Yarmouth CPC reviews CPA plan, highlights housing, historic and park projects and opens comment period

Judy Wilchinsky, chair of the Yarmouth Community Preservation Committee, opened a public hearing to present the draft Community Preservation Plan and updates on CPA-funded projects, and invited oral and written comments through May 15, 2026.

The committee said CPA revenue has averaged about $1.9 million annually for the town, though recent town meeting action adopting a $100,000 exemption and a 0.78% surcharge for a water infrastructure fund reduced local CPA receipts. Wilchinsky called the CPA a dedicated funding source for community housing, historic resources, open space and recreation and reviewed cumulative results since 2005: roughly $44 million in CPA revenues and state matches (about $31 million raised locally and approximately $12 million from the state), $50 million in additional matched funds, and about $94 million in total investment in Yarmouth projects.

"This plan is updated annually," Wilchinsky said, noting copies are available at the hearing and will be posted online. "Public comments will be taken until May 15, 2026 at 12 noon," she added.

David Geianopoulos of the Historical Commission reported six historic preservation projects approved at the 2025 town meeting and ongoing efforts including grave-marker restoration at Ancient Cemetery, preservation work at the Friends Meeting House on North Main Street, and work at Taylor-Bray Farm. He said a Revolutionary War memorial at Fred Thatcher Park will be dedicated June 20, 2026.

Lee Hamilton, representing the Community Housing Committee, outlined housing investments and recent town-meeting approvals, including a $620,560 warrant approved April 29, 2025 that funds the Yarmouth Municipal Affordable Housing Trust for projects serving households at or below 80% of area median income. Hamilton reviewed local projects supported by CPA funds, including motel-to-housing conversions, Yarmouth Commons (69 units) and Yarmouth Gardens (40 units), alongside multi-town efforts such as a veterans outreach center developed with Dennis.

Britney Den Drienzo and Paul Huggin provided open-space and park updates. Den Drienzo said the Chase Brook Park project — awarded $820,000 in CPC funds toward a total project cost of about $1.66 million (bid roughly $1.4 million) — began construction in February; the bridge installation was scheduled for May. The committee also described a recent town acquisition of 3.14 acres on Nottingham Drive for coastal resilience and ongoing invasive-species management funded at $40,000 across five parcels.

Debbie Clark of the Recreation Commission highlighted recreation projects supported by the CPA, including an inclusive playground and splash deck named Holden's Hope at Sandy Pond and a new playground at Station Avenue Elementary School. She also announced the grand opening of Parker's River Landing (formerly Riverwalk Park) on May 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The committee estimated $2.22 million in CPA revenue for fiscal year 2027, and said the figure is reduced by about $450,000 for previously authorized bond obligations. Applications for CPA funding are available online, are due each September, and will be reviewed with applicant interviews in October and November before recommendations to the Select Board and town meeting.

During public comment, Mary Wagan, the town's affordable housing CDBG program administrator, summarized a UMass Dartmouth study on short-term rentals and cited local housing pressures: she said Yarmouth's median home sale price is over $560,000 and that roughly two-thirds of renters face a housing-cost burden. "We have developed a robust affordable housing program," she said, urging continued CPC partnership to build and preserve housing and to guide new mixed-use development on Route 28 with affordable components.

Gary Sashaw of the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth offered editorial suggestions for the draft plan (including clarifying the location of a memorial and expanding the definition of historic resources to include documents and artifacts) and left written comments for the record.

Robert Writtenau, the town administrator and chair of the local affordable housing trust, spoke in support of the draft plan and the CPC's work. He described fiscal constraints under Proposition 2½, noted the CPC's role in leveraging matching funds and grants, and encouraged strategies that would allow the town to influence larger-scale developments on Route 28.

Rick Bishop, executive director of the Friends of Bass River, thanked the committee for CPC support that helped leverage federal and state funds for Bass River projects.

With no further public comment, the committee moved to adjourn. Debbie Clark moved to adjourn the hearing; Lee Hamilton seconded. A voice vote was taken in favor and the hearing adjourned.

Next steps: the draft plan remains open for comment through May 15, 2026; applicants seeking CPA funds should consult the CPC webpage for application details and deadlines.