HomeMy Public PortalAboutPPPC packet July 20, 20221
Town of Brewster
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631-1898
Phone: (508) 896-3701
Fax: (508) 896-8089
MEMORANDUM
RE: Sea Camps Planning Committees
DATE: December 20, 2021; Revised January 10, 2022
At their December 20, 2021 meeting, the Select Board unanimously approved the
following charges for the two new planning committees tasked with developing
Comprehensive Plans for the former Cape Cod Sea Camps properties. At the January
10th, 2022 Select Board meeting, the charge was updated to include a member of the
Water Commission as a voting member instead of a liaison.
Bay Property Planning Committee (BPPC)
1. Purpose:
a. Identify existing conditions of the former Cape Cod Sea Camps Bay
property
b. Evaluate potential low-cost, short-term public access opportunities
c. Develop and propose interim public access plan
d. Develop and implement a public engagement strategy to ensure broad
community input
e. Determine priority long-term uses appropriate for the Bay property, taking
the adjacent Spruce Hill property into consideration
f. Identify and evaluate potential partner organizations with shared interests
and values, particularly MA Audubon and YMCA Cape Cod
g. Propose recommended long-term uses and partnerships
h. If recommended long-term uses include construction of a community
center and/or Town offices, evaluate alternative uses of Council on Aging
site, Town Hall, and Eddy School as appropriate
i. Develop an implementation plan for the proposed uses
2. Strategies:
a. Actively engage the public and stakeholders
b. Provide residents with regular updates regarding progress and milestones
c. Consider a range of interests, needs, ages, and abilities
d. Collaborate with design professionals to develop and present a
comprehensive plan to the Select Board and Town Meeting
Office of:
Select Board
Town Administrator
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i. Consider Brewster’s key strategic planning documents (Vision Plan,
Open Space and Recreation Plan, Coastal Resource Management
Plan, Housing Production Plan, and others)
ii. Incorporate maintenance, safety, and legal requirements
iii. Identify estimated one-time project costs, ongoing operating
expenses, funding sources, and timelines, incorporating prudent
financial practices and exploring opportunities for revenue
generation
3. Composition:
Eleven (11) total members, including:
a. Two (2) representatives from Select Board (Select Board Chair shall not be
eligible)
b. One (1) representative from each of the following committees: Vision
Planning Committee; Natural Resources Commission; Recreation
Commission
c. Six (6) at-large members (may be part-time residents)
d. Term: One (1) year, subject to annual reappointment; first term through
June 30, 2023
e. Officers: Committee shall initially and annually thereafter elect a Chair,
Vice Chair, and Clerk; Chair position shall not be held by a Select Board
member; Chair and Vice Chair will meet on quarterly basis with their
counterparts on PPPC to ensure coordination
f. Liaisons (non-voting): Finance Committee; Open Space Committee;
Council on Aging; Affordable Housing Trust; Cultural Council
g. Representatives (non-voting): MA Audubon, YMCA Cape Cod, and
Brewster Conservation Trust; other organizations such as Trustees of
Reservations, etc may be included as needed
h. Lead Town Staff Support: Town Administrator; other Department Heads
as needed
4. Appointment Process:
a. Notice soliciting letters of interest and completed applications from
residents will be posted on Town website – due January 21, 2022
b. Residents seeking to serve as at-large members will be asked to complete
new Board/Committee application form
c. Members of representative committees will be asked to submit letters of
interest
d. Select Board members appointed to serve on BPPC will individually vet all
applicants (at-large and representative members) and then make their
recommendations to the full Board in February
e. Select Board are anticipated to make all appointments by the end of
February
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f. Committees and outside organizations may identify their own
liaisons/representatives
5. Selection Criteria:
In addition to the criteria outlined in the Select Board’s recently revised Board &
Committee Appointment Policy, Select Board members will also take into account
the following criteria in selecting members to serve on this committee:
a. Record of effective teamwork ability; able to collaborate well with others
to achieve common goals
b. Experience in community planning, municipal activities, project
management, equity and inclusion, conservation/environment, park
management, sustainability, historic preservation, recreation, public
finance, (landscape) architecture, youth services, human services,
engineering, community housing, and/or law
c. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
d. Previous volunteer service
e. Sufficient time to actively participate in meetings and take on tasks
outside of meetings
Pond Property Planning Committee (PPPC)
1. Purpose:
a. Identify existing conditions of the former Cape Cod Sea Camps Pond
property
b. Evaluate potential low-cost, short-term public access opportunities
c. Develop and propose interim public access pan
d. Develop and implement a public engagement strategy to ensure broad
community input
e. Determine priority long-term uses appropriate for the Pond property,
taking the adjacent Long Pond Woodlands (Robinson) property into
consideration
f. Identify and evaluate potential partner organizations with shared interests
and values, particularly MA Audubon and Brewster Conservation Trust
g. Propose recommended long-term uses and partnerships
h. Develop an implementation plan for the proposed uses
2. Strategies:
a. Actively engage the public and stakeholders
b. Provide residents with regular updates regarding progress and milestones
c. Consider a range of interests, needs, ages, and abilities
d. Collaborate with design professionals to develop and present a
comprehensive plan to the Select Board and Town Meeting
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i. Consider Brewster’s key strategic planning documents (Vision Plan,
Open Space and Recreation Plan, Coastal Resource Management
Plan, Housing Production Plan, and others)
ii. Incorporate maintenance, safety, and legal requirements
iii. Identify estimated one-time project costs, ongoing operating
expenses, funding sources, and timelines, incorporating prudent
financial practices and exploring opportunities for revenue
generation
3. Composition:
Ten (10) total members, including:
a. Two (2) representatives from Select Board (Select Board Chair shall not be
eligible)
b. One (1) representative from each of the following committees: Natural
Resources Commission; Open Space Committee; Affordable Housing
Trust, Water Commission
c. Four (4) at-large members (may be part-time residents)
d. Term: One (1) year, subject to annual reappointment; first term through
June 30, 2023
e. Officers: Committee shall initially and annually thereafter elect a Chair,
Vice Chair, and Clerk; Chair position shall not be held by a Select Board
member; Chair and Vice Chair will meet on quarterly basis with their
counterparts on BPPC to ensure coordination
f. Liaisons (non-voting): Finance Committee; Vision Planning Committee;
Recreation Commission
g. Representatives (non-voting): MA Audubon & Brewster Conservation
Trust; other organizations may be included as needed
h. Lead Town Staff Support: Assistant Town Administrator; other
Department Heads as needed
4. Appointment Process:
a. Notice soliciting letters of interest and completed applications from
residents will be posted on Town website – due January 21, 2022
b. Residents seeking to serve as at-large members will be asked to complete
new Board/Committee application form
c. Members of representative committees will be asked to submit letters of
interest
d. Select Board members appointed to serve on PPPC will individually vet all
applicants (at-large and representative members) and then make their
recommendations to the full Board in February
e. Select Board are anticipated to make all appointments by the end of
February
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5. Selection Criteria:
In addition to the criteria outlined in the Select Board’s recently revised Board &
Committee Appointment Policy, Select Board members will also take into account
the following criteria in selecting members to serve on this committee:
a. Record of effective teamwork ability; able to collaborate well with others
to achieve common goals
b. Experience in community planning, municipal activities, project
management, equity and inclusion, conservation/environment, park
management, sustainability, historic preservation, recreation, public
finance, (landscape) architecture, youth services, human services,
engineering, community housing, and/or law
c. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
d. Previous volunteer service
e. Sufficient time to actively participate in meetings and take on tasks
outside of meetings
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I nt roduct ion:
Pursuing t he Vision Pl an
Th e Sea Cam p s p ar c el s c an s er ve t o em p h asi ze t h e h i st or y of
Br ew st er, and t o enh an ce i t s sm al l -t ow n , w el c om i n g c h ar ac t er. It s
b each es, t r ai l s, an d f i el d s exp and asset s f or ac t i ve and p ass i ve
r ecr eat i on . Rec en t i nvest m ent s i n t h e p r op er t y by t h e f or m er
ow ner s h ad yi el d ed a b oat i n g c en t er, st ud i o ar t s c en t er, an d a
n ew sw i m m i ng p ool . Lar ge, i n t ac t ec ol ogi es c an b e s u st ai n ed t o
p r om ot e h ab i t at an d p r ot ec t w at er r esou r c es. But t h e p ar c el s
ar e al so l ar ge en ough an d d i ver s e en ough t o s i t e ap p r op r i at el y
scal ed c om m uni t y h ousi ng, i ncl ud i n g r e-us e or ad ap t at i on of
exi st i n g f aci l i t i es f or w or k f or c e or seas on al h ou si n g. Th e p r oj ec t
c an m od el r esi l i en cy f or Br ew st er, i n i t s d esi gn st an d ar d s an d
m an agem en t p r act i c es, w h i l e al s o b ui l d i ng con sen sus ar ound a
m or e su st ai n ab l e year -rou n d ec on om y.
