Orleans Select Board Authorizes $600,000 Land Buy for New Fire Station Site

Select Board · Meeting of April 1, 2026

Orleans Select Board authorizes $600,000 land buy for fire station site and advances $60 million borrowing article to Town Meeting. The four-member board voted 4-0 Wednesday to acquire approximately 0.48 acres at 48 Eldridge Parkway from Lower Cape Dental Associates, adding 85 feet of frontage needed for the planned fire rescue station and funded through free cash; the acquisition article is now numbered Article 16 on the May 11 Town Meeting warrant. The board also placed Article 17, authorizing borrowing of up to $60 million for the station's construction, but withheld a formal support recommendation pending a building committee presentation April 15.

On the Eldridge Park renovation, landscape architect Reagan Andriola of Weston and Sampson outlined six design alternates that bring the project from $5.4 million down to roughly $3.5 million, including deferring all site lighting while leaving conduit in place and phasing out a handball court. Town Manager Kim Newman, addressing Finance Committee conduct, told the board, "The biggest enemy we have at any time is the misinformation that is being discussed in our boards."

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Source: the Select Board meeting of April 1, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.