Office of the Select Board
Town of Orange, New Hampshire
Minutes of May 7, 2018
Present: Dorothy Heinrichs, Chair; Robert Ells, and Tamara Fairbank.
Others present: Terrance McQueeney, Billie Brockhum, Bev Ells, Karen McFarlane, and Judith Lindahl.
Meeting opened at 6 PM. Attendance taken by the Chair in absence of the secretary.
Minutes: The minutes of April 24, 2018 were unanimously approved with a minor typo correction.
Records request: The Board reviewed a request from Billie Brockhum (submitted by email) for electronic copies of all building permits submitted and approved by the Select Board since 2010. The Board stated that building permits are in paper copy only and not available in an electronic format. After discussion, the Board said that copies are available at 25-cents per page and that Billie should contact the secretary to set a time to process the request. Dorothy noted that Sandi said there were about 50 permits of four pages each, which would total copying 200 pages. Tamara, Karen and Billie offered to assist in the copying job.
Citizen Volunteer Award: The Board congratulated Anita Garland who was honored on May 7 at the State Capital for her volunteerism. Anita was presented with the Joseph D. Vaughan Award, which is presented each year to those who have shown outstanding leadership or demonstrated meritorious achievement as a volunteer, on behalf of older citizens in New Hampshire.
Other:
The Board was in receipt of a copy of letter from the NH Department of Environmental Services that they sent to David Como regarding his wetlands permit application. Dave stopped in prior to the meeting to say that his application was incomplete and that he would be mailing the NH DES the documents they are requesting.
The Board received a notification of utility values as appraised by the NH Department of Revenue Administration.
The Board was in receipt of an invitation to join the NH Association of Assessing Officials for a round table discussion on the DRA utility valuations.
A notice was received from the State stating they deposited $3,306.73 into the town’s account for Forest Land reimbursement (in lieu of taxes).
A notice was received from the State stating they deposited $6,019.42 into the town’s account for the April Block Grant payment.
A letter was received from the Canaan Ambulance Service explaining the anticipated coverage rate increases between 2019 and 2021. Dorothy stated that this year the town appropriated $6,620 for ambulance coverage and it is anticipated that it will increase to $15,000 in 2019. She said the increase is about the same as what the town saved this year by switching from Casella Waste Management to the Canaan transfer station. The letter will be forwarded to the Budget Committee.
A notice was received from Gardner, Fulton and Waugh regarding the hourly rate increases for legal counsel.
Reports from other Boards and Committees:
Conservation Chair Dorothy Heinrichs thanked all those that attended Green-up Day at the Town House on May 5. Participants included Tamara Fairbank, Judith Lindahl, Dorothy Heinrichs, Bob and Sharon Proulx, Chris Hausfeld, Anita Garland, Doug and Trish Weekes, Ernie Mills, and Tracy Hutchins.
Public comment: n/a
Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed.
Meeting adjourned.
Minutes transcribed by Sandi Pierson from notes of the meeting.
_________________________ _______________________ ________________________
Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs Robert Ells Tamara Fairbank