ORANGE — At its April 2, 2025 meeting, the Orange Select Board and Sewer Commission discussed new sewer fees to address rising operational costs, finalized a Community Development Block Grant application, approved a new planner, and voted to separate out the cost of legal newspaper postings from administrative fees.
While convened as the Sewer Commission (a responsibility held by the Select Board under the town’s form of government), the board debated a proposal to add a $35 flat fee to each sewer bill to address a projected $200,000 annual shortfall in wastewater treatment costs. Jessica Omundsen, the town’s Water/Sewer Administrative Assistant, said, “It would end up coming to about the same total, which is about $200,000 a year,” citing increased chemical and treatment costs. She added, “The chemicals and things have gone up to such a degree that we can’t afford to take on the costs,” and explained that relying on usage-based rates alone could destabilize revenue. “People will use less… which will cost us revenue,” Omundsen said.
Board members also discussed the policy around sewer abatements, particularly for pools, citing inconsistencies in how and when fees are paid. Omundsen explained, “There’s no time limit. They can wait until next April and pay the $10 fee and get that for that previous year’s bill.” The board voted to implement a policy stating applications will be voided if the fee is not paid within 30 days of filing.
Following the Sewer Commission meeting, the Select Board opened a public hearing for its FY25 Community Development Block Grant application. Brian McHugh of the Franklin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority reviewed the proposed allocation: $325,920 for the Wheeler Memorial Library roof, $84,189 for five social service programs, and $210,000 for housing rehabilitation.
“That includes bidding and construction oversight by the architect,” McHugh said of the library roof estimate. “That brought us to $325,000,” he added, citing a 5% price increase due to market volatility.
Board Member Jane Peirce made the motion to authorize the grant application not to exceed $850,000, which was approved unanimously.
Later in the meeting, the board conducted public interviews for a part-time community development/planning position. Two candidates — Walker Powell and Tracy Murphy — spoke about their experience, community development philosophies, and willingness to work part-time.
Murphy emphasized both her deep personal ties to the region and her success managing grant-funded programs. “I applied for this job because I am ingrained in this area,” she said. “I went to Mahar, all of my 10 other siblings went to Mahar, my children went to Mahar, some of my nieces and nephews — I am just ingrained in this — between Athol and Orange — I find it fascinating.”
She described grant writing as one of her favorite aspects of the job. “I actually like to write grants,” Murphy said. She highlighted her experience managing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in Winchendon, where she oversaw housing rehabilitation projects that she found personally meaningful. “When you help people put a roof [on their house] and things like that, the appreciation was really — okay, this is worth it,” she said.
Murphy added that her work included helping present a major infrastructure grant proposal for the Central Street (Route 202) reconstruction project in downtown Winchendon — a full-depth roadway and streetscape overhaul designed to boost accessibility and local economic development. “In total, the grants were upwards of almost $10 million, which I find very rewarding,” she said.
On public engagement, Murphy said, “Planners in general don’t interact with the community enough… I think it’s important I have in-person hours”
After interviewing Murphy, the board interviewed Powell for the same community development position. Powell, who served as Orange’s Community Development Director and Conservation Agent from March 2023 until her resignation in October 2024, expressed interest in returning to complete projects she had initiated. “I liked working here in a lot of ways,” she said. “There were a lot of things that got started that I would like to see progress made on and get finished.”
During her tenure, Powell secured a $689,464 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for housing rehabilitation, social services, and accessibility upgrades, including the installation of audible pedestrian signals at key intersections. She also initiated a “slum and blight” study east of North Main Street to support future infrastructure funding applications and issued a Request for Proposals to develop the town’s Long Range Comprehensive Plan.
In her resignation letter, Powell cited a lack of support and clear guidance from town leadership as primary reasons for her departure. She expressed concerns about the town administrator’s limited authority and experience, as well as insufficient engagement from the Select Board. Powell also noted that budget uncertainties had hampered her ability to perform her duties effectively, particularly regarding funding for grant matches essential to her role.
During deliberations, board members expressed concerns about Powell’s prior departure from the town and her communication while employed there. Peirce remarked, “A lot of the difficulty we had with Walker was not related to anything we were doing wrong or management that we were providing… I think it had to do with her newness and lack of professional polish.” Peirce added, “She’s very bright and she has a good future, but I don’t think it’s here.”
The board voted unanimously to offer the position to Tracy Murphy, pointing to her extensive grant experience and availability for in-person engagement. After the vote, Planning Board and search committee member Tom Sexton recommended that Powell be considered for future project-based work, noting her qualifications and potential fit for short-term roles.
In other business, the board addressed rising costs associated with publishing legal notices in newspapers. Town Administrator Matthew Fortier said, “The newspaper postings have become so expensive that it’s eating up the entire administrative fee.” In response, the board voted to allow the Conservation Commission to charge the cost of legal advertisements separately from their standard administrative fee. “They asked that the Board of Selectmen make the same motion…to allow the Conservation Commission to charge the advertisement fees to the applicants in addition to the administrative fee collected,” Fortier said.
Other Topics Discussed:
- Transfer Station Fee Increases: The board reviewed rising disposal costs and approved changes including raising permit fees and per-item charges. “Hauling and disposal has gone up about 8%,” staff reported.
- Resignation of Rachel Fortier: The administrative assistant to the Highway, Cemetery, Parks, and Sanitation departments resigned effective July 1 to transition into a new role as town clerk. Her resignation letter, which was read aloud during the meeting, stated, “I believe it best that we train and hire someone else.”
- One-Day Liquor License: Sean Nolan was approved for a one-day beer and wine license for an outdoor event at 81 East River Street on April 12, 2025. Police had coordinated in advance due to River Rat weekend.
- Memorial Hall Granite Benches: The board approved the installation of granite benches at the former Memorial Hall site.
- Warrant Signature Authorization: The board designated Peirce to sign weekly warrants, with alternates and added town treasurer and administrator signatures for oversight.
