Town Administrator Robert L. Whritenour introduced a potential Residential Exemption property tax shift on December 16 to help Yarmouth residents shoulder a staggering $35.6 million capital improvement plan. Addressing the Select Board during a deep dive into the town’s five-year financial outlook, Whritenour noted that Yarmouth faces unique economic pressures, including the lowest per capita income ($44,084) and lowest average single-family home value ($481,000) on Cape Cod. To fund critical infrastructure without overburdening year-round residents, he suggested a tool used by other Cape towns to move a portion of the tax burden from primary residents to seasonal and high-value properties.

Yarmouth has very unique needs, Whritenour told the board. Our approach needs to factor in the relatively low income and low values of property... A residential exemption is a tool that shifts the burden of property tax from single family homeowners that are year-round residents to single family properties that are seasonal and of high value. Finance Director Jennifer Mullen added that while the town’s debt would grow with major projects, the funding strategy remains stable. The bond rating agencies have been changing over the last few years... but because it is excluded from Proposition 2 and a half, I would expect to maintain a double A plus bond rating, Mullen said.

The proposed $35.6 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP), presented by CIP Committee Chair Sandy Fay, includes a $5.1 million allocation from free cash. Major items on the horizon include a $35 million Bayberry Hills groundwater recharge project and a $40 million fire station. Fay noted that the total recommendations from the committee this year is $35,667,669. It sounds like a lot, but that does include the library project.

That library project—a proposed 25,000-square-foot central facility at the MacArthur site estimated to cost between $32 million and $39 million—sparked the evening's most intense debate. Architect Matt Oden described the schematic for the all-electric, mass-timber building, noting, This will be an all electric building, fossil fuel free. While the town expects a 40-45% grant reimbursement from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), Board Member Mark Forest voiced sharp concerns about the future of the West Yarmouth Library. I can't support the motion to go forward with the application. I don't want to be sending a message in the community that somehow we believe West Yarmouth is in jeopardy, Forest argued.

Library Building Committee Chair Judy Connor Tarver attempted to reassure the board, stating that this library would take the pressure off West Yarmouth to be all things to all people. Chair Tracy Post noted the intensity of public sentiment, remarking, What was astounding to me was the number of people that said they absolutely want West Yarmouth to stay. To bridge the gap, Forest proposed a specific compromise that tied grant support to a formal protection of the branch. Motion Made by M. Forest to support and endorse the grant application for the new library while reaffirming the Board's support for the future viability and continued use of the West Yarmouth Library. Motion Passed (5-0).

School infrastructure also faced scrutiny as the board received an update on the ME Small School feasibility study. Will Rubenstein of the Planning Board suggested the town consider a radical move to address the aging facility sooner than later. We can move everybody out of ME Small and we can do that by August of 2026. This is a regional school district problem... we have a partner across the river that I hope we'll start to engage, Rubenstein said, referring to the Town of Dennis. Richard Simon, Chair of the Finance Committee, emphasized the need for strict adherence to state standards to avoid cost overruns. The MSBA standard is about 150 square feet per person... we want to stay within that MSBA standard, Simon noted.

Public safety and regional collaboration rounded out the meeting. Police Chief Kevin Lennon provided an update on the Regional Emergency Communication Center (RECC), which will consolidate dispatch for Yarmouth, Barnstable, and Sandwich at a new site in Barnstable. This will improve our dispatch services, improve working conditions, and decrease costs, Chief Lennon said. The board also moved to take control of a regional fire training facility located behind Station 3. Steve Conn, former State Fire Marshal, explained that the new propane-fueled burn building uses a non-toxic smoke system. It allows us to get that building down to zero visibility, which is the environment firefighters have to enter, Conn explained. Barnstable County Administrator Michael Dutton urged the town to finalize the transfer, noting, the sooner we turn it over, the more quickly they can use it. Motion Made by L. Argo to approve the transfer of the burn building and authorize the Town Administrator to take control of the facility. Motion Passed (4-0-1, with M. Forest abstaining).

National Grid representatives also appeared to detail plans for replacing a 2.1 million gallon liquefied natural gas storage tank on W's Path. The 1972-era tank is reaching the end of its life and will be replaced by a 1.7 million gallon unit that is 20% smaller in volume but taller to meet modern codes. Matthew O’Brien of National Grid called the South Yarmouth tank the critical backstop for ensuring reliability for 30,000 customers on the mid and lower Cape during peak winter demand.

Public comment early in the meeting touched on lingering local tensions. Resident Christopher Garren asked the board to formally deny a pending resolution regarding the Police Department’s cooperation with ICE. Maintaining public safety appears to be Chief Lennon's prime directive, Garren said, requesting a legal opinion to avoid tomorrow's chaos. Meanwhile, resident Tom Nickello urged the board to focus on more immediate infrastructure, specifically the $200,000 earmarked for stormwater. We have residents that every time an event happens... there's always an issue in front of their house, Nickello said.

In more routine business, the board approved a leadership change for a local organization. Katherine Fitz Simmons explained her 18-year history with the Sons of Aaron before the board approved her as the new manager. I've been with the Sons for 18 plus years in many different functions, Fitz Simmons said. Motion Made by M. Forest to approve Katherine Fitz Simmons as the new manager for Sons of Aaron Cape Cod. Motion Passed (5-0). Member Liz Argo also shared community updates, noting her upcoming office hours and praising local efforts. I wanted to note the Judah Baker windmill has had a great year and I wanted to say thank you to the volunteers there, Argo said.