Good evening everybody and welcome to the Yarmouth Select Board meeting of May 5th, 2026. >> Can we please join me for the pledge of allegiance? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Um, so I'm going to ask for a brief moment of silence. Um, typically since our war
has started, I've been asking for a moment of silence to recognize all of our service members that are in harm's way. but also tonight it's appropriate um with many of his colleagues here to um please join us in a moment of silence
in recognition of um Sergeant Thomas Hennessy who he lost uh recently after a six-year battle with cancer who served our community for a very long time a life well-lived and cut too short. So if you
please join me Thank you very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with Katie and his entire family. We are going to begin our uh meeting at 6 PM with announcements. Is there anybody who has any announcements for
for the board? Yes, Liz. Uh I just wanted while we have the public tuned in to note that there is a petition a citizens petition that was circulated um and it was uh collected the necessary
number of signatures. So, it is in review with the clerk's office. And for those of you who um are not aware, we had a library uh vote on a library, which we will be hopefully if we if we
have um the opportunity returning to and there are various reasons why um I believe this opportunity to see democracy in action again is very important. And I think the numbers speak for themselves. We were 14 votes short
of the twothirds majority that we needed to get the borrowing for the library. And it was very confusing. Um the voting was seemed confused and we didn't get a chance to hear our town administrators all of his presentation. The crowd was
uh loud and they cried for a vote in the midst of his presentation and they cried over it to the point where people didn't hear the real financial ramifications that have been worked out by our town and administrator which makes this a
feasible endeavor. So I think it's a a democracy in progress process to see this come back and I just want to use this opportunity to alert everybody who's who hears this to understand it's coming. It may we hope come back and
people need to use their vote. Thank you. Which is what they did and it's a smack in the face to everybody who showed up and voted and attended and that's that's democracy >> perhaps. Perhaps. Is there anybody else who has any announcements? >> I have one. >> Yes. Joyce. >> Um, I just came from the memorial
service for Richard Maggar um for longtime resident of Yarmouth. Um, for those of you who didn't know him, he was a great supporter of the schools and uh organized many campaigns to uh support the schools. If you ever want to see
some of his work, um, the South Armouth Library was the donation recipient of all the videotapes of the weekly community access television uh, programs that he produced. Um, there are numerous hosts for them. It's not all a one-off,
but exploring all different aspects of the school. Um, he'll be much missed. And if you've noticed me nibbling here, it's because the memorial service was so engrossing, I didn't go anywhere near the buffet table. Anyway, he was wonderful. And rest in peace, Dick.
>> Yes. Anybody else have any announcements tonight? Seeing nobody, we're going to go to um public comments. Is there anybody here would like to address the board? Yes, Harris, please. Do I get frequent flyer points for the number of times I show up? >> You should.
>> Okay. Thanks. Uh just to pick up from the last time I was here, uh the issue of transparency in government. Uh I understand that the board's letter went out to Beacon Hill leadership with regard to the auditor's question one
from November of 2024. Um, thank you not only from me but for all the voters in Yarmouth who supported that. Um, the transparency in government is is just fundamental to democracy. Now, I
submitted to uh Bob a draft letter for a related issue concerning the um state's public records law, which is the worst in the nation. Um, I've had experience
trying to work around it. Um, to the point where, um, I had submitted a query to the Secretary of State's office about how to make it work. I got an email back from the supervisor of public records
herself saying, "Can can you give me your phone number? I want to talk with you." I emailed back my phone number. Within 10 minutes, she called me back and for over an hour, she regailed me about the failures of the public records law. My
point being that I've submitted a draft copy of a second letter to go to Beacon Hill on a related issue, but I'm leaving it up to you folks to decide whether to send it, whether it might be over the top, that I'm beating a dead horse, whatever the case might be.
I personally think that transparency in government is quite important. Uh to have the worst law in the country is an embarrassment. And Mark, and from your experience in government, you've probably heard the adage that if you have a weak stomach,
you don't want to see sausage or policy being made. Okay. Well, uh I have a weak stomach, but I want to see where the where the rat droppings are. Um it's um very sensitive very sensitive issue.
Item number two um also at the last meeting the issue of entertainment licenses came up and I asked a question how is noise accommodated in the issuing of licenses. And Tracy, I think you said that with regard to um um music inside
an establishment, you think you did a pretty you think the board does a pretty good job. But for the open air ones, eh metames um I'll speak to the Mets issue. It was um last summer, I think it was on a
weekend night, fairly late, and I could hear bump thump crash bash, you know, coming from somewhere I thought in the neighborhood. Uh, it kept on going on and going on. Finally, I called the police and I said, "Could you do something about this?" And they said, "Sure. Where where are you?"
I gave the address and the dispatcher said, "Are you aware that there's a festival or a concert going on down at the drive-in?" And I said, "You got to be kidding me. It's that was a mile and a quarter as the crow flies from my house, and I'm hearing this." which
means that the sound was carrying beyond where I was. With these activities increasing over the summertime, I'll be asking you as the licensing authority to pay attention to noise at this level.
Um, no resident should have to put up with that type of stuff late at night. There needs to be some type of uh reasonable control so that from over a mile away you don't hear noise like that. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Harris. Um unfortunately,
we're not really in a position to respond to either one of your requests tonight because it's not on our agenda. >> Um but if the board wants to under our upcoming agenda review, discuss putting it on the agenda, we will certainly do that. And as far as the noise goes, as
you know, we do the best we can to try to balance uh people living in peace and having a successful uh business community. And so, >> Got it. Got it. Got it. Got it. >> Thank you, Harris. >> Thank you for your time. >> Is there anybody else who would like to address the board? Yes, sir.
>> Hi, I'm I'm uh Drew Krauss of South Yarmouth. Uh I'm on the disability commission and the chair asked me to come to just a simple thing to remind you that this year is the second annual uh Evelyn Beal award. You might remember
that about a year ago, we had the first award and the select board issued a proclamation to the winner here last July and I've gone to the uh assistant town administrator and we've got on the that to come up on the agenda for July.
>> Okay. Okay. And so the I just wanted to say that the Evelyn Beal award is for an individual or an organization who has in the past year done an outstanding job helping the disabled people in Yarmouth in any of various ways. >> Well, thank you for bringing that to our
attention, Mr. Cross. We certainly want to recognize those uh individuals in business. >> So that that'll be coming up in July for the select board. Thanks. >> Thank you very much. Is there anybody else here would like to address the board? I Yes. Christine Marzigiano from Yarmouthport.
Um during the presentations for the library vote, they showed pictures of the South Yarmouth Library and things like the windows and exterior in poor condition. Uh this is a captain's house.
It's on the National Register of Historic Places. Um, what I'd like to do is volunteer to whoever is in charge of this building. I don't know if it's the town and DPW or if it's the library association, but I certainly would be
willing to help them file a CPA application to improve to restore the the building. No matter who is the tenant, whether it's the library or the historical commission, the building does have to be brought up and restored. I've
filed a lot of CPA applications. Uh we restored the bank's hall house with windows, invisible storms, shutters, a wooden roof. I'm the one that filed the Chasebrook Park application and I took most of the photographs that uh brought
in the uh grant that helped out the finances of that park for the library Yarmouth Library Port in Yarmothport. They have a new H highvac system. repointed the bricks. We put on new gutters and this year they have a new
handicap ramp. So I have extensive, you know, u abilities in filing CPA applications. If you look at the neighborhood around the South Armouth Library, the Methodist church next door filed CPA applications for their
foundations, siding, and windows. The cultural center filed an application for an elevator. and the friends meeting house filed applications for restoration. So it's only you know proper that this building be brought up
to par you know and be re fully restored for whoever is going to be the tenant in the building. So whether it's a library or another function in this historic building, restoration work on the windows and other upgrades certainly may be considered by CPA and I would
certainly volunteer to help whatever entity is supposed to be helped for this. Thank you. >> Thank you Christine. >> Uh yes, Mr. Sin. >> Good evening. Jim Sabin, Yamathport. Uh first my first comments obviously uh I'd
like to direct to the the chair um thanking you very much for the honor of cutting the ribbon at the Parkets River Landing. Uh that was very special. >> Kathy very much deserved that honor. >> I deeply appreciate that. Um as we may realize uh we've looked at the warrant.
We now know what my middle name is. I mean the ballot. We now know what middle name is. Appears that I'm going to be your town moderator. Um, I see on your uh agenda tonight, you have discussion of a town meeting. Uh, I don't know if you're going to take comment then or
would you like me to share some comment now? >> That would be good. >> Um, just a few things. Um, let me get to my quick notes if I can. I'm going to try to do this quickly because I see we have a great group of police officers that need to be addressed that are far more important
than what I have to say. Um, I'd like us to start looking at some different ways of voting. um you know the raising the hand and sitting up and down and and and counting the way we count our our um our votes is is a little bit confusing and for a lot of people
>> a little bit. >> Um the other part of it is that uh you know some of these uh questions are are sensitive if you will and and there's no privacy like you when you go into a ballot box. Um everybody raise their hand now I know are you for a library or
against the library? Are you for the schools or against the schools? So, I'd suggest that we take a look at uh electronic uh clickers in the future. I know there are about nine towns on the Cape that currently use them. Um something we might want to start considering uh try to bring a little bit
more semblance and might even speed up. I my friend is the moderator in MASHP and he did his entire town meeting in about two and a half hours and they had 40 I think 40 something articles. So, >> that be nice. uh they have electronics uh voting so that might speed things up
again and maybe again I'm always looking at trying to figure ways to pack the house and maybe we start talking about different times of the day maybe a week a weekend daytime uh town meeting some of those things that I think the board should have some discussions on over the
future and um you know we need to find ways to get people involved and and to really think out of the box u maybe even requiring our high school students to attend a town meeting before graduation, which means they have to drag their parents to town meeting.
So, you know, um anyway, again, just some ways to think out of the box on those issues. Uh and I just wanted to share those because I know you're going to be talking about that tonight. And again, Tracy, thank you so very much for the honor of >> Jim for all that you do. I very much appreciate it and we will be discussing and I couldn't agree more.
>> Okay, Vita. >> Hello. >> Hi, Vita. We missed you at town meeting. >> Well, uh, unfortunately I couldn't be there, but uh, I watched a good portion of it. Uh, and someone had gotten me a
copy of the town report. Um, I was kind of uh surprised to see that for the first time, as far as I can remember, uh we did not have the town employees uh uh salaries uh in in there the way that the
uh school district uh still had uh and the way that we used to have in the past. I was wondering uh is there a reason for that? >> Yeah, actually I you know there is a reason for that. there was a problem with the um accounting system preparing
that report with the new software that we have and they're preparing an addendum but they still don't have that report um prepared. So that was what the glitch was. They um couldn't provide that accounting report in time for the deadline. >> When the accounting report is available,
will it be attached to the online version of the town report? So we'll amend it. So just keep checking. >> Yes, >> keep checking online for the town report. Okay. Uh the the something else entirely. I don't I'm not sure exactly
where the u uh Emmy small school of of situation is at this point, but I'd like to make a suggestion that um uh a couple of uh possibilities be considered. Uh,
one of them would be um that the uh uh they they consider uh doing a modular addition to the uh station avenue school. Uh uh I think uh uh somebody needs to look into what uh what happened
at the Barnstable uh uh school. I guess it was an elementary school, an addition like that uh on Route 68. And plus of course you can look at the entire building of the uh Stures West campus uh that was done in modular
uh form and and uh cost absolutely a minimum an absolute minimum amount uh you know because I guess they come under different rules than than the uh the public uh schools the other public schools come into or the other
possibility would be uh to consider uh re uh reopening the MacArthur building uh for that purpose instead of uh trying to just work with a totally new uh you know uh uh I guess building. So that's
it. Thank you. >> Thank you Vita. Uh the the feasibility study for Emmy Small is in progress. Um, as far as modulars at the station a, that was originally our thoughts about
um, adding on to station avenue, but unfortunately for the traffic situation that we have on on station a and the safety of having so many students, I I think it's been recommended against. Um, but they are looking at all possible options at the moment. And um
unfortunately uh at not at this past town meeting but the town meeting before a feasibility study to analyze uh the upgrades to MacArthur school to see um what that would look like was turned down. So I'm not sure where we go with that but thank you for your comments.
>> Do do well do we have a reason for turning it out down? >> You'd have to ask town meeting. It was vote that we had money in in an article to to look at the feasibility of Lawrence MacArthur and it was voted uh non-favorably. So
>> all right. Thank you. >> Thank you Joby Glenn. >> Hello. >> Hey. >> Uh my name is Ricky. I'm >> aologize Zoom user. It's usually Joe. >> I'm sorry. Uh I'm sorry. My name's Ricky. Uh I'm a resident of Yarmouth and
I was at the last few select board hearing and meetings and uh I just wanted to bring this to the board of health I mean uh select board's attention and uh thank you Miss Post for taking the time as always but uh so we were at the board of health meeting yesterday and you know we spoke about
the nicotine-free generation thing and I know you guys have also called in the board of health but uh they completely disregarded any advice that you gave them yesterday and uh you know they've continued to push this and uh I just wanted to ask the board if they could take a minute and uh watch the hearing
from yesterday and uh you know maybe help us out a little cuz they they have complete disregard. They're going to go with their own agenda and uh Hillard over there just uh kind of runs his own operation. I just wanted to bring that to the select board's attention again. >> Well, we appreciate your comments,
Ricky. As you know, we um had a discussion with them. Unfortunately, they have or fortunately they have their own authority under state law and there's not really not much that we can do further to assist, but um we I'm sure we'll be watching and hearing about it.
Appreciate your comments. Is there anybody else who'd like to address the board? Yes, ma'am. Please come to the podium either way. Hi. Hi. Good evening. Good evening. Janice Donovan. I wanted to discuss matakis and the problem with the asbestous in
the gym that I never got an answer on. Um I would like to know about the air quality and the hazardous material and I was wondering if we could find out where the reports are for those that you
should be tested every six months. They should be in the board of health, I believe, and the building department and the recreational group should have a paper on that on the what the air
quality is at at times that the children are in the gym. And have we gotten the results from the $40,000 um test that we asked for? Have we gotten the results from that yet?
This is time for you to comment. Look, I don't know the answers to the question. I don't know if Bob has any answers for you. >> Yeah, I think that there's a little misunderstanding. I mean, the the town is investing funds to analyze for um potential asbestous abatement that is
required um if we do work in there. I'm not aware of you know, if you don't disturb the asbestous, you don't need to um do anything to it. And I'm not aware of any air quality requirements or testing or anything that she's talking about. So,
it would probably be best to get in writing any concerns and we can have the board of health try to address those. But the the funds that we're investing is that is if you tear the building down, you know, you have to remove the asbestous and take care of it that there's probably some in the building,
but if you're not um disturbing it, you know, you don't have to do anything with it. >> Well, the ventilation in the gym would have to be taken care of because the HVAC system is poorly. You have to keep it under a certain percentage. But um I
guess if I can't get the information that I'm looking for that I can go to the MDPH Massachusetts and they can give that to me. >> That would be great. >> Okay. I will send that information out on Friday. Thank you.
>> Uh Parsh Mr. Patel, unmute yourself. >> There you go. >> Oh, sorry about that. Thank you so much, board, uh, for letting me speak tonight. My name is Pares Patel, >> uh, owner of, uh, Station Avenue Convenience. Uh thank you so much for listening to us
on your last meeting and u even after select board recommendation and uh explaining the board of health uh how hard that would be for local business and as well as the adult choice and we did not see that board of health um
banned a little bit at all. They just had their fixed agenda the fixed system of their vote. The only question I have like they are selected members uh serving the community and why the board of health has such a power that no one
in the town or anyone can do anything about it. We are very frustrated. We are not doing anything illegal. We are trying to survive small businesses. We are pretty much minority business who runs the moms and pop store. We are not a corporate. This is very hard for the
small business. I just wanted to figure out like how we can go about this because their mind already made up. We spend we left the family left the time spent all the time at the town meeting yesterday
good couple hour the result was nothing or we'll discuss this in next meeting. So I don't know if you if any way we can do something maybe complain to the state but I think the board has just superpower and they are wasting our time. If they already have their mind
made up then why bother having a meeting just send out a letter that you pass these and you didn't pass these you know it just don't understand what we do at this level. So thank you for listening. >> Thank you Mr. Patel and uh sorry for your struggles. um they do have their
own authority under the under the state as far as the town uh when they come up for reappoint. The the appointments chair can consider whether or not they want to bring their reappoint forward, but other than that, the only other thing would be removing them for cause and there's no cause. They would have to
do something egregious for that. They're volunteers. Um, and that's something that this board does not um get in the middle of unless, like I said, they've they've they've reached a high standard of um of, you know, something that they've done. And just because we
disagree with them is not grounds for any of that. So, um, >> okay, >> I apologize for that and, uh, you know, just hope for the best. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sorry. >> Okay. Okay.
You got another one. >> I can't read that. >> Nylish. >> Nylish. >> Nylish. iPad Pro Black. >> Okay. >> Nish, if you'd like to address the board, please do so.
You're muted. Yeah, there you go. >> Hi. Hi. My name is Nilles Marata and uh I own the store in Armad Paradise Mine and Spirits on Station Avenue. And uh thank you board to give me a chance to speak today. And uh thank you board also
for doing us so much try to explain the board of health how it's going to be impact on the businesses and how it's going to be impact on the town like couple weeks ago. Thank you for that. But I just want to I just want to bring up the couple of things to the board of
health if you guys can do that. The one thing the first thing is uh they said yesterday the UK did ban the UK did expose to uh implement the nicotine free generations on from the 1st April 2000
1st January I'm sorry 1 January 2027 but UK did that and they did the whole country not only the one town or one neighboring town. So this is the problem we are facing here as a retailer like if
the Yarmmati is going to do the ban on the Nic ban on the nicotine product and and then the all the customers going to get from the neighboring town and and neighboring state and the second thing I want to bring that is is Massachusetts like a
Massachusetts did stop the menthol cigarettes in 2020 if not in 2019 I don't know exactly ly but I believe it's a 2019 or 20 but since then
no other state have banned the menthol cigarettes and not even country like United States country did ban the menthol cigarettes at all only the Massachusetts is banning the menthol cigarettes we are at that time it was
arguments like if we start then other other state going to follow and the and the government going to follow but none of these things happen. So think about that if we can ask to town to invest a little bit bit of money and do some
research about how much revenue the neighboring state generate after Massachusetts stopped the menthol cigarettes in back in 2020. So that number is going to tell you if we can stop this nicotine products and
everything that business is going to go to the another neighboring state. It's not going to help us at all. If the Massachusetts state, the whole state want to stop there be that's a different story. But why is only one town? That's all I want to say today. Thank
you board. >> Thank you Nish. Okay, we are going to move on to our 615 item. I'm going to introduce um the police chief Kevin Lennon to um introduce our new police officers and do a swearing in of our new sergeants. Please. >> Good evening.
>> Good evening. Thank you. >> Thank you for having us tonight. >> Thank you. >> First, I'd like to thank uh the town administrator, the board for your support over the years with our recruitment efforts because the officers that we're going to introduce tonight are veteran officers and it's one of the pieces that we've been always trying to
do. If we can get high quality veteran officers from other police departments to come work for the town of Yarmouth, we see a significant cost savings by not having to put them through the academy. We also get to see those officers on the road in as little as 13 weeks, which is a tremendous help to the to the
community. So again, thank you. Uh the deputy and I had numerous conversations with the town administrator on how we could get that uh that done. You approved it at one of the uh one of the town meetings. So this is the fruits of our labor. They've finally come forward. So, first is going to be Officer Ryan
Kulick. Officer Kulik began with the department on January 26th and has completed his field training, so he's now on solo uh patrol. He began his career with the Borne Police Department in 2016 as a public safety dispatcher. He was quickly hired as a patrol officer and attended the Plymouth Police
Academy. Officer Kula graduated from the Upper Cape Regional Technical High School and then he enlisted in the Mass Massachusetts National Air Guard. He's still active in the air guard and he holds the rank of technical sergeant. Officer Kulik has received numerous awards and commendations for his
excellent work in the air guard. We are truly excited to have him as a member of the Armouth Police Department. Officer Kulik. >> We're going to do both. We're going to do Officer Man Freddy and then they're going to get sworn in. I apologize for going off script. >> That's okay.
