Yarmouth's Revived Economic Development Committee Holds First Meeting, Organizes Leadership

Other Committee · Meeting of May 18, 2026

Yarmouth's dormant Community and Economic Development Committee reconvened for the first time in roughly two years at its May 18 inaugural meeting. Director of Community Development Megan Eldridge was elected chair, with Planning Board member Will Ribbenstein as vice chair and returning member Pete Malpass as clerk, all by unanimous voice vote. Eldridge walked the five-member committee through a $564,264 fiscal year 2027 budget drawn from 25 percent of local rooms and short-term rental tax receipts, divided across special events, marketing, public improvements, economic development, and personnel.

The committee voted unanimously to direct Eldridge to seek replacement pricing for a digital information board at the chamber of commerce visitor center that has been broken for one full year, with a $4,000 repair attempt by a sign contractor proving inconclusive. Chamber president and CEO Mary Villebon noted that event execution costs have risen roughly 40 percent since 2020, leaving the committee unable to fully fund all applicants last year; Eldridge said the committee had more event applications than it had funds to cover.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of May 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.