Bourne Planning Board Releases 20-Year Bond, Welcomes New Building Commissioner

Planning Board · Meeting of August 13, 2026

Bourne Planning Board introduces new Building Commissioner and releases a two-decade-old performance bond. The board formally welcomed Ellen McKay, an architect with more than 35 years of experience and previous municipal stints in Falmouth, Hingham, and Harwich, who pledged active code enforcement after members described years of lax follow-through on permit conditions. The board voted unanimously to release a cash performance bond held in the name of Ralph Bartlett, former owner of a commercial shed display business at 1 Katie Marie Drive, after a site inspection found missing plantings but concluded the bond could not be transferred to the property's new owner.

Members separately agreed to send a letter of encouragement to the new owner, identified as Pine Harbor, regarding the landscaping shortfalls, acknowledging the conditions are likely unenforceable. The board also previewed a wish list of zoning bylaw amendments, including cleanup items and changes driven by state housing legislation, with town counsel expected to brief the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals jointly on Chapter 40A amendments effective July 1.

In the full story:

• Introduction of New Building Commissioner
• Meeting Minutes
• Bond Release: 1 Katie Marie Drive (Map 35, Parcel 12)
• Other Business: Zoning Bylaw Review and State Law Updates
• Bridges and Base Planning
• Upcoming Joint Meeting with Select Board
• The complete report — 2,250 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of August 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.