The LCP emerged as the central topic of the meeting. BCS group’s representative, Heather Gould, introduced their project team. The team’s expertise in master planning and focus on community participation were emphasized.

The plan also aims to improve connectivity, mobility, recreation, education, and learning. The near-finished open space and recreation plan and the housing production plan were cited as critical components of the LCP, with future presentations scheduled for the board of Selectmen. Integration of ongoing economic studies and planning grants underscored the depth of planning initiatives.

Strategies to reach diverse community segments included in-person, hybrid, and online engagement platforms, translating materials for the Portuguese-speaking community, and leveraging social media, digital marketing, and print materials. Aiming for a final draft by October 2025, the board’s intent to align with the Cape Cod Commission’s regional policies, despite some confusion on this relationship, was clarified.

Route 28’s ongoing construction and its implications on local traffic were also points of discussion. Collaboration with neighboring towns to address traffic, especially for emergency vehicles, highlighted regional cooperation.

Further to infrastructure, economic discussions delved into the need to diversify Yarmouth’s economy, traditionally reliant on tourism. The board acknowledged this economic monoculture as a contributing factor to the housing crisis due to the scarcity of affordable jobs. A marketing study funded by the Community and Economic Development Committee (CEDC) aimed to address this issue, although details on the study’s progress were scant. The board also considered the success of food trucks authorized in certain areas and the decommissioning of gas stations, contemplating future property uses.

Public participation was underscored as vital, with the board encouraging engagement of neighborhood associations in the planning process. Updates from the Water Resources Advisory Committee concentrated on the water resource recovery facility and potential additional costs.