Yarmouth’s financial coffers received a significant boost this week as Town Administrator Robert Whritenour announced the receipt of $1,069,888 in initial disbursements from ongoing PFAS litigation settlements. Beyond the million-dollar milestone, Whritenour also signaled a major environmental and quality-of-life victory regarding the Cape Cod Gateway Airport. After five years of negotiations, the airport has agreed to develop a standard instrument departure system to reduce noise over residential neighborhoods, a move Whritenour described as the town's single largest victory in recent airport relations.

The Select Board moved to solidify the town’s administrative future by appointing Megan Eldridge as the new Community Development Director. Following a search that yielded three finalists, the board favored Eldridge’s deep municipal roots. Member Joyce Flynn advocated for the choice, noting she was rather impressed with her ideas on team motivation and felt Eldridge was best equipped to manage the town's big picture needs. While Member Dorcas McGurrin admitted she was swept away by the out-of-the-box ideas of another candidate with National Parks experience, the board reached a consensus on Eldridge’s readiness to lead immediately. Motion Made by J. Flynn to appoint Megan Eldridge as the Community Development Director. Motion Passed (5-0). Chair Tracy Post added that Eldridge is highly qualified to be able to step up and grow in our community.

Public concern took center stage when resident and former Planning Board Chair Nancy Trafton challenged the town’s consideration of the Joshua Sears Playground for a potential library project. Trafton presented research dating back to 1931, arguing the land is protected under Article 97 of the State Constitution. I respectfully request that you stop to confer with the town's legal counsel before continuing your plan to even consider utilizing any portion of that land for use as a library, Trafton said, citing a Supreme Judicial Court precedent that protects land used as a playground for over 60 years. Whritenour later clarified that while current deeds are clean, the town is conducting an exhaustive 100-year title search to determine if past town actions legally designated the site as protected open space. That research is expected to conclude in December.

The board also grappled with sobering public health data while proclaiming September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Board members expressed alarm that Barnstable County’s suicide rate of 14.4 per 100,000 residents is significantly higher than the state average of 9.5. It's such a heartbreak, said Chair Post. We should find the resources and maybe get something together to put on the website. Member Mark Forest suggested a more aggressive local response, stating, My recommendation would be to ask the health director to come before us and update us on what they're doing with this program. Motion Made by T. Post to proclaim September 2025 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Motion Passed (Consensus).

In a discussion regarding 2025 Priority Goals, the board debated the frequency of internal communication. Member Liz Argo expressed frustration with the current flow of information, noting, I find I'm not getting much information until I come to a board meeting and sometimes I feel confused as to what's happened in the two weeks we've been apart. Whritenour responded that his schedule prevents daily updates while managing town operations. The finalized goals include a focus on water quality, the redevelopment of the former Mattacheese (Madaki) Middle School site, and initiating noise-reduction discussions with the Barnstable Town Council. Motion Made by D. McGurrin to approve the 2025 Priority Goals with discussed addendums. Motion Passed (5-0).

The meeting opened with a lighter moment from Member Argo, who shared that she was recently turned away from the town transfer station because her new vehicle lacked a sticker. Kudos to the transfer station person who turned me away today, Argo said, praising the staff's strict adherence to town rules. On the personnel front, the board accepted the resignation of longtime volunteer Jim Sabin. Motion Made by M. Forest to accept the resignation of J. Sabin with gratitude for years of service. Motion Passed (5-0). The board then filled a vacancy on the Design Review Committee. Motion Made by D. McGurrin to appoint P. Malpass to the Design Review Committee. Motion Passed (5-0).