Tag Archives: Police Building Committee

Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 4/8/26

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Police Station Building Committee Minutes

April 8, 2026

The Police Building Committee met at the Hooper Institute, at 12:30 pm, April 8, 2026, for the purpose of interviewing the principals of two companies who had presented proposals for the construction of a new Police Station for the Town of Walpole. Present were Steve Dalessio, Trevor MacLachlan, Jay Punt, Cheri Watson, Andrew Dey, Chief Justin Sanctuary and Peggy Pschirrer.

Black River Design Architects made the first presentation to the committee. Mr. Dalessio stated that he is currently working with Black River at the American Precision Museum. 

Black River was represented by Keith Robinson, the Partner in charge; Mark Montminy, Partner; and Jess Dahline, Project Manager.  The group made a formal presentation and presented the group with copies of their suggestions and remarks.  Their recommendations included, among other things, suggestions to turn the building so that the front is visible from the upper Walpole Road, build a flat roof, consider shifting the Chief’s office to an exterior wall, consider high windowsills to avoid bullet resistant glazing.  The Black River Team indicated they have no experience with Buy America, Build America.  They also stated to meet the demand of BABA they would need to adjust their price.  They also prefer to work without an owner’s representative and or a construction manager. Their presentation was thorough and the committee asked many questions.  Black River was thanked for their presentation and assured the committee will discuss their presentation and be in touch in the following week.

Banwell Architects made the second presentation to the group. Ms. Pschirrer indicated she is currently working with Banwell Architects on the Walpole Village School Project. Mr. Dey and Mr. MacLachlan both stated they have worked with Banwell Architects. 

Banwell Architects was represented by Ingrid Nichols, President; Tom Daniels, Project Architect; and Matt Giffin, Project Manager.  They distributed a handout which stated their mission is to improve the human condition one building at a time. They also had a projection of their plans and ideas for Walpole.  They asked the committee many questions about room placement, placement of mechanicals, timing of the town vote on a bond.  Banwell Architects stated they had jobs which demanded Buy America, Build America and are used to meeting those demands.

Mr. Dalessio thanked Banwell staff for their presentation and told them we would make our decision soon and contact them with our decision.

The Committee resumed meeting after a short break and reviewed both presentations.  It was generally agreed that both companies could easily deliver a new Police Station but ultimately the group voted to engage Black River.  The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:00 pm.   The next meeting will be scheduled for April 22, 2026, at the Hooper Institute at 6:30 pm.

The date was later changed to April 23, 2026, at 6:30 at the Hooper Institute.

Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 3/25/26

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Police Station Building Committee Minutes

March 25, 2026

The Police Committee met March 25, 2026, on the first floor of the Hooper Institute Building to review four proposals received in response to the Request for Proposals for the Construction of a new Police Station. The group, at a prior meeting, had eliminated four proposals from the eight proposals received. Peggy Pschirrer called the meeting to order at 6:30. Present were Steve Dalessio, Jay Punt, Andrew Dey, Cheri Watson, and Chef Justin Sanctuary.  Trevor MacLachlan was absent.

Mr. Dalessio led the group in the review of the proposals.  After discussing each proposal, the group agreed to hold a meeting April 7 or 8 at the Hooper Institute, to interview the principals of two firms who met the criteria for building a new police station in Walpole. The date for the next meeting will be set as quickly as possible.

The other companies not chosen for interviews will be contacted by Mr. Dalessio and thanked for their interest.

The meeting adjourned by 7:30 pm.

Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 3/11/26

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Police Building Committee Minutes

March 11, 2026

Peggy Pschirrer called the meeting of the Police Building committee to order at 6:30 pm in Walpole Town Hall.  Those present were Steve Dalessio, Jay Punt, Andrew Dey, Chief Justin Sanctuary present by Zoom, and Cheri Watson.  Trevor MacLachlan was absent.  

Ms. Pschirrer acknowledged the resignation of Davd Adams and thanked him for his service.  Mr. Adams will be kept remain on the email list for minutes and agendas.

