MassVoter.com← Orleans Select Board
Orleans Chair
Mefford Runyon
Elected townwide · 8 terms in this record
Meff Runyon
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2024–2025 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2024–2025 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Runyon as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole board” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
In the news
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Attendance
At the start of 29 of 30 Select Board meetings in 2024–2025 Board.
Missed
- Oct 2, 2024 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (30)
- May 7, 2025 · Regular: Present (Mefford Runyon left for part of the meeting ("Mr. Runyon left the room" ... "Mr. Runyon returned to the room").)
- Apr 30, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Apr 9, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Apr 2, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 26, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 24, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Mar 19, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 12, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 11, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Feb 26, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Feb 25, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Feb 5, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jan 22, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jan 8, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Dec 11, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Oct 23, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Oct 16, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Oct 2, 2024 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 17, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Sep 10, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Aug 21, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Aug 7, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jul 31, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jul 24, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jul 10, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jun 26, 2024 · Regular: Present (Mefford Runyon left for part of the meeting ("Mr. Runyon left the meeting" ... "Mr. Runyon returned to the meeting").)
- Jun 12, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jun 5, 2024 · Regular: Present
- May 28, 2024 · Special: Present
- May 22, 2024 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2024–2025 Board
May 7Approve the new annual Common Victualler license for Cap't…Motion: To approve the new annual Common Victualler license for Cap't Cass…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Runyon: Yes
May 7, 2025: Approve the new annual Common Victualler license for Cap't Cass Rock Harbor Inc., 117 Rock Harbor Road, subject to all permits, licenses, and approvals and in accordance with all local,…
To approve the new annual Common Victualler license for Cap't Cass Rock Harbor Inc., 117 Rock Harbor Road, subject to all permits, licenses, and approvals and in accordance with all local, state, and federal rules, regulations, bylaws and laws. Said license to expire on December 31, 2025, unless sooner revoked by the Select Board
Voted: Yes
The minutes say "Mr. Runyon voted to ..." for the motion; Mefford Runyon is shown as the mover.
From the minutes
“Mr. Runyon voted to approve the new annual Common Victualler license for Cap't Cass Rock Harbor Inc., 117 Rock Harbor Road, subject to all permits, licenses, and approvals and in accordance with all local, state, and federal rules, regulations, bylaws and laws. Said license to expire on December 31, 2025, unless sooner revoked by the Select Board. Ms. Reed seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried: 5-0-0..” (Motion: Runyon, second: Reed)
May 7Appoint Elizabeth Jenkins as the Barnstable County HOME Consortium…Motion: To appoint Elizabeth Jenkins as the Barnstable County HOME Consortium Council…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Runyon: Not recorded
May 7, 2025: Appoint Elizabeth Jenkins as the Barnstable County HOME Consortium Council representative for Orleans for a term of July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028
To appoint Elizabeth Jenkins as the Barnstable County HOME Consortium Council representative for Orleans for a term of July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028
Mefford Runyon stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Ms. Reed moved to appoint Elizabeth Jenkins as the Barnstable County HOME Consortium Council representative for Orleans for a term of July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried: 4-0-0..” (Motion: Reed, second: Herman)
May 7Include the new language in the MMB policy: any…Motion: To include the new language in the MMB policy: any terms…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Runyon: Yes
May 7, 2025: Include the new language in the MMB policy: any terms less than two years will not be counted as a full term
To include the new language in the MMB policy: any terms less than two years will not be counted as a full term. Terms over two years will be considered a full term and will count towards completion of a term limit. The Board shall, whenever possible, appoint members to full three year terms, based on assessment of current member term expirations, with the exception of the Affordable Housing Trust which will have a one year partial term
Voted: Yes
The minutes say "Ms. Reed voted to ..." for the motion; Andrea Reed is shown as the mover.
