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Tuesday, November 3, 2026 Orleans, Massachusetts · Change town
Morning Brief ·

Board Determines Older Home's Bedrooms Valid Despite Low Ceilings

Board of Health approved six food permits and determined three upstairs rooms at 53 Harwich Road are valid bedrooms. The ruling came after insufficient ceiling height was found during a site visit, but the Board determined structures built before 1800 need not meet modern codes. Property owner

Board of Health · Meeting of May 7, 2026

ORLEANS — Board of Health approved six food permits and determined three upstairs rooms at 53 Harwich Road are valid bedrooms. The ruling came after insufficient ceiling height was found during a site visit, but the Board determined structures built before 1800 need not meet modern codes. Property owner William Mann sought the determination while upgrading to a compliant septic system.

Permits were approved for Main Street Wine and Gourmet, Confetti Waffles, Frosty Friends Ice Cream, Gallant Jewelry, Eastwind Gallery, Oceana, and Cape Cod Macarons. The Board also continued show cause hearings for sewer connections at 8 Old Tote Road and 251 Brick Hill Road to June 18, and extended a sewer deferral through 2026.

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Source: the Board of Health meeting of May 7, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.

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