Tag Archives: Meeting Minutes

Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 1/21/26

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Police Building Committee Minutes

January 21, 2026

Peggy Pschirrer, Interim Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm in the Hooper Institute.  Present were Steve Dalessio, Trevor Macclachlan, Jay Punt, Cheri Watson, and Andrew Dey.  David Adams was not present because we could not establish a Zoom link.

Mr. Dalessio discussed his conversation with Rena Peck who works for the USDA in New Hampshire.  He clarified the misunderstanding that the recent allocation of a Congressional grant from the office of Senator Jean Shaheen is for the new police building, not the Walpole Fire House.  Our Congressional Grant is $200,058,000.  Ms. Peck indicated she would be back in touch with us in February.  The NH Office of USDA is very short staffed.

Ms. Pschirrer observed that the grant, which was written by Nancy Merill, was written for a larger building than we are now planning to build. We need to correct the size and the cost.  Ms. Pschirrer will contact our Grant Writer to make the appropriate changes.  These changes were made after a public meeting in September when it was clear the public supports our need for a new station but asks that it be smaller and less expensive.

Mr. Dey has mailed RFP’s requesting bids from Architects and Engineers. He has begun to receive inquiries as has Mr. Dalessio.  The deadline for bids is February 27.  The RFP will be published in the Keene Sentinel as well as the monthly Shopper.  Ms. Pschirrer will work with Sarah Downing to publish the RFP Andrew Dey will write for publication.

Ms. Pschirrer discussed the Bond Municipal Bond Schedule: there are two dates for Municipal Bonds- January and July.  We have missed January 2026 but could consider July 2026 which would require a Town Warrant on the agenda of Town Meeting March 14, 2026.  The Committee after discussion agreed it would be better for Walpole to have a special Town Meeting in the Fall and to work toward the October 2026 deadlines for buying a municipal bond in January 2027. Ms. Pschirrer will contact Attorney Renelle L’Huillier who worked with us to secure a Bond for Broadband installation.  That Bond is not considered debt.  The NH legislation allowed towns to buy the bonds debt free to encourage the construction of broadband.  Walpole’s contract with Constellation ensures that every user of their services pays a small monthly fee which goes toward payment of the bond.

Planning Board Meeting Minutes – 12/9/25

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Walpole Planning Board Minutes

December 9, 2025

Town Hall

7 pm

Role Call: Board Members: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Clerk Jason Perron, Jeff Harrington, Joanna Andros. Absent: Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio, alternates Travis Adams and Bill Carmody.

Call to Order: Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 7 pm.

Review of November 2025 minutes: Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Old Business

Public Hearing: Lot Line Adjustment, Jay Landry, 100 Wentworth Road. Town Tax Map 17, Lots 5-2 and 5-4, Residential A. No new lots will be created. Changes to Tax Map 16, Lot 12 .49 acres to be annexed from 5-4; former Lot 5-3 to be annexed to lot 5-4; Lot 5-2 .04 acres to be annexed from Lot 5-4; Lot 5-4 .01 acres to be annexed from Lot 5-2. 

Mr. Landry explained that while the changes are quite small, he and his neighbors have been working on this proposed plan for months. Mr. Worth wanted a driveway that was perpendicular so that was tweaked to .04 acres added to the corner of the lot. Mr. Landry had purchased lot 5-3 but wanted to square off the property in the southeast corner in case he wanted to build a barn on that corner of his property in the future. It is .01 acres. It also will be annexed to Lot 5-4. The road frontage is on Wentworth Road and it more than 200 feet. The property, .49 acres, on Old Keene Road will be annexed to Cynthia Reeves property Tax Map 16, Lot 12 and will remain undeveloped.

Mr. Perron made a motion to approve the Lot Line Adjustments proposed by Mr. Landry. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. 

New Business

Site Plan, Ideal Location LLC, owner Greg Gay, 8 Len Tex Lane, North Walpole, Tax Map 27, Lot 8 Sub 1, 268 feet frontage on Main Street, Industrial/Commercial Zone, Existing Use Race car fabrication and vehicle storage. Add 2100 square foot for office space and parts inventory. 

