TOWN OF ORLEANS
COMMITTEE / BOARD DESCRIPTIONS
Architectural Review Committee – Provides design review of new construction, alterations and additions to commercial structures located in the various business districts of the Town. Five members and two associates.
Bikeways Committee – Advocates and supports the use of bicycling as transportation and recreation and makes recommendations to encourage and facilitate safe cycling within the Town. Seven members.
Board of Assessors – Sets policies regarding property valuation; sets tax rates; administers motor vehicle excise and boat excise; hears assessment appeals and
abatements; reviews exemption applications; and administers betterments. Three members.
Board of Health - Elected board that, through the Massachusetts General Laws and state regulations, is responsible for protecting the public health, safety and environment
of the community accomplished through enforcement of state laws, the sanitary and environmental code, adopting reasonable local health regulations and by implementing
preventive programs. Five members.
Board of Library Trustees – Elected board. Acts as the governing body of Snow Library. Sets policies regarding use of the building; determines the days and hours of
operation; approves, promotes and participates in functions, displays, and exhibitions held in the library; and oversees all financial matters pertaining to the library. Seven members.
Board of Selectmen – Elected board. Serves as the chief executive goal-setting and policy making agency of the Town. Among other responsibilities as outlined in the
Orleans Home Rule Charter, the Board enacts rules and regulations establishing town policies, acts as the licensing authority for the Town, and appoints certain personnel,
board and committee members. Five members.
Board of Water Commissioners – Develops rules and regulations and sets policies governing the operation of the municipal water system. Oversees the watershed
properties regulating any allowed uses, other than those related to the production or treatment of water, through a management plan. Five members.
Building Code Board of Appeals – Reviews appeals made by builders and individuals from the requirements of the Massachusetts State Building Code. Five members.
Cable TV and Telecommunications Advisory Committee – Works with the Town’s current cable television provider, ComCast, and the Town to improve service; advises
the Board of Selectmen on the issuance of franchises; researches a variety of technical and communications issues. Five members.
Cape Cod Commission – One person appointed by the Board of Selectmen represents the Town at the Cape Cod Commission, which deals with issues of regional
significance. One representative from Orleans.
Cape Cod Regional Tech High School Committee – Formulates and adopts policy for the Regional Tech School system and hires a superintendent. Two Orleans
representatives appointed by the Town Moderator.
Charter Review Committee
The Charter Review Committee studies Orleans Home Rule Charter, as most recently amended, and background information relating to its development and prepares basic
principles of town government on which the Charter is based.
Citizens Advisory Committee – The primary task of the Committee is to be the link between the citizens of the Town and special interest groups in all matters relating to
the Wastewater Management Plan and to work closely with and report to the Wastewater Management Steering Committee.
Commission on Disabilities – The Commission works toward the full integration and participation of people with disabilities in the Town of Orleans. This includes an equal opportunity for residents and visitors to participate in all functions involving living, working, and enjoying recreation activities. The Commission will work towards this end by informing, educating, monitoring, and advising the public, including the business community. Five members.
Community Preservation Committee
The Community Preservation Committee implements the requirements of the Community Preservation Act and makes recommendations to the Town Meeting for the
use of monies in the Community Preservation Fund. Eligible projects involve opens space, historic preservation, community housing, and recreation that are consistent with
a Community Preservation Plan based upon the Local Comprehensive Plan. The goal of Committee activity is to preserve the essential beauty and character of Orleans.
Conservation Commission – Administers the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (Mass. General Law Chapter l31, Section 40) and the Orleans Wetlands By-Law (Code
of the Town of Orleans, Chapter l60); manages conservation properties. Seven members, three associates.
Council on Aging Board of Directors – Directs the Council on Aging, which is the designated agency to evaluate, promote and encourage new and existing activities and
services for the older residents of the community. Seven members.
