Keeping the community up to date on community topics
The Walpole Selectboard is hosting 3 informational meetings related to the Walpole School Withdrawal Warrant Article that will be on the upcoming school district ballot. To learn more about the potential withdrawal and to ask questions, please attend one of the following meetings.
The meetings which include a presentation will be held in the first-floor meeting room of the Town Hall.
Conservation Commission
Town of Walpole, New Hampshire
January 5, 2026
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the February 2, 2026 Conservation Commission meeting.)
Members Present: Nicole Adams, Tom Beaudry (alt), Paul Happ, Peter Palmiotto (co-chair & recording), John Peska (co-chair & presiding), Lewis Shelley
Members Absent: Hale Morrell (alt), Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep)
Visitors Present: Holly Gowdy
Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall.
Seating of Alternates: Tom Beaudry was seated to obtain quorum.
Review and Approval of Minutes
Paul moved to accept December 1, 2025. Lew seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried.
Public Business
Financial Report: No financial report was available
Correspondence: (1) Southwest Regional Planning highlights newsletter, (2) Intent to cut 65 acres Maple Grove Road, 3 Acres French Road
New Business
WCC files organization proposal – Paul proposed the commission review and update physical files in 15 minute work sessions at each meeting. Discussion prioritize files relevant to town land and easements responsibilities with the goal of having files organized by the end of the year. Proposal was supported.
Old Business
Fanny Mason Forest Management: Fanny Mason Forest winter harvest contract was reviewed and supported for selectboard signature. Commission supported Longview’s request to host a CCCD forestry workshop at Fanny Mason in early February.
Easement Monitoring: Wendy emailed an update that she submitted 3 monitoring reports – Ballam Farm, Graves and Mill Pond. She also accompanied Phil Warren on the Monadnock Conservancy’s monitoring visit to Nelson and March Town Forests.
Reservoir Dam: The permit process for the option to breach the Reservoir Dam is ongoing. The Federal govt clawed back a large portion of grant the town had therefore more funds need to be secured for any option to address the dam issue.
Knapp Cranberry Bog Dam: Paul continues to work on completing and submitting a wetlands permit to address cleaning out cattails. Paul will secure quotes for managing vegetation at this time. The dam’s operation manual was discussed for guidance on annual maintenance.
Mt. Kilborne: Letter of support was sent to MCA on their desire to discuss with utility landowners about establishing a formal relationship and climbing opportunities.
Trail Committee
Rail Trail Work Plan: Nicole reported the rail trail work plan was submitted to the state. Commission thanked her and all that provided input. Areas of concern were discussed, Nicole would follow up with the state when she hears back about the work plan. To support the rail trail maintenance Ruggiero has offered support up to $5000 in 2026.
Other Trails: Trails committee meeting will be 2nd Wednesday of month (1/14) 7 pm in town hall. Governance of subcommittee is one agenda item (i.e. selecting a new sub committee chair).
Other Business and Updates
Hooper Institute Board: Looking for recording secretary. Board Meeting 1/6/26.
Strategic Planning Sessions scheduled for Sat 1/10 and 1/17.
Discussion with Holly Gowdy who expressed interest in serving the town in the role as recording secretary. Commission supported her application.
Next Meeting February 2, 2026
Adjournment: John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Palmiotto, acting recording secretary
TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair; Carolyn Vose and Cheryl Mayberry
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Jodi Daigle, Tax Collector & Water/Sewer Clerk and Zoe Dodd, Deputy Tax Collector/Admin. Asst.
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 10:09 AM in the Selectboard Office of the Town Hall. Mr. Dalessio introduced the Selectboard and Selectboard Office staff present at the meeting.
PAYROLL: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $37,445.50 dated 1/02/26 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,481.15. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MINUTES:
ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN (AMP) GRANT HEARING, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Asset Management Plan (AMP) Grant Hearing minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
USDA GRANT for the WALPOLE FIRE STATION EXPANSION HEARING, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the USA Grant for the Walpole Fire Station Expansion minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
COMMUNITY FACILTIES GRANT AGREEMENT HEARING, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Community Facilities Grant Agreement Hearing minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Selectboard Meeting minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES, December 18, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Selectboard Non-Public Session minutes of December 18, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes were not sealed and will be public.
SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES, December 28, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve of the Special Selectboard Meeting minutes of December 28, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. The purpose of the meeting was to sign the 2026 property tax warrant.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Ms. Mayberry brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:
Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.
TIMBER INTENTS:
Map and Lots# 007-006 and 008: Ms. Mayberry motioned to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 007-006 and 008. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved.
Map and Lots# 009-029 and 030: Ms. Mayberry motioned to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 009-029 and 030. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Cemetery Trustees Encumbrance Request: Ms. Mayberry gave a recap of her communications with the Dale Woodward, the chair of the Cemetery Trustees. No formal numbers were provided for the cemetery projects. There were no commitments to spending the funds. By consensus, the Selectboard recommended that the Cemetery Trustees increase their 2026 budget to cover the costs of the projects. The Selectboard did not wish to violate the terms of allowances for encumbering funds from one budget year to the next.
Ms. Mayberry is to request quote numbers from Mr. Woodward to increase the 2026 Cemetery budget.
Purchase Order Policy: The Selectboard had concerns related to purchase orders submitted just before the end of the fiscal year. Ms. Mayberry recommended updating the purchase order policy with a specific end time for submitting purchase order in the fiscal year. The Selectboard agreed by consensus that a policy be created.
Capital Reserve Request for the Walpole Schools: Ms. Mayberry gave a recap of the communications involved with the school district and the Trustees of Trust Funds. She has requested that FMRSD provide the documentation that is associated with the capital reserve request to verify the funds have been spent. Ms. Mayberry motioned the approval of a letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds to release Capital Reserve Funds to the Fall Mountain Regional School District (FMRSD). Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved.
Hooper Institute Renovation Close Out: Ms. Mayberry created a spreadsheet to track the expenses. Ms. Mayberry stated that Mrs. Pschirrer had reviewed the spreadsheet and supported the final amount owed to the Town. Ms. Mayberry motioned for the approval of a letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds to request reimbursement to the Town for expenses incurred for the Hooper Institute Renovation Project. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved. Ms. Vose thanked Ms. Mayberry for completing this project.
NEW BUSINESS:
Town Hall Heat Pump Water Heater Quote: Ms. Vose motioned for the Selectboard Chair to sign a $4,300 quote for a new heat pump water heater. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved. The expense will be posted to the 2026 municipal department budget. The current heater is on the verge of failing.
Town Hall Generator Quote: Mr. Dalessio explained that the generator, which is being re-purposed from a water pump station, would power the Town Hall office area only. The quote along with installation and area preparation costs including an underground propane tank will be a 2026 warrant article using unassigned fund balance.
2025 Municipal Assessment Data Certificate: Ms. Mayberry motioned the approval of 2025 Municipal Assessment Data Certificate. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio, in favor the motion was approved. This form is related to setting the property tax equalization rate.
Drummond Woodsum Rate Structure: The Selectboard acknowledged the notice of new rates for attorney services.
US Conference of Mayors Survey: The Selectboard acknowledged the survey.
Voting Day Town Hall Use: The Selectboard discussed the request from the Walpole Players to host a Junior Player play practice on March 10th, Voting Day. The Town Clerk and Selectboard Office staff had concerns related to traffic, parking and general disruption during an election event. The Selectboard concurred. The Board requested that Ms. Dodd decline the request. Ms. Vose offered to speak with the play director.
Thank You Cards: The Selectboard received thank you notes from several library staff members for their Shaws holiday gift cards.
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a):
Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Non-Public meeting at 10:54 AM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.
The meeting was reconvened at 11:13 AM.
Mr. Dalessio declared the nonpublic minutes would be sealed.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 11:13 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 8, 2026, Selectboard meeting.)
