Bourne Select Board appoints new Planning Board associate member

Select Board · Meeting of September 8, 2026

Bourne fire chief details timeline rebutting criticism of boat fire ambulance response. Chief David Polanzi told the Select Board the department had its standard nine personnel on duty when an August 8 boat fire hit Monument Beach, and that an ambulance reached the injured patient in about 13 minutes, not the 30 minutes some residents alleged. Resident Carla Amens said an ambulance sat unmanned at the Monument Beach station because all three on-duty staff had responded to the fire.

Separately, Town Administrator Marlene McCollem said Bourne used $492,000 in capital stabilization funds in fiscal 2027 alone to cover existing debt service, calling it a "structural issue" as the town eyes a possible fiscal 2028 operating deficit. The board also appointed Corrine Moore Covey to the Planning Board, 4-0, and heard the Affordable Housing Trust favors demolishing the former police station for up to 26 new housing units.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,872 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.