TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS THE FINDINGS OF 

THE SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL COMMITTEE

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

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

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

Residents and Non-Residents Present: Twenty-seven in person plus four via Zoom

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 7:05 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Carolyn Vose summarized the Committee’s work and recommendation as presented at the previous public meeting on September 19^th.   Article 11 passed with a majority vote in March 2024, and thus the Committee was formed.  They were charged to study PreK – 8^th grade educational opportunities.  In weekly meetings over about four months, different areas impacting education and funding were discussed including working in the current structure or creating an alternate structure.

Areas of consideration include SAU vs School District:

• An SAU (School Administrative Unit) includes the Superintendent and Business Office.  It is responsible for managing the educational system to comply with regulations, including special education within the school districts.
• A School District manages the education of the children through a School Board.  Districts create budgets, contracts, do hiring, organize buses and maintain buildings to provide educational services
• An SAU contains one or more School Districts
• A School Districts is made up of one or more towns

The Committee considered related RSA’s, related financial data and statistics from FMRSD and statewide, structure of multi-town districts in NH, discussions with knowledgeable individuals within FMRSD and other multi-district SAU’s.  The Committee recommended the Selectboard issue a warrant article to form an official sturdy committee to pursue withdrawal from FMRSD.   There were discussions relating to finding a means for the five towns in FMRSD to address the dissatisfaction between towns and to reexamine how to best meet the needs of the students, staff and taxpayers.

There was a discussion to understand why we want to vote in March to go forward with the next Study Committee.   Tom Aldrich asked why we are not hearing from unsatisfied families.  One father said he has two students, one at each end of the spectrum and neither is getting what they need.  Another father knows several families who are taking kids out of Walpole schools, and he may have to do the same.  Diana Watson Petrie stated that the Committee did talk to a lot of unsatisfied people, but they are not going to talk negatively in a public meeting about the school, which might also be their employer.  She recommended private discussions to get a more personal view.

A discussion of high school followed.  If the Town moves forward, the next study committee will need to provide detailed plans for everything (all ages and all services).  Josh Beer was concerned we would have little or no control if our students were tuitioned to FMRSD.  Mr. Varone replied that the Town has one of seven seats on the schoolboard.  The Town does not have control now. There was a comment that the Town has trouble getting someone to run for the Schoolboard.  Mr. Varone stated that the Keene School District will take Walpole students only if they get them all. However, families need the option to choose what is best for their students.   There are currently about 285 students in Walpole Schools and 115 in high school.  Jackie Ronning talked about the math teacher, 5^th grade teacher and support staff that were removed from Walpole.  Teachers are sometimes relocated to other towns.  PreK – 8 is when the students need to learn the basic skills that prepare them for any high school.

Steve Varone, who was the Business Administrator at FMRSD for twenty years and is a forty-year resident of Walpole, talked about finances.  Based on EquVal per student in 2022 – 2023, Walpole is just about exactly in the middle for the State.  Walpole was   $1,895,714 and the NH average was $1,896,826.  Each town has made decisions over the years that molded the town. But, due to apportionment, Walpole is now expected to pay more.  For the same year, the cost per elementary student was $24,264 for FMRSD. The State average is $20,901.  Student populations are dropping, and some schools are managing the change more effectively to control costs.  Fifteen years ago, FMRSD had one of the lowest costs per student. Now it is among the highest. Walpole and Charlestown raise almost the same amount in taxes, but Walpole has far fewer students. This is why the Town struggles with apportionment.  However, in school districts of just one town, apportionment is never an issue.  Mr. Varone felt that if the Town was getting more than it paid, FMRSD would be happy to see Walpole go.

Mr. Varone reported that there are about 490 total students in the High School.  If FMRHS lost Walpole’s 115 students, that would be a serious problem for the High School.  One person said that Walpole is concerned about education and would have been willing to pay to keep teachers, but we are not allowed to because of the current structure.  Annie Ewaskio asked what “local control” means. People mentioned lost teachers and staff. Additionally, Walpole can no longer use a proven curriculum that produces higher test scores because the district uses a different curriculum.  Ms. Ewaskio also asked what will happen to the other four towns if Walpole withdraws from the district.  The reply was that FMRSD could become a school district of four towns, or all five towns could work together to address the dissatisfaction between towns and to reexamine how to best meet the needs of the students, staff and taxpayers.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 4, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

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

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

Guests Present: Jenny Plante and Jeff Miller representing the Walpole Players, and John Jones, Tim Williams and Kyle Teamey representing Ruggerio Processing Facility

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:43 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

The following items were moved to the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest waiting to speak to this item.

Walpole Players: Jenny Plante & Jeff Miller attended the meeting to respond to the Selectboard letter to the Players of October 2, 2024, regarding no Thursday night practices after January 1^st.  Ms. Plante stated that the Players have always practiced Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  They feel it is unfair to say no Thursday practices.  Since the Selectboard meets from 6:30 – 8:30 on Thursdays, Ms. Plante suggested excluding just those hours from practice times.  When asked about who to contact in the Players, Ms. Plante and Mr. Miller responded that there is no president.  Ms. Plante is the vice president and acting president.  Ms. Plante said that in the future, the Players will notify the Selectboard Office who to contact for each play.

