Recording in progress. >> Good evening everybody and welcome to the Yarmmer Select Board meeting of April 7th, 2026. If you could please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. >> Thank you very much. If you wouldn't mind joining me in a brief moment of silence as we think about those that are
serving our country and those that are in harm's way in far away places, away from their families. >> Thank you very much for that. We're going to begin our meeting with announcements. Liz, do you have any announcements? >> I actually I do. Um I I I'm sure it's
going to come forward, but I just do want to while we have uh the televised meeting, remind everybody that April uh 9th, there's a library building project being presented. Um the the project is being presented at the senior center
from 6:00 to 8. And the Yarmouth community cleanup day is April 25th. from 8 to 10 is when you get here right here at town hall. I I'm gonna come at 9:00, I've decided. And um and we can all get our bags and wear gloves and
wear clothes, warm clothes because it isn't cold yet. So um I just wanted to bring those two reminders up. Thank you. >> Thank you. Joyce, do you have anything tonight? >> Well, I was going to gonna also push the cleanup day, but Liz scooped me. Well, what can I say? In the interest of a
short meeting, let's go this way. All right, Dorcas. >> No, I don't. >> I'm fine. Thanks, >> Bob. You have any announcements? >> Um, no additional announcements. >> Okay, let us move on to the next agenda item then, um, as public comments. Is
there anybody here that would like to address the board? Mr. Ktos, >> try again. Um, is the light on, sir? You might. Is the green light on? You could try try the one next to you. The next >> The one next to you is on. That one's
flashing. >> Okay, >> Harris, if you could just grab that one. I think >> that one's on. Oh, now that one's on. >> Uh, good evening. >> Good evening. Uh, same issue as last time concerning the public's right to
know, but instead of question one in the state auditor, this centers upon the ballot initiative this November to revamp the mass public records law, the worst in the country. You got the material in your packet. I ask that you
send a letter to Beacon Hill leadership plus our own legislative delegation, as you will decide later tonight, saying that the will of the people needs to be held paramount. Per usual, Senate President Spila is opposed. No official
word from House Speaker Mariano, although he joined her in opposition to question one. And my personal experience with Senator Seir and Representative Flanigan, I am not in Representative D Rig Diggs district, has been no response
on this from either despite repeated requests as to where they stand on the matter. Uh a public a poll indicates that over 80% of voters in Massachusetts support this initiative. This time I ask that your letter in that in your letter you specify to Senator Seir and
Representatives Flanigan and Diggs that you expect a response within 14 days of receipt for posting on the town's website so that voters can see where their elected officials stand on this vital issue. Thank you. >> Thank you, Harris. >> That was under two minutes, right?
>> It sure was. You started at exactly two minutes. >> Thank you. We can't have any dialogue on with you, but I appreciate your comments. Tom Right. Good evening, Madam Chair. Thank you. I didn't know if there was anybody else wanted to speak. Tom Nanal from the
very historic town of Yarmouth. 387 years. And today, 150 years from now, will be our 388th year because of September 3rd. So, we're looking forward to that next year of uh wonderful stuff that happened. So, thank you very much. Also, I'd just like to have a couple of
comments. Um first, the education advocate I'm going to put my hat on for our library again. Um we had a strategic plan 2016 2021
and extensive work about our library. Um we have volumes that we have like 97,000 titles I should say in our library and it's only 6,000 square feet. Our new
library is 25,000 square feet which should be adequately enough for the whole town and yes it could support if one of the other libraries had a accident or some catastrophic incident.
So uh it's important there that this library still get discussed and move forward. Um there's a a standard in the industry 10 books per square foot and we have 97,000.
So that's like 970,000 square feet we should be having and we don't. So we talk about kids in the basement. Everything could be in the basement pretty soon. Um our libraries are extremely important.
Every time we go to town meeting, we have an education override, we pass it, but we don't pass any help for our libraries for the last six 60 years. And they're educational, too. Understandable that libraries are not
for everybody. It's like boating. Voting is not for everybody, but we're a voting community, and we should be an educational community. You folks are here as our visionaries. It's nice that you can tell us that we don't have any money, but you can't tell
us what we're going to be worth in the future if we don't have education. Again, it's extremely important. 1869, the South Library became one. For 120
years, it had no expansion. In 1990, it was a major update. Some money was spent, still too small. In 2002, we bought 215 Mil Lane for a library. We were told we had to hold off
because we need a police station. We still need a library because according to staff, this is the population now. This is the population before. 723%
increase. 6,000 square feet of library. In 2007, we couldn't get a library because we had to get a fire station. We asked for a library again. DPW 2020 school 2022.
Since 1961, they've been looking for space at the South Yam Library because of all the yellow here. Look at all the people. It's an educational institution.
It should be well vetted and it is well vetted. We have $14 million that the state is giving us already. And if we take that opportunity because don't forget another community got bumped because we wanted
to go through this process. So, we feel bad. We feel bad for that community and we also recognize that, you know, in here on on our vision statement, it says we're the lowest per capita for our libraries in the region.
To have a $14 million savings and you have a 25,000 square foot library and a museum for down in the cultural center because you need a cultural district. The museum would be perfect with the
bank with packet landing Judah Judah Baker windmill >> 1505 1500 visitors in 2024 they've only opened 30 days I mean 50 days for the whole season that's 30 people a day if
you had a historic museum down in that area it will be beneficial for everybody and my last comment thank you very much getting over the Easter weekend. Hope everybody had a wonderful time. I did some history on the painted Easter egg
and it comes to find out why we paint Easter eggs is because it's a lot more difficult to wallpaper them. >> So true. >> Thank you, Tony. >> There anybody else here that would like to address the board? I'm going online.
Uh Cheryl, >> can you hear me? Hi, Cheryl. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes, ma'am. >> We can hear you, Cheryl. >> Oh, okay. All right. Thanks. Um, yeah.
So, I just wanted to come on tonight as a followup to the vote that the board took at the last meeting um when the board voted to put a politically driven question in front of our entire town. I just wanted to present you with some
facts about your petitioners. There were 35 petitioners which is equal to about 0.15% of the 22 registered voters in Yarmouth. 22,000 registered voters. 23 of those 35
petitioners are registered Democrats. 12 are unenrolled. Not a single one is a registered Republican. In fact, 80% of the petitioners are flagged according to voter records as strong Democrats.
77% of the petitioners are over the age of 70. 60% of them reside in Yarmouthport. This is not a balance or a broad community input. It's political activism. And yet, four members of this board
decided that it was enough to justify putting a loaded, deliberately vague question in front of the entire town. This board had the authority to say no to a politically charged group and require broader engagement, but it chose not to. As I stated in my last comments to this
board, the ballot question itself is a rhetorical trap designed to manufacture a predetermined outcome. So, the real issue is not what's on the ballot, it's what comes next. Because once this passes, and it's designed to pass, it
will be waved around as a mandate to justify further political action. We were told by this group at the public comments last time that they withdrew their resolution because it caused community discord. Well, if they withdrew it, they came
back with the same exact agenda, just using a different tactic. And all the while they claimed in a sanctimonious tone that they're here to look for common ground where clearly it does not exist. It would almost be laughable if it weren't so predictable because we all
know how this works. You disagree with them and you're labeled, you're attacked, you're threatened, and you're accused of things that you never said. We witnessed that in front of this board courtesy of Mr. Wolf. That's not dialogue nor looking for
common ground. It's intimidation. I am the chair of the Yarmouth Republican Town Committee and I am not out here trying to force my politics onto anyone in this town. But I will not sit quietly while a small group of activists attempts to force their agenda
onto all of us and uses our town election as the vehicle. This is not what local government is supposed to be. Your role as our select board is to provide nonpartisan leadership and policy direction for the town, not to serve as a conduit for
radical agendas. You didn't just approve a ballot question. You set a precedent. Any partisan group with 35 signatures can now force a question onto a ballot in Yarmouth, regardless of how narrow the support, how loaded its language, or
how much community discord it creates. You set the precedent and you own the consequences. Cheryl Zoom user Glenn. >> He might not have heard you. Huh? Joe, unmute yourself.
Madam >> Chair, can you hear me? >> Yes, sir. Uh, still zoom you, Mr. Hum. I think I'm going to put it on that ballot. Um uh so I just wanted to quickly um say that um
again about the regional agreement um because with all that's going on with the DUI um uh issues and the and the possibility of a new school and the feasibility study and of course the
ballot question and the override um which affects the other issues in town like uh Mr. Nanello said about the the library. Um all those votes we everybody knows are going to impact each other. Um but the and I hate to call it leverage,
but this is what it is. If we don't get them to come to reasonable good faith um negotiations on the regional agreement to clear up all of that language, they're never going to do it. That's what they did
with the other issues. Whenever there was something in town, they just in regards to the district, um they address it because they feel they have to and then it goes away for 46 years and it's in there. The the the review of the
regional agreement is in there. It's clear. It talks about the census. It talks about the time. It should be done anyway. It really technically is done all the time, but they somehow uh you know, that's why I've continued to ask
both the district uh both towns to use their town council or use their their legal counsel and look at it. If I'm wrong, that's okay. But to not look at the it legally when there's so many gaps
in it um and it's unclear just doesn't make sense to me. So, I plead once again to have the uh town council look at it. Um, but if we don't do it now, and as Selectman Forest said, it's what we do for the charter, it's it's it just makes
common sense to clarify it. And Dennis wants to do it because it's only fair. Whatever happens in regards to the um language in it, it can change. the population changes, the formula changes. Um, it changes because uh it if if if it
changes, it changes because of facts, not because it's written poorly. So, I appreciate it. Um, let's do something now u while we can because it's once once whatever happens with the with the um budget um they're not going to go
back to it. So, they're not going to revisit it. So, please Thank you. >> Thank you, Joe. Is there anybody else who' like to address the board? Seeing nobody, we are going to move on to our 6:15 item, which is um with our finance
director, Miss Mullen, and a vote to approve the sale, issuance, and details of town a April 2026 general obligation bonds. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um uh there was a memo in
your packet with um requested vote. As you can see, this is probably one of our larger bond issues that we've gone out to market for in the most recent years. And um there's several projects that um Tom meeting had
voted. And so we did have a um bond anticipation note last year for some of these projects, but these projects are well under the underway. It was the best time to go out and bid for the bonds. Um, as the memo stated, we got a 3.416%
interest rate, net interest rate. We've applied a the premium to the principal and also set some aside for the um cost of borrowing. And I'm here to answer any questions you may have. >> Is the um the new school still under a ban?
>> Um so that comes under the Dennis Jamath Regional School District. >> So they're they >> so it's still in the ban for them, but it's been in a ban for a few years. So, they are required to make a principal payment. And the reason why they haven't bonded it yet was because um I guess
there's still some outstanding items that they're trying to reconcile with the MSBA. So, they that's why it hasn't gone out to bond just yet. >> So, we we won't be seeing that. We won't have a our debt to that um is part of the assessment. So, >> exactly. It doesn't go in front of the board.
>> All right. Does anybody have any questions for Jennifer? >> Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Jennifer. >> I will. We have to read all these motions. Okay. Um, who's our clerk? >> Mark.
>> Mark, you want It says I the clerk. So, are you interested in reading these? >> Pull it up. >> You want to pass that to him? >> Here you go. >> It's quite a quite a list, but >> Oh, boy. Ready?
>> We're ready. Do I have to read all the numbers too? >> Um, no. I mean, this will become part of the record in the minutes. >> Just, you know, it we'll we'll incorporate this into the minutes. You don't need to read the numbers. It's >> just a motion.
>> Okay. Um I the clerk of the select board I Mark Forest of the town of Yarmouth the town certify that at a meeting of the board
held April 7th 2026 of which meeting all members of the board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present. The following votes were unanimously passed, all of which appear upon the official
record of the board in my custody. voted that the maximum useful life of the fire department Quint pumper truck to be financed with the proceeds of the 2 million borrowing authorized by the vote of the town passed on April 29th,
2025, article 18 is hereby determined pursuant to general laws chapter 44 section 7 subsection 1 to be 10 years. further voted that the sale of 32,545,000
general obligation municipal purpose loan of 2026 bonds of the town dated April 16th 2026 referred to as the bonds to Mserio Msiro
Financial Inc. at the price of $35,188,888.78 and acred interest if any is hereby approved and confirmed. The bonds shall be payable on April 15th of the years and in the principal amounts and bear
interest at the respective rate as follows. And then uh I'm going to go through this and just read these. The year 2027 1,965,000 interest rate 5%
year 2037 the amount 1,345,000 at the interest rate of 5%. The year 2028 1,950,000 at an interest rate of 5%. The year 2038,
the amount of 1,345,000 at an interest rate of 5%. The year 2029, the amount 1 uh 1,945,000 at an interest rate of 5%
at the year 2039. The amount 1,345,000 at 4%. The year 2030 1,945,000 interest rate 5%
the year 2040 1,345,000 4%. Now I'm just going to take a pause for the moment there. What I've been doing is reading them all across um rather than sequentially. Is that >> Yeah, that's fine. You can even say as
referred to as the vote in the packet of the select board if you didn't want to read off. >> Well, then what I'd like to do is just just add that sentence >> into into my statement. >> Okay. >> And that the uh I am going to include by
reference all of the all of the references in terms of the uh the notes uh in this in in from the statement here. And then let me go on further further voted and I I appreciate people being patient with me. This is >> sorry to even make you do this.
>> Yeah. No, but it's a it's it's it's important legally that it this be done. Further voted that in connection with the marketing and sale of the bonds, the preparation and distribution of a notice of sale and preliminary official statement dated March 24th, 2026. And a final official statement dated March
31st, 2026. The official statement each in such form as may be approved by the town treasurer be and hereby are ratified confirmed approved and adopted. Further voted that the bonds shall be subject to redemption at the option of the town upon such terms and conditions
as are set forth in the official statement. further voted that the town treasurer and the select board be and are here hereby are authorized to exe execute and deliver a continuing disclosure undertaking and in compliance with SEC rule 15C2-12
in such form as may be approved by bond council to the town which undertakings shall be incorporated by reference in the bonds for the benefit of the holders of the bonds from time to time and further voted that we authorize and direct the town treasurer to establish lish postissuance federal tax compliance
procedures and continuing disclosure procedures in such forms as the town treasurer and bond council deem sufficient or if such procedures are currently in place to review and update such procedures in order to monitor and maintain the taxexempt status of the
bonds and to comply with relevant securities laws. further voted that any certificates or documents related to the bonds collectively the documents may be executed in several counterparts each of which shall be regarded as an original and all of which shall constitute one in
the same document. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to the a document by electronic mail in a PDF file or by other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart signature page to such
document and electronic signatures on any of the documents shall be deemed original signatures for the purposes of the documents in all matters relating there to having the same legal effect as original signatures. further voted that each member of the select board, the
town clerk, and the town treasurer be and hereby are authorized to take any and all such actions and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts, or other documents as may be determined by them or any of them to be necessary or
convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing votes. >> Mark, I I move >> I don't think I'm done. >> Oh, you're not finished? >> No, I think I still have one more page at the end. No. Do I have to or is that okay? >> Certifying the votes on that last
>> I don't need to read this. Okay. Very good. Then >> sign it. >> I can I can do that. >> You read beautifully though. >> Thank you. >> I second those motions. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I >> I thank you. >> Unanimously. Thank you for your work, Jennifer.
>> Thank you, Jennifer. Just to write it up. >> All right. >> Have that underway. Next, we have our discussion and vote on the community preservation, the CPA warrant articles. The members of the CPA, if they'd like
to please come forward, >> thank you, Jennifer. >> Should have been voted, but I don't care. >> Are they finished? Are they ready? Everybody sign them. >> I think so. >> Jennifer, do you need this now? They're all signed. >> That's weird. >> I think everybody signed.
>> Sure. >> Good evening. How are you? >> I'm good. How are you? >> Great. Thank you for being here this evening. >> Thank you. Um my my name is Judy Wilchinsky. I am the chairman of the CPC and >> Paul Huggin, vice chair of CPC.
