Orleans: Behind the Scenes
by Town of Orleans with Mia Baumgarten and Amanda Converse as your hosts.
Latest episode
Town Meeting | A Voter’s Field Guide (S3, 19)
Town Meeting | A Voter’s Field Guide (S3, 19)
About this podcast
Orleans: Behind the Scenes is a community-focused podcast produced for the Town of Orleans that takes listeners inside the work of local government. Each episode features candid conversations with town officials, department leaders, and community members to explain how town services operate, demystify municipal processes, and highlight initiatives that impact life in Orleans. From budgeting and public safety to cultural events and strategic planning, the podcast aims to educate, engage, and strengthen connections between residents and the people serving the community.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 69 episodes
- Town Meeting | A Voter’s Field Guide (S3, 19) · 10 minIn Orleans, the voters are the legislature. Amanda Converse and Mia Baumgarten break down how Town Meeting works, how Annual and Special Town Meeting differ, how to find and read…
- Four Zoning Articles | What's Coming to Special Town Meeting (S3, 18) · 11 minZoning decides what gets built in Orleans, where, and how it's used, but bylaw language is hard to read cold. Four zoning articles go to Special Town Meeting on Monday, November…
- Connecting to Town Sewer | Your Questions Answered (S3, 17) · 29 minThinking about connecting your home to Town sewer - or already in the middle of it? We sat down with John Nelson, Orleans' Water/Sewer Program Coordinator, to answer the…
- Water Watch | Drought Management in Orleans (S03, E 16) · 10 minOrleans' water comes entirely from a sole-source aquifer - no rivers or reservoirs to fall back on - which makes the town especially sensitive to how much snow and rain fall each…
- On Call | Fire-Rescue and Emergency Readiness in Orleans (S03, 15) · 32 minFire-Rescue Chief Geof Deering sits down to talk about his path into the fire service and what it's like leading Orleans Fire-Rescue. We get a real look at what the…
- Reading the Water | Cyanobacteria Awareness in Orleans (S3, 14) · 11 minCyanobacteria can turn a summer pond day into a health risk - and Orleans has people watching for it. Health & Human Services Director Alex Fitch breaks down how the town…
- Third Space | Inside Snow Library (S03, 13) · 17 minLibraries aren't just about books anymore - they're becoming one of the last free, no-strings-attached public spaces left in a lot of communities. This week, Snow Library…
- Building a Resilient Downtown, Part 2 | Heat, Walkability & What the Charrette Revealed (S3, 12) · 23 minThe Downtown & Town Cove Resiliency Project is back - and this time we're talking public health. We're joined again by Elizabeth Jenkins from the Town's Planning & Community…
- Four Towns, One District | Inside Nauset Public Schools (S3, 11) · 30 minGlenn Brand came to Nauset after more than two decades leading schools across Massachusetts and beyond. We sit down with the superintendent to hear what his first year taught…
- More Than Tax Bills | Inside the Treasurer/Tax Collector's Office (S3, 10) · 21 minEver wondered what actually happens inside the Treasurer/Tax Collector's Office? In this episode, we sit down with Scott Walker and Maya Golding to find out - from how your tax…
- Building a Resilient Downtown | Orleans' Ecological Infrastructure Project (S3, 09) · 24 minWhat does it take to make Downtown Orleans more resilient to flooding, water quality threats, and a changing climate? We sit down with Elizabeth Jenkins from the Town's…
- Sun, Sand & Stickers | Getting Ready for Orleans Summer (S3, 08) · 8 minWe've been waiting for this! Stacy Faber from the DPW & Natural Resources Sticker Office joins Mia and Amanda to cover everything you need for a great Orleans summer - from beach…
- Fire-Rescue Station & Town Meeting | A Project Update for Orleans Residents (S3, 07) · 21 minIn this episode, we take a closer look at the proposed new Fire-Rescue Station and the articles on the upcoming Town Meeting warrant. Hosts Mia and Amanda are joined by Fire…
- Wastewater Planning and Projects | What to Expect at Town Meeting (S3, 06) · 11 minIn this episode of Orleans: Behind the Scenes, we sit down with Rich Waldo to walk through upcoming wastewater-related items that will be before voters at Town Meeting. The…
- Understanding the FY27 Town Budget | What Residents Need to Know (S03, 05) · 9 minAnnual Town Meeting is where Orleans residents vote on the Town’s budget - and in this episode of Orleans Behind the Scenes, we’re breaking down what that actually means. Amanda…
- Understanding the Role of the Select Board (S03, 04) · 25 minWhat does the Select Board do - and how does it help guide the direction of the Town? In this episode of Orleans Behind the Scenes, we sit down with Select Board Chair Kevin…
- On the Water with Natural Resources (S3, 03) · 23 minIn this episode of Orleans Behind the Scenes, Mia and Amanda sit down with Nate Sears, the Town of Orleans’ Natural Resources Manager and Harbor Master. Nate shares his…
- Inside the Town Manager’s Office (S3, 02) · 30 minIn this episode, we sit down with Kim Newman to talk about her role as Orleans’ chief administrative officer and what happens behind the scenes at Town Hall. She also shares her…
- 2025 in Review | Progress, Priorities, and What’s Next (S3, 01) · 35 minAs Orleans enters a new year, this episode of Orleans: Behind the Scenes takes a step back to reflect on what defined 2025 - and looks ahead to what’s coming in 2026. Hosts Mia…
- Understanding Town Finances and the Budget Process (S2, 23) · 15 minHow does a town manage its finances - and what goes into building the annual budget? In this episode of Orleans Behind the Scenes, Amanda Converse and Mia Baumgarten take a…
