Orange Archive

Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of October 23, 2018

Present: Dorothy Heinrichs,Chair; Robert Ells, Tamara Fairbank, and Sandi Pierson (clerical).Others present: Beverly Ells and Judith Lindahl

Meeting opened at 6 PM. Attendance taken by the secretary.

Tax rate: The Board reviewed the 2018 preliminary tax rate of $25.81 as set by the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA). The Board discussed the availability of the unreserved fund balance that may be used to offset taxes, and what they should establish for an overlay (revenue included each year in the event of abatements). It was noted that the DRA recommends retaining between 5% and 17% of the towns unreserved fund balance based on the general fund operating expenses. The present fund balance is $36,965, which is 3.9% of the total operating expenses.

After discussion, Bob motioned to set $2000 as an overlay and to not use any of the unreserved fund balance because it is not within the DRA-recommended range. Tamara seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. The final tax rate of $25.87 per thousand dollars of valuation was sent to the DRA for their review and approval. The Board will meet on November 6, 2018 at 10 AM to process the warrant for the tax collector.

Breakdown

Minutes: The minutes of October 9, 2018 were approved.

Town House Garden: The Board agreed that Gary Hamel may purchase more bulbs for the Town House garden and fertilizer if he needs it. This will come out of the Conservation Commission budget.

Building permit: The Board reviewed and approved a building permit application for a generator installation for Daniel Hazelton/342 Tuttle Hill Road/Map 1, Lot 45. The permit was already reviewed and signed by Building Inspector Don Pfaefflin.

Current Use: The Board discussed the draft of a letter to be sent to Billie Brockhum and Terrance McQueeny in response to their letter of September 25, 2018 regarding the current use status of their Tug Mountain property. In the letter, the Board explained that certain improvements to the property may no longer meet the current use criteria and that they wouldlike the town’s assessor, Mark Stetson from Avitar Associates of New England, to make thedetermination. The letter also requests access for a site visit, which they are welcome to be present at. The Board will review, sign, and send the letter when they meet on November 6.

Other:

•   The Board reviewed numerous 2019 contribution requests and cost quotes; they will be forwarded to the Budget Committee:

  •   Visiting Nurse and Hospice of NH-VT: $1,300. This is the same as 2018.

  •   Public Health Council (formerly Mascoma Valley Health Initiative): $248. This is

    the same 2018.

  •   Canaan Library: $4,000. This is the same as 2018.

  •   Primex property and liability insurance coverage: $1,584. This is as decrease of $180

    from 2018.

  •   Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission membership: $454.46.

    This is an increase of $4.63 from 2018. The Board discussed if the membership cost

    was equivalent to their benefit to the town. Judith Lindahl will follow up.

•   A memo was received from SAU 62 that the Mascoma School District deliberation

  session is set for Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 9 AM at the high school auditorium.

  Other business:

 Bob Ells recommended changing the lock cylinder of the back door to match the front door lock so that people may access both entrances with the same key. He did not expect the cost to exceed $200. The Board agreed.

Notes of appreciation:

•   Dorothy read the following letter from Orange Historical Commission Chair Sharon

  Proulx: I wish to thank the Orange Harvest Festival Committee for their generous donation of $880.00. Because of their hard work and dedication, they have brought us closer to our goals.

•   The Board extended their thanks to Skip Smith for the many tasks he has completed at the Town House. This has included the installation of a solar flagpole light, more efficient and improved office lighting, window well covers, cleaning the exterior of the building, and many other tasks he does on a regular basis.

•   The Board extends their appreciation to the Budget Committee for their diligent workeach year on the town’s budget which has helped keep the tax rate consistent from yearto year.

  Reports from other Boards and Committees:

 The Historical Society will meet on November 5, 2018 at the Town House.

Public comment: n/a
Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed. Meeting adjourned 6:45 PM.

Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs

Robert Ells

Tamara Fairbank

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