Walpole Players Board Meeting – 3/30/25
Walpole Players Board Meeting
Sunday, March 30th
4pm in the Helen Miller Theater
The Walpole Players will hold their next board meeting this Sunday, March 30th, at 4pm upstairs in the Town Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend. You may share your ideas with the board at the meeting or by emailing walpoleplayers@gmail.com.
– Walpole Players Board of Directors
Reminder: Dog License Deadline – 4/30/25
From Holly Gowdy, Deputy Town Clerk:
Have you heard . . .
April 30th is the Dog License Deadline for the drawing!
Thank you to these local businesses . . .
Walpole Veterinary Hospital
Walpole Tractor Supply
Walpole Blue Seal Feeds
Featherstone Kennel, Walpole
The Pawstastic Nanny, Walpole
Horse and Buggy Feeds, Keene
The drawing for Prizes will be on May 1st
For more information contact the Walpole Town Clerk
603-756-3514 or townclerk@walpolenh.us
Or visit: https://www.walpolenh.us/town-clerktax-collector/page/dog-licensing
Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 3/3/25
POLICE BUILDING COMMITTEE
Minutes, March 3, 2025
Steve Dalessio opened the meeting in the Selectboard Office at 6:30 pm. Present were Jay Punt, Andrew Dey, Trevor MacLachlan, Cheri Watson (on zoom), Peggy Pschirrer and Chief Justin Sanctuary. Dave Adams was absent.
The Committee reviewed the results of our recent public meeting. Everyone present agreed we need a new police station, but all were concerned about cost.
Are we building just a building or a police station? Mr. MacLachlan emphasized we must be concerned about life safety standards. We must follow the International Building Code – a federal classification for new construction which represents a higher standard of codes. The code is updated regularly.
The public questions what are the implications for each taxpayer if we secure bonds to pay for this structure? New Hampshire Bond costs for 10- year and 20-year costs were distributed to the committee.
We have hired Nancy Merrill as a grant writer for this project. She is a former Economic Development Director for the City of Claremont where she wrote many successful grants.
Returning to the discussion of the current design of the Police Station, it was agreed we need to reduce the square footage. From 8,200 to less than 7,000. The windows and doors must still be ballistic. We need cover for outdoor parking. Mr. Dalessio presented a design in which he had moved the offices and altered the size of the training room to half its former size. The committee approved the alterations which reduced the square footage without compromising the most important needs and safety of a new station.
Mr. Dalessio will get in touch with our Architect, Michael Petrovick to discuss the alterations so we can have a new design.
The Warrant Article which was to appear at Town Meeting asking the voters to approve our going forward with a new station has been removed from the agenda. There will be a Warrant Article which will ask the voters to approve a $55,000 CRF for the Police Department which will pay for the grant writer and other expenses associated with the design. We expect to purchase the property site for the new station before Town Meeting.
Our next meeting will be March 24, 2025, at 6:30 pm in the office of the Selectboard.
Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 3/19/25
Zoning Board of Adjustment
March 19, 2025
Town Hall
7 pm
Roll Call: Present Board members Chair Tom Murray, Vice-Chair Dave Edkins, William Sommers. Alternates Don Sellarole and Myra Mansouri. Absent: Board members Pauline Barnes and Shane O’Keefe.
Call to Order: Mr. Murray called the meeting to order at 7:02. He welcomed new ZBA member Bill Sommers. He asked alternates Myra Mansouri and Don Sellarole to sit in for the missing Board members. They agreed.
Minutes: Review of February 2025 minutes: Mr. Murray said in the last paragraph of page 1 the RSA number should be 674:33 not 6754:33. Mr. Edkins made a motion to accept the amended minutes as presented. Mr. Sellarole seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Tonight’s minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed for corrections at the April meeting.
New Business:
Election of Officers
Mr. Murray asked for nominations. Ms. Mansouri nominated Tom Murray as chair. Mr. Edkins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Ms. Mansouri nominated Pauline Barnes as Vice-Chair. Mr. Sellarole seconded the motion The vote was 5-0 in favor. Mr. Sellarole nominated Mr. Edkins as Clerk. Ms. Mansouri seconded the motion and the vote was 5-0 in favor.
