Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 8/14/25

TOWN OF WALPOLE

SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA 

August 14, 2025

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

RESERVOIR DAM

NORTH WALPOLE PARK TREES

PAYROLL

  • Payroll Register totaling $35,946.07 dated 8/15/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,842.78

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

  • Selectboard Meeting – August 6, 2025
  • Selectboard Non-Public Session – August 6, 2025
  • Amendment to July 31, 2025 Selectboard Minutes

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • Conservation Commission Meeting – August 4, 2025

BUILDING PERMITS

  • 2025-19, Map and Lot# 008-053-000
  • 2025-20, Map and Lot# 005-034-000

OLD BUSINESS

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

  • ARPA Grant Disbursement Forms for Reservoir Dam
  • Groundwater Management Permit for former Central Plating Site

NEW BUSINESS

  • HealthTrust Updated Transmittal
  • Inspection of Toxic Air Pollutants

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**

Reminder: Cub Scout Mum Sale

From Debbie Pawelczyk:

The Walpole Cub Scout Pack 299 will soon start taking orders for their Mum Fall Fundraiser. All proceeds from this fundraiser pay for scout activities and registrations.

This year the sale is starting August 4, and going thru September 8, unless we sell out before then. This is a very popular fundraiser and we have a limited number of mums available. Please place your order early to guarantee you can get what you want. We sold out last year.

Mums are between 15 to 18 inches across, and planted in 9.5 inch pots. Colors available are red, white, yellow, and orange-bronze. We are selling them for $20 each. The mums come from a grower in Bowdoin, Maine.

Mums will be available for pick-up on Sunday, September 21, on the Walpole Town Common between 9:00 and 10:00 am. You can place an order by finding a Cub Scout from Pack 299, or you can call Debbie Pawelczyk 603-445-5475.

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 8/4/25

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

AUGUST 4, 2025

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the September 8, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair & Presiding), John Peska (Cochair), Lewis Shelley, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep)

Alternates Present: Tom Beaudry, Hale Morrell

Members Absent:  

Visitors Present:  Lesley Johnson, NHACC Board President

CALL TO ORDER: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm in the Town Hall. 

SEATING OF ALTERNATES:  All members were present, so no Alternates were seated.

Review and Approval of Minutes

There were a few amendments:

  • Under Rail Trail Brush Hog, “They were very accommodating, and they did a great job” should read, “Mike Hubbard of Connecticut Valley Yard Works was very accommodating and did a great job.”
  • The second paragraph in that same heading should read, “If the Town goes forward with the State’s new Trail Maintenance Agreement and Annual Work Plan, it will replace the annual Special Use Permit for brush hogging and other work on the Rail Trail.
  • Under Old Home Days Summary:  The raffle tickets were not counted, so it should read, “The winner of the snowshoes was thrilled to get them.”

Lew moved to accept the July 7, 2025 minutes as amended. John seconded and all voted in favor. The minutes were approved. 

Public Business

Financial Report: 

  • Conservation $283,725.69
  • Forestry $52,740.23

We also received a consolidated expenses report for year-to-date.  It looks like the cost of roofing the shelters at the Route 12 rest areas was recorded to the Conservation Commission budget when it should have been a Fanny Mason expense.  John to follow up with Rich Kreissle.

Correspondence: There is a letter to Tree Committee from Jennifer Burr.  The Marcia Galloway Fund for Conservation Commission was established by Marcia’s will.  The funds will be paid every December.  Expected amounts are not yet known.

New Business

Lesley Johnson, NHACC Board, President 2023 – 2025: NHACC is looking to engage and involve all conservation members.  They send a monthly newsletter and updates, and they have a listserv for discussions.  Sue is to send the roster to Lesley so everyone on the Commission will receive the communications.

This September they are starting a wetlands program and a new mapping program using better technology.  All interested members are encouraged to register for the Zoom sessions and the program in Concord.  There are also seven YouTube videos from a previous wetlands course (see their website for a link).  There will be a class on trail maintenance with AMC.  There will also be a program in Concord on Advocacy.

There is a grant for a large land management program to encourage collaboration across political boundaries – perhaps Walpole, Surry and Alstead could join and do the shared conserved property.  They had a grant for interns in 2025.  The interns will be presenting a summary in December. 

NHACC started a strategic plan in 2020.  There is a survey that will go out to determine what the local Conservation Commissions need from NHACC.  Currently they have 1.3 people, but they hope to support local conservation with collaboration, outreach, and increased capacity. They hope to have the new strategic plan complete by year-end. 

The annual potluck dinner will be October 16th at Whitcomb Hall in Swanzey.  The topic will be Road Agents and Conservation.

Tree Committee Update: The next tree planting will be October 19th.  This year they are planting:  (4) ornamental cherries around the memorial, a maple on the northwest corner of the Common, and (2) poplar in gaps on the west side of the Common to minimize the trimming needed for the power lines.  They will call Dig Safe before the planting.  Pete is currently talking to nurseries.  The next step is to look at what is needed in Drewsville & North Walpole. 

