Yarmouth’s massive wastewater infrastructure project is seeing a mix of fiscal relief and scheduling shifts as the town enters 2026. During the January 7 Planning Board meeting, Clerk Ken Smith reported that the latest construction bid for Contract 6—stretching from Higgins Crowell Road to the Barnstable line—came in significantly lower than anticipated. Robert B. Our submitted the low bid of $19.3 million, a figure Smith noted was less than what originally was proposed.

While the budget remains stable, the timeline for the main treatment plant on Buck Island has shifted. Smith informed the board that crews are currently forming rebar and pouring concrete for the foundation, but the estimated completion date has been pushed from September 2027 to January 2028. Member Susan Brita questioned the overall financial health of the project, asking, How's the budget going? Smith clarified that while some costs, such as transporting water to Bayberry, may impact original estimates, the project currently remains on budget due to favorable bidding environments.

The board also grappled with the implications of the state’s new Seasonal Community designation. Town Planner Kathy Williams explained that while the designation opens doors for funding, it carries a mandate to adopt specific zoning changes within 18 months—including the potential allowance of tiny homes or smaller lot sizes—or risk revocation. Chair Joanne Crowley expressed concern regarding how this designation might overlap with ongoing efforts to regulate the town's housing stock, asking if there would be an impact on what we're doing now with short-term rentals. Williams noted the designation is intended to promote year-round residency rather than directly restricting rentals. Member Deirdre Gaquin added that the long-awaited UMass Donahue report on short-term rentals is slated for a public presentation to the Select Board on February 10.

In a move to protect local businesses from state-level infrastructure changes, Williams proposed a spring town meeting warrant article to provide zoning relief for properties in the Village Center Overlay District (VCOD). The issue stems from MassDOT strip takings along Route 28, where state road widening is consuming private setbacks. Williams explained that without a change from a variance requirement to a special permit, businesses like those at 645 Route 28 would be completely non-conforming once the state project is complete. Vice Chair Will Rubenstein cautioned against rushing the process to protect staff resources, suggesting, perhaps it doesn't need to be so soon. Perhaps it can be in the fall. However, Williams emphasized the difficulty of managing multiple zoning changes in the fall cycle.

The board also reviewed conceptual progress for the M-U-K (Mattacheese-MacArthur) site. Five design scenarios are currently under review, with an emphasis on creating a premier sports complex. While the Planning Board may not have a formal regulatory role in the project’s early phases, Williams invited members to provide input before the Select Board reviews the plans in February. Additionally, the board processed a land conveyance request for 353 Weir Road. John Demerist of Demerist Land Surveying explained that the plan creates a non-buildable lot intended solely for transfer, noting the original lot is left with enough square footage, frontage, and shape number to make that a conforming lot.

Motion Made by K. Smith to endorse ANR plan 2487L prepared by Demerist Land Surveying and dated December 30, 2025. Motion Passed (7-0-0)

A planned public hearing for a subdivision modification at 63 Thatcher Shore Road was briefly opened by Chair Crowley but immediately delayed. Engineering representative Daniel Ojala was unable to attend due to illness, prompting a request for a continuance to later in the month.

Motion Made by D. Gaquin to continue the public hearing for definitive subdivision 1648H modification number two to the Planning Board meeting on January 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Motion Passed (7-0-0)

Finally, the board reviewed recent funding decisions by the Community Preservation Committee. Chair Crowley reported that the committee approved $50,000 for an ADA ramp at the Yarmouth Port Library—less than the $67,000 requested. Crowley explained that the library’s investment assets had recently doubled, and the committee felt the institution should contribute more to its own capital needs, stating, the folks who were representing couldn't give us a really good explanation as to what that bump was.