Bourne town meeting

At town meeting last night we voted $8,000 for Three Mile Scenic Overlook. Cape Cod Economic Development Commission has authorized $5,000 for 2008 Farmer’s Market promotion. Still waiting to hear from Commonwealth for $7500 for parking study on Bridge Park.

Bill Locke, Cataumet

A movement of sincere regret:

Angelo DiMonica has passed away. Angie was a BBVA board member and served the organizational well. Our deepest sympathy to his family!

Tom Moccia

The view from Main Street:
Antique Alley dealer says business scene underappreciated

By Paul Gately
Tue Oct 16, 2007, 10:36 AM EDT

Buzzards Bay - Bourne Courrier

Buzzards Bay - It is a sunny afternoon, more like mid-July than autumn.
From his front-door in what decades ago was the village Oyster Bar, Bob Anderson looks across his used furniture spread out toward Main Street, gazing at the park beyond and over to the canal.

Anderson, who runs Sanford & Sons next to the village theater and the Antique Center at what used to be the old Buzzards Bay Hotel, likes the setting. Business is good.

He says Antique Alley is a perfect fit for Main Street’s west end. He says antiques and used-furniture dealers are doing quite well, and there is enough pedestrian traffic to keep everyone busy; even if business falls on different days each week.

Anderson does not operate in a world that gauges national economic indicators every day or dream about luxury retailers discovering Buzzards Bay. On the other hand, he says, rental bargains along the street are fleeting with some property owners.

“Revitalize. I hear that word all the time,” he said. “What do you want to revitalize? The buildings? That’s up to the property owners. They don’t want to do that. And they don’t help matters when they double the rents.”
Anderson disagrees with those who say Main Street must be made over as a destination, perhaps on the order of downtown Falmouth, Hyannis or Chatham. He says Buzzards Bay is decidedly unique and has its attractions to capitalize upon; the canal being one of them.

“Is Main Street a destination now?” he said. “Yes, it is. Already. But it’s not appreciated by many people in town.”

Main Street at its west end remains in perpetual transition. The theater recently closed, and the neighboring hot dog eatery opens now only on Saturday. A furniture store is heading to the Cranberry Highway strip in East Wareham.

A breakfast nook is in an old bank. The Cottage Garden has opened. The florist shop is moving, and the Marine Life Center still plans its future after a decade at the old Grossman’s building. The Busnengo block, meanwhile, has been transformed.

Through all the coming and going, second-hand dealers — some for more than a decade — have set up shop and prospered, keeping loyal customers; and often battling Town Hall over their sidewalk displays and equipment kept out back in the town parking lot.

Where some argue there is no business being transacted along Main Street and corporate investment is needed with name-brand stores, others are content with the market between Washington and Wallace Avenues. Some make it; some don’t.

On a recent Tuesday afternoon, there were strollers and power walkers, window shoppers, bikers and guys seeking sandwiches along the street as well as a man needing directions to North Falmouth. The afternoon may have been atypical in terms of pedestrians. Anderson doesn’t think so. He doesn’t dwell on aesthetic limitations.

“I love it on this street,” he said. “You can’t re-create this kind of action. There’s plenty of foot traffic and cars too. Thousands go by every day. If I was going to open up another shop for myself, where would I do it?
“More antique shops and used furniture dealers are better than fewer,” he said. “We’re not in competition with each other. But you can’t have all exclusive shops that are trying to sell $3,000 worth of whalebone every day. But I’ll say this, the area does need a bakery and an ice cream shop.”
Anderson agrees his business at Sanford & Sons appears a “mish mash,” but he also insists “it’s much more than that.” It offers everything along crowded aisles from rugs, mirrors, dressers, bookcases, paintings, lamps and toasters right up to a $900 Santa Claus; while the Antique Center is cleaned up, orderly and filled with 42 dealers.

