Orleans: Behind the Scenes

Roofs, generators, water systems: someone has to plan for when they wear out and figure out how to pay for them. Finance Director Darrin Tangeman explains the capital budget and how the five-year plan shapes what reaches Town Meeting.Capital vs. operating budgetsWhere the money comes fromWhy some articles need a three-quarters voteHow a facilities assessment could change long-range planningResources: Town of Orleans Orleans: Behind the Scenes takes you inside the work of your town government. Hosted by Amanda Converse and Mia Baumgarten.

In Orleans, the voters are the legislature. Amanda Converse and Mia Baumgarten break down how Town Meeting works, how Annual and Special Town Meeting differ, how to find and read the warrant, and how to get involved well before you take a seat on Town Meeting night.In This Episode•Open Town Meeting: why Orleans voters, not a council, make the big decisions•The 200-voter quorum and why turnout matters•Annual vs. Special Town Meeting: what each one handles, and why "special" doesn't mean less important•The warrant: what it is, where articles come from, and how residents can petition to add one•Finding the warrant: online at Town Meeting Central and in print at Town Hall•Reading the warrant: article language, explanations, board recommendations, and vote thresholds•Getting involved before the vote: voter registration, open houses, public hearings, staff presentations, and more•Town Meeting night: check-in, the Moderator, motions, debate, and how to speak at the mic•What happens after the voteResources•Town Meeting Central (Town Meeting Information): warrant, article summaries, presentations, and event dates•Special Town Meeting: Monday, November 16, 2026, 6PM, Nauset Regional Middle School•Town Meeting Open Houses:–Tuesday, Nov. 10 – Town Hall, 4:30–6PM–Thursday, Nov. 12 – Snow Library, 12–1:15PM–Friday, Nov. 13 – Council on Aging, 8:30–10AM

Zoning decides what gets built in Orleans, where, and how it's used, but bylaw language is hard to read cold. Four zoning articles go to Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 16 at 6PM Amanda Converse and Mia Baumgarten sit down with Elizabeth Jenkins to break down what each article does, why it's on the warrant, and what it means for residents and businesses.Town Meeting InformationProposed Zoning Amendments Orleans: Behind the Scenes takes you inside the work of the Town of Orleans: the departments, projects, and people behind the services you rely on every day. Hosted by Amanda Converse and Mia Baumgarten.

Thinking about connecting your home to Town sewer - or already in the middle of it? We sat down with John Nelson, Orleans' Water/Sewer Program Coordinator, to answer the questions residents ask most: what the process actually looks like, what it costs, and what changes once you're connected.In this episode:The step-by-step connection process - from hiring an engineer through final inspectionWhy you need both an engineer and a contractor, and what each one handlesA breakdown of the real costs: engineering, contractor, sewer use fees, and bettermentsFinancial assistance available through the Cape Cod AquiFund loan programWhat to expect during construction on your propertyWhat never to flush, and how to care for a grinder pump if you have oneWhere to check current construction updates for your streetResources:Need to Connect to Sewer? | Orleans, MACape Cod AquiFund — www.capecod.gov/aquifundContact John Nelson, Sewer Program Coordinator: 508-240-3700 x2319 / [email protected] the show:Orleans: Behind the Scenes introduces you to the people and departments behind daily life in Orleans - showing how municipal work shapes the town you live in.

Orleans' water comes entirely from a sole-source aquifer - no rivers or reservoirs to fall back on - which makes the town especially sensitive to how much snow and rain fall each winter. In this episode, Sue Brown, Orleans' Water & Sewer Superintendent, joins Amanda and Mia to explain what's really behind current water restrictions: how the state's drought designations work, what makes Orleans' rules different from some neighboring towns, how enforcement actually happens day to day, and what residents can do - beyond skipping the sprinkler - to help.In this episode:Why winter snowpack (not summer rain) is the key factor in Orleans' water supplyThe difference between the state's drought guidance, Orleans' individual water permit, and the town's own local rulesWhat's currently allowed and restricted for outdoor water useHow violations are identified and enforcedSimple, high-impact ways residents can conserve water year-roundResources:Orleans Water DepartmentEye on Water - track your household's water usage and set leak alertsMassachusetts Drought Management Task ForceAbout the Show: Orleans: Behind the Scenes takes you inside the departments and people that keep our town running.

Fire-Rescue Chief Geof Deering sits down to talk about his path into the fire service and what it's like leading Orleans Fire-Rescue. We get a real look at what the departmenthandles day to day - from call volume to coastal rescues to what it takes to keep the department running. Geof also wears a second hat as Orleans's Emergency Management Coordinator, and he shares practical, save-this-episodeadvice on hurricane preparedness, alarm systems, lock boxes, and making sure your house number is visible to first responders.Resources•     Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency | Mass.gov•     Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Cyanobacteria can turn a summer pond day into a health risk - and Orleans has people watching for it. Health & Human Services Director Alex Fitch breaks down how the town monitors its ponds all summer long, and public health intern Rowan Brennan shares how she spent her internship making sure that information actually reaches residents.What cyanobacteria is and why it shows up in Cape Cod pondsHow Orleans monitors pond conditions throughout the summerWhat to do if you spot something unusual in the waterHow Rowan researched other Cape Cod towns' communication strategies — and what Orleans adoptedNew resources built this summer to help residents check conditions before they head outPractical tips for a safe day at the pond

Libraries aren't just about books anymore - they're becoming one of the last free, no-strings-attached public spaces left in a lot of communities. This week, Snow Library Director Tavi Prugno joins us to talk about what the library actually offers today, why that matters more than ever, and what's next for Orleans' library.

The Downtown & Town Cove Resiliency Project is back - and this time we're talking public health. We're joined again by Elizabeth Jenkins from the Town's Planning & Community Development department and Nate Burgess and Dillon Sussman from Dodson & Flinker to hear what the Community Charrette revealed, and where the project goes from here.In this episode:What happened at the Charrette - walking tours, design workshops, and a kayak share ideaUrban heat islands: what they are and why Orleans needs to pay attentionHow shade trees can measurably improve downtown comfortWhy walkable, bikeable communities are a public health issue"Living Routes" and connecting downtown to the Cape Cod Rail TrailWhat's coming this fall from the project teamLearn more: Downtown & Town Cove Resiliency Project

Glenn Brand came to Nauset after more than two decades leading schools across Massachusetts and beyond. We sit down with the superintendent to hear what his first year taught him, what's ahead for the schools in Orleans, and his vision for the district's next chapter.