Mr. Gay submitted a plan for office space and parts inventory for his business, which is at the same location. He had already been to and received permission for the project from the North Walpole Commissioners and North Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment. He explained his proposal to the Board and said he was before the Planning Board for the original proposal for the office space in 2016.

Mr. Perron made a motion to hold a public hearing in January on the matter. Mr. Harrington seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Attached Dwelling Units

At its November 2025 meeting the Planning and Zoning Boards had a joint meeting to discuss recent changes from the state regarding the town’s zoning ordinances and more specifically Accessory Dwelling Units. The Board compared Walpole’s current Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance with the most recent changes by the state. An email was sent to the town’s counsel, Jeremy Hockensmith, asking what the board was required to do. Mr. Hockensmith suggested 16 revisions to our current ordinance. An example of one of them is, “The Ordinance section should be re titled from ‘DADU’ to ‘ADU’. The statute makes no distinction between attached and detached units, so the ordinance should not either.”

Master Plan 

Mr. Miller gave everyone present a copy of the completed and approved master plan sections printed and placed in a binder by the Southwest Region Planning Commission. One section needs a public hearing. Mr. Harrington made a motion to hold a public hearing for the  Community Facilities and Services section at the January meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Perron and approved by the rest of the board.

Adjournment

Mr. Harrington made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Perron seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 8:37 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

WPB Recording Secretary

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 1/8/26

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Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

January 8, 2026

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, Chair of the Walpole Community Power Committee

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

The following item was added at the top of the agenda to accommodate a guest who wished to address this issue.

Electrical Service Contract – Town of Walpole

Mr. Looney presented the details of a 4-month contract with First Point Power.  The price is $0.11387 per kilowatt hour.  This is the best rate available now.  Mrs. Pschirrer reviewed the contract and feels it is acceptable.  Ms. Mayberry moved to sign the 4-month agreement with First Point Power.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was passed, and the contract was signed.

Mr. Looney left the meeting.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $204,608.82 dated 1/13/2026 including $95,450.00 payment to E.E. Houghton Company using encumbered ARPA funds for sewer pump improvements.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Accounts Payable was approved. 

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $37,962.14 dated 1/9/2026 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,701.51.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – 12/28/2025 Corrected: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Corrected Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of 12/28/2025.  There was an error in a name that needed correction. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the corrected Selectboard minutes were approved.

Selectboard Meeting – December 31, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 31, 2025.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 31, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of December 31, 2025.  The minutes are no longer sealed.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved.

Committee Reports

Ms. Mayberry brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

  • Trail Committee Meeting – December 10, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Abatements

Map and Lot # 017-006-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Abatement for Map and Lot #017-006-000 for $4,504.00 to correct a trustee name change for an estate.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Supplemental Tax Warrant

Map and Lot # 017-006-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Supplemental Tax Warrant for Map and Lot #017-006-000 of $4,504.00 to mail the invoice to the correct trustee for a probated estate.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Veterans’ Tax Credit:

Map and Lot #016-013-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 016-013-000.  This is a Certain Disabled Veteran Exemption.  The full property value is exempt from taxation under RSA 72:36-a.  Avitar has reviewed and approved the application.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot #014-008-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Property Tax Credit for Map and Lot# 014-008-000.  The applicant served more than 90 days of active duty during a time of conflict and was honorably discharged.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Timber Intents

Map and Lot # 010-034-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Timber Intent for Map and Lot # 010-034-000, off Reservoir Road.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved. 

Old Business

Updated Town Hall Air Cooling System Quote: Proposal # 2025367 from Everett E. Houghton Co. is to remove two existing air conditioning condensers and install a Mitsubishi City Mult VRF condenser and the associated equipment to cool the Town Clerk’s office, the Selectboard office, the kitchen, hall and bathrooms.  The existing ductwork will remain in place so the existing furnace can be used for heating if desired.  The cost is $87,500.00. There are optional 10-year service and labor contracts.  The Selectboard recommends including the service and labor contracts.  By consensus this will become a 2026 Warrant Article.

