February 2025 Clarion Closing Date – 1/22/25

Uncategorized 01/15/2025 Leave a comment

Your one week warning, yes it is time again, and I have already begun work on your February issue of the CLARION. Your submissions will be due by 5 PM (Walpole time) on Wednesday, January 22, a week from now. And just so you know why I have trouble knowing the current day or month, I am also already working on the March issue as well with annual Town Meeting information.

You have heard me say, and again I will say, your early submissions are appreciated as I start developing the layout well beforehand. If you have some “news” send it along. In addition, I like to have on-hand material of interest that is not time-sensitive to fill space to round out a pleasing issue. So, if you would “like to be in print” and have something to write and share (images as well), send along for possible inclusion space permitting. Please do remember, it is the advertisers in each issue that make this community publication possible, so please support and thank them.

If you have any questions, or interest in placing an advertisement, reaching over 1900 Walpole, North Walpole and Drewsville addresses, I welcome your inquiries, so please do get in touch with me. Advertising information and contact information is on the CLARION website.

Thank you, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Walpole Seniors’ Potluck Lunch – 1/20/25

EVENTS 01/14/2025 Leave a comment

Walpole Seniors’ January potluck lunch will “recur” on Monday, January 20, at the Congregational Church at noon.  Hope to see all you pot-lickers there!

Walpole Community Power Spring Rate

Uncategorized 01/13/2025 Leave a comment

Walpole Community Power Spring Rate update starting 2/1/2025

Twice a year, the Community Power Coalition of NH (CPCNH) sets their electricity rates for the coming six months. The rates are affected by a variety of factors, most notably the wholesale electric market. 

At their meeting on 1/2/2025, the CPCNH Board of Directors voted on the Spring rates. The rate for Granite Basic, the base tier, will be .089 cents per kWh. This rate represents a .003 cent increase over the Fall rate period, and it’s the first time that the CPCNH rate will not be equal to or lower than the Liberty default rate, which will be .084 cents for the same period. See the table below for the full set of CPCNH’s Spring rates.

There are two reasons that CPCNH’s rate will be higher than Liberty’s. The first is that because CPCNH is continuing to grow and add towns, it is still incurring start-up costs that were not adequately covered by the Fall rate. The new rate will help to backstop those additional costs. As more towns are added to CPCNH’s roster, the organization’s buying power will continue to increase. 

The second reason is that the NH PUC has directed the Utilities to change the way that they’re buying power, and this change may result in the Utilities operating at a loss. Historically the Utilities have purchased all of the power needed for a given period up front. The PUC is now requiring them to purchase 50% of the power up front, and 50% on the “day ahead” market. The CPCNH board believes that this change may result in Liberty losing money with their proposed rate. If that happens, then Liberty may try to make up for any losses by adding costs to the Distribution rates that are shared by all customers, including members of CPCNH.

CPCNH feels that if Liberty were to pass along losses to all customers through the Distribution rates, this would be unfair and unreasonable. A better approach would be for Liberty to make up for any losses by charging customers through the Default Service rate, which would not apply to CPCNH members. 

CPCNH is working to convince the NH PUC that the most appropriate way to recover losses based on the Default Service rate is through future electricity rates, rather than through the Distribution rate. This approach is supported by the NH Consumer Advocates office. Legislation is being proposed to address this concern – stay tuned for more information. 

The introduction of CPCNH has helped to bring about much-needed competition in the state’s power supply market. The savings for Walpole have already been significant: in the almost two years of being part of CPCNH, residents of Walpole have saved $482,000 as compared with having stayed with Liberty as the default supplier.

CPCNH Spring Rates:

Granite Basic..089
Granite Plus..096
Clean 50..103
Clean 100..123

Each is .003 higher than the Fall rates.

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 1/6/25

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 01/12/2025 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

JANUARY 6, 2025

Members Present:  Alicia Flammia, Wendy Grossman, Peter Palmiotto (Presiding), John Peska, Lewis Shelley

Alternates Present:  Tom Beaudry, Paul Happ

Members Absent:  Nicole Adams, France Menk

Visitors Present:  Whit Aldrich, Eileen Spiltoir, Becky Brown

CALL TO ORDER: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. 

SEATING OF ALTERNATES:  Since five Commissioners were present, no Alternates were seated.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Peter moved to accept the December 2, 2024minutes as written. John seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Financial Report:  Conservation $242,288.58

Forestry $51,617.09

Mason Forest Expendable $525,402.62

Mason Forest Nonexpendable $23,371.73

Correspondence:   A letter was received from the Town stating that Nicole Adams is officially a Commissioner.  A report was received informing the Town of a project to prevent Cold River from washing out a lot containing a home.

NEW BUSINESS

Town Report input due on 1/21/2025:  John will do a first draft and circulate it.

