Orleans voters will be presented with significant decisions at a special town meeting on November 17, where they will consider a proposal to purchase a 0.82-acre parcel of land at 56 Eldredge Park Way for $1.35 million. This acquisition aims to facilitate the construction of a new fire station, enabling the existing station to remain operational during the building phase, thus ensuring uninterrupted emergency services for residents and saving the town millions in potential relocation costs.
The Select Board announced on October 15 that they reached an agreement with the landowner, a move endorsed by Select Board Chairman Kevin Galligan, who noted the advantages of situating the new facility closer to the street for improved visibility and response times. The financing for this purchase will be sourced from existing stabilization funds, ensuring there will be no impact on the town’s tax rate.
In addition to the fire station project, voters will also consider the implementation of a 3% community impact fee on professionally managed short-term rentals. This fee aims to create a revenue stream for affordable housing and infrastructure improvements, with 75% of the funds allocated to the creation of affordable housing and 25% for local infrastructure needs.
During the special town meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. at Nauset Regional Middle School, voters will review a total of 12 articles. Among these, Article 2 proposes establishing a new downtown housing overlay district, focusing on the development of year-round attainable housing and mixed-use structures. This article outlines that 50% of new units should be reserved for year-round residents and includes standards for preserving the character and walkability of downtown Orleans.
Other proposals include the adoption of a local-option property tax exemption for property owners renting homes year-round at affordable rates, as well as measures to ensure that commercial short-term rental activities contribute financially to the town’s housing and infrastructure efforts.
Overall, these developments reflect Orleans’ commitment to enhancing community services and supporting housing needs, recognizing the vital importance of balanced growth for the future.