Matthew Fortier

This document is a final report detailing a comprehensive revitalization study for Downtown Orange. It aims to address challenges related to market investment and physical infrastructure by developing a consolidated plan. The strategic pillars include enhancing the sense of place, beautification, improving streets and connections, fostering revitalization and renovation, promoting diversity in businesses, securing funding and volunteer engagement, strengthening community development and marketing, and planning events. The vision focuses on leveraging the town's existing assets to stimulate growth and create a vibrant core area.

Grow Orange 2035 is a long-range comprehensive plan developed through extensive community-wide engagement. It provides a vision and blueprint to guide development, honor community priorities, and navigate change for the Town of Orange. The plan is structured around six action areas: advancing a strong and forward-looking economy, promoting local leadership and strong governance, reimagining the Downtown, investing in public infrastructure, ensuring residents thrive in Orange, and demonstrating a commitment to action. It aims to strengthen the town's identity, bolster its economy and local businesses, reinvigorate its downtown, protect natural resources, enhance public services, and expand housing options.

The Special Town Meeting addressed several articles requiring majority or two-thirds votes. Article 1 involved accepting provisions to reduce the eligibility age for the Senior Property Exemption from 70 to 65 and adjust asset limits for single persons (to $30,000) and married persons (to $40,000), effective for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2025. Article 2 concerned accepting local option provisions allowing the Board of Selectmen to establish 25 MPH speed limits on certain roadways within thickly settled or business districts. Article 3 involved transferring and appropriating $41,150 from the Building Demolition Special Purpose Fund to establish a fund for a Building Inspector/Official at market rate compensation. Article 4 concerned borrowing $137,500 for environmental abatement work, specifically asbestos cleanup at the airport t-hangar construction site. Article 5 involved authorizing the Board of Selectmen to petition the General Court for special legislation to establish a Town Charter, providing for a Town Manager form of government, which included several amendments voted upon.

The meeting addressed various financial and legislative matters, including the appropriation of funds to cover prior year bills for street lights, town hall maintenance, Butterfield School expenses, legal services, library equipment, and fire department expenses. Additionally, the meeting involved transferring funds for assessor software maintenance, group health and life insurance, GIS culvert mapping, and airport services. Legislative actions included accepting increased veterans tax exemptions, authorizing the conveyance of town properties to the Orange Economic Development and Industrial Corporation, considering a special act to increase the Board of Selectmen to five members, and directing the Board of Selectmen to petition for legislation regarding the Annual Town Meeting date.

The Housing Plan for the Town of Orange focuses on assessing housing needs, development conditions, and strategies to facilitate affordable housing development. It addresses community demographics, housing characteristics, and future housing demand. The plan outlines goals for a mix of housing densities, ownership patterns, and building types, encouraging new housing in areas with existing infrastructure while preserving agricultural and forested areas. It also emphasizes engaging residents in affordable housing efforts and increasing affordable housing options while maintaining community character.