Yarmouth officials are bracing for a difficult fiscal path as Town Administrator Robert Whritenour presented a $122.7 million preliminary budget for FY2027, warns of a potential Proposition 2 1/2 override. The forecast is clouded by what Whritenour described as unprecedented growth in student enrollment at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, with 30 new Yarmouth students adding over $800,000 in costs in a single year. This 21 percent enrollment spike, combined with an 8 percent rise in health insurance premiums and a 6 to 7 percent projected increase in the Dennis-Yarmouth regional school budget, has left the town with little financial breathing room.

Whritenour expressed a lot of apprehensions regarding the upcoming cycle, noting a slowdown in local receipts like meals and room taxes. Member Mark Forest was blunt about the town's options, stating that the reality is that we're in a very, very tough spot right now... we have really no choice if we're going to basically hold this together and come out of this, we're going to have to have some sort of override. The budget discussion also touched on public safety, where Police Chief Frank Lennon noted the department is currently absorbing the cost of two School Resource Officer positions while the school district only funds one. Fire Chief Simonian updated the board on the department’s transition to PFAS-free turnout gear to protect firefighter health, a transition that remains a priority even as departmental budgets tighten.

The financial strain extended to a public hearing on 2026 golf fees, where a proposal to raise the Links annual pass from $375 to $400 sparked immediate pushback from the board. Chair Tracy Post reminded the Golf Department that the town had previously voted to keep fee increases within a 5 percent cap. I just don't think it's worth upsetting people going over the 5%, Post said, asking why the department would exceed the limit while holding healthy retained earnings. Why would you go against the town meeting vote? In response, Golf Director Scott Kilmer and Head Professional Dennis Hoy agreed to adjust the proposed Links pass to $390 to remain compliant. Despite the fee friction, the department highlighted significant success, including a $600,000 net profit after capital improvements and national exposure on the television program Chronicle. Member Liz Argo noted she frequently hears from constituents that visitors who are coming onto the Cape are getting a better opportunity to play golf than the locals, while Member Joyce Flynn suggested a creative safety solution for the Bass River course: a long skinny amount of shade for golfers with solar on top to act as a barrier against flying golf balls near the street.

The board also tackled an ongoing environmental crisis, as Water Superintendent Lori Rosala reported that Yarmouth has been in a significant drought for over a year. While the department has focused on education, sending roughly 200 re-education letters to violators of the one-day-per-week irrigation rule, some board members called for stricter measures. Argo described it as offensive to see neighbors ignore restrictions during a crisis, stating, I'm a voice for more of a ruler hitting the knuckles than we've had. Member Dorcas McGurrin and Mark Forest pushed for formal warnings, noting that residents frequently complain the town is not doing enough to enforce conservation bylaws. DPW Director Jeff Colby countered that the current educational approach has already successfully reduced usage by millions of gallons without the administrative burden of uncollectible fines.

Public comment brought tension regarding school infrastructure. Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith addressed a previous suggestion to move 7th graders to the high school and 3rd graders to the intermediate school as a way to avoid rebuilding the ME Small Elementary School. Smith submitted a letter stating the plan is not feasible and urged the board to hold a formal discussion on the matter. This follows the board's ongoing efforts to renegotiate the regional school agreement and manage the structural decline of the ME Small building. Resident Vidos Patel also took the podium to criticize a Board of Health proposal to restrict tobacco sales to certain age groups, calling the plan wacky and arguing it makes the town the butt of jokes on radio programs.

In a standoff regarding the Forest Road property, the Yarmouth Housing Authority (YHA) requested a joint working group to resolve wastewater and stormwater obstacles to a proposed housing project. However, Mark Forest pointed out a fundamental policy conflict: Town Meeting previously voted to instruct the Select Board to reacquire the property specifically for conservation. The townspeople have spoken on this, Forest said. While YHA Chair Drew Krauss maintained the site remains viable for housing, the board declined to form a formal political working group, instead directing town staff to meet with the YHA to articulate the technical and environmental concerns regarding the public water supply and neighborhood flooding.

Procedural business included several appointments and the endorsement of regional initiatives. Motion Made by M. Forest to enter into executive session regarding Revolt Construction Inc. v. Town of Yarmouth. Motion Passed 4-0. Following the executive session, the board handled a request for health insurance provision. Motion Made by M. Forest to vote to endorse the recommendations for providing health insurance to Mr. Kaine. Motion Passed 5-0. The board also moved to protect local maritime interests. Motion Made by M. Forest to support and endorse the letter for the Massachusetts dredge program. Motion Passed 5-0. Finally, due to a need for further financial analysis, the board delayed action on other department fees. Motion Made by M. Forest to continue the public hearing for general government fees to January 13, 2026. Motion Passed 5-0.