The Walpolean

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

August 21, 2025

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

Staff Present: Jodi Daigle, Tax Collector, Water-Sewer Clerk and Administrative Assistant, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present: Nicole Adams and The Rev. Richard Malmberg

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 from New Business to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests who wish to speak.

TRAIL MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT: Ms. Adams has reviewed and completed the State’s new Trail Maintenance Agreement, and it is ready for Attorney Hockensmith’s review.  The new agreement replaces the annual Special Use Permit, and it can be completed just once.  With the new agreement the Conservation Commission/Trail Committee will also submit an annual work plan.

OUTDOOR SERVICE: The Rev. Malmberg would like to use the Common and power from the Gazebo on September 7th at 10:00 AM.  The First Congregational Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church will host an ecumenical service with everyone invited to attend.  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the use of the Common on September 7th.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $1,097,866.08 dated 8/25/2025. 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 $36,317.58 dated 8/22/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,880.36.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, Payroll was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – August 14, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 14, 2025. Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved. Ms. Vose abstained since she was not present at the meeting.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – August 14, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of August 14, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved and remain sealed. Ms. Vose abstained.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

• Walpole Trail Committee Minutes – July 9, 2025
• Walpole Planning Board Minutes – August 12, 2025
• Safety Committee Minutes – August 14, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

BUILDING PERMIT

2025-19, Map and Lot# 008-053-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-19 for Map and Lot 008-053-000 to construct a 24’ x 24’ Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU).  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  Before the building permit can be issued, the Town needs to receive the registered form from the Register of Deeds.

2025-21, Map and Lot# 012-026-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-21 for Map and Lot # 012-026-000 to construct a 1,920 sq. ft. home, which is phase one of the project. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

2025-22, Map and Lot# 004-047-001: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Demolition Permit #2025-22 for Map and Lot # 004-047-001 for the demolition of a garage. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Reservoir Dam Repair: The revised plans for repair of the Dam are now awaiting DES approval.  The changes include a new concrete spillway, change from a 3-foot to 9-foot outlet, the dam needs to be 6 inches higher, and other work on dam itself.  Fuss and O’Neill are still assuring Walpole the work will be completed on time.

NEW BUSINESS

Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative Form: The Chair needs to sign IRS Form 2848 for Bob Kimball.  This will permit Mr. Kimball to talk to the IRS about the refund we are due for the solar installation at the Recycling Center.   Ms. Mayberry moved to approve IRS Form 2848 and for the Chair to sign it.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed Form 2848. 

Recreation Department Revolving Fund Request: Mr. Wilkes would like to purchase soccer jerseys for the Fall Rec Soccer League.  The expense will be reimbursed by the team sponsors. Ms. Vose moved to approve Purchase Order number 665635 for $1,583.00 to Bulldog for the purchase of jerseys for the Fall Soccer League. Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the purchase order was approved and signed.

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 6:55 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:25 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 7:25PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:36 PM.

BUDGET MEETINGS: Two meetings have been scheduled to start working on the 2026 Budget:

• On 9/12/2025 at 8:30 AM, the Selectboard will meet with Mr. Kreissle to go over the preliminary budget.
• On 12/12/2025 at 8:30 AM, the Selectboard will meet with each of the Department Managers to go over their detailed budgets.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 7:41PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the August 28, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

August 14, 2025

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

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

Guests Present: John Peska and Peter Palmiotto, Conservation Commission Co-Chairs

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 $35,946.07 dated 8/15/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,842.78.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – August 6, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 6, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Session – August 6, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 6, 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.

Correction to Selectboard Statement on Racism:  The Selectboard opposes racism in Walpole whether intentional or unintentional.

Committee Reports

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

Conservation Commission Meeting – August 4, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Building Permit

2025-19, Map and Lot# 008-053-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to not approve Building Permit #2025-19 for Map and Lot # 008-053-000 to construct a 24’ x 24’ Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) – the plan does not meet the required specifications. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved with the building permit not being approved. The applicant is to be contacted. A better plot map in required.

2025-20, Map and Lot# 005-034-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-20 for Map and Lot # 005-034-000 to construct a 16’ x 14’ carport for a tractor. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

ARPA Grant Disbursement Forms for Reservoir Dam: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and have the Chair sign ARPA Grant Disbursement Request #17 for $1,360 and Request #18 for $10,472.50.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, both requests were approved and signed by Mr. Dalessio.

Groundwater Management Permit for former Central Plating Site: Mr. Dalessio stated that the permit has been issued by DES and is acknowledged.  Ransom Consulting was contracted on February 29, 2024 to manage the process.  However, since the permit took so long, Pinchin LLC (previously Ransom) requires a new contract with updated costs using the new company name. 

New Business

HealthTrust Updated Transmittal: HealthTrust has created a retiree BCBS Advantage plan, which includes drug coverage.  The separate prescription plan has been eliminated. Ms. Mayberry made a motion to have the Chair sign the corrected transmittal form from HealthTrust.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the transmittal.

Inspection for Toxic Air Pollutants: During a NH DES inspection for toxic air pollutants on July 21, 2025 at Len Tex Corporation in North Walpole, deficiencies were noted.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged the report.

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 6:44 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:01PM.

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.

Mr. Peska and Mr. Palmiotto entered the meeting.

Reservoir Dam

Mr. Peska and Mr. Palmiotto were in attendance to discuss options for the Reservoir Dam. There are two options. It can be either removed or repaired.  Mr. Dalessio stated that the estimated cost to remove the dam is $380,000 – 580,000 plus possibly additional costs for remediation depending on what is found when the dam is removed.  In addition, the Town could lose the ARPA grant of almost $750,000. The Town may need to repay the grant money that has already been spent.  The State now requires dams to withstand a 1,000-year flood. This change makes current and future maintenance more costly. Mr. Dalessio added that the work needs to start early in 2026 to repair the dam.  All invoices must be processed by DES by 9/16/2026.  A letter to Mr. Scott, the head of DES, expressing the Town’s concerns will be prepared.

Walpole Trees Committee

Mr. Palmiotto described the Tree Committee’s plan for trees in the three villages.  The plan is to have another planting October 19, 2025 with more trees planted around the Common.  Future plantings will be in the spring.  The plan for the Common was discussed. The goal is to plant trees that will have a good start before the existing Norway maples must be taken down.  The next step is to focus on the trees needed in North Walpole and on the Drewsville Common.  Advocates for both villages were suggested.  The Selectboard noted that Liberty Utilities offered Walpole money for trees. That opportunity will be investigated.  The Selectboard stated that while planning the trees for the Common, there needs to be a plan to reinstall the plaques that were removed during prior construction on the Common.

Mr. Palmiotto and Mr. Peska left the meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:01PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the August 21, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)