HomeMy Public PortalAbout03.16.22 FinCom PacketTown of Brewster Finance Committee
2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
fincommeeting@brewster-ma.gov
(508) 896-3701
MEETING AGENDA
Remote Participation Only
March 16, 2022 at 6:00 PM
This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021,. No in-person meeting
attendance will be permitted. If the Town is unable to live broadcast this meeting, a record of the proceedings will be provided on
the Town website as soon as possible.
The meeting may be viewed by: Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brewster-
ma.gov), or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov).
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To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand” button or type “Chat” comment with your name and address, then
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Finance
Committee
Harvey (Pete) Dahl
Chair
Frank Bridges
Vice Chair
William Meehan
Clerk
Andrew Evans
William Henchy
Alex Hopper
Honey Pivirotto
Robert Tobias
Robert Young
Town
Administrator
Peter Lombardi
Finance Director
Mimi Bernardo
1.Call to Order
2.Declaration of a Quorum
3.Meeting Participation Statement
4.Recording Statement
5.Public Announcements and Comment: Members of the public may address the Finance Committee 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 Finance Committee is unable to reply but may add items presented to a future agenda.
6.Town Administrator/Finance Director Report
7.Town Meeting Warrant Articles – Discussion and Vote
ATM Article 9 - Community Preservation Act Funding (Faythe Ellis presenting)
ATM Article 14 - Town Code Amendment to Community Preservation Bylaw
STM Article 1 - Outstanding Obligations
STM Article 2 - Budgetary Transfers
ATM Article 5 - Town Budget (Re-vote Fire Dept due to OT increase)
ATM Article 6 - Water Enterprise Fund Budget
ATM Article 8 - Golf Enterprise Fund Budget
ATM Article 10 – Capital & Special Projects – (Re-vote due to change)
ATM Article 11 - Water Quality Stabilization
ATM Article 15 - Yankee Drive Transfer
8.Nauset Regional Public Schools Budget – Discussion and Strategic Direction
9.Budget Calendar – Update
10.Liaison Reports
11.Review and Approval of Minutes
12.Request for agenda items for future meetings
13.Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
14.Next Finance Committee Meeting - March 23, 2022
15.Adjournment
Date Posted:Date Revised:Received by Town Clerk:
3/14/22 3/15/22
TOWN OF BREWSTER
COMMUNITY
PRESERVATION PLAN
FY23-FY27
DRAFT 1/28/22
**DRAFT DOCUMENT INTENDED FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY**
PREPARED FOR:
Community Preservation Committee
Town of Brewster
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631
PREPARED BY:
JM Goldson LLC
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 2
This page intentionally left blank
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 3
T ABLE OF C ONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 5
KEY DEFINITIONS 6
Executive Summary 8
BACKGROUND 8
PLANNING PROCESS 8
CPC FUNDING GOALS & TARGET ALLOCATION POLICY 8
Chapter 1: Overview 10
INTRODUCTION 10
CPA ELIGIBILITY 10
BACKGROUND 10
APPLICATION AND FUNDING PROCESS 16
Chapter 2: Overall Policies and Goals 20
FIVE-YEAR TARGET ALLOCATION POLICY 20
OVERALL CPA GOALS 21
Chapter 3: Community Housing 22
NEEDS 22
GOALS 22
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES 24
Chapter 4: Open Space 28
NEEDS 28
GOALS 28
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES 30
Chapter 5: Historic Preservation 36
NEEDS 36
GOALS 36
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES 37
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 4
Chapter 6: Outdoor Recreation 42
NEEDS 42
GOALS 42
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES 44
Appendices 48
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 5
A CKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to the community members and Town staff who contributed their time and local knowledge to
this report by participating in interviews and focus groups and attending the public forum and presentation
of the draft plan.
C OMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Peggy Jablonski
Paul Ruchinskas
Roland Bassett Jr.
Sharon Marotti
Faythe Ellis
Bruce Evans
Barbara Burgo
Elizabeth Taylor
Sarah Robinson
TOWN STAFF
Peter Lombardi, Town Administrator
Donna Kalinick, Assistance Town Administrator
Jill Scalise, Housing Coordinator
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 6
K EY D EFINITIONS
This list of key definitions is intended to assist the reader and is not intended to replace applicable legal
definitions of these terms. The following definitions are for key terms used throughout the document, many
of which are based on definitions per MGL c.44B s.2 or other statutes and regulations.
Active Recreation – Requires intensive development to create outdoor recreation and often involves
cooperative or team activity, including playgrounds, ball fields, and paved bike paths.
Areawide Median Income – The median gross income for a person or family as calculated by the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development, based on the median income for the Metropolitan
Statistical Area.
Chapter 40B – A state statue which enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals (ZBAs) to approve affordable
housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20-25% of units have long-term affordability
restrictions.
Community Housing – As defined by the Community Preservation Act is housing for individuals and families
with incomes less than 100 percent of the Areawide Median Income, including senior housing. In general, the
occupant(s) should pay no greater than 30% of his or her income for gross housing costs, including utilities.
Community Preservation – The acquisition, creation, and preservation of open space; the acquisition,
creation, preservation, and rehabilitation/restoration of land for recreation; the acquisition, preservation,
and rehabilitation/restoration of historic resources; and the acquisition, creation, preservation, and support
of community housing.
Community Preservation Act – A state law, MGL c. 44B, is enabling legislation that allows communities to
raise and set aside funds for community preservation projects, including open space and natural resource
conservation, outdoor recreation, historic preservation, and community housing. It is funded through a
combination of a local property tax surcharge of up to 3 percent and a variable state contribution from the
Community Preservation Trust Fund.
Community Preservation Committee – The committee established by the legislative body of a city or town to
make recommendations for community preservation, as provided by Section 5 of MGL c. 44B.
Community Preservation Fund – The municipal fund established by Section 7 of MGL c. 44B.
Historic Resource – A building, structure, document, or artifact that is listed on the state register of historic
places or National Register of Historic Places or has been determined by the local historic preservation
commission to be significant in the history, archeology, architecture or culture of a city or town.
Household – All the people, related or unrelated, who occupy a housing unit. It can also include a person
living alone in a housing unit or a group of unrelated people sharing a housing unit as partners or roommates.
Housing Production Plan – A community’s proactive strategy for planning and developing affordable housing.
In a HPP, a community creates a strategy to produce housing units and meet the 10 percent goal under
Chapter 40B.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 7
Local Historic District – An area or group of historic structures that are deemed significant to the town’s
history, archeology, architecture, or culture and protected by public review.
Low-income Housing – Housing for persons or families whose annual income is less than 80 percent of the
areawide median income (AMI). The AMI is determined by the United States Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD).
Moderate-income Housing – Housing for persons or families whose annual income is less than 100 percent
of the areawide median income (AMI). The AMI is determined by the United States Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD).
Open Space – Land to protect existing and future well fields, aquifers and recharge areas, watershed land,
agricultural land, grasslands, fields, forest land, fresh and saltwater marshes and other wetlands, oceans,
rivers, streams, lake and pond frontage, beaches, dunes and other coastal lands, lands to protect scenic vistas,
land for wildlife or nature preserve, and/or land for recreational use.
Passive Recreation – That which emphasizes the open space aspect of a park, and which involves a low level
of development, including picnic areas and trails.
Preservation – The protection of personal or real property from injury, harm, or destruction.
Recreational use – Recreation uses are often divided into two categories: passive and active recreation. See
definitions for “Passive recreation” and “Active Recreation.” Recreation, under the CPA, does not include
horse or dog racing, or the use of land for a stadium, gymnasium, or similar structure.
Rehabilitation – Capital improvements or extraordinary repairs to historic resources, open spaces, lands for
recreational use, and community housing for the purpose of making the above functional for their intended
uses and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal, state, or local building
or access codes. With historic resources, “rehabilitation” must comply with the Standards for Rehabilitation
stated in the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
(codified in 36 C.F.R. Part 68). With recreational use, “rehabilitation” includes the replacement of playground
equipment and other capital improvements to the land or facilities which make the related land or facilities
more functional for the intended recreational use.
Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) - The official list of units, by municipality, maintained by the
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that is used to measure a
community’s stock of low- and moderate-income housing for the purposes of M.G.L. Chapter 40B’s 10
percent goal.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 8
E XECUTIVE S UMMARY
B ACKGROUND
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a state law, MGL c.44B, that was enacted in 2000. Brewster adopted the
Community Preservation Act in 2005. The CPA creates a way for communities to raise and set aside funds for
community preservation projects. These can include open space conservation, outdoor recreation, historic
preservation, and community housing. Brewster generates CPA funds through a local real property tax surcharge of
3 percent. There is also a variable distribution from the State Community Preservation Trust Fund (Trust Fund).
Since the beginning of the program, Brewster has collected over $19 million.1 Brewster has funded about 70
community preservation projects since adoption. These initiatives included capital improvements, land acquisition,
assistance programs, as well as plans and studies.
P LANNING P ROCESS
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC), through the Town of Brewster, contracted with JM Goldson, a
planning consultancy, to assist with the preparation of an updated Community Preservation Plan. The consultant
team’s role is to study existing plans, identify Brewster’s community preservation needs and resources, and to solicit
community input. Soliciting community input was an important component of this planning process. The CPC
sponsored focus groups and interviews with a variety of community members. They also held an interactive online
forum to help understand community priorities for the use of CPA funds in coming years.
CPC F UNDING G OALS & T ARGET A LLOCATION P OLICY
Below are the goals for each CPA category and a brief description of the target allocation policy. Each goal is further
described in the following chapters.
TARGET ALLOCATION POLICY
When Brewster adopted the CPA in 2005, it did so with a customized bylaw increasing the minimum allocation
amounts for each funding area to reflect community priorities. This plan recommends bylaw amendments to remove
the customized allocation requirement and to defer to the statutory minimums of 10 percent for each of the three
categories: community housing, open space and recreation, and historic preservation. In addition, through this plan,
the CPC establishes a five-year target allocation policy which will guide funding allocations to address the top
community priorities of community housing and open space. Further information about this policy is detailed in
Chapter 2.
O VERALL CPA GOALS
1. Prioritize allocation of CPA funding to create and support community housing and preserve open
space/natural resources, including multi-purpose projects that address both housing and open space needs.
2. Secondarily, support eligible outdoor recreation and historic preservation projects.
3. Support eligible projects that demonstrate compatibility with the Community Vision and other relevant
community initiatives and goals such as at the Pond Parcel and/or Bay Parcel at the former Cape Cod Sea
Camps property.
1 This number differs from the Coalition Website Total due to the removal of $571,315 from FY2005 and the addition of $59,440, approved in early 2022 from
the budget surplus.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 9
4. Encourage leveraging of CPA funds with other public and private funding as well as donation, bargain sales,
and the like.
5. Allocate funding for regional projects that demonstrate clear community benefit and contributions from
other communities in the region.
COMMUNITY HOUSING GOALS
1. Create community housing, including affordable housing, that will address documented local and regional
housing needs including, but not limited to, affordable year-round senior housing options, year-round rental
housing and housing assistance for low-income families and seniors, and housing for residents with special
needs, such as Veterans.
2. Support eligible housing initiatives and ongoing work of the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust to address
local housing needs.
3. Continue to support local capacity to implement housing initiatives, including through the Town’s housing
coordinator position.
4. Support the preservation of the existing stock of affordable rental and ownership housing.
5. Continue to support the Brewster Buy Down Program to assist eligible first-time homebuyers.
OPEN SPACE GOALS
1. Continue to protect drinking water quality through strategic land conservation of private properties in Zone
II Drinking Water Protection Areas including through fee simple acquisition and conservation restrictions in
partnership with local/regional land trusts, other private organizations, and other public entities.
2. Support the strategic land conservation to protect the water quality of freshwater ponds including through
fee simple acquisition and conservation restrictions in partnership with local/regional land trusts, other
private organizations, and other public entities.
3. Support open space conservation efforts to facilitate coastal management and community resilience
including to support managed retreat to address coastal erosion.
4. Fund the preservation of natural resources, especially to ensure the health and expansion of salt marshes
such as the removal of invasive species, protecting floodplains and uplands adjacent to salt marshes, and
restoring natural tidal flow.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION GOALS
1. Preserve, rehabilitate, and restore historic resources that provide a high level of community access and
benefit, such as the historic structures owned by the Brewster Historical Society and historic buildings on
town owned parcels like Cape Cod Sea Camps and Spruce Hill.
2. Support the preservation of Native American sites and artifacts through archaeological investigation.
3. Continue preservation efforts to protect historic town records.
OUTDOOR RECREATION GOALS
1. Rehabilitate existing playgrounds, parks, and other outdoor public recreation facilities to improve quality and
accessibility.
2. Create all-ages outdoor recreation facilities including those geared toward older adults, such as pickleball
courts, and accessible facilities for individuals with special needs.
3. Expand and improve bike trails and bike trail connections, including the key recreation destinations.
4. Rehabilitate hiking trails and create improved trail connections, including improved boardwalks, such as the
boardwalk to Wing Island at the Cape Cod Museum Trail.
5. Fund preservation of key private recreation sites to ensure public access and enjoyment.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 10
C HAPTER 1: O VERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The Brewster Community Preservation Committee (CPC) created this Plan. The Plan guides the use of CPA funds
for fiscal years (FY) 2023-2027. The CPC will use this plan to help decide how to recommend spending CPA funding.
The CPC encourages future applicants seeking CPA funds to refer to this plan to guide their CPA requests and
encourages Town Meeting members to use this plan to guide decisions on allocation of funds.
This plan is created in accordance with the Community Preservation Act (CPA), Massachusetts General Laws c. 44B
s.5(b)(1). The law states:
The community preservation committee shall study the needs, possibilities, and resources of the
city or town regarding community preservation, including the consideration of regional projects
for community preservation.
CPA E LIGIBILITY
The CPA provides funding for four general project types: community housing, historic preservation, open space, and
outdoor recreation. See eligibility chart included in the appendices.
Community Housing: CPA funds can be used to acquire, create, preserve, and support community housing for
households with incomes at or below 100% of the area median income.
Historic Preservation: CPA funds can be used to acquire, preserve, rehabilitate, and restore historic resources that
are listed on the State Register or determined to be locally significant by the Historical Commission.
Open Space: CPA funds can be used to acquire, create, and preserve open space and natural resources.
Outdoor Recreation: CPA funds can be used to acquire, create, preserve, rehabilitate, or restore land for
recreational use.
B ACKGROUND
C PA STATEWIDE
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a state law, MGL c.44B, that was enacted in 2000 by Governor Paul
Cellucci. It creates a way for communities to raise and set aside funds for community preservation projects. These
projects can include open space conservation, outdoor recreation, historic preservation, and community housing. It is
funded through a combination of a local property tax surcharge of up to 3 percent and a variable state contribution
from the Community Preservation Trust Fund. As of August 2021, 187 communities have adopted the CPA, which
represents 53 percent of the Commonwealth’s cities and towns.
CPA ON CAPE COD
Many towns on the Cape adopted the CPA in 2005 to convert the Cape Cod Open Space Land Acquisition Program2
(Cape Cod Land Bank) to CPA as enabled through MGL c.149 of the Acts of 2004. The CPA enables communities to
collect money to fund community preservation projects. Per MGL c.149, Cape Cod towns may not amend the
2 MGL c. 293 of the Acts of 1998
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 11
amount of or revoke the CPA surcharge on real property until after fiscal year 2020.3 Any debt authorized through
the Cape Cod Land Bank may be repaid with CPA funds.
CPA IN BREWSTER
Brewster adopted in 2005 - Town Meeting voted to adopt in November 2004 and it was approved through a ballot
vote in May 2005. Brewster generates CPA funds through a local property tax surcharge of 3 percent and a variable
distribution from the State Community Preservation Trust Fund. Since the start, Brewster has collected over $19.5
million (as of January 2022).
Since Brewster adopted CPA, the town has appropriated over $17 million to community preservation projects
across the four CPA funding categories, according to the Brewster Community Preservation Committee (note, the
CPA Projects profile on the following page includes more detail about Brewster’s CPA-funded projects):
1. Community housing ($4.47M) – 26 percent of total allocations
2. Historic preservation ($2.70M) – 16 percent of total allocations
3. Open space ($8.49M) – 49 percent of total allocations
4. Outdoor recreation ($1.60M) – 9 percent of total allocations
Up to 5 percent of total CPA funds may be spent for CPC administration. In addition, the CPA statute requires a
minimum of 10 percent be spent or reserved for each of the following CPA categories:
1. Community housing
2. Historic preservation
3. Open space and Recreation
Brewster’s local bylaw, as of January 2022, requires that 50 percent of total CPA funds must be spent or reserved
for open space, 10 percent for community housing, and 10 percent for historic preservation. The remaining 30
percent may be spent on community housing, historic preservation, or active recreation. Note that this plan
recommends amending the local bylaw to eliminate these customized minimums and adopt a more flexible target
allocation policy, as described in more detail on the following pages.
WHO DECIDES HOW THE FUNDS ARE SPENT?
Brewster established a Community Preservation Committee (CPC) as required by MGL c.44B, which is responsible
to make funding recommendations to Town Meeting. Town Meeting has the authority to approve or deny the CPC’s
recommendations. Town Meeting can also approve the CPC’s recommendation at a reduced funding amount. Town
Meeting may not approve funding without a recommendation from the CPC.
The CPC has nine members including four members at-large who are appointed by the Select Board. Per MGL c.44B,
the CPC also includes a member from each of the following five entities:
• Conservation Commission
• Historical Commission
• Housing Authority
• Planning Board
• Recreation Commission
The role of the CPC is to:
1) Study the Town’s community preservation needs, possibilities, and resources and hold a public informational
hearing regarding the study4
3 Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Cape Cod Land Bank and Community Preservation Act, Bulletin 2004-16B, October 2004.
4 The public hearing shall be posted publicly and published for each of two weeks preceding a hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 12
2) To make recommendations to the Town Meeting for funding projects with CPA funds
The CPC meets regularly, typically on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 4:00 pm virtually. These
meetings are open public meetings and members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend. Notices of
CPC meetings and agenda (with links for virtual meetings, when needed) are posted on the Town calendar, which can
be found on Town’s website: https://www.brewster-ma.gov/.
HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE?
Brewster generates CPA funds through a local real property tax surcharge of 3 percent. There is also a variable
distribution from the State Community Preservation Trust Fund (Trust Fund). Since the beginning of the program,
Brewster has collected over $19 million (as of January 2022)5 – this figure includes about $12.9M raised through
the local surcharge and $6.1M through the Trust Fund distributions. In FY2021, the local property tax surcharge
generated roughly $1.07M, and the Trust Fund distribution was about $368,430 (a 35.18 percent match). In FY22
the state match is 48.65 percent ($519,353).
5 This number differs from the Coalition Website Total due to the removal of $571,315 from FY2005 and the addition of $59,440, approved in early 2022 from
the budget surplus.
$0
$1,067,428
$1,047,220
$997,502
$929,796
$894,558
$861,948
$823,010
$799,453
$759,918
$734,513
$701,099
$685,306
$664,044
$633,392
$623,561
$597,364
$571,315
$519,353
$368,430
$292,896
$220,244
$184,636
$212,708
$291,928
$301,307
$476,816
$235,599
$224,425
$223,720
$278,863
$487,457
$623,561
$597,364
$571,315
$0
$- $200,000.00 $400,000.00 $600,000.00 $800,000.00 $1,000,000.00 $1,200,000.00 $1,400,000.00 $1,600,000.00
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
DollarsFiscal YearBrewster CPA Revenue History
Source: Community Preservation Coalition Information on Individual CPA Communities
database, accessed 1/4/22.
