Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of August 11, 2015

 

Present: Dorothy Heinrichs, Chair; Robert Ells, Lyell "Skip" Smith, and Sandi Pierson (clerical) Others present: Beverly Ells, Betty and Bill Fulton, David Stacy, Bob and Sharon Proulx, Jay Heinrichs, and Dave Como.

Meeting opened at 7:00 PM.
Minutes: The minutes of July 28, 2015 were approved as submitted. Dorothy abstained because she did not attend the meeting.

Warrants for Yield Tax Levies (Timber Taxes):

  • Bruce and Catherine Ells: $54.30
  • Henry and Jeanne Minasian: $344.36 and $320.98

Treasurer/financial: The Board was in receipt of an email and preliminary spreadsheet from Treasurer Tessa Michetti as she restructures all 2014 financial data entries. Dorothy stated that Tessa has reconciled the records with the tax collector with just a few cents difference and still needs to reconcile with the town clerk. Tessa submitted a preliminary spreadsheet identifying differences between the 2014 vouchers and actual payments made by the treasurer. The foremost inconsistency is that revenue from the tax anticipation note was listed as a liability. Tessa hopes to have the 2014 treasurer’s report submitted within a week or so.

Sharon asked that the Board revisit the idea that Tessa be compensated for the hours she is putting in to resolve the 2014 financial data inconsistencies and disorder, citing that is well beyond her present treasurer duties. After discussion, Skip motioned to have Tessa submit to the Selectmen’s office a timesheet of the hours she spent restructuring the 2014 financial records and for the Board to approve compensating Tessa at $14.00 an hour for those hours. Bob seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor.

Town-wide mailing: The Selectmen’s office is ready to mail out the revised informational directory, a large trash pick-up notice, and a cover letter from the Board. Dorothy read aloud the cover letter from the Board explaining the current status of town business following the resignation of the previous two Board members and treasurer.

Appointments:

  • The Board approved and signed a form for the NH Bureau of Health Protection affirming Don Pfaefflin as Health Officer.

  • The Board approved and signed a form for the NH Bureau of Health Protection affirming Phillip Neily as Deputy Health Officer.

  • After discussion, Skip motioned to appoint Don Pfaefflin as Welfare Director to finish out the one-year term. Bob seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. The Board would like to meet with Don to discuss any necessary updates to the Welfare Guidelines.

Other:

  • The Board and the treasurer will meet with representatives from the DRA per their request. This is to bring them up to date on the town’s progress and status subsequent to the previous administration and treasurer.

  • The Board reviewed FYI material from Bernie Waugh regarding Fairpoint v. Acworth.

  • A notice was received from the State of NH that the July Block Grant of $9.999.37 was

    deposited into the town’s account.

  • Bob will ask Road Agent Scott Sanborn to attend the next meeting for the purpose of a highway department update.

  • The Board was in receipt of a fee disclosure from Young’s Propane. A copy will be given to Budget Committee Secretary Bob Proulx.

Trash report: As of July 31, 2015 the town has disposed of 46.05 tons of trash and 17.06 tons of recyclables.

Secretary’s report:

  • Denise Durkee from Casella Waste reviewed and approved the large trash pick-up mailing that included a delineation of fee items. Payment for fee items must be made to Casella by prior arrangement or at the time of pick-up.

  • Betty Fulton provided the Selectmen’s office with the Quicken financial software and training time in order to generate monthly financial reports; these have been especially useful to the Budget Committee in drafting annual budgets. Sandi said she is about 50% complete in logging in the 2015 vouchers to date.

  • Betty also printed and donated the revised informational directory. The Board and audience members thanked Betty for her volunteer efforts on behalf of the town.

  • Two Intent to Cuts were signed by the previous Board but copies were not submitted to the DRA nor were they designated the required municipal operation number. A logger from one of the cuts visited the office asking why he never received his Report of Timber Cut form or posting slip from the DRA. Copies of both Intents were obtained from the property owners and will be given an operation number and sent to the DRA without delay.

  • Sandi asked that the Board and Budget Committee consider putting a new printer for the Selectmen’s office into the 2016 budget. A few of the functions such as receiving faxes and automatic paper pick-up sometimes goes awry. Sophie, who also uses the machine, has also commented on the need to replace it. It was unclear how old the present machine is. Bob Proulx suggested that Sophie looked into a replacement and report back to the Board.

Reports from Boards and Committees: n/a

Public comment:

  • Betty Fulton suggested that the office computer, which has Windows 7, be upgraded to Windows 10 which is presently available as a download at no cost. Jay Heinrichs will follow up.

  • Betty inquired about Orange residents participating in the Hazardous Waste Pick-up in Canaan as was available last year. Dorothy affirmed that Orange residents could partake in the Canaan Hazardous Waste Pick-up on August 22, 2015 at a cost of $25.00.

  • David Como inquired about the schedule to meet with Avitar regarding the 2015 revaluations. Dorothy stated that notices from Avitar will be mailed out to residents at the end of September at which time they will offer one-on-one appointments.

  • Como asked what became of the idea of an announcement sign for the Town House grounds of which he had offered to fund. Judith Lindahl recounted that many people were “up in the air” regarding a permanent sign. Bob Proulx cited that a few of the concerns were maintenance of a sign and winter access. Judith, the town’s representative to the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission (UVLSRPC) said that the commission is offering signs to member municipalities at no cost. This would be a “fold-up” sign that could be put out when there is an announcement to be made. After it is acquired, if the town does not think it suits its needs, it can be returned. The Board agreed Judith should accept a sign from the UVLSRPC. Judith added that upon acceptance, a policy should be put in place by the Board regarding its usage.

  • Bob Proulx reiterated that he spoke with a Pike worker regarding the timeline to repave Cardigan Mountain Road. Bob said that Pike is waiting for the NH Department of Transportation to complete roadside ditching and culvert replacement at which time they can begin the paving work.
  • Geological Display: Dave Stacy stated that the Natural Resources Inventory presently being worked on by the Conservation Committee will contain the geology of Orange, including mines. He placed on display exceptional specimens of rocks that contain tourmaline, silver and black mica, and garnet. These are presently on display in the meeting room. The Board thanked Dave for providing the extraordinary exhibit.

 

Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed. Meeting adjourned 7:45 PM

Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson

Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs

Robert Ells

Lyell Smith