OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bourne Select Board Meeting - March 31, 2026

Select Board — Tuesday, March 31, 2026
BodyBourne, Massachusetts
SessionSelect Board
DateTuesday, March 31, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:12:54

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

31st, 2026 select board meeting to order.

0:04

At 6, we're a little delayed.

0:09

6 43 p.m.

0:12

Note this meeting is being televised streamed or recorded by Bourne TV.

0:15

If anyone in the audience is recording or videotaping, they need to acknowledge this time.

0:20

I notice Helen.

0:22

Anyone else online?

0:25

In the audience seeing none.

0:27

If anyone from the public wishes to access the meeting, they can do so by calling the following conference line 1929 205-6099.

0:36

The Zoom meeting ID is 897-129-3538.

0:40

The password is born, all capital letters B-O-U-R-N-E.

0:44

The Zoom chat will not be monitored.

0:46

If you wish to participate, please raise your hand and I will recognize you.

0:51

Um and ask you to unmute.

1:07

Salute to the flag.

1:09

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:12

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:15

One nation under God.

1:18

With liberty and justice for all.

1:20

Thank you.

1:22

Um we have no vote to report out from executive session.

1:29

Anyone here for public comment on non-agenda items?

1:33

Paul?

1:34

Can you step up?

1:35

Just state your name and village, please.

1:37

Paul Boucher for I go on point road.

1:40

Um I just want to thank the town of Bourne in particular the highway department.

1:45

I swim for the tremendous job they did cleaning up the streets, cutting back all the trees, even picking up the trash to incredible storms, and they did just an incredible job.

1:56

And I just want to say thank you.

1:57

Thank you, Paul.

1:59

Anyone else for public comment on non-agenda items?

2:03

You have three minutes.

2:06

I second that.

2:07

Um my name is Melissa Marina from Picasso, and I'm here again to just to see if we can get a memorandum of understanding on one of the agendas in the near future between Bourne and the Army Corps of Engineers and the state in regard to the bridges.

2:29

Um I know we've spoken about it before, but another thought came to me.

2:33

Peter, you mentioned that you and someone else have a very good relationship with that team right now.

2:39

But I was thinking I was thinking, you know, that's great for like the next two, three, five, ten, fifteen years, but this is a decades thing we're looking at.

2:52

So I think it's imperative that we try and get a memorandum and uh sooner rather than later.

2:57

I appreciate your time.

2:59

Thank you.

2:59

Okay.

3:00

Thank you, Melissa.

3:05

Okay.

3:05

Agenda item number five, introduction, police department clinician.

3:11

Where did the chief go?

3:16

I'm not sure.

3:18

He was just here.

3:27

Do you want us to delay?

3:28

If we could delay this, but if it isn't here yet, so okay.

3:32

We we will we will come back to it then.

3:35

So agenda item number six, open air temporary parking lot license at 21 St.

3:40

Margaret Street, Bourne for MMA event on April 7th through the 9th of 2026.

3:48

Is there someone here representing the parking lot license?

3:54

Liberty Warehouse Lookers.

3:56

It's Liberty Warehouse Liquors.

3:58

Oh, I recognize I can't see your name, it's so tiny, but you can unmute Rebecca.

4:04

Rebecca?

4:05

Hi, it's a presenting point.

4:14

Any comments on the license on the open air parking lot licensor?

4:21

Any additional comments?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████47%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████14%
Public Engagement████████8%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Public Safety████4%
Cannabis Regulation████4%
Parking Management███3%
Land Use Planning███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Bourne Select Board Meeting - March 31, 2026

[Introductory paragraph summarizing the overall meeting.] The Bourne Select Board convened on March 31, 2026 at 6:43 PM. The meeting was televised and streamed. Key actions included approvals of temporary parking licenses, license agreements for community organizations, a new alcohol license, and detailed review of annual town meeting articles. Several articles were withdrawn or deferred for further review. The board also released the hold on the Southside Fire Station building project and accepted proprietary equipment specifications.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Paul Boucher thanked the town highway department for cleaning up streets and cutting trees after storms, stating they did "an incredible job."
  • Melissa Marina requested a memorandum of understanding between Bourne, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the state regarding the bridges. She emphasized the need for a decades-long agreement, noting that current personal relationships are helpful but not permanent.

