Selectboard Minutes 08-12-2026.pdf
The Selectboard approved the July 22, 2026 minutes via a motion by Taylor and Smith Jr. Chris Crowley sought permission to obtain legal counsel regarding four unused perpetual care trust funds totaling approximately $12,000, which the board granted. Terry Martin requested renegotiating the Community Field lease to reduce costs due to decreased usage; the board agreed to meet in the Spring to discuss the 2027-2028 contract, though the current 2026-2027 contract remains active. Project updates included: the Archertown Bridge concrete installation is underway; Smith is awaiting an engineering concept design for the Town Office Parking Lot paving; and the Highway Department will repair Quinttown Road railings and remove the transfer station oil tank. In new business, the board signed the Morton Salt contract and referred a Dame Hill Road property complaint and dog barking complaint to the Police Department. Manifests, payroll, and accounts payable were reviewed and signed. Source: https://orfordnh.us/wp-content/docs/selectboard/2026/Selectboard%20Minutes%2008-12-2026.pdf
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Selectboard Minutes of 8/12/2026 1 TOWN OF ORFORD Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 12, 2026 MEMBERS PRESENT: Kevin Follensbee, Charles Smith, Jr., Larry Taylor OTHERS PRESENT: Armand Girouard, Fire Chief Sanborn, Police Chief Bachus, Terry Martin, Tom Thomson, Chris Crowley Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Public Comments None Approval of Minutes Motion made by Taylor, seconded by Smith Jr. to accept the minutes of 07/22/2026 (as amended) Motion Passed Reports A. Fire Department – Chief Sanborn For the month of July, 2026, the following was reported: 23 calls, 13 medical calls, 1 motor vehicle call, 2 wires down calls, 1 service call (deer in road), 5 mutual aid calls (Fairlee; explosion, car fire. Piermont; medical, propane leak, haz-mat). Performed standby at SAG for the Prouty, no incidents. New multi-gas meter from Haz-mat team. Utility repeater has been tuned. Needs new tires before winter. Old rescue still advertised for sale, some inquiries. Training on ladders, hose in service. B. Police Department – Chief Bachus For the month of July, 2026, the following was reported: 87 calls for service. Includes 1 for assault, 1 for runaway, 4 for alarm, 4 for animal complaints, 3 for motor vehicle collision, 2 for warrant/wanted person, 1 for 911 hang up, 5 for medical calls, and various other administrative calls and activities. 26 motor vehicle stops resulting in 4 summonses being issued. One arrest on an electronic bench warrant was completed. The 87 calls represent 73 by the Orford PD, 1 by the Animal Control Officer, 15 by the State Police. Current ongoing investigations include child abuse case, physical assault case, theft investigation, sexual assault case, and criminal trespass/littering case with 4 persons of interest. The PD received an excessive speed complaint for Tillotson Falls Road, Chief indicated a municipal engineering and speed study must be performed prior to posting a speed limit, Chief to look into options for this, and address this at next months meeting when he reports. Dog barking complaints received for a kennel on Sawyer Brook, Chief provided a copy of the letter he sent to the complainant. Chief completed all required continuing education for Emergency Medical Responder license. Currently awaiting certifications back. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Selectboard Minutes of 8/12/2026 2 C. Selectboard attended meeting recap Follensbee, Cemetery trustees meeting postponed until 8/15/2026. Taylor, none. Smith, Jr., Attended a Conservation Committee meeting on 8/6/2026, items discussed included E-Coli testing, Rivendell Trail Anniversary AMC hike, trail work efforts, Richmond Property discussion, High Bridge Road bridge project, foreign invasive plants. Planning Board meeting on 8/11/2026, discussed cell tower committee, waiver requests process, floodplain ordinance, ZBA needs members. Old Business A. Community Field Lease, Terry Martin. Martin explained the school is not fielding baseball teams due to lack of participants, would like to re write Community Field contract to reduce costs to school, and possibly not use the baseball fields in the future, looking to lower the lease amount the school pays the town for maintenance, upkeep, repairs, and mowing for the fields. Follensbee asked Martin if they could meet 6 months prior to the next lease renewal, to discuss the needs for the 2027-2028 school year, and see if services can be reduced to reduce cost, if school is no longer using the fields, or only using them sporadically. The 2026-2027 contract has already been signed and billed. Selectboard and Martin to meet in the Spring to go over the next contract. B. Perpetual Care Trusts discussion, Chris Crowley. Crowley stated there are four trust funds that are not attached to a plot, and funds cannot be utilized, as they must be tied to a specific plot. Asked the Board if he can get legal counsel for advice on how to utilize these old trust accounts, and properly disperse the funds for cemetery use moving forward. Board allowed Crowley to ask legal council for advice and best way to move forward. Accounts total approximately $12,000 according to Crowley. C. Updates for Current Outstanding Projects: a. Mosley Bridge and culvert, Tom Thomson. Thomson inquired as to if the Selectboard asks loggers to post bond in Orford, if logging in another town, but using Orford roads to access. Follensbee indicated not to his knowledge currently. Wooden bridge railings damaged from a vehicle on Quinttown Road. Mosley Brook culvert inquiry, prior bridge engineering quotes and replacement quotes were not moved forward by Selectboard previously. Follensbee indicated the railing repairs would be completed by the town highway department. First bridge/culverts on Quinttown Road need reflectors or barriers, to avoid vehicles driving into them off the side of the road. b. Archertown Bridge at Jacobs Brook. Follensbee reported the East side is currently having a concrete slab being installed, to build footing. West side is back filled, timeline to complete project is still on task. c. Paving of Town Office Parking Lot. Smith met with contractor, to create an engineering concept design for the lot, will report back when this engineering concept design has been received. d. Other. Follensbee reported that the old waste oil at the transfer station has been removed, Highway Department to remove empty tank from transfer station. Guardrail on Archertown Road, warrant article, Dig Safe has come, work should be performed soon. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Selectboard Minutes of 8/12/2026 3 New Business A. Review of received “Notice of Intent to Cut Wood” None received. B. Budget vs Actual Review Reviewed by Board, all looks good, no issues to report. C. Action Folder Timber Tax worksheet reviewed by board, Morton Salt contract signed by Board. D. Complaint Folder Dame Hill Road property use complaint referred to the Police Department, Dog barking complaint also referred to the Police Department. E. Signature Folder Required items reviewed and signed by all board members. F. Correspondence Folder NHMA Conference information, Public Health Council of the Upper Valley upcoming forum, NHMA Legislative Policy Conference info, Wild Parsnip info from NHDOT, Executive Council schedule, Nextera Energy information regarding rates for 2027, NHDOT Highway Block Grant Aid info, E-Coli water test results. G. Other Manifests, Payroll and Accounts Payable folders The manifest, payroll and accounts payable folders were reviewed and signed where necessary Non-Public Session A motion was made by Follensbee, seconded by Taylor, to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(b) and RSA 91-A:3, II(c) at 8:05PM. A roll call vote of member’s present was taken with a decision in the affirmative The Board resumed the regular meeting at 8:19PM. A motion was made by Follensbee, seconded by Smith, Jr. to seal the minutes of the nonpublic session. Motion Approved. Adjourn Motion made by Taylor, seconded by Smith, Jr. to adjourn the meeting. Motion Passed 3/0 The meeting adjourned at 8:20PM. Respectfully Submitted, Armand Girouard _____________________________________________________________________________________ Selectboard Minutes of 8/12/2026 4