Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of August 23, 2016


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

Meeting opened at 7:00 PM.
Minutes: The minutes of August 9, 2016 were unanimously approved.

Building permit: The Board reviewed and approved a building permit for Lisa and Carroll (Dan) Thompson/159 Cross Road/Map 1, Lot 24-A for a porch. The permit was already reviewed and signed by Building Inspector Don Pfaefflin.

Harvest Festival: The Board approved use of the Town House on October 16 for the annual Harvest Festival.

Town House repairs and maintenance:

  •   A quote of $490 was received from Bruce Ells (Cardigan Carpentry LLC) to install a louvered bi-fold door and trim for the downstairs water apparatus closet. The Board agreed to forward the quote to the Budget Committee so that it can be included in next year’s budget discussion.

  •   Bob and Bruce Ells completed the installation of the downstairs handrail. Labor for the job was volunteered. Skip and Dorothy thanked Bob and Bruce for the exceptional job they did on the railing.

  •   Bruce Ells completed the exterior repairs of the rotted trim board and clapboards in the vicinity of the back door. Some of the sheathing also needed to be replaced.

    Other:

  •   An invitation to the Select Board was received from Superintendent of Schools Patrick Andrew to attend a tour of the renovated high school on September 2, 2016 and to attend a roundtable discussion with the School Board on October 11, 2016. Bob Ells said he would attend the tour. Skip may possibly attend.

  •   Correspondence was received from U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen summarizing her constituent services. The information will be posted at the town house.

  •   Due to primary voting on September 13, 2016 the Board will hold their next meeting on Monday, September 12, 2016 at 7 PM.

  •   The Board signed correspondence to a resident regarding the office of Welfare Overseer.

  •   Regarding the neglected, vacant home on Eastman Road that the building inspector was asked to evaluate, Don Pfaefflin told Skip he has visited the site a few times but has not

    seen the owner. A neighbor to the property will contact Don if he sees the owner on site.

Skip said that the storage shed being donated to the town for cemetery equipment storage originally came from the Carriage Shed in White River Junction. He would like to get an idea of its value for the donor. For income tax purposes, the Board agreed Sandi should let the donor know that the value of the donation to the town is considered a tax deductible gift.

Secretary’s report:

  •   Charles Chandler, Democratic candidate for N.H. Senate District 2, would like to attend the September 12 meeting for informational purposes. The Board concurred.

  •   Neither the town clerk nor tax collector had any recommended changes to this year’s audit report. Treasurer Tessa Michetti has submitted a number of protocol items that should be revised. The Board instructed Sandi to send Tessa’s comments to Auditor Matt Angell.

Reports from other Boards and Committees: n/a Public comment: n/a
Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed. Meeting adjourned 7:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson

Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs

Robert Ells

Lyell Smith