>> Thank you. If you want to just uh go over your articles that you have on the warrant. >> Sure. >> Um you all received a copy of our proposed um warrant articles. Um the first couple are pretty much basic as
far as what's going to be put aside um for open space historic um which is an annual thing. I have to tell you that Jennifer um was a huge help with us the last two years and coming in and explaining um the different revenues and what we should
use first and what's coming in. So that she was a great help. Article 25 is the affordable housing projects. There's five of them. Um the Yarmouth Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, it's an annual usually donation of commitment of 200,000. The
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, um we are trying to repurpose money that was appropriated at previous town meetings. They've asked us to pull that because the purpose of it was to buy down and the price of houses now is so expensive that the buy down program is
not usable anymore. Um, Hands of Hope is the rental assistance and eviction prevention. Um, Habitat for Humanity, it's the Woodro um, >> yes, >> houses that are going in and Haritch Ecumenical Council for Housing. Um, and
most of those are pretty normal except for Habitat. They're annual ones that we usually get. Excuse me. um the recreation projects, Packet Landing, um resiliency to help with the flooding that occurs there at Packet
Landing. There's been so much um work done over there over the years. The DNR has asked us for 504,000 for their project there. Um open space projects, we already had one last fall special
meeting um for the purchase of land. This one would be um for the current town meeting is friends of Bass River for Crow Crowell Pond restoration phase two for the culvert to open up a better flow between Bass River and getting underneath the parking lot and over um
to Crowell Pond. Um the next one is historical preservation projects. The Yarmouth Port Library has asked for assistance in replacing the ramp, stairs and deck. the historical society of old jarmath, the gate house restoration, and
then um as mandated by the CPC law um historic uh reserve of 146,000. >> All right. >> And I think that's it. >> That is it. And we had great assistance with some of the projects um this year
from the state community preservation coalition when we had questions about uh certain things that we wanted to put in our letters to uh groups that had asked for money. Um we also have had a few new members um come on board. It's been a
lot of adjustments, not adjustments, but new people coming in. Um, with Gary Ellis's passing last year, I became chairman, Paul became vice chairman. We had some people that had left, but we're we now are full compliment. We just Al Meyers just got approved a few weeks ago
to be our other atlarge person. So, we're moving forward. And um, Don Marie Flet, if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be here. So, that that's her. Did you have anything? >> Thank you. >> No, I just want to thank you for the opportunity to serve on that committee. It's I don't know if this is on
>> It is. Yeah. Um but it's a great committee and uh all of a sudden I find myself to be the senior member of that committee which is really frightening. Um but anyway, uh thank you. And the group works very well together. We're very careful about what we do. Um uh
adhering to the all of the rules and regulations of CPC as we understand them. And again um our help from um Don Marie is is so valuable. So thank you all. Thank you. And thank you, Judy.
It's uh no um slight to either one of you, but it's just it's still so hard to think about >> think about Gary not not being with us. He did so much work for our town. And
>> he he was chairman for like 20 years. >> I know. I know. So, we we really appreciate you stepping up and um we know there big shoes to fill and he had such historical knowledge that >> that was Yeah. um you know when the membership did eb and flow you know he was he was constant and as you know
there's um there's a it's a learning curve so um I know when we had a brief discussion here before um about the packet landing resiliency we had questioned whether or not if there was any um if you had sought legal counsel
at all about that fitting into the recreation realm um and I was just curious ho how that fits into the recreation realm. >> Well, I think that the discussions of course, you know, you have these meetings about once a month, so you got to really crank up your memory for some
of these things. But um the discussion was the um the valuable access to the to the Bass River and um and there is there is access u for folks to keep boats down there and so on or to um utilize the
facility to enjoy the the Bass River. And also if you look at it towards a point of recreation, I don't know if this was really brought up, but you think about people going down and just enjoying that that site and uh that's recreational in a certain sense, a little peace and quiet. Um and I guess
it is very very well attended. So I think that it fits into that area. Um >> so the law used to be and I know that some has changed and uh staff probably can can assist a little bit more in that. There was a period of time where with recreation it was very difficult
for any new projects that weren't purchased under recreation to do any type of upgrades to it under the CPC law >> and I'm not sure if that's changed. >> Yes, that has. >> So now the but we've we've checked with council on on this particular one
>> with all these articles. >> No on the use of CPA for this um area and protection of that park. Um it has precedence in in 2016 CPA funds were >> used it. >> So it's >> for the same park. >> Yeah. But for the resiliency for the for
the water or for just the park >> to um support the park and and this project does as well. It's all together. >> Okay. It's I guess a bit of semantics but um Okay. I'll go to the board. Mark, do you have any questions? >> Yeah. First of all, thank you for the
work that you do. um it often goes unnoticed. Um but your meetings are long, they're very spirited and uh you really roll up the sleeves and um you do a wonderful job. So thank you for all your hard work. Um
um with respect to the housing, I I serve on the affordable housing trust >> and our town administrator is the chairman of the trust and I want to thank you for your support for the housing articles. We're trying to be incredibly creative
>> in terms of how we can people help people with housing. So, we're doing a number of what I would say unique uh things with our housing funds. I'm a big supporter of housing rehab and helping people as they age in place also have
access to funds to make modifications to their homes or or make improvements to their homes so they can stay in their homes. As you know, we have a fairly large elderly population in the community and so for many people it's just difficult keeping up and so being
able to provide this service I think is incredibly important for the town. So I very much appreciate your support for that and and the in in the other initiatives that we have for housing. Um, when it comes to vote, I just want
you to know I'm going to abstain from the um, Friends of Bass River project because I'm on the other end of it providing federal funds for that project. As you know, the town of Yarmouth stands to gain significant
amount of federal funding for some of these wetlands restorations initiatives. And usually I'm on the other end shaking down the federal money tree uh, for you. So, um, I just want you to understand the reason why I'll abstain from that vote when it comes time to vote.
So, that's all I have, Madam Chair. >> Well, I have to say thank you as well for the hard work that you do and having served myself on that committee for a number of years, I know just how hard it is. Can't believe you're the longest running now. I can remember when we welcomed you.
It's uh there are so many projects, so many amazing projects in Yarmouth that would not have been completed if it were not for the work that you do. And um I know Gary was always very very vocal about wanting to make sure
that there were signs present on all of the different items to show to the town just how much community preservation has made a difference. And this is just showing once again uh the the tremendous difference that you make in town and
thank you to you and the committee and all the hard work. I really appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Joyce, well, thank you for what you do. I think many people in town don't realize how many different areas your committee touches. Uh and I think you've
done a good job just even tonight suggesting your different directions. Um, in terms of recreational use of packet landing, I think the best used might might be of that lawn that slopes down. Um, for people to bring a picnic lunch and just look at the water. I
mean, it's also fun to go down and and take a look at the uh the fish as they're getting unloaded, which is, you know, quite a process. But it's obviously not just for Boers. It's it's a beautiful place where one can just perch and and think and it's I I'm you
know in South Yarm with myself. It's a quiet place. So I mean that can be hard to find in summer. So thank you Judy. Thank you Paul. Um we rely on your good work and the good things that you've saved for us all over town.
>> Thank you. and I'll echo the board's commendations and thanks and see you at town meeting where I know everything will be passed with flying colors. >> Thank you. >> Well, I just want to say my comments aren't of uh because I don't think the
project's a wonderful project. I I I think it's a wonderful project. I just want to make sure that we are >> meeting the >> I'll talk to Megan this week and I have a meeting with her tomorrow. So, >> perfect. And uh I also need to abstain from um article 28 due to a a
workrelated issue. So >> Okay. >> All right. So does anybody want to make a motion to >> make a motion that we um approve the community preservation act warrant articles uh as presented? >> Can you take them separately, please? >> Yeah. >> Um
>> article 25. >> We have to because I have to abstain from one and Mark has to >> list. Okay. So somebody want to move. Somebody want to move to approve article 25 or or recommend article 25? >> I can recommend article 25. >> It starts with 24. >> I think we should start with 24.
>> 24 estimated revenues. >> Oh yeah. Housekeeping one. We always >> recommend article 24. >> Second. >> Any discussion on that? All those in favor? >> I move that we recommend article 25. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I
>> I move that we recommend >> Wait a minute. Yeah. Okay, that one's good. Go ahead. >> Article 26. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I abstain. >> Okay. >> Article I move that we approve we uh
recommend article 27. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Just >> that's Madam Chair. Just a just a correction. Yeah. I I'm I'm voting in favor of number 26. >> I'm going to abstain on 27. >> Okay. All those in favor of article 27.
>> I I >> oppose abstain. One, >> article 28. >> I recommend we approve article 28. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I I abstain. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
>> Thank you very much for all of your hard work. >> Well, we have also just as uh we have our public hearing tomorrow um at 3:00 in this room. Um it's open to the public. We'll be going over the CPC plan that the committee has worked very diligently on to plan for the next year.
Um, answer any questions. If anybody has proposals that they want to bring forth for the for next fall for us to review, now's the time we can look at it. So, it's tomorrow is the public hearing here at 3:00 >> and it's it will be televised. Yep. >> Going forward. So the article going
forward all these are done and then in the fall the applications will open up soon for the fall um through early September and then our committee will start meeting every week going through and having the um people that want to present come in each week and then we vote on them
>> great present forward. Thank you. >> I just want to add one thing. You mentioned Gary Ellis and uh certainly is a wonderful um contributor to those meetings, but be assured Gary is at every meeting because anytime somebody says, "Well, what would Gary do if that
happened?" >> That's great. >> Thank you very much. We are going to move on to our 650 hearing. Uh transfer of alcohol license and Wednesday uh weekday and Sunday entertainment license from Kalamari Inc.
DBA Parma Italian table to KG Kai LLC DBA Jackland's on 28 Kevin Kofan manager 175 Route 28 West Jarmath. And with that, I will read the hearing notice
into the into the record. While >> this was on our on our desk forward. >> Oh, okay. Thank you. The Yarma Select Board acting as a local licensing authority has received an application for a transfer of the all
alcohol on premise restaurant liquor license located at 175 Route 28 West Jarmath, Mass 02673. The license being transferred from Kalamari Inc. DBA to Parma Italian Table to KG Kai LLC DBA
Jaclyn's on 28. The new manager will be Kevin Coffrron. The applicant is also seeking a weekday and Sunday entertainment license for indoors with recorded and live music by a DJ or live band with up to three
musicians using an amplification system appropriate for dinner music. Hours of the entertainment will be Monday through Saturday from 4 to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 9:00 p.m. The hearing will be held Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 at
Yarmouth Town Hall, 11:46 Route 28 South Yarmouth, Mass. The Select Board meeting begins at 7 p.m. Written comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3rd, 2026. And the select board office to town hall or can be submitted electronically to public comment at
yarmath.mma. us and verbal comments will be accepted at the hearing. We have um all of your application and information. If you would like to introduce yourself for the record and um talk a little bit about what you're requesting tonight, that would be great.
>> My name is Kevin Coffin. >> Okay. My name is Jeff Engel. How you doing? >> Good. How are you? >> Uh excited about it. Um you have anything you want to start with there? You're the public speaker. >> All right. Well, we have your application for what you've requested.
Um, you >> basically what we're looking to do is bring a whole different realm of restaurant to the area as far as our backgrounds, that kind of thing. We're more I'm from the Rhode Island area
originally, so I'm going to have some fun with that. Um, the chowder, you know, it's not the typical stuff. Miss Amy knows some of our background. A little bit. A little bit. Not much. >> A little bit. >> A little bit. Well, with brillows and
all that, but >> um, so, you know, it's basically family recipes from scratch. She'll be smacking me if I get them wrong. >> This is Jack one, by the way. >> I named the restaurant after my mother. So,
>> I'm gonna have a good time with it. I'm trying to get staffing involved. So, I'm in the front a lot, uh, developing the customer service end as well as watching the recipes in the back, that kind of thing. I have OCD, so uh, I take it very seriously.
>> Have you ever held a liquor license before? >> Unfortunately, yes. >> Can you give give us a little bit about your experience? >> I did. I had it for about four years out there, >> so it was it was a fun time out there. uh sold those restaurants and came back to New England to spend time with the
family and all. >> Are you tips trained, sir? >> Going to be I'll be setting that up very soon. >> Okay. Well, we >> the entire staff actually is getting tip certified. >> Okay. >> That's that's mandatory that you hold your tips. >> Actually, I had Norton, too. That
reminds me. I forget about Norton. >> You had what? >> I had a license in Norton, Massachusetts, as well. >> Okay. And I see you met with um you met with uh Detective Renzy and um went over our rules and regulations and I assume that you understand our rules and
regulations and we uh take our liquor licenses very serious in this town. >> Sure. Yeah. >> Um so I'm glad you're going to have fun, but we're not going to have too much fun with it. >> Well, responsibility, you know. >> Yes. Um, so in terms of the uh seating
numbers, I I there's some staff that have made comments um in the packet about just go through it. >> Building inspector. >> Yeah, the building uh made comments about the number of seats. Here we go.
for the building department. The floor plan appears to indicate that there are clear aisles, which is good. Box checked in number two, music section does not match the detailed description provided in writing. Written description states that there will be a threeperson uh
acoustic dinner music, but check boxes indicate there'll be a DJ in amplified system. Section uh 780 CMR is very clear on the standards. A certain number of criteria must be met. Um, so
I'm sure you have all the all of these packets and and the the uh 7 780 CMR that relates to um >> about uh >> no D there won't be any dancing. Okay.
>> Yeah. And the DJ I don't know. It was a weird situation with that because it came up in conversation because I already have somebody trying to book a 28 a party of 28 and it's for a shower or something like that. So they wanted to have a DJ come in for that. It would be something similar to something like that. There would be no dancing at all
for that. It was background drop as far as that goes. >> Okay. And your music will be interior withheld within in the building. But we can we can take it one we can take we'll take it one at a time. We'll talk about the liquor license transfer first. I just wanted to make sure that you had read those comments and the all the
comments from staff had been addressed. >> Okay. >> Chair, can I ask Amy why we had the >> on our table? >> So the um packet on your table that was additional has some um in in light of the comments from the building
department had some changes that were made on the weekday and Sunday entertainment >> and now it matches. >> Mr. angle um took off the or he actually checked the clearly defined aisles as a result of Mr. Grill's comments and he
also um what was the other one? >> It was a sprinkler. >> Oh yes. Um up top he had he had checked up know that there was not a fire protection system but after speaking with uh the building department he knew
that there is a fire alarm system. So, he changed the no to a yes. >> The confusion on that for me was I thought it was actually a sprinkler until I looked up. I'm like, "No, those aren't in there." >> And then the other um items are the certificates of liability insurance for
both liquor liability and the workers comp insurance. >> Thank you. >> And we will be sure and get all of the tip certifications on file before the license is released. >> Okay. That will be part of our that will be part of our motion. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, is there anybody from the
public that would like to speak for or against this application? Okay, seeing none, is there anybody on the board that has any questions or comments um specific to the transfer of the liquor?
>> Okay, we would take a motion to to close the Well, we'll leave it We'll leave it open because we're still going to deal with the rest of it. Do we want to take it in whole with all the licenses or do we want to vote on the transfer of the liquor and then the entertainment separate or
>> change? Maybe we should just do them separate. >> Is there a motion to approve the transfer of the liquor license? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion on that? All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Okay. Now, now let's let's talk about
the entertainment license. Um, there's a there's also a description in here about where you plan to your your seating tables. Can you talk about the um
your where you're going to place your music or how it's going to be how it's going to how it's going to be? Well, the biggest thing is just making sure that the sound um stays indoors. I know you have a front porch, so to speak, there. Um, but this application for
entertainment is for indoors only, >> correct? So, >> there's no speaker use outside. >> Okay. Um, >> fact, I took the ones that were there down already. Some already installed outside, which I did remove. >> Madam Chair, I'm sorry because I think I
I may have rushed you. Did you want to have a condition on the liquor license that they get the tip certification? >> I think that was part of the motion. Or was it? >> We're gonna hold it. Yeah, we're going to hold it until they have everything. Y >> that's a required rate. There's that's
no ifs of us. We're doing that. >> I have to update my own as well. >> So, does anybody from the board have any questions on the entertainment? Is there anybody from the public who would like to speak for or against the entertainment uh request on this license?
I just have madam to just so Mark is all is all set then with what has been submitted >> yes the building inspector. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yes. I did send him the updated um the changed application with the insurance
certificates. So um >> he did speak about it to me. >> Did you speak to >> I was on the phone for a good half an hour. >> Yeah. So then does he submit something that to you in writing that's now going to say since what we have has some questions?
>> He will have a c what's called a certificate of inspection when he goes to the restaurant when it's ready. He will go over everything again at that time for the entertainment. The um area where the entertainment is taking place
will be pointed out. Those chairs and seats will all be arranged. Yeah, those are being moved. I think it's 33 on the diagram. I don't have it in front of me. I'm sorry. >> Um >> on the file wall, table 33. Is it a little square in the middle? >> Can I get up and show you?
