Bourne Select Board and Sewer Commissioners Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Bourne Select Board and Board of Sewer Commissioners held a combined meeting on May 26, 2026, starting at 6:30 PM at the Bourne Veterans Memorial Community Center. The Select Board conducted its annual reorganization, addressed consent items, and received correspondence. The Board of Sewer Commissioners then met separately at 7:00 PM to reorganize, vote on sewer allocations, discuss a subsidy dispute with Wareham, receive an update on the Buzzards Bay wastewater treatment facility, and award an operations contract.

Select Board Reorganization

• Chair: Melissa Ferretti was re-nominated for a second consecutive year. Debate ensued: MJ Lestrangelo opposed extending chairs beyond one year, citing burnout and missed board duties (policy reviews, goal setting). Peter Meyer also opposed. Anne Marie and Jean supported continuity during a critical period (bridges, wastewater rates). Roll call vote: Anne Marie yes, Jean yes, Peter no, MJ no, Melissa yes – passed 3-2.
• Vice Chair: Anne Marie was nominated and elected unanimously (5-0).
• Clerk: MJ Lestrangelo was nominated and elected unanimously (5-0). MJ thanked the board, emphasizing teamwork.

Consent Calendar

• Item B (Loretta's talent bank appointment) was tabled due to an administrative error; will return on a future agenda.
• The remaining consent agenda was approved unanimously (5-0).

Correspondence

• A list of 17 correspondence items was acknowledged, including emails about Keith Field, commercial vehicles on Main Street, Upper Cape subcommittee data, North Canal Path closure, ADA access at Taylor's Point, traffic at Barlow's Landing, and financial statements. MJ requested future discussions on traffic management and a board retreat.

Board of Sewer Commissioners – Reorganization

• Chair: Melissa Ferretti was elected (5-0). She stated priorities: reviewing policies/regulations, ensuring the wastewater treatment facility's sustainability, protecting ratepayers, and assisting with the watershed permit workload.
• Vice Chair: Jean was elected (5-0).
• Clerk: MJ was elected (5-0), with Peter Meyer declining.

Sewer Allocations – Section 5.2.1 Actual Flow Vote

• Proposal: Under the new policy, businesses that have operated for one year and received operational allocations are reviewed; excess capacity reverts to the town's uncommitted pool.
• Details: Five entities were below allocations: Domino's (allocated 1,000 gpd, used ~400), Jersey Mike's (allocated 1,000, used ~400), EAB Solutions (allocated 200, used 11-25), Mass Maritime Cadet Housing (allocated 7,070, used ~300), and Hampton Inn (reduced from 15,243 to 12,500, used ~7,200). Total revertible capacity: 20,293 gpd.
• Concerns: MJ questioned peak usage for Hampton Inn but was assured the plant has ample capacity (current pumping ~109,000 gpd vs. 300,000 gpd allocation). Noted that preliminary allocations from other developments will eventually limit flexibility.
• Vote: Motion to designate the five as actual users with allocations set to actual use passed unanimously (5-0). This was the first implementation of the new policy.

Cape Cod Islands Water Protection Fund Subsidy – Wareham Dispute

• Background: Bourne is assessed 17.91% of Wareham's capital costs for the WWTF upgrade (a $36M project). Bourne qualifies for a 25% subsidy from the Cape Cod Islands Water Protection Fund, equating to $35,820/year over 20 years (total $716,400). The subsidy is deducted from SRF debt service before billing Wareham.
• Impasse: Wareham refuses to accept a net bill; they want Bourne to pay the full amount and seek the subsidy independently. SRF prefers the net billing approach.
• Discussion: The board noted they already budgeted with the subsidy included. MJ suggested a joint meeting with Wareham's sewer commissioners. Board agreed to first review the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) internally, then schedule a joint meeting to resolve both the IMA and subsidy process.
• Next Step: IMA review will be placed on a future agenda; joint meeting with Wareham targeted before Labor Day.

Buzzards Bay WWTF Update

• Status: Trial run with clean water completed in early May. Remaining punch list includes a bad pump and level sensor programming (expected to be resolved within 1-2 weeks). Reseeding (growing bacteria) will follow.
• Membranes: Kubota inspected and found them in good condition, with no damage from prior operational issues. Written instructions for reseeding will be provided.
• Director's Report: Grinder pumps will go out to bid within a month (previous delay acknowledged). Scenic Park tied into the system overnight.

Contract Operation & Maintenance Services – Bid Award

• Solicitation: Only one bid received from West & Samson, for $238,500/year (up from $91,200 under the previous 15 hrs/week contract). The new bid covers 29 hours/week (including 2 hours each Saturday and Sunday) plus preventive maintenance. Budget had been $140,000.
• Analysis: The increase reflects the true cost of full-time operation and maintenance. Additional costs for alarm response and corrective maintenance are estimated separately.
• Vote: Motion to accept the bid and authorize the Town Administrator to negotiate a contract passed unanimously (5-0). A budget adjustment will be needed in October; the reserve fund may partially offset the difference.

Minutes

• Minutes of March 24, 2026, were approved with one abstention (4-0-1).

Key Outcomes

• Select Board: Melissa Ferretti elected Chair, Anne Marie Vice Chair, MJ Lestrangelo Clerk.
• Sewer Board: Melissa Ferretti elected Chair, Jean Vice Chair, MJ Lestrangelo Clerk.
• Sewer Allocations: Approved revert of excess capacity for five businesses, designating them as actual users with allocations set to current usage.
• Cape & Islands Subsidy: Agreed to review the IMA internally, then seek a joint meeting with Wareham to settle billing methodology.
• Buzzards Bay WWTF Operations: Awarded contract to West & Samson for $238,500/year; budget adjustment anticipated.
• Future Agenda Items: Grinder pump bid, Scenic Park update, IMA review, Cape & Islands subsidy status (standing item), Bay Motor update, and sewer rate discussion.