Local Surcharge Trust Fund Distribution
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 13
CPA PROJECTS
A PROFILE FOR THE BREWSTER COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
• Blacksmith Shop, Brewster Historical Society
• Brewster Baptist Church renovation of the Church steeple
• Brewster Historical Society purchase of the Elijah Cobb House
• Brewster Meetinghouse Preservation project
• Cape Repertory Theatre Company
• Cape Repertory Theatre Company: Historic Crosby Barn Rehabilitation
• Catalogue/preserve Town Hall records
• Council on Aging window replacement
• Crosby Mansion porch repair project
• Elijah Cobb House preservation and rehabilitation
• Glass plate negatives preservation
• Gravestone preservation at Breakwater Cemetery
• Gravestone preservation project
• Higgins Farm Windmill preservation
• Lower Road Cemetery Tombstone & Monument repair and restoration
• Spruce Hill Barn Restoration
• Stony Brook Grist Mill Works Replacement
• Stony Brook/Lower Mill Pond Dam & Fish Passage Restoration project
OVERVIEW OF CPA-FUNDED
PROJECTS
The Community Preservation Act has
funded about 70 community preservation
initiatives in Brewster in its since adoption,
with over $17M in allocations for open
space conservation, active recreation,
historic preservation, and community
housing initiatives.
These initiatives included capital
improvements, assistance programs, land
acquisition, as well as plans and studies.
About 49 percent of allocations as of
November 2021 have been for open space
projects, 26 percent for housing, 16
percent for historic, and 9 percent for
outdoor recreation.
This profile provides a list of projects
funded in each CPA category.
Community
Housing
26%
Historic
16%
Open Space
49%
Outdoor
Recreation
9%
Brewster CPA Project Allocations
FY07-FY22 (as of Nov. 2021)
Note: includes total appropriated for open projects and actual
spent for closed projects.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 14
ACTIVE RECREATION
• ADA improvements to athletic fields
• Brewster Dog Park
• Brewster Recreation Commission –
Tennis Court Project
• Department of Natural Resources –
Breakwater Beach Restoration Project
• Eddy Elementary School Accessible
Playground
• Pleasant Bay Community Boating
(Harwich)
• Recreation Department Field
Repairs/Renovations
• Stony Brook Early Childhood Playground
• Stony Brook Herring Run Bypass and Dam
• Tennis Court repairs and resurfacing
• Warning lights at Cape Cod Rail Trail
• Open Space and Recreation Plan
COMMUNITY HOUSING
OPEN SPACE
• 106 McGuerty Road/Field-Kelley Acquisition
• Bates Land acquisition
• BBJ Cranberry Trust Land acquisition
• Boehm Conservation Area – Purchase of
Conservation Restriction
• Crystaloski Property Land acquisition
• Eldredge Property Land acquisition
• Freeman’s Way/Naumekeg Acquisition
• Jackson Land acquisition
• Jorgenson Property acquisition
• Lalor Property acquisition
• Long Pond Woodlands Land Acquisition
Project
• Matthews Property Land acquisition
• Meetinghouse Road Conservation Area
• Mill Pond Conservation Area – Purchase of
Conservation Restriction
• Open Space and Recreation Plan update
• Quivett Marsh Vista Conservation Area
• Santorello Property acquisition
• Seidel Land acquisition
• Stranahan Property Land acquisition
• Viprino Property Land acquisition
• Windrift Acres and Acquisition
• Affordable Housing Buydown program
• Brewster Affordable Housing Trust – CPA-eligible community housing activities
• Brewster Affordable Housing Trust: SHI inventory preservation
• Brewster Housing Authority Huckleberry Lane Project
• Brewster Housing Partnership Affordable Housing Buydown program
• Brewster Woods Development
• Cape Cod Village, Inc. Orleans Project
• Community Development Partnership – Cape Housing Institute
• Community Engagement Consultant
• FORWARD: Friends or Relatives with Autism and Related Disabilities (Located in Dennis)
• Habitat for Humanity Land Acquisition
• Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod – Paul Hush Way affordable homeownership development
• Harwich Ecumenical Council for the Homeless: Homeowners’ Emergency Loan Program
• Millstone Land Acquisition
• Nickerson Park Condo Purchase
• Nickerson Park Condominium – Lower Cape Community Development Corporation
• Part-Time Housing Coordinator
• Preservation of Affordable Housing
• SHI Home Appraisal
• Slough Road Homes – Habitat for Humanity
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 15
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 16
REVIEW OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL PLANS
The Town of Brewster contracted with JM Goldson LLC to assist with the preparation of an updated Community
Preservation Plan in August 2021. JM Goldson worked with the CPC members and studied existing plans, including
the 2017 Housing Production Plan; the 2020 Brewster Vision Plan; 2014 Open Space and Recreation Plan; 2020
Draft Open Space and Recreation Plan; 2007 Brewster Reconnaissance Report; and the 2009 Water Quality Status
Report, to identify Brewster’s community preservation needs and resources.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Soliciting community input was an important component of this planning process. The CPC sponsored focus groups
and interviews with a variety of community members, as well as an interactive online forum as part of its effort to
understand community priorities and help shape this plan.
Stakeholder Focus Groups and Interviews
The consultants interviewed a variety of community and regional stakeholders through focus groups between
September and October 2021. They also conducted individual interviews through Zoom and telephone. These
interviews helped the CPC further refine its understanding of community preservation needs and resources. They
also helped to identify priorities and possibilities for use of CPA funds.
Community Forum
On November 20, 2021, the CPC sponsored a virtual forum held through Zoom webinar. The forum was interactive
and integrated live polling and open-ended questions using PollEverywhere software, allowing participants to share
their thoughts and opinions alongside the presentation. Approximately 40 people participated in this online forum.
Detailed summaries of the focus groups and interviews as well as the community forum are included in the
appendices.
A PPLICATION AND FUNDING P ROCESS
The Brewster CPC accepts applications for CPA funding on a biannual basis; proposals are due July 1st to be
considered at fall town meeting, or December 1st to be considered at spring town meeting. The CPC requires
proposals be submitted using the CPC’s application form, available online on the CPC’s webpage at www.brewster-
ma.gov or by request through the Town Clerk’s office.
The CPC considers each funding application based on the merits of the project as well as the available CPA balance
in an open public meeting. Through majority vote, the CPC determines which projects to recommend to Town
Meeting for funding. Projects not recommended by the CPC are not eligible for consideration by the Town Meeting
per statute (MGL c.44B).
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 17
REVIEW OF COMMUNITY GOALS
A PROFILE FOR THE BREWSTER COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN
2021 CAPE COD REGIONAL
POLICY PLAN
Natural systems goals:
Water resources:
To maintain a sustainable supply of high-quality untreated
drinking water and protect, preserve, or restore the ecological
integrity of Cape Cod’s fresh and marine surface water
resources.
Ocean Resources:
To protect, preserve, or restore the quality and natural values
and functions of ocean resources.
Wetland Resources:
To protect, preserve, or restore the quality and natural values
and functions of inland and coastal wetlands and their buffers.
Wildlife and Plant Habitat:
To protect, preserve, or restore wildlife and plant habitat to
maintain the region’s natural diversity.
Open Space:
To conserve, preserve, or enhance a network of open space that
contributes to the region’s natural and community resources
and systems.
Community Systems goals:
Cultural Heritage:
To protect and preserve the significant cultural, historic, and
archaeological values and resources of Cape Cod.
Housing:
To promote the production of an adequate supply of ownership
and rental housing that is safe, healthy, and attainable for
people with different income levels and diverse needs.
PROFILE DESCRIPTION
It is important for the Community
Preservation Plan to consider the
established goals of the Town and
region. This review of the goals in
existing planning documents is
intended to provide a foundation
to the identification of Brewster’s
community preservation goals and
priorities.
The Town of Brewster and the
larger region have several
planning documents that establish
community goals related to the
Community Preservation Act
funding categories. These include
the 2021 Cape Cod Regional
Policy Plan, the 2014 Open Space
and Recreation Plan, the 2017-
2021 Brewster Housing
Production Plan, the 2018
Brewster Vision Plan, and the
2007 Brewster Reconnaissance
Report.
This profile provides a summary of
the goals in these other plans that
are related to one or more of the
community preservation act
funding categories: community
housing historic preservation,
open space, and outdoor
recreation.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 18
1. Protect the Town’s drinking water supply to meet the needs of Brewster’s residents and visitors today
and in the future.
2. Provide open space and recreation opportunities that maintain Brewster’s rural character and small
coastal community identity and support a sustainable local economy as a center for ecotourism.
3. Preserve and enhance habitat diversity and protect marine and fresh surface water resources to
maintain their important ecological functions and values to the community.
4. Provide a variety of recreation and open space opportunities to promote healthy and active lifestyles for
Brewster residents, ensuring equitable access for all users and abilities.
5. Support coordination and communication of regional open space and recreation needs.
2017-2021 HOUSING PRODUCTION PLAN
Priority Affordable Housing
Needs:
• Low Income Rental Housing
for Families
• Rental housing for single
people
• Subsidized rental housing for
the elderly
• Acquisition and rehabilitation
of substandard housing
Housing Goals
1. Increase the supply of year-round market-rate and
affordable rental housing for all types of households, such
as young singles and couples, families, and seniors.
2. Build support for addressing housing needs through
partnerships with conservation groups and non-profit and
for-profit developers, and increased commitment of local
funds such as Community Preservation Act revenue.
3. Create housing that is affordable and appropriate for very
low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
4. Increase local capacity to plan, advocate for, and create
affordable housing, preserve the affordability and
condition of existing affordable units, and monitor
affordable housing restrictions.
5. Increase the variety of mixed-income housing choices in
Brewster, particularly in or near commercial areas in order
to support Brewster’s economy and to accommodate
household growth.
6. Create and provide programs to support struggling
homeowners, such as a housing rehabilitation program to
help lower-income homeowners and seniors with
extraordinary maintenance and repairs.
7. Provide at least 10 percent of Brewster’s year-round
housing units as affordable housing in order to meet local
and regional needs.
2020 DRAFT OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 19
2018 VISION PLAN
Community Character Goal
Sustain and foster Brewster’s historic setting,
rural nature, small-town feel, and socially inclusive
spirit.
• Provide social opportunities and services for all.
• Maintain the Town’s historic heritage and style.
• Maintain the Town’s small-town feel and scale
through appropriate development.
2007 BREWSTER
RECONNAISSANCE
REPORT
Preservation Planning Recommendations
1. Inventory heritage landscapes through the Massachusetts Historical
Commission inventory, as well as National Register Listings when
appropriate.
2. Create a Preservation Plan to ensure the continued protection of
historical resources.
3. Preserve burial grounds and cemeteries by undertaking restoration
and wayfinding projects, as well as establishing community support
for such projects.
4. Preserve village and rural neighborhood character through
demolition delay bylaws, recognizing local historic districts, and
downzoning, among other techniques.
5. Preserve agricultural landscapes by adopting a right-to-farm bylaw
and continue preserving farmland through conservation and
agricultural reservation restrictions, where applicable.
6. Preserve scenic roads through establishing a Scenic Roads bylaw, as
well as a scenic overlay district.
7. Raise awareness about Town’s history and ensure funding for
preservation projects.
Water Resources Goal
Protect Brewster’s freshwater system to preserve high
quality drinking water and maintain or improve the
health of our ponds and marine watersheds.
• Protect town wellfields by expanding open space
acquisition and other measures.
• Improve pond water quality through public education,
regulation, and mitigation activities.
• Protect the water quality of the town’s marine
watersheds.
Open Space Goal
Maintain and expand open space assets to provide
public recreation, protect fragile natural habitat,
and protect water resources.
• Improve public access to and expand the use of
recreational areas.
• Prioritize environmentally sensitive areas for
preservation.
• Maintain open space through density and
development standards.
Housing Goal
Provide more affordable, safe, and accessible rental and
ownership housing options at different price points,
particularly for single people, young families, and our
older population. Achieve the state’s 10% affordable
goal by 2025.
• Promote housing choices to allow families to live, work,
and prosper.
• Provide opportunities to address the varied housing
needs of Brewster’s aging population.
• Address the housing needs to the Town’s year-round
and seasonal workforce.
Coastal Management Goal
In the context of coastal change, preserve and protect Brewster’s coastal resources and expand public access.
• Protect coastal resources in ways that preserve coastal ecosystems and habitats and the character of the town and
coastal neighborhoods.
• Maintain and expand public access for all through public consensus and explore alternate modes of transport and
access points.
• Adapt to climate change projections and advance adaptation and resiliency techniques that are financially and
environmentally sustainable.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 20
C HAPTER 2: O VERALL P OLICIES AND G OALS
The CPC developed the following target allocation policy and overall CPA goals through careful consideration of
community feedback and broad community goals as established from guiding local policy documents including the
Vision Plan. The policy and goals are designed to guide the CPC’s deliberation of project requests for CPA funds in all
four CPA funding categories and will be used to establish funding preferences. The policy and goals are not binding;
The CPC will ultimately base its recommendations on individual project merits, using the target allocation policy and
overall goals as a guide.
F IVE-Y EAR T ARGET A LLOCATION P OLICY
When Brewster adopted the CPA in 2005, it did so with a customized bylaw increasing the minimum allocation
amounts for each funding area to reflect community intentions and priorities when Brewster converted from the
Cape Cod Open Space Land Acquisition Program6 (Cape Cod Land Bank) to CPA as enabled through MGL c.149 of
the Acts of 2004. Per MGL c.149, Cape Cod towns may not amend the amount of or revoke the CPA surcharge on
real property until after fiscal year 2020.7
PREVIOUS MINIMUM ALLOCATIONS
Previously, CPA funds were allocated on the basis of the following amounts: a 50 percent allocation for open space
and passive recreation projects; a 10 percent allocation for community housing; a 10 percent allocation for historic
preservation; and a 30 percent allocation towards community housing, historic preservation, or recreation projects,
but not open space. Of the 30 percent allocation, the CPC has been using up to 5 percent annually for administative
costs, as allowed through the statute.
RECOMMENDED MODIFIED ALLOCATIONS
As part of this planning effort the CPC has reconsidered the minimum local bylaw allocation requirements and plans
to recommend to the Select Board that Town Meeting amends the bylaw to be effective as of July 2023 (FY2024)
There is an increasing community awareness of a variety of significant priorities for the Brewster community,
especially for affordable and community housing as well as other CPA-eligible initiatives as at the Cape Cod Sea
Camps properties (i.e., the Pond Parcel and the Bay Parcel) and capital needs for historic public buildings such as the
Brewster Ladies’ Library. In addition, the CPC recognizes that there is a significant continued need for open space
and natural resource conservation, especially considering the growing impacts from climate change on this coastal
community and the continued efforts to protect the drinking water supply and water quality of Brewster’s ponds.
For these reasons, the CPC recommends bylaw amendments to remove the customized allocation requirement and
to defer to the statutory minimums of 10 percent for each of three categories: community housing, open space and
recreation, and historic preservation. In addition, through this plan, the CPC establishes a five-year Target Allocation
Policy which will guide funding allocations to address the top community priorities of community housing and open
space. This approach will increase the Town’s flexibility and enhance its ability to utilize CPA funds to address a
wider spectrum of community priorities, while continuing to allocate significant levels of funding for open space and
natural resource conservation.
CPC Target Allocation Policy for FY24-FY27
Through this plan, the CPC establishes target allocation policies to guide its recommendations for appropriations of
CPA funds over the four-year period, FY24 through FY27. The policies are intended to support community priorities
for use of CPA funds.
6 MGL c. 293 of the Acts of 1998
7 Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Cape Cod Land Bank and Community Preservation Act, Bulletin 2004-16B, October 2004.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 21
Minimum Spending/Reserves
The CPC intends to continue to recommend three reserves of 10 percent total annual revenue, which comply with
the statutory minimums for community housing, historic preservation, and open space and recreation.
To the extent possible, the CPC also intends to recommend allocations of the CPA funds for eligible projects and
initiatives and administrative funds in roughly the proportions shown below as an average over five-years:
• 30 percent for Community Housing
• 30 percent for Open Space
• 10 percent for Historic Preservation
• 10 percent for Outdoor Recreation
• 5 percent for CPC Administration Costs
The remaining 15 percent of funds will remain as undesignated and can be used to fund projects in any of the CPA
categories. Any undesignated funds (meaning funds that are not included in the minimum 10 percent reserves) that
are not appropriated each year will roll over and remain undesignated.
Administrative Funds
The CPC requires professional staff support to ensure proper record keeping, grant management, and clerical
support in addition to other administrative needs such as funding the Community Preservation Coalition
membership dues and advertising costs. Therefore, the CPC intends to budget 5 percent of total annual CPA
revenue for administrative funds, as the CPA statute allows. However, if the full 5 percent is not needed in any given
year, the balance may be allocated to fund projects in any of the CPA categories.
O VERALL CPA G OALS
These overall goals are intended to help the CPC make hard decisions with the expectation that the CPA will not
provide enough funding to fully fund all CPA funding requests. The CPC will refer to these overall goals during
deliberations when considering the merits of funding requests and comparing eligible projects given limited funding.
6. Prioritize allocation of CPA funding to create and support community housing and preserve open
space/natural resources, including multi-purpose projects that address both housing and open space needs.
7. Secondarily, support eligible outdoor recreation and historic preservation projects.
8. Support eligible projects that demonstrate compatibility with the Community Vision and other relevant
community initiatives and goals such as at the Pond Parcel and/or Bay Parcel at the former Cape Cod Sea
Camps property.
9. Encourage leveraging of CPA funds with other public and private funding as well as donation, bargain sales,
and the like.
10. Allocate funding for regional projects that demonstrate clear community benefit and contributions from
other communities in the region.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 22
C HAPTER 3: C OMMUNITY H OUSING
Habitat for Humanity House on Paul Hush Way
N EEDS
Housing supply in Brewster is significantly impacted bythe large number of part-time residents and vacation rentals.
Although Brewster is bolstered by the seasonal economy, this factor and the investment in second home ownership
have also made affordable housing and market-rate year-round rental housing difficult to find.
The 2017 Housing Production Plan identified rental housing for low-income families, single
people, and subsidized rental housing for the elderly as the priority housing needs of the
community.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the town, with some residents converting seasonal homes to year-round
residences, a rapid rise in housing prices, and overall uncertainty about future population trends and variations in the
tourism industry.
G OALS
6. Create community housing, including affordable housing, that will address documented local and regional
housing needs including, but not limited to, affordable year-round senior housing options, year-round
rental housing and housing assistance for low-income families and seniors, and housing for residents with
special needs, such as Veterans.
As is well documented through the 2017 Brewster Housing Production Plan and the 2017 Cape Cod
Housing Market Analysis, Brewster’s greatest needs are for rental housing that is affordable for low-income
families, senior housing options, and increased supply of housing in general. The CPA funds can fund the
creation of affordable and community housing for households earning up to 100 percent AMI. Funds should
be targeted to create affordable year-round rental housing options and senior housing options. In addition,
creation of housing for individuals with special needs continues to be important within the region.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 23
In addition, the CPA funds are an important local resource to bring Brewster closer to reaching the state’s
affordable housing goals of 10 percent year-round housing stock as tracked through the Subsided Housing
Inventory (SHI). To be eligible for inclusion on the SHI, the units must be affordable to households at or
below 80 percent AMI. As of August 2021, Brewster’s SHI lists 5.6 percent of year-round housing stock as
affordable. This is still based on the 2010 U.S. Decennial Census count of year-round housing units and is
likely to change when the 2020 Census figures are released. Per 2016 amendments to the CPA statute, CPA
funds that are transferred to a housing trust must be used for statutory requirements for housing trusts.
7. Support eligible housing initiatives and ongoing work of the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust to
address local housing needs.