The Committee received eight responses to the Committee’s Requests for Proposals.  Mr. Dey distribute a scoring matrix for those proposals and suggested we eliminate those proposals the Committee did not believe met our criteria.

Mr. Dey led the discussion citing the features which did not meet our criteria.

Four proposals were eliminated from consideration and four were selected to have more extensive discussion at the Committee’s next meeting.  

Each member of the committee will receive a by email a matrix for the remaining proposals to be completed and returned to Mr. Dalessio no later than March 18.

Because these are public minutes the firms will not be listed because no firm has been notified of the Committee’s decisions.

The Committee will meet March 25, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the Hooper Institute to further discuss the four remaining proposals in detail and decide whom to interview.

The group agreed we will need an Owner’s rep; we do not have the staff to handle all the details, grants etc.

At this point there is confusion in the NH USDA office because our federal grant is the same amount, $2,058,000, as the federal grant given to the Walpole Fire District. Mr. Dalessio is communicating with Rena Peck who is in the NH Office of the USDA.  The staff at USDA has been significantly reduced so Ms. Peck’s workload has been increased.

Attorney Hockensmith has written our appeal for a special Town Meeting for the purpose of presenting a Warran to the voters for an approval of a Bond for the cost of the new police station.  

The Committee will begin fundraising in mid-late April.

Peggy Pschirrer

Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 2/18/26

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Police Station Building Committee Minutes

February 18, 2026

The Police Building Committee was called to order in the Walpole Town Hall at 6:30 pm by Peggy Pschirrer.  Present in person were Steve Dalessio, Jay Punt, Andrew Dey, Chief Justin Sanctuary, and Zoom, Cheri Watson and Trevor MacLachlan.

Mr. Dalessio distributed a list of the architects/engineering companies who had indicated they are interested in submitting a proposal for the new Police Station.  The deadline for proposals is February 27, 2026. The Committee will meet on March 3 at Town Hall to review the proposals.

The Committee agreed that a construction manager should be sought before the owner’s representative.

Mr. Dalessio will contact Rena Peck to discuss our USDA grant and its requirements.

Chief Justin Sanctuary has created stationery for the Committee to use in its fundraising which will not begin before the middle of April.  The Committee has made suggestions for changes in the stationery.  

Attorney Hockensmith has drafted an appeal for a special Town Meeting to present a warrant to the voters authorizing the purchase of a bond for the construction of a new police building.

The next meeting of the Committee will be March 3, 2026, at Town Hall to review the proposals from architects and engineers.

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.

Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 1/6/26

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Police Building Committee Minutes

January 6, 2026

Peggy Pschirrer called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm in Walpole Town Hall.

Present were Steve Dalessio, Andrew Dey, Jay Punt, Chief of Police Justin Sanctuary, and by Zoom, Cheri Watson, David Adams and Trevor MacLachlan.

The Raffle for a framed copy of a Howard Hill picture of the Walpole Village Store had a drawing on December 18. The successful ticket for the drawing was purchased by Sarah Waterman. There were several generous gifts in lieu of buying raffle tickets. We took in $21,975.00 dollars. Robin Sanctuary who managed the raffle will be reimbursed $1,550 for handling the copies of Howard Hills painting. The Walpole Police Benevolent Association served as the agent for the raffle.

Andrew Dey reviewed the RFP he had drafted for Architects and Engineers. With minor adjustments, the Committee agreed the RFP should be circulated within the next few weeks. Further, the Committee agreed to seek a Construction Manager without undue delay. Rod Bouchard has prepared the RFP for a Construction Manager.

The Committee has been notified that we are the recipient of a USDA grant in the amount of $2,058,000. This is the result of our grant written by Nancy Merrill and submitted to Senator Shaheen’s office. The grant was financed through the budget which was adopted at the end of the government shut down. The state office of the USDA is short staffed, but we will work with Rena Peck who is in the New Hampshire office of USDA.

