MassVoter.com← OrleansMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Board
Orleans Select Board
How the Orleans Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Mary Wright joined the board after the May 19, 2026 town election; Andrea Reed did not run again. On May 20, 2026 the board chose Mefford Runyon as Chair, Michael Herman as Vice Chair and Mark Mathison as Clerk (each “passed unanimously”). Covers 9 meetings so far, May 20 to July 15, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetVote Transparency Score
Orleans Select Board: 6 out of 10 · Partly open
How easy Orleans makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 4, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for only about half of meetings.Part points: 1/2
- Each vote namedSplit votes name how each member voted.Full points: 3/3
- Posted quicklyMeetings more than three months old still have no minutes.No points: 0/2
- Past years onlineSelect Board minutes from 2020 to today are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe minutes have a text layer you can search, though it is rough.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe town’s website does not show the members’ photos.No points: 0/1
How the town can raise its score
- Minutes posted (+1): Post approved minutes for every meeting on the town website. Don’t require a sign-in to view them.
- Posted quickly (+2): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
- Member photos (+1): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the town made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Board years
Coming up
No upcoming meeting is posted yet. Check the official calendar →
Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
What Town Meeting decided
In Orleans, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.
Annual Town Meeting · May 11, 2026 40 votes: 36 passed, 1 passed as amended, 2 indefinitely postponed, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Accept the annual reports of the Select Board, town officers and committees (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 2 Fix elected officials' salaries and appropriate $16,250 for FY27 (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 3 Authorize the Select Board to accept state/county road and bikeway funds (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 4 Assume liability for state waterways work under Ch. 91 (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 5 Authorize sale of surplus equipment and acceptance of gifts (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 6 Set departmental revolving fund spending limits (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 7 Reauthorize municipal property rental revolving accounts (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 8 Appropriate $450,000 for the OPEB (retiree benefits) liability trust fund (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 9 Transfer $217,228 from the water quality drainage stabilization fund for stormwater work (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 10 Transfer $434,477 from the pavement management stabilization fund for roads (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 11 Transfer $35,000 to the water service connection account (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 12 Amend personnel bylaw Ch. 40 pay plans for part-time, seasonal, reserve police and on-call fire staff (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 13 Create an electric vehicle charging station revolving fund, FY27 limit $25,000 (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 14 Transfer $124,139 from free cash to the elementary school special education stabilization fund (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 15 Adopt the 2025 Orleans Comprehensive Plan Passed “Voice voted, motion passes with the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 16 Acquire about 0.48 acres of 48 Eldredge Park Way for the Fire-Rescue station; $600,000 Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary 2/3 majority required”
- Art. 17 Appropriate/borrow up to $55,000,000 to build a new Fire-Rescue station (subject to a debt exclusion) Passed “motion on the main motion passes by the necessary 2/3 majority required · 365 in favor to 154 opposed”
- Art. 18 Transfer $13,441.66 from free cash to pay prior-year bills Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary 4/5 vote”
- Art. 19 FY27 operating budget, total $56,598,164; amended to move $26,000 from Select Board programs to Assessing Passed as amended “Voice voted, Article 19 as amended passes by the necessary simple majority”
- Art. 20 FY27 Beaches Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority”
- Art. 21 FY27 Sewer Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary majority required”
