This special edition of Town Talk is dedicated to helping residents prepare for the Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 17 at 6 PM at Nauset Middle School. Town Meeting is one of the most important days of the year for Orleans - the moment when residents come together to make decisions that shape our community’s future.

In these weeks leading up to the meeting, the Town is working to make information as clear and accessible as possible through Town Meeting Central, community information sessions, podcasts, and other resources. Our goal is simple: to ensure that every voter arrives informed, confident, and ready to participate in the democratic process that makes Orleans the engaged and forward-thinking community it is.

Download the Special Town Meeting Warrant Book here or pick up a hard copy in the Town Manager's office in Town Hall

Learn More Before Town Meeting

There are several ways to learn about the warrant articles and what they mean for Orleans before residents gather for the Special Town Meeting on November 17. Whether you prefer reading online, attending a discussion, or listening on the go, we’ve made it easy to get informed in the way that works best for you.

Town Meeting Central
Visit Town Meeting Central on the Town website for everything related to the November Special Town Meeting - the full warrant, article summaries, the staff presentation, and information on upcoming events. It’s the best place to start if you’re looking to understand the details and background of each proposal.

Community Information Sessions
Join Town staff and board members for informal open houses to ask questions and learn more:

Wed, Nov 6 – Specialized Energy Code Presentation (DOER) • 7 PM, Nauset Room & Zoom
Wed, Nov 12 – Warrant Article Open House • 4–6 PM, Nauset Room, Town Hall
Thu, Nov 13 – Warrant Article Open House • 12–1:30 PM, Snow Library
Fri, Nov 14 – Coffee & Conversation • 9–10:30 AM, Council on Aging
On Town Meeting day (Nov 17), staff will also be available starting at 4 PM at Nauset Middle School to answer questions before the meeting begins.

Orleans Behind the Scenes Podcast
Listen to special Town Meeting episodes of Orleans: Behind the Scenes featuring staff breaking down key warrant articles. Episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the Town website.

Staff Presentation: Understanding the Warrant
Town staff 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.

The Eldredge Park Renovation Project is Article 9. View more information about all of the articles on the Town Meeting Central webpage.

At a Glance: What’s on the Warrant

The November Special Town Meeting includes 12 articles that address Orleans’ priorities around housing, sustainability, recreation, public safety, and fiscal planning. Here’s a quick overview of the key proposals:

Article 1 – Zoning Bylaw Recodification
Reorganizes the Town’s zoning bylaw to make it clearer and easier to navigate — with no changes to existing regulations.

Article 2 – Downtown Housing Overlay District
Creates a new zoning overlay to encourage year-round attainable housing and mixed-use development downtown while maintaining Orleans’ village character.

Article 3 – Specialized Energy Code Adoption
Updates Orleans’ building standards to the state’s Specialized Energy Code, improving energy efficiency and supporting the Town’s Climate Leader designation.

Article 4 – Affordable Housing Tax Exemption
Establishes a local tax exemption for property owners who rent homes year-round to income-qualified tenants, supporting long-term housing stability.

Article 5 – Community Impact Fee on Short-Term Rentals
Adds a 3% community impact fee on professionally managed short-term rentals, with revenue directed to affordable housing and infrastructure.

Article 6 – Affordable Housing and Infrastructure Stabilization Funds
Creates two dedicated funds to hold revenue from the community impact fee, ensuring transparency and long-term investment in community priorities.

Article 7 – Capital Improvement Fund
Establishes a fund to plan and save for major capital projects, reducing future borrowing and maintaining fiscal stability.

Article 8 – Land Acquisition for Fire-Rescue Station
Authorizes the Town to purchase 56 Eldredge Park Way to support the design and siting of a new Fire-Rescue Station — with no tax impact.

Article 9 – Eldredge Park Renovation Project
Appropriates $3 million in Community Preservation funds to renovate Eldredge Park, including new courts, an inclusive playground, and ADA-accessible paths.

Article 10 – Wastewater Management Engineering Support
Allocates $150,000 from wastewater stabilization for continued planning and outreach related to the Town’s wastewater management plan.

Article 11 – FY26 Budget Adjustments
Adds $95,000 to cover employee reclassifications and contract settlements completed after the FY26 budget was approved.

Article 12 – Closing Article
Standard procedural article to conclude the meeting.

Learn More Before Town Meeting

Town Meeting Fun Fact

At a Glance: What’s on the Warrant

Special Town Meeting Details