HomeMy Public PortalAboutVPC 01/18/22 Meeting Packet
Town of Brewster Vision Planning Committee
2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
brewplan@brewster-ma.gov
(508) 896-3701
MEETING AGENDA
Remote Participation Only
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 4:00 PM
This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 2020 orders suspending certain Open Meeting Law
provisions and imposing limits on public gatherings. 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).
Meetings may be joined by:
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To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized.
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To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand” button or type “Chat” comment with your name and address, then wait to
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Vision Planning
Committee
Hal Minis
Chair
Sharon Tennstedt
Vice Chair
Amanda Bebrin
Andi Genser
Patricia Hess
Suzanne Kenney
Fran Schofield
Paul Wallace
Administrative
Assistant
Ellen Murphy
Select Board
Liaison
Kari Hoffmann
Finance Committee
Liaison
Honey Pivirotto
1. Call to Order
2. Declaration of a Quorum
3. Meeting Participation Statement
4. Review and Approval of January 3, 2022 Minutes
5. Discussion of public engagement strategy
a) Survey – review and vote on final vesion
b) Update on pop-ups, and focus groups design
c) Schedule for engagement activities
6. Communication – Review Timeline, Action Plan, and Outreach groups list
7. Up-date of LCP roadmap
8. Status report on Tighe and Bond tasks
9. Review Action Items from January 3rd Meeting
10. Next Meeting: Monday, February 7th
11. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
12. Adjournment
Date Posted: Date Revised: Received by Town Clerk:
1/13/2022
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TOWN OF BREWSTER VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 3, 2022, at 4PM
Virtual Meeting
Hal Minis, Chair, convened the Brewster Vision Planning Committee via remote participation with members: Sharon
Tennstedt, Andi Gesner, Amanda Bebrin, Paul Wallace, Suzanne Kenney, and Patricia Hess were present. Fran Schofield
was absent. A quorum was determined.
Also present: Sharon Rooney and Vesna Halvorson (Tighe & Bond), Kari Hoffmann, Honey Pivirotto and Ellen Murphy.
The Chair read the Recording or Taping Notification: This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to
Governor Baker’s March 2020 orders suspending certain Open Meeting Law provisions and imposing limits on public
gatherings. 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 Town has established specific email
addresses for each board and committee so the public can submit comments either before or during the meeting. To submit
public comment or questions to the Vision Planning Committee, please email: brewplan@brewster-ma.gov.
Welcome New Member Suzanne Kenney
Hal introduced and welcomed Suzanne Kenney to the Vision Planning Committee. Suzanne provided some
background on her work experience, retiring in 2020 and volunteering at the Library and the Museum of Natural
History.
Review and Approval of December 20th meeting minutes:
There being no changes to the December 20th meeting minutes, a roll call vote was taken to approve the
December 20th meeting minutes five in favor, Hal Minis and Suzanne Kenney being absent at the December 20th
meeting abstained.
Discussion of public engagement strategy:
Hal turned the discussion over to Sharon to provide an update on the survey.
a)Survey pre-test
Sharon informed the Committee that they are close to the end of the pre-test. She indicated that she was
unable to determine exactly how many pre-tests were completed but confirmed at least a dozen were
completed and approximately 22 were sent out. After the pre-test is completed, Sharon will provide a
hardcopy. Hal stated that Peter Lombardi the Town Administrator will be given a copy to provide a final
review ensuring the Town is on board. Hal thanked Sharon for her hard work and effort putting the survey
together.
