Galligan To Seek Re-election To Select Board

ORLEANS – Nomination papers for May’s annual town election only recently became available, but one incumbent wasted little time pulling papers for re-election.

Kevin Galligan will seek a third term on the select board, he told The Chronicle in a phone interview Jan. 24.

“It’s an exciting future ahead for this little town,” he said. “I love it.”

First elected to the board in 2018, Galligan said the decision to run again was one he made after a series of conversations with his husband. But it was attending this year’s annual meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Association earlier this month that cemented his decision to pull nomination papers, he said.

“It just recharges me to the point that serving the public, especially at the local level, is in fact so rewarding,” he said. “You look around other towns and communities, and Orleans is really doing good stuff. And frankly, I just want to continue to be a part of it. I really do.”

For Galligan, there’s a pride in being able to represent Orleans. He said that in conversations with state officials and those in other municipalities, the name Orleans carries a measure of respect.

“It’s so positive,” he said of living and serving in town. “We don’t have negativity. Everybody’s working together.”

In addition to serving on the select board, Galligan also serves as the board’s representative (as park commissioners) to the community preservation committee. He also chairs the wastewater management advisory committee, which works to plan and coordinate the town’s ongoing and future sewer work.

Galligan said he wants to continue to help steer the town through sewering and other projects and issues, especially during a time of change and transition for the town. Town Manager Kim Newman took over as Orleans’ top ranking official in July, becoming the town’s first new administrator/manager in more than 26 years. Since then, the town has also hired a new assistant town planner, recreation director, building inspector and assistant town manager. The town is also awaiting the start of its new public works director, Rich Waldo, and is in the process of hiring for a new finance director.

But Galligan said he, for one, is ready to embrace change, as well as the challenges that might come with them.

“You can go down the list,” he said. “In the last six months, we have seen incredible changes, and to me they’re all for the good.”

Galligan touted his willingness and ability to listen to residents, which he said is the first step toward bringing any sort of meaningful change to town. And in the months leading up to the May 21 election, he said he’ll be all ears.

“I do plan to run a campaign. I plan to knock on doors, be at the library, be at the post offices. I just want to hear from people in terms of what their issues are and how we can make it better.”

The select board is just one of several boards and committees with seats up for grabs in May. There are two three-year terms available each on the board of health, Orleans Elementary School committee and the Snow Library board of trustees. Papers can also be pulled for a three-year term on the Nauset Regional School Committee and a five-year term on the Orleans Housing Authority. Candidates must obtain certified signatures from at least 40 registered voters in Orleans.

The last day to take out nomination papers is March 29, and the last day to return signed papers is April 2. The last day to withdraw from the spring ballot or raise an objection is April 18.

So far, Galligan is the only candidate to take out papers for the three-year select board term. But he realizes that there’s still plenty of time for someone to pull papers and challenge him for the seat.

“I would welcome that,” he said. “Democracy in action truly is our best form of government. It really is wonderful.”

Town Clerk Kelly Darling said Jamie Balliett and Mark Ziomek have each taken out papers for a seat on the library board of trustees. Both are incumbents seeking re-election to new terms.

Papers are available at and must be returned to the town clerk’s office in town hall.

Email Ryan Bray at ryan@capecodchronicle.com