Get Involved: Conversations on Orleans’ Future 

This fall, there are several opportunities for residents to get involved and share input on projects that will help shape Orleans’ future. Whether it’s planning for our schools, improving wastewater infrastructure, or charting a long-term vision for the town — your voice matters. 

Sewer Connection Office Hours 
Drop in to speak one-on-one with Town staff about the sewer connection process, timelines, and available financing resources. Office hours are held Fridays in November and December from 9–11 AM in the Skaket Room at Town Hall. These sessions are designed to help residents and business owners navigate next steps and get their individual questions answered. 

Nauset Regionalization & Efficiency Study 
The Nauset Public Schools and the towns of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet are conducting a study to explore how our elementary and middle schools can operate more effectively together. 

These meetings are open to all community members - not just parents of school aged children - and offer a chance to help define shared values and priorities for the future of education in our region. 

Meeting Schedule (all from 6–7:30 PM): 

• Monday, November 3 – Wellfleet Elementary School or Nauset Middle School Cafeteria
• Wednesday, November 5 – Orleans Elementary School or Eastham Elementary School Cafeteria 
• Thursday, November 6 – Brewster Stony Brook Elementary School Cafeteria 
• Tuesday, November 12 – Zoom option (Register here) 

Comprehensive Plan Community Meetings 
The Orleans Planning Board invites residents to review and comment on the draft Orleans Comprehensive Plan, which outlines long-term strategies for housing, economic development, natural resources, and quality of life. 

 Meetings will take place in the Nauset Room at Town Hall on: 

• Tuesday, November 4 at 4 PM 
• Thursday, November 20 at 4 PM 
• Wednesday, December 10 at 6 PM 

Each of these efforts reflects Orleans’ ongoing commitment to planning thoughtfully for the future. 

Composting at the Transfer Station 

Residents have been asking for food scrap composting - and now it’s here. The Town of Orleans has added two dedicated bins at the Transfer Station for the collection of food scraps and other certified compostable materials. This new initiative promotes sustainability, helps reduce the community’s reliance on landfills, and supports the production of high-quality compost soil at a regional facility. 

Participation in the program is optional, but every household that takes part will make a difference. To ensure the program’s success, it’s important that only approved items go into the bins. Common contaminants such as plastic bags, liquids, and non-compostable materials can spoil an entire load and prevent it from being diverted. The bins are lined with certified compostable liners, so residents can drop food scraps directly into the bin or use their own certified compostable bags. 

Detailed visuals at the Transfer Station and on this webpage show exactly what can and cannot be added to the compost bins. Please take a moment to review them before you participate.  

Update on 72 Tonset Road: Expanding Access to the Waterfront

Since purchasing the waterfront property at 72 Tonset Road - known as Westwinds - the Town has been working to make this scenic site more welcoming and accessible for the Orleans community. Situated next to Sea Call Farm, Westwinds presents an exciting opportunity to expand public shoreline access, connect walking paths with a neighboring Town parcel, and plan thoughtfully for long-term municipal and community use. 

This season, the Department of Public Works added designated sticker parking spaces and improved the access paths, making it easier for visitors to reach the water. The Conservation Commission also approved a small kayak storage stand near the shoreline. Together, these updates allowed residents to safely enjoy the property, with more than a dozen local applications for kayak and paddleboard storage. Keep an eye out for the 2026 vessel-storage application cycle next spring! 

Looking ahead, the Town will seek design and engineering proposals to guide future improvements at Westwinds and coordinate planning with the adjacent Town site. An informal task force is also being considered to explore shoreline access, potential uses for the existing buildings, and open-space connections. Updates will be shared as planning continues.

Drought Update for Cape Cod: Watering Limits Extended

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reminding the public that the Cape Cod region is in a Level 2 – Significant Drought due to ongoing dry conditions and below-average rainfall. This means it’s more important than ever for all of us to do our part to conserve water and protect our natural resources.  

Here’s how you can help:  

• Limit outdoor watering to handheld hoses or cans, to two days a week and only between 5 PM and 9 AM. This is mandatory and enforceable in Orleans through the end of the 2025 calendar year.
• Take shorter showers and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full
• Fix leaks promptly - every drop counts
• Avoid washing vehicles, boats, or hard surfaces unless absolutely necessary

For more information visit the Water Department's webpage. 

The Future of Skaket Beach

Skaket Beach is one of Orleans’ treasures - and we’re planning for its long-term resiliency. Join the Town of Orleans and Woods Hole Group to learn about the results of a coastal processes study and explore strategies to protect this beloved shoreline. 