Next St eps
Th e Tow n of Br ewst er w i l l com m i ssi on an i nt erd i sci p l i n ar y d esi gn
t eam t o l ead a c om p r eh en si ve p l an n i n g an d d esi gn s er vi ces
p r oj ect ad d r ess i n g t h e Sea Cam p s p arcel s. Th i s c onsu l t an t
w i l l w or k c l osel y w i t h t h e Of f i c e of t h e Tow n Ad m i n i st r at or an d
t h e p l an n i n g ad vi sor y b oar d s char ged by t h e Sel ect Boar d t o
gu i d e t h e d evel op m en t of eac h p ar c el . Th ei r w or k t oget h er w i l l
em p ow er the Tow n of Br ew st er t o or gani ze t h ei r p r oj ec t i n w ays
t h at ar e st r at egi c an d c onsi st ent w i t h t h e Vi si on Pl an .
Th e f ol l ow i n g Br i ef p r ovi d es d es i gn er s an d p l an n er s w i t h
c on t ext u al u n d er st and i ng of t h e p r oj ect an d i t s st ak es i n or d er t o
m ak e an i n f or m ed an d ad van t ageou s p r op osal .
Phot o: Cape Cod Ti m es
To w n o f B r e w s t e r – C a p e C o d Se a C a m p s C o m p r e h e n s i v e Pla n n i n g a n d D e s i g n Pr o je c t 87
Town of Brewster – Cape Cod Sea Camps Comprehensive Planning and Design Project 26
Schedul e
Th e Tow n of Br ew st er seek s a p l anni ng p r oc es s w i t h m u l t i p l e
even t s w h er e t h e c on s ul t ant t eam c an sh ap e an i n f or m ed
c onver sat i on an d b ui l d c l ear vi s i on s f or each p arc el . It i s
r ec om m end ed t hat t he p roc ess cr eat e a f ound at i on w i t h a shar ed
vi si on , t hen sp l i t i nt o t w o p ar al l el t r ack s f or t h e c onc ep t d esi gn
p hase, ad d r essi n g each si t e sep ar at el y. Dur i n g t he c on c ep t d esi gn
p h ase f or t h e Par c el s, t h e c on su l t an t w i l l h ost and st r u c t ur e t w o
Com m u n i t y For um s f or eac h si t e. Con c ep t d esi gn ef f or t s f or t h e
si t es ar e t o c ul m i n at e i n a Com p r eh en si ve Pl an , w h i ch i n c l u d es
p h asi n g st r at egy an d p r i c i n g. Th ese p l ans w i l l t h en b e p r esen t ed
t o Tow n M eet i n g f or ap p r oval .
Work ing Wit h The Wider Communit y
The Tow n an t i c i p at es t he c onsul t ant w i l l sc h ed ul e, p rogr am , and
l ead –i n p ar t ner sh i p w i t h t h e Pl an ni ng Com m i t t ees an d Tow n
Ad m i ni st r at i on–t h e nec es sar y Com m uni t y For um s d esc r i b ed i n
t h e sch ed u l e. Even t s an d c am p ai gn s assoc i at ed w i t h t h e f ut ur e
of t h e Sea Cam p s p ar c el s sh oul d al so b e con si d er ed , s uch as
a d i gi t al su r vey ac c es si b l e on l i n e t hat d r aw s p u b l i c sen t i m en t ,
i d eas, an d st or i es ab out t h e CCSC p ast , p r esen t , an d f u t ur e.
Begi nni ng i n Sum m er 2022, i nt er i m p r oj ect s at t h e Bay an d Long
Pon d p ar c el sh oul d b e u sed as op p or t u n i t i es t o t est i d eas and
eval u at e p oss i b l e f ut u r e i m p r ovem ent s.
