Bourne Select Board Meeting Summary: March 17, 2026

The Bourne Select Board met on March 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including a request for student enrollment data from Cape Cod Regional Technical School, a special alcohol license revision, updates on the Joint Base Cape Cod master plan, and numerous articles for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting on May 4, 2026. The board also approved a one-day liquor license, discussed the status of the Southside Fire Station borrowing authority, and addressed budget updates.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident asked about a memorandum of understanding with the Army Corps of Engineers and the state regarding the Bourne bridge projects. The board could not respond due to open meeting law restrictions; the resident was directed to contact the town administrator's office.
• A public commenter (from Sagamore Beach) suggested that a memorandum of understanding be created to codify the process for verifying student addresses through the assessor's office to avoid future issues.

Discussion Items

1. Access to Financial and Student Enrollment Data for Cape Cod Regional Technical School

• The board discussed the need for data to understand the calculation of annual charges to the town. Town Administrator Marlene McCullum reported that the state's DESI system indicated 14 students were removed from Bourne's assessment due to agreement with Wareham, but 12 additional students (11 from Wareham, 1 from Carver) remain in dispute. Wareham's town administrator had not reviewed the list and stated he would not change his budget. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for Thursday.
• Superintendent Roger Forquet of Upper Cape Tech stated he had provided both town administrators with lists of physical addresses of enrolled students for Bourne and Wareham and that a meeting was scheduled for the next day to resolve the issue.
• The board voted to authorize the drafting of a letter requesting the physical addresses of enrolled students (not just enrollment counts) to the regional school committee. The motion passed unanimously after an amendment to specify "physical address of enrolled students."

2. Revision to H584 – Special Alcohol Beverage License

• Town Counsel Brian explained that the draft revision from the legislature would allow the license to be transferred to a new owner, contrary to the non-transferable intent expressed at the October Town Meeting. The revision also gave the state ABCC more control over future transfers.
• The board agreed to contact the legislative delegation to request changes aligning with the original Town Meeting vote, which supported a non-transferable license for the specific business (Katamit Fish).

3. Mass Development Update on JBCC Master Plan

• Eric Hokinson, Senior Vice President of Mass Development, presented the master plan for the 7,000-acre Kenton area of Joint Base Cape Cod. The 16-month process is in the discovery phase, with a focus on holistic land use including housing, conservation, recreation, and economic development. Mass Development has invested nearly $7 million in grants in Barnstable County in the past five fiscal years.
• Board members raised concerns about the impact on schools, transportation, multimodal connectivity, and the need for recreational facilities. Peter suggested incorporating recreational fields similar to Fort Devens. John emphasized bicycle and pedestrian access, noting that the base is currently difficult to reach on foot or by bike.
• Eric Hokinson agreed that transportation and connectivity would be part of the planning effort.

4. Southside Fire Station Borrowing Authority & Election Warrant Posting Error

• Town Administrator McCullum reported that the bill authorizing borrowing for the Southside Fire Station has passed the House and Senate and is on the governor's desk. The deadline to submit ballot questions is April 14, 2026. A fallback meeting is scheduled for April 13 if needed.

5. Request to Access Town Property at 280 Standish (16 Fisher)

• No petitioner appeared; the item was tabled.

6. One-Day Liquor License for GNS Marine

• Gary Bachee of GNS Marine requested a one-day beer and wine license for an open house on March 21, 2026 at 134 Main Street. The board unanimously approved the license.

7. Annual Town Meeting Articles (May 4, 2026)

• CPC Articles:
  • Katamit Schoolhouse Hard Court Project: $400,000 for fencing, ADA improvements, and resurfacing. Funded from available CPC funds, no borrowing.
  • Community Center Shade Structure Project: Two permanent cantilever shade structures with removable fabric. Cost not specified; funded from CPC funds.
  • Town Hall Exterior Envelope Design: $77,000 requested from historic preservation funds (split with existing roof design funds) for design of roof and masonry repairs.
  • School Administration Building Feasibility Study: $30,000 for roof, stairs, and fire escape assessment.
  • Conservation Restriction for Bourne Conservation Trust (940 County Road): $325,000 from CPC to purchase a conservation restriction on a 7.34-acre parcel. The trust purchased the property for $650,000 and has raised $140,000 from donors; the CPC funds would cover 54.4% of the cost.
  • CPC Administrative Expenses: $75,000 (level funded for five years).
• Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC): Request for funds for emergency shelter at 77 Winter Street (50 beds). The board noted that a grant agreement would be required to address conditions from town counsel. HAC reported that 402 Bourne households received assistance in 2025, totaling over $3 million.
• Bourne Affordable Housing Services and Support: $111,050 for administrative and operational expenses of the Affordable Housing Trust, including monitoring, planning, and part-time staff.
• Human Services Grant Program: $40,000 level funded for FY27, supporting 10 agencies serving Bourne residents.
• Firefighter Health Screening Pilot Program: Chief Dave Balonzi presented a two-year voluntary program for comprehensive health and cancer screenings. Cost is still being finalized. The program would bring a medical provider to the station for two days.
• Borrowing Authority for School Wastewater Treatment Plant: Rescinding previous authorization as a different repair was approved at a prior town meeting.
• Increase Demand Fees: From $15 to $30 (maximum allowed by statute). Revenue from demand fees was approximately $100,000 last year.
• Local Acceptance of Abandoned Property Statute: Allows the town to retain unclaimed funds (e.g., uncashed checks) after advertising, with an estimated $77,000 in outstanding checks.
• Funding Non-Capital Projects: $50,000 from free cash for one-time expenses under $25,000 (e.g., sidewalk snowplow, mower, concrete repairs at Keith Field bleachers, audio/visual upgrades).
• Stabilization Fund Transfers: Recommendations to be presented at the next meeting.

8. FY27 Budget Update

• The school committee voted to reduce its operating budget by $478,532 to eliminate the budget shortfall. The select board will adjust the sources and uses accordingly. The board expressed appreciation and agreed to revisit the assistant town administrator position in the fall.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Student Data Request: Unanimously approved motion to authorize drafting a letter requesting physical addresses of enrolled students from Upper Cape Tech.
• Vote on Special License: Direction to contact legislative delegation to revise H584 to maintain non-transferable status.
• Vote on One-Day Liquor License: Unanimously approved for GNS Marine on March 21, 2026.
• Vote on Consent Agenda: Approved as presented.
• Vote on Minutes: Approved minutes from February 2 and February 3, 2026.
• Next Steps: The board will continue discussions on the FY27 budget, free cash allocations, and the assistant town administrator position. The next select board meeting is scheduled for March 31, 2026 (no meeting March 24 due to sewer meeting).