>> Officer Anthony Man Freddy, Tony known to us. Uh he began his uh he began with the police department on March 15th. He's still in field training, but he's on track to get out in a couple weeks. >> He began his career with the Orleans Police Department in 2002. He transferred to the Barnes County
Sheriff's Department in 2015 where he was assigned to BCI, which is the Bureau of Criminal Investigations. Officer Manf Freddy has attended hundreds of hours of training in crime scene analysis. He's a certified drone operator and has been a support role for many years for the
tactical team and for the search and rescue team. Uh Officer Man Freddy can fly a drone with goggles on into a building and search a building. It's something to see and it's a great force multiplier for the tactical team. >> Officer Manf Freddy is also a certified instructor for the municipal police
training committee. He's been up there for many years training new officers and we are excited to have him on the on the department as well. So, Officer Tony Manfred. >> Yeah. >> You're now going to swear them in. Repeat after me. >> I will faithfully
discharge all duties and rules of the county. >> Massachusetts and the laws of the United States of America. This goes home with you. >> All right.
>> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. Welcome. >> Congratulations. Stay safe. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Congratulations. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Welcome. >> Everybody knows it. >> It's an initiation. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Congratulations. >> Very exciting. Sergeant Ryan Brule. Sergeant Brule began his full-time law
enforcement career with the Rahobit Police Department in 2010 and he transferred to the Armouth Police Department in 2015. In addition to his responsibilities on patrol, Sergeant Boule has been an active member of the police department training unit, the bike the bike unit, the firearms unit. He's our active intruder response
training uh instructor and he's a member of the regional tactical team and he's a sniper on the team. Sergeant Brule is a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Salv Regina University. Throughout his career, he's conducted himself with compassion, comp professionalism, and dedication. Sergeant Brule is a proven
leader. We are confident that he will excel in his new role. Sergeant Brule will be pinned by his wife Tracy, his son Harry, and his daughter Eloise. >> Be careful. >> Don't be careful. Get him. >> Sergeant hair.
Sergeant Justin Hair began his full-time law enforcement career with the Federal Reserve Police Department in 2004, and he was hired as a full-time police officer with the Armor Police Department in 2006. In addition to his responsibilities on patrol, Sergeant Hair has been an active member of the Department Field Training Unit, the Health and Wellness Program, the uniform
committee, and the motorcycle unit. Sergeant Hair also serves as a physical fitness instructor for the municipal police training committee. Sergeant Hair has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Westfield State College and a master's degree in criminal justice from California Coast University. Sergeant Hair has a proven track record
of leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the department. We are also confident that he will be an excellent addition to our supervisory staff. He will be pinned by his wife, Wendy. Yeah. swear and affirm >> and
>> that I will faithfully and impartially >> I will faithfully >> discharge and perform >> discharge and perform >> all duties and upon >> duties of the police
Police Department >> according to the charter >> according to the charter >> bylaws >> rules >> rules >> and regulations of the county >> regulations of the county >> the constitutional laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts
>> constitutional law of the Massachusetts >> constitution laws of the United States of America >> laws of the United States of America >> so Glad to have you. Thank you. >> Congratulations.
>> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. And welcome, right? >> Yes. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations and welcome. Thank you. That's right. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> It's always a wonderful start to our meeting when we're able to recognize our public safety. We should also recognize the police chief from the town of Rahobit is with us >> this evening to celebrate his former
officer being promoted. >> That is wonderful. That's great support that we have that. Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you >> very much for attending. >> Okay. Next, we have a hearing for automatic amusement license for Scall's
Irish Pub and I Irish House. I will read the public uh notice into the record. The town of Yarmouth acting as a local licensing authority has received an application from Redface Jacks DBA Scallies Irish Ale House for a new
automatic amusement license located at 585 Route 28 West Jarmath Mass. The licenses for 15 devices in the hallway leading to the restrooms. They will be placed against the wall on opposing sides of the room with space to walk in
between to go to the restrooms and the back door in case of emergency. Applications for amended weekday and Sunday entertainment license have also been received to include the machines with no other changes. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 5th at Yarmouth
Town Hall, 11:46 through 28 South Yarmouth. Mass 02664. The select board meeting begins at 6 p.m. Written comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1st in the select board's office at town hall. It can be submitted electronically to public
comment. With that, we will open the hearing. Um, if you would like to introduce yourself and just talk a little bit about what what it is that you're trying to do. Um, on another note before you start, we did get um your letter in terms of the process of which is not on the agenda for our discussion
tonight, but again um we've received it and understand and um make >> bad for the postman >> and we you're Yeah. Um the cost is it's a lot. I get it. Um, but we will take that under consideration for the future.
So, thank you. If you just want to talk, we did receive >> Terry Neil is my name, manager of uh Scallies Shale House. Um, first off, it was a very tough act to follow, but a nice one. Um, so
we have a lot more families that come in to Scallytown, which is great. And um so gave us the idea was we did a um um a Grinch party instead of a Santa
party and we did a table for the kids uh like a arts and crafts table and parents loved it, the grandparents loved it, the kids loved it and but it's not something you can do all the time. So I thought well you know it's great because the
parents where are we going to So, we came up with the idea of having retro um amusement games, you know, arcade games, but not like Chuck-E-Cheese or Dave and Busters, not loud, huge things that are going to make all this noise because we
don't want to we want people sitting down at the tables eating, not to be bothered either. So, couple pinball machines and um some um claw machines that the kids love and just some retro games from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s
that the uh parents know and they can enjoy with their kids. And plus, they're right there. They're not a separate room. It's right down so they can watch the kids and stuff like that. And that area on the way down to the restrooms just nobody really wants to sit there and eat either. So, it's been kind of
empty most of the time. And um so the the the noise level is going to be minimal because each game on those have their own volume control. So we're going to make it so they're not bothering people eating, let alone
outside the building and um no punching games, no, you know, just fun stuff. >> Great. >> Well, thank you for that. We have the floor plan. We have um all of the town staff. The only real comment was from
the fire department, which um I know you saw. No extension cords. They're all directly plugged into the wall. >> I talked to the working on it. >> Yeah. All right. >> One question. We did receive um one letter in favor from um one of your
neighbors, Dimmitar uh Ivangh, that lives on Ruby that um >> said he's a resident of West Jarmath living near Scallies. I'm writing in response to the butters notification I've recently received. I'd like to express my support for local business and understand the intent behind adding
these immune machines. At the same time, I'd like to ensure that the control of quality of life nearby residents are fully protected. Specifically, I request that the noise, bass, and vibration generated by these machines be fully contained within the building. And it's important that there are no audible sounds or vibrations extended beyond the
premise. And um I think you've already pretty much addressed that. As you know, anytime you have any type of entertainment like that that's inside, you need to make sure that it stays within the context of the building. So, I just wanted to read that. Um go ahead, Liz. >> I just I think it's it's a a typo, but
it might not be on the application. um from the to the town. Does location have a fire protection system? No. Was checked off. >> Yes, though. >> Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. >> It says, but it's checked sprinkler and fire alarm system below it.
>> I think it's just Why would you check no? >> Um >> mistake. >> I think it might be um I'm not sure why that no is checked. It's an >> a typo probably. >> Yeah. jumped out at me.
>> Okay. >> For the record, they are they are compliant. Um it also has we also have before us um annual weekday entertainment amendment live band with up to two musicians 5 to 9:00 p.m. recorded music. You have that
now, correct? >> Yeah. But yeah, but we don't do it that often. Once a month, maybe twice a month. >> Okay. And then also um on Sundays you have uh live music from 5:00 to 8 recorded and music and a game room with the amusement license. You already have an amusement license. Is that correct?
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we're just adding to that. >> Correct. >> All right. Does anybody else from the board have any comments or questions on the application? So, anybody uh from the public would like to speak for or against the application? >> Seeing none, I'll take a motion to close
the public hearing. >> Move we close. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I >> I. >> Any opposed? Does anybody have any questions or comments or would like to make a motion? >> I make a motion that we approve the application as written. >> Second.
>> Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Good luck. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Okay. Next, we have a uh an application for a
new annual wine and malt package store for JMAT Inc. 282 Route 28. And I am going to read the public notice into the record to open the hearing while the petitioner gets prepared. The town of Yarma Select Board acting as the local
licensing authority has received an application for a new annual wine and malt package store license from Paul of Esquire representing JMart Inc. 1282 Route 28 South Yarmouth Mass 02664. The manager will be SM Hermina.
The convenience store to be licensed as a single tenant retail establishment consisting as of one floor. The premise is on the ground level of the building and contains one main retail sales and coffee shop area. Two storage, utility
rooms, two offices, two restrooms for a total of seven rooms on the floor. The main retail area contains shelving, refrigerated display units, cashier counter space and aisles for customer access. The storage backroom area is
used for inventory storage and employee use only. The restroom is designated for employee and customer use. There are no upper or lower floors included in the license area. The licensed premises include no outdoor seating area patios, walkways, parking lot, or exterior sales
or display areas. The license is limited strictly to enclosed interior space of the store. A hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 in the hearing room at Yarmouth Town Hall, 11:46 Route 28 South Yarmouth. The selectman meeting
begins at 6 pm. Written comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on May 1st, 2026 in the select board office of town hall or could be submitted electronically to public comments. Verbal comments will be accepted at the hearing. With that, we will open the hearing if you would like to introduce
yourself and explain uh to everybody what it is that you would like to do. >> Thank you. Um for the record, my name is Paul Tardiff. I'm an attorney in Yarmathport and I represent the applicant Jart Incorporated. Seated with me is Jay Ahmad who is the principal of
that corporation. Um also present is u the proposed manager Yan Hermina. Um the application that was submitted is um accurate and complete I believe. Um initially Mr. Hermina is a US citizen.
He's over the age of 21. No criminal record. He's also a Yarmouth resident and a homeowner um and has been since 2019. Um he has worked for Mr. for the last 12 years in different managerial uh positions in his other stores and and
businesses. Um he has taken the tips um uh premises alcohol off- premises alcohol selling training and I did submit the uh certificate. I'm not sure if I made it. You did. Okay. >> Um Mr. Ramad uh met with Lieutenant Cal
Bogden on March 31st of this year as required uh by the town of Yarmouth to proceed with the uh questions and also providing a lot of information about liquor licenses and the responsibilities um that come with it. So that that has been done as well. Uh this project as
you may know is still under construction uh not far from here. Uh uh this project took over four years of permitting uh between the planning board and the zoning board of appeals until we finally arrived at the approvals that we have.
Um if you've driven by you see it's going to be a beautiful facility uh as and the the canopy is up as well as a 4unit residential structure on the same lot as well detached from the the business but on the same lot. Um
although the sale of beer and wine will not be his biggest source of revenue at the store, he has applied as a way of providing his customers with convenience uh for one-stop uh shopping at the store. All the employees will complete the required alcohol sales training. Um
and they will uh verify identification for every customer uh over the or under the age of 40. uh they're going to use a point of sale system that uh you can use your ID to uh scan in. If it doesn't scan in correctly, there's no sale to be made. So, um he's aware of doing that
>> store again because it's a brand new store and it's if you've seen the plans, it's going to be beautiful. It's going to be well lit. It will be equipped with security cameras. staff during all the operating hours. Uh beer and wine sales will be limited to
those approved hours uh displayed in accordance and and also signs will be displayed uh in accordance with the guidelines. The building department reviewed this project and will require a certificate of occupancy obviously uh and the board of health uh also took a look at this and uh they want to inspect
the property before any uh uh before the property is open for business and that's absolutely fine. So, um, we would request that the board approve the application and if you have any questions of Mr. Ahmad or or myself, uh, we'd be happy to attempt to answer those questions. Thank you.
>> Excellent. Thank you, Mr. Tarter, for your for your explanation there. Um, the paperwork is all here and in order. Um, I did have questions today and I apologize for the lateness of me being
able to review the application. Um, in terms of notification to a Butters, I noticed a very short list. Um, um, as you saw, Mr. Nean was here before who had about 40 people for for an arcade um, machine and um, there was like
there's about 10 people here. So um my question was more related to uh situations that has arose in the past from us in terms of notification to churches and uh schools that are within a 500 uh square foot radius and whether
or not that there was any in that and I don't know if you want to speak to that Amy. >> Okay. Um so in in the past there have been abutters notifications to more than the direct abutters which is what is um
by law necessary to only do direct abutters. So I took that as uh the and I was not here in the past when there was the 300 foot of butters. So the reason why scallies had as many abutters is
because they have a week uh entertainment license and the entertainment license um is what directs us to do the 300 foot a butter's notice. >> Okay. >> So in relation to this petition uh in
the 500 foot notification for churches and um schools has that um has that happened? It did not because there were no If you look at the um the map that was drawn by our GIS department, the
Evangelical Baptist Church is the closest. >> It's outside the 500 ft. >> Yeah, it's 800 804 ft. So, there were no other schools or churches that were in that area. >> Just want to make sure we're um you know
encapsulating everything that um >> because we had we kind of had missed that in the Mike. I miss Mike. He was the best. He really He really, you know, I'm a work in progress. >> So, >> you're doing well.
>> Oh, I'm doing the best I can. All right. Um, so with that, we will um go to the public to see if anybody from the public has any comments either for or against the application. >> Madam Chair, was there any correspondence? >> I did not get any correspondence on this
application. >> There was not? No. >> Thank you. I did not get any. We we have a a lot um of correspondence. Just trying to map out the process here with uh Amy today. Um so that but that's it. I don't see anybody from the public that
would like to speak for or against the application. Is there a motion to close the public portion of the hearing? We will go to the board after. >> Okay. >> Motion to close the public hearing. >> Second. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion on that? All those in favor? I >> I Does anybody on the board has any questions or comments they'd like to
>> just a comment? I read very carefully all of the procedures that have gone on for the four years I think you said and I'm very pleased that um you have made the efforts that you've made to be a
to reflect a new uh look for Yarmouth that I think is really really important. And so I congratulate both the the entities that have worked so hard with you on the behalf of the town of Yarmouth and I congratulate you and
thank you for bringing something forward that hopefully will set a model for other businesses to come into Yarmouth and do what you're doing. Thank you very much. >> Uh I very much approve of mixed use of
property and I think that this is a good experiment in that for South Yarmouth. So thank you Mr. Hermina. Um, and I have to ask, when will this be done? I mean, I know it's hard to figure, contractors are there, contractors have their own reality of timing sometimes. Do you have
a a deadline? >> Planning on July 4th hopefully. >> Oh, okay. >> That's my goal. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> So, that's why I'm every day in there pushing everybody. Let's go. >> Anything else, Joyce? Nope.
>> You have any questions? I don't have any questions. Thank you, Mark. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I have some concerns about this and I'm I'm I'm not in favor of the uh the application. Um, the town for years has had a
long-standing policy against granting these licenses and the same issue is in play with an appeal on another uh business involving this kind of license. The other concern that I have is this is a very prominent residential community.
They were very active during the zoning board uh the zoning board's review of this and um and while there are no residents from that neighborhood that are here um I certainly heard loudly and clearly following this project during
the zoning board review. So I don't want to get into the sort of the notice requirements or the issues. I know to some degree there's some limitations but um I don't think this is the kind because of the issues that have been raised with the previous license but
also because of the the fairly strong residential aspect of this neighborhood in this community. Um I can't I can't be in favor of it. I do agree, however, the attractiveness. I mean, and I and I do want to commend you for the significant investment that you've made in our
community and trying to upgrade um this particular facility, but um um I can't support the proposal right now, Madam Chair. >> Okay. I think uh yeah, I' I've been pretty consistent with my
concern about alcohol being in um QuickMarts. Uh you know, we I voted against one recently that as Mark mentioned is under appeal. Um that we have um a very large saturation
of liquor licenses in this particular area. uh within a very short period of time we have one left and for me it's just not what um I feel that um you know I want for Yarmouth so uh it it's
nothing against your particular application and I I apologize for that. I know you're trying to be successful and we want our businesses to be successful and I'm very grateful for your work. I just um I have to be consistent with my position and it wouldn't be fair to the other applicants
that that I've uh voted against before and as I said one of them is in in the middle of an appeal. So um I just >> question um so really until that appeal is resolved? >> Nope. No, I don't think so. Um I we got
we we got um in our emails today there was an email from Pierre our town council that said this is an independent it has no relation to that um and you are able to act favorably upon this if you feel that it's an application that
you support one doesn't have to do with the other for me it's it's more of um a consistency in my position on where I feel like these where I feel like our liquor licenses should go but that it does not have anything to do really with the other one. I do think that it would
be very difficult for the other one >> uh if you approved it here today, you know, how that would play out, but that it's been it's been told to us that it it's you can act upon this in any way that you you wish. >> Thank you for the clarification, >> Chair. Yes. >> Could I respond?
>> Absolutely. >> Um so I just want to confirm for the record there is a license to give. Correct. >> Correct. >> Yes. Um and I believe that legally under the statute we meet all the requirements
for both both the property Mr. Ahmad Mr. Amina. Um Massachusetts laws allows up to nine of these licenses to be held by one person or entity. That was an expansion that was done in the 19 uh 2019 2020 area. um food stores and
convenience stores are legally allowed to hold this liquor licenses, beer and wine licenses, even all alcohol licenses depending on this board. >> Um Massachusetts general laws chapter 138 section 15 which controls this type
of license allows this type of license to be issued to this type of facility. Um um the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has proposed numerous bills for uh the expansion of liquor licenses over the years. Actually, in the last five to six
years, they have um uh expanding the number of licenses in the quota system. Uh even the locations where beer and wine can be sold such as farmers markets um uh these proposals are all tied to economic development. that is what those
were that expansion was for and that is exactly what we're trying to do with this project in that part of town. Uh if you recall from those board meetings that we had that there has been a uh a number of projects over the years that
have been shot down in that part of town. U and it was beginning to show um at the time that we appeared um the D'Angelos had a tree growing out of the roof. >> Half that plaza was empty. We had other
projects over there including the old um the leather place I forget the name of the store that had had a fire >> um and that was sitting that way. There are a number of very old buildings that need help and this part of town really
needed this shot in the arm and that's what um uh Mr. Amad is providing. This is a project that's going to cost them over $4.5 million to present. Your town uh comprehensive plan always talks about economic development being
businessfriendly that those terms are in your your comprehensive plan. Um there's nothing in your comprehensive plan about not providing liquor licenses for stores such as these. In fact, it should be something that you really want to look at because what Mr. Mad is
putting together is a coffee shop, a convenience store, a gas station with liquor. So what you're going to have is people coming in doing one stop. >> So instead of buying a bag of chips at his store, leaving back onto Route 28,
then getting off of Route 28, going to a liquor store, getting back on Route 28. I don't think that's something that you want. We've always heard about the traffic problem. Um especially the way that the roads are right now. Um, you know, based on the records at
the ABCC, Yarmouth has issued a total of 13 package store liquor licenses. These are off- premise off- premises licenses. Of those 13, seven are liquor stores. Um, of the remaining five, four are food stores. You have the Armouthport Village
store, Peterson's Market, um, the other guys, Monica's on which is on Station A. And then the last one is Cape Cod Farms right on Route 28, the old mobile station on 28 for Lame's old place that
was issued a beer and wine let license and they run the exact same operation as Mr. Amad is proposing there. So understandably your reticence to provide that license today based on some unrelated liquor
license that we have nothing to do with. understanding your consistency, we also understand the consistency of issued licenses. Um, that license was issued in 2023. I'm not sure if you were on the board. I know Mr. Forest may have been.
>> I was not, >> but I don't know if anyone else was. >> I was not and because it was it was a long unfortunately it was an unwritten policy that um that this board had up until that date when I was not here. Um, but I think it was consistently the the
opinion of the town. So up until that none none had been issued till then. Um and while you're absolutely correct about the mass general laws um it's also I believe our right um to say whether or not there's a need and based on based on
the perimeter and the amount of licenses in the in the area. I I don't believe there is need. I'm one person. I'm not. So I think >> I understand. I mean I your your your rules and regulations permit this. Um
um and I understand your your positions, but you know there there are when you say there was an unwritten rule about it. I'd like to know who created that rule and where that established. >> It was a policy of a board. We've tried to uh
um find it, but nonetheless, it's not from what I what I understand, it's not a written rule. So, it would have to be something that the board would have to take position on, but I'm entitled to my >> N >> particular%. I just it it's it's not something that came out of a town meeting. >> No, it is not.