Ms. Plante and Mr. Miller left the meeting.

Ruggerio Processing Facility – Fine:  Ruggerio was fined $1,000 for the second offence of having no building permit.  John Jones of Elastic Executive Solutions who represents Ruggerio Processing Facility said the Selectboard letter says the fine is to pay for the past offenses.  When the new owners purchased the property, NH stated the facility was in compliance.   If the new owners pay the fine, they are admitting guilt. Therefore, the new owners of Ruggerio are asking for relief from the fine.  They are willing to submit the outstanding building permit applications to make things right, and they will apply for building permits in the future.  Mr. Dalessio moved that the $1,000 fine based on the previous owner be waived.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in agreement, the motion passed, and the fine will be waived.  Mrs. Downing will prepare a letter to Ruggerio Processing Facility stating the fine is retracted. 

Ruggerio Processing Facility – Permit Modification:  Mr. Jones wished to explain the NH DES letter that noted that the application to modify the current permit was incomplete.  Mr. Jones stated that the letter was really a request for additional information beyond that listed on the application form.  Mr. Jones and the new owners are currently preparing the additional information. Mr. Teamey, one of the new owners, explained that the plan is to create a fully automated facility with no workers on the floor. There will be machine operators. The new machinery will be able to separate all elements of trash from a garbage bag.  Mr. Dalessio reminded the Ruggerio representatives that before any expansion occurs at the property, Ruggerio representatives must attend two monthly Planning Board meetings as part of the Site Plan Review process. Additionally, there is to be no site preparation before a building permit application is approved.

Mr. Jones, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Teamey left the meeting at 7:21 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $726,650.51 dated 11/22/2024 that includes a $581,631.87 payment to 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 $33,614.89 dated 11/22/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,716.87.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the payroll register was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – November 13, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 13, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – November 13, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of November 13, 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:

• Conservation Commission Minutes – November 4, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

PROPERTY TAX REFUND

Map and Lot# 027-001-006: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 027-001-006 for $290.46 due to overpayment. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Tax Rate Update: Ms. Mayberry noted that the School District has not submitted their DOE form.  Mr. Dalessio has been told they expect to have the form completed tomorrow, 11/22/2024, in which case the School Board will DocuSign the form on Friday.  Otherwise, it will be signed on Monday at the FMRSD Board meeting.

Reservoir Dam: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the Hydrology and Hydraulics Study from Fuss & O’Neill for the Reservoir Dam.

ARPA projects: Mr. Dalessio reported that Steve Grenier of E.E. Houghton Co. is working on the cost numbers. The quote should be done next week.  Then a contract can be prepared and the funds encumbered for the three sewer pumping stations.  

Fire Department Renovation Grant: Mr. Dalessio said that the Fire Department is doing the work to get their grants.  They will ask for any information when they need to complete the forms.   After the grants are approved, there needs to be a meeting to determine exactly how the funds will flow between the Town and the Fire Department.

Thanks to Grange: Mr. Dalessio moved that the Board approve and sign the letter to the Walpole Community Grange thanking them for all the work they did during the election.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and the letter was signed. 

NEW BUSINESS

Appointment Notice: Mr. Dalessio moved Nicole Adams be appointed a full member of the Conservation Commission.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and Ms. Adams was appointed a full member of the Conservation Commission.

MS-535: Mr. Dalessio moved the Board approve and sign the MS-535.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the MS-535 was approved and signed.  The form will be uploaded to the DRA tax portal by Mr. Kreissle. 

Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant Disbursement Form: Ms. Mayberry moved that Mr. Dalessio sign the reimbursement form for the $20,230. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form. The Hydrology and Hydraulics (H & H) Study costs were included in this reimbursement.

Encumbrance Request:   The Town Clerk’s Office would like to encumber purchase order number 201306 for $8,000 for a new ballot counting device.  The expense will be applied to account 01 4140.30 830.  Ms. Vose moved to encumber $8,000 for the Town Clerk’s Office for the purchase of a new ballot counting device.  Mr. Dalessio Seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the funds were encumbered.

Reimbursement Request to the Trustees of Trust Funds: The Selectboard reviewed a reimbursement request for $200 to reimburse the Town for a roofing deposit for the Fanny Mason Rest Area shelters on Route 12 per purchase order 201264.  Mr. Dalessio moved the Town to be reimbursed by the Fanny Mason Fund for the rest area shelters.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the reimbursement was approved, and purchase order # 201264 was signed.

Landfill Methane Monitoring:   The Selectboard Office received a letter from the DES along with feedback from the Town’s environmental scientist.  The Selectboard would like Mr. McKibben to consult with DES on behalf of Walpole.    Mrs. Downing will ask Mr. McKibben if he is willing to consult with DES on our behalf.   It appears that high methane readings at one well were not being reported with an additional form to DES.

School Withdrawal Feedback: An email was received from a Walpole family in favor of the potential Walpole School Withdrawal warrant article.   

Thank You Note:   The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a thank you note from Children’s and Technology Librarian, Julie Rios.

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 8:03 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:44 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. Vose moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:44 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms.  Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:58 PM.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:58 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 4, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)