Office of the Select Board
Town of Orange, New Hampshire
Minutes of October 12, 2016
Present: Dorothy Heinrichs, Chair; Robert Ells, Lyell ‘Skip’ Smith, and Sandi Pierson (clerical). Others present: Beverly Ells, Sadie Wells, and Bill Bolton
Meeting opened at 7:00 PM.
Minutes: The minutes of September 27, 2016 were unanimously approved.
Informational: Bill Bolton came before the Board to speak about his candidacy for Grafton County Commissioner, a position being vacated by Martha Richards. Bill, a Democrat, is a Plymouth Selectman and has served on a number of boards and committees including the Pemigewasset River Advisory Committee. He outlined his focal points on county issues including the nursing facility and the Veterans’ Home. Answering a question from Dorothy, Bill stated that he felt wind energy does have its place, but not on the New Hampshire ridge lines. He said it would be more feasible to harness the wind on coastal and plains areas. He is also opposed to the present Northern Pass proposal. On the issue of high-speed Internet connectivity, he said that he would “be a voice” on that matter along with State Representative candidate Charlie Chandler.
Fairpoint: The Board signed a letter authorizing Avitar to accept the 2013 and 2014 Fairpoint property tax settlement of a $977 tax credit. It was noted that Mark Stetson from Avitar was attending the next Board meeting on October 26, 2016 to give an overview on assessing telecommunications and to recap why Avitar thinks updating the town’s pole licensing ordinance is warranted.
Hazard Mitigation Plan: On request of NH Homeland Security, the Board signed a one-year extension on the deadline of the completion of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Sadie Wells was present to notarize the signatures. The plan has been completed by the Orange Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee and the $6000 reimbursement grant has been deposited in full into the town’s account. The two parts remaining are the approval of the plan by FEMA and its subsequent adoption by the Select Board.
An email from a Tug Mountain resident was reviewed:
The central trash pick-up area on Tug Mountain Road for the residents living at the end of the road has become an unsightly “dumping area”. Would the Board consider requesting Casella to continue to the end of the road so trash would only be left at the end of people’s driveways? After discussion, the Board unanimously agreed to request that Casella proceed with curbside pick-up on the remaining 0.6 mile of Tug Mountain Road. They felt the plow-turn around was adequate for their truck and that it would relieve dumping at the central site. It was noted that they felt this was already supposed to be done during the non-snow months.
Five 5-gallon containers of paint were left at the Tug Mountain trash pick-up site and are
still there. After discussion, the Board requested that Sandi contact Brent Stevens and ask when the next Hazardous Waste Collection day is in Canaan.
There is a large tree on Tug Mountain creating a driving hazard. This concern will be forwarded to Road Agent Scott Sanborn.
Cemetery Lots: The Board signed the deeds for the purchase of two cemetery lots in Church Cemetery.
November Board meeting: Because of the upcoming elections, the first November meeting of the Select Board will be on Monday the 7th. Dorothy asked Sandi to post the meeting date.
Other:
- Training request: The Board unanimously approved a request from Health Officer Don Pfaefflin to attend the annual conference of the NH Health Officers Association.
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Correspondence was received from Community Action Program (Tri-county CAP) requesting a 2017 contribution from Orange of $114.00. It was noted that in the past year they assisted Orange residents with $3,458.77 in fuel and electric assistance. The request will be forwarded to the Budget Committee.
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The Board reviewed the municipal budget report ending September 30, 2016.
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Trash report: As of September 30, the town has disposed of 57.22 tons of trash and 19.27 tons of recyclables.
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Correspondence was received from Gardner, Fulton, and Waugh noting they are now practicing both municipal and school law.
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Skip said there are two building permits forthcoming, both for garages.
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After discussion, the Board agreed that the eye-washing station should be moved from the kitchen to the men’s restroom because the men’s restroom is consistently heated during the winter.
Angel Buckwold has submitted a $200 quote to clean the downstairs hall, stairway, and Select Board’s office. After discussion, the Board unanimously approved the quote.
Reports from other Boards and Committees:
Bev Ells stated that she and Bob attended the round table discussion hosted by the Mascoma School Board on Tuesday, October 11 at the high school. She reported that school personnel acknowledged that there will be an increase in the tax rate due to the high school addition. They wanted to know if Orange had any anticipated high expenses in the coming year. Bev said she did not believe they did.
Bills and vouchers were reviewed and signed.
Non public session: At 7:35 P.M. Bob motioned to go into nonpublic session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c) re: welfare issue. Skip seconded. Motion passed unanimously in favor. Motion passed to come out of nonpublic session at 7:45 P.M. Dorothy stated that they approved an assistance payment.
Meeting adjourned 7:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted, Sandi Pierson
__________________________ Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs
____________________ Robert Ells
______________________ Lyell Smith