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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/11/25

SELECTBOARD 12/20/2025 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

DECEMBER 11, 2025

Selectboard Present: Steven Dalessio, Chair, and Cheryl Mayberry

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

Selectboard Absent: Carolyn Vose

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:35 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Accounts Payable

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $81,131.05 dated 12/15/2025 including $24,050 payment to Pelow and Sons for paving. Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Accounts Payable was approved. 

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $43,365.03 dated 12/02/2025 for payments to Health Trust for the December billing. Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Accounts Payable was approved. 

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $804,108.98 dated 11/25/2025 for payment to Fall Mountain Regional School District December billing. Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Accounts Payable was approved. 

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $100,000.00 for the Village of North Walpole dated 12/15/2025 and $369,000.00 for the Walpole Fire District dated 12/16/2025.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Accounts Payable was approved. 

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $34,242.29 dated 12/12/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,729.39.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – December 3, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 3, 2025. Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – December 3, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of December 3, 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.

Committee Reports

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

  • Conservation Commission Meeting – December 1, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Property Tax Refunds

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Property Tax Refund for Map and Lot # 024-019-000 of $2,612.50 for a double property tax payment during a home ownership transfer.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

ARPA Grant Agreement for Reservoir Dam Project: Mr. Dalessio explained this is an amendment to the grant because of the change in plans.  Before signing the amendment, the Selectboard needed to talk to Fuss & O’Neill to confirm the details.  Ms. Mayberry moved that the Chair sign the ARPA Grant Agreement amendment.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed and Mr. Dalessio signed the amendment.

Department Budget Meeting: The Department Budget Meeting will be on Friday, December 12th. Three people will not be able to attend.  Meals were planned and the schedule reviewed.

Asset Management Plan (AMP) Public Hearing: This public hearing has been posted for Thursday, 12/18/2025 at 5:30 in the Town Hall.  The grant needs to be closed.

Fire Station USDA Grant Agreement and MOU Hearing: This public hearing has been posted for Thursday 12/18/2025 at 6:30. There are two different documents and two different hearings. 

New Business

MetLife Termination Letter: Walpole will cease using MetLife vendor services as of 12/31/2025 in preparation for switching to Reliance Standard. Ms. Mayberry moved the Chair sign the letter notifying MetLife Walpole will cease using their services on 12/31/2025.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed and Mr. Dalessio signed the letter.

Reliance Standard, W-2 Service Agreement: The new insurance group will create W-2s for employees receiving benefits.  Payments are made directly to the employee.   Ms. Mayberry moved to have the Chair sign the agreement so Reliance Standard can prepare W-2s on benefits paid to employees.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion carried, and Mr. Dalessio signed the agreement.

NHRS User Access Forms: Ms. Mayberry explained that Town must change users.  Ms. Mayberry moved to have Chair sign NHRS User Access Forms.  The first removes Mr. Kreissle as a user and the second adds Ms. Mayberry.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the forms.

Scheduling: There are two items.  First, the date of the Budget Hearing will be February 12, 2026, with a snow date of 2/13/2026.  Second, the Town Offices will close on December 24, 2025, at noon.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)(c) at 7:03 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:22 PM.

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

Note of Gratitude: Mr. Dalessio thanked the Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS for a recent search and rescue in Drewsville.  They all did a great job!

Adjournment: Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 7:23 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 18, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 12/3/25

SELECTBOARD 12/15/2025 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

December 3, 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: Chas Street; Steve Varone, Treasurer

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:36 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Property Abatement Appeal

Mr. Chas Street requested that the Selectboard approve the revised assessment that he and Avitar agreed upon for 2023.  Ms. Mayberry moved to have the Chair sign the assessment at 11 Main for $1,062,000 for 2023.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose, and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed and Mr. Dalessio signed the settlement agreement for 2023.  

There is a question on the assessment for 2024 and 2025.  Mrs. Downing will check with Atty. Hockensmith about how to interpret the RSAs.

Mr. Street left the meeting.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b)(c) at 7:14 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:07 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.

Mr. Varone left the meeting during the Non-Public session.