Old Business:
Public Hearing: Variance: Jennie Cure, Map 11, Lot 27, 529 Valley Road, Rural/Ag District. Proposed is a wheelchair ramp. Ramp will be too close to the center of the road. Presenter and builder is Doug Phelps. Zoning Ordinance: Article VIII D-2.
Mr. Edkins recused himself from sitting in on this public hearing.
Mr. Phelps brought in a large drawing of the layout of the property: road, driveway, original house, a new deck, new addition and the location of the wheelchair ramp. All items were delineated in different colors. For example, the ramp, which is 20 feet with a 6.8-foot-by-5-foot pivot area at the top and a 1/12 grade, were outlined in green. He explained that his client bought her mother’s house on Valley Road. Her mother is now in a nursing home in Bellows Falls. The original section of the house was built in 1808. An addition was added to the home with all new features. He and Zoning Coordinator Ernie Vose measured the distance to the center of the road and it was 60.4 feet.
Mr. Murray explained that a person applying for a variance must meet five conditions. Following are conditions in regular type and the applicant’s response in italics.
1.
Condition No. 1 Granting the variance would not be contrary to the public interest.
It is in the public interest that a dwelling be handicap accessible.
Condition No. 2. If the variance were granted, the spirit of he ordinance would be observed because:
It wouldn’t infringe on the setbacks.
Condition No. 3. Granting the variance would do substantial justice because:
The handicapped (person) would have access to a warm dwelling. Ms. Mansouri said friends of the handicapped person would also be able to visit.
Condition No. 4: Granting the variance will not diminish the values of the surrounding properties because:
The project has already increased surrounding property values. It makes the property look more civic minded and friendly.
Condition No. 5: Unnecessary Hardship: Owing to the special conditions of the property that distinguish it from the other properties in the area, denial of the variance would result in unnecessary hardship because:
1. No fair and substantial relationship exists between the general public purposes of the ordinance provision and specific application of the provision to the because:
Low profile and low impact. The construction of the ramp shows the owner is concerned about her property and the neighborhood.
and The proposed use is a reasonable one because:
The building always had two entrances that infringed on the setback. Mr. Murray quoted from RSA 674:33. “any zoning board of adjustment may grant a variance from the terms of a zoning ordinance without finding a hardship arising from the condition of a premises subject to the ordinance, when reasonable accommodation are necessary to allow a person or persons with a recognized physical disability to reside in or regularly use the premises…….”
Ms. Mansouri made a motion to approve the variance. Mr. Sellarole seconded the motion and the motion carried in favor 4-0. Mr. Edkins returned to sit on the Board.
Adjournment
Mr. Edkins made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sellarole seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 7:37 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
Recording Secretary
Artful Afternoons at River Valley Church – Beginning 3/26/25
Beginning Wednesday March 26th, River Valley Church is excited to welcome 2nd – 5th grade students to join us in creating art and sharing a snack after school. This program is free, but does require registration. Weekly attendance is not required to participate – join us when you can! The program will run through June 11th. Students at the Walpole School can take Bus 2 to be dropped off at the church. Students must be picked up by a parent or legal guardian by 5 pm. This program is being led by Emily Heddon and Beth Vickers.
You can register using the QR code on the attached poster or using this link: Registration Link
Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 3/12/25
TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
MARCH 12, 2025
Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:32 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
PAYROLL
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,085.69 dated 3/14/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,672.95. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
Selectboard Meeting – March 5, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of March 5, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.
Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – March 5, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of March 5, 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:
- Conservation Commission Meeting – March 3, 2025
Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.
PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS
Map and Lot # 028-159-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 028-159-000, of $2,442.00. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the tax refund was approved.
Map and Lot # 001-003-006: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 001-003-006, of $269.74. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the tax refund was approved.
Map and Lot # 003-065-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 003-065-000, of $239.27. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the tax refund was approved.
Map and Lot # 020-044-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 020-044-000, of $20.10. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the tax refund was approved.
Map and Lot # 001-019-000: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 001-019-000, of $10.27. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the tax refund was approved.
