June 2025 Clarion Now Online
From Ray Boas:
The OLD HOME DAYS June issue will be at the post offices early on the 30th for delivery to you shortly – Twenty pages for you packed with details on Old Home Days, including a center two page schedule and details of activities June 25-29. You will want to save this issue for your planning to have fun to enjoy the festivities and celebrations.
So, click on this link for the issue or the front cover below. Stay safe and well, yours– RAY BOAS, Publisher.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 5/22/25
Town of Walpole, New Hampshire
Meeting of the Selectboard
May 22, 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: Adrian Basora and Peggy Pschirrer
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:32 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
The following item was moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate guests who wished to speak to it.
River Valley Seniors at Home (RVSAH): RVSAH thanked the Town for the annual donation. Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Basora explained the new initiative. There are currently 771 seniors in Walpole, about two-thirds are living alone. They have a new project to create a database that will help the Fire District and EMS respond to calls. There will be refrigerator magnets with emergency contacts and medical issues plus more extensive data in a database for first responders. They will be working with community organizations and the churches and request two advocates from each organization to help gather data and create the database. They will start at Old Home Days.
Two additional issues for seniors are filling out forms and keeping up with bills. There is a service in NH that when the State sends a form or bill to a senior, they can send a copy to a registered advocate. However, the word needs to get out, so people know about the service.
Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Basora left the meeting.
Accounts Payable
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $280,202.65 dated May 27, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Payroll
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,550.29 dated 5/23/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,001.80. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Selectboard Meeting – May 14, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 14, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Committee Reports
Ms. Mayberry brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:
- Police Building Committee Minutes May 12, 2025
- Walpole Planning Board Minutes May 13, 2025
Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.
Property Tax Warrant
Spring Property Tax Warrant: Ms. Vose moved to approve the property tax warrant for $6,954,220.00 with payment due July 1, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the property tax warrant was approved.
Building Demolition Permits
2025-16, Map and Lot# 002-008-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2025-16 for Map and Lot # 002-008-000 to demolish a 40’ x 12’ lean-to between chicken coops. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the permit was approved.
2025-17, Map and Lot# 014-005-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2025-17 for Map and Lot # 014-005-000 to demolish the house and barn. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the permit was approved.
Old Business
Pool Pavilion Contract: Bensonwood submitted the contract for the Shade Structure at the Town Pool. Ms. Vose moved to have the Chair sign the contract dated May 13, 2025 for Bensonwood to build a shade structure at the Town Pool for $21,700. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and Mr. Dalessio signed the contract.
New Business
Consultant Selection Justification Form for ARPA Grant: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Consultant Selection Justification Form for ARPA and for Mr. Dalessio, the Chair, to sign the form. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Drinking Water Sustainability Grant Reimbursement Form: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Drinking Water Sustainability Grant Disbursement Form, and for Mr. Dalessio to sign the form. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form.
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the invoices from Weston and Sampson. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the invoice was signed.
Police Building Capital Reserve Fund: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds requesting them to issue a check to Walpole for $5,425.10 for reimbursement of the expenditures for the Police Station. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
Eagle Scouts: Two of the Walpole Scouts will become Eagle Scouts on Sunday. There will be a Court of Honor and Pig Roast at Hogue Base.
- Ms. Vose moved to sign the certificate and congratulate Bennett Hook on his accomplishment. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the certificate was signed.
- Ms. Vose moved to sign the certificate and congratulate David Northcott on his accomplishment. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the certificate was signed.
The Town of Walpole congratulates the two new Eagle Scouts. The Town is proud of the scouts’ accomplishments.
Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a, b, c, e)
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a, b, c, e) at 7:21 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:04 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.
The Selectboard will meet next week on Wednesday, May 28th at 6:30 PM.
ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the May 28, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)
Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 5/28/25
TOWN OF WALPOLE
SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA
May 28, 2025
Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS
- Greta Drager – New Hooper Executive Director
- Hooper Institute Renovation Update
- Hooper Maintenance Trust – Petition to the Court Update
- Countryside Lock and Alarm Contract
HOOPER TRUSTEES NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (b)
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES
- Hooper Trustees Meeting – May 1, 2025
- Hooper Non-Public Session – May 1, 2025
- Hooper Trustees Meeting – May 14, 2025
SELECTBOARD MEETING
PAYROLL
- Payroll Register totaling $33,002.37 dated 5/30/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,841.23
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
- Selectboard Meeting – May 22, 2025
- Selectboard Non-Public Session – May 22, 2025
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Conservation Commission Meeting – May 5, 2025
- Library Trustees Meeting – May 13, 2025
OLD BUSINESS
Pending Further Actions: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Streets Bridges/Culverts, School and Union Street Drainage, Reservoir Dam, and Houghton Brook Bridge
- Rt. 12 Repaving Project in North Walpole
NEW BUSINESS
- Waiver of Municipal Liability for Private Driveway
- Repairing Solar Energy System at Recycling Building
- 2024 Total Equalized Valuation Notice
- Showcase at North Walpole School
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c)
Rummage Sale at First Congregational Church – 5/31/25
RUMMAGE/FOOD/WHITE ELEPHANT SALE
Saturday, May 31
9 am to 1 pm
$5/bag sale starts at noon
First Congregational Church (on the Common), Walpole, NH
We will accept items of clean, gently used clothing and tag sale items (no cords, please, and no furniture or shoes) on Tuesday, May 27, Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29 from 10 am to 6 pm
For more information, call 603-756-4866.
Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 5/12/25
POLICE BUILDING COMMITTEE
Minutes, May 12, 2025
Peggy Pschirrer called the meeting to order in the office of the Selectboard. Present were Trevor MacLachlan, Andrew Dey, Jay Punt and on Zoom, Cheri Watson. Chief Justin Sanctuary, Dave Adams and Steve Dalessio were absent.
Andew Dey moved that the minutes of April 21, 2025, be approved. The motion was seconded by Trevor MacLachlan and so voted.
Mr. Dalessio had emailed an agenda to everyone prior to the meeting.
The first item was to discuss the latest rendering provided by Michal Petrovick. The door which Chief Sanctuary had requested at the last meeting is shown as exiting out the back of the building across from the Records Room. This will provide privacy for anyone leaving the building. The broad front will be a good space for the Police Logo.
The Committee discussed how to maintain the property we now own on Upper Walpole Road. This is now Town property. Is it possible that the Highway Department could brush hog the site at least twice a year? If this is not feasible, then the group agreed we should hire a local landscaping company to brush hog twice a year.
The Police Building Committee will have a booth or table at Old Home Days, Saturday, June 28. Andrew Dey, Trevor MacLachlan and Cheri Watson each may be able to volunteer at the table for a short period of time. We may need a pop-up tent for shade or rain cover.
The Committee spent some time discussing fund raising. They agreed we need a timeline; to consider the stages of fund raising; naming opportunities for the new building; the formation of a fund-raising committee made up of local citizens; and to seek local input. We will ask Nancy Merrill who has already filed a Congressional Grant application with Senator Sheehan’s office, to explore the possibilities of a Northern Borders Grant for buildings of all wood.
The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2025, at 6:30 in the office of the Selectboard.
Library Trustees Meeting Minutes – 5/13/25
Walpole Town Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
May 13, 2025
Present: Amy Howard (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Gail LaHaise, Susan Johnson,
Bill Ranauro, Sarah Mann, Erin Bowen, Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director),
Absent: Jana Sellarole
Amy called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the main library.
Approval of Minutes: Gail made a motion to accept the April, 2025 minutes as written. Erin seconded the motion and all voted to approve.
Treasurer’s Report: The trustees decided it would be more appropriate to change the name of the line item “Volunteer Dinner” to “Staff Appreciation” in the budget. This could then include dinners or other tokens of appreciation and avoid confusion.
Bills: Jane discussed the library passes, which appeared in the bills. She stated we will no longer purchase passes to the Currier Museum because they are seldom used. She has added the Mariposa Museum in Peterborough. With no further discussion, Amy moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills. Gail seconded, and all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Old Business
Survey Results: There were 102 responses to the survey. Sarah compiled results and shared them with Jane, who highlighted the most frequently mentioned comments with the board. Results include the following:
- 89.6% of respondents feel the library is meeting its mission while 10.4% feel it is somewhat meeting its mission.
- The library needs more adult programming, including more intellectual programming (history, science, etc.).
