Orford selectboard gets bridge update, approves waste-oil removal contract and posts committee vacancies

The Orford Board of Selectmen met June 24 and heard an update on the Archertown Road over Jacobs Brook bridge project, accepted a contract estimate for waste-oil removal at the recycling center, and reviewed a range of routine highway and administrative matters.

Selectboard member Kevin Follensbee said the contractor on the Archertown Road bridge will pour the southwest wing wall the week of the meeting and the northwest wing wall on July 1, with equipment moving the week of June 29 to the west side of the bridge. He said structural steel for the project is scheduled to arrive in mid-August, meaning the contractor needs to remain on schedule before that delivery.

Road Agent Nutter reported crews have been focused on clearing ditches and filling potholes and plan to begin grading roads after the July 4 holiday. He said crews have cleared and organized logs and brush at the sand pit. Two Western Star trucks are scheduled for warranty work — one 10-wheeler is at ATG and a 6-wheeler will go in next week — and a bucket that failed to sell on Municibid will be posted for sale on the town ListServ.

The Selectboard accepted an estimate from Safety Clean to remove waste oil at the recycling center for a $100 service fee plus $0.75 per gallon. Selectboard member Kevin Follensbee signed the contract and the board agreed to send it to the company for processing.

On land-use matters, Selectboard member Charles Smith, Jr. said he is continuing work on a flood-plain application and permit and will consult the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission as needed. Smith also is drafting a policy and enforcement process to address illegal junkyards; Follensbee is preparing notice language for property owners found using town property for junk storage or private vehicle parking.

Follensbee said he met with a resident about a damaged driveway culvert on Sawyer Brook and clarified that the town does not maintain culverts on private property; property owners will need to hire contractors to replace or reposition culverts. The board also added a "Forms and Applications" tab to the town website to centralize forms previously distributed across multiple pages.

The Selectboard reviewed Notices of Intent to Cut Wood from Smarts Mountain Realty (Map & Lot 008-033-001) with logger George Evarts and from Indian Pond, LLC (Map & Lot 008-029-63, 63A, 63B) with logger Tom Hahn.

In correspondence, Follensbee said NHDOT forwarded a complaint from Phil Mcgruder of Jacobs Brook Campground about confusing detour signage for the bridge detour; Follensbee said he will meet with the project’s construction engineer to discuss improvements. The board also acknowledged notice from the Health Trust that SB661 and SB1491 were vetoed by the New Hampshire governor. E. coli test results from June 22 showed all three beaches were within the stated safe level of 88 E. coli per 100 milliliters of water.

The Selectboard noted several committee vacancies — including openings on the Road Committee, Parks & Playgrounds and the Planning Board — and said notices will be posted on the town website and ListServ for residents interested in applying. The manifest, payroll and accounts payable folders were reviewed and signed where necessary.

A motion to approve the minutes of June 10, 2026, passed 3–0 after a motion by Kevin Follensbee and a second by Larry Taylor. A motion to adjourn by Larry Taylor, seconded by Charles Smith, Jr., also passed 3–0; the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.