Orange Archive

Office of the Select Board
Town of Orange, New Hampshire
Minutes of February 12, 2013

(Regular Select Board meeting followed by a joint meeting with the Budget Committee to discuss 2013 anticipated revenues)

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

Others present: Budget Committee members Bob Proulx, Skip Smith, and Tim Connelly; Judith Lindahl, George and Pat White, Henry Minasian, Barbara Smith, and Sharon Proulx.

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.

 Minutes: The minutes of January 22, 2013 were approved as submitted.

Application for abatement: The Board reviewed an abatement application from Deborah Meznek for an auxiliary cabin at her 381 Burnt Hill Road property. The Board unanimously denied the abatement on the strength of Avitar’s assessment in 2010. The Board agreed the structure’s assessment can be revisited as a courtesy at the time of the 2013 pick-ups.

Welfare officer’s invoice: The Board reviewed a request for payment from Pat Mercer for ten hours of pay for revising the welfare guidelines; six hours for her and four hours for Pat White’s clerical assistance. Betty stated that the guidelines had already been drafted by Bernie Waugh and that he recommended that no changes to the guidelines were necessary for 2013. Pat Mercer was aware of this before drafting her own version. Pat White emailed Pat Mercer’s revised version just prior to the meeting of January 22 at which time the Board approved the guidelines as recommended by Attorney Waugh.  Pat Mercer had been asked to attend a Board meeting to discuss and review the 2013 guidelines but had declined. 

Judith Lindahl said that she reviewed both versions line-by-line. She stated that with the exception of a meaningless change in the order of the index, there was nothing that could not have been conveyed by Pat Mercer with a highlighting pen or by underlining and bracketing her suggested changes. Pat Mercer’s retyped version of Bernie’s guidelines deleted a number of items, including all oversight by the Select Board; legal definitions, including the definitions of “need” and “shelter”; the requirement that an applicant be informed of his right to review the guidelines; and the bar against an applicant’s transferring property in order to make himself eligible for assistance.  Judith said the revisions in the language covering home visits were of special concern, in light of the Welfare Officer’s claim that she had opened the kitchen cupboards of an applicant and found no food. Judith stated that none of the Welfare Officer’s proposed changes should be adopted by the Board. She said that the Welfare Officer should submit, and the Board should consider, revisions to the cost guidelines. She added that the proposed doubling of food allowances and substantial increases in fuel and utilities seemed unwarranted. Regarding the request for payment of ten hours, Judith felt it was unnecessary to spend hours retyping a document which already existed in electronic form but that it is not an option not to pay wages.

The Board noted that none of the town officers are authorized to hire clerical assistance.  They offered to pay Pat White for her time if she submitted her own voucher.  Pat White said that she did not do it for the money and she did not plan on submitting a voucher.  After much discussion and public input, the Board felt that they were legally obliged to pay Pat Mercer’s part of the invoice. The Budget Committee suggested that the 2012 Welfare budget was out of balance, $1224.10 for administration and training, and $472 in direct assistance. 

Current Use Land Change Tax: The Board signed a Land Use Change Tax (DRA form A-5) for a half acre taken out of current use by Avitar at the Kokas property on Peaslee Road. The Board was notified of the land use change on January 22, 2013. The Board also signed a Current Use Land Use Change Tax Collector’s Warrant (A-5W) for the collection of $1,150.00 for said land use change.

Application for abatement: The Board denied and signed an abatement application from the David M. Zani Revocable Trust for property he recently purchased at 101 Tuttle Hill Road. This denial was discussed and voted on at the January 22, 2013 meeting. The Board will attach a letter to Mr. Zani stating that if he wants to do an abatement next year, what exists as of April 1, 2013 must be appraised. They will also request he submit an Application for Demolition or Building Permit if either is applicable.

Sandi stated the town received a copy of a deed for the property indicating that it was sold by Mr. Zani on January 24, 2013 to Brian Barrell of Enfield, NH. As a courtesy, Sandi will send Mr. Barrell a letter explaining the abatement process (if he chooses to dispute the $61,900 assessment on the house) as well as the building and demolition permit protocol.

Current Use Land Change Tax: The Board reviewed correspondence from John Tylawsky regarding his Land Use Change Tax. Per the opinion of Attorney Waugh, the 18-month billing window began in December 2012 which is when the Select Board was made aware that land on Tylawsky’s land had been taken out of current use in 2010 by Avitar. In his letter, Mr. Tylawsky disagreed with the Select Board not being aware of the change in 2010. He stated that when he was issued a building permit for a shed in 2010, the town followed up by sending him a statement of how much acreage would need to come out of current use. Sandi said she reviewed his property file and could find no correspondence stating as such nor was it noted on his building permit. The Board requested Sandi write Mr. Tylawsky a letter and request he send copies of any documents that suggests the town was aware of his land use change.

Orange Conservation Commission (OCC):

Dorothy stated that the OCC is hosting a presentation on bears with Ben Kilham on Sunday, April 7 at 6 PM.

Trash report: During 2012, 86.57 tons of trash were picked up and 34.10 tons of recyclables. In 2013, to date, 7.88 tons of trash has been picked up and 3.29 tons of recyclables.

Other:

• The Board reviewed an invitation from North American Power Company to choose them for their electricity company. After discussion, the Board declined.
• Dorothy stated that the January 2013 Block Grant payment of $5,847.03 has been electronically deposited into the town’s account.

Secretary’s report: Sandi noted the following items:

• An invoice for $20.00 for membership was received from the NH Association of Assessing Officials. Sandi asked if it was a bill or an invitation to join. Henry Minasian said it was an annual bill paid by the town. (The fee is not due until March 1^st.)
• A 2013 Conservation Plant Order Form was received from the Grafton County Conservation District. Participants may order ground covers, wildlife shrubs, flowers, conifers, fruit trees, grapes and other berries, deciduous trees, and other items. Deadline for ordering is March 13, 2013. They are also hosting planting, pruning, and soil stewardship workshops. Go to www.orangenh.us for details or call the county at 353-4652 ext. 103 or email pamela.gilbert@nh.nacdnet.net.
• Miles Sinclair of the Hardy Hill Snowmobile Club sent the town a notebook of many photos of the improvements to some of Orange’s Class VI roads which are also designated snowmobile trails.

Vouchers were signed.

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Joint meeting with the Budget Committee to discuss 2013 anticipated revenues

The Select Board and Budget Committee reviewed the revenue received during 2012 and discussed the anticipated revenues for 2013.  They concurred on all categories.

Meeting adjourned 8:40 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Sandi Pierson

 ______________________      ______________________      ______________________

Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs             Betty Fulton                                   Robert Ells