>> And it's maybe uh there was something out of use over the over the years, but again, these properties have changed. This is not the typical project. This is um trying to be a one-stop shop, trying to provide a person who's injecting a
lot of money into this town a little extra for his um for for his uh work. And I think that this liquor license, this beer and wine liquor license, not all all alcohol, is a very small part of it. However, I think it's going to be um and I don't think it's going to have any
effect on whether or not people are coming and going. They're going in to pay for gas. going in to grab um a soda. They're going to grab something and leave. They're not drinking it on site. I think it's very harmless. Uh so for those reasons, I hope that the remaining
board members would vote in favor of this. I understand your position and yours very well and I appreciate it. So >> I appreciate you and all that you've done. Um does anybody else have any questions or comments? Madam Chair, yeah, I I appreciate the very spirited
defense of the uh the application and the very strong arguments. Um I don't anticipate anytime soon we're going to revisit this policy, but you're making an argument that at some point maybe we should. And I think I think
after we hear from the other appeal and the decision on that, we may need to revisit this whole topic and take this up again. So, um I I I my position has not changed, but I am open for a board discussion on changing this policy. Um
I've spoken with other select board members about the policy. They felt very strongly about it when they were in office. I've talked to the prior town administrator, Mr. Lottton. He was here for 29 years and during his tenure as an administrator he pretty much helped guide the board in sticking to this
policy. So at one point something was articulated and the board did reason it out and I have tremendous respect for the select board over the years. Generally these kinds of decisions have been pretty well thought out and uh while we may not have a complete record
of what how they arrived at the policy or exactly in detail what it states um I still respect what they have said but I like I said depending based on what we hear with this other action we may be forced to revisit the policy and so this
could come back again. >> Thank you madam chair. >> Thank you. Um there would be a record of the past decisions in the minutes of past of uh select board meetings. So you'd be able to consult that. Um I have a question madam chair and I think this
would be for either our town administrator or our our licensing administrator and that is like but you know as we talk about economic development what's the difference between what a package store pays in terms of licensing fees and a
convenience store adding beer and wine pays. Good question. >> So, the um the liquor store fee is $2,350 per year. >> And I'm not sure your about your
question about adding that to a convenience store. >> Wine and malt. So, wine and malt is the same no matter where it is. What's that one? Correct. That >> Oh, I'm sorry. Um, I was aware >> like a difference between like wine and all alcohol and and beer and wine,
>> right? So all alcohol is 2350, beer and wine is 1,700 I believe and um so a package store that does yeah beer and wine would be 1,700.
>> Thank you. That that's helpful to know. Um, I am uh favoring this and I'm I'm almost going back to uh our town meeting where we had a lot of residents who felt strongly that the future of Yarmouth was not
strong enough for them to have a library in the town of Yarmmouth. And that's one reason I am going to support this because we do need a commercial tax base. And I like the design and I trust the vetting that has been done by our
town architecturally and planning and the landscaping is a very important part. That is the rationale for me to support it. But I'm hoping that people will as we move forward start to understand that
that Yarmouth is not stagnant. We are growing and we will be able to get a library if we can support uh some of these kinds of projects that are handsome that will in make Route 28 not degrade it but upgrade it and that will
help us get towards what we need which is what a real town has a real library. Thank you >> Madam Chair. >> Yes ma'am. Um actually in response to what you were saying about the previous select boards, I too was on that select
board for Cape Cod Farms when that was done. So uh in lie of consistency, I did vote in favor on that and I am going to be voting in favor of it tonight as well. >> Great. Is there a motion?
>> I move that we approve the license as presented. >> You have to close the hearing first. >> We already did. Second. >> Did you want to say anything? >> No. >> Okay. >> Just make sure I >> discussion on the motion. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed.
>> No. >> A um so I we need to um enumerate your rationale as to your negative vote for findings of facts. Please. as uh um I know I I said in in
the hearing that mine was um there was not a proven need for it because of the um number of licenses. Can you can you We're going to have to send a letter to the ABCC. So you need to enumerate your facts.
>> Well, I I agree with um your statement that there isn't really a need for it. I admire this store and what they're doing with the mixeduse housing, but I actually don't think that um we should
be heading toward licensing convenience stores for beer and wine. And I don't think that the argument that we have one to give is one that we should. Um, and uh I I feel pretty strongly about that
given given addiction problems in the in the town of Yarmouth and and you yourself cited the number of establishments that already sell some kind of alcohol, but I I admire your use of that site and what you're doing. >> Mark, are you able to can you
>> Yeah, I think uh basically I'm I'm reaffirming the objections and the concerns that I stated before. um they're very similar to the objections that we raised um at the on the prior license that we we denied. >> Okay. >> And uh I also believe that the
residential character of the neighborhood and the concerns of the neighbors and the people that live in the neighborhood need to be considered. Um I believe they had a great deal to say during the course of the zoning board review in terms of the development. And I don't think just because they're not here tonight doesn't
mean those concerns are not valid and don't apply to something like this. So in the past this board has shown great difference to the concerns of residents particularly on licensing matters like this. So um I feel that that needs to be factored in as well. Um, thank you. Uh,
because we'll again we I've learned a lot um in my time and so my my question is I know that this is separate and has nothing to do with the appeal. However, if the appeal is lost by the town, that
means that our personal uh findings of facts are not as um weighted with the state or ABC as so how how can we um make sure because if the
state if he I I don't want to make anybody go through an appeal process that is not going to be supported. I don't think that's an exercise that um is a is a great exercise and you probably know better. I don't know if there is a way that if the appeal on the other one um
is not >> the town loses >> if the town loses and then and and our opinion on that isn't um a valid in the state's eyes then I wouldn't want to hold him responsible for that. Yeah. So I mean but truly >> but truly I wouldn't want that same
thing to happen. So, I'm just wondering if there's a way that >> I think Madam Chair, if I can just add, I think I think your points are well taken. Um, I think if we lose on that appeal, I think we should revisit just our overall policy uh and our overall approach to these kinds of licenses. So,
I just think but I do think it makes sense to discuss that as a matter of policy, not as it relates to one particular application. >> Sure. But how can we is there a way for this petitioner then to get relief from our decision based on that?
>> Is there I mean there's not a timeline that says that they can't come back. But it's a it's a it's a very lengthy process and an expensive process. So I'm just saying is there is there something that the town can do >> should we lose that appeal to reconsider this like give them a shortcut in
procedure >> apply. Okay. And my recommendation would be if there's going to if we're going to entertain those, let's lay out a policy that's clear and consistent to the business community on our approach to how we handle these licenses. That way,
it might not be a mystery or involve a lot of guesswork by applicants. >> Absolutely. >> I have a question. >> Yes, sir. >> Um on the um on the appeal that is pending, >> correct? >> If that is overturned, will they be awarded a license? >> Yes. And will there still be one to
give? >> There's the but there's two to give. One that one's pending. >> So this one of the two >> there still is one to give. >> Would be one. >> All right. And so if we appeal this, could that license also be held in obeyance until our
decision comes up? Because if someone else comes in after >> correct >> and we win, then we're out. >> How did Per say that? Per say that that other one isn't really held in oayance though. he could actually act on that because it was >> it's been over a year. That's what he
said that they lost their place in. >> But if he appeals it, it's >> he could rule he could rule the same for this one. Um depending, you know, how long how long the process rolls out, >> but chances are pretty good if he appealed it, it would at least be held
for a certain period of time and in that time we would hope that the state would act. I I'm just, you know, I'm amazed that the state has and I and I because I feel bad for the other petitioner as well who is waiting in limbo, right? I mean, it's been over a year. It seems unfair that somebody would have to wait that long for a decision from the state.
for now what um I would recommend that that the board adopts as a strategy and all of the comments I hear excellent especially you know revisiting policies and things of that nature but um I I would at this particular juncture tend to focus on the statutory
responsibilities of the board and what criteria and guidelines have been provided um through which to make this decision and what um I've I've heard as the The primary um issue is that there
um you know appears to be a large number of licenses in in a concentrated area in the Route 28 corridor there especially uh in the vicinity there. And um one of the issues in the statute it um requires
the applicant to demonstrate that there's a public need for the license. if you don't feel that based on the number of licenses, you know, an area that that I I think that that is a primary, you know, area of your
responsibility to um to make that decision and we provide that to the ABCC and then um obviously any decision that's made can can be appealed. quite familiar with that process. But I but I think if the board focuses on just the
statute, what your reasoning is based on that statute, we outline the criteria, which if that's the direction that you want to go, we could write that up and and show that to you. Then um at least when it when it does go to appeal, um you will have fulfilled your responsibility.
And um obviously the higher you know level they they hear the appeal and um you know during that intervening time um you know the board doesn't have to grant another license you may get another application but you don't have to grant
and then um you know worst case scenario now there's two appeals and whichever one rules first you know um you know >> there's no way there's no way to to to hinge this on that type of decision that the town could request that it be, you
know, that we could bring it back ourselves without having to cost the >> No, I don't think you can do that. Once you make a decision, I think that is ends the application. >> Okay. >> Just one comment if I just wanted as a new uh board member to note that this policy is totally something that I've
never heard of. So, it clearly needs to be made real to new new board members. It >> would be great if we had a policy book for new board members with everything in it, wouldn't it? >> Well, I did read it. >> A policy book.
>> Yeah. >> And it's not something that I that jumped out at me as a No, it's not >> specific to this instance. >> Understood. Joyce, did you have something else you want to add? >> No, I just um I am kind of appalled that the state has taken as long as it had.
it. We were we were subpoenaed to go up to the alcohol beverage commission in what was it? Everett Chelsea. Um and it was like a drop everything moment and I was have it was April of a year ago and I was working on taxes and then they
promised a decision by the end of July and we still don't have that decision and it's a whole another year. So this is a kind of murky area. I myself am not a fan of giving more um licenses, beer and wine to convenience stores and I I
was not on the board when the previous one was granted to Cape Cod Farms and I would have voted against that. >> All right. Well, apologize, but I thank you for coming. Um thank you for your
Yes. Hopefully we'll see you again. All right. Next, we have um a new all seasons alcohol liquor license for Captain Parker's boat house. I'm going to read the public notice into the record. The
Yarmmer Select Board acting as the local licensing authority has received an application for special entertainment license from Megan El. Is this the right one? Hold on a second. >> No. >> Nope. Hold on a second. Mr. Mr. Manning, let me see here. I don't Oh, here. This
one. They might be stuck together. How do I not have that one? >> Interesting. I'm sorry. I know. I had it because I read it. You like mine? >> Yeah. No, it says it says it right here. But >> thank you.
>> Oh, you're welcome. >> I got it. Sorry. How are you? The Yarmouth Select Board acting as the local licensing authority has received an application for a new allcohol license from Captain Parker's Boat House LLC. Captain Parker's Boat House Jerry
Manning LLC manager 658 Route 28 West Jarmath Mass 02673. The manager to be Katherine Kaser. Kaser >> Casser. >> Casser. Okay. The premises includes the basement first and second floor and an
outdoor deck. The restaurant with bar area on the first floor has 18 seats and 14 tables with eight seats on the front deck and eight seats in the rear deck for a total of 48 seats. The first floor is 1640 square ft and consists of the
restaurant, bar, kitchen, prep area, one men's uh bathroom and one uh women's bathroom with four means of egress. The second floor is 849 square f feet with an office, storage, two mechanical rooms, and a bathroom. The basement is
1630 ft with storage space. A hearing will be held on Mar 5th, 2026 in the hearing room, uh, Yarmouth Town Hall, 11:46 through 28 South Yarmouth. The select board meeting begins at 6 PM. Written comments will be accepted until 4:30 on May 1st, 2026. The select board
office and at town hall or could be submitted electronically to public comment at yarmath.mma. us and verbal comments will be accepted at the meeting. Good evening. If you would like to um just take a minute to introduce yourself and talk about what you're requesting tonight, that would be great.
>> Good evening. My name is Jerry Gerald Manning and uh I'm the owner proprietor of Captain Parker's Pub. Uh we've been in business for 45 years. They started in 1981 with the very little Cape Cod shack of a
place and um originally was going to be a seasonal business but due to a number of uh long and wind life is a long long and windy road. We applied for a year round
license and um I've been there ever since trying to serve the public of Yamoth with fine food and um so long before co I noticed a real trend in
the restaurant business. Um the younger generation and uh all generations now really prefer or not prefer but they really they they enjoy getting their food to go
or having their food delivered. Very very popular uh uh part of the the restaurant uh industry. So noticing that uh and the situation of Captain Park is
we we are thank goodness a busy restaurant. Everybody want wants to eat at the same time and um we have a problem of serving uh to go food because we are committed to taking care of the customer that is
in the building sitting down having a nice experience with their family and with whatever. And what we have to do is we have to shut off the to-go business because the kitchen can't handle the the volume. So we want to make sure our
customers that are sitting, they get their meal nice and hot and hopefully everything goes nice and smooth. So um there was a building next door came up for sale. Well, it was very dilapidated. Uh,
it was an office building and so I bought it number one for parking. We had a it really helped us out with parking and uh so I had to figure out what to do with that building and it took over five years. But I decided to make a a another
restaurant that would uh complement Captain Pacus, not compete, but complement and off of food to go. And um that's where we designed a full kitchen and the menu will be exactly the same as
Captain Pocket's menu, plus hopefully pizza also to go. So we're trying to cover all the bases. >> Diversity, right? So then looking at the building and uh
it's a little deceiving because the there's three levels to the building. So the restaurant part is on the second level and I I was going in there. We're getting everything squared away and everything. Said this is really
a beautiful a really nice view. I mean, you're looking out on 28 in the parking lot, but you do get a view of the the river. And we have an outside deck. Uh Gary Ellis designed it for us years ago. And uh so
I thought it would be really nice to have a nice little congenial bar, rectangular bar, where people can come in, have a pizza or a hamburger, and have a beer, have a a nice experience. And it really is um
just a nice feeling place. So that's why I'm here uh to apply for a liquor license so I can offer folks a nice cold beer, nice glass of
wine, uh have a nice frozen drink out on the deck, and it's very pleasant. Very, very pleasant. Thank you. >> Excuse me, Madam Chair. Katherine Casser is on Zoom. >> Okay. >> The manager just
>> No, I seen her. Um I know that she's she's worked with you. That's right. Correct. She's been >> Casser is my daughter. She's been associated with Captain. >> So, she's very familiar with a while service. She we have her resume. We have her serve safe. I know that she's tip
certified and she's um not new to uh alcohol service. So, um, and in your packet here, you have, uh, the concept of what you're trying to achieve. You have, uh, the layout here. Um, I always ask the question about how you're going
to contain alcohol to make sure it doesn't get in hands of a minor, especially in the outdoor deck, but, um, you do that now. >> We do. We do. And again, uh, it's training and experience. Uh, staff will be
working over at the boat house also. And uh it is there is a deck. So signage and uh supervision will be uh guy guard against anyone walking off the the premises out of the building with
any kind of alcohol which like you said we do at Captain Park is right next door. >> Right. So, you're familiar, I know you've met with um Detective Renzy and um you're familiar with our rules and regulations, which is
uh very important. Is anybody um from the public would like to make any comment either for or against the application? >> Madam Chair, I move we close the public part of the hearing. >> Second. Any discussion on that? All those in favor? >> I any anybody opposed? Pass unanimously.
Is there anybody who has any comments or questions? Yes, J. >> I have a question, Mr. Manning. I'm just trying to understand um how the um the serving the beer and wine would work. Um you're you have a small eating area in this more casual restaurant that's a
parallel to Captain Parker's. Um would would the beer and wine sales be limited to those people who are going to consume it on site or would they be taken away as takeout? >> Absolutely. on site. Yes, absolutely.
>> Okay. Thank you. That's very helpful. >> And I I'm not a fan that uh the state allowed um to go drinks and I'm not a fan of that at all. We don't do that at Captain Park as it will never will. Yeah.
>> So, they're two separate entities. Even though they're abudding properties, there won't be they're two separate licenses. So there won't be any movement between the buildings. How do you foresee that in terms of like if somebody has a drink and they want to go next door?
>> Um well again we >> through you know training and experience you know we we very well trained to be very careful who we serve alcohol to and we're very very very strict about that.
>> We've never had any problems. No, no, just >> never. >> As long as we behave, everything is great. >> Does anybody else from the board have any questions or comments? >> Is there I just a comment if I could. Um, your experience is well known here in
the community, but also your reputation and your generosity to this community can't go without being mentioned as well. And I thank you for all that you do, you and your family, for this community. >> Thank you. That's very >> all the way through the year. Every year.
>> It's only 45 years. >> Yeah. >> He's just getting started. >> That's right. >> I have to say I'll be really looking forward to being able to get some takeout in the summer. >> Have good desserts, too. >> Now we're talking. >> Why would anyone order beer or wine
there when they could have chowder? I don't get it. >> Oh, well, goes with everything. >> Yes, it does. >> Go ahead, Mark. Madam Chair, I I I too want to uh echo the comments of my colleague u and thanking you and an
appreciation for all that that you do for this community. >> Um it's noted we're very well aware of it and we very much appreciate all that you do. >> Yeah, thank you. I really appreciate that. Some days I have my doubts, but thanks for the >> No, I and I and I understand that. That's why there that's why it's
important when we have the opportunity to say thank you. you know, we we we all take advantage of that and uh and thank you. I think what you're doing with this property, this is a property that's a challenging property and I think you're doing something special with it. I really do.
>> I I really very very excited about the the whole concept. >> Yeah. No, I think um if I could clone you as a developer, I I would do it in a minute because No, I think you have just the right touch in terms of knowing what
will work, you know, on that corridor and in particular in that area. So, I think I think your vision um is is is certainly to be commended. Um and so I'm very supportive of this and I'm I'm happy to vote for it. >> Well, thank you very much. I'm really
trying to make that a tidy area. It was really rund down >> uh the properties there before. So I did acquire uh Jerry Seafood which is next door. >> And then this the next property down is
a little white building. I just did a lot of to put a new roof and windows and siding on it. And uh so I have a plan. Jerry's Seafood is going to be a nice little ice cream shop because it has a very retro feel to it. Has a 60s
>> feel. 50s maybe. And uh and the other building I hope to have is a like a I don't want to say a t a a gift shop or a place we can get Captain Pocket swag,
Cape Cod swag. Uh hopefully have a nice little retail operation there. So paving tomorrow. We're redoing the whole parking lot area and uh so again trying to improve the >> situation.
>> No, you are u madam chair and um it's it's to it's to be applauded. That whole part of the community is really turning around as you know we had the uh the celebration of the the park on Saturday. It was beautiful day and I know that's something that you've invested some time and energy in.
>> Was on the committee for 20 years. >> You were part of you were part of the original dissect >> that log for one part. >> Yes. So, no, that's >> we're really excited about that park and >> yeah, >> we applaud the town for really uh it's really first class over there. They did
a great job. >> Yeah. Well, first class is your organization, too. I mean, what you have done on the deck with the with the fire pits and the back patio, I mean, it's just it's >> all good stuff. what we've watched, you know, unfortunately, um, you know, some
of the properties on 28 the um, it's difficult for some people to reinvest in their properties and you've kept yours and you've just made it better. You just keep making our town better. So, um, inside and out. And I I want to give
some real credit to all your departments, you know, the uh the building department, the health department, the fire department, all of the agencies. It was a it was it was a long struggle. It was over five years that we've been and it's still not done.
I I don't know when I'm going to be everybody's asking me when they're going to be opening, but soon, very soon. And uh but the town was very cooperative and uh kudos to and uh and of course the licensing
uh Amy does a great job. Well, and I also while you're here, I know that the um the sewer project's been a struggle for for you as well as um other businesses there, but hopefully we're going to have a very successful summer and get past it and we appreciate
your partnership in that and I know that you don't want to be in the septic business and for many years we pushed for the sewer and now that it's here it's been um it's been a struggle for you. So, I just want to say thank you. Well, I have a nice spanky new septic system for the boat house in Jerry's.
>> An example of our Yeah. building on it. >> Is there anybody would like to make we I mean, we could just have a we could just group hug and >> Absolutely. >> But we probably should move forward with the application. >> Madam Chair, I move that we approve the application as presented. >> Second.
