The Walpolean

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

September 8, 2025

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the October 6, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair), John Peska (Cochair & Presiding)

Alternates Present: Hale Morrell

Members Absent: Nicole Adams, Lewis Shelley, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep), Tom Beaudry

Visitors Present: Rob Traver (Acworth Conservation Commission)

CALL TO ORDER: John called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. 

SEATING OF ALTERNATES:  There was a quorum of members – no Alternates were seated.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Peter moved to accept the August 4, 2025 minutes as written. France seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried.

Public Business

Financial Report: No financial report available.

Correspondence: No new correspondence.

New Business

Hooper New Leadership Introduction: Postponed to next month due to illness.

Old Business

Acworth Conservation Commission: Rob Traver described their project to restore the Keyes Hollow Wetland.  An inlet stream to the wetland moved which is causing about 14 acres of the wetland to dry up.  The Davis Foundation from Yarmouth, Maine is willing to consider a grant application for the preliminary work that needs to be completed for wetland restoration.  The restoration is especially important for flood control on the Cold River and for restoring the brook trout that used to be plentiful in the dehydrated area.  The Acworth Conservation Commission requested a letter of recommendation from the Walpole Conservation Commission.  Once the preliminary work is complete the Connecticut River Conservancy will apply for grants for the restoration and take the project to DES.  Paul moved that Peter and John prepare a letter of support to be emailed to Rob Traver this week.  Seconded by France.  With all in favor, the motion passed. 

Reservoir Dam: We received an invoice from Houghton for clearing & brush hogging the dam for a cost of $2,544.55.  It was done only once this year.  Paul moved to accept the invoice and pay it from the Forestry Account.  France seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

We just received notification that the Wetlands application was rejected because the fee is now $8,000, which is more than we paid (the rule changed in mid-July).  There have been emails between the Selectboard, the State, and Fuss and O’Neill.  The concern is that all ARPA invoices must be submitted by September 15, 2026 and there is a lot to do before then.

Gateway Management – Invasives Control: Only the Gateway was treated for invasives, and since it is not part of Fanny Mason, it must be paid from the Conservation Fund, not from the Fanny Mason accounts.  

Fanny Mason Forest Management: Chris Ricci is planning to harvest the area near the Route 12 rest areas this winter.  Alex Barrett, the Town Forester, recommends clear cutting the red pine on the west side which will leave the mature hardwood trees.  Peter moved that we waive the timber tax for the Fanny Mason harvest.  France seconded.  The motion passed.

Tree Planting: The next Tree Planting will be Oct 19th.  Five trees will be interspersed with existing trees on the Common.  There were no cherry trees available, so two will be ordered and planted in the spring.  This is a change from the four cherry trees previously discussed and will avoid over-crowding around the Veterans Memorial.

Planning & Land Use Manuals: It was decided to order one paper/eBook copy at $17.75.

Trail Committee

Updates: All the trail work this month was on the Rail Trail:  

• Dirt that had been dumped in the ditch just south of Halls Crossing was cleared so the ditches are now functional.  More ditch work will be needed in the future, but that will require an excavator.  
• The Malnati bridge, which is no longer passable for tractors or bikes, and the bridge just north of the wildlife management area (where a biker fell and broke bones last year) are on the list to be repaired by the NH Bureau of Trails.  The Malnati bridge has been measured for materials and a sign posted to walk bikes across the bridge, so that one should be repaired this fall.  They will probably work on the other one too.
• The second brush hogging was done August 19th, and it was well done again. The Trail Committee cleaned away branches and logs before the brush hogging.  The invoice for the June brush hogging just arrived and will be given to Rich Kreissle.

Other Business and Updates

Hooper Institute Board Update: Paul hopes to be on the Hooper Board (taking Nicoles seat since she resigned) and is just awaiting approval of the Selectboard.  France moved that once approved by the Selectboard, Paul will also be the Conservation Committee Liaison to the Hooper Board.  Wendy seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

Peter will send the Longview invasives contact to Paul to pass on to the appropriate person at Hooper Institute.

Next Meeting – October 6, 2025

Adjournment: Peter moved to adjourn the meeting.  France seconded.  All were in favor.  John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

AUGUST 4, 2025

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the September 8, 2025 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: Tom Beaudry, Hale Morrell

Members Absent:  

Visitors Present:  Lesley Johnson, NHACC Board President

CALL TO ORDER: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm in the Town Hall. 

SEATING OF ALTERNATES:  All members were present, so no Alternates were seated.

