Orleans Advisory Council Targets Decades-Old Livestock Fence Setback for Change

ORLEANS -- March 9, 2026, Orleans Agricultural Advisory Council targets a 50-foot livestock fencing setback that members say puts virtually every livestock fence owner in town out of compliance. Meeting March 9 with five members present, the council directed member Matthew Campbell to consult a town attorney before the April 13 meeting to clarify what mechanisms, a Select Board recommendation, a town meeting warrant article, a citizen's petition, or direct town counsel action, are available to remove or amend the setback, which Campbell traced to roughly 1971 or 1972 and said is buried in building code language covering equipment and machinery storage. "There are hundreds of people that are not in compliance with the building code, which nobody with livestock is in this town," Campbell said, adding that no surrounding towns with right-to-farm bylaws impose a similar fencing restriction. Virtual commenter Ryan Burchall of 42 Old Drive backed the effort, saying the setback "basically destroys every farmer in this town." A citizen's petition on the setback is already in circulation with what Campbell described as a significant number of signatures. The council also unanimously approved its January minutes and received an update that the Putnam Farm Barn design has been approved by the Old Kings Highway Committee and a building permit has been issued.