Orange Archive

Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of November 10, 2015

Present: Dorothy Heinrichs, Chair; Robert Ells, and Sandi Pierson (clerical). Absent: Lyell Smith

Others present: Beverly Ells, Bob and Sharon Proulx, Judith Lindahl, and Dave Como. Meeting opened at 7:00 PM.

Minutes:

• The minutes of October 26, 2015 were unanimously approved as amended.
• The minutes of November 4, 2015 were unanimously approved as submitted. (A special meeting to set the tax rate.)
• The minutes of November 9, 2015 were unanimously approved as submitted. (A special meeting to sign the property tax warrant.)

Financial:

• Dorothy stated that the Board received a notice from the Internal Revenue Service regarding 2014 unpaid taxes. Billing summary included: 2014 unpaid taxes: $1,752.62, failure to file penalty: $394.34, failure to pay penalty: $87.63, and interest charges to date: $51.61. The Board signed a voucher for the total of $2,286.20.
• The Board revisited the proposal to have CPA Mathew Angell of Angell and Company of Manchester, NH research the 2014 treasury records and a portion of 2015 voucher payments. Dorothy stated that one of the focal points is to discover why the unassigned fund balance went from $138,422 on January 1, 2014 to a deficit of minus-$36,899 at the end of 2014. The Board reviewed an “agreed upon procedure” from Mr. Angell that included reviewing the MS-535, reviewing the discrepancies identified in the 2014 treasurer’s books, and bring to light the unassigned fund balance circumstances. He will include recommendations for streamlining financial recordkeeping between departments. The cost is anticipated to range from $1,600 to $2,400. After discussion, Bob motioned to sign the agreement. Motion passed unanimously in favor. Dorothy stated that Treasurer Tessa Michetti will be the primary contact person during the process.
• Sandi reiterated that Tessa Michetti said that she worked with Deputy Treasurer Trish Weekes for three hours today and that the session was very productive. Tessa said she expects to schedule a work session at the Select Board’s office in December to reconcile all 2015 vouchers to what was actually disbursed by the treasurer. This is essential to the synchronization of the 2015 treasurer’s report, MS-7, and MS-5.
• The monthly line item budget status spreadsheet was reviewed and a copy given to Budget Committee secretary Bob Proulx. Dorothy stated that as of October 31, 2015 the town has spent $145,261.55 of the 2015 appropriation of $241,190.00, leaving a balance to date of $95,928.45.

Other:

• The Board signed correspondence to a property owner advising him of the abatement process if he feels his 2015 reval assessment is inaccurate.
• The Board reviewed correspondence from Canaan Librarian Amy Thurber stating she would appreciate Orange’s ongoing annual financial support to the library in 2016. The request will be forwarded to the Budget Committee.
• The Board reviewed correspondence from the Grafton County Senior Center Council requesting a $1000.00 donation from Orange for 2016. The request will be forwarded to the Budget Committee.
• The Board reviewed correspondence from Victoria Davis of the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission requesting the town endorse a letter of support for the UVLSRPC’s application for a hazardous waste grant from the USDA. The Board unanimously approved signing the letter.
• The Board was in receipt of an Approval for Septic Construction for 640 Tuttle Hill Road.
• Dorothy stated that Tri State Fire Protection, LLC has been awarded the fire extinguisher contract for the State and that municipal extinguisher purchases are available from them at reduced rates.

Secretary’s report:

• The revised monthly school payment notice was received from the SAU; the new monthly payment is $36,308 which is a decrease of $3,700.
• The Town House electric bill has decreased over the last few months from over $100 to $75. It is assumed this is due to replacing the aged refrigerator with an energy efficient model. The Board thanked Bob Proulx for coordinating this.
• Sandi reiterated that Tessa would like the Board to issue Deputy Treasurer Trish weeks a key to the Town House so that she may pick up vouchers. The Board unanimously approved the request.
• Tessa has requested a voucher for unpaid Federal Withholding taxes for $507.53. Sandi said she was unclear how the voucher would be reflected on the spreadsheet (as a payment) because the federal withholding taxes would have already been included in the officer/employees’ salary vouchers. Sandi will follow up with Tessa.

Reports from Boards and Committee:

• Judith Lindahl stated she received the complimentary exterior sign from the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission. Because the sign is portable, it can be set out when an announcement is deemed necessary. Judith recommended that when the sign is used, it be placed at the corner of Eastman Road and Mount Cardigan Road so more residents can see it.
• Judith Lindahl stated that there would be another invoice from Upton and Hatfield (attorneys used for industrial wind counsel) because she and Planning Board Chair Scott Sanborn have scheduled a teleconference call with Attorney Richardson.

Meeting adjourned 7:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson

Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs

Robert Ells

Lyell Smith