Fanny Mason Timer Cut Contract: Ms. Vose moved to approve and sign the Timber Sale Contract in the Fanny Mason Forest, to the east of Route 12, with Alex Barrett of Longview Forest to act as Agent and Chris Ricci as Purchaser.  The Conservation Commission endorsed the contract.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the contract was signed by the Selectboard.

Hazardous Waste Collection Commitment Letter: Ms. Vose explained this is the annual agreement with the City of Keene for residents of Walpole to leave hazardous waste at the Keene Recycling Center during collection days.  Ms. Vose moved to have the chair sign the contract.  Ms. Hakey will advertise dates when published.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed and the commitment letter was signed by Mr. Dalessio.

School Withdrawal Meeting Start Times: By consensus it was decided there will be a Walpole School Withdrawal Meeting on Wednesday February 11th, 2026, and another meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Both meetings will start at 6:30 PM.  The meeting on Saturday, February 28th will start at 1:00 PM.  It was decided to post the schedule in the Walpolean and the February Clarion.  There was a discussion on preparing all the public materials for these meetings.

New Business

NH Recycles Materials Management Contract: Ms. Vose stated that this is the new rate schedule for 2026.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Materials Management Contract between NH Recycles and the Town of Walpole.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved and Mr. Dalessio signed the contract.

Cheshire County and Commissioners Meeting with the Selectboard: Cheshire County and the Commissioners are seeking a date to meet with the Selectboard. It was suggested they attend January 22nd or 29th.  Once the date is set, it will be added to the meeting announcement in case the public wishes to attend.

SWRPC Selectboard Roundtable Meetings: Ms. Mayberry will contact them to get details.

Ruggerio Processing Facility Public Hearing: The Ruggerio Processing Facility Public Hearing has been set for February 12th at 6:00 PM at Alyson’s Orchard.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged notice of the meeting and noted it was scheduled for the same time as the weekly Selectboard meeting.

Selectboard Report for the 2025 Town Report: Mr. Dalessio volunteered to write the report.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b) at 7:36 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:56 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.

Hooper Trustees

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

The meeting was reconvened at 8:03 PM.

Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 15, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

Planning Board & Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 11/11/25

PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD 01/16/2026 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board November Minutes

Joint Meeting with the Zoning Board of Adjustment

November 11, 2025

Town Hall

7 pm

Role Call: Planning Board members: Chair Jeff Miller, Vice-Chair Dennis Marcom, Jeff Harrington, Trevor MacLachlan, Select Board Representative Steve Dalessio. Alternates: Travis Adams, Bill Carmody. Absent: Jason Perron, Joanna Andros.

Zoning Board of Adjustment members: Chair Tom Murray, Clerk Pauline Barnes, Alternate Don Sellarole.  

Call to Order:  Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 6:55 pm. Mr. Miller asked Mr. Carmody to fill in for Mr. Perron. He agreed.

Minutes: Review minutes of the October 2025 meeting. Mr. Adams made one correction to paragraph 5. His first name Travis was printed instead of his last. Mr. Harrington made a motion to approve the amended minutes. Bill Carmody seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

Josh Perry letter

Mr. Miller referenced a letter from Josh Perry regarding the comments about the inspection of if his gravel pit on Old Drewsville Road. Mr. Perry wrote that the bottom of the salt shed is asphalt and it has been there since 1996 and he is “planning on replacing it with a concrete floor, hopefully this year, but if not, the year after. Regarding the bank for the fill sand. Per the MSHA regulations the bank can be half again in height as the largest piece of equipment that is on the site. The loader reaches 20 feet to 22 feet, so the face of the bank be 30 feet.” This fill is being removed as this is where the new salt/sand shed will go.

New Business:

Lot Line Adjustment: Jay M. Landry, 100 Wentworth Road, Town Tax Map 17, Lots 5-5 and 5-4,  Zoning District Residential A. 

