Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 10/8/26
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2026, 6:30 PM
Town Hall, Walpole, NH
Present: Carolyn Vose, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry, Selectboard Member; Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration. Absent: Steve Dalessio, Selectboard Member, because of a business meeting conflict.
Ms. Vose called the Selectboard meeting of October 8, 2026 to order at 6:30 PM.
Accounts Payable
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $643,125.38 for checks and ACH payments. Ms. Vose seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Mayberry noted that the total includes the ACH payment to the Fall Mountain Regional School District (FMRSD) in the amount of $583,655.19.
Payroll
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $36,399.49, dated 10/09/2026, and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,656.24. Ms. Vose seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Selectboard meeting minutes of October 1, 2026. Ms. Vose seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Selectboard Non-Public Session minutes of October 1, 2026, with amendments, to remain sealed. Ms. Vose seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Committee Reports
Ms. Mayberry summarized the Police Building Committee meeting minutes of September 28, 2026. The committee will continue fundraising for furniture and fixtures and will organize “Coffee with a Cop” events. Mrs. Downing noted that one such event had recently been held at the Jiffy Mart, and Ms. Vose welcomed the initiative.
Old Business
NHSP JONE Grant
Mrs. Downing reported that the grant paperwork needed to be revisited because the State had rejected the previously submitted minutes. Ms. Mayberry explained that the motion needed to state specifically that the Chair was authorized to sign the certificate of authority. Because Mr. Dalessio was absent, the motion was framed to give the Chair formal authority on behalf of the Board.
Ms. Mayberry moved to reapprove the equipment grant agreement for the Walpole Police Department, with Chair Vose authorized to sign the Certificate of Authority, thereby authorizing Police Chief Justin Sanctuary to sign and enter into an agreement with the NHSP JONE program. Ms. Vose seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
MS-1, MS-1V for North Walpole Village and MS-1V for Walpole Fire
Mrs. Downing said three DRA forms required Selectboard signatures: the Town of Walpole MS-1, the North Walpole Village District MS-1V, and the Walpole Fire District MS-1V. She noted the updated portal now includes a Selectboard signature line for the MS-1V forms; while not required, DRA staff said signing was helpful.
Ms. Mayberry moved that the Board sign the three forms: the Town of Walpole MS-1V, MS-1V for the Village of North Walpole, and the MS-1V for the Walpole Fire District. Ms. Vose seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Heating Oil and Diesel Quotes
Ms. Mayberry raised concerns about the Town’s fuel tank arrangement and asked that Mr. Houghton clarify tank ownership and the length of any provider lock-in. The Board reviewed recent delivery issues and pricing, noting repeated fuel shortages, difficulty obtaining comparable written quotes, and unreliable service from Irving Energy. By consensus, the Board agreed to pursue Swanzey Oil for the coming season.
Other Matters
Ms. Vose stated that there was no new business. Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Downing provided a brief audit update. All paperwork for 2025 has been submitted. The auditors have indicated that corrections for 2024 are complete, though the final analysis has not been received and no signatures are needed at this time. Ms. Mayberry said the next step is to confirm when the 2025 audit will begin.
Non-Public Business: RSA 91-A:3 II (c) (e)
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter non-public session at 6:52 PM pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (c) and (e). Ms. Vose seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The Board met in non-public session. The discussion is not recorded in these public minutes.
Ms. Mayberry moved to exit non-public session at 7:22 PM, with the minutes of the session to remain sealed. Ms. Vose seconded. The motion carried unambitiously.
The Board returned to public session. There being no further business, Ms. Vose adjourned the meeting at 7:23 PM.
Minutes prepared by Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the October 15, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)
November 2026 Clarion Closing Date – 10/22/26
I have already started work on the November 2026 CLARION with submissions already received. The closing date for the November issue is Thursday, October 22nd – 5 pm Walpole time – one week away. Your submissions welcomed earlier if possible. Submission guidelines, and contact email are on the CLARION website. — https://thewalpoleclarion.com
Your early submissions help 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
Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 10/15/26
TOWN OF WALPOLE
SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA
October 15, 2026
Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall
SELECTBOARD MEETING
ROLL CALL: Carolyn Vose, Chair, Cheryl Mayberry, Selectboard; Steve Dalessio, Selectboard and Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration.
