Office of the Select Board
Town of Orange, New Hampshire
Minutes of July 23, 2013
Present: Betty Fulton (chaired the meeting), Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs, Bob Ells, and Sandi Pierson (clerical).
Others present: George and Pat White and Barbara Smith
Meeting opened at 7:00 PM.
Minutes:
- The minutes of July 9, 2013 were approved as submitted.
- The nonpublic session minutes of July 9, 2013 were approved as submitted. Dorothy motioned to seal the nonpublic session minutes. Betty seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor.
Highway Department: The Board reviewed the 7/22/13 road agent report received from Scott Sanborn. Highlights include the recent paving on Tuttle Hill, road drainage issues due to the recent heavy rain, and general maintenance in progress. Scott’s complete report is posted at the town house and available at www.orangenh.us/. You may also request a copy be emailed to you from the Select Board’s office.
Cemetery salary protocol: Betty affirmed that it is the Cemetery Trustees jurisdiction to hire maintenance workers but that by law they must first complete the required forms (I-9 and W-4) and submit their own hours for payment. Sandi will mail Anita Garland a copy of what classifies a worker as an employee or a contractor. Betty also stressed that employees using power equipment should follow OSHA regulations such as ear and eye protection.
Cardigan State Forest: The Board reviewed and signed the Application for Reimbursement for acreage in Cardigan State Forest of which payment is annually received from the state via the Department of Revenue Administration. The town data attests that Cardigan State Forest encompasses three parcels of land totaling 5,279.0 acres valued at $3,511,400.00 (2010 assessment). On the reimbursement form the DRA lists 5,067.5 acres. Sandi stated that in 2012 the DRA listed 5,114.0 acres (which included the newly donated Norco acreage) and in 2011 listed 4,848.0 acres. Sandi attached the three Cardigan Forest assessments cards to the 2013 reimbursement request and a cover letter asking the DRA for a recommendation on how the town and the state can come to a consensus of the actual forest acreage.
Inventory forms: The Board reviewed and signed a request for 325 inventory forms (PA-28) for 2014 from the DRA. There is no charge to the town for the forms.
Land Use Partial Release: The Board reviewed and signed a Land Use Change Tax (A-5) for one acre taken out of current use in 2002 on Map 3, Lot 49 due to the construction of a home. This is for recordation purposes only because the 18-month billing period for the Land Use Change Tax has elapsed.
Board correspondence: The Board reviewed and signed two letters to residents about the veteran credit. These were approved at the July 9, 2013 nonpublic session.
Town house drainage issue: Betty stated that she would like to move forward with installing a rain gutter on the handicap access to drain roof water away from the foundation. Sandi will follow up. Betty affirmed that there is supplementary funding for drainage issues because the insurance line item will be significantly underspent.
Foreclosure assistance: Betty presented information from HomeHelpNH, an organization that offers counseling to at-risk homeowners. Information will be posted at the town house. More information can be found at www.HomeHelpNH.org.
Right to Know laws: Betty presented copies of the handout from a recent webinar workshop hosted by the Local Government Center about the NH Right to Know Laws.
Other:
Secretary’s report: Sandi noted the following items:
- Correspondence has been mailed to FairPoint requesting the taxable value of their inventory in Orange. According to their Grafton assessment card, FairPoint’s inventory is $823,000 in that town which would be equivalent to a $20,500 tax bill. Responding to a query from George White at the last meeting, Sandi stated on the inventory forms from 2009 to 2013 the Kokas’ attested there were no changes to their property. Sandi added that a building permit was issued for an accessory building in 2007 but that no inventory form was available for that year because per the documentation retention statute, the town only retains inventory forms for five years.
- Public comment: Public comment was entertained. Anyone wishing to speak has the option of putting their comments in writing and having them attached to the minutes.
- The Board received a Thank You card from the Orange Pond Players for the use of the town house for their theater performances.
- Recycling report: Dorothy stated that to date the town disposed of 52.72 tons of trash and 18.27 tons of recyclables which includes the recent large trash pickup. Large trash pickup on July 19 was 1.25 tons of metal and 9.07 tons of other, totaling 10.32 tons. In 2012 large trash pickup was 8.64 tons, 2011 it was 9.75 tons, and in 2010 was 7.80 tons.
- Dorothy noted the Conservation Commission did not meet in July because of Scott Lurgio’s travel plans. The next meeting of the OCC will be Tuesday, August 6 at 7 PM.
Vouchers were signed. Meeting adjourned 7:40 PM
Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson
______________________ Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs
______________________ Betty Fulton
______________________ Robert Ells