Topics

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.

Issue No. 19 takes a deep dive into Short Term Rentals in Orleans — and their impact on our economy, our natural environment, and the fabric of our neighborhoods. Their growing numbers are drawing attention, questions and concern.

Issue No. 15 — A new Town Manager will be arriving at Orleans Town Hall in the coming months. It’s a big job — arguably the single most determinative position in our town’s government. This issue takes a deep dive into the job and what the new hire could mean for the future of Orleans.

Issue No. 11 offers a deep dive into what’s public (and what’s not) in Orleans: beaches, trails, ponds, marshes, town-owned conservation areas, town landings, and Orleans Conservation Trust (OCT) land. We explain the rules of engagement—and describe what can happen when those rules are ignored.

Issue No.6: We explore the Cape’s housing crisis, as it applies to Orleans. We offer housing stats, and explain what the term “affordable housing” means and describe projects in the works. Beyond housing, we explore the concept of living “affordably” in Orleans might mean.

Issue No.3: A “deep dive” into the proposed Nauset Regional School District building project, in preparation for the March 30th vote.

Issue No. 21 — Our recap of Special Town Meeting on October 16, 2023. An alum treatment of Pilgrim Lake and the adoption of a Specialized Energy Code provoked the longest discussions. Two articles failed, including a design for pickleball courts on town-owned property.

Issue No. 20 — a preview of our fall Town Meeting — explains articles that propose reorganization at Town Hall, increased staffing at Fire & Rescue, funding a long-range Comprehensive Town Plan, and continue efforts to preserve and protect our natural environment.

Issue No. 17: Our recap of the Annual and Special Town Meeting on May 8 — 3.5 hours of mostly swift and unanimous passing of articles concerning the FY24 budget, wastewater, housing and first responders. The fish ladder at Pilgrim Lake and Veteran’s Park Memorial drew passionate discussion.

Issue No. 12: Thirty-six articles are under consideration at the Special Town Meeting, including Short-Term Rental registration, a petition to restrict the use of chemical fertilizers and an HVAC upgrade to OES. Plus, what is Free Cash? Read on . . .

Issue No.10: Orleans voters considered more than 70 articles over the course of a four-hour meeting and approved Meetinghouse Pond sewering, affordable housing, and Universal PreSchool support, but the discussion returned again and again to our Town debt.

Issue No. 9: The Town and School annual budget, Charter amendments, and Phase 2 of the Wastewater Plan—sewers for 481 properties near Meetinghouse Pond and a “Betterment Bylaw” that would charge them 20 percent of the $33 million cost—are just a few of the important issues before voters.

Issue No.8: Voters approve universal preschool, a new parking lot at Nauset Beach, dredging of Rock Harbor, and a feasibility study for a new fire station—though the discussion has wild twists and turns.

Issue No. 7: Proposals for a new Nauset Beach parking lot, emergency dredging of Rock Harbor, a revised feasibility study for a new Fire Station building, an updating of the master plan for wastewater in Orleans, and Universal preschool for Orleans children.

Issue No. 5: A precariously small number of voters—barely 200, which is quorum—approved moving forward with the Nauset Estuary Dredging Project, the purchase of the Governor Prence properties, and a feasibility study for a community center.

Issue No. 4: Orleans voters are asked to purchase the Governor Prence Properties, dredge Nauset Harbor, and approve a scaled-down Feasibility Study for a Community Center.

Issue No.2: We let you know how things shook out at the meeting: Hello, pot shops! And voters green-lit a feasibility study for the Governor Prence Properties, but said “no” to exploring the possibility of a Community Center for now.

In Issue No.1 – Should beach stickers be free? Should Orleans establish Enterprise Funds for some town operations and services? Do Orleans voters want to fund feasibility studies for several big-ticket projects?