Bourne Select Board Meeting – June 3, 2026

The Bourne Select Board met on June 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including public comments on bridge project representation, special legislation for liquor licenses, a Chapter 61A right of first refusal, appointment of a town moderator, updates on the bikeway extension, approval of a rain garden gift, a Fourth of July parade application, committee appointments, a marina expansion update, bond anticipation notes, a SAFER grant application for firefighters, and several routine approvals.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda items as presented, including minutes from May 7, 12, 19, and 26, unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Peter Murner (Bourne resident) urged the board to put on the agenda a request for a host community agreement or memorandum of understanding with MassDOT for the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, citing the need for funding to hire independent experts. He noted that other communities have negotiated such agreements and that the town bears a disproportionate burden of regional facilities.
• John York (Bourne resident) seconded these comments, emphasizing that MassDOT respects towns that step up and that a formal channel for public input is needed given the scale of the four bridge interchanges.

Discussion Items

Special Legislation for Potomac Fish Liquor License (House 5084)

• Town Counsel Brian Bertram reported that the bill is before the legislature. The proposed language is a non-transferable license tied to the location, with a three-year window for a new applicant to apply if the license lapses. Patrick Ross (owner) and attorney Adam Barnowski expressed support, noting it honors the town meeting vote. The board voted unanimously to accept the language and forward it to the legislative delegation.

Special Legislation for 365 Barlow's Landing Road Liquor License

• Arthur Perlin, representing the owner of H&J Convenience, presented proposed language. Board member MJ raised concerns about consistency with the Potomac Fish license, recommending a three-year reissuance limit. The board directed staff to amend the language and return for a vote at the next meeting (June 30).

Chapter 61A Right of First Refusal – 665 Scenic Highway

• Attorney Bertram explained the 120-day deadline (September 23) and the three options: decline, purchase, or assign. The property is under one acre, has a cell tower, and is not farmland. A motion to notify relevant departments and the open space committee to provide feedback by June 30 passed 3–2.

Appointment of Town Moderator

• Bertram outlined the statutory process (Chapter 41, Section 11) for filling the vacancy after no candidate was elected. The board voted unanimously (4–0, with one member not voting due to technical issues) to open a 30-day period for letters of intent.

Bikeway Advisory Committee Update

• Chair Ken Chetlin reported that Phase 1 of the rail-with-trail design (half-mile, estimated $10.1 million) faces community objections and has been delayed. The committee recommended removing phases 3 and 4 from consideration due to high cost and environmental impacts, and suggested exploring a new rail alignment. The committee also proposed reconstitution as a broader bike/ped advisory committee. Public comments from John York and committee member Matt Sylvia supported a wider mandate and strategic decisions on rail and trail.

Buzzards Bay Water Quality Coalition – Fourth Rain Garden

• Keith Barber requested permission to add a fourth rain garden using leftover funds. The project is under budget, and the site near Pequot and Circuit Road has been approved by the Conservation Commission. The board approved the request unanimously.

Fourth of July Parade Application

• The parade organizer was absent, so discussion focused on a new request for sponsor advertising signs along Main Street. The board expressed concerns about precedent and lack of detail, and voted to deny that request. All other requests (parade route, banner, t-shirt sales, parking bans, road closures, insurance) were approved unanimously.

Shore and Harbor Committee Appointments

• Three candidates were interviewed: incumbents David Crane and Paul Forsberg, and new applicant Ben Spaulding. The board voted to appoint Crane and Forsberg (the two senior members), with encouragement for Spaulding to seek other committee openings.

Monument Beach Marina Expansion

• Director Hannah Lawrence reported that a design contract with Full Infrastructure and Environment has been signed, with a kickoff meeting scheduled for June 12.

Marina Regulations (Second Reading)

• Proposed revisions, including a reduction in minimum insurance from $1 million to $500,000, were presented. The board voted to waive the third reading and approve the regulations unanimously.

Bond Anticipation Notes for Southside Fire Station

• Finance Director Erica Fleming reported that $1,553,000 in notes were sold on June 3, with a net interest cost of 2.784%, resulting in savings of $27,000. The board approved the motion unanimously.

SAFER Grant Application for Firefighters

• Chief Dave Pallonzi detailed a 54% increase in call volume over 20 years, staffing that has not kept pace, and 1,575 overlapping incidents in the past year. He requested support for a grant to fund four additional firefighters (one per shift) with a three-year federal match of $1.1 million and a town share of $728,000. The board voted unanimously to support the application.

Future Use of Pocasset Fire Station

• The board discussed the current use of the Pocasset station (housing a fire engine and brush truck) and deferred a broader discussion on its post-new-station future to a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent agenda, Potomac Fish liquor license language, rain garden gift, parade application (with denial of sponsor signage), marina regulations, bond anticipation notes, SAFER grant application, and committee appointments (Forsberg, Crane).
• Directed: Staff to amend the Barlow's Landing liquor license language and return June 30; notified departments on Chapter 61A property with feedback due June 30; opened 30-day period for moderator applications.
• Tabled: Discussion of Fourth of July fireworks (number two) until July 10.
• Noted: County Commission meeting date conflicts; will request rescheduling.
• Next Meetings: July 7 and 21, August 4 and 18; Sewer Commission meeting the week of June 16.