The Walpolean

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JANUARY 23, 2025

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

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

Guests Present: Steve Varone, Town Treasurer

Call to Order:  Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $959,750.11 dated 1/24/2025 including $804,108.96 payment to January billing to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $30,704.46 dated 1/24/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,107.35.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – January 16, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 16, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – January 16, 2025:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of January 16, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved, and the minutes are sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

• Library Trustees Meeting Minutes – January 14, 2025
• Planning Board Meeting Minutes – January 14, 2025

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

ELDERLY EXEMPTION:

Map and Lot # 024-033-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Elderly Tax Exemption for Map and Lot# 024-033-000.  The applicant met the income and assets limitations.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

VETERANS’ TAX CREDIT:

Map and Lot # 012-044-016: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 012-044-016. The applicant was honorably discharged and served over 90 days of active duty during a time of conflict.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

School Withdrawal Warrant Article:  This item was postponed until Mr. Varone arrived from the meeting with the Alstead Selectboard – see New Business.

Purchase and Sales Agreement for New Police Station Land: Mr. Dalessio moved that Ms. Mayberry sign the Purchase and Sales Agreement for the New Police Station Land.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and Ms. Mayberry signed the agreement.

2025 Town Budget: Discussion continued from last week. Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the 2025 budget of $4,737,098.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

2025 Warrant Articles: Ms. Mayberry noted that one typo was fixed, and the budget numbers were added.  Petition articles can be submitted until February 4, 2025. Therefore, Warrant Articles will not be signed until after the deadline.

2023 Town Financial Audit: Ms. Mayberry has spoken with the Town’s auditor, Vachon Clukay. The audit will probably not be completed within the next few weeks. This means the grant for the Fire Department expansion is stalled.  There are several items that have been requested. The Town has a balance sheet in Form MS 535, and the budget was just signed, which leaves just the 2023 audit outstanding.  Mrs. Downing will send the MS 535 form and 2025 budget to Mr. Houghton and see if there is anything else that would suffice while we wait for the completion of the audit.  Ms. Mayberry will also have Vachon Clukay write a letter stating they are currently working on our 2023 audit.

Shade Canopy at the Town Pool: A schematic was received from Bensonwood.  Mr. Richard-Wilkes is concerned about what might be under the concrete such as plumbing or electrical lines or pipes that must be avoided when constructing the shade canopy.  Mr. Richards-Wilkes is taking on the project, working with Bensonwood, and keeping the Selectboard in the loop. The Selectboard felt he was doing a great job.

NEW BUSINESS

Accounts Payable Check Dating: This item was postponed until Mr. Varone arrived.

Comcast Support Letter Request: Comcast hopes to partner with the State to provide broadband access in areas that are unserved/underserved and has asked Walpole for a letter of support. Mr. Dalessio moved to sign the letter supporting Comcast.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the letter was signed.

Employee Resignation: Stephanie Green has submitted a letter of resignation from the position of Pool Manager at the Town Pool.  The Selectboard acknowledges her resignation and thanks her for all her dedicated service to the Walpole Pool, and for serving as the Pool Manager for the last six years.

Fall Mountain Regional School District School Board Invitation: The School Board has invited the Selectboard to attend the meeting on Monday, January 27th at 5:30 PM.  The School Board will be discussing the articles of agreement and the Superintendent search.  All three Selectboard members plan to attend the meeting.

Mr. Varone arrived.

SWRPC Winter Meeting Invitation: The meeting will be on Tuesday, February 11th at 5:30 PM at the Keene Library.  The social time is at 5:00 PM.  Ms. Mayberry is on the SWRPC Board and will be there. Ms. Vose will attend.  Mr. Dalessio will be attending the Planning Board meeting that night.

Accounts Payable Check Dating: Mr. Varone suggests changing check dating from Friday to Monday.  The checks will go into the mail on Monday, and the PDIP transfer will occur on Monday. This will give the Town three more days of PDIP interest. The funds will be available in the checking account on Tuesday so checks can be cashed when received. By consensus, the Selectboard agreed to changing the check dates to Monday.

It was noted that there was a late penalty in Accounts Payable.  Mr. Varone will remind Mr. Kreissle that it is important to pay bills on time and avoid penalties.