Wednesday, October 22
6:00 PM
Orleans Town Hall – Skaket Room, 19 School Rd
Or join virtually on Zoom.

At the meeting, the project team will review project goals and findings, share potential strategies for resilience, discuss coastal impacts and alternatives, and gathering public input on next steps.

Fall Fun for Adults: Creative, Educational, and Social Events in Orleans

The Orleans Department of Recreation, Culture & Community Events has a great lineup of adult programs this fall! Learn from local experts at the Atlantic White Shark Lecture on Thursday, October 16, from 6–7:30 PM, featuring fascinating research updates, photos, and videos from the field - free to attend with an RSVP encouraged. Get creative at Pumpkin Decorating at Wild Water Collective on Thursday, October 23, from 6–8 PM, where your $15 ticket includes a pumpkin, materials, and a beverage to sip while you craft. 

For those looking to mix things up, Las Chidas will host a Seasonal Mixology Class on Wednesday, November 19, from 7–9 PM. Participants will learn to make three festive cocktails, enjoy a full tasting menu, and take-home recipes and mix supplies.
 
Space is limited for all events - register today!

New! Next Gen Soccer Academy

Boys and girls in grades 2–5 are invited to join the new Next Gen Soccer Academy this fall! The program runs on Tuesdays - October 21, October 28, November 4, November 18, November 25, and December 2 (no session on November 11) - at the Orleans Elementary School Gym. 

• Grades 2–3: 5:00–6:00 PM
• Grades 4–5: 6:00–7:00 PM
• Fee: $40 (residents) / $50 (non-residents) per person

Space is limited to 20 participants per session, so early registration is encouraged!

Rock Harbor Commercial Wharf Improvements - Fall 2025 Update

Work is underway on Rock Harbor Road in Orleans as part of improvements to the Rock Harbor commercial wharf.  

What’s Happening Now 

• The contractor, Coastal Marine Construction, LLC, began mobilizing equipment and materials the week of September 29.
• Full major construction - especially steel pipe pile driving - is set to resume October 22.

Impacts & What to Expect 

• Access restrictions: Once mobilization began, public access to the wharf facility was restricted. Local businesses remain open and accessible from outside the project zone.
• Noise: Pile driving operations will generate periodic, louder noise, especially during impact driving.
• Traffic / material deliveries: Increased truck traffic is expected along Bay View Drive; materials will be staged in the Rock Harbor parking lot.
• Boater caution: Steel piles already in place may be submerged at times. Mariners should transit slowly, use caution, and monitor VHF channels 16/13.

 
Contact Info
For questions or updates: 

• Orleans Public Works Office, (508) 240-3790 
• Email: Richard Waldo rwaldo@town.orleans.ma.us

We appreciate your patience as these critical upgrades move forward.

Device Advice Program Wins State Technology Award 

We’re thrilled to share that Device Advice - Orleans’ drop-in tech help program in partnership with Cape Cod Regional Technical High School - has received the Spirit of Massachusetts Award for innovation in community technology. 

Each week, students from Cape Cod Tech provide free, hands-on tech support at Snow Library (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10–12) and the Orleans Senior Center (select Mondays, 10–12). Residents can stop by with phones, tablets, laptops, or questions about online safety - no appointment needed. 

The program has become a trusted resource in town, especially for older adults, and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback.  

Grant Helps Orleans Fire Department Train the Next Generation of Paramedics 

The Orleans Fire Department has received a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to strengthen emergency medical services and support the next generation of paramedics. The $230,000 award will fund training for four current firefighters to advance from EMT to Paramedic certification - helping the department maintain advanced life support coverage as several senior paramedics near retirement. 

“This funding lets us invest in our own team and plan for the future,” said Fire Chief Geof Deering. “It ensures we can continue to provide the high level of emergency care our community depends on.” 

The grant, written by Deputy Chief Tim Gula, covers tuition, certification, and backfill staffing so shifts remain fully covered during training. A small local match - approved by residents at the Fall 2024 Special Town Meeting - made the award possible. 

Town Manager Kim Newman noted that the effort is part of broader succession planning and workforce development across Town departments. “This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment that keeps Orleans strong,” she said. 

Orleans Awarded State Grant for Climate Resilience Planning

The Town of Orleans has received a $198,175 grant from the state’s Massachusetts Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program to develop a Downtown and Town Cove Resilience Plan. The project will help the Town prepare for flooding and sea-level rise while protecting public spaces and essential infrastructure. 

The MVP program supports communities across Massachusetts in addressing the impacts of climate change. Orleans was one of 54 communities awarded funding this year - part of nearly $30 million in statewide grants from the Healey-Driscoll Administration.