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Yarmouth committee approves $74,000 to repair damaged boardwalk
Summary
The Yarmouth Community and Economic Development Committee voted June 15 to provide $74,000 toward repairs of the town’s boardwalk after winter ice and a storm damaged pilings; town staff said bids were received, the low bid was $158,000 and an additional $13,000 contingency is already identified.
The Yarmouth Community and Economic Development Committee voted June 15 to approve $74,000 from the tourism revenue preservation fund to help repair a storm‑damaged section of the town boardwalk.
"I'm Dave Condan, director of natural resources for the town," Condan told the committee, and described substantial winter ice and a subsequent storm surge that undermined 50 to 60 feet of the boardwalk near the viewing platform. He said the town awarded the work to the low bidder at $158,000 and that the contractor has since identified an additional broken piling set that raises the likely total to about $171,000.
The town has already committed money from a memorial boardwalk plank account toward repairs. "Between the $100,000 from that fund and the ask for $74,000 from you guys, we will hopefully have just enough to make it happen," Condan said.
Committee members asked technical and budget questions before the vote, including whether the work would change the look and permitting requirements. Condan said the plan is to "replace it in kind" to preserve the boardwalk's aesthetic and to avoid more costly permitting and structural changes. He added that the contractor will remove existing planks and re‑use those that are intact.
Members discussed contingency and longer‑term planning. One member suggested adding a small additional contingency, while others urged placing the boardwalk on a capital plan or creating an emergency stabilization fund to anticipate repeat repairs. Condan noted that some previous repairs were the result of distinct incidents and that the section now damaged is one of three historically vulnerable spots.
The contractor is under contract and is expected to begin work in the coming weeks, with 60 days to complete the repairs once mobilized, town staff said. The committee's allocation will be drawn from the public improvement and tourism accounts and any unspent funds will roll back into the fund balance.
The committee approved the motion to fund the $74,000 request; members congratulated staff and expressed hope the work proceeds quickly.
