Who Can Get DSL?

The state has asked the Orange Select Board to map the town's internet access. The cable part was easy; no one has cable. But some of us have access to DSL.  If you or somone you know has DSL, please let Sandi Pierson know. Just shoot an email to townoforange@gmail.com. Include the physical address and the message "Yes, DSL."

Why is this important? Because the state needs to recognize that we live in an Internet shadow. It's not just about watching YouTube videos or downloading songs.  Increasingly, media - websites, social media, TV, radio, even telephone - assume that everyone has access to broadband.  

What's DSL? A digital service line through telephone wires. In Orange, that means broadband with Fairpoint. Pat White checked with the company and got a list of roads served. But we still need to know who actually has access.

Please let Sandi know!

Minutes and Mowing

We're a little late in posting the approved Select Board Minutes from July 23. You'll find them here. As consolation, here's a picture Dorothy took of Bob Ells mowing the Heinrichs meadow. What a late season, Bob!

Large Trash Day Became Swap Day

Boy, are we good Yankees here in Orange. Some excellent swaps went on as people spotted and grabbed items left out by their neighbors.

Among the items taken for reuse:  electrical units, lawnmower, well pump, carpets (for covering around raised garden beds), planters, trunk, garden stakes, and a white wicker chair.

Which sparks an idea: Anyone interested in a swap discussion board on this site? It could be as simple as individuals listing items they don't want. Or you could just email Jay if you have items you think others might want. We'll post them to this blog, and subscribers will get the automatic emails.

Minutes, Wind Tower, and Foreclosure

You'll find the official, approved Select Board minutes from the July 9 meeting here.

In addition, Sandi Pierson reports a few items:

• Betty brought to the last Selectmen's meeting the dreaded word FORECLOSURE. If you know anyone who is at risk of losing their home to foreclosure, let them know they can find assistance at HomeHelpNH.org or simply by calling 2-1-1. The foreclosure process can happen quickly, and it can also be very confusing for homeowners. HomeHelpNH is a statewide foreclosure counseling initiative that helps at-risk homeowners find and work with free experienced homeownership counselors to explore their options. Brochures are available at the Selectmen's office and in the town house foyer that will introduce them to the most common choices at-risk homeowners have when faced with foreclosure.

• For those that are keeping track of the industrial wind power development in our area (but not in our town), the Alexandria Selectmen's Assistant told me the other day that the state has approved a meteorological data collecting tower in Alexandria near the northeast corner of Orange.

• The great bear cub photo we posted recently was misattributed to Sandi. It was taken by Anson Smith of Grafton. 

Roads Update

Our Road Agent, Scott Sanborn, gave us the report he's submitting to the Select Board for tonight's meeting:

Anyone who has recently driven Tuttle Hill Road knows that the paving has been completed. Blaktop did an excellent job. The new drainage pattern resulting from the regrading just above the Cross Road intersection looks to be working out as planned and will significantly reduce the amount of stormwater runoff into the wetland swale that runs next to the road out of the old fire pond.

We have weathered the recent heavy rains well, with a few very minor shoulder wash-outs (and some schedule delays) being the only problems experienced here in Orange.

Richard Remacle’s crew is in the process of working through repairing those areas along with a summer maintenance “punch-list”, some highlights of which are: 

• The last remaining FEMA project from tropical storm Irene, the culvert extension on Burnt Hill Road (still waiting for low-flow conditions, but have plenty of time under the extension to the deadline that was granted last fall).

• Adding hardpack to and grading the shoulders along the edges of the new pavement on Tuttle Hill & Cross Roads.

• Cleaning sediment out of the catch basins around the Tuttle Hill Road bridge over Orange Brook (Barry Clause of JBC Septic will be assisting with pumping)

• Raising the elevation of the section of Williams Road that washed out in Irene about a foot and adding some large ledge-stone to the edge to help stabilize it in the event of future high water (my intention is to raise this area a little more during each of the next 2-3 years).

• Embankment repairs on Cross Road and Burnt Hill Road

• Opening up a couple of buried/clogged culverts, and repair a couple of broken-down headwalls.

• Reclaiming the culvert that drains the low spot in the intersection of Burnt Hill and River Road and installing a small catch basin/drop inlet, regrading as necessary.

• Repairs to the upper portion of New Colony Road from Gunn’s driveway to Murray/Pedersen’s (with the intention of funding this project from left-over FEMA moneys)

Both the Jan-April plowing and the spring grading have come in a little under budget so we’re looking good to add a few extra summer projects!

Finally, I will be out of town from Thursday 7/25 through Sunday 8/4. Richard is aware of this and will be happy to take any calls (523-7512) in the event of any downed trees or heavy rain damage that may occur while I’m away.

Respectfully,

Scott Sanborn