Bourne Select Board and Sewer Commissioners Joint Meeting - January 20, 2026

The meeting began at 6:00 PM with the Select Board, followed by the Board of Sewer Commissioners at 7:00 PM, both held at the Bourne Community Center. Key actions included approval of bond anticipation notes, opposition to a county luxury housing transfer fee, approval of proprietary specifications for the IceWim building, and several sewer-related decisions including an abatement, budget review, capital project approval, and a reduction in the sewer development fee for the Bourne Recreation Authority.

Consent Calendar

• The Select Board approved the consent agenda as presented unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Attorney Jeannie Campus, representing the Bourne Recreation Authority (BRA), argued for reducing the sewer development fee for Bourne Scenic Park, stating that frontage should be calculated using Scenic Highway (105 feet) rather than a private interior driveway (Pool Road). She also requested dialogue on how to classify units (seasonal vs. residential) but did not ask for an immediate vote on that issue.
• Barry Johnson (BRA general manager) and Joe Henderson (project engineer) were available on the line.
• A representative from the BRA noted the project started that day with $143,000 in change orders.

Discussion Items

Select Board – Sale of Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs)

• Town Administrator Marlene informed the board that the fire station debt exclusion was not included because special legislation had not been enacted. If not enacted soon, a town meeting article would be pursued.
• Finance Director Erica reported a successful sale on January 15, 2026: seven bids received, coupon rates 3.5–4%, net interest cost 2.3564% (awarded to Jefferies LLC). Total note issue: $17,222,239 (including $3.4 million rolled from prior BANs and $13.8 million new money; $7.1 million for IceWim, $1.863 million for sewer pump and panels).
• The board voted unanimously to approve the sale.

Select Board – Luxury Housing Transfer Fee (County Initiative)

• Wayne Sampson (Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates) provided an update. The fee (not a tax) would apply to home sales over $1 million, but towns could set higher thresholds. Median home price in Bourne is $755,000; 30% of homeowners are over 65. The county will hold a public hearing on January 21, 2026, 4-6 PM.
• Board members expressed strong opposition, citing concerns that $1 million is not luxury, the fee would hurt sellers, and the town lacks infrastructure for housing trust management. They noted other initiatives (MBTA zoning, GR tax credits) already underway.
• The board voted unanimously (5-0) to oppose the transfer fee.

Select Board – Proprietary Equipment for IceWim Office and Maintenance Building

• Three proprietary specifications were approved: fuel management controls (same platform as DPW), fire alarm/fire suppression integration (compatible with existing landfill system), and CCTV/access control (single platform).
• The board voted unanimously to approve.

Sewer Board – Abatement Request for 27 Buttermilk Bay

• An irrigation leak caused excess water usage that did not enter the sewer system. Based on 2024 water use records, staff recommended an abatement between $4,760 and $5,380.
• The board voted 4-1 to grant an abatement of $5,070 (MJ, Peter, Melissa, Anne Marie in favor; Gene opposed).

Sewer Board – FY27 Proposed Operating Budget

• Staff presented highlights: contractual personnel increases, 7% overtime increase, $10,000 reduction in electricity, $550 increase in water bills, Wareham contract increase of $11,597 (2.5%), and a new capital cost from Wareham of $96,880 (net of $40,000 subsidy from Cape Cod Clean Water Trust). Total SRF payment: $141,599; grinder pump BAN: $74,313.
• A budget initiative for $30,550/year for inflow and infiltration (I&I) studies was approved unanimously (5-0) to be included in the operating budget, with retained earnings kept at $100,000.

Sewer Board – Capital Project: SCADA System

• Construction of a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor all pump stations, costing $732,000, was approved unanimously (5-0) as a capital project with borrowing.

Sewer Board – Bourne Recreation Authority Development Fee Reduction

• The BRA requested reduction based on using Scenic Highway frontage (105 ft) instead of Pool Road. Staff had calculated fee using 750 ft frontage; the new calculation yields $195,900.
• The board voted unanimously (5-0) to amend the sewer development fee to $195,900 using 105 ft frontage (75 dollars per foot) and 16.35 acres ($11,500 per acre). They did not change the classification of 91 residential users.

Sewer Board – Wastewater Treatment Facility Update

• Eversource completed voltage adjustments; a surge protector will be added. Plant restart goal: March 16, 2026. Kubota will monitor membranes remotely and visit after one month of operation.
• The RFP for operations and maintenance is with counsel; a review committee (including Matt, Tim Leiden, Marlene, Matt Quinn, Tom Perat, and MJ as board representative) will evaluate responses.

Key Outcomes

• Select Board: Approved BAN sale ($17,222,239) – unanimous. Opposed luxury housing transfer fee – unanimous. Approved proprietary specifications for IceWim – unanimous. Approved consent agenda – unanimous.
• Sewer Board: Granted abatement of $5,070 for 27 Buttermilk Bay (4-1). Approved FY27 operating budget with I&I initiative ($30,550) – unanimous. Approved SCADA capital project ($732,000) – unanimous. Approved BRA development fee reduction to $195,900 – unanimous. Approved minutes of December 2 and 19, 2025 – unanimous. Directed staff to send letters regarding operational allocation changes and to bring future agenda items on capital planning and public education on sewer use.