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Orange Select Board approves MS-1, signs demolition permit and reviews Historical Commission plan
Summary
On Sept. 3, 2024 the Orange Select Board approved the town MS-1 valuation report and a demolition permit for a Shank property, reviewed a Historical Commission proposal to consult with Terry Knowles of the NH Attorney General's Office, and entered a brief nonpublic session on a legal matter.
The Select Board of the Town of Orange, New Hampshire, acting at its Sept. 3, 2024 meeting at the Town House, approved the town's 2024 MS-1 Summary Inventory of Valuation and signed a demolition permit for property listed as Shank (Map 4 Lot 20). The board also heard a Historical Commission proposal to engage Terry Knowles of the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office for organizational guidance and briefly entered nonpublic session to address a legal issue.
The board convened at 6 p.m. and opened with a pledge and a moment of silence for Gloria Stevens, who died Sept. 1; the minutes record that the Select Board will send a condolence card. Sandi Pierson moved to approve the public minutes of Aug. 20, 2024, a motion seconded by Betsy Coble and approved 3–0–0. Pierson then moved to approve the nonpublic minutes of Aug. 20, 2024; that motion also passed 3–0–0.
On the demolition permit, the file submitted by the owner of Map 4 Lot 20 had been signed by the Building Inspector. Aaron Allen moved to approve the permit; the motion, seconded by Betsy Coble, passed with two yes votes and one abstention (Sandi Pierson abstained).
The board approved the 2024 MS-1 valuation report on a motion by Pierson, seconded by Coble; the motion passed 3–0–0. Catherine Souza was assigned to upload the signed MS-1 report to the Department of Revenue site as required for state reporting.
Judith Lindahl presented a reorganization proposal for the Historical Commission. The proposal recommends accepting a fee agreement for services from Terry Knowles, identified in the minutes as Assistant Director of Charitable Trusts at the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office and an adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire, to review organizational options and answer related questions. The minutes state the Historical Commission will report back to the Select Board with its decision and any follow-up actions.
The board received several administrative updates: a municipal budget review showed year-to-date expenses of $290,682.25 against a $339,145.00 budget (about 86% spent through Aug. 31, 2024); the Town House second floor painting is complete and replacement lights are on site; and the board acknowledged multiple open action items including ARPA-funded septic and bathroom renovation projects (bids in progress) and questions about second-floor fire-safety compliance and artifact security.
The Select Board also reviewed notices from the neighboring Town of Andover that the Andover Zoning Board of Adjustment plans to hear Vertex Towers, LLC requests for special exceptions and variances on Sept. 17, 2024, concerning proposed personal wireless service facilities at 46 Main St. and off Cilleyville Road.
During public comment Sharon Proulx raised a safety concern about “a tree in the Church Cemetery which is close to the road” and said it “has a large hole in the trunk.” The board asked the Cemetery Trustees to inspect the tree and report back.
At 6:35 p.m. the Select Board voted 3–0–0 (motion by Betsy Coble, second by Aaron Allen) to enter a nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3-c to discuss a legal matter. The board reconvened in public at 6:43 p.m. and reported that it had taken an action on the legal issue; the minutes do not specify the nature of that action. The meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m. The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17, 2024, at 6 p.m.
