Orleans Select Board Reappoints Term-Limited Members, Appoints Two to Veterans Committee

Select Board · Meeting of July 1, 2026

Orleans Select Board splits 3-2 on term-limit exception for pond committee member. The board voted Wednesday to reappoint Rich Levy to the Marine and Freshwater Quality Committee for one year over the objections of two members who argued the town's term-limit policy should hold, with Chair Kevin Galligan saying Levy is leading work to reduce a $50,000 annual regulatory monitoring cost the town has paid for nine years. A separate 4-1 vote extended the terms of Recreation Advisory Committee members Sharon Basso and Tracy Murphy through June 30, 2027, with members citing an active multi-million-dollar capital project at Eldredge Park.

The board unanimously appointed Melissa Phillips and Alan Chase, both military veterans, as new Veterans Committee members, and approved FY26 year-end budget transfers 5-0. Orleans Police Chief McDonald told the board financial scams have cost "numerous" residents "hundreds of thousands of dollars" and said the department is working with the FBI's Lakeville office on active cases, with a draft cryptocurrency kiosk ban ordinance already in preparation. Director of Health and Human Services Alexandra Fitch briefed the board on a five-town opioid settlement needs assessment estimating approximately $2 million in future funds available to Orleans.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,920 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 1, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.