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Approved 05/16/2024 
North Country Council Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 
161 Main Street Littleton, NH 03561 – 603-444-6303 – www.nccouncil.org 
Thursday, March 21, 224 
 
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Paul Robitaille, Chair; Ben Gaetjens-Oleson, Mark Dindorf, Member 
 
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:  Michelle Moren-Grey, Executive Director; James Steele, Finance 
Manager & Special Projects Planner 
Call to Order 
Chair Robitaille called the meeting to order at 2:03 
 
Attendance by Roll Call 
Paul Robitaille, Chair; Ben Gaetjens-Oleson, Vice Chair, Mark Dindorf, Member 
 
Minutes of 01/18/2024 Approval 
 
Ms. Moren-Grey commented that Member Martland emailed changes to the minutes on 
page 2 of the draft minutes. Should read Questions – Member Martland noted that NCC 
is halfway through the year and has spent a third of the funds and earned a quarter of 
the revenue. 
 
MOTION Vice Chair Gaetjens-Olsen made a motion to approve the 03/21/2024 minutes 
with changes. The motion was seconded by Member Dindorf. 
The motion carried – 3 in favor/ 0 opposed / 0 abstention. 
 
Financial 
 
Financial Report 
Mr. Steele provided an overview of the financials. 
NCC is seeing continued improvement in its financial condition, realizing a profit of 
$1,582, bringing the FY loss to $8,275. In February, NCC began using an insured Cash 
Sweep account to ensure that funds are covered by FDIC. The benefit is any funds swept 
into the account realize a 1.5% as compared to the .05% received now. 
 
The current net position has increased to $297,938, and the current ratio is 2.44 
representing NCC’s ability to pay liabilities with readily available resources. 
 
Operating expense / operating revenue 1.02 portion of current year operating revenues 
needed to cover expenses. 
Liabilities to net position .91 represents the portion of equity that will be needed to cover 
all liabilities. 
NCC maintains a strong financial position. 
 

MOTION Vice Chair Gaetjens-Olsen made a motion to approve the Financial Report. The 
motion was seconded by Member Dindorf. 
The motion carried – 3 in favor/ 0 opposed / 0 abstention. 
 
Mr. Steele reviewed the current budget/projects in relation to YTD. Mr. Steele noted that 
there are no unsecured funds, and NCC is meeting expenses. Noting that the office line 
item was increased to purchase computers needed (2). 
 
Question – is the staff still working remotely? Ms. Moren-Grey commented that most 
staff is in the office with some remote days. 
 
Ms. Moren-Grey indicated that the meeting materials contain contracts that were 
approved at the last meeting of over $25,000. Follow-Up to January meeting. 
 
Other Business 
 
OHRV State Commission—Ms. Moren-Grey commented that we received one application 
for the NH State OHRV Study Commission North Country Council Appointed Member. 
Members Gaetjens-Olsen and Dindorf reviewed the application. Ms. Moren-Grey 
commented that this individual submitted an application the first time, and this 
application is more robust than the first time. This individual has also attended meetings 
and is familiar with the OHRV State Commission activity. 
 
Question regarding the expectation of report back to the Council. Ms. Moren-Grey 
indicated that the individual would be required to report back to NCC on Commission 
activities and she will provide the framework for reporting back. 
 
MOTION Vice Chair Gaetjens-Olsen made a motion to appoint Claude Pigeon to the 
OHRV State Commission. The motion was seconded by Member Dindorf. Chair Robitaille 
recused himself from the vote. 
The motion carried – 2 in favor/ 0 opposed / 0 abstention. 
 
Staffing Update – Ms. Moren-Grey announced that Kaela Travares, Planning Director, has 
accepted a position in New Mexico and will be transitioning over the next few months.  
Ms. Moren-Grey commented that Kaela’s excellent work with our communities will be 
missed, and we wish her the best of luck in what is to come. 
Ms. Moren-Grey announced that we have hired Angela Cleveland as the Planning 
Coordinator. Ms. Cleveland brings over 10 years of community and planning experience 
to the Council and has worked with RPC’s of NH and for communities in the state of MA. 
We will welcome her on the first of April. Ms. Moren-Grey commented that it is 
anticipated Angela will pick up Kaela’s work seamlessly and fit in with NCC current team. 
 
BOD Update – Vice Chair Gaetjens-Olsen announced that he would be leaving the Town 
of Lancaster in late March and would like to stay as NCC Representative. Mr. Gaetjens-

Olsen has passed the letter from Ms. Moren-Grey in appreciation of Mr. Gaetjens-Olsen's 
consistent contribution to the Commission. Ms. Moren-Grey commented that she is 
looking forward to continuing to work with him as a representative. In addition, Ms. 
More-Grey announced that Franconia will appoint two Representatives at their next 
meeting. 
 
 
 
Discussion continued regarding BOD appointments and terms of Representatives. 
 
Membership – Ms. Moren-Grey reviewed a map of the current membership status and 
history.  
 
 
 
Upcoming presentation (March 27th) Wildland Fire Presentation by NH Forest and Lands 
 
Next Full Commission Meeting will be in June 
 
Member Dindorf commented on the unusual taxation year Hart’s Location had 
concerning a negative local school tax rate that eclipsed their ability to collect statewide 
education property tax and county property tax—having a future impact on Town 
finances. 
 
 
Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3, II (if needed) 
None needed. 
 
Public Comment 
Chair Robitaille asked for public comment – there was none. 
 
Adjournment 
 
MOTION Member Dindorf made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Vice 
Chair Gaetjens-Olsen. 
The motion carried - 3 in favor/ 0 opposed / 0 abstention 
The meeting adjourned at 3:38 
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
Michelle Moren-Grey, Executive Director