Review and Approval of Minutes

There were a few amendments:

• Under Rail Trail Brush Hog, “They were very accommodating, and they did a great job” should read, “Mike Hubbard of Connecticut Valley Yard Works was very accommodating and did a great job.”
• The second paragraph in that same heading should read, “If the Town goes forward with the State’s new Trail Maintenance Agreement and Annual Work Plan, it will replace the annual Special Use Permit for brush hogging and other work on the Rail Trail.
• Under Old Home Days Summary:  The raffle tickets were not counted, so it should read, “The winner of the snowshoes was thrilled to get them.”

Lew moved to accept the July 7, 2025 minutes as amended. John seconded and all voted in favor. The minutes were approved. 

Public Business

Financial Report: 

• Conservation $283,725.69
• Forestry $52,740.23

We also received a consolidated expenses report for year-to-date.  It looks like the cost of roofing the shelters at the Route 12 rest areas was recorded to the Conservation Commission budget when it should have been a Fanny Mason expense.  John to follow up with Rich Kreissle.

Correspondence: There is a letter to Tree Committee from Jennifer Burr.  The Marcia Galloway Fund for Conservation Commission was established by Marcia’s will.  The funds will be paid every December.  Expected amounts are not yet known.

New Business

Lesley Johnson, NHACC Board, President 2023 – 2025: NHACC is looking to engage and involve all conservation members.  They send a monthly newsletter and updates, and they have a listserv for discussions.  Sue is to send the roster to Lesley so everyone on the Commission will receive the communications.

This September they are starting a wetlands program and a new mapping program using better technology.  All interested members are encouraged to register for the Zoom sessions and the program in Concord.  There are also seven YouTube videos from a previous wetlands course (see their website for a link).  There will be a class on trail maintenance with AMC.  There will also be a program in Concord on Advocacy.

There is a grant for a large land management program to encourage collaboration across political boundaries – perhaps Walpole, Surry and Alstead could join and do the shared conserved property.  They had a grant for interns in 2025.  The interns will be presenting a summary in December. 

NHACC started a strategic plan in 2020.  There is a survey that will go out to determine what the local Conservation Commissions need from NHACC.  Currently they have 1.3 people, but they hope to support local conservation with collaboration, outreach, and increased capacity. They hope to have the new strategic plan complete by year-end. 

The annual potluck dinner will be October 16th at Whitcomb Hall in Swanzey.  The topic will be Road Agents and Conservation.

Tree Committee Update: The next tree planting will be October 19th.  This year they are planting:  (4) ornamental cherries around the memorial, a maple on the northwest corner of the Common, and (2) poplar in gaps on the west side of the Common to minimize the trimming needed for the power lines.  They will call Dig Safe before the planting.  Pete is currently talking to nurseries.  The next step is to look at what is needed in Drewsville & North Walpole. 

Old Business

Gateway Management – Invasives Control: They will post trails ahead of time with the treatment dates.

Route 12 Rest Areas: The state brush hogged the rest areas last week.  John will determine if the mowing and brush hogging contract for Mike Hubbard needs to be adjusted.

Trail Committee

Updates: A lot of overgrowth was removed at Fanny Mason, the west side of Mill Pond (thanks to the Walpole Walkers), and the east side of Mill Pond.  Some paving with stones was also done on the east side of Mill Pond.  They will be working on ditches on the Rail Trail south of Halls Crossing to make it drier.  The second Rail Trail brush hogging is expected to be later this month.  A crew will pick up all the sticks in preparation for the brush hogging.  There is now a new bench on the River Ramble trail at the Gateway with river views.

Other Business and Updates

Dam: Paul made a motion that the Conservation Commission advise the Selectboard to reconsider work on Reservoir Dam and instead consider removing the dam.  The decision will need to be based on fiscal analysis.  France seconded.  With all members in favor the motion passed unanimously. 

Hooper Institute Board: The Board meets tomorrow.

Website:  France moved the Commission reimburse Kelli Wilson $235.70 for the costs of hosting the Conservation website.  It will be billed to the consulting line.  John seconded.  The motion carried.

Agenda: Paul moved that the agenda be sent to the Walpolean when it is sent to the Commission each month.  France seconded.  The motion passed.

Agenda for the Next Meeting – September 8, 2025

• Lew and Nicole will not be at the September meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

July 7, 2025

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the August 4, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, France Menk, John Peska (Cochair & Presiding), Lewis Shelley

Alternates Present: Hale Morrell

Members Absent: Paul Happ, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair), Carolyn Vose (Selectboard), Tom Beaudry

Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Gazebo on the Common. 

