Wendy will prepare the history section.

The state is willing to do a certification for chain saw users and we should do that.

Other Trails: Will, Wendy and Greta Drager walked the Hooper Woods to help her plan for future uses.  On 11/8 at Rail Trail Work Day they had twelve people and did a lot of ditch and drainage work.

Old Business

• Fanny Mason Forest Management: Fanny Mason Forest winter harvest: Alex did the intent to cut; Chris Ricci will file it.  Then they will create a contract.  They can do the harvest once the ground freezes.  The property boundaries are marked as are the trees to be cut.
• Red Pine and Invasives: Today was the second day of invasives treatments, and that is complete.  The red pine at the rest area must all be cut (about 4 acres).  This lot is not yet marked but red pine scale has reached Keene.  Alex will get a variance – cannot remove all trees within 150 feet of a highway, but leaving these trees would create a hazard.  Alex will mark the trees, create the RFP, and contact the bidders.  Since time is critical, he recommends not limiting the equipment to be used in the RFP.  He hopes to harvest late this winter/early spring.  He will specify that slash be mitigated near the rest area as it would be a fire hazard.  Carolyn will check who should receive the quotes, the Selectboard or the Conservation Commission.

Easement Monitoring: Peter and Wendy did Wendy’s property, and the report has been submitted.  Wendy just did Mill Pond, Graves, and Ballam Farm.  All are OK, but the reports have not been submitted. Wendy will be going with a representative of Monadnock Conservancy to monitor Nelson Town Forest and the adjacent one.

Reservoir Dam: Fuss & O’Neill are working on detailed plans for the option of breaching the dam.

Mt. Kilborne: The Commission is awaiting North Walpole comments before signing a letter of recommendation.

Knapp Cranberry Bog Dam: The Fletcher estate owns adjacent property.  Paul is thinking about asking DES Dam and DES Wetlands for joint onsite advice.  Since the bog is almost filled in, does it make sense to breach the dam?  It would be difficult to get an excavator to the dam unless it could go across the bridge.  Lew and Paul will look to see if it has I-beams. Paul will start asking abutters what they think about breaching the dam.

Other Business and Updates

Hooper Institute Board: Paul will ask what the Board thinks about breaching the Knapp Cranberry Bog Dam and what they think the area could be used for if the dam is breached.

Agenda for the January 5, 2026 Meeting

• No items

Adjournment: Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 9:11 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

November 3, 2025

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 1, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair), John Peska (Cochair & Presiding), Lewis Shelley, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep)

Alternates Present: Tom Beaudry

Members Absent: Hale Morrell

Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternatives: There was a quorum, so no Alternates were seated.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Paul moved to accept the 10/6/2025 minutes as written. France seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

Public Business

Financial Report:  Conservation $282,422.14

Forestry $53,511.36

Correspondence: NHACC dues are due.  France moved to pay the $275 dues for this year.  Paul seconded.  With all in favor, the motion passed.

New Business

Fanny Mason Forest Management: 

• Winter timber harvest – we expect to do the harvest this winter.  Can the Town waive the timber tax for Fanny Mason?   Once that question is answered, Alex Barrett will submit the Timber Intent permit.
• Red pine – Longview can do cut-to-length, but Chris Ricci doesn’t do it.  Tyler Zambon can also cut-to-length.  John will ask Alex Barrett to get quotes from Longview and Tyler Zambon.
• Invasives – It will cost about $1,600 (two people for a day) to treat buckhorn stems now in the area of the Fanny Mason harvest.  This is Fanny Mason property, expense and income, so the Conservation Committee needs to let Trustees of Trust Funds know that Longview will do the treatment now and get paid when there is income from the red pine harvest.   

Paul made a motion to request that the Town waive the timber tax on the Fanny Mason harvest and to approve treating for invasives now with Longview to be paid when the harvest starts getting income.  Lew seconded.  With everyone in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

Safety Inspection: On November 20th there will be an inspection of the Conservation Commission storage in the old Town Garage on School Street.  John, Lew & Paul will meet before the inspection to check everything and do any equipment maintenance needed.