Discussion Items

  • Introduction of Police Department Clinician: Chief Isip introduced Detective Beverlock and new clinician Courtney Murphy. Murphy has a background in addictions counseling and will work on the co-response team, splitting shifts between day and evening. The grant funding runs through the end of the fiscal year and has been cut in the past; the Chief requested community support to maintain it. The board praised the program.
  • Open Air Temporary Parking Lot License at 21 St. Margaret Street: Liberty Warehouse Liquors requested a temporary license for April 7–9, 2026 for Mass Maritime Academy student parking during a career fair. No overnight parking will occur. The board approved unanimously (5-0).
  • License Agreement for Monument Beach by Bourne Community Boating: The agreement is a renewal for the 2026 summer season with minor updates (fleet inventory corrections). It is now a two-year agreement. The program served nearly 140 students and 91 families in its 19th year. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • License Agreement for Recreational Ball Fields by Bourne Youth Baseball: The agreement follows last year's framework with amendments: expansion to Hoxy School Gallfield (34 Wilson Road), extended dates to November 9, 2026, payment of $8,000 to the town, and storage of equipment (electric generator, bases, pitching machine) at Clark Field. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Public Hearing for New Annual Wine & Malt On-Premises License – Taste and Tide Inc.: Applicant Raquel Pereira presented the family-style restaurant at 18 Beach Street. No public comments. The board closed the hearing and approved the license pending final inspections, noting the applicant is TIPS certified. Vote was 5-0.
  • Review of Annual Town Meeting Articles (Agenda Item 10): The board systematically reviewed draft motions for multiple articles:
    • Article 1 (Consent Agenda): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 5 (Capital Budget, $2,961,350): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 6 (Rescind Borrowing Authority): The board requested that the explanation in the meeting handbook clarify that the scope of work changed and funding is no longer needed because the project is in progress via other funding. Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 11 (Committee Reports): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 12 (CPA – Katomet Schoolhouse Hard Court): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 13 (CPA – Community Building Shade Structures, $350,000): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 14 (CPA – Town Hall Envelope Design, $77,000): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 15 (School Administrative Building Feasibility Study, $30,000): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 17 (CPA – Shelter Housing): The board deferred action to next week to obtain a legal opinion on whether CPA funds can be used for temporary shelter housing, noting Sandwich Town Administrator had raised concerns. Motion to table passed without objection.
    • Article 18 (CPA – Another housing article): Also deferred with Article 17.
    • Article 19 (CPA Administrative Expenses): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 23 (Human Services Grant Program, $4,000): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Articles 24 and 25 (Firefighter Health Screening Pilot Program and another): The Town Administrator recommended removal due to free cash constraints and snow/ice deficit. Motion to remove from warrant passed (5-0).
    • Article 26 (Local Acceptance of Abandoned Property Statute): After discussion about uncashed checks and lack of dollar amount, the board voted to remove the article (3-2: Jean, Peter, Vice Chair in favor; MJ and Melissa opposed).
    • Article 27 (Ease Increased Demand Fees – from $15 to $30): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 28 (Dog License Fee Increase): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 29 (Vital Records Fee Increase): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 31 (Zoning ADU Amendments): Recommended approval (5-0).
    • Article 32 (Zoning Front Setbacks in Downtown District): Recommended approval (5-0), allowing 30-foot front setbacks instead of current 15-foot maximum, to improve aesthetics.
    • Articles 7 and 8 (Algonquin Gas): Deferred for discussion next week.
  • Designate May 5, 2026 as Second Night of Town Meeting: Approved (5-0).
  • Release Borrowing Authority Hold for Southside Fire Station: The governor signed the bill; the board voted to release the hold so the building committee can go out to bid (5-0).
  • Accept Proprietary Equipment for Southside Fire Station: Approved (5-0) to allow proprietary specifications for CCTV and access control, consistent with other town equipment.
  • Consent Agenda (4 items): Authorized projects at Bourne Middle School roof (project management and design), BHS DECA car wash on April 12, 2026, and acceptance of $2,000 donation. Approved (5-0).
  • Town Administrator’s Report:
    • MassDOT pre-construction meetings for Sagamore Bridge load testing: pile driving near Christmas Tree Shop expected early to mid-April, with temporary ADA-compliant walkway.
    • MassDOT issued RFLOI for Sagamore Bridge design-build procurement, notice to proceed expected fall 2027.
    • Army Corps: Bourne Bridge will have single-lane in each direction from April 27 to May 20, 2026; sidewalk closed for ~7 days.
    • Traffic lights at Main Street and Academy Drive being replaced this week (8 AM–3 PM); police details and flaggers present.
    • Interim building commissioner Michael Yanovich started; permanent position interviews scheduled.
    • Marina renewals: 84% renewal rate; waitlist utilized.
    • Confirmed fall 2025 town meeting transferred $368,000 to capital stabilization.
  • Correspondence: Items included Can Edwards State of the Reservation Report, Cape Light Compact report, DOT taking parcel, Cape Tech minutes, and email on Cape Cod Canal Master Plan rewrite.