The purpose of Brewster Affordable Housing Trust (Trust), which was created through a Town Meeting vote
in May 2018, is to provide for the preservation and creation of affordable housing in Brewster for the benefit
of low/moderate-income households and for the funding of community housing. The Trust is overseen by a
seven-member Board of Trustees, appointed by the Select Board. The Trust regularly requests CPA funds to
support its initiatives. The CPC anticipates that the Trust will continue to request funding as needed, based
on specific CPA-eligible projects and initiatives
CPA funds, when transferred to a housing trust, must be used for CPA-eligible purposes only and must be
tracked separately from other trust funds so that the use of funds can be reported annually to the MA
Department of Revenue (per the CP-3 report).
8. Continue to support local capacity to implement housing initiatives, including through the Town’s housing
coordinator position.
The CPA funds are a critical funding source to continue supporting Brewster’s capacity to implement local
housing initiative. The CPA should continue to support the Town’s local capacity in this way, including
support for the Brewster Housing Office and the Town’s housing coordinator. The Housing Office addresses
community housing needs in Brewster and is critical to coordinating the various local initiatives to support
low/moderate income households, create affordable and community housing in the town, and as a central
point of contact for information and education about housing needs, initiatives, resources, and assistance.
9. Support the preservation of the existing stock of affordable rental and ownership housing.
Most of Brewster’s affordable housing units are restricted as affordable in perpetuity, however some units
are not restricted in perpetuity. CPA funds can be especially critical to protecting affordable ownership units
when needed upon sale through purchase and resale (it is not uncommon for the affordability of ownership
units to be compromised upon resale or foreclosure, depending on the terms of the affordability restrictions).
In addition, preservation of the Town’s existing affordable housing stock, especially the Housing Authority
units, is also an important priority for CPA funds.
10. Continue to support the Brewster Buy Down Program to assist eligible first-time homebuyers.
The Town of Brewster, through Community Preservation Funds, provides up to $30,000 of grant assistance
for eligible buyers purchasing a home in Brewster. The program, contingent on existing funds, is available to
households qualifying at 80% AMI (Area Median Income) who agree to place a permanent affordable housing
deed restriction on the home. The grant assistance is provided as an interest free loan which is forgivable
after 30 years.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 24
ELIGIBLE A CTIVITIES
Chapter 44B of the Massachusetts General Laws (CPA Statute) defines “community housing” as “low- and
moderate-income housing for individuals and families, including low- or moderate-income senior housing.” Low-
income housing is affordable to households with annual incomes of less than 80% of the areawide median income
(AMI) and moderate-income housing is affordable to households earning less than 100% AMI. Furthermore, the CPA
Statute defines “senior housing” as housing for persons 60 years old or over, who also meet the qualifications for low
or moderate income.
The CPA Statute allows expenditures for the acquisition, creation, preservation, and support of community housing
and for the rehabilitation of community housing that is acquired or created through CPA. Preservation, which is a
permitted activity for community housing, is defined as the “protection of personal or real property from injury, harm
or destruction, but not including maintenance.”
Rehabilitation, which is only permitted for housing created using CPA funds, is defined as “the remodeling,
reconstruction and making of extraordinary repairs, to...community housing for the purpose of making
such...community housing functional for their intended use, including, but not limited to, improvements to comply
with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal, state or local building or access codes.”
The CPA Statute defines the term “support” as programs that provide grants, loans, rental assistance, security
deposits, interest-rate write downs or other forms of assistance directly to individuals and families who are eligible
for community housing . . .” The CPA Statute also allows CPA funds to be appropriated to a Municipal Affordable
Housing Trust (MGL c.44 s.55C). Any CPA funds allocated to a Housing Trust must be used for CPA-eligible
purposes, as clarified through the 2016 amendments.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 25
COMMUNITY HOUSING NEEDS &
RESOURCES
A PROFILE FOR THE BREWSTER COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN
POPULATION & HOUSEHOLDS
• Brewster’s 2020 year-round population was 10,318, reversing a
recent downward trend and returning to the level seen around
the year 2000.
• The town’s year-round population is forecast to decline at a
gradual rate, with an estimated 7,888 people by 2035.
• The town’s seasonal population increases dramatically, with
approximately 30,000 visitors per year, increasing competition
for housing between year-round residents, part-time residents,
seasonal workers, and vacationers.
• The population of Brewster is aging. In 2000, 26 percent of
residents were over 65, increasing 32 percent by 2019. The
median age increased from 47 years old in 2000 to an estimated
54 years old in 2019.
• Of the 4,198 households, about 21 percent have children under
18 years old and 49 percent have one or more household
members over 65 years old.
• Racial make-up is predominantly White, with 94.7 percent of the
population. 2.2 percent of residents are Hispanic, with the
remaining 3.1 percent made up of Black or African-American,
Asian, and mixed race residents.
• Brewster’s median household income per 2019 estimates was
$75,321 - an increase from the 2010 median household income of
$68,439 (in 2019 dollars).
• An estimated 38 percent of Brewster households have low
incomes – incomes at or below 80 percent AMI.
• The median sale price of a single-family house in 2020 was
$519,500, increasing to an average of $612,850 in Jan-Jul 2021.
• 85 percent of Brewster year-round households own their homes,
28 percent of which are housing–burdened (spending over 30
percent of their income on housing), while 50 percent of
Brewster’s 635 year-round rental households are housing-
burdened.
• The median rent in Brewster is $1,097 per month, but this
relatively low number is artificially depressed due to the high
percentage of year-round rentals which are subsidized as well as
disparities in rent throughout the year due to tourism.
A SUMMARY OF KEY NEEDS
Although Brewster is bolstered by
the seasonal economy, this factor,
along with the investment in second-
home ownership, has also made
affordable and market-rate year-
round housing difficult to find.
The 2017 Housing Production Plan
identified rental housing for low-
income families, single people, and
subsidized rental housing for the
elderly as the priority housing needs
of the community.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also
affected the town, with some
residents converting seasonal homes
to year-round residences, a rapid rise
in housing prices, and overall
uncertainty on future population
trends and variations in the tourism
industry. HOUSHOLD INCOME & HOUSING COST
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 26
• Brewster has an estimated 4,198 year-round occupied housing units – 85 percent are owner occupied and
15 percent renter occupied. Census estimates suggest that Brewster lost 122 rental units since 2010, a
decline of 16 percent.
• There are an estimated 3,763 seasonal housing units in Brewster, comprising 47 percent of the town’s
total housing units.
• The Town’s housing stock remains primarily single-family at about 90 percent of total housing units, the
balance being condominiums, duplexes, and multi-family units.
• Brewster’s housing stock is significantly newer than in other communities, with 58 percent built after
1980, reflecting the rapid population and housing growth between 1970 and 2000.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
• 5.6 percent (268 units) of Brewster’s total housing stock is counted as affordable on the State’s Subsidized
Housing Inventory (SHI), which is below the State’s minimum affordability goal of 10 percent.
• of the affordable ownership units were built through Comprehensive Permits under MGL C. 40B.
• The largest rental development is King’s Landing on Underpass Road with 108 subsidized units at 80
percent AMI. It was purchased and renovated in 2013 by POAH, a national affordable housing
development nonprofit, to ensure the affordable housing set to expire in 2017 would continue, with a
current expiry date of 2033.
• The Fredrick Court and Wells Court developments are state and federally funded, respectively, and
together provide 46 subsidized units for seniors.
• Habitat for Humanity developed 14 permanently affordable ownership units at Tubman Road, Hush Way,
and Red Top Road.
• The Brewster Housing Authority owns twelve duplexes with a total of 24 units of subsidized family rental
housing on Huckleberry Lane.
• 2006-2017 Comprehensive Housing Affordability
Strategy (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development)
• 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates,
2010 Census, 2000 Census (U.S. Census Bureau)
• 2017 Housing Production Plan (Town of Brewster)
• Aug. 2021 Subsidized Housing Inventory
(Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community
Development)
• Brewster, MA Town Stats (The Warren Group)
• King’s Landing Apartments - Preservation of Affordable
Housing (www.poah.org/property/massachusetts/kings-
landing-apartments)
• Senior Housing - Town of Brewster (brewster-
ma.gov/senior-housing)
• Huckleberry Land Project – Community Preservation
Coalition (www.communitypreservation.org/community-
housing-16-brewster-housing-authority-huckleberry-
land-project)
HOUSING SUPPLY
SOURCES
ABBREVIATIONS
• ACS – American Community Survey
• AMI – Area Median Income
• CHAS – Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy
• HPP – Housing Production Plan
• TWG – The Warren Group
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 27
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 28
C HAPTER 4 : O PEN S PACE
Windrift Acres
N EEDS
Brewster has protected nearly 30% of its total land area, much of which contains environmentally important
landscapes and wildlife.
Brewster’s water resources must continue to be protected, especially as climate change
continues to have an impact on coastal communities like Brewster.
It is key for the Town to maintain protections for coastal regions and those areas prone to flooding, as well as invest
further into open space and passive recreation spaces with a limited environmental impact.
G OALS
1 Continue to protect drinking water quality through strategic land conservation of private properties in Zone
II Drinking Water Protection Areas including through fee simple acquisition and conservation restrictions in
partnership with local/regional land trusts, other private organizations, and other public entities.
Maintaining Brewster’s high quality of drinking water continues to be critically important locally as well as
regionally. The 2021 Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan’s goal for water resources is, in part, to maintain a
sustainable supply of high-quality untreated drinking water. Per the Brewster 2020 Draft Open Space and
Recreation Plan, the top goal is still to protect the Town’s drinking water supply with three objectives: 1)
Acquire open space for the purpose of protecting existing and future wellhead sites; 2) Protect existing public
supply wells from land-based sources of contamination; and 3) Coordinate wastewater management planning
efforts with protecting drinking water resources.
The CPA funds will continue to be instrumental for water resource protection, particularly to acquire open
space land and conservation restrictions in Zone II Drinking Water Protection Areas.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 29
2 Support the strategic land conservation to protect the water quality of freshwater ponds including through
fee simple acquisition and conservation restrictions in partnership with local/regional land trusts, other
private organizations, and other public entities.
Brewster contains 80 freshwater ponds, encompassing over 10% of the town’s total surface area. A vast
majority of Brewster's ponds suffer some level of impairment including lack of clarity (high chlorophyll,) nutrient
loading (high phosphorus) and low dissolved oxygen, which limits survival in the aquatic habitat. These ponds
are important natural features and habitats and provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
To support a goal of the 2020 Draft Open Space and Recreation Plan, land conservation to protect Brewster’s
ponds is important to maintain their important ecological functions and values to the community. CPA funds will
be a critical source of funding for these initiatives.
3 Support open space conservation efforts to facilitate coastal management and community resilience
including to support managed retreat to address coastal erosion.
As a coastal community, Brewster is facing substantial impacts from climate change including sea level rise,
flooding, and erosion. The Town is experiencing erosion rates of up to 2 feet/year (and 15 feet with storm surge)
and there is little or no buffer between infrastructure, including parking areas and stormwater infrastructure,
and the beach. As the region expects more severe storms with increasing frequency, these impacts will become
more extreme. The environmental damage and property damage will continue to present high and increasing
costs. The Town has diligently assessed vulnerability and risk and created a Coastal Adaptation Plan. CPA funds
can support open space conservation efforts that enhance Brewster’s resilience including managed retreat as
well as other eligible initiatives, as identified by the Brewster Department of Natural Resources.8
4 Fund the preservation of natural resources, especially to ensure the health and expansion of salt marshes
such as the removal of invasive species, protecting floodplains and uplands adjacent to salt marshes, and
restoring natural tidal flow.
Brewster contains diverse natural habitats which support plants and wildlife including invertebrates, reptiles,
amphibians, birds, and mammals, several species being listed as rare and/or endangered. Brewster has two
areas designated as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC): Pleasant Bay and Inner Cape Cod Bay.
Additionally, BioMap2 identifies over 5,500 acres of Core Habitat and close to 9,000 acres of Critical Natural
Landscape. These important habitats include salt marshes, which are coastal wetlands that form transition
zones between land and sea. Salt marshes act as natural purifiers by filtering pollutants and sediment and by
absorbing excess nutrients from streams, rivers, and surface runoff. Salt marshes are valuable for climate
change mitigation because they sequester atmospheric carbon and convert it to salt marsh vegetation (referred
to as “blue carbon”).9
Invasive species are introduced organisms (plant, animal, invertebrate) that are not native to a specific area and
cause harm to that environment. Typically, a species that arrived after European settlement is thought to be
non-native. Invasive species have substantial negative impacts to their introduced environment. This is because
the species did not evolve with the local ecosystem and may not have any natural predators or contribute to
native wildlife in any way.10
8 Source: Using Managed Retreat to Address Coastal Erosion in Brewster, a presentation by Chris Miller, Director of the Brewster Department of Natural
Resources: http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org/wp-content/uploads/D2_07_Miller-Coastal-Retreat-in-Brewster.pdf
9 Source: Association to Preserve Cape Cod/Salt Marsh Restoration: https://apcc.org/our-work/science/salt-marsh-restoration/
10 Source: Brewster Conservation Trust/Invasive Species, Native Pollinators, and the BCT: https://brewsterconservationtrust.org/invasive-species-native-
pollinators-and-the-bct/
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 30
When tidal flow to salt marshes is restricted, these once-saline environments change to a brackish or
freshwater condition in which native salt marsh vegetation suffers. Typically, these brackish marshes become
colonized by the invasive common reed (Phragmites australis) which forms dense stands 12 feet or higher. As
invasive species take over, a major shift in wildlife occurs, and formerly diverse communities of salt marsh
inhabitants are replaced by fewer species.11
CPA funds will be an important source for protecting salt marshes including the removal of invasive species and
protecting floodplains and uplands adjacent to salt marshes and restoring natural tidal flow.
ELIGIBLE A CTIVITIES
The CPA defines the term “open space” as including, but not limited to, land deemed necessary to protect existing
and future well fields, aquifers and recharge areas, watershed land, agricultural land, lake and pond frontage,
beaches, and scenic vistas. The CPA statute allows the use of CPA funds for the acquisition, creation, and
preservation of open space. Additionally, the CPA statute allows for the rehabilitation/restoration of open space that
was acquired or created with CPA funds. Per MGL c.44B s.5(f), CPA funds may not be used to acquire real property,
or property interest, for a price exceeding the value of the property (as determined by methods customarily
accepted by the appraisal profession).
In accordance with the CPA statute (MGL c.44B s.12(a) and (b)), an acquisition of real property is required to be
owned by the municipality and to be bound by a permanent restriction. Any open space acquisitions by the Town
using CPA funds will require execution of a permanent restriction that runs to the benefit of a nonprofit
organization, charitable corporation, or foundation and that is in accordance with the requirements of MGL c.184. In
addition, CPA funds may be appropriated to pay a nonprofit organization to hold, monitor, and enforce the deed
restriction on the property (sometimes called a “stewardship fee”).
11 Source: Association to Preserve Cape Cod/Salt Marsh Restoration
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 31
PERMANENTLY PROTECTED
OPEN SPACE
• MGL c. 61, 61A, and 61B allow an agricultural, forest, or recreational property to be temporarily protected in
exchange for a tax reduction. The town additionally is granted the right to purchase the property if the
classification is removed.
• There are thirteen private parcels listed in the Chapter 61, 61A, or 61B programs, totaling about 165 acres.
• Scenic Resources in Brewster tend to take the form of heritage landscapes, which include cemeteries, parks,
estates, and scenic roads.
• Examples include Dillingham cemetery, Stony Brook Grist Mill, and Crosby Mansion (today a part of Nickerson
State Park). the Punkhorn Parklands, Sheep Pond Woodlands, Mother’s Bog, and Baker’s Pond, to name a few.
OPEN SPACE NEEDS & RESOURCES
A PROFILE FOR THE BREWSTER COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN
• Brewster contains over 2,200 acres of protected land, or
28.9% of its total land area.
• The Brewster Conversation Commission manages 822 acres
of conservation land, while the Town of Brewster additionally
manages about 1,000 acres of other municipally owned
conservation lands.
• Nonprofit land trusts and organizations such as the Orenda
Wildlife Land Trust, the Brewster Conservation Trust, and
the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History manage smaller
acreages.
• The Commonwealth’s first state park, Roland C. Nickerson
State Park, spans 1,960 acres and is managed by the
Department of Conservation and Recreation. The state also
owns three parcels: Thad Ellis Road, off Gull’s Way on
Sheep’s Pond, and off Satucket Road.
• The Brewster Water Department owns an additional
approximate eight acres of land.
SUMMARY OF KEY NEEDS
Brewster has protected nearly 30%
of its total land area, much of which
contains environmentally important
landscapes and wildlife. Brewster’s
water resources – including vernal
pools, freshwater ponds, and coastal
areas – must continue to be
protected, especially as climate
change continues to have an impact
on coastal communities like
Brewster.
It is key for the Town to maintain
protections for coastal regions and
those areas prone to flooding, as well
as invest further into open space and
passive recreation spaces with a
limited environmental impact.
SCENIC RESOURCES
CHAPTER 61 - TEMPORARY PROTECTION
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 32
WATER RESOURCES
• Brewster Open Space and
Recreation Plan, 2014 (OSRP
2014)
• Brewster Open Space and
Recreation Plan Draft, 2020
(OSRP 2020)
• Brewster’s 2018 Vision Plan
• Brewster BioMap2, 2012
(BioMap2)
• Brewster Ponds Coalition:
https://www.brewsterponds.org/b
eneath-the-surface.html
SOURCES
• Brewster is located within the Cape Cod Watershed, the
Pleasant Bay Watershed, and contains six additional
embayment watersheds located within the town, including
Cape Cod Bay, Herring River, Namskaket Creek, Pleasant
Bay, Quivett Creek, Stony Brook, and a portion of the Bass
River Watershed.
• Importantly, Brewster contains 80 freshwater ponds,
encompassing over 10% of the town’s total surface area.
• A vast majority of Brewster's ponds suffer some level of
impairment including lack of clarity (high chlorophyll,)
nutrient loading (high phosphorus) and low dissolved
oxygen, which limits survival in the aquatic habitat.
(Brewster Ponds Coalition)
• Furthermore, 20% of Brewster’s total land area is
comprised of wetlands, which include saltwater wetlands
(salt marshes and tidal flats) as well as freshwater wetlands
(swamps, bogs, and vernal pools).
• Brewster’s drinking water comes from the Cape Cod
Aquifer through public wells and originates in the
Monomoy Lens. The aquifer itself is at risk of
contamination due to the absence of hydrogeologic
barriers which can prevent contaminants from entering the
water.
• Brewster has enacted wellhead protections, as well as a
Groundwater Protection District designation. However,
note that Zone I and II only protect the aquifer within the
areas that recharge wells.
AREAS OF CRITICAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONCERN (ACECS)
• Areas of Critical Environmental
Concern (ACEC) are spaces that
receive recognition for the quality
and significance of their natural
and cultural resources. ACEC
designation can allow for the
creation of a framework of
management and preservation of
critical resources and ecosystems
by local and regional entities.
• ACECs in Brewster include
Pleasant Bay ACEC and the Inner
Cape Cod Bay ACEC.
• The Pleasant Bay ACEC, about 1%
of which is located within
Brewster, contains salt marshes,
tidal flats, ponds, bays, and barrier
beaches, all of which provide flood
control and storm damage
prevention and mitigation.
• The Inner Cape Cod Bay ACEC
stretches across Eastham, Orleans,
and Brewster, with only 15% of the
area being within Brewster (East
Brewster). It contains wildlife
habitats, shellfish beds, and tidal
rivers.
FISHERIES & WILDLIFE
• Brewster contains diverse natural habitats which support
plants and wildlife including invertebrates, reptiles,
amphibians, birds, and mammals, several species being
listed as rare and/or endangered.