TOWN HALL REPLACEMENT RAMP
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c) (e)
PAYROLL
- Payroll Register totaling $36,201.31 dated 10/16/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,686.73
- Selectboard Meeting – October 8, 2026
- Selectboard Non-Public Session – October 8, 2026
BUILDING PERMITS
- 2026-31, Map and Lot# 012-019-000
OLD BUSINESS
Pending Further Actions: Old North Main Bridge/Culvert, School and Union Street Drainage, Parking Ordinance, Oil and Diesel Quotes
- NH Liquor Commission Off Site Caterer-Site Approval Form
- Town Hall In-Ground Propane Tank
NEW BUSINESS
- November 3, 2026 Election Warrant Notice
- Collateralization of Public Funds, Treasurer Policy TP-04
- HealthTrust Benefits Package Renewal
- Town Website Vendor Statement of Work (SOW)
- Police Department – September 2026 Activity
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c) (e)
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES
- Hooper Trustees Meeting – October 1, 2026
- Hooper Trusteed Non-Public Session – October 1, 2026
HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS
- Hooper Institute Rental Agreement
- Thank You Note
HOOPER TRUSTEES NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II
**Any recording, audio or visual, and/or other devices must be declared at the beginning of the meeting**
Walpole Historical Society Fall Concert – 11/1/26
Our Fall Concert is coming up! Tickets are selling briskly. Don’t be disappointed so buy your tickets today!
The Walpole Historical Society Cordially Invites You to Our Fall Concert
Harmony at Home: A Musical Evocation of the Alcotts
Performed by Musicians of the Old Post Road
Sarah Darling, violin
Daniel Ryan, cello
Suzanne Stumpf, flute
April Sun, fortepiano
And guest, Christina English, mezzo-soprano
November 1, 2026 at 3 pm
Walpole Unitarian Church
14 Union Street, Walpole, New Hampshire
The Alcott family, including author Louisa May Alcott, lived in Walpole for several years in the 1850s. Many of their experiences in Walpole later became episodes in Louisa May Alcott’s famous 1868 book, Little Women. The fortepiano featured in this concert is the actual instrument lent during their stay in Walpole to the Alcott family by resident Dr. Henry Whitney Bellows. This real-life Walpole event became a pivotal moment in Louisa’s book.
The concert will feature the Bellows-Alcott fortepiano, as well as a period flute and violin from the collections of the Walpole Historical Society, and will be played by the acclaimed period instrument ensemble, Musicians of the Old Post Road. The program will celebrate the music played in the Alcott household: songs sung by the Alcotts, popular Scottish songs of the mid-19th century, and American music played at dances during that era.
Celebrate George and Martha Washington at the Historical Society – 10/17/26
Please join us on October 17 at 12:30 pm for a celebration of George and Martha Washington – with tea, cake, and special refreshments featuring the Washington favorite – cherries! The couple’s love story will be explored with readings from Mary Higgins Clark’s thoroughly researched book, Mount Vernon Love Story. Enter a raffle to win an antique tea set complete with vintage linens.
* * *
The collections of the Walpole Historical Society contain thousands of items: clothing of all descriptions and eras, photos, pamphlets, books, tools, business ledgers, furniture, minutes of civic organizations, souvenir china, kitchen implements, even some vehicles. These objects have entered our collections through myriad sources: individuals and families donating family heirlooms, eagle-eyed folks at the Transfer Station or the Library Book Sale, basement and attic explorers, collectors seeking a home for their treasures. The Walpole Historical Society collections contain the commonplace and the rare and everything in between–all representing possible stories to discover. Please visit www.WalpoleHistory.com.
