Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 9/17/25

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Zoning Board of Adjustment

September 17, 2025

Town Hall

7 pm

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the October meeting for corrections.

Roll Call: Board Present: Chair Tom Murray, Vice-Chair Pauline Barnes, Shane O’Keefe, William Sommer. Alternate: Don Sellarole. Absent Dave Edkins, Myra Mansouri.

Call to Order: Mr. Murray called the meeting to order at 7pm. Mr. Murray asked alternate Don Sellarole to fill in for the absent board member. He agreed. Mr. Edkins came in at 7:15 pm.

Review minutes of August 2025: Mr. O’Keefe pointed out that the August minutes didn’t have any approval. The secretary looked back at the August minutes and found that Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to approve the July minutes as amended. Mr. Edkins seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Regarding the August minutes, besides Mr. O’Keefe’s correction Ms. Barnes pointed out three typos. Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Sommer seconded the motion and the motion carried.

New Business:

Kristen Burke, 68 Cold River Road, Tax Map 26. Lot 24, Rural/Ag. Add a 19-foot-by-foot-14 deck to the back of the house. The ordinance says he must put the deck 65 feet from the middle of the road which is in the front of the house. She said it was 55 feet. 

Kristen Burke came to the meeting. She said she went to the Town Offices for a building permit to add a deck to her house on Cold River Road. She was told to contact the Administrative Zoning Coordinator, Ernie Vose. He suggested going to the town web site for an application. She had filled out an application for an Appeal From an Administrative Decision. That application is for an appeal of a decision already made and was not the correct form.

Ms. Barnes asked about the age of the house. Ms. Burke said it was built in the 1940s. This meant it was a nonconforming. There was a long discussion about Article X in the Walpole Zoning Ordinances document about nonconforming uses. There were five suggestions about possibilities of things to do. As an example item “D” says “A nonconforming use may be expanded or enlarged or changed to another nonconforming use after the Board of Adjustment determines, after a public hearing, that the proposed expansion, enlargement or change will not materially increase the hazard or nuisance value of the nonconformity.”

After several minutes of discussion on nonconforming uses, it was decided to follow the Administrative Zoning Coordinator’s advice. In an email Mr. Vose wrote:

“The problem is that the deck will be on the back of the house and doesn’t change the set back from the street.

“As long as the deck isn’t too close to the rear boundary line

“”I think that a (building) permit should be granted.”

Ms. Burke has about three acres of property behind the house.

It was suggested that Ms. Burke go to a Select Board meeting next week and explain the situation and ask them for a building permit. 

Discussion of MG Building/Abingdon Spares property on South Street.

There was some talk about this property at the September Planning Board meeting and Mr. Murray said he has heard some some talk about possible buyers. Mr. Murray wanted to remind the Board that this property received a variance that had three conditions and that the conditions go with the property. The conditions were: 

1. That only the mail order business be conducted at the above location.

2. Only the existing building be utilized.

3. All business operations be conducted within the interior of the building.

Owners were Doris and Gerard Gougen. They obtained a variance from the Board of Adjustments on March 1980 to conduct a motor car parts mail order business from their premises. The property is located in Residential B district. The use was “Pick and Pack,” a mail order for auto parts. The original use of the building was a chicken coop. The minutes of that meeting say that before zoning the land was categorized as commercial. 

Adjournment

Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Edkins seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 8:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Book Discussion at the Library – 9/24/25

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From Julie Rios at the Walpole Town Library:

Book Discussion with Alice Fogel. Walpole Town Library's Walpole Reads program and the Savings Bank of Walpole is pleased to present a book discussion featuring "Citizen: An American Lyric" by Claudia Rankine. Walpoleans may recall the engaging discussion led by Ms. Fogel, a former NH Poet Laureate, on "The Humans" during last year's event. The book discussion is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, at 7 pm at the Main Library. To register, please visit the library in person or contact us at 603-756-9806.

“The Development of a Village” at the Walpole Historical Society – 9/20/25

EVENTS 09/19/2025 1 Comment

From Tricia Houstoun:

A SPECIAL EVENT EVERY SATURDAY

On September 20 at 12:30 pm you are invited to join Ray Boas at the Museum, as he explains the out-of-the-ordinary process that created the village we now experience.

Unlike other similar 19th century New Hampshire villages, Walpole did not initially develop around its Common. In fact, Walpole’s Common, as now laid out, came to be in 1815 – 63 years after the Town’s founding.
 
Prior to the Town House opening on the Common in 1825, Walpole’s “commercial area” developed two blocks to the east. Before that development, the village center was proposed, and existed in three other different areas. In his presentation, Ray Boas will explore those other locations, and also relate other Walpole 19th century population centers that no longer stand out.

The Walpole Historical Society will be open every Saturday through October 18, from noon to 3 pm and will feature a special presentation each Saturday at 12:30 pm. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Rail Trail Reopened

Uncategorized 09/19/2025 1 Comment

From Wendy Grossman:

The New Hampshire Bureau of Trails has completed its bridge repairs on the northern portion of the Cheshire Rail Trail in Walpole. The trail, which had been closed in this area during repairs, has been reopened.