- Art. 22 FY27 Transfer Station Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 23 Adopt the FY27–FY31 Capital Improvements Plan Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 24 · motion 1 FY27 capital: $740,700 from free cash and $611,900 raised for projects A–H Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority”
- Art. 24 · motion 2 FY27 capital: $950,000 from free cash and $203,100 raised for projects I–M Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 24 · motion 3 FY27 capital: $115,000 from the Water Special Revenue Fund for water tank rehab Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 24 · motion 4 FY27 capital: $477,000 from Beaches and $60,000 from Transfer Station retained earnings Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 24 · motion 5 FY27 capital: $480,000 from the Ambulance Reserve Fund to replace an ambulance Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 24 · motion 6 FY27 capital: $130,000 from free cash and $80,000 from water funds for projects T–W Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary 3/4 majority required”
- Art. 25 Appropriate/borrow $2,700,000 for wastewater plan administration and Phase 4 design (subject to a debt exclusion) Passed “main motion passes by the necessary 2/3 majority required · 344 in favor to 48 opposed”
- Art. 26 Appropriate/borrow $2,500,000 for added Phase 3 Lakes and Ponds sewer construction costs Indefinitely postponed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 27 Transfer $42,728 from water funds to clean and rehabilitate Well #7 Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 28 FY27 Community Preservation budget: transfer $2,018,426.25 from the Community Preservation Fund Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 29 Buy a conservation restriction on 32 Locust Road for $175,000 Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 30 Transfer $125,000 from free cash to the Conservation Fund Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 31 Transfer $215,000 from free cash for water quality monitoring, Cedar Pond and Baker Pond Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 32 Transfer $45,000 from free cash for a Mill Pond aquaculture water quality project Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 33 Create stabilization funds for affordable housing (75%) and infrastructure (25%) from short-term rental fees Passed “Voice voted, passes by the necessary 2/3 majority”
- Art. 34 Citizen petition: resolution on a long-range capital plan and a nominal residential exemption No action “determined to be out of order. No vote taken.”
- Art. 35 Citizen petition: add and fund a COA assistant director position (up to $100,000) Indefinitely postponed “Voice voted, motion passes by necessary simple majority required”
Source: Town Clerk's "Doings" of the May 11, 2026 Annual Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · November 17, 2025 11 votes: 9 passed, 1 failed, 1 indefinitely postponed
- Art. 1 Repeal and replace zoning bylaw Ch. 164 with a reorganized version with technical updates Passed “motion passes by the necessary 2/3 majority · 516 in favor to 27 opposed”
- Art. 2 Create the Downtown Housing Overlay District (zoning and zoning map) Passed “motion passes by the necessary simple majority. · 345 in favor to 246 opposed”
- Art. 3 Replace the Stretch Energy Code bylaw with the Specialized Energy Code Failed “Motion fails to meet the simple majority required. · 245 in favor to 304 opposed”
- Art. 4 Accept Ch. 59 §5O for a property tax exemption for affordable year-round rentals Passed “motion passes by the necessary simple majority required · 382 in favor to 107”
- Art. 5 Accept Ch. 64G §3D: 3% community impact fee on professionally managed short-term rentals Passed “motion passes by the necessary simple majority · 215 in favor to 113 opposed”
- Art. 6 Create stabilization funds for affordable housing (75%) and infrastructure (25%) from short-term rental fees Passed “Voice vote, motion passes by the simple majority required”
- Art. 7 Establish a Capital Improvement Fund Indefinitely postponed “Voice voted, motion passes by the necessary simple majority required”
- Art. 8 Acquire 56 Eldredge Park Way for a Fire-Rescue station; transfer $1,350,000 from stabilization Passed “motion passes by the required 2/3 majority · 380 in favor to 8 opposed”
- Art. 9 Appropriate/borrow $3,000,000 in Community Preservation funds for the Eldredge Park renovation Passed “motion passes by the necessary 3/4 majority · 423 in favor to 39 opposed”
- Art. 10 Transfer $150,000 from wastewater stabilization for wastewater engineering support Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the simple majority required”
- Art. 11 FY26 budget adjustment: raise $95,000 for reclassifications/reserve for negotiations Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the simple majority required”
Source: Town Clerk's "Doings" of the November 17, 2025 Special Town Meeting.