Old Business

Easement monitoring: Monadnock Conservancy did some monitoring last month and sent an email asking for the status of issues identified last year:

• In Bertin Forest two pieces of bridge washed out – the larger piece was removed from the brook; the other piece is still on the bank and needs to be removed; it remains to be determined who can get the bridge out of the forest.
• In Great Brook Town Forest – there was a snowmobile trail wash-out and the trail is still washed out down toward the brook.  There is a very large pine down across the trail.  Lew and the Hooper Hill Hoppers are working to determine what to do.  It would be possible to build a very narrow trail (one snowmobile wide), but a groomer couldn’t get through to maintain the trail.  There is a lot of clay in that area, so rebuilding the trail may require a retaining wall.  There are closed signs on both ends of that trail.  It was a major trail to Westmoreland but now snowmobilers also have the Rail Trail.

Town easements: we are obliged to monitor the Town easements.  Wendy will do three, but she can’t do her own land.  The Easement Monitoring Committee needs to meet to decide what they really want to do.  There is a committee, and they need a meeting (Peter is chair).  It was pointed out that property monitoring really is one of our more important responsibilities.

Reservoir Dam: DES, Walpole and Fuss & O’Neill agree that we can breech the dam (normally remove 25 – 50% of dam) with ARPA money before the deadline. Fuss & O’Neil is doing the engineering in preparation for getting permits.  We will need to bridge the breech so trail will still be usable since the area is popular for recreation.

Derry Hill Road – Class VI road status: The road was checked last weekend.  There is no sign of anyone working on the road, but some sections of it would only be passable with some four-wheel drive vehicles.  There is an ongoing timber harvest (uncertain if in Walpole) and they are hauling logs across Walpole’s Class VI roads to Alstead or Surry.  The lower part of Derry Hill is a fire lane.  Part of Scovill Road between High Blue and Derry Hill Road is now destroyed by vehicles and washouts. 

Peter arrived during the Derry Hill discussion.

Tree Planting: This fall a sugar maple was planted on the northwest corner of the Common and four tulip trees were planted along the west side.  $3,600 has been donated for purchasing trees.    About half was spent this year, so we have enough for two crabapples and three red maples for the spring planting, and that will finish the planting on the Common.  North Walpole and Drewsville (Fritzie Hill [sic] is suggested contact) will be contacted to see what they need.

Mt. Kilborne: Monadnock Climbing Club wants their letter of support signed, but we need to know everyone involved is satisfied.  John reached out to Katherine Kopij to determine whether the North Walpole Village Commissioners are OK with the plans.  We also need to get the approval of the Walpole and North Walpole Fire and Rescue squads.

Trail Committee

Updates: The Trail Committee has worked on Mill Pond.  They removed a large tree and a large bush, and they have done some leveling.

Wendy will have the Work Plan for the 2026 Rail Trail projects finished by the deadline on 12/31/2025.  The plan is being addressed, but it won’t be done or available for the next meeting.  Peter asked that as many details as possible be discussed at the 12/1/2025 meeting.

Rail Trail Work Plan: Ditch and culvert work preparing for winter will be the focus of the Work Day on November 8th.  Similar preparation worked well last year.

Other Business and Updates

Hooper Institute Board: There are no updates, but Paul is positive about the Board.  He thinks Greta Drager is doing a great job and that the building is just beautiful.  The next meeting is tomorrow.

New Hampshire Big Tree: The black oak on Mill Pond is the largest in the state.  Lew received a sign and will put in a signpost, so he can put up the sign.

Agenda for the Next Meeting – December 1, 2025

• New path on Fanny Mason timber harvest – Lew
• Work Plan for Rail Trail – Wendy

Adjournment: France moved to adjourn the meeting and Nicole seconded.  John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:19 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary