Orleans Select Board Hires New Law Firm, Opens $56 Million FY27 Budget Review

ORLEANS -- January 21, 2026, Orleans Select Board unanimously appoints new town counsel and opens review of a $56.1 million FY27 budget. The board voted 5-0 Wednesday to appoint Murphy Hesse Toomey & Lehane, which has handled Orleans labor matters for several years, as general town counsel for one year through December 31, 2026, replacing Michael D. Ford after his 40 years of service. Municipal Finance Director Darren Tangeman presented a proposed FY27 operating budget of $56,129,564, a 4.8 percent increase over FY26, driven by a projected 15 percent health insurance premium increase, a 10 percent retirement cost increase to $3,246,172, and new collective bargaining agreements carrying 5.5 percent combined COLA and step increases. Two positions, a rental inspector at $116,000 and a Council on Aging assistant director at $137,567, were flagged as outside the baseline budget for separate board consideration. Free cash is expected to recertify at $5,194,000 in February, with $2.5 million earmarked for the $3.2 million capital program. The board also unanimously approved the transfer of shellfish Grant No. 75 in Cape Cod Bay to Bethany Gibbons of Orleans, who had waited approximately 15 to 20 years on the list, and called the Annual Town Meeting for May 11, 2026, with the election set for May 19.