Annual Town Meeting · May 12, 2025 35 votes: 33 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 advisory
- Art. 1 Accept the annual reports of the Select Board, town officers and committees (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 2 Fix elected officials' salaries and appropriate $16,250 for FY26 (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 3 Authorize the Select Board to accept state/county road and bikeway funds (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 4 Assume liability for state waterways work under Ch. 91 (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 5 Authorize sale of surplus equipment and acceptance of gifts (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 6 Set departmental revolving fund spending limits (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 7 Reauthorize municipal property rental revolving accounts (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 8 Appropriate $450,000 for the OPEB (retiree benefits) liability trust fund (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 9 Transfer $211,930 from the water quality drainage stabilization fund for stormwater work (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 10 Transfer $423,880 from the pavement management stabilization fund for roads (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 11 Transfer $35,000 to the water service connection account (consent calendar) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 12 Appropriate/borrow $4,500,000 to design a new Fire-Rescue station (subject to a debt exclusion) Passed “motion passes by the necessary 2/3 majority”
- Art. 13 Transfer $29,760.11 to pay prior-year bills Passed “motion passes by the necessary 4/5 majority · 461 in favor to 11 opposed”
- Art. 14 FY26 operating budget, total appropriation $53,618,892 ($989,627 contingent on an override) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 15 FY26 Beaches Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 16 FY26 Sewer Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 17 FY26 Transfer Station Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 18 Adopt the FY27–FY31 Capital Improvements Plan, amended to move $41.7M Snow Library project from FY27 to FY28 Passed as amended “Voice voted, passes by the simple majority required”
- Art. 19 FY26 capital budget: $2,388,100 from free cash, tax levy and other funds (Item F, Main Street, removed) Passed “motion passes by the required ¾ majority · 370 to 41 opposed”
- Art. 20 Appropriate/borrow $5,000,000 for town solar projects at three sites (subject to a debt exclusion) Passed “motion passes by the required ¾ majority · 372 in favor to 72 opposed”
- Art. 21 Appropriate/borrow $1,600,000 to replace the Town Cove bulkhead (subject to a debt exclusion) Passed “motion passes by the required 2/3 majority · 403 in favor to 11 opposed”
- Art. 22 FY26 Community Preservation budget: transfer $1,363,232 from the Community Preservation Fund Passed “Voice vote, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 23 Appropriate/borrow $40,500,000 to build the Lakes and Ponds sewer system (subject to a debt exclusion) Passed “motion passes by the required 2/3 majority · 343 in favor to 34 opposed”
- Art. 24 Appropriate/borrow $600,000 for Phase II Meetinghouse Pond sewer connection engineering Passed “motion passes by required 2/3 majority · 303 in favor to 46 opposed”
- Art. 25 Transfer $122,500 from free cash for water quality testing and a Boland Pond plan Passed “motion passes by the necessary ¾ majority · 309 in favor to 23 opposed”
- Art. 26 Transfer $125,000 for a Mill Pond nitrogen management evaluation Passed “article passes by the required ¾ majority · 305 in favor to 24 opposed”
- Art. 27 Amend marijuana zoning to allow retail cannabis courier services Passed “motion passes by the necessary 2/3 majority · 215 to 90 opposed”
- Art. 28 Amend Affordable Housing Trust bylaw Ch. 104 to cover incomes up to 120% of area median Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 29 Amend demolition bylaw Ch. 106 to remove appeals to the Select Board Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 30 Amend personnel bylaw Ch. 40 (pay plans, leave, insurance and reimbursement sections) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the simple majority required”
- Art. 31 Accept Ch. 59 §5 Cl. 22I to double the disabled veteran property tax exemption Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the simple majority required”
- Art. 32 Accept the Seasonal Community designation (Ch. 23B §32) Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 33 Create a Nauset Regional Schools special education stabilization fund Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the simple majority required”