b)Update on Pop Ups, and focus groups – materials and staffing
Andi informed the Committee that given the recent discussions with Hal, Patricia, Amanda, and Fran, they
have revisited the approach and timeline to realistically align with the number of Committee members and
the latest Covid numbers. Amanda stepped through the outreach plan that was distributed. She
highlighted 3 areas: the survey, pop ups and focus groups. In reference to the survey, Amanda discussed
how to create awareness and the importance of community feedback from the survey, driving people
towards the survey. She then went on to the pop ups informing the Committee that a more realistic
approach is having a presence in one location over several days, looking for input from the Committee on
the best location. The focus group discussion led to a re-branding using the term “Community
Conversation” and providing visual and interaction capabilities. They felt the term focus group was too
narrow. Andi added that the key activity is time and energy to make the public aware of the importance of
the survey. Hal asked about data gathering. Amanda suggested data gathering would be interactive using
the example of the Town Centers. Hal asked about the script for the pop ups. He stated that it needs to be
engaging and uniform. He asked the Committee to think about how the comments/responses are gathered
and recorded. Andi explained the approach would be interactive requesting people to put a pin on the
map locating where they live and then a pin on where they think a Town Center should be. The approach
Page 2 of 2
for housing types and how to gather the data has not yet been determined. Amanda expressed a concern
with the housing types because that would require more time and complexity. It was suggested that
housing types may be best introduced with a smaller group. Amanda suggested a worksheet could be used
to assist in data gathering. Andi also suggested using the Zoom poll capability. Paul Wallace suggested to
have someone who could focus on recording the verbal comments. Sharon also asked the Committee to
think about once the data is captured, how will be data be analyzed. The Committee then discussed a single
location that would maximize activity such as Town Hall, Snowy Owl, Kitchen Café, Café Al fresco, Brewster
Market, JTs and the Brewster transfer station for the pop-ups. Sharon suggested the Committee be
sensitive to the chosen location, so it doesn’t look like the Committee is connected or supporting a
particular business. Andi discussed the community conversations using Powerpoint to walk thru the Vision
Plan background and the ask for feedback. She also discussed utilizing the poll capabilities in Zoom with a
Q&A session organizing and prioritizing the questions. Kari suggested the information for the community
conversations be included in the postcard. Hal expressed a concern that the community conversations may
not reach out to audiences that were not included in the past. The Committee discussed ways in which
those audiences could be included and the content.
c)Schedule of engagement activities
Hal talked about the flyer that was handed out at the Sea Camps Open House. He suggested an initial e-
blast sending out the flyer prior to the survey. Also, sending out a post card to all property owners. The
budget is a concern. Ellen is following up with Town Administration. Amanda suggested the timing of the
postcard and suggested the link be included in the postcard. Kari suggested the information for the
community conversations be included in the postcard. Vesna Halvorson from Tighe & Bond discussed the
possible sketches for banners and logos for the outreach materials. Vesna shared her screen walking thru
some options and the Committee suggested she send out for review and provide feedback at the next
meeting.
Hal summarized the activities that need to be done that should be included in the LCP targeted action plan
and next steps. He expressed a concern with the remaining work and if the Committee has the capacity.
The Committee discussed the data gathering and actions that need to be taken and the process. It was
decided to continue the discussion at the next meeting.
Communication – Review Timeline and Action Plan:
Fran will be the contact person for the content and “look and feel” of the communication materials. An initial
communication was discussed that would announce the outreach activities (Survey, Pop-ups). Patricia
expressed to the Committee that she needs a timeline finalizing what is needed and when. She asked for an
email list that includes committee chairs and other organizations in the community. Hal suggested a point
person for each organization. The Committee went down the list and assigned members to reach out to each of
the contacts. Sharon indicated the Sea camps list of emails will be compiled and an email invitation for the
survey will be sent out. Kari informed the Committee that a communication goes on the town website and then
is pushed through to the town email list for notification.
VPC representation on Sea Camps planning committees:
Hal informed the Committee the Select Board has allocated one VPC member slot for the Bayside Committee
and 6 general public open slots. For Long Pond there are 4 general public open slots for anyone interested.
Parties interested in the open slots or the Committee member slot should submit a letter of interest and fill out
the form on the Town website.
Review Action Items from December 20th Meeting:
Outstanding: white paper on wastewater. Hal received the white paper this afternoon and he will distribute for
review through Ellen.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 18th.
Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair: none
Amanda made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Paul second the motion, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at
5:29 pm.
Brewster’s Next Steps ……
Building on our Vision Plan, Brewster now turns to the next steps
for managing our Town’s development and change.
The next plan (called A Local Comprehensive Plan) addresses important areas such as
land use, housing, local economy, zoning and regulations, Town buildings
and facilities and protecting our coast and natural resources.
Share your opinions……complete the Next Steps Survey.
The Survey will be available online from February 1-28
at <URL>
This link will also be available on the Town website.
Paper forms will be available at the Town Hall, the COA, and the Brewster Ladies Library.
Town of Brewster
Brewster Vision Advisory Group
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631
«TRAYNUMBER»-«SORTPOSITION»
«FULLNAME»
«BUSINESS»
«ADDRESSLINE1»
«ADDRESSLINE2»
«CITY», «STATE» «ZIPCODE»
«IMBARCODE»
We need your voice!
US Postage Pd
First Class Mail
Permit # 89
Orleans
02653
Let Your Voice Be Heard
The Brewster Vision Survey is your opportunity to let
the Town know which specific actions are critical for
Brewster’s future.
The survey will be available on line
February 1 - 22, 2018 at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BrewsterVisionSurvey
The survey will also be available on the Town’s website and
in paper form at the COA, Brewster Ladies Library, and the
Planning Department at Town Hall.
VPC to do and done
Amanda and Andi//Public Engagement working group 1/11/22
1. Tweak sea camps flier for first phase of communication – heads up and test network of
contacts
➔when to release? Decide at 1/18 meeting. Distribute – hard copy and email
➔Tweaks: not focus groups, zoom sessions (?) some vague timeframe?
month/season (February)
➔Save as JPEG in addition to PDF for sharing on social media, and for embedding
in emails
2. Decide on pop-ups: location, when, who, script, materials (Andi: snowy owl on the lawn. Or
underpass/137 at Ferettis)(Amanda: JT’s since closed – but an extra stop. OR extra lot at
Ferettis).
➔ONE SPOT and leave the tent (check w DPW) - certain hours and post them
➔WHEN? Start 2 weeks outreach – 1/19-1/31
➔Start everything as of 2/1 – all of Feb into March (mid)
3. Timeline:
➔Survey live as of ?? Finalizing at 1/18 meeting
➔Pop-ups 2/14-2/26-7 – between noon and 3 is best weather – no earlier than 10-11
(weekend), 12-1, 2-3(weekdays)
➔Zoom: 3/1-3/15 ask people to register ahead of time/accountability and send log-in info
4. second flier/graphic/communication: link to survey (and how long live for), pop up location
dates/times, zoom dates/times (for hard copy – schools/backpacks, locations around town,
email to all of network)
➔drop the 31st/1st to mid march AND POSTCARDS by 2/1/first week of February
5. stand alone just for the survey graphic/communication? “we’re still listening!
6. script for pop ups (see below for draft)
7. Script for zoom sessions (both powerpoint and q&a)
8. need people to sign up/choose dates
9. Materials needed for first phase:
➔Tweaked initial flier/jpeg
➔Second flier/jpeg/POSTCARD with specifics (need by x date for printing)
➔Materials for pop ups: Tent, maps, easels, pins, banner, survey, flier, registration/emails,
vision plans, handout for uses, color code for pins
➔Logistics for zoom: whose account, who takes registrations, powerpoint, who “drives”
and who does questions for q&a
Communication opportunities:
➔piece in Best of Brewster 2021-22 just came out
➔Can we plug at CPA forum 2/9 and Millstone Road forum 2/17?
Script: Pop ups 2022:
Context:
We’re the Vision Planning Committee! Our charge is to think about where Brewster is now, and
where we want to go long-term. We finished the Vision Planning Process in 2018 (give Vision
Plan),and we recently gave updates on the process (give update).
The Action:
We’re here today because we need input from you! As you know, we have a survey live to get
your input on a range of topics, like housing, climate change, coastal resources, and what you
consider to be town activity centers.
We have some great maps of town here. First, put a pin where you live in town to help orient
yourself.
