Orleans public meetings in 2023
8 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Personnel Advisory Board
The Personnel Advisory Board agreed to hold a hearing on October 5 at 10:15 to consider draft warrant articles related to personnel positions. The board also moved to adjourn the meeting, which passed unanimously 3‑0. A request was made for an agenda template, and Ms. Surdut agreed to prepare it.
- Scheduled hearing for October 5 at 10:15 (no vote recorded)
- Adjourned meeting (3‑0 unanimous)
Board of Assessors
The Board approved 19 motor vehicle abatements and 242 excise commitments. Abatements for five FY2018 personal property tax bills were also approved. The Board discussed religious exemptions for two properties but took no formal vote.
- Approved 19 motor vehicle abatements totaling $2,425.01 (3-0)
- Approved 242 motor vehicle excise commitments totaling $37,110.89 (3-0)
- Approved abatements for five FY2018 personal property tax bills totaling $101.38 (3-0)
- Approved August 8, 2023 meeting minutes (3-0)
Shellfish & Waterways Improvement Advisory Committee
The committee approved the August 2023 minutes by a 5‑0 vote. The election of officers was postponed to a later meeting. The rest of the session consisted of reports on beach clearing, storm preparations, a natural‑resource grant, dredging costs, fuel‑tank repairs, lake bloom restrictions, an upcoming festival, and quahog seed availability. No further actions were taken.
- Approved August 2023 minutes (5-0)
- Election of officers postponed
Economic Development Committee
The Committee held an organizational meeting to appoint its officers. Members voted to establish a Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk. No other substantive policy or project decisions were made.
- Nominated Alisa Magnotta as Chair (7-0-0)
- Nominated Stephen Smith as Vice Chair (7-0-0)
- Nominated Rosalin Acosta as Clerk (7-0-0)
- Scheduled next meeting for September 26, 2023
Agricultural Advisory Council
The committee reviewed progress on Putnam Farm irrigation and plot inspections. Members moved to have the Conservation Commission research allowing current growers to enter the lottery for additional plots. A letter of support for the Pesticide Reduction Act Home Rule Petition will be drafted for the Selectboard.
- Approved motion for Conservation Commission to research allowing current growers to enter the lottery for additional plots (3-0)
- Approved previous meeting minutes (3-0)
Snow Library Feasibility Task Force
The task force discussed its charge and the role of a future consultant in the project. The group noted that success depends on public involvement and alignment with the MA Public Library Construction Program grant round.
- Approved August 8, 2023 meeting minutes (unanimous)
Community Preservation Committee
The Community Preservation Committee reorganized its leadership and approved funding for a historic consultant to assist with FY2025 grant applications. The committee also discussed the FY2025 grant timeline and provided updates on various town preservation projects.
- Approved Walter North as Chair (8-0-0)
- Approved Barry Alper as Vice Chair (8-0-0)
- Approved Sue Christie as Clerk (8-0-0)
- Approved allocation of up to $6,000 for a historic consultant for FY25 grant applications (8-0-0)
Old King's Highway Regional Historic District Committee
The committee approved a certificate of appropriateness for solar panels on a barn and an above-garage addition with a rear deck. A request to demolish a house at 111 Rock Harbor Road was continued for one month to gather more historical and repair information.
- Approved installation of 23 solar panels on barn at 95 West Road (4-0-0)
- Approved above garage addition and rear deck at 185 Rock Harbor Road (4-0-0)
- Continued demolition application for 111 Rock Harbor Road for one month (4-0-0)
- Approved August 4, 2023 meeting minutes as amended (4-0-0)