• The Brewster BioMap2 outlines two primary habitat types
in Brewster: the wetlands core and the aquatic core. Both
areas contain numerous Species of Conservation Concern,
meaning that both the natural life and area itself are
monitored. Other habitat types include vernal pool core.
• Additionally, parts of Brewster’s coastal areas are
designated as Priority and Exemplary Natural
Communities, indicating areas which have limited
distribution of natural plant and animal communities.
(BioMap2)
• The town also contains approximately 38 vernal pools,
which are seasonal bodies of water integral to the life cycle
of a variety of species, including amphibians, crustaceans,
and turtles.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 33
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 34
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 35
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 36
C HAPTER 5 : H ISTORIC P RESERVATION
N EEDS
Brewster has a diverse set of historical resources, from mansions and town buildings to cemeteries and churches.
These resources are well inventoried, and some are protected in as part of the Old King’s Highway Local Historic
District. Others have limited protection and incentives for rehabilitation through listing on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Key public resources need preservation as well as opportunities to protect historic resources at
the Cape Cod Sea Camp’s Bay Parcel and other publicly accessible properties.
Furthermore, the town contains some Native American archaeological sites which require further investigation and
research.
G OALS
4. Preserve, rehabilitate, and restore historic resources that provide a high level of community access and
benefit, such as the historic structures owned by the Brewster Historical Society and historic buildings on
town owned parcels like Cape Cod Sea Camps and Spruce Hill.
CPA funds are an important source of funding for historic preservation initiatives, for both public and private
resources, however given limited funding, the CPC prioritizes the allocation of CPA funds to projects that
will provide a high level of public access and benefit. Examples include historic public building as well as other
historic properties that are open to the public or provide other tangible and direct public benefits.
CPA funds can provide support for the preservation (protecting resources from harm), rehabilitation (making
resources functional for their intended use, including improvements to comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and other building or access codes), and restoration (depicting the form, features, and
character of a property as it appeared at a particular period).
5. Support the preservation of Native American sites and artifacts through archaeological investigation.
The area was initially settled by the Sauguatuckett, Nauset, and Nobscussett tribes, who lived around the
north shore of the town and developed fields at Stony Brook. Native American archaeological sites have
been identified along water bodies in Brewster, as well as evidence of a pre-colonial well. However, further
investigation and archaeological work is necessary to determine if more resources exist.
6. Continue preservation efforts to protect historic town records.
Brewster’s historic town records and other historic documents are under the care of multiple entities. The
Town Clerk is responsible for historic town records that are stored at Town Hall; the Brewster Historical
Image Placeholder. Need a higher
resolution photo of Cape Rep
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 37
Society stores records at the Cobb House Museum, and the Brewster Ladies Library has a collection of oral
histories. The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History also has a collection of local archaeological artifacts.
Preservation of historic town records is a common preservation project in many CPA communities. Town
records are not included on the State Register of Historic Places and, therefore, need to be determined by
the Brewster historic preservation commission to be significant in the history, archeology, architecture, or
culture of a city or town.
ELIGIBLE A CTIVITIES
The CPA Act, as amended July 2012, defines a historic resource as “a building, structure, vessel, real property,
document, or artifact that is listed on the State Register of Historic Places or has been determined by the local
historic preservation commission to be significant in the history, archeology, architecture, or culture of a city or
town.” CPA funds can be used for the “acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of historic resources.”
In addition, CPA funds may be appropriated to pay a nonprofit organization to hold, monitor, and/or enforce a deed
restriction as described in Section 12 of the CPA Act (amended Summer 2012). Furthermore, within the definition of
“rehabilitation,” CPA is allowed to fund improvements to make historic resources functional for their intended use,
including improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other building or access
codes.
All rehabilitation work, with respect to historic resources, is required to comply with the Standards for Rehabilitation
stated in the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (codified in 36 C.F.R.
Part 68).
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 38
NATIVE AMERICAN RESOURCES
PRIORITY LANDSCAPES
LOCAL HISTORIC
DISTRICTS
NATIONAL REGISTER RESOURCES
• National Register districts are established by the Secretary
of the Interior, and provide recognition of the importance of
a place, while allowing limited protection from federal or
state funded projects.
• There are two National Register districts in Brewster: The
Old King’s Highway and the Stony Brook/Factory Village
districts (MACRIS)
• Within these two districts, there are 266 properties listed as
National Resources (MACRIS)
• Additionally, five resources are individually listed on the
National Register: three are related to the Nickerson
Mansion; others include Dillingham House and the Old
Higgins Farm Windmill (MACRIS)
• Local historic districts (LHD) are
created through local bylaws and
are regulatory. An LHD regulates
changes made to exterior
architectural features of
structures located along the
district (Landscape Inv)
• Brewster contains one Local
Historic District, the Old King’s
Highway Historic District, which
was adopted in 1973 (Landscape
Inv)
• The Old King’s Highway Historic
District contains eighteen
resources, ranging from
agricultural sites and burial
grounds to civic centers and open
space areas (Landscape Inv)
A SUMMARY OF KEY NEEDS
Brewster has a diverse set of
historical resources, from mansions
and town buildings to cemeteries and
churches. These resources are well
inventoried, and some are protected
in as part of the Old King’s Highway
Local Historic District. Others have
limited protection and incentives for
rehabilitation through listing on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Key public resources are in need of
preservation as well as opportunities
to protect historic resources at the
Cape Cod Sea Camp’s Bay Parcel and
other publicly-accessible properties.
Furthermore, the town contains
some Native American
archaeological sites which require
further investigation and research.
• The Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory identified
nine priority heritage landscapes, including, but not limited
to: Cape Cod Sea Camps, Old King’s Highway, and
Stonybrook Valley.
• A priority heritage landscape is a place that is defined by
human interaction and is integral to the community both past
and present. Each of these landscapes tell a story of
Brewster’s past: the Cape Cod Sea Camps, established in the
early 20th century, is both a natural and historical resource
for the generations of children who attended summer camp
here.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION NEEDS &
RESOURCES
A PROFILE FOR THE BREWSTER COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN
• The area was initially settled by the Sauguatuckett, Nauset,
and Nobscussett tribes, who lived around the north shore of
the town and developed fields at Stony Brook.
• During the Contact Period (1500-1620), Native Americans
sold agricultural products to settlers.
• Native American archaeological sites have been identified
along water bodies in Brewster, as well as evidence of a pre-
colonial well. However, further investigation and
archaeological work is necessary to determine if more
resources exist.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 39
17TH CENTURY
19TH CENTURY
18TH CENTURY
• By the 18th century, Brewster’s economy began to expand
from primarily agriculture to include mills and whaling. Later
in the century, the salt manufacturing trade began to
develop.
• Many town institutions such as the first churches and
meetinghouse were developed during this period.
• 18th century resources on MACRIS include the Old Higgins
Farm Windmill (1750) and Captain Elijah Cobb House
(1799). The latter property remains standing and is currently
home to the Brewster Historical Society Museum.
ARTIFACTS AND DOCUMENTS
• Some of Brewster’s historical documents and records are preserved by the Brewster Historical Society,
which stores these resources at the Cobb House Museum. These include the Donald Doane collection of
over400 turn-of-the-century photographic glass plate negatives.
• The Town Clerk is responsible for historic town records stored at Town Hall, including handwritten material
from the town clerk and tax assessors dating back to 1803.
• Additionally, the Historical Commission maintains an inventory of important historical resources, which are
listed on the town website.
• The Brewster Ladies Library houses a collection of oral histories from long time Brewster residents as part
of its historic resources.
• The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History has a collection of local artifacts, including Native American.
• Native American Sauguatucketts
occupied the land around the north
shore with planting fields
concentrated at Stony Brook.
• The first European settlement was
established in1650 in Sauguatuckett
territory. Early settlers called
themselves the “Setucket
Proprietors” and met to lay out
roads and settle property disputes.
• By the end of the 17th century, the
area’s major roadways had been
established, connecting the
settlement to nearby towns.
• The first Gristmill was built at Stony
Brook in 1662.
• MACRIS lists three resources from
this time, which include the
Dillingham House (c. 1659) and
Eldridge House (c. 1690).
• In 1694, a township named Harwich
was established. The North Parish of
Harwich included the Stony Brook
Valley and shoreline along Cape Cod
Bay.
• One such resource, the Linger
Longer By The Sea Cottage, is still
standing and operates as a vacation
rental.
• The North Parish of Harwich was officially incorporated as
the Town of Brewster in 1803. Many of the town’s residents
made their living from the sea as shipmasters or crew
members. The town’s saltworks provided significant
economic value until the decline of the local salt industry in
the mid- 1800s.
• MACRIS lists 203 resources from this time, including two
grist mills, four churches, and over 150 houses.
• Structures from the first half of the century had diverse uses,
such as Harwich First Parish Church Archway and Water
Pump, while the latter half of the century saw the
construction of homes as well as the Old Town Hall and the
Ladies’ Library.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 40
SOURCES
20TH CENTURY
• Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, mhc-macris.net (MACRIS)
• MHC Reconnaissance Survey Town Report: Brewster, 1984 (Reconnaissance Survey)
• Heritage Landscape Inventory Report : Brewster, MA, 2007 (Landscape Inv)
• Brewster Historical Society (BHS)
• Brewster Historical Commission (BHC)
• Massachusetts Historical Commission There’s A Difference Report,
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcpdf/difference.pdf (TAD Report)
• Cape Cod Museum of Natural History - contact Kate Roderick kroderick@ccmnh.org
• Brewster Archaeological Resources Map
• The early 20th century saw a sharp decline in Brewster’s population. By World War I, the town saw an
increase in the construction of summer homes and private estates. This trend continued through the rest
of the century, with an increase in seasonal homes coinciding with a decrease in year-round population.
• MACRIS lists 231 resources from this century, notably Nickerson Mansion and Park (1908). The earliest
structures include churches and cottages dating to 1900, which are still standing.
• Much of Brewster’s historical resources from this century were constructed between 1930 and 1970,
some of which – like the Crosby House and Nickerson Mansion – have already been preserved and turned
into a museum and state park, respectively.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 41
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 42
C HAPTER 6 : O UTDOOR R ECREATION
Stony Brook Field
N EEDS
Many of Brewster’s 30,000 seasonal visitors are drawn to the recreation activities in the area, including fishing,
boating, swimming, biking and golfing. The town serves residents with a wide variety of sports fields and venues as
well as classes, activities, and local recreational clubs and camps. Since most of the land in Brewster is privately
owned, preservation of private recreational parcels is important, such as privately owned campgrounds, riding paths,
golf courses, and youth camps.
The Brewster Vision Plan highlights the need for more walking trails and bike paths and
residents consider the development of new seasonal and year-round active recreation activities
for all ages to be very important, with an emphasis on accessible recreation options.
G OALS
6. Rehabilitate existing playgrounds, parks, and other outdoor public recreation facilities to improve quality
and accessibility.
As amended in 2012, the CPA statute allows CPA funds to be used for rehabilitation of existing outdoor
recreational resources including playgrounds, parks, golf courses, and other facilities. For recreation
projects, rehabilitation also includes replacement of playground equipment and other capital improvements
to make the land more functional for the intended recreation use. This includes improvements to comply with
the Americans with Disabilities Act and other codes.
One of the key goals stated in the Town’s 2020 Draft Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) is to provide a
variety of recreation and open space opportunities to promote healthy and active lifestyle for Brewster
residents, ensuring equitable access for all users and abilities. CPA funding can help promote this important
goal for existing outdoor recreation facilities.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 43
7. Create all-ages outdoor recreation facilities including those geared toward older adults, such as pickleball
courts, and accessible facilities for individuals with special needs.
As stated above, a key goal of the Town’s 2020 Draft OSRP is to promote healthy and active lifestyles and
equitable access for all users and abilities. As the local and regional population ages, it is important to provide
outdoor recreation facilities for all ages. CPA funds can create new outdoor recreation facilities as well as
rehabilitate existing facilities to promote accessibility and options geared toward older adults.
8. Expand and improve bike trails and bike trail connections, including the key recreation destinations.
The 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) passes through Brewster for approximately six miles on its way from
Dennis to Wellfleet. It is the only designated bike path in the town and is heavily used. Biking is popular and
could provide additional recreational benefits with connections to key destinations. The CPC would consider
recommending CPA funds to creating additional bike paths to promote outdoor recreation.
9. Rehabilitate hiking trails and create improved trail connections, including improved boardwalks, such as
the boardwalk to Wing Island at the Cape Cod Museum Trail.12
Many of the Town’s Conservation Areas as well as other open space properties have hiking/nature trails,
which provide passive recreation opportunities for residents and visitors. CPA funds can be an important
source of funding, paired with other state funds such as the MassTrails Grant Program, to create and
improve trail connections. Some specific project possibilities could include the boardwalk to Wing Island
from Drummer Boy Park, which has been raised at the last two public hearings.
10. Fund preservation of key private recreation sites to ensure public access and enjoyment.
There are several private non-profit camps and sporting clubs in Brewster that provide important
recreational facilities for kids and adults. Funding for outdoor recreation facilities that are privately-owned
could be eligible for funding with the provision of a clear a direct public benefit, such as public access.
12 Note that the MassTrails Grant Program awarded the Town of Brewster $50,000 in 2021 to fund design, public outreach, and permitting for the Wing Island
boardwalk project. The boardwalk would provide accessibility to the 27-acre Wing’s Island, interconnect existing public trail segments, and provide a fully ADA
compliant pathway to complement recent work at neighboring Drummer Boy Park. The project will receive $46,013.64 in matching funds from the Town of
Brewster.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 44
EL IGIBLE A CTIVITIES
The CPA defines recreational use as including, but not limited to, the use of land for community gardens, and
noncommercial youth and adult sports, and the use of land as a park, playground, or athletic field. The definition goes
on to prohibit “. . . horse or dog racing or the use of land for a stadium, gymnasium, or similar structure.”
Per the July 2012 amendments, the CPA statute allows use of CPA funds for the acquisition, creation, preservation,
rehabilitation, and restoration of land for recreational use. Note that the 2012 amendments allow “rehabilitation”
where previously it only allowed for recreational land created through the CPA. This amendment would allow
existing parks and playgrounds to be rehabilitated with upgraded and new facilities and amenities. Maintenance
costs are not eligible for CPA funds. In addition, acquisition of artificial turf for athletic fields is expressly prohibited
in Section 5(b)(2).
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 45
RECREATION NEEDS & RESOURCES
A PROFILE FOR THE BREWSTER COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN
PONDS & BEACHES
• Brewster contains about 80 ponds, making up over
10 percent of the town’s surface area. The ponds are
used for recreational fishing (14 ponds are regularly
stocked with fish), boating, sunbathing, swimming, ice
fishing and ice skating. MA fishing licenses are
required on all ponds. Most ponds lack official public
landings, but five ponds have formal public beaches
and landings:
o Long Pond – Boat ramp and beach (with
lifeguard from July 4 – Labor Day)
o Slough Pond – Car-top boat launch and
beach
o Upper Mill Pond – Accessible viewing
platform and boat ramp
o Sheep Pond – Accessible viewing platform,
boat ramp and beach
o Schoolhouse Pond – Accessible fishing dock
and car-top boat launch, winter ice skating
o Walkers Pond – Town public boat ramp
• Brewster has ten saltwater beaches along Cape Cod
Bay, each of which is accessible from a street
connecting to Route 6A. The beaches are popular for
swimming, sunbathing, beach strolling, fishing, and
boating access. The beaches from west to east are:
o Wings Island Beach
o Paine’s Creek Beach
o Mant’s Landing Beach
o Saint’s Landing Beach
o Breakwater Landing
o Breakwater Beach
o Point of Rocks Landing Beach
o Ellis Landing Beach
o Spruce Hill Beach
o Linnell Landing Beach
o Crosby Landing Beach
SUMMARY OF KEY NEEDS
• Many of Brewster’s 30,000 seasonal
visitors are drawn to the recreation
activities in the area, including fishing,
boating, and swimming. The town also
serves residents with a wide variety of
sports fields and venues as well as
classes, activities, and local sporting and
recreational clubs and camps.
• Since most of the land in Brewster is
privately owned, preservation of private
parcels with recreational space is very
important, such as Brewster’s privately
owned campgrounds, riding paths, golf
courses, and youth camps.
• The Brewster Vision Plan highlights the
need for more walking trails, bike paths,
sidewalks, and a dog park. In a recent
survey, only half of respondents said they
lived within ¼ mile of a recreation or
open space resource.
• In the same survey, 40 percent of
respondents considered the
development of new seasonal and year-
round active recreation activities for all
ages to be very important, with an
emphasis on accessible recreation
options.
• Note that this profile provides a sample
of recreation activities and spaces in
Brewster. Conservation areas provide
space for residents to enjoy the outdoors,
meaning that there is considerable
overlap between open space and
recreation resources.
NATURE TRAILS, PONDS, AND OPEN SPACE
• The 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) passes through Brewster for approximately six miles on its way
from Dennis to Wellfleet. It is the only designated bike path in the town, and is heavily used by cyclists,
roller skaters, roller bladers, skate boarders, cross country skiiers, walkers, and occasionally equestrians.
• The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History additionally contains a trail access point to Wing’s Island, where
visitors can enter near the museum, cross a salt marsh, access Wing’s Island, and end at a barrier beach.
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 46
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
• Nickerson State Park, owned and managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and
Recreation, is in the eastern sector of Brewster and covers over 1,960 acres. Popular recreational
activities in the park include camping, hiking, cycling, freshwater and saltwater swimming, fishing, and
boating. Camping is particularly popular in the park, with over 400 camp sites available. The Park also
contains the Stephen L. French Youth Forestry Camp, which hosts the Homeward Bound Wilderness
Program for court-acquainted adolescents.
• Drummer Boy Park is a 17-acre park with lawns used for active recreation as well as a recently updated
children’s playground. The Park also contains historical properties. The town is undertaking a master
planning process for the park, including access to Wing Island.
• Public baseball, soccer, and softball fields are available at Eddy and Stony Brook Elementary Schools,
behind the Senior Center, in front of the Town Hall, and off Freeman’s way.
• The 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) passes through Brewster for approximately six miles on its way
from Dennis to Wellfleet. It is the only designated bike path in the town, and is heavily used by cyclists,
roller skaters, roller bladers, skate boarders, cross country skiiers, walkers, and occasionally equestrians.
• The Brewster Recreation Department employs 2 full-
time staff members and 30-40 seasonal employees
and offers a variety of recreation programs and
activities for all ages.
• Activities offered include senior fitness, tennis,
basketball, softball, lacrosse, track & field, ultimate
frisbee, family fishing, tee ball, pickleball, basketball,
summer rec programs, yoga classes on the beach,
archery, kayak rentals, sailing, mad science classes,
dance instruction, flag football, and field hockey.
• The Department also facilitates community events
including the ice rink, Brewster in Bloom 5k run,
summer kick-off party, movie night by the Bay,
parents’ night out, hotshot basketball shootout, and
senior games.
• The Department owns two facilities in the town, the
Community Tennis Courts at Underpass Road and
26 acres of athletic fields at Recreation Drive and
operates the Finch Skate Park Orleans in partnership
with the towns of Orleans and Eastham.
• In addition to its own facilities, Recreation
Department events and activities are held at
numerous other beach and pond properties, public
fields, and at several schools including Stony Brook
Elementary School, Nauset Regional High School and
Middle School, and Eddy Elementary School.
RECREATION ON CONSERVATION LAND
The Senior Center serves as a
recreational resource for seniors,
with social events and activities
including computer classes,
gardening sessions, and a recently
installed Bocce court.
