HomeMy Public PortalAboutCommittee DescriptionsTown of Brewster Commissions, Committees, and Boards Appointed by the Board of Selectmen
Agricultural Commission
The Brewster Agricultural Commission was established in 2005 by Brewster Town Meeting voters to serve and
sustain agriculture and aquaculture in the Town. The Commission promotes and tracks agricultural activity in
town and monitors enforcement of the Board of Health’s Animal Regulations as related to farm animals. The
Commission is comprised of seven members and an alternate, appointed to three-year terms.
Alewife Committee
The Brewster Alewife Committee oversees access, repair and maintenance of the Town’s herring run. The
Committee also engages in educational efforts to increase public awareness about alewives and their habitat.
The Committee consists of three members appointed to three-year terms.
All Citizens Access Committee
The mission of the All Citizens Access Committee is to advise and guide the town of Brewster and the general
public regarding issues of accessibility in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ACAC
plans and works to improve accessibility in various areas with members of town departments and committees, in
keeping with its mission. The Committee consists of seven members, four of which are appointed to three-year
terms.
Town Archivist
The Town Archivist is considered a local expert on the Town’s history. She does research and writes essays,
based on historical materials, which appear in the printed warrants prepared for town voters before each town
meeting.
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors oversees the valuation and taxation of all property in town. They are required to update
these valuations every three years based on an estimation of fair market values. The Board also has the authority
to grant abatements and exemptions. The Board consists of three members appointed to three-year terms.
Bikeways Committee
The Bikeways Committee promotes bike safety and bike access throughout the Town. The Committee works
cooperatively with town departments and regional entities. The Committee consists of seven members appointed
to three-year terms.
Building and Needs Assessment Committee
The Building and Needs Assessment Committee reviews the space and use of town buildings and assesses the
need for changes in use as well as the need for additional space. The Committee consists of seven members
appointed to three-year terms.
Cable Advisory Committee
The Cable TV Advisory Committee oversees the town’s community access channels’ programming and advises
the Town in relation to Cable contracts, services, and technologies. . The Committee consists of seven members
appointed to three year terms.
Cape Cod Pathways Committee
The Pathways Committee was created in January of 1998 to establish Brewster’s section of the Cape Cod
Pathway. Utilizing existing trails, ancient ways, cart paths, town roads and new trails, this pathway will
eventually connect to walking trails in the towns of Dennis, Orleans and Harwich as part of a network of trails
spanning the Cape. Its mission includes creating, connecting, and developing other walking trails in the Town.
The Cape Cod Pathways intention is to provide the walker with a variety of experiences while avoiding heavily
populated areas as much as possible. The Committee consists of seven members appointed to three-year terms.
Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority
The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA), is one of 15 Regional Transit Authorities within the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and has been providing public transportation services since 1976 to residents
and visitors, as well as, to consumers of state agencies and human service organizations, for all 15 Cape Cod
communities. The CCRTA provides Boston Hospital Transportation to Brewster residents and provides a
Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) vehicle to the Brewster Council on Aging. The Board of Selectmen
appoints one town representative to the Authority.
Capital Planning Committee
The Capital Planning Committee is charged with preparing a five year capital expenditures plan, identifying
proposed capital outlays or acquisitions in excess of $10,000 for any one project, whether it is spent in one year
or over several years. The plan includes a list, by department, of all proposed capital improvements to be
undertaken over the next five fiscal years and shall include cost estimates, methods of financing and time
schedules. The Committee consists of five members, three of which are appointed by the Board of Selectmen for
three year terms.
Cemetery Commission
The Cemetery Commission oversees the five town cemeteries First Parish/Breakwater, Sears,
Lincoln/Foster, Pine Grove, and Brewster Memorial, which are administered and maintained by
Department of Public Works. The Commission consists of five members appointed to three-year terms.
Community Preservation Committee
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) reviews and makes recommendation to Town Meeting on
projects presented for funding under the Community Preservation Act. The Committee also assists in the
Administration of CPA funds and accounts. These funds can be used for Open Space, Community Housing,
Historic Preservation, and Recreation purposes. Brewster’s by-law stipulates that 50% of the funds must be used
for Open Space, 10% for Community Housing, and 10% for Historic Preservation, with the balance available for
any of the proscribed purposes. The Community Preservation Committee consists of nine members appointed to
three year terms. Of the nine, four are citizen members appointed by the Board of Selectmen, with the other five
being representatives of the Recreation Commission, Housing Authority, Planning Board, Old Kings’ Highway
Historic District Commission, and Conservation Commission.