TOWN OF WALPOLE
SELECTBOARD MEETING AGENDA
January 8, 2026
Starting at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall
SELECTBOARD MEETING
ELECTRICAL SERVICE CONTRACT – TOWN OF WALPOLE
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
PAYROLL
SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ABATEMENTS
SUPPLEMTAL TAX WARRANT
VETERANS CREDIT
TIMBER INTENTS
OLD BUSINESS
Pending Further Actions: Old North Main and High Streets Bridges/Culverts, School and Union Street Drainage, Reservoir Dam ARPA Grant
NEW BUSINESS
NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS: RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b)
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 to WALPOLE RESIDENTS
Walpole Town Election
March 10, 2026
Positions up for Election:
| 1 Selectman | Three-year term |
| 1 Moderator | Two-year term |
| 1 Town Treasurer | Three-year term |
| 1 Trustee of Trust Fund | Three-year term |
| 1 Supervisor of Checklist | Six-year term |
| 2 Planning Board | Three-year term |
| 1 Zoning Board | Three-year term |
| 1 Cemetery Trustee | Three-year term |
| 3 Library Trustees | Three-year term |
See the Town Clerk to file for candidacy January 21st through January 29th during regular office hours or between 3:00 and 5:00 pm on January 30th.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Agenda
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Town Hall
7:00 pm
Roll Call: Appointment of an alternate if needed.
Minutes: Review minutes of December 2025.
Call to Order:
Old Business:
We have old Business only
A) Website updates … if any ?
B) Unfinished descriptions of definitions … Pauline
C) Review material that came up for discussion back in Nov about ZBA applications
Reminder Re-up: Dave Edkins.
Town of Walpole, New Hampshire
Public Hearing
Asset Management Plan (AMP) Grant Hearing
December 18, 2025
Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair, Carolyn Vose and Cheryl Mayberry
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Guests Present: Brian Scadova-Vose (Northeast GIS), Jenna Rzasa (Tata & Howard), Peggy Pschirrer, Mark Houghton, Ernie Vose, Kyle Houghton, Steve Grenier, Eric Smith, Bryan Wetherby, and Michael Flynn.
Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Public Hearing to order at 5:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
Presentation: Mr. Scadova-Vose and Ms. Rzasa gave a presentation summarizing the Walpole Water Department Asset Management Plan (AMP) project. Asset management is managing infrastructure and cost for level of service. The Water Department’s infrastructure can be categorized as 1) water supply and storage, and 2) water mains and customers. During the project the parts of the system were prioritized based on impact of failure and cost of future improvements. As a result, a plan emerged for what parts of the system will be updated first. Options for increasing income were reviewed and possible grant funding sources were identified.
The Water Department feels this was a useful project and that the project and report were well done. The final written report will be available this month.
Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 6:32 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 31, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)
Town of Walpole, New Hampshire
Public Hearing
Community Facilities Grant Agreement – Memo of Understanding
December 18, 2025
Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair; Carolyn Vose and Cheryl Mayberry
Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
Guests Present: Mark Houghton, Fire Chief; Michael Flynn, WFD Clerk; Ernie Vose, WFD Commissioner and Peggy Pschirrer
Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Public Hearing to order at 6:54 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.
Memo of Understanding (MoU): Mark Houghton explained the history of the grant, to help explain the current situation. Walpole Fire District applied for the grant. At some point Congress dropped “District”, so the applicant became Walpole Fire, i.e., the Town of Walpole, not the Walpole Fire District (WFD). The Memo of Understanding (MoU) documents how the Town will receive the funds and pass them to the WFD with all the necessary controls. The attorneys representing the Town and the Walpole Fire District have reviewed the agreement. The agreement applies from now until the end of the Fire Station Expansion project.
Ms. Mayberry moved to have the Chair sign Memo of Understanding between the Town of Walpole and the Walpole Fire District. Ms. Vose seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the MoU.
Michael Flynn, on behalf of the Walpole Fire District, also signed the MoU. Mr. Houghton will ensure that both lawyers sign the MoU.
The Walpole Fire District expressed their appreciation to the Selectboard for working together to find a way to make this grant funding available to the Walpole Fire District.
Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 31, 2025 Selectboard meeting.
The Walpolean 
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