Scouting for Food Drive – 11/1 & 11/8/25

From Deb Pawelczyk:

A Message from Lucy Weber About Changes to Medicare Advantage Plans

[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

Fall Rail Trail Maintenance Event – 11/8/25

FALL RAIL TRAIL MAINTENANCE EVENT

Saturday, 11/8/25, 9 am – 12 pm

The Walpole Trail Committee needs volunteers to give Walpole’s section of the Cheshire Rail Trail a drainage system tune-up.  On Saturday, November 8, at 9 am, we are holding a trail work event to perform maintenance on culverts, drainage ditches, and water bars along the rail trail.  The trail work will involve digging, raking and similar tasks to clear out silt and debris. 

Our goal is to ensure that water flows smoothly in the drainage system through the winter and that the trail emerges relatively dry in the spring.  Everyone who uses the rail trail in Walpole will benefit.

Please sign up for this rail trail work event by November 5 so that we can allocate the available volunteer workers to priority projects.  We will send out details about where to meet, what tools to bring and what projects will be tackled shortly before the November 8 event.

To sign up or to get more information, please send an email to Wendy Grossman at walpoletrailhelpers@gmail.com.  Advance sign-up is required.

Please join us at the Walpole Trail Committee’s Fall Rail Trail Maintenance Event on Saturday, November 8!

Woodfield Press Autumn Open House – 11/7 & 11/8/25

Cider • Donuts • Holiday Treasures

Friday, November 7 & Saturday, November 8
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM each day
6 Baine Way, Alstead, NH 03602
Enter through the Mole Hill Entrance on Gilsum Mine Road


Come meet Cindy & Peter and the Woodfield Family

Shop directly from our warehouse stacks:
• Notecards
• Matted Prints
• Calendars & Advent Calendars
• Giclée Prints (framed and unframed)
• Special sale on print proofs (BATs)


A Season of Giving

A portion of all Open House sales will support:

Alstead Christmas Fund – bringing holiday joy to local families
Multicolores – supporting Maya women artists in Guatemala http://www.multicolores.org


Bring the family • Celebrate the season • Find something beautiful

Walpole Community Giving Tree Project

The Walpole Community Giving Tree Project is getting underway again for the 2025 holiday season. This project helps families provide holiday gifts for their children ages birth-18 (or older if still in high school). Participating families must be residents of the Walpole township (Walpole, North Walpole, and Drewsville). PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS: From NOVEMBER 8-22 only, tags will be available at the following locations during their regular business hours: River Valley Church, First Congregational Church (go to back door by ramp), St. John’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, the Walpole Library, Diamond Pizza, The Hungry Diner, Savings Bank of Walpole on Westminster St, and Mascoma Bank. UNWRAPPED gifts should be returned to any of these same locations no later than November 30th; you do not have to return your gift to the same location where you took a tag. This is a wonderful project that helps to brighten the holiday season for many of our local families, and we appreciate everyone’s help! If you have any questions, you may contact us at weilcloues8808@gmail.com

Happy holidays to you and yours! 

Please stay safe and healthy! 

Jeanne Cloues and Marcia Weil, project organizers 

NOTE: You may also mail donations directly to us at 192 Upper Walpole Road, Walpole, 03608.  Please make checks payable to Jeanne Cloues and put “Giving Tree” in the memo line.  Thank you.

Walpole Town Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – 10/14/25

Walpole Town Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

October 14, 2025

Present:  Amy Howard (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Gail LaHaise, Susan Johnson, Jana Sellarole, Sarah Mann, Bill Ranauro, Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director)

Absent:  Erin Bowen

Amy Howard called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. in the North Walpole branch.

Approval of Minutes: Gail made a motion to accept the September 2025 minutes as written.  Kathy seconded and all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Kathy emailed the Treasurer’s Report to the board prior to the meeting. She reported that we are right on track with income and expenses.

Bills:  Jane sent a copy of the bills to the trustees prior to the meeting. There were no questions or comments.  Amy made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills.  Gail seconded and all voted to accept; motion carried.

Old Business

Long Range Planning:  Jane distributed copies of a draft of the new Strategic Plan. Trustees were asked to read it and be prepared for a discussion at the November meeting.

2026 Budget:  Jane made a few changes to the budget she presented last month.  She has taken some money out of magazines and moved it to technology, explaining that we need to replace some Chrome Books.  

Jane also suggested that we look into buying a Smart TV for the Community Room in an effort to upgrade equipment for presentations and movie viewing. Kathy said her husband did extensive research into smart televisions and will have him send Jane information that he gathered. 