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

Review and Approval of Minutes

Wendy moved to accept the June 2, 2025 minutes as written. Nicole seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

Public Business

Financial Report:

• Conservation $282,690.37
• Forestry $52,747.05

Correspondence:  We received Hale’s appointment letter – she is now officially an Alternate.  Thanks, Hale, for joining the Conservation Commission.  We also received the Conservation Commission Newsletter.

New Business

NH Association of Conservation Commissions: Lesley Johnson would like to talk to the Walpole Conservation Commission at the August meeting.  The NHACC is developing a strategic plan, and they would like to see what the local Conservation Commissions would like them to do for us.  

Route 12 Rest Areas:  France moved to accept the quote from Connecticut Valley Yard Works for mowing at the rest areas. Lew seconded. With all in favor, the motion carried.

Several things that need to be done at the rest area will be rescheduled to fall.  There was so much rain this spring and early summer that the work couldn’t be done as previously planned.

Old Business

Old Home Days Summary: Both the Conservation Commission and Trail Committee tables were busy the whole time.  People seemed to be picking up the materials that were available.  Only 20 raffle tickets were entered for the snowshoes, but the winner was thrilled to get them. There are some tree survey results.  It was suggested that Conservation have a float at the next Old Home Days. Thank you to all who helped with the tables and events.

Forest for the Birds: Chris Liazos did not get any takers for a bird walk before the Old Home Days parade, but he did have some very engaging conversations.

Gateway Management (Invasive Control): The invasive control work will be started after June30th and completed by the end of September.  There was a discussion of warning signs that will be posted when the invasives are treated to warn people to stay away for 24 hours. 

Trail Committee 

Updates: Tom Murray created the new trail at the Gateway.  It is the first new trail created by the Trail Committee.  Thank you, Tom.  There was a small attendance at the Trail Committee events Sunday morning of Old Home Days at the Gateway.

Rail Trail Brush Hog: The permit was received June 19th and the brush hogging was done late the following week.  All sticks need to be removed from the trail before brush hogging.  They were very accommodating, and they did a great job.  The Malnati bridge is no longer adequate for a tractor. The Hooper Hill Hoppers are awaiting information and materials from the Bureau of Trails so they can replace the bridge.

The new draft memorandum of understanding has been received from the State.  It will replace the annual Special Use Permit for brush hogging and other projects.  In addition to the memorandum of understanding, an annual work plan will need to be submitted.

Other Business

Dam Updates: A lot of attention is currently being devoted to the changes in the planned dam repairs.

Hooper Institute Board Update:  Greta Drager, the new Executive Director, started last week.  George Gowdy, the new Educator, will start in August. Renovations are paused for the camps, then the contractors will be back and finish the work.  There was a question about Invasives Control at Hooper – a copy of the paperwork is needed

Adjournment:  France moved to adjourn the meeting.  Nicole seconded.  John declared the meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission Minutes

June 2, 2025

Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the July 7, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, Peter Palmiotto (Co-chair), John Peska (Co-chair & Presider), Carolyn Vose (Selectboard)

Alternates Present: Tom Beaudry

Members Absent: France Menk, Lewis Shelley

Visitors Present: Kara Dexter, Hale Morrell, Nick Tsichlis

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

Seating of Alternatives: No Alternates were needed for this meeting.

Review and Approval of Minutes

After a discussion of the process of creating, publishing and storing minutes, Peter moved that the word “Minutes” be added to the title, and the notice that these are draft minutes be moved from the end to the top of the minutes.  Nicole seconded and the motion carried unanimously.  (See above.)

There is one correction to the 5/5/2025 minutes: the bird walk to be led by Chris Liazos will be at 9:00 am on Saturday, June 28th, i.e. before the Old Home Days Parade, not after as the minutes said.  Paul moved to accept the May 5, 2025 minutes as amended. John seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 

Public Business

Financial Report: 

• Conservation $280,663.74 (as of 5/13/2025)
• Forestry $52,368.91

It was noticed that the budget vs. actual report seems to have too high an actual figure for trail maintenance.  John will follow up with Rich Kreissle.

Correspondence: The Commission received the Selectboard approval for Paul to serve as Commissioner. There is a postcard from NH Lakes for a meeting on June 5th.  We received thanks from Becky Pearson, winner of the winter trail contest, for her prize which she looks forward to using as she hikes around Town.

