Bourne Town Hall
Bourne Bridge over Cape Cod Canal
Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge
~20,500year-round residents across 7 villages
21,000acres of military reservation within town borders
2bridges connecting Cape Cod to the mainland — both being replaced
$100M+estimated local cost for wastewater infrastructure
Villages of Bourne
Welcome to Bourne
Bourne is the gateway to Cape Cod — literally. Both the Bourne Bridge and the Sagamore Bridge cross the Cape Cod Canal here, making Bourne the first town every visitor passes through. But Bourne is far more than a gateway. With about 20,500 year-round residents spread across seven distinct villages, it's one of the largest and most diverse communities on Cape Cod. From the military families at Joint Base Cape Cod (formerly Otis) to the fishing village of Cataumet and the commercial center of Buzzards Bay, Bourne encompasses vastly different neighborhoods with different needs. The Cape Cod Canal, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, bisects the town and defines its identity. Bourne operates under Open Town Meeting with a Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator.
Bourne was incorporated in 1884, carved out of the town of Sandwich, and named after Jonathan Bourne, a prominent New Bedford whaling merchant. The town occupies a unique position as the gateway to Cape Cod — the Cape Cod Canal, completed in 1914 and later widened by the Army Corps of Engineers, separates Bourne from the mainland and defines the town's geography and identity. The Bourne and Sagamore Bridges, both built in 1935, are the primary road links to the Cape and among the most recognizable landmarks in southeastern Massachusetts. Bourne is the only Cape Cod town that straddles the Canal, with portions of the town on the mainland side. The Massachusetts Military Reservation (Joint Base Cape Cod) occupies a large section of the town's interior, influencing land use, environmental policy, and local politics for decades — particularly around groundwater contamination from military operations. With a year-round population of about 20,000, Bourne is among the larger Cape towns and operates under an Open Town Meeting form of government with a five-member Select Board. The town has its own school system (Bourne Public Schools) and is home to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Town Officials
Select Board — 5 elected members
Bourne Select Board
Melissa Ferretti (Chair) · [email protected]
Mary Jane Mastrangelo · [email protected]
Peter Meier · [email protected]
Anne-Marie Siroonian · [email protected]
Jeanne Azarovitz · [email protected]
Bourne Select Board
Melissa Ferretti (Chair) · [email protected]
Mary Jane Mastrangelo · [email protected]
Peter Meier · [email protected]
Anne-Marie Siroonian · [email protected]
Jeanne Azarovitz · [email protected]
Town Hall: (508) 759-0600 x1
Select Board Page →
| Position | Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Select Board Chair | Melissa FerrettiChair, Bourne Select Board [email protected] (508) 759-0600 x1 |
|
| Select Board | Mary Jane Mastrangelo[email protected] (508) 759-0600 x1 |
|
| Select Board | Peter Meier[email protected] (508) 759-0600 x1 |
|
| Select Board | Anne-Marie Siroonian[email protected] (508) 759-0600 x1 |
|
| Select Board | Jeanne Azarovitz[email protected] (508) 759-0600 x1 |
|
| Town Administrator | Marlene McCollem[email protected] (508) 759-0600 x1135 |
|
| Police Chief | Brandon EsipBourne Police Dept. (508) 759-4453 (non-emergency) 166 Main St, Buzzards Bay |
(508) 759-4453 |
| Fire Chief | David CodyBourne Fire Dept. (508) 759-4412 (non-emergency) 53 Sandwich Rd, Bourne |
(508) 759-4412 |
Key Issues to Watch
Cape Cod Canal Bridges Replacement
The biggest infrastructure story on Cape Cod. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is replacing both the Bourne and Sagamore bridges — built in 1935 — with modern, higher, wider structures. This multi-billion-dollar project will reshape Bourne for a generation. Traffic patterns, land use, environmental impact, construction disruption, and economic development are all in play. The project was authorized in the 2022 federal infrastructure bill with up to $1.6 billion in federal funding.
Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC)
The military installation (formerly Massachusetts Military Reservation) is a major employer and landholder occupying over 21,000 acres. Environmental cleanup of PFAS and other contamination from decades of military use remains an ongoing concern, particularly for groundwater that feeds drinking water wells in Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich. The Impact Area Groundwater Study Program (IAGWSP) continues remediation work.
Wastewater & Sewer Infrastructure
Bourne faces massive wastewater investment needs, particularly in Buzzards Bay and other village centers. Most of the town relies on septic systems, and nitrogen pollution is degrading coastal water quality in Buzzards Bay and the canal. The costs for a town-wide sewer system are staggering for a community of 20,000 — Town Meeting votes on funding are critical.
School Budget & Regional Education
Bourne operates its own school district (not a regional district). Enrollment has been declining, putting pressure on per-pupil costs while infrastructure needs grow. The Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School also serves Bourne students — funding assessments from the regional tech school are a recurring budget issue at Town Meeting.
Housing Affordability & Development
Like all Cape Cod towns, Bourne faces a housing affordability crisis driven by rising property values and limited year-round inventory. The town is working to meet state-mandated affordable housing targets while managing growth pressure — especially around the canal area and Route 28 corridor. Zoning changes and 40B developments are regular Town Meeting topics.
Issue Timeline
Local Landmarks
Bourne Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal – Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Bourne Bridge and the Sagamore Bridge are two of the most iconic landmarks on Cape Cod, serving as the primary road links between the Cape and mainland Massachusetts. Built in 1935 by the Army Corps of Engineers, both bridges span the Cape Cod Canal and carry millions of vehicles annually. The Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge, a vertical-lift bridge, is the third crossing and one of the longest railroad bridges of its type in the world.
A major bridge replacement project, now underway, will replace the aging Bourne and Sagamore Bridges with modern structures designed to handle increased traffic and improve safety for decades to come.
Town Resources
- Town Website
- Assessor — Property Records
- GIS / Property Maps
- Dog Licenses (Town Clerk)
- Beach Stickers (Natural Resources)
- Transfer Station / Solid Waste
- Building Permits
- Town Clerk — Vital Records
- Animal Control
How to Stay Involved
Meeting Agendas & Minutes
Official agendas for Select Board, Planning Board, and all Bourne committees
Town Meeting Information
Warrant articles, schedules, and how to participate in Bourne Town Meeting
Voter Registration & Elections
Register to vote, check your status, and find polling locations
Join a Board or Committee
Volunteer openings on Planning, Conservation, Finance, and more
MA Secretary of State — Elections
Official state election information, candidate filings, and campaign finance
MA Legislature — Bill Tracker
Search bills filed by your state representative and senator
Upcoming Meetings
March 2026 — Key Dates
Mar 11Select Board Meeting, 7:00 PM — Town Hall, 24 Perry Ave, Buzzards Bay
Mar 18Planning Board Meeting, 7:00 PM — Town Hall
Mar 25Select Board Meeting, 7:00 PM — Town Hall
April – May 2026
Apr 8Select Board Meeting, 7:00 PM — Town Hall
Apr 22Select Board Meeting, 7:00 PM — Town Hall
May 4Annual Town Meeting — Bourne High School, 75 Waterhouse Rd. Registered voters can attend, debate, and vote on the town budget, bylaws, and spending articles.
Select Board typically meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. All meetings are open to the public. Full meeting calendar →
Watch Recorded Meetings
Bourne Community TV — Watch past Select Board and committee meetings online.