Yarmouth officials are preparing to seek $130,000 at the upcoming Town Meeting to determine the future of the MacArthur building, a move that could fundamentally alter the footprint of the town’s new library project. During a hybrid session on October 30, the Library Building Committee reviewed Article 5 of the town warrant, which seeks funding to evaluate the feasibility and approximate costs of repurposing the MacArthur site for public use, including its potential role in the centralized library plan. Town official Jay Greatorex confirmed the scope of the request, noting that the article aims to determine the feasibility and approximate cost of possible future uses of the building including for a possible library or other public use.

The committee examined a revised site layout presented by landscape architect Gigi Saltanstall of G2 Collaborative, which introduces a library precinct by shifting the main access road away from the western side of the MacArthur building. This realignment aims to calm traffic and create a safer, unified green space between the structures. The proposed plan incorporates 108 parking spaces—48 existing spots and 60 new ones specifically for library use. Saltanstall explained that the reason why we’ve bent the lot in the middle is that it gets us the ability to have parking relationships to both the school and the library. Greatorex spoke in favor of the shift, remarking, I do like the shifting of the road by the way. I think it also calms the traffic down that would be coming in and out of the site.

The design continues to evolve as architects from Oudens Ello seek to balance state requirements with local site constraints. Architect Matt Rice noted that while Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) formulas suggest 60 spaces for a facility of this scale, local zoning for assembly use could push that requirement over 100. Planning Committee representative Judy Constusan questioned the broader traffic impact on the surrounding area, asking, Is it worth it to see about if Route 28 meets the warrants for a light? Rice confirmed that the current building program has been refined to 25,400 square feet, successfully right-sizing the facility to within 300 feet of its target size to maintain budget control.

Internal safety and staffing logistics emerged as a primary concern for the committee. Joseph L'Heureux, representing library staff, raised alarms regarding sightlines in the larger building, noting that some areas may be difficult to monitor from central desks. As a staff of our size currently... in the case of our building I'm looking at some areas that are out of reach of our sight, L'Heureux said. Rice acknowledged the challenge, comparing the design to the 21,000-square-foot Norwell Library. He cautioned that supervision of the children's room from the circulation desk is not realistic in a building of this scale due to the physical distance of over 200 feet.

The committee also addressed the project’s digital presence, following criticism that the current website is confusing for residents. Jennifer, a representative from the town's Owners Project Manager (OPM) firm Accenture, committed the firm’s technical resources to the effort. We are Accenture and we’re a tech company... I’ll find the right person to assist in making the site fresh and clear before the spring referendum, she said. Chair Robert L. Whritenour emphasized the need for streamlined communication, stating, We're going to keep the communication really narrow to David [Arensson], me, and Tom [Hamilton], and then we'll distribute it, because there is a ton of communication... which will just bog down the committee's progress.

The meeting also included a significant financial clarification regarding past investments. Member Susan Baker corrected the record concerning a previously cited $2.3 million figure. On page three under recent capital investment, it says town contribution of approximately 2.3 million. We got the correct information subsequently. It was not provided by the town but rather was provided by Cape Cod Collaborative, Baker noted. To ensure accuracy, Motion Made by T. Hamilton to accept the September 25, 2025, minutes as amended with the clarification. Motion Passed 6-0.

Public outreach and private fundraising efforts are also accelerating. Linda Callahan, representing the South Yarmouth Library Association, reported that the group is interviewing legal firms for nonprofit consulting and has scheduled a meeting with fundraising experts for mid-November. Meanwhile, Whritenour read a letter from a resident suggesting the town purchase the Don G. Sears Landscape Company property at 221 Old Main Street for the library instead of the MacArthur site. Please save our neighborhoods... this would be a wonderful park, the letter stated. While the committee focused on the existing site plan, they agreed to forward the suggestion to the town’s Disposition Committee.

In other procedural business, the committee entered a brief non-public session to handle sensitive architectural interview records. Motion Made by S. Baker to enter executive session pursuant to MGL Ch. 30A §21(a)(7) and return to public session. Motion Passed 6-0. Following the executive session, the committee resumed its public work. Motion Made by S. Baker to enter in public session. Motion Passed 6-0. The group also formalized the record of their previous joint session with the Select Board. Motion Made by S. Baker to accept the October 7, 2025, minutes as corrected. Motion Passed 5-0-1, with D. McGarin abstaining. Committee members V. Janetto and J. Reco also participated throughout the session, endorsing the various procedural updates and site plan adjustments as the project moves toward a critical December 31 deadline for MBLC submission.