Anderson wants to expand to the center’s second and third stories. He and his girlfriend Kim Brereton – who runs a vintage clothing boutique in the center – think the building can be even more successful.

“Antique Alley is viable,” he said. “It has been for years. People who shop here aren’t from around here. They’re from Falmouth, New Bedford and Fall River; Taunton and New York, especially in the fall when people think about furniture again.”

Anderson had a good business month in August. February, for some reason, was also profitable. “There’s a lot of money to be made on this street,” he said.

He says it’s disconcerting to some passersby and officials intent on beautification, but he must keep items – such as a row of chairs — out front of Sanford & Sons.

“I get flack,” he said. “But it’s mostly private property. So the town can’t do too much. Some people like the displays and they come in; some don’t. Some peek and go away. Some love to come in and go through boxes filled with stuff from people’s homes and estates, looking for that treasure and finding something; and asking what it costs.”

Anderson leases Sanford and Sons and the Antique Center for five years and likes the arrangement. His landlord is Vincent Michienzi, who owns the theater next store.

Anderson says he was disappointed but not surprised the theater closed. Every small town should have a movie house downtown, he said.
“Jeff Avery should have shown the movies you don’t find at the mall,” he said. “The cult classics; “Casablanca,” “Night of the Living Dead,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Movies like that. “Jaws.” Everyone would come to see “Jaws” on the big screen.”

Anderson says foot traffic increased during the Scallop Festival. People crossed the street from the tents in the park. He says many were surprised and will return.

“A lot came in here, not to buy stuff. But many said they’ll come back now they realize what’s here and they can explore,” he said. “People in town may not realize it when it happens, but it will. There were a lot of people who came to the festival by train and learned about Buzzards Bay. They weren’t here looking around and saying this place has to be revitalized.”

As Others see Us -

"Hi! I'm John Strass and I like your site! Thank you!"

Amsterdam, New York
(1-27-08)

" Hello! I'm Brandon! I like your site! Pretty design, convenient navigation! Very good!

London, England(1-15-08)

"Main Street, Buzzards Bay is so big that the wonderful changes get lost.  When we focus on the improvements they are amazing.  Let us see what can be done with the back side of main street.  If the town does act, we need to be assured by the owners that the situation will not reoccur.  Tour was a great idea.". 
Thanks  Judy Conron, Member Bourne Board of Selectmen.

Good Luck to you and the BBVA in 2007.
Dudley Jensen.

"If we as businesses are going to survive on Main St. we need to continue the revitalization.  Team effort is the only way to accomplish the goal. Keep up the good work!" 
Donna Sprague, Lily-Belle Florals,

"We wish the BBVA success as it undertakes the revitalization of Buzzards Bay.
Lew Ferretti, Lewis C. Ferretti & Associates."

"Tom: Thank you for taking the time to show me around. I think you all are doing some really important work- and I think it will pay off. We want to stay involved so please keep us in the loop.
Margo Fenn, executive director, Cape Cod Commission."

"Thanks for doing such a good job!" Noreen and Vinny Michienzi

"Tom: Just really speaks to what we can do! Roland Dupont, Laurie York and ALL who have worked so hard and been so dedicated to the Three Mile Look Project. I applaud them all. At night when lit, it looks so nice and then walk to the top/the end-the view is outstanding!"
Diane Flynn, Buzzards Bay

"A wonderful news letter with lots of promising things!"
John Harrington, Member, Boune Board of Selectmen.

"Thank you BBVA for our award.  Your recognition of our efforts this year and previous years, is very much appreciated by my husband, our family and me.  One of our goals, over the last few years, has been to hopefully ensure that Betty Ann’s remains on Main St. for many years to come."
Mary Ellen Sanders
Betty Anne's Dairy Freeze.

