Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 17, 2007

Present: Chairman Steven Adam, Vice Chairman Robert Andrews,
and Clerk Richard Sheridan
Also Present: Town Administrator Rick Kwiatkowski and
Administrative Coordinator Nancy J. Lyman

I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Steven Adam called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES –

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS –

IV. PERMITS –none

V. ACTION –
6:35 p.m. – It was brought to the attention of the Board that Walt Owens and Candy Cross of the Library Department would both be on vacation at the same time during the Holiday, which meant that someone would need to have authority to sign payroll in their absence. Rick Kwiatkowski recommended that Dianne Salcedo be given such authority in this circumstance. Robert Andrews made the motion as such. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor.

6:40 p.m. – Tax Classification Hearing – The legal notice was read by Richard Sheridan. He also read the four recommendations from the Assessors Board. (See attached). It was recommended that the town continue with the single rate tax. The residential could be lower and the commercial higher, but that would be a catch-22, because the town wants new businesses and new residents. A motion was made by Robert Andrews to comply with the recommendation of the Board of Assessors to use a single tax rate. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor. Robert Andrews then moved to again comply with the Assessors to not adopt the Small Commercial Exemption. Seconded by Richard Sheridan and all were in favor. The third motion from Robert Andrews was to not use a Residential Exemption due to the low number of summer homes and apartments. This was seconded by Richard Sheridan. Again, all were in favor. The final motion from Robert Andrews was to not use an open space discount. Richard Sheridan seconded. All were in favor. Rick Kwiatkowski stated that the form would be signed by the Selectmen tonight; the original will be mailed to the State and e-mailed to them, as well, on Tuesday, the 18th. We hope that it will be returned in the affirmative by Friday the 21st. That way, the tax bills will be able to be mailed out before the end of the year.

X. MOVE TO ADJOURN – There was a motion to adjourn by Robert Andrews; seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor – none opposed. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p. m.

NEXT MEETING – December 26, 2007

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator