Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Yarmouth wastewater update: permit progress, 1,000‑day treatment plant timetable and calls for a public ombudsman
Summary
Public Works updated the Select Board on a final groundwater discharge permit (370,000 gpd), ongoing DEP negotiations to secure additional discharge capacity, a construction contract with a 1,000‑day timeline for the Water Resource Recovery Facility (NTP Nov. 25; completion projected Sept. 2027), and active collection system work on Route 28. Board members urged creation of a wastewater ombudsman to improve resident communications.
Town public works officials told the Yarmouth Select Board on Dec. 17 that progress continues on the town’s wastewater program but that significant work remains—both technically and in public outreach.
"We have a final groundwater discharge permit that's been issued by DEP for 370,000 gallons per day," said Jeff Colby, Public Works Director, summarizing the current permit. Colby and Laurie Rizalar, Water and Wastewater Superintendent, said negotiations with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are ongoing to identify additional discharge capacity to meet Phase 1 needs and that Bayberry Hills is under consideration as a location for reclaimed‑water irrigation and subsurface discharge.
Colby noted the Water Resource Recovery Facility (contract 1) received a Notice to Proceed on Nov. 25 and that the contractual construction time is 1,000 days. "That gets us to a final completion on 09/10/2027," he said, while cautioning that start‑up testing and DEP approvals affect the actual date flows can begin and that the figure remains a moving target.
Project managers reported active work on collection contracts 2 and 3—contract 2 is about 72% complete and contract 3 about 43%—centered on Route 28 and adjacent side streets. Construction means frequent detours and flagging; staff said they are coordinating with police details, updating Waze daily, adjusting signage after resident feedback and pausing some Route 28 work over holiday periods to reduce disruption.
Multiple board members proposed establishing a visible communications lead or "wastewater ombudsman"—a named point of contact with a public phone number and outreach responsibilities to answer resident questions, coordinate site visits and help demystify tie‑in and funding questions. One member referenced a neighboring town model and suggested the role could average 15–20 hours per week. DPW said an assistant wastewater superintendent was recently hired and that staff are increasing resident meetings and outreach; the board asked staff to consider formalizing the public contact role and to surface options during upcoming budget discussions.
No changes to the project scope or contracts were approved at the meeting. Board members asked staff to continue improving signage, daily updates, and to consider additional communications resources as the project proceeds through winter work and toward the treatment facility’s construction milestone.