Key Outcomes

  • Approvals (all 5-0): Temporary parking license (Liberty Warehouse Liquors), Monument Beach license (Bourne Community Boating), baseball field license (Bourne Youth Baseball), new wine/malt license (Taste and Tide Inc.), release of Southside Fire Station borrowing hold, proprietary equipment specifications, consent agenda items.
  • Recommendations for Town Meeting (all 5-0): Articles 1, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 23, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32.
  • Removed/Withdrawn: Articles 24, 25, and 26 (abandoned property statute) removed from warrant.
  • Deferred: Articles 17, 18, 7, and 8 (Algonquin Gas) deferred to next meeting for further legal review or discussion.
  • Next Steps: Town meeting set for May 4, 2026, with second night on May 5 if needed. Moderator's meeting on April 15 (Zoom only). Future meetings on April 7, April 14, May 12 (legislative update), and May 26 (reorganization).

Meeting Transcript

31st, 2026 select board meeting to order. At 6, we're a little delayed. 6 43 p.m. Note this meeting is being televised streamed or recorded by Bourne TV. If anyone in the audience is recording or videotaping, they need to acknowledge this time. I notice Helen. Anyone else online? In the audience seeing none. If anyone from the public wishes to access the meeting, they can do so by calling the following conference line 1929 205-6099. The Zoom meeting ID is 897-129-3538. The password is born, all capital letters B-O-U-R-N-E. The Zoom chat will not be monitored. If you wish to participate, please raise your hand and I will recognize you. Um and ask you to unmute. Salute to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. With liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Um we have no vote to report out from executive session. Anyone here for public comment on non-agenda items? Paul? Can you step up? Just state your name and village, please. Paul Boucher for I go on point road. Um I just want to thank the town of Bourne in particular the highway department. I swim for the tremendous job they did cleaning up the streets, cutting back all the trees, even picking up the trash to incredible storms, and they did just an incredible job. And I just want to say thank you. Thank you, Paul. Anyone else for public comment on non-agenda items? You have three minutes. I second that. Um my name is Melissa Marina from Picasso, and I'm here again to just to see if we can get a memorandum of understanding on one of the agendas in the near future between Bourne and the Army Corps of Engineers and the state in regard to the bridges. Um I know we've spoken about it before, but another thought came to me. Peter, you mentioned that you and someone else have a very good relationship with that team right now. But I was thinking I was thinking, you know, that's great for like the next two, three, five, ten, fifteen years, but this is a decades thing we're looking at. So I think it's imperative that we try and get a memorandum and uh sooner rather than later. I appreciate your time. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Melissa. Okay. Agenda item number five, introduction, police department clinician. Where did the chief go? I'm not sure. He was just here. Do you want us to delay? If we could delay this, but if it isn't here yet, so okay. We we will we will come back to it then.

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