Bourne Select Board Meeting - December 16, 2025
Bourne Select Board Meeting - December 16, 2025
The Bourne Select Board met on December 16, 2025, in a joint session with the School Committee and Finance Committee to discuss the FY27 budget preview, followed by a regular meeting addressing several agenda items including a citation, public hearings, and approvals. The meeting was televised and streamed by Bourne TV.
Citation and Ceremonial Items
- The board presented a citation to Sergeant Wallace J. Perry IV for heroically de-escalating a situation on the Bourne Bridge on December 9, 2025, preventing a loss of life. Sergeant Perry thanked the board and encouraged outreach for mental health support.
- A moment of silence was held for Kate Haynes, who passed away recently.
- The flag salute was conducted.
Discussion Items
- FY27 Budget Preview: Town Administrator Marlene presented a detailed preview of the FY27 operating and capital budget. Key points:
- The preliminary budget has a $900,000 deficit.
- Revenue assumptions include maximum levy under Proposition 2½, conservative new growth ($300,000), and level state aid.
- $545,000 from capital stabilization is proposed for debt service, a $201,000 increase from FY26, deviating from the long-term model.
- Expenditure placeholders: 5.6% increase for fire, 4.9% for police (with open patrol contract), 6% for retirement board (model assumes 3.5%), 5% health insurance premium increase, and 3.7% increase for Bourne Public Schools (8 new staff due to enrollment).
- Free cash analysis: Certified free cash is $7.7 million; current reserve policy targets 3.5% but DOR now recommends 5-7%. Scenarios for capital projects funding were discussed, ranging from $659,000 to $2.2 million depending on reserve level.
- The board discussed the need to rebuild investment capacity and reduce reliance on capital stabilization.
- Septic System Easement (Article 28): The board approved a grant of easement from 1 Monument Way for a septic system replacement, as prepared by town counsel.
- Special Legislation Liquor License for Katama Fish (Article 13): The board debated whether to authorize the town administrator to submit special legislation to the state house. The town meeting had approved the article. Some members expressed concerns about parking and safety, but the board voted 4-1 to move forward, with MJ dissenting. The license itself would require a separate public hearing.
- Shellfish Regulation Changes: Proposed changes to shellfish regulations included updated dates and a prohibition on removing eelgrass. After public comment from commercial fishermen who argued eelgrass removal is not damaging and that the state only suggested the change, the board voted to strike the eelgrass language and approve the remaining changes. They also noted the need to discuss jet pump/manifold harvesting methods in the future.
- Iceland Building Committee Designer Recommendation: The committee recommended Weston & Samson for design services for the transfer station, citing experience with Chapter 149. The board voted unanimously to authorize negotiation of a design contract.
- Consent Agenda: The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included license renewals.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Paul Miller voiced concerns about parking and safety at the Katama Fish site, arguing the special legislation was premature without site plan review.
- Jay Miller clarified that he never rescinded support for the license but objected to a full liquor license; he appreciated the clarification that the legislation only allows the board to consider a license.
- Commercial fishermen (including a speaker with 36 years of experience) opposed the eelgrass prohibition, stating it was based on a state suggestion, not law, and that eelgrass has been fished for 130 years without destruction. They offered to help conduct a test.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Septic Easement: Unanimous approval (5-0).
- Vote on Special Legislation for Katama Fish: Approved 4-1 (MJ dissenting).
- Vote on Shellfish Regulations: Approved with eelgrass language struck (unanimous).
- Vote on Designer Negotiation: Unanimous approval to negotiate with Weston & Samson.
- Consent Agenda: Unanimous approval.
- Other: The board received the town administrator's report on website upgrade, boardwalk repairs, dog registration, Hen Cove stormwater project rebidding, and Article 97 legislation progress. They also noted upcoming meetings and a request from the Canal Bridge project coordinator to present to the board.
Meeting Transcript
Executive session, so it would be um we need to have our joint meeting call there be a meetings to order. Yeah. If there's a quorum, if there's a quorum. Not sure anybody. I think anybody has a quorum. Okay, that's just the rural set that okay. So uh nope, this meeting is being televised streamed or recorded by Bourne TV. If anyone in the audience is recording or videotaping, they need to acknowledge such at this time. Oh, there's our friend. Okay, thank you. Welcome. Um please refrain from flash photography. Uh so if anyone from the public wishes to access the meeting, they can do so by calling the following conference line. 1929 205-6099, zoom meeting ID 897-1229-3538, password born all caps. Uh the zoom meeting chat will not be monitored. Participants who wish to speak must raise the hand icon until the chair asks them to unmute all items within the meeting agenda a subject subject to deliberation and votes. And uh we are starting this evening with a citation honoring Sergeant Perry for his exceptional service to the community meeting. Sergeant Perry, you can come on up and then we can Sergeant Wallace J. Perry the fourth, yes. Sergeant Wallace J. Perry the fourth of the town of Bourne Police Department. And whereas on the evening of December 9th, 2025, through official off duty, um Sergeant Perry was by sheer circumstance at the Bourne Bridge at the precise moment an individual was attempting to scale the barricade. And whereas recognizing the immediate and critical danger, Sergeant Perry's place the safety of a fellow resident above all else. Uh here's exiting his personal vehicle to engage the distress individual. And whereas demonstrating the immediate and critical date, I'm sorry, demonstrating superior communication skills, empathetic patience, and professional training. Sergeant Perry successfully de-escalated the high-risk situation and persuaded the individual to climb down to safety, thus preventing a tragic loss of life. And whereas this selfless, selfless and timely act underscores the true calling of a law enforcement professional, illustrating a deep commitment to human life and transcends the constraints of schedule duty. Now, therefore, be it known that the select board of the town of Bourne does hereby present this official certificate of exceptional service to Sergeant Wallace J. Perry the Fourth for his courage and vigilance, which by fate or fortunate delay resulted in preservation of a life. We express our deepest heartfelt gratitude for this act of genuine heroism, which brings profound distinction to the town of Bourne police department and the entire community. Thank you. And I want to thank my wife who uh at 2:30 in the morning with like so thank you. Um I also want to tell you guys that I did reach out to this gentleman. Uh I spoke with him, his story is not mine to share, so I'm not gonna do that, but we had a very good conversation. Um if you guys know anybody who was having mental health issues, especially around the holidays, uh, please reach out. Okay. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. Um, we'd like to take a quick moment of silence. Um Kate Haynes, um, she's fired in September, and she passed away recently, so we'll stay with this moment. Stand for that. All right, then why don't we salute the flag while we're out doing that? Yeah. Thank you. Okay, move right along. Next is our discussion, fiscal year 2027 budget preview and operations and operating and capital budgets. Thank you. So um let me share my screen here. Okay. Sorry.
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