As spring takes hold in Orleans, it brings with it a renewed sense of momentum—and a time to look ahead together. One of the most meaningful ways we do that is through Annual Town Meeting, taking place Monday, May 12.

Town Meeting is your opportunity to shape Orleans’ future. It’s where residents come together to set priorities and determine how we invest in our shared goals. This meeting belongs to you—the people who call Orleans home.

Behind the scenes, our dedicated Town staff work hard every day to serve this community and prepare the information you need to make informed decisions. To support that, we’ve posted helpful resources on the Town website, including details on this year’s warrant articles.

We also invite you to a Warrant Article Workshop on Tuesday, April 30, from 3 to 5 PM at Town Hall, where staff will be available to answer questions and walk through specific articles.

Your voice matters. I hope to see you at Town Meeting.

Kim Newman
Town Manager

Big things are happening at Veterans Memorial Park in Orleans! After years of planning and dedication from community members, construction is officially underway to create a more accessible and meaningful space to honor those who served. Town Manager, Kim Newman, attended the ribbon cutting of the project alongside the many volunteers responsible for moving this initiative forward. Learn more and support the project here.
Photo: Cape Cod Chronicle

Annual Town Meeting Preview

Orleans residents are encouraged to take part in the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 12 at 6pm at the Nauset Regional Middle School Gymnasium. This is the community’s meeting—an opportunity for residents to come together, ask questions, and make decisions about how Orleans invests in its future.

This year’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget totals $64.1 million and supports the full range of services the town provides every day—from permitting and public works to community programs, first responders, and local education. The operational budget includes funding for Town Hall departments as well as Orleans Elementary School, Cape Cod Tech, and the Nauset Regional School District.

The warrant also includes a Proposition 2½ override to support public safety salaries and employee benefits—part of a broader effort to retain and attract the skilled professionals who keep the town safe, functioning, and responsive. Staffing challenges have impacted towns across the Cape, and this proposal reflects a commitment to meeting those challenges head-on.

Two major capital items are also up for consideration: funding for the design of a new Fire-Rescue Station to replace the current, outdated facility, and Phase III of the Town’s sewer expansion, continuing long-term efforts to protect water quality and natural resources.

To help residents learn more, the Town has relaunched the Town Meeting Central webpage. The site includes the full warrant, letters from the Town Manager and Finance Committee, and an in-depth look at the budget and projects under discussion.

Residents are also encouraged to attend the Town Meeting Warrant Article Workshop on Tuesday, April 30 from 3-5pm at Town Hall, where Town staff will be available to answer questions and share background on the articles. That same evening, staff will present an overview of key warrant articles at the Select Board meeting at 5pm. The meeting will be available via livestream and on demand.

Help Keep Snow Library Strong

Snow Library is more than a building—it’s a cornerstone of our community, a place where people of all ages come to learn, grow, and connect. From children discovering the joy of reading to adults exploring new career paths, the resources and services offered here enrich lives every day.

But now, those vital services are at risk.

A recent federal executive order has proposed deep funding cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—the only federal agency dedicated to supporting libraries. If this funding is not restored, public libraries across the country, including Snow Library, could lose essential resources.

Here’s what’s at stake:

Access to Knowledge: Free use of over 60 online databases for research, news, career development, and language learning could disappear.
Statewide Lending: The Commonwealth Catalog, which allows patrons to borrow from libraries across Massachusetts, could be eliminated.
Youth Programs: Resources for the beloved Summer Reading Program, which inspires young readers through engaging activities, could be cut.
Affordable Internet Access: Funding for the e-rate program, which keeps our library connected through reduced telecommunications costs, could vanish—raising local costs and jeopardizing our CLAMS network participation.

How can you help?
Sign the EveryLibrary Action petition or visit Show Up for Our Libraries to contact your elected officials and help spread the word.