The bridge near Malnati Farm now has a completely new, bicycle-friendly deck. At the bridge nearest to the Boat Launch, some of the gaps between deck planks have been filled to make the bridge surface more level. The repairs at both bridges should improve the safety and enjoyment of Walpole’s rail trail for users, especially bicyclists.  

Many thanks to the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails.

Wendy Grossman

Chair, Walpole Trail Committee

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 9/17/25

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TOWN OF WALPOLE

SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA 

September 17, 2025

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

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

PAYROLL

  • Payroll Register totaling $36,321.18 dated 9/19/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,006.96

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

  • Selectboard Meeting – September 11, 2025
  • Selectboard Non-Public Session – September 11, 2025

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – September 8, 2025
  • Library Trustee Meeting Minutes – September 9, 2025
  • Planning Board Meeting Minutes – September 9, 2025

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Actions: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Streets Bridges/Culverts, School and Union Street Drainage

  • Trail Maintenance Agreement

NEW BUSINESS

  • Junkyard Permit
  • Building Permit Question
  • Recreation Department Updates
  • Phone System for Town Hall
  • Town Hall Folding Chairs
  • 10 Year Transportation Plan Meeting
  • SWRPC Fall Meeting

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES

  • Hooper Trustees Meeting – September 3, 2025
  • Non-Public Session – September 3, 2025

HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS

  • Banking Letter
  • August 2025 Reimbursement to the Town of Walpole from the Hooper Education Fund
  • May through August 2025 Reimbursement to the Town of Walpole from the Hooper Maintenance Fund
  • Hooper Institute Renovation Invoices for August 2025
  • Hooper Institute Grand Reopening Event
  • Hooper Institute Wasp Issue

HOOPER TRUSTEES NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (b)

**Any recording, audio or visual, and/or other devices must be declared at the beginning of the meeting**

Zoning Board Meeting Agenda – 9/17/25

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 Zoning Board of Adjustment Agenda

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Town Hall

7 pm

Roll Call: Appointment of an alternate if needed.

Minutes: Review minutes of August 2025.

Call to Order:

New Business: 

Discussion of MG Building/Abingdon Spares property on South Street.

Postponed: “Walpole Reads” Discussion at the Library

EVENTS 09/17/2025 Leave a comment

From Julie Rios:

The book talk with Alice Fogel that was originally scheduled for tonight, 9/17/25, has been postponed until next Wednesday, 9/24/25, at 7 pm. That gives you more time to read the book and join in the discussion!

October 2025 Clarion Closing Date – 9/22/25

Uncategorized 09/15/2025 Leave a comment

From Ray Boas:

It is time again to send your submissions for the next CLARION — inputs are due for the October issue a week from now, by 5 pm Walpole Time, Monday 22 September. The files will go to the printer shortly thereafter – so do not miss out. With school back in session, and fall activities picking up there should be more to share with you in this issue and the rest of the year. 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

Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 9/9/25

PLANNING BOARD 09/14/2025 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board Minutes

September 9, 2025

Town Hall

7 PM

Roll Call: Board Members Present: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternate Travis Adams. Absent: Board Members Joanna Andros and Trevor MacLachlan and alternate Bill Carmody.

Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. He asked alternate Mr. Adams to fill in for Trevor MacLachlan, one of the absent board members. Mr. Adams agreed.

Minutes: These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the October meeting for corrections.

Review minutes of August 2025. Mr. Harrington made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Old Business:

Site Plan: Public Hearing:  Andrew Pollock, Academy Lane LLC, 40 Main Street, Tax Map 21, Lot 13, Commercial District. Mr. Pollock intends to add a fourth apartment to the building on the Academy Lane portion of the property.

Mr. Pollock explained his plan. The biggest project is adding a 1600 square-foot apartment making it the fourth apartment for the Main Street complex. A deck from the kitchen is being added as an egress from the apartment and he is also converting the existing attic into apartment space. There being no questions, Mr. Miller closed the public hearing at 7:09 pm. 

Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the project as presented. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried. Mr. Miller told Mr. Pollock to get in touch with Fire Chief Mark Houghton and have him look at the project. He suggested Mr. Houghton email Mr. Pollock and Mr. Pollock share that email with the Planning Board.

Gravel Pit Inspections

RSA 155-E states that gravel pits must be inspected yearly by the Planning Board. In Walpole, there are three remaining pits still operating: Cold River Materials on Brewery Road, Tim Graves gravel pit at the end of Wentworth Road and Josh Perry’s gravel pit, on the west side midway on Old Drewsville Road. Cold River Materials is actually a subsidiary of Eurovia SAS, which is located in Chantilly, VA.

For the last couple of decades the Zoning Board of Adjustment has been inspecting these gravel pits, but the authority is really with the Planning Board so they have reabsorbed that task. Mr. Tom Murray, chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment was at the meeting to discuss gravel pit inspections.  Mr. Murray has inspected at one time or another all the above gravel pits. He shared his experiences at each of the pits and answered questions from Planning Board members who asked questions about the inspection sheet. Planning Board members will contact the owners of the pits and arrange a date in September or early October when they can visit the pit. They will return the completed inspection sheets at the October meeting.

October Meeting

It was suggested that the Board revisit the site plan application and site plan submission rules that are on the town web site at the October meeting. Mr. Harrington will lead the discussion.

Adjournment

Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes -9/8/25

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 09/14/2025 Leave a comment

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