>> Uh >> yes, that's fine. If you want to show us where >> I just wanted to show you know where it is. >> So Mark will have a >> table here >> in the corner. >> No, right here. This one's being removed. Okay, that one's coming out and
that's where >> that's where the stage is going to be set. >> Okay, as well static guard >> stage >> is the equipment. I don't trust it. >> Okay. All right. And you're not increasing the number of seats that
>> we're actually taking that away. >> Okay, good. >> As soon as it's off the floor, >> so it's less. >> I have a question. >> We'll get right to you. Um All right. If I can just finish what I was saying, the certificate of inspection will indicate both uh the
building commissioner and the fire inspector's certification that everything is in order and that um the c the code is met. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Anybody else have any questions? Is it
Harris? If you'd like, you have to go to the microphone, sir. I'm sorry, but the people at home can't hear you. >> Can I just grab one of these? >> Yeah, come on over. >> One of those ones. Hang on. Just in general, when the um when an entertainment license is granted, are there limitations on noise levels?
>> Well, the the rule of thumb is that it needs to be contained within the building. So, if when we're talking about outdoor entertainment, we've we've had there's there's really no um way to manage the decibb so to speak. We try to
um listen to the neighbors as we did recently on an outdoor entertainment and try to limit it to, you know, limit the amplification and and make sure that um it's cohesive between neighbors and the business. In this case, it's an indoor entertainment license. We have several
of them in town. And um you know, just very much like our liquor license, we take them very serious. So if neighbors call and complain that they're being disruptive and the police find that you're violating the noise bylaw, then you know that'd be a violation of your license and you'd have to come back, you
know, you you'd have to come in for a hearing. So >> it's really um there's no there's no like decibel type of number as you know, Harris, we've you know, you've we've talked about this before with motorcycles, right? or like uh
drive-th through windows and the microphones there. You know, sometimes it's disruptive to to neighbors for outside noise, but this is is to be contained in in the building, so it shouldn't be an issue. >> Okay, good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Just so you know, too, the entertaining that we're doing is like honestly
they're going to be probably a oneman show, if you will, with their keyboard. You know, we have somebody doing Sinatra, like a Sammy Davis Jr. lookalike coming. You know, there's like a whole bunch of different things coming in. It's not anything that's going to be over the top. >> It's dinner music.
>> Great. >> Great. >> It's gonna be a fun time. >> Is there anybody else in the public has any questions or comments? Okay. I'll take a motion from the board to close the public hearing. >> Make a motion to close the public hearing. >> Second. >> Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Passes unanimously. Does anybody want to make a motion?
>> Make a motion that we approve um the entertainment license for both weekday and Sunday. Second as presented. Okay. >> As presented. >> All right. Any discussion on that? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? The passes unanimously. We welcome you to Yarmouth.
>> We're excited. >> We wish you um the most success. I hope you um take your responsibilities serious and um have no issues. >> I think we'll we'll bang it out of the park. >> I like it.
>> When can we expect a menu? I have a ripoff of one ring. >> Really? >> Don't hold me to the >> No, I wouldn't >> because I'm still moving stuff around a little bit. So, I made copies for everybody. >> Oh, thank you. Well, we look >> Do not post it on Facebook. >> We look forward to it. We won't. But,
uh, keep us posted and uh, >> give you an idea. It's not exactly. >> Thank you, >> but good. And I think if if it's mentioned that it's a restaurant named for the owner's
mother, I mean, every woman will get there at some point. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. We look forward to giving it a try and we wish you the most success, sir. >> All set. Thank you very much. And make sure you get your tips training to Amy
as soon as you can. And >> may I say, Madame Chair, that Jacqueline was one of my first employers when I was a waitress at Papa Brillo. So >> that's when her son came in and and um
>> it was 80s. >> Wow. >> Couldn't have been a young child. Then I had to show her my ID to get to get a job. >> West War North. >> Now I know you're from Rhode Island.
>> You know what I told you? I said, "Now you tell me." >> I got Penny Marshall in my family. I got the nanny. >> You have no idea. >> Good luck. She the best of luck.
>> Good luck. Thank you. Okay. Next on our agenda, we have a transfer of alcohol license for 908 Beastro, Inc. >> DBA 908 908 Beastro to Spice Boss Restaurant and Grill, Inc. DBA Spice Boss. Grantly Edward Macintosh, manager
908 Route 28. Now, I'm going to read the uh hearing notice into the record. The Yarma Select Board acting as the local licensing author licensing authority has received an application for a transfer of an annual all alcohol on premise restaurant liquor license located at 908
Route 28 South Yarmouth Masso 2664. The license is being transferred from 908 Beastro Inc. DBA 908 Beastro to Spice Boss Restaurant and Grill Inc. DBA Spice Boss. The new manager will be Grantly Edward Macintosh.
The hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at Yarmouth Town Hall, 11:46 Route 28 South Yarmouth, Mass. The Select Board meeting begins at 6 p.m. Written comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 3rd, 2026 in the Select Board office. The town haller could be submitted electronically to
public comments at yarmath.mma. us and verbal comments will be accepted at the meeting. With that, good evening, gentlemen. if you'd like to introduce yourself uh for the record and give us an idea of what you're uh requesting in your application this evening. >> My name is Gran Mintosh. I'm Ryan Lynn
uh council for Mr. Mintosh. >> Great. Welcome. Um I see everything in here is in order. I know you have worked with Amy, you have worked with um Detective Renzy to go over um our rules
and regulations. Um, you want to just talk briefly about your application? >> The restaurant um is a familyfriendly concept. We're asking for the liquor
license. It's not pro a bar but and um dining experience where someone can come in, eat, have a drink and we tend to close at 11:30. Reason if we go beyond
that would be like for events like birthdays, family reunion and all of that. All our staff will be fully trained in proper alcohol procedure bartenders servers will be fully tip
certified. >> Are you tip certified Mr. G? >> Yes ma'am. >> Okay, perfect. >> Managers and all the managers already tip certified also. >> Okay, great. Will you just make sure that um the town has copies of your your tips training before? Okay, perfect.
>> Thank you, Ryan. >> And um have you held out liquor license before? >> This is the first one. >> This is the first one. Okay. And again, I know that you have met with um Mr. Renzy and you've gone over our our rules and regulations and what our
expectations are of you as a as a license holder. Correct. Okay. >> Right. Does anybody on the board have any questions? >> No. Sounds good. >> I live in South Yarmouth and I'd love to know what kind of spicy food we're speaking of.
>> It's not processed spicy as in hot. What is seasoned spice? >> Ah, flavorful. Okay. >> Flavorful. >> Thank you. >> All right. Is there anybody in the public that would like to speak for or against the application? Mr. Nanelloo.
Yeah. Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, you know, life is all about opportunities and Grantley has an opportunity here in our town to to make a difference. And, uh, being in the restaurant business myself before, I have never met a person that does not eat. >> It's funny that you say that. When
somebody says to me, "Hey, let's have dinner." I say to them, you know what's weird? I eat every night. We can do that. All right. Hearing, uh, there's nobody from the public that wants to make any comment. Take a motion to close the public portion of the hearing. Please move. >> Second.
>> Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor? >> I. And is the board have any other comments or questions or would like to make a motion? >> Just best wishes to you. >> Thank you very much. >> I move that we approve the uh transfer of the alcohol license from 908 Beastro
Incorporation to uh be to Spice Boss Restaurant and Grill Incorporated. >> Second. Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor? >> I oppose. Pass unanimously. >> You don't happen to have a menu with you, do you?
>> They do. It's kind of hesitially prepared. Do you notice? >> I like it. >> I like it. >> It's wonderful. >> Wish you the best of luck in your business. Thank you.
>> Welcome to Yarmouth. All right. Thank you. >> Oh, you can. I think he already gave it to Amy. You're all set, Ryan. Thank you very much. >> Yep. >> Good job. >> I do have it already. >> Take one. Pass it down, I think. Oh, no. That's just It's just one, right?
>> Yeah, it's one. >> Oh, okay. >> Well, you've been approved and we wish you the best of luck. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. >> Good stuff. Try plantain. have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to reach out to the police department and work with them. Okay. All right. Great.
Thank you very much. >> Good job. >> Good evening again, Megan. >> How are you? >> Good. How are you all >> looking at the menu? So, shrimp and corn chowder. >> Yeah, >> I love shrimp and corn chowder.
Good thing I ate before the meeting. Usually I eat after and this would just make me more hungry. So, all right. Good evening. I'm going to read the hearing notice into the record to open the public hearing. The Arma Select Board acting as a local licensing authority has received an application for a special entertainment license from Megan
Eldridge, director of community development for the grand opening and coastal resiliency fair at Parker's River Landing located at 669 Route 28 West Jarmath 2673. The free event will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 from
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and open to the public. There will be amplification and recorded music for entertainment by a DJ SLMC and attent with a small stage for invited speakers to address attendee address attendees. I'm sorry.
The hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 in the Yarmouth Town Hall, 11:46 Route 28 South Yarmouth. The Select Board meeting begins at 6 PM. Written comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3rd in the Select Board office at town hall or can
be submitted electronically to public comment at yarmath.mma. us and verbal comments will be accepted at the hearing. So, thank you very much for that. With that, the hearing is open. if you want to introduce herself and talk a little bit about what your request is, that would be wonderful. >> Sure. My name is Megan Eldridge. I'm the
director of community development and we are here for the long awaited Parker Riverlanding grand opening. This was initiated by uh Amanda Lima, our our town engineer. She has let us know that the park will be completed by the end of
this month. Uh we're hoping April 24th to have Robert Hour be able to pull out um of the park and we have a second as the grand opening date and it will be a coastal resiliency fair as well. Um the
park was really built based on coastal resiliency and we will have demonstrators there to really hammer hammer the point home of how this property was built with coastal resil resiliency in mind. So, we have
scheduled a DJ SLMC who will um have amplified speakers to announce the people that are coming up on board to speak and then play some music in between. Um, we are hoping for a 10:30
start for a ribbon cutting ceremony, which will have about an hour's worth of speeches and introductions and and acknowledgements of all of the hard work that everyone put into this over the last I want to say decade. Um, and to
highlight the grants and funding sources that came through to really make this happen. So, the entertainment license is just for amplified sound music between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3 pm. The event itself will
have touch a truck, food trucks, um a guided tour of the Upweller area. Um also, Americanore volunteers will be there to show people around the boardwalk and give some educational information about what they're looking
at. and um tell them all about the interpretive signs that are along the boardwalk as well. We will also be utilizing the vendor spaces that are that were created at the park. Um we
have some crafters and umformational vendors that will be putting up their little tents and tables and and utilizing those spots. Um there'll be a face painter and um yard games and lots of fun for the kids,
too. So, we're hoping for a really wonderful weather day, but it is rain or shine. We don't have a rain date. Um and all the thanks go to everyone who's gone into planning for this. >> Wonderful. We had a uh sneak peek at the
beautiful uh park and boardwalk and um it's going to be an amazing event. Um everything here is in order. Is there anybody from the public that would like to speak either for or against this application?
>> And I know it's cutting it close, but they they said the April 24th, so we're hoping to hold them to that. the the rest the restrooms may still have a little work needed on that. I know. >> Um but we will have portable restrooms there for the day. >> Will you still be able to have the food
trucks then? >> Yes, the water's on. Everything still works. >> The water's running. >> Yes, the water's running. >> That's a good question. I thought that too. That's cutting it close, but uh we're hopeful. That's They're not going to have much of an option. The date's the date. We're doing
it. >> Parking. um parking for this event. We are not quite sure that the the grass is ready for all of the cars. Um the the touch of trucks will be on it. Um and there there's about 80 parking spaces
within the park itself in the parking lot, but we will have a shuttle from Seagull Beach. So, if you're if you're passing by and it looks like it's full, please go to Seagull Beach and there is a a shuttle running throughout the entire event. You should have a boat.
>> It' be faster. >> Well, we can ask Harvard >> original the original >> Chief Frederickson his original plan for the boardwalk was to connect it to >> Madam Chair. I just mentioned for transportation that since the park is
right on route 28, our main route um there's hourly uh bus service from Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority. Um it's the H2O, the Hyenas to Orleans >> and I' I've taken it numerous times, very easy.
>> And did I mention it's free? >> Y >> anybody um do we want to take a motion to close the public portion of the hearing? So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion on that motion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Passes unanimously. Is uh
Mark, you have any questions? >> I don't. Thank you. >> I don't either. Looking forward to it. It's going to be quite the day. >> Let's hope mother nature complies. >> Joyce, do you have any questions? >> Well, you know, we live on Cape Cod. We all have rain gear. If it rains, we'll
go. >> There will be a tent. A a small tent. >> Oh, good. Good. >> You have any questions? I just wanted to remind you that and I don't know whose domain this will be probably Jeff's office but to see about that metering of
um independent meter so that you can throw the charge back at the um the the users of the park and monitor the electric use and charge them. But no, I'm excited. Very excited. I got my my
boardwalk plaque and uh I'm ready to to to go. Will the kayak area be open as well? >> Yes. >> Okay. Now that's >> So we can arrive by kayak. See see we can't come by boat. >> Fantastic. >> Be careful the water's cool. >> Madam chair, one thing I forgot I I
noticed in here that the boy the uh Cub Scouts have uh volunteered to do the cleanup. So congratulations to the Cub Scouts and thank you. >> Wonderful. Is there a motion? Yes. I I move that we approve the special entertainment license for our very own
coastal resiliency fair at the Parker Riverlanding grand opening. >> Second. >> Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Thank you very much for uh taking the lead on that and getting it uh to the finish line. You came to our
community at such a wonderful exciting time of so many great things and that is just one of them. So, uh, Kathy, um, >> you know, there's no shortage of kudos to Kathy for everything that she's done to >> to get us there. >> We're making her speak, so she's
thrilled. >> All right. You're um, you're here for our next I see Jeff is also here. Um, a discussion for event policy in Parker's River Landing. So, and I know you've worked hard on uh getting this document
uh also uh up and and going. We had a preview a little while back and you went back and you honed it a little bit. So, I'd love to hear some of the changes that you've made since you were here last and talk about talk about it. Um so after the
last meeting on the 24th of March I took the policy back and conferred with administration and other staff members to incorporate the changes that we talked about during that meeting. Um one of the
the background part is new that is a new part to the policy. Uh there was comments that we should reference some history on the parcel and article 97. So that back background part part is new.
Um and it talks about how we acquired the property and the history of the property. We also included um municipal event definition as we
shortened that definition. So it is an occasion or activity organized and conducted by the town of Yarmouth period. Um a privately organized event that is sponsored by the town of Yarmouth is not considered a municipal event. So something like the wall that
heals that is coming to town in September is sponsored by the tourism revenue preservation fund. So they've received funds um but it is not a municipal event. So they would be subject to most of these these policies here
>> and that will be that is where that's going to be taking place. Um, other things to note are um in the applicability section is something brand new that talks about limiting the number
of events per month and hours of events that will have amplified sound. This was really in response to the concern about the neighbors and the sound study. These are suggestions that I felt
fit this parcel, this pro this property. Um, so in here we have events are limited to a maximum of three consecutive days excluding setup and breakdown. Events requiring an entertainment license for the use of amplified music are limited to the hours
of 10:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. with strict adherence to the noise bylaw. And the number of events with entertainment extending beyond 8 pm is limited to two per month with a minimum of two of two weeks between 14 days in between. Um we
I we did that because we felt that was um a compromise between economic development and promoting the place as a a destination as well as giving a a diversified event space for passive recreation.
people can go and use the park for a picnic or bring a soccer ball and just enjoy the space without having to um have it be always booked with an event. Um other things we hone down are
um the application process. So they we're proposing an application process where the community development director or economic development program manager would do an initial run through of an
application and then um the event sponsor would apply for it and go forward with a site plan review type of situation um where all of the pertinent departments would get together and review the application. and the site
plan and determine any extra uh requirements that might be needed for it like a traffic management plan, a sound mitigation plan, um making sure they're recycling and
um getting all of the permits they need for what they're proposing. And then after that initial site review, we would develop a license agreement. And in your packet is a is a template license agreement and it has been
reviewed by council. They've tweaked one small area that didn't get into your packet, but it it references um the different agreement requirements. Um so from there
we would um book events. Other changes? Really weren't any other big changes in the policy. Just some formatting and having it look a little easier to read. Great. Well, you've come a long way and
in terms of applicability, um I appreciate your uh thought and consideration going into that. Um I think it's a good place to start. um it might be a little bit too restrictive, but I think it will get us off the ground. It's um you know, get the
neighbors comfortable with the space perhaps and you know, we can always look at the policy again if it's not um you know, if if there's something that you see that you feel is um you know,
pertinent and and important for us and we don't want to miss it. I I would hope that you would come back to us to consider um a change to the policy um at least to try it, but um you know twice a month might be a little bit restrictive,
but um >> and that's for events that go beyond 8:00m. Um so I I don't see any restriction for daytime activities or >> That's great. >> Um every weekend something happening there. It's just those evening hours I
think can be disruptive. >> I agree and I think that this is um it's a it's a great happy medium that where I think the town can be successful and the neighbors can um have peace as well. So I think it's wonderful. Does anybody from the board have any comments? Liz,
>> um I'm um wondering if there should be designated um and maybe this is a question for Jeff, a smoking area. But what's the policy going to be on cigarettes and >> we don't have there's no smoking usually on town >> property right
>> I think it's smoking >> probably should be specified >> or it could I mean it would be out of maybe it's something that most people >> we have a policy already on parks >> I don't know if this would fit into it I I think we should look at that >> we can certainly make sure that event
sponsors are aware of it >> yeah I think it should be um known okay uh I also So, silly question. I've never seen the word indemnification. >> It's indemnification. >> I know. I think it's a typo.
