Keeping the community up to date on community topics
From North Walpole resident Catherine Scholl: I’m a parishioner of St. Charles in Bellows Falls and we’re doing a survey, open to anyone of any faith, or of none, of local residents within a commutable distance. It’s a Perception Study to see if we’re addressing the needs/ministering to the greater community. The survey is open through the end of the month. [Clicking or tapping the image will open the survey in your web browser. – Kelli]
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES
NOVEMBER 20, 2024
Town Hall
6 pm
Role Call: Present board members: Chair Tom Murray, Vice-Chair Dave Edkins, Clerk Pauline Barnes, Shane O’Keefe, Tom Winmill. Alternate: Don Sellarole. Absent: Alternate Myra Mansouri.
Call to order: Mr. Murray called the meeting to order a couple of minutes after 6 pm.
Minutes: Review of minutes of October 2024. On page 2, Mr. O’Keefe’s name was misspelled in the paragraph titled “Recess;” add the word “in” to the word “with” in the last sentence. On Page 3, paragraph 6 place the word “access” between the middle of “DOT approval” and remove two letters in the line about the pylon sign. Page 4, change Thursday to Tuesday and add “These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the November meeting.” Mr. Winmill said his motion about signage was not exactly as he wrote it. After some discussion Mr. O’Keefe made a motion to hold off on approving the minutes until December. The board voted unanimously to do so..
OLD BUSINESS
Signage at Dunkin building at 418 Main Street.
Project manager, Ann Ramsay, from Viewpoint Signs and Awnings in Northborough, MA was the presenter at this meeting.
Mr. Edkins said he looked at the Dunkin file and there was a letter about parking signs on the side of the road. The topic came up at a meeting and a letter sent to Frank Linnenbringer, the DOT contact person for Walpole. Mr. Linnenbringer said these signs were not the responsibility of DOT but it was the town or developer who was responsible for purchase and installation of the signs. Mr. Edkins asked Ms. Ramsay if her client was requesting parking signs. She responded “no.”
The Board was informed that the cup sign on the south side of the building would no longer be part of the package of signs to be approved. Mr. Edkins asked Ms. Ramsay if this was a request from the applicant. She said it was. Mr. O’Keefe asked if there was a letter proving it. She replied “yes” and said Viewpoint would send the board a letter confirming that request.
Mr. Winmillt argued that the “directional signs” were too close to other signs. Comments from board member were that the “enter” and “exit” signs were there to benefit the public and were a safety feature for drivers.
Ms. Ramsay was asked if the directional signs were lighted. She said yes but the lights could be turned off if requested. Mr. Murray asked Ms. Ramsay if the Dunkin logo was on the directional signs. She said no.
Mr. Edkins made a motion to approve the signage as presented and requested that the illuminated signs be turned off when the business is not open. Mr. O’Keefe seconded the motion. Mr. Murray, Ms. Barnes, Mr. Edkins and Mr. O’Keefe voted yea in favor of the motion.
Gravel Pits
Mr. O’Keefe said he found out more about how Westmoreland and gravel pits work. The town of Westmoreland hires an engineering company to oversee gravel pits for the town. The company, not the town, handles the permitting process and also inspects the gravel pits yearly, which is a requirement of the state.
At the end of the meeting Mr. Winmill made the following below.
RESOLVED, that the permits requested be denied on the basis of Walpole Zoning Ordinance ARTICLE IV, D. Signs, as follows, and all prior resolutions of the Board relative to this matter be rescinded:
| Sign | Applicable Section |
| D1 and D2 Directional signs | Section 7 provides that directional signs do not exceed one in any two mile length of road and not be within fifty (50) feet of any other sign except when mounted on a common post, and Section 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than sixty (60) feet from the edge of the traveled roadway and not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign, and that free-standing signs shall be located no closer than sixty (60) feet from the edge of the traveled roadway |
| A Dunkin sign Channel Letter 30” H mounted on backer on building | Section 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign |
| F Drive-thru Speaker Canopy | Section 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign |
| E Drive-thru Clearance Bar | Section 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign |
| C Pylon sign | Section 6 that provides that signs shall be placed not less than one hundred (100) feet from another sign and Section 6 that provides that signs shall be no closer than ten (10) feet from the remaining lot lines |
This motion was not seconded.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Edkins made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. O’Keefe seconded the motion and the motion carried, 4-0 with Mr. Murray and Ms. Barnes also voting in favor of adjourning. The time was 7:02 pm.
