November 2025 Town Meeting Information and Resources

Town Meeting Central is your one-stop source for everything you need to know about the upcoming Town Meeting — articles, summaries, presentations, and ways to get involved.

The 2025 Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, November 17th at 6 PM in the Nauset Middle School Gym. Staff will be available beginning at 4 PM on Town Meeting Day at Nauset Middle School to answer questions before the meeting starts.

Town Meeting will be streamed live on Channel 1072 and on the website live stream.

The Orleans Recreation, Culture, and Community Events Department is happy to provide childcare during Town Meeting. Please visit www.orleansrecreation.com for more information!

Key Articles

The following articles represent some of the most significant proposals on the Special Town Meeting warrant and are highlighted here to help residents understand their purpose and potential impact. Each one has been the subject of community discussion, planning, and collaboration across departments and boards.

If you have questions about any other article in the warrant or need clarification on any of the information presented here, please contact the Town Manager’s Office or visit Town Hall during business hours - staff are happy to assist.

Article 1 – Technical Updates to the Zoning Bylaw

This article proposes a full reorganization and recodification of the Town’s zoning bylaw (Chapter 164). The goal is to make the document clearer, more consistent, and easier to navigate - not to change any actual regulations. Over the years, numerous amendments have created inconsistencies and outdated references. The updated format introduces a modern, well-structured framework with numbered sections, clear definitions, and reorganized articles grouped by topic. This step lays the groundwork for future updates that may address specific zoning issues in more detail.

Click here for the full text of the reorganized bylaw.

This guide compares the existing bylaw and the proposed reorganized bylaw; it explains how the document was reorganized. A more detailed walkthrough of the technical edits can be found here.

Additional questions can be directed to Assistant Town Planner Elizabeth Jenkins.
—————————————————————————

Article 2 – Downtown Housing Overlay District

This proposal establishes a new Downtown Housing Overlay District designed to encourage year-round attainable housing and mixed-use development in the sewered downtown area. The overlay provides clear design standards for buildings and streetscapes while incentivizing housing for local workers and residents. This new zoning tool helps achieve community housing goals, supports downtown businesses, and protects water quality by focusing growth in areas served by municipal sewer.

Key elements include:

50% of all new units deed-restricted for year-round occupancy
Requirements for affordable and attainable units in larger developments
Modern design and site standards that preserve the character and walkability of downtown Orleans

Click here for the full project informational page.

Additional questions can be directed to Assistant Town Planner Elizabeth Jenkins.

———————————————————————————

Article 3 – Adoption of the Specialized Energy Code

This article updates Orleans’ current Stretch Energy Code to the Specialized Energy Code, which strengthens building standards for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction. The new code is one of the final requirements for Orleans to earn the Massachusetts Climate Leader designation, opening eligibility for additional state grants. It aligns with local sustainability goals and supports the Town’s long-term commitment to reducing energy costs and climate impacts in both residential and commercial construction.

Slide Presentation by DOER
Video of Slide Presentation by DOER

Additional questions can be directed to Assistant Town Manager Mark Reil.
————————————————————————

Article 4 – Affordable Housing Tax Exemption for Year-Round Rental Properties

This article adopts a local-option property-tax exemption allowed under state law for property owners who rent homes year-round at affordable rates to income-qualified tenants. The Select Board would set income limits (up to 200% of area median income), affordable rent levels, and exemption amounts. This new tool encourages homeowners to offer stable, long-term rentals- helping address the regional shortage of year-round housing while supporting residents and families who live and work in Orleans.

Click here for Mass. General Laws c.59 § 5O which enables Massachusetts communities to enact this tool.

Click here for a list of current real estate property tax exemptions offered by the Town of Orleans.

Additional questions can be directed to Town Assessor Brad Hinote.
—————————————————————————————

Article 5 – Community Impact Fee on Professionally Managed Short-Term Rentals

This measure authorizes a 3% community impact fee on professionally managed short-term rentals - properties operated by the same owner who manages two or more units in town. The fee, collected by the state and returned to Orleans quarterly, would be dedicated to community needs: 75% for affordable housing and 25% for local infrastructure improvements. This ensures that commercial short-term rental activity contributes directly to maintaining and improving the community’s housing and infrastructure.

Additional questions can be directed to Assistant Town Planner Elizabeth Jenkins.
————————————————————————————

Article 8 – Land Acquisition for the Fire-Rescue Station

This article authorizes the Town to acquire 56 Eldredge Park Way for $1.35 million to support the design and siting of a new Fire-Rescue Station. Purchasing this abutting parcel provides better access and visibility for emergency response, eliminates the need for a temporary facility during construction, and improves overall project efficiency. The purchase would be funded through existing stabilization funds, with no impact on the tax rate.

Click here for more information on the Fire-Rescue Building Project

Additional questions can be directed to Special Projects Coordinator Michael Solitro.
—————————————————————————————

Article 9 – Eldredge Park Renovation Project

This article seeks authorization to borrow $3 million in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for a comprehensive renovation of Eldredge Park - one of Orleans’ most beloved recreation spaces. Planned improvements include new and reconfigured courts for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and handball; an upgraded inclusive playground; ADA-accessible walkways and spectator seating; shaded gathering areas; and sustainable stormwater and landscaping upgrades. The project enhances safety, accessibility, and year-round recreation for residents of all ages.

Click here for more information on the Eldredge Park Renovation Project.

Additional questions can be directed to Recreation, Culture, and Community Events Director Thomas DeSiervo.

Town staff recently hosted a public presentation to help residents prepare for the Special Town Meeting on November 17. The session provided an overview of the warrant articles, highlighting those that most directly support Orleans’ long-term goals for housing, infrastructure, fiscal stability, and sustainability.

Special Town Meeting Warrant

A warrant is the official agenda for a Town Meeting. It is a public notice that lists all of the items - called articles - that voters will be asked to consider, discuss, and vote on at the meeting. These articles may include budget approvals, zoning changes, capital improvement projects, bylaw amendments, or citizen petitions.

The warrant is prepared and approved by the Select Board and is typically posted and made available in advance to inform residents of what will be voted on. Each article provides the legal wording of the proposed action, and additional materials (like explanations or narratives) may be shared separately to help voters understand the context.

In Massachusetts towns like Orleans, the Open Town Meeting form of government means that registered voters are the legislative body — so the warrant is a critical tool for transparency, civic participation, and decision-making in local government.

Click here to read the 2025 Special Town Meeting Warrant!

The November Special Town Meeting brings forward a focused set of articles that reflect Orleans’ ongoing efforts to plan thoughtfully for its future - from housing and infrastructure to sustainability and community investment.

Several of the proposals center on housing opportunity and affordability, including new tools to support year-round rental housing, tax incentives for property owners, and zoning updates that encourage mixed-use development in the downtown area. These initiatives work together to strengthen Orleans’ position as a livable, walkable, and year-round community.

A second theme is strategic investment in community assets - through the proposed renovation of Eldredge Park, the creation of a Capital Improvement Fund, and the acquisition of land to support the design and siting of a new Fire-Rescue Station. These investments build on voter commitments made at the May Annual Town Meeting and continue progress on the Town’s long-term capital plan.

Finally, the warrant includes actions that reinforce the Town’s commitment to climate responsibility and sustainability, such as adoption of the Specialized Energy Code and continued funding for wastewater management and water quality improvements.

Together, these articles represent the Town’s shared goals: supporting Orleans’ residents and businesses year-round, maintaining fiscal stability, and protecting the natural and built environment for generations to come.

Town Meeting is a long-held tradition in New England, serving as a form of direct democratic rule that empowers residents to engage directly in decisions related to municipal policies, budgets, and community initiatives. In Orleans, as in other Cape Cod communities, this practice dates back to the early 17th century, when the first gatherings were held by Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony. These meetings were vital for local governance, allowing citizens to discuss and decide on matters far removed from centralized authority. In Orleans, Town Meetings remain a hallmark of civic engagement, providing every resident with an equal voice and vote - often hailed as the "truest form of democracy."

The legislative powers of the Town shall be exercised by a Town Meeting open to all registered voters of the town. The quorum necessary for the conduct of Town Meeting business shall be two hundred (200) of the current registered voters of the Town.