- Many feel the library should engage more with the school and community.
- Roughly 52% of respondents come to the library once/week, 17% more than once/week, and 17% once/month. 90% come to the library to borrow books, 87% attend programs. Many use the library for the downloadables.
- Expand the collection to include more fiction in addition to best sellers.
- Several patrons expressed frustration using the moveable stacks; however, due to limited space in the library, the board feels it is the practical solution for meeting our collection goals.
Patrons were asked how they learn of announcements and events at the library and they replied:
- Library newsletter and emails
- Walpole Clarion
- Library website
- Sandwich board outside the library
- Library staff
Patrons feel the following are the strengths of our library:
- The staff
- Children’s programming
- Large number of books
- Lovely space
- Customer services
- Inter-Library Loan
- Safe and inclusive
- Great for all ages
After looking at the survey results, it was decided that the 5-year planning should address:
- More resources for students and families
- More programs
- Opportunities for volunteers to participate in the library
- Increased resources for seniors
- Promotion of community partnerships
It was also decided that the library needs to do more self-promotion. It was clear from the survey that many people are not aware of many services the library and its staff already provide.
Next step is to set a time to do the long-range planning, which will include the entire board and some staff members.
Old Home Days
The musician is scheduled for the afternoon program at the library. The parade was discussed. The staff felt that the idea proposed at last month’s board meeting focused too much on children; the theme should include both adults and children. The new and final idea was presented and Jane invited board members to participate, either by marching and/or doing the needed artwork.
Bill presented his idea for the bookmark and asked for board input. After a short discussion, decisions were made and Bill said he would take care of getting them made.
Operations
Porch Lights: Jane reported that Houghton came and adjusted the new lighting; neighbors are satisfied with the adjustment.
State Budget: Jane stated that monies are still available for libraries, so none of the services, ILL, Libby, and talking books, are threatened at this time. She has heard nothing new about the progress with the state budget but will keep the board informed of any news from Concord.
Circulation: Libby and Hoopla continue to be very popular services, with Hoopla the most widely used. Sarah asked Jane to explain the differences between the two. Hoopla does not necessarily have all the latest best sellers that Libby does and it never requires a hold. Holds on books in Libby can last several weeks. Hoopla also has audio books (as does Libby) and videos.
Printer Problems: Jane said Sarah’s husband came to the library to try to solve the printer problem but was unable to do so. Jane has been in contact with Consolidated again, and is waiting to hear when they can come to the library. Bjorn will meet with them when they come.
Buildings and Grounds: Jane reported that the bark on one side of the new tree was scraped by machinery being used for roof repair next door.
Friends of the Library: The Friends have told Jane they want to give more money to the library. Jane suggested the money be used for programming because she is unsure if grant money will be available for that. The Friends also mentioned paying for newspapers and magazines.
Adjournment: With no further business to discuss, Gail made a motion to adjourn; Erin seconded. Amy adjourned the meeting at 5:08 p.m.
The next meeting will be June 10, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Main Library.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary
** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the June 10, 2025 meeting.
Location Change: Women of Walpole Meeting – 5/21/25
CHANGE OF MEETING LOCATION: The Women of Walpole will meet this Wednesday, May 21, at 2:00 pm at the home of Susan Johnson. For address or directions, please contact Carolyn LeBail at carolynlebail@gmail.com.
Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 5/13/25
Walpole Planning Board Minutes
May 13, 2025
Town Hall
7 pm
Roll Call: Board members Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros. Absent Board members Trevor MacLachlan and Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternates: Travis Adams, Bill Carmody.
Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Minutes: Review minutes of April 2025. On page 2, section on adjournment Ms. Andros corrected the word “passes” to “passed.” Mr. Harrington made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Old Business:
Site Plan: Public Hearing: 1,400 square-foot Domino’s Restaurant, 504 Main Street, & Red Barn Lane, Tax Map 12, Lot 13-3 Unit 2 A, Commercial District. Agent Chad Branon Fieldstone Land Consultants, Applicant and owner is Acorn to Sky Investments LLC in Meriden, NH.
John Noonan, project manager for Fieldstone Land Consultants, presented the proposal and announced the answer to two previous questions the board had. There will be no seating in the building. The business is for take-out only. Customers may go in the building for pick up. And yes there will be delivery.
