The Library Building Committee is entering a critical phase of refinement as it prepares to present a finalized building program to the Select Board on December 16. In a meeting held at the South Yarmouth Library, the committee and its architectural team revealed that the proposed expansion has been tightened to 25,400 square feet, a reduction from earlier iterations that approached 27,000 square feet. This architectural "belt-tightening" is designed to meet Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) requirements while keeping the project competitive against other upcoming town capital needs.

Chair Judy Paris Tarburn emphasized the importance of precision following a recent joint meeting with the Planning Board. She noted that while that board expressed significant support, the project will soon face a crowded field of funding requests at the spring Town Meeting. The takeaway I got was that there was a lot of support from the planning board—that we needed to get our ducks in a row and make sure we had good solid number information before we go into the town meeting process, Tarburn said. She warned that the library will be in direct competition with health and safety programs and the school budget, adding that transparency and numbers are very important to ensure the project’s success.

Committee member Tom Pendleton agreed with the positive assessment of the Planning Board’s reception, stating, I thought you and Matt did a great job and I thought like Susan says the planning board is very receptive. Susan Ba echoed this sentiment, describing the Planning Board as very generous and very good to their constituents. Earlier in the meeting, Susan Ba moved to accept the minutes of November 20, 2025, as corrected to reflect accurate square footage figures. The motion was seconded by Vicky Janetto and Passed 4-0-0.

A central pillar of the committee’s strategy for the upcoming Select Board appearance is a firm commitment to the town’s existing infrastructure. Dorcas McGurrin stressed that the committee must explicitly guarantee that the West Yarmouth Library will remain operational. One of the discussion points is going to be to reinforce that West Yarmouth will remain open. It will not be closed, McGurrin stated. We feel very strongly that if we don't make that 100% clear, it would be the death note for this project. She added that the Select Board is looking for a firm commitment to the current square footage footprint to prevent budget creep.

Architect Matt Rice of Oudens Ello detailed the site plan, which now includes 131 parking spaces—83 of which are new additions. The plan replicates the 48 spaces currently existing on the east side of MacArthur and provides three more spaces than the MBLC minimum requirement. Rice also addressed safety and access, noting a 20-foot-wide fire lane between the MacArthur School and the library. The fire lane will look like a sidewalk using reinforced stabilized turf so people don't think they can drive in there, Rice explained, noting the design ensures fire hoses can reach any point in the building.

Architect Marica explained that the internal layout was streamlined by eliminating one of the two previously planned meeting rooms to achieve the 25,400-square-foot target. The youth services wing was shortened by 25 feet, and the "after-hours" entry was relocated closer to the original entrance for better flow. Library staff member Mindy questioned the proximity of the fire lane to the children’s wing, specifically regarding outdoor play space. Rice assured her that there remains plenty of room directly outside of that storytime room for outdoor access.

The committee is also weighing long-term operational costs against initial capital investment. Rice presented three mechanical options: an all-electric heat pump system, an air-to-water heat pump, or a geothermal system. While geothermal carries a higher upfront cost—estimated at $30,000 per well for 25 wells—it offers the lowest utility bills for the town over time. Library Director David Putney indicated he is working closely with town administration to finalize these details, stating, I'm meeting with Andrea tomorrow to go over the whole process from here.

Public outreach remains a priority as the town prepares for a new website launch on December 16. Tim Higgins, the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) from Colliers, reported that a dedicated project website should be live early in the new year. Jen Sullivan, also of Colliers, noted that the website development is being handled within the existing $82,000 task order fee, meaning it will not require additional taxpayer funding at this stage. We have not expended the entire $82,000 fee, so this isn't an increase in cost, Sullivan clarified.

As the committee looks toward the April referendum, Tarburn noted the need to correct misconceptions stemming from previous studies. She expressed a desire to clearly communicate to the public that the current staff and architects recognized inaccuracies in the original study regarding community needs, justifying the current design shifts. The committee will bypass its remaining December meetings to focus on the December 16 Select Board presentation, where they hope to secure the final endorsements needed to move toward the state grant submission.