Office of the Select Board
Town of Orange, New Hampshire
Minutes of March 9, 2015
Present: Betty Fulton, Chair; Bob Ells, Pat Mercer, and Sandi Pierson (clerical).
Others present: Bob and Sharon Proulx, George and Patricia White, Dorothy Heinrichs, and Dave Como.
Meeting opened at 7:000 PM. Attendance taken by the secretary.
Minutes:
The minutes of February 23, 2015 were approved as submitted. Pat abstained because she was unable to attend the meeting. This was a morning meeting with Avitar and the DRA.
The minutes of February 23, 2015 were approved as submitted. (Regular Select Board meeting) Pat abstained because she was unable to attend the meeting.
Abatement: A 2014 property tax abatement application was received from the NH Electric Cooperative. After review, the Board directed Sandi to submit a copy to Avitar for their review and recommendation. Copies will also be made for Attorney Bernie Waugh and the Select Board members.
Yield Taxes: The Board signed a Warrant for the Collection of Yield Taxes for $297.43. (David Watson timber cut)
Avitar:
The Board reviewed a letter from Mark Stetson from Avitar confirming that a timber grading report (also called a Marlow Matrix) should be sent to current use property owners. A discussion ensued about the meaning of the timber grading report including property tax appraisal and timber yield tax ranges.
The Board reviewed a sample letter from Mark Stetson intended to notify residents of the upcoming town-wide reval. A similar mailing will be done with the informational directory mailing. Bob Proulx said he felt informational directories should be mailed to all property owners, not just residents.
Training requests: The Board reviewed and unanimously approved training requests from Tax Collector Sharon Proulx and Deputy Tax Collector Pat White to attend the annual NH Tax Collectors’ Association annual conference.
Cemeteries: The Board was in receipt of the revised Cemetery Rules and Regulations as adopted by the Cemetery Trustees. Pat Mercer, also a Cemetery Trustee, stated that there is an increase in the cost of burial lots. Answering a question from Sharon Proulx, Pat said that the cost of burials to the cemetery agent varies according to ground conditions. Pat added that they are still working on the availability of “green burials” and an ash-scattering area as required by the State. Pat said she still feels the Church Cemetery may encompass an additional five acres according to early deed transfer records.
Other:
- The Board reviewed correspondence from the NH Department of Transportation that they are repaving 2.7 miles of Cardigan Mountain Road from the Orange-Canaan town line to the end of the existing pavement just past the Peaslee Road intersection. The Board asked Sandi to make a copy of the data for the road agent.
- The Board reviewed correspondence from the NH Department of Transportation that they recommend the posted weight limit of the Brock Hill bridge as “E2”. The Board asked Sandi to make a copy of the data for the road agent.
- The Board review a letter from Cutwater Investor Services forwarded from Jeanne Minasian stating that Cutwater is resigning as Program Administrator for the NHPDIP (the investment pool for trust fund revenue).
- The Board was in receipt of FYI mailings from Bernie Waugh regarding Fairpoint v. Town of Acworth, NH.
- Bob Ells expressed his appreciation to Bob and Sharon Proulx for cleaning the town house in anticipation of voting and town meeting
- Secretary’s report: Six Intent to Cuts will expire on March 31. The Board agreed that Sandi should send a courtesy letter to the property owners reminding them they will need to file an extension request if they want to extend the expiration date to June 1.
- Reports from other boards and committees: n/a
- Public comment: Public comment was entertained. Attendees are welcome to submit their comments in writing and have them attached to the minutes on file.
- Vouchers were reviewed and signed. Meeting adjourned 7:50 PM
- Following the business meeting, those present enjoyed a celebration of thanks to Betty Fulton as she chaired her last meeting on the Select Board. Cake and good cheer concluded the evening.