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Home My Public Portal AboutSelect Board -- 2021-08-23 Minutes ✓, F � Town of Brewster Office of: 0 •° •+• 9 Select Board at '+, N2198 Main Street Town Administrator o ' t Brewster, MA 026314898 Phone : ( 508 ) 896 - 3701 Fax : ( 508) 896- 8089 /U/�U//IINIIIMIIIH111A1�\\Q\\ MINUTES OF THE SELECT BOARD REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DATE : August 23 , 2021 TIME : 6 : 00 PM PLACE . Remote Teleconference REMOTE PARTICIPANTS : Chair Bingham , Selectperson Whitney, Selectperson Chaffee , Selectperson Hoffmann , Selectperson Chatelain , Town Administrator Peter Lombardi , Assistant Town Administrator Donna Kalinick Call to Order & Declaration of a Quorum , Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement Chair Bingham called the meeting to order at 6 ; 00pm . A quorum was declared , all Select Board members present were announced , Chair Bingham read the meeting participation and recording statements . Executive Session : To consider the purchase , exchange, lease or value of real property at 3057 Main Street and 500 W H Besse Cartway if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to enter Executive Session at 6 : 02pm . Selectperson Chatelain second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes , Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Chatelain -yes, Chair Bingham -yes . The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0- No . Selectperson Hoffmann moved to return to Regular Session at 6128pm . Selectperson Whitney second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Chatelain -yes , Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes , Selectperson Whitney-yes , Chair Bingham -yes . The Board vote was 5 -Yes , 0 - No . Public Announcements and Comment : Members of the public may address the Select Board on matters not on the meeting' s agenda for a maximum 3-5 minutes at the Chair' s discretion . Under the Open Meeting Law, the Select Board is unable to reply but may add items presented to a future agenda . No discussion Select Board Announcements and Liaison Reports No reports Town Administrator' s Report The following information was provided by Peter Lombardi ; Pandemic Information : • Barnstable County case rates continue to be elevated but have come down significantly following the Provincetown July 4th cluster . BoS 08- 23 - 2021 www . brewster- ma . gov Page 1 of 7 Doc ID : c84dOa220b941ac8d5b36a89d960de2fc623d8e4 gp� \\\6\ FEW 8�lTG��%i ot ;�� . �m �� Town of Brewster office of: o ° '. • s Select Board ak '•, ; ` 2198 Main Street Town Administrator o Brewster, MA 026314898 � Jot _ G0 Phone: ( 508) 896- 3701 Fax : ( 508) 896- 8089 • In Brewster the positive cases remain elevated as well , although we did see a downturn two weeks ago, but has ticked back up last week . Currently, we have 9 positive cases . We do expect that to increase once the State database catches up to testing that was conducted over the weekend related to a couple of small clusters . • The Town issued an advisory on August 10 recommending that visitors and staff indoors in Town buildings wear masks regardless of vaccination status • Many town committees are meeting remotely at this point, there is the option to meet in - person or hybrid with restrictions . At the September 13 meeting, the Select Board will be discussing the plan for meeting formats for October and beyond . Free Cash Information : • Certified by the Department of Revenue last week, which is very early thanks to the work of Mimi Bernardo, Lisa Vitale , Jim Gallagher, and the entire Finance Team . Partly accelerated due to Special Town Meeting that has been called for the potential acquisition of the Cape Cod Sea Camps in September. Certified at $ 4 . 5M total , which is higher than we typically see due to two main factors $ o After the onset of the pandemic when developing the revenue projections for FY21 , we decreased short-term rental revenues down to $ 100k and the actuals came in at $ 1 + M . As a reminder, we increased our short-term rental revenues to $ 500k for FY22 . o Last year' s free cash was closed out at $ 1 . 6M , which was about $ 600 -$ 8001( higher than we typically close out at . This provides the Town the ability to apply up to $ 1 . 5M to help with the acquisition costs of the Long Pond parcel of the Cape Cod Sea Camps without having any impact on residents' tax bills, while continuing to allow the Town to invest in our capital needs . We are anticipating approximately $ 1 . 75M of free cash to be used to support these purchases and projects and will still leave us with a healthy free cash balance to close out the fiscal year, which is consistent with the Select Board ' s policies in terms of reserves . Brewster Fire Department : • Secured $ 178k in federal assistance in firefighters grants for Self- Contained Breathing Apparatus . • The local match component will be funded via a capital article approved this past May . The Fire Department anticipates turning back at least $ 25k of the earlier appropriation that was a re - appropriation of funds for other equipment that was funded with another grant award . • Congrats and thanks to Chief Moran and Deputy Varley for their efforts in being proactive and securing funding for department needs and equipment ; they have brought in almost $ 2M in grant funds over past 10 years . Personnels Building Commissioner • Hired Davis Walters to succeed Victor Staley as Building Commissioner next month . BoS 08- 23 -2021 www . brewster-ma . gov Page 2 of 7 Doc ID : c84d0a220b941ac8d5b36a89d960de2fc623d8e4 \\a��ppNNNAuuI�W1GU�i U{w� ��ours''�� Town of Brewster O � N<< � *� Office of: C �' ++. 