Bittenbender resigns from three positions

ORANGE — The Selectboard voted unanimously last week to accept Karl Bittenbender’s resignation from the Orange Economic and Industrial Corporation, the Orange Energy Committee and the Long Range Planning Commission.

Bittenbender wrote an email to Town Clerk Rachael Fortier announcing his resignation, effective Oct. 1.

“It has been an immeasurable privilege to be of service to our community,” Bittenbender wrote in the email, which was read aloud by Selectboard Clerk Andrew Smith at last week’s meeting.

Selectboard members praised Bittenbender and thanked him for his service, with Chair Tom Smith saying he has been “a huge help to the town of Orange … and we will certainly miss him and his hard work.”

Orange Economic and Industrial Corporation Chair Tom Sexton was sitting in the audience and thanked Bittenbender on behalf of his colleagues.

Selectboard chair signs disclosure regarding fire chief’s son

ORANGE — The Selectboard authorized Chair Tom Smith to sign an ethics disclosure permitting Fire Chief James Young to sign payroll and approve other expenditures now that his son is a paid on-call firefighter with the department.

Young appeared remotely at last week’s meeting to explain he reached out to the State Ethics Commission and got guidance from an attorney there. Having Smith sign the disclosure complies with a state statute that prohibits a municipal employee from participating in any “particular matter” where they, their immediate family, or certain business associates or prospective employers have a known financial interest.

“I guess we’ll carry on the family tradition,” Young told Selectboard members.

‘Stories in Stone’ coming to New Salem Public Library

NEW SALEM — The New Salem Public Library will be the site of “Stories in Stone” from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The program, a metaphorical stroll through the history of the cemetery in the United States featuring descriptions of several movements and symbolism throughout time, will be presented by Ta Mara Conde, of Historic Gravestone Services.

Conde will share a few of her favorite stories, including some local ones. Preservation techniques and the importance of preserving gravestones will also be addressed.

The following week, the “KidsCraft” program at the library will consist of “Fall Leaf Fun” on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. In addition to the usual coloring and painting supplies, and other crafting materials, there will be pressed leaves and paper leaves.