Walpole Police Department Activity Summary – September 2026
The September press log contains 311 calls/incidents covering September 1–30, 2026.
| Call Type | September |
| Motor Vehicle Stops | 68 |
| Ambulance Calls | 36 |
| Follow-up Calls | 19 |
| Suspicious Vehicle/Person/Incident | 19 |
| Building Checks | 15 |
| Directed Patrols | 15 |
| Assist Citizen | 14 |
| Paper Service | 10 |
| Found/Lost Property | 9 |
| Disturbances* | 9 |
| Motor Vehicle Accidents | 8 |
| Animal Complaints – Wild | 6 |
| 911/Non-911 Hangups | 6 |
| Admin/Other | 6 |
| Assist Motorist | 5 |
| Manner of Operation | 5 |
| Assist Other Agency | 5 |
| Abandoned Vehicles | 5 |
| Fire Alarms | 4 |
| VIN Verifications | 4 |
| Check Welfare | 3 |
| Road Hazards | 3 |
| Animal Complaints – Domestic | 3 |
| Burglar Alarms | 3 |
| Lockouts | 2 |
| Neighbor Disputes | 2 |
| Theft | 2 |
*Includes the various disturbance classifications appearing in the log.
Motor Vehicle Enforcement
Traffic enforcement continued to represent a significant portion of police activity, with 68 motor vehicle stops during September. The log shows stops distributed throughout town, but NH Route 12 was clearly the primary enforcement corridor. Early in the month alone, stops occurred at Route 12/South Street, the Train Station, Route 12/North River Road, and Route 12/River Road. September PD Log 2026 September PD Log 2026
The most frequently identified individual locations included:
| Motor Vehicle Stop Location | Stops |
| Train Station – NH Route 12 | 7 |
| Route 12 / South Street | 3 |
| Westminster Bridge – Route 12 | 3 |
| Route 12 / Blackjack Crossing Road | 3 |
| Route 12 / North River Road | 2 |
| Route 12 / River Road | 2 |
| Drewsville General Store – Route 123 | 2 |
| Main Street / Middle Street | 2 |
| Rest Area – Route 12 | 2 |
| Route 12 / Connector Road | 2 |
| County Road / Old Stage Road | 2 |
| Alyson’s Orchard – Route 12 | 2 |
There were also numerous single stops at locations including Upper Walpole Road, Main Street, Route 123, Red Barn Lane, Church Street, Ames Plaza, the New Arch Bridge area and other portions of Route 12.
Significant Police Activity
September included several incidents beyond routine traffic enforcement and service calls. Among the more notable entries were a domestic disturbance resulting in an arrest, an assault investigation, a DWI/DUI arrest, theft complaints, criminal trespassing, suspicious-person/vehicle investigations, a suicide threat/attempt investigation, and several motor vehicle accidents.
The log also reflects a substantial service role: 36 ambulance calls, welfare checks, citizen assists, motorist assists, animal complaints, found/lost property, building checks and inter-agency assistance. For example, the opening days of the month included ambulance calls, an unwanted-subject complaint, follow-up investigations, animal complaints and a disturbance in addition to traffic enforcement. September PD Log 2026 September PD Log 2026
Monthly Summary
Walpole Police responded to 311 calls and incidents during September 2026. Traffic enforcement remained the department’s most frequent activity, with 68 motor vehicle stops, many concentrated along the Route 12 corridor. Officers also responded to 36 ambulance calls, 19 suspicious vehicle/person incidents, 19 follow-up calls, eight motor vehicle accidents, disturbances, thefts, welfare checks and other public-safety matters. In addition to enforcement activity, officers continued to provide a significant level of community service through citizen assists, building checks, directed patrols, motorist assistance and responses to medical emergencies.
The overall September log shows the same broad pattern we saw in August: traffic enforcement is highly visible, but it represents only one part of a much broader mix of police, emergency-response and community-service activity.
Reminder: Musician Mason Daring at First Congregational Church of Walpole – 10/25/26
On Sunday, October 25 during the 10 am service at the Walpole Congregational church, musical guest Mason Daring will perform. Mason Daring is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and film composer with deep roots in the New England folk scene. He is especially known for his longtime collaboration with filmmaker John Sayles, composing scores for films including Lone Star, Matewan, and The Secret of Roan Inish. His music draws on folk, jazz, country, blues, and other American traditions.
Recent Comments