- Art. 34 Grant Eversource a utility easement at 10 Old Colony Way Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the simple majority required”
- Art. 35 Citizen petition: move $19,270 to the assessors to prepare for a residential exemption (non-binding) Advisory “motion passes by the simple majority · 153 in favor, 88 opposed”
Source: Town Clerk's "Doings" of the May 12, 2025 Annual Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · October 28, 2024 23 votes: 21 passed, 2 failed
- Art. 1 Amend marijuana zoning (§164-40.4 and use table) for marijuana couriers Failed “motion fails · 190 in favor to 165 opposed”
- Art. 2 Revoke the opioid stabilization fund and move settlement funds to a special revenue fund Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by simple majority required”
- Art. 3 End the Moorings enterprise fund starting FY26 Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by simple majority required”
- Art. 4 End the Rock Harbor Boat Basin enterprise fund starting FY26 Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by simple majority required”
- Art. 5 Approve a boundary line agreement for the town landing next to 13 Old Colony Road Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by simple majority required”
- Art. 6 Amend the May 2024 Eli Rogers Road conservation restriction vote on who holds the restriction Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the required simple majority”
- Art. 7 Transfer $16,982.60 from free cash to pay prior-year bills Passed “motion passed by the required 9/10 majority · 424 in favor to 13 opposed”
- Art. 8 Transfer $200,000 for the wastewater management program Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by required simple majority”
- Art. 9 Transfer $100,000 to develop pickleball courts Passed “motion passes by the required simple majority · 299 in favor to 173 opposed”
- Art. 10 Transfer $850,000 for recreation facilities at the Nauset Regional Middle School site Passed “motion passes by the required simple majority · 431 in favor to 54 opposed”
- Art. 11 Acquire land at 72 Tonset Road for general municipal purposes Passed “motion passes by the required ¾ majority · 374 in favor to 104 opposed”
- Art. 12 Transfer $100,000 for climate, sustainability and environmental action Passed “motion passes by the required simple majority · 257 in favor to 138 opposed”
- Art. 13 Transfer $148,000 for HVAC improvements at the water treatment facility Passed “Voice Voted, passes by the required simple majority”
- Art. 14 Transfer $86,000 to the special education stabilization fund Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 15 Transfer $85,000 to the Conservation Fund Passed “Voice voted, motion passes by the required simple majority”
- Art. 16 Transfer $265,000 to replace ambulance cardiac monitors/defibrillators Passed “Voice voted, motion passes unanimously”
- Art. 17 Transfer $150,000 for succession planning, recruitment, retention and reorganization costs Passed “Voice Voted, passes by the simple majority required”
- Art. 18 Appropriate $10,000 in Community Preservation funds for an East Orleans historic district facilitator Failed “motion fails · 114 in favor to 236 opposed”
- Art. 19 Appropriate $11,000 in Community Preservation funds to restore the NW School House Passed “Voice Voted, passes unanimously”
- Art. 20 Transfer $500,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Passed “Voice Voted, passes by the required simple majority”
- Art. 21 Raise and appropriate $500,000 for housing initiatives Passed “motion passes by the required simple majority · 215 in favor to 109 opposed”
- Art. 22 Transfer $55,000 for a Boland Pond management plan Passed “Voice Voted, passes by the required simple majority”
- Art. 23 FY25 budget adjustments: raise $130,000 and transfer $22,948 within Building Department lines Passed “Voice Voted, passes unanimously”
Source: Town Clerk's "Doings" of the October 28, 2024 Special Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · May 13, 2024 3 votes: 1 passed, 2 indefinitely postponed
- Art. 1 Transfer $461,070 from free cash to the general stabilization account Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 2 Transfer $50,000 from free cash for a regional elementary school efficiency study Indefinitely postponed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 3 Transfer funds to supplement FY24 department budgets Indefinitely postponed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
Source: Town Clerk's "Doings" of the May 13, 2024 Annual and Special Town Meetings.
