PLEASE NOTE - TOWN HALL OFFICES ARE RELOCATING.  AS OF JANUARY 1, 2010 TOWN HALL WILL BE LOCATED AT 7707 U.S. HIGHWAY 1, SUITE 3, VERO BEACH FLORIDA, 32967.  ALL CONTACT INFORMATION WILL REMAIN AS IS.  PLEASE STOP BY AND VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION!

Welcome to the Town of Orchid Web Site!

This Web Site has been created primarily for the Town Council and Town Staff to communicate information about the Town and its ongoing operations to residents, potential residents, and businesses who work with or in the Town. The design of the site includes many pictures of town scenes and wildlife to showcase the natural beauty of our town. We hope you will find the Web Site informative and useful. If you have ideas for new features, information to include, or if you experience problems using this site, please contact a member of the Town Staff. The latest additions or revisions will be in blue font.

UPCOMING TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS:

March 2010:   Regular Town Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 3, 2010, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Dining Room at the Beach Club,  1 Beachside Drive, Orchid, FL.  E.A.R. (Evaluation and Appraisal Report) Workshop will immediately follow.

April 2010:      Regular Town Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2010, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Dining Room at the Beach Club,  1 Beachside Drive, Orchid, FL

May 2010:      Regular Town Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, 2010, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Dining Room at the Beach Club,  1 Beachside Drive, Orchid, FL

Please check with Town Hall Staff prior to any scheduled meeting as date, time and place are subject to change.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR ORCHID

To better enable Town of Orchid staff to communicate emergency information to Orchid's residents and other facilities in a direct and timely manner, the Town Council approved implementation of a telephone and e-mail emergency notification system through Connect-CTY™.  The Connect-CTY™ system will supplement other existing emergency communication methods utilized by federal, state and county agencies.  Besides emergency notifications related to natural disasters, the system may also be used to communicate information regarding area road closures, water contamination warnings, and missing child alerts.

Residents and other facilities have the option to receive future messages at a different primary phone number, at two alternate phone numbers, and at up to two e-mail addresses by registering contact information.  The database of contact information is the property of Connect-CTY™ , therefore personal information will not become part of the public record and will not be shared with anyone.  Town of Orchid staff will not be able to access contact information you enter in the Connect-CTY™ database through the registration process.  If residents elect not to register additional or different contact information on the Internet, then residents will continue to receive emergency notifications at their listed telephone number.  Residents also have the option of opting out of the system.

We look forward to utilizing this program to keep the residents and staff of other facilities in the Town of Orchid informed about emergency situations to help protect your safety and welfare.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO REGISTER.

COMMUNITY WATERING SCHEDULE

Click the following  link to the revised watering schedule as prescribed by the Association Management for the Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club.

CRIME STATS REPORT

Orchid Chief of Police Phil Redstone has compiled a comprehensive report detailing the safety of Orchid compared to its surrounding communities.  Please click on the link below to review the report.

TOWN RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Town of Orchid was established in 1965 in order to create a separate municipality that would be self-governing and would allow legal separation from certain aspects of the County system such as County zoning, law enforcement and certain County taxes. Because of the Town’s incorporation, it derives both power and responsibilities from the Florida Legislative Code.

Click on the link below to read about your Town's Responsibilities:

WASTE MANAGEMENT:

Pursuant to the terms of a Franchise Agreement effective October 1, 2005, Waste Management bills the Town of Orchid directly for residential and commercial solid waste pick-up services.  Recycling pick-up is also handled by Waste Management pursuant to a separate interlocal agreement with Indian River County.  Yard waste removal services are not included as one of Waste Management's services to Town residents and club facilities under the Franchise Agreement.

Under the current billing arrangement with Waste Management, residents and homeowners do not need to call Waste Management with requests to begin or end garbage pick-up services.  The Town notifies Waste Management whenever the certificate of occupancy has been issued on a new home.  Waste Management personnel know to look at each home as they pass through Orchid to see if trash and recycling have been left for pick-up.

Please place trash cans just outside your garage door on Tuesday and Friday for pick-up.  Friday is also the pick-up day for recycling.   Placing cans and recycling bins just outside the garage door presents a nicer appearance in the community.  Town staff is working with the Waste Management Operations Manager to ensure that garage door to garage door service is provided by Waste Management personnel. 

In the event Waste Management neglects to pick-up your garbage or recycling by 5:00 p.m. on designated service days, please contact Town Hall staff at 569-7686.  Additionally, please contact staff with any other complaints or problems you experience with Waste Management's services.  In the event a problem arises outside Town Hall operating hours, you may call Waste Management directly at 770-3179.

DOGS ALLOWED ON THE BEACHES OF ORCHID:

That's right!  The Town Council has passed an ordinance on the heels of a petition by property owner's which allows residents to have their dogs accompany them on a stroll on the beach.  The dog must be leashed or under the control of the owner.  Also, owners must clean up and dispose of properly their dog's feces.  Please also be reminded that dogs are NOT allowed on the dunes and they are NOT allowed to dig or destroy sea turtle nests.  There are strict penalties imposed by the State if it is proven your dog has disturbed a turtle nest.  Turtle nesting season runs from March through October.  Bearing these few things in mind, take Rover to the beach for fun, sun and exercise.

TOWN HALL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Per Resolution 2004-10, Town Hall will be closed on the following holidays each year:

New Year's Day                  Good Friday                         Memorial Day

Independence Day             Labor Day                             Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day               Day after Thanksgiving          Christmas Eve and Christmas Day