Tai Chi Class Starts in January

A new t'ai chi class starts January 9, 2025. The class will meet on Thursday mornings from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the Walpole Town Hall. For more information, contact Ben Daviss at 603-445-2200.

The Walpole Players Present A Christmas Story

From Jenny Plante:

Join the Walpole Players and friends at the Helen Miller Theater for a fun night, knowing that 100% of the profits from this show will go to The Fall Mountain food Shelf and Our Place Drop-In Center.

The Walpole Players present "A Christmas Story: The Musical" on December 12th, 13th, and 14th at 7:00 pm, and on December 15th at 2:00 pm. Adults $15, children and seniors $10.

Zoning Board Meeting Agenda – 11/20/24

Zoning Board of Adjustment Agenda

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Town Hall

6pm

Roll Call: Appointment of an alternate if needed.

Minutes: Review minutes of October 2024.

Old Business:

Dunkin signage on 418 Main Street – The sign on the building is the permitted size and is 100 feet from another sign because the proposed sign of the cup on the south side of the building has been withdrawn. 

The sign on the pylon must be 60 feet from the traveled edge of the road and 10 feet from the northern and western boundaries. It is less then 20 feet high. 

Old Business:

Gravel pit inspections. 

The Old Drewsville Road inspection sheet needs another signature.

Congregational Church Mistletoe Mart – 11/23/24

On Saturday, November 23rd, the Congregational Church of Walpole will be having their annual Mistletoe Mart from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.

There will be white elephant tables, candy table, gifts, baked goods, card making, pets and other items.

Luncheon of soup, sandwiches and dessert will be served from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm.

Please come to this pre-Christmas celebration.

Tax Deeded Properties in Walpole

From Sarah Downing:

The Town has an Invitation to Bid for four (4) properties that were tax deeded. To learn more about the properties and the sealed bid process, review the packet [see below to view or download]. Sealed bids are due on/by 1 PM on December 4, 2024, at the Selectboard Office. If interested parties have questions, they should contact the Selectboard Office for assistance.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 11/6/24

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

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

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

Guests Present: Peggy Pschirrer and Paul Looney

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 7:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Town Properties and CPCNH: Mr. Looney, on behalf of the Community Power Committee, requested the Town’s source of electricity be moved to CPCNH. The Town’s contract with Constellation Energy ends in mid-November.  CPCNH can offer us a rate of $0.086 for the remainder of the year, which is better than the quote from Constellation Energy.  Next year CPCNH will have a one-year rate of $0.089, part of which goes into the reserves.  It is expected that two waves of towns/cities will be joining CPCNH in 2025. Therefore, rates will continue to be low for everyone.   Constellation Energy has a rate of $0.0945 for a one-year contract. The Community Power Committee recommended that the Town go with the $0.086 contract for the rest of the year.  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve moving the Town’s electricity supplier from Constellation Energy to CPCNH with a rate of $0.086 until 12/31/2024.  Ms. Vose seconded the motion.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the Town will switch to CPCNH as the Town’s electricity supplier.

Mr. Looney reported that the updated contract to sell solar electricity credits arrived today, just before the meeting. It has not been reviewed.  Mr. Looney and Mrs. Pschirrer will be back with the contract next week.

Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Looney left the meeting.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $135,027.92 dated 11/08/2024 including $70,082.76 payment to the Village of Bellows Falls for the third quarter sewer usage and bond.  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 $31,447.57 dated 11/08/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,332.34.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the payroll register was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

Selectboard Meeting – October 31, 2024Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 31, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – October 31, 2024:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of October 31, 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:

  • Library Trustees Meeting Minutes – October 8, 2024
  • Joint Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – October 22, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

BUILDING PERMIT

2024-36, Map and Lot# 011-001-001: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2024-36 for Map and Lot # 011-001-001 to construct a 38’ x 12’ overhang roof to a garage. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Building Permit 2024-36 was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Action: Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, and ARPA Funding Grants

Police Station Land Purchase Deposit: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Purchase Order #201256 to make a $10,000 deposit on the land for the Police Station and the cover letter.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms.  Vose in favor, the motion passed, and the purchase order and cover letter were signed.