The Committee had a short discussion of when to approach the Town voters with a warrant for bonding the remaining cost of construction for the new station. Mr. Dalessio noted that we will need special state permission for any bond which exceeds 10% of our budget.

Our next meeting will be January 21, at 6:30 pm in the Hooper Institute, first floor.

Peggy Pschirrer

Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 10/8/25

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Police Station Building Committee Minutes

October 8, 2025

Peggy Pschirrer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the office of the Selectboard.  Present were Trevor MacLachlan, Andrew Dey and Chief Justin Sanctuary who join the group at 7:00 p.m.   Robin Sanctuary was present as a guest. Absent were David Adams, Jay Punt, Cheri Watson and Steve Dalessio.

Ms. Sanctuary presented plans for a potential fundraiser for the police Building Committee. Rod Bourchard and his wife Cindy have been working with Ms. Sanctuary.  She has received permission from The Savings Bank of Walpole and the widow of Howard Hiill to copy a painting named “Westminster Street” painted by Mr. Hill in 1992, to be raffled by the committee to start a fund for the future police station.  The painting has been copied on canvas and framed.  Raffle Tickets would sell for $10.00 per ticket or 3 tickets for $25.00.  The drawing for the painting would be held in mid-December.

Ms. Sanctuary also has smaller prints on canvas which could sell for $250.00.  She also has a copy of the painting Mr. Hill did of Walpole Town Hall which she can sell for $130.00 if on canvas or $40.00 if on paper.  

The Committee present approved Ms. Sanctuary’s proposal and agreed to help promote this raffle.

The Raffle will be announced in the Clarion and the painting displayed in several locations.

Donations to the Town of Walpole for the new police station are tax deductible. 

The Committee agreed to hold the RFPs for architects to produce construction drawings until the beginning of 2026.  The Committee also discussed the need for an Owner’s representative and a Construction Manager.

It is important that we hold another public meeting to highlight the fact that the new building is a category 4 building, a life safety building which has higher standards.  Unlike a personal house, this building has requirements demands safety features particular to police buildings. Evidence rooms must be secure. Holding rooms are soundproof.  There must be safe air handlers and bullet proof windows and doors.

The Training room will be available for meetings related to crime prevention, or community endangerment such as home security, neighborhood watch groups, crimes against the elderly, fraud detection or reports on local incidents.  

The next meeting of the Police Building Committee will be November 6, 2025, at 6:30 in the Selectboard office.

Police Station Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 8/18/25

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POLICE STATION BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES

August 18, 2025

Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm in the Selectboard office. Present were Jay Punt, Trevor MacLachan, Cheri Watson, Dave Adams, Zoom and Peggy Pschirrer.  Absent were Chief Justin Sanctuary and Andrew Dey.

Mr. Dalessio reviewed the timeline for the Police Building Project.  An RFP for construction drawings will be completed by September 15, 2025, with bids expected by November 27, 2025. Funds of $475,000 must be raised to pay for drawings and initiate Phase I for preconstruction drawings. Both Mr. MacLachlan and Mr. Dalessio believe this timeline to be realistic.  

Mr. Adams asked where the funds would be held once they were raised.  Any funds raised would probably be held in the Town PDIP account. 

The Committee discussed how we want to raise money.  We won’t know until March 2026 whether our grant application for federal funding will be granted. Ms. Pschirrer offered to draft a fund-raising letter and Ms. Watson also agreed to help with letter writing.  Gifts to the Town of Walpole are tax deductible.  We should have a QR code with links to the bank.

A Public Information Meeting will be held September 15, 2025, in Town Hall to discuss the changes to the original drawings for the Police Station which have reduced the cost to approximately 5 million dollars. Mr. Petrovick, the architect of those schematic drawings, will be asked to attend the meeting. A notice will be posted in the September CLARION.

The Committee agreed that a 4’ x 8’ sign will be ordered to be placed on the Police Property on Upper Walpole Road. The Committee also agreed they will follow the Construction Manager model in the next phases of construction. Mr. Dalessio asked each member of the committee to consider replacing him as Chair. He will remain a member of the committee, but his other responsibilities demand he relinquish being Chair.