No new lots will be created but three lots will be tweaked. The plat shows .49 acres bordering Old Keene Road to be annexed to Cynthia Reeves Tax Map 17, Lot 12. It will remain open land and nothing will be built on this land. On Tax Map 17 Lot 5-4 and .01 acres will be annexed to Lot 5-4 to square off that corner to create enough room for the 20 feet needed between lot line and the building of a potential barn. The driveway to the Timothy Kelly Worth property on Wentworth Rd, Tax Map 17 Lot 5-2 will get .04 acres making it easier for him to access the road. This is what Mr. Landry presented to the board.

Mr. Marcom made a motion to hold a public hearing in December for the Lot Line Adjustment and Mr. Harrington seconded the motion. The motion carried. 

Joint meeting with ZBA: 

Pauline Barnes and Tom Murray  talked about the latest legislative changes to Detached Accessory Dwelling Units and compared it to our current Zoning Ordinances.  

Our ordinance says the accessory dwelling must be 150 feet of the principal dwelling. They both thought 100 feet would be enough because it would create more green space.

Occupancy limited to family members but No. 7 already says renters can be unrelated to family members.

Parking: Our ordinance says ample parking for both the principal and DADU dwellings but legislative dictates adequate off-street parking? However, In Walpole no cars should be parked on the street during a snow storm. Our standards don’t harmonize with state standards.

Raise basic standards from 900 to 950 square feet.

The state allows two bedrooms compared to our three bedrooms.

Limit of one driveway.

Aesthetics: Legislative aesthetics don’t matter to legislature. Walpole suggests that accessory building have some continuity with the main building.

Both state and Walpole prohibit multi-family uses.

Mr. Miller said he eventually would like the town’s attorney, Jeremy Hockensmith to take a look at both documents. Mr. Dalessio suggested that maybe someone from Southwest Community Services should look at it first – either Todd Horner or Carol Ogilvie.

Changes to Planning & Zoning Laws in 2025: A Guide for Municipalities

Mr. Miller brought up a concern in these updates about building on a Class VI road. Currently our ordinance says you have to get Select Board approval and also sign a liability waiver about keeping up the road open and not expecting emergency services.

But the state ordinance says:

“The statute does not prohibit municipalities from establishing separate road frontage requirements for new construction. Therefore, a municipal zoning ordinance can require frontage (of a certain length) on a Class V or better road. However, the municipal ordinance must clearly state this requirement by defining the road a “Class V or better.” If the zoning ordinance does require frontage on a Class V or better, a variance from the ZBA would still be required to build on a Class VI road. Because the statute is not effective until July 1, 2026, municipalities have time to amend their zoning ordinances if desired.”

Currently Walpole does not have such an ordinance.

Old Business

Takeaway from presentation about the PB on the Town Web Site. 

The purpose of going over the web site was to tweak it so it would be more user friendly. One thing the board did was to put together major categories. For example, under one click there is a list of all the things one must do to complete a site plan application – file out the check list, fill out the application, attach a plat, fees, rules for parking, lighting, etc.

The one hiccup is on the left hand side of the site, which is where the “menu” is, and at this time items cannot be changed.

Gravel pit inspection due. Jeff Harrington and Jason Perron did not get a chance to connect with Mr. Tim Graves about an inspection on Wentworth Road. 

Adjournment

Mr. Harrington made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Marcom seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 8:17 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine 

Recording Secretary

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 1/5/26

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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

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/31/25

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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:

  • Planning Board Meeting Minutes – December 9, 2025

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.)

Public Hearing Minutes – 12/18/25

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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.)

Public Hearing Minutes – 12/18/25

Uncategorized 01/04/2026 Leave a comment

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.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/18/25

SELECTBOARD 01/04/2026 Leave a comment

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.)

Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 12/17/25

ZONING BOARD 12/20/2025 Leave a comment

Zoning Board of Adjustment

December 17, 2025

Town Hall

7 pm

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the January 2026 meeting for corrections. 

