The Yarmouth Finance Committee moved to support the town’s public safety departments Wednesday night, endorsing budget requests that include a specialized firearms training trailer and new command staff for fire operations. The meeting was underscored by the announcement of Fire Chief Simonian’s retirement after nearly 40 years of service, a transition Town Administrator Robert L. Whritenour described as a huge loss for the community given the Chief’s tenure starting as a 16-year-old in the department.

Police Chief Kevin Lennon presented a budget that highlighted a staggering 90% reduction in house break-ins over the last decade, dropping from 317 incidents in 2010 to just 31 in 2021. Despite the drop in property crime, the department is grappling with a 33,824-call workload and significant recruitment hurdles in dispatch. To modernize training, the Chief proposed a $350,000 self-contained shooting trailer, noting that the Yarmouth Police Foundation has already committed $300,000 toward the project. Acting Chair Alyssa Mullin emphasized the need for a long-term view of such investments, stating, If there is a strategic investment that could be a revenue generator, we want to keep that conversation going.

Vice Chair George Perkins questioned how the department measures its output, noting that total call numbers can be ambiguous. I'm trying to get a sense of your workload. The numbers in front of us don't tell you much compared to other periods, Perkins said. Chief Lennon explained that the data provides a flavor of activity, while preventative measures like nightly business checks remain a priority. Following the discussion, Motion Made by G. Perkins to recommend the Police Department budget as proposed. The motion was seconded by N. Ladley. Motion Passed (4-0-0).

The Fire Department’s presentation focused on a sharp rise in call volume, with 7,567 incidents generating over 10,000 individual responses. The Fire Chief detailed the strain of aging equipment and the lack of a dedicated mechanic, which has led to costly outsourcing. One set of tires for a ladder truck is $10,000. We had a pumper we couldn't fix for a year because it needed $20,000 in repairs, the Chief explained, advocating for a certified heavy truck mechanic to join the staff. This request aligns with the committee’s long-standing interest in consolidating maintenance functions to address the town’s documented infrastructure backlog.

Beyond equipment, the department is seeking to add a Captain in the car shift commander to ensure emergency decisions are not being made by officers also tasked with driving ambulances. Mullin expressed concern over the sustainability of administrative workloads, particularly in payroll, remarking, It doesn't sound sustainable to have it all living with one person. Deputy Fire Chief Sawyer noted that upcoming federal SAFER grants could potentially cover 100% of salaries and benefits for three years for new positions. Motion Made by G. Perkins to recommend the Fire Department budget as proposed. Motion Passed (4-0-0).

The committee also addressed immediate financial needs through two budget transfers totaling nearly $33,000. These included $29,905 to cover property insurance and $3,000 for a Health Department position. Regarding the latter, Whritenour noted the town is actively recruiting to fill the role permanently by April. Member Robert Harding moved to approve the funding to maintain continuity in health inspections, a critical area given the town's focus on short-term rental compliance. Motion Made by R. Harding to approve both budget transfers as presented. Motion Passed (3-0-0).