The Walpolean

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

January 8, 2026

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

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

Guests Present: Paul Looney, Chair of the Walpole Community Power Committee

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

The following item was added at the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest who wished to address this issue.

Electrical Service Contract – Town of Walpole

Mr. Looney presented the details of a 4-month contract with First Point Power.  The price is $0.11387 per kilowatt hour.  This is the best rate available now.  Mrs. Pschirrer reviewed the contract and feels it is acceptable.  Ms. Mayberry moved to sign the 4-month agreement with First Point Power.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was passed, and the contract was signed.

Mr. Looney left the meeting.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $204,608.82 dated 1/13/2026 including $95,450.00 payment to E.E. Houghton Company using encumbered ARPA funds for sewer pump improvements.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Accounts Payable was approved. 

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $37,962.14 dated 1/9/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,701.51.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – 12/28/2025 Corrected: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Corrected Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of 12/28/2025.  There was an error in a name that needed correction. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the corrected Selectboard minutes were approved.

Selectboard Meeting – December 31, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 31, 2025.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 31, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of December 31, 2025.  The minutes are no longer sealed.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved.

Committee Reports

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

• Trail Committee Meeting – December 10, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Abatements

Map and Lot # 017-006-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Abatement for Map and Lot #017-006-000 for $4,504.00 to correct a trustee name change for an estate.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Supplemental Tax Warrant

Map and Lot # 017-006-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Supplemental Tax Warrant for Map and Lot #017-006-000 of $4,504.00 to mail the invoice to the correct trustee for a probated estate.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Veterans’ Tax Credit:

Map and Lot #016-013-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 016-013-000.  This is a Certain Disabled Veteran Exemption.  The full property value is exempt from taxation under RSA 72:36-a.  Avitar has reviewed and approved the application.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot #014-008-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 014-008-000.  The applicant served more than 90 days of active duty during a time of conflict and was honorably discharged.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Timber Intents

Map and Lot # 010-034-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 010-034-000, off Reservoir Road.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

Old Business

Updated Town Hall Air Cooling System Quote: Proposal # 2025367 from Everett E. Houghton Co. is to remove two existing air conditioning condensers and install a Mitsubishi City Mult VRF condenser and the associated equipment to cool the Town Clerk’s office, the Selectboard office, the kitchen, hall and bathrooms.  The existing ductwork will remain in place so the existing furnace can be used for heating if desired.  The cost is $87,500.00. There are optional 10-year service and labor contracts.  The Selectboard recommends including the service and labor contracts.  By consensus this will become a 2026 Warrant Article.

Fanny Mason Timer Cut Contract: Ms. Vose moved to approve and sign the Timber Sale Contract in the Fanny Mason Forest, to the east of Route 12, with Alex Barrett of Longview Forest to act as Agent and Chris Ricci as Purchaser.  The Conservation Commission endorsed the contract.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the contract was signed by the Selectboard.

Hazardous Waste Collection Commitment Letter: Ms. Vose explained this is the annual agreement with the City of Keene for residents of Walpole to leave hazardous waste at the Keene Recycling Center during collection days.  Ms. Vose moved to have the chair sign the contract.  Ms. Hakey will advertise dates when published.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed and the commitment letter was signed by Mr. Dalessio.

School Withdrawal Meeting Start Times: By consensus it was decided there will be a Walpole School Withdrawal Meeting on Wednesday February 11th, 2026, and another meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Both meetings will start at 6:30 PM.  The meeting on Saturday, February 28th will start at 1:00 PM.  It was decided to post the schedule in the Walpolean and the February Clarion.  There was a discussion on preparing all the public materials for these meetings.

New Business

NH Recycles Materials Management Contract: Ms. Vose stated that this is the new rate schedule for 2026.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Materials Management Contract between NH Recycles and the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved and Mr. Dalessio signed the contract.

Cheshire County and Commissioners Meeting with the Selectboard: Cheshire County and the Commissioners are seeking a date to meet with the Selectboard. It was suggested they attend January 22nd or 29th.  Once the date is set, it will be added to the meeting announcement in case the public wishes to attend.

SWRPC Selectboard Roundtable Meetings: Ms. Mayberry will contact them to get details.

Ruggerio Processing Facility Public Hearing: The Ruggerio Processing Facility Public Hearing has been set for February 12th at 6:00 PM at Alyson’s Orchard.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged notice of the meeting and noted it was scheduled for the same time as the weekly Selectboard meeting.

Selectboard Report for the 2025 Town Report: Mr. Dalessio volunteered to write the report.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b) at 7:36 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:56 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. Vose moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:56 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:03 PM.

Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 15, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 31, 2025

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Jodi Daigle, Tax Collector & Water/Sewer Clerk and Zoe Dodd, Deputy Tax Collector/Admin. Asst.

CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 10:09 AM in the Selectboard Office of the Town Hall. Mr. Dalessio introduced the Selectboard and Selectboard Office staff present at the meeting.

PAYROLL: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $37,445.50 dated 1/02/26 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,481.15. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MINUTES:

ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN (AMP) GRANT HEARING, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Asset Management Plan (AMP) Grant Hearing minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

USDA GRANT for the WALPOLE FIRE STATION EXPANSION HEARING, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the USA Grant for the Walpole Fire Station Expansion minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

COMMUNITY FACILTIES GRANT AGREEMENT HEARING, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Community Facilities Grant Agreement Hearing minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Selectboard Meeting minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Selectboard Non-Public Session minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes were not sealed and will be public. 

SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES, December 28, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Special Selectboard Meeting minutes of December 28, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The purpose of the meeting was to sign the 2026 property tax warrant.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

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

• Planning Board Meeting Minutes – December 9, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

TIMBER INTENTS: 

Map and Lots# 007-006 and 008: Ms. Mayberry motioned to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 007-006 and 008. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lots# 009-029 and 030: Ms. Mayberry motioned to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 009-029 and 030. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Cemetery Trustees Encumbrance Request: Ms. Mayberry gave a recap of her communications with the Dale Woodward, the chair of the Cemetery Trustees. No formal numbers were provided for the cemetery projects. There were no commitments to spending the funds. By consensus, the Selectboard recommended that the Cemetery Trustees increase their 2026 budget to cover the costs of the projects. The Selectboard did not wish to violate the terms of allowances for encumbering funds from one budget year to the next.

Ms. Mayberry is to request quote numbers from Mr. Woodward to increase the 2026 Cemetery budget.

Purchase Order Policy: The Selectboard had concerns related to purchase orders submitted just before the end of the fiscal year. Ms. Mayberry recommended updating the purchase order policy with a specific end time for submitting purchase order in the fiscal year. The Selectboard agreed by consensus that a policy be created.

Capital Reserve Request for the Walpole Schools: Ms. Mayberry gave a recap of the communications involved with the school district and the Trustees of Trust Funds. She has requested that FMRSD provide the documentation that is associated with the capital reserve request to verify the funds have been spent. Ms. Mayberry motioned the approval of a letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds to release Capital Reserve Funds to the Fall Mountain Regional School District (FMRSD). Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved.

Hooper Institute Renovation Close Out: Ms. Mayberry created a spreadsheet to track the expenses. Ms. Mayberry stated that Mrs. Pschirrer had reviewed the spreadsheet and supported the final amount owed to the Town. Ms. Mayberry motioned for the approval of a letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds to request reimbursement to the Town for expenses incurred for the Hooper Institute Renovation Project. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved. Ms. Vose thanked Ms. Mayberry for completing this project.

NEW BUSINESS:

Town Hall Heat Pump Water Heater Quote: Ms. Vose motioned for the Selectboard Chair to sign a $4,300 quote for a new heat pump water heater. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved. The expense will be posted to the 2026 municipal department budget. The current heater is on the verge of failing.

Town Hall Generator Quote: Mr. Dalessio explained that the generator, which is being re-purposed from a water pump station, would power the Town Hall office area only. The quote along with installation and area preparation costs including an underground propane tank will be a 2026 warrant article using unassigned fund balance.

2025 Municipal Assessment Data Certificate: Ms. Mayberry motioned the approval of 2025 Municipal Assessment Data Certificate. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved. This form is related to setting the property tax equalization rate.

Drummond Woodsum Rate Structure: The Selectboard acknowledged the notice of new rates for attorney services.

US Conference of Mayors Survey: The Selectboard acknowledged the survey.

Voting Day Town Hall Use: The Selectboard discussed the request from the Walpole Players to host a Junior Player play practice on March 10th, Voting Day. The Town Clerk and Selectboard Office staff had concerns related to traffic, parking and general disruption during an election event. The Selectboard concurred. The Board requested that Ms. Dodd decline the request. Ms. Vose offered to speak with the play director.

Thank You Cards: The Selectboard received thank you notes from several library staff members for their Shaws holiday gift cards.

NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a):  

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Non-Public meeting at 10:54 AM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

The meeting was reconvened at 11:13 AM. 

Mr. Dalessio declared the nonpublic minutes would be sealed. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 11:13 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes.  Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 8, 2026, Selectboard meeting.)