The Commission also received a letter from Hale Morrell stating that she would like to serve as an Alternate on the Conservation Commission.  Peter moved to approve Hale as an Alternate.  Paul seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.  Hale is recommended to the Selectboard. 

New Business

None

Old Business

Forest for the Birds Contract: Nicole reported that the Hooper Board approved the study and agreed to pay half the cost.  They also requested that a Conservation member be point person – Peter volunteered to continue. Chris Liazos contacted Monadnock Conservancy about the two study points on their land.  There is no problem continuing to use the two points, but they cannot help pay for the study.  As a result, Chris took the two study points out of the cost to Walpole, but the sites will still be monitored and included in the final report.  The cost to the Conservation Commission and to Hooper Institute will be $572 each.

Gateway Invasives: The contract was amended to state that treatments will be done after June 30th as agreed to in email conversations.  The contract has been signed.

Old Home Days Planning: Not everything for Conservation is in the current published schedule, but it will be in a printed update and all electronic versions of the schedule.  Fish and Game has been asked to be at the Conservation table.  There will also be a chart of invasives.  The invasives chart will be posted at Recycling after Old Home Days to help people recognize any invasives so they can be burned instead of composted.  The bird walk in town will be on Saturday at 9:00.  The Trail Committee will be at the Gateway on Sunday for a 7:00 AM bird walk and 10:00 AM River Ramble on the new trail.  The Trail Committee table on Saturday will have maps of Walpole trails available.  Wendy will send an update to the Walpolean after the Trail Committee meets this month. 

Trail Committee

Updates: The Trail Committee would like to have a tablecloth with the Committee’s name for Old Home Days.  The cost for the tablecloth and the printing is $150.  Since it would only be used a couple times a year, the Commission doesn’t feel it is a good use of tax dollars.  Several less expensive ideas were suggested. 

HOT (Help our Trails) Day had fewer people this year, but they accomplished a lot.  Seventeen people broke into four groups.  Three groups worked on the Rail Trail and the other group worked at Mill Pond removing a downed tree and leveling the path.  The new tools (two pulaskis and a rogue hoe) arrived in time and were helpful, and the cost ($225.49) was significantly less than the amount approved.  

Green Mountain Club looked at the Academy Ravine.  It is very steep, and it is not a good idea to put a trail there.  There could be a rim trail, but it is all private property.  Concern was expressed about some of the trees down in the Ravine and damage that could be caused if one gives way and causes flooding.

Rail Trail Brush Hog: The hay at the Gateway is looking good.  The Town has insurance information for brush hogging the Rail Trail.  The latest version of the contract from the State just arrived and is awaiting Selectboard approval.

Other Business

Dam Updates: no report

Hooper Institute Board Update: The Bird Count approval was already discussed.  The Board meets Tuesday.

Fanny Mason: Kara reported there is a lot of standing water which means lots of wet trash.  However, there is less litter since Fance put up the signs.  It is not clear whether the signs or wet weather are responsible.  The north-bound rest area is particularly bad with standing water in the path to the shelter and deeper standing water beside the walk.  This area is always a problem, not just this year.  There was a discussion of unmowed grass, standing water and needing a new path to the shelter.  It was decided additional information and estimates are needed in order to develop a plan to correct the issues.

Next Meeting July 7, 2025 – Agenda

• North-bound rest area:  unmowed grass, standing water and the path to the shelter.

Adjournment:  John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

May 5, 2025

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair and Facilitator), John Peska (Cochair); Cheryl Mayberry (Selectboard)

Alternates Present: Tom Beaudry

Members Absent:  Lew Shelley

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

Seating of Alternatives: None needed

Review and Approval of Minutes

John moved to accept April 7, 2025 minutes as written.  France seconded and all voted in favor. The minutes were approved.

Public Business

Financial Report: 

• Conservation $280,663.74
• Forestry $52,368.91
• Mason Forest Expendable $525,816.29
• Mason Forest Nonexpendable $23,387.78

Correspondence: None 

New Business

Aquatic Resource Mitigation Fund Grants: NH DES has $7,000,000 available for grants for aquatic resource mitigation.  $1,044,000 is available in our region.  Erosion control is especially needed above the dam in North Walpole, where prior efforts have not been fully successful.  Currently the dam is used to control the flow of the river to decrease erosion.  Other sites were also discussed.  Cheryl is willing to write the pre-application, which is due May 31st, so get possible project ideas to her as soon as possible.  If NH DES selects a project to apply, the full grant application is due in the fall.  

