Bourne Select Board Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Bourne Select Board met at 7:00 p.m. on August 18, 2026, to address a range of topics including urgent public safety staffing concerns, a significant budget shortfall for FY28, a school classroom lease proposal, and annual goal setting. The meeting included public testimony, votes on several items, and a discussion on the town’s fiscal outlook.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rich Russell described a severe boat fire incident on August 8, 2026, at Monument Beach Marina. He stated that due to inadequate staffing at the Monument Beach station, an ambulance had to come from Buzzards Bay, crossing the Bourne Bridge during peak traffic. The victim suffered for 30–40 minutes before being loaded. He formally requested an immediate review of fire and EMS staffing across all town stations, emphasizing that “minutes do matter in medical emergencies.”
• Scott Meyer supported Russell, noting that Bourne’s three stations each have only one person, forcing fire apparatus and ambulances to compete for the same personnel. He cited a 35% increase in runs since 2011 with less staffing, described a recent one-person response to a house fire and a propane tank fire, and recounted a personal incident where his wife’s emergency required him to drive her to the hospital due to expected 25-minute ambulance delay. He urged the board to make public safety the priority.
• John York thanked the board for prioritizing a memorandum of understanding with MassDOT regarding the bridges. He expressed concern that the town administrator’s disbanding of the bicycle/pedestrian committee may leave Bourne unrepresented on the stakeholder advisory group during the critical period when construction plans are finalized for bid, risking loss of input on pedestrian and bicycle interests.
• David O’Connell corroborated the boat fire details, stating family members witnessed a 30-minute wait for an ambulance while the victim suffered severe burns. The vehicle could not even enter the neighborhood due to sightseers. He asked what investigation and action would be taken.
• Jane O’Connell added that a firefighter arrived on foot (no apparatus), there was no police presence, and neighbors had to direct traffic. She called the situation “just not okay.”

Discussion Items

• Construction Access (Electric Beach to 23 Nick Better Road) – A property owner requested permission to bring a small rubber-tracked excavator across town property at low tide for revetment work. The board unanimously approved, provided the standard access agreement is executed. (Motion by MJ, second by Meyer; 5-0 vote)
• Conservation Restriction (53 MacArthur Boulevard) – Brian Madden (LEC Environmental) explained a 16.79-acre conservation restriction for rare species habitat and wetlands, approved by the Conservation Commission on August 6. The select board unanimously voted to execute and affirm the CR. (Motion by Anne Marie, second by MJ; 5-0 vote)
• Canal Day Event Amendment (No Parking Zones) – Marie Oliva (Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce) requested no parking signs on all Taylor's Point roads for Canal Day (September 19, 2026, rain date September 20) to prevent blocked access, following a request from the Taylor's Point Association. Some board members expressed concern about fairness to other neighborhoods (e.g., Cohasset Ave, Lafayette) that also experience parking impacts, and about town costs for sign placement and enforcement. The board approved the request with the understanding that the chamber will coordinate with the police department on costs and that a broader parking policy discussion is needed in the future. (Motion by Peter, second by MJ; 5-0 vote)
• FY28 Budget Discussion – Town Administrator Marlene (last name not provided) warned that the town likely cannot fund a level-service budget for FY28 without an operational override. She asked the board for direction: either a budget with service reductions to avoid an override, or a level-service budget with a commitment to seek an override at the May town meeting. The board discussed the need to tie dollars to tangible benefits, the importance of educating the public, and the risks of a failed override. A consensus emerged to prepare a level-service budget (which will be unbalanced and require additional revenue), while continuing public discussions about costs and priorities. Board member MJ emphasized the need for a clear explanation of what services an override would fund and what cuts would occur if it fails. The town administrator confirmed she will proceed with a level-service budget that will not be balanced, to be presented in January.
• Lease of Classroom Space (Bourndale Elementary for Pre-K) – Superintendent (name not provided) described a one-year pilot lease with Champions (a for-profit provider) to create a full-day, full-week pre-K wraparound program. The school committee already approved, but the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requested select board approval due to regulatory language referencing “town or city.” The board discussed whether they had legal authority to approve such a lease. After debate, they voted to state that the select board does not have the authority to take a vote on this lease. (Motion to declare lack of authority; second by Gene; voted 5-0)
• Annual Select Board Goals (FY27) – The board reviewed and voted on annual goals before the September 1 charter deadline. Priority 3 (watershed permitting) was discussed separately due to a potential conflict of interest (see below). The motion to approve priorities 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 passed unanimously. Priority 3 was then voted on separately; Peter and MJ abstained (citing potential conflict), while Gene, Melissa, and Anne Marie voted in favor, resulting in a 3-2 approval.
• Town Administrator Report – The town administrator reported that House Bill 4992 (Article 97 special legislation for acquiring the Dr. Julius Kelly Lane property) was signed on August 7; drainage repairs on Route 6 westbound planned for August 19; Chief Cannabis received state approval and had a soft opening; and the new fire station construction is proceeding with clearing and grubbing beginning this week and a temporary easement for Eversource to be sought at town meeting.
• Watershed Permitting RFQ Update – The town administrator reported that three firms responded to the RFQ. Caitlin Shea recused herself due to her family owning property in the Finney’s Harbor watershed; Stacey Burgess will replace her on the review team. Two firms tied for first place; one of them has a principal who also resides in the watershed. The board’s legal counsel advised that the principal should seek a written ethics opinion before proceeding with interviews. Interviews scheduled for Thursday were postponed pending resolution.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimously approved construction access at Electric Beach (5-0).
• Unanimously approved conservation restriction at 53 MacArthur Boulevard (5-0).
• Unanimously approved Canal Day no-parking amendment on Taylor's Point (5-0).
• Directed town administrator to prepare a level-service budget for FY28 that will require an operational override, with ongoing public discussion.
• Voted to declare the select board lacks authority to approve the pre-K classroom lease (5-0).
• Approved annual goals (priorities 1,2,4,5,6,7) unanimously; approved priority 3 (watershed permitting) with a 3-2 vote (Peter and MJ abstaining).
• Accepted the town administrator’s report.
• Delayed watershed permitting RFQ interviews pending ethics review for one tied firm.
• Future agenda items will include public safety staffing/budget, a historic commission presentation on the town seal, and updates from the affordable housing trust on the old police station property.