Committee Assignments

New board committee assignments are as follows:

  • Buildings and Grounds – Kathy, Amy
  • Technology – Amy
  • Personnel – Susan, Jana, Sarah
  • Scholarship – Bill, Gail

New Business

Staff Appreciation:  The trustees have set a tentative date of January 16, 2026 for a cocktail party at the library to honor staff, volunteers, and Friends of the Library.  Each of the trustees will contribute appetizers and Kathy will purchase beverages and paper goods for the event. 

Operations:  Jane emailed her monthly report to the board prior to this meeting. At the meeting she explained that Baker and Taylor, the wholesale book vendor that our library uses, is shutting down operations.  Jane is now looking for a new vendor and has an appointment with Ingram, another company that offers similar services to Baker and Taylor. In the meantime she will order books from Amazon and wait to hear what will happen with backorders from Baker and Taylor.

Jane announced that on October 21, Julie Rios will present “North Walpole History in Pictures” at the North Walpole Library. This is an encore presentation of the popular program she presented at the Walpole Historical Society.

Jane attended a meeting led by the Asst. State Librarian, where they discussed the new law granting parents/guardians access to their children’s library records. State librarians were advised to have town attorneys sign off on any new policies pertaining to library cards.  Jane asked that we have a more detailed discussion on this topic to make sure we have all bases covered. It was agreed that we would discuss this at our November meeting.  We have until January to make changes.  

Buildings and Grounds:  Don Sellarole examined the column on the right corner of the library and felt that it looks stable and the foundation is okay.  He does not feel that anything needs to be done at this time.

Technology:  Jane and Julie tested Mango and determined that demand at our library does not justify the price of the program.  

Friends of the Library:  Jane reported that the Friends are getting ready for their book sale and have stated they no longer want any book donations at the reuse center.  They have as many as they can handle at this time.

Gail made a motion to adjourn;  Susan seconded the motion.  Amy adjourned the meeting at 5:31 p.m. 

Note that the next trustees meeting will be Wednesday, November 12, at 4:30 p.m. in the main branch of the library.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the November 12, 2025 meeting. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 10/9/25

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

October 9, 2025

Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair, and Cheryl Mayberry

Selectboard Absent: Carolyn Vose

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

Guests Present: Mark Houghton, Water & Sewer Director; Kyle Teamy and Tim Williams of Ruggerio Processing Facility LLC; Peter Dexter; Meghan Hansson, Town Clerk,

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

The following items were moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests who wished to speak to them.

Water/Sewer Update

Mark Houghton had updates on several items:

  • Well Contracts: Mr. Houghton requested that the Selectboard counter-sign contracts for the Stopler and Sanctuary wells.  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the final well contracts for the two wells on Old Drewsville Road so they can use their wells, and they no longer need to be on the Town water system.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Mrs. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in agreement, the motion passed, and the contracts were signed.
  • ARPA Grant Funded Pump Generators: Mr. Houghton updated the Board on the project status.  They are working their way through the generator installations at the sewer pump stations. Mr. Houghton reported that the ARPA grant funded project should be completed on time.
  • Generator for Town Hall (former Water/Sewer generator): The old generator from the Watkins Hill well will be installed at Town Hall. The generator could be placed where the propane tank is now located.  A 1,000-gallon propane tank will also be needed.  One tree that is not healthy would need to be removed from the north side of the Town Hall.  Mr. Houghton will quote the job. It was hoped that the cost can be included in the 2026 budget.
  • Strategic Planning Grant Closeout: The Strategic Planning Grant has concluded, with the Water Department returning about $1.47.  The strategic planning project leads into an asset management project. Mark Houghton confirmed that NH DES hired Underwood as the engineering firm and assigned them to work with Walpole on this project.

Mr. Houghton left the meeting.

Ruggerio Processing Facility

Mr. Teamy, co-owner of the facility, and Mr. Williams, the operations manager, said they want to ensure the Selectboard is aware of their plans.  They need to add a building beside the current tipping floor to do the automated separating.  After everything that can be recycled has been removed, the garbage will be bailed and sealed to eliminate odors and facilitate shipping.  Overall, the project will use automated separation to cut costs and minimize the amount of garbage that needs to go into landfills.  Mr. Dalessio reminded Mr. Teamy and Mr. Williams that before starting the new building, Ruggerio Processing Facility will need to go to Planning Board for a Site Plan Review and have a public hearing. Once the Site Plan is approved, they need to obtain a building permit from the Selectboard Office. Mr. Dalessio stated that Ruggerio Processing should be prepared to address traffic and odors concerns related to the facility.

Mr. Dexter, Mr. Teamy and Mr. Williams left the meeting.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b) at 7:17 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:52 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Hansson left the meeting during the Non-Public Session.