Annual Town Meeting · May 13, 2024 49 votes: 48 passed, 1 failed
- Art. 1 Accept the annual reports of the Select Board, town officers and committees (consent calendar) Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 2 Fix elected officials' salaries and appropriate $16,100 for FY25 (consent calendar) Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 3 Authorize the Select Board to accept state/county road and bikeway funds (consent calendar) Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 4 Assume liability for state waterways work under Ch. 91 (consent calendar) Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 5 Authorize sale of surplus equipment and acceptance of gifts (consent calendar) Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 6 Set FY25 departmental revolving fund spending limits (consent calendar) Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 7 Reauthorize municipal property rental revolving accounts (consent calendar) Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 8 FY25 Beaches Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 9 FY25 Moorings Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 10 FY25 Rock Harbor Boat Basin Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 11 FY25 Sewer Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 12 FY25 Transfer Station Enterprise Fund budget Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 13 FY25 town and school operating budget, total appropriation $51,075,095 (Department 310 line reduced to zero) Passed “motion passes by the necessary majority · 422 in favor to 155 opposed”
- Art. 14 Adopt the FY26–FY30 Capital Improvements Plan Passed “motion carries by the necessary majority · 420 in favor to 187 opposed”
- Art. 15 FY25 Community Preservation budget: transfer $1,379,170 from the Community Preservation Fund Passed “motion passes by the necessary majority · 536 in favor to 72 opposed”
- Art. 16 Buy a conservation restriction on Eli Rogers Road land for $200,000 from Community Preservation funds Passed “motion carries by the necessary majority · 510 in favor to 97 opposed”
- Art. 17 Appropriate/borrow $9,000,000 for Rock Harbor commercial wharf improvements (subject to a debt exclusion) Passed “motion carries by the necessary majority · 575 in favor to 24 opposed”
- Art. 18 Appropriate/borrow $1,200,000 for final design of the Lakes and Ponds area sewer system (subject to a debt exclusion) Passed “motion carries by the necessary majority · 520 in favor to 40 opposed”
- Art. 19 Expand the Phase II Meetinghouse Pond sewer project to 28 more properties Passed “motion carries by the necessary majority · 512 in favor to 37 opposed”
- Art. 20 Put $206,759 into and spend it from the water quality drainage improvements stabilization fund Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 21 Put $413,543 into and spend it from the pavement management stabilization fund Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 22 Put $400,000 into and spend it from the building and facility maintenance stabilization fund Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 23 Put $1,279,813 into and spend it from the vehicle and equipment stabilization fund Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 24 Transfer $30,000 to the water service connection account Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 25 Appropriate $450,000 for the OPEB (retiree benefits) liability trust fund Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 26 Appropriate $512,500 for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Failed “motion fails · 166 in favor to 341 opposed”
- Art. 27 Appropriate $43,023 for Habitat Conservation Plan permit costs Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 28 Appropriate $261,074 for water quality testing Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 29 Appropriate $75,000 for an alum treatment of Crystal Lake Passed “Voice vote, motion carries by the required majority”
- Art. 30 Transfer $30,000 to update the Conservation, Recreation and Open Space Plan Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 31 Apply for a state library construction grant and transfer $150,000 for library planning/design if approved Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 32 Appropriate $150,000 for a municipal campus feasibility study at 46 and 58 Eldredge Park Way Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 33 Transfer $85,000 for a Village Center to Nauset Beach multi-use path feasibility study Passed “motion passes by the necessary majority · 332 in favor to 69 opposed”
- Art. 34 Appropriate $80,000 for a Skaket Beach management plan Passed “Voice vote, motion passes by the necessary majority”
- Art. 35 Transfer $240,000 for economic and community development initiatives Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 36 Appropriate $70,000 to redesign the Depot Square property Passed “Voice vote, motion carries by the necessary majority”
- Art. 37 Direct the Select Board to set parameters for the Orleans Early Education and Care program Passed “motion carries by the necessary majority · 210 in favor to 73 opposed”
- Art. 38 Amend bylaw Ch. 82 to create a Recreation Department revolving fund Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 39 Amend general bylaw Ch. 62 on alarm system requirements Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 40 Amend personnel bylaw Ch. 40: 3.5% FY25 cost-of-living raise for non-union employees Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 41 Amend sewer betterment payment bylaw Ch. 6 Passed “Voice vote, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 42 Resolution supporting the real estate transfer fee and seasonal designation in the Affordable Homes Act Passed “motion passes by the necessary majority · 150 in favor to 126 opposed”
- Art. 43 Amend zoning use table §164-13 for apartment uses by district Passed “Voice vote, motion carries by the necessary majority”
- Art. 44 Amend zoning §164-22 on dwellings on sewered lots in business and village center districts Passed “motion carries by the necessary majority · 222 in favor to 32 opposed”
- Art. 45 Amend zoning §164-31 so apartment rentals are for at least 30 days Passed “motion passes by the necessary majority · 224 in favor to 23 opposed”
- Art. 46 Amend zoning §164-32 to allow up to four dwellings in or accessory to commercial structures Passed “motion carries by the necessary majority · 233 in favor to 21 opposed”
- Art. 47 Amend zoning §164-34 off-street parking requirements Passed “Voice voted, motion carries unanimously”
- Art. 48 Amend zoning §164-40 accessory and congregate dwelling rules Passed “Voice voted, motion carries by the necessary majority”
- Art. 49 Citizen petition: require Town Meeting approval of new wetlands regulations (bylaw §160-11) Passed “motion carries by the required majority · 128 in favor to 98 opposed”
Source: Town Clerk's "Doings" of the May 13, 2024 Annual and Special Town Meetings.
