TOWN OF ORFORD
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
June 8, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Dalton, Anne Duncan-Cooley, Tom Steketee
OTHERS PRESENT: Charlie Waterbury, Cicely Richardson, Steve Allen, Sheri Clifford
I. Call Meeting to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:25 pm.
Charlie Waterbury – Road Agent
Waterbury reported that he will attend the Planning Board meeting to discuss a
driveway request on Town Road #100 to confirm procedural regulations. He stated that
Cohen Steel is making the plates to connect the beams for the Mousley Bridge and he
will research selling the steel beams that the highway department purchased two years
ago.
Waterbury wanted the Board to be aware that a Norris Road resident has a driveway
over a 140’ town culvert, for which the Town has a drainage easement that is in need of
repair or replacement. The resident is willing to speak with the Board if necessary.
Waterbury also brought to the Board’s attention that road signs continue to be stolen
and those students who came forward after taking road signs are not honoring their
agreement with the Town. After discussion the Board decided to put a time limit on
completion of the students agreement.
Steve Allen – Assessor
Allen reported that he completed three requests for abatements. Property on Route 10
comparing values of direct neighbors, made a change to the land value from 100% to
85% correcting the assessment from $406,600 to $388,200. A change in depreciation
on a Tannery Road mobile home corrected the assessment from $60,000 to $55,900.
Lastly, property owner on Dame Hill Road questioned the increase in assessed value, a
result in the 2010 statistical update. This request was denied.
Allen stated that he has two requests for abatements pending and will complete and
have ready for signature by June 22nd.
II. Approval of May 25, 2011 Minutes
The minutes of May 25, 2011 were approved as amended.
III. Old Business
Paul Dalton – Report
Dalton distributed a letter to the Department of Transportation for signature. The letter
proposes a change to the no parking signs on Route 10.
Dalton also reported that the Department of Transportation requested a copy of the
handicap ramp and driveway plans for the Orford Free Library to evaluate in the event
additional permitting may be required.
Dalton asked that the Board review the draft of the 2010 audit and be prepared to
discuss at the next meeting.
Tom Steketee – Report
Steketee reported that he authorized the Town Attorney to hire a consultant to review
the culvert situation on Mud Turtle Pond Road.
Steketee attended the swearing in ceremony of the new patrol office, Michael Foster.
Anne Duncan Cooley – Report
Duncan-Cooley reported that she had volunteers for form the Energy Committee. Robb
Day, Emily Bryant, Edmond Cooley, Robert Bacon and David Desimone.
A motion was made and seconded to appoint Robb Day, Emily Bryant, Edmond Cooley,
Robert Bacon and David Desimone to the Energy Committee. The motion passed.
The Board went into executive session at 7:00 pm to discuss a legal matter.
The Board resumed the regular meeting at 7:15 pm.
The Board discussed that they would like Louise Mack to be on the agenda once a
month to keep the Board up-to-date on Town Clerk and Tax Collector dealings.
V. New Business
A. Correspondence
B. Accounts Payable
The correspondence and accounts payable folders were reviewed and signed where
necessary.
VI. Comments & Questions from Public
None at this time.
VII. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 7:25pm.
Respectfully Submitted,