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EXHIBIT 1A – Purchase Description/Scope of Services – specific requirements
This exhibit documents the specific Scope of Services and minimum deliverable requirements
desired by the Town under this RFI document. This Purchase description will become part of
contract documents executed by the Town and the Respondent, if so awarded.
INTRODUCTION
The Town of Brewster has acquired the Cape Cod Sea Camps (CCSC) with the intention of creating
two separate but related waterfront destinations that prominently advance their Vision Plan. The
next step requires a Comprehensive Planning and Design services for the two sites, the Long Pond
Parcel and the Bay Parcel.The Office of the Town Administrator seeks a creative, collaborative
consultant and/or multidisciplinary design team to define and lead this effort.
The scope of work will include review of existing planning and zoning information, in-depth site
analysis for both parcels, preliminary visioning and program verification, concept design, and
framework planning. Engagement with the community is critical to building trust, consensus, and
momentum. In February 2022, the Town’s Select Board appointed two new advisory committees
tasked with developing plans regarding future uses of both former CCSC sites — Bay Property
Planning Committee (BPPC), 11 members; and Pond Property Planning Committee (PPPC), 10
members. It is the Town’s expectation that the selected design team will work with each advisory
committee in leading a series of structured community forums over the course of the project
timeline to share information and draw feedback on the future course of the Sea Camps sites.
See Project Brief for schedule and scope of public engagement.
Consultants are invited to organize interdisciplinary teams that best meet the Town’s goals. The
preferred lead consultant is a landscape architect or planner familiar with Cape Cod who can
demonstrate relevant experience with parks and open space and the adaptation of facilities
comparable to the Sea Camps into public spaces. Additional disciplines recommended are
architecture, civil engineering/permitting, ecology, coastal resilience, universal design/code, and
cost estimating.
Although these planning activities will be coordinated, it is the Town of Brewster’s expectation
that planning deliverables will likely be presented for vote during separate Town Meetings in
2023 and 2024.
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SCOPE OF SERVICES
The following is a general approach to services sought by the Town of Brewster including
recommended tasks. Alternative approaches for the project structure and tasks, especially ones
that add efficiency to the project schedule, may be proposed.
Community Forums described are envisioned to be either in-person or hybrid events. It is
anticipated that the design team meet at least every other month, mainly remotely, with each of
the planning committees for the parcels.
I. DISCOVERY
The initial phase should include a kick-off meeting with Town staff to include a deep dive into the
existing reports, program and user group data, site data, regulatory documents, records and
plans. During the site analysis phase, the design team should assess each parcel individually and
conduct careful study of the distinct site features, ecological conditions, hydrological systems
(including flooding, coastal resilience, stormwater management, and wetland regulations, among
others), circulation and access, infrastructure, historical and cultural contexts and each parcel’s
specific adjacencies. An assessment of existing buildings for adaptive reuse should be strategic,
prioritizing key structures.
Recommended tasks in this phase include:
Mobilization
1.Review of existing information, reports, plans, surveys
2.Data gathering
3.Confirm project schedule and preliminary project goals
4.Establish preliminary contact with planning committees and Town staff, identifying key
liaisons
5.Determine decision-making framework
Existing conditions assessment for both parcels
1.Ecological systems, vegetation, soils, hydrology (flooding stormwater management,
coastal resilience, and wetland regulations)
2.Circulation, access, and parking
3.Preliminary building conditions and feasibility for reuse
4.Infrastructure and utility systems
5.Historical and cultural context
6.Code and regulatory review
Deliverables
1.Existing conditions report for each parcel
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II. VISIONING
The Visioning phase should include a Community Forum to share site analysis and preliminary
observations about constraints and opportunities. Following the first engagement event, the
design team should formulate a set of principles with the advisory committees to structure the
rest of the planning process. Preliminary program verification will occur in this phase and the
design team, in collaboration with advisory groups, will prioritize a set of program opportunities.
Partnerships with Mass Audubon and Brewster Conservation Land Trust, and their associated
programs, are to be considered, especially for the Pond parcel. Other potential partnerships
should be explored as well.
