The Yarmouth Select Board finalized a $600,000 land acquisition near Taylor Bray Farm during a brief special meeting Wednesday, move intended to secure substantial state funding before a critical fiscal year deadline. The 3.14-acre parcel off Nottingham Drive and Hokon Road, identified as Lot 99, was previously authorized for purchase during the November 2025 Special Town Meeting as part of a long-term effort to expand conservation holdings and storm protection buffers near the historic farm.

Conservation Administrator Britney Drienzo explained that the board needed to formalize the purchase and approve a conservation restriction to remain eligible for the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services land grant. We're moving forward in the process and we have two votes today, Drienzo said. We need a motion... to purchase the property, and then also to grant and approve the conservation restriction that's required on the property to be eligible for our land grant. Town Administrator Robert Whritenour credited Drienzo for her persistence in navigating Land Court hurdles to meet the deadline. The reason for the special meeting is that this action is contingent upon the town receiving a $347,000 land grant which we successfully had. If we close prior to the end of the fiscal year, we are able to get that grant, Whritenour noted.

Motion Made by T. Post to purchase approximately 3.14 acres off Nottingham Drive and Hokon Road, shown as lot 99 on a plan prepared by Mel Engineers and Land Surveyors, for the sum of $600,000 pursuant to Article 11 of the November 17, 2025, Annual Town Meeting, and to further authorize the Chair, Tracy Post, to execute and enter into any and all documents necessary to effectuate the acquisition of said property. Motion Passed (5-0).

Motion Made by T. Post to approve in the public interest and grant and approve the foregoing conservation restriction to the Trustees of the Yarmouth Conservation Trust pursuant to Section 32, Chapter 184, Section 12 of Chapter 44B of the Mass General Laws and pursuant to the Town of Yarmouth Town Meeting vote. Motion Passed (5-0).

The board also addressed the fallout from the previous day’s local election, where voters rejected a debt exclusion for a proposed library expansion. Town Clerk Mary Maslowski reported a steady 16.29% turnout, with 3,757 residents casting ballots. Despite the election loss, the board was legally required to execute the warrant for a June 24 Special Town Meeting triggered by a citizen petition on the same library issue. However, given the clear signal from the polls, the board moved to recommend that Town Meeting indefinitely postpone the article.

We have to move forward with the town meeting even though it failed at the ballot yesterday. This vote is mechanical to uphold our part of the law, said Chair Tracy Post, adding, We take our direction from both town meeting and the election. Member Mark Forest echoed the sentiment, noting the need for future dialogue. We all know we need to improve the libraries. This is just the path that was laid out for us. At some point, we'll have discussions about where we go from here, but now is not that time, Forest said.

Motion Made by M. Forest to approve and execute the warrant for the June 24, 2026, Special Town Meeting. Motion Passed (5-0).

Motion Made by T. Post to not recommend Article 1 and to move to indefinitely postpone. Motion Passed (5-0).

Motion Made by M. Forest to nominate the Chair, T. Post, to make the motion for indefinite postponement at Town Meeting. Motion Passed (5-0).