2026 Annual Town Meeting & Election

Article 16 and Ballot Question 6 asks Voters to approve $8 million for Phase 2 of the Tom Nevers Debris Removal Project, continuing work to remove buried debris from the bluff area before erosion exposes it on the beach. Building on Phase 1, which addressed debris on the beach and established site access, this phase focuses on upland areas where erosion could cause debris to enter the coastal zone.

Tax Rate Impact
If approved at Town Meeting and Town Election, the estimated tax impact would increase the annual bill by approximately $11.85 for 25 years for a year-round property valued at $1,878,950 that qualifies for the residential exemption. Click HERE for the 2026 Town Meeting Tax Rate Calculator.

Phase Two Project Summary

This project includes the removal of subsurface (buried) debris in the main area of the park between the bunker and bluff, east of the phase one project site. Removal of this buried debris before erosion exposes it on the bluff face or causing it to land on the beach is much more efficient and cost effective.

Phase One Project Summary

This project includes the removal of subsurface (buried) debris on the west side of the park, structures and other debris on the beach, removal of debris protruding from the bluff face, and construction of a beach access ramp for future debris removal by DPW.

Project Area

• West of the Hockey Rink and Dirt Track
• Beach area and bluff face

Phased Approach

• Phase One: Focuses on the removal of subsurface debris within the ramp footprint, debris on the beach and high tide line, and debris protruding from the bluff face.
• Phase Two (future): Continues the removal of subsurface debris inland from the bluff face to prevent it from becoming beach debris in the future (FY27 Capital Request).

Phase One

Beach Access Ramp

• The ramp will remain at the end of Phase One to allow DPW beach access for future debris removal.
• The ramp will remain in place until the bluff face and the southern limit of the Phase Two project area meet, at which point it will be removed and the ramp area will be revegetated.
• The ramp will not serve as a public vehicle access point.
• Sacrificial sand will be installed at the southern (beach) end of the access ramp to prevent wave action from eroding the surface and sides of the ramp.

Challenges

• Permitting: timelines and deadlines for contracts and construction activities
• Winter coastal construction
• Potential unexploded ordinances

Other Related Projects

• Tom Nevers Hockey Rink Reconstruction (FY27 Capital Request)
  • Same construction method (post-tensioned concrete) as new Jetties Tennis Courts
  • Existing base will be pulverized in place and graded to serve as a new base layer for the concrete slab
  • New layout will be cross-lined for basketball, tennis, pickleball, and roller hockey
  • New vinyl coated chain link fence above four-foot-high boards
  • Basketball hoops installed to match existing layout
  • All other nets (tennis, pickle, roller hockey) will be portable to allow maximum flexibility for a variety of uses and configurations
  • New multi-sport court will add to Tom Nevers Park, which will soon be the end point of the new Tom Nevers Bike Path
• Playground was updated in Spring 2025
• Improved irrigation, fencing, and infields softball and baseball fields
• Tom Nevers Bike Path (construction anticipated to start fall 2026)