SENIOR CENTER
• Town of Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan (August 2021 Draft Version)
• Brewster Recreation Department (https://www.brewsterrecreation.com)
• Massachusetts Paddler (https://www.massachusettspaddler.com)
SOURCES
There are several private non-profit
camps and sporting clubs in Brewster
that provide important recreational
facilities for kids and adults including:
• Camp Mitton - Crossroads
• Camp Favorite - Girl Scouts
• Cape Cod Museum of Natural
History
• Brewster Sportsman's Club
• Dream Day Cape Cod
• Brewster Community Garden –
operated by the Brewster
Conservation Trust
• Sweetwater Forest Campground
• Shady Knoll Campground
• Emerald Hollow Farm
• Cape Cod Sea Camps – Closed in
November 2020. Town completed
purchase of both Bay and Pond
parcels in 2021.
PRIVATE
ORGANIZATIONS
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 47
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 48
A PPENDICES
To be completed – including summaries of the focus groups and community forum. Can also include the CPA
Application if desired. Let’s discuss.
FY23-27 based on Existing Formula
Existing formula 50%10%10%
Open Space Housing Historical Recreation Budgeted Reserve*Admin Total
End FY22 est.1,499,295$ 41,612$ 496,593$ 600,279$ 2,637,779$
Est FY 23-FY 27 Revenue 3,576,745$ 715,345$ 715,350$ 1,788,371$ 357,674$ 7,153,485$
Total 5,076,040$ 756,957$ 1,211,943$ 2,388,650$ 357,674$ 9,791,264$
Bond FY 23-27 (819,837)$
Net total available for projects 4,256,203$ 756,957$ 1,211,943$ -$ 2,388,650$ 357,674$ 8,971,427$
Estimated Projects FY23-27 2,000,000$ 1,427,500$ 1,951,208$ 1,430,000$ 6,808,708$
Funded from category reserve (2,000,000)$ (756,957)$ (1,211,943)$ 2,162,719$
Look to fund from Budgeted Reserve 670,543$ 739,265$ 1,430,000$ (2,839,808)$
Est. net total end of FY27 2,256,203$ -$ -$ -$ (451,158)$
* Reserved for Housing, Historic, Recreation
Assumptions: Level annual revenue of $1,430,697
FY23-27 based on CPA Plan
Open Space Housing Historical Recreation Budgeted reserveAdmin
End FY22 est.2,637,779$ 1,499,295$ 41,612$ 496,593$ -$ 600,279$
Current Bylaw Allocation of revenue 50%10%10%0%25%5%
Est FY 23 Revenue 1,430,697$ 715,349$ 143,070$ 143,070$ 357,674$ 71,535$
Bond expense FY23 (196,658)$
Bond FY24-FY27 (623,179)$
Adjusted Carryover/Revenue FY23 3,248,639$ 1,394,807$ 184,682$ 639,663$ -$ 957,953$ 71,535$
Revenue FY24-FY27 5,722,784$
Admin FY24-FY27 5%(286,139)$
Est. net FY24-27 Revenue 5,436,645$
CPA Plan Target %30%30%10%10%20%
Target $ FY24-27 1,630,993$ 1,630,993$ 543,664$ 543,664$ 1,087,329$
Estimated total for new projects FY23-27 8,685,284$ 3,025,800$ 1,815,675$ 1,183,327$ 543,664$ 2,045,282$
Estimated Projects 2,000,000$ 1,427,500$ 1,951,208$ 1,430,000$
Funded from Category Reserve (2,000,000)$ (1,427,500)$ (1,183,327)$ (543,664)$
Look to fund from Budgeted Reserve -$ -$ 767,881$ 886,336$ (1,654,217)$
Est. net total end of FY27 1,025,800$ 388,175$ -$ -$ 391,065$
Note: I will be referencing this information in my comments to FinCom on 3/16.
30% including 5% Admin
Town of Brewster
SPECIAL & ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
WARRANT
for
May 14, 2022
at
10:00 AM
STONY BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
384 UNDERPASS ROAD
Please bring this copy of the warrant to Town Meeting
Large print copies of the warrant are available at the Brewster Town Offices
TOWN OF BREWSTER
SPECIAL & ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
May 14, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A INDEX 2
B INFORMATION & MODERATOR’S
STATEMENT FOR VOTERS
4
C CONSENT CALENDAR – ROUTINE ARTICLES
FOR APPROVAL
D FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
E TAX RATE INFORMATION
F CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
G HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES REPORT
H 2022 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
ARTICLES
ARTICLE DESCRIPTION SPONSOR PAGE
1 Outstanding Obligations Select Board
2 Budgetary Transfers Select Board
3 Golf Department Enterprise Fund Select Board
4 Other Business Select Board
H 2022 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
ARTICLES
1 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School
Operating Budget
Cape Cod Technical
School Committee
2 Elementary Schools Operating Budget Brewster Elementary
School Committee
3 Brewster Elementary Schools Special
Education Stabilization Fund
Brewster Elementary
School Committee
4 Nauset Regional Schools Operating Budget Nauset Regional School
Committee
5 Town Operating Budget Select Board
6 Water Enterprise Fund Operating Budget Select Board
7 Golf Capital Stabilization Fund Select Board
8 Golf Enterprise Fund Operating Budget Select Board
9 Community Preservation Act Funding Community
Preservation
Committee
10 Capital and Special Projects Expenditures Select Board
11 Water Quality Capital Stabilization Select Board
12 Bond Premium Appropriation Select Board
13 Special Revenue Fund: Cable Franchise Fee Select Board
14 Town Code Amendment to Community
Preservation Committee Bylaw (§ 17)
Select Board
15 Transfer of Tax Title Property – 212 Yankee
Drive
Select Board
16 Lease of Town Property - Antenna Select Board
17 Utility Easement - 361 Slough Road Select Board
18 Citizens Petition - Punkhorn Hunting Ban Citizens Group
19 Citizens Petition - Punkhorn Hunting
Restrictions
Citizens Group
20 Other Business Select Board
J TOWN MODERATOR’S RULES
K GLOSSARY OF FINANCIAL TERMS
TOWN OF BREWSTER SPECIAL TOWN MEETING MAY 14, 2022
Barnstable, ss
To: Roland W. Bassett, Jr. Constable of the Town of Brewster
Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and
inform the Town of Brewster inhabitants qualified to vote in Town affairs to meet at the Stony
Brook Elementary School ballfield, 384 Underpass Road, on Saturday, May 14, 2022, next, at
10:00 a.m. o’clock in the morning, then and there to act upon the following articles:
OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS
ARTICLE NO. 1: To see what sums the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds for
the payment of unpaid obligations from previous fiscal years, including any bills now on
overdraft:
Vendor Amount
a. Custom Drug Testing $165.00
b. Titleist/Acushnet $1,683.28
c. Jet Professional Group $687.50
d. Addy $1,802.00
Total $4,337.78
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Nine-tenths Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will authorize the payment of outstanding bills from a previous fiscal year.
According to Massachusetts General Laws, a Town cannot pay a bill from a previous fiscal year
with the current year’s appropriation. Therefore, Town Meeting authorization is required.
a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
b.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
c.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
d.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
BUDGETARY TRANSFERS
ARTICLE NO. 2: To see what sums the Town will vote to transfer into various line items of the
Fiscal Year 2022 General Fund operating budget from other line items of said budget and from
other available funds:
FROM TO AMOUNT
a Town Health Insurance Short-term Debt $300,000
b School Health Insurance Short-term Debt $100,000
c Ambulance Receipts Fire Department Overtime $150,000
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article would authorize the transfer of surplus funds from certain departments’ budgets
and/or accounts and Free Cash for Fiscal Year 2022 to other accounts which are experiencing
unanticipated shortfalls and/or require additional funding for new programs and/or initiatives.
The following is a brief review of these requests:
a. This sum is required to help pay down a total of $400,000 in short-term debt previously
approved by Town Meeting, thereby creating capacity in the FY23 Town operating budget to
make a $300,000 payment to cover some of the remaining expenses associated with the
purchase of the Sea Camps property on Long Pond. Taking this approach, the Town anticipates
paying off our remaining short-term obligations for this land purchase by FY25.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
b. This sum is required to help pay down a total of $400,000 in short-term debt previously
approved by Town Meeting, thereby creating capacity in the FY23 Town operating budget to
make a $300,000 payment to cover some of the remaining expenses associated with the
purchase of the Sea Camps property on Long Pond. Taking this approach, the Town anticipates
paying off our remaining short-term obligations for this land purchase by FY25.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
c. This sum is required to cover additional personnel expenses stemming from staffing turnover
in the Fire Department and contractual obligations. The ambulance receipts account has a
current balance of just over $2M. The FY23 Fire Department budget has been adjusted to
account for ongoing increased operational expenses.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
GOLF DEPARTMENT ENTERPRISE FUND
ARTICLE NO. 3: To see if the Town will vote to accept the provision of G.L. Ch. 44 Section 53F½
in order to establish a Golf Department Enterprise Fund for fiscal year commencing on July 1,
2022, and to transfer any funds remaining in the Golf Department Reserve Fund as of June 30,
2022, or to take any other action relative thereto.
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
While Brewster Golf Department revenues and expenses have always been accounted for
separate from the General Fund, acceptance of this local option formally establishes the Golf
Department as an enterprise fund. Enterprise fund accounting provides more flexibility and
transparency than the current enabling statute for our Golf Department. It clearly identifies the
total cost of providing this service and helps determine if the rates charged are sufficient to
cover the cost, providing useful management information and data tracking for more
informative decision making. The National Golf Foundation recently completed a
comprehensive analysis of operations, finances, and capital needs for the Captain’s Golf course.
The Golf Commission and Town staff have further refined projections based on their findings
and recommendations.
Enterprise fund accounting allows payments for indirect costs to flow from the enterprise to
the General Fund to reimburse the Town for the associated costs of Town employees working
on enterprise activities. Also, surpluses remain in the fund and may be used to pay operating,
capital, or debt service costs associated with the operation. Additionally, investment income
earned by the particular enterprise fund is retained within the fund to finance anticipated
projects. The MA Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services recommended making
this change in their 2019 Financial Management Review.
Select Board: Yes 5, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
OTHER BUSINESS
ARTICLE NO. 4 To act upon any other business that may legally come before this meeting; or to
take any other action related thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
You are hereby directed to serve this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at
the time and place of said meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hand and Seal of the Town of Brewster affixed this __th day of April 2022.
___________________________________
Cynthia A. Bingham, Chair
___________________________________
David C. Whitney, Vice-Chair
___________________________________
Edward B. Chatelain, Clerk
___________________________________
Mary W. Chaffee
___________________________________
Kari Sue Hoffmann
I, Roland W. Bassett Jr, duly qualified Constable for the Town of Brewster, hereby certify that I
served the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting of May 14, 2022 by posting attested copies
thereof, in the following locations in the Town on the xx day of April, 2022.
Brewster Town Offices
Café Alfresco
Brewster Ladies Library Brewster Pizza House
The Brewster Store Millstone Liquors
U. S. Post Office
_________________________________
Roland W. Bassett, Jr. Constable
TOWN OF BREWSTER ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MAY 14, 2022
Barnstable, ss
To: Roland W. Bassett, Jr. Constable of the Town of Brewster
Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and
inform the Town of Brewster inhabitants qualified to vote in Town affairs to meet at the Stony
Brook Elementary School ballfield, 384 Underpass Road, on Saturday, May 14, 2022, next, at
10:00 a.m. o’clock in the morning, then and there to act upon the following articles:
CAPE COD REGIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 1: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer
from available funds to defray Cape Cod Regional Technical High School charges and expenses
for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023, as follows;
DEPARTMENT EXPENDED
FY2021
APPROPRIATED
FY2022
REQUESTED
FY2023
CAPE COD TECH
ASSESSMENT
562,646 825,363 1,115,633
DEBT ASSESSMENT 294,741 409,710 549,461
TOTAL ASSESSMENT 857,387 1,235,073 1,665,094
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Cape Cod Technical School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will provide funding for the Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget for the Cape Cod
Regional Technical High School District. This district consists of the Towns of Barnstable,
Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro,
Wellfleet and Yarmouth. The overall district-wide budget has increased by 1.99% over Fiscal
Year 2022. Brewster’s actual share of the assessment has increased by a sum of $290,270 or
35.17% over Fiscal Year 2022. District wide enrollment has increased from 626 students to 653
students, with Brewster’s enrollment increasing from 41 to 59 students for this same period.
This is the second consecutive year that Brewster enrollment has significantly increased. The
Debt Assessment line represents Brewster’s fourth year payment for the new Cape Cod
Regional Technical High School as approved by voters at the October 24, 2017 Special Election.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 2: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer
from available funds to defray the Elementary Schools’ charges and expenses, for the Fiscal
Year ending June 30, 2023, as follows;
DEPARTMENT EXPENDED
FY2021
APPROPRIATED
FY2022
REQUESTED
FY2023
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BUDGET
8,333,661 7,951,488 8,150,275
SCHOOL FRINGE BENEFITS 1,974,982 2,131,313 2,342,589
TOTAL ASSESSMENT: 10,308,643 10,082,801 10,492,864
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Elementary School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will provide funding for the Fiscal Year 2023 operational budget for the Stony Brook
and Eddy Elementary Schools. The Fiscal Year 2023 budget request for the Elementary Schools
stands at $8,150,275. These operational budgets have increased by the total sum of $198,787
or 2.5%, over Fiscal Year 2022. The Town’s total elementary school assessment is increasing by
4.1% when the schools’ proportionate shares of fringe benefits expenses is applied. In addition,
the Town’s Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget seeks to appropriate $100,000 to a proposed new
Special Education Stabilization Fund to cover unanticipated expenditures (see Article 3).
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
SPECIAL EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND
ARTICLE NO. 3: To see if the Town will vote to create a new Special Education Stabilization
Fund, consistent with Section 24 of Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016, for unanticipated or
unbudgeted costs of special education, out of district tuition, and related transportation
expenses at the Brewster Elementary Schools.
(Elementary School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
NAUSET REGIONAL SCHOOLS OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 4: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer
from available funds to defray the Nauset Regional School District charges and expenses for the
Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023, as follows;
DEPARTMENT EXPENDED
FY2021
APPROPRIATED
FY2022
REQUESTED
FY2023
NAUSET
ASSESSMENT
11,476,397 11,743,855 12,229,216
NAUSET DEBT
ASSESSMENT
122,645 175,644 208,735
TOTAL ASSESSMENT: 11,599,042 11,919,499 12,437,951
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Nauset Regional School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article provides funding for the Fiscal Year 2023 operational budget for the Nauset
Regional School District. The overall operating budget for the Nauset Regional Schools stands
at $25,796,005 which represents an increase of 5.94% over the prior year. Brewster’s share of
the Nauset Schools operational budget is $12,437,951. Brewster’s proportionate share of
enrollment has decreased from 48.17% in Fiscal Year 2022 to 47.41% in Fiscal Year 2023.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
TOWN OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 5: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from
available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute, for the purposes of supporting
the offices, departments, boards and commissions of the Town of Brewster for Fiscal Year 2023,
including authorization for lease purchases of up to five years, as follows:
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
DEPARTMENT FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Finance Committee 4,754 105,500 105,500
Assessors 126,059 136,549 151,782
Accounting 224,423 224,446 258,343
Treasurer/
Collector
274,521 303,511 350,727
Information
Technology
272,201 334,056 410,962
Legal 107,677 165,640 168,653
Moderator 300 300 300
Planning 173,151 181,488 206,412
Select Board / Town
Administration
462,860 490,320 592,355
Human Resources New in FY22 147,774 165,949
Town Clerk 205,380 192,636 249,324
Public Buildings 157,327 157,667 273,639
SUBTOTAL GENERAL
GOVERNMENT
2,008,653 2,439,887 2,933,946
PUBLIC SAFETY
Building Department 407,486 420,371 416,157
Fire Department 2,603,170 2,948,872 3,123,820
Natural Resources 419,130 446,240 483,715
Police Department 2,789,806 2,924,587 2,996,585
Sealer of Weights &
Measures
9,225 9,456 9,692
SUBTOTAL PUBLIC
SAFETY
6,228,817 6,749,526 7,029,969
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works 1,878,073 2,014,227 2,185,153
Snow & Ice Removal 161,817 165,053 169,179
Street Lights 2,875 5,515 5,515
SUBTOTAL PUBLIC
WORKS
2,042,765 2,184,795 2,359,847
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
DEPARTMENT FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023
HUMAN SERVICES
Council on Aging 312,531 360,441 385,337
Board of Health 222,173 251,994 284,805
Veteran’s Services 111,940 130,330 120,837
Public Assistance 135,620 144,900 136,950
SUBTOTAL HUMAN
SERVICES
782,264 887,665 927,929
CULTURE & RECREATION
Brewster Ladies
Library
644,519 689,226 738,034
Recreation 160,028 205,316 232,235
Memorial Day
Celebration
0
1,500 1,500
SUBTOTAL CULTURE
& RECREATION
804,546 896,042 971,769
DEBT SERVICE
Principal & Interest 2,119,348 2,007,298 3,321,898
SUBTOTAL DEBT
SERVICE
2,119,348 2,007,298 3,321,898
INSURANCE, UTILITIES & FRINGE BENEFITS
General Insurance 362,511 467,250 534,482
Utilities 328,750 443,671 505,423
Fringe Benefits 3,805,056 4,726,694 4,515,109
SUBTOTAL
INSURANCE &
FRINGE BENEFITS
4,496,317 5,637,615 5,555,014
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
DEPARTMENT FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSE & ASSESSMENTS
Assessments 28,040 28,040 29,271
Alewives 2,500 4,350 4,350
Local Service Funding 39,363 40,000 40,000
Transfer to Capital
Stabilization
0 225,000
187,500
Transfer to General
Stabilization
200,000 0
0
Transfer to Housing
Trust
0 250,000
375,000
Transfer to OPEB
Trust
222,671 267,000
267,000
Transfer to Brewster
Elementary Schools
Special Education
Stabilization
New in FY23 New in FY23
100,000
Transfer to Water
Quality Capital
Stabilization
New in FY23 New in FY23
112,500
SUBTOTAL OTHER
OPERATING
EXPENSE &
ASSESSMENTS
492,573 814,390 1,115,621
GRAND TOTAL OF
GENERAL FUND
OPERATING
BUDGETS
18,975,285 21,617,218 24,215,992
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will provide funding for the Fiscal Year 2023 operational budget for the Town
boards, committees, and departments. The Town’s operating expenses, as presented in this
article, exclusive of excluded debt and transfers to stabilization funds, have increased by 4.98%.
Please note the following details on these budget line items listed above:
Public Assistance: This section is inclusive of funding for Health & Human Service
organizations and fuel assistance.
Assessments: This section is inclusive of funding for Pleasant Bay Alliance, Greenhead
Fly, and the Historic District.
Local Services Funding: This section is inclusive of Chamber of Commerce, Town Band,
Cultural Council, Skipping Program, and Millsites.
Water Department and Golf Department related operating expenditures are now shown in
their own articles in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53F½.
