Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Annual Town Meeting! In addition to setting our financial structure for FY26, this year’s meeting advanced a number of critical initiatives—including the design of a new fire-rescue station, Phase 3 of the sewer project, and work on the Town Cove bulkhead. Your votes and feedback truly determine what the Town prioritizes, and that’s what Town Meeting form of government is all about. 

Looking ahead, please remember to vote in the upcoming Town Election on Tuesday, May 20. Every vote matters, and your continued involvement helps keep Orleans moving forward. 

My thanks to the Select Board and Finance Committee for their long hours, careful deliberation, and patience throughout this Town Meeting season. And my deep appreciation to Town staff, who not only prepared thoroughly for the meeting, but also provided more opportunities than ever for the public to learn about the warrant in advance. From “Town Meeting Central” on our website to the Orleans Behind the Scenes podcast, community workshops, and this very newsletter - our team’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and engagement is truly incredible. I’m proud to say it’s a cornerstone of how we operate. 

We’re here to help, to listen, and to provide the information you need to stay informed and engaged. I look forward to seeing all of you out and about this summer in our beautiful community. 

Warmly,
Kim Newman
Town Manager 

Quietly Cutting Emissions: Orleans Adds Electric Lawn Equipment 

As part of its commitment to sustainability, the Town of Orleans - designated a Green Community by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources in 2018 - continues to make meaningful progress toward reducing municipal energy use. 

Thanks to this designation, the Department of Public Works recently acquired new electric lawn equipment through grant funding, including hand blowers, chainsaws, and multi-tools. These tools don’t just cut emissions—they also cut down on noise and maintenance costs. 

Electric equipment offers a quieter, cleaner alternative to gas-powered tools, supporting both employee safety and community health by reducing noise pollution and air emissions in public spaces. With less need for fuel and repairs, they’re more cost-effective over time, too. 

The DPW is proud to incorporate this new equipment as part of the Town’s ongoing efforts to promote energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Cape Cod Faces Significant Drought 

While recent spring showers might suggest otherwise, Cape Cod remains in a Level 2 – Significant Drought, as designated by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. This classification indicates that, despite short-term rainfall, long-term precipitation deficits continue to impact the region's water resources. 

At their March 19 meeting, the Orleans Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners voted unanimously to implement mandatory limits on non-essential outdoor water use. Starting May 1 through September 30, watering is limited to two days per week, and only outside the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Restricted activities include: 

• Lawn, garden, or shrub irrigation via sprinklers or automatic systems
• Washing of vehicles (except at a commercial car wash or when necessary for safety)
• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks

These measures are essential to protect our water resources during what is expected to be a dry season. For full details, visit the Orleans Water Department.

Memorial Day Observance

Orleans will hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 26 at Town Cove, near the Orleans Yacht Club. A brief waterfront service will honor those who have served in the armed forces. 

Following the ceremony at Town Cove, attendees will proceed on foot to the Village Green for the remainder of the observance. This year’s relocation is due to ongoing construction at Veterans Memorial Park. 

The ceremony will feature United States Coast Guard Master Chief Jeff Smith as keynote speaker, along with performances by the Nauset Regional High School Band and Chorus, who will perform the National Anthem and additional musical selections. 

The event will also include the Orleans Police and Fire Honor Guards, members of American Legion Post 308, and representatives from the Orleans Memorial Day/Veterans Day Committee. 

All are welcome to attend and honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Investing in the Harbor: Big Changes Underway at Rock Harbor

The Town of Orleans is making significant strides in revitalizing Rock Harbor, a key asset for the local fishing industry and community. The $9 million Commercial Wharf Reconstruction and Improvement Project is progressing well, with major milestones achieved and more on the horizon. 

As of May 2025, the following components have been completed: 

• Installation of a new steel bulkhead.
• Construction of timber piers, floats, and berthing piles.
• Operational electrical and water systems for commercial berths.
• Installation of a new fuel system.
• Reopening of Young’s Fish Market.
• Restoration of access to private piers and floats.
• Limited parking access for commercial slip-holders.

Looking ahead, by June 2025, the project aims to: 

• Complete electrical hookups, including lighting and miscellaneous connections.
• Install a temporary pump-out system.
• Provide full access to private piers and floats.
• Demobilize construction equipment, leaving the lot in a rough-grade condition.

The final phase, scheduled to commence in October 2025, includes: 

• Completion of the commercial offloading pier piles and concrete deck.
• Installation of a jib crane and new pump-out system.
• Development of a public viewing area.
• Installation of guard rails and a drainage system.
• Paving and striping of the parking lot.
• Coordination with Eversource and Verizon to relocate utility poles and remove temporary overhead wires.
• Integration of new underground utilities.

In recognition of these efforts, Orleans Public Works Director Richard Waldo was invited to speak at the 2025 Big Blue Conference, a regional summit focused on coastal resilience and the blue economy. His presentation, "Focus on Rock Harbor: A Working Waterfront Transformation," highlighted the project's role in enhancing the town's maritime infrastructure and supporting the local economy. 

For more information and updates on the Rock Harbor project, please visit the Town of Orleans Rock Harbor Project Updates page.

Friendly Reminder

The Orleans Assessor’s Office will be conducting approximately 370 cyclical property inspections between May 19 and June 2. These inspections are routine data accuracy checks required by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Every property in town must be inspected at least once every ten years. 

Each inspection typically takes 10–15 minutes and includes, with your permission, a brief interior and exterior walkthrough of any buildings. The assessor will also take updated exterior photos only. 

If your property is due for inspection, you will receive a letter in the mail with the scheduled date and an estimated time of arrival. If you haven’t received a letter yet, it should arrive within the next few days. Click here for more information about assessing inspections. 

If you have any questions, or if you'd like the assessor to try to narrow the arrival window, please contact the office at bhinote@town.orleans.ma.us or call (508) 240-3700 ext. 2430.

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