Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of July 14, 2015

 

Present: Robert Ells and Lyell ‘Skip’ Smith

Others present: Sophie Seace, David Como, Beverly Ells, Betty and Bill Fulton, Bob and Sharon Proulx, Sandi Pierson, Jay and Dorothy Heinrichs, David Delgenio, David Stacy, Judith Lindahl, and Danny Hazelton.

Meeting opened at 7:00 P.M.

Board restoration: Bob Ells explained that Town Clerk Sophie Seace had petitioned Grafton Superior Court to appoint Skip and himself as Select Board members upon the resignations of Pat Mercer and George White. The judge approved the petition and Sophie has sworn both Selectmen into office. Skip stated that the Board is presently entertaining interested candidates to fill the third Board position and that they expect to fill the vacancy at the next meeting.

Bob thanked Sophie and Moderator Danny Hazelton for their efforts in resolving the circumstances of the town unexpectedly being vacant of all Board members. Danny stated that upon being notified that the entire Board had resigned, he had referred the matter to the office of the NH Attorney General and they had advised the court petition. He said Sophie was the one that followed through with the entire process.

Public comment: Bob stated that public comment at all Selectmen meetings will be entertained and welcomed.

Treasurer: Bob stated that Treasurer Cathy Bean has also resigned and that former treasurer Tessa Michetti has agreed to fill the vacancy. Bob motioned to appoint Tessa Michetti as town treasurer. Skip seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. A number of people thanked Tessa for assuming the position.

Bob stated that Cathy Bean still has the town’s laptop computer, checks, and records in her possession. He reiterated that she said she will give Bob the laptop and checks but are keeping the treasurer records until her own bookkeeper can examine them. On the advice of the town’s attorney, who agreed that all records should be turned over to the town without delay, Bob referred the matter to the Department of Revenue Administration. The DRA said they will resolve the issue promptly. Bob stated that the town’s financial records will be fully audited upon their receipt and that this forensic audit will encompass the offices of the town clerk and tax collector. The town’s attorney will advise the town of auditors experienced in municipal financial matters. Later in the meeting, Judith Lindahl suggested the Board be aware of the total cost of a comprehensive audit by an outside party and that the degree of audit should be no more than what the town essentially needs.

Tessa stated that she has seen no treasurer records to date. She said she will re-create registers and reports as of January 1 for the 2015 calendar year. She does not plan on reconstructing the entirety of 2014 records; those will be basically audited and documented.

Tessa stated that her first action will be closing the town’s present money market and checking accounts and re-opening them under new account numbers. She asked that the town clerk and tax collector hold off on deposits until the transition has been completed. Answering a comment from Betty Fulton regarding a Mascoma Bank employee working with Cathy Bean, Tessa said she was unaware of the interaction or what it means.

Board secretary: Skip motioned to reinstate Sandi Pierson as Secretary to the Select Board. Bob seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. Skip said that there is two months’ worth of mail to be review and that he and Sandi will go through it in its entirety the next day.

Office vacancies (ballot): Skip stated that he would like to see more young people serve in municipal positions. Dorothy Heinrichs offered to work with the moderator and town clerk to host a potluck during the ballot sign-up period for the purpose of people learning about the elements of the various open positions and consider filling them. Betty Fulton stated that there is a lot of assistance and material available for those wishing to get involved. Sophie Seace suggested a more informative description of what each municipal office encompasses.

Industrial Wind Project: Sharon asked if the Board knew what the status was on the invite to Stefan Hamilton (from the DRA) who offered to do a presentation on the tax impact on a municipality by an industrial wind facility. The Planning Board had requested the Select Board to contact Mr. Hamilton and arrange the visit. She believes a phone call may have been made to Mr. Hamilton but has no further information or confirmation. The Board asked Sandi to check to see if there has been any email communication. If it is still in uncertainty, Judith Lindahl will follow up.

Other:

  • The Board will notify the town clerk and tax collector when the forensic audit is to take place. The procedure will first be discussed at a Board meeting.

  • The Minasian timber tax bill will be reviewed. The Board will contact DRA Timber Appraiser Jesse Bushaw for guidance on billing in proportion to Henry Minasian’s grading report and the time of timber cut.

  • Sophie stated that Pat Mercer, who also resigned as Welfare Director, has left welfare records in the office. Presently it is uncertain if all welfare records have been turned in.

  • The Board will plan on a “large trash pick-up” date. Because the Board generally does a town-wide mailing to notify residents of the large trash pick-up dates and guidelines, it is possible that a revised informational directory can be mailed at the same time. Betty Fulton said she will donate the paper for the revised informational directory.

  • The Board will consider the ex-officio positions of ZBA, Planning Board, and Budget Committee at the next meeting when a third Board member is expected to be appointed.

  • The Board agreed a numerical keypad lock will be installed on the office door. This expenditure was approved by the Board in 2014.

  • Danny Hazelton stated that only one person has volunteered for the salary study committee per the 2015 warrant article.

  • Sharon stated that property owner Phil Rizzo contacted her and requested they send him another grading report form.

    In conclusion, Danny Hazelton thanked Bob Ells and Skip Smith for accepting the positions of Selectmen and said that he appreciated their knowledge and experience. He added that it was good to have open and civil discussions during the meeting. Many others individually thanked the three new appointees, Skip, Bob, and Tessa.

Meeting adjourned 7:40 PM

Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson

Robert Ells

Lyell Smith