EXIT 89

A newsletter for people who love Orleans.
Hyperlocal. Impartial. Free.

Latest

Preview of Special Town Meeting — November 16, 2026 — Wood Cove, part of the Nauset Estuary System (see map below)

Preview of Special Town Meeting — November 16, 2026

Issue No 36 — Our Preview of Special Town Meeting takes a look at Warrant articles that propose zoning bylaw changes, new emergency generators for the Council on Aging and the Water Treatment Plant, a study of Pochet Marsh's self-cleaning abilities, and a Citizen Petition.

Nov 09, 2026

Our Data Dive

Our Data Dive

Issue No.35 — Our first Data Dive, a look at demographics, political affiliations, property tax rates, operating budgets, and Town Meeting attendance numbers across eight towns on the Lower to Outer Cape.

Oct 09, 2026

Welcome to Our New Website! — Yesterday at Asa's Landing on Town Cove

Welcome to Our New Website!

Hope everyone got a chance to enjoy some sunshine, some saltwater, and maybe even a little R & R this summer. Here at EXIT 89, we’ve been busy upgrading our website — which should make perusing more enjoyable, and our Deep Dives and Town Meeting postmortems easier to find. We’

Sep 23, 2026

Deep Dives

Our Data Dive

Our Data Dive

Issue No.35 — Our first Data Dive, a look at demographics, political affiliations, property tax rates, operating budgets, and Town Meeting attendance numbers across eight towns on the Lower to Outer Cape.

Oct 09, 2026

What's Happening Downtown?

What's Happening Downtown?

Issue No. 33 — Our Deep Dive into the past, present, and future of Orleans Downtown. We look at how the new zoning overlay, housing initiatives, and intense Town Hall focus could nurture more vibrancy in the Orleans commercial district.

Mar 31, 2026

Water, Water, Everywhere — Nauset Harbor, part of the Nauset Marsh Estuary

Water, Water, Everywhere

Issue No. 25 dives deep into our water. Where does it come from? Where does it go? And what happens to it along the way? This issue overflows with answers — groundwater, drinking water, pond water, ocean water, stormwater, wastewater, wetlands, and estuaries.

Sep 05, 2024

Town Meeting & Elections

Preview of Special Town Meeting — November 16, 2026 — Wood Cove, part of the Nauset Estuary System (see map below)

Preview of Special Town Meeting — November 16, 2026

Issue No 36 — Our Preview of Special Town Meeting takes a look at Warrant articles that propose zoning bylaw changes, new emergency generators for the Council on Aging and the Water Treatment Plant, a study of Pochet Marsh's self-cleaning abilities, and a Citizen Petition.

Nov 09, 2026

Don't Forget to Vote!

Don't Forget to Vote!

The Town Election is TODAY, May 19. Cast your vote in-person until 7:00 PM at the Council on Aging/Senior Center, 150 Rock Harbor Road. Along with three ballot questions — funding overrides for the construction of the Fire-Rescue Station and Phase 4 Wastewater, along with approval of

May 19, 2026

Town Meeting Postmortem — May 11, 2026

Town Meeting Postmortem — May 11, 2026

To spend or not to spend? That is the eternal question of Town Meeting, and last Monday night’s in Orleans was no different. Things got off to a prompt start at 6 PM sharp with Town Manager Kim Newman formally thanking the crews at the Police, Fire-Rescue, and

May 18, 2026

Town Projects & Infrastructure

Fire-Rescue Article News

Fire-Rescue Article News

Town Meeting Update: Article 17 has been amended—from an authorization to borrow "up to $60 million" for a new Fire-Rescue Station to an authorization to borrow "up to $55 million," based on revised estimates from our Owners Project Manager, Pomroy Associates, and The Galante Architecture Studio.

May 07, 2026

Good News Flash!

Good News Flash!

Add this late-breaking news to your Town Meeting prep: The bids are in for the construction of Phase 3 of Wastewater and well under the $40.5 million in funding that voters approved for Phase 3 construction at Town Meeting last May. (Two of the three bids were substantially

May 06, 2026

What's Happening Downtown?

What's Happening Downtown?

Issue No. 33 — Our Deep Dive into the past, present, and future of Orleans Downtown. We look at how the new zoning overlay, housing initiatives, and intense Town Hall focus could nurture more vibrancy in the Orleans commercial district.

Mar 31, 2026