Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of June 14, 2016

 

Present: Dorothy Heinrichs, Chair; Robert Ells, Lyell ‘Skip’ Smith, and Sandi Pierson (clerical). Others present: Scott Sanborn and Beverly Ells.

Meeting opened at 7:00 PM.

Minutes:

  •   The minutes of May 24, 2016 were approved by Bob and Skip. Dorothy abstained because she was not at the meeting.

  •   The nonpublic minutes of May 24, 2016 were approved by Bob and Skip. Dorothy abstained because she was not at the meeting.

  •   The Board unanimously voted to seal the nonpublic minutes of May 24, 2016.

    Seasonal road closure: The Board met with Road Agent Scott Sanborn to revisit Bob Terhune’s letter regarding the closure of Town House Road (at the cemetery entrance junction) during mud season. From that point the Terhunes are the only property owners on the road. Mr. Terhune supports a strategy to keep the road closed during mud season. Scott submitted a memo to the Board outlining the road classification history of Town House Road, its present status, and how it is presently maintained. He listed a number of future options including keeping the status quo, upgrading the road, discontinuance subject to gates and bars, or conferring the status of a “Summer Road.” After discussion, the Board and Scott agreed they would contact the Terhunes and ask that they come to a Select Board meeting to discuss these options.

    Emergency notifications: Dorothy submitted to the Board information about receiving local emergency notifications on cell phones and by email. She stated that the Emergency Notification Systems, a part of the “NH Alerts program,” has been automatically activated to telephone land lines.

    Town House Safety Inspection: All safety recommendations from the Department of Labor (DOL) have been met except for the eye-washing station. Skip shared his research for a system suitable for the Town house and recommended the Speakman Gravity-Flo Portable Eyewash at a cost of $176.80. The unit holds 20 gallons of water and offers over 15 minutes (the DOL criterion) of hands-free eye flushing. The unit is deemed portable thus can be placed in the kitchen during the warm months and in a heated restroom in the winter months. The water in the unit is replaced every three months at which time a potable water preservative is added during refill. The Board unanimously approved purchasing the unit that Skip recommended. Skip will follow up with the payment process and installation. Sandi will schedule a follow-up visit by the DOL in order to formally close the inspection process. Dorothy will order an additional fire extinguisher.

Capital Reserve expenditure: A bill for $288.00 from Upton and Hatfield, LLC has been received. This is in regards to the Large Wind Energy Systems ordinance thus payment is expected to come out of the Legal Expense Capital Reserve, a new reserve fund established at the March 2016 town meeting. The Board signed a letter authorizing the Treasurer to disburse $4000.00 (the amount voted on in the warrant article) to the Trustees of the Trust funds. Sandi will ask Tessa if the bill can be paid now in anticipation of the accessibility of funds.

Standard Mine clean-up: Dorothy stated that the Conservation Commission’s clean-up event at the Standard Mine on Tug Mountain Road was a complete success. Two entire truckloads of trash, tires, and electronics were properly disposed of. Volunteers included Aaron Allen, David Como, Nathaniel Emerson, Pauline Emerson, Dorothy Heinrichs, Judith Lindahl, Jaida Michetti, Oscar Michetti, Tessa Michetti, and Sandi Pierson. The Board thanks all volunteers who participated.

Junk ordinance: Bob stated that Levi Lamere contacted him and relayed a removal schedule of the unregistered vehicles at his mother’s Peaslee Road property. Three vehicles will be removed immediately and two will be removed within two months, at which time Mr. Lamere anticipates getting titles to them. It was noted that the second junk ordinance violator has already come into compliance. The town ordinance and the NH RSA allows for up to two unregistered vehicles without an auto junkyard permit.

ASB Rules: Skip stated he was not sure if the Assessing Standards Board has yet voted to send a revised utility value rule to the legislature. Skip advises against the action as does the town’s assessing firm, Avitar. Previously Avitar sent the Board a letter offering to speak on their behalf at the ASB hearing. Skip was in favor of the Board authorizing Avitar to speak on their behalf at the hearing. Dorothy and Bob concurred. Sandi will email Mark Stetson with the Board’s request for Avitar to speak on their behalf.

Other:

  •   The Chair reviewed and signed the Mascoma School District residency list for Orange. She asked Sandi to inquire about a student in Orange who was not listed.

  •   The Board was in receipt of the current lien report from the Tax Collector. They were also given the list of properties qualified to be taken by tax deed as of August 31, 2016. As that date nears, the Tax Collector will need the Board’s recommendations.

  •   Trash report: As of May 2016 the town has disposed of 29.65 tons of trash and 9.98 tons of recyclables.

  •   The Board will inquire about the town maintaining a no-fee credit card which would exclusively be used for Board-approved expenditures that require prepayment.

    Secretary’s report:

  •   Two Report of Timber Cut forms are overdue. Sandi has notified the property owners and loggers that a Report needs to be submitted even if there was no cut.

  •   Sandi submitted to the Board the categorized budget sheet as of May 31, 2016. Copies were also given to the Budget Committee.

Reports from other Boards and Committees:

 Skip, a Cemetery Trustee, noted that due to the cemetery agent’s unavailability, the Cemetery Trustees have hired Barry Geddis to maintain the town cemeteries until Cemetery Agent Ed Saulen can resume his duties.

Public comment:n/a

Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed.

Nonpublic session: At 7:45 P.M. Skip motioned to go into nonpublic session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c) to discuss correspondence regarding a veteran exemption. Bob seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. Motion passed to come out of nonpublic session at 7:55 P.M.

Meeting adjourned 7:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson

Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs

Robert Ells

Lyell Smith