Then, come to this second map where we’ve marked places in town that are hubs of activity
(business, restaurants, services, recreation, housing, a little bit of everything!) You have three
pins: green is your first choice, yellow is your second choice, red is your third – rank your
choices for town activity centers by placing your pins on the map!
As you’re thinking about where hubs of activity are in town, you can also tell us what uses you’d
like to see – or don’t want to see – in those places. We’ve created a list for you to easily indicate
your preferences, and you can add anything else you’d like us to know.
Before you go, here’s the link to our survey, if you haven’t already filled it out, and information on
our upcoming zoom sessions for you to give more detailed input.
Objection handling:
(WELL WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THIS INFORMATION/WHY ARE YOU
ASKING/WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE INFO?) (sorry, caps are so menacing)
Optional: the reason we’re asking is…this is in the survey but ‘town center ’ can be a place that
has special zoning to encourage more businesses or include some housing units – need to
know where residents consider these areas to be)
Recommendations to the town based on the data)
Outreach to Groups, committees, organizations
List of organizations and person responsible for on-going e mail communication
First communication will be the Vision Plan Flyer (used at Sea Camps Open House). We will decide when
to release this at our meeting.
Process:
Gather e mail lists for town committees and town dept heads so that VPC communications
can be distributed
Contact groups, organizations, non-profits
and let them know that there will be e mail communications from the VPC and ask them to
distribute/circulate to their members
Organization/non-profits /Town committees Responsibility
Town Committees and Town Dept. Heads e mails Ellen
Director Ch. Of Commerce Paul
Conservation Trust Hal
Ponds coalition Hal
Part time resident association Amanda
Brewster Baptist Church Hal
UU Church Patricia
Our Lady of the Cape Ellen
Brewster Community Network Amanda
Whitecaps Sue
Captains Golf Patricia
BLL Newsletter Sharon
Brewster Historical Society Hal
COA Sharon
Schools for backpacks Amanda
Sharon and Ellen will handle communication with our Sea Camps e mail list separately
Kari will arrange for Communication to Brewster town Website
Road map for the Brewster LCP completion – 1/12/22
Status:
Completed
Partial
Not started
Source(s)Required actions
(Specific plans for each action
and public engagement TBD)
Responsibility Draft Deliverable
Due Date
Vision Statement Completed Vision Plan Review, up-date as needed VPC October, 2021
Inventory of
existing
assets/conditions
Partial Building Block summary
papers completed, draft
summary papers on climate
change and solid waste
management completed.
Existing conditions partially
completed. Resource mapping
completed; revisions
requested.
Update summary papers as
needed.
Committee to review climate
change summary paper.
Complete existing
conditions/analysis.
Tighe &Bond, with
review by VPC:
climate change,
local economy,
land use
VPC: other
summary papers.
Draft existing
conditions
summaries by
March 1, 2022
Stakeholder
Outreach/Survey
Outreach
activities in
design, survey in
final
Map support in
design
Housing,village center,
natural resource mapping to
be developed for public
outreach/pop up events.
Design survey and other
outreach activities.
Housing/village center /natural
resource mapping/outreach
posters.
VPC
Tighe & Bond, with
review by VPC
Survey and other
events in
February 22
Map support due
by end of Jan. 22
Goals/Objectives Revised Goals
for consistency
with RPP
completed as
per CCC
comments
Vision Plan,
Regional Policy Plan (RPP)
Review for consistency with
RPP.
Review and up-date as needed.