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $40,770.81 dated 12/5/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $8,554.44.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – November 26, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 26,2025. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – November 26, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of November 26, 2025.  The minutes will remain 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:

  • Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – October 15, 2025
  • Trail Committee Meeting – November 12, 2025
  • Supervisors of the Checklist Meeting – November 25, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Old Business

Municipal Work Zone Agreement: The 2026 Route 12 paving project (Project #43910) was discussed last week.  There was an agreement form to be signed by the Chair.  Ms. Mayberry moved that the Selectboard Chair sign the form.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed, and Mr. Dalessio signed the form.  

Amendment #1 to ARPA Grant for Reservoir Dam: The form needs to be signed by the Chair.  Additional information is needed before this is approved.  This time will be on next week’s agenda.

Pearl Street Repair Work: This item was brought forward from last week.  Ms. Mayberry explained that the Highway Department fixed the holes in the paving on Pearl Street.  As far the Selectboard knows, there has been no ownership change for the end section of Pearl Street to the Town.  Historically there was an easement for sewer lines, and it was paved when lines were put in.  The Highway Department has always repaired it as necessary even though the Town does not own the road because plow trucks use it as a turnaround.  To clear up the issues, North Walpole needs to take the property then the Town can take care of the road.

New Business

Cheshire County 2026 Budget: Cheshire County’s 2026 budget is $32,430,267 which is a 7.79% increase over 2025.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged receipt of the County budget.

Asset Management Plan (AMP) Public Hearing: The public hearing will be held December 18th at 5:30 PM in the Town Hall.

Notice of Activity and Use Restriction (AUR): Ms. Vose moved to have the Selectboard Chair sign the Notice of Activity and Use Restriction (AUR).  It will be recorded.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was accepted, and Mr. Dalessio signed the AUR.

Accounts Payable Schedule: Accounts payable will be run for 12/11/2025.  There is no Selectboard meeting during the week of 12/22/2025.  By consensus Mrs. Downing will approve accounts payable that week.

DRA Portal: Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Varone need access to the portal.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the letter to Jamie Dow requesting that Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Varone be given access to the DRA Portal effective 12/1/2025.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 8:27 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:37 PM.

Adjournment:  Mr. Dalessio declared the meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 11, 2026 Selectboard meeting.)

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 12/1/25

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 12/07/2025 Leave a comment

Town of Walpole

Conservation Commission

December 1, 2025

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the January 5, 2026 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair & Presiding), John Peska (Cochair), Lewis Shelley, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep)

Alternates Present: Hale Morrell

Members Absent: Tom Beaudry

Visitors Present: Chris Liazos, Alex Barrett

Call to Order: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternates: A quorum was present, so no Alternates were seated.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Paul asked for two corrections to his comments under Hooper Institute Board: “just beautiful” should be “beautiful” and he feels both Greta Drager and George Gowdy are doing a great job.  Wendy said the header “Rail Trail Work Plan” should be “Rail Trail Work”.  John moved to accept November 3, 2025 minutes as amended. France seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried.   

Public Business

Financial Report: 

  • Conservation $283,352.18
  • Forestry $53,687.58

Correspondence: (2) Monadnock Conservancy newsletters

New Business

Bird Friendly Family Forests: Chris Liazos’ goal is to help us understand our Town.  He brought a printed draft report.  His three suggestions for Walpole are (1) encourage white oak regeneration, (2) try to make large blocks of forest with mixed canopy, and (3) use report as ongoing resource because of all information he included.  We need to get Hooper Institute involved, especially getting the students building boxes (plans available) for the birds found in his study.  The Town will need to plan what to harvest next to make more young forests of at least 2.5 acres.  Chris asked that the Commission review his report and get comments to him right away.  His goal is to have the final copy of report by the beginning of 2026.

Trail Committee

Rail Trail Work Plan: Will and Wendy will not manage rail trail maintenance next year because of other commitments.  They will turn the project over to someone else, but Wendy is willing to consult on the 2026 Work Plan.  She gave a summary of rail trail work history, potential projects for 2026, and responses from the Bureau of Trails to questions about work plan preparation.  As a minimum, Nicole is willing to use the 2025 special use permit to write the rail trail work plan for next year.  Wendy will prepare the history section.

The state is willing to do a certification for chain saw users and we should do that.

Other Trails: Will, Wendy and Greta Drager walked the Hooper Woods to help her plan for future uses.  On 11/8 at Rail Trail Work Day they had twelve people and did a lot of ditch and drainage work.

