Lyttle Bids Farewell As Orleans Moderator

ORLEANS – Last week’s annual town meeting wasn’t short on issues to discuss and debate. But Orleans resident Clint Kanaga brought up a piece of business that wasn’t included in the meeting’s 36-article warrant.

May 12 marked David Lyttle’s last meeting as town moderator, a fact that Kanaga made sure didn’t go unrecognized.

“I know we’ve had our differences, but thank you,” he said to extended applause from voters in attendance at this year’s spring session.

Lyttle was first elected moderator in 2016. But newly retired, he said the time had come to step aside from leading town meeting.

“I’m finding that being able to do things one at a time rather than multitask and do 10 things at the same time is great,” he said after town meeting. “I’m really enjoying it.

As moderator, Lyttle has held court over the May annual town meeting and October special town meeting, keeping the sessions on point and, to the best of his ability, not overly long. Reflecting on the last nine years, he said he’s enjoyed the challenge.

“It’s like multitasking to the nth degree,” he said of the position. “And you can’t get caught up in any emotion, because all of a sudden you’ll miss something.”

But while his time as moderator is up, Lyttle isn’t breaking away from town government. In recent weeks, he’s been appointed to serve on both the conservation commission and zoning board of appeals

“For those that have seen, David has a lot more fuel in the tank,” Kevin Galligan of the select board told voters last week. “He’ll be serving in other capacities, and we thank you for that.”

“I have really enjoyed this,” Lyttle said, looking back on his time as moderator. “I’ve learned a lot over the years.”

John Kanaga, who has periodically subbed as acting moderator in recent years, was running uncontested to succeed Lyttle as moderator in Tuesday’s annual town election.

Email Ryan Bray at ryan@capecodchronicle.com