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
Members
ChairMefford RunyonChair · Elected townwide · at 9 of 9 meetings
Vice-ChairMichael HermanVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 9 of 9 meetings
Kevin GalliganMember · Elected townwide · at 8 of 9 meetings
Mark MathisonClerk · Elected townwide · at 5 of 9 meetings
Mary WrightMember · Elected townwide · at 9 of 9 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
34 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Michael Herman33 of 34 meetings97%2Mefford Runyon31 of 34 meetings91%3Kevin Galligan30 of 34 meetings88%3Andrea Reed30 of 34 meetings88%5Mark Mathison29 of 34 meetings85%33 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Michael Herman33 of 33 meetings Every meeting100%1Andrea Reed33 of 33 meetings Every meeting100%3Mefford Runyon32 of 33 meetings97%4Kevin Galligan30 of 33 meetings91%5Mark Mathison29 of 33 meetings88%34 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Michael Herman34 of 34 meetings Every meeting100%1Andrea Reed34 of 34 meetings Every meeting100%3Kevin Galligan33 of 34 meetings97%3Mark Mathison33 of 34 meetings97%5Mefford Runyon32 of 34 meetings94%50 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Kevin Galligan50 of 50 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael Herman50 of 50 meetings Every meeting100%1Andrea Reed50 of 50 meetings Every meeting100%4Mefford Runyon48 of 50 meetings96%5Mark Mathison47 of 50 meetings94%51 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Andrea Reed51 of 51 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael Herman6 of 6 meetings · served from Nov Every meeting100%3Mark Mathison50 of 51 meetings98%3Mefford Runyon50 of 51 meetings98%5Cecil Newcomb30 of 31 meetings · served until Jun97%6Kevin Galligan49 of 51 meetings96%54 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Kevin Galligan53 of 54 meetings98%2Mark Mathison52 of 54 meetings96%3Mefford Runyon50 of 54 meetings93%4Cecil Newcomb49 of 54 meetings91%5Andrea Reed25 of 28 meetings · served from Jun89%6David Currier23 of 26 meetings · served until Jun88%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent. Not shown: 2026, because too many of that year’s meetings are missing from the posted minutes.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Select Board minutes (called the Board of Selectmen until mid-2020) from January 8, 2020 through July 15, 2026, from the town’s online Agenda Center, which starts in January 2020. Orleans has no Select Board minutes online from before 2020 (not in the Agenda Center, the Document Center or the Archive Center), so 2018 and 2019 are not here; MassVoter will ask the Town Clerk for them. Also not here: minutes the town has not posted. 76 meeting dates since January 2020 have an agenda but no minutes, including most of the board’s meetings from September 2025 to May 2026 (September 10 and 24, October 2, November 12, 17 and 19, 2025; January 14, 21 and 28, February 4, 11 and 24, March 4, 18 and 25, April 1 and 29, and May 11, 2026), the May 17, 2023 reorganization meeting, and every meeting after July 15, 2026. Joint meetings are included, but only the Select Board’s own votes (not those of the Affordable Housing Trust, Finance Committee, Board of Health, school committees or Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners). Fifteen of the posted files are marked “Draft”; the March 2, 2022 minutes are posted as a Word file. Most of Orleans’s minutes are scanned copies; MassVoter read them with text-recognition software and checked doubtful votes against the page images. Orleans’s minutes give the mover and seconder for each motion. Until 2021 they usually say “approved 5-0-0” or “The vote was 5-0-0 with Mr. Mathison, Mr. Galligan, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Currier & Mr. Newcomb all voting aye by roll call”; since 2022 most votes read “All voted Aye. Motion carried: 5-0-0”, and when members split the minutes name who voted which way (“Ms. Reed vote No”). Since mid-2025 many votes are roll calls (“Ms. Shaw Reed - AYE; Mr. Herman - AYE”). When the minutes say all voted aye or give a count that matches the members present, we show every member present as voting yes; when they name the members who voted no or abstained, everyone else present as voting yes. Where the minutes give only a split count without names, list fewer (or more) members than were present, name a member twice, or give a count that does not match the members present, we show the count only and add a note. Votes with no count and no names (“the motion carried”) are shown with the result only. Motions with no vote written down are not shown. Members who stepped aside (recused) or had left are left out of that vote. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Jul 15Approve the pending motion on the financial policy recommendations…Motion: (the minutes say the motion was "not on the recording")Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
July 15, 2026 (Work Session meeting): Approve the pending motion on the financial policy recommendations (motion wording not recorded)
(the minutes say the motion was "not on the recording")
The minutes say "The recorded discussion concluded with a vote on the pending (not on the recording) motion, which was approved by unanimous voice vote." The work session reviewed financial policy recommendations; policies E8 and E9 were held. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“The recorded discussion concluded with a vote on the pending (not on the recording) motion, which was approved by unanimous voice vote..”
Jul 15Affirm the Affordable Housing Trust's declaration that 22 Old…Motion: To affirm the Affordable Housing Trust's declaration that 22 Old Tote…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Mathison
July 15, 2026: Affirm the Affordable Housing Trust's declaration that 22 Old Tote Road is available for disposition and to authorize staff to submit the required notice to the Central Register for publication
To affirm the Affordable Housing Trust's declaration that 22 Old Tote Road is available for disposition and to authorize staff to submit the required notice to the Central Register for publication
Yes: Galligan, Herman, Runyon, WrightAbstained: Mathison
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Herman made the motion to affirm the Affordable Housing Trust's declaration that 22 Old Tote Road is available for disposition and to authorize staff to submit the required notice to the Central Register for publication. Ms. Wright seconded the motion. Discussion: In response to a question regarding the project schedule, Ms. Jenkins reported that the project remained on track and that the parties were awaiting the purchase and sale agreement from legal counsel. She stated that Housing Assistance Corporation was prepared to move forward, a walkthrough of the property had been completed, and the deed restrictions and regulatory agreements had been finalized, including one of the Cape's first affordable housing deed restrictions at 120% Area Median Income. She indicated that the project was ready to proceed once the purchase and sale agreement was completed. Vote: The Board voted 4-0-1, with Mr. Mathison abstaining..” (Motion: Herman, second: Wright)
Jul 1Reappoint Rich Levy to the Marine and Freshwater Quality…Motion: To reappoint Rich Levy to the Marine and Freshwater Quality Committee…Passed 3–2 · No: Herman, Mathison
July 1, 2026: Reappoint Rich Levy to the Marine and Freshwater Quality Committee for a one- year term, with the appointment to expire on June 30, 2027
To reappoint Rich Levy to the Marine and Freshwater Quality Committee for a one- year term, with the appointment to expire on June 30, 2027
Yes: Galligan, Runyon, WrightNo: Herman, Mathison
From the minutes
“Ms. Wright moved to reappoint Rich Levy to the Marine and Freshwater Quality Committee for a one- year term, with the appointment to expire on June 30, 2027. Mr. Galligan seconded the motion. The motion passed, 3-2-0. Mr. Runyon - AYE; Ms. Wright - AYE; Mr. Galligan - AYE; Mr. Herman - NAY; Mr. Mathison - NAY..” (Motion: Wright, second: Galligan)
Jul 1Reappoint Sharon Basso and Tracy Murphy as regular members…Motion: To reappoint Sharon Basso and Tracy Murphy as regular members of…Passed 4–1 · No: Mathison
July 1, 2026: Reappoint Sharon Basso and Tracy Murphy as regular members of the Recreation Advisory Committee for one-year terms, with their appointments to expire on June 30, 2027