Role Call: Present board members: Chair Tom Murray, Vice-Chair Dave Edkins, Clerk Pauline Barnes, Shane O’Keefe, William Sommers. Alternate Don Sellarole. Absent: Myra Mansouri.

Call to order: Mr. Murray called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.

Minutes: Review of minutes of  November 2025.

Mr. Murray made two additions. He said under old business he said he would discuss more about ADUs. He reminded the secretary to put the unapproved minutes notice at the beginning of all minutes. Ms. Barnes made a motion to approved the amended minutes. Mr. Sommers seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Permanent Posted Meeting Time.

Mr. Murray talked with the staff at Town Offices and offered two laminated signs that would permanently be posted on the outside bulletin board at the Town Hall and on the bulletin board outside of the Post Office. It said Zoning Board meeting third Wednesday of every month at the Town Hall at 7 pm. Mr. Edkins suggested it say Zoning Board of Adjustment and Ms. Barnes thought (ZBA) should also be included. Mr. Murray will add these to the permanent laminated signs.

Old Business: 

In regard to a joint meeting with the Planning Board, Mr. Murray and Ms. Barnes attended a meeting in November about ADUs. At that meeting new state mandates for ADU ordinances were the topic of discussion.

Mr. Murray distributed a copy of a letter written by Town Counsel Jeremy Hockensmith. It was sent after the Planning Board Chair emailed him about a list of new state mandates regarding ordinances about RSA 674:71 to 73, ADUs or Accessory Dwelling Units. The Chair wanted to know if Walpole’s Zoning Ordinances required the Planning Board to comply with some changes. Mr. Hockensmith replied with 16 suggested revisions to the Ordinance. For example, one of them was “Per the new statute, definitions of “attached unit” and “detached unit” should be added. I would add another definition of “existing structure” to read as follows: “a structure existing before 2025.”

Mr. Murray talked about following up with the Planning Board. Mr. Edkins didn’t think it should be Zoning Board of Adjustment participation as it’s the Planning Board’s job to write ordinances not the ZBA. But since the Planning Board is planning to work on a new ordinance. Mr. Murray and Ms. Barnes offered to be part of the group as “knowledgeable citizens,” not as Zoning Board of Adjustment members. 

New Business:

Pauline Barnes and the Board will work on prioritizing menu on left side of the ZBA web site content.

Ms. Barnes prepared a suggested menu to put on the left-hand side of the initial page on the web site. The purpose of doing this, Ms. Barnes said, was to make it easier for townspeople to navigate the web site and better understand how to fill out the applications.

1. Zoning Ordinances

2. Variances

  • Definition
  • Application

3. Special Exceptions

  • Definition
  • Application

4. Expansion of a Non-Conforming Use

  • Definition
  • Application

5. Appeal of Administrative Decision

  • Definition
  • Application

6. Fees

7. Meeting Minutes

8. Board Bylaws

The rest of the Board liked what Ms. Barnes has done however they thought the last three, fees, meeting minutes and Board Bylaws should be in another order. Mr. Sellarole thought fees should be last. Mr. O’Keefe thought Bylaws were important and showed procedure so it should be number 6. That made Meeting Minutes between the two, so it remained as 7. The final three entries would now be: 6. Board Bylaws, 7. Meeting Minutes, 8. Fees. The next step is to talk to the staff in the Town Offices and having the menu changed after definitions have been written and applications copied. Also applications should be checked for updated information such as fees.

RSA 91-A

Mr. O’Keefe handed out a couple of copies of RSA 91-A. It was the NH Attorney General’s analysis of the Right to Know law. Mr. O’Keefe said he wanted a Zoning Board of Adjustment agenda posted every month. However, posting an agenda is not a requirement of the Right-to-Know Law. He said he wouldn’t attend a meeting if he didn’t know what was on the agenda of a meeting. If there were a meeting about something happening on the road where he lives, he be interested in attending. But if there is no agenda, he wouldn’t bother to attend a meeting. 

Adjournment

Mr. Edkins made a motion to adjourn. Mr. O’Keefe seconded the motion and the motion carried. It was 7:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Recording Secretary