How To Grow Housing In Orange? Selectmen Searching For Solutions…

ORANGE, CT — The Orange Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the formation of a Housing Growth Plan Working Group on Sept. 9 as the town begins preparing a plan outlining how it will address housing needs through 2029.

Town Counsel Owen Weaver told selectmen that the town must prepare a document describing how it will move forward to meet housing needs by June 1, 2029. He said Orange could develop its own plan or use one prepared by the South Central Regional Council of Governments, but municipalities had been advised not to wait for the regional plan.

Weaver said the state Office of Policy and Management had issued guidelines and suggested that municipalities establish working groups. Once completed, Orange's plan is expected to go before the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Selectmen before being submitted to OPM in 2029.

Selectman Mitchell Goldblatt moved to establish the working group as proposed by First Selectman James Zeoli, with Selectman John Carangelo seconding. The motion passed unanimously. The approved members are Judy Smith, Ozzie Parente, Paul Kaplan, Santo Galatioto Jr. and Sean Hartshorn.

The board also unanimously approved $28,325.66 in tax refunds for September. Carangelo made the motion and Smith seconded it.

Thanksgiving Dinner Fee Waiver Approved

Selectmen unanimously approved a request from the Orange Lions Club to waive customary rental and custodial fees for its annual Thanksgiving dinner, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 29, at High Plains Community Center.

Michael Muttitt appeared on behalf of the Lions Club to make the request. Carangelo moved to approve the waiver, Goldblatt seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Board Approves Three Agreements

The board entered executive session at 7:35 p.m. with Town Labor Counsel Dave Ryan, Weaver and Finance Director John Cifarelli. The regular meeting resumed at 7:58 p.m.

After returning to public session, selectmen unanimously approved three agreements.

The board accepted and approved a union memorandum of agreement described in the minutes as a settlement and authorized Zeoli to execute it. Selectmen also accepted a tentative agreement with the dispatcher union concerning an HSA agreement and authorized Zeoli to execute it.

In a third unanimous vote, the board approved a release agreement settling a pending claim and authorized the first selectman to execute the agreement. Goldblatt made each of the three motions and Selectman PJ Shanley seconded them.

During public participation, Tom Pisano of Fairway Road said pothole repairs at Fred Wolfe Park had not held up and asked whether the issue could be addressed in the next budget. Eric Meeson of West River Road raised concerns about cameras and the companies involved with them, while Randy Swyers of North Greenbrier asked about pausing the cameras.

Zeoli also distributed information from the Police Department concerning e-bike safety and announced that the Orange Country Fair was scheduled for Sept. 18-20 and Funtober at the Fairgrounds for Oct. 25.

The board adjourned at 8 p.m.