The next meeting of the Committee will be September 4, at 6:30 pm in the Selectboard office to prepare for the public meeting.

Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 6/9/25

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POLICE BUILDING COMMITTEE

Minutes, June 9, 2025

Steve Dalesio called the meeting to order in the Offices of the Selectboard at 6:30 pm, June 9, 2025. Present in person were Trevor MacLaclan, Jay Punt, Peggy Pschirrer and on Zoom, Dave Adams and Cheri Watson.  Absent were Chief Justin Sanctuary who is on vacation and Andrew Dey.

The Committee agreed the building design work is complete and the next step is to develop an RFP for constructions drawings.  Several architectural firms were suggested: Banwell Architects, Black River, Dan Scully and Chris Adams.  There is a competitive bid environment.

We need to consider when we wish to break ground by establishing a timeline.  We will also need to be alert to the next Town budget cycle.

Nancy Merrill has been asked to ask Northern Borders if we are eligible for the grant which is awarded to buildings erected from wood.  We will also ask that she look for funding from the Department of Agriculture which might be applicable to police stations.

The Committee discussed our need to form a fund-raising committee with local volunteers. We could agree to establish a method for naming individual rooms within the new building – e.g.- the Training room, individual offices, the evidence room etc.

We will have a table at Old Home Days on the Common, June 28, with our building design. Mr. Dalessio offered his pop-up tent and agreed to have posters made of our floor plan.  Ms. Watson and Mr. MacLaclan both offered to staff the table for short periods of time.  We will expect a Police Officer will also be available to answer questions about the new building. It was suggested we have items to give to children such as badges or other paraphernalia.

The Highway Department does not have the equipment to brush hog the piece of property we own on Upper Walpole Road. Mr. Dalessio will contact a local company to do the work.

 Ms. Watson reported she had been contacted by a Cheshire County Commissioner.  We also discussed the importance of another public meeting.

 The meeting adjourned at 7: 20 pm.  The next meeting will be June 23 at 6:30 pm.

Peggy Pschirrer

Police Building Committee Meeting Minutes – 5/12/25

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POLICE BUILDING COMMITTEE

Minutes, May 12, 2025

Peggy Pschirrer called the meeting to order in the office of the Selectboard. Present were Trevor MacLachlan, Andrew Dey, Jay Punt and on Zoom, Cheri Watson.  Chief Justin Sanctuary, Dave Adams and Steve Dalessio were absent.

Andew Dey moved that the minutes of April 21, 2025, be approved. The motion was seconded by Trevor MacLachlan and so voted.

Mr. Dalessio had emailed an agenda to everyone prior to the meeting.

The first item was to discuss the latest rendering provided by Michal Petrovick. The door which Chief Sanctuary had requested at the last meeting is shown as exiting out the back of the building across from the Records Room. This will provide privacy for anyone leaving the building. The broad front will be a good space for the Police Logo.

The Committee discussed how to maintain the property we now own on Upper Walpole Road. This is now Town property. Is it possible that the Highway Department could brush hog the site at least twice a year?  If this is not feasible, then the group agreed we should hire a local landscaping company to brush hog twice a year.

The Police Building Committee will have a booth or table at Old Home Days, Saturday, June 28.  Andrew Dey, Trevor MacLachlan and Cheri Watson each may be able to volunteer at the table for a short period of time.  We may need a pop-up tent for shade or rain cover.

The Committee spent some time discussing fund raising. They agreed we need a timeline; to consider the stages of fund raising; naming opportunities for the new building; the formation of a fund-raising committee made up of local citizens; and to seek local input.  We will ask Nancy Merrill who has already filed a Congressional Grant application with Senator Sheehan’s office, to explore the possibilities of a Northern Borders Grant for buildings of all wood.

The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2025, at 6:30 in the office of the Selectboard.