The Basin Has Changed

We hear that Orange Basin (no, not the one in Africa) has been altered by Irene (the storm, not the princess).  It's still the same basin, with some rocks shifted around interestingly. 

Irene Emergency Select Board Meeting

Sandi Pierson, the secretary to the Board of Selectmen, has done the minutes to the August 30 meeting--a response to Tropical Storm Irene.  The minutes include  a comprehensive report of the damage and the decisions by the Board.

You'll find them here.

Mascoma Headwaters Conservation

Dorothy Heinrichs just sent us a link to a map showing the ongoing deal to protect 13,000 acres of land neighboring Orange. The Nature Conservancy is leading the project.

You can find the map here.  Also see the story in the Valley News, along with its editorial.

Hunting Season

Just put up New Hampshire Fish & Game's seasonal calendar in the Government and Useful Links pages. Bow season for deer and turkeys starts September 15 and continues through December 15 in our part of the state (Wildlife Management Unit G).

Meanwhile, the state legislature is still working on legislation to protect landowners from liability lawsuits. Maine currently has a law that requires unsuccessful litigants to pay a landowner's legal fees.  The new legislation stems from a lawsuit filed by William Jasmin against an Epsom landowner after Jasmin fell out of a faulty tree stand. The Concord Monitor has a good story about it here. We'll try to keep you posted on developments.  One thing to keep in mind in the meantime: landowners apparently are most liable when they agree to compensation from people using their land. Jasmin claims that the Epsom landowner asked him to kill as many coyotes on his land as possible, a request that Jasmin's lawyer interprets as "compensation."

Roads

News from Pat White, our town clerk:

• Cardigan Mountain Road has been repaired.
• The Town plans to repair Williams road enough to get it through the winter.
• Take care on the soft shoulders.