VETERANS’ TAX CREDIT:
Map and Lot # 013-027-001: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 013-027-001. The applicant served more than 90 days of active duty and was honorably discharged. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Houghton Brook Bridge – Cost Escalation Update: In 2023 the estimated cost to replace the bridge was $1,147,200. The current estimate is $1,695,000, which is a 48% increase in cost. Mr. Dalessio made a motion for the chair to sign the form stating that Walpole still plans to replace the Houghton Brook Bridge. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and Ms. Mayberry signed the form.
Reservoir Dam Update: An update was received from Fuss & O’Neill. The wetlands permit is being finalized. Forms are to be sent to the Town next week for review and signatures.
Reservoir Dam Reimbursement Form: A reimbursement of $13,969 is requested. Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the reimbursement request and to have Mr. Dalessio sign the form. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the reimbursement request was approved, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form.
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Initial Meeting: The first meeting will be March 19, 2025 at 3:00 – 5:00 PM in the Town Hall.
NEW BUSINESS
New Police Station Grant Consultant: Nancy Merrill of Development Solutions LLC is a grant writer working on the new Police Station funding. Mr. Dalessio made a motion to approve hiring Development Solutions LLC to help with fundraising for the New Police Station, and for the Chair to sign the contract. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the contract was signed.
2025 Senator Shaheen Congressional Grant Request: Ms. Merrill of Development Solutions LLC completed the application to request $2,057,209 for the new Police Station. Peggy Pschirrer requested support letters from various Town groups. The letters were uploaded to a portal.
Recreation Revolving Fund Request: Mr. Wilkes requested payment for three movies to be shown by the Recreation Department this summer. Ms. Vose moved to purchase the three movies from Swank Motion Pictures Inc. for a total cost of $825 with funds to come from the Recreation Revolving Fund, and to sign Purchase Order #204586. Mr. Dalessio seconded the motion. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the purchase was approved, and the purchase order was signed.
Whitcomb Park Reservation Request: The organizers of the Joshua Druke 5K Race on September 20, 2025 would like to start the race at Whitcomb Park. The walk-through last year helped eliminate questions about possible damage. Mrs. Downing will call Primex for recommended insurance levels for an event like this. By consensus the Board asked Mrs. Downing to let the organizers know they may use Whitcomb Park as long as Walpole gets proof of insurance at an appropriate level and there is a walk-through.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(e)
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(e) at 7:01 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:22 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.
ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Mayberry 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 March 19, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)
Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 3/19/25
TOWN OF WALPOLE
SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA
March 19, 2025
Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall
SELECTBOARD MEETING
OPENING OF MEETING
ELECTION OF CHAIR
SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS
- Appliance Quote and PO
- Hooper Renovation Update
- Hooper Maintenance Trust – Petition to the Court
- Executive Director Search Committee Update
- Appointment Notices
- February 2025 Reimbursement to the Town of Walpole from the Hooper Education Fund
- February 2025 Reimbursement to the Town of Walpole from the Hooper Maintenance Fund
- Builder’s Risk Insurance
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES
- Hooper Trustees Meeting – March 5, 2025
HOOPER TRUSTEES NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II
SELECTBOARD MEETING – continued
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
- Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $1,515,412.38 for checks issued 3/24/2025.