Show links to RPP goals
VPC, review w/CCC
staff (Tighe &
Bond)
December, 2021
Housing Plan Completed;
summary for
LCP not started
Housing Production Plan
approved, update anticipated
June 2022
HPP to be up-dated June 22,
Summary of housing plan to be
prepared for LCP document
Tighe & Bond Draft January
2022 based on
current HPP;
revised after
updated HPP
Status:
Completed
Partial
Not started
Source(s)Required actions
(Specific plans for each action
and public engagement TBD)
Responsibility Draft Deliverable
Due Date
completed in
June 2022
Capital Facilities
Plan
Completed;
summary for
LCP not started
FY21-25 CIP completed,
summary for LCP not started
FY 22-26 will be reviewed for
consistency with VP,
Summary of capital plan to be
prepared for LCP document
VPC and staff
Tighe & Bond
Begin meeting
w/Capital
Planning
Committee and
coordinate
w/FinCom
January 2022 –
incorporate into
draft LCP June
2022
Targeted Action
Plan
Partial Vision Plan Complete Land management
policies and id required actions
Review VP actions, up-date
Establish implementation
schedule and responsibility
Tighe & Bond with
VPC
VPC and Town staff
June 2022
Performance
Monitoring
TBD RPP Develop monitoring process,
local performance measures if
desired (optional element)
Tighe & Bond with
VPC
June 2022
Draft LCP Not started Assemble draft LCP
Public Presentations/public
hearing
Tighe & Bond
VPC
June 2022
Final LCP Not started Final LCP based on comments
received at public hearing
Tighe & Bond, VPC September 2022
Town Meeting
Approval
TBD Prepare for Fall Town Meeting VPC November 2022
Review/certificati
on by CCC
TBD Presentation to CCC Tighe & Bond, VPC November
/December 2022
1
Brewster Vision Planning Committee
Summary Paper
Solid Waste Management
January 2022
I.Background
Solid waste management is a critical activity designed to protect human health and the
environment while providing a service at a reasonable cost and supporting the
economy. Many municipalities, including Brewster, have assumed this important
management role by providing either a transfer station or even curbside collection.
Over the years, the Town of Brewster has utilized a variety of solid waste strategies
beginning with the landfill located at Run Hill Road. During the 1980’s the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) began looking at
more environmentally advanced technologies to manage waste, rather than simple
burial in a landfill. New regulations were adopted at the state level and the Town of
Brewster began the lengthy process of closing its landfill.
The SEMASS Partnership Agreement was signed in 1985 by the Town of Brewster after
significant negotiation along with the other Cape towns that had joined together to
maximize leverage in the volatile waste disposal market. By utilizing waste-to-energy as
the preferred technology for trash, the towns reduced the amount of greenhouse gas
emissions attributable to trash disposal while generating electricity. The initial 30-year
contracts required that all waste be delivered to SEMASS either via the “trash train” or
by direct haul. Minimum tonnage was set requiring the town to “put or pay” meaning a
town could not divert waste elsewhere for processing or disposal. This was not a
problem during the original term of the contract as recycling was not emphasized by the
Commonwealth at the time. The SEMASS Partnership Agreement was originally due to
expire in 2015.
The SEMASS facility was constructed, owned, and operated by Energy Answers
Corporation until it was acquired by Covanta in 2008. SEMASS shreds and burns the
trash to produce steam that in turn powers two turbines, each capable of producing 80
megawatts of electricity. Brewster’s trash was and is combusted on-site at the
2
Rochester facility and the resulting energy produced was, and continues to be, sold to
the power grid.
In 1990, the MassDEP, introduced waste bans on many recyclable items as well as those
containing toxic materials. To date, the waste bans cover the materials as found at on
the Department’s website, specifically MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans | Mass.gov. Once
introduced, the Town began its recycling program in earnest, while continuing to send
its residual, non-recyclable waste, to SEMASS for energy production.
In parallel with negotiations with SEMASS for a new agreement in 2010, the Recycling
Commission began discussing ways to reduce how much of Brewster’s waste was sent
to SEMASS. The new contract negotiated by the Town and effective January 01, 2011,
allowed for any legitimate waste reduction, reuse, or recycling program to be
implemented with no penalty. The Town chose to renegotiate 5 years early to keep
future tip fees in check by providing stable, below market rates until 2030.
In addition, a recommendation by the DPW and the Recycling Commission to prohibit
commercial waste haulers from using the transfer station was enacted by the board of
Selectmen and effective January 1, 2011. There was strong sentiment that since the
private (commercial) haulers were not requiring recycling for their customers, that the
town taxpayers should no longer subsidize the cost of their disposal at SEMASS.