To reappoint Sharon Basso and Tracy Murphy as regular members of the Recreation Advisory Committee for one-year terms, with their appointments to expire on June 30, 2027
Yes: Galligan, Herman, Runyon, WrightNo: Mathison
From the minutes
“Mr. Galligan moved to reappoint Sharon Basso and Tracy Murphy as regular members of the Recreation Advisory Committee for one-year terms, with their appointments to expire on June 30, 2027. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Discussion: During discussion, Board members noted that two Recreation Advisory Committee members had reached their term limits while two other reappointments remained on the Consent Agenda because they had not reached their term limits. It was further noted that the Recreation Advisory Committee is actively involved in the ongoing Eldredge Park recreation project, and that the proposed one-year extensions were intended to provide continuity ) during the implementation of that multi-million-dollar capital project. Board members distinguished the request as an exception based on the project's significance rather than on the individuals themselves. The motion passed, 4-1-0. Mr. Runyon - AYE; Ms. Wright - AYE; Mr. Galligan - AYE; Mr. Herman - AYE; Mr. Mathison - NAY..” (Motion: Galligan, second: Herman)
Jun 3Support the Conservation Restriction for 32 Locust Road proposed…Motion: To support the Conservation Restriction for 32 Locust Road proposed by…Passed 4–1 · No: Mathison
June 3, 2026: Support the Conservation Restriction for 32 Locust Road proposed by the Orleans Conservation Trust and that the Select Board finds that the 3.78 acre restriction is in the public interest…
To support the Conservation Restriction for 32 Locust Road proposed by the Orleans Conservation Trust and that the Select Board finds that the 3.78 acre restriction is in the public interest of the Town
Yes: Galligan, Herman, Runyon, WrightNo: Mathison
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to support the Conservation Restriction for 32 Locust Road proposed by the Orleans Conservation Trust and that the Select Board finds that the 3.78 acre restriction is in the public interest of the Town. Ms. Wright seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Herman stated that he hoped future discussions regarding similar matters would occur earlier in the process so that expectations and potential issues could be addressed before time constraints became a factor. He expressed concern about being placed in a position where a decision must be made under a deadline and thanked the parties for the discussion. Vote: Motion passed, 4-1-0. Ms. Wright, Mr. Herman, Mr. Galligan, and Mr. Runyon AYE; Mr. Mathison NAY..” (Motion: Herman, second: Wright)
Jun 3Adopt the proposed guidelines of the Affordable Housing Property…Motion: To adopt the proposed guidelines of the Affordable Housing Property Tax…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Wright
June 3, 2026: Adopt the proposed guidelines of the Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption Program as presented for the implementation of FY27
To adopt the proposed guidelines of the Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption Program as presented for the implementation of FY27
Yes: Herman, Mathison, RunyonAbstained: WrightThe minutes say "Motion passed, 3-0-1-1, with one abstention. Mr. Runyon - AYE; Mr. Mathison - AYE; Mr. Herman - AYE; Ms. Wright abstained. Mr. Galligan had recused himself from the matter." Kevin Galligan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to adopt the proposed guidelines of the Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption Program as presented for the implementation of FY27. Mr. Mathison seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Herman requested that the guidelines include an annual review of the program parameters so the Board can evaluate participation, track implementation, and consider any needed adjustments. Staff indicated that language could be added to include an annual review requirement.. Motion passed, 3-0-1-1, with one abstention. Mr. Runyon - AYE; Mr. Mathison - AYE; Mr. Herman - AYE; Ms. Wright abstained..” (Motion: Herman, second: Mathison)
From the Orleans Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: The Cape Cod Chronicle.
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