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Yarmouth launches townwide assessment of 'townways to water; public meetings set May 29 and June 10
Summary
The town will inventory and assess more than 60 public "townways to water," produce an interactive GIS map and recommend priority repairs after a study funded by the Community Preservation Committee. Natural Resources director Dave Condon and the Waterways and Shellfish Advisory Committee outlined a multiyear plan and asked for public input.
The Town of Yarmouth will inventory and assess more than 60 town-owned access points to freshwater and saltwater after the Community Preservation Committee funded a townwide evaluation, Natural Resources Director Dave Condon told the Select Board on May 13.
Why it matters: "Townways to water" provide public access for small boats, fishing, shellfishing, and shoreline use but vary widely in condition and legal clarity. The assessment will document parking, structures, current uses and legal access and produce an interactive GIS map for the public and town staff.
Condon said the town initially sought funds to rebuild a deteriorated stairway at Driftwood Lane on Follins Pond; CPC asked the town to expand that work into a systemwide assessment. The consultant, the Horsley Witten Group, will perform deed research, field assessments and limited engineering for the top three priority sites. The project will also produce permit guidance, an online interactive map hosted by town GIS and a final report with prioritized repairs.
Public input is planned: the town scheduled two early public meetings on May 29 and June 10 at the Town Hall hearing room and will also publish an online survey to gather resident feedback and site-specific concerns. Condon said field assessments will be completed during July and a draft report is expected later this year. "We should have an almost handbook where we can say, 'this site needs X, these permits are required,'" he told the board.
Select Board members praised the initiative and asked that the town emphasize outreach to nearby homeowners, clarify parking options at access points, and consider QR-code signage so frequent users can complete the survey at each site. No formal action was required other than continuing the study and public-engagement plan.
