MassVoter.com← Orleans Select BoardOrleans Select Board · 2026–2027 Board · Regular meeting
May 20, 2026
11 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Kevin Galligan, Mefford Runyon, Mark Mathison, Michael Herman, Mary Wright
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Nominate Mefford Runyon to be the Chair of the Select Board
To nominate Mefford Runyon to be the Chair of the Select Board
From the minutes
“Mr. Mathison moved to nominate Mefford Runyon to be the Chair of the Select Board. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Mathison, second: Herman)
Nominate Michael Herman to be the Vice Chair of the Select Board
To nominate Michael Herman to be the Vice Chair of the Select Board
From the minutes
“Mr. Mathison moved to nominate Michael Herman to be the Vice Chair of the Select Board. Mr. Galligan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Mathison, second: Galligan)
Nominate Mark Mathison to be the Clerk of the Select Board
To nominate Mark Mathison to be the Clerk of the Select Board
From the minutes
“Mr. Galligan moved to nominate Mark Mathison to be the Clerk of the Select Board. Mr. Runyon seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Galligan, second: Runyon)
Nominate Kevin Galligan as Park Commissioner Chair
To nominate Kevin Galligan as Park Commissioner Chair
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to nominate Kevin Galligan as Park Commissioner Chair. Mr. Mathison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Herman, second: Mathison)
Nominate Michael Herman to continue as a representative on the Community Preservation Committee
To nominate Michael Herman to continue as a representative on the Community Preservation Committee
From the minutes
“Mr. Mathison moved to nominate Michael Herman to continue as a representative on the Community Preservation Committee. Mr. Galligan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Mathison, second: Galligan)
Nominate Mary Wright to the position of Affordable Housing Trust representative from the Select Board
To nominate Mary Wright to the position of Affordable Housing Trust representative from the Select Board
From the minutes
“Mr. Galligan moved to nominate Mary Wright to the position of Affordable Housing Trust representative from the Select Board. Mr. Mathison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Galligan, second: Mathison)
Nominate Kevin Galligan as the Wastewater Management Advisory Committee representative
To nominate Kevin Galligan as the Wastewater Management Advisory Committee representative
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to nominate Kevin Galligan as the Wastewater Management Advisory Committee representative. Mr. Mathison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Herman, second: Mathison)
The Select Board, pursuant to MGL c. 30B, §15 and MGL c. 40, §3, hereby declare surplus all personal property acquired incidental to the Town's purchase of 72 Tonset Road after determining that...
That the Select Board, pursuant to MGL c. 30B, §15 and MGL c. 40, §3, hereby declare surplus all personal property acquired incidental to the Town's purchase of 72 Tonset Road after determining that such personal property was not needed for municipal purposes, and further authorize the Town Manager, as Chief Procurement Officer, to dispose of said surplus property in accordance with MGL c. 30B
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved that the Select Board, pursuant to MGL c. 30B, §15 and MGL c. 40, §3, hereby declare surplus all personal property acquired incidental to the Town's purchase of 72 Tonset Road after determining that such personal property was not needed for municipal purposes, and further authorize the Town Manager, as Chief Procurement Officer, to dispose of said surplus property in accordance with MGL c. 30B. Mr. Mathison seconded the motion. During discussion, a Board member requested an update on the status of the 72 Tonset Road property beyond the surplus declaration, including public access, kayak storage, parking, and future use planning. Staff reported that the property was included in the Town-wide facilities condition assessment currently underway, with a detailed property report expected shortly that would help inform future decisions regarding feasible uses and recommendations for the site. Staff also provided an update on seasonal public access : improvements, noting that kayak rack spaces had been installed and were available through the Town's permitting process, and that efforts were underway to improve pedestrian access to the water while balancing accessibility needs with environmental protections in the wetland area. Staff also stated that the permit-only parking area may be modestly expanded as part of ongoing site improvements. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Herman, second: Mathison)
Move to adopt the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Omnibus Policy with the inserted amendments, recognizing that it is subject to further update
To move to adopt the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Omnibus Policy with the inserted amendments, recognizing that it is subject to further update
From the minutes
“Mr. Galligan made the motion to move to adopt the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Omnibus Policy with the inserted amendments, recognizing that it is subject to further update. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. During discussion on the motion to adopt the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Omnibus Policy with the proposed amendments, a Board member expressed concern about voting on the full policy without adequate time to review the late revisions, particularly the provisions relating to fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide policies, which had been the subject of substantial prior discussion. The member indicated comfort with moving forward only on the time-sensitive recycling-related section, but not the full policy without additional review. Other members expressed support for adopting the full policy at this time with the understanding that it would return promptly for further review, revision, and possible amendment. Staff clarified that the substantive additional comments received regarding Section 11 had not yet been incorporated into the redlined draft and would be part of a future policy discussion, while the current revisions primarily reflected prior workshop discussions, structural edits, and corrections. To address concerns, the Board agreed that the full policy would be revisited at the June 3 meeting for additional review, clarification, and any necessary revisions. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Galligan, second: Herman)
Approve the Consent Agenda as presented
To approve the Consent Agenda as presented
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Mathison seconded the motion. Before acting on the consent agenda, a Board member asked whether any applicants associated with the listed license items were present either in person or remotely and might wish to speak. It was confirmed that no participants had indicated a desire to comment. Brief clarification was provided regarding several license items associated with upcoming First Friday events. A Board member also expressed appreciation for the service of a departing Veterans Committee member, noting his longstanding contribution to the committee. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Herman, second: Mathison)
Adjourn at 6:44pm
To adjourn at 6:44pm
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to adjourn at 6:44pm. Mr. Mathison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (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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