Old Business

  • Fanny Mason Forest Management: Fanny Mason Forest winter harvest: Alex did the intent to cut; Chris Ricci will file it.  Then they will create a contract.  They can do the harvest once the ground freezes.  The property boundaries are marked as are the trees to be cut.
  • Red Pine and Invasives: Today was the second day of invasives treatments, and that is complete.  The red pine at the rest area must all be cut (about 4 acres).  This lot is not yet marked but red pine scale has reached Keene.  Alex will get a variance – cannot remove all trees within 150 feet of a highway, but leaving these trees would create a hazard.  Alex will mark the trees, create the RFP, and contact the bidders.  Since time is critical, he recommends not limiting the equipment to be used in the RFP.  He hopes to harvest late this winter/early spring.  He will specify that slash be mitigated near the rest area as it would be a fire hazard.  Carolyn will check who should receive the quotes, the Selectboard or the Conservation Commission.

Easement Monitoring: Peter and Wendy did Wendy’s property, and the report has been submitted.  Wendy just did Mill Pond, Graves, and Ballam Farm.  All are OK, but the reports have not been submitted. Wendy will be going with a representative of Monadnock Conservancy to monitor Nelson Town Forest and the adjacent one.

Reservoir Dam: Fuss & O’Neill are working on detailed plans for the option of breaching the dam.

Mt. Kilborne: The Commission is awaiting North Walpole comments before signing a letter of recommendation.

Knapp Cranberry Bog Dam: The Fletcher estate owns adjacent property.  Paul is thinking about asking DES Dam and DES Wetlands for joint onsite advice.  Since the bog is almost filled in, does it make sense to breach the dam?  It would be difficult to get an excavator to the dam unless it could go across the bridge.  Lew and Paul will look to see if it has I-beams. Paul will start asking abutters what they think about breaching the dam.

Other Business and Updates

Hooper Institute Board: Paul will ask what the Board thinks about breaching the Knapp Cranberry Bog Dam and what they think the area could be used for if the dam is breached.

Agenda for the January 5, 2026 Meeting

  • No items

Adjournment: Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 9:11 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 11/26/25

SELECTBOARD 12/06/2025 Leave a comment

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

November 26, 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: Justin Cassarino, Principal of Walpole Schools

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 8:30 AM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Walpole Schools Update from Justin Cassarino

Mr. Cassarino updated the Selectboard on the Walpole Schools.  Hooper Institute participation within the schools by Greta Drager and George Gowdy is wonderful. The depth of education is so much more than would be possible without them.  Walpole Schools are looking for safety grants for door improvements.  The school year is going well, and previous interventions are now paying off.  This year’s kindergarten is the first year of students born during COVID.  Additional teachers and smaller classes are needed to help these students settle in and grow.  The school is working on the budget for next year.

Mr. Cassarino left the meeting.

Payroll

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,365.92 dated 11/28/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,296.44.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – November 19, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 19, 2025. Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – November 19, 2025: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of November 19, 2025.  The minutes will remain 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:

  • Cemetery Trustees Meeting – October 24, 2025
  • Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – November 19, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Building Permit

2025-38, Map and Lot# 025-030-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-38 for Map and Lot # 025-030-000 to construct a 180 sq. ft. round tent platform.  The applicants are now the owners of the property per the Probate Court.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

2025-41, Map and Lot# 021-002-000: Ms. Mayberry moved to approve Building Permit #2025-41 for Map and Lot # 021-002-000 to construct a 768 sq. ft. deck.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

Pearl Street Repair Work: No additional information received. This item will be discussed next week.

New Business

Road Agent Authorization Letter: The Road Agent, Mike Symonds, needs to register a new dump trailer for the Town.  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the letter to authorizing Michael Symonds, Road Agent, to register the dump trailer for Walpole.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Reliance Standard Preliminary Application: The application is for Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life and AD&D insurance starting 1/1/2026.  Ms. Mayberry moved to have the Chair sign the application for group insurance.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Brush Removal at Whitcomb Recreation Park: Mr. Wilkes would like to encumber funds from the part-time employee budget line for 2025 to be used to complete and bill for brush removal at the Rec Park in early 2026.  Kelly Lawn Care has provided an estimate of $2,100.  The work is expected to be completed in three days by two people.  Disposal will be on site.  Ms. Vose moved to approve Purchase Order #457311for $2,100 to have Kelly Lawn Care remove brush at Whitcomb park.  Ms. Mayberry seconded.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion passed.

