Good Feeling Returns to Orange

Last night's Select Board meeting displayed a notable lack of drama, as the two Selectmen chosen by a state judge calmly went through the must-do items left by the previous Board. 

Town Clerk Sophie Seace swore in Bob Ells and Skip Smith, who will serve until Town Meeting. They said a third former Selectman has volunteered to serve, but that the state has encouraged them to solicit competition for the post. They said they will announce an appointment at the next meeting. Anyone interested in serving can contact me (Jay) at o.speech@gmail.com, or contact Bob or Skip directly.

Bob and Skip appointed Sandi Pierson to fill the position of Board Secretary and Tessa Michetti as Town Treasurer. The appointments of these two veterans of Town service drew applause. Citizens in attendance also applauded Sophie, along with Town Moderator Danny Hazelton, for handling the resignation of the former Select Board with admirable competence and transparency. 

The Board also said that, in order to deal quickly with the problems that have raised concern in the Town, they will hold weekly Select Board meetings for the next several months. They will hold the next meeting 7:00 pm Wednesday, July 22.

Among the issues to be resolved:

Treasurers' accounts:

• The Town’s attorney said that according to state law, former Treasurer Cathy Bean was required to turn over all records immediately upon her resignation. “Concord will get it straightened out," Bob Ells said. Meanwhile, the Board said it is arranging a forensic audit.
• Last night Tessa signed the documentation allowing her to begin working immediately. This morning she will close the town’s accounts, including the Town's money market fund, and open new ones. That way there will be a clear delineation between this Treasurer’s books and those kept by the former administration.
• Town Tax Collector Sharon Proulx said she is unable to deposit money until she has a new account number, and needs that as soon as possible.
• Tessa said she will very quickly know how much money Orange has.

Correspondence:

• The previous Board left behind about two months of unopened mail. Skip and Sandi are meeting this morning to begin to sort through it. 
• Sharon Proulx asked that they look specifically for missing mail from Mascoma Bank. 
• More than 100 unopened emails need to be read. Sandi will begin to work on those immediately.

Other:

• The locks on the offices will be changed. 
• The Town needs to recruit a new welfare agent and cemetery trustee; Pat Mercer resigned from those posts when she stepped down from the Select Board.
• The Board needs to make new appointments to the Planning Board and Budget Committee.
• A large trash pickup will be planned and publicized.
• A townwide mailing with updates on town officials, important dates will be sent out soon.
• Attendees discussed the lack of young people involved in town affairs. Several people noted that with competent support from Town staff, the duties aren't as onerous as they may seem. I (Jay) agreed to look into posting descriptions of various Town posts. 
• Judith Lindahl noted that this site would be more useful if citizens could download forms and register online. I (Jay) said that Sophie and I will work on that as soon as the Town's more immediate problems are settled.