From the minutes
“Ms. Reed voted to include the new language in the MMB policy: any terms less than two years will not be counted as a full term. Terms over two years will be considered a full term and will count towards completion of a term limit. The Board shall, whenever possible, appoint members to full three year terms, based on assessment of current member term expirations, with the exception of the Affordable Housing Trust which will have a one year partial term. Mr. Galligan seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried: 5-0-0..” (Motion: Reed, second: Galligan)
Apr 9Support Phase III Lakes and Ponds Sewer Area Construction…Motion: To support Phase III Lakes and Ponds Sewer Area Construction for…Passed 4–0 · Runyon: Yes
April 9, 2025: Support Phase III Lakes and Ponds Sewer Area Construction for $40,500,000, Article 23, with language to accommodate the acquisition of easements
To support Phase III Lakes and Ponds Sewer Area Construction for $40,500,000, Article 23, with language to accommodate the acquisition of easements
Voted: Yes
Yes: Galligan, Herman, Mathison, RunyonAbstained: Reed
From the minutes
“Mr. Galligan moved to support Phase III Lakes and Ponds Sewer Area Construction for $40,500,000, Article 23, with language to accommodate the acquisition of easements. Mr. Runyon seconded the motion. Ms. Reed abstained from voting. Mr. Runyon, Mr. Galligan, Mr. Herman, and Mr. Mathison voted Aye. All voted Aye. Motion carried: 4-0-1..” (Motion: Galligan, second: Runyon)
Apr 9Support Article 24: CWRMP Connection Engineering Services to Phase…Motion: To support Article 24: CWRMP Connection Engineering Services to Phase IIPassed Unanimous, 4 present · Runyon: Yes
April 9, 2025: Support Article 24: CWRMP Connection Engineering Services to Phase II
To support Article 24: CWRMP Connection Engineering Services to Phase II
Voted: Yes
Kevin Galligan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Ms. Reed moved to support Article 24: CWRMP Connection Engineering Services to Phase II. Mr. Runyon seconded the motion. Mr. Galligan recused himself. Mr. Runyon, Mr. Herman, Ms. Reed, and Mr. Mathison voted Aye. All voted Aye. Motion carried: 4-0-1..” (Motion: Reed, second: Runyon)
Apr 9Place and recommend Article 25: Fund Underwater Quality Testing…Motion: To place and recommend Article 25: Fund Underwater Quality Testing at…Passed 5–0 · Runyon: Not recorded
April 9, 2025: Place and recommend Article 25: Fund Underwater Quality Testing at $122,500
To place and recommend Article 25: Fund Underwater Quality Testing at $122,500
The minutes say 5-0, but 4 members were present for this vote (Mark Mathison, Mefford Runyon, Andrea Reed and Michael Herman). Showing the count only. Kevin Galligan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to place and recommend Article 25: Fund Underwater Quality Testing at $122,500. Ms. Reed seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried: 5-0-0..” (Motion: Herman, second: Reed)
Apr 9Place and support Mill Pond Nitrogen Management Evaluation for…Motion: To place and support Mill Pond Nitrogen Management Evaluation for $125,000…Passed 4–0 · Runyon: Yes
April 9, 2025: Place and support Mill Pond Nitrogen Management Evaluation for $125,000 to be funded from the Wastewater Stabilization Fund
To place and support Mill Pond Nitrogen Management Evaluation for $125,000 to be funded from the Wastewater Stabilization Fund
Voted: Yes
Yes: Galligan, Herman, Reed, RunyonAbstained: Mathison
From the minutes
“Mr. Galligan moved to place and support Mill Pond Nitrogen Management Evaluation for $125,000 to be funded from the Wastewater Stabilization Fund. Mr. Runyon seconded the motion. Mr. Galligan, Mr. Runyon, Mr. Herman, and Ms. Reed voted Aye. Mr. Mathison abstained. Motion carried: 4-0-1..” (Motion: Galligan, second: Runyon)
Apr 9Place question five on the ballotMotion: To place question five on the ballotPassed Unanimous, 4 present · Runyon: Yes
April 9, 2025: Place question five on the ballot
To place question five on the ballot
Voted: Yes
Kevin Galligan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Ms. Reed moved to place question five on the ballot. Mr. Runyon seconded the motion. Mr. Galligan recused himself. Mr. Runyon, Mr. Herman, Ms. Reed, and Mr. Mathison voted Aye. Motion carried: 4- 0-1..” (Motion: Reed, second: Runyon)
Apr 9Place question six on the ballot for $989,627 contingent…Motion: To place question six on the ballot for $989,627 contingent on…Passed 5–0 · Runyon: Not recorded
April 9, 2025: Place question six on the ballot for $989,627 contingent on final review and writing by Town Counsel and Town Manager
To place question six on the ballot for $989,627 contingent on final review and writing by Town Counsel and Town Manager
The minutes say 5-0, but 4 members were present for this vote (Mark Mathison, Mefford Runyon, Andrea Reed and Michael Herman). Showing the count only. Kevin Galligan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Ms. Reed moved to place question six on the ballot for $989,627 contingent on final review and writing by Town Counsel and Town Manager. Mr. Runyon second the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried: 5-0-0..” (Motion: Reed, second: Runyon)
Mar 12Approve the Native Planting ResolutionMotion: To approve the Native Planting ResolutionPassed 4–1 · Runyon: Yes
March 12, 2025: Approve the Native Planting Resolution
To approve the Native Planting Resolution
Voted: Yes
Yes: Galligan, Herman, Mathison, RunyonNo: Reed
From the minutes
“motion by Mr. Galligan to approve the Native Planting Resolution. Mr. Runyon, Mr. Galligan, Mr. Herman and Mr. Mathison voted Aye. Ms. Reed vote No. Motion carried: 4-1-0..” (Motion: Galligan)
Votes with no disagreement (272)
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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