>> All right. Any discussion on that? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Pass unanimously. Thank you so much, Jerry, for everything that you do and we wish you a wonderful season. >> Very much. We are congratulations. >> Keep up the good work. >> Absolutely. >> It's not easy.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, Katherine. >> Oh, yes. Thank you. >> I saw her. She came in, but dad had it handled. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. All right. Our next application is for the Legacy of
Liberty. All right. Eight. The Yarmouth Select Board acting as the local licensing authority has received an application for a special entertainment license from Megan Eldridge, Yarmouth Community Development Director for a dedication and living history fair
at the Fred Thatcher Park and Ancient Cemetery at 460 Route 6A Yarmathport. The free event is open to the public and will be held on Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. to 3 pm. There will be a dedication of Yarma's Revolutionary
War monument at Thatcher Park and grave markers for Revolutionary War soldiers at ancient ceremony at ancient cemetery. The event will commemorate the 250th anniversary of Yarmouth declaring its
independence from Great Britain and will include a F and drum corp that will present music, other activities for the whole family, including food trucks, colonial trades, demonstrations, and a living history
fair. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 at the Yarmouth Town Hall, 11:46 through 28 South Yarmouth. The Select Board meeting begins at 6 PM. Written comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1st, 2026 in the select board's office
at town hall or can be submitted electronically to public comment at yarm.mma. us. Verbal comments will be accepted at the hearing. With that, I will open the hearing and um that you guys can introduce yourself and let us
know what it is that you're applying for. >> Great. Thank you. That was a mouthful. >> Yes. >> Just rolls off the tongue. >> My name is Megan Eldridge. I'm the director of community development. I'm here with Susan Flack. She is a wonderful event planner with the um the
event committee that has been brought together to to organize and plan this event. Um, I'm here for three three asks. Uh, one is for a special permit application, one is for pole banners,
and one is for a fee waiver. Um, so I've put together a little slideshow to give you some background about the event and where we started, where we're going. Um, and hopefully it will draw some interest from the public and let you know what's
what we've been working on. Um, so with that, um, I'd like to introduce Susan. >> Hi. Thank you all for having me tonight. It's good to see you again. I was here in the fall when you graciously granted us some funding to actually make this
event happen. So, want to give you an update on where we are and where we're going. Um, so just a little bit of background on where it started. um with the help of the CPC and tourism funds um originally a monument design, fabrication and installation was secured
for um a commemoration to the 447 men who served in old Yarmouth in the revolution. Um and the placement of that monument which was approved is going to be in Fred Thatcher Park on Route 6A. Um and we built an event again thanks to
your support um that's being planned by a fairly vast committee of individuals who's helping out and um again the the generous funding um provided by TR tour Tourism Revenue Preservation and your support has making is making this
happen. Um I've been working as a volunteer to um help project manage this event um along with Bob Kelly who has helped to steer the committee. Bob from the Historic Commission and um Historic Society of Old Yarmouth. Um and um just
wanted to give you a quick update on where we are now. So as of uh this spring, the foundation for the monument has been poured in Thatcher Park. So that's there. And our sculptor, Robert Shore, is working through the final
elements of the build of the of the monument. Um, we also have installed 53 grave markers in the ancient cemetery marking the graves of those revolutionary patriots who served. Um, we've launched a PR campaign to start promoting the event and provide
information on the patriots listed on the monument and cemetery. Um, we've launched a website which some of you may have seen on the town and um, that has all kinds of information about the event and ways to get involved. Um, we've had
to secure a lot of logistical items, um, tents because this is a rain or shine event. Um, we've worked very closely with a number of departments, which we'll talk about a little later, um, in the town who have been wonderful partners and helping us kind of create this and make it work. Um, traffic
management plan, food trucks. We've secured about eight different um revolutionary period demonstrators from candle makers to potters to someone who does powder horns. There's going to be militia um there as well and encampments
and all kinds of activities um and entertainment which will be the Bristol County FIF and Drum Corps. They're going to provide us with period music. They're a very well-known organization. Um they'll be doing two concerts at the event, one at 11:30 and one later in the
afternoon around two. Um and they'll be playing and mingling and answering questions and and talking to uh people in attendance also for an educational perspective. Uh we start at 10 a.m. with the dedication of the monument. There's going to be a variety of speeches from
various folks and Tracy, thank you for coming and representing the select board at this event. Um, and then people who uh are interested will walk to the ancient cemetery where we're going to have another commemoration around 11:30. And uh a big thank you to Chief Lennon
who's worked with us on a very elaborate traffic plan which we'll also talk about in a minute um to make sure we have logistics worked out and everybody is safe in this um process. And um the we'll also after that ceremony which is
primarily being handled by the Sons of the American Revolution chapter um we'll also have speakers and various activities going on with that. Um we've also recruited um a group of folks volunteers who will be dressing up as
and acting out as the um various certain various individuals and patriots and their wives who are buried in there. So people can have an interactive experience with that. and um your very own Liz Argo has volunteered to be one of those as well. So, we thank you for that, Liz. Um so, we're very excited.
So, we're working on getting that together and training everybody and getting everybody their scripts. Um after that, people can work their way back to the park where the demonstrators will all be there doing their thing and meander around and interact. And there'll be food trucks as well, um
militia encampments, kids games, etc. And that'll run till about 3 o'clock. Um, and so I'm gonna turn it back over to Megan to talk a little bit about the permitting that we're requesting this evening for the FIF and Drum Corp. >> So, as part of the event, we have the
the FIFA drum corps that will have two presentations, but we'll also have a amplified speaker which will take place during the ceremonies. There there isn't any music during those portions, but uh someone will be singing the national
anthem and it will be um amplified. So, we'll that will be part of the entertainment permit. We have secured sign banners uh sign permits, tent permits and banner permits from the building department and we were
successful in getting old King's Highway to approve the pole banners for five locations in along 6A. So that is something that is also require also requires your approval here. Um you'll see a picture of the banner in one of
the upcoming slides as well as the location of those pole banners. Um, the use of town property was applied for and all of the departments spent time looking through it and gave comments and as you can imagine, traffic
was the number one comment from uh the the group and we've worked with Chief Lenin and Drew Ali to develop a traffic plan that requires no parking on site and we will have shuttles from the
intermediate school on Station Avenue. Uh the site, as you know, doesn't have really any parking aside from a few spaces near the the playground that will be uh used up by um demonstrators and food trucks, portaotties, logistical
things, and some emergency vehicle parking. So, even the the demonstrators and um the volunteers will be parked offsite. We do have a um wheelchair accessible bus that will be available as well. So even if you have mobility
issues, we have covered you with a a accessible shuttle that will run continuously throughout the day uh starting as early as 7:30 in the morning for the for the volunteers. >> And
so the next slide is consider volunteering. We have we have a lot of needs for uh people movers um people flow movers. Uh we will have police details on site at the locations where
where cars and traffic um will be um where people will be interacting with traffic. But um this is a big event, a long event. So we we do have a QR code and a link at our website to to directly
u sign up for a slot for for volunteering. So we're we're here also with a a plea for volunteers. And I'll I'll let Susan a little bit more on this. >> Yeah, for those listening on Zoom, um if you're interested in volunteering, please check out you can just go to the
homepage of the town website and there's a link in the in the boxes for the quick links to get to this site where you'll see more information on the types of volunteers we're looking for. Um and there short shifts. We have a sign up um uh system that's sort of like signup
genius where people can sign up for specific and register. Um, and we are going to provide all volunteers with a branded t-shirt, so some incentive to volunteer, which would be great. Um, the, um, the next slide shows the
picture of the pole banner signs that we designed. Um, >> Oh, nice. >> Yep. And they're on a sort of a tan I don't know if you can see it really well, but like a tan colored old-fashioned looking background. um that have we our logo was based on the
top of the monument as you guys can see. We worked with a great designer that the um Yarmouth Chamber recommended to us to help us with that. >> Um and um and Megan mentioned, you know, this is really what we're here to get approved tonight.
>> When will those um go up? >> We have been waiting for your approval. >> Okay. And then we'll face >> and then they will be put up as soon as uh should be before the end of next week at the latest. >> And how long will they be up for? Do you know?
>> We we get permission from the old Kings Highway to keep them up through the calendar year. Um and any any further than that, they'll require additional approvals. And if the design changes, same thing. We'll have to go back and get additional approvals.
Um, so just a quick note on additional um, publicity and a thank you to Lori Sullivan who's been working with us. We have a press release that's going to be going out this week to a bunch of media outlets all across Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well as on the Cape. Um,
we've got radio spots teed up to that are going to go out to advertise the event. Um and we've been doing a lot of other advertising through the different folks who are involved in the committee in terms of reaching out to their organizations as well. Um uh we have an
active Facebook page as well and um one of our volunteers from the historic society has been great about working with us and keeping posts alive and putting interesting information about the event, about the Patriots. Um so a lot of traction there as well. So we're hoping we're going to get a good crowd
and we have also reached out. We're still waiting to hear back to some of the state um >> senators and reps. Yeah. To see and even, you know, the governor's office. So, we'll see if we get any any traction with anybody coming, but we won't know until we're obviously closer to the
event. >> Um and on the right side is the the monument that you'll see getting installed in early June. Like Susan said, the foundation is in, so you'll be able to see where where it's going to be located. But um we're very excited to
have that installed the beginning of June. The banner locations are these yellow pins on the map. Uh so this is Route 6A. Um and Gingerbread Lane is that road to
points over here doesn't like to point to the television because that's a television and not a screen. So on the far left um Gingerbread Lane. So just to give you an idea of um where we are on 6A.
>> So it's not really in the proximity of the event of the park. >> No. Um getting approval to put banners on polls. You have to go through NSTAR. Um these locations were picked a few years ago.
>> Um but it's a nice connection. Um we're we're putting a sand sculpture of some period revolutionary war um around Strawberry Lane. So there there'll be a nice little um Revolutionary era
>> and there will be a banner on the playground also um on the corner as you're coming down 6A and um old church. There's like a curve. >> Yep. where banners have been >> will that banner have the event information up?
>> It's a full banner with all the event information and that parking isn't there. So day of if you're driving along and you're like oh look at that a festival people won't be like where do I go to park? >> So we we got a lot on that that banner but hopefully people will be able to
figure out how to get to DY. >> Will there be any signage at DY? >> Yes. Yeah. We're actually working, our next stop is is working on all the electric signs and um also some of the yard signs like we did for Parker's like
the town did for Parker's River >> Landing to put up in various places. >> So our la our second to last slide is um just recognizing all of the partners that have been involved in this. >> These are basically the different groups
that have involved in our committee. Um we um I want to thank Lisa Sherman in particular, our administrative assistant for the historic commission for pulling this group together. Um and the event committee um consists of members of the historical commission, historical
society of old, daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Friends of the Ancient Cemetery. Um we have members from the Dennis Historical Society who also joined. So we've got a pretty pretty large active group that's helping to make this possible. Um, and of course
all the assistance of the town, the town staff, the department of works, the golf department, police department, communications and community development, as well as you guys and the administration support. So, we thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, thank you and and hopefully we'll
see you all on June 20th, 10 a.m. That's your park. >> Excellent. Anybody from the board have any questions? >> We have a question. Um, it starts at 10 and it goes to three. Yes. >> All right. Um, this is a tough question. Is there any bathroom?
>> Yes. >> Yes. Yes, we have portaotties that we're securing. >> Um, there will be several at that park and there will be two at the ancient cemetery. >> Excellent. >> And a washing station. >> And I um, good point.
>> Good. Um, we had a uh we Joe Glenn noted that the resiliency fair at Parker River Landing that he had an awful hard time getting across the lawn to get to where he wanted to be in order to witness the ceremony. And I just would raise that as
a could be a concern. You got the accessibility bus, but if we have a lawn, it can be awful tricky for people with the push wheelers to get >> um across the the grass. Well, the event itself, the tenting is over the basketball court.
>> The drop off is on the playground side where there's a large opening in the gate. So, the distance to get from when you get off the bus to >> the basketball court area is not very far. >> That's great. >> Okay. >> And then people will have to make a choice about the ancient cemetery
because that's a little tricky >> and that you can't handle that. And then the other thing I just wondered if you could also add a little transport using the senior cent's bus from the senior center. >> We hadn't considered that. Um
>> why those for the senior center people >> they could it would be another place for people who um are senior >> area. Yeah. >> Senior center people. I think that logistically would make things much more difficult for them to have multiple. >> Yeah, we could keep
>> there. There should be plenty of parking at the intermediate school um and continuous buses through there, but it would be interesting to have the senior center bus that's accessible just be put into the mix so we have to we could
>> those were my thoughts and then the only other thing to say is I'm so excited So, are we >> Well, I'm delighted that you're doing this. Um, I love the idea of the banners kind of making it a celebration through the whole year. Um, I was impressed with
how well things worked at the park logistically with shuttles um on Saturday. And so, it as I think about the transportation, the only thing that I would add would be possibly a bike rack or two. And that's partly uh
inspired by the Parker's River area where they had this wonderful bike rack in Did you see it in the in the shape of a fish? I had never seen that before. And that I I just thought, "Oh, that is the perfect bike rack for the Cape." But
I think I think a number of people might decide to go by bike if if they knew that was accommodated. >> Absolutely. We we'll make sure there's a bike rack there. I believe there is already, but if there isn't, I will find >> and best wishes. >> Thank you.
>> Also very excited. I I'm a history buff and this is just, you know, uh and I know Mark probably is going to have some comments on that. >> We never highlight enough um all the amazing history that we have in town.
So, thank you. It's going to be quite the event and uh I appreciate all the incredibly hard work and the amount of time and volunteering that has gone into making it happen. So, thank you.
>> Thanks, Madam Chair. And uh well, thank you. This was a wonderful update, wonderful presentation. Um and uh I can see the excitement beginning to build. I can I can feel it. It's uh um you know,
we as a board have talked for quite a while about what we can do as a community to boost heritage tourism in the town of Yarmouth that we're all very proud of the incredible history that we have and often times we're amazed as we
discover things that we've never really understood. And I think what you're doing is you're bringing to life an important chapter uh in our history, one that I think just deepens the pride uh and deepens the enthusiasm and the excitement about living here in this
community. It's part of what makes it very very special. And I think for those that might not understand what heritage tourism is or what um what we've talked about historic Yarmouth is sort of the the the slogan that we've been using in our goal setting meetings. And I think
this is a a good indication of what we can do when we put our minds together to celebrate, to interpret and draw attention uh to our history. So I think uh you've done a wonderful job in pulling this all together. And my hope
is that this is something that we can build on >> and that we can do similar events like this in the coming months, the coming years. um because there's just so much richness and so much to celebrate here
uh in our community. Um my only question is um do you just need us as a board to approve the one special entertainment license or are there a series of votes or is it just the one license will give you essentially what you need in all of
this? application for um use of town property, application for a special entertainment license, and a fee waiver >> and the pole banners. >> The pole banners. >> Okay. So, >> I move that we approve the request for all of those items just cited by the chair.
>> Second. >> Any discussion on that? All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Well, I didn't get to make my comments, but no, I will. I just want to say thank you so much. I um Megan, I think you've you know, you just came off of a a
weekend that was wonderful and um and now you're involved with another event that's going to be just wonderful for our community. And um it's there was just so many people that were just thrilled to be out and commune. And I don't know if it was the weather last weekend, but it was just something new.
And this is going to be the same type of thing. So, um just very grateful for it. I know that um a lot of towns are doing things around that. I'm wondering how our date and time kind of line up with some of the other towns because there
were some um people from Haritch that were telling me that you know Chronicles go in there for their event and things like so I know this is going to be big for everybody who's celebrating it and I'm just wondering if you've done any analysis of the other >> there is a really great article in the
Midcape magazine that outlines um 250 activities that are going on on Cape Cod. We have I believe the first great major one. Um Haritch is in November. >> Dennis is doing one May May 16th.
>> Yeah. Okay. So um there are some concurrent events that are happening that day which um we're going to be getting that info up on the website. So Bra Farm is doing their sheep sharing festival that day. >> Perfect. People can do both. >> Yeah. So we're going to try to cross-pollinate cross market those um so
that people know there's several things happening in the area. Banks Hallet House will be reopened um for the historical society and they're going to be offering tours that day and there's a few other things happening. So, we're just pulling all that together. There's the museum exhibit at the Cape Cod um
Center for the Arts that's happening. There's a Revolutionary War exhibit there. So, lots of things happening and we're going to try to highlight where we can. We're also on a whole bunch of event calendars. We're on the Revolutionary 250 um website >> that is, you know, go that everybody's
going to. So there's a lot of different places that we're showing up >> and this date in particular is is unique to to Yarmouth. June 20th is the actual date of our de declaration of independence just so happened to fall on a >> Saturday.
It's wonderful and I'm and I'm just absolutely amazed that you were able to get those banners because when we were talking about traffic issues a couple of years ago and how we can mitigate some traffic in the villages and let people know when we were coming in to you know
slow down and we talked about utilizing the banners as like a you know a place and at that time we were told >> we we couldn't do that. So, I'm wonderful. I think it's wonderful that um I love the ones that were out here. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what's
happening to our banner um situation overall, but that's a story for another day. Um I I just I'd love to see the little signs around town letting people know. Uh hopefully our communications team will get the information out to people and uh that it's well attended
and everybody has a great time. >> Incredible. I just >> She is incredible to her, too. >> You're all incredible. Yes. >> Will you have a flyer poster type flyer that for for stores and stuff? >> Good. Because I'll bring them off Cape. I'm going to be visiting Conquered. So,
I'll bring it to >> Conquered. >> Yeah, we'll get you some of that. >> I'm just concerned how it for the 250th. >> I'm sorry. >> For the 2501st. How are they going to top this? >> Got to wait another 50 years. >> All right. Well, you have your approvals
and we're excited and looking forward to it. So, thank you for everything that you do and to the historical society and all of your partners in this and hopefully some volunteers will come forward and uh reach out. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Next up, we have a hearing for our
Parker River landing fees. This is our first hearing. Um and I will read into the record because why wouldn't I? >> Keep going. Okay. The town of Yarmouth public notice uh fee hearing which was
advertised in the Cape Cod Times on 42126. The notice is hereby giving that two public hearings will be held by the Yarmas Select Board meeting scheduled at the Yarma Select Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 and Tuesday,
May 12th, 2026 concerning a new fee schedule for the following department's administration uh of community development. The select board meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the hearing room at Yarmouth Town Hall, 11:46 through28 South Yarmouth, Mass 02664. Written comments will be accepted
by the select board via email, select board at yarmath.mma. us until 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 1st, 2026. Verbal comments will be accepted at the public hearing. Persons interested in these changes are encouraged to attend and the proposed fee schedule. We don't have any current
fees as these are new fees. So the the first fee is an application for use of townowned property. This is specific to the Parker's River Landing. Nonprofits, it would be a $50 fee and for profit, it would be proposed to be a $100 fee.
A license fee May through October would be for a nonprofit $900 for the day and for a forprofit would be $1,800 per day. A license fee from November to April would be $450 a day for nonprofits
and forprofit it would be $900 a day. Reservation deposit for nonprofits would be 100 and for profit it would also be 100. Security deposit would be $250 for both profit and nonprofit. Um application fee and reservation
deposits are non-refundable. License fee payable within 30 days of an executed license agreement. Security deposits are required for multi-day event. One-day events may be required to supply a security deposit based upon the review of the application. So that is what is
requested. Um if you want to take it away, Megan, that would be >> Sure. Great. Um we had a very successful event on Saturday for the brand new park. It has lots of amenities and I think the public will be using that
quite a bit and the event space has a lot of potential. Um using it just this past weekend that tent was 100 ft by 40 feet and it was dwarfed by the rest of the the field. So we do know that we have plenty of space there for large
scale events. Um, I've done some research with others to look at what fee schedule is appropriate for a space of this size. Um, this is the second time you've seen these fees. They haven't changed since um I was before you for
the event policy. Looking at um forprofit versus not forprofit, the the fees are basically cut in half. uh for a nonprofit. The fees cover things like incidentals to
the field, um water, electricity, utilities, and any staff time eventually. I I think that over time we'll know what it's going to cost staff and maintenance uh for this park. So,
all of the fees that will be collected will go into a revolving account or or a special revenue fund that we can draw on for things like broken lights or um we're looking at needing to provide
Wi-Fi there. That's something that we didn't put into the budget. >> Um but it's something that we should provide down at that park and this this fund could could help with that. um broken planks, little things like that, new new trash barrels. Um all of the
little costs that add up. Um >> goose hurting. >> Goose hurting was is we definitely have to look into that. Um I did some quick math um figuring out what what these
fees could bring in on an average year. um being very conservative based on 62 event days, we're we're looking around $82,000 for one calendar year. And I do believe that 62 event days is is on the light
side once people understand how popular this venue can be. um going from more profit than for for nonprofit, we could look at closer to $145,000 a year in in fees for use of the park.
Um some may wonder if the fees are too high. We we really won't know until we start start opening it up for applications. Um other things to note, this park will be utilized by the public during events.
