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Yarmouth Select Board discusses MSBA feasibility acceptance, wastewater ramp-up and January budget schedule
Summary
Select Board members said the Mass School Building Authority appears likely to accept Yarmouth's feasibility study application for the Small School, prompting calls for close coordination with the school committee; the town also set a Jan. 7 budget workshop and scheduled a Dec. 17 wastewater update as construction communication ramps up.
Town officials told the Select Board on Dec. 10 that the Mass School Building Authority (MSBA) appears ready to accept a feasibility-study application related to the Small School, and board members urged early and close coordination with the school committee and legislators to keep local priorities central to the scope of any study.
The town administrator reported receiving notice that the MSBA "wants to accept" the feasibility application and that a Zoom meeting with the MSBA is scheduled this week. Several board members described past experiences in which state preferences influenced project scope and cautioned against a preordained outcome. One board member said the MSBA is "extremely opinionated as to what they feel would be beneficial," and members agreed the select board and school committee should meet jointly to set expectations and options for the feasibility process.
Separately, the town administrator and finance director described ongoing work on the fiscal 2026 budget. The board scheduled a budget workshop for Jan. 7 to begin a line-by-line review, with additional sessions to follow for departments that require deeper review. Members stressed transparency and public access during budget hearings.
Officials also said Route 28 wastewater construction will ramp up in the coming weeks, with more detours, business outreach and an ombudsman in the field to handle concerns. The board requested that the wastewater update planned for Dec. 17 be widely publicized so residents and businesses can prepare for upcoming detours and construction impacts.
Why it matters An MSBA feasibility-study acceptance is a procedural milestone that can trigger multi-year planning and large capital decisions. Board members signaled a preference for exploring existing building options and careful fiscal planning, given other capital demands (wastewater, school reuse, public facilities). The scheduled budget workshops and the wastewater update create near-term opportunities for public input and staff presentations.
What happens next The administrator will provide details from the MSBA Zoom meeting and work with the chair to schedule a joint session with the school committee. The Jan. 7 budget workshop will be publicized and will include department presentations and finance committee participation. The Dec. 17 meeting will include a wastewater construction update and may be preceded by an executive session for real-property negotiations.