FMRSD Warrant Articles Reimbursement: FMRSD is seeking a reimbursement for FMRSD Warrant Articles 5 from 2025 and 7 from 2023. In October, FMRSD requested to withdraw money from a capital reserve fund.  The Selectboard acknowledges that the request was made and it will be forward to the Trustees of Trust Funds.  The Selectboard assumes the school district has made the appropriate deposits and the funds are available to withdraw.

Route 12 Paving Project for 2026: NHDOT will be paving Route 12 from the center of East Westmoreland north to the junction of Main Street in Walpole.  Ms. Mayberry commented that the NHDOT is now keeping good roads good.

Meeting Schedule: Next week the Selectboard will meet on Wednesday, December 3rd at 6:30 PM in the Selectboard office.  The Board will meet Thursday, December 11th and Thursday, December 18th.  The Select board will not meet Christmas week.  The last meeting of the year will be Wednesday, December 31st at 8:30 AM. 

School Budget: Mr. Dalessio summarized the FMRSD budget process for next year. 

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 9:30 AM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 9:51 AM.

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 9:51 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 3, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 11/12/25

SELECTBOARD 11/23/2025 Leave a comment

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

November 12, 2025

Selectboard Present: Carolyn Vose and Cheryl Mayberry

Selectboard Absent: Steven Dalessio, Chair

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

Guests Present: Toni MacDougle and Kaian Wilkes

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:33 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Pickleball: Toni MacDougle and Kaian Wilkes discussed the Recreation Department sponsored program.  Ms. MacDougle feels Mr. Wilkes is doing a great job.  People are asking her about the courts. She understood the courts will stay the same because there are other higher priorities such as a safe Police station, a Town pool that is leaking, etc. Ms. MacDougle is teaching three groups each with about twenty-eight people on Sundays.  She feels the courts provide reasonable surface conditions, but they would like to look for grants for future improvements.  The Selectboard reminded everyone that the Whitcomb Recreation Area is funded by Walpole taxpayers. There needs to be a focus on Town needs.  Currently, the pickleball players are not paying anything for the use of the facility, but all others (swimming, basketball, soccer, …) pay a fee to participate.  Both Mr. Wilkes and Ms. MacDougle feel that the interactions this year are positive and are a wonderful change from the past.  Balls and paddles are available to anyone, anytime. There was a question about the Town policies on donations.  Mrs. Downing will look up the rules.  All Recreation Department donations would have to be approved by Mr. Wilkes, the Manager of Recreation.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $35,371.26 dated 11/14/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,848.39.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – November 5, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 5, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – November   5, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of November 5, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the minutes are sealed.

Committee Reports

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

  • Conservation Commission Meeting – November 3, 2025

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Building Permit

2025-40, Map and Lot# 012-055-020: Ms. Vose moved to approve Building Permit #2025-40 for Map and Lot # 012-055-020 to build a 12’ x 20’ addition for two home offices. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

2025 Tax Rate Status: Per Mr. Kreissle’s recap the Town needs the MS 535 uploaded to the portal.

Selectboard Meeting Dates: It was requested that in the first week of December, the Selectboard meet on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.  That date is good for everyone.

New Business

Terra Map Mapping Services Agreement: Terra Map is a subsidiary of Avitar, and they update the maps with lot line adjustments, zoning changes, etc. It is beneficial for the maps to accurately represent recent changes.  A 1-year limited license is $3,120 for 2026, and that will update all the 2024 and 2025 changes.  There is a question on what is in the budget, what account is used to pay both Terra Map and Avitar, and payments made to both in the last few years.  Mr. Kreissle will be asked to gather that information.  This item will be voted on next week.

Utility Statutory Permit by Notification: Soil boring is needed under the transmission lines in North Walpole.  Ms. Mayberry acknowledged the notification.

Thank You Letter: Shirley Capron thanked the Town for Highway Department work done on Pearl Street.  The Selectboard needs to clarify what was done and what the Town needs to do regarding ownership.  Did North Walpole Village Commissioners agree to the work?  The Town also needs to determine who owns the land where improvements were made.

Thanksgiving Feast: The Selectboard is invited to a Thanksgiving feast at the School on November 20th in the Gym at 11:30 AM.  Ms. Mayberry expects to attend and will RSVP.  Ms. Vose will not be available.

