Orleans Special Town Meeting: Surprisingly Smooth Sailing with Key Measures Approved

What happened at the Fall 2023 Orleans Town Meeting?

Despite advance predictions that the Orleans special town meeting might be contentious, the event itself was surprisingly low key, with most articles passing one by one with majority votes. Approved articles included a home rule petition to manage pesticide use, an override for a ladder truck purchase,  funding for eight new full-time firefighters, a position and a half in the recreation department, and a part time sustainability manager, as well as funding for pond alumn treatments and four EV charging stations. Failed articles included the specialized building code and funds for a study for pickleball courts.

Which articles passed with majority votes?

 The Orleans special town meeting passed multiple significant article including:

Home Rule Petition for Pesticide Management:

Orleans residents passed a home rule petition to manage pesticide use.

Ladder Truck Purchase Override:

Town Meeting voted an override to support a ladder truck purchase.

Funding for Eight New Full-Time Firefighters:

Town Meeting voted in favor of hiring eight new full-time firefighters.

Recreation Department Staffing:

Town Meeting voters approved for a new position in the recreation department.

Part-Time Sustainability Manager:

Town Meeting backed the creation of a part-time sustainability manager position.

Pond Alum Treatments:

Voters pass funding for pond alum treatments,  after lengthy debate.

EV Charging Stations:

Voters approved funding four new EV charging stations.