Cultural Council – Promotes the arts and humanities in the Town of Orleans; reviews Arts Grants Applications and makes grant awards, administers the Town Hall Art
Gallery. Up to 22 members.
Finance Committee – Reviews proposed budget and capital plan and warrant articles and provides residents with information and recommendations resulting from their in
depth review and investigation. Nine members appointed by Town Moderator.
Fourth of July Committee – Responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing the annual Fourth of July parade and fireworks. Seven members and two advisors.
Historical Commission – Transmits the Historical Property Survey to the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Nominates properties and districts for historical
designation by the State Historical Commission. Seven members.
Housing Task Force – Formulates policy and recommendations for programs to provide affordable housing in Orleans. Pursues affordable housing projects. Seven
members.
Human Services Advisory Committee – Reviews funding requests from human services agencies in order to determine which requests and what amounts may be
presented to the Annual Town meeting for consideration. Five members.
Invasive Species Committee – Gathers and conveys information on the presence, distribution, ecological impacts, and management of invasive plant species; to promote
the use of native or non-invasive alternative plants throughout the Town; and to work cooperatively with researchers, organizations, government agencies, and the general
public to identify and encourage the management of invasive species. Seven members.
Marine & Fresh Water Quality Task Force – Studies water quality issues; devises alternatives to current practices to protect marine water resources; conducts and
analyzes Town’s water quality monitoring program; operates water quality laboratory. Seven members.
Old King’s Highway Regional Historic District Commission - The purpose of the Old King’s Highway Regional Historic District Act is to promote the preservation and
protection of buildings, settings and places within the boundaries of the District. Each application shall be judged on the criteria set forth in the Act under Section 10 including
therein, but not limited to, historic value and significance, general design, arrangement, texture, material, color, relative size and settings. Five members.
Open Space/Land Bank Committee – Assists the Town in the acquisition and preservation of open space; revises and updates the Conservation, Recreation and
Open Space Plan; prepares grant applications, assists property owners in keeping private lands preserved as open space. Nine members.
Personnel Advisory Board – Responsible for the administration of the Town Personnel Classification Plan. Also, conducts inter-town studies of wage rates and
employee benefits, mediates disputes over the interpretation of grievance procedure; factors new positions for placement in the classification schedule, and re-factors
existing positions when the responsibilities have changed. Three members.
Planning Board – Oversees subdivision of land, considers long range planning and initiates changes to zoning by-laws. Five regular members and two alternates.
Recreation Committee – The Recreation Committee works with the community, the Board of Selectmen, the Town Administrator and the Recreation Director to improve
and/or expand recreational programming and facilities through a commitment to provide quality recreation programs to all population groups in the Town of Orleans. Five
members.
Renewable Energy/Wind Committee – The Renewable Energy/Wind Committee is charged with addressing and reviewing renewable energy/wind power options that meet
the goals and objectives established by the Board of Selectmen and by the development efforts of prior committees. Seven members
Shellfish and Waterways Improvement Advisory Committee – Serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Selectmen on all matters relating to the Town’s
shellfish beds. Nine members.
Site Plan Review Committee - Reviews commercial development projects involving new construction, significant additions, and changes of use and is authorized by the
Zoning Bylaw to ensure that all development plans meet the review criteria and are in compliance with Town regulations.
Wastewater Management Planning & Steering Committee – Will conduct wastewater management study for Town of Orleans and present final report with
implementation recommendations to the Board of Selectmen upon completion of the study. Five members.
Zoning Board of Appeals – Hears applications and petitions for Special Permits and Variances and makes determinations for granting or denying same under the
constraints of the Zoning By-Laws of the Town and Mass. General Laws, Chapter 40A. Hears and decides appeals from decisions of the zoning administrator. Five regular
members plus three associate members.
Zoning Bylaw Task Force – Reviews the Orleans Zoning Bylaw on an ongoing basis to identify areas for improvement, resolve discrepancies, draft new sections as needed
and expand and clarify definitions. Seven members.
| 