"Thank you also for the nice award and recognition.  On behalf of NMLC, I’m very proud to be part of the BBVA, and the renovation of Main Street."
Kathy Zagsebski, president and Executive Director
National Marine Life Center

"Keep up the great work on Main Street. I wasn't aware of the Green Belt Pathway Project until I came upon your website. I'll have to check it out. I look forward to what the future holds and please know that my husband & I are here cheering you on. We look forward to having a neighborhood and town we can be proud of. Keep pushing for the commuter rail - we need it!"
Cheryl Mihalovich, Buzzards Bay.

Tom
"Thank you so much for putting on such a great race today. My daugher and I had a wondrful time. We just loved the community spirit. Such a friendly group and a very organized event. Thank you again!"
Debi McCarthy

Hi Tom.... I think the race was a great success today..... Anywho....GREAT JOB!!!
Ali.McGregor

Hi Tom,
Just want to say I'm very happy your Community Preservation Act Committee request for $20,000 for "Three Mile Look" went sailing through last night. You people certainly deserve it! I also wanted to let you know that the Council on Aging and Friends very much supports the BBVA's efforts. Keep up the good work!
Sandy Vickery, executive director
Bourne Council on Aging

Dear Tom,

I wanted to check in with you regarding a question I have concerning the BBVA Membership dues. The cover letter stated that the Board voted and approved increasing these dues from $50 - $100. I do not have a problem with that and I support BBVA and appreciate the opportunity to participate. I will be sending $100.00.

Keep up the good work and thank you for your dedication to Main Street.

Charles Henry
Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists
Buzzards Bay Veterinary Associates
230 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

I grew up in Buzzards Bay and live in California. I still have a home there on in Indian Heights off Redbrook Road and come back fairly often. It is strange because I had a landscape architect in my house last evening who saw a magnet on my refrigerator that said Buzzards Bay and told me about the contest and your web site. Very exciting,.

Michele Papineau
Oakland California
1-12-06

I saw this article and am sending you congratulations for being the driving force behind all of this good news. Things are, indeed, happening in Buzzards Bay and that is quite an accomplishment! It would have been good if the town's government leaders were behind this, but your group of enthusiastic optimists is really pushing these changes along and it is a terrific thing. Keep up the great work!

Best wishes for 2006 and I hope to see you soon.
--Gay Wells, Ma. Department of Commerce & Development

The Fall 2005 edition, of COMPETITION magazine reported on the BBVA's international architectural design competition. The article is called "Coming Ashore in Buzzards Bay - The Bridge/Park Competition", by Michael Dulin.

Hi Tom,

"I want to thank you for your informative presentation at our board meeting. The directors really enjoyed it and your talk really sparked their enthusiasm for the potential future of Buzzards Bay. You and the Association have done an amazing job of making a vision that much closer to a reality! Keep up the great work!"
Sandra Vickery, Director, Bourne Council on Aging.

Very nice presentation! (To the Cape Cod Commission on the results of the Main Street/Buzzards Bay design competition.) You really have galvanized the community! Quite an accomplishment. Best of luck with all that you have ahead of you as you proceed through with the design!

Elizabeth G. Taylor,
Brewster representative,
Cape Cod Commission

"Thank you for the recognition ceremony. It is a great honor. Thanks and best wishes." signed Deanne Fitzmaurice, 2005 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Photo Journalism and a resident of Bourne. The BBVA joined with the Bourne Womens Club in celebrating her international recognition.

Dear Tom,
I hope this finds you doing well. Michael and I check back to the BBVA website often to keep up to date on the development of the project. We are pleased to learn that the process in underway and again extend an offer to help in any way.

I am writing to you for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to let you know that Michael and I have had to change our plans for the Scallop Festival. As you may recall, his entire extended family lives in New Orleans and as of now, they have all lost their homes. With so much uncertainty, we feel we need to conserve our resources to help his family in this terrible time. We hope, however, to return to Buzzards Bay in the future--perhaps even next year!

