Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of February 23, 2016

 

Present: Dorothy Heinrichs, Chair; Robert Ells, Lyell “Skip” Smith, and Sandi Pierson (clerical). Others present: Beverly Ells, Bob and Sharon Proulx, and Sophie Seace.

Meeting opened at 7:00 PM.

Minutes: The February 8, 2016 minutes were unanimously approved as submitted.

Building Permit: The Board reviewed and approved a building permit for a one-bay garage for Bruce Murray, Jr./New Colony Road/Map 3, Lot 38-B-2. The permit was already reviewed and signed by Building Inspector Don Pfaefflin. As requested, Mr. Murray included the application fee of $25.00.

The Board reviewed a note from Don Pfaefflin saying that although only one bay is planned for the building, it is actually big enough for three, thus he had reservations about the application fee. After discussion, the Board asked Sandi to contact Don and request that he draft a revised building permit fee schedule (that would include “gray areas”) and to bring it before the Board for review.

Wind Ordinance: Planning Board Secretary Bob Proulx submitted to the Board a draft letter signed by all members of the Planning Board that encouraged residents to vote in favor of the Large Wind Energy Systems Ordinance (Article 2 on the ballot). He said it was for a town-wide mailing, and invited the Select Board to endorse the letter as well. After discussion the Board voted unanimously in favor of endorsing the letter.

Town House: Skip stated that the railing for the Select Board office staircase should be put on as soon as possible. He noted that a resident recently had trouble navigating the staircase. Bob to follow up.

Other:

  •   An addendum to the 2015 Reval manual was received from Avitar regarding utility values.

  •   A notice was received from the NHDES that a 2010 permit for septic construction has expired. The Board directed Sandi to send a copy to the property owner.

  •   The January Block Grant of $6,666.24 has been deposited into the town’s account.

Secretary’s report: The town report will be mailed out on Monday.

Public comment:

  •   Sharon Proulx felt that payment for the audit work should not be made until it is confirmed that the MS-5 as filed with the DRA is accurate. Dorothy to follow up.

  •   Sharon stated that although WaveComm has questioned their 2015 assessment, they have not indicated they are filing an abatement.

Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed. Meeting adjourned 7:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson

Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs Robert Ells

Lyell Smith