Orleans: Behind the Scenes

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 Information P...

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 inspection Why...

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...

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-episodea...

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 pon...

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 th...

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.

Ever wondered what actually happens inside the Treasurer/Tax Collector's Office? In this episode, we sit down with Scott Walker and Maya Golding to find out - from how your tax bills work to the surprising ways this office touches nearly every part of town life. It's more interesting than you might think. https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/387/Treasurer-Tax-Collector

What does it take to make Downtown Orleans more resilient to flooding, water quality threats, and a changing climate? We sit down with Elizabeth Jenkins from the Town's Planningand Community Development department along with Peter Flinker and Nate Burgess from landscape architecture firm Dodson & Flinker to find out - and along the way, we uncover some surprising local history. In this episode...

We've been waiting for this! Stacy Faber from the DPW & Natural Resources Sticker Office joins Mia and Amanda to cover everything you need for a great Orleans summer - from beach stickers and over-sand vehicles to shellfish permits and getting on the water. All the links are at town.orleans.ma.us/544 .

In this episode, we take a closer look at the proposed new Fire-Rescue Station and the articles on the upcoming Town Meeting warrant. Hosts Mia and Amanda are joined by Fire Chief Geof Deering to walk through where the project stands today, what progress has been made since last fall’s Town Meeting vote, and what residents are being asked to consider this spring. The conversation covers: Why the c...

In this episode of Orleans: Behind the Scenes, we sit down with Rich Waldo to walk through upcoming wastewater-related items that will be before voters at Town Meeting. The conversation focuses on two key areas: continuing the planning and design work needed to move future phases of the Town’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan forward and ensuring that a previously approved sewer project fo...

Annual Town Meeting is where Orleans residents vote on the Town’s budget - and in this episode of Orleans Behind the Scenes , we’re breaking down what that actually means. Amanda and Mia are joined by Assistant Town Manager Mark Reil and Finance Director Darrin Tangeman to walk through the FY27 budget in a clear and approachable way. They cover how the budget is developed, what shaped this year’s...

What does the Select Board do - and how does it help guide the direction of the Town? In this episode of Orleans Behind the Scenes, we sit down with Select Board Chair Kevin Galligan to take a closer look at the role of the Select Board and how it fits into Orleans’ town government. The conversation begins with what draws someone to serve in this capacity, before moving into the fundamentals - how...

In this episode of Orleans Behind the Scenes , Mia and Amanda sit down with Nate Sears, the Town of Orleans’ Natural Resources Manager and Harbor Master. Nate shares his background, how he came into the role, and what it takes to manage Orleans’ harbors, waterways, beaches, and coastal resources. The conversation explores the many facets of the job and how the work shifts with the seasons, along w...

In this episode, we sit down with Kim Newman to talk about her role as Orleans’ chief administrative officer and what happens behind the scenes at Town Hall. She also shares her path into public service and what continues to motivate her in municipal leadership. If you’ve ever wondered how the Town Manager's office operates day to day - this episode offers a clear and personal look inside.

As Orleans enters a new year, this episode of Orleans: Behind the Scenes takes a step back to reflect on what defined 2025 - and looks ahead to what’s coming in 2026. Hosts Mia and Amanda are joined by Town Manager Kim Newman and Assistant Town Manager Mark Reil for a wide-ranging conversation about the themes, priorities, and behind-the-scenes work that shaped the past year. Together, they discus...

How does a town manage its finances - and what goes into building the annual budget? In this episode of Orleans Behind the Scenes, Amanda Converse and Mia Baumgarten take a behind-the-scenes look at how municipal finance works in Orleans with new Finance Director Darrin Tangeman. The conversation breaks down what the Finance Department does, how the town’s budget is developed, and why financial pl...

What exactly is a Comprehensive Plan, and why is it so important for Orleans’ future? In this episode, host Amanda Converse talks with Planning and Community Development Director George Meservey, Planning Board Chair John Ostman, and Sharon Rooney of Tighe & Bond about the new Orleans 2050 Comprehensive Plan. They break down what the plan is (and isn’t), why every Cape Cod community needs one...

We’re continuing our Town Meeting education series with a conversation about Warrant Article 2, which proposes the Downtown Housing Overlay District. Co-hosts Mia Baumgarten and Amanda Converse talk with Elizabeth Jenkins and George Meservey from the Town’s Planning Department about what an overlay district is, how it supports year-round housing and local businesses, and how it maintains the chara...

Voters will consider Article 9 at the November 17 Special Town Meeting — a proposal to invest $3 million in Community Preservation Act funds to renovate and modernize Eldredge Park, Orleans’ most iconic public space. Hosts Amanda Converse and Mia Baumgarten talk with Director of Recreation, Culture & Community Events Tom DeSiervo and Assistant Town Manager Mark Reil about the project’s design,...

In this episode, Amanda and Mia sit down with Town Clerk Kelly Darling to explore one of the most essential — and busiest — departments in Orleans. Kelly shares insights into her background and training, what her team handles day to day, how they manage elections and Town Meeting, and why attention to detail is so critical in keeping local government running smoothly. Whether you’ve visited to get...

Town Meeting is the oldest form of direct democracy in New England, and it’s how Orleans makes many of its most important decisions. In this episode, Amanda and Mia walk through what Town Meeting is, how it works, and what to expect on the day. You’ll also learn how to stay informed in the weeks leading up to Town Meeting and why reading the warrant ahead of time is the best way to prepare.

Summer may be winding down, but life in Orleans is just as vibrant in the fall. From crisp walks on the beach with your dog to youth sports, adult programs, cultural events, and hidden trails waiting to be discovered, Orleans is truly a year-round community. In this episode, Amanda and Mia talk with: Tom DeSiervo, Director of Recreation, Culture & Community Events – about fall programs, events...