Reservoir Dam Update: Mr. Dalessio reported that NH DES has reached out Fuss & O’Neill.  The DES are nervous about the completion of the contract. The Dam Bureau is contacting Fuss and O’Neill directly to make sure the latest guidelines are followed.  This will ensure that the planning is done correctly.

Petition Warrant Article: There is a question about appropriations being requested within a petition warrant article for pickleball courts.  Per research conducted, only the Selectboard can decide upon funding. Given this information, if a warrant article passes that states where funding will come from, it will not necessarily happen. 

Invitation to Bid: Four properties have been tax-deeded and will be going up for sale by sealed bid on December 4, 2024. The pamphlet has been updated.  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the invitation to bid on tax-deeded properties.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor the invitation to bid was approved, and the letter was signed.

NEW BUSINESS

Facility Agreement for North Walpole Polling Area:  A form was received from St. Peter’s Catholic Church, which is used for the North Walpole polling area on November 6, 2024, and the Town Election Day on March 11, 2025.  Their insurance vendor also requests a Certificate of Liability.  Mr. Dalessio moved the Town continue to use St. Peter’s Church for voting, complete the form, and provide the Certificate of Liability.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion passed, and Ms. Mayberry signed the form. Mrs. Downing will send the Certificate of Liability with the form to All Saints Parish.

Recreation Committee Letter: Ms. Vose moved to accept the letter to the Recreation Committee members.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the letter was accepted and signed.  Mrs. Downing will email the letter to the committee members.

Payroll Service: Mr. Kreissle sent an email to the Selectboard requesting the Town hire a payroll service. Mr. Kreissle and Mrs. Daigle are having trouble entering benefit time and Colonial Life deductions.  They have a work-around, but it is very clumsy and produces incorrect information on paycheck stubs. There is also an issue with water and sewer invoices.  If the owner has multiple properties and has a credit on one, the credit shows on all the properties. Mrs. Daigle must create manual invoices for these accounts.  AccuFund is not supportive in getting the issues resolved.  The Selectboard agreed by consensus to keep using workarounds until a better financial software system can be found.  The research on possible systems is not yet complete and will take some time.

Ms. Mayberry added that because of the incorrect benefit time printed on payroll stubs, Mrs. Clough in the Police Department is asking for a monthly payroll report with the correct information.  Ms. Mayberry felt this request was reasonable, and Mr. Kreissle needs to send the reports monthly.  A decision on this item is postponed while research on potential alternative systems continues.

Thanksgiving Feast Invitation: The Selectboard and Town Hall Office Staff have been invited to the Thanksgiving Feast at the Walpole School.  The Selectboard Office staff are planning to attend.  Ms. Mayberry and Ms. Vose have prior commitments.  Mr. Dalessio is uncertain whether he will be able to attend.

HOOPER TRUSTEES

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:05 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms.  Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:26 PM.

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 8:26 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:43 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.

Ms. Mayberry felt that Election Day went very well because of the hard work and professionalism of everyone involved.  The other Selectboard members agreed with Ms. Mayberry. The Selectboard wished to thank everyone involved: the Supervisors of the Checklist, all the volunteers and paid workers, the Walpole Community Grange and everyone who participated in any way.  Thank you!! 

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the November 14, 2024 Selectboard meeting.)

Golf Out Cancer 2024

From Kerry Pickering:

A huge thank you to Walpole and the surrounding communities for their donations to our 2024 Golf Out Cancer Event. Today two of our committee members, Dean and Christine Prentiss, were able to present a check to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for $14,500! We were also able to donate $2,000 to DHC-Keene for gas cards for cancer patients. Thank you to all that made this possible.