After several years of research, discussion, public outreach and public meetings,
effective October 1, 2013, the Town implemented Pay-As-You-Throw as a means of
increasing recycling and decreasing the volume of trash for disposal. During the first
year, the PAYT program resulted in a 47% reduction in waste for transport to SEMASS
for energy recovery and an increase of 26% recycling. During the same period, the DPW
also obtained more home composting bins using a MassDEP grant. The bins sold out
quickly and their use also helped reduce the weight and volume of waste that was
transported. In total these changes resulted in net savings for the Town to date.
II.Key Issues Moving Forward
There are two major challenges facing good solid waste management in Brewster:
Changes in the recycling industry as to what and how to recycle; and
Re-education of patrons regarding the importance of these changes.
The recycling industry must continually adapt to new materials and new ways to
manage those materials. To process materials effectively at MRFs (Material Recovery
Facilities), a combination of mechanical and human separation is necessary. This means
that some small (ex. less than 3”) or unique (ex. multi-material cartons) materials cannot
be effectively recycled and thus, should be discarded at the local level, rather than
included in our large recycling containers.
3
For the system to work effectively, residents must follow the Recycling Guide to
maximize what can and should be recycled. Wishing or thinking that products can be
recycled only contaminates loads and reduces the material that actually does get
recycled. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions based on inaccurate social
media posts which frustrate and discourage residents from recycling.
While there are many ways to communicate change, it is never simple and there does
not appear to be one universally acceptable method of communication in Brewster. The
Town provides updated information through its website and social media pages, as well
as in the print media, however, the information is not always readily absorbed or seen
by all residents.
As an alternative to providing solid waste management through the Recycling Center,
the Town could choose to use total curbside collection for trash and recyclables and
compliance could be better. There are many Massachusetts and nation-wide
communities which have municipal trucks and drivers, or they bid out town-wide
curbside collection to a private hauler. Having curbside collection does provide the
opportunity to interact with each homeowner regarding their home trash management
activities via educational or rejection notices as used in many municipalities, but there is
a significant cost to town-wide collection and a feeling of loss of control by
homeowners, both issues which would need to be overcome.
III.Discussion and Draft Goal
To maximize recycling, reuse activities, and reduction of the amount of waste generated
by Brewster’s homeowners, what needs to be done?
1.A Recycling Center user-wide survey (based on permits) to determine the
most effective method of communication so that changes in procedures can
take quickly place when most economically advantageous to the Town.
2.A local on-going multi-media campaign covering what, why and how to
recycle typical household materials.
IV.Goal: to promote a sustainable solid waste management system that protects public
health, safety, and the environment and supports the economy.
BVPC Summary Papers - Revisions
Theme/Building Block Initial Author Suggested Revision
Author
Status
Community character Sharon Rooney, Sarah Korjeff
(CCC)
Hess
Open space Heather McElroy (CCC)Minis
Housing Paul Rushinskas (citizen)Rushinskas
Economy Leslie Richardson (CCC)Rooney
Water resources Mark Nelson (Horsley Witten)Nelson
Coastal mgmt. and
access
Geraldine Camilli (Horsley
Witten)
Hughes
Governance Ryan Bennett (Town)Tennstedt
Community
infrastructure
Patrick Ellis (Town), Minis Minis
Climate mitigation T&B / Sharon Rooney ----(new)
Solid Waste Mgmt Meg Morris ----(new)
Actions VPC Meeting Jan 3 2022
Action Responsibility Time
Complete survey pre test and amend Hal and Sharon T Jan 18
Develop script for pop ups Amanda and Andi Jan 18
Explore best locations for pop ups for vote All Jan 18
Inquire re budget for committee for postcards to
residents
Ellen and Hal Jan 18
Send logos to Ellen for distribution Vesna Jan 18
Review communication for groups and contact
appropriate group etc.
All (Patricia to send out to
all)
Jan 18
Send Waste management article to all Hal Jan 18
Think about data collection All Jan 18
Next Meeting All Jan 18