ORANGE — A Special Town Meeting is asking voters to address two warrant articles pertaining to land acquisition for a crucial water tower, which officials believe will take up the bulk of public discussion on Monday.

Town Administrator Matthew Fortier has implored the public to show up to Town Hall’s Ruth B. Smith Auditorium at 7 p.m. to satisfy quorum. The primary topic at hand comes in Articles 11 and 12, which ask residents if they agree to accept land from Seaman Paper and accept or take land from Power Fund Partners to allow for construction of the water tower in the Orange Industrial Park.

“They’re certainly the most pressing [articles] for this Special Town Meeting,” Fortier said.

Seaman Paper, at 151 Governor Dukakis Drive, has reportedly been paying high insurance premiums due to insufficient water capacity.

“We can’t build the tower on private property,” Fortier said of the two upcoming warrant articles.

Fortier explained there was an initial $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money set aside to secure a matching MassWorks grant for the work. The design estimate for construction came in at $2.5 million, so voters at Annual Town Meeting in June authorized $1 million in borrowing if needed. The town also committed its leftover $835,700 ARPA balance, bringing the total ARPA commitment up to reduce potential borrowing.

Lee Chauvette, Seaman Paper’s corporate human resources director, told Annual Town Meeting voters in June that the company has agreed to handle the fire suppression system’s maintenance.

“I’m authorized to tell you tonight that Seaman Paper will commit $250,000 to go toward this project,” he said.

At the request of its insurance provider, the company had already spent at least $450,000 to improve the sprinkler systems in its buildings, Chauvette reported in June. Some residents voiced concern over spending money to benefit a private business but Selectboard member Jane Peirce noted that the water tower will incentivize other businesses to move into the Orange Industrial Park.

There are 18 articles on the Dec. 2 warrant. Two of those are related to animals.

Article 15 pertains to adopting a bylaw prohibiting residents from allowing “any goat, sheep, cow or other neat, equine, swine or fowl” under their care from going at large on “any street, sidewalk or other public place in the town, or upon the private property of another without their expressed permission.” Livestock can cause disturbances and impede traffic in town.

Adoption of Article 16 would put some teeth into the previous article by establishing a noncriminal disposition and enforcement bylaw. A first offense would result in the offender being notified of the animal bylaw and a referral to the Agricultural Commission. A second offense would merit a written warning and any subsequent offense would earn the offender a $50 fine.

Fortier mentioned Article 8 might spark some discussion, as its adoption would dissolve the Orange Human Resource Board, which is not currently active. He explained the board is not necessary as there is already a human resources director in Amber Robidoux, who is also the town treasurer. According to Orange’s municipal website, the Human Resource Board is currently comprised of Keith Waters and Laurie MacDonald.

Adoption of Article 9 would require all elected and appointed town officials to take an oath of office within 60 days of their appointment or forfeit their position. This would apply to anytime someone is elected or appointed or reelected and reappointed to a position. This warrant article is the result of a concern brought to the Selectboard’s attention by Town Clerk Nancy Blackmer, who explained there have been instances in which people — especially those being reelected or reappointed — don’t visit Town Hall to be sworn in to a new term. A person cannot legally vote on a board or commission matter or participate in official discussion until they affirm an oath of faithful performance of their duties.

Blackmer mentioned at the Sept. 4 Selectboard meeting that other towns have combated this problem with new bylaws and she modeled a draft one after those.

The warrant’s first seven articles pertain to paying a previous year’s bills. A copy of the warrant can be found at tinyurl.com/Dec2STM.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.