9 Select Board z ' ;� 2198 Main Street Town Administrator o pal Brewster, MA 026314898 r _ Phone : ( 508 ) 896 = 3701 Fax : ( 508 ) 896 = 8089 WhA'u��UimNlnNiNNNN�oQ�" • Victor is retiring after 22 years of service to the Town and more than 3 decades of service in the profession , he is as good as it gets, with a great sense of humor and great intellect, Victor will be missed . • Davis Walters joins us having most recently served as the Building Inspector in Orleans for the past 2 . 5 years, prior to that he worked as the Wellfleet Facilities Manager for 4 years . • Davis Walters has 2 + decades of private sector experience in construction industry as Construction Supervisor and as a project engineer for a local engineering firm . • He topped a rigorous hiring process that included feedback from relevant Department Heads, Zoning Board of Appeals Chair, and Town staff. Consent Agenda • Waive Right of First Refusal to Purchase Affordable Homes 50 James Burr Road • Technical Assistance Grant Application for Habitat for Humanity Affordable Housing Project on Red Top Road • Commercial Razor Clam Hardship Waiver Request & Recommendation to Temporarily Suspend Granting New Licenses • Refer Article II § 179 - 7 ( Floodplain Zoning Bylaw Amendments ) to Planning Board for Fall Special Town Meeting Consideration • Acceptance of Donations ; April 1 to June 30, 2021 • Recreation Department ; Items for Disposal Selectperson Chaffee moved the consent agenda as presented . Selectperson Chatelain second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Whitney -yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Selectperson Chatelain -yes Chair Bingham -yes . The Board vote was 5 -Yes , 0 - No . Status Update on Potential Acquisition of Cape Cod Sea Camps Properties Peter Lombardi reviewed that the public forum was held last Tuesday night, it was very well attended , almost 300 people on the zoom . Town Administration has heard that there was a number of others who watched either on Facebook live or live streamed on Channel 18 . Also , that a lot of folks had tuned in after the fact . The video of; the presentation has been posted on the Town website and the Cape Cod Sea Camps project page . A copy of the PowerPoint presentation as well as links to the two drone videos that were shared during the presentation are available . Mr . Lombardi noted that shortly after the forum , we posted a series of frequently asked questions ( FAQs ) , as we continue to field questions from residents and hear certain themes, the page will be updated on a regular basis . Discuss and Vote September Special Town Meeting Warrant Peter Lombardi stated that we are looking for the Select Board ' s recommendations on the three warrant articles, noting that we don ' t anticipate the articles changing in any substantive way between now and when we go to the printer at the end of next week so we can get hard copies to residents ahead of Town Meeting , BoS 08- 23 - 2021 www , brewsterwma . gov Page 3 of 7 Doc ID : c84dOa220b941ac8d5b36a89d960de2fc623d8e4 I I 11f full, �.� � Town of Brewster Office o `J � a' ''. 9 '�� Select Boaa rd t� '•� ; 2198 Main Street Town Administrator c Brewster, MA 02631 - 1898 �� u Phone : ( 508 ) 896- 3701 Fax : ( 508) 896- 8089 y�hi/ail/��1rf111NIN1UN\N1\�\\�\\\� Mr . Lombardi confirmed that the Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday and plans on taking their votes in terms of recommendations on the articles and we are looking for the Board to do the same . Selectperson Chaffee moved to recommend Article # 1 : 500 W . H . Besse Cartway concerning the acquisition of the 66- acre Cape Cod Sea Camps Parcel at Long Pond , on the September 25 , 2021 , Town Meeting warrant . Selectperson Chatelain second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Whitney -yes, Selectperson Chaffee - yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chatelain -yes Chair Bingham -yes . The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0- No . Selectperson Whitney moved Article # 2 as presented that concerns the acquisition of 3057 Main Street commonly called Cape Cod Sea Camps on Route 6A in Brewster . Selectperson Chatelain second . Selectperson Chaffee commented that as we look at these articles, few Town Meeting warrant articles have the potential to truly change the future of the community as do these . Ms . Chaffee noted that she will be voting in support of it . Selectperson Hoffmann mentioned that the acquisition of the Sea Camps definitely fulfills the vision of our citizens from their input from the visioning process and will preserve our rural historic character, protect our water resources, expands open space , potentially provide a variety of well - planned housing options ( all part of the Vision Plan ) , provides coastal management, builds up local economy, expands our community infrastructure by potentially providing a home for the community center for all ages . Ms . Hoffmann stated that this is an opportunity to connect all of us for a common goal where there is something for everyone and will also be voting in support . Chair Bingham stated she will also be voting in support as it is not just a once in a lifetime change , but a once in ever chance that will never ever come again . Chair Bingham confirmed she will be voting in favor of this and hoping that the Town will be behind this, as it is very exciting, history is being made . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Whitney -yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes , Selectperson Chatelain -yes Chair Bingham -yes . The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0- No . Selectperson Chatelain moved to approve Article 3 for the Special Town Meeting warrant which concerns the maintenance and upkeep of both properties, commonly known as the Bay Parcel and Long Pond Parcel of the Sea Camps , Selectperson Whitney second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes , Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Chatelain -yes Chair Bingham -yes . The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 - No . BoS 08- 23 -2021 www . brewster-ma . gov Page 4 of 7 Doc ID : c84dOa220b941ac8d5b36a89d960de2fc623d8e4 \\a\\\xo%l go 1010#11//U °A £ `" 8 ' `''' Town of Brewster Office of: _ :got 0 9 ard 2198 Main Street Town eAdm lect cost ator o " Brewster, MA 026314898 ��O w Phone : ( 508) 896- 3701 Fax : ( 508 ) 896- 8089 00 U//� Iltoot mill illlu�\N\�\\0�\\\\ Discuss and Vote on Special Election Ballot for Tuesday October 5 Peter Lombardi referenced the information provided in the packet on pages 114416 , the proposed language for the ballot questions for the two debt exclusions regarding the acquisition of the two Sea Camps properties . Mr . Lombardi stated that these have been vetted by Town Counsel and Bond Counsel as well as our Financial Advisor . Once the Board has voted on these , the Town Clerk' s office will order the ballots . Mr . Lombardi reminded us that there remains the expanded mail - in voting option and in anticipation of the over 3 , 000 residents who have already registered to receive ballots , we want to have ample time to have ballots in Town Hall so we can manage the process . Selectperson Chaffee moved to recommend the first ballot question which reads as follows ; Shall the Town of Brewster be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one - half, so - called , the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to acquire some or all of the parcel of land with the improvements located at 500 W . H . Besse Cartway, Brewster, containing 66 acres , more or less, shown on Assessors Map 84 as Parcel 45 , and described in a deed recorded with the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in Book 1388, Page 1185 , for habitat protection , watershed protection , open space , conservation and passive recreation , active recreation , community housing and / or general municipal purposes , and for the purpose of granting conservation easements and /or restrictions on such portions of the property as the Select Board may determine to provide for habitat protection , watershed protection , open space , conservation and passive recreation purposes ? Selectperson Hoffmann second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Chatelain -yes , Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Selectperson Whitney-yes Chair Bingham -yes . The Board vote was 5 -Yes , 0 - No . Selectperson Chatelain moved to approve and recommend the second ballot questions which pertains to the Town ' s acquisition of 3057 Main street customarily called the Bay Parcel of the Sea Camps which reads as thus ; Shall the Town of Brewster be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one - half, so- called , the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to acquire some or all of the parcel of land with the improvements located at 3057 Main Street, Brewster, containing 54 . 7 acres , more or less , shown on Assessors Map 101 as Parcel 45, and described in a deed recorded with the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in Book 1388, Page 1188 ( excluding therefrom the parcel shown on Assessors Map 101 as Parcel 46 ) and in Certificate of Title No . 30242 , for habitat protection , watershed protection , open space , conservation and passive recreation , active recreation , community housing and /or general municipal purposes , and for the purpose of granting conservation easements and/or restrictions on such portions of the property that the Select Board may determine to provide for habitat protection , watershed protection , open space , conservation and passive recreation purposes ? Selectperson Whitney second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Chaffee ,,yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes Chair Bingham -yes . The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0- No , Selectperson Chaffee took the opportunity for public education to talk about what a debt exclusion is and why we have to do a ballot questions . Ms . Chaffee noted that the benefit to Brewster taxpayers of doing a BoS 08- 23 - 2021 www , brewster- ma . gov Page 5 of 7 Doc ID : c84dOa220b941ac8d5b36a89d960de2fc623d8e4 \\��a��uWuuuurrurrui�ni �q F W 8 �, �i t poi «aot �9 %� Town of Brewster Office of: lap ''• ;` 2198 Main Street Select Board > Town Administrator o Brewster, MA 026314898 r - GOA Phone: ( 508) 896=3701 Fax : ( 508) 896- 8089 u�nni tiuuu��a��"°��\\\ debt exclusion is the tax impact of a certain financed project only takes place during the life of the project and is not permanent . Peter Lombardi agreed and added that if the Town weren ' t to issue a debt exclusion for this particular acquisition , we would have to pay for it through another means, either with available proceeds, financial reserves or on tax rate . Mr . Lombardi stated that we don ' t have any capacity within our existing tax levy, so we have to issue a debt exclusion . Noting that this is different from an operating override, which once approved lives on forever, whereas debt exclusions are temporary tax increases used to finance large capital projects or acquisition and once costs are accounted for and paid for, the excluded debt drops off the tax rate and reverts back to what it would have been prior to the particular debt exclusion . Discuss and Vote on IAFF Local 3763 FY22-23 Collective Bargaining Agreement Peter Lombardi noted that negotiations have been going on with the Fire Union for several months related to a new contract for FY22 - 23 . Mr . Lombardi reminded us that during the pandemic the Town came to an agreement with all Town personnel for a one-year bridge agreement for FY21 . Recently a tentative agreement has been reached with the Fire Union , they have ratified terms of the agreement and a handful of operations considerations and language changes have been agreed to during the process . Mr . Lombardi shared the following highlights in terms of compensation ; • cost of living adjustment for FY22 is 2 %, FY23 is 2 . 75 %, same COLA wage precedent established by other unions and non - union personnel in Town . This is in at least partial recognition of the fact that all Town employees received a 1 % COLA for FY21 given all the financial uncertain around the pandemic . • A few changes were made to their wage scale overall , looking to increase their minimum entry level pay, Step 1, to $ 24 . 99/hour effective this fiscal , inclusive of the 2 % COLA . It was agreed to reduce the total number of steps from 11 to 9 . As part of that, firefighters in the union would be able to reach the top step in 9 years instead of 15years . • The increment between steps from the current model of 2 . 65 % was increased to 3 . 25 % . Broadly, these compensation elements were grounded in the data , looking at external comps, comparisons to neighboring communities and fire departments . Adjustments are very much in - line with bringing our firefighters up to scale that is consistent with same methodology of the Compensation and Classification study . Selectperson Whitney commended Mr . Lombardi for job well done on this contract stating that the Town has invested a great deal of money in training our firefighters only to see them leave for more money in other towns, this is a very important step to put an end to that situation . Mr . Whitney added a congratulations to Peter Lombardi and the command staff at the Fire Department , Selectperson Chatelain moved to approve the IAFF Local 3763 tentative agreement for FY22 -23 . Selectperson Whitney second . BoS 08- 23 -2021 www . brewster- ma . gov Page 6of7 Doc ID : c84d0a220b941ac8d5b36a89d960de2fc623d8e4 M01011 WWI! �9 Office of: 0 0 + . % Select Board Town of Brewster 4V ; 2198 Main Street go W Brewster, MA 02631 - 1898 Town Administrator Phone : (508 ) 896 - 3701 Fax : ( 508) 896-8089 llMllllfijolt Peter Lombardi noted that while the Select Board has the authority to approve the contract, it requires an appropriation , funding is included in the FY22 budget to cover a majority of costs . Town Meeting has to approve the contract and there will be an article on the regular fall special town meeting warrant . If Town Meeting approves, the wage increases will be retro back to this July 1 . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Chatelain -yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes , Selectperson Chaffee - yes, Selectperson Whitney-yes Chair Bingham -yes . The Board vote was 5 -Yes , 0 - No . For Your Information No questions or comments on these items . Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair None Questions from the Media No Next Meetings : September 3 , September 9, September 10, September 13 , September 17, September 24, 2021 , and September 25 , 2021 Adiournment Selectperson Chatelain moved to adjourn the meeting at 7 ; 43pm , Selectperson Chaffee second . A roll call vote was taken . Selectperson Hoffmann -yes , Selectperson Whitney-yes, Selectperson Chaffee - yes , II Selectperson Chatelain -yes, Chair Bingham -yes , The Board vote was 5 -Yes, 0 - No . 1 Respectfully submitted by Erika Mawn , Executive Assistant Approvedp9 / 14 / 2021 Signed ; iFdWOL d 9 6AO� d6tWn Date Selectperson Chatelain , Clerk of the Board of Selectmen Accompanying Documents in Packet : Agenda, TA Report, Consent Agenda documents, Cape Cod Sea Camps documents, STM CCSC Articles, IAFF Local 3763 FY22-23 Tentative Agreement, FYI packet BoS 08- 23- 2021 www . brewsterwma . gov Page 7 of 7 Doc ID : c84d0a220b941ac8d5b36a89d960de2fc623d8e4