Bourne Select Board approves edited comment letter to MassDOT on Sagamore Bridge design

The Bourne Select Board voted to submit a revised comment letter to Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) on the Sagamore Bridge design public hearing, with members asking that the letter clearly identify the Select Board as the sender and request a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to define mitigation and ongoing local engagement.

At the July 23 MassDOT hearing MassDOT accepted public comment for 10 business days; Select Board members reviewed a draft letter and debated language about mitigation funding, emergency access, and signature practice. "The town needs to be assured that there will be uninterrupted emergency access," the town administrator read as a recommended edit during the discussion. Member MJ urged the letter explicitly identify the board and suggested replacing language that implied permanent lack of mitigation with phrasing that recognizes mitigation is not currently funded but that the town seeks cooperative solutions. "Although financial mitigation is not currently available, the town is convinced that we can work together to mitigate the negative construction impacts of the project to protect and preserve our residents' quality of life," MJ proposed and the board adopted that framing.

The board voted on the edited submittal and authorized use of the Select Board signature/stamp. Chair and members recorded a roll-call vote to approve the letter as amended; the motion passed. The letter will be filed with MassDOT to be included in the agency's comment matrix and responses.