Um, so we will have the kayak launch during the day and future revenues could come from a kayak v uh vendor request for proposal someone operating a business there. Um, and also the artist
shanties eventually will will have some revenue from from that aspect as well. Uh, so I'm happy to answer questions and comment hear comments. >> Great. >> As you said, we've seen these before so Um, should we go to the public first and
see if there's anybody from the public that would like to make >> Is there anybody here that would like to speak for this for the fees about these fees either for or against the fees or have any comments? >> Madam Chair, I move we close the public >> um we're going to leave the public
hearing open for a second hearing. >> Oh, >> never mind. >> Yeah, that's okay. Um, did you have any comments? >> Liz, first go ahead, Joyce. I've been going to Liz all night. I'm gonna go to you. Okay.
Thank you. Um I have a question. I noticed you know the revenue fund and that that's going to take care of a lot of the um the ongoing expenses now that uh now that the park is open and established and construction is done and all that. Um I wonder is that going to
start to approach something like an enterprise fund if if you're able to project that far ahead? Um I I don't think we've thought that far down the line as far as um enterprise fund goes. I don't know if it will be self self-
sustaining in that much of a way. Um the revenue fund I think is a good start. And my follow-up question is with the whole question of additional staff or the use of an outside vendor to manage this because the the reservations and
the busyiness of it all um is going to take human time. Um do you have a preference whether it would be um staff time or an outside vendor for the management? >> Um I I would prefer to have staff time that could be utilized in other ways as
well. Um this This will take some time during the busy season and then during application time, but there are other periods during the the year that can be used on other types of events or concentrating on the tourism revenue
fund events as well. >> Okay, thank you, Megan. Right, Liz. >> Um I'm I would um think about the reservation deposits perhaps just for the profit organizations, the for-profit
organizations to be higher because I'm I'm afraid of um the bookings and then the the disappearing on you and now you've you've turned some other people away. So I think there might need to be a look at that.
Um, it's awful low for a reservation deposit for a forprofit. And I also feel the same way about the security deposit, which will be refunded, but it it's there to help the town pay for um
possible damage and inconveniences. And again, it's it's refundable. So, I would um encourage the town to raise those as well. Um, and also of course if they're going to be held there's a minute amount of interest that will show up on the
balance sheet. So I that those are my comments. I think that those should um be re re-examined to be heftier. piggybacking basically on what Liz was saying because um you know by being able
to go to the event on Saturday which was spectacular. You guys did an amazing absolutely amazing job saying to all of you even natural resources in the back of the room. >> Well he brought the raccoon with him. >> Yeah.
>> Oh yes kind of >> it didn't move though. There was something wrong with it >> staring at me. It was so weird. >> But what it did was it opened my eyes more to what the possibilities are with that event space. >> And so to look now at what we have for
potential fees seems like dirt cheap. >> Bingo. >> And uh first question to you is you said you kind of reviewed with other organizations. So could you kind of elaborate a little bit on that for me please? >> Sure. other other towns on the Cape and
just over the bridge were reviewed for event spaces and there there aren't many of this size on the Cape so it's very hard to compare. Um but there there's an event I believe it's in um Martha's Vineyard that is outside that has a lot
of space and their their fees are in the in the $4,000 a day range. >> Um but then again, you're on the vineyard, everything's more expensive to to even get there. Um, but there were there were parks such as the the park in in Basselton Park, I think it's called,
and that are less expensive than this. Um, so this was this was more on the higher range than what we than what we found. >> And you mentioned it was a starter and it you were
>> Well, we would have to reset it though, wouldn't we? >> Okay. >> Yeah, Madam Chair, I think you finished. Oh, go ahead. You >> No, I I think I think we recognized from the very beginning that this is going to be a work in progress and that Megan's going to give it her best shot at the
start and then we just take a look and reassess as time goes on. We may find that there that these are just right, it fits. >> Um or we may need to make adjustments. But I think you've done a great job in sort of pulling this together and giving us a good start. And I think um the
other thing to keep in mind is this is all article 97 land. It can't. We have to be careful in terms of providing exclusive use. I mean, there are things that we could probably do if we'd like to to get more money, but um it has to be open to all. It has to be available
and accessible to the public. So, I think you've done a good job in putting this together. I'm sure and you know, we'll want to revisit it next year and the year after. And I'm sure you'll learn a lot in terms of what can and can't be done. So, I want to commend you for um all your hard work in putting
this together and um um I know we've got what one more hearing and we may have, you know, other other thoughts or other comments, but I think you've done a good job in getting us going. >> Thank you. >> I concur. I think it's going to be a work in progress. I think um you know to
the security deposit we keep we require insurance, >> right? So, somebody will have to give us their insurance in case there's a major situation there. Um, but I I'm excited not not only just to see this, but you mentioned some of the artist shanties
and a possible kayak vendor. I think those are the things, you know, they're additional amenities. They're not going to overpower the space, but um they're going to add to it. When you talk about Asetin Park, they have a lot of um concerts there,
but people walk to the Artis and Channies downtown in Hyannis and you know, they get something to eat. you know, Jerry, uh, Mr. Manning was here before. I think that that's going to be a a great thing. Um, but again, I I agree that it's it's a starting place. I
mean, we're going to we're not only going to be looking at these fees in a year, we're going to be looking at our policies again in a year. Um, we're going to be revisiting it, and if there's anything that um, you know, pops up, we advertise and we hold another hearing
>> and we can we can change it. So, um I'm surprised we haven't had any comments on this at all as a new fee at all. So, but um we'll see what happens between now and next week. If anybody has any comments on these at all or has any um you know questions, please reach out to
us between now and next week and we'll take the public is still blissed out. open up a Parker's River Boat House for chowder. And I think, you know, that's an idea. >> That would be great. And I really am happy to hear you say that it will still
be open even during events. Um because I I wondered about how that would work. Um people will still be able to park and go down to the boardwalk. It won't ever be closed off for >> for the public. As Mark said, it has to be pretty much open. So, it would just
be the green space that would be available to a particular event, but in terms of the parking, the playground, and the boardwalk, or any of the amenities, that would still be open to the public. Right. >> That's right. That's right. It's a public park. We want to keep it open to the public. >> Perfect.
>> All right. Well, thank you. We will see you next week. Appreciate your hard work on all this. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, continue to >> Yes. Continued until Yes. So, the hearing was continued till May 12th. Thank you, Bob. All right. So, our next is our update on
our packet landing resiliency project, which we just got some funds for a town meeting, right? >> Which would be great. Good evening. >> No raccoon. >> Oh, no. I left Brian at the office.
>> Oh, it's Brian. Oh, now I know Brian. Love that you share name with our animal control officer. >> Snap. >> Brittney. Way to go at the park opening. >> Yeah, Britney, you were great. >> Resiliency star. >> Thank you, Amy.
>> Thank you. >> Hi, Dam. >> Thank you, Amy. >> So, good evening. Uh, I'm Dave Condan, director of natural resources for the town. Um, here with an update on our packet landing project, uh, with Cole Baitman from Ty Bond and Britney Hoffel from Woods Hole Group. Um, I think Bob
give a great shout out to Britney. I know she was uh pivotal on the whole park opening, too. So, I think that she also should be recognized for that. >> Absolutely. Thank you, Britney. >> So, just a we have a a little PowerPoint um just to kind of tell where you guys where we are. We're um closing in on the
end of year two of a two-year grant uh award from CZM for uh bringing the future of Packet Landing to 100% design. and we are 100% permitted and we are maybe at 95% design. We'll be at 100% by
the end of June. Um so we are here for a couple reasons. One to give an update. Two to plug our public meeting which is uh next week in this room on Wednesday from 5 to 6:30. Um we're doing some outreach for that trying to make sure we get our all of
our stakeholders involved to come and give some final comments before we um hopefully hit the go button on construction. Um, again with these guys uh put a ton of work into the Eco1top grant application. We just applied for uh $2.8 million for
that in addition to the 504,000 we just got at town meeting. Um that was CPC funds would be what approximately $3.3 million construction project. And we are hoping if we get that award that will be shovels in the ground as early as this
winter and if not this winter maybe next winter. We are we're ready to ready to roll and I'll turn it over to to Britney to run through the beginning of the slideshow. >> All right. Good evening. Um just want to say echo everyone's comments about this
weekend was really great and really great to see you all there and thanks for the support. I know on the call with Megan and Amanda every two weeks to to coordinate and plan the resiliency fair and I can just attest to Megan and Amanda's work to to have that event be
so successful. So, we are here to talk about another opportunity for community buyin, for resiliency, um, and the important opportunity that Yarmouth has to continue support supporting this type of work. Um, so we want to just give a a
quick update for the Packet Landing Marina, as you know. Um, it's a a town-owned parcel that's really important um for commercial fishing and um chartering of boats. um is important
for recreational boating and then also is also a hub for emergency response. So DNR and fire also store their boats there and as a is a source for emergency marine based response. But as you know uh you know this
property also faces its own challenges. We've talked about this before, but it does become flooded during periodic storms and extreme water levels um which can restrict access uh can wear and tear the infrastructure and the equipment um
and also potentially um decreasing some of the benefits commercial economic benefits to the the the users of this facility. So our real hope here is just to um create um a new envisioned packet
landing to um respond to some of these challenges. So in the past setting the stage just a quick recap of where we come from. So this um came out of uh 2019 um infrastructure vulnerability assessment
and repair assessment um through the community resilience building workshop which then led to the townwide climate vulnerability assessment adaptation plan where Pagalanding Marina was identified as the top um vulnerable location throughout the town. Um, we did learn
from that process that a lot of the town buildings were pretty safe and out of the the flood zone or the the worst um impacts, but that um, Pekka Landing was a critical site, but also very vulnerable. Um, and then leading into
that 23 24 time frame where we went through an alternatives analysis to figure out what are the types of options we have at this site. Um and we went through a huge uh community engagement process where we b got buyin from you all got buyin from the community and
ultimately um the town selected um the alternative too which is elevate the parking lot. Um so where we are now uh we did submit two years ago um a cm grant to go
through permitting design. So at the end of 2025 um or throughout 2025 we did continued field investigations we had design plans up to 60% and we submitted applications for the four um permits up there on the board. So the conservation
commission master chapter 91 army corps and then also the zoning board of appeals. And instead of talking to you all at the end of last year, we submitted a four-page executive summary that kind of outlined the process of that two-year grant and next steps. And
so here we are now at the end of 2026. We had um we did start the year um with a permit application followup where we responded to all of the comments and then by September 30th, we received all the necessary permits
before the government shutdown. Um so we are here now uh we are gearing up to end this grant at the end of June 30th where we'll have final design plans at 100%. Um and with this the deliverable will be um the stamped engineering plans, the technical
specifications and the final opinion of construction cost. Um and then I'm going to hand it over to Cole and he'll talk about the waterfront the updates to the waterfront design, electrical and lighting considerations and the storm water improvements. >> Thank you Britney. Cole Bon. I'm professional engineer with Time Bond,
also project manager for the engineering efforts on this project. I'll just do a brief update from our 60% set which was the last update and it was the permit set deliverable that we completed uh in year one of the project. So the updates I'm uh bringing today are
these four points. So the main ones are utility coordination um that's with Eversource with uh sewer potential sewer sewering the project site and then um site electrical uh landscaping bringing some preliminary designs up to
construction level specs also working with the conservation commission some lighting just um really finalizing some of the details and then the waterfront structures which is the heavy duty civil uh structural component of the project. I'll start with a little bit more
breakdown of the utility coordination. So, site electrical um currently the site has two services, two electrical services. One's for the marina, the uh floating docks. Uh it also services some
of the ancillary ancillary equipment like the um the crane the dav crane as well as the pumpout station. Then another is for the park the upland park and then some of the rest like the site lighting and things. So currently those there's two services one of the goals of
the projects was to consolidate services and raise them up to be more resilient. So with that, we've been working with Eversource to get work orders. One, there was an unfortunate event last week when one of those work orders was acted upon a little too early. I think it's
situated now. Uh but there will be some coordination also with the Route 28 bridge project as part of that. There's going to be underground electrical and um we'll we'll um you know use that part of our project site with reconnections of the new site utilities. Um part of
the the docs specifically there is some um mandatory upgrades really for code for reconnection to the new uh services. There were some conditions that needed to be approved upon. So now we're going to reser reserve all the docks with
eight individual breakers for the eight individual um feeds. Next is water. So, we worked with the um the sewer department to talk about the uh there's a fire hydrant on the site. There's also water that services the
marina. So, we worked with um the sewer as well as the fire department about the uh fire hydrant relocation. Um and yeah, and then lastly was to anticipate future sewer hookup on the project site. We've been we in we're
including designs of buried utilities um to incorporate both the pumpout station as well as the septic for the um pavilion. So looking for the future as part of this project for that as well.
Next is landscaping um for some of the so part of the project includes the expansion of the parking lot area and with our conservation commission permit we required to do some mitigation. However, we also are um looking to use mitigation
that's also that's um native but also, you know, beautiful. So, our Halverson Town Bonds landscape architectural team uh has been is nearly completed with their uh with our planting plan and we reviewed that with Britney from
conservation uh the other week and incorporated some design comments there. Next is sort of an ongoing con um conversation. It's the lighting of the the site. So there's existing precedent lighting for the park that is also used in the marina. However, during our
study, we're finding, you know, not not only is it not really compliant with the requires shading and u preventing light um trespassing onto the neighboring residential um project, but this is also we want to make sure that there's adequate lighting for parking lot. So we
we did a um a lighting plan. We've done the photometrics of this project site and now are finalizing the exact fixture that would be used here. Here are some precedent images. These are not the final images. We're still working on it, but these are maybe some representative
samples of other locations in town. There will also be some security lights for the dock, which is I think there's also flow light there now. So, it' be recreating some of the existing site lighting to make safe access to the docks. All right. Next is the waterfront structures which is really the heavy
lift. Like I said, this is installation of a a bulkhead around the majority of the project site at a higher elevation. We're raising it approximately 3 ft except for a an existing an the existing wararf which would be kept um it would
be raised but just enough to um be a little bit more resilient. We still are recognizing the use for access to the water there. Uh, and then the Yeah. So, like I said, the bulkhead would go around the parking lot and that will be a fiber reinforced polymer bulkhead. It's a pretty durable
product. It's also strong. Um, we're reinforcing that. We're tying that back with helical tiebacks which is pretty robust design. Other municipalities like Chadam use this almost exclusively because of the robustness and durable nature of it.
Lastly is the warf. There's um the existing warf will be raised and reconstructed to accept truck loading. That's it for me. Best Britney. Thank you. >> All right. And just to finish up with where we're headed, Dave kind of spoke to this a lot, but um the state has now
created an online um application for portal for all of their state grants. So, they've put it all into one application process, so you can apply for multiple grants at one time instead of applying individually. Um so we did submit a grant to the environment and
climate onetop um grant portal. Um it's their new grant portal for all the climate and environmental resilience projects. Um through that portal um we hope that our application was attractive enough to go after CZM NVP and Dan or Seaw Walls grant agencies. Hopefully the
collective importance of this project in building community resilience will be attractive to all three of these agencies and they'll all kind of buy in to the grant um and you know really seek this as a a a um iconic site of something that's went
went from the planning process through the alternatives analysis assessment and now is ready for implementation. So this is really what the state is looking for is these projects that went from planning into construction. So hoping hoping that these three agencies will
see that value. Um the town as you know town provided a grant match of 504,000 through the CPA funds um which was approved on April 28th 2026. So to the state you know that almost 16 17% match to the total project cost is is beyond
is above the the minimum required. So hopefully the state recognizes that the town is committed to further taking this into construction. Um, and with this next proposed project, we're also proposing some other continuing um, community partnerships and outreach. Um, and maybe we'll hire
Megan to have another really awesome gr grand opening ceremony. But we are proposing connections with friends of Bass River DY Regional High School for some curriculum development around resiliency and also partnering with Mass Oyster Project to also develop some of
that curriculum. Um as you know we did display um the results and the chosen alternative at the coastal resiliency fair at what's groups table um and then also um having our final public meeting to share the final designs next week um
from 5:30 to 6:30. >> Can I interrupt for one sec? Did you have much feedback at your m at the U Parker River Landing? Um the one comment related to packet landing was one of the concert um concom agents asking when it
was going to be constructed. >> So I was like find out next week or whe the state when the state makes the decision. Um but maybe um we'll get some more of that feedback next week. But I think from the past engagements the fishermen the charter boat captains are
really um favorable of something happening at this location. Um they were concerned about opening it up the the the landing for more uses but made it clear that um there was no intention to
expand the the the options or the use of this site particularly because of the critical nature of emergency response and importance for commercial fishery fishing. Um but I think generally it's been supported by commercial um and boat
captains. Um, and then that's all I have. So, just thank you for your time and just wanted to give one of our final updates for this two-year grant project. >> That's wonderful. >> Thank you very much.
>> Do you know if those lights are they look similar to the ones that Bob Lton um pushed for on the bridge and what's Can you talk a little bit about I know I don't think it's part of this, but it kind of is part of this with the with what's happening on the bridge. Well, first of all, we don't want to talk too
much about the lights. We don't want Cole to have a breakdown because we might might have changed the design on them a little bit uh recently. Uh the light actually the the image that was up there is from Parker's River Landing um that obviously people liked in town. Uh
what's there now is kind of like a >> I know Bob worked really hard to get those goose neck lights on the uh bridge and I'm wondering if they're >> It's not really what's in Packet Landing. What's there now is kind of like I I don't really know how to describe it. like a almost like a lantern kind of looking thing. >> Street old street old timey street like
you're right. Yeah. >> No, but I'm I'm talking about do you know if the new bridge project will match >> that part? I don't really have an answer. I know there was a big discussion. I talked to Kathy Williams about this briefly. There was a big discussion between her and Jeff and the town of Dennis and the state. I don't
really know where that landed if they've chosen a fixture. I know they were talking. >> I'm just wondering if it would tie in. I I think we asked for that detail from uh Kathy and also she had some suggestions for uh lights that they've used up on 6A that she thought might mesh with packet
landing. So that's kind of to be determined, but um we're we're working on that. We got to make sure that we get something, you know, aesthetically pleasing, but also it gives the required light output from whatever height the lights are. So it's kind of a >> not conflicting with the current use in the views of the site as well to block
it from the pavilion. I think Kathy had a really good Right. >> Great. And you said that the first of all, I'm impressed that the state streamlined anything. So, so let's give kudos to them. >> They haven't awarded anything. It still wasn't an easy process, but their heart is there.
>> Trying. >> I know. At least it's a it's an effort in and recognition. Um, did you when when will that determination be made by them? The application was due in the uh third week of March and I think they're talking about September for or late late
August to early September was the last we heard for awards which we'll be cutting it close if we try and go shovels in the ground but if we have our bid specs pretty much prepared. We're hoping we can um we did apply you can apply for like either a one or two-year grant. We applied for a two-year um with
the goal being con construction in year one but realistically applying two year in case we have to kick construction to year two. >> Would construction while the bridge is being done be possible? >> My understanding is from what I've gathered and I'm on the semi-weekly
meetings for the bridge that it wouldn't really uh should not have any impact, should not have any real conflicts. Um the only thing that actually could be a benefit is like like Cole mentioned the electrical um as part of the bridge. They're getting rid of all the overhead wires and they're all going underground.
um which actually ties in in their planning with their transformer sizing and all that stuff. Planning as if this project's going to happen. Um so we're kind of that's kind of happening together. >> Oh, good. >> Um Everceource actually was pretty good on that. They they caught that when they noticed the two projects side by side.
Um and we were able to get on a call with them. >> No finds or not. >> Um and then as far as construction, I mean the a well is not using packet landing for any staging. They're not using packet landing for any equipment. Um, and you know, we don't have any in the water work. I mean, they will, but
and if there's a time the docks are removed or whatever. Uh, that should be theoretically far enough in the future that it won't impact anything here. Um, I I believe they can go concurrently. >> Okay. Interesting. All right. Let's I'm going to start at this end. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> Thanks, Madam Chair. Um, and thank you for coming before us tonight. This is a great project. Um, what was the total construction cost estimate where we stand right now? >> We're at about 3.3. >> 3.3. That's great. It'd be nice if we could keep it there, right?
>> Yeah. But we also know that that's, you know, there's only so much you can control, right? So, >> I mean, to be quite honest, that's changed quite a bit in the last six months. We thought we were going to be at like 2.5 and realistically ended up at 3.3. >> Yeah. >> Um, yeah, the electrical component,
>> I mean, regardless of the global climate, the electrical component has changed a lot of it. Um, so I think but it was something we had to do for for code. >> Understood. No, I don't I'm not complaining. I'm just saying this is I I think costwise I think this is a reasonably
uh cost effective still in this climate right now. I think that's a good that's a good price. Um, how much of the money are we looking at from CPA in total? >> In total it's 54,000 >> put for our grant match. >> Yeah.