Old Business

Forest for the Birds Contract: The next step is to see if the Hooper Board wants to share the contract cost.  There was a discussion of the long-term benefits of this study, which is to use bird count and the varieties to score an area of forest.  The information can then be used to recommend how to enhance the forest in the future.  It was noted that there are observation points on the Skofield property which is owned outright by the Monadnock Conservancy.  Hooper Board is interested and Nicole will ask them about financially supporting the project.  With observation points on Monadnock Conservancy land, Chris Liazos will need to contact them for permission and to see if they want to help with the project cost. 

John moved that the Conservation Commission agree to the Bird Count proposal that the Commission will fund up to half the project cost.  The project is not to exceed $1,500.00, and if it does it requires permission from the Walpole Conservation Commission before continuing. In addition, permission must be obtained from the Monadnock Conservancy regarding the Skofield property they now own, and they should be asked if they are interested in contributing to the project.  All this is pending agreement from the Hooper Board. Paul seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Gateway and Hooper Invasives: The proposal from Longview to treat invasives at the Gateway for $1,800 was discussed.  The area would be expanded from the previous treatment two years ago. The chemicals used by Longview cause less damage than other herbicides.  The treatment will not harm the corn in lower field (the farmer agrees).  Nicole moved to approve the contract and treatment can proceed after July 1st for a cost of $1,800.  John seconded and the motion carried.  Paul and France abstained. Peter signed the contract.

Old Home Days – Planning: There will be two tables:  

• The Conservation Commission will have the Fish and Game Officer.  There will be maps of Conservation property and charts of invasives (Wendy has the invasives chart).  There is a very big wooden sign for the Conservation Commission in the tool shed that might be of use.  Wendy will have either GEM or Staples laminate the invasives poster, and it will be put up at the Recycling Center after Old Home Days.  Chris Liazos will lead a birding walk around town after the parade on Saturday.
• The Trail Committee will have trail maps.  The Committee would like to print their name on a tablecloth.  France will get the cost from GEM.  They will have two special events on Sunday at the Gateway.  First Sharon will lead a birding walk at 7:00.  They would like to create a new trail about a quarter mile long along the berm overlooking the river and then wrapping back around the field.  They’ll lead walks there on Sunday morning. 

Town Hazard Mitigation Plan: The plan has been revised.  They were pleased that they received a lot of public input.  The plan will be on the Town website May 15th for two weeks for public review.  One change was that Reservoir Dam is now ranked higher than it was.  In addition to having the plan for safety reasons, it will help us get grants to address the issues – the Town is already working on these issues, and the public is involved.

Response to MCA Request: Since the hiker fell the Commission has been in communication with Jeff, the group leader, and encouraging them to close the loop with North Walpole and to plan for rescues.  This communication will continue to work with and encourage them.

Trail Committee

Updates: HOT (Help Our Trails) Day was moved from May 3rd to the 17th at the last meeting.  They are currently planning projects for the day and getting organized. There was a review of Mill Pond trails.  Some of the needed work can be done on HOT Day, but some tasks will have to be done at other times. After an inventory of the tool shed, it was recommended they purchase two pulaskis and a rogue hoe for about $275.  Wendy made a motion to purchase the two pulaskis and a rogue hoe for a total price not to exceed $275.  Paul seconded and the motion passed.  Wendy will purchase the tools and submit receipts to Rich for reimbursement.

The Green Mountain Club will be coming to review the Academy Ravine trail and recommend what additional work is needed.

Rail Trail Brush Hogging: the draft permit application is with the state.  They responded that there needs to be a $1,000 bond and they provided typical language.  The Town Attorney needs to be review it before the Selectboard approves.  It was also noted that the Town must be added to the contractor’s “additional insured” for the duration of the project.

Other Business

Dam Updates: All the permits are filed for Reservoir Dam, and Fuss & O’Neill have had all the information requested for about a week.

Hooper Institute Board Update: The Board meets tomorrow night.  As discussed earlier, the Bird Count is of interest, and the lesson plans might be particularly helpful to the new Executive Director while getting up to speed.

2023 Rail Trail Grant Questions: Cheryl is answering questions for the Town audit of 2023.  The Commission was able to answer all the questions asked by the auditor about the 2023 Rail Trail grant and associated funding.  

Agenda – Next Meeting June 2, 2025

• Old Home Days

Adjournment: Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 8:24 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the June 2, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)