Orleans Citizens Forum

OCF Shaping the Future of Our Community

The Updated Comprehensive Plan:
What Is It and How Will It Shape the Future of Orleans

 Held October 23, 2025 at Lower Cape TV

Click Here to View the Recording

This Orleans Citizens Forum’s event explored the recently completed draft of the Town of Orlean’s Comprehensive Plan—a blueprint for the future that reflects several years of collaboration, research and community input.  Panelists introduced background data on Orleans and provided attendees an opportunity to learn about the planning process and explore the recommendations designed to guide growth, sustainability, economic development and capital improvements.

Speakers:

  • John Ostman, Chair, Orleans Planning Board
  • George Meservey, Director of Planning and Community Development, Town of Orleans
  • Sharon Rooney, Principal Planner, Tighe & Bond

Mary V.L. Wright, President, Orleans Citizens Forum moderated the discussion.

Orleans Citizens Forum is an all-volunteer independent non-partisan organization that provides public forums on topics important to our quality of life. Visit www.OrleansCitizensForum.org and support us in keeping Orleans informed

OCF Annual Meeting: The Future of Creativity and the Arts in the Age of AI

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Click here to watch the video

The Orleans Citizens’ Forum was honored to have, as our Annual Meeting guest speaker, Orleans resident Michael E. Jones. Michael addressed the rapidly growing uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and particularly the ethics of AI, its impact on the future of art, and what we owe one another in an age where technology challenges the very meaning of being human.

The presentation’s format was a podcast interview with Michael, conducted by Clarke Doody, host of the Cape & Island Podcast.

Michael has written nine foundational books on sports law, entertainment law, and art law and has helped pioneer some of the first university-level courses in the United States on those subjects. His latest book, What Art Is Now: Creativity in the Age of AI, will be published by Bloomsbury later this year.

The podcast interview was followed by a very brief OCF Annual Members’ Meeting.

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Orleans Citizens Forum is an all-volunteer independent non-partisan organization that provides public forums on topics important to our quality of life. Visit www.OrleansCitizensForum.org and support us in keeping Orleans informed.

OCF Annual Meeting: The Future of Creativity and the Arts in the Age of AI

Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 5:00 – 6:45 pm

The Centers for Culture and History in Orleans (CHO)

3 River Road, Orleans

The Orleans Citizens’ Forum is honored to have, as our Annual Meeting guest speaker, Orleans resident Michael E. Jones. Michael will address the rapidly growing uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and particularly the ethics of AI, its impact on the future of art, and what we owe one another in an age where technology challenges the very meaning of being human.

The presentation’s format will be a podcast interview with Michael, conducted by Clarke Doody, host of the Cape & Island Podcast.

Michael has written nine foundational books on sports law, entertainment law, and art law and has helped pioneer some of the first university-level courses in the United States on those subjects. His latest book, What Art Is Now: Creativity in the Age of AI, will be published by Bloomsbury later this year.

The podcast interview will follow a very brief OCF Annual Members’ Meeting. Refreshments will be served.

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Orleans Citizens Forum is an all-volunteer independent non-partisan organization that provides public forums on topics important to our quality of life. Visit www.OrleansCitizensForum.org and support us in keeping Orleans informed.

GET READY FOR TOWN MEETING!

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Click here to watch the video

The Orleans Citizens’ Forum hosted a forum on  May 1st at the Senior Center to inform residents about articles on the Orleans Spring Town Meeting on Monday, May 12. Town leaders  provided an overview of the Town Meeting Agenda, shared the Finance Committee’s and Selectboard’s recommendations and explained three key articles:  the fire station/town campus concept, Phase III of the sewer project, and the article seeking Town support to allow marijuana shops to use courier services.
Panelists:

  • Kim Newman, Town Administrator, provided an overview of the Town Meeting Agenda, and the status of the fire station/town campus concept.
  • Kevin Galligan, Selectboard Member, shared information about Phase III of the sewer project.
  • Meff Runyon, Selectboard Member, presented the Selectboard’s support of the warrant articles.
  • Elaine Baird, Chair of the Finance Committee, discussed the Finance Committee’s positions on the warrant articles.

Mary Wright, Board Member, OCF,  moderated the panel discussion.

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We are an all-volunteer independent non-partisan organization that provides public forums on topics important to our quality of life. Visit OrleansCitizensForum.org and support us in keeping Orleans informed.

FRESHWATER QUALITY ON THE CAPE AND IN ORLEANS

Thursday, March 27, 2025

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Regrettably, water quality in our freshwater ponds and lakes is declining. Several groups, including the Cape Cod Commission, The Orleans Marine and Fresh Water Committee, and the Orleans Pond Coalition have been collecting and analyzing data to pinpoint causes of the decline and to identify remedies that have been put in place, and/or are being considered for future remediation. The Orleans Citizens Forum explored these efforts at its March 27 Forum on Freshwater Quality on the Cape and in Orleans, in particular.

