Selectmen’s Minutes
August 14, 2007
Mass Maritime Academy – Blinn Hall
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
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Attendance:
Thomas M. Guerino
Board of Selectmen
Stephen F. Mealy, Chairman
Jamie J. Sloniecki, Vice Chairman
Judith Conron, Clerk
Linda M. Zuern
John A. Ford, Jr.
Buzzards Bay Revitalization Group
Jeff Luce, President
Sally Riggs (Bourne Financial Development Corp.)
Wes Ewell, Planning Consultant
Call the Meeting to
Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
TA Guerino noted no votes will be taken this evening. No other business is on tonight’s agenda other than the Forum regarding ways/concepts of making Buzzards Bay more inviting.
TA Guerino turned the meeting over to Sally Riggs, who noted representing the Main Street Steering Committee.
Introduction and Content
Bourne Financial Development Corp. (BFDC) – Sally Riggs
Selectmen endorsed the Economic Development Plan, recommending creating the Bourne Financial Development Corp. (BFDC).
State legislature established the BFDC in December, 2001.
Town Meeting vote agreement.
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The purpose of the BFDC is for the common good and welfare of the town and to improve living standards of citizens of Bourne by improvement of employment and economic development.
Growth in the Town of Bourne can occur in four (4) potential growth zones:
Opportunities increase commercial sector contribution to the town’s tax base while managing growth.
Local Comprehensive Plan goal is to revitalize Main Street, Buzzards Bay with an accepted completed plan. This plan involves:
Impediments
Main Street Steering Committee
The purpose of the Main Street Steering Committee is to coordinate a program that will help overcome impediments for opportunities that can be realized. Also, to gather data and facts to build a consensus.
The Main Street Steering Committee is a collaboration of the BFDC, Bourne Planning Board, Buzzards Bay Village Association, Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce and others.
BFDC/Main Street Steering Committee Updates
Buzzards Bay Village Association Updates – Jeff Luce
Buzzards Bay Village Association d/b/a the Buzzards Bay Vitalization Association is a 21 member board (TA Guerino is ex officio).
The mission of the Buzzards Bay Vitalization Association is to vitalize Main Street viable visible for commercial, housing, tourism and recreation.
Major Initiatives
David MacLean introduced to discuss the Bridgepark Design Competition. He also noted the competition was an overwhelming success with 159 submissions from 21 countries. The main objective of the competition was to use the park as a catalyst for commercial activity.
He focused on submitted plans that preserved and enhanced Cape Cod for a more diversified woodland area. He also noted a proposed new marina on Mass Maritime property.
Summary - Jeff Luce
Transportation Advisory Committee – request for endorsement
Comprehensive Transportation Plan – Wes Ewell
Buzzards Bay has so much potential (four-year college, one of the oldest railroad bridges in the country).
There are problems related to transportation and road network:
A traffic study done by graduate students from a college in Pennsylvania was noted. The concept of the study was what to do with the bypass road.
Expressed concerns of reducing the bypass to two lanes per recommendation of the Transportation Committee.
The students came up with the idea was to create a boulevard to create an access road from abutting properties to Main Street, which included a separate bicycle pathway.
The Buzzards Bay Vitalization Association came up with a bypass of two (2) lanes to reduce the tendency to speed, reconnecting residential area to commercial neighborhood. This would leave room for a separate bicycle path. Bicycling through Buzzards Bay is neither easy nor safe.
Suggested Reconfiguration of Belmont Circle &
Memorial Circle
Jeff Luce noted both the Belmont and Memorial Circles’ reconfigurations would free up areas for a welcoming structure. They also would eliminate about half of the pavement to make a Memorial Park. He added this would be rather simple to do at low construction and cost.
Summary
Tom Moccia noted intending to bring to the next Board meeting to make a presentation for approval of documentation, to take to the next level. He also noted bringing back the Rail service is a reality. The Comprehensive Transportation Plan is two months in the making.
Jeff Luce added there are still many items to do before a full Development Comprehensive Plan.
Future Projects
Discussion held.
Comments
TA Guerino noted the Board is adamant on obtaining reports on processes. Ultimately, the Board has final decision as to where projects will go (visionaries).
Marie Oliva, Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce, noted actionable items discussions and is eager to move forward to action items.
Selectman Zuern noted concerns of the Board being included in discussions before they are brought to the Board.
Discussion held. TA Guerino was named to assist the Board with discussions and cooperation.
Selectman Conron questioned what the expectations of the Board are.
Discussion held on parking envisions. It was noted as part of the process is building a long term plan as to what Buzzards Bay would look like. Until plan is compiled in its entirety, hard to predict.
Chm. Mealy suggested the Board attend meetings for input. He also suggested forming subcommittees, but noting it would be the Board’s decision to put in place.
Marie Oliva, Cape Cod Region Chamber of Commerce, suggested more formality of process through TA Guerino, using a timeframe.
Discussion of educating of public and what to do with empty buildings on Main Street.
Selectman Sloniecki commented on public rest rooms and address Cohasset Bridge.
Chm. Mealy requested a summary of what are issues of the Cohasset Narrows Bridge, include several quotes and forward to the Board for review. Once summary is submitted, the Board can write a letter to request repair of the Cohasset Narrows Bridge.
Chm. Mealy also requested a summary of reports presented tonight into a 10- page document with bullets.
John Harding noted Sally Riggs (the Main Street Steering Committee) does these needs and will collate for the board.
There was a suggestion of putting documents onto the town website, as well as feedbacks on projects were discussed.
Michele Ford noted to have documentation “roughly right and continue to work out details.”
Corrine Moore raised issue of comments on keeping Buzzards Bay as is, noting there is a way to revise while still keeping quaintness.
The next step is to put report in summary form and bring back to the Board for further discussion.
Selectman Sloniecki inquired if the Sagamore exchange is hurting Bourne. Wes Ewell noted with the easement, traffic is more likely to go toward scenic highway and bring business into Bourne.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Groezinger, sec.