Recommended tasks in this phase include:
Community Forum #1 (Bay and Pond properties)
1.Share site analysis and identify community values
2.Constraints and opportunities
3.Overall program verification
a.Town of Brewster Common (Bay)
i.Define preliminary program options along 6a
ii.Test-fit scenarios for evaluation
b.Community Center (Bay)
i.Define preliminary program options for siting at Bay Parcel
ii.Test-fit scenarios for evaluation
iii.Town resources co-location
c.Public Amenities (Pond and Bay)
i.Waterfront access
ii.Recreation: sports fields, swimming, boating, sailing, tennis, pickleball
courts
iii.Vehicular circulation and parking
iv.Biking and walking trails
4.Siting/access for recreational programming and/or nature-based education
5.Siting/access for appropriately scaled housing
6.Planning principles discussion, addressing at minimum:
a.Universal design (e.g., ADA)
b.Stewardship, maintenance, sustainability
c.Enhanced coastal resilience
d.Enhanced connectivity
e.Opportunities of intergenerational exchange
Building Program: Priorities for Adaptive Re-Use
1.Selected Bay Parcel Buildings
a.Administration building
b.Studio arts center/gallery
c.Boating center
d.Other as identified by consultant
2.Assess Town resources co-location
a.Recreation Department
b.Council on Aging
c.Town Offices
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3.Strategy for Assessing future opportunities
a.Scope for housing feasibility and programming
i. Affordable community housing
ii. Seasonal Workforce Housing
b.Scope for Community Center
III. CONCEPT DESIGN AND COMPREHENSIVE PLANS
(TO BE PERFORMED SEPARATELY FOR BOTH PARCELS)
Working separately with the advisory committees for each parcel, the consultant team will
perform Concept Design and set a direction for their development in Comprehensive Plans. Up to
three conceptual plans for each parcel should be developed, including phasing scenarios. The
three plans will be refined to one preferred scheme for the parcel through design review with the
planning committees and multiple community forums. Concept-level pricing is required for the
preferred schemes. Work will conclude with Comprehensive Plan documents for the separate
parcels, which are to include planning principles, preferred concept schemes for each parcel,
potential phasing and implementation schedules, and recommended additional scope for further
planning and design studies.
Recommended tasks in this phase include:
Concept Design (Bay Parcel)
1.Scenarios
a.Develop site programming & landscape concepts
b.Develop options for programming & siting of new & existing buildings
c.Describe access &circulation
d.Test & refine alternatives
2.Community Forum #3: Share preliminary scenarios
3.Prioritization: Preferred scenario
a.Pricing exercise
b.Phasing approach
4.Concept Design narrative & illustrative materials
5.Community Forum #5: Share preferred scenario
6.Comprehensive Plan: Bay Parcel
a.Finalize deliverables, including concept plan
b.Phasing strategy with interim access projects
c.Future recommended scopes of services (community center)
7.Community Forum #7: Share final Comprehensive Plan
Concept Design (Long Pond Parcel)
1.Scenarios
a.Develop site programming & landscape concepts
b.Develop siting options for housing programs and nature-based education partner
facilities
c.Describe circulation, access, and parking
d.Test & refine alternatives
2.Community Forum #2: Share preliminary scenarios
3.Prioritization – Preferred Scenario
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a.Pricing Exercise
b.Phasing Approach
c.Concept design narrative and illustrative materials
4.Concept Design narrative & illustrative materials
5.Community Forum #4: Share preferred scenario
6.Comprehensive Plan: Long Pond
a.Finalize deliverables, including concept plan
b.Phasing strategy with interim access projects
c.Future recommended scopes of services (housing study)
7.Community Forum # 6: Share final Comprehensive Plan
NEXT STEPS: AFTER COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
This scope of services concludes with the successful votes for Comprehensive Plans. The Town
intends to move as swiftly as possible into schematic design for the chosen first phase of
construction. Related planning and design services may be initiated as appropriate prior to the
completion of scope of services.
SCHEDULE AND BUDGET
The Town of Brewster has identified a schedule for the Comprehensive Planning scope that
generally seeks to conclude work for Long Pond Parcel in Fall 2023 and Bay Parcel in Spring 2024.
These durations reflect desired collaboration with the planning committees and Town
departments. To support fees for design services, the Town of Brewster has allocated $175,000
and is seeking an additional $75,000 in state grant funding. The Town has therefore, identified a
budget of $250,000 for the comprehensive planning process for both parcels to be paid over the
two years of the initial contract term in Phases as outlined in the Scope of Work.