>> Well, I had indemnification and then legal counsel. >> No kidding. I spent about a half an hour trying to find it today. Um, and there is no demnification in the >> demnify. Demnify. >> No, he and the title is the the section
title is demnification. I'll be demnified if I can find any rate. Um I also was a little curious in your letter which I appreciated. The event space lays itself to large scale events drawing in excess of 350 people.
Um requests for events that anticipate less than 350 people should be directed to other town properties. I wonder like where because this is if we're talking less than 350 people, they would also need m if they are having music and they
need bathrooms. Where would we direct them? >> Well, I actually had a an inquiry just yesterday from uh senior the senior softball league who have their event, their annual picnic at the Laruso building. Um and they said, "We can't
wait to have our event at Parker's River Landing." And I said, "Okay, well, this might um come up tonight." Um, we have the Laruso space with the picnic tables and Flax Pond. We have Sandy Pond, which
you you could utilize some space there. We have Homer Park, Peter Homer, >> and they all have bathrooms. >> And you can have music there. >> Um, I'm sure you could ask for music. >> They've had entertainment license at Homer Park before. We used to do we used
to do uh we used to do uh movie nights there and >> Gotcha. >> Good. Smuggler's Beach. >> Yes, Muggler's Beach. >> Muggler's Beach. If it's offse Yeah. Beach Park. >> And my last um note, which I think is part of the consideration is the resting
the field. We were educated about that when we had the engineers here >> a couple of weeks ago, couple months ago. >> And so probably that needs to be incorporated into the schedule too. >> Sure. >> Thank you. That's my questions.
>> Joyce, thank you. Do I really look forward to this? Good weather wishes. >> Yeah, >> Dorcas. >> Thank you. I can see a lot of hard work went into it. Now I've learned a new word, demnification. >> Thank you, >> Mark. >> Hi. Thank you. Um, and thanks for the
work on this. Um, with respect to revenues that we might generate there, what what do we anticipate that we might be able to generate for revenues? So, in your packet, there's a proposed license um fee schedule. And if we're looking at
one a weekend um for the season, if if we look at it that way, $2,000 or $1,500 average over 10 weeks, $15,000 um in a season
is what we may be able to expect. >> Okay. And do we have an idea of what it might cost us to um >> I believe >> therefore and >> we will have to talk to the next speaker on >> I think Jeff's going to talk about that.
>> Yeah. I think what what I'm interested in is that, you know, I think the town's doing a great job in providing more and more public space and we're we're not just improving parks, we're creating parks and then uh we're heavily engaged
in environmental restoration uh particularly through the efforts of the friends of Bass River and um my concern is um the growing demands on our municipality for the upkeep and care of all the facilities and making sure that
we provide our DPW and parks personnel with sufficient resources uh to keep up with it. And I know that's going to be part of the next discussion, but it's it's it's very relevant to this. I think there's been an expectation that um we're going to be able to generate some
revenue so that we can offset the expenses. And I think this is something that we just have to be prepared as a board and as a municipality to keep revisiting uh on a pretty regular basis. And that that'll be part of the theme I think for the next discussion as well because um
I think our parks our our DPW they do a good job. I I'm just worried about it's a there's a lot of work >> and uh the demands are growing and uh my hope is is that we can keep up and to the extent that we can generate revenues
that we can apply to the upkeep and provide to and make it such that the DPW can have access to these resources I think um is is incredibly important. So, um I think the revenue side that picture
that you laid out is is pretty modest, but it's probably conservative >> and and my hope is is that we continue to look at ways where there might be opportunities to provide public benefits where we might be able to generate more revenue or more opportunities for
revenue. So, I just think that has to be a mindset for the management of it. Um, if people want to get use of the facility, who do they call? Who do they contact? >> Community development. >> They contact the community development office
>> for Parker's Riverlanding. Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> So, this is is this a is this a new part of your job description? Have we folded this in >> description? One thing that Bob had brought up which I think is a great idea is to do in the January February time
period put out a application period a deadline for for use of the park and then then we will know what we can expect for the whole year um and how much revenue we would expect, how much
interest there was. Um, but then that would kind of shut down those inquiries after that that application period closed. >> I think that's a smart thing to do. I think that's a great idea. Um, I do I I I am concerned about the amount of time
that it's going to put on you. Um, I go back to the days when we were dealing with this site during CO and we had parties interested in using it. >> And at times it was almost like a full-time job.
>> All right. And I I'll be the first one to go on the record. I don't want our community development director all of a sudden finding herself in the midst of another full-time job. This is clearly something that um we're diving into. uh with a lot of unknowns and this is
the other unknown is um I want to see us be very focused on the revenue side and see where we have opportunities to at least cover as much as we can our costs but on the other hand I'm very concerned about staffing and uh being the point
person for you know we we obviously want these facilities to be utilized but we also need to be cognizant of how best to you know manage them and and interact with organizations. There was there was a time not too long ago where we
actually thought about contracting out >> uh that. So has that g been given any more consideration? >> I have considered that and there was a legal opinion that said we could have a license agreement with one venue with one
vendor who could then manage the park for a season at a time and that wouldn't be considered exclusive use. um the vendor would have to adhere to the policy where they they weren't having the same
activities over and over again or using it for more than three days at a time for each event that they book. But um putting out an RFP for an event manager wouldn't be a bad idea. um they could ma
they could maintain all of the the bookings and the scheduling of the the >> So you've given some thought to that. >> A little thought. Yeah. I I'd like to see how season one goes >> um first. >> First. >> Yeah, me too.
>> But I think I I do think that this is something that we need to keep, you know, on the shelf and keep fresh as a possibility. Again, I'm very concerned about uh the demands on you as uh as our community development director and the demands on your time. I've seen the
demands on other staff and it's at times it's been pretty intensive. Some might even say excessive. So, um I think that's the other thing that we just need to keep an eye on. So, thanks. Thanks. Thanks for your answers. >> Well, I'll set thank you.
>> Okay. Um thank you very much. Um, I think this is going to be a great resource and I hope it doesn't become two full-time jobs. I'm glad Mark is looking out for you. >> I already spoke. Thank you. >> Yeah, I I think um I like the idea of
keeping it uh amongst ourselves for the first year to see. Uh eventually you would like it to be self- sustaining where you could um at least maybe hire or contract somebody to help in your
office to to manage it. I get a little nervous when we put out an RFP and we kind of lose control of that um because not knowing what you know what it is. I I I would love to see a diverse
um you know application process of kids events and who knows winter events if frog pond maybe ice skating who knows. I mean, it would be great if we could um again, I know our tourism revenue
preservation fund has a lot to do with the shoulder seasons, but you know, to really see events in September and October and and the fringe the fringes as well is just um the summer uh you know, I'd love to see food trucks and
all the things that we thought of, not just the the music as as we had before. So, uh, I'm excited for this. Um, I'm excited to talk to to to Jeff about fees and I think a lot of the, you know,
I think, you know, if we can, now that we have electricity and water, I think it changes the whole dynamics of of options there. Um and then you know we have to consider you know some of the nonprofits like the wall that heals and
how how that you know is going to bring a lot of people to our town and how you know charging h how you manage nonprofits as opposed to to profit corporations is um maybe something else that we need to consider as well as the
consideration you put forward with municipal um you know at the same time we need to cover our costs. It's always a thing. We've had waiver fee waivers here before. Um, but a lot of these events are labor intensive and it takes, you know, we need to at least cover the
costs of what our employees time costs the taxpayers. So, anyway, I'm excited. Um, is there anybody wants to make a motion on our policy and agreement? Um, >> it says fee schedule in here, but I
don't it's not on here. So let's let's >> it's here. It's here, but we haven't discussed it yet. So So let's leave that off. But is there anybody who wants to make a motion on the event space policy and the license agreement? >> I would like to make a motion that we
approve the event policy and the license agreement for Parker's River Landing. >> Second. >> Any discussion on that motion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Passes unanimous. And we now we will talk about the fees. Um, but
again, I think it's I think it's very important to to have flexibility with this as we're learning as we go along. I just hope that, like I said, if you see things that aren't allowed or things that need to be changed that maybe we need to to look at that, you know, that
we are flexible and want this to be a document that, you know, may have we we may be amending it from time to time as we learn one way or the other, more restrictive or not. Um just just feel free to definitely reach
out so we all learn together as we move forward. >> Thank you. >> Oh, thank you. >> All right. Um so the uh I'm a little confused because the fee schedule's here, but then we have the parks maintenance and mission. So is the fee
schedule going to be part of your >> It it was I think it just got uploaded in a different order. Okay. Um it was part of my cover memo. Um, so you want to go through >> so in your packet you do have a draft
event space fee schedule and some research was done on this by our part-time economic development program manager while he was here and he reviewed many municipalities not just on the Cape
but across across the Commonwealth and the fees that were charged range enormously from $25 a day up to $4,000 a day. Um they were generally tied to tiers. So if you had less than 100 people, you paid this amount. If you had
between 100 and 300, you paid this much and 300 or more was considered a large event. Um I think that for simplicity this this first year we we should consider just a a one tier um split into
nonprofit and forprofit fee types. So on the fee schedule we are proposing an application fee non-refundable and a license fee which is the fee to use the park. Um, and it's per day
and it's there's two types. There's season and offseason, May May through October and um, November through April. And then we have what's called a reservation deposit. Um, that would be a deposit against your reserv against your
license fee. So, it would just reduce your overall amount by that much as same as a security deposit. Um, these fees are, I think, reasonable. Um, for a nonprofit, 900 a day during the on
season and 1,800 a day for a forprofit. Um, just thinking about the staff time that goes into reviewing the applications and getting all of those staff members together to to give input. And then after events happen, a
postevent inspection is going to be required by um staff. And right now DPW that's landing on DPW. Um so that is something that costs money. Um so keeping that in mind, um that's how
these fees were determined. >> Great. Um seeing as this is a new fee proposal, would we would have to advertise these? Yeah, that was the thought that we would advertise for the fees and adopt those. And I I just wanted to add as as well. Um I
particularly advocate having a fee published for the nonprofits. >> Um you know, there are a lot of costs associated with administering this program for nonprofits. There's a lot of costs to maintain in the park. And you
know, we we want to make it clear that we have a an advantage for the nonprofits and we uh we like to stimulate that kind of activity, but it's not free. >> That there's a cost to everything and we're bearing a lot of the costs. And so
it's the same thing with um everyone wants the town to sponsor its event and that way they do it for free and they still charge money and they make a lot of money but it goes you know to different things. It's not considered a profit because it's not a profitm
corporation but but I but I think it's clear if folks know that look if you have a nonprofit um you get a break but it but it's not free people know that upfront and I think that will help us. I agree. No, I I think that this structure is good. I just um
>> because of the way that the um >> we didn't put the fees on the agenda, I think we need to advertise them. Um you know, perhaps we can wave our second hearing on that because we've had this public discussion, but um yeah, I I'm I
think the fee schedule is again a good place to start to see. I I I like what you've done. And I do think that there is a cost. I think that's a lot of work even for the application. So, um I I like I like you know I like the thought of a rolling application also if there's
availability. >> Um but you know if you put a deadline for a January date where you can do an analysis and look at all of them. I think that that, you know, should be the first step and then potentially we think about um >> yeah, if if there's, you know, to get
get people who want it locked in and committed and if there's any availability, maybe you can take that on a rolling on a rolling stock going forward. But, you know, it's going to be trial and error the first year. And I um I like the fee schedule you propose. I just think that we need to advertise it
as soon as possible and get locked in. Does anybody have any questions or comments on the >> um just that I thought the differentiation a few minutes ago between town municipal events and town sponsored was was very helpful.
>> You have anything Mark? >> No. >> Well again thank you very much for your work. I mean for the public I think we can read these now just so that they know what we're looking at in case they have any comments or questions. Um the fees space uh schedule just this is just
for the Parker River Landing um an application for the use of town owned property would be for nonprofits $50 and for profit would be $100. A licensing fee from May to October uh for a nonprofit would be $900 a day
and for a forprofit $1,800 a day. a license fee from November to April, so in the off season essentially. Uh for nonprofits, it would be $450 per day and for profits would be $900 a day. Uh reservation deposit for both nonprofit
and profit would be a request of $100 and a security deposit for both nonprofit and profit would be $250. So, we'll get those advertised. We'll have a um we'll have a hearing where the public can make comments. If anybody has any comments, they can certainly submit
them. Um, and we'll go from there. >> I appreciate everything, Megan. >> Exciting. Anybody have anything else? Go, Megan. >> Great. We're getting close to the finish line. I'm >> running ahead of time. May I say I admire this.
>> This is wonderful. All right. Even a blind squirrel finds it, right? Okay. So, we have our management and maintenance of parks. Um, >> stay here. >> Yeah, stay here. >> Jeff is I see Jeff is here. So, he's
gonna help us through the next section. >> No, this is great. And the screen is is much better, too. >> It's been a big upgrade. >> Wow. >> All this technology. >> Wow. You don't even have to move. >> Don't they didn't have to get up.
>> This is This is like fat. So, did you say we have a new screen? >> No, he's connected to his computer over here. >> And the computer goes right to the screen. So, the you don't need that projector that was always malfunctioning. That's not even turned on. >> We are moving into uh like the 19th
century. >> We're coming right up there. >> We're going to go right around the moon. >> Yeah, imagine that. Before we start, I'd like to recognize Roby as our um manager of the dump on that classic day of
>> that will go down in infamy. >> The TF >> Great job, not only by you, but also all your staff. That was a tough day and you handled it beautifully. >> Day of the brush, Bob written for his support on that as well.
>> All right. Thank you very much. Jeff Colby, public works director, joined by Roby, White House assistant DPW director. And hopefully this can be a seamless transition into management and maintenance of parks. We've had a a robust discussion here about one of our newer facilities, which is very exciting
to have that online. And this does support the selectman goal of develop additional recreation facilities and sites. So, I think that's very exciting and powerful. Uh, one of the things I've learned through my uh, public administration classes is when a community can focus on those types of
things versus the other uh, priorities of police and fire and water and roads and start thinking about those recreation facilities. That says a lot about the community and the priorities and uh, so that's all great things that we're talking about here. >> What happens if you point it towards
this computer? >> I think I have to turn it on. >> There we go. That's why he's the chief. >> He knows. >> I just wanted to cover briefly the the parks uh mission just uh preserving and improving parks and resources and uh
quality of life yearround leisure time experiences uh all critical. A little bit about our parks division. We do have six full-time parks uh staff. Uh we did have a a recent retirement uh uh last week of our supervisor, which is uh
unfortunate because he was such a great resource and we're heading into the busy season, but uh it was uh time for him to to move on. It worked for his personal schedule. Uh we'll be looking to fill that position quickly because being down to five uh full-time parks staff people
as we head into the busy season is very challenging. Uh as the board probably knows, the uh parks division is one that flexes their schedule from a five day a week uh in the offseason to seven days a week. Uh so there is a period of time where there's only two or three uh full-time people on board uh at any
particular day because that seven day a week schedule. So it's pretty busy for that uh small uh crew. And the other challenge we've had, and I know we've talked about this during budget discussions in the past, we've received very few seasonal applications. So, in the past, we've been able to supplement
that year- round uh workforce with seasonal uh workers. That's typically not been the case the last few years and and this is no exception this particular year this year. So, just wanted to mention that as uh some of the challenges it worked
uh some of the duties just to kind of give some uh background in in what our parks division does. Uh they do set up the fields for sporting events, leagues, uh maintain the sports facilities, uh maintain the grounds of all the town buildings. Uh they remove the trash, litter control at all town buildings,
parks, and beaches. Uh in our uh summer season, that's a uh full-time position with the trash truck going around to all the facilities everywhere that we have a trash can set out at landings, road ends, all that type of thing. Uh very busy for uh that crew. uh managing the
beach operations, including parking, cleaning uh the beaches, litter, uh daily restroom maintenance. Of course, staying on top of that's a real challenge, especially at some of our busier beaches and parks. And of course, collecting the daily beach fees also falls under the parks division.
