Town of Bourne Moves Forward with New Major Capital Projects

A rendering of the proposed new police station.

BOURNE – With approval from voters this week, the town of Bourne is about to embark on two major capital projects at the same time.

At Tuesday’s election, residents overwhelmingly approved plans for a new Peebles Elementary School and a new police station.

Now the work begins for both departments in moving the plans from paper to construction.

“It’s absolutely incredible that the town supported both projects, but did it in such a way that really endures what this community is trying to do to try to prepare itself for what’s next and trying to be the best community it can possibly be,” said Bourne Schools Superintendent Steven Lamarche.   

The new school will cost $39.9 million and would replace the current Peebles Elementary School, which was built in 1953 and is showing signs of disrepair.

The school overwhelmingly passed town meeting in October.

Taxpayers are responsible for $24 million of the costs as the Massachusetts School Building Authority will provide $15 million, or 36 percent.

The new school will house all Bourne students from grades 3 through 5.

Construction on the new building on Trowbridge Road could commence in late spring or early summer.

Plans call for the school to be open for fall of 2019.

The new police department will cost $17 million.

The current station was built in 1958 and has a myriad of problems, including electrical inefficiencies and asbestos issues.

The water line coming into the station is under an emergency repair which will begin shortly.

Concrete is also collapsing on the ceiling of one of the garage bays. It is not supported by any steel and it needs to be braced up.

“We’re blown away by the amount of support that we received, it was a very large percentage, so we’re very happy with that, very thankful for the citizens of our town that voted for this project,” said Bourne Police Chief Dennis Woodside.

The proposed facility will be built in a new location adjacent to the Route 6/28 bypass at the end of Armory Road.

Site design and planning is underway for the new station with groundbreaking expected next fall.

By JUSTIN SAUNDERS and MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com Newscenter