Keeping the community up to date on community topics
Until further notice, the Walpole Recycling Center and Transfer Station will not be accepting items such as brush, pallets, tree sections, untreated lumber, and other burnable items for the burn pile until the proclamation of the prohibition that was signed by Gov. Ayotte is rescinded. The order was signed on September 22, 2025.
For questions and assistance regarding the burn pile, contact the Recycling Center at transfer@walpolenh.us or call 603-445-5197
From Deb Pawelczyk:
Scouting for Food
On Saturday, November 1 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, Cub Scout Pack 299 and Boy Scout Troop 299 will be holding their Scouting for Food Drive. We will be handing out information tags for the annual ‘Scouting for Food Drive’ at the following locations: Walpole Post Office, Walpole Recycling Center, Tractor Supply, and the Savings Bank of walpole.
Then, on Saturday, November 8 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, we will be at the same locations collecting pet food, non-perishable food items, toiletry items, and monetary donations. Everything collected will go directly to the Fall Mountain Food Shelf. Last year we collected 800 items of food and $3,200.
[Editor’s Note: Lucy Weber is the State Representative for Cheshire County District 5, which includes Walpole and Surry.]
Hello, friends,
I have heard from a number of people affected by the departure of several Medicare Advantage plans from our region. The situation is complicated because Humana, which runs several of the remaining plans, has not reached a network agreement with Dartmouth Medical and its affiliates, including Cheshire Medical Center and its satellite offices.
This link is to a communication from Joseph L. Perras, MD, President and CEO of Cheshire Medical Center.
It explains the current situation, and includes some further links to Medicare and to the NH Department of Insurance for further information and help with choices going forward.
https://www.cheshiremed.org/health-wellness/article/letter-community-medicare-plans
I hope this is helpful.
Onward,
Lucy
Yes, time again, and a week away for the closing date for the November CLARION – October 22. So, please send your submissions along by 5 pm Walpole Time, Wednesday 22 October. The files will go to the printer shortly thereafter – so do not miss out. As fall and holiday activities begin there should be more to share with you the rest of the year in this and then December’s issue. Make sure to visit the CLARION website for contact information, and article and advertising submission details.
Your early submissions help as I start developing the layout well before the closing date. If you have some “news” send it along. I also like to have on-hand material of interest that is not time-sensitive to fill space to round out a pleasing issue. So, if you would “like to be in print” and have something to write and share (images as well), send along for possible inclusion space permitting. Please do remember, it is the advertisers in each issue that make this community publication possible, so please support and thank them.
If you have any questions, or interest in placing an advertisement, reaching over 1900 Walpole, North Walpole and Drewsville addresses, I welcome your inquiries, so please do get in touch with me. Advertising information and contact information is on the CLARION website.
Thank you, RAY BOAS, Publisher
Ambassador Rugh will be joining us tonight via Zoom as we discuss “American Policy in the Middle East.” We begin with a “Master Class” video at 6:00 p.m. in the Walpole Town Library. For those joining via Zoom, please request the Zoom link from our library director, Jane Malmberg: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org and join at 6:25 p.m., after the Foreign Policy “Master Class.”
Rancho Viejo will be closed Tuesday, October 14 during the lunch hour, for the installation of new kitchen equipment. The restaurant will reopen by three o’clock that afternoon. Thank you for your patience and your patronage!
Town of Walpole, New Hampshire
Meeting of the Selectboard
October 1, 2025
Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair; Carolyn Vose and Cheryl Mayberry
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
PAYROLL
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $34,435.30 dated 10/3/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,575.05. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, Payroll was approved.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Selectboard Meeting – September 25, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 25, 2025. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.
Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – September 25, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of September 25, 2025. The minutes will remain sealed. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved and remain sealed.
Unsealing of Portion of Selectboard Non-Public Session – Part 1 for September 17, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to unseal the 9 Academy Lane LLC portion of the Minutes of Part 1 of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of September 17, 2025. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the 9 Academy portion of the September 17, 2025 Non-Public minutes Part 1 was unsealed.
Committee Reports
Ms. Mayberry brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:
Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.
Old Business
CCI Authorization Release Form: Because the Town is moving forward with a VOIP phone system, the chair can sign the release form. Arcomm is working on a revised quote to include multiple Town departments. Ms. Mayberry moved to have the Chair sign the CCI Authorization Release Form allowing Arcomm to access phone history. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion carried, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form.
