Cape & Islands News

Bournes want to save Tugboat, dump Department of Natural Resources

Landmark Buzzards Bay tugboat may go home again
By Paul Gately/ pgately@cnccom, Thursday, January 26, 2006

Word is spreading about the plight of New York Central tugboat No. 16 that now sits on land targeted for a new CVS store in Buzzards Bay.

Emmett Francois, moderator of the New York Central Marine Division, said the tug, formerly owned by restaurateur Howard Shaw of Gray Gables and Maine, "has great historical significance" and hopes it can be removed "from where it sits to a location that would be more fitting in light of its service."

CVS representatives this month told Bourne officials some tug removal options are being considered but are not finalized. The vessel’s future has stirred interest in Bourne historical circles but no plan has emerged to preserve the vessel or find a new location for it...

Move starts to revamp DNR
By Paul Gately/ pgately@cnc.com, Thursday, January 26, 2006

Bourne selectmen moved quickly Tuesday night, ordering on a 4-1 vote the reorganization of the Department of Natural Resources and placing its responsibilities within the police department and town administrator's office.

The move came after members reviewed the MMA Consulting Group's report into the DNR during a tense session filled with criticism of the report and selectmen, their push to revamp the department, their sidestepping other goals and failure to set DNR priorities that might have been achieved.

Only Selectman Richard LaFarge voted against changing the DNR, saying it wasn't on the weekly agenda and lacked a report and recommendation by Guerino as required by the charter."This is not the right process," he said. "We're doing something wrong here tonight."

Town Administrator Thomas Guerino has until Feb. 21 to revamp DNR responsibilities and report to the board, even as he prepares to deliver the fiscal 2007 budget Tuesday night. The process of reorganizing also calls for a public hearing.

The motion advanced by Selectmen Galon "Skip" Barlow and W. Thomas Barlow calls for shellfish constable, animal control and harbormaster duties to shift to the police department, marina management and an administrative assistant going to Guerino's office and a secretary merging into a new Town Hall fee collection process. DNR Director George Weinert's position would be eliminated... Read the rest of this Upper Cape Codder story here, and comment below.