Town Clerk Office Closing for a few Days

The Town Clerk’s office will be open Monday, October 27th, but closed October 28th (Tuesday) –October 30th (Thursday) and November 3rd (Monday) – 4th (Tuesday).

Accounts Payable

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $186,663.11 dated 10/14/2025 including $62,297.40 payment to All States Construction for paving.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,739.16 dated 10/10/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,007.88.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – October 1, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 1, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – October 1, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of October 1, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the minutes are sealed.

Building Permit

2025-34, Map and Lot# 008-008-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-34 for Map and Lot # 008-008-000 to construct a 10’ x 12’ shed. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

2025-35, Map and Lot# 025-016-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-35 for Map and Lot # 025-016-000 to construct a 462.5 square foot roof mount solar array. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  Text has been added to the permit stating the Town takes no responsibility regarding the availability of connection to the electrical grid. The Town has been told by several contacts that new solar systems cannot be added to net metering.

Old Business

Arcomm Phone Installation Proposal: Arcomm will charge $2,520 to disconnect the analog service, install phones, configure the new VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) system, named GoTo, and train users in eight Departments.  It is estimated the monthly savings will be $850.  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the proposal from Arcomm, sign the Arcomm contract, and sign Purchase Order #544093 for $2,520.00 (half to be paid when contract is signed with the remainder due on project completion).  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and the contract and purchase order were signed.

Reservoir Dam Online Meeting: Mr. Dalessio updated the Board on the online meeting 10/3/2025 with Walpole, DES, and Fuss and O’Neill.  There is not enough time or money to get the whole project done. Therefore, DES recommends using this contract to get permitting in place.  Permits are good for five years.  Walpole will need to get another grant to implement the changes to the dam.  

High Street Bridge: Ms. Mayberry reported that there will be a meeting with FEMA on Friday, October 17th at the High Street Bridge to discuss repairing the bottom of the culvert rather than replacing the whole bridge.  This proposal would save a lot of money and give the bridge an additional ten to twenty years of life.

New Business

Recycling Trailer and Container Repairs: Recycling would like to repair the trailer and container needed for storage.  Ms. Hakey reported that there would be no charge for the repair, and it would be completed with help from the Highway Department.  They have a metal plate that can be placed over the hole in the floor so it can still be used for storage.  By consensus, the Board agreed to moving forward with the project.

Recycling Replacement 40-Yard Roll-off Container: The dumpster used for metal recycling is in bad condition.  Mrs. Hakey has received two quotes. Mr. Dalessio requested that Ms. Hakey shop around for a dumpster of heavy construction and try to buy it from a manufacturer.  Ms. Vose will work with Ms. Hakey to go through the process of looking at the budget to determine if the money is available this year or if it needs to wait.  They will need the 2025 actual financial data to know what is available at this point in the year and possibly move money to the correct account line to cover the expense.

Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Reimbursement Requests: There are two requests, $10,935 and $8,000, related to dam and wetlands permits.  The cost for each is reimbursable through the ARPA grant.  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign both ARPA grant reimbursement requests.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the reimbursement requests.

Houghton Brook Bridge Update: Mr. Dalessio explained that the Houghton Brook Dridge is now on the State’s ten-year plan.  Payments for overdue invoices are being sent to Fuss and O’Neill. 

HealthTrust Risk Pool Update: HealthTrust is a non-assessable risk pool.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged receipt of the information.

Veterans’ Tax Credit RSA Change: Due to a change in the RSA, a warrant article will be required to maintain the current combined credit amount in Walpole.  Currently, the State allows the stacking of the $500 for Veterans Tax Credit with the $1,400 allowed for a 100% disabled veteran.  The new RSA does not permit stacking. To maintain the overall credit, The Town will need a warrant to change to $500 for veterans or $1,900 for those who are totally disabled.  Mrs. Downing will work on this.

North Walpole Commissioners Letter to Forest Street Resident: Residents on Forest Street are parking in the Class VI portion of the road and blocking access.  This is illegal and a safety risk if fire and/or rescue vehicles need to access any of the properties on that section of Fall Mountain.

NHMA Conference: Mrs. Downing is planning to attend the conference in November.

Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the October 15, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

“North Walpole 1850-1950” at the North Walpole Branch Library – 10/21/25

Note: There is additional parking behind the building.

All the news that's fit to print: North Walpole 1850-1950. Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 5:30 pm at the North Walpole Branch Library. Step back in time and discover the captivating stories that filled the pages of local newspapers. From the serious to the sensational, join local librarian Julie Rios as she explores the headline that shaped North Walpole's history.

Tea Party at the Walpole Historical Society – 10/18/25

A SPECIAL EVENT EVERY SATURDAY


November 2025 Clarion Closing Date – 10/22/25

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