Secondly, we have been invited to submit a proposal for project in Wisconsin that is very similar in type and scale to the Bridge|Park Competition. As part of this proposal, we need to list references of those who have seen our work to date. We wondered if you would be willing to be named as one of our references and, if called, share your insights on our work. We would greatly appreciate your support.

Please let me know if this is something you would feel comfortable with, and also please pass on our warmest regards to the entire Buzzards Bay community. In times like these, we realize what a gift friends are.

Take care,
Liz Swanson

Ed Note: Liz Swanson was part of the team that co-shared the winning submission in the BBVA's International Archetectural Design Compeittion.

"Dear Buzzards Bay Village Association:

"Charmed in our earlier visits to your village, we were charmed again by the warmth shone to us at your recent mid-year meeting. It was a pleasure to meet the faces behind the design competition.

"More significantly, it was gratifying to be present for the beginning of a lively discussion surrounding a new future for your Park and Main Street. Thank you for welcoming us to participate. Please know that we would be very glad to visit again and continue the discussion.

"Best wishes moving forward."

Will Martin,
Martin & Cox
Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Land Planning.

"Ed note: Mr. Cox, and his associate Mr. Brennan Cox, were awarded Third Prize in the BBVA's Design Competition."

BBVA appears to have adopted a motto for itself, that being
" The best way to predict the future is to create it"

" Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail!!"

The Buzzards Bay Civic Association is on it's way to leaving a trail, because Choice, not chance, determines one's destiny. BBVA is creating the future.

BRAVO BBVA!!!!
Christopher Farrell, Vice-chair
Bourne Planning Board

"What a GREAT news release! on design competition. I was disappointed that I was unable to view the submissions because I was on vacation in Indiana. Glad to see that there will be another chance to see them. Congratulations on the completion of a wonderful idea that has the potential to dramatically improve the town we all love."
Rick Gurnon, Acting President, Massachhusets Maritime Academy.

"Good for all of you"
Tom Bernardo, Speaker, Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates.

"Congratulations on the terrific looking applications for re-design in Buzzards Bay Park. It warmed my heart to see what my village could actually become!" Continued best wishes.
Silene Gordon, Freelance Writer

Letter: Is Bourne up to the challenge
Thursday, April 28, 2005

To the Editor:
I visited the cafeteria of the Upper Cape Tech school Friday, April 22 for the second day of the two-day exhibit of the entries in the International Architectural Design Contest for ideas to revitalize Buzzards Bay.

It was overwhelmingly impressive. Over 200 entries from all around the world. The cafeteria did not have room for all of them, and several hallways had to be used to display them all. The closing date for entries had passed a few days before I was there, and nine more entries had just arrived.

Just the exhibit, itself, was an art show of colors, landscape and architectural designs, and ideas to make you think and marvel. And even, for a little while, to think positively and hope for a future for Buzzards Bay, which is central to the future of all of Bourne. And this project is not only about Bourne, but also about Cape Cod, and Massachusetts.

I have learned that attendees included, the Bourne selectmen, chief of police, town clerk, acting town administrator, members of the Bourne Council on Aging, and Bourne Financial Development Corporation, Cape Cod Commission staffers, reporters and many Bourne citizens. I wish that every citizen of Bourne could have seen this exhibit. I wish that every citizen cared.

Kudos and thank yous go to the Buzzards Bay Village Association for spearheading this project and trying to end Bourne¹s long-term hibernation.

I suspect that very little of what I saw will come to pass exactly as shown in the exhibit, but the project offers a path to move in a forward direction. To take that path is the challenge for the town. Are we up to it?
Lex Coates
Monument Beach

"Ivan and I would just like to sincerely 'Thank You' for taking the time to show us around the Main Street/Buzzards Bay neighborhood. It was very kind of you and most informative. Once again, our sincere ' thanks' for your hospitality. Jenny Chang, konyk architecture, Brooklyn, NY."

"The BBVA is a bit ahead of the curve. Boston Mayor has just announced Boston will conduct an international architectural design competition to suggest how Boston's parks and neighborhoods can be linked together into an integrated system. He is offering $25,000 in prizes."

