The Walpolean

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

July 31, 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 $39,711.16 dated 8/1/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,629.62.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – July 24, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 24, 2025. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – July 24, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 24, 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.

Correction to Selectboard Minutes – July 17, 2025:  After the minutes were approved, an error was found in a location.  Ms. Mayberry moved to correct the Map and Lot # to 021-013-000 for the Cease-and-Desist letter and approve the minutes as amended.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the amended minutes were approved.

Committee Reports

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

• Police Station Building Committee Meeting – July 14, 2025
• Trustees of the Trust Funds Meeting – July 17, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Water and Sewer Warrants

Water and Sewer Fees: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve:

• the warrant for Walpole Water Fees for $56,360.09
• the warrant for Walpole Sewer Fees totaling $82,366.86
• the warrant for North Walpole Sewer Fees for $67,539.36

Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the warrants were approved.

Old Business

Sidewalk at State Line Grocery: J.B. Mack from SWRPC would like to discuss a possible MAST grant which could fund the crosswalk improvements up to State Line Grocery.  Ms. Mayberry and North Walpole Commissioner Kiniry will talk and then follow up with Mr. Mack.

Town Hall A/C: Next week EE Houghton will present a proposal for air conditioning for the Town Hall offices.

New Business

FY 2026 NH DOT Highway Block Grant: Mr. Dalessio noted that the total amount from two types of payments is $144,479.12.  The first payment of $43,343.74 has been received.

Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund Request: Mr. Dalessio explained that new batteries are needed for the radar trailer.  The paperwork contained mistakes and was sent back to the Police Department to be corrected.  Mr. Dalessio said that the Police maintenance budget will be over for this year. Therefore, the battery replacement is coming from the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund. This purchase is an acceptable use of the Capital Reserve Fund.

Selectboard Comment re: Racism:  The Police investigation is complete, and it has been concluded that there is no connection to the pickup truck incident in Alstead. There is no intentional racism in Walpole.

Tax Collector’s Report: Mrs. Daigle reported that 95.45% of the first 2025 tax warrant has been collected. The Selectboard would like clarification on the coding letters used in the printed report.  Mrs. Daigle will begin contacting people with overdue taxes.

Vacancy Posting for Walpole School District Representative: Interested applicants are requested to apply at the Fall Mountain Regional School District (FMRSD) Office by August 20, 2025.  The successful applicant will serve until the next FMRSD election in March.

Connecticut Riverbank Erosion Issue Complaint: Peter Powers of North Walpole filed a complaint about the erosion of the riverbank in North Walpole.  Mr. Symonds met with Mr. Powers to review the situation, but he feels it is a State issue, not a road issue.

Crime Awareness: In response to a note from Peggy Pschirrer regarding a stolen vehicle and scams, the Selectboard is investigating various programs that let people sign up to receive public notifications. 

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c) at 7:05 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:23 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.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the August 6, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

JULY 24, 2025

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

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

Guests Present: Peggy Pschirrer and Paul Looney of the Community Power Committee; Matt Cole, Community Relations at Great River Hydro

CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

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

CPCNH RATES: Mr. Looney and Mrs. Pschirrer of the Community Power Committee gave an update of rates.  CPCNH’s rate for 8/1/2025 – 1/31/2026 will be $0.13332 which is higher than Liberty Utilities’ rate.  CPCNH now realizes that each utility has a different cost of doing business based on the way line losses are handled and that is changing CPCNH’s business model.  The higher CPCNH rates do not affect the rate Walpole pays because our contract goes through the end of the year.  Rates starting 2/1/2026 will probably be available in November. At that time, the Town will need to decide how to proceed.

Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Looney left the meeting.

ROUTE 12 PUBLIC ACCESS POINT ON THE CONNECTICUT RIVER: Matt Cole of Great River Hydro requested a discussion about the public access point on the river below the Vilas Bridge because Walpole owns the land from the access point to Cold River.  Great River Hydro (GRH) is planning for the portage from North Walpole Village to the access point, around the dam and rapids. They want to be sure it will remain public access. Mr. Cole stated that GRH is planning a livery service from North Walpole to the access point to improve safety and convenience.  There will be a sign at the North Walpole landing with a phone number to call for the transport service. By consensus the Town has no plans to change it, so it will remain a public access point.

Mr. Cole left the meeting.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $933,319.61 dated 7/28/2025 including $804,108.98 monthly payment to Fall Mountain Regional School District. 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 $37,068.50 dated 7/25/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,043.31.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – July 17, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 17, 2025. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – July 17, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 17, 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.

Committee Reports

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

• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – July 16, 2025 

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Old Business

Vachon Clukay Representation Letter: Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Representation Letter for the 2023 Audit and for the Chair to sign it.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Representation Letter was approved and signed by Mr. Dalessio.

Emergency Medical Situation Procedure: The discussion continued from last week.  “Call 911” should be changed to “Call 911 – Do Not Transport”.  Any time there is a medical situation question, 911 should be called. Staff should err on the side of safety.

August 21st In-Person Staff Meeting: Department managers will go over the new Emergency Medical Situation Procedure and take questions.  In addition, each department manager should bring a sample procedure they created since the last Staff Meeting.  Mrs. Downing will let everyone know they need to finish their procedures.

Savings Bank of Walpole 150th Anniversary Community Event: The event is this Sunday, July 27th.  Lucy Weber has been invited to read the proclamation at 11:00 AM.  The Selectboard will be on the podium and in pictures.

