Bourne Select Board Meeting - June 30, 2026
Bourne Select Board Meeting - June 30, 2026
The Bourne Select Board met on June 30, 2026, to discuss a range of topics including a reconsideration request regarding food trucks at the Canal Region Farmers Market, special event permits, accessible parking at the community center, and Chapter 90 funding for road paving. The meeting also included public comments, policy discussions, and planning for fall town meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Vincent McKenzie spoke about the 4th of July parade, stating that police blocked access for workers and property owners. He requested a meeting with the police and selectmen to establish protocols for future parades.
Discussion Items
- Farmers Market Food Truck Reconsideration: Member M.J. Mistrangelo requested reconsideration of the March 3rd approval of the Cape Cod Canal Region Farmers Market special event, citing that the addition of food trucks was a change not properly noticed on the consent agenda. Town Counsel Brian Bertram explained that the town's special events policy is silent on food trucks and that the food trucks may be located on non-town property (Army Corps land). After extensive public comment from both supporters (farmers market organizers, food truck owners) and opponents (Chamber of Commerce, brick-and-mortar businesses), the board decided not to rescind the permit and instead referred the policy issue to the policy subcommittee.
- Finney's Harbor Day Special Event: The board tabled the one-day liquor license for Finney's Harbor Day because the police department had not yet completed its review. The board agreed to schedule an off-cycle meeting (within 48 hours of receiving approvals) to vote on the license.
- Accessible Parking at Bourne Community Center: Deb, representing the Council on Aging, requested one additional accessible parking space at the front entrance of the community center. The building commissioner noted the site already exceeds ADA minimums. The board voted 4-0-1 to approve the additional space, with one member abstaining due to policy concerns. The issue of developing a policy for additional accessible parking was referred to the policy subcommittee.
- Scholarship Policy: The Recreation Committee presented a scholarship policy to help families cover youth program costs, funded by donations. The board approved the policy as amended (allowing the recreation department to award higher percentages based on need).
- Chapter 90 Funding and Road Paving: DPW Director Matt Suwiki presented a multi-year plan using Chapter 90 funds. For FY27, the board approved $2,765,170 for paving of Shore Road (except near Singing Bridge), McGansett Road, Squatee Harbor Road, and Bredbrook Harbor Road, plus $297,000 for Singing Bridge design engineering, and $430,000 for a drainage project on Washburn Street. The approval was unanimous.
- Fall Town Meeting Schedule: The town administrator proposed a draft schedule for town meeting on October 19, 2026, pending free cash certification. The board discussed the need to prioritize capital requests between fall and spring.
- MassDOT Bridge Design Public Hearing: The board discussed upcoming comments for the 25% design public hearing on July 23. Public commenters urged the board to request a memorandum of understanding with MassDOT before the hearing. The board agreed to place an agenda item for the July 21 meeting to discuss an MOU request and review any materials from MassDOT.
- Watershed Permitting Consultant RFQ Review Team: The board decided on a staff-driven review team for evaluating RFQs, consisting of the DPW director, health director, an engineer, and select board member Gene as the board representative.
Key Outcomes
- The board took no action on the food truck reconsideration, allowing the farmers market to proceed, and referred policy development to the subcommittee.
- Approved one additional accessible parking space at the Bourne Community Center, with policy discussion to follow.
- Approved the scholarship policy for recreation programs.
- Approved FY27 Chapter 90 funding allocations as presented by the DPW director.
- Tabled the Finney's Harbor Day liquor license pending police review, with a plan for a special meeting.
- Directed the town administrator to proceed with a staff review team for the watershed permitting RFQ, with Gene as the board representative.
- Scheduled future agenda items for July 21 to discuss MassDOT MOU and review materials for the July 23 public hearing.
Meeting Transcript
Alrighty. Hold on, I've been. Oh, wait, one second. We gotta let the uh vice chair log in the zoom. We're having uh technical difficulties with the television. It's not on there, isn't it? Is it oh it's not up yet? We're waiting for Marlene to put the zoom up on here. We are gonna log in um for now on our computers. I don't know. Marlene here coming in, yeah. It's weird. She didn't go far. Maybe she's stuck behind the crowd trying to get in the door. She not I didn't hear her knock. We figured you were stuck in the back of the line there. We knew that. Wait, do I turn my audio off? Yes. Everybody keeps themselves muted. That's great. Public comments for non-agenda items, just so you know. If it's on the agenda, it you you'll not be allowed to comment on it in public comment, just for people who may not know that. Pardon our thing. Thank you so much. Okay. All right. Okay. All right, be in uh 7-0, let's see, 708. I will call this meeting to order. Note this meeting is being televised, streamed, or recorded by Bourne TV. If anyone in the audience is recording or video taping, they need to acknowledge such at this time. Helen Bourne Enterprise. Can you turn your mom in? Sorry. Um if anyone from the public wishes to access the meeting, they can do so by calling the following conference line. One nine two nine, two zero five, six zero nine nine. Zoom meeting ID eight nine seven one two two nine three five three eight password. Born all cats. The zoom chat will not be monitored. Participants who wish to speak must raise the hand icon until the chair asks them to unmute. All items within the meeting agenda are subject to deliberation and votes. Um let's have a moment of silence for our troops and public safety personnel. Salute to the flag. And to the republic for which is changed one nation under liberty and justice for all. Thank you for that. Um next. Should we if they want to grab the chairs to bring them in? You could, yeah. There's more chairs.
openpublica.com