Overnight Parking at the Route 12 Rest Areas:  Becky Brown and Eileen Spoltoir attended the meeting to discuss the issue of dog poop and tires at the eastside rest area – it was difficult to access the trail due to the numerous poop piles, so they cleaned up the poop.  It was noted that two Great Danes are living in the RV that frequently is seen parked at the rest stop and others frequent the site with dogs.  There is a no overnight parking sign that has been up two days.  The Police Department is working on the issue, but the first step was to put up the no overnight parking sign.   

Eileen and Becky left the meeting.

It was discussed that Tim Smith will be starting any time to roof the shelters.  They will put up tape to designate the work area.  A barricade to keep vehicles out of the lots would be better for roofing and the harvest later this year.  Further discussion of the continued rest area problems that have occurred over the years was a suggestion to eliminate the U-shaped drive and make it a trail head parking lot with one entrance.  The trail is popular, so parking for local walkers is needed. 

OLD BUSINESS

Dam Updates:  Tomorrow there will be a Zoom meeting with the State, Walpole, and Fuss and O’Neill on the dams to determine what needs to be done.  Alicia, John and Steve plan to participate.

Barry Conservation Camps: The Hooper Institute has not yet nominated a student for the conservation scholarship to attend the camp, but they are working on it.   

Timber Harvest this Summer:  The harvest on the east side of Route 12 is planned for this summer.  The commission will review the contract once it is received in late spring when more updated timber prices can be included closer to the planned harvest time.  The commission is considering adding the red pine on the west side of Route 12 to the contract.  The Mason Fund would be requested to pay for the costs during the harvest (estimated at $1,500 for overseeing the harvest).  Income from the harvest will go into the Mason Fund.  

OTHER BUSINESS

Trail Committee Report:  The Happy Trails party had about thirty people, including several new people.  The evening included a picture presentation, talks, food and entertainment.  It was a successful evening.  Wendy distributed a list of 2024 trail repairs.  The Trail Committee meets every second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM.  The next meeting is Wednesday, January 8th, in the Town Hall.

The Monadnock Rail Trail Coalition is creating a map which shows parking.

Property Monitoring:  The snowmobile bridge that washed downstream into conservation property has been removed from the Town Forest.  The snowmobile trail in Great Brook has been closed due to the washout.  Rob Westover will GPS the snowmobile trails in town if there is snow, and he can take out his snowmobile.  This will allow the trails to be superimposed on maps of Town property.   In December Wendy monitored Mill Pond, Graves, Ballam Farm, March Town Forest, and Nelson Town Forest.

ADJOURNMENT:  Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the February 3, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/31/24

SELECTBOARD 01/10/2025 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 31, 2024

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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Jodi Daigle, Administrative Assistant and Tax Collector; Rich Kreissle, Manager of Finance, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 9:03 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

PAYROLL

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $32,755.71 dated 1/3/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,452.71.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – December 24, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 24, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 24, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of December 24, 2024.  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:

  • Police Building Committee Meeting – December 17, 2024 
  • Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – December 18, 2024 

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

TIMBER INTENTS

Map and Lot # 009-006-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 009-006-000, off Maple Grove Extension.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot # 009-008-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 009-008-000, off Maple Grove Extension.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was  approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Highway Safety Grant Agreement: The agreement was approved at the last meeting, but more signatures and initials were required.  Mr. Dalessio moved that the Chair of the Selectboard sign and initial the remaining places on the form.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and Ms. Mayberry signed and initialed the agreement as needed.

Mr. Dalessio made a motion that Chief Justin Sanctuary provide a letter to the Selectboard stating that he is taking full responsibility for this Grant.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was passed.  Mrs. Downing will request the letter from Police Chief Sanctuary.

NEW BUSINESS

Tipping and Haul Fee Contract for Recycling Center: Ben Hoy analyzed the proposals and recommended NRRA with its lower fees.  Mr.  Dalessio moved the Chair sign the contract with NRRA for tipping and haul fees for 2025.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and Ms. Mayberry signed the contract.

Assurances Form, SF 424D, for Fire Station Renovation Project:  Mr. Dalessio moved to have the Chair sign the assurance form SF 424D.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the motion passed, and Ms. Mayberry signed form SF 424D.

Mr. Dalessio request that when the contract is ready to start, the Selectboard will write a letter giving Steve Horton, the project manager, permission to sign as the designated owner representative.  At this point, the grant is on hold awaiting the 2023 Town audit and a balance sheet.  Mr. Kreissle will check the status of the Town audit. 

Draft 2025 Warrant Article Listing: There was a discussion of the first rough draft of the 2025 Warrant Articles. The final version needs to be completed by the end of January. Additional information is needed to finalize the Warrant Articles including the results of the Planning Board’s public hearing on January 14th at 7:00 PM.  Mrs. Downing will make a request to reserve the Walpole School gymnasium for Town Meeting since there most likely will be high attendance at this meeting.

Drummond Woodsum Rate Change Notice:  The Town’s human resources legal firm has raised its rates due to increased operating costs.  The Town has an ongoing client agreement with them.  The information was acknowledged by the Board Chair.