Uh some of the recent additions, we've had some discussion here tonight about Parkers River Landing, which is exciting. But uh uh just to also remind everyone, Sandy Pond splash pad has been a great recent addition. Uh and the updated Chase Brook Park is under
construction currently. So these are some new recreation facilities we're all very excited about. Uh Cape Cod Rail Trail extension is also under construction. That's a a little bit uh longer term project and that there's going from Peter Homer Park all the way
connecting us to Barnstable. Uh it's a pretty exciting project. It's being administered by Mass DOT currently. Uh the town facilitated the design as part of that partnership, but that's a pretty exciting recreation facility that will connect us to uh the rest of the Cape
and then on to Barnstable and we pass baton to Barnstable to extend the rail trail through their community. So very exciting times. >> Madam Chair, >> yes. While we're on this slide, uh, with respect to the rail trail, um, do are we going to be responsible for the upkeep
and care of that? >> That's a great question. As of right now, the c the answer is yes. Uh, from Peter Homer Park to the outer cape, uh, that is state property for the most part. So, uh, DCR, Department of Conservation, Recreation, maintains that
for the most part. Uh, as you continue from Peter Homer Park to Barnstable, that's all over town property. We have no current agreement with DCR about any kind of maintenance. So, as it falls right now, that will be town responsibility. >> Do we do we have an idea what that might
entail in terms of our responsibilities for the upkeep or the care of it? >> Uh it shouldn't be too much in the short term other than mowing, litter, those types of things. >> Uh but in the longer term, of course, there'll be, you know, resurfacing, lines, painting, signage replacement,
that type of thing. As currently designed, there's no trash receptacles. They the state likes to have these as a carry-in carry out type of facility, but it is something we might want to consider in the future depending how people use that. So that could be a potential cost as well. Uh so these are
all things we'll need to factor in. As I mentioned before, it's a longer term project. The state has given the contractor six years to complete that. The contractor is making very good progress and and our hope is that will be online and able to be used much sooner than that. Uh but it is something that we need to factor into our
long-term plan for maintenance and operations. >> What's the time frame at the moment? >> Uh at the moment it'll be five more years. >> Five more years until that's completed. >> Contract is up. Yes. >> Okay. Now, is there going to be a parking area? I notice that um Yeah.
Where will the parking and access points be for the new uh you know bike bike path section connecting to Barnstable? For this new section, there'll be two. You of course can park at Peter Homer Park, which is where the trail improvements start,
>> but there'll also be a um improvement to the Shell parking lot that is at uh Bayberry Hills. Uh the bike trail crosses right adjacent to that property. So, as part of this project, they'll be putting in storm water improvements and paving that uh to make it a little bit
more efficient for parking. They'll be striped and and that type of thing. expect that to be a very popular access point. And another one will be at the uh just north of the uh Rotary at Higgins Crawl Road. It'll be a pretty good connection there as well. >> Be very similar to what was constructed
at station a similar type of sale uh setup, layout, number of parking spaces, that kind of thing. >> So that might require trash facil some type of receptacle there and some kind of upkeep as well, right? >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah, because I think they
they also were planning to have charging um stations there as well. I thought >> we put in >> Yeah. So the as part of the rail trail construction, they don't have that. They don't, >> but the town we have pursued an application for a um level three
charging station there. We didn't get approved on this last grant round, but it's something we're >> going to continue to pursue. I think it's a really convenient spot right off the highway to do that. Uh, so I think it's a good opportunity, but it's not part of the state project. >> And you, if you have that, then you would need trash because that's what
people are going to end up doing is cleaning out their car while they get it charged. >> All things we'll have to consider, right? >> So, those are some of the exciting uh parks additions or just another kind of recap of, you know, where we stand with
the DPW in and buildings and grounds. Uh there's 17 major buildings that are maintained. Town of Yarmouth facilities uh in excess of 26 parks and beaches maintained. I'll highlight in a moment some of the more significant ones, the ones we focus on, but when you add in all the little ones, these are the the
numbers that come up. And seven active cemeteries for a relatively small >> That's an oxymoron, isn't it? >> That active reasonably active. >> Active burial. Sure. >> One for Tracy. We got Halloween, you know.
Uh this is a map of a public lands. It's uh showed in different colors. I don't expect everyone to to read it. I think you have a copy of it in your packets and it is also available on the town website. Uh what it does show and this is just high level that onethird of the
uh area within the town of Yarmouth is publicly owned. So it's a very large uh space that is public facilities. Of course, not all uh parks uh responsibilities to maintain. We also have close partnerships with conservation, natural resources,
recreation, and of course, some of those spaces are really untouched, open natural lands that don't require too much maintenance, but it is a very large land area that wanted people to be aware of. Uh and the color coding there does indicate uh what some of those uses are.
Uh so here's some of the the major parks and facilities. Just wanted to to highlight these. This is where our parks team spends a majority of their time. We've got Sandy Pond Recreation Area, of course, that splash pad and and other activities that happen there make that a a pretty active location. Peter Homer
Park, we've mentioned that a couple times today as far as a popular location. Flax Pond Recreation Area with the summer camp, that's also a very active. uh Long Pond, uh Wings Grove playground there. Uh it's also a nice
freshwater pond, uh Smuggler's Beach, Seagull Beach, of course, some of our bigger beaches. Parker River Beach, all three of those having uh concessions associated with them. That's another component of uh that needs to be managed. Uh Grace Beach as well, another
popular location. And Fred Thatcher Playground on Route 6A are the primary focus areas for our parks crew. Is Fred Thatcher playground where the monument's going? >> Yes. >> Can you go back to that last slide, Joe? >> Sure.
>> Are we going to be adding Parker's River Landing to that slide? >> Absolutely. >> So, that'll be an addition to it. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Um, yeah. I'm also interested in the inventory for all I mean, we have trails. you mentioned before that that
you have a partner partnership with um natural resources as well as um >> conservation >> conservation areas. Yeah. And or the conservation commission um I get the sense that you know now we're not talking about their property but they
have quite a bit of property and there are trails in those areas. Now um do we play a does the parks division play a role in maintaining those trails or is that the responsibility for the conservation or the other some other partner?
>> Uh typically our other partners uh natural resources does a lot of trail maintenance >> parks with the limited crew that we do have really focus their uh time and resources on these locations. So those would be other partners. >> Yeah. Do we know how many and maybe this is a question that should be directed to
the administrator. How many staff in the natural resources division are devoted to parkland their property and how much they have to manage? Do we know Bob?
Yeah, there's probably I I don't you know say one to two equivalent and then um you know we use Americanore from time to time to get involved in some of the um the projects. That's a that's a great partner and a and a resource. Um but the
you know the whole issue of stewardship of conservation lands. >> I mean I think it's a excellent topic to get into is that we really don't have an an apparatus beyond just you know the DNR that focuses on like the waste to the water areas. Uh we really don't have
a stewardship focus for the conservation lands. >> You know it's largely volunteer efforts. uh the the parks department is just simply outguned to be able to go out and do that. So I think you know moving forward that you know to identify you
know increased partnerships where funding could come from to to do some of that stewardship and I think you know that's a similar problem that's faced by a lot of municipalities especially as the amount of conservation land grows.
>> Yeah. No, I think what I'd like to be able to do is just develop at least the board have an understanding as to all of the parks and conservation lands that we have. Um because I think when we add it all together, it's a significant amount
of real estate, like you said, a third of the town. But it may very well be that even for the property that's under the domain of the DPW. Um, I mean my my and again sidewalk engineer assessment
is is that we're pressed, time, money, staff to take care of that property, but then we have all this other property that I'm I'm again sidewalk engineer, but my sense is is that we're probably similarly pressed in terms of how we
care and provide access to those properties. Some of our conservation lands are wonderful properties, but my suspicion is is that we probably don't have enough resources to support what may need to be done there. And I would I
would suspect that DNR is under the same set of constraints. So my hope is is that this is a convers this is a discussion that we can build on Madame Chair and begin to for our board to have a much larger profile and understanding of all of the parks and conservation
lands and what their requirements are, what their needs are. Um and then I think we need to evaluate the restored lands that we're looking at. Like I said, there's some very ambitious plans by community groups like the Friends of
Bass River where we hope that there are areas that we can restore and bring back to life, to bring back to ecological health and those areas provide uh opportunities for um public access, public use, recreation. Uh I know in
some of the areas that the friends of Bass River have been look they've looked at they're areas that one time years ago very productive herring runs and so we all know herring runs become very popular um resource areas and and
visitation areas uh recreation areas in a community. Um, now I don't know if we'll be able to restore those areas in our lifetime, but I do think that we should at least be or at least in my lifetime, but I do think that we should at least be focused on the future as
well. So that's the other sort of dimension to this, you know, in terms of our ambitions and our envision as a community, restoring some of these other areas and bringing them back to life. They create opportunities as well. we're going to have to as an obligate if if
we're receiving funds from a variety of groups, particularly grant funds, state and federal. Um we may be obligated to sustain the restoration to sort of make sure that it's properly any any facilities or any work that's been done
uh needs to be sustained and maintained. um particularly on restored sites that might involve some invasive species management where partners that are providing funds for the restoration may insist on some degree of maintenance and upkeep. So I
think these are these are some added components to this overall and I think it's going to require a multi-ep departmental effort. It's going to be it's going to require, you know, DPW. I mean, you're I mean, the focus for tonight is on you, of course, but I I I
would like to see us as a board look at all of these in totality and to look at the big picture facing the town and then find ways where we can maybe pro promote better collaboration. Um because maybe it makes sense that uh
we um invest in from a personnel point of view, we augment the parks division of public works with sufficient resources not only to maintain what it's responsible for, but if it's partnering with the conservation commission, if
it's partnering with DNR, there may be some value having sort of under under one umbrella, you know, sufficient staff and resources and personnel, you within the DPW parks division to provide support to the other departments that
have responsibilities for the care and uh and welfare of other other conservation lands and properties. It may make sense just from a management point of view rather than having multiple departments having to do their own thing on their own property. There may be some value in collaboration and
and and with with one department and then figuring out a way to to to deal with that. I just I guess my starting point, Madam Chair, is that I see this is an area where we as a board need to become much more aware of your
challenges. Your I mean, I I'm I'm pleased to hear that you're telling us that there there are personnel challenges that you know I mean I'm amazed that you're able to do what you can do with this uh level of staff. Um,
I mean, one of one of my questions right from the get-go, and I know we haven't even gotten to the questions portion of this this agenda topic, but I've been dying to get into this because I've been asking h how do you keep up with all of this property? Um, with the number of
people, did you at one time have a much larger, more robust staff and have we have we lost staff over the years? Has there been is there been trend on the downside? Well, that's an excellent question. Uh, this is a particular area
we have not added staff previously. And to go back a little bit in history back in 2008, 2009 with the, uh, budget cuts the entire town took through some very difficult fiscal times, uh, the DPW took about a 20% reduction in staff at that
time and that included parks and that has not been rebuilt since. So that's one of the reasons there's been a very um focused um area in which to maintain because you know with with less staff you have to you know pull your your resources and see what the priorities
are and and these were determined to be the priorities which we continue to maintain to this day. >> I know >> that why Chase Brook is not on there. >> Uh Chase Brook Park is not one of what I would call our primary focus areas. is certainly one that was in the total count on an earlier slide as far as a
facility. Uh we're really excited about the new improvements there because we're hoping that's even less maintenance as it's being a more uh natural type of environment that's being developed there. You there won't be a lot of intensive mowing and other um activities that were in the previous park. So,
we're hoping to do more of that, but there are some areas we probably need to shift our focus to that, you know, with new facilities opening up. >> And what about packet landing? Why is that not on there? >> Uh, Packet Landing, again, I wouldn't say it's one of our primary locations that the parks focuses. There is a a
restroom there, and it is a a busy uh uh >> yeah, >> fishing, you know, location, and it's a great great spot, but I wouldn't list it as one of the top 10, if you will, of where our parks division focuses their resources. >> Thanks, Mark. To your point though, for
years we've um yeah, there there were many years ago, if I remember correctly, that we had an intern um that we brought on for a summer to identify all of our walking paths and try to The biggest problem is we don't have um
we don't even have all of that in one place. We were try I'm I'm pretty sure we had an intern who mapped our walking paths. And then, you know, once you have it all identified, right, then you have to figure out what who needs what. But this has been this has been to no fault
of Jeff's. It's just been a budget thing. That's something that we've been struggling with just like the trees, you know, like we didn't have somebody maintaining trees for years. We finally got a little bit of that back into the budget. But um certainly I think >> you know Americanore as Jeff pointed out
has helped us so much but we need to even have somebody to be able to identify where our our issues are where it needs to be the paths need to be maintained. >> I this this sort of reminds me of the fire station and the fire department
conversation where we have had personnel needs and it's only now that we're getting helping them get caught up. Um I think this is an area where we've made cuts uh because we had to and I think this is an area where we have to have a conversation about where we can regain
and where we can I mean to me it's very very important that we think about helping this part of our municipality recover uh from a staffing point of view and and and provide the resources that they need. I think it's a very very this
is a very very difficult job to do with six five right now five people >> and we're adding as as Ben mentioned we we continuously add more which is a wonderful thing but that's been a huge criticism of ours is every time we we try to take on something else it's like
we can't we don't have the maintain what we have how are we going to >> right but I'm saying it it's the demand is on us as a select board if we're going to be taking on these new parks we've got to take care of them um we're only going to be able to get so much money and some revenue so much. We're
going to have to make decisions about where we can augment staff and provide additional resources, particularly if we're going after state and federal dollars to help build these facilities. I mean, we got significant state grant funding for the Parkers River Landing. We can't and we're obligated to provide
some degree of care and upkeep for that facility. That's the way it's going to be for a lot of these others. So I think it's we have to be sort of upfront to identify what additional resources we need to provide the proper level of care and upkeep for all of these facilities.
Um and uh I think it's going to require more money, more staff, and uh and if and if and it at least we have to have a conversation amongst ourselves and an understanding of what it's going to take to solve this problem. But we also um need to be able to explain it to the
voters and to the taxpayers and and and and as we've said before on some of these other big decisions, you know, at some point maybe put something in front of them where they can make a decision as to what they want to do and and but um you know, this is a department that,
you know, needs needs some help from us. I'm not complaining at all. Um, like I said, I'm amazed at the amount of work that gets done with the limited number of staff and I want to provide I I I'm just one select board member, but I want to provide more help. I want to know how
big a deficit it is in terms of staffing and resources, not just here, but in all the departments to take care of all of the lands that we've been entrusted with. And I think that's the kind of effort that I'm looking at uh >> developing. >> Yeah. Let's let him Yeah. So, continue.
