Yarmouth DPW seeks $36,500 from Conservation Fund to redesign Upper Bass River bridges

Conor Clifford, Yarmouth Department of Public Works engineer, asked the Conservation Commission on June 18, 2026, for $36,500 from the town's Conservation Fund to cover consulting fees to Stimson Associates for redesigned bridges on the Upper Bass River restoration project. The DPW said the originally proposed black‑locust palisade bridges were judged difficult to source and prone to cracking, and that a simpler bridge design would be easier to maintain and would reduce the project footprint.

The Conservation Agent recommended approving the request with special conditions requiring the project team to continue pursuing other funding sources and to return any unused funds to the Conservation Fund. Commissioners asked about alternative funding and long‑term maintenance; Mr. Clifford said the Town Engineer had investigated other sources but he did not have details at the meeting.

Commissioner Bradford Bower moved to approve the request with the Conservation Agent’s recommended conditions; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Jack Frost and carried 6‑0. Commissioners and staff noted the fund’s recent receipts have been limited to interest earnings, that the fund previously contributed to Chase Brook Park and invasive species management, and that approving this request would still leave sufficient balance for current obligations.

The Commission required that preliminary designs be reviewed prior to final approval to avoid additional rounds of revisions and future funding requests. Next steps: preliminary bridge designs will be reviewed by the Commission and permitting will proceed with the expectation that construction stay on schedule provided required approvals and conditions are met.