These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the December meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilou Blaine
ZBA Secretary
We are thrilled to share that the Thanksgiving Basket Raffle to benefit the Walpole Elementary School 8th Grade was very successful! We met our fundraising goal which will cover the costs of their graduation ceremony & celebration and an end of year class trip (TBD)! The Walpole community is so generous and we have many people to thank. Many local businesses donated items to our basket, and the community as a whole, generously purchased raffle tickets. We thank everyone for your support to make this fundraiser so successful. The winner of the basket was drawn at the Farmers Market with the prize going to Terri Patch!
Special thanks to the following for their donations to the basket: Walpole Grocery, CBS Knifeworks, Simply Made Cakes & Bakes, Fort at #4, Galloway Real Estate, Ted’s Wicked BBQ Sauces, Orchard Hill Breadworks, Pete’s Stand, Beth Vickers, Diamond Pizza, Rockingham Roasters, L.A. Burdick Chocolates, Harlow Farm Stand, Allen Brothers, Kim Spears, Alisza Dingwell, Laura Elliott, and Andrea-Vickers-Sivret.
The Abenaki Springs Farm road side stand at 188 Upper Walpole Road in Walpole will be open from Saturday, 11/22 to Wednesday, 11/27. We will permanently close our stand on the 27th.
We’ll be stocked with carrots, winter squashes, broccoli, brussels sprouts, rutabaga, radishes, salad turnips, kale, beets, and more for your Thanksgiving needs.
The stand is a self-serve honor system and we accept exact cash, check, or venmo @abenakispringsfarm
We hope you all have a wonderful holiday with loved ones!
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
November 13, 2024
Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration
Guests Present: Peggy Pschirrer, Paul Looney and Toni McDougle
CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. She introduced herself, Cheryl Mayberry, Selectboard Chair, Steve Dalessio and Carolyn Vose and Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration
CPCNH REC AGREEMENT: The Chair recognized Paul Looney, the Chair of the Walpole Community Power Committee. Mr. Looney explained that the contract the Selectboard was reviewing was similar to the prior contract with a different vendor. The Renewable Energy Credit (REC) contract with CPCNH would be for one year, will auto-renew and offer $35 per REC. Mr. Dalessio asked what the next step would be for the Town. Mr. Looney replied there should not be a need to do anything. Mr. Looney explained how the credits will be recorded and used by CPCNH. The proceeds from the sale of the RECs will offset the purchase price of the solar energy system. Mr. Looney reported that a State refund of $6,000 had been received. Two additional reimbursement grants are being applied for, as planned per the warrant article.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve that the Chair sign the CPCNH REC Purchase and Sale Agreement for 2024 and 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Looney departed the meeting.
HOOPER TRUSTEES:
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 6:44 PM. Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalesio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:01 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer departed the meeting.
RECREATION COMMITTEE: Toni McDougle understood that the Recreation Committee had been dissolved. Ms. Vose explained that going forward, the Recreation Director, Kaian Richards-Wilkes, will have support from a collection of volunteers with different backgrounds, ages and interests. The Recreation Director is developing a master plan for the Whitcomb Recreation Area that will allow space for multiple purposes. Ms. Vose recommended that Ms. McDougle speak with Mr. Richards-Wilkes. Ms. McDougle asked if Ms. Mayberry could assist with finding grants for improving the pickleball courts. Ms. Mayberry thought there were several private and government funded grants available for improving recreation facilities. There was a discussion about a petition warrant article related to pickleball courts. Ms. Mayberry confirmed that the Selectboard decides upon funding sources for articles. Mr. Dalessio put forth the idea of a warrant article using money from grants and/or donations with a portion being Town funded.
Ms. McDougle departed the meeting.
PAYROLL:
Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $34,540.37 dated 11/15/24 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,675.85. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – November 6, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 6, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – November 6, 2024: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of November 6, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
OLD BUSINESS:
ARPA Grant Funding: Mr. Dalessio reported that the cost for propane generators for the 3 sewer pump stations should be determined this week. Mr. Dalessio confirmed with Ms. Mayberry that this is a reimbursement grant. Once the contract is signed, the generators will be ordered.