New Business

Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Disbursement Form: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the ARPA Disbursement request for $15,052.50 and to have the Chair sign the form.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the disbursement request was approved, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form.

Corrective Police Cruiser Title: The Town Clerk noticed that “Police Department” must be added to the owner’s name to be consistent with all the other Town vehicles.  Ms. Vose moved to change the vehicle owner on the Title to Town of Walpole – Police Department.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the Title with the changes as needed.

Travel Trailers off Class VI Portion of Scoville Road: It has been reported to the Selectboard Office that there are two trailers parked off the Class VI portion of Scoville Road with people living in them.  Since that is not permitted, the owner of the property will be notified.  Additionally, the issue will be referred to the Police Department.

Resignation Letter: Shaena Hakey in the Recycling Department submitted a resignation letter. The resignation was accepted by consensus of the Selectboard.  Ms. Hakey was thanked for her service to the Town.

Employee Appreciation Meal: This year the appreciation lunch will be on Tuesday, September 23rd.  The suggested menu is homemade vegetarian soup, salad, sandwiches and pie.  When a similar menu was offered several years ago, it was well received.

Request for Use of the Common and Gazebo: The River Valley Church wishes to have an outside service on Sunday, August 24th at 10:00 AM on the Common.  By consensus, the request was approved.

1st Selectboard Meeting in August: The meeting will be moved from August 7th to the 6th. 

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)(c) 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 8:27 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.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the July 31, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

July 17, 2025

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

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

Guests Present: Pat Kiniry and Katherine Kopij; North Walpole Commissioners, and Peggy Pschirrer

CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

The following item and the Hooper Trustees have been moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests who wish to speak to these items.

Crosswalk at State Line Grocery: The North Walpole Commissioners wished to discuss the NH DOT crosswalk proposal. The Selectboard and the Commissioners agreed that just a crosswalk or sidewalk would not be adequate to improve safety for those walking to State Line Grocery from Bellows Falls or North Walpole.  The intersection of the New Arch Bridge, Church Street and Killeen Street is very dangerous. Suggested improvements included installing “Directional Use Required” signs like at the intersection of Routes 101 and 202 in Peterborough; replacing the yield sign with a light; buttons to stop all traffic at the crosswalk; a new sidewalk on the west side of Main Street from Killeen Street to State Line Grocery and slowing the traffic speed in that area.

Mr. Kiniry and Mrs. Kopij left the meeting.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:08 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:08 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer left during the Hooper Trustees meeting.

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $38,851.14 dated 7/18/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,383.37. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Payroll was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve a second Payroll Register totaling $720.00 dated 7/11/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $124.47. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Payroll was approved.  This register was for severance pay.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – July 10, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 10, 2025. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – July 10, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 10 1015.  The minutes will remain 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:

• North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – June 10, 2025
• Conservation Commission Meeting – July 7, 2025
• Planning Board Meeting – July 8, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Property Tax Refunds

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #003-004-000 of $5,094.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #004-005-001 of $6,884.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #012-049-000 of $1,309.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot #028-021-000 of $150.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

Emergency Medical Situation Procedure – Draft: The draft is a good start, but the Board would like to think more about the text. Further discussion was postponed until next week.

Cease-and-Desist Letter for Map and Lot # 021-012-000: Work is continuing at Map and Lot #021-012-000 without a Building Permit even though the owner was warned.  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the fine letter to the owner of Map and Lot # 021-012-000.  This time the first bill will be included with the letter.  Once the letter is received, a weekly bill will be sent for $550 per day until work stops or a building permit is obtained.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and the letter was signed.

AED Purchases Update: Mr. Dalesio reported that Police Chief Sanctuary did not wish to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for the Police Station.  There is an AED in each police vehicle and a spare AED in the station.  The AEDs had been ordered based on the Selectboard’s request. There was a consensus that one AED will be charged to the Police Revolving Fund, and the Town will have a spare. 

New Business

Closed Landfill Mowing Proposal:  Purchase Order # 665580 to Connecticut Valley Yard Works for $2,650 for mowing the closed landfill was reviewed.  The contractor will mow, clear small trees, and manually clear drainage areas that cannot be mowed.  Ms. Mayberry moved Purchase Order #665580 to be approved for an amount not to exceed $2,650 and that the Chair sign the form.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and Mr. Dalessio signed the purchase order.

Smoke Testing for Sewer Line Leak:  The test will happen on July 18th from 12:00 – 4:00 PM at Walpole Handmade Chocolates at 288 Main Street.  Abutters have been notified of the test and  told how to prepare.  Mr. Dalessio explained that the smoke is non-toxic, causes no damage, and dissipates quickly.  Excessive ground water is getting into the sewer system. It was detected at the pumping station.

Deputy Town Clerk Resignation Letter: Lucy (Holly) Gowdy submitted a letter of resignation.  Her last day will be July 24th.  The Selectboard thanked Mrs. Gowdy for her service to the Town and wished her well in her career as a para educator with FMRHS.

August 21st In-Person Staff Meeting:  Topics will be determined next week.  A topic could be to follow up on the processes started at the last in-person meeting.

Backward Rescue Training on Ramsay Hill: The Fire Department is training on Ramsey Hill Road this evening.  A lot of activity and vehicles will be noticed in the area.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b) at 8:36 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 9:12 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.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 9:12 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the July 24, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)