Office of the Select Board
Town of Orange, New Hampshire
Minutes of November 24, 2015
Present: Dorothy Heinrichs, Chair; Robert Ells, Lyell Smith, and Sandi Pierson (clerical). Others present: Beverly Ells, Bob and Sharon Proulx, and Anita Garland.
Meeting opened at 7:00 PM.
Minutes: The minutes of November 10, 2015 were approved as submitted. Skip abstained because he did not attend the meeting.
Assessment: The Board reviewed an email from WaveComm contesting their revised 2015 assessment. The Board agreed that Avitar did their due diligence during the town-wide reval by initially requesting property information, notified them of their new assessment by mail, and offering them the opportunity to meet with them to discuss the assessment prior to formally closing the reval process. None of these communications had been responded to. The Board directed Sandi to notify WaveComm personnel and let them know that their option now is to submit an abatement application.
Financial:
- FICA: Dorothy stated that the notice from the Internal Revenue Service paid at the last meeting for unpaid FICA taxes, penalties, and interest was for the quarter ending December 31, 2014 and not for the entire year as previously thought. She stated the town has received another notice from the IRS, this one for the quarter ending September 30, 2014 for $646.66 for unpaid taxes, failure to file penalty, failure to pay penalty, and interest. Given these notices are sent out for individual quarters, Dorothy said it is possible the town will get two or three more. Dorothy will have CPA Mathew Angell contact Sharon and the Select Board’s office to set up a time to review their financial records.
- Insurance: The Board reviewed correspondence from Property Liability Trust informing them that PLT will not be allowed to provide coverage to municipalities after June 30, 2016 per the NH Department of State. The Board agreed they will need to seek an alternative insurer and should begin now to explore the options. Dorothy asked Sandi to check with other towns to see what alternatives they are exploring.
The Board received correspondence from the DRA stating that Shelley Gerlaneau has transitioned to a role as Business Manager and is no longer the town’s advisor. The DRA has appointed Stephanie Derosier as our advisor.
Trash report: As of October 30, 2015 the town has disposed of 67.19 tons of trash and 27.88 tons of recyclables.
FYI: A notice was received from NHDES that Robert Senter has not yet filed an Alteration of Terrain application for his Burnt Hill gravel pit.
Bob stated that Richard Remacle plans on replacing the two “stop” signs during the coming week.
- Regarding a policy for displaying the announcement sign, Sandi said she would refer outside requests to the Board for approval. The Board agreed.
- County Commissioner Martha Richards would like to attend a Board meeting at the end of December for informational purposes. After discussion, the Board decided the second meeting in December shall be on December 29 instead of December 22 and that Martha may be on the agenda.
- Anita Garland gave an update on the recent tree work done at the Church Cemetery. She said that additional work is slated for French Cemetery.
- Budget Committee Secretary Bob Proulx said the Budget Committee generally meets with the Board in January to start outlining the municipal operating budget.
- Public comment: Anita stated that this year’s Christmas party is planned for December 13.
Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed.
Clerical: Dorothy motioned to rescind the vote by the previous Board taken on March 24, 2015 that excluded the secretary from taking minutes in nonpublic sessions. Bob seconded. Motioned passes unanimously in favor.
Nonpublic session: At 7:30 PM Dorothy motioned to go into nonpublic session per RSA 91-A: 3-I (c) to review an Application for Elderly and Disabled Tax Deferral Application. Motion unanimously approved. At 7:46 PM Dorothy motioned to come out of nonpublic session. Motion unanimously approved. Dorothy stated that the Board approved an Elderly and Disabled Tax Deferral Application.
Meeting adjourned 7:48 P.M.
Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson
_______________________ Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs
_____________________ Robert Ells
______________________ Lyell Smith
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