Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of November 10, 2014

 

Present: Betty Fulton, Chair; Bob Ells, Pat Mercer, and Sandi Pierson (clerical). Others present: George White, Rebecca Albrecht, Molly Albrecht, and Sharon Proulx. Meeting opened at 6:30 PM. Attendance taken by the secretary.

The Board met at 6:30 instead of 7 PM because they anticipated printing the tax warrant prior to the regular meeting. Because the DRA had not emailed the tax rate confirmation, this could not be done.

Approval of minutes:

 

  • The minutes of October 27, 2014: Pat motioned to accept them as submitted; Bob 
seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
  • The minutes of November 7, 2014: Pat noted that a response to a motion in the minutes 
was not recorded. The Board concurred. Pat motioned to accept the minutes as amended to indicate that a motion was seconded and unanimously approved; Bob seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 
Building permit: The Board revisited the Dugan building permit for a home on Razor Hill Road; Map 4, Lot 3-1. At the October 27, 2014 meeting, the Board unanimously voted that when documentation from Brent Stevens and Jim Linn established the water and septic plans, the Board would sign the building permit. Rebecca Albrecht submitted to the Board a document from Jim Linn stating that he has dowsed the property and a location for a productive, hand-dug well is available. An email from Brent Stevens was received affirming he is drafting a septic system for the property. After discussion, Pat motioned to accept and sign the Dugan building permit in view of the fact that the requested documentation has been submitted. Bob seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. 
(At this time Betty deferred other business on the agenda until 7 PM. At 7 PM, Betty reconvened the meeting and recapped the items of business noted above.) 
Residency: The Board reviewed a fax from a resident that requested her residency in Orange be affirmed to the school district. She wrote that she has lived in Orange for 18 months but was still listed under her prior address at her mother’s home in Enfield. Sandi had emailed her back stating that the town was never notified of a change in mailing address. The Board signed correspondence to the SAU confirming the family lives in Orange. 
Assessing contracts: The Board reviewed Attorney Waugh’s response to the two contracts presented by Avitar, the 2015 town-wide reval and a 5-year general assessing contract. The Board agreed on a number of Attorney Waugh’s supplements and changes and requested Sandi summarize them and forward them to Avitar.

 

Building permits: The above discussion led into the issue of land being taken out of current use on the assessment card by Avitar whereas the Selectmen are not notified. Sharon said the responsibility of land being taken out of current use due to construction is the responsibility of the Selectmen’s office at the time a building permit is reviewed. Sandi said that presently when a building permit is received by the office, she checks on the land use category and if any of it is in current use, she checks the property file for the map showing exactly what acreage, if any, is not in current use. If a map is not in the property file, she asks the applicant to submit a current use map per the DRA guidelines before the building permit is brought before the Board. If land is taken out of current use because of new construction, a Land Use Change Tax is issued to the tax collector and recorded well within the 18 month deadline. After discussion, Pat motioned to add the inquiry on the building permit if any part of the land is in current use. Bob seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor.

Tax rate: Betty stated that the projected 2014 tax rate will be $22.63 per thousand dollars of valuation. $45,000 was accessed from the unassigned fund balance to reduce taxes. She stated this is a $1.08 increase over 2013.

Other:

 

  • The Board received a summary of 2014 Workman’s Compensation costs for the town 
totaling $1,707.50. Because the town still has a credit balance as a result of the Workers 
Compensation Premium Holiday, no payment is required.
  • The Board received an updated payment schedule from the Mascoma School District. 
The balance due of $360,073.91 is payable in nine equal payments of $40,008.21. The 
previous monthly payments have been $48,204.03.
  •  The Board reviewed training information from DRA for the new web-based filing of the 
MS-7 and the MS-2. As of this year, the DRA requires electronic filing of these forms. Sharon stated she recently attended a training with Bob Proulx and gave a brief outline of the changes to filling out the MS-7. She said that the DRA plan is to have various users that can access the web-based program but that the town has a single administrator that authenticates and submits the documents. Sharon said that this is Phase 1 of the DRA web-based program and that eventually all MS forms will be submitted this way. Pat Mercer stated she will take the training but that it may be good if two people took it. Pat stated that it appears a pipe and utility wires on private property on Peaslee Road were disturbed during recent road work. Bob to follow up.

 

Secretary’s report:

 

  • A confirmation was received from the Trustees of the Trust Funds that $1,163.00 
previously voted from the Town House Capital Reserve Fund has been remitted to the 
town treasurer.
  • The Board directed Sandi to draft letters for their review regarding violations to the 
junkyard ordinance.
  • Sandi acknowledged the thoughtfulness of Colin Higbie for his spur-of-the-moment 
assistance in remedying a computer quandary.
  • Checks have not been received from the October 27, 2014 vouchers. Betty will follow up. 
Betty stated she has followed up with the NH Unemployment form that was due in June and will assist with the September form if the treasurer wants her to.

 

Public comment: The Board entertained and took public comment. Parties that spoke are welcome to submit their comments and attach them to the minutes for public review.

Vouchers were reviewed and signed. Meeting adjourned 8 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson

Betty Fulton

Robert Ells

Patricia Mercer