Board OKs Septic Variances, Beer Garden Dining

Board of Health · Meeting of October 15, 2026

Orleans Board of Health approved a septic upgrade variance and new outdoor dining seating in one meeting. The board voted 5-0-0 to grant three Title V variances for a 15 Franz Road septic replacement, including a 42-foot wetland setback variance for the tank, after engineer Bob Reedy of J.M. O'Reilly & Associates said the upgrade would replace three cesspools sitting inside the wetland buffer.

Members then voted 5-0 to approve outdoor dining for the new Nor'East Beer Garden at 45 Main Street, capping combined indoor-outdoor seating at 80 patrons, pending a final walkthrough before its expected late-November opening. Health Agent Meredith said Orleans has only nine responses so far toward the 30 needed for valid results in a statewide Department of Public Health community health survey. A board member also noted Chatham's short-term rental fee rose from $50 to $200 and then to $325 within six months, as Orleans weighs its own pending rental registration fee meant to fund an inspector's salary.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 1,913 words

Source: the Board of Health meeting of October 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.