Walpole bond request for new police station falls short by a single vote

The final count was 104 in favor and 175 ballots cast overall, leaving the measure just one vote below the 105 required.

A plan to authorize borrowing up to $3 million for a new town police station failed Monday night after Walpole voters came up one vote short of the supermajority needed for approval.

The final count was 104 in favor and 175 ballots cast overall, leaving the measure just one vote below the 105 required. Officials said the tally was checked three times after a discussion that drew a large crowd and strong opinions from both supporters and opponents.

The proposal, presented by Select Board Member Steven Dalessio, would have allowed the town to seek bond financing for construction tied to a previously approved $2 million USDA grant. Chief of Police Justin Sanctuary answered questions during the meeting and outlined a project he said would give the department room to function now and in the decades ahead.

Sanctuary described the current station as outdated and undersized for the department’s needs. He said the building was originally designed for a single officer and part-time help, and that it has not been expanded in 30 years. The new plan called for a one-story facility of more than 7,000 square feet, with separate areas for public access, secure operations, staff use, storage and evidence.

The projected price tag for the full project was estimated at between $5 million and $5.5 million. Officials said the bond, if approved, was expected to start in 2028 and would carry a fixed interest rate of about 3.84 percent. Dalessio said roughly $10,000 had already been raised for contingencies and other related costs.

Opposition centered largely on cost and on whether Walpole truly needed a project of that size. Robbie Mahrou, a resident and Independent candidate for Congress in NH-02, argued that the town faced relatively little violent crime and said most local cases involved scams, fraud and other cybercrime. He said a large new building would not help with offenses committed from outside the area and suggested a smaller, cheaper option would have made more sense.

Mahrou also raised concerns after another voter mentioned possible use of the facility by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sanctuary responded that the bond vote concerned only the police station itself and not any federal activity, and he said the issue had no bearing on the building proposal.

Victoria Rudd, who works on Mahrou’s campaign, questioned whether the facility would be efficient to operate, especially if solar was not included. She also said residents were not being fully informed about the eventual financial impact.

Supporters countered that the town needed to act sooner rather than later. Judy Epstein said hearing Sanctuary’s explanation changed her view and convinced her the project was necessary. She pointed to the town’s location near Route 12 and Interstate 91, which brings traffic stops and other police work even when local crime levels are low. She also noted that Walpole officers sometimes fill gaps for nearby communities under mutual aid agreements with places such as Bellows Falls, Alstead and Westmoreland.

Susan Stewart echoed that the town should prepare for growth and needs that will change over time. Both she and Epstein said the current station was no longer adequate, with Epstein describing it as in poor condition.

After the vote, Select Board Chair Carolyn Vose said she was disappointed by the outcome and regretted that the department would remain in its current facility for now.

The issue is expected to return at Walpole Town Meeting in March of 2027.