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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.