Water, Golf, and Ambulance related capital requests are contained in the Capital & Special
Projects Article as needed.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
WATER DEPARTMENT ENTERPRISE FUND OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 6: To see if the Town will vote, in accordance with G.L. c. 44, §53F1/2, to
appropriate from Water Department receipts, transfer from available funds or otherwise fund
the sum of TWO MILLION NINE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED NINETY
NINE DOLLARS ($2,961,199) for Fiscal Year 2023 costs associated with the operation of the
Water Department including, but not limited to acquiring professional services and equipment,
personnel and maintaining facilities and operations, including authorization for lease purchases
of up to five years; all expenditures to be made by the Water Department, subject to the
approval of the Town Administrator, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53F1/2, receipts from
Water Department related activities are used to directly offset Water Department related
expenditures including some capital and infrastructure costs. Voting a spending amount within
the Water Department Enterprise Fund allows receipts and related expenditures to be recorded
in one fund.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
GOLF CAPITAL STABILIZATION FUND
ARTICLE NO. 7: To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of G.L. c. 40, §5B for the
purpose of establishing a Golf Course Capital Improvement and Maintenance Stabilization
Fund; and to see if the Town will transfer from available funds a sum of money for said
stabilization fund, or take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
With several major capital projects anticipated in the next few years at the Captains, this new
capital stabilization fund would allow the Town to direct a portion of anticipated Golf revenues
to help pay for some of these future projects without issuing debt. For FY23, a $400,000
appropriation is included in the proposed FY23 Golf Department budget that would transfer
those funds to this new account.
Funds in the new Golf Capital Stabilization Fund will require a 2/3 vote by Town Meeting to
appropriate. The Town currently plans to consistently make significant contributions to this
new fund in the next few years to help mitigate the cost impacts of larger capital projects to
avoid the need of major fee increases.
Select Board: Yes 5, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
GOLF ENTERPRISE FUND OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 8: To see if the Town will vote, in accordance with G.L. c. 44, §53F1/2, to
appropriate from Golf Department receipts, transfer from available funds or otherwise fund the
sum of FOUR MILLION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FOUR
DOLLARS ($4,254,134) for Fiscal Year 2023 costs associated with the operation of the Golf
Department including, but not limited to acquiring professional services and equipment,
personnel and maintaining facilities and operations, including authorization for lease purchases
of up to five years; all expenditures to be made by the Golf Department, subject to the approval
of the Town Administrator, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53F½, receipts from Golf
Department related activities are used to directly offset Golf Department related expenditures
including some capital and infrastructure costs. Voting a spending amount within the Golf
Department Enterprise Fund allows receipts and related expenditures to be recorded in one
fund.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING
ARTICLE NO. 9: To see if the Town will vote to act on the report of the Community Preservation
Committee on the Fiscal Year 2023 Community Preservation Budget and to appropriate or
reserve for later appropriation monies from the Community Preservation Fund annual revenues
or available funds for the administrative and operating expenses of the Community
Preservation Committee, the undertaking of Community Preservation Projects and all other
necessary and proper expenses for the year, with each item considered a separate
appropriation to be spent by the Community Preservation Committee, all as set forth below:
Estimated revenues FY23__
a. Estimated FY23 tax surcharge $1,144,558
b. Estimated FY23 state contribution (25%) $ 286,140
c. Estimated FY23 Total: $1,430,698
FY23 Appropriations and Allocations
d. Historic Preservation Reserve appropriation (10%) $143,070
e. Community Housing Reserve appropriation (10%) $143,070
f. Open Space Reserve appropriation (50%) $715,349
g. Budgeted Reserve (25%) $357,674
h. Administrative Expense (Budgeted Reserve) ( 5%) $71,535
i. Total $1,430,698
Purpose Item Funding Source(s) Amount
1 Historic Preservation
a. Brewster Historical
Society
Digitization of Ellen St.
Sure Collection
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$22,617
b. Designated Reserves for
Historic Preservation
Transfer to reserve
from estimated annual
revenues in accordance
with G.L. c.44B, §6
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$120,453
Sub-total $143,070
2 Community Housing
a. Town of Brewster Town
Administration -
Housing Coordinator
Payroll and operating
costs for Part-time
Housing Coordinator
position to assist public
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$66,900
with affordable
housing program
b. Community
Development
Partnership
Lower Cape Housing
Institute (2-year
funding)
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$15,000
c. Designated reserves for
Housing
Transfer to reserve
from estimated annual
revenues in accordance
with G.L. c.44B, §6
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$61,170
Sub-total $143,070
3 Open Space
a. Community
Preservation Bonded
Debt Service
Payment of debt
principal and interest
for the BBJ Property
and Bates Property
bonds
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$196,658
b. Designated reserves
for Open Space
Transfer to reserve
from estimated annual
revenues in accordance
with G.L. c.44B, §6
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$518,691
Sub-total $715,349
4 Budgeted Reserve
a. Administration
Expense
Administration and
operating expenses for
Community
Preservation
Committee
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$71,535
b. Pennrose/ Orleans
Cape Cod Five
Affordable housing at
former Cape Cod Five
Operations Center in
Orleans
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$105,000
c. Designated for
Budgeted Reserve
Transfer to reserve
from estimated annual
revenues in accordance
with G.L. c.44B, §6
Fiscal Year 2023 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$252,674
Sub-total $429,209
Grand Total $1,430,698
For Fiscal Year 2023 Community Preservation purposes, each item is considered a separate
appropriation to be spent by the Community Preservation Committee; provided however, that
the above expenditures may be conditional on the grant or acceptance of appropriate historic
preservation restrictions for historic resources, open space restrictions for open space reserves,
and housing restrictions for community housing, running in favor of an entity authorized by the
Commonwealth to hold such restrictions for such expenditures, meeting the requirements of
G.L. c.184 and G.L. c.44B, Section 12, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey or
accept such restrictions;
And further, any revenues received in excess of the estimated receipts are transferred to their
respective reserve fund balance(s) for future appropriation using the allocation formula of 50%
Open Space, 10% Housing, 10% Historical and 30% for Budgeted Reserve for CPA.
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Community Preservation Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
In May of 2005, Brewster voters approved a ballot question which allowed for the adoption of
the modified Community Preservation Act. The act appropriates a 3% surcharge on the Town’s
real estate tax revenues, which are reserved in a special fund in order to finance projects and
programs for the purposes of preservation of open space, recreation, community housing, and
historic preservation. Brewster is also eligible to receive up to 100% in matching funds from the
State, although we anticipate a reduced reimbursement rate from the State for Fiscal Year
2023, which is projected at 25%. Brewster established, through a local bylaw, a distribution
schedule for the CPA funds according to the following: 50% of the funds for open space, 10%
for community housing, 10% for historic preservation, and 30% balance is available for housing,
historic preservation and/or active or passive recreation projects.
1. Historic Preservation:
a. Brewster Historical Society – Digitization of Ellen St. Sure collection - This item will fund the
digitization and preservation of the Ellen St. Sure research collection. Former Town Archivist
and Brewster history enthusiast Ellen St. Sure compiled her own personal research files about
Brewster residents, houses, and businesses. This collection was gifted to the Brewster
Historical Society with the understanding that they would maintain the collection and make it
accessible to researchers. The Society wishes to digitize the research collection and make it
available via their website with links to the Town website and the Brewster Ladies Library
website.
Total Project Cost: $35,441.50 CPC Request: $22,616.5 0 CPC Vote: 8-0-1
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
2. Community Housing:
a. Town of Brewster- Housing Coordinator – This item will fund the part-time Housing
Coordinator position. The Community Preservation Committee has supported the Housing
Coordinator position since 2017. The hiring of a housing coordinator was identified as a key
strategy in the Town’s 2017 Housing Production Plan. The Housing Coordinator holds hours for
the public weekly, supports multiple Town committees, including the Housing Trust and
Housing Partnership, works with regional housing agencies and organizations in town to
promote housing choice. The Housing Coordinator is an integral part of the Town’s housing
efforts, outlined in both the Town Vision Plan and the Select Board Strategic Plan. The Housing
Coordinator helps to acquire, create, preserve, and support community housing. The FY23
request is to fund the position at 30 hours per week with the CPC providing funding for the
salary and the Town providing funding for all benefits of the position. The request is for an
increase of 5 hours weekly (from 25 in FY22), due to the increased number of housing initiatives
and support services that the Town is providing. Our housing program continues to be a
partnership of many Town entities.
Total Project Cost: $ 89,150 CPC Request: $ 66,900 CPC Vote: 8-0-0
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
b. Community Development Partnership (CDP): Lower Cape Housing Institute – This item will
fund the sixth and seventh years of CDP’s Lower Cape Housing Institute, training that equips
local elected and appointed officials with the knowledge and skills needed to support the
creation of more year-round housing in the Lower Cape, including Brewster. Local elected and
appointed municipal officials and Town staff need training and technical assistance in the
complexity of developing and managing housing that is affordable to year-round residents.
Total Project Cost: $123,350 CPC Request: $15,000 CPC Vote: 7-0-0
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
3. Open Space:
a. Community Preservation Bonded Debt Service – This item pays for the $196,658 in FY 2023
principal and interest on open space acquisitions that were financed via long-term bonding
($2.5M for 50 acres in West Brewster by Mother’s Bog and Walker’s Pond and $675k for 36
acres in the Punkhorn).
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
4. Reserves for Community Preservation:
a. Administrative Expense – This item will fund the costs associated with general administrative
and operating expenses, including but not limited to legal and other professional consulting
services, related to carrying out the operations of the Community Preservation Committee. The
Community Preservation Act allows up to 5% of expected annual revenues for this purpose.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
b. Pennrose/Cape Cod Five – This item will fund a request from Pennrose LLC. They propose to
re-use the former Cape Cod Five bank headquarters building in Orleans, combined with a new
construction addition and two separate townhouse buildings, as mixed-income and affordable
housing. Together, the refurbishment and new construction will provide 62 rental units,
including 52 affordable units and 10 middle-income "workforce" apartments. The existing
structure consists of an original 1978 building and a 1990s addition. The building served as the
headquarters and operations center for the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank from 1978 until
2020. The site has been the subject of multiple feasibility studies led by the Town of Orleans,
seeking to identify the best, most appropriate use for the site after the bank's departure. The
proposed re-use program has been developed in cooperation with the Town of Orleans and
closely mirrors the "preferred development scenario" identified by Town staff and the general
public in its recent study. The site enjoys strong access to shopping, a grocery store, public
transportation, and other amenities, making it an ideal location for affordable and mixed-
income housing. Developer Pennrose is requesting CPA funds from multiple Cape towns,
recognizing that progress towards regional housing creation and affordability goals benefits all
of the area’s communities. Town Meeting voters in these towns have already approved
funding: Orleans ($2 Million), Eastham ($100,000), and Provincetown ($20,000). An application
to Harwich for $100,000 is under review. In both Chatham ($100,000) and Truro ($100,000),
funding requests are on the Spring 2022 Town Meeting warrants. Wellfleet has asked Pennrose
to reapply for funding in October 2022. Pennrose is seeking $100,000 of Brewster CPA funds
for construction expenses. The CPC request includes an additional $5,000 to be set aside to
pay for Brewster CPC legal and administrative expenses related to the award.
Total Project Cost: $27,705,000 CPC Request: $105,000 CPC Vote: 8-0-0
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
CAPITAL AND SPECIAL PROJECTS EXPENDITURES
ARTICLE NO. 10: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from
available funds, or authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow under and pursuant to
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Sections 7, 7(1), or 8, or any other enabling authority,
for the capital outlay expenditures listed below, including, in each case, all incidental and
related costs, to be expended by the Town Administrator with the approval of the Board of
Selectmen, except School expenditures to be made by the School Superintendent with the
approval of the School Committee; authorize leases and lease purchase agreements for more
than three but not more than five years for those items to be leased or lease purchased, and
further that the Town Administrator with the approval of the Board of Selectmen or School
Superintendent with the approval of the School Committee for school items, be authorized to
sell, convey, trade-in or otherwise dispose of equipment being replaced, all as set forth below:
Department Item Funding Source(s) /
Appropriation or
Transfer
Amount
1 Select Board
a. Integrated Water
Resources Planning &
Implementation
Professional services
and costs for preparing
studies, engineering,
and coordinating inter-
municipal water
resource management
planning
General Fund Free
Cash
$75,000
b. Drummer Boy Park
Master Plan Implementation
- Design
Professional services
and costs for
engineering, design,
and permitting
associated with
planned improvements
to the park
General Fund Free
Cash
$75,000
Sub-Total $150,000
2 Elementary School Department
a. Technology Upgrades
and Improvements
Ongoing information
system and equipment
improvements
including but not
limited to purchase of
desktop computers,
servers, productivity
and office software,
backup system, and
General Fund Free
Cash
$15,000
other
hardware/software,
switches and access
points for wi-fi at Eddy
and Stony Brook
Elementary Schools
b. HVAC, Plumbing,
Electrical Maintenance &
Repairs
Professional services
and costs for upgrades,
repairs and
replacement of HVAC
plumbing and electrical
systems (equipment,
supplies and related
software/hardware) at
Eddy and Stony Brook
Elementary Schools
General Fund Free
Cash
$25,000
c. Exterior & Interior
Painting Project
Professional services
and costs for
interior/exterior
painting at Eddy and
Stony Brook
Elementary Schools
General Fund Free
Cash
$10,000
d. Stony Brook Elementary
School Boiler & Unit
Ventilator Replacement -
Design
Professional services
and costs to design
upgrades to the
existing boiler and
supporting HVAC
systems at Stony Brook
Elementary School
General Fund Free
Cash
$75,000
Sub-Total $125,000
3 Nauset Regional School District
a. Capital Plan Projects Professional services
and costs, including
procuring, engineering,
permitting, repair and
maintenance of
buildings, grounds, and
equipment within the
Nauset Middle School
and Nauset High
School
Raise and
appropriate
$271,782
Sub-Total $271,782
4 Natural Resources
a. Beach and Landing
Repairs &
Improvements
Professional services
and costs for repairs
and improvements to
various public beaches
and public landings
throughout town
General Fund Free
Cash
$15,000
b. Long Pond Boat Ramp
and Public Access
Improvements
Professional services
and costs for upgrades
to existing boat ramp
and parking area,
improvements to
public access and
stormwater treatment
General Fund Free
Cash
$225,000
c. Wildfire Management Professional services
and costs to implement
and update Town’s
Wildfire Management
Plan, including
vegetation
management
General Fund Free
Cash
$10,000
Sub-Total $250,000
Department Item Funding Source(s) /
Appropriation or
Transfer
Amount
5 Water Department
a. Distribution
Infrastructure
Costs for goods,
materials and
professional services to
maintain, repair, and
upgrade the Town’s
water distribution
system
Water Retained
Earnings
$50,000
b. Buildings & Treatment
Facilities
Costs for goods,
materials and
professional services to
maintain, repair, and
upgrade the Water
Department’s buildings
and treatment facilities
Water Retained
Earnings
$50,000
c. Water Meter
Replacement
Costs for goods,
materials and
professional services to
maintain and replace
water meters
Water Retained
Earnings
$80,000
d. Two Pick-up Trucks Costs to purchase and
equip two (2) pick-up
trucks
Water Retained
Earnings
$88,000
Sub-Total $268,000
Department Item Funding Source(s) /
Appropriation or
Transfer
Amount
6 Department of Public Works
a. Public Works &
Recycling Center Site
Assessment
Professional services to
conduct a site
assessment of Public
Works & Recycling
Center property and
facilities
Article 10 (2F), May
2017 Annual Town
Meeting
$70,000
Sub-Total $70,000
7 Facilities
a. Town Hall Window
Replacement
Professional services
and costs to replace
windows at Town Hall
offices
General Fund Free
Cash
$50,000
b. Town Hall Air
Conditioning Unit
Replacement
Costs to purchase air
conditioning units at
Town Hall offices
General Fund Free
Cash
$10,500
Sub-Total $60,500
8 Library
a. Library Elevator
Replacement - Design
Professional services
and costs to replace
elevator at Ladies
Library
General Fund Free
Cash
$30,000
Sub-Total $30,000
9 Golf Department
a. HVAC/Boiler
Upgrades
Professional services
and costs to replace
furnaces, air handlers,
and related HVAC
systems in the
clubhouse, pavilion,
and pro-shop
Golf Reserves $185,000
b. Clubhouse Window
and Door
Replacement
Professional services
and costs to replace
windows and doors in
clubhouse, pavilion,
and pro-shop
Golf Reserves $190,000
c. Maintenance
Facilities Study
Professional services to
identify existing
conditions and develop
Golf Reserves $20,000
conceptual plan for
maintenance facilities
Sub-Total $395,000
10 Fire Department
a. Deputy Fire Chief
Vehicle
Costs to purchase and
equip Deputy Fire Chief
first response vehicle
Article 8 (2G), May
2016 Annual Town
Meeting;
Ambulances Receipts
$60,000
Sub-Total $60,000
Grand Total $1,680,282
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
1. SELECT BOARD
1a. Integrated Water Resources Planning & Implementation - These funds will be used to
implement the Pleasant Bay Watershed Permit and support other water quality improvement
projects related to coastal waters and freshwater ponds.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
1b. Drummer Boy Park Master Plan Implementation (Design) – These funds will be used to
complete design and permitting work associated with the Drummer Boy Park Master Plan
Update approved by Town Meeting in November 2021 to include: development of site survey
and existing conditions plan; evaluation of sub-surface conditions; public outreach;
development of design plans, including stormwater management; preparing permit
applications; developing construction plans and specifications; and, providing procurement
services and construction oversight/inspections.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
2. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
2a. Technology Upgrades and Improvements - These funds will be used to continue with the K-5
technology plan for both Eddy and Stony Brook Elementary Schools; including replacing iPads,
computers, network printers and laptops, switches and access points for wi-fi.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
2b. HVAC, Plumbing, Electric Maintenance & Repairs – These funds will be used to make repairs
to the mechanical systems at both Elementary Schools as needed.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
2c. Exterior & Interior Painting – These funds will be used for regularly scheduled interior and
exterior painting at the Stony Brook and Eddy Schools.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
2d. Stony Brook Elementary School Boiler & Unit Ventilator Replacement (Design) – These funds
will be used to design upgrades and/or replacement of the existing boiler and ventilation
systems at the Stony Brook School.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
3. NAUSET REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
4a. Capital Plan Projects – These funds, in the amount of $269,400 for Fiscal Year 2023, are an
assessment for the capital equipment and facilities budget for the Nauset High and Middle
Schools. This program was originally approved by means of a Proposition 2 ½ override question
in May of 2005, which included an annual 2.5% escalator.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
4. NATURAL RESOURCES
4a. Beach and Landing Repairs – These funds will be used for improvements, maintenance, and
repairs at various Town Landings, including sand nourishment, stairs, pathways, interpretive
signs, and other related needs.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
4b. Long Pond Boat Ramp and Public Access Improvements – These funds will be used for safety
and access enhancements to the existing ramp and parking areas. Stormwater treatment and
traffic circulation will also be improved.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
4c. Wildfire Management – These funds will be used to implement the Town’s Wildfire
Management Plan, focusing on the Punkhorn, and other large, wooded conservation areas.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
5. WATER DEPARTMENT
5a. Distribution Infrastructure – These funds will be used to maintain, repair, and upgrade the
Town’s water distribution system as needed.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
5b. Buildings & Treatment Facilities – These funds will be used to maintain, repair, and upgrade
the Water Department’s buildings and treatment facilities as needed.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
5c. Water Meter Replacement – These funds will be used to maintain and/or purchase and
install replacement water meters on an ongoing basis.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
5d. Pick-up Trucks – These funds will be used to purchase and equip two (2) new pick-up trucks
for Water Department staff.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
6. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
6a. Public Works & Recycling Center Site Assessment – These funds will be used to complete a
comprehensive site assessment of the property and facilities on Run Hill Road. The study will
examine code compliance, including a safety review of the site and facilities. Operational
efficiencies and site constraints will be evaluated. A series of conceptual improvements will be
developed, including permitting requirements and cost estimates for each scenario.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
7. FACILITIES
7a. Town Hall Window Replacement - These funds will be used to replace 30+ windows in Town
Hall that are in poor condition. A number of windows are no longer operable due to failing
conditions and replacement parts are no longer available due to the age of the windows.