Mr. Noonan continued that this is a hearing for a Domino Pizza on land that is a condo lot. It is Tax Map 12, Lot 13-3, 2A and shares an access entrance road with Dollar General off of Red Barn Lane and abuts Tractor Supply to the north. This plat supersedes a recorded plat that the Planning Board did not approve. That plat was filed with the Cheshire County Registry of Deeds in Keene in April 2024.
The plan presented included revised elevations. The color of the siding of the building is castle stone or beige with white trim and a black asphalt roof. It is a design that will fit well in the community, Mr. Noonan said. It has a gable roof in the center. The entrance to the building is at the end of shared driveway with Dollar General and then goes around to the back of the building to the take-out window and comes around in the front of the building to exit. The remaining land is convertible land, which means that it may have another business on it, wetlands and a pond. Operation hours will be 11 am to 8 pm.
Mr. Noonan pointed out a couple of sites where there is drainage, one in the top right-hand corner of the lot and one near Red Barn Lane. Lighting is mounted on two poles and there is lighting on the building. Landscaping will consist of trees and shrubs. He mentioned a few red maples, Ms. Kim lilacs, hydrangeas and he pointed out the location of the enclosed dumpster, which also will be surrounded by shrubs. The electrical box will also have shrubs surrounding it. The entire project will connect with town water and sewer on Red Barn Lane. It was suggested that Mr. Noonan contact Walpole Fire Chief Mark Houghton to get approval on fire safety.
Mr. Miller asked if there were any other questions. Being none he closed the public hearing at 7:15 pm. The Board had no more questions. Mr. Harrington made a motion to approve the site plan as presented and Mr. Perron seconded the motion. Mr. Miller thanked the owner, Bobby Oakes, for working with the Board to sort out the “condo” problem.
There were a few Walpole residents at the meeting and Chris Burchstead raised her hand and asked when they were going to have their input at the meeting. The time for them to speak up was when Mr. Miller asked if there were any other questions. The gist of their concern was another drive-up business and more traffic. Mr. Miller point out that this is in the commercial district and the Board cannot determine which businesses can or cannot locate in it. As long as a business follows the site plan the Board cannot legally oppose the project. Mr. Perron reminded them that a couple of years ago that there was an article on the warrant to ban formula businesses of which Domino’s Pizza is one. That article was turned down by residents. Holly Gowdy, who has land that abuts land on which the Domino Pizza will be built, was there to complain about the traffic on that section of Route 12. She said trailer trucks go 60 miles per hour down that stretch of road. It is dangerous and she fears there will be a fatal accident. She thinks there should be more of a police presence on that portion of Route 12. Select Board member Carolyn Vose advised anyone who has a complaint should call the police department, not 911, but the regular police department number.
Lot Line Adjustment: Public Hearing, Nathan Bisson and Allegra Pickering, 310 Main Street: Tax Map 24, Lot 13-14, 14-1 and 15. Residential A and Commercial District. Swap land between Doug Palmer and Bisson/Pickering. 0.13 acres from Palmer to Bisson/Pickering for front lawn. 0.14 acres on Main Street from Bisson/Pickering to Palmer of Old Hewitt Barn Properties. Purchase from BNB Realty to Bisson/Pickering 0.04 acres. Total acreage of Bisson/Pickering now 8.66 acres, formerly 8.4 acres.
This lot line adjustment is a swapping of small parcels of land mainly to straighten out boundary lines. There was a small adjustment to the plat that Surveyor Joe DiBernardo presented. It regards fencing that BNB put up on the western boundary for its preschool. That was readjusted to 38 square feet being annexed to BNB property. With the lot line adjustment Bisson/Pickering get a new front lawn. The final tally is .52 acres after adjustment for BNB; 1.5 acres for Hewitt Barn; and a final 8.66 acres for Bisson/Pickering.
Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the lot line adjustment as presented. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Ordinances: The changes to Walpole Zoning Ordinances that were approved in March have been reorganized into a new booklet that will soon be available. Southwest Regional Planning Commission was in charge of the work. The booklet will soon be copied and distributed.
Adjournment: Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. The time was 7:45 pm.
These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the June 10, 2025 Planning Board meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
WPB Secretary
The Walpolean 
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