Select Board meeting October 27, 2026

The Walpole Select Board’s October 27, 2026 meeting approved bid contract 2027-12 for the salt consortium, awarding it to Eastern Minerals Inc. and MidAmerican Salt; the vote was 4–0. The board also voted 4–0 to move forward with Option B for a proposed MWR emergency water connection: a booster/pump station estimated at $3 million–$3.5 million. This was a decision to advance the option, not final project funding approval. Members compared it with a roughly $5.3 million full pump station and a roughly $2.5 million bare-bones alternative, and noted that staff would continue discussions with Norwood about the connection and compensation. Members emphasized balancing the project against ongoing water-system needs, including pipe replacement and PFAS mitigation, with a future funding decision expected to go before Town Meeting. The board also approved three union agreements for clerical, police, and library employees for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2029, and approved nonunion contract agreements for four employees.

The board approved the FY 2028 salary schedule and updated personnel bylaws, including a recommended 3% net increase for 79 nonunion employees, estimated at $134,769, and an increase in education reimbursement from $600 to $2,000. A solid-waste contract with Casella was not ready for consideration; comments were under review, with the item expected on the November 10 agenda. The ongoing commons lighting project was reported as progressing, with a change order pending; DPW staff are working alongside an electrician. No final award or cost was stated for that project.