Old Business

Gateway Management – Invasives Control: They will post trails ahead of time with the treatment dates.

Route 12 Rest Areas: The state brush hogged the rest areas last week.  John will determine if the mowing and brush hogging contract for Mike Hubbard needs to be adjusted.

Trail Committee

Updates: A lot of overgrowth was removed at Fanny Mason, the west side of Mill Pond (thanks to the Walpole Walkers), and the east side of Mill Pond.  Some paving with stones was also done on the east side of Mill Pond.  They will be working on ditches on the Rail Trail south of Halls Crossing to make it drier.  The second Rail Trail brush hogging is expected to be later this month.  A crew will pick up all the sticks in preparation for the brush hogging.  There is now a new bench on the River Ramble trail at the Gateway with river views.

Other Business and Updates

Dam: Paul made a motion that the Conservation Commission advise the Selectboard to reconsider work on Reservoir Dam and instead consider removing the dam.  The decision will need to be based on fiscal analysis.  France seconded.  With all members in favor the motion passed unanimously. 

Hooper Institute Board: The Board meets tomorrow.

Website:  France moved the Commission reimburse Kelli Wilson $235.70 for the costs of hosting the Conservation website.  It will be billed to the consulting line.  John seconded.  The motion carried.

Agenda: Paul moved that the agenda be sent to the Walpolean when it is sent to the Commission each month.  France seconded.  The motion passed.

Agenda for the Next Meeting – September 8, 2025

  • Lew and Nicole will not be at the September meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Reminder: Summer Hiking Challenge

From France Menk:

Walpole Trail Committee Summer Hiking Challenge. Hike trails and class 6 roads in Walpole for fun and prizes! 12:01 am June 1st to 11:59 pm September 30th. Log your miles, trail, weather, etc. Visit www.WalpoleOutdoors.org/news for log sheets and info.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 7/31/25

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.)

Regional Papermaking at Walpole Historical Society – 8/9/25

A SPECIAL EVENT EVERY SATURDAY

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 8/6/25

TOWN OF WALPOLE

SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA 

August 6, 2025

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

TOWN HALL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM PROPOSAL

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

  • Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $150,782.45 for checks issued 8/11/2025

PAYROLL

  • Payroll Register totaling $36,136.05 dated 8/08/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,906.84

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

  • Selectboard Meeting – July 31, 2025
  • Selectboard Non-Public Session – July 31, 2025

OLD BUSINESS

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

  • Reservoir Dam
  • Property Tax Collections Summary Report

NEW BUSINESS

  • Library Repairs Purchase Order and Invoice
  • Conservation Commission
  • Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Update  

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

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES

  • Hooper Trustees Meeting – July 17, 2025

HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS

  • Hooper Maintenance Trust Probate Update
  • Hooper Renovation Invoices
  • H. Dalbeck Retirement Party

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

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

Planning Board Meeting Agenda – 8/12/25

Walpole Planning Board Agenda

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

7 pm

Town Hall 

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed.

Call to order: 

Minutes: Review minutes of the July 2025 meeting.

Old Business:

Signage at Blue Seal: Free-standing sign for Blue Seal, 334 Main Street, Tax Map 12, Lot 59-3, Commercial District, near Route 12, Presenter Justin Parker of Classic Signs Inc. LLC in Amherst, NH. 

Lot Line Adjustment: Robin Sanctuary property on 5 Hooper and 00 Old Keene Road, Tax Mao 8, Lots 8 and sub 2 in the rural agricultural district annex to Tax Map 8, Lot 8-15-1 owned by Alexander T. Allan and Allison M Hastings-Allan. Total after adjustment is 7.65 acres,

New Business:

Site Plan: Andrew Pollock , 40 Main Street, Tax Map 21, Lot 13, Commercial District. Mr. Pollock intends to add 1,600 square feet to the building, creating a new apartment. Request for a Public Hearing in September.

Cub Scout Mum Sale

From Debbie Pawelczyk:

The Walpole Cub Scout Pack 299 will soon start taking orders for their Mum Fall Fundraiser. All proceeds from this fundraiser pay for scout activities and registrations.

This year the sale is starting August 4, and going thru September 8, unless we sell out before then. This is a very popular fundraiser and we have a limited number of mums available. Please place your order early to guarantee you can get what you want. We sold out last year.

Mums are between 15 to 18 inches across, and planted in 9.5 inch pots. Colors available are red, white, yellow, and orange-bronze. We are selling them for $20 each. The mums come from a grower in Bowdoin, Maine.

Mums will be available for pick-up on Sunday, September 21, on the Walpole Town Common between 9:00 and 10:00 am. You can place an order by finding a Cub Scout from Pack 299, or you can call Debbie Pawelczyk 603-445-5475.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 7/24/25

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.)