ORANGE — Pedestrians and cyclists could eventually get from Riverfront Park to the Daniel Shays Highway intersection via a shared-used path if Orange voters give the nod to hiring a consultant for project design and development.

One of the 19 articles on the warrant for Thursday’s Special Town Meeting asks if residents agree to transfer $100,000 from the Community Development Stabilization Fund and authorize the town treasurer to put that money toward a consultant. Even if the article is adopted, however, no money can be spent until Orange has received a grant commitment or allocation to cover a portion of the cost.

The Special Town Meeting is slated for 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

Adoption of the Orange Riverfront Park article would also authorize the Selectboard to apply for and accept money from the state’s MassTrails grant program or any other gifts or grants. This article requires a two-thirds majority for adoption.

“We have been working on a trailway between Orange and Athol by the river for a couple of decades now,” said Town Administrator Matthew Fortier. “This one will definitely have hot debate.”

This Special Town Meeting was primarily called because the town reached a contract agreement with its clerical unit employees represented by SEIU Local 888 and the contract needs to be certified promptly. If approved, the unionized workers will receive a 3% cost-of-living adjustment increase, which will cost the town $42,361, transferred from free cash.

The warrant also consists of two articles pertaining to livestock. Adoption of one particular article would adopt a bylaw prohibiting anyone allowing a goat, sheep, cow, equine, pig or fowl to go at large on any street, sidewalk or other public place in town. This restriction would extend to private property without the expressed permission of that property owner. Adoption of the next article would designate the Orange Police Department or animal control officer as the enforcing agent and assign a $50 fee as the punishment for first and all subsequent offenses.

“We found that agriculture and farm practices are exempt from public nuisance law,” Fortier said. “Police and zoning had little enforcement capabilities as well.”

This issue arose when people did not have proper enclosures or when they were damaged during weather events. If adopted, the bylaw would allow the police to issue non-criminal citations.

There is also an article that asks voters to transfer $30,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to pay for a trash compactor at the town’s transfer station. A separate article pertains to transferring $50,820.18 from free cash to the Opioid Stabilization Account, while another asks voters if they agree to transfer $45,000 from free cash to pay for a temporary building inspector.

“There are a lot of housekeeping articles,” Fortier mentioned.

Building Inspector Jeffrey Cooke in September announced his plans to retire on Feb. 29, but said this date is negotiable. As a result, the Orange Selectboard voted to accept Cooke’s retirement and to add to a Special Town Meeting warrant an article appropriating money to hire a building official to learn the ropes from Cooke for up to six months. Cooke has said that to avoid having the town unnecessarily pay for two similar positions, he is willing to step down more immediately if there is a highly qualified applicant that requires little to no training.

“I hope that folks are able to come out and participate in their local government,” Fortier said ahead of Thursday’s meeting.

To view the full Special Town Meeting warrant, visit bit.ly/47yReyF.

Reach Domenic Poli at dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120. Reporter Bella Levavi contributed reporting.