Reservoir Dam Online Meeting: An online meeting is set for Friday, October 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM. Steve Dalessio and John Peska plan to attend for Walpole. Fuss & O’Neill and DES will also attend.
New Business
NH Association of Assessing Officials Ballot: Ms. Vose moved to vote for selected candidates. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. Mr. Dalessio signed the form.
Two Registered Notices for Groundwater Management Permit: Once the notice forms are signed, they will be sent to the Registry of Deeds to be registered. Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the two notices for the Groundwater Management permit. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the forms were signed.
Use of Whitcomb Area Parking Lot: The Walpole School has asked to use the Whitcomb Area Parking lot for the Touch a Truck event on Saturday, October 4th, which is part of the Fall Festival. Ms. Vose moved to approve use of the parking lot for Touch a Truck. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Education Tax Warrant: The Education Tax Warrant for 2026 will be applied to next year’s overall property tax rate. It will be $1.03 per thousand. Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the 2026 Education Tax Warrant received from the State for $1.03 per thousand, down from $1.21 per thousand. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the forms signed.
Fall Mountain Regional School District Leadership Update: FMRSD is moving to a leadership team model instead of a superintendent. Mr. Dalessio acknowledged receipt of the letter informing the Town of the change.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c)
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c) at 6:57 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:13 PM.
Ms. Vose moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Hooper Trustees
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:13 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:27 PM.
ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 7:27 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the October 9, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)
ANNUAL WALPOLE CROP HUNGER WALK
October 11, 2025
For over 20 years, churches and community groups in Walpole have joined together to raise funds that are used by Church World Service (CWS) to alleviate hunger, both locally and globally. The funds are also used to assist in disaster situations, sustainable agriculture, and clean water practices around the world. The Fall Mountain Food Shelf, our local recipient, will receive 25% of what we receive in donations, In the past, that has been about $3,000.
So please mark your calendar and join us on Walk Day, Saturday, October 11th at 9:15. We will meet at the First Congregational Church on the Common, where you can check in or register if you have not already done so online. The Walk is a three mile stroll around the village. To participate in the walk, to register, to donate, or to find out more about the CROP Walk, go www.crophungerwalk.org/walpolenh. If you aren’t able to participate in the walk, but would like to donate, please consider donating, using the secure link.
The need is extremely great this year due to federal funding cuts. That reduction is being felt both globally and locally. The Fall Mountain Food Shelf will receive significantly less food and financial support from USDA and the NH Food Bank. Your support would be so appreciated. Thank you!
Note: CWS has received a 100% rating from Charity Navigator. Questions? Please call Jana Sellarole at 603-313-4076.
Ambassador William Rugh will lead “Great Decisions”
discussion of US Foreign Policy in the Middle East
Ambassador Rugh was a U.S. Foreign Service Officer for 31 years and had nine diplomatic assignments in the Arab world, including ambassador to Yemen (1984-87) and to the United Arab Emirates (1992-95), as well as Deputy Chief of Mission in Syria (1981-84), public affairs officer in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He has taught diplomacy and foreign policy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and at Northeastern University. He is the author of five books on public diplomacy in the Arab and Islamic worlds, US soft power and Arab mass media. Rugh holds a PhD in international relations from Columbia University. He is a Board member of the Middle East Policy Council and formerly was a Trustee of the American University in Cairo and an adjunct scholar at the Middle East Institute.
Ambassador Rugh will be joining us via Zoom as we discuss “American Policy in the Middle East” on Monday, October 13, at 6:00 p.m.
The Middle East suffers ceaseless conflicts, autocratic rulers, endemic social and economic disparity, unchecked population growth, and poor education systems. Peace between Israel and the Palestinians seems impossible. What are the options when the war in Gaza finally ends?
The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “American Policy in the Middle East: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead,” by Daniel C. Kurtzer, Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at Princeton and former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt and to Israel. A copy of this excellent article can be emailed to you upon request to Jane Malmberg, Library Director: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org
For those joining via Zoom, please request the Zoom link from the library prior to the meeting and join at 6:25 p.m., after the Foreign Policy video “Master Class.”
RUMMAGE-FOOD-WHITE ELEPHANT SALE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Bag sale at noon
First Congregational Church
on the Common
Walpole, NH
The Walpolean 
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