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

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 7:48 PM.  Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:41 PM.

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

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the November 19, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)

Zoning Board Meeting Minutes – 11/19/25

ZONING BOARD 11/23/2025 Leave a comment

Walpole Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Town Hall

7 pm

Role Call: Board present: Chair Tom Murray, Vice-Chair Pauline Barnes, Bill Sommers. Absent: Board members Clerk Dave Edkins and Shane O’Keefe. Alternates Don Sellarole and Myra Mansouri.

Call to Order: Mr. Murray called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm. Three members constitute a quorum, so the Board continued its meeting.

Review of Minutes: Minutes of October 2025. Mr. Sommers made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Ms. Barnes seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

Old Business:

Recap: Joint meeting and ADUs Legislative Position and Walpole’s Zoning Ordinance.

Mr. Sommers received copies of the talking points made by Chair Murray and Vice-Chair Barnes at the joint meeting of the ZBA and the PB in October about ADUs. He also received a copy of that meeting’s minutes.

New Business: 

Applications: Mr. O’Keefe did not attend the meeting.

Zoning Board of Adjustment on the town’s web site

Using the big screen Ms. Barnes was able to get on the town’s web site and pulled up the information about the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Tonight’s and next month’s concern was and will be the “menu” on the left side of the page and the organization of that menu. The current web shows the first two items are “Meetings” and “Appeal of an Administrative Decision.”

Ms. Barnes posed the question if you were a citizen of Walpole what would you want to see first. While minutes are written for every meeting, Appeal of Administrative Decision would be a very special meeting and  something in which the Board rarely would be involved.. Ms. Barnes was also concerned about how does the board make it “user friendly” so townspeople know what the different applications (variances and special exceptions) were for and about. She thought the Board should start with definitions and explanations of the applications.

The Board will continue to tackle these questions at its December meeting.

Adjournment 

Mr. Murray made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Sommers seconded the motion and the motion carried. The time was 7:46 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Recording Secretary

Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – 11/12/25

LIBRARY TRUSTEES 11/17/2025 Leave a comment

Walpole Town Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

November 12, 2025

Present:  Amy Howard (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Gail LaHaise, Susan Johnson, Erin Bowen, Jana Sellarole, Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director)

Absent:  Bill Ranauro, Sarah Mann 

Amy Howard called the meeting to order at 4:38 p.m. in the Community Room of the Main Branch.

Approval of Minutes: Gail made a motion to accept the October 2025 minutes as written. Erin seconded and all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Kathy emailed the Treasurer’s Report to the board prior to the meeting. She reported that the Library Trust Fund with investments and interest is $4500 ahead of what we budgeted.  With this extra money and the money from the Friends and with expenses as they are, we are in good shape.

Bills:  Jane sent a copy of the bills to the trustees prior to the meeting. She reported that she is still ordering books from Amazon while she works out “the bugs” with Ingram. She said we will still receive a few bills from Baker and Taylor because they are selling off their remaining stock at 50% off and there are some titles she wants to purchase.

Amy made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills.  Gail seconded and all voted in favor.  Motion passed.

Old Business

Long Range Planning:  Jane reminded the board to review the draft of the proposed Strategic Plan and email comments to her.  She will resend the document so everyone has a new copy.

Employee Appreciation: There was a brief discussion about the appreciation reception, which is scheduled for January 16 from 5-7 p.m. Kathy will buy gift certificates closer to the event.  We will make final plans at our January 13th board meeting.

New Business

Circulation Policy:  Jane distributed draft copies of a new circulation policy for the board to review and edit. She said she would make suggested corrections to the document and send it to the trustees for approval.  Upon approval she will ask the town attorney to review it.  All must be done before January 1st when RSA 201-D:11 takes effect.

Holiday Hours:  The board approved closing the library at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Board Renewal:  Susan reported that she, Erin, and Kathy are up for board renewal in March. They need to sign up in January to have their names put on the ballot.

Operations:  

Mold/Mildew in the Foyer:  Jane described the mold/mildew smell in the foyer and said she discussed it with Brad.  She is thinking of trying Damp Rid to mitigate.

Patron Request:  A patron has asked that the handrail be extended at the end of the ramp.  Jane will make inquiries about doing this.

