The financial scale of Yarmouth’s wastewater infrastructure continues to grow as the Water Resources Advisory Committee reviewed a new $35 million estimate for the Bayberry Hills Golf Course disposal and irrigation system. During a technical briefing on May 4, Department of Public Works Director Jeff Colby detailed the evolving costs and regulatory hurdles facing the town’s multi-year municipal sewer project. While the town remains on track with the construction of the $97.5 million Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), the expansion toward Bayberry Hills represents a critical next phase in managing the town's treated effluent.

Colby explained that the $35 million figure is a conservative estimate for the infrastructure required to transport treated water from the main facility to the golf course for disposal and irrigation. The project must meet stringent Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) standards, particularly regarding high-level disinfection for irrigation use. Colby noted that the conservative estimate for this is $35 million, clarifying that while significant, the project is eligible for State Revolving Fund (SRF) low-interest loans and a 25% subsidy from the Cape & Islands Water Protection Trust. Chairman Bob Latimer questioned the financial impact of the new figure, asking, Is that $35 million in addition to the original program? We're going to have to ask for that next year.

The committee expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of direct state grants to cover the bulk of the cost. John Henderson asked, Is the DEP going to come up with some money for us? to which Colby replied that while small design grants have been awarded, a significant portion of the $35 million would likely remain the town's responsibility. Tim Paszko of CDM Smith, appearing via Zoom, added that the DEP’s requirements for higher disposal rates could necessitate extensive pilot testing. Paszko warned that the DEP indicated that to approve a higher disposal rate, we would need a lot more pilot testing, which would impact the schedule.

Beyond the golf course expansion, the committee grappled with the immediate impacts of active sewer construction along Route 28. A point of contention emerged regarding a work stoppage during April school vacation, which was requested by the Chamber of Commerce to protect local business traffic. Because of that pause, the town is now seeking an extension from MassDOT to continue work through June 19. Chairman Latimer criticized the decision-making process, arguing that the trade-off was poorly timed. We took a low-traffic week off to accommodate the Chamber of Commerce, and now we are impacting traffic in a busier week in June, Latimer said. We forfeited a work week at our request and tacked it onto a more heavily trafficked week. We didn't do anybody any favors.

Selectman Mark Forest defended the effort to remain responsive to the business community, noting that the whole outreach on this project is to work with the business community. We are trying to be responsive. It was a burning issue for them. Committee member Mary Keefe offered a perspective from the hospitality industry, suggesting that the decision likely stemmed from concerns at drive-in hotels. From the hotel world, April vacation isn't what it used to be, but the drive-in hotels probably pushed the Chamber for no construction, Keefe observed. You don't want people coming down from Newton and hitting detour after detour. However, George Allaire noted that the perceived traffic benefit might have been overstated, stating, I didn't find much difference in traffic during April vacation. I use Route 28 all the time.

The physical appearance of the sewer infrastructure also drew fire from committee members. Chairman Latimer raised concerns about the aesthetics of new pump stations, describing them as ugly and overly industrial. He pointed out that visible mechanical components and a lack of screening were hurting the local streetscape. Paszko explained that changes in building codes have limited the size of structures to 200 square feet, which forced some equipment to be placed outside. However, he assured the committee that landscaping and fencing are forthcoming. The largest pump station in this phase is at the drive-in site, which will look more like a restroom facility and have more 'charm', Paszko said. Mary Keefe requested further transparency on these designs, asking, Can we see the landscape plan so we can get an idea of what the screening will look like?

Financial clarity remains a high priority for local business owners who are currently negotiating long-term leases. Lee Manso reported that commercial landlords are struggling to establish future costs without definitive numbers on sewer assessments. I've had commercial landlords reach out suggesting they are having trouble establishing costs for long-term leases, Manso said. If they are writing a 5 or 10-year lease, they need to know what the betterment and user fees will be. Colby responded that a consultant is currently finalizing betterment figures, which will be flow-based and should be available in the third quarter of this year. He cautioned that while betterment fees are becoming clearer, user fees for FY28 are still being calculated as part of the overall operational budget.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the committee’s own visibility and transparency. Given the hundreds of millions of dollars involved in the wastewater rollout, members discussed moving future meetings to Town Hall to allow for television broadcasts and better public access. Lee Manso supported the move toward greater transparency, noting, As far as advisory committees go, this is a major one with a lot of money involved. We should take a look at it. Chairman Latimer agreed, citing the need for better communication as the town approaches the phase where residents will begin seeing betterment charges on their tax bills. Generally, people want more transparency, Latimer concluded.