The Yarmouth Community Preservation Committee signaled significant frustration with the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District this week, even as members moved forward with a $62,018 grant for player safety improvements at the YD Red Sox field. The tension arose over a letter from the Superintendent, which several committee members interpreted as a demand to fund softball field upgrades to satisfy Title IX requirements before supporting the Red Sox’s request for dugout repairs.

Vice Chair Paul Huggins did not mince words regarding the district's approach to the application. It kind of seems like a backhanded way of extorting me and I don't like that, Huggins said, noting that while the Superintendent was savvy enough to realize that investments in boys’ facilities require equal attention to girls’ sports, the pressure felt inappropriate. Member Lee Hamilton echoed the concern, questioning why the school district itself had not applied for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for the softball fields or tennis courts directly. Our money is not going to that softball field, Hamilton stated, clarifying that the current grant is specifically for the Red Sox project. Motion Made by J. Crowley to recommend the player safety project submitted by the YD Red Sox in the amended amount of $62,018. Motion Passed (7-0-0). To prevent future friction, Consultant Gary noted that the committee would draft a letter to the district regarding any future requests to ensure they understand they can file applications directly with the town.

The committee also grappled with rising costs for the Chase Brook Park Master Plan after state recommendations necessitated design changes. Assistant Town Engineer Nathaniel Collins explained that Coastal Zone Management (CZM) requested longer bridge landing areas. While Collins expressed some annoyance with the late-stage adjustment, he noted the design detail must be finalized by 2026. The committee opted to increase the funding recommendation to $820,000 to include a 10% contingency, fearing that a lower figure would lead to future budget shortfalls. Chair Judith Wilchynski emphasized the need for fiscal realism, stating, What we don't want to do is get it approved and then come back next year for another $20,000. That doesn't go well. Collins remained optimistic about the final price tag, noting that at DPW, we've been seeing prices come in under engineers' estimates lately. Motion Made by J. Crowley to recommend the Chase Park Master Plan in the amount of $820,000, conditional upon receiving a revised budget. Motion Passed (7-0-0).

Housing Coordinator Mary Waygan provided a comprehensive look at the Affordable Housing Trust, which currently holds $1.5 million in encumbered funds. Waygan detailed the challenges of "buying down" older deed riders to keep units affordable in a skyrocketing market, specifically citing two properties on Ry Road where uncooperative owners or pending closing dates have delayed the use of funds. Vice Chair Huggins questioned the pace of spending, cautioning that residents are not going to appreciate you banking money and letting it sit there while we're denying applications for people ready to go tomorrow. Waygan countered that activity on Route 28 is ramping up way faster than I thought, with two redevelopment projects and a potential $840,000 annual state grant for home repairs on the horizon. Motion Made by L. Hamilton to recommend Affordable Housing Trust funding in the full amount of $620,056. Motion Passed (7-0-0).

In other financial news, Consultant Gary informed the committee that Yarmouth has been awarded a state match of $370,958, which will be formally incorporated into the budget during the December 4 meeting. The committee also moved to support ADA design efforts at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, though Member Joanne Crowley pushed for oversight on the final product. I would make it conditional that we get to view the plans because that's all we're paying for, Crowley said. Motion Made by J. Wilchynski to fund ADA improvements at the Cultural Center up to $30,000, conditional on the committee being able to review the plans. Motion Passed (7-0-0).

The meeting concluded with brief administrative updates, including the withdrawal of an application for Revolutionary War markers, which has already been fully funded by the Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC). Member Debbie Clark noted that several sets of past minutes remained pending, which the committee expects to address at their next session. If all currently proposed projects move forward, the town will have approximately $900,000 in CPA funds remaining for the current cycle.