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 · 2025–2026 Board
On split votes, Runyon voted the same way as…
- Kevin Galligan71% (5 of 7)
- Andrea Reed71% (5 of 7)
- Mark Mathison29% (2 of 7)
- Michael Herman14% (1 of 7)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2025–2026 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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Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 20 of 23 Select Board meetings in 2025–2026 Board.
Missed
- Oct 22, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 15, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 8, 2025 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (23)
- May 6, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 6, 2026 · Work Session: Present
- Apr 15, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Dec 17, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Dec 3, 2025 · Work Session: Present
- Nov 5, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Oct 22, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 15, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 8, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 1, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Aug 20, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Aug 13, 2025 · Work Session: Present
- Aug 13, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Aug 6, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Aug 6, 2025 · Work Session: Present
- Jul 30, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jul 9, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jun 30, 2025 · Work Session: Present
- Jun 25, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jun 18, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jun 4, 2025 · Regular: Present
- May 27, 2025 · Regular: Present
- May 21, 2025 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2025–2026 Board
May 6Support the recommendation of the Fire Rescue Station Building…Motion: To support the recommendation of the Fire Rescue Station Building Committee…Passed 4–1 · Runyon: Yes
May 6, 2026: Support the recommendation of the Fire Rescue Station Building Committee to demolish the existing fire station in alignment with the current site plan designs produced by Ted Galante Architectural...
To support the recommendation of the Fire Rescue Station Building Committee to demolish the existing fire station in alignment with the current site plan designs produced by Ted Galante Architectural Studio
Voted: Yes
Yes: Galligan, Mathison, Reed, RunyonNo: Herman
From the minutes
“Ms. Shaw Reed moved to support the recommendation of the Fire Rescue Station Building Committee to demolish the existing fire station in alignment with the current site plan designs produced by Ted Galante Architectural Studio. Mr. Runyon seconded the motion. Mr. Runyon stated that he had initially favored preserving the building earlier in the process, but that additional design work and analysis had changed his view and led him to conclude that demolition was necessary. Ms. Shaw Reed stated that she had also initially supported preserving and reusing the building, but that the structure did not meet current expectations for public health, safety, energy performance, or community use and referenced long- term concerns associated with retaining the building. Additional discussion addressed prior Fire Rescue Station Building Committee deliberations, costs associated with preserving the structure, revised site planning, land acquisition impacts, and operational efficiencies associated with removing the building after construction of the new facility. Ted Galante stated that retaining the existing building would require a return to a three-story building design, which would substantially alter both the financial aspects of the project and the design work completed to date. Rick Pomroy stated that demolition would improve operational efficiency by allowing all apparatus bays to remain on a single level within the new two-story building and explained that final removal and regrading of the site would provide improved access to the new building. Nick Athanassiou stated that controlling project costs remained critical and expressed support for demolition in order to maintain financial prudence and support approval of the fire station project. He stated that additional projects remained ahead for the Town and that residents were concerned about costs. Chair Galligan called for the vote on the motion. The motion passed 4-1-0, with Mr. Herman opposed..” (Motion: Reed, second: Runyon)
Oct 22The Select Board approve the amended Purchase and Sale…Motion: that the Select Board approve the amended Purchase and Sale Agreement…Passed 3–0 · Runyon: Not recorded
October 22, 2025: The Select Board approve the amended Purchase and Sale Agreement with a new closing date of December 31, 2025
That the Select Board approve the amended Purchase and Sale Agreement with a new closing date of December 31, 2025
Yes: Galligan, Herman, ReedAbstained: Mathison
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved that the Select Board approve the amended Purchase and Sale Agreement with a new closing date of December 31, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Shaw Reed. Mr. Mathison abstained. Motion passed. 3-0-1..” (Motion: Herman, second: Reed)
Oct 15Place and support the Acceptance of Local Option (MGL…Motion: To place and support the Acceptance of Local Option (MGL Ch…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Runyon: Not recorded
October 15, 2025: Place and support the Acceptance of Local Option (MGL Ch 59 Sec.5 O) for Affordable Housing Tax Exemption for Year-Round Rental Properties
To place and support the Acceptance of Local Option (MGL Ch 59 Sec.5 O) for Affordable Housing Tax Exemption for Year-Round Rental Properties
Kevin Galligan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Ms. Reed moved to place and support the Acceptance of Local Option (MGL Ch 59 Sec.5 O) for Affordable Housing Tax Exemption for Year-Round Rental Properties. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried: 3-0-0..” (Motion: Reed, second: Herman)
Oct 1Approve a one-day all-alcohol license for the Friends of…Motion: To approve one-day all-alcohol license for the Friends of Nauset Beach,…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Runyon: Yes
October 1, 2025: Approve a one-day all-alcohol license for the Friends of Nauset Beach (Saturday, October 11, 2025)
To approve one-day all-alcohol license for the Friends of Nauset Beach, Inc., manager Mike McNamara for Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11 to 6pm in the upper parking lot area of Nauset Beach located at 223 Beach Road
Voted: Yes
The minutes list four motions and then say "All four (4) of the motions listed above were voted on and unanimously passed 4-0-0."