>> Was um So that CP CPA article was a town match to a state grant. That was the application. So we put 450,000 towards this uh eco onetop application. And then we >> are being realistic about the fact that the
>> the um MVP CCM and dams and seaw walls the component of the eco onetop may not be totally on board with funding the in the water work or the uh on the dock work the electrical. Right. >> So, we saved a small piece of that to potentially be a match to Seport Economic Council, which is a grant we're
working on now. That is the that application is due in uh the third week of June, I think. >> Yeah. >> So, we'll have that application in as well. >> Yeah. I can expect that they're going to get flooded with applications. Yeah. >> Same match. >> The the reason why I bring up the community preservation is obviously it's
the recreational chunk of the CPA money. So, I think as as we look at this project, I think one of the things that's important is making sure that we identify the recreational uses and make sure that they're properly documented and understood and reflected in any of
the the documentation of the the project itself. I think Chairman Post had raised some questions about making sure that this fits within, you know, the the the the stated guidelines. I think it does. I think you can make the case. But I think one of
the things that would be helpful in terms of addressing that if an issue does come up is making sure that we can document how the site is used from a recreational point of view. I mean, you've you've got the gazebo, you've got the park area up there. This is a parking area for that. I mean I think
it's you can put that together but it might be helpful just to have that reflected in some of the document final documentation on the project so that um you know if asked it's easy to identify um because I I have no idea how often these programs are audited or looked at.
Um but that would be one of the questions that would come up. How does this fit within a recreational use of community preservation act funds? Um, you mentioned going to bid or going out constructing sometime in the winter, >> correct? >> Okay. So, that would be this coming
winter. You hope? >> Best case scenario. >> No, I again I understand it all depends on all the funding coming in and everything else, but that would be the ideal. You'll be done in time. So, if the money comes in, you'll be ready to go out to bid at some point early winter
and then hopefully start work um in the winter. And and now when you said that if you can't meet that schedule, does that mean we have to >> hold off until the following winter, wait a whole 12 months? Is that that what we're thinking? >> We necessarily have to, but we would
because of the boating season. Yeah. I mean, Packet Landing is generally open May 1st through November 30th. So, right. >> I mean, if we had to squeeze that a little bit, we would, but the goal would be not touching anything at all during the obviously the busy season. >> Yeah. So what's the estimated time frame
in terms of construction Britney? >> Like four or five months for the month bigger, you know, bigger items probably some punch list. There's going to be plantings obviously that needs to be done in certain. >> That's great. Okay, those are my questions. No, I think it's it's a great project. I'm glad we're doing it. Um I
keep thinking about the importance of Yarmouth as just a marine safety, public safety port, you know. Um, it's really on the south side. If something happens in the middle and Nucket Sound, there's a lot on us. And as we've seen over the
years, it's the harbor masters that are the ones that are the first on the scene for any kind of marine accident. So, any kind of marine safety issue out on the water. Uh, the Coast Guard, unfortunately, is sort of less and less of a presence in Nantucket Sound. and um the assets are now even there are lots
of questions being asked about how long the Coast Guard assets are going to be with us um just given what's happening in Washington and so forth. So um I think this project takes on increasing importance you know in in the years ahead. So thanks again if I may. I appreciate you bringing that that up
because Yarmouth kind of is that black hole between Chadam uh Coast Guard and Woods Hole Coast Guard and I I'll be quite honest, they're not my first call if we have a >> marine incident. I mean, we know that it's going to be the town of Barnesville and town of Yarmouth running on all this
stuff and every year it seems like we're branching further out, further offshore, further to the east, further to the west and it it's just the reality that we need to be able to do it any any day all year. Yeah, I think I'm I'm glad we're talking about this because I think that's something that people in this community don't appreciate is that the
the the burden of response is growing in terms of our marine department on our harbor master's office and um I don't think people are aware of that. So from my point of view, that's why this is a is a is a critical pro project for the
town of Yarmouth, but it also serves to benefit a much larger boating community uh particularly in dealing with search and rescue and any kind of marine incident or accident or response. So Yarmouth is has become um you know sort of a key port in terms of dealing with
us. I mean it's nice that there are assets in Hyannis. It's nice that the fire department and hyenas, they have their their boats and their assets. Um, but no one community can deal with this alone and there's a lot on your shoulders. So, um I think that often
doesn't get enough discussion, but um I'm certainly aware of it and I and I appreciate that this project will be a huge benefit because let's face it, it it it could very well be in a flooded condition, a storm condition where um you know, the the the the water's high
or it if we don't do something here, it may be the thought that we might not be able to get out in a storm to help rescue someone out at sea is is is is not something to contemplate. You know, that's not where we want to be. So, I I think this enhances not just resiliency,
but readiness from a search and rescue and marine safety point of view. And I would not I I would highlight that as often as I can in any state application. >> Yep. And that theme has been what carried this project from the the
beginning from the the alternatives assessment into where we are now is that theme of that it's serving recreational but also critical for emergency response. And so, um, and I think that is what's made this application
throughout these previous phases unique for Yarmouth because there's other public marinas that don't serve emergency response and those projects have not been funded because it's a more hardened infrastructure type project because the state will likely prioritizers prioritize, excuse me, more
nature-based solutions. But because this site is critical for emergency response, especially on the water, um it was it it checked, you know, several boxes for MVP and CZM. Um and >> one of the the boxes that I'd like to
check, this is my last point, Madam Chair. The other the final box I'd like to check is um and we've seen CZM get into um waterfront exhibits or interpretive uh displays on the waterfront. I think
this is a site that's very historic for the town of Yarmouth. >> Um and um there may be some value in looking at from an interpretive point of view some signage that might help people explain you know what a packet is. There many people have no idea what a packet
is, you know, and while we have Parker's River Landing, this is actually the the one real landing in the town. >> I will say that we did provide funding. >> This is really a landing. >> Did put in um an ask for funding to do
signage. >> That's terrific. >> So, I quoted a signage developer, manufacturer. >> Um and then hopefully we'll get a like a draft in front of you guys and maybe get a final approval and >> Yeah. inclusion. >> Yeah, because I think I I think the signage out at the at the the Parker's
River Yeah. is beautiful. What >> we budgeted >> effective that signage that's right on the boardwalk and it's um mounted on steel. They did an excellent job and that's the exact type of manufacturing I think we're looking at. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So I think I don't know we for this location because it's being used for more of a commercial fishery fishing and boat captain is that the town and maybe Dave you can speak to this but still wants to have a case to put notices up. >> Ah
>> so the the quote that we put in the application is to have a big sign half of it being a colorful history lesson and then the other side still being an openf face case so that you can still put town notices up. >> Yes. So that's what we budgeted and our scoping for for this.
>> That's great. That's terrific. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Great, Dorcis. Well, actually Mark asked the questions. I was going to. So that makes it a little bit easier. I I'm very excited. It It looks like a great project and it's uh amazing that all
you're basically going to need is one winter season then to put it together. And hopefully that funding source will come sooner than later and that we'd be able to do that next winter. So, thank you.
>> Oh, I think this question would be for Britany. Um, clearly the ECO one stop, you know, is a great thing for streamlining applications. Do you have an intuition about how much funding there will be for for projects on
environment and climate in the next year? I don't have like the top dollar amounts, but each individual grant could max out at like 1 to two million. So, I know CZM I think their max grants for an individual project maxes out at either
one or two million. So, we knew that CZM would not alone be able to fund this entire project. Um, NVP probably has a little bit more breathing room. I can get you those numbers. I just don't have the numbers. But there was a need for us to look at multiple grant agencies in
order to cover the full amount here. >> Sure. >> We realistically would have applied had it not been combined into one. We knew that CCM wouldn't be able to fund the whole thing even though we think they want to. Um >> like Brady said, we would have had to do three separate applications or four or
five, >> but theoretically it is streamlined. I guess we'll find out. >> That's nice. >> Okay. Then one other thing following up on the the idea of signage and interpretation. Um there's this wonderful thing that um uh the packet
landing is the closest um site that's town property where interpretive stuff could go up. Um I took um um Bob Kelly's tour of Quaker South Yarmouth and that whole area. And there was a ferry. There didn't used to be a bridge. There was a
ferry that went across pulled by horses. This is so great. Like like it was some big version of a clothesline pulley. Um and and you would get on in Yarmouth and you would just go over or you would get on in Dennis and you would come over to
Yarmouth. But um the the appar apparent according to Bob Kelly, his his best hypothesis is that Ferry Street off Route 28 in Dennis is named for that. And that was the probable path of the big strong horse who was pulling the
ferry on the water. And I would just love to see that invoked somewhere in the signage. >> And it seems like this might be a good place for that. I also of course wish we could invite a horse and a and a ferry to, you know, to make things lively, but
at the very least goes and fix the bridge. >> We should keep it on the back burner. That's a good idea. >> See, we won't need the bridge. >> Thank you. >> I just think it's um it is certainly a place that has a lot of history and now
a QR codes, you know, with your signage and what they did at uh the >> the fake landing. No, I shouldn't say that. I'm just it's it's it's just it's just a dig at the D. But anyway, landing >> you know you could put a QR code that
would link people to so much information about it which is you know something that Mark has been talking about with our um >> history and just making sure that people understand what you know that whole site and what it has been and um is there any
um money from DMF in this or available for spaces like this? I mean, there may be I mean, there's uh the boating infrastructure grants. I mean, we could look at that potentially for the electrical upgrades. Um, typically that's more for like uh like a dinghy
dock or that kind of thing, which we're we have. We aren't really changing. Um, but we we can look more into that for sure. >> Yeah, they generally don't, Madam Chair. They generally don't have much money for this kind of stuff. >> So, we're putting our docks we're going to put those docks right back up to the to the same. They're not going to be upgraded.
>> The docks will not be upgraded. The will and the obviously the physical structure attached to the gateway, but the docks themselves will not be. >> Well, I'm excited to see you move forward. I I'm hopeful that uh >> I just have some questions. >> Okay. I'm hopeful that >> we just lose.
>> Yeah, >> she knows. I'm hopeful that um we're successful in the grants because um you know without that we're really going to be and um you know to have such a shovel ready job and
not have the funding will be a sure miss on on that particular on that particular site and any site. you know, you get to that point and you know, the fact that you guys have brought it all the way to to this point is is key. And the fact that you can have um you know, cost
analysis before we before we go forward and it's just going to be it's going to be sad if if we're not able to accomplish it and we'll be searching for other opportunities. Liz, >> thank you. So, the the births, the eight
births are are not permanent. Obviously, two of them are for the emergency vehicles, the emergency boats, but so um how do you how is that coordinated? I'm just curious as how the >> I'm sorry. So the there are approximately 30 slips back
>> 30 slips. Okay. So the 30 >> the reference to eight was the eight uh there are eight um shore power pedestals. Gotcha. >> So like each >> So 30 pedestal there's one >> there's nothing permanent though. that nobody gets a permanent birth at at Packet Land.
>> So, we have like a 20 year, 15, 20 year wait list. And when you're issued when you wait on the wait list and we issue you a uh slip permit, it's an annual permit that you renew every year until you don't renew it and then we go to the next person on the wait list. >> Gotcha. So, that's the fisherman and so
on. They're they're >> correct. So, there's uh without counting this, I think there's >> approximately third of the of the marina is commercial, twothirds is recreational. Gotcha. >> Same process for both sides. Two separate weight lists, but same process. >> Yeah. >> And where's the oyster project located?
>> So, we've we actually partnered with them two years ago. This will be our third year. Um we had we purchased uh an additional upweller. We have one upweller that we've had there for years on the floating dock growing cohogs and then we purchased an additional one in a
partnership with Mass Oyster Project where they purchased the oyster seed and that's up in the parking lot. >> Oh. Um, it's just where in that little fenced in thing where there used to be a porta body. Yeah. >> Before they built the bath house. That's now where the uh educational upweller is. It's got a >> Oh, cool. >> hard plastic cover with um like a
plexiglass window so you can actually see what's going on in there. >> That's awesome. We work again with Masser Project and we do tours associated with the library. We bring folks down there every couple weeks all summer long. >> Right. How's our accessibility in terms of uh packet landing?
>> I Well, can you answer I mean, I would say it's not really changing as far as the parking lot goes, but as far as the docks go. >> Yeah, the docks aren't going to be No. Right. There's I think it's a threshold of like a 60 foot um ferry boat that you would need to to trigger some of the
accessible um requirements for that. >> So, it's not we're not really leaning towards accessibility. You can't bring like the the boat slips up to accessibility, but as far as the educational upweller, the >> you can get to the educational upweller with >> that won't change at all. That's great.
>> And then the um >> I are is there any EV charging that's that's going on for the boats? >> No, not for the boats, but >> for cars. >> The plan is to size the electrical equipment and the new electrical pedestal and transformer to potentially
have an EV charger in the parking lot, but that's not in this project. Um, but we are planning for that in the future. >> Okay. And then is there Wi-Fi down there? >> No. >> Okay. Just curious. I know at one time we had community preservation. Is it
Courtney Butler was here >> and she was talking about um bringing appropriating some money. This is history, but it was an interesting notion to have some solar that I'm not sure where she was. Did you talk to her at all about that? No. to have some
solar installed that would um help offset the use of the electricity down there. So, I don't know where that ended up, but I see he's going to his papers. So, those are my questions and it's I think it's wonderful. I'm very very
excited. It's a great spot. That's a great asset and I'm hoping that that whole area with the cultural center and Yarmouth South Yarmouth Library will really start to come into its own and as a as a center for historical what did
you call it Mark? Historical tourism. >> Historic I I refer to uh the concept as heritage tourism. H historical tourism I mean heritage tourism >> and uh the the brand that we the name we've given the Yarmmouth is historic >> historic H historic tourism.
>> Perfect. >> Thank you. Wonderful. Is there anything you need from us? >> Just getting the word out about our public meeting and that's for this cycle. That's a week a week from tomorrow, the next Wednesday the 13th in this room at 5 o'clock. >> Wonderful.
>> I'm sure it's on our website. >> Yeah. I'm not Yeah, I'm not sure we'll have public meetings during the construction phase. I think the only public meeting that we've kind of proposed would be like a grand opening ceremony type thing. So, >> we'll we'll see how that evolves if the the grant gets um funded.
>> Great. >> We have one to top. We'll see how we do. >> I know. I'm like >> your email >> Parker's packet packet. Parkers Parker's packet packet. >> I know. >> Great email is up there in case anybody wants to send some comments to you.
Hopefully your um public meeting will be well attended and um I'm hoping for successful grants. Thank you very much for your time and for your >> one more quick update. Bob and I talked about the uh Army Corps. May I throw that in there? >> Sure. >> Um just separate topic, but I know it's
a hot button item, so I figured we'd throw it out there. >> I got an email from the harbor master in Barnstable the other day about a project that I had no idea was happening, but apparently is. Um the Army Corps sent a uh notice that they may be dredging the
Hyannis Channel as early as this spring and if not this spring than this fall. Um, and I know that that is a hot button item bay. >> I'm a little bit disheartened that I don't unless anybody here knew about it. I certainly didn't know about it. So, I'm a little disheartened to only find
out about it once they're >> uh they've got it in the works. They're the notice said approximately 40,000 cubic yards, which is kind of a lot. and they talked about a offshore or nearshore disposal site off of Craigville Beach, which is one they've used before. Um, the town of Barnes was
pushed back a little bit on the disposal. Um, I don't believe that we really had a chance to comment on it. Um, again, I didn't know it was happening, but I saw the comment period closed in the end of March. Um, so just a FYI that that's be happening.
>> Madam Chair, let me just I I think you will have an opportunity to comment. Um there's no doubt about that. They need to get permits and the town can play a role in the permitting process as you know and you've been incredibly helpful in this and that is is we've raised questions and raised a red flag about
any kind of beach nourishment program related uh to that project and we've all we've made it clear in the past and I think even with the discussions with the town of Barnstable that we want to be part of that conversation. We want to be included because the past beach
nourishment projects haven't been what I would say the the best designed and have created problems. And so um the Army Corps is notorious for saying they're going to start something soon
and then dragging their feet. So, um I don't think there's any time to panic, but if you've got the name of the project manager for the dredging project, then I would encourage you andor the town administrator to contact them directly and ask to be briefed and
to be included in any any of the meetings. The last thing the core of engineers wants is to have a project delayed in any way because of a permitting snafu or any kind of lack of consultation. And there's no question the dredging does affect the town of
Yarmouth. And if they're doing dredging, I think there's a piece of the channel that's actually in our town. Right. >> Correct. >> So there you go. I mean, they worked incredibly hard to get the channel redesigned. A lot of money was spent on the new project. And the unfortunate
thing is is that um we were not at the table the last time the decisions were made on beach nourishment. And we definitely need to because this is not an adver it's not on our agenda. I think the update no the update is very important but I'm just I just don't want
to have a dialogue about it but it's certainly something we should put on an upcoming if there's something we can do to help please you know let us know and if we need to you need to be put on the agenda um let Bob know but you know as much as we can get information out that'd be that'd be great I just don't
want to >> the other discuss that agenda item is that remember at town meeting we just received funding to do our transport study for Lewis Bay which is something that's been long awaited and we are very anxious and you know it really dubtales
with all of the beach nourishment dredging and and everything. So >> I want to know how the the the wind turbine uh buried or the thing laying in the Thank God we didn't have that in in Lewis Bay because dredging would be out.
Anyway, >> thank you very much for your update. >> Thank you. All right. Annual town meeting review. I asked um I know this was not on our agenda before, but there were a lot of um we typically do have a afteraction
review so to speak for town meeting. Uh one of the things that you know for me personally that I've been looking for and I think will be very helpful, Jim uh brought it up tonight is the electronic voting. Um it's something that we looked
at many many years ago. Um it was too expensive. I think a lot of other towns have um successfully done it. I mean I don't think we needed to be the first one. I never do. But I do think that it's something that I believe that we need to look at again. Um I I frankly
don't think that that room was big enough and I think that that was a great problem to have. I have to say that I had a lot of people um talk to me about their concern with um the steep >> the steep um part of the the back
>> and of course not being able to get out on the on the sides. Um >> I don't know if we have any other options really, but um there are concerns about that space. There were a lot of people having to stand up. Um it would be nice if they asked everybody to
stand up and move to the to the middle or to fill in spaces like sometimes that they do at church. But um you know there was a lot of people forced to stand up for a long time. So I don't know. Um I just think that these are all things after that we should uh discuss and and
get feedback so that way um >> hopefully we can do a >> do a better job. And there's a was a I felt there was kind of a problem with the number of people and and maybe this is something we could work with the moderator. The number of people that
were standing up >> leaning on the wall, >> right? >> Um makes it very difficult because when um you know some people wanted to speak and they're against the wall and they're not really part of the meeting. >> Yeah. >> The meeting is the people that are in the seats. Um but you know the other
thing is if we're at that facility um you know we do have we and we had the capability we to do um the cafeterium as sort of an alternate location but but even that you know affords a lot of inconvenience for
people um that you know when you're out there in the cafeteria if you're a voter and you want to speak you have to come into the big room >> and speak there and then non voters should go in that alternate room because there was a lot of people that were saying that they were, you know, yelling
out and voting. We we were fortunate when we had Madakis because they always put the orange thing up and the non- voters stayed way back in the gymnasium and they weren't participants. Um, so >> I don't know, perhaps that's it. Perhaps
we ask our our younger citizens to um go up in the thing so that you know it's kind of if you're walking down and you're unstable on your feet, it's hard holding on and >> it's scary getting down there. So, so these are all things that I heard um
since the meeting that um and maybe with the you know again we have a new >> moderator >> moderator um but I personally would love and maybe it's something we talk about at our goals is to reassess even if it's
sharing that was the one thing that um that that was the detriment to the board supporting it the last time was the cost. So um you know Sharing what? >> Sharing the the clickers, the machines with other towns or >> maybe asking
>> renting. >> I mean, I don't know. There's got to be there's got to be other ways to go to the county to look at it. Yeah, maybe the county buys them and we can rent them from them. I don't know. Um, >> it is done in in other communities and so it's it's not a foreign concept.
>> What was the price tag? Do we remember? >> It was it was probably at least 20 grand. Oh no, it's more than that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um but that was again probably older
technology. It was at least five or six years ago that we >> down >> had it had brought it. Yeah. And I don't know if other towns are willing to share it. But >> that's my perspective. I think that, you know, it goes on for a long time and I think as was said by um Jim tonight, you
know, people don't want to vote against thing when people are staring at them and they have to stand up and I just think that people should be able to vote the way that they want. >> And um and I think the timeliness of our meetings has has been a consistent, you
know, we we've done we did survey monkeys years ago about how we were going to improve town meeting. I thought it was great. this last time. Honestly, that we had a we had a a good >> number. I mean, obviously more would be
awesome, but you know, I've seen very few people make the decision for >> Yeah. >> You know, 23,000. So, um >> the parents all went out in a horde after the >> That happens that happens at every meeting, unfortunately.
