The Orford Village District Annual Meeting on April 1, 2025, elected officers including Gail Dimick as Moderator, Jane Hebb as Treasurer, and Roberts & Greene, LLC as Auditor, each for one year. No candidates were presented for Clerk or Commissioner. Voters approved raising $60,257.00 for general operations, funded by a $4,957 state grant, $45,300 in user fees, and $10,000 from the unassigned general fund balance. Additionally, $1,000 from water user fees was added to the Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund, and revised district bylaws were approved. All financial and bylaw articles passed by voice vote. Prior to the annual meeting, Commissioners Allan Hebb, David Smith, and William McKee, along with Acting Clerk Jane Hebb, approved the budget without public questions during a brief hearing on March 12, 2025.
Source: https://orfordnh.us/wp-content/docs/VillageDist/Annualmeeting/2025%20Annual%20Report.pdf
Commissioners Hebb and McKee met with Acting Clerk Hebb. Audit reports were reviewed and filed. They voted to send the Permit to Operate to DES and plan to add six lines for unused connections at the O’Donnell barn, West Cemetery, and other locations. The lawyer is reviewing bylaws and regulations for discussion in January, with Jane adding $1,000 to the 2025 budget for legal fees.
The budget hearing is set for 3/12/25, and the annual meeting for 4/1/25. Votes were taken to pay the chlorinator repair bill, and to pay Granite State Rural Water $200 total, covering $135 annual dues and a $65 donation. Reported expenses include a $100 monthly increase for Gilford Well. Meters will be read the week of 12/16 depending on weather. Jane will contact the phone company to secure municipal rates for pumps.
Source: https://orfordnh.us/wp-content/docs/VillageDist/2024/12-02-2024%20Minutes.pdf
Commissioners Allan Hebb, David Smith, and William McKee present. October minutes approved. Lead and copper study documentation for all connections completed. Management Representation letter signed for submission to auditor under current year budget. Commissioners authorized paying the generator service bill from Milton Cat and legal bill of $1328.39. Law requires adding six unused lines to the DES Permit to Operate, including O’Donnell barn and West Cemetery. ENH Power electric rate increases to $0.16990/KWH starting 12/18/2024. Storage tank cleaning deferred to 2025 with $5,000 allocated in that budget. The 2024 tank cleaning budget was used for legal fees. 2025 budget, including Primex rates, will be ready for December review. Jane Hebb will submit bylaws to Granite State Rural Water and explore municipal phone rates to reduce costs.
Source: https://orfordnh.us/wp-content/docs/VillageDist/2024/11-12-2024%20Minutes.pdf
Commissioners approved minutes from August and September meetings. The Commissioners approved the request from Mr. Castel for 14 apartments at 485 NH Route 10; Jane Hebb will notify lawyers, as pump tests confirmed sufficient water. A 6-hour pump test by Edgewater Strategies and Gilford Well was completed and results provided. The current Permit to Operate was sent to DES; Commissioners plan to add 6 lines to the permit to cover unused connections, including those for the O'Donnell barn and West Cemetery. Permission was granted for Jane Hebb to pay the bill for generator service by Milton Cat on 10/3. Granite State Rural Water will assist with the lead and copper spreadsheet on 10/15. The chlorinator blew a cap and Gilford Well repaired it; Josh Worthern is researching replacement parts. The next meeting is scheduled for 11/12.
Source: https://orfordnh.us/wp-content/docs/VillageDist/2024/10-05-2024%20Minutes.pdf
Commissioners Allan Hebb and William McKee met with Acting Clerk and Treasurer Jane Hebb. A legal bill was received and voted to be paid. Jane Hebb sent letters to five residents requesting photos of copper connections by 9/15 to complete the Hazen and Sawyer database, with a final deadline of 10/14/24. The Permit to Operate was sent to DES; Jane noted documentation supports increasing the user limit to add six lines for unused connections, including the O’Donnell barn, Jeffrey Hebb, West Cemetery, and two disconnected properties. Jane Hebb received a draft audit and will prepare the Management Representation letter for next month's signing. Jane Hebb will contact Granite State Rural Water regarding reducing high pump phone bills. Jeff Hebb completed bush hogging, and David will cut two small trees outside the fence. The next meeting is scheduled for October 8.
Source: https://orfordnh.us/wp-content/docs/VillageDist/2024/09-03-2024%20Minutes.pdf