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – 11/13/24

A note from Sarah Downing: The meeting was moved up a day because of meeting conflict for a Selectboard member. Next week, we are back to our normal Thursday meeting day.

TOWN OF WALPOLE

SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA 

November 13, 2024

Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall

SELECTBOARD MEETING

PAYROLL

  • Payroll Register totaling $34,540.37 dated 11/15/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,675.85.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

  • Selectboard Meeting – November 6, 2024
  • Selectboard Non-Public Session – November 6, 2024

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • Walpole Recreation Committee Minutes (approved) – August 19, 2024
  • Walpole Recreation Committee Minutes (unapproved) – September 11, 2024
  • Walpole Recreation Committee Minutes (unapproved) – October 14, 2024

OLD BUSINESS

Pending Further Actions:  Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Steets Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, ARPA Funding Grants

  • CPCNH REC Agreement
  • Recreation Committee
  • Dog Complaint
  • Tax Rate Update

NEW BUSINESS

  • Recreation Revolving Fund Request
  • Reimbursement Request to the Trustees of Trust Funds
  • Camping Complaint for Fanny Mason Rest Area
  • Tree Lighting Event at the Drewsville Common
  • Thanksgiving Week Selectboard Meeting

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

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING

HOOPER TRUSTEES MINUTES

  • Hooper Trustees Meeting – November 6, 2024
  • Non-Public Hooper Trustees Meeting – November 6, 2024

HOOPER TRUSTEES PUBLIC BUSINESS

  • PO and Invoice for Garaventa USA Lift
  • Online Meeting Date and Time for NH Office of Charitable Trusts

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

CORRECTION for: 8th Grade Thanksgiving Basket Raffle

This post includes a corrected list of the raffle items. – Kelli

Support the Walpole Elementary School 8th Grade and enter for a chance to win a Thanksgiving Basket with everything you need to create a Thanksgiving feast!

Walpole students will be selling tickets at the Post Office, Recycling Center & Shaws on Saturday November 16th.  Tickets are also available at Diamond Pizza now through November 22nd.  Students will also be selling tickets at the Walpole Farmers Market on Saturday November 23rd after which the winner will be drawn. 

Tickets are $10 each. 100% of sales will directly support the 8th Grade Class graduation and end of year activities. 

If you would like to buy tickets but can’t make it to a sales location, reach out to an 8th grade student or email Moriah Bascom at mbascom@sau60.org

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 11/4/24

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

Members Present:  Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Presiding), Lewis Shelley

Alternates Present:  Nicole Adams, Paul Happ

Selectboard Present:  Steve Dalessio

Members Absent:  Alicia Flammia, John Peska, Tom Beaudry

Visitors Present:  Members of the Monadnock Climbers Association: JC Woodward, Rob Koning, and Jeff Archibald; Katherine Kopij and Rose Bolio

Call to Order:  Peter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternatives:  Because only four members were present, Nicole Adams was seated.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

No changes were requested.  France moved to accept the September 9, 2024 and the October 7, 2024 minutes as written. Lew seconded and all voted in favor. The minutes were accepted. 

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Report from co-Chair:  John could not attend.

Financial Report:  Conservation N/A

Forestry N/A

Mason Forest Expendable (9/30/2024) $527,162.08

Mason Forest Nonexpendable (9/30/2024) $23,151.85 

Correspondence:  NHACC membership invoice for $250; invoice to reimburse Kelli Wilson for the website domain and hosting for $220.90.

NEW BUSINESS

OLD BUSINESS

Climbing Group – North Walpole Property: The Monadnock Climbers Association, who first came to the commission in May, returned to share more information on their ideas for Fall Mountain climbing areas.  The discussion furthered the understanding of their ideas as they shared a draft management plan.  Peter will provide suggestions and questions on areas that need attention based on questions and comments made during the discussion.  Katherine also will confer with the N. Walpole commissioners.  