Comprehensive Water Planning Committee
Comprehensive Water Planning Committee (CWPC) is responsible for developing an Integrated Water
Resources Management Plan (IWRMP) to protect and restore the Town’s water groundwater, drinking water
supply, freshwater ponds and coastal waters. The Comprehensive Water Planning Committee consists of nine
members, six of whom are appointed to three- year terms.
Conservation Commission
The Brewster Conservation Commission is responsible for protecting the interests and functions of the town’s
wetland and coastal resources, while respecting the rights and interests of Brewster’s property owners. This is
done through the implementation of both the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (enacted in 1972); and the
town’s own Brewster Wetlands Protection By-law (enacted in 1984), which protects interests specific to
Brewster’s coastal and pond environments. The Commission consists of seven members appointed to three-year
terms.
Council on Aging
The mission of the Brewster Council on Aging is to enhance the dignity and well-being of our Brewster Elders.
The Council on Aging operates a Senior Center in the old Town Hall COA provides a wide selection of service
that include health and nutrition services, Meals on Wheels, informational seminars,crafts, games, legal and
health insurance counseling, financial planning and tax preparation. The COA is overseen by a board consisting
of nine members appointed to three year terms.
Crosby Mansion Advisory Committee
The Crosby Mansion Advisory Committee oversees the maintenance of the Crosby Mansion and beach cottages
managed by the Town of Brewster on Nickerson State Park property, with the support of the Friends of Crosby
Mansion.
Cultural Council
The Brewster Cultural Council makes decisions on how to award the money granted to it by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council. The local council reviews two types of applications: standard LCC applications, which may
include a broad range of cultural activities that will serve local cultural needs, and PASS applications, which are
used to request money for K-12 students’ field trips to cultural performances and institutions that appear on the
PASS roster. The Council consists of nine members appointed to three-year terms.
Energy Committee
The Energy Committee monitors the town government’s energy usage and makes recommendations for how the
town can better conserve energy. The Committee also engages in public education, sponsoring an annual
“Brewster Goes Green” event that features educational presentations from Eddy School students and local
businesses. The Committee consists of five members appointed to three-year terms.
Golf Commission
The Golf Commission oversees the administration of the Captain’s Golf Course on Freeman’s Way. The Golf
Commission makes recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for the hiring of a Golf Director, as well as the
annual golfing fees and policies. The Golf Commission consists of seven members appointed to three-year
terms.
Health and Human Services Committee
The Human Services Committee works closely with the many nonprofit service organizations that serve
Brewster residents, and makes recommendations to the Town for contributions to these organizations. The
Committee consists of nine members appointed to three-year terms.
Historical Commission
The Historical Commission (local representative of the Massachusetts Historical Commission) appraises
historical preservation projects seeking Community Preservation Act grants. The Commission consists of seven
members appointed to three-year terms.
Brewster Housing Partnership
The Brewster Housing Partnership was established to provide a local entity interested in and advocating-for
local affordable housing initiatives in accordance with the guidelines and framework of the Department of
Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. The partnership
continues to provide input and coordination whenever a private comprehensive permit application comes before
the Town and frequently comments on other projects, programs, and policies, including Community
Preservation expenditures which could affect the Town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory. The Committee
consists of five members appointed to three-year terms.
Millsites Committee
The Mill Site committee oversees the maintenance of the Stony Brook Gristmill and Museum, as well as the
surrounding environs including footpaths and bridges. The Committee also manages the summer season at the
Gristmill, including volunteer recruitment/coordination, special events, milling, and corn meal sales. The
Committee consists of seven members appointed to three-year terms
Open Space Committee
The mission of the Open Space Committee is to review and catalog undeveloped parcels in Brewster not owned
by the town, and to prioritize the possible acquisition or preservation of these parcels and make
recommendations to the town regarding open space acquisitions. The Committee consists of nine members, five
of which are appointed by the Board of Selectmen to three-year terms.
Recycling Commission
The Recycling Commission reviews the Town’s recycling programs administered by the Department of Public
Works and makes recommendations for how to improve and expand these programs. The Commission is also
engaged in public awareness and education about reduce, reuse and recycling efforts. The Commission consists
of seven members, six of which are appointed by the Board of Selectmen to three-year terms.
Sportsmen Committee
The Sportsman Committee advises on policies and programs affecting public access to hunting and fishing
resources on Town lands. The Committee consists of six members, four of which are appointed by the
Selectmen to three- year terms.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals is responsible for deciding on appeals and variances to the town’s zoning and
building regulations. The Zoning Board of Appeals consists of five members appointed to three-year terms, and
four alternate members appointed to one year terms.