We we're going to get there. >> All right. Great. No, this is a great conversation, great points. I there's one partnership I really need to highlight on this slide before I leave, and that is at Peter Homer Park. >> Uh the golf does that. I mean, that we couldn't mow that with the resources we
have. So, golf, which is really just down the bike trail, um comes over and mows that uh for uh the town. And that's just a great partnership. I need to highlight that because it's one of the many departments that we partner with to get the work done. not only in that uh
but their expertise for helping us to bring back those fields for instance I know uh they helped uh recreation tremendously for the playing fields >> absolutely >> so I just wanted to quickly highlight the uh the budgets of the the three
different functional areas within building and grounds I won't spend much time on this but just these are relatively modest budgets that have seen a minor increase in you know this next fiscal year 2027 seven uh to support facilities. Um slight increase about
$20,000 to take care of some of our aging buildings and and facilities. Uh but just wanted to highlight that. I'll go through these pretty quickly. Um the cemetery um division, one person. Uh so that's why the wages are as low as they
are. That's also some seasonal staff uh budgeted in there as well, but uh no change in the expenses for that. And then parks, which has really been the focus of what we've been talking about tonight. Uh there's wages include the full-time uh staff as well as seasonal. Uh there is a small amount of
expenses that have been uh increased there. Uh approximately 20,000. >> Yeah. $34,000 uh in order to uh try to address some of the increased uh parks. I highlighted those on an earlier slide. The big one
of course being uh Parkers for Landing. We do expect that just when we're up and fully responsible for the maintenance of that park that we'll need something closer to 75 or $80,000 in annual maintenance. That's uh you know cleaning the restrooms. That's pumping a tight
tank that's there. That's uh occasional portable toilets and offseason events. That uh is mowing of course is the big thing. There's a beautiful facility there, but uh that's a very large field to mow and so all those things add up. What I will say about mowing is as we
add areas where our ex existing staff just can't incorporate that into their regular routine, we contract that out. So, we have some very good landscape contractors in town that have helped us in this regard, but those are all budget items that we need to um address in the
expense line in order to accommodate that. and it's very much going to be segregated in terms of Parker's River Landing because of the income so that it's can function almost like an enterprise account theoretically someday. >> We can identify that right now the way
we're set up is to have all the expenses both wages and expenses in here, but we certainly can identify which ones go to different facilities if that's necessary. Uh I don't know if there's been any discussion of a revolving fund for Parkers River >> Land isn't going into the DPW, >> right?
>> There's there is a special revenue account for Parker's River Landing where the the plank money goes towards um and we would we would put fees into that and and utilize it for for maintenance. So yeah, but I think for the purposes of
understanding Parker's River Landing, the the costs do need to be clear to to to put against the revenue just for the the big picture, the thinking that are we going in the right direction here?
>> Yeah, that'll be fairly easy to do just because of I anticipate at least in the short term nearly everything that's needed for maintenance at Parks River Landings have to be contracted out. So we'll have an invoice which we can attribute to that activity. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> So just to highlight some of the challenges, we really touched upon these already, but uh creation of these additional recreation and parks facilities is is a a heavy lift. Uh we have people like Amanda Lima uh in the engineering town engineer engineering
staff that's been helping with that. Kathy Williams of course. So, you know, but these are all things that need to be recognized that are important things to uh factor in as we add facilities is there's the creation of those facilities, but then once those are created, there's also the operational
cost. So, that's the second bullet there is just those operational costs that we've talked about tonight. Just want to highlight those. But also, you probably hear this from all of the departments, but just the increasing cost associated with maintenance across the board. uh inflation is really the next two bullet
items that are all challenges that we anticipate going forward. >> And uh to address those challenges, I always like to have some uh things to focus on and and and discuss. Uh adding a building and ground superintendent which is in the FY2027
budget will uh help us out quite a bit. Uh that is not a uh new uh headcount, if you will. That's really repurposing some funds that are within the budget. We have a a vacant mechanic position. We do need mechanics, but we haven't been able
to get any applicants for that. So, repurposing some funds to a functional area, a supervisor that can assist with uh both our facilities as well as our parks and cemetery oversight. Uh getting some of our capital projects uh moved
forward with regards to facilities, a big piece, but then also dealing with some of these parks uh issues that we've just talked about tonight. somebody that can supervise the contractors, coordinate those contracted efforts. That's all things that were be expected from this particular position. And then at some point as we add facilities,
we're going to need to talk about additional uh parks and facility staff that hasn't been um you know, the laborers, if you will, have not been added at this point, but as was talked about before, we've had cuts previously. We really need to, you know, rebuild that and think about the future. Uh so that really is the second bullet item.
And then also increasing the parks and facilities maintenance budgets. We've seen a a small increase this last year. Uh but as I mentioned before, we just anticipate for Parkers River Landing that really the the full cost is closer to 75 or $80,000,
not the uh $35,000 $34,000 that was added this past year. So just something to think about as we go forward into the future. >> I think I just clarify too. Oh, questions. I can hold it. And uh that's just kind of a quick summary of kind of
where we stand for uh parks uh maintenance and operations and happy to answer any questions you might have. >> Go ahead, Liz. Thank you. So um the slide before and the superintendent that so when we vote at the FY at the at the
Springtown meeting, we the budget that we will approve will include that repurposing so that you have that building and ground superintendent. That's correct. >> But the next um items, the adding park facility staff and increasing the
budgets for maintenance, that's not budgeted and you're you're seeking more more money for the future years. >> That's correct. Okay, good summary. Well, I guess I'll I'll round it up by saying um I think it's critical that we
are taking care of these parks and because I think we're realizing that our uh economy is our environment to to use the quote and um if we can make Parker's
River Landing a a go-to um tourist spot. But all of all along 28, we really need to improve the look and hopefully it will influence one goodlooking
uh hotel park will influence two hotels down the road to try to do a better job. Uh, and so I I think that's our our hope for 28 is to make it um especially once the DOT comes in in 20 in 2029 and
starts improving the road with some landscaping and a bike bike bike path that these parks are going to be um little jewels really really important but not if they go the path of Jes Park which I didn't I saw the sign for years
and but I couldn't see a park all I could He was a scientist at Chase. >> It's a modest park. >> So, I'm delighted that and I and your approach to not have it be a lawn that you got to put chemicals on and and mow,
but to have it a a landscape is wonderful. You're doing a great job and I'm very appreciative of you and Roby and the whole department. Thank you. >> It's a team effort. >> Yeah. >> Um, two questions and a comment. One is
a a minor question. I'm probably the only person not clear on this, but when you talk about um the mowing vendors, do they get counted under expenses then rather than wages? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Then the second
question was a more of a speculative one. Um, we have this big April cleanup day every year and that does, you know, roads and sidewalks and parks, but would it be helpful to DPW if there were a
fall cleanup day that just did parks that we could get volunteers out for? >> We're supportive of any cleanup days. In fact, we have people that volunteer year round. We provide them pickers and and and vests and trash bags and and we're
happy to have that. So any assistance is appreciated. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Then my comment is I was so delighted to see this. This is just beautiful. This is larger than the packet one obviously particularly because I was uh looking up
a route on Cape last week and there was a thing about Yarmouth and you know when there's a thing about your neighborhood you always look at that while you're figuring the route that you're supposed to be figuring. And I was alarmed to see in Apple Maps on my iPhone, Long Pond
labeled as Parker's River. >> So, thank you. I mean, the the record speaks for itself. The truth is out there. >> Truth is out there somewhere, >> um, we do have to take some serious look at
this. And as Mark's talking about, and I think we all agree, we really have to get a more comprehensive approach to this going forward. You know, like we look at the wonderful new parks we've had and tonight we had the community preservation here talking and
that has been an amazing revenue source for us for a lot of this. But it's very clear in the legislation for community preservation that it does not include maintenance. and um and I don't think it ever will.
>> So that that isn't where we have that wonderful resource available to acquire these areas. It's not there for us to maintain them >> and we really do need to look seriously at the whole big picture. It's kind of
like we were we saw our our approach for the fields. um recreation came up before us in a couple of weeks ago and it's really time for us to take a look at all of these and I think in some ways Chase Park was kind of a wakeup call for us
because of how that park was when it was originally developed and and and what happened as a result of not being able to maintain it and we don't want to go in that direction. >> I have a couple of questions. Well, first I just want to give a shout out to
Joe Goldstein. >> Oh, yeah. >> Because we overlook him all the time and I see him on Buck Island cleaning up trash. >> Immaculate. >> More than anybody that I've ever seen before. Um >> even more than, you know, sometimes you
see town staff and I'm sure they're doing it in their their spare time, but Joe, um >> you know, he's been he's been wonderful and we really should recognize him. He puts in countless hours volunteering. I just have a question in terms of and I
know we've done this analysis before about hiring out contractors a vendor as opposed to hiring because you know we have we have maintenance needs all year long. However, you know sometimes when you have staff for that what do you have them doing in the winter time? So is it
cheaper for us? Well, number one, I'd like to know with all of this together, what it is you need for next year. You know, we talk about more increased budget for maintenance and facilities and staff, but but what is that number?
And have you done an analysis of whether or not it's better with um OPED and all the other benefits of an employee as opposed to just doing maybe one big contract for the town? I don't know if there's there's um u savings in in a in maybe a larger RFP
for for somebody to do all of it. >> So I I would love to hear what those numbers are and what your thought is on that. I mean, I think for us when, you know, we're a little late in the season, unfortunately, for this budget, you know, we have what we have for this year, but I think, you know, I think
what you're hearing from us is for for our goals potentially for next year's when we talk about goals that this is um something that uh you know, we're all we're continuously doing more with less. It's hard. You know, we can
say what we want. I I look at the job postings. There's always postings um available for DPW and and I'm not sure if there's anything for parks right now on on the town website for availability, but you know, it's hard even if we have
the money to to fill the slots. So, you know, what's the breakdown there? Is it, you know, uh is it the wage? you know, again, is this is this something that we should be contracting out? Um, I'm just
I'm just wondering how, you know, even if we say we we we fill the budget, we still going to have open spots for the stuff we have in our budget, which has been, >> you know, a huge problem. um you know and then and then there's priorities like for me you know I I I would love
and for years you know I've got a few things that I want PASF free equipment I want a school resource officer in every school I mean these are all things that I think that you know I've been work trying to work towards um we need to
work towards getting in the budget so where does this fall on that list >> you know these are all there we have so many important things and we're constantly trying to do more with less is my point. So if we can be creative and you know maybe look at what that
total number is and maybe you can get that number to us and and then again do an analysis long term if it's cheaper for us to put on an RFP and let a private the private sector do it. >> But those those are my questions. >> Yeah, I have a couple of brief responses
to that. Um one is for FY28. We haven't, you know, kind of looked at that in the future, although I'm sure we'll be asked to do the budgets very soon on that as we had passed town meeting and >> we get to May, we're going to start >> the next cycle. So, yeah. Um, but but the best number I can give you is is
what I mentioned earlier about parkers for Landing. We really feel that the the real number for maintenance when we're fully responsible for it there will be the 75 to $80,000. So, >> so we're about 40 45 short there. >> Absolutely. That's that's like right now. >> That's just for one park though.
>> Right. Right. And then the other piece versus uh contractors versus staff. I I've always looked at it as a balance. I think that we need both and uh we can't just simply grow one and not the other. It's it's really uh provides flexibility to have both. I will say that um because
of the seasonal staff challenges we've had. Uh the full-time staff is looking a little bit better at the moment to get things done. I will also say that um also thinking about the winter operations. uh you know we're very busy in the summer with you know all the the landscaping activities with parks but uh
we have not been able to get the contractors for snow removal and that was very clear this past season. So if we had um able to build and you know a modest amount the full-time staff it would really help with the snow removal as well. uh we were kind of uh uh lulled
into a comfort with a couple of mild winters, but once we have a difficult winter, it became very clear of the need for um staff that's able to plow snow and and and do that consistently. So, those are my thoughts. >> You know, there's something that I I
just wanted to add a little bit into the discussion. Um and and you know, let's talk candidly about this fiscal year 2027 budget process. that we entered this budget process with a clear set of
priorities with park maintenance and the DPW being at the top of that list of priorities and you know we were only able to make a small dent in that and just the process of filling the
positions we currently have um was a monumental task this year we saw costs increasing across the board for every single functional area just to do existing services costs more money than
than we have in our available growth in revenue. And um e even doing so, you know, we're uh on the educational side, we weren't even close uh to making it. and and you know, we really made a lot of sacrifices to to
get the the town side in so that that we wouldn't have to do like double overrides on on everything. And I I'm just uh telling you it is increasingly difficult. Um and um I Jeff and I we sat together and we collaborated throughout
this entire process and at the end of the day um you know minor things we were able to do but we left the line on the table and and I'm critically concerned. You know we sit down you know we put half the money that we needed probably um in this year and next year. Um I I'm
really not looking at a lot of areas where the revenues are just going to jump up. So, I I just want to say these challenges um you know, I really do hand it to the DPW. The work that they do is great and I support them
wholeheartedly. Um but, you know, increasingly we're faced with the uh the problems in public safety. You know, you saw what we had to do that was a monumental effort just in fire to get their their staffing up. And it it may be that we need to do something similar
to address these problems. And so I just, you know, want to say that when when we get, you know, dealing with this Prop Two and a half situation, um, it's kind of a, you know, we've always treated it like a dirty word to try to, you know, if we need an override, that means a failure. But I I think it's
there's a new paradigm that is really coming in that, you know, we're doing >> everything we can right now to keep it underneath two and a half, but we're leaving a lot of the services that we demand, that we need >> sort of on the sidelines. And um you know that is going to be something we're
going to have to deal with. >> Yeah. >> Well said, Bob. >> Yeah, Madam Chair. Um I think over the years we've been asking you to do more and more and more with less. All right.
I think that's that's a message that um is is abundantly clear. Um, the other message is is that we've all been hearing from constituents all throughout the community about what a great job DPW has done through the storm and and it's
been it's been it's been steady. It's been constant. And the reality is is that we've got a good team, a good group. Um, it's great that we got a new DPW building and we've gotten people better quarters to to do their jobs in, but I think this is this is a major
challenge that we have to confront head-on. We've been asking you to do more and more with less and less, and I think we've got to figure out a way to at least come to an understanding as to where those dollars should be. All right? If we could just wave our magic wand and have the ideal budget for FY28,
what should it be so that we can take care of all the things that we need to? And then I'd rather go through the budgetary process with DPW starting at that point. Where ideally do we need to be >> from a personnel point of view, from a staff point of view, from sufficient
resources to do contracting. I would like to look at the big picture, find out where we can collaborate more with golf. Maybe maybe golf can help us out in a couple of other areas. Who knows? Uh I think that's worth having a conversation. I'd like to see where we can collaborate to help with the the
natural resources as well as conservation. Let's look at the big picture. Let's look at all of our public lands and let's really at least put on paper sort of an ideal scenario in terms of what we think it will take financially and resource-wise to take
care of all of our public properties. and lay out some recommendations for the future so that as we bring on some of these other sites that are restored that we want to take on, you know, what we might need to be planning for in the future because there will be some future work that we'll have to do. Um, you
know, so I I think I think this is all incredibly an important discussion and like a like I would like to see us maybe even think about maybe in within the public works profession there's a way to benchmark where we should be. You know how the libraries they always have they
tell you what your population is and then how much square footage you need to have for your libraries or and how much how big your budget should be for your libraries. Is there such a thing within the public works profession where if you have so many acreage of parks and
recreation land, your budget should be in a certain range? I'd like to know where we are. I bet you we're on the low end of what the Okay, >> there is something like that. Yes, absolutely. >> There is something I'd like to and as part of the budget conversation for FY28, I'd like to know what those
benchmarks are. I think we need to be able to educate ourselves in terms of where we fit in with every place else uh uh particularly of comparable size with the kind of acreage that we're talking about because I think um the the taxpayers are getting a huge bargain. Um
I also think that quite frankly um again it's amazing how much work is getting done with five to six people. Um I I get concerned about burnout too. Um, I like your comments, Jeeoff, about building up a staff capability that can
help us offset some of the other challenges like having personnel sufficient enough to help us get through the storms. Uh, in the future, hopefully we won't have another one like this last blizzard. Yes. Not right. Or at least help direct traffic
when people line up at the at the transfer station. But, um, I've said enough. This is this is the conversation that I've been dying to have, Madam Chair. I'm glad we have this we've we're having it now and I look forward to more discussions about where we can sort of
uh build a stronger vision a more a much better uh vision for the future of our parks and uh all all of our recreation lands um because as I think Bob has said this is the challenges are growing but we can't at least ignore uh the
challenges that are ahead of us particularly here. So, thank you. >> I'm I see one place that we can maybe help the DPW and that is we we really do need to get that
solar project going on the DPW building and I'm standing by. I know it's in your hands at this point. So because that's even with the school budget, you know, that was a significant amount of money that those the solar projects are saving
the school district and we should have that going on the DPW building. It should be uh get it and our our window is closing rapidly if we don't have something out. The there is no federal tax credit after
July. So that's why it's important that we do this ASAP. You know me, I'm willing to come in and spend a day just doing it with somebody. >> Okay. Thank you. >> A follow-up question. So you're talking about a PPA that would give a for-profit
corporation the tax credit and they would they would >> the nonprofits get the tax credits now. >> Oh, okay. >> So there's I mean it's really the time to do it. >> Okay. Well, thank you very much. I think um I think we need to hear
the total number, what that is, what that looks like, what you need. Um there was a time when we used to have all the departments in and we I I remember one year they all came and talked about their shortfalls and where they'd like to be and um we we had that before we
set our goals and it was it was nice for us to hear. Um, so when we did talk about our priorities for the upcoming year, we were able to really have the full knowledge of where our shortcomings were and and know where we all we wanted
to prioritize. But it's again, it's hard to look at it in um in a silo because we have all of our departments. I mean, no disrespect, we know that uh you could use more help, but we have so
many departments that are in the same situation. So, um we need to hear all of it. We need to know what those what what it is that you need and will help us um better drive our our focus into into future years. So, I appreciate that and
hopefully uh we'll get that upcoming. I am glad that we were able to make some project pro progress. Um, you know, it's not where we need to be, but at least we're making progress. A lot of departments aren't increasing at all. You know, as Bob pointed out, it's it's
a particularly tough year again, as they all are, right? And not often we're able to make any progress. So, the fact that we were able to make a little bit of progress, I guess, is is good. But um you know as Marcus pointed out we're putting a lot more acreage on on the uh
parks role so to speak and uh you know we we've looked at the shortcomings of this board before when you know we we do make cuts and we don't maintain and that doesn't save us any money either >> in the long run. you know that we we've invested a lot of money in in in in
these parks and if we don't have people there to maintain them they it's not a good investment. So um you know we have to we have to look at all of that and that's something that we're much more conscientious about now when we do take a park or open space it's say okay what
are we going to do with it how is it in the budget to you know we always have to ask now like we didn't before you know we I mean for years across the street we didn't even have anybody to mow the lawn it's it's been some some really tough times and um you know as our problems
our budgets are getting tighter So are our our our citizens. Everything, you know, they're in the same situation as us. All the costs are going up just like we are. So we need to be conscious about that and make sure we prioritize. So I'm excited to see what the future has and
I'm really looking forward to Parker's Landing coming on on board. Mark, you want to say something? >> Yeah. If you want to get a sense of the future, drive down to Chase Brook Park now. >> All right. It's a wonderful It looks beautiful and it can and it's not and it's still has a lot a lot a ways to go
but what's there is gorgeous and um and and the thing that that I think it might have been Joyce or Liz I forget who but the connection between the parks and the beauty and the environment and the revitalization of the town. This is
where you see the role of the parks, these scenic vistas that we talked about for years, right? We all talked about the scenic vistas, how crucial they'll be for the revitalization of the town. Well, you drive down there now and it's just breathtaking.