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to approve one-day all-alcohol license for the Friends of Nauset Beach, Inc., manager Mike McNamara for Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11 to 6pm in the upper parking lot area of Nauset Beach located at 223 Beach Road. Seconded by Mr. Runyon..” (Motion: Herman, second: Runyon)
Oct 1Approve a one-day alcohol license for the Friends of…Motion: To approve a special one-day alcohol license for the Friends of…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Runyon: Yes
October 1, 2025: Approve a one-day alcohol license for the Friends of Nauset Beach (Sunday, October 12, 2025)
To approve a special one-day alcohol license for the Friends of Nauset Beach, Inc., manager Mike McNamara for Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 11 to 6pm in the upper parking lot of Nauset Beach, located at 223 Beach Road
Voted: Yes
The minutes list four motions and then say "All four (4) of the motions listed above were voted on and unanimously passed 4-0-0."
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to approve a special one-day alcohol license for the Friends of Nauset Beach, Inc., manager Mike McNamara for Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 11 to 6pm in the upper parking lot of Nauset Beach, located at 223 Beach Road. Seconded by Mr. Runyon..” (Motion: Herman, second: Runyon)
Oct 1Approve a one-day outdoor entertainment license for the Friends…Motion: To approve a one-day outdoor entertainment license for the Friends of…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Runyon: Yes
October 1, 2025: Approve a one-day outdoor entertainment license for the Friends of Nauset Beach (Saturday, October 11, 2025)
To approve a one-day outdoor entertainment license for the Friends of Nauset Beach, inc., manager Mike McNamara for Saturday, October 11, 2025, granting a variance to allow the entertainment from 11am to 6pm in the upper parking lot area of Nauset Beach, located at 223 Beach Road
Voted: Yes
The minutes list four motions and then say "All four (4) of the motions listed above were voted on and unanimously passed 4-0-0."
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to approve a one-day outdoor entertainment license for the Friends of Nauset Beach, inc., manager Mike McNamara for Saturday, October 11, 2025, granting a variance to allow the entertainment from 11am to 6pm in the upper parking lot area of Nauset Beach, located at 223 Beach Road. Seconded by Mr. Runyon..” (Motion: Herman, second: Runyon)
Oct 1Consider Hawker & Peddler license requests for food trucks…Motion: To vote to consider a Hawker & Peddlers license request for…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Runyon: Yes
October 1, 2025: Consider Hawker & Peddler license requests for food trucks at the Outermost Roots and Blues Festival
To vote to consider a Hawker & Peddlers license request for food truck vendors attending the Outermost Roots and Blues Festival on October 11, 2025, and October 12, 2025
Voted: Yes
The minutes list four motions and then say "All four (4) of the motions listed above were voted on and unanimously passed 4-0-0."
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to vote to consider a Hawker & Peddlers license request for food truck vendors attending the Outermost Roots and Blues Festival on October 11, 2025, and October 12, 2025. See memo for details. Seconded by Mr. Mathison..” (Motion: Herman, second: Mathison)
Oct 1Approve a two-day Hawkers & Peddlers license for Billingsgate…Motion: To approve a two-day Hawkers & Peddlers license from MSRC LLC…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Runyon: Yes
October 1, 2025: Approve a two-day Hawkers & Peddlers license for Billingsgate Market (Outermost Music Festival)
To approve a two-day Hawkers & Peddlers license from MSRC LLC dba Billingsgate Market, manager Matt Sugg for the Outermost Music Festival event on Saturday, October 11, 2025, and Sunday, October 12, 2025
Voted: Yes
The minutes list four motions and then say "All four (4) of the motions listed above were voted on and unanimously passed 4-0-0."
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to approve a two-day Hawkers & Peddlers license from MSRC LLC dba Billingsgate Market, manager Matt Sugg for the Outermost Music Festival event on Saturday, October 11, 2025, and Sunday, October 12, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Mathison..” (Motion: Herman, second: Mathison)
Oct 1Approve two one-day Hawkers & Peddlers licenses for Mac’s…Motion: To approve two one-day Hawkers & Peddlers license for Wellfleet Harbor…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Runyon: Yes
October 1, 2025: Approve two one-day Hawkers & Peddlers licenses for Mac’s Seafood (Outermost Music Festival)
To approve two one-day Hawkers & Peddlers license for Wellfleet Harbor Seafood dba Mac's Seafood, manager Patricia Bolin for the Outermost Music Festival event on Saturday, October 11, 2025, and Sunday, October 12, 2025
Voted: Yes
The minutes list four motions and then say "All four (4) of the motions listed above were voted on and unanimously passed 4-0-0."
From the minutes
“Mr. Herman moved to approve two one-day Hawkers & Peddlers license for Wellfleet Harbor Seafood dba Mac's Seafood, manager Patricia Bolin for the Outermost Music Festival event on Saturday, October 11, 2025, and Sunday, October 12, 2025. Seconded by Mr. Mathison..” (Motion: Herman, second: Mathison)
Jul 30Accept the resignation of Len Short on the Board…Motion: To accept the resignation of Len Short on the Board of…Passed 4–0 · Runyon: Not recorded
July 30, 2025: Accept the resignation of Len Short on the Board of Water and & Sewer Commissioners, with incredible thanks
To accept the resignation of Len Short on the Board of Water and & Sewer Commissioners, with incredible thanks
The minutes say 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Kevin Galligan, Mefford Runyon, Mark Mathison, Michael Herman and Andrea Reed). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Ms. Shaw Reed moved to accept the resignation of Len Short on the Board of Water and & Sewer Commissioners, with incredible thanks. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Mr. Runyon stated that Mr. Short was on the board for a very long time - into his 90's. Motion passed unanimously 4-0-0..” (Motion: Reed, second: Herman)
Votes with no disagreement (156)
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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