Technology:  Michael Nerrie sent Jane information about the purchase of a Smart TV for the library.  She will continue researching this.  She is interested in a tv that will be loud enough so that she will not need to use speakers.

Friends of the Library:  The Friends have a meeting next week where they will discuss the results of the book fair.

With no further business to discuss, Gail made a motion to adjourn; Erin seconded the motion.  Amy adjourned the meeting at 5:08 p.m. 

The next trustees meeting will be Tuesday, January 13, at 4:00 p.m. in the main branch of the library.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the January 13, 2026 meeting. 

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

PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD 11/17/2025 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 – 11/3/25

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 11/12/2025 Leave a comment

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

November 3, 2025

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 1, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair), John Peska (Cochair & Presiding), Lewis Shelley, Carolyn Vose (Selectboard Rep)

Alternates Present: Tom Beaudry

Members Absent: Hale Morrell

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

Seating of Alternatives: There was a quorum, so no Alternates were seated.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Paul moved to accept the 10/6/2025 minutes as written. France seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

Public Business

Financial Report:  Conservation $282,422.14

Forestry $53,511.36

Correspondence: NHACC dues are due.  France moved to pay the $275 dues for this year.  Paul seconded.  With all in favor, the motion passed.

New Business

Fanny Mason Forest Management: 

  • Winter timber harvest – we expect to do the harvest this winter.  Can the Town waive the timber tax for Fanny Mason?   Once that question is answered, Alex Barrett will submit the Timber Intent permit.
  • Red pine – Longview can do cut-to-length, but Chris Ricci doesn’t do it.  Tyler Zambon can also cut-to-length.  John will ask Alex Barrett to get quotes from Longview and Tyler Zambon.
  • Invasives – It will cost about $1,600 (two people for a day) to treat buckhorn stems now in the area of the Fanny Mason harvest.  This is Fanny Mason property, expense and income, so the Conservation Committee needs to let Trustees of Trust Funds know that Longview will do the treatment now and get paid when there is income from the red pine harvest.   

Paul made a motion to request that the Town waive the timber tax on the Fanny Mason harvest and to approve treating for invasives now with Longview to be paid when the harvest starts getting income.  Lew seconded.  With everyone in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

Safety Inspection: On November 20th there will be an inspection of the Conservation Commission storage in the old Town Garage on School Street.  John, Lew & Paul will meet before the inspection to check everything and do any equipment maintenance needed.

Old Business

Easement monitoring: Monadnock Conservancy did some monitoring last month and sent an email asking for the status of issues identified last year:

  • In Bertin Forest two pieces of bridge washed out – the larger piece was removed from the brook; the other piece is still on the bank and needs to be removed; it remains to be determined who can get the bridge out of the forest.
  • In Great Brook Town Forest – there was a snowmobile trail wash-out and the trail is still washed out down toward the brook.  There is a very large pine down across the trail.  Lew and the Hooper Hill Hoppers are working to determine what to do.  It would be possible to build a very narrow trail (one snowmobile wide), but a groomer couldn’t get through to maintain the trail.  There is a lot of clay in that area, so rebuilding the trail may require a retaining wall.  There are closed signs on both ends of that trail.  It was a major trail to Westmoreland but now snowmobilers also have the Rail Trail.

Town easements: we are obliged to monitor the Town easements.  Wendy will do three, but she can’t do her own land.  The Easement Monitoring Committee needs to meet to decide what they really want to do.  There is a committee, and they need a meeting (Peter is chair).  It was pointed out that property monitoring really is one of our more important responsibilities.

Reservoir Dam: DES, Walpole and Fuss & O’Neill agree that we can breech the dam (normally remove 25 – 50% of dam) with ARPA money before the deadline. Fuss & O’Neil is doing the engineering in preparation for getting permits.  We will need to bridge the breech so trail will still be usable since the area is popular for recreation.

Derry Hill Road – Class VI road status: The road was checked last weekend.  There is no sign of anyone working on the road, but some sections of it would only be passable with some four-wheel drive vehicles.  There is an ongoing timber harvest (uncertain if in Walpole) and they are hauling logs across Walpole’s Class VI roads to Alstead or Surry.  The lower part of Derry Hill is a fire lane.  Part of Scovill Road between High Blue and Derry Hill Road is now destroyed by vehicles and washouts. 

Peter arrived during the Derry Hill discussion.

