Bourne Select Board approves $250,000 reserve transfer to cover fire overtime, OKs year‑end budget moves

The Bourne Select Board unanimously approved a request to transfer the town’s entire $250,000 reserve fund balance to the fire department to cover unforeseen overtime expenses.

Erica introduced the request, saying, “We are requesting the entire balance of $250,000 to be transferred to the fire department to cover unforeseen overtime expenditures.” She told members the packet also included a memo from Chief Polonsky explaining the cause and that the chief was available on the call.

Why it matters: Town staff estimated a broader fire salary deficit of about $350,000 and said the reserve transfer was one part of covering that shortfall. In addition to the reserve move, the board approved two year‑end budget transfers: $50,000 for continued fire overtime and $93,527.74 to cover a snow‑and‑ice deficit. Officials said sufficient surplus exists in the shared‑cost budget (mainly health insurance) to fund those transfers.

During discussion the fire chief explained that overtime was not confined to one station. The chief said overtime “is spread out through the entire town, all our stations” and attributed higher costs to three retirements and several departures that the department is now filling. He said much of the overtime covers contractual obligations (vacation, sick leave) and a separate emergency overtime bucket covers storm coverage and major incidents; staff expect overtime needs to drop as vacancies are filled.

The board moved and seconded the reserve transfer motion and completed a roll‑call vote with all five members voting yes. The subsequent year‑end transfer motions (the $50,000 fire overtime transfer and the $93,527.74 snow‑and‑ice transfer) were also moved, seconded and approved by unanimous roll call.

What’s next: Staff will implement the transfers and the town will continue filling vacancies in the fire department to reduce overtime pressure. The board deferred approval of minutes to a later meeting and then adjourned.