Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of January 14, 2014

 

Present: Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs (chaired the meeting), Betty Fulton, Bob Ells, and Sandi Pierson (clerical). 

Others present: George and Pat White, Sharon and Bob Proulx, David Como, Tim Connelly, and Aaron Allen.

Meeting opened at 7 PM. Attendance taken by the secretary.

 Minutes:

 

  • The minutes of December 16, 2013 were unanimously accepted a submitted.
  • The minutes of January 7, 2014 were unanimously accepted with a minor correction.

 

Driveway and Building Permit query: Aaron Allen came before the Board to inquire about the process for building on a Class VI road and/or improving it for access to property he is considering purchasing. Planning Board Secretary Bob Proulx submitted to Aaron and the Board copies of the Orange Class VI and Private Road Policy. This policy clarifies upgrades that may need to be made to a Class VI road and that the issuances of a building permit on a Class VI road is a joint process between the Planning Board and Select Board. Bob Ells advised that Class VI roads that provide access to buildings be passable to fire and EMS vehicles.

Assessing Proposals and Revaluation: The Board revisited the assessing proposals for 2014 from a number of assessing firms. Originally the cost of Avitar’s contract was a fixed fee of $3500 for the year (to be billed to the town at $291.66 per month) and included many tasks already done by the town or not done at all. Betty contacted Avitar and they subsequently submitted a revised proposal based on an hourly rate. Betty prepared a spreadsheet comparison of the price quotes and services offered by the five firms that submitted proposals. After discussion, Bob motioned to accept the revised contract from Avitar for 2014 assessing work. Betty seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor.

The Board directed Sandi to notify the assessing firms of their decision. The Board signed correspondence to Cross County Appraisals notifying them that the town was not renewing an assessing contract with them for 2014.

Later this year the Board will revisit the contract for a 2015 town-wide revaluation. Budget Committee Clerk Bob Proulx noted that currently the Revaluation Capital Reserve has about a $14,000 balance. He anticipates the town will add $3000 to it this year and make up the remainder needed at the 2015 town meeting.

LUCT Rebate: Sandi state that at the December 16, 2013 meeting, the Board agreed with Attorney Waugh that they should grant Nick Brunet d/b/a Woodlot and Grange a partial rebate of $409.50 on his Land Use Change Tax because it was an abutter that caused the acreage to come out of current use. Sandi stated that the Board has not yet formally motioned to rebate Mr. Brunet. Tax Collector Sharon Proulx stated that Mr. Brunet has not paid his $21 recordation fee. After discussion, Bob motioned to abate Mr. Brunet the amount of $388.50 which is the amount of his rebate minus the required recordation fee. Betty seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. Sandi will have the voucher prepared for the January 28 meeting.

Upper Valley Humane Society: The Board reviewed the 2014 contract for the Upper Valley Humane Society. Dorothy stated that it contained the same services and annual cost of $300 as in 2013. Bob motioned to accept the 2014 contract for the Upper Valley Humane Society. Betty seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor.

MS-5 and audit: Betty stated that she has the necessary data to begin the MS-5. Betty has prepared the end-of-year spreadsheet to the auditors. The Board will subsequently set a target date with the Auditors for the Select Board’s 2013 audit.

2013 Trash report: Total tonnage

2013: Trash: 88.68 tons.
Recyclables: 32.74 tons.

2012: Trash: 86.57 tons.
 Recyclables: 34.10 tons.

2011: Trash: 98.84 tons.
Recyclables: 18.15 tons. (Note: In 2011 ZeroSort pick-up did not begin until May.)

Trust Funds: Bob Proulx noted that the NH Public Investment Pool placed a 2013 $500 contribution into the Kilton Trust Fund instead of the Cemetery Monument Capital Reserve. Dorothy will notify Trustee of the Trust Funds Jeanne Minasian and request the deposit be moved into designated fund.

Questionnaire: The Board reviewed a questionnaire from Senator Jeanne Forester asking the Board’s opinion if they would like her to support the expansion of Medicaid, a higher gas tax, and gambling in NH. After the discussion, the Board as a whole agreed to support the expansion of Medicaid and a higher gas tax but not gambling.

Tax Collector’s Warrant: The Board signed a Warrant for the Collection of Yield Taxes for $507.23.

2014 Welfare Guidelines: Sandi stated that it was time to approve Welfare Guidelines for 2014. Dorothy will check with Canaan to see if their guideline figures have changed and Sandi will check with Grafton. Pat White stated that Pat Mercer told her that there were a few recent changes in the law pertaining to welfare. The Board asked Sandi to contact Pat Mercer and request that she attend a Select Board meeting so they can review her proposed changes.

Other:

 

  • The Board received correspondence from Attorneys Brennan, Caron, et. al., notifying them that Iberdrola has formally submitted their application to the Site Evaluation Committee for the Wild Meadows Wind Farm. (The project is slated for Danbury and Alexandria. Orange was only notified as an abutter.)
  • An electronic payment of $14,687.71 was received from the State for the Meals and Rooms Tax.
  • An electronic payment of $3,505.46 was received from the State for the generator grant. 
  • Tri-County Cap sent their 2014 Orange statistics and a request of $144.00 for 2014. They wrote that eight households were assisted in Orange at a cost of $12,325.71.
  • A bill from Primex was received for the 2014-2015 fiscal year for $475.00. The town still has a credit balance of $1,576.95 therefore no payment is due. 

Secretary’s report:

  • The LGC-PLT financial reports filed with State have been received.
  • An invoice from Young’s Propane has been received for $926.67. This includes $463.71 for hooking up the generator. The State earlier told Sandi that the hook-up can be eligible as part of the matching grant. Young’s Propane faxed the office their two work orders for the generator totaling the $463.71. The Board paid the bill with two separate vouchers: $462.96 from General Government Buildings (propane fuel) and $463.71 from Town House Capital Outlay (generator). Sandi will follow up with the 50% reimbursement after the check is processed.
  • Correspondence was received from Cindy Kudlik of Grafton encouraging the Board to place an article on the warrant about “Orange’s Right to a Sustainable Energy Future and Community Self Government.” She contends that the passage of this warrant article in Grafton in 2013 was the real reason Iberdrola removed Grafton from their Wild Meadow Wind Farm application.

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.

Meeting adjourned 8:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson

Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs

Betty Fulton

Robert Ells