Tree Planting: This fall a sugar maple was planted on the northwest corner of the Common and four tulip trees were planted along the west side.  $3,600 has been donated for purchasing trees.    About half was spent this year, so we have enough for two crabapples and three red maples for the spring planting, and that will finish the planting on the Common.  North Walpole and Drewsville (Fritzie Hill [sic] is suggested contact) will be contacted to see what they need.

Mt. Kilborne: Monadnock Climbing Club wants their letter of support signed, but we need to know everyone involved is satisfied.  John reached out to Katherine Kopij to determine whether the North Walpole Village Commissioners are OK with the plans.  We also need to get the approval of the Walpole and North Walpole Fire and Rescue squads.

Trail Committee

Updates: The Trail Committee has worked on Mill Pond.  They removed a large tree and a large bush, and they have done some leveling.

Wendy will have the Work Plan for the 2026 Rail Trail projects finished by the deadline on 12/31/2025.  The plan is being addressed, but it won’t be done or available for the next meeting.  Peter asked that as many details as possible be discussed at the 12/1/2025 meeting.

Rail Trail Work Plan: Ditch and culvert work preparing for winter will be the focus of the Work Day on November 8th.  Similar preparation worked well last year.

Other Business and Updates

Hooper Institute Board: There are no updates, but Paul is positive about the Board.  He thinks Greta Drager is doing a great job and that the building is just beautiful.  The next meeting is tomorrow.

New Hampshire Big Tree: The black oak on Mill Pond is the largest in the state.  Lew received a sign and will put in a signpost, so he can put up the sign.

Agenda for the Next Meeting – December 1, 2025

  • New path on Fanny Mason timber harvest – Lew
  • Work Plan for Rail Trail – Wendy

Adjournment: France moved to adjourn the meeting and Nicole seconded.  John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:19 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 10/29/25

SELECTBOARD 11/07/2025 Leave a comment

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Meeting of the Selectboard

October 29, 2025

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

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

Call to Order: Mr. Dalessio called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:34 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $33,373.11 dated 10/31/2025 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,779.23.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the payroll was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – October 23, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 23, 2025.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Selectboard minutes were approved.

Non-Public Selectboard Meeting – October 23, 2025: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting of October 23, 2025.  The minutes will remain sealed.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Non-Public minutes were approved and remain sealed.

Committee Reports

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

  • Trustees of Trust Funds Meeting – October 22, 2025

Mr. Dalessio acknowledged these minutes.

Ms.  Mayberry arrived at 6:38 PM.  The finance meeting with Hooper Institute ran late.

Old Business

Reservoir Dam: Mr. Dalessio reported that a new budget is due to DES on or before November 1st.   At a meeting on Monday evening with Mark Houghton, Mr. Dalessio, John Peska, the Dam Bureau and Fuss & O’Neil, it was agreed that to protect the village, it will be necessary to breech part of the dam so there is less water in the reservoir.  The Town needs to get permits, but obtaining permits and breeching the dam can be done before the ARPA grant expires, and this will make the Town much safer in severe storms.  A bridge will be built across the part of the dam that is breeched so the footpath can still be enjoyed.

Mr. Dalessio is preparing a summary of all on-going projects.  It should be ready in a couple of weeks.

Artwork Raffle: Per Attorney Hockensmith’s feedback, a third party is recommended to host the raffle to raise funds for the new Police Station.  Mr. Dalessio is looking into the options.

Dumpster Proposal: An updated proposal has been received.  There was a question as to why Ruggerio is not providing the dumpster as part of their pickup service.  This is the metals dumpster.  Ms. Hakey will follow up. Once this is resolved, the Recycling Department will need to ask the same questions about the solid waste dumpsters.

Selectboard Meeting Dates: Next week the Selectboard will meet on Wednesday, November 5th.

Tax Rate Status: Mr. Kreissle sent an update based on information available in the portal.  There are several tasks in the report that don’t specify the status.

New Business

STD/LTD/Life and AD&D rates for 2026 – 2027: The insurance rates will hold at the current rate for two years with a new vendor. By consensus, the Selectboard agreed to the new two-year rates.

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

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a)(b)(c) at 7:06 PM.  Ms. Vose seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Ms. Vose and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:35 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 7:37 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the November 5, 2025 Selectboard meeting.)