>> I know. And we've done we've done sat Saturdays. We did it. We We We tried it for two or three years. The business community wasn't happy about it. Um, >> parents weren't happy about that. >> Kids games, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It would be nice. I've always wondered
why you can't register with the town clerk and get some type of PIN number to log on and vote from home. I don't I mean >> I think every voice counts, but anyway, I I know that that's probably too far >> that's a little >> in the future, but um it would be nice
if people could vote remotely. I know when Dan Han was the moderator, he he talked about wanting to do satellite places. Um, you know, I don't know logistically how you bring those people in and and recognize them. Um, but, you
know, doing it at multiple locations throughout town simultaneously so that people who are maybe at um, Heatherwood and Kings Way or at Thurwood or places like that that don't want to drive at night um, can participate. But anyway,
these are all just thoughts and I wanted to hear what everybody has to say if they have any feedback. >> My concern is the room. Um, more than anything else really is from from the first time we ever were there, it's been problematic. People I've heard
complaints about the accessibility. I know you say, "Well, maybe the younger ones should go up." But everyone, no matter what their age group is, have some, you know, can potentially have accessibility issues. And that room was not designed
um I think for um handling an older audience, shall we say? >> And not only that, I hear from people that they feel like they're being that it's almost claustrophobic because they can't get out on the sides. >> Yeah. >> So that makes it hard for them to get to
the microphone. That probably suppresses the middle. >> Sure. >> Right. It does. And um >> and I'm Go ahead. that you almost would have to I mean I I could see that we had u folks this time around some of our our
workers at uh town meeting helping with trying to seat people um but I think we need to take it even one step further and you know somebody mentioned church you know it's like going back to the usher system or how you have it in theaters and all the rest of it you know
that I think we need to kind of force people into the center because when when you were s but we did reach the point I thought looking out there that we really didn't have >> any places left where we could have sent somebody to sit >> it really you know it doesn't have the
capacity that we had at Madaki >> and there really isn't any place in town that has that kind of capacity >> so exploring the idea of the satellite or um even the cafeteria >> well and I'm still gonna Oh go ahead >> no
>> you're not done sorry >> no that's okay go ahead Well, I'm Madam Chair. Okay, I'm still uh championing and I spoke to Steve Focher um from the who's the facilities
manager to find out how bad Madaki's auditorium is. And it and this is, you know, way out of the box, but it's not it's not an impossible uh rescue.
It's because it's the other wing that would have to be just taken off and and destroyed. So, Madakis is still there. It just needs to have um a little bit of um TLC. It's probably cheaper. >> So, the technology is not there. That's
the problem. So, we and we broadcast live, which is something like if we went to a different facility or we went outside that we'd have to tape it and people would have to watch it after the fact, but right now we're able to live stream it. I mean, I've always kind of been torn about that anyway because
what's the purpose of watching it live? I mean, come come participate. So, I mean, you can watch it after just the same. Um, there are places, you know, there we did it outside one time during COVID, which was the weather was awful and it was windy.
>> Um, >> that didn't work out too well. >> That didn't work out too well. But, I mean, there's always the potential to have some type of um outside. Yes. Madakis is still there. I I wonder what the seating capacity is
at at the intermediate school as opposed as opposed to Madakis or as opposed to the DY high school. Um you know Dennis Dennis uses the intermediate school for theirs and theirs is tonight. >> So I wonder um >> how they're making out >> how they Yeah. I wonder how they I
wonder how they do it if they have you know similar complaints or capacity issues. >> Play it back and see how the >> just I'm just >> attendance is >> Joyce. Do you have time? I I I just was u pondering the whole question of like the satellite thing that you mentioned and you know, some part of me just wants
the whole town to get together in one place because if you have Kingsway, those are the people who see each other all the time and you have another one here, another one here, all these different neighborhoods. But we need to blend them, I think. >> Oh, I agree. And and um you know, you'd have to have somebody from the clerk's
office checking them in and and getting the voters and all that in all different locations as well. So there's there's that logistically, but I'm just talk I'm just saying things that I've heard people >> What do we pay DUI to use the auditorium?
>> I don't think we do pay him. >> Oh, okay. >> But it's, you know, it's expensive to do all of the sound and and everything. >> It is, >> but isn't that part of the public the what is it? PEG grant. Yeah, they they
come cake media does it >> that costs, right? We have to pay a stenographer. I mean, holding a town meeting is is thousands of dollars. >> Well, yeah, that's why I'm asking. And yeah, we well, we talked about that in terms of what service are we getting
from that PEG grant from our from our media >> fun media and that's their big contribution. They do that. I mean, I used to as a I was a a videographer for many years. I was hired to to do town meet town meeting in Mashp
um and in Dennis. So, it's not something you can't farm out and get maybe get somebody who keeps the sound on. >> Madam Chair, can I ask a question while Bob is looking up the um the figure? Um
Bob and Amy both um have worked in other towns. If you've worked in other towns, do the little individual clickers run by battery? >> You plug them in and you charge them up. >> Okay. So rechargeable batteries.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Did you use them where you were? Well, in Franklin, we didn't have town meeting because it was a formal government, but in Welsley, they did have individual, but it was representative town meeting. >> Oh, so smaller. Yeah, >> it was smaller and you know, it showed
everyone's vote and we had to hire the company that we had the clickers from to basically run it and they had a screen up there so you could see. >> So, you rented them >> how each representative. So, you hired a company. You didn't purchase them. You kind of rented them
for the night. >> You rented them. Yeah. >> Okay. Interesting. That was one of the options that we had talked about before leasing them. Um, but I didn't know like you could actually get somebody to come in and do the do it. That's >> came in, they you know, set everything up.
>> Did it run more efficiently? There was some kinks in trying to work it out, but at the beginning of the meeting, everyone has their clicker and they, you know, they do trials. You know, you vote this, they'll do silly question just to make sure everyone's
clicker is working. You can look and see. >> I mean, I would assume with open town meeting, um, everyone would have to have a number or something. So, you would know, oh, I voted yes on this. That's what actually came up
>> to the >> I watched the Haritchtown meeting and uh they used the the electronic voting and it was very very efficient. >> It's much faster. >> Yeah, it worked and it there were no glitches. There were no problems. Things >> it moves along from moves the whole it
>> moves the whole meeting along. >> Yeah. >> And the thing is is that the amount of time for voting is very brief. The moderator will call for the vote. Okay. now use your clicker or now's the time to vote and then literally within a
minute or two the voting ends and then within another minute you've got the answer >> and the meeting just moves along. So >> certainly would reduce stress and frustration. >> Well, I think I think you know we've talked about it quite a bit. We put it
as a priority on our goals. I think you know um I I just think we just have to work a little bit harder to move it along. But I I do think it makes a great deal of sense and I think people will appreciate it for a variety of reasons. So we just >> so we just we just have to do it.
>> Um the only other comment I have is I I agree with Joyce splitting up the site is a problem. However, um what Brewster has done is that Brewster holds their town meetings and it's an open town meeting. They do their town meetings at
the elementary school. Um and at times there have been large crowds. They have had um >> one time they had a town meeting with 1,200 people >> and what they did was they in the school they broke up the crowd. They filled up
their meetings are held in the uh gymnasium/cafeteria. >> All right. Where you can put a lot more seats. They have the select board and the finance committee on the floor with with with the voters and then the
moderator is up on the stage to see everything and uh and that's where council is and some of the other town officials >> um that provide support to the to the moderator and they opened up other sections of the school. For example, the
library in the elementary school was used as a place to have people and so there's one check-in and then people would go to different locations. There'd be a moderator in the library, all right, communicating with the moderator
where where the main town meeting is taking place. >> So, there are ways to deal with a larger crowd and that's what's happened um in other communities. They'll get another location. There'll be multiple moderators. In fact, at the Brewster Town meeting, I w I watched the
Brewstertown meeting last night, they had two moderators and they were prepared to if they needed to go in another location, they would be they were prepared to do that. >> So, um so there are ways to deal with
the space problem. Um, to me the option that might make the most sense to explore for us is and it and it'll be the cost of chairs, but if you wanted to put people in the gymnasium/ cafeteria,
pull the tables out, have them stored somewhere and have literally chairs on the floor >> and monitors >> and then Yeah. And you could, you know, that that would be an option. I think you could probably put more people in there and it will be easier to get in
and out. Um I noticed people somewhat challenged in the upper section of the intermediate middle school sort of the the of of you know the vertigo phenomenon. People a little bit unsure of their footing and their stability. So
I think I think there's a a concern that I have about safety in that building. Um, in terms of people possibly fall, the last thing we need is someone falling uh there, particularly in that back end of the building where it's a little steep.
>> Do we know what the I know that um DY at the high school has had graduation inside that holds in the gymnasium, not in their auditorium, but in their gymnasium with the bleachers all out and the entire gym floor filled with chairs before. >> That's what we do in Orleans.
>> I wonder what that holds. >> I wonder what that is. Yeah. Um, >> in Orleans, you have you you've had you have chairs on the floor, >> right? >> Right. So, I've been to the Orleans town meeting before. >> Yeah. The Haritchtown meeting is in the gym at the community center and again
seats, >> you know, all folding chairs pulled out. Uh, and then they have the uh the the the the bleacher seats that pull out. >> School has the the cafeteria which is quite large um in addition to the gymnasium and the auditorium. >> Yeah. So the other option would be to
investigate the high school as an option, but I I I do see other options that are better for us in Yarmouth. >> Agreed. >> I I would I would I would think the high school is definitely a better option to consider. The question ultimately is going to be what's the cost of getting
all the chairs because I mean some of the some of the stuff we may just have to rent. >> Well, I feel like the high school they do it for graduation. So >> yeah, but I think they rent out a lot of stuff. I think I think they have someone coming with they have someone that comes with a tent >> and they they rent. Um Okay. Truro did
that. I went to a Truro annual town meeting once and they did it outdoors and they did it in the tent and rented chairs and it quite frankly it was quite >> well Parker's River >> and they had good weather too. >> What's that? >> Parker's River Landing would be a great
place on the green to have a tent. >> Think about it. Put get the tent back up. The last time we did that, the weather and the wind was bad weather. It's kills it. >> Yeah, but you can have you can have the the flappable. >> Oh, yeah. Well, we've had that the tent meeting before. You know, we've done that before. >> So,
>> I I do think there are options. I think there are plenty of options. There really are. >> And I'm looking forward to having the new moderator, too. I think I I was, as I said in my preamble, very disturbed at the way Bob was cut off in
mid-presentation and that should not have been allowed. I my opinion the moderator should have said he will finish his presentation. Settle down, folks. >> Well, I'm not sure. >> Give into people shouting. >> Exactly. >> That's >> that's going to be his decision, but
that's my two cents. I thought that was very poor form. I think the the unfortunately the the time has had gone up and people were done listening and that's >> but they have to we still can't allow >> we would have to core him. I agree. >> Exactly. >> And it and and to our town administrator
>> to yell and and allow them to call him. that that for me was on just such bad form >> and it shouldn't have been allowed >> by the market. >> It got that late partly because if individual people talked too long I
wonder if like a for people who aren't giving a formal presentation if some sort of little limit like formal presentation the moderator usually puts parameters on the time limits. Yeah, that's up to the >> I realize >> they're independent of us and that's
their job to do, but I I would like to see it done. >> Yeah. What what I what I would recommend if there are questions regarding the conduct of the meeting and some points about how to maintain order and decorum, that's that's a moderator conversation. We have a new moderator. I think at some
point you want to have a conversation. Let's have it with with him. But I'm also hearing from all of us that there are concerns regarding the room that's being used now for town meeting. >> Absolutely. >> And if we could look at any potential options for where we could go because
from day one of going into that room, we've had concerns, >> right? >> Particularly about the height of the back of the room. >> Yeah. But again, I I think what we need to do is I mean, this is a good conversation to have now, but I would recommend that we actually put it as an
agenda item that include the moderator, include the town clerk, some of the other people involved in having to make the decision so that it's easier to get a, you know, a variety of perspectives and thoughts on it. So, um, >> well, and we're going to get >> that be in June given that the moderator
will change. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And then Bob will have a little bit more information. you was jotting down, you know, >> yeah, I mean, we've get I think we've given the administrator some options to look at in terms of costs for the time being. Let's let's look at look at >> we can look into rent this service that
Amy was talking about perhaps where we don't have to buy the equipment, but we have somebody who comes in as a service and runs it. >> Well, the thing to keep in mind is the town clerks, we already have a number of towns doing this already. So, it's I would recommend having the town clerk in
on the conversation so that she they the town clerks talk all the time and there's there probably be no difficulty in getting cost estimates on what people are doing in the other towns. So, like I said, I think this is a conversation that's nice to begin with, but let's
>> I think we have to speak as one is what we're looking for. So, I think that now he's heard and, you know, we'll have to schedule a another meeting to follow up on all of the things that we discussed, voting,
>> space, options, all that, and then we can bring everybody together. >> I mean, one of the things I'd love to talk about is the fact that we have so many new voters coming to town that know nothing about town meeting. All right. They want to learn. >> Yeah.
>> All right. and how do we make it so that they're comfortable coming to town meeting and uh how they how they can be educated right it's very difficult for the moderator to sort of explain things procedurally at a meeting because that eats up time but maybe there are things
that we can do and these are the kinds of things that I think we need to brainstorm >> video mandatory material >> you break it you break it right down >> if people watch those videos they would >> they would definitely they come to town meeting. >> Well, I'd say we certainly have a lot to
put on the agenda then for >> We do. We do. And so this is this is just a start and uh everybody I'm sure heard from people. So I just like to do it while it's fresh in our minds and then we can sense we can take it from there and again we'll be talking about our goals again.
>> So um you know maybe it will go on there. So the next >> excuse me Tracy just before we move on should there be another town meeting in our near future I presume that um we will we won't have Jim Sabin we will
have the current moderator >> depends on the date well it has to be before the end of June >> oh I know but it depends on the date >> before then when who's be after the election >> it depends on whether it's before or after May 19th it'll be it's not going
to happen before okay Great. Does that make you feel good better? >> Oh, it doesn't matter. I was just curious. >> Yes. He'll be sworn in after the election results are finalized. So, >> all right. There's no waiting on that. Good. >> Nope. >> No. Um, so 10 administrator review.
Everybody had um I had emailed it out to everybody the results um just for the public. What we do is there is a um a scoring guideline uh for each of the sections and we annually review our
town administrator on um well I'll just go through it and I'm going to I'm just going to give the average um so knowledge which is um everybody knows what knowledge is. So the average on that was a 4.0 No, which is which is um exceptional and
outstanding. Uh productivity, the average we had is a 3.4. Um three would be superior, four is exceptional and outstanding. Um decision- making was also an average of 3.4.
Oral communication is 3.2. Written communication is 3.2. Budget and uh financial administration is 3.4. Leadership is a 3.4. Public relations is a three. Work
relations is a 3.6. Staff development and training is 3.2 and uh personnel practices is a 3.1. So there are um the total average is uh 36.9
>> out of a possible 40. No, it's a it's a little bit higher than that. Let me just see. So, I have just see. So, I think it's a 44. Yeah, 44 is the
is the the highest that you can get. And um as part of the original information that we received, I can't find it now. um his uh evaluation is tied to a merit pay
and um so it's based on a percentage. I'm surprised that this is from 2001. So this is still your contract that works under this. >> That's the general town guidelines. So you're not limited to those, but that's just what we use for the department
heads. >> All right. So um yeah, so 3.6 is um obviously above average. It's a 105 to 110% uh level. I guess I don't know how you
would say that. Um I didn't really get any comments from any of the board members. I got the evaluation forms with the numbers only. >> Um so typically we summarize the comments at this time, but there were no comments really to summarize other than
numbers that were turned in. So um your average was a 36.9 um you know public relations being the lowest and knowledge being the highest. Um so again that is a above average
score. Y >> does anybody have anything that they want to say or add to >> I would I would add that I'm very much appreciative of our town administrator and I I'm hoping that he will be with us
longer than he may have intimated that he was going to be. So I'm I'm hoping that this is some shows some support and I know that we are none of us is perfect. That's the name of the game except me. But other than that, >> we knew that. >> Yeah.
>> So, I'm Thank you, Bob. That's what I could say. >> Do you have any comments? >> Yes. Um I'm finishing up my second year on the board and I remember something in the very first month that um some experienced board members introduced me
to a metaphor and the metaphor was board meetings as garden party. And uh the idea was that um when you had a real split that was four people on one side and then one on another that that person
for that week became the skunk at the garden party. Um the decimal total that we have here is the product of all the averages. um and four board members gave very high
grades and one board member went in the other direction. So um that's how we got to that number. Um but uh obviously each member of the board is entitled to his or her own opinion and res respect each
other's boundaries. But um I hope that within the guidelines for salary um if there's a range for that for that >> that's what I was trying to do >> 3.69 that we give the higher end of it. >> Okay.
>> Dorcas. >> I want to thank Bob for his work. Um, we've had some pretty tough situations this past year and um, I've been very happy with with how things have gone and I also would recommend to go to the
higher range on that that overall score. >> Mark. >> Yeah, Madam Chair, thank you. Um, I think we have one of the probably the smartest and hardest working administrators. um you know in the Commonwealth,
definitely here on the Cape. Um but on the other side, my grade isn't just a reflection of the administrator. My grade is also a reflection of our collective efforts to accomplish some things and um and obviously the the
administrator plays an important leadership role in all of this. So, some of my grades reflect uh our inability to make significant progress on many of the things that we've outlined in our goals. And I'm happy to go into more detail when we have our goals setting session
because I think that's the time where rather than been repeating myself, I think that's the place where we really need to have an honest and candid conversation about what we expect to accomplish as a board. But I I I would I would recommend in terms of the compensation what the rest
of the board has recommended as well. >> Okay. >> Um I think that Bob has a very difficult job. Um I think as Dorcas has pointed out um this past year we lost some very key um high level managers. Um we lost
our assistant town administrator, several department heads. And while I agree with Mark, we maybe um didn't have the opportunity to really enumerate the successes on every one of our goals as we had in the past. Um
Bob had to fill a lot of hats. >> Um which is difficult and you know I I say a lot of things. Um, we we we talked a little bit about town meeting and while um, you know, I agree that people should be respectful, I think, um, you
know, sometimes we got to draw Bob back. He gets very passionate and that's why he's good at what he does. He's very passionate about um, what he's trying to convey to the public. Um, so sometimes I
think that that kind of maybe takes over a little bit. Um, but he I I agree with Mark in the sense that, you know, I guess I've been sitting here long enough I've seen, I think, five town administrators, which is amazing for Yarmworth because we had Bob for so long. Um, and each one of them, you
know, has their strong suits and each one of them has, you know, their weaknesses as, as Liz said, we we all do. Nobody is is perfect. But I was >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Thank you. >> In terms of a comfort level for me as a
as a select board member, um I've I've sat here where I've I I don't um I don't feel like we are open to um exposure so to speak on a lot of
things because he's a he's a solid um thoughtful person and I think that you know while You know, I've been very critical about communication. I think that we have a long way to go on communication, not only communication to the public, communication to the board.
Um, often things, you know, the residents will send in emails and this has been something I've been always critical about. There's no loop. We never hear back what happens. We don't get the responses. we don't get a calendar that shows us where all the
events are so that we are know where somebody who's going or so somebody from the town can show up. Um, I think that those are all things when people look at their select board and they look at their town administrator, I think our town administrator should help us help them.
>> And to to that point where um, you know, I feel like we have a some work to do as far as making sure that we're in the know. I I do not like um going to places and people telling me things that are happening. I have no idea what they're
talking about and it happens a lot >> and I understand that Bob's very very busy. But one of the things that Mark has been talking about as is maybe um a weekly um update, a manager's report. I know
Liz does one in in Dennis. Um but I like to be kept in the loop about what's happening. I think it makes our job easier. It makes us look better. Um I again too many times I say I have no idea what you're talking about so I need
to get back to you. So as far as the communication goes um that's always been something um you know we've got two or three people on staff now. Um I'd love to see them out in the community more. I'd love to see them at events more. Um
you know so >> can I interrupt course who who is doing the selectman's highlights or whatever it's called? probably Lori or you. >> It's Amy. Okay. Thank you. I'm And I just want to interject that that has been a wonderful improvement >> for the public.