and and and I honestly think that when people start recognizing some of this additional work that we're doing, they'll see the value in making sure that we take care of it because some of these views, the scenic vistas
that we've all been talking about, they're starting to become evident. And uh I think our job as select board members will be to remind people that uh sometimes it costs to keep a view like that. >> Yeah. >> Right. I actually wanted to just make a quick comment on that. Nate Weton is our
project manager and I encouraged him strongly to do a presentation for our Rotary Club on Chaseburg Park and it was a resounding response of just absolute joy that they listened to him and heard
what he said and saw the photos and the weeks after I kept hearing from Rotarian saying that was amazing. I had to go check it out and they they were just thrilled with it. And those are the kind of presentations and exactly what you're talking about that this is these are
great opportunities to show off the way Yarmouth. >> Maybe he could put a podcast together for our be wonderful. >> That's your lips. No, >> I got him to do I got him to do a presentation and I was thrilled. >> Did somebody videotape the presentation? >> Okay. Well, maybe we could do it for
ourselves. It'd be great for the broader audience to hear. I mean, I know that there's been a lot of changes and, you know, that was an unexpected upgrade that we were able to >> to do um by way of, you know, a roundabout way, but nonetheless, it's
gorgeous and I think that um that's something that should be showcased. >> Madam Chair, um can I just ask us all to give a vote of thanks um to the waste disposal area? uh the uh the assistant
uh superintendent of DPW and of course, you know, Jeff as as the head of DPW. Um the new drive-thru plate recognition is amazing. Everybody just glides right through. Now, it doesn't help on days
when the waste disposal area is so popular that they're backed up for blocks, but you know, it it does march it along a little and mitigate that a little. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I hope so. I hope so. Technology at its finest. >> Yeah. >> Well, thank you very much for being
here. We look forward to uh further discussions and further progress. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> All Thank you. >> Thanks, Jeff. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next item is uh the letter regarding the audit of the legislature. There's a letter in our
packet. Um I don't know if we >> read it to give you a break. Sure. If you want to >> borrow yours. Yeah. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you very much. >> This is a letter to the honorable Ronald Mariano, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and the honorable Karen Spilka, president of the Senate. Uh, it's regarding a legislature audit. Dear Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spila, select board of the town of Yarmouth expresses our strong support for implementing question one from the
November 2024 ballot. Yarmouth voters approve question one by 65.7% just as voters statewide approved by 71.4% to authorize the state auditor to audit the Massachusetts legislature. The legislature remains the only state
entity that does not permit oversight by the state auditor's office. While legislative leaders have claimed that internal audits conducted by a privately procured vendor are sufficient, the voters of Massachusetts have clearly expressed their desire for independent review. At a time when the Massachusetts
legislature runs among the least transparent in the nation and is one of only four state legislatures exempt from public record laws, independent auditing is essential. Government entities that self-regulate post risks of
self-interest and reduced accountability to voters. Implementing this audit would enhance government transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. The Massachusetts legislation should not be exempt from independent oversight, especially regarding the use of taxpayer funds. We
urge you to take the necessary steps to honor the will of the voters and allow the state auditor's office to proceed with this audit. Sincerely, the select board of the town of Yarmouth. Okay. Is there a motion to um move that we accept >> second
>> and send the letter? Okay. Any discussion on the motion? >> All those in favor? Any opposed? Appreciate that. All right. >> While we're still on, I just wanted to mention I I you know, I have to say this
evening I was a little alarmed to see um with this item still wet from drying off the press. a second request for another letter um to the speaker of the house
and the Senate President that um was of a negative tone and and I just want to be, you know, careful that we don't overstay. I welcome with the letters to the Senate President. You know, we have a lot of stuff that goes in front of these people and I don't want to be the
town that they um they don't like. So, I just mentioned that this letter is wonderful, but if we're going to do a letter a week to these guys, they're going to be really mad at you. >> Well, I think the difference is and and I appreciate the request because, you know, I I you know, anytime you have
laws that they they make for other people that they exempt themselves with, I have a a problem with. I mean, we we follow open meeting law. I feel like they should, too. But that was not the sentiment of the vote. And and the reason I support this letter is because
our residents voted for this and we represent our residents. They have not voted on open meeting records. So, um you know, while I think that's a great idea, um I appreciate your comments, too. And I mean, honestly, I don't think
that they're going to care about what we say, but um like anything else. And um I I do obviously want to work with our legislature. We we need their funding. we need, you know, as as you've pointed out, we don't want to be on the opposite side, but we have an obligation to
represent the people of the town of Yarmouth and they and they did vote for this. So, I'm I'm very much in favor of sending this. I think that, you know, that's what was requested tonight is is an is a discussion for another day. >> There you go. Discussion for another day indeed.
>> Well, I and I think it was, you know, it was factual. It it was businesslike that letter. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, un unlike some letters that we have received recently as a board, just saying
>> I don't know about that, but in any event, all those in favor of the letter, >> I >> I passes unanimously. I think I already did that, but I I forgot. That's I'm getting old. >> It's a long It's a long, >> so let's just do it again just in case.
>> All right. Board and committee actions, Joyce. Okay. Um, I suggest that we accept with thanks the resignation of John Manton from the board of appeals. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I move that we s we accept with thanks
the um resignation by Vicky John Jenedos um from the library building committee. >> So moved with thanks. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> May I make a comment on that? >> Oh, sure. Um I I think we are supposed
to have somebody from West Yarmouth on the library building committee. She was our West Yarmouth person. So u just FYI for committee um requirements that that post is now vacant.
>> So but wait a minute. >> We're not appointing people to that committee anymore. >> Is that true? >> Yeah. Because it the committee itself becomes >> Has it disbanded? pretty much so by town meeting and town meeting is >> three weeks away. So, okay. >> Well, that if they're if they're
successful. Yeah. Then we'll still meet them. >> Yeah. Well, then we can revisit that at that point. >> Just FYI. Okay. Um U I suggest an appointment to the library board of Beverly Mullen for
a three-year unexpired term that would go through February 2027. >> So moved. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I recommend uh reappointments to the design review committee of Sarah Porter
and Dick Martin, both for three-year terms. Um that would take them through uh March of 2029. >> So moved. >> Second. All in favor? >> I may I make another comment? I just want to say that we're very lucky to have these individuals on this committee. It's a very important
committee. as the zoning goes forward for Route 28, they're playing a very critical role. Thank you. >> Okay. Um I present uh for reappoint Dennis Ribbonsson uh as Yarmmouth's representative to the Cape Cod
Commission. This is a three-year appointment. Um and it would run through uh March of 2029. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> um I present um Hal Berlingame for
reappointment to the recycling and solid waste advisory committee three-year appointment that would run through March of 2029. >> So move >> second. All in favor. >> And finally I present um Julian Mallet
uh for reappointment to the waterway shellfish advisory committee where he is currently serving as chair. three-year appointment that would run through May of 2029. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> Thank you. All right. Next, we have the
minutes of April 15th, 2025. >> I move we approve the minutes. April 15, 2025. >> Second. Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor? >> I I abstain. >> Not there.
>> Upcoming agenda review. Uh today is April 7th. Our next meeting, April 14th, is going to be a discussion with the board of health. Uh change of manager for Longfellows, uh new aquaculture lease license, designation of police
assignment to the police of chief and the town clerk, um town meeting preview, and assignment of motions. Did we uh we had a um packet landing
update that seems to have um I believe >> an update for what what part >> where where packet landing is >> that is on for May five. >> Okay, thank you. And then um
>> oh the resiliency project >> and the communication plan is there too. Okay. Um after town meeting. Yes. >> The waterway shellfish advisory committee would like to present to us at some point. No no no time pressure.
>> Okay. Um Bob, can we get um Mary Alice to coordinate that? I know she's trying to still coordinate with um our Assembly of Delegates rep as well. I don't see that still on here. I'm not sure if she's made any progress, but can we follow up
on that as well? Sure. That'd be great. And we have to add um we're now going to advertise the fees for Parker's River Landing. So, we'll have to >> Well, that won't be that would take I think you have to advertise it for a period of time. So, we're not going to
be able to do that next week, but >> Okay. >> which um >> I'll just keep it on the list. >> Well, thanks. >> Anything else? Anything else? at some point uh the the the list that we have
that's on the last page is just a list of things. Aren't we have done the discussion on managing parks and buildings? Is that still something that >> Oh, that was tonight. >> That's what I thought. So, we can get rid of that short-term rental study. >> We did that, too.
>> Okay. And the regional dispatch update, >> you did that. >> Did that review policy for alcohol for permitted events on town property? >> We did that. No, no, we still didn't. One of the things that we did not do was that we were told that alcohol wasn't
allowed at events at the beach. >> No. And we we found out that that wasn't true. >> Okay, good. Then then it's good. But >> Right. >> And then regulations, >> you can't drink on the beach, but if the select board allows you to have an event, it's fine, >> right? But we were going to change our
policy. The policy was vague. They thought that we couldn't do it. We couldn't do an event because of the policy. So, I just thought thought we needed to clarify that. >> No, no, we can. I mean, it was certainly clarified for me. >> Okay, good. All right, fine.
>> Regulations for reuse of Parker's River Landing. >> Done. >> And then last, um, discussion of lottery for tech school. >> That's done. >> Done. >> We lost that battle. >> We don't even need to discuss it, unfortunately. >> Thank you. It sounds like we're going to have a light summer.
>> No, I don't think so. >> No. Okay. I I So you're the committee came and just asked to be heard which is great because that's something that was in the minutes that we approved today tonight. Um >> it's from a year ago. >> Yeah. But >> what committee? What I don't know
>> in her case she's bringing forward a request specifically from waterways. So committees we we um talked last year about having um committees come and talk to us. >> So I don't know if we put out a little
prompt to committees or if we specific maybe invite them. >> Yeah, it will we'll have to schedule them. We'll have to find meetings where we can bring them all in, but it won't be before town meeting. >> No. Well, >> um >> but I think that that's uh you know, it's the same thing with the departments
like we just talked about. We used to have them all in before we set our our budgets um to to talk about what their their shortfalls are. Maybe that's something that we need to get back to because so we can hear directly from them before we set our our our goals.
>> Piggybacking on um what Joyce was saying uh with the waterways, one of the things that we were have had presented to us before and we were going to get an update on his town way to water. >> Know where that is? >> Oh yeah, I thought that was a great idea.
>> I know he was still working on it. Last I knew. >> Not written yet. Amy says >> not ready yet. >> Okay, >> there we go. >> And then I also um >> wanted to ask um
Bob if we can have and maybe it's in the it's not it's not in the agenda so we can't discuss it tonight but maybe on your next uh town administer update. What happened with the grant for the energy manager? Where's where did are they letting us keep the money even
though we don't have an energy manager >> so far? And then um and then the the various items will there be a presentation on energy presentation you know like some of the items that
like this green communities is now closing hasn't been closed out yet but the grants the opportunities for the spring are are coming up up and who's going to handle that for instance >> right Well, um we're working with engineering and um their game plan is to
go for a big grant in the fall and not do in the spring. >> Okay. All right. I I'm I just I put a you know I'm just trying to keep trying to understand who's now filling that position. So
>> is there anything else on upcoming agenda review? >> Oh, >> yes. At some point also update us. I'm sorry, Mark was >> No, I was just going to echo um on the agenda. I'm very interested in the energy manager position, what what the
plan is there going forward. So, I I think it's definitely an agenda topic. So, um I I think I was among those that had very high hopes for that position and what we could do. Again, the town of Barnstable has secured huge amounts of
money to do all sorts of really good energy conservation, energy management stuff for the town of Barnstable. And I was kind of hoping that we could maybe eclipse the town of Barnstable in terms of our record of accomplishments in the
area. So, I I feel bad that somehow things didn't work out. >> Regionalized where we can pay them a little bit to help help us. I just don't I don't know if the we you know getting the right person is hard. So I mean maybe it's something we need >> Well, I think it's it's certainly worth
the I think it's to me I would find it helpful to kind of have a an update on >> when does the grant end? I mean are we even can we even make progress on it at this point? >> Yeah, we can. You know, we're we're in our um our first year of a three-year,
but it was only part-time. And what I discussed with Jeff is we want to do is create that um facilities manager position and designate the facilities manager position as the green communities and energy manager and use those funds to partially subsidize that
position. Then we'd have a manager doing it, somebody that we can trust. But >> I wasn't calling for the discussion to take place now. I just think I think it's an agenda item >> at the appropriate time. Then I was also going to ask for a PAS update from um
Stephen um what's his name >> the airport >> Stevens uh no we had Kleinfelder they had done some work for us >> I have some material that I can send you on that that they just had a milestone
and I got some reporting on it so um you know and I I we're you know we talked about having them in again and we want want to wait a little while because it's so expensive to have them in that we we want to just get them in at milestone points but but they've been they just gave me an update
that I can share with you and then we'll schedule them in when they feel it's the next >> All right. So upcoming agendas PAS and energy manager. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Anything else, Liz? >> No. >> Okay.