Replacing the windows will increase energy efficiency and, more importantly, they will be safe
to operate. This is the first of two planned phases for this project.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
7b. Town Hall Air Conditioning Unit Replacement – These funds will be used to purchase new
window air conditioning units for Town Hall offices. This is the second and final phase of this
replacement project. Alternative air conditioning options were evaluated but were not
projected to result in significant energy savings and so were dismissed as cost prohibitive.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
8. LIBRARY
8a. Library Elevator Replacement (Design) – These funds will be used to develop specifications
to solicit bids to install a new elevator at the Ladies Library. This equipment has exceeded its
useful life and requires frequent repairs, limiting resident access to the facility.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
9. GOLF DEPARTMENT
9a. HVAC/Boiler Upgrades – These funds will be used to replace the furnaces and air handlers in
the clubhouse, pavilion, and pro-shop to install a fully operational and more energy efficient
heating and cooling system.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
9b. Clubhouse Window and Door Replacement – These funds will be used to replace windows
and doors in the clubhouse, pavilion, and pro-shop. Many of the windows in the building have
broken seals that have caused clouding of the windows. They are unsightly and do not project a
good image of the facility. In addition, many of the doors have clouded windows and do not
open and close properly. This is largely due to the high volume of foot traffic throughout the
building. All of the doors and windows are over 20 years old. This is the first, and largest, or
two planned phases for this project.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
9c. Maintenance Facility Study – These funds will be used to identify existing conditions and
develop conceptual plans to upgrade these facilities. The two principal maintenance buildings
are 21 and 36 years old respectively and do not conform to current code and energy efficiency
standards. They require significant improvements to optimize operational efficiency. The
results of this study will be used to inform design specifications to build new facilities.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
10. FIRE DEPARTMENT
10a. Deputy Fire Chief Response Vehicle – These funds will be used to purchase and equip the
Deputy Fire Chief’s vehicle. Administrative / first response vehicles are replaced every ten
years.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
WATER QUALITY CAPITAL STABILIZATION FUND
ARTICLE NO. 11: To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of G.L. c. 40, §5B for the
purpose of establishing a Water Quality Stabilization Fund; and to see if the Town will raise and
appropriate and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money for said stabilization fund, or
take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 4, No 0, Abs 1 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
BOND PREMIUM APPROPRIATION
ARTICLE NO. 12: To see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a total sum of
$238,349 from bond sale premiums from projects authorized at the May 4, 2015 Town Meeting
under Articles 19, 20, & 30, May 2, 2016 Town Meeting under Article 20, and September 2,
2015 Town Meeting under Article 2-7B to the Road Bond Capital Projects Fund.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 5, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
SPECIAL REVENUE FUND/Cable Franchise Fee Account
ARTICLE NO. 13: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the Cable Franchise Fee
Special Revenue Fund the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), for the purpose of
offsetting costs associated with providing local cable television related purposes, the sum of
including, but not limited to the general public purpose of supporting and promoting public
access to the Brewster cable television system; training in the use of local access equipment
and facilities; access to community, municipal and educational meeting coverage; use and
development of an institutional network and/or municipal information facilities; contracting
with local cable programming services providers and/or any other appropriate cable related
purposes, and including all incidental and related expenses, or to take any other action relative
thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Included within each resident’s cable bill is a line item to provide for the costs of local cable
television services. These monies are retained in a special revenue account and are used to
enhance local cable programming for the town’s public, education, and government channels.
These funds will be used to continue these informational and educational services, and may
include, but is not limited to, equipment purchases, contracted services, construction services,
and labor expenses.
Select Board: Yes 5, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
TOWN CODE AMENDMENT TO COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE BYLAW
ARTICLE NO. 14: To see if the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaws, Section 17, to
delete Sections 17-4 and 17-5 in their entirety, with such revision to take effect on July 1, 2023,
as follows:
Section 17-1. Membership of the Committee – There is hereby established a Community
Preservation Committee, consisting of nine (9) voting members. pursuant to the provisions of
Section 298 of Chapter 149 of the Acts of 2004, as amended by Sections 129-133 of Chapter
352 of the Acts of 2004. The composition of the Committee, the appointing authority and the
term of office for the committee members shall be as follows; one member of the Conservation
Commission, as designated by said Commission; one member of the Historical Commission, as
designated by said Commission; one member of the Planning Board, designated by the said
Board; one member of the Recreation Commission, as designated by the Commission; one
member of the Brewster Housing Authority, as designated by said Authority; and four
individuals to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Each member of the Committee shall
serve a term of three years or until the person no longer serves in the position or on the board
or on the committee as set forth above, whichever is earlier. Should any of the officers and
commissions, boards or committees who have appointing authority under this bylaw be no
longer in existence for whatever reason, the Board of Selectmen shall appoint a suitable person
to serve in their place. Any member of the committee may be removed by the Selectmen, with
prior notice to the member and a hearing, for good cause.
Section 17-2. Duties – The Community Preservation Committee shall study the needs,
possibilities and resources of the town regarding community preservation. The Committee shall
consult with existing municipal boards, including the Conservation Commission, the Recreation
Commission, the Historical Commission, the Planning Board, the Department of Public Works,
and the Housing Authority, or persons acting in those capacities or performing like duties, in
conducting such studies. As part of its study, the committee shall hold one or more public
informational hearings, at its discretion, on the needs, possibilities and resources of the town
regarding community preservation possibilities and resources, notice of which shall be posted
publicly and published for each of two weeks preceding a hearing in a newspaper of general
circulation in the town.
Section 17-3. The Community Preservation Committee shall make recommendations to the
Town Meeting for the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space, for the acquisition
and preservation of historic resources, for the acquisition, creation and preservation of land for
recreational use, for the creation, preservation and support of community housing and for
rehabilitation or restoration of such open space, historic resources, land for recreational use
and community housing that is acquired or created as provided in this section.
Section 17-4. In every fiscal year, the Community Preservation Committee shall recommend
that Town Meeting spend, or set aside for future spending, the fixed figure of fifty (50%)
percent of the net annual revenues in the Community Preservation Fund for open space
purposes, not less than ten (10%) percent of the net annual revenues for community housing
purposes, and not less than ten (10%) percent of the net annual revenues for historic resources
purposes. In every fiscal year, the Community Preservation Committee shall recommend that
Town Meeting spend or set aside for future spending the remaining thirty (30%) percent of the
net annual revenues for community housing, recreation and historic resources purposes, but
not for open space purposes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the net annual revenues paid into the Community Preservation
Fund shall be dedicated to open space purposes until such time as prior appropriations made
pursuant to the so-called Land Bank Act have been fully expended, even if the aggregate
amount of such expenditures exceeds 80% of the annual revenues.
Section 17-5. Provided that the Community Preservation Act is accepted at the 2005 Annual
Town Election, this section shall take effect upon approval by the Attorney General of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and after all the requirements of Mass. Gen. Laws, ch. 40, §
32 have been met. Each appointing authority shall have thirty (30) days after the effective date
to make its appointments.
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
TRANSFER OF TAX TITLE PROPERTY – 212 YANKEE DRIVE
ARTICLE NO. 15: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the care, custody and control of the
parcel of land with the improvements thereon located at 212 Yankee Drive, identified by the
Assessors as Parcel 77-37-0 and acquired by the Town by Foreclosure in Tax Lien Case, from the
tax custodian for tax title purposes to the Affordable Housing Trust for affordable housing
purposes and for the purpose of conveyance.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
The Brewster Housing Program in conjunction with the Affordable Housing Trust has been
actively working for the past 4 years on the preservation of homes that are on our Subsidized
Housing Inventory (SHI). The home located at 212 Yankee Drive has been vacant for several
years and suffered some water damage. The Housing Department in collaboration with the
Treasurer Collector, Building Department and town legal counsel initiated the process of a tax
taking. The owner of the property has not lived in the home for over 4 years, will not return,
and has a conservator that the Town has communicated with throughout the process.
The goal of the Housing program and Housing Trust is to rehabilitate the home and convey it to
a qualified affordable buyer. The home currently has an affordable deed restriction on it and
will continue to have a deed restriction after conveyance. The Community Preservation
Committee provided funding to the Affordable Housing Trust to assist with the preservation of
homes on our SHI.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
LEASE OF TOWN PROPERTY/Antenna
ARTICLE NO. 16: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Administrator, acting under
the direction of the Board of Selectmen, to lease from time to time a portion or portions of
Town-owned property located at 1657 Main Street for wireless communications purposes,
including, without limitation, for the construction, installation, maintenance and replacement
of communications antennas, towers, cabinets, cables, and other appurtenances, and to grant
such non-exclusive access and/or utility easements on portions of said property as may be
necessary or convenient to serve the communications equipment thereon, said leases to be for
periods not exceeding twenty (20) years and on such other terms and conditions as the Town
Administrator and Board of Selectmen deem to be in the best interests of the Town, or to take
any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
UTILITY EASEMENT - 361 SLOUGH ROAD
ARTICLE NO. 17:
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
CITIZENS PETITION/Punkhorn Hunting Ban
ARTICLE NO. 18: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town’s General Bylaw by adding a
new Chapter 98 – Hunting in the Punkhorn Parklands as follows:
§98-1 No person shall discharge any gun, including paint ball guns, fowling piece, pistol, or
firearm or release an arrow from a bow or hunt or trap or poison or set fire to any material
known as fireworks, or other combustible matter, on any and all Town-owned parcels in
southwest Brewster commonly referred to as the Punkhorn Parklands; provided, however, this
section shall not apply to any person abating nuisance or in the exercise of duty required by
law, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Citizen's Petition) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
The parcels of land commonly referred to as the Punkhorn Parklands constitute a major
conservation area, purchased by the Town to protect it from development and to preserve its
varied environment. Public use of the Punkhorn has increased significantly over the years, with
an even greater increase occurring during the past couple of years of social distancing
necessitated by the COVID pandemic. Every year more and more hikers, dog walkers, cyclists,
horseback riders, bird watchers, and nature lovers make use of the Punkhorn trails and lands,
both residents and visitors alike.
At the May 1989 Annual Election, Brewster voters passed a non-binding public advisory to
express the opinion that all hunting and use of firearms, bows and arrows, air guns and pellet
guns should be prohibited in the Town-owned Punkhorn Parkland. At the May 15, 2021 Special
& Annual Town Meeting, voters passed what we thought was a by-law banning hunting in the
Punkhorn. The Attorney General's Office approved it, but Town Counsel ruled that the
language did not conform to the standards for a by-law, so the petition was "merely advisory."
This time, Town Counsel supplied the appropriate language to make this a binding by-law. We
once again urge you to vote to make this ban official to protect the safety of all who use the
Punkhorn Parklands.
Select Board: Yes 3, No 2, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 2, No 5, Abs 0
CITIZENS PETITION/Punkhorn Hunting Restrictions
ARTICLE NO. 19: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town’s General Bylaw by Adding a
new Chapter 98 – Hunting in the Punkhorn Parklands as follows:
§98-1 No person shall discharge any gun, including paint ball guns, fowling piece, pistol, or
firearm or release an arrow from a bow or hunt or trap or poison or set fire to any material
known as fireworks, or other combustible matter, within the Town-owned land known as the
Punkhorn Parklands; provided, however, this section shall not apply to any person abating
nuisance or in the exercise of duty required by law: provided further that bow hunting only
shall only be permitted during a three-week period beginning on the first Monday in December
of each year, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Citizen's Petition) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 2, No 3, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 2, No 5, Abs 0
OTHER BUSINESS
ARTICLE NO. 20 To act upon any other business that may legally come before this meeting; or
to take any other action related thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
Select Board Joint with Finance Committee Minutes
February 16, 2022 Page 1 of 7
TOWN OF BREWSTER
SELECT BOARD JOINT WITH FINANCE COMMITTEE
Date: February 16, 2022 Time: 6:00 PM
VIRTUAL MEETING MINUTES
Present: Select Board Chair Cynthia Bingham, Vice Chair David Whitney, Clerk Edward Chatelain, Mary Chaffee
(7:38pm), Kari Hoffmann
Finance Committee Chair Pete Dahl, Vice Chair Frank Bridges, Clerk Bill Meehan, Honey Pivirotto, Robert Tobias,
Alex Hopper, Bob Young, William Henchy, Andy Evans
Capital Planning Committee Chair Bill Schirmacher, Cynthia Caldwell, Town Administrator Peter Lombardi,
Treasurer/Collector Lisa Vitale
Also present: Donna Kalinick, Assistant Town Administrator; Susan Broderick, Human Resources Director
Absent: Mimi Bernardo, Finance Director
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm and announced a quorum.
This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021. No in-person meeting attendance will be permitted. If the Town
is unable to live broadcast this meeting, a record of the proceedings will be provided on the Town website as soon as possible.
The meeting may be viewed by: Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brerwster-ma.gov), or Video
recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov).
1.Public Announcements and Comment- none
2.Select Board Announcements and Liaison Reports - none
3.Town Administrator’s Report - none
4.Presentation and Vote on 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (FY22-26) and Review of
Spring 2022 Capital Project Recommendations – Capital Improvement Committee
Peter Lombardi said over the past two years they developed a five-year Capital Plan. It took a considerable
amount of work to get through that work. We typically go through the development and approval process in the
winter months, and then in the summer leading up to fall special town meeting, the plan is adopted and then
what has changed within the past 6 months. They bring most of the Capital requests to special town meeting and
then the balance in the spring. Peter Lombardi then went into the new initiative to having the Budget
information online in real time. We have the information loaded on the Open.gov platform. This is a hybrid
product and will look very different once things are solidified. We realize it isn’t fully available for this year.
For tonight, we will use the platform as we did last Wednesday. Any initiatives over $10,000 are included in the
Capital Plan. Typically, our primary funding source for most of our Capital projects is from Free Cash. We
generally try to target $1.75M and felt comfortable up to $2M, but no greater in any one fiscal year. This year
was a little bit of an outlier, a record high Free Cash balance certified by the State at a little over $4.5M. Town
Approved:
VOTE:
Select Board Joint with Finance Committee Minutes
February 16, 2022 Page 2 of 7
Meeting appropriated $1.75M to help with the acquisition costs of the Sea Camps properties in September. In
the fall, we received approval at Town Meeting to use $950,000 in Free Cash to fund our Capital needs then. In
the spring, we are seeking to use $605,000 to cover Capital requests. Total Capital expenditures is just over
$3.5M. That brings our Free Cash to just under $1M to close out FY22. The Select Board has a reserve policy
that targets the closing balance between 2-2.5% of the FY Operating Budget. This will bring us in at just under
2.2%. May be a bit lower than the past several years, but historically, it has landed at 2.15-2.2%. So, we are
right where we want to be going forward in a balanced and reasonable way.
There are some very important disclaimers at the bottom of the plan.
Just last month, we received the feasibility study for the potential consolidation of the elementary
schools as part of their report, they identified another $4M in Capital needs for our two elementary
schools that aren’t currently accounted for in their current five-year Capital Plan. They are not as
part of the school consolidation plan, they are separate.
Relative to our recent discussions to water quality planning and related initiatives. We had a report
from our water quality consultant who identified between $20M-$30M in major future waste-water
water quality initiatives. Those bigger expenses aren’t currently included in the plan.
There are two capital requests associated with the Sea Camps properties over the next year or two.
As we go along, we will have a much better idea of what those expenses will be and the additional
projects we may be looking at in the coming year.
Then Peter Lombardi said he would start at the top of the Plan and go department to department. He would
cover the highlights, not line by line. All the yellow highlighted spots are Capital Requests – larger projects.
In terms of the DPW, we try to purchase one larger item, such as the dump truck, and then several other smaller
items each year. One of the things we did this year to balance the Capital Plan is with the L3 Loader at
$225,000 - to push it out to FY26, but we may need to revisit this, as repairs for our current truck are costly as
this is almost a 20-year-old vehicle. We are planning to seek reappropriation of funds from a previous Capital
Article that we are not using, to have a site assessment done of the entire public works and recycling campus.
The Facilities Department has two requests – Town Hall window replacements, and to get started, we know we
need about $50,000 this spring. The other request is replacing Town Hall AC units at just over $10,000.
Window units are less than ideal in terms of energy efficiency, but ultimately, there wasn’t enough significant
return on investment with the cost of that project being close to $100,000. So, for now, we are looking to
replace several very old window units.
For the Library, the largest project is their full renovation, but that is budgeted for FY24 and FY26. In FY26, we
have $4M+ awarded from State Grant Funding, but the queue of other libraries in front of us is long. So, in the
meantime, we will keep it on the Capital Improvement Plan. We have one Capital Request for $30,000 to
replace the elevator which is out of order frequently. Our estimate is approximately $300,000 for replacement
work in FY23. Right now, the Town will use $20,000 in Free Cash for design work and the Library Association
would contribute $10,000. And then the construction, $225,000 from Free Cash and $75,000 from the Library
Association. There’s also some exterior work, painting, etc. for FY23/24 of $100,000 total.
The bike trail extension has been pushed out to FY24/25. We still haven’t been able to identify a funding source
for the project for the just under $2M pricing. We do have design plans that we worked with DCR on several
years ago but haven’t been able to move forward. The Wing Island Boardwalk construction, we had approved
the $50,000 this fall from Free Cash to cover a portion of the $130,000 for design and permitting. We got the
$50,000 from the State and the $30,000 private donation. The overall project early estimates a little over $1M.
We have received a pledge from the same private donor for $1M to cover the costs of construction. We did
decide to use $100,000 in FY25 from CPA funds to cover the balance.
Select Board Joint with Finance Committee Minutes
February 16, 2022 Page 3 of 7
Peter Lombardi discussed how the Sea Camps Land acquisition wasn’t on the plan last year. The total debt and
Free Cash appropriation is reflected in FY22. In FY23 and beyond, we have working assumptions based on
covering those debt payments and our short-term debt obligations. For the purposes of this plan, we are
assuming the Brewster Conservation Trust will be able to provide $1.75M in funding over the next 3-5 years to
cover some of the costs and that Mass Audubon will contribute $1.5M, with the Water Department contributing
a total of another $100,000 within the next 3 years. For the Sea Camps comprehensive planning, Town Meeting
approved reappropriation of existing funds of $185,000 in the fall, and we plan on seeking another $75,000 in
State Grant funding. We have our two near-term Sea Camps projects – the first is $100,000 to develop beach
access on the Bay Property. We have design and permitting work to be done. We are anticipating using
$100,000 in ARPA funding for that purpose. We will have more answers over the next several weeks. Our plan
is for this beach to be resident-only. The next project is $200,000 for site remediation. We are planning to use
ARPA funds to cover the start of that work.
Lastly, on Drummer Boy Park construction, the total cost estimate is $1.5M for FY23 & FY25 - $500,000 of the
total is anticipated to come from the Community Preservation Act funds and the rest will come from Free Cash.
The first phase of construction is looking at improving access coming in, add more formal parking, and provide
walkways. Then build the boardwalk out to Wing Island which will be a very popular destination and a big
draw regionally.
For the Nauset Regional High School project, the total cost as just under $132M. That isn’t Brewster’s share of
course, but assuming the MSBA reimbursement comes in where we thought it would, the cost would come in at
$95M with 50% based on our student enrollment population. That all remains to be seen, but they haven’t
issued any of the long-term debt yet. It is our understanding that will be done in FY24.
Selectperson Bingham asked if there were any questions from the Select Board. There were none. She handed
the meeting to Finance Committee Chair Pete Dahl. Pete Dahl asked if the Finance Committee had any
questions.