>> Yeah. Yes. >> And us. >> Well, oh, that's right. That's what we did >> for 12 hours at town me. Sorry. >> I think all of those things help. I think communic people people want to see and I know Bob and I will disagree on
this. during, you know, the storm, we had a great communication one time a day, but a lot of towns were doing it often. People felt like they didn't know what was going on. Like, I want to see more. >> I want to see more on multiple levels. Um, and I know that this is an agenda
item in communications that we need to talk about. But for me, those are the things I think and I know uh Mark had talked about some other towns have um a select board seary, somebody who um
>> somebody who helps the select board move our things and work. We we don't really have anybody. We have a wonderful staff with Pam and Mary Alice and Amy, but that's not their goal. Their goal is not to really um work on our our behalf. So maybe maybe we need to look when we
maybe reorganize somebody and and give somebody who just is helping us. Um you know I always get concerned with our board talking to people other than Bob because Bob is the one person who works for us. Nobody else. I do not go to to
department heads. I don't go to staff. If I have a question I ask Bob. Well that's a lot on Bob's plate. Um so maybe we need to look at doing things differently. But um overall um I think you know there's always going to
be criticism and things that we could do better. We all could. But I I think you do a good job, Bob. And um you know, I think also as as a select board, we have to kind of do a bit of the momentum ourselves. I mean, I think
sometimes when you have somebody this knowledgeable, we we kind of let that task fall on agenda setting and and um things that Bob is doing. But I I know sometimes I could I could do better and
I I try to be better, but we all could probably do better, >> right? That's why I always say though that Bob is our paid administrator and um I I we all we all commit a lot of our
own personal time to the town but nothing like what he does and unfortunately I know we all have other jobs so we don't have that kind of time to to commit not all of us but some of us have other jobs so um I don't know maybe everybody does but uh it's not our job our job is to sit here and set
policy it's job it's Bob's job to take that those policy decisions and those decisions and implement them. And so I'm I'm excited to have our goal setting. We need to relook at that. I don't think we really relooked at it a lot during this
past year. Um but uh that's those are my comments. So I would love to hear from Bob. >> Oh, thank you very much. Um I mean we we did have a very busy year and you know, I I know there's a lot of frustrations
on the especially the external uh communications piece and you know, we're working on those areas. I think we made some progress and you know it's still it's still a whole new um you know setup doing that and and I
and I think that there's a lot of differing viewpoints on the best way to do it but I think you know overall um you know we're making progress there and it's just there's a lot going on these major construction projects and and everything else and um so I just
appreciate the support of the board and Um, >> that's about it. >> Okay, great. Thank you. All right. Board and committee actions. >> Okay. Um,
uh, I, uh, suggest that we accept with thanks the resignation of Myra Suchinit from the affordable, uh, housing trust. >> So moved. >> Second. All in favor? I >> um for appointments, I suggest that we
appoint um Richard Scalley uh as a a member to the board of appeals. Um this would be as an alternate. So that would only be for one year to run through January 2027. >> Moved. Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> Okay. I suggest that the board um appoint Patricia Thomas to the public art committee. Um this would be a regular member of the public art committee to run for a three-year term
um through December 2028. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Um, this is a weird one, but this is because um, we're getting the committee reorganized and someone has to
be in charge of it, but the person in charge of it has to know what it's trying to do in its in its um, getting structured. Um, I suggest that we appoint Megan Eldridge, our director of community development, to the uh,
community and economic development committee as the committee's chair. Um, this appointment's for a three-year term to run through July 2029, but I think everyone feels that that length of an appointment will not be necessary.
>> I have a question on that. Should I wait? >> Sure. >> So, um, Megan's not a, uh, >> she's a de facto she's a de facto member already. Of course, >> she >> is. >> Okay. All right. That was my pretty much
my question. All right. Well, so moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Then um reappoints. Um I suggest that we reappoint four regular positions, threeear staggered terms to
run through December 2028 and the others for December to run through December 2029. Um half of each of we have four people to be uh reappointed here. Heather Mroy, Christine Brantley, Jeff Sagal, and Beth Conway
moved. Um, >> they each have the same >> Can we Can we read the recommendations so that the dates are associated with each member, please? >> To separately. Okay. To reappoint um Heather McElroy as a regular member of
the Open Space Committee. Um, an appointment to run for a three-year term through December 2029. >> So moved. Second. All in favor? >> Um to reappoint Jeff Senol as a re regular member of the open space
committee. Uh the appointment to be for a three-year term to run through December 2029. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> to reimpoint reappoint Christine Brantley um for a as a regular member of
the open space committee um as a term um a a an unexpired portion of a three-year term that will run through December 2028. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. And then finally to re reappoint um Beth Conway as a regular member of the open space committee um for a three-year term but for the unexpired portion of it which will run through December 2028.
>> So move second. >> All in favor? Hi, I'd just like to u make a remark about the um open space committee um that apparently meets as needed and so I was concerned that
everybody's appointments had run out. So in case we have um something that they have to decide on um investigate and decide on I thought we should have people currently appointed >> that would be good. >> Okay. So that's why that >> great. That's why you read it as a the
rest of the term type thing. >> Yeah. >> We're we're we're filling in because everybody expired. >> All right. Thank you. >> And while we're on, I just want to note again that we have two tremendous uh individuals who we've just appointed,
Richard Scally and Patricia Thomas. Both of their their um qualifications are pretty darn great. Thank you for joining us. Great. >> And we love the rest of you as well. >> And we love the rest of you as well. >> Okay. Minutes of May 13, 2025.
>> Move that we approve the minutes of May 13th. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion on the minutes? All those in favor? I >> opposed. That was for both of them. >> Well, was it >> was that for both of them? >> That was for both of them. May 13th,
2025 and April 28th, 2026. >> Okay. Upcoming agenda review. We need to get our policy. Oh, it's on there for July 18th. Is everybody check their schedule for July 18th?
Yes, that's the Yes, I put that in there. Otherwise, all my weekends in July are booked, right? All setting session. Why did it come up at Flax Pond? Did we do it there one time?
Must have. It's weird. >> All right. Does that work for everybody's schedule? >> All right. Great. All right. So, what do we got? We've got one more meeting in May. We have the annual town election. point.
I'm glad to see the energy grant manager on there. Thank you, Bob. >> We have coming up at our next meeting is going to be the second hearing for the landing fees, communication plan, wonderful waterways, shellfish advisory report, Madaki's utilization, and energy
grant manager as as well as the proclamation for the public works. >> That will be a great >> So Madaki's utilization will probably be some time Oh yeah, >> probably have some hearings or something come in between now and then as well. >> Um
so on June 9th will be our next meeting after that. We will swear in any anybody who is um anybody who is newly elected or reelected organized the board. Well, we have the dog hearing,
change of hours for the music room, change of ownership and stock, and Longfellows, change of manager. I thought we just had Longfellows before us. That must have been for something else. >> We have Longfellows. >> Yep. >> Change of managers for the Moose,
special entertainment for the Yarmouth Library, and the Tiny Ren Fair, which we did last year. Um, how I thought that when we had stuff like that, that was um >> I don't think it was the same fair. Okay. All right. And then an update with PAS.
>> Oh, good. >> And that's looking a month out. Does anybody have any >> problems? Was the change of manager change in ownership and stuff? So, it's different. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Do we want to have the dredging and sand replenishment
um soon? >> I don't think so. I think if it's necessary, they'll have to bring it to us. Uh, chances are, I think Mark has a point that they might just be ramping up, but it could be months and months out and there'll probably be a whole
public process that um hopefully our staff will be able to if if if there's an issue that we can um help with Bob on that, then we'll put on the agenda. I'm not sure what the agenda topic would be
right now. >> We have a study beach nourishment study that's in the works. Was that mentioned? >> It's just going out to bid now though. >> There's not going to be anything ready for that. >> Okay. >> Do we want to talk at all about the
residential exemption? >> I think that I think in our I would recommend um as an item we should be talking about long-term financial planning. I would say that that's part of our goal >> setting discussion in terms of where that fits in in terms of what we want to
do and actually what we want to get out of that >> in the goal >> what the timing for it because the timing is not to do it now. The timing is to do it when >> you move forward with the projects so that what it does is it hedges against
property tax impact for the average taxpayer. >> Right. So I I would argue the art the rte >> I can tell you when it wasn't time in my opinion to talk about it which was that town meeting. I firmly believe that it was very confusing for people and um
they thought that that was already in place for that project and that was not the case and I think it actually worked against us unfortunately. Um that's my personal opinion. I think that we we need to talk about it. I thought that our discussions previously were about
utilizing it for a second phase of the sewer. >> That's what that's basically what he was saying. >> That's how far out it was. >> But that's something that should come from >> that was that was a characterization of a very thoughtful, very interesting initial conversation, but it wasn't
necessarily a plan that we had agreed to >> or really come up with any. I mean, again, it was it was a I would say the start of a plan. >> Yeah. Well, it's just this is an important conversation right here because
>> it was in the library building committee presentation as part of that >> and it so it I'm I'm conf a little confused as to and this maybe is a question for Bob.
it it was timely. if we were going to have a vote for a library that that piece of it had to be addressed and he addressed it and I thought it was part of our as he put it
this was a a looking longterm at a capital plan and that's what it struck me as part of that we hadn't hit the details because we don't have >> that was not a plan that we as a board had approved >> can we heard it
>> all Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, but we should take this up not now. We should take it up as a separate agenda item, >> right? We will talk about it in our in our goal setting. >> That Thank you. Bob will bring his presentation back. >> We will talk about it. >> Okay. So, is there anything else on the
agenda review? Any individual items? >> Any what type of items? >> Oh, individual. >> Yes, I had to. >> Of course, because you do because you get up for them in the on the Tuesday morning. There is a Carrie Neland letter here that we got. Um Carrie Doc Neland,
>> that was the gentleman who was >> right. Y >> So he's wondering if we couldn't uh amend the current notification requirements because he noted that it was a little over the top if anybody read his >> right. I don't know if you heard my comments at the beginning of it. We we got the letter. Um some of the some of
the requirements are um I know Amy is looking into them, but some of the requirements may be in our policies, some of them may be a state requirement. So I'm not sure we're >> So it's being looked into. >> Well, I know I talked to Amy about it and she was going to look and see what parts of it were required by state. Like
he's asking to remove the return receipt requirements and I know to some extent we had done that with the certification and so they didn't have to bring it in. But uh some of it might be required by law. So >> but it's so that's my you're answering my question. Amy's reviewing.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. And then the next question, um, in our minutes that we approved, there was the DNR overview of the town ways to water assessment, and I know it I think it's overdue. Where are we on on that, Bob? Do you have a clue?
>> That's a not sure I understand your question, >> right? The project would produce a complete inventory, condition, and use assessments, >> water, >> a permitting >> water. Can I come back and talk to us about >> permitting? an interactive GIS map for
the town website. Amy >> DNR does have a draft review. They're finalizing. They're looking through the draft. Once he has a chance to look at it, we'll get him on the agenda to come back. >> Great. >> Excellent.
>> Excellent. >> Within the next month, I would say. >> That's great. >> Thank you. >> And I had one more. >> I think I have nothing. >> Okay. I think I have. Go ahead. I'll Joyce's emptiness. There's also a um
request from the white waist rack that they maybe um are allowed to make some changes. >> Where's the request? I don't know where you >> They would like for instance to have move their meetings to town hall so that they're more >> Where are you getting this information?
>> It's in a letter that I have from um Spiro as the chair. I'll bring it in in the next one if you want. We can >> Why don't we have it? because it's it's all right. I'll just submit it um to Bob. >> Okay. >> Because he was a he was asking Mark and
myself to review his his thoughts. >> Okay. >> And I thought they have merit. So maybe that's how I >> Are they his thoughts or are they thoughts of the board? >> They're his thoughts. >> Okay. Well then I don't I don't want the letter when the board has I mean when he he's not he's not the board. >> Very good. I will
>> he's the chair of the board. So, I mean, if they want to vote and send a letter >> and that I will let him know that he needs to have the board support and make it a a formal request. >> Yeah, just just talk about it. If they agree to it, they can ask.
>> I don't think it needs I don't think it's anything that we need to even talk. I'm sure that administration can handle that. >> Energy committee actually moved um they were here and then they were in DPW and they didn't like it as well. So then they've moved back. >> That's not anything that we need to
Yeah. It's nothing that we need to deal with. >> No. >> Very good. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I move that we um approve the consent agenda. >> Are we had individual items? >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm jumping ahead.
>> You have any? >> No, I have no individual items. >> Yeah. Yeah, I do. I want to uh send uh kudos to uh the administration uh DPW. This is a team effort. DPW, the water department for getting signage out
regarding the water conservation measures that uh are in place and getting notices in the bills, working to with other departments to get these flyers in. Um, as you might recall, we had a board meeting and discussed what we can do to increase
awareness. And I think there was a consensus that uh we needed more signage and we needed to find ways to get this topic in front of people. And uh uh I was very pleased to travel around town not too long ago and
start to see all these signs popping up regarding water conservation, water restrictions. Um this is water is becoming a hot topic around the Cape and that is is how the Cape is developing and are we doing enough to manage our
water resources and when you hear reports from the state indicating that we're in a drought in some portions of the Cape it's more serious than others. Um I think doing our part to sort of create an awareness I think is important. So kudos to the team, team
Yarmouth for um starting work on this as we talked about at uh at one of our recent board meetings. So they've done a great job. So thank you. >> Excellent. >> Pass that on, Bob. >> Anybody else have any individual items? Okay. Consent agenda. Move that we accept the
consent agenda. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments on anything on the consent agenda? >> Thank you to the Rotary Club. >> Yes. Wow. Okay. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Passes unanimously. And uh that brings us to town administrator
items. >> Okay. I do have a report for you this evening. Yesterday we completed with the police department our active shooter training for the town departments and um obviously you know gone through the full
cycle with public safety working on it with police and fire and now the training has gone down to each individual town department and our instructor was Sergeant Brule that um you oh >> met this evening for his promotion and
you know he did a he did a great job But it is it's a very sobering topic and I you know I wish there was a real easy way to address that topic but it's very difficult. So I I really thank the police department and plus all of the
departments that participated in that training was very worthwhile. And also last week we conducted our annual wellness and benefits fair. in fact, right in this room for all of our
town employees. And we had individual tables from every single one of our benefits uh providers to give information on whether it's the health insurance, all of the investment
opportunities or life insurance. And um we also had, you know, thank you very much to the uh county nursing department that came in and did our health screenings. Um >> how's your blood pressure, Bob? >> My blood my blood pressure was fabulous.
>> Good. >> Worked out worked out great. And um also my cholesterol numbers. So everything's trending in the right direction. I'm real happy to report. And you know the other thing that I I I
think that I I really noticed the information that we've been working with employees on sharing. We've done a lot of work on the health insurance programs to make sure that we put the incentives for the most efficient health insurance
programs that um provide awesome health care for um you know not the highest cost. And then the reason that the costs are low is because um some of the programs have better contracting. So it's the same exact MRI that we don't
have to pay as much for if you're on the right program. And you know um our numbers now that we have 50% of our workforce enrolled in HSA HMOs which are the programs that we've been pushing. So
having the informations um it was great. It was great to see all of the participation and um someone won um a bike in our raffle too. So that was a great program, but it's good to keep the the wellness and benefits fair and it's a good um you know benefit for for
town employees to receive that information and the attention and that also helps I think in the overall recruitment and retention efforts. Um, I wanted to let you know that I attended uh this afternoon Cape Cod airport noise
abatement roundt meeting and we've established um a working group with the new administration at the airport to discuss noise abatement issues and Christine Greley our representative to the airport commission and I work very
closely on that along with Ron Price the town's consultant and we've developed some great ideas. And what we're working toward right now is establishing for September 16, which is a Wednesday, um is our tentative public information day.
We're going to work um throughout the summer on some of these noise abatement issues and then we're going to have uh um our first major public meeting which we're going to follow up with um the first one is going to be in Barnstable and then I think a month from then we're going to try one in Yarmouth and we're
inviting you know all of the folks from the residential areas around the airport and hopefully um you know we're going to see if we're going to be able to make some some progress and we have some very specific I feel very productive suggestions for
that instrument departure system modification um for the airport to use that would uh take those uh standard instrument departures that that are done you know
without the pilot actually I I mean something like 90% of the flights are computer assisted when they take off and if we have the proper flight paths we can direct a lot of that traffic away from the most heavily developed
residential areas and I'm convinced it can be done. We're taking baby steps with the airport. We're building trust at this point. Um so we're still working through that process, but we're hoping by the time we work through the summer that we're going to have some real
substantive um hopefully productive um suggestions. So that's moving forward and I think we've had meetings already and um you know we're we're meeting monthly with the airport and so the communication at least is at a high level.
>> Um I I did want to mention while we were here I I I really enjoyed the Parker River Landing opening. I mean that was a great that was a great session for our community and um be nice to continue you know to follow that up
with more um positive community. I think we should have a summer meeting on the boardwalk. >> It would be it would be a great idea. And and I think, you know, there's ways of engaging people and involving them in our activities in a positive way. We don't have to set up, you know, these
things where people are fighting um every single time that we pull the community together. And so I think it'd be a good idea to continue, you know, to think about some positive interactions with our um local citizenry where we're not just, you know, hitting on these
national issues that are um you know, divisive or, you know, things of that nature. I think there was a lot of positive feedback there. So, but it was great and I also the I thought the flag raising was really great, too. And I think if you ever do um the pledge of
allegiance, you have to get Representative Zaros to lead that because I I love the way he prefaces we're going to do it and we're going to do it loud and >> we're going to do it slow. >> Yeah. >> That's great. So that that was a great
event and and again yesterday we did have um our rack meeting and um the chairman brought up his idea and I know what what he wanted to ask the select board is that um did you guys think he should change the time of the meetings to maybe have them later so more people
can participate maybe move them down here so um he would be on TV. Is there anything that that could do uh you know differently to get out there more in the community? So, um, he brought, you know, those issues up with his committee, but, you know, they're still deliberating it
a little bit. So, I I think, you know, >> I'm sure you'll work with them with whatever whatever. I mean, when people volunteer and they commit to something changing the time, you have to make sure that everybody can do it, but I mean, I know you'll work with them. >> Yeah. And if we we find a place down here and we put it on TV, all the better. So, >> the better.
>> I think that's a great idea. >> Good. >> But that's just a smattering of some of the things from the last week, which was a short week. We had a very late town meeting and so it was good. You know I the thing about the town meeting um
you know we could focus on like the you know the one capital article but you know there's a tremendous amount of work that goes into that town meeting. >> Yeah. >> And you know and it starts with the budget process that that we get going in the previous October. >> Yeah. And um a lot of people did a
tremendous amount of work. Um and you know there was a just a solid town meeting I think all around with the preparation you know for 700 people. Um the glitches that we have really weren't on the technical elements. It was >> thank goodness we had enough uh we've
had some issues in the past not enough warrants. We all all that seemed to go smoothly. There was some technical with the sound at one point or time or the other that I heard, but >> moderator's mic wasn't working at one point. >> Yeah. While you're bringing that up, I just got we got a text message from Mr.
Glenn >> that um the Dennistown meeting. They have a thousand people. They have a they have a community center on their um >> not that million >> and I do and not to steal your >> and they use they used an overflow
>> your time >> they used an overflow room >> but I I I have to thank the library committee. I know um I was in opposition at the end. I felt like it was um because of the because of the um grant I
felt like it was rushed. We didn't see the numbers up until maybe a month before the warrant was there was it's not like a lot of the other the DPW we had the numbers for a while. You know, there were they went back and forth. I didn't feel like we had the opportunity
to um really have much of a say at the end to shape what what was going to happen. But I do have to say I don't ever like voting against a project like that. I know those people put their
heart and soul into it. I um I very much respect >> Madam Chair, can we do this as an agenda item? I'll look back on this. >> Sure. I just I just have to say personally as an individual item that just because I voted in opposition to it doesn't mean that I don't respect the
work and the time that our volunteers put into something that they they you know something that they believe in. So >> well it may come back and you may be able to change your >> Well, I'm not going to support it because my my position is still the same. I I they didn't cut one square
foot in Madam Chair. Yes. I hate being a pain skunk in the garden party, but we're on the town administrator's report. I want to make sure that we get that. >> I got it. I think I think Bob was done. >> Yep. That's all I had >> was done. So, I just wanted to I'd move to adjurnn.
>> Second. All those in favor? I