Office of the Select Board
Town of Orange, New Hampshire
Minutes of March 28, 2017
Present: Dorothy Heinrichs, Chair; Robert Ells, Lyell ‘Skip’ Smith, and Sandi Pierson (clerical). Others present: Bev Ells, Tessa Michetti, Warren Morrill, and Judith Lindahl.
Meeting opened at 6 PM.
Minutes: The minutes of February 14, 2017 were unanimously approved.
Auto salvage: The Board signed a renewal auto junkyard permit for Morrill Salvage.
Salary increases: The Board unanimously agreed that the salary increases voted on by the town were budgeted for the entirety of 2017 and should be retroactive to January 1.
Auditor: As of 2016 town meeting day, the position of auditor changed from elected to appointed. The Board unanimously voted in favor to appoint Mathew Angell, of Angell and Company, as the town’s auditor.
Board positions: The Board voted unanimously on the following:
Dorothy Heinrichs as Select Board Chair
Skip Smith as Select Board Vice Chair
Dorothy Heinrichs as ex officio to the ZBA
Skip Smith as ex officio to the Budget Committee
Robert Ells as ex officio to the Planning Board
Burnt Hill gravel pit: The Board was in receipt of Bobby Senter’s 2016-2017 Intent to Excavate and his 2015-2016 Report of Materials Excavated. The Board signed both and unanimously concurred to waive the excavation tax.
Intent to Cut: The Board concurred to approve the request from Aaron Dugan and Melissa Eastman to extend their Intent to Cut on Razor Hill to June 1, 2017.
Tax Anticipation Note: The Board unanimously approved the 2017 TAN at $535,000 as recommended by Treasurer Tessa Michetti and signed all pertinent documentation. Tessa also signed the documentation and Sandi notarized them. The documentation was reviewed and endorsed by the town’s attorney.
Town Clerk software: Liability documentation was sent to the Board by the outside firm that is providing vehicle registration software to the Town Clerk. The Board concurred to have the contract reviewed by the town’s attorney prior to signing.
Other:
- The Board received an email from the DRA stating that the MS-60W for 2017 needs to be submitted no later than November 15.
- A retainer invoice from Gardner, Fulton, and Waugh was reviewed.
- Cards of condolences were signed for families of Bill Fulton and Steve Jaques.
- Because two of the Board members may to be available to meet on April 11, the Board will have their next meeting on Monday, April 10, 2017 at 6 PM. Sandi will post the meeting the change.
- Sandi will send the new welfare agent information on training opportunities and a training request form.
Secretary’s report: The Board directed Sandi to send out a standard informational directory instead of a postcard that lists alternative trash pick-up dates. The Board concurred to have their email addresses listed on the directory.
Reports from other Boards and Committees: n/a
Public comment:
Judith Lindahl made the following recommendations to the Board in regards to the Salary Study Committee report and the DOL inspection report of 2015.
- Employees should submit to the Select Board’s office their hour worked on a weekly basis instead of accumulating them over time. thus payments can be disbursed on a timely basis.
- The Board should consider (and recommend to future Boards) annual cost of living increases for town employees so that raises are gradual instead of a substantial jump every five years.
- The Salary Study Committee recommends that the Board authorize Auditor Matt Angel to give the town treasurer any information she needs to align her book with State and Federal reporting requirements.
- All employees and paid officers of the town need to be notified by letter of their salary increases.
Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed. Meeting adjourned 6:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson
Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs
Robert Ells
Lyell Smith