The Walpolean

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

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: Paul Looney and Peggy Pschirrer

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 7:02 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Old Business

CPCNH Rate Update: Mr. Looney explained that CPCNH has a rate of $0.146 for February to July 2026. CPCNH made some serious mistakes last year and now they are doing OK, but they have cash flow issues.  They need to buy power now, but they don’t get paid for that power until March.  A higher rate is necessary to get CPCNH back on track financially. The Public Utility Commission (PUC) did not allow Liberty Utilities to recover losses with higher rates. No one knows why this was not allowed.  Liberty goes to the PUC tomorrow. The new Liberty rates for next year will be announced after the meeting.  Walpole electricity users have the option to go back to Liberty if the rates are better.  Mr. Looney recommended that he write an article for the Clarion to explain that people can go to another power producer.  Unfortunately, there are not many power producers that will work with Liberty.  Mr. Looney needs the most recent bills for all Town departments to recommend the best course of action.   Ms. Mayberry will gather and send the Liberty Utility invoices to Mr. Looney 

Solar Energy System at the Recycling Center – Federal Reimbursement: Mr. Looney discussed the delay.  Mr. Kimball has been calling the IRS and is on hold for 4 – 6 hours. There is no one working in the IRS to address issues.   The Selectboard needs to make it clear to the public and in financial records that the Town has done everything it could do. However, it is unknown when the reimbursement money will be available.

Mr. Looney and Mrs. Pschirrer left the meeting.

2026 Budget Hearing Date: The previously announced date of February 12, 2026, was reconsidered and changed to February 5, 2026, with a snow date of 2/12/2026.

2025 Tax Rate Update: Ms. Mayberry announced that the Town’s MS-535 form from the auditors had been uploaded to the tax portal.  Ms. Mayberry said the Town is waiting on North Walpole Village’s MS-535 form to be processed by the DRA. It appeared their MS-535 was uploaded this evening.  When a preliminary rate is issued, the Town will need to provide the overlay amount for future abatements.  Ms. Mayberry moved to use the same rate of $60,000 that was used last year.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, an overlay of $60,000 was approved.

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,819.38 dated 12/19/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,474.13.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – December 11, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 11, 2025. Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 11. 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of December 11, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved and remain sealed.

Timber Intents

Map and Lots # 007-005-000, 007-006-000 and 007-007-000: These lots are in the Fanny Mason conservation parcels owned by the Town.  The timber tax has been waived.  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lots #007-005-000, 007-006-000 and 007-007-000near the rest area on Route 12.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.  

Building Permit

2025-42, Map and Lot# 004-035-001: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-42 for Map and Lot # 004-035-001 to construct a 10’ x10’ gazebo.   Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the building permit was approved and signed.

New Business

Cemetery Trustees Encumbrance Request: The Cemetery Trustees would like to encumber the amount of $4,190.00 from the 2025 Cemetery budget, appropriated from the unspent budget lines for trees, headstone repairs, training, seminars, mileage and general supplies.  The request was declined by the Selectboard because there must be contracts or quotes and purchase orders associated with the funds to be encumbered for work to be completed in early 2026. Ms. Mayberry will contact Mr. Woodward.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program: Ms. Mayberry stated that continuing with the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program in Keene will cost $5,215.56 for twelve collection days in 2026 and 2027.  Ms. Vose will discuss the collection program with Ms. Hakey.  If the Town participates in the program, the collection dates should be well advertised so that citizens take advantage of it.  The decision regarding the expense will be made at the first meeting in January.

School District Payment Schedule and Tax Amounts: For the 2025-26 school year, the Town’s payments to FMRSD were $804,108.98 per month from July to December 2025. The amount will change to $583,655.19 per month from January to June 2026.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged receipt of the payment schedule. 

Donation Request to Whitcomb Park: The Joshua Druke Foundation would like to donate a replacement bulletin board to Whitcomb Park. Ms. Vose moved to accept the donation and thanked the donors.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed.  The Selectboard would like to thank the Joshua Druke Foundation for their generous donation.

Restaurant at Burdicks and Walpole Grocery Open Container Requests for 2026 Events: Luca Paris would like to continue with the traditional Bastille Day (July 10-11, 2026) and Oktoberfest (September 25-26, 2026). Mr. Paris would like to add Calen DiMaggio event (May 15-16, 2026).  Calen DiMaggio is an Italian festival of spring.  All three events will be focused around the 20’ x 40’ tent in the parking lot at 47 Main Street.  For each event, setup will be Friday with food and beverages on Saturday.  Mr. Paris requested written permission for the events.  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the three events with open containers permitted in the tent and parking area at 47 Main Street.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the events were approved.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:56 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:03 PM.

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c)

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(c) at 8:03 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:38 PM.

Ms. Vose moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:38 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.)