Town Meeting preview: Orford

Eva Daniels, right, answers a question asked by Paul Perry, left, as she and Paula Graves make a presentation on Article 19, which would instruct the Selectboard to consider the feasibility of the town purchasing the Orford Congregational Church building on Main Street during Town Meeting at Rivendell Academy in Orford, N.H., on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. The article passed via voice vote. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Eva Daniels, right, answers a question asked by Paul Perry, left, as she and Paula Graves make a presentation on Article 19, which would instruct the Selectboard to consider the feasibility of the town purchasing the Orford Congregational Church building on Main Street during Town Meeting at Rivendell Academy in Orford, N.H., on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. The article passed via voice vote. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Alex Driehaus

Published: 03-03-2024 11:00 AM

Article of note: One article asks whether voters will authorize the Selectboard to continue exploring uses of the Main Street Congregational Church. Another asks for $10,000 for church-related surveys, inspections and other inspections. Another article would modify the elderly tax exemption.

Contested races: Selectboard Chairman John M. Adams faces a challenge from Larry Taylor for a three-year term on the board. Meanwhile, current Selectboard member and interim Fire Chief Kevin R. Follensbee and former Fire Chief Terry Straight are facing off for a two-year term on the board.

Budgets and spending articles: The proposed operating budget is $1.4 million, which is up from the $1.3 million proposed last year. A separate article asks for $490,000 for capital reserve funds. Another article is a $400,000 Archertown Road Flat-Phase II, which includes ledge removal, culvert replacements, ditching, grading, cost of gravel and base coat paving, with $300,000 to come from taxes. Another asks for $100,000 to design and permit a project to replace culverts on Indian Pond Road.

When, where and how to vote: Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. in the Rivendell Academy gymnasium. Ballot voting for town officers will be from 4 to 9 p.m.

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