Current Use and Recreation Credit: Some citizens requested a letter be sent to all current use property owners regarding the recreational credit and no trespassing/hunting postings. Some current use property owners did not take the recreational credit and are therefore not required to permit hunting.  Pulling together data to create such a letter would be a big project for the appropriate property owners.  By consensus, the Board decided there would be no letter to all current use property owners.  However, a letter will be sent to property owners who are identified as having their property posted if they are taking the recreational credit.

Thank You Notes:  Two thank you notes were received from the Library staff.  

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c) at 9:51 AM.  Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 10:08 AM.

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.

The meeting was reconvened at 10:08 PM.

ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 10:08 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 9, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 1/9/25

SELECTBOARD 01/09/2025 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE 

SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA 

January 9, 2025 

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall 

SELECTBOARD MEETING 

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

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 

• Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $1,757,021.60 for checks issued 1/10/2025. PAYROLL 

• Payroll Register totaling $33,185.48 dated 1/10/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,725.46.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES 

• Selectboard Meeting – December 31, 2024 

• Selectboard Non-Public Session – December 31, 2024 

REFUNDS 

• Map and Lot# 017-012-000 

ABATEMENTS 

• Map and Lot# 028-105-000 

• Map and Lot# 014-005-000 

• Map and Lot# 025-005-000 

SOLAR EXEMPTION 

• Map and Lot# 003-068-000 

• Map and Lot# 019-039-000 

CURRENT USE 

• Map and Lot# 011-013-000 and 001 

BUILDING PERMIT 

• 2025-01, Map and Lot# 011-007-003 

OLD BUSINESS 

Pending Further Actions: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Streets Bridges/Culverts,  Houghton Brook Bridge 

• Reservoir Dam Update 

• 2025 Warrant Articles 

• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations at Town Parking Lot 

NEW BUSINESS 

• Total Noice Agreement 

• Purchase Order for 4-Station Voting Booth 

• Letter to Sec. of State Office re: New Voting Machine 

• Selectboard Recap for 2024 Town Report 

• Old Home Days – Save the Dates 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES 

• Hooper Trustees Meeting – December 19, 2024 

HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS 

• Hooper Maintenance Trust 

• Hooper Institute Annual Draw 

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

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

Walpole Town Election: Positions Up for Election

Uncategorized 01/09/2025 Leave a comment

NOTICE to WALPOLE RESIDENTS

Walpole Town Election 

March 11, 2025 

Positions up for Election

1 SelectmanThree-year term
1 Trustee of Trust FundThree-year term
2 Planning BoardThree-year term
2 Zoning BoardThree-year term
1 Cemetery TrusteeThree-year term
3 Library TrusteesThree-year term


See the Town Clerk to file for candidacy January 22nd through January 30th during regular office hours or between 3 and 5 pm on January 31st.

Cancelled: Zoning Board Meeting – 1/15/25

ZONING BOARD 01/07/2025 Leave a comment

PUBLIC NOTICE

Zoning Board of Adjustment

Regular Wednesday meeting – January 15,
2025 at 7 pm – has been canceled.

Walpole Players Annual Meeting Today

Uncategorized 01/05/2025 Leave a comment

Walpole Players Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 5th

5:30pm in the Helen Miller Theater

We have 2 open positions on our Board of Directors.
Anyone not on the board is considered a ‘Friend’ of the Walpole Players and is welcome to attend the meetings and be involved in non-voting discussions. 
Thank you for supporting our community theater for over 38 years!

-Walpole Players Board of Directors

Revised: Planning Board Agenda – 1/14/25

PLANNING BOARD 01/03/2025 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board Agenda

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

7 pm

Town Hall 

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed.

Call to order: 

Minutes: Review minutes of the December 2024 meeting.

New Business:

Voluntary Merger: Larry Britton won the sealed bid for a small landlocked lot that abuts the Britton Farm. He wants to merge the new lot with one of his lots.

Fieldstone Land Consultants

Contact is Jim Acton.

Blue Seal (former Agway) subdivision: one lot into two, Commercial District. Request a public hearing. 

Public Hearing No. 1: Recommendation of Planning Board for a petition to be placed on the March 2025 warrant.

To see if the Town will vote to Amend (Article VI, Section B, 3) of Zoning Ordinances.

“Shops, restaurant and other retail building not exceeding 40,000 square feet in gross floor area, except to protect the welfare of the inhabitants of the Town of Walpole with respect to traffic, pollution, health, and safety, and to preserve the unique and distinctive appeal of the Town’s character and commercial development, drive-up window service shall not be allowed.”

By petition: 31 signatures.

Doug Palmer, 308 Main St., Tax Map 24, Lot 14, commercial district, new business.

Walpole Veterinary Hospital, Simon Gascoyne, 6 Walker Road, Tax Map 18, Lot 2, additional space.

Next meeting: February 11, 2025.

Workshop: ?