The following questions were addressed by the panelists:

  • What does the data tell us about the health of our freshwater ponds and lakes?
  • What are the problems causing a downward trend in water quality and what has created them?
  • What actions have been taken to mitigate these concerns?
  • What additional actions are being planned?
  • How can citizens help?

Panelists included:

  • Heather McElroy, a planner at the Cape Cod Commission, working to develop appropriate tools and policies to help address the region’s natural resource and land use challenges. Her work has contributed to many regional projects focused on improving communication, knowledge, and action on natural resource and climate change issues on Cape Cod.
  • Tara Nye Lewis, Cape Cod Commission’s Water Resources Analyst, provides technical expertise, analysis and decision-support to towns and the public on planning and regulatory issues related to water resources.
  • Rich Levy, Chair of the Orleans Marine and Fresh Water Committee (OMFWC) discussed how the Committee monitors and protects the Town’s marine and freshwater resources and uses its rich scientific database to inform decisions and make recommendations.
  • Eric Spengler, President of the Orleans Pond Coalition, joined OPC in the Spring of 2020 and assisted on the Sarah’s Pond Oxygen Demonstration Program. He addressed the work of OPC and shared what we can do as citizens to help protect our shared waters.

Walter North moderated the panel discussion.

We are an all-volunteer independent non-partisan organization that provides public forums on topics important to our quality of life. Visit OrleansCitizensForum.org and support us in keeping Orleans informed.

 

Frauds, Scams, and Identity Theft

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Click here to watch the video

Over the past several years frauds, scams and identity theft have become increasingly more frequent, causing thousands of people to lose some or all their life savings and their peace of mind. This criminal behavior has become more sophisticated and harder to identify, making it much more important to stay up to date on what these crimes might look like and what to do if you become a target. This forum looked at:

  • The various ways these crimes may present themselves
  • Safety measures to put in place to protect yourself from becoming a victim
  • Identifying and blocking a potential scam or fraud
  • What to do if you have been a target
  • Who to contact for help
Panelists are:
  • Andy McLaughlin, an Orleans Police Detective with 24 years as a full-time officer.  He has focused on cases involving identity theft, fraud, and scams. During the past 5 years his investigations have led to recovering approximately $200,000 in stolen funds.
  • Amanda Constant, AVP, Orleans Banking Center Manager, Cape Cod Five, has over 18 years of experience helping clients with consumer and commercial bank fraud.   Amanda also volunteers with the Elder Services Money Management and AARP BankSafe programs.

Roger McDaniel, OCF Board Member, moderated the forum._

The Orleans Citizens Forum is an unbiased, public service organization dedicated to keeping the residents of Orleans knowledgeable about the issues confronting our town.

OrleansCitizensForum.org 

AFFORDABLE and ATTAINABLE HOUSING IN ORLEANS:

WHAT LIES AHEAD

Thursday, November 21, 2024
Click here to watch the video

Much progress has been made to promote and support Affordable and Attainable Housing in Orleans.  Yet, the need to continue these efforts is very real. Economic dynamics have made affordable housing a national issue, especially in seasonally desirable areas such as Cape Cod and the Lower Cape region. This forum focused on:

  • The foundations Orleans has laid to address this housing crisis
  • Projects and products in process
  • A roadmap for what lays ahead.

There is no one magic solution to solve the affordable housing crisis – nor will one type of project fulfill Orleans’ long-term housing needs.  There are, however, new ideas, initiatives, and models for addressing the issue that are working in other cities and towns.  In addition, the State has just enacted a major piece of housing legislation that could unlock new resources and initiatives.   A multi-faceted and holistic approach is required to address the different challenges that residents, business owners, and others face.

Panelists included:

  • Amanda Berbin, Director of Housing Advocacy, Community Development Partnership, addressed housing from a regional perspective, provided a quick overview of common housing terms, and let you know how you can get involved.
  • Matt Cole, Chair, Orleans Affordable Housing Trust, spoke to the need for a multi-faceted solution to housing issues, what business owners and developers want and need, and where Orleans is now, how we got here, and where we need to go.
  • Kristy Senatori, Executive Director, Cape Cod Commission, discussed the Commission’s regional housing implementation strategies and recommendations, and coordination with municipalities including Orleans.

Alan McClennan moderated the forum

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The Orleans Citizens Forum is an unbiased, public service organization dedicated to keeping the residents of Orleans knowledgeable about the issues confronting our town.

OrleansCitizensForum.org