>> Individual items. Mark. Um, a couple of items for the uh, town administrator that I just wanted to flag. Um, um, one is, and I could have brought this up, but I I I think I was abusing
my time privileges and the, uh, the discussion on parks. Um, but, um, >> I'll do from time to time. >> Yeah, I periodically have, you know, interact with the Sears family. I get asked this a lot. the Sea Holly Park,
which is a park on Parker's River. It's on the It's on the north side. And um some folks may remember that one time we had a Sea Holly Motel >> on Route 28. And um and it was it was an
appropriate thing to either condemn or shut down. Eventually, it was acquired. The Yarmouth Conservation Trust was involved in it. And I think the Sears family helped raise funds to create a park there. And the park has been in disrepair for a while. And I just wanted
to ask Bob uh what what the latest is. I brought it up before if you can give me a sort of an update if there's any news to report, what's going on, if there's any any any the next time I get accosted by um you know, someone who has an interest in it, I want to know what I
can report back. Well, the DNR is going down there to clear some of the trails and see, you know, what they can clean out. Um, it is all in the wetlands buffer area, and it's not a park that that has permits to get down there and
do a lot of work, but it is a kind of a long-term invasive species management sort of issue. >> Got it. >> And so, um, we're going to start with the DNR. It is on the inventory of the ways to water that, um, they're working
to develop some maintenance on. So, um the first step is to get down there, try to clear the trails, clean it up a little bit, and then we may be working with the Concom with a broader invasive species management type of program, but they are going to try to give it a
little TLC. And it's got a nice little fishing platform down there, too. >> Yeah. >> Nice. >> Yeah. It's right across from the lobster boat. I think with us investing a lot of time and energy to um with Parker's River Landing, this is another sort of companion nearby site that over the
years I think there's been a lot of hope that we'd have some more public access over there, but it's really fallen into disrepair. And it's sort of it it's a reminder to me that um it's it of the need for us to do more in terms of our parks because this is one that's a beautiful park. It's just been
forgotten, it seems. And um I I very much I very much appreciate that that update. >> Where exactly is it? I would love to picture that. >> If you literally go along Route 28 and you get to the Parker's River, the Parker's River Bridge on 28, you'll see that
>> it's on the It's on the eastern side of the In fact, Bob might show it to you on the map. >> I forget. We have this wonderful map today. >> Uhhuh. >> Okay. Oh, it's the edge, but >> So, I I went by I drove by Chase Brook
Park today >> and like I said, breathtaking views, but this park also has very similar breathtaking views if you can if you can if you could see it. Yes. >> So, it's an area where invasives have
taken over, but it's it's spectacular the view, but you've got to get on the other you got to literally get out of your car, hop into the park, and go on the other side of the invasives, and then you could see this again, beautiful, breathtaking view. It's it's
it's and again it's it's another one of our little small parks that has a a huge provides a huge benefit to the people that are traveling in that area. But it also has a nice pier and it's by the way it's a pretty good fishing spot too. So
as someone who someone who likes to go fishing quite a bit that's a great spot to go catch fish now that now that we've spent some resources improving the Parker River and that bridge. Right. you might as well make it easier for people to go for kids to particularly kids to
get out there and go fishing. >> So, thank you. >> Do you have anything? >> Good. Liz, >> I have a concern and I don't know where we're at in terms of um our town administrator. Is that
>> we intend to clone him and keep him, >> right? >> Is it public? >> That's not the plan. >> We can't discuss it. You can say what you want on the individual items, but we can't have a discuss. >> We can't discuss it, but I think we need to have a discussion about um starting the search.
>> That's probably an agenda item. >> That's what I'm thinking. So, >> so that was probably something that we should have raised before, but I I I think it's a I think it's a good one. >> You really aren't going to stay. >> We're going to clone him before he goes.
>> Think about Wish we could have have another year. So, >> right. Yeah, that's we're over a year away. So, it might be we might be able to persuade them. >> I'm >> the process itself takes about 12 months >> now. But I'm going to I'm definitely putting it on the agenda.
>> You're putting it on the agenda >> of the list. >> Oh, okay. >> Thank you, >> Bob. Um you Mark, you had brought up the Sears family and I was wondering I know that
at last town meeting we had some funding for the park across the street >> as well. I'm not sure at some point in time if we can if that's gone anywhere, where we're at with that. >> Um I know I had asked you today about Grace Beach. I know there's a lot of people in the public that's asking about
the boardwalk. You had said that there's an update on the natural resources part. It just says that it's damaged. There's really not too much there for information. So maybe we could put something out about that. Uh, and I had also uh talked about um in Crab Creek
there's a bunch of trees that are across the creek in the in the um in the middle of the river. >> Oh, look at that. Wow. >> Yeah, it's >> that is that >> I want to show you this is >> Grace Beachuation
on on Grace Beach. And um maybe this will help the um only saving grace that we have there is that the super structure right of the um
facility is um still intact. People's um >> planks yeah >> planks um have not been destroyed but um there's a very serious problem with the amount of damage that's been done. Um,
as you can see, those pilings are completely separated from the superructure and um, they they can't be fixed. So, there's a minimum of of 10 peers that have to be completely
replaced. This is beyond the normal scope of damage that we see generally in the winter months. um you know due to the age of the facility and plus this was um probably frozen up worse than we've seen it in many many years. Um so
the DNR has been managing this project but you do in conjunction with the other town departments to um do the complete assessment now that the ice is is cleared and um to do the the first part was to get a scope of the workh that
needs uh completion for the repair which is substantial and um generating estimates for that work which have come in in the $225,000 range. So it's not insignificant. Now >> insured correct.
>> Um no this this facility um is not because this type of damage is not um insurable under our insurance. if it would um burn, you know, but but the pilings just moving around um this this
area doesn't couldn't get insurance through Maya for it. Hasn't been insured ever >> and so >> had to pay every time. >> It's this is >> the funds the you know between several different sources we've been rounding up funds and I think we have the funds that
are required to um make these repairs. They're currently right now um preparing the scope of work so it can be placed out to bid, which we hope to place it out to bid and complete before the summer these repairs. But it's a pretty
significant problem. It's a um you know much more extensive damage than we've seen, but moving forward to to have it fixed. And you know, we hope by the summer to have it to have it open. But you know, we appreciate everyone's patience. Uh we'll continue to uh update
the the website in terms of when the bids are released, when the work's going to be done. It's not a ton of work putting in 10 12 pilings and connecting them, but there's a lot of mobilization, demobilization, and so
anything I left out? >> No, I think that that's important for the public to hear. A lot of people have been asking. So, any any updates that we can get out? I think >> so. What we're being told is is that it's there's a process underway to repair this. >> Yes. >> And do we have a rough idea time frame wise, Bob?
>> Before the summer. >> Before the summer. >> Very good. >> That might be actually a good item to communicate to, you know, on on our website or Facebook page. It's a news item to get out there as an update on the >> Is that in the works, Amy?
>> There's an update on the um DNR site. >> I went there today. I asked them to share it more broadly on social media, >> but the well the department of natural resource site I looked when Bob said that to me today all it says is it was damaged in a storm. It doesn't have any update about it being >> we're seeking funding for it currently.
>> Okay. So we'll update that what you know where what exactly what we're doing. So I mean that the idea was they they put up what they had um and you know it goes but this all over the last I think three or four weeks has been developing piece by piece. So >> yeah, I think an update saying that
we're on top of it. We're working on getting it repaired and it should be reopened by the something that gives some >> not just on the DNR website on social media. >> Well, but also on the website >> planks are damaged. So the
>> they'll put that in there. Yeah, >> that's also on there. But yes, we can share that. But also on the website on the Yarmouth website, not on the DNR website because I don't do social media. So I go to the Yarmouth website. If I don't see it on the front page,
I ain't going to see it. >> You can put it through news and announcements. >> Yeah, there you go. That's very good. >> Perfect. >> Yeah, thanks for that. I know it's a high topic. Um I have um Dorcas and Liz. I have your
um evaluation form. I need Joyce and >> Marks please for >> for the town administrator. >> That's it. >> Um did we do consent agenda >> Bob? >> Okay. >> We didn't do consent. >> No, it's under a town administrator
items. I got it. >> Oh, beg your pardon. >> Y >> let's see. A couple of things I um had for some questions that people um had asked.
The the DPW has provided a um detail on the snow and ice budget. >> Yes. >> And thank you. Um currently they have um totally for the year 170,000 in additional overtime
1,450,000 for additional contractor services 230,000 for additional salt for a total need of 1,850,000. And um that's the the detail on the on
the snow and ice budget. And we also have um if anyone's interested, there's these yellow sheets are are damage assessments from the blizzard of 2026 that are broken down um with which is um
interesting. Out of that additional contractors, you know, there's like over $900,000 we're estimating for the removal of all of the trees >> just on town property. >> 900 900,000 >> just on town property. >> Yeah. mostly out of roads.
>> Yeah. >> Uh would you be willing to send us all a copy of that? I I think that would be good for us to know as people ask. >> Well, yeah. And I and uh not only that, we we're going to have to prepare something for for the town meeting article anyway because I people are already asking. So that's where that
came from. I mean um you know, we're going I'm sure they'll have a presentation to >> to that, but if we could get it out of the way before town meeting and people can ask their questions, that's always even more helpful. So, we've got >> thanks Bob for that update amount of detail
>> on that. And and there was also a question on the use of the um enterprise funds to support the the general fund. And I think that's a bit of a misnomer. Um, some folks looked at in in the
budget for all of the enterprise funds, they carry indirect costs and those are the specific costs that are embedded in the general fund to support the enterprise fund. all of the administrative things and the HR and the
accounting and the payroll that all goes through the town government and it's um generally accepted accounting practice to make sure that those um revenues that are developed take the whole um cost of
the service. It's a a cost accounting um function. So there's no money that comes from the enterprise fund to support the general fund operations. it's only to compensate the general fund for those services directly provided and that's
always been a part of the budget. Um I think our finance director is um you know doing a you know maybe much better job now in tracking that all and allocating those and you know those are the things the auditors look for. They ask where's your indirect cost accounting and things of that nature. So
we all we have that all but but I think um and I've got the details on that actually for every enterprise fund if anyone's interested. >> We we switched that. I mean we've worked hard to get to incorporate all the costs into the into the budgets. I mean when I
when I first started here we we didn't do that. I mean the the income came into the thing and then the general fund paid all of the liabilities and it wasn't a clear in and out. And I think the way that they do it now um is so much better except except for the fact for the you
know the departments that don't have the income to support you know it seems like for the enterprise funds they obviously have have the income. website. >> So that you know is information available. And also I just wanted to you
know mention again I think it's great at our next meeting we tried to reserve enough time to have a kind of our pre-Town meeting and to make sure that um we have that information out there. And uh in the past couple of weeks I've also you know ramped up all of our efforts working with the communication
team. I've made two separate town meeting videos. One of them we did um and you got to watch it. It came out quite nice in the podcast format that talks a lot about town meeting generally um how we do it, why we do it, why we
need people to come attend um and so that's a very interesting one and I also did uh my primer of um going through the warrant creating that on video and um were able to take snippets of that. It's been heavily um pushed on the social
media but also on the cable. I mean the whole video is about 40 minutes long but different sections and it just breaks down the town meeting process, how the whole thing works and what the issues are at this town meeting, how the overrides fit with um everything. So
there's some fascinating information and we've um been pushing that on a number of different forums. um the school budget >> and can we just stop right there, Bob? >> Sure, >> Madam Chair. >> I think it's great to be spending time
helping educate voters on town meeting and procedure. We have a lot of new people that have moved into the town um or people that are new to local government. Let's say they've been here, but now periodically they show up. Um,
and I think for some time we take for granted that everybody in the audience knows how town meeting works and how it functions. Um, and so I think it's great that time and effort is being spent sort of taking a broader perspective and
helping people just sort of understanding this incredible institution that we have of town meeting >> and people avoid it because of things that we say like warrant articles, you know, like that. Those are like kind of fighting words for people
and they don't want any part of it. And that's one of the things we try to do and break it down is why do we call it a warrant? It's not really it's a list of the items we're going to discuss and each one is called an article because we need to separate one vote from another
or would get all you know and just to try to break it down so people feel like they're >> but open town meeting in New England is is such a uh a lot of people who come here have never done it before. they've never, you know, they have a >> basically a city council town uh
government and they don't they don't know and I it's just I I love open town meeting. >> I love it. >> I think it's one of the greatest things. Um >> well, the institution of town meeting has been here since our founding. >> Everybody has a voice and and if nothing
else um you know I always call it your license to right? You're gonna you want to complain, here's your time. >> Come on out. Make your voice heard. Everybody should participate. Imagine, you know, we have such few people that make decisions for so many. And um
>> right, >> one person can make a difference. I always love that when we I always say to the the charter school kids used to call because they used to they had a civics program at the Lighthouse Charter School, which was an amazing program, and they had to go to their hometown. They had to pick an article and they had
to come to town meeting and and write for and against and interview people. And they used to call me and they'd say to me, every one of them for years, they'd say to me, "What do you think is going to be the the hot topic? Which which one should I pick to write about?" And I said, "That's the beauty of town
meeting. The one you think is going to be the hot topic is not the way it happens." So, >> well, I think we should go back to the 1640s where people were mandated to show up at town meeting. >> Yeah, would be great. It doesn't hurt to also say again that the only place where
money is expended is a town meeting. >> This board sitting before you doesn't have the right. >> We put plans before the voters and and before the residents for them to make the decisions and that's ultimately the way it is.
>> And this year finances are playing a very big role in our town meeting. We have, you know, >> potential override questions. we have um the possibility of a new library. Um it is a very important town meeting
>> that everyone should try to attend. >> I appreciate those videos. You do a great job, Bob. >> I hear good feedback on them. >> Well, we'll have to watch them and um we have fun making them. And it goes on and
on. And now there's a um a school budget forum that they're trying to work out the details. It's either going to be the 22nd or the 23rd at the senior center. >> Um and as soon as those details are worked out, >> they'll share that with us. >> Um we're going to have those publicized and and you'll get
>> Is that for both DY and tech or just >> DY? Yeah, this is the DY. >> Okay. And I that leads me to a remark and that is that I'm I'm hoping that the presentation on the budget and the costs which will
lead to a request for an override need to be it needs to be handled um well and I'm hoping that you can have some input there. I know it's not your world. It's it's our >> I think you got to make another call to some you got to get to the school folks.
We're in um you know close communications with the with the school department and um we'll we'll try to set them up for for success where you know we're working together with them and um you know and people need to understand that it's not a school really versus
town situation in any way shape or form. We're all suffering from the same issues of the these rising costs. And if the school department is unsuccessful in being able to, you know, reach their minimum funding to deliver their services, that is going to have a
tremendously negative impact on our entire town government, our entire town um population. We're not divorced from them. It is we're all together in one issue. And so if if the school can't get their minimum standards met, um
ultimately that will take resources from the town and we've already talked about how there's just no wiggle room. So if if we have to make additional sacrifices in order to get minimum standards in the classroom, um that directly impacts the
town. It's not either or. It's all together. And so um I mean we're working with the school. We know that that they need to have um a minimum level of expenditure and so it's >> bless >> but in in helping everybody our our our
residents and our public understand that the price we pay if we don't support the school too because it's yeah it's not an eitheror and if we don't have a good we're in competition with the other schools and we're losing and so there's
there's a reality there too of keeping the standards up serves us. >> Madam Chair, while we're on town meeting, I have a town meeting question and that is is the town report when when do we expect the town report to be done? Normally we like to it's usually right
around this time. >> Yeah, the town meeting um the annual town report will come out within um usually it comes out a week before town meeting. >> Okay. >> So, it's >> Yeah. And I appreciate it looks like we have on our website the warrant or the list of articles. Oh yeah, as we call
it. Yeah, >> which is good. No, it at times it's been challenging to get it >> get it up on the website quickly, but it it's it's there day you guys approved it. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Are you done with your updates, B?
>> Um yeah, I think so. just um wanted to mention we talked a little bit about the there is a um this week Thursday 6:00 to 8 at the senior center um a library community forum um and it's good to see that activity get out there in the community um present it >> what time
>> um 6:00 to 8 and that's at the senior center and um 2:30 p.m. Tomorrow we've got that mass DOT briefing where we're going to hear um what their proposed resolution on the Route Six Bass River Bridge is going to be. So, we're told
it's not as draconian as they first >> um thought they wanted to hold off meeting on it until they made their um presentation. So, I'm looking forward to it very much. >> That makes me nervous that they can suddenly decide that it's not as draconian as I as they thought. Well,
they told me they went back and they they met with um the Mass Highway Administration officials where the first time they just went by the guidelines >> and and you know they went and had some um additional meetings to determine if
there's any additional flexibility that they could >> gain and still be within the guidelines of federal highway. And it looks like they had some type of compromise. We're we're going to find out more. I don't have the total details, but they tell me I'll be happier than we were the last time.
>> Well, that's not that's not that's not saying much. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. Um, can can somebody move the >> I move the consent agenda? >> Is there a second? Second. Can I make a comment? >> Sure.
>> I just want to say the Rotary Club of Yarmouth. Wow. What a be a fantastic donation. $8,000 worth of flag and flag pole to go up at Park River Landing.
Thank you. So, all those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Is there anything else? A motion to adjurnn. >> Move. I move to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Good night. Thank you. >> Good night, everyone. Thank you.
>> Recording stop.