Dog Complaint: Ms. Mayberry stated Officer Merkle is following up about the loose dogs on High Street. The Police Department cannot pre-emptively act regarding potential dog bites. Charges must be made for action to be taken.
2024 Tax Rate: Ms. Mayberry will contact the North Walpole Commissioners to find out how they are progressing with their MS-434 and MS-535 forms. Mr. Kreissle is working with the auditors to complete the Town’s MS-535. The Selectboard agreed that the tax rate setting will continue to be delayed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Recreation Revolving Fund Request: Ms. Vose moved to approve PO# 204574 for $1,499 to Bull Dog Design for basketball jerseys. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. Ms. Mayberry asked if sponsors would be reimbursing the cost of the jerseys. Ms. Vose confirmed this would happen.
Request to the Trustees of Trust Funds: Ms. Vose moved to accept the reimbursement request to the Trustees of Trust Funds in the amount of $4,425 from the Fanny Mason Fund for timber harvesting planning and preparation. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
Camping Complaint for Fanny Mason Rest Area: Mr. Dalessio stated he had spoken with Police Chief Sanctuary regarding the issue. The people living in the motor home had lost their housing and were looking for a new living situation in the area. The Selectboard Office received a citizen complaint about the unhealthy impact of the motor home on the rest area. The NH DOT alerted the Town that “No Camping” signs would be installed soon. The request had been made earlier to the DOT by an unknown party.
Tree Lighting on the Drewsville Common: The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 1st. Mr. Dalessio confirmed that the start time will be 4:30 PM. Santa will arrive in a horse drawn wagon.
Thanksgiving Selectboard Meeting: The Selectboard agreed by consensus not to meet Thanksgiving week. Mrs. Downing was given authorization to sign the Town’s weekly payroll.
Staff Meeting: There will be an in-person Staff Meeting on Nov. 21st. Mr. Dalessio would like department managers to speak about special requests, changes and projects in each department’s budget.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c):
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 8:01 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:39 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:
Mr. Dalessio moved to reconvene the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:40 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.
The Selectboard meeting was reconvened at 9:07 PM.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the November 21, 2024, Selectboard meeting.)
Another successful book sale put on by the Friends of the Library! This year we raised over six thousand dollars for the Walpole Library! Thank you to everyone who attended and/or volunteered. It truly takes a village and we would like to take a moment to acknowledge those who made this year’s sale happen!
Gary Patch and crew from Cold River Materials, Mike Snide and Steve Corey from Pinnacleview, FM cross country team (Kate Northcott and Heidi Westover), EE Houghton LLC, Graves Trucking, Chris Miller and Sam Kong of Chamberlain Machine and Ted and Christine Benson and Andrew Darling of Bensonwood, Ben and Patty and Reuse Center staff, and all sorting volunteers, Walpole school (Principal Justin Cassarino and custodians Joey Hicks and Charles Burr).
On behalf of the Friend of the Library Board Members, thank you!
Eryn Finnell, Bevin Mitchel, Sallie Houstoun, Vanesa Neilsen, Gretchen Fowler, Christie Winmill, Robin Fernsell, Pam Baucom, Pamela Sponholz
TOWN OF WALPOLE
SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA
November 21, 2024
Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall
SELECTBOARD MEETING
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
PAYROLL
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE REPORTS
REFUNDS
OLD BUSINESS
Pending Further Actions: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Streets Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, ARPA Grants – Sewer System
NEW BUSINESS
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a)
HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING
HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES
HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS
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**
**NOTICE**
On Weds., Nov. 20, 2024
The Walpole Selectboard
will be holding an informational
Public Meeting at 7:00 PM
To present Walpole School Withdrawal Committee Findings
at the Walpole Town Hall
1st Floor, Main Meeting Room
This meeting will be available to view by Zoom. Contact the Selectboard Office at 603-756-3672 or e-mail sdowning@walpolenh.us for access information.
A reader asked me to share this letter from The Fall Mountain Regional School District regarding the Articles of Agreement. – Kelli
The Walpolean 
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