PAYROLL
- Payroll Register totaling $32,117.77 dated 3/14/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,201.52.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
- Selectboard Meeting – March 12, 2025
- Selectboard Non-Public Session – March 12, 2025
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Walpole Fire District Meeting – October 9, 2024
- Walpole Fire District Meeting – November 6, 2024
- Walpole Fire District Meeting – December 4, 2024
- Walpole Fire District Meeting – January 8, 2025
- Walpole Fire District Meeting – February 12,2025
- Walpole Fire District Budget Hearing – February 12, 2025
- Planning Board Meeting – March 11, 2025
TIMBER CERTIFICATION OF YIELDS AND WARRANT
- Op# 24-461-10, Map and Lot# 009-006-000
- Op#24-461-11, Map and Lot# 009-008-000
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS
- Map and Lot# 012-013-4U1
- Map and Lot# 012-013-4U2
PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS
- Map and Lot# 003-007-002
- Map and Lot# 003-082-CL3
- Map and Lot# 008-035-000
- Map and Lot# 009-007-000
- Map and Lot# 013-011-000
- Map and Lot# 022-017-000
- Map and Lot# 028-033-000
VETERANS’ TAX CREDITS
- Map and Lot# 005-025-000
- Map and Lot# 013-027-001
SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION
- Map and Lot# 013-027-001
OLD BUSINESS
Pending Further Actions: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Streets Bridges/Culverts, School and Union Street Drainage, 2023 Financial Audit
- Reservoir Dam Wetlands Permit Application
- Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Initial Meeting
NEW BUSINESS
- Selectboard Liaison Assignments
- Appointment Notices
- Recreation Revolving Fund Request
- Capital Reserve Fund Requests
- National Grid Herbicide Notification
- Highway Shed Stain Color
- Assessing Information Fees
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (e)
**Any recording, audio or visual, and/or other devices must be declared at the beginning of the meeting**
Zoning Board Meeting Agenda – 3/19/25
Zoning Board of Adjustment Agenda
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Town Hall
7 pm
Roll Call: Appointment of an alternate if needed.
Minutes: Review minutes of February 2025.
Call to Order:
New Business:
Election of Officers
Old Business:
Public Hearing: Variance
Variance: Jennie Cure, Map 11, Lot 27, 529 Valley Road, Rural/Ag District.
Proposed is a wheelchair ramp. Ramp will be too close to the center of the road. Presenter
and builder is Doug Phelps. Zoning Ordinance: Article VIII D-2.
Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 3/11/25
Walpole Planning Board
March 11, 2025
Town Hall
Second Floor
7 pm
Role Call: Present: Board members Chair Jeff Miller, Vice- Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Joanna Andros, Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternate Travis Adams. Absent board member Jeff Harrington and alternate Bill Carmody.
Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 6:59 pm. He asked Mr. Adams to fill in for the absent board member. Mr. Adams agreed.
Minutes: Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Old Business: Public Hearing Site Plan: Bevin Mitchell, 33 Wentworth Road, Walpole. Town Tax Map 19, Lot 72, Residential A District. Ms. Mitchell proposes a four-bedroom, four-bath Bed & Breakfast on the 6-acre lot. Zoning Ordinance Article IV, General Provisions L.
Ms. Mitchell brought in an aerial photo of her 6 acres of property. There are three entrances to the property, two of which form a half circle on the property and all are entered from Wentworth Road. There are many places on the property to park four cars, which is a requirement of the ordinance – one for each bedroom. Ms. Mitchell said she had been touch with Fire Chief Mark Houghton and he is going to come out and look at the space. There being no questions from the public or board, Mr. Miller closed the public hearing. Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the site plan on the condition the Board receive a letter of approval regarding the fire safety and a sprinkler system from Chief Houghton. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
Owner: Acorn to Sky Investments LLC, 135 Main Street, Meriden, NH 03770.
Agent’s Name: Fieldstone Land Consultants PLLC, 208 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055.
Presenter: John Noonan, Project Manager for Fieldstone Land Consultants.
Property: 505 Main Street & Red Barn Lane, Town Tax 12, Lot 13-3-Unit 2, Commercial District, 3.320 acres, 234,8 feet road frontage on Main Street (Route 12). Proposed Use is Domino’s Pizza restaurant.
Mr. Noonan submitted an application for a subdivision and a site plan. There was confusion on the layout of the property. Mr. Noonan said the property had been registered as one lot of record.
First of all, the three condo lots were registered without the town’s knowledge and it violates the town’s subdivision regulations. So until this matter is straightened out, the Planning Board cannot move forward. Mr. Miller said currently the lot is not one lot, but two lots. Therefore, there is no way this application as it is written can be subdivided unless it is one lot of record. One avenue for that to happen is if Mr. Noonan would apply for a voluntary merger and when that is approved and registered he could proceed with his plan. Mr. Noonan agreed with that pathway.
Adjournment
Mr. Perron made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. The time was 7:25 pm.
These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the April meeting for corrections.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
Secretary
The Walpolean 
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