21-05-2025
Yarmouth town meeting voters approve 34 articles. They got a town history lesson as well.
About 350 Yarmouth voters passed all 34 articles on the town meeting warrant with nearly unanimous votes but with plenty of discussion in just over three hours at the Dennis-Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School on Tuesday, April 29.
However, before the voting started, the residents got some local and national history lessons in honor of the country's upcoming 250th anniversary. Town Moderator Ken Mudie reminded the residents that Yarmouth was a major home of the Sons of Liberty, who contributed more than 440 volunteers, ages 15 and over, for the Revolution.
West Yarmouth resident Christine Greeley followed by reading the Declaration of Independence and President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
The most discussed article was a request to OK a Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion for $845,476 to hire four firefighters and a supervisor. Voters at the May 20 town election would also have to approve the debt exclusion.
Financial watchdog resident Norman Holcomb asked why four firefighters were hired last year without an override. Town Administrator Robert Whritenour said the hiring is a two-year program to handle a staff shortage, but there isn't enough money to pay for it without the debt exclusion.
Fire Chief Enrique Arrascue gave strong arguments for the extra staff, saying the department's calls have increased by 52% in two years and the extra work burden is leading to injuries to firefighters and hurting morale. Employees are going to other departments for better pay, he said.
The chief explained that the impact of hiring five additional employees will be $54 a year for the average homeowner with a $680,000 house.
'The Fire Department is doing a really good job supporting itself,' Arrascue said, as it brought in $3 million in revenue the past year. 'We need to make sure we are not overworking and can respond to calls.'
The article passed without dissent.
Another challenged article was for a treatment system for perfluoro alkoxy alkanes, known as PFAS, in two wells that have exceeded maximum contaminant levels of the so-called 'forever chemicals' in drinking water.
Well No. 10 off Forest Road was shut down about three years ago and a system design and construction is proposed for $5 million. Well No. 11 in the same area will remain open until 2028 when the Environmental Protection Agency regulations take effect.
Elvio Rodrigues, who lives in that neighborhood, claimed that Well No. 11 shouldn't operate either because it contains high levels of PFAS and 'extremely high nitrogen' that can impact infant mortality. He also said wastewater from a proposed housing development on Forest Road could further contaminate the wells.
'All of us are drinking this water,' Rodrigues said. Another resident also recommended shutting down Well No. 11 and asked for further study on Well No. 10.
Public Works Director Jeff Colby said the town doesn't have enough water to meet demand without bringing the two wells online. The article passed on a two-thirds majority vote with some opposed.
An unexpected objection came late in the evening from resident Christopher George, who asked for reconsideration of an earlier vote to fund a Revolutionary War Monument that is to be placed at the Yarmouth Port playground in recognition of local soldiers. George did not explain the reason for his opposition to the project.
The item was part of six of the Community Preservation Committee's recommended historical preservation projects totaling $872,133. A vote to reconsider was turned down quickly.
An article to approve $200,000 for maintenance of the former Mattacheese Middle School drew a question on the building's current and future use.
'We need an explanation about the use,' resident Ann Goring said.
Assistant Town Administrator William Scott said the building is being used extensively by the Recreation Department for youth and adult sports. A committee has been looking at future uses and will submit three proposals by January 2026, Scott said.
Other approved funding articles at the meeting:
$100,000 for a feasibility design study for a possible town common in the open area across from Town Hall on Route 28.
$51.5 million for the municipal operating budget.
$44.8 million for the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District budget with Yarmouth covering 70% of the assessment.
$3.8 million for the town's share of the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School budget.
$2 million for a new type of pumper fire truck.
The town election is May 20.
Susan Vaughn writes about transportation and other local community issues affecting Cape Cod residents and visitors. She can be reached at smharris@
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Yarmouth town meeting: Treatment system for PFAS passed.