School Withdrawal Warrant Article: Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Varone have visited the Selectboards in the other four towns in Fall Mountain Regional School District (FMRSD) to explain what the Town of Walpole is doing with its warrant article and the advantages available to each town.  There were a variety of reactions and discussions.  The goal of discussing the information with all the towns within the school district has been met.

Mr. Varone left the meeting.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c) at 8:15 PM.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:52 PM.

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

HOOPER TRUSTEES

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:52 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms.  Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 9:00 PM.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 9:01 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 30, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JANUARY 16, 2025

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

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

Guests Present: Ben Hoy, Recycling Center/Transfer Station Manager; Jean Kobeski, Diana Watson Petrie, Steve Varone, and Ray Boas

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

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

M. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 6:31 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:18 PM.

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

Mr. Hoy left the meeting and Ms. Mayberry arrived during the Non-Public Session.

Old business was moved to this point in the agenda to accommodate guests who wished to speak to the agenda items.

OLD BUSINESS

Walpole School Withdrawal Warrant Article: Mrs. Kobeski, Mrs. Watson Petrie and Mr. Varone attended with questions for the Board so they can better explain what the vote at Town Meeting means.  Mr. Dalessio explained that a “Yes” vote means we direct Fall Mountain Regional School District to do a feasibility and sustainability study.  The school district will create a team of one Selectboard and one School Board member from each Town to work with the School District Business Administrator to study all aspects of a school.  The report of this study must be submitted to the NH Department of Education (DoE) by November 1, 2025.  If DoE approves the withdrawal, it comes back to the Town for a Yes/No vote in 2026 on whether to withdraw.  It would then be about 16 months before the actual withdrawal could be implemented.

Mrs. Watson Petrie and Mrs. Kobeski left the meeting.

Information Request from the Clarion: Mr. Boas also attended to get information on the Warrant Articles for the Clarion to help educate voters.  February Clarion will have reminders of important dates, a list of articles and whether they will be in the Tuesday ballot or voted on at Town Meeting on Saturday.   The March Clarion will have details on exactly what the votes on each article mean.

Mr. Varone left the meeting.

2025 Warrant Articles and the Town Budget: The order of the Warrant Articles was updated and the text edited per earlier discussions.  The Selectboard was aware that there is a potential petition warrant article coming.  Advice from Attorney Hockensmith on the School Withdrawal article was received.   Additional clarification of the wording of the articles was discussed and a review of the budget is planned for the 1/23/2025 meeting.

Mr. Boas would like more information about the School Withdrawal Article.  He will also talk to Jeff Miller, the Chair of the Planning Board, about the Zoning Warrant Articles.

Mr. Boas left the meeting.

2025 Town Budget Hearing: There will be a hearing on the 2025 Town Budget on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the Town Hall First Floor Meeting Room.   The Selectboard meeting will follow the hearing.

Fire Department Building Renovation Grant:   Mr. Dalessio reminded the Selectboard that the 2023 audit needs to be completed because it is holding up the million-dollar grant for the Fire Department expansion.  Ms. Mayberry will follow up again with the auditors.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $32,320.13 dated 1/17/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,608.84.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – January 9, 2025:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 9, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – January 9, 2025:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of January 9, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved, and the minutes remain sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

• Conservation Commission Minutes – January 6, 2025

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

WARRANTS

Walpole Water Tax Lien: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Walpole Water Tax Lein in the amount of $766.56.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion carried.

Walpole Sewer Tax Lien:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Walpole Sewer Tax Lein in the amount of $1,247.05.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion carried.

North Walpole Sewer Tax Lien:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the North Walpole Sewer Tax Lein in the amount of $7,344.95.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

Annual Landfill Post Closure Report: The report noted that methane levels decreased significantly in 2024 at the closed landfill.   Ms. Mayberry moved that Mr. Dalessio sign the form.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form.

NH DES Culvert Replacement Notice: NH DOT is planning to replace a culvert near 125 Prospect Hill Road. The estimated start time is the spring or summer of 2025.  The Selectboard acknowledged they received the approval notice from the NH DES regarding the upcoming project.

Thank You Notes: Thank you notes were received from the Walpole Players and from a citizen thanking Officer Merkle in the Police Department for his help when she was locked out of her car.  

ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:46 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 23, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)