Yarmouth taxpayers will soon weigh a $35 million debt exclusion request to fund wastewater discharge capacity at Bayberry Hills, a critical next step in the town’s massive $207 million sewer infrastructure project. Finance Director Jennifer updated the Finance Committee on Wednesday regarding the six-contract undertaking, noting that while the current $207 million authorization is shielded by zero-percent financing, the upcoming expansion for phases one through three will require a new trip to the ballot box.

The town’s current financing strategy relies heavily on the Clean Water Trust, which releases funds in $50 million increments. Jennifer explained that Yarmouth is benefiting from significant state subsidies, including 25% principal forgiveness from the Clean Water Protection Fund. However, the sheer scale of the work means monthly invoices now range between $4 million and $6 million. This is a very complicated project, Jennifer said. We worked with the trust, and they came up with a funding schedule... We won’t see a large principal payment until 2029.

Member John Anderson sought clarification on that timeline, asking, So we’re not really going to be paying any debt service or principal service until 2029? Jennifer confirmed the delay but noted that construction challenges are already impacting the bottom line. Contract 2 is currently several million dollars over budget due to the addition of a neighborhood and higher-than-expected police detail costs. Member Nathan Ladley questioned the town's flexibility in choosing contractors for future phases, asking, I saw a quote that we have to go with the lowest bidder. Is that accurate? Jennifer explained that procurement law mandates awarding contracts to the lowest responsive and responsible eligible bidder.

The fiscal stability of the project remains a point of concern for Member Robert Harding, who highlighted potential shifts in federal support for the State Revolving Fund. If they cut SRF and mess with the $50 million a year, what is the plan? Harding asked. While Jennifer noted that the first $150 million is relatively secure, she cautioned that the $35 million for the Bayberry Hills discharge capacity has no such guarantees yet. We have to apply for that, she said.

Beyond wastewater, the committee moved to finalize several operational budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Motion Made by J. Anderson to provisionally approve and recommend to town meeting the budgets for Natural Resources, Senior Services, Recreation, and Golf as printed in the budget binder. Motion Passed 5-0. A separate vote was required for the library system to allow for a recusal. Motion Made by R. Harding to provisionally approve and recommend to town meeting the budget for the Library as printed in the budget binder. Motion Passed 4-0-1, with Member Alyssa Mullin abstaining. Mullin expressed appreciation for the finance department’s oversight of the town's complex ledger, saying, I just want to give you a round of applause. That sounds so hard to manage all of those pieces.

The meeting concluded with a sobering outlook on state aid and school funding. Chair Richard Simon warned that Chapter 70 education formulas are trending against the town. This is going to be extremely difficult; the formulas are working against us, Simon said, noting he is investigating a potential reduction of 33 positions within the Dennis-Yarmouth district. Local expenses are also under pressure from a snowy winter; Jennifer reported the snow and ice budget is already approximately $480,000 in the red for the fiscal year.