Honey Pivirotto asked about the ARPA funds and if any of the guidelines have changed. Peter Lombardi
answered that there were recent changes when the US Treasury issued its final rule. The major change there that
gave us flexibility to use these funds as proposed is that the US Treasury changed their approach to revenue law
and looked at municipalities and allowed them to claim up to $10M in revenue loss associated with the
pandemic and to use ARPA funds for any general government services or projects. This gives us a lot of
flexibility. Robert Tobias asked if the Stony Brook school boiler is to be converted from oil to gas and
wondered if that design might consider electric heat pump technology. Peter Lombardi answered they have
spoken to the Energy Committee and the plan is that once the funding is in hand, we will have a meeting with
the School Committee, our Energy Committee, and Energy Manager to discuss final outcomes. Frank Bridges
asked if there was gas going to the Stony Brook School itself. Peter Lombardi answered yes.
Peter Lombardi said the Capital Planning Committee did meet and vote to approve of this plan as presented last
week.
Selectperson Chatelain MOVED to approve the Capital Planning as outlined in this presentation.
Selectperson Whitney second.
Roll Call Vote: Selectperson Hoffman – yes, Selectperson Whitney – yes, Selectperson Chatelain – yes,
Select Board Chair Bingham – yes
The Select Board voted: 4-yes 0-no
Select Board Joint with Finance Committee Minutes
February 16, 2022 Page 4 of 7
Chair Bill Schirmacher MOVED to adjourn the Capital Planning Committee Meeting at 7:38 PM. Peter
Lombardi second.
Roll Call Vote: Lisa Vitale – yes, Peter Lombardi – yes, Cynthia Caldwell – yes, Chair Schirmacher – yes
The Capital Planning Committee voted: 4-yes 0-no
5.FY23 Budget Presentations (Select Board FY22-23 Strategic Plan Goal G-6)
a.Human Resources
b.Accounting - deferred
c.Debt - deferred
d.Town Administration/Select Board
e.Employee Benefits & Pension/Retirement
f.Liability Insurance
g.Utilities
h.All Others
a.Human Resources,
Director Susan Broderick presenting
Susan Broderick went over some of the accomplishments over the last 8 months of the new Human
Resources Department since it’s inception. They completed a Comprehensive Compensation and
Classification Study, which hadn’t happened in over 10 years. Over the last 7-9 months, we have hired
14 new employees. They were able to hold several well-received trainings partnering with CCCC’s and
had great feedback from staff that attended the trainings. They are working on several other trainings to
come. They also want to work on developing contacts and relationships with some area colleges, alumni
associations, and trade schools to help with resources for any openings and recruitment needs. Lastly,
another goal is looking at developing an employee recognition program. In the FY22 budget there was a
training and education line item at $5,000 and an OSHA and professional development line item for
$13,000 for a total of $18,000. This year, we are requesting a total of $15,000 under one line item. We
have been able to take advantage of free trainings from our insurance company. There is an increase in
the recruitment line item as it is getting increasingly difficult to find experienced specialized municipal
employees. This will require more outreach on our part, posting positions in some places where some
will charge you to post. Even the Cape Cod Times has partnered with Zip Recruiter which has increased
the cost of advertising. There are some upcoming retirements and there will be a need for posting those
as well. No questions.
d. Town Administration/Select Board,
Town Administrator Peter Lombardi presenting
Peter Lombardi said their budget has increased by about $72,000. It is misleading in two ways – 2/3rds
of that increase is due to two positions that are coming online in our budget for next FY. The first is the
Energy Manager which has been funded through a grant fund, and for FY23 and beyond, it will be
covered by a portion of the revenues from lease agreements with the solar car ports from the golf course.
They are looking to hire a new part-time administrative assistant that will work across Town Hall
offices. We have departments of 2, 3, and 4. This position will provide coverage for phones, walk-ins,
etc., wherever there is high-volume foot traffic. Secondly, Kathy and Tom are processing all their new
bills, having no administrative support currently. Under Facilities, we have added management
operations for the Sea Camps. We have taken it on at Town Hall and hopefully this person would help
Select Board Joint with Finance Committee Minutes
February 16, 2022 Page 5 of 7
with that as well. They may also be able to assist with digitization and scanning for Building, Health,
and Planning. That’s our major staffing request. It is in our office but intended to be available for all
departments. We are proposing increasing the professional services funding for next year, to give the
office an ability to be nimble and be able to hire a consultant to help forward a particular project, etc. –
to have a little more capacity to do that. We are decreasing our overtime budget, due to how staff spends
their time in the office. We have another decrease in our Town Meeting line item – we do have ARPA
funds available and feel this expense line can be reduced. No questions.
e. Employee Benefits & Pension/ Retirement,
Town Administrator Peter Lombardi presenting
Peter Lombardi said he and Donna Kalinick would be trading off items. In terms of employee benefits,
they are up in total by a little under $200,000 (5%). A major driver is increased Health Insurance costs.
The golf and water departments carry their own share of Health Insurance in their budgets. We have
almost fully implemented the classification and compensation plan but haven’t yet implemented for
library employees or police personnel bylaw employees. We have a $40,000 line item in contractual
obligations to fully implement for those employees. We see increases 8-10% in our assessments. Our
assessments by the regional retirement board are going up by $93,000. This helps create some capacity
this year. We pre-pay up front to get a benefit discount. No questions.
f. Liability Insurance,
Assistant Town Administrator Donna Kalinick presenting
Donna Kalinick said our primary insurance agency is MIIA. We are covering a wide range of insurance
needs in the town – our buildings, equipment, automobiles. Our liability insurance and our worker’s
compensation have a component of coverage related to worker’s compensation related to Police and Fire
as well. We also have some specialty coverages – marina liability, drone coverage, bond insurance. We
do meet with MIIA every year, review coverage, necessary changes, new potential areas of insurances,
thoroughly going through all coverages each year. We participate in their rewards program which
provides a percentage discount on all policies – it’s a win/win to participate in that program. We apply
for a MIIA grant. We have been awarded that for the past several years. We have purchased an extra
safety trailer; we are purchasing much needed radios for the golf department through those funds. It is
up to $10,000 each year. We also take advantage of an early pay discount. We haven’t received our
official rates yet – for purposes of budgeting, we are carrying a 3% increase on the overall coverages. In
addition, there is $50,000 in insurance coverage for the Cape Sea Camps properties. Just as with pension
and health insurance, the insurance for Golf and Water is allocated to those departments and they pay
through their department’s budgets.
Selectperson Hoffmann agrees with everyone who really likes the new format – so easy to use. She
asked what MIIA stands for. Donna Kalinick answered - Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Agency.
Bill Henchy asked Donna Kalinick what drone coverage is? She answered the Fire Department has a
drone that they use for emergency safety and recovery purposes and a couple of Town functions. You
are required to have insurance and be licensed to operate a drone. Robert Tobias asked where Cyber is
and did we drop coverage as Umbrella went to zero? Donna Kalinick said Umbrella coverage is
incorporated into liability coverage. We have been trying to streamline our line items for accounting
purposes. The cyber liability coverage is included in our MIIA coverage package.
Select Board Joint with Finance Committee Minutes
February 16, 2022 Page 6 of 7
g. Utilities,
Assistant Town Administrator Donna Kalinick presenting
This covers our electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, postage, telephone and communications, diesel and
gasoline, and systems and repairs mostly related to telephone or gas systems. Some of the major drivers
are from the Select Board meeting with Cape Light Compact, talking about the increase in electric rates.
Because we get our electricity through them, the impact is a little less than what the public is seeing. We
have carried a 6% increase based on their advice. The communications/telephone has an increase of
$10,000 based on our prior year actuals. We have had a need for an increase in communications because
of remote work and the pandemic. Our fuel oil, gasoline, and diesel are all bid through Barnstable
County. Gasoline and diesel is one of the biggest bids in all counties – we are proposing a 3% increase.
It could be more than 3%, but we won’t know just yet. The buying power of the town does help us keep
this number low. Postage has gone up and with the initiatives to increase voting by mail, the Town
Clerk’s office has been doing a lot more mailings and getting notices out. We are also incorporating the
costs of the utilities at the Sea Camps properties with our utilities budget. We have been looking at what
is already in place and how we can decrease some of the services going forward. Hopefully in the next 6
months we will have more details on the usage in the Sea Camps.
Robert Tobias asked about the electricity line item – is this for all the town’s properties and departments
other than golf and water? Donna Kalinick said there are other departments such as Fire and DPW
which carry a line item for electricity in their own budgets.
h.All others,
Town Administrator Peter Lombardi, Assistant Town Administrator Donna Kalinick, and
Project Manager Conor Kenny presenting
The Health and Human Services Committee recommended a total decrease in funding of 6.1% for
FY23.The Fuel Assistance Budget is level funded. The FY22 Budget was temporarily inflated by $5000
to help keep the Nauset Youth Alliance afloat during the pandemic. The FY23 recommendation is
temporarily deflated due to the Gosnold Agency deciding not to reapply for all $12,000 in funding. They
have decided not to apply for any funding from all Health and Human Services Committees across the
Cape. Generally, the Health and Human Services Committee recommends a total funding increase of
2.5% each year. They said they would plan to use that baseline for next year. The Committee set aside
last year’s $5000 for the Youth Alliance, level funding for 7 out of 16 agencies that re-applied, and
increased funding for 9 for an average increase of 8% across all applicants.
Local funding:
Brewster Chamber of Commerce $27,000
Town Band $3500
Skippers Program $4500
All level funded for FY23
Local Cultural Council – receives money from state and local funding of $1,000 – this is level funding.
However, this amount was increased in FY21 at the request of the Cultural Council to give them a little
more capacity. We have kept it there going forward.
Alewives Committee – helps to pay stipends for herring run wardens and site for $4,350 - level funded.
Mill Sites Committee – their events were cut back because of the pandemic; but this year, they were able
to do a few events. This stipend provides supplies to the Miller and supplies to run the mill and grind
corn at host events and make minor repairs at the property for $4,000 - level funded. We did have
Select Board Joint with Finance Committee Minutes
February 16, 2022 Page 7 of 7
significant help from AmeriCorps this year cleaning out the Mill Sites. It looked great. We also have a
very dedicated volunteer core who maintains the beauty of this site.
Assessments –
Peter Lombardi said these are figures that do not have discretion built into them.
2.5% increase for our County Assessment – the regional services provided by county government.
State Aid as a revenue source and offsets on the expense side, our assessments will decrease by a little
under $13,000 for the coming fiscal year.
Pleasant Bay alliance covers cost with participation in the alliance working with officials to comply
with the Pleasant Bay Watershed permit. It has staff support in place to lead and coordinate the regional
effort. There is a small increase of a little under $1,000.
Greenhead Fly assessment – we are assuming it is level funded but won’t have the details for a month or
two.
Old Kings Highway Historic District assessment to cover expenses associated with review of any
projects within the Old King’s Highway District. There is a 2% estimated increase for FY23.
Sealer of Weights and Measures – a regional program with an annual 2.5% increase.
No questions on the presentation.
6.Finance Committee Liaison Assignments to Sea Camps Planning Committees
Pete Dahl said he would make this brief. His assignments are:
Bay Property, Bill Meehan
Pond Property, Bill Henchy
Thanks to both members who will be working on this long-term.
7. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair- none
8. Questions from the Media - none
9.Next Meeting: February 28 (FY23 School Budgets) joint with Finance Committee
10. Adjournment
Bill Meehan MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 PM. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Honey Pivirotto – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy
Evans – yes, Alex Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes.
The Committee voted: 8-yes 0-no
Bob Young left the meeting before the vote was taken.
Selectperson Chaffee MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:54 PM. Selectperson Chatelain second.
Roll Call Vote: Selectperson Chaffee – yes, Selectperson Hoffman – yes, Selectperson Whitney – yes,
Selectperson Chatelain – yes, Select Board Chair Bingham – yes
The Select Board voted: 5-yes 0-no
Respectfully submitted, Beth Devine
Packet of supporting materials on the website for public review.
Finance Committee Minutes
March 9, 2022 Page 1 of 6
TOWN OF BREWSTER
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Date: March 9, 2022 Time: 6:00 PM
VIRTUAL MEETING MINUTES
Present: Chair Pete Dahl, Vice Chair Frank Bridges, Clerk Bill Meehan, Robert Tobias, Alex Hopper,
William Henchy, Andy Evans
Also present: Peter Lombardi, Town Administrator; Mimi Bernardo, Finance Director; Donna Kalinick,
Assistant Town Administrator
Absent: Honey Pivirotto; Bob Young
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm and announced a quorum.
This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021. No in-person meeting attendance will be permitted. If the Town
is unable to live broadcast this meeting, a record of the proceedings will be provided on the Town website as soon as possible.
The meeting may be viewed by: Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brerwster-ma.gov), or Video
recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov).
1.Public Announcements and Comment- none
2.Town Administrator/Finance Director Report
Peter Lombardi said we will be meeting with Nauset School Committee and Nauset representatives on
Wednesday, March 23rd with a 7PM start. It looks like they will be presenting to Orleans earlier that night.
3.Town Meeting Warrant Articles – Discussion and Vote
Article 1 – Cape Cod Technical High School Operating Budget
Article 5 (not 6) – Town Operating Budget
Article 10 (not 11) – Capital and Special Projects Expenditures
Article 1 – Cape Cod Technical High School Operating Budget $1,665,094
Pete said we have had a comprehensive presentation on this budget.
Bill Meehan said given the amount of increase, we can expect questions at Town Meeting. Pete said the budget
was kept at a very reasonable 1% increase over the previous year.
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 1 as presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Approved:
VOTE:
Finance Committee Minutes
March 9, 2022 Page 2 of 6
Article 5 – Town Operating Budget
General Government $2,933,946
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 5, Town Operating Budget, General Government as presented in
the Warrant for $2,933,946. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Public Safety $6,929,969
Bill Henchy spoke on the Training line item for the Police Department. The interactions our citizens have with
the police are critical to how we are received by people as a town. He recognizes what is in the budget, is
probably ample, but he remembers Chief Eldridge’s statement, that he can make it work. The police are called
on to make quick decisions about complicated questions every day. He would be in favor of doubling that line
item to $30,000 as a suggestion.
Pete said to leave Public Safety there, and we will move on for now. Peter Lombardi wanted to mention for the
Police Budget, that total figure is higher than what was presented in February. The library union and Police
personnel bylaw employees were the two groups where we hadn’t finalized the employee compensation and
classification study yet. We had money in the employee benefits for contractual obligations that would move to
those departments. We have completed them now. So that total is a little higher to cover their new wage scale.
Pete said this seemed to be the amount requested and if there were additional training funds needed, they could
request a transfer from the Reserve Fund. Peter Lombardi said that Brewster has put in place relative to
accreditation. The first step is certification where Brewster has achieved State certification and will work
toward accreditation. We already have some pretty significant systems in place and trainings in place relative to
liability in terms of police interactions with our residents. We feel like the training budget amount requested is
consistent with the needs of the department.
Bill Henchy MOVED to amend the Police Department budget by increasing the training line item by
$15,000. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – no, Bill Meehan – no, Robert Tobias – no, Andy Evans – no, Alex
Hopper – no, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– no
The Committee voted: 1-yes 6-no
Bill Henchy MOVED to approve Public Safety as presented in the Warrant for $6,929,969. Frank Bridges
second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Peter said with the new Police reform legislation, there may well be an increase in future years. It is a fair point
to bring up. Pete said he appreciates what Bill Henchy had to say. Bill Henchy thanked everyone for their
consideration.
Finance Committee Minutes
March 9, 2022 Page 3 of 6
Public Works $2,359,847
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 5; Public Works as presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges
second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Human Services $927,929
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 5; Human Services in the amount of $927,929 as presented in the
Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Culter and Recreation $971,769
Peter Lombardi said this is another area where we were waiting for the pay scale for the library employees to be
finalized. We had been carrying $40,000 total for both Police and Library with approx. $13,000 to Ladies
Library salaries and $23,000 to Police.
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 5; Culture and Recreation in the amount of $971,769 as
presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Debt Service $3,321,898
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 5; Debt Service in the amount of $3,321,898 as presented in the
Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Insurance, Utilities, and Fringe Benefits $5,555,014
Peter Lombardi said this was also a change as they increased general insurance by $10,000 because they
budgeted $50,000 for liability insurance for the Sea Camps property. Our plan for this summer is to develop
parking on the tennis courts that are adjacent to the boathouse and the dune. There will be a handful of other
one-off events. We don’t know yet what our increased insurance will be, but in the meantime, we felt it prudent
to increase that line item by $10,000.
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 5; Insurance, Utilities, and Fringe Benefits in the amount of
$5,555,014 as presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Finance Committee Minutes
March 9, 2022 Page 4 of 6
Other $1,115,621
Peter Lombardi said the earlier presentation back in February proposed a higher appropriation amount to
Capital Stabilization. Since that time, we have talked with the Select Board about funding our water quality
initiatives. We agreed to bring an Article to Town Meeting to create a new Water Quality Stabilization Fund.
And we are proposing to allocate 15% of our projected Short Term Rental revenues for FY23 to that new fund.
That is a new line item of $112,500. We decreased our proposed appropriation to Capital Stabilization
accordingly.
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 5; Other Operating Expenses and Assessments in the amount of
$1,115,621 as presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve the entire Operating Budget for the Town of Brewster under
Article 5 in the amount of $24,115,992 as presented in the Warrant to be raised and appropriated.
Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Article 10 – Capital and Special Projects Expenditures
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 10, Section 1 Select Board in the amount of $150,000 as
presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 10; Section 2 Elementary School Department in the amount of
$125,000 as presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 10; Section 3 Nauset Regional School District in the amount of
$271,782 as presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 10; Section 4 Natural Resources in the amount of $250,000 as
presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Finance Committee Minutes
March 9, 2022 Page 5 of 6
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 10; Section 5 Water Department in the amount of $268,000 to be
sources from retained water earnings as presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 10; Section 6 Public Works the amount of $70,000; Section 7
Facilities in the amount of $60,500 to be funded from General Fund Free Cash; and Section 8 Library in
the amount of $30,000 to be funded from General Fund Free Cash as presented in the Warrant. Frank
Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Peter Lombardi said the boiler project (1st & 2nd) for the golf department - they have been working with design
engineers and they have both come in higher than expected and presented in the Capital Plan. We increased the
appropriation by $35,000; and the clubhouse door replacement came in significantly higher as well so the
appropriations to be increased from $150,000 to $190,000.
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 10; Section 9 Golf Department in the amount of $395,000 to be
funded through Golf Reserves. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Bill Meehan MOVED to approve Article 10 of the Warrant, the grand total amount of
$1,620,282 to be funded from various sources as presented in the Warrant. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex
Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Chair Pete Dahl– yes
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
4.Nauset Regional Public Schools Budget – Discussion and Strategic Direction
The meeting has been scheduled for March 23rd starting at 7PM as joint with Select Board
5.Budget Calendar – Update
The above meeting is the only update
6.Liaison Reports
Bill Meehan appreciated the Golf Annual Report – it was a banner year. In any metric, it will be a hard
act to follow. It is a healthy operation, and it gets healthier each day. He appreciated the Finance Team
forming a Capital Stabilization Fund for Golf. It will make all the difference in the world. Pete said with
respect to Golf, the biggest issue is already on the Warrant – bringing Golf in as an Enterprise Fund
formally.
Finance Committee Minutes
March 9, 2022 Page 6 of 6
7. Review and Approval of Minutes - defer
8. Request for agenda items for future meetings – please email Pete
9. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair- none
10. Next Finance Committee Meetings- March 16, 2022 & March 23, 2022
11. Adjournment
Bill Meehan MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 PM. Frank Bridges second.
Roll Call Vote: Frank Bridges – yes, Bill Meehan – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex Hopper – yes, Bill Henchy – yes,
Chair Pete Dahl– yes.
The Committee voted: 6-yes 0-no
Robert Tobias left the meeting before the vote was taken.
Respectfully submitted, Beth Devine