Chair sets Nov. 30 deadline for 11 properties to connect to Orleans sewer; weekly $200 fines begin Dec. 1

The chair opened the show-cause hearing at 2:02 p.m. and moved that 11 properties listed by staff must be connected to the municipal sewer system by Nov. 30, with a weekly fine of $200 to begin Dec. 1 for any property that remains unconnected.

The motion, as read by the chair, covered 14 Brewster Crossroad; 18 Brewster Crossroad; 8 Cove Road; 14 Main Street; 5 North Cottage Street; 89 Old Colony Way; 24 Old Tote Road; 2 Route 6A; 15 Route 6A; 94 Route 6A; and 168 Route 6A. A board member seconded the motion and it passed on a voice vote. The chair said fines would be issued automatically starting Dec. 1 for properties not hooked up.

Why it matters: the board said the unified deadline is intended to produce timely hookups before the next phase of town sewer work and to avoid repeated short extensions. A health-department official told the board the exercise is intended "to get compliance and get connections" and to identify owners who have not engaged with the process.

What members and owners said: several property representatives told the board they are contracting work or awaiting contractor schedules and financing. Justin Ray of Ray's Excavating, who said he is contracted on 14 Main Street, told the board, "The November 30 deadline, no problem. We're looking at 2nd week in September." A different property representative said his ranch building cluster at 37–41 Main Street is slated for demolition and that full hook-up by Nov. 30 was unlikely; the board asked that site for a written update by Nov. 25.

Exceptions and extensions: the board agreed that redevelopment sites with no current sewage flow — for example, buildings that currently have only an irrigation meter or no water service — should receive indefinite extensions until such time as a proposal for new flow is presented. Staff explained that an irrigation-only meter or a yard hydrant does not count as sewer flow and therefore those properties will remain outside the Nov. 30 mandatory-connection list unless plans change.

Enforcement and notices: staff said certified letters and outreach will inform owners of the Nov. 30 deadline and the Dec. 1 start of fines. The chair directed staff to send letters to the 13 properties that may face fines and to request written progress reports, especially for larger redevelopment projects. The board also noted one property — 36 West Road — was reported connected this week and is no longer subject to the order.

What happens next: the board closed the show-cause hearings and will monitor written updates. Properties with no demonstrated progress by Nov. 30 will face weekly $200 fines beginning Dec. 1; redevelopment properties that later propose new sewer flow must hook up at that time.

Quotes from the record: the health-department staff summarized the goal as "to get compliance and get connections," and the chair read the motion ordering connection by Nov. 30 and weekly fines to begin Dec. 1.

The board adjourned after confirming the letters and next steps.