Rest Area Shelter – Roof Bid, Pressure Washing, Paint/Stain:  Two bids were received.  After discussing both bids, Lew moved that we go with Long’s Roofing for a new metal roof as described in the quote for a price not to exceed $7,500.  France seconded.  Lew will generate a purchase order with funds to come from the Fanny Mason Fund account and get it to Rich.  A $200 deposit is required, half will be due when work starts, and the remaining balance due when the work is complete.  The work will be done in cold weather and will be completed on each shelter once it is started. 

The pressure washing and painting or staining will have to wait until next year – it is getting too cold now.

Workday at the shelters, November 16th at 9:30 AM, will focus on cleaning up around the buildings to provide access for the roofers.  Lew and Peter will do some preliminary work the day before.

Fanny Mason Harvesting – Update:  Alex Barrett (Longview Forest) is working on a contract with Chris Ricci.  It should be harvested either this winter or next summer. France moved approval to pay an invoice for $4425 for marking trees for harvest.  The money will come from the Fanny Mason Fund because that is where the harvest income will go.  Wendy seconded.  The motion was accepted unanimously.

Invasives Treatments:  We have a quote for the second treatment of invasives at the Gateway: the treatment area is 3.66 acres, and it would be treated during the 2025 growing season at a cost of $2520. Nicole and Lew know other companies who also treat invasives who could be asked for a bid on the Gateway invasives.  There was a discussion of the value of treating invasives, and whether once you start with one company it is critical to continue treatment with them. Questions on the effectiveness of the first treatment arose and a few commission members will assess and Peter will follow up with Longview

We also received an estimate for treating invasives in the Hooper Forest.  Nicole will take it to the Hooper Board which meets November 6th

Property Monitoring – Follow Up:   From the recent NHACC conference, Wendy learned we should be monitoring all the property we own and all property with town-held conservation easements.  It is important to follow up on all violations.  This year, Wendy will monitor the Ballam farm, Beatrice Graves easement, and a portion of Mill Pond.  For next year we need to plan and carry out more complete monitoring.

OTHER BUSINESS

Dam Updates:  Steve got the drawings for Reservoir Dam just before the meeting.  He will get a copy to John.  We will now be getting biweekly updates from Fuss and O’Neill.  The project is on schedule to be complete during 2025.  The requirements changed during the project so rather than preparing for twice the 100-year flood, we now need to prepare for the 1,000-year flood.

John is still trying to find someone to mow around the Knapp Cranberry Bog dam.  

Hooper Institute Board Update:  The Board meets November 6th.

Trail Committee:  The Committee is doing routine maintenance.  Lew put up new signs at River Road Rail Trail parking area. The Mill Pond inspection walk was canceled due to rain.  Rail Trail maintenance on November 23rd will focus on ditches, culverts, and getting ready for winter.  There will be a Happy Trails Party open to the public at the Town Hall on December 11th at 7:00 pm.  It will be informative and fun with the goals of publicizing Walpole trails, attracting new members and trail workers, and soliciting public input.  France is working on a lending library for winter gear: It must be easy, centrally located and it must operate with no staff. 

New Commissioner:  Peter nominated Nicole Adams to be a Conservation Commissioner.  Nicole accepted the nomination. All were in favor.  Nicole will get a letter to Sarah Downing by noon tomorrow so it can be voted on at the next Selectboard meeting on November 6th.

North Walpole Request:   There is an area between the North Walpole Park and the railroad tracks that the North Walpole Commissioners are asking for advice on how to maintain.  The Park belongs to Walpole, but research is needed to determine whether this area belongs to Walpole or the railroad.

New Alternate:  Katherine Kopij would like to be an Alternate.  Steve asked if she is permitted to be a North Walpole Commissioner and on the Conservation Committee.  That needs to be determined before proceeding with a new member.

Adjournment:  Wendy moved to adjourn.  Lew seconded.  Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 2, 2024 Conservation Commission meeting.)