The Walpolean

“Sino-American Rivalry: A New Cold War?”

You won’t want to miss Ambassador J. Stapleton (“Stape”) Roy at “Great Decisions” tonight. Join us in the Walpole Town Library at 6:00 p.m. for a discussion of U.S.- China rivalry and China’s rise as a trading partner, global power and threat to regional stability. Stape will lead off with a commentary on U.S. – China relations, past, present and future.

Sue Kibbe

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

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

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

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 6:30 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:12 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.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Vose moved to approve Accounts Payable totaling $312,837.14 dated 8/30/2024.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  This included a $88,461.14 payment to HealthTrust for two months of insurance.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,303.63 dated 8/30/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,534.81.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting and Non-Public Session – August 22, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 22, 2024.  She also moved to approve the minutes of the Non-Public session of August 22, 2024.  The minutes of the Non-Public Session are to remain sealed.Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the Non-Public minutes are sealed.

Committee Reports

Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – July 16, 2024

• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – July 30, 2024

• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – August 6, 2024

• Safety Committee Meeting – August 15, 2024

• Police Building Committee Meeting – August 19, 2024

• Recreation Committee Meeting – August 19, 2024

• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – August 21, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Old Business

Pending Further Action:  Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, and Houghton Brook Bridge

Reservoir Dam and ARPA Grant Funds: Mr. Dalessio reported that the Reservoir Dam project is still on schedule, but the State is concerned that not all the grant money will be committed by the deadline date.  He is working with Mark Houghton to ensure that the ARPA funds will be committed, probably in September.

EV Charging Station Analysis for a Break-Even Point:  The Selectboard requested an analysis of the EV charging station expenses and revenue.  Rich Kreissle determined the criteria to break even, but did not provide the actual data. The question was not answered.  This item is tabled until the next meeting.

September 19^th Public Meeting:  The School Withdrawal Study Committee asked if they should prepare a PowerPoint presentation.  The Board replied that the Committee could determine how they do the presentation. A PowerPoint could be displayed on the screen, but it isn’t required.

Budget Meeting Start Time:  What time will the budget meeting start on September 13^th?  The meeting is to be posted. Department budgets are due to Mr. Kreissle on 9/06/2024. The Selectboard will start at 8:30AM on 9/13/2024 and will spend the day creating the base 2025 budget.  On 12/13/2024, starting at 8:00AM, the Board will meet with department managers to review their detailed budget for 2025 and their long-term planning to finalize the budget for next year.

Encumbered Funds:  Ms. Mayberry reminded the Board that they need to know what funding needs to be encumbered from the current budget.  

New Business

NH Association of Assessing Officials 2025 Ballot:  The form was completed, and Ms. Mayberry signed the back of the envelope as required.

Blessing of the Animals on the Common:   The Blessing of the Animals is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, October 6^th, on the Common.  There was a consensus by the Board that the Common may be used for this event.

Landfill Garage:  The former landfill garage door was kicked in.  Brad Nash will fix the door.  The Police Department and Cold River Materials were notified.

North Side of Town Hall:   Mrs. Downing asked the Board if bids be sought for a warrant article.  The cement under the north side columns of the Town Hall is cracked and deteriorating.  The columns also need work.  The decision was to obtain quotes. During the budget process it will be determined if the repairs can be made next year.

Rich Kreissle wants to take vacation 9/10/2024, Primary Day:  Mrs. Downing already has vacation time planned for that day, so Ms. Daigle would be alone in the office.  By consensus, vacation was approved for Mr. Kreissle.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

An important request from Jana Sellarole. – Lil

Greetings All!,

It’s CROP Hunger Walk time again!  

Over the 20+ year history of the Walpole CROP Walk, we have raised many, many thousands of dollars to “transform communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster.”   Devastating floods, wildfires, hurricanes and earthquakes, in addition to crushing poverty, hunger and dwindling water supplies.  We frequently see these heartbreaking stories in the news.  

The global and local needs are great.  A quarter of the funds we raise will be donated to our local Fall Mountain Food Shelf. Last year the Walpole CROP Walk raised over $12,000!  Our small but mighty Walk was recognized as a “National 2023 Cream of the CROP top fundraising team”, 54th in the country!  

This year’s CROPWalk is Saturday, October 12 at 9:15 am.  We will meet at the Congregational Church on the Commons to begin our 3 mile route.  If you live locally, we would love to have you join us, and help raise funds for this very important cause!  Please call/text me at 603-313-4076 with any questions.   

If this is an effort you would like to support, please make a donation at:

https://events.crophungerwalk.org/cropwalks/jana-sellarole

Thanks so much!  Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Jana

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are sold out of mums for this year. Our goal was 360 and we sold 426. Thank you to everyone that helped us reach and exceed our goal.

Debbie Pawelczyk, Cub Scout Committee Chair Pack 299

Present: Chairman Scott Rodenhauser; Rec committee members Mike Hayes, Marilou Blaine and Annie Ewaskio; Selectboard Liaison Carolyn Vose, Recreation Department Director Kaian Wilkes. Absent Rec Committee member Diane Harty. Kraig Harlow joined the meeting about halfway through.

Minutes  of July meeting reviewed. Carolyn stated that anyone with questions in between meetings email Scott or Kai. Marilou motioned, Mike seconded to approve minutes. All in favor. Motion passed.

Old Business: 

Women of Walpole donation. Marilou was approached by a member of the WOW organization, in relation to a donation. Marilou was a given a check for $820.00 to purchase 2 tables, with chairs and umbrellas. Discussion as to how to proceed with this donation.  Scott moved to table the acceptance of this donation. Annie second it. Vote: Marilou is opposed; 3 in favor. Motion passed. This was tabled until more research can be done. 

Scott and Kai will do more research on this, and the option of construction of permanent pool shading.

Water Fountain: Mike started the discussion with the cost of the two  fountain options presented via emails between Kraig, Mark Houghton, Carolyn Vose, and the Recreation Committee members.  One option was a water bottle filler/fountain for the cost of over $10,000.00. Mike had two other less expensive options to present, but was not allowed to present them. Carolyn said “ It has been chosen”. Marilou stated this should be decided by a vote of the Recreation Committee, and that 3 quotes should be presented. Discussion as to who is allowed to get quotes, and what is up for debate, and who is allowed to participate . Mike was told “this is not your background” by Carolyn. This discussion was  tabled until next month. Kai will contact Mark Houghton, to ask him to attend September meeting so more options and questions can be reviewed and voted upon.

New Business:

New Recreation Department Director: Kaian Wilkes was introduced.

Pickleball supplies: Mike discussed how much money he and other pickleball players have spent on supplies, including balls, white board, sandbags, numbers, etc. He also informed the Committee how much volunteer time had been spent to refurbish the courts. Discussion as to whether the Rec Department should purchase balls. Kai mentioned that basketball players bring their own balls when they play pick up ball. Discussion as to how the sports differ. There was no motion to table. Discussion ended.

Budget for next year: Mike mentioned that he would like to be included in the discussion about next year’s budget, and that maybe it could be a meeting that all members could attend.

 Carolyn stated that Kai is in charge of the budget. Kai said there would not be many changes made.

Next meeting of the Recreation Department : Wednesday September 11th @ 6:00 pm. 

Scott moved, Annie seconded to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 pm.

This meeting was recorded for accuracy. Minutes to be reviewed at September meeting.

Scott moved, Annie seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 pm.

This meeting was recorded for accuracy. Minutes will be reviewed at September meeting.