Office of the Select Board
Town of Orange, New Hampshire
Minutes of December 12, 2017
Present: Dorothy Heinrichs, Chair; Robert Ells, Skip Smith, and Sandi Pierson (clerical)
Others present: Bev Ells
Meeting opened at 6 PM. Attendance taken by the secretary.
Minutes:
The minutes of November 28, 2017 were approved. Skip abstained because he was not at the meeting.
The nonpublic minutes of November 28, 2017 were approved. Skip abstained because he was not at the meeting.
Trash pick-up: The Board reviewed and approved the documents for the town-wide mailing regarding the transition to use the Canaan transfer station.
Upper Valley Humane Society (UVHS): The Board reviewed and approved the contract with the UVHS for 2018. The cost remains at $300. The Board thanks Judith Lindahl for earlier negotiating this much lower cost than what was initially proposed.
SB-38 Highway Funds: The Board noted that the road agent anticipated that none of the SB-38 Highway grant funds received in 2017 will be use in 2017. This was a one-time grant from the NH DOT for the purpose of road improvement outside of the scope of regular maintenance. After discussion, Skip motioned to encumber $18,920.02 of SB-38 funds pursuant to RSA 235:25 (Notice to towns from the Legislature that the funds may be encumbered) and RSA 32:7 (Lapse of Appropriations). Bob seconded. Motioned passed unanimously in favor.
Next Board meeting: Due to the Christmas holiday, the Board concurred that their second meeting of the month will be on Wednesday, December 27 instead of December 26.
Casella: The Board concurred that they will sign a voucher to Casella for December trash pick-up at the December 27 meeting as opposed to encumbering the funds. Payment will be based on the average monthly charge. Any small amount that may be a credit or debit can be settled in January when the December charges are confirmed.
Christmas Party: The Board commended the Orange Christmas Party committee for all they did to make the annual celebration a great time for all who attended.
Other:
The treasurer has wired the 2017 capital reserve funds totaling $12,000.00 to the NH Public Deposit Investment Pool.
A notice was received from the NH DES for an approval of septic construction: Terry McQueeny and Billie Brockum/123 Tug Mountain Road/Map 3, Lot 13.
The Board received a request from West Central Services for a 2018 contribution of $350.00. (Same as 2017). The request will be forwarded to the Budget Committee. The Board commended West Central Services on their important work.
The Board reviewed correspondence from NH DOT Commissioner Victoria Shehan written in response to the Board’s letter of September 26 regarding the poor condition of the upper section of Mount Cardigan Road during late summer.
The Board reviewed the municipal budget report ending November 30, 2017.
Trash report: As of November 30 the town has disposed of 73.89 tons of trash and 27.16 tons of recyclables.
Secretary’s report:
The NH Fire Services of Lebanon inspected the four fire extinguishers at the Town House. Three were recertified for use, one was nonfunctional and replaced at no charge because it was still under warrantee.
The recent $401.28 credit from Fairpoint was a refund on state and federal taxes charged to the town between 2014 and 2017. (Municipalities are exempt.) Fairpoint said that they did not examine charges prior to 2014 because they felt the error was a joint oversight of both the town and Fairpoint. Going forward, no taxes will be on the telephone/internet bill.
Wade Reed, the property owner of the former Paisley property, would like the Board to abate the $10.00 penalty for not returning an inventory form because they did not own the property when it was mailed out, thus they did not receive one. After discussion, Dorothy motioned to abate $10.00 to property owner Wade Reed. Bob seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor.
Reports from other Boards and Committees: n/a
Public comment: n/a
Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed.
Meeting adjourned 6:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandi Pierson
_________________________ _______________________ ________________________
Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs Robert Ells Lyell Smith