Office of the Select Board

Town of Orange, New Hampshire

Minutes of November 22, 2016

 

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

Meeting opened at 7:00 PM.
Minutes: The minutes of November 8, 2016 were unanimously approved.

Abatement application: The Board reviewed an abatement application from Bill and Cecile Williams/11 Private Way/Map 1, Lot 51-I for the $3000 valuation of a fireplace. The fireplace was in the previous home destroyed by fire and not taken off the assessment card by the assessor. Sandi said that Building Inspector Don Pfaefflin confirmed that the new home does not have a fireplace. After discussion, Bob motion to approve the abatement. Skip seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. The tax refund totals $74.25.

Building permits:

  •   The Board reviewed and signed a building permit for Walter Buckwold/Cross Road/Map 1, Lot 52 for a sugar house. The permit was already signed by the Building Inspector.

  •   The Board reviewed a building permit for Bernard Tetrault/50 Cardigan Mountain Road/Map 3, Lot 3 for a residential addition to the existing home. The permit was tabled by the Building Inspector. The Board reviewed a copy of a letter from the Building Inspector to Mr. Tetrault that listed a number of discrepancies in regards to the Orange Building Regulations. After discussion it was agreed that Skip and Bob will visit the residence and follow up with the Building Inspector.

    Other:

  •   The Board reviewed correspondence from the new director of the Upper Valley Humane Society that outlined their scope of services and annual billing protocol. Dorothy asked Sandi to check the town’s 2016 agreement with the UVHS to see if it is a multi-year contract and to contact them to see if they are proposing a change to the town’s annual cost.

  •   The Board reviewed correspondence from the Grafton County Senior Citizens Council requesting a 2017 contribution from Orange of $750.00 based on per capita of $12.10 for each of the Orange residents aged 60 and older. This is a $250 decrease from 2016.

  •   The Board reviewed information from UNH about a workshop on forest laws.

  •   Trash report: As of October 30 the town has disposed of 62.92 tons of trash and 21.5 tons

    of recyclables.

  •   Skip said he received a call from Sharon Proulx regarding a vehicle had difficulty

    because of ice on the road. He was unable to get a hold of the road agent so he called Richard Remacle and requested he sand where needed.

  •   Skip said there is still a hazardous tree concern on Tug Mountain Road which he has referred to the road agent. He anticipates Fox Tree Service taking care of it.

  •   Skip recommended leaving the trash bins at the former trash pick-up site on Tug Mountain Road in the event that Casella finds they cannot adequately turn around at the end of the road during the winter.

  •   Skip stated that a Cross Road resident expressed concern about a visual hindrance cause by plant growth when taking a left turn onto Cross Road when traveling Route 4 East. The resident stated that it is difficult to see oncoming traffic when turning. Skip said he checked it out and did not feel there was a visual hindrance. Skip and Bob will check it out together.

    Secretary’s report:

A budget sheet was distributed listing line item balances as of November 2016.
Board meetings: After discussion, it was unanimously agreed that the regularly scheduled Board

meetings will begin at 6 PM instead of 7. Sandi will post the change.

Reports from other Boards and Committees:

  •   Gary Hamel would like to create a small workspace in the meeting room in order to work on the town’s history book. The Board concurred.

  •   The annual Christmas Party is scheduled for December 11. Anyone with photos of the Christmas Party from years past is urged to come early at 4 PM and add to a presentation about the party’s history.

  •   Dorothy stated that the Orange Conservation Commission will meet on December 16 at 5 PM at her home. The ongoing work on the Natural Resources Inventory will be discussed. This meeting is open to the public.

    Public Comment: Bev Ells said that she heard on the news that Fairpoint would be offering state- wide, high speed internet service for businesses.

    Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed.

    Nonpublic session: Skip motioned to go into nonpublic session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3-I(c) to review an Application for Elderly and Disabled Tax Deferral (PA-30). Bob seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. After coming out of nonpublic session Dorothy stated that the Board approved a Tax Deferral Application.

Meeting adjourned 7:40 P.M.

Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson

Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs

Robert Ells

Lyell Smith