Bourne Inches Closer to New South-Side Fire Station

BOURNE – The long debated possibility of a new Bourne fire station on the south side of the Cape Cod Canal appears to be moving forward, with town officials zeroing in on potential sites for the facility.

A task-force charged with overseeing the development of the station has recommended that the town purchase more than 80 acres of land in Pocasset, currently owned by the county.

The parcel is also home to other structures currently in use as well as a community garden which would not be affected by the construction of the fire station.

Officials indicated that the town may have to move quickly on any sale as the county appears anxious to unload the property.

Bourne Fire Chief Norman Sylvester said last year that the current stations in Pocasset and Monument Beach have a number of issues and cannot reasonably be restored.

The buildings have had issues with cracked flooring, lack of sprinklers, and are not in not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A similar feasibility committee was established more than a decade ago to look into the possibility of building a new station on the south side of the canal, but nothing came from that effort.

Sylvester said having firefighters stationed on both sides of the canal is critical to providing appropriate coverage to the town. This becomes especially challenging in the summer when traffic in the canal region is often jammed.

“There’s certain times with these bridges, we all know, we can’t get on either side. We have to be able to provide a service to the community,” Sylvester said.

The Sagamore station, the newest fire facility in Bourne, opened in 2006 and cost taxpayers $6.5 million.

in 2016, Bourne voters approved a new $17.5 million police station. Residents also voted in favor of a new $39.9 million Peebles Elementary School at the same town meeting and election.

“I understand the town’s financial constraints so I’m looking for the best bang for the buck,” said Sylvester.

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