The Walpolean

7.3 acres of productive farmland used by Pete’s Stand in Walpole is now forever conserved.

WALPOLE, NH – The Monadnock Conservancy has finalized the purchase of a conservation easement covering 7.3 acres of farmland in Walpole, NH. This land is actively farmed by the owners of Pete’s Stand, a local farmstand that has been in business in Walpole for three generations. 

With the purchase of this conservation easement – a legal agreement that forever restricts the use of this land to farming and undeveloped open space – the Conservancy is working to protect the region’s access to locally grown food. Near the banks of the Connecticut River, all of the 7.3 acres are ideal for growing vegetables and are among the most fertile soil types in the entire country. Although the Route 12 corridor in Walpole contains many acres of productive farmland, commercial development has taken away much of this land. The Monadnock Conservancy is proud that this property can remain farmland for generations to come. 

John and Teresa Janiszyn own and operate Pete’s Stand, which was started by John’s grandfather. They grow a variety of vegetables on the property and others nearby using sustainable farming techniques. This parcel will be the first and currently only farm field that the Janiszyns own outright, a big step for ensuring the viability of their historic and beloved local business. By purchasing this conservation easement, the Conservancy helped John and Teresa buy the land. 

“Local farms provide so much to this region, and I am always pleased when we can keep farmland in the hands of farmers. As a Walpole resident myself, I am especially happy that our organization is helping Pete’s Stand continue to thrive, especially in light of the extreme weather and flooding that impacted so many farms this summer.” – Ryan Owens, Executive Director, The Monadnock Conservancy. 

Generous funding support for this project came from the New Hampshire Farm Future Fund, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Thomas W. Haas Fund, and many private donors. 

About The Monadnock Conservancy

The Monadnock Conservancy, founded in 1989, is the only land trust dedicated exclusively to the Monadnock region of southwestern New Hampshire. Serving 38 towns and the City of Keene, its mission is to work with communities and landowners to conserve the natural resources, wild and working lands, rural character, and scenic beauty of the region. Based in Keene, the Conservancy is an accredited organization that has protected more than 23,000 acres of forest, farmland, shoreline, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and recreation trails. For more information, please visit http://www.MonadnockConservancy.org or call 603-357-0600.

Selectboard Present:  Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry; Steve Dalessio

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration

Others Present: Jan Galloway-Leclerc

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM. She introduced herself, Peggy Pschirrer, Selectboard Chair, Cheryl Mayberry, Steve Dalessio, Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration. Mrs. Pschirrer commented that the meeting would be recorded, as no Recording Secretary was present.

PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $30,662.05 dated 10/27/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,277.73. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING– October 18, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Meeting Minutes of October 18, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – October 18, 2023:   Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of October 18, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes will remain sealed. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Dalessio brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

     • Library Trustees Meeting– September 12, 2023

     • Library Trustees Meeting – October 10, 2023 

     • North Walpole Village Commissioners Meeting – October 10, 2023 

     • North Walpole Village District Commissioner Meeting – October 17, 2023 

Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged these minutes. 

WARRANTS:

Walpole Water Fees. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Walpole Water fees for $45,267.38. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Walpole Sewer Fees. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Walpole Water fees for $77,676.31. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

North Walpole Sewer Fees. Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the North Walpole Sewer fees for $65,746.41. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Applewood: Mrs. Galloway-Leclerc stated there was an email sent requesting property information about Applewood. The email requested the written verification of zoning district, copies of all conditions of approval, site plan review, special use permit, variances, copy of all certificates of occupancy, and copiesof all zoning violations. She stated that this email was sent by an individual in Texas. Mr. Dalessio commented that the response should include an explanation that this information can be ascertained via a freedom of information request. The Selectboard discussed having Mrs. Daigle contact the owner of Applewood and inform them that information was being requested. 

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public meeting at 6:41 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:22 PM. 

TIMBER INTENTS:

Map and Lot# 005-050-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 005-050-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 011-039-004: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 011-039-004. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS:

2023-37, Map and Lot# 003-012-006: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 003-012-006 to construct an 18’ x 12’ tractor shed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

2023-38, Map and Lot# 005-031-002: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 005-031-002 to add a 23’ x 12’ carport. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Letter to NH DES: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the letter to waste management division director at DES in support of A Better Claremont (ABC) request to deny the Acuity Management request to open a transfer station. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Middle Street: Mr. Dalessio stated that Middle street is completed. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that she had heard that the residents on that road were very happy with the work completed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Cemetery Deed: Ms. Mayberry motioned to approve cemetery deed for Lot E903. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary