Bourne Historical Commission Approves Wenaumet Bluffs Renovation; Select Board Tackles Bridge, Vacancies
The Bourne Historical Commission approved a garage and apartment renovation at 28 Wenaumet Bluffs Drive in a 6-0 vote at its July 28 meeting, the only confirmed decision among more than 20 town board meetings held over the past two weeks. Most other meetings have agendas published but minutes not yet available, so outcomes are not yet part of the public record.
Historical Commission
Commissioners voted 6-0 to approve a project at 28 Wenaumet Bluffs Drive that would remove an existing garage and build a new structure on the existing platform. The project involves renovating a circa 1940 dwelling to meet current building and flood plain codes while maintaining the Cape Cod architectural style.
Select Board
The Select Board held three meetings between July 21 and July 23. Agendas show the board was scheduled to discuss the Sagamore Bridge replacement project, including comments ahead of a July 23 public hearing and a memorandum of understanding request to the Cape Cod Commission. Other scheduled items included a vote on changes to the Pan-Mass Challenge event (Aug. 1-2), appointment of a town moderator to serve until the next annual election, a vote on a letter listing precinct polling locations for the Sept. 1, 2026 state primary, and a vote on a liquor license request from Rep. Vieira's office for Cataumet Fish (H5347). The board also planned an executive session under G.L. c.30A, §21(a) to align the performance review timeframe with the Town Administrator contract. A July 23 agenda listed discussion of attendance at a MassDOT meeting. Minutes for all three meetings are not yet published.
Board of Health
The Board of Health met July 22 to address a body art business at 23 Canal St, Apt 4, for failure to comply with body art regulations and obtain operating permits. According to the agenda, a notice of violation was sent July 2, 2025, and a final notice was sent June 3, 2026. The board was also scheduled to receive an update on the Integrated Solid Waste Management facility project and vote on hiring Peter Durning of Verrill as hearing officer for the site assignment process. Outcomes are not yet available.
Planning Board
The Planning Board met July 23 to continue a hearing on a subdivision application for 115 Red Brook Harbor Road, which would create one unbuildable lot and one buildable single-family lot in an R-40 District. The board was also scheduled to continue a site plan review and special permit application for a change in use at 74 Cranberry Highway, from wholesale/warehouse to mixed-use with multi-family residential units.
Water District and Infrastructure
The North Sagamore Water District opened bids for the Black Pond Well project on July 24, following a July 23 meeting where commissioners discussed the well, Clark Road Tank, a new truck purchase, solar array procurement, and an on-call emergency repair and maintenance contract. Abatement requests for 51 Canal Street and 75 Hunters Brook Road were also on the agenda.
The Police Station Roof Replacement Building Committee met July 22 to rank design firms and schedule interviews, then met July 29 to interview three candidates — ECC Corporation, RGB Architects, and Pomroy — for the Owner's Project Manager role, with a possible vote to recommend a candidate to the Select Board.
Coming Up
- **Aug. 4 — Select Board:** Possible votes to advertise Planning Board and School Committee vacancies; recommendation to appoint an Owner's Project Manager for the Police Station Roof project; ratification of FY26-28 memorandum of agreement with Bourne Patrolman's Association; engineering updates for Pocasset Woods Road, Terra Terrace, Eldridge Road, and Hen Cove drainage.
- **Aug. 5 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Public hearings on a foundation setback variance at 886 Sandwich Road and a 10% gross floor area overage (5,370 sq ft) for a single-family dwelling at 510 Williston Road.
- **Aug. 6 — Conservation Commission:** Review of coastal projects including residential additions at 16 Wenaumet Bluffs Drive, septic replacement at 120 Old Dam Road, and the Cape Cod Canal Pipeline Relocation Project; vote to hold a conservation restriction on 53 MacArthur Blvd.
- **Aug. 4 — Design Review Committee:** Signage review for G & S Marine, Inc. at 8 Holt Road.