"A friend of mine is a bartender in Cambridge an he said some guys were working on some plans etc at the bar......and he asked them what it was that they were working on and....it was for the BBVA competition.....exciting huh."
Ali McGregor.

"On behalf of the Department of Landscape Architecture, Mississippi State University and the LA 3655 # design students, we want to thank you and the BBVA for your generous hospitality in meeting with us and sharing insights about the Bridge-Park site and Buzzards Bay. Thanks!!"
Sincerely, Jason B. Walker,
MSI, Department of Landscape Architecture.

"Thanks you again for your time while we were in Buzzards Bay. We enjoyed learning about the town and look forward to designing the site. Thanks again."
Cage Couch and Shawn Balon,
Landscape Architecture Students,
Clemson University, South Carolina.

"Enclosed are my membership dues for the coming year. The information about the design competition as well as the ongoing work of the Association in other areas is truly exciting. I hope to be of some help. Coninued best wishes. Silene Gordon, Verbatim Communications, Freelance writer."

"Received the competition poster. I'ts great. The Buzzards Bay group isdoing the work that should have been done years ago. Keep it up. Bob Deane, Former Bourne representative to and past chair of the Cape Cod Commission, Fort Meyers Florida"

"I received it (the design competition poster) the other day and it looks great! what a good idea! Nothing like kicking off a design competition with a good design!!. Felicia Penn, Executive Director, GotCommunity, Hyannis"

It's an amazing poster!
John Lipman, Deputy Director, \
Capoe Cod Commission.

"I just received the poster in the mail regarding the design competition -- looks terrific! The $10k from Banknorth is a boost as well, I imagine, and very timely."
Silene Gordon Verbatim Communications

Just wanted you to know I am really impressed and excited. Its great to know people who get things done and done well.
Congratulations to the BBVA.
John Harding, President, Bourne Financial Development Corporations

A number of professional journals and web sites, here and aboard, are reporting on our design competition: McGraw Hill Construction, Competition Magazine,, AtchNewsNow.com; Death by Architecture, P.J.Productions.com, Architettare, (Italy), Materials Info, Epitesz, Architect Forum 2000, Poland OPMA (Russia) AR Wonderland, (Europe) and Architectural Week In addition, we continue to receive information requests from a number of foreign nations. The most recent being India, Hungary, Thailand, Iran, Italy, China and South Korea.

The Upper Cape Codder
Editorial: The Upper Cape's present becomes past
Thursday, December 30, 2004
What a year! It began in a deep freeze and may end that way as well <Read More>

From a happy member:
"I saw the piece on the news about Buzzards Bay and it made me proud to be a part of Main Street. I think the work that BBVA is doing in an effort to restore some life into Main Street is awesome! I read my newsletter every time I get it and I appreciate the correspondence. I am sorry that I cannot be more active in the Association but please know that I am on the side lines cheering everyone on and trying hard to keep our properties 227 and 230 Main Street in good order!

Charlie Henry
Buzzards Bay Veterinarian Clinic"

The Upper Cape Codder
Quintal's owner awaits OK for market/doughnut approval
By Paul Gately
It was 9 o'clock on a chilly Saturday night. The lounge inside was inviting and filling up, and the blonde at the ... [more]

"We received the following email from a web site surfer from Williamsville, New York. "I would like to see the clean up of the small cemetary by the new Veterans Memorial Building There is a lot of Buzzards Bay history there!" We agree and it is in progess as part of the BBVA's Greenbelt Pathway Project."

TownOnline.com - The Upper Cape Codder - Local News
Bringing back Buzzards Bay
By Joe Burns/ jburns@cnc.com
Wednesday, August 18, 2004

CapeNews.net - Support Growing In Bourne For Rail Study
Support Growing In Bourne For Rail Study
By ANNA K. KIVLAN