Consultants are invited to comment on the feasibility of the stated scope and schedule. Proposals
should outline strategies to perform the scope within the resources available.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Pond Parcel Planning Committee
FROM:Short-term Programming Group
RE:2022 program ideas
DATE:July 12, 2022
The group, consisting of Liaisons Amy Henderson, Bill Henchy, Melissa Lowe, and
Member Chris Williams, met remotely on June 28th to discuss possible short-term
programming ideas with the goal of addressing Brewster residents' interest in
learning about and accessing the property. From previous committee discussions,
the group was aware that the town's priority effort for this summer's CCSC
proprieties's use was focused on the bayside. Discussion of the ideas also
included the important role of the town's partners, the Brewster Conservation
Trust (BCT) and Mass-Audubon, in the planning and execution.
The ideas, listed in no particular order, include:
-Two 'wayside' exhibits, as simple as a bulletin board, or more
professionally-developed, to be mounted at the pond on one of the
buildings and at the new bayside parking area. Information on the exhibit
would include a map of the Pond property and adjacent conservation lands
with trails, history of the parcel, natural history, and the planning process.
-Development of the informal video tour as discussed in the 6/15
committee meeting.
-Town sponsored guided walking tours/woods hikes with themes ranging
from a basic introduction to the property to its role in water conservation,
climate change, wildlife habitat, etc. Mass-Audubon and BCT would be a big
part of this programming, which would be by reservation only.
-'Open House' at the pond, similar to what the committee experienced.
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-Planned group use such as Recreation Dept. field trips, Mass-Audubon
educational outings, and others.
-A guided paddle trip to the property from the Long Pond boat ramp.
Needs and Challenges:
-parking for any program on the property. Some ideas: temporarily, as
needed, open the bus turnaround? Off-site with carpooling? Use of the COA
van and driver? Minimal size for any program and use existing parking?
-staffing for programs would likely rely on volunteers and partners for both
content and logistics.
-registration support and communications with registrants, promotion, etc.
for tours/walks (does this fall to the partners or should this sit solely with
the town?)
-timing, as we're now into July, the fall might be the earliest for
implementing with the possible exception of “planned group use” mentioned
above.....
-fiscal support?
-insurance requirements / coverage issues? Who is liable for non-Town
programming / is coverage under the Town’s policies available?
-concerns that important planning considerations such as parking / access
not be preempted by interim / short term decisions.
There's likely some more short-term ideas to add to the list, especially as
timeline, goals/objectives, and audience gets refined. Hopefully this memo will
generate some robust discussion at the committee's next meeting with a positive
outcome in the form of some opportunities for Brewster residents to meet and
enjoy the pond property over the next 12 months.
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Memo to Kari Hoffman, Cindy Bingham, and Donna Kalinick 062322.
I am wondering if any of you can and would provide me with a quick thumbnail of the logistics
for the Bay Property tours that were conducted last fall. As you know, I have requested an
agenda item for our July meeting to look at the possibility of doing a similar type of tour for the
pond property, ideally as a complement to a video tour.
Here are some of the questions that spring to mind.
What busses, of what size, were used for transport? The Town used a combination of Cape Cod
Rural Transit (CCRTA) buses and COA vans.
What type of schedule were they on? Tours were booked to leave every 12 minutes of 30
people per time slot.
Who volunteered to lead tours? We had approximately 50 volunteers that came from existing
committees and the Select Board reaching out to people to volunteer.
How was this financed? With money from the CCSC article that was approved when the
property was acquired- that money is almost gone now. Most of it has been used to manage
operations.
Were the tours on foot or in the busses? Tours were a combination of taking a bus from
location to location and walking through some of the stops. Because we were accommodating
600 ppl in one day.
Who drove the busses? CCRTA drove their buses. We paid (2) COA drivers OT for their time.
What was the time frame per tour? Did each tour conform to the allotted time set for it? 45
mins and for the most part, we stayed on track
How many people came through the property on the day of the tour? 600
Was the tour date aligned with any other town events? Other town events that I have in mind
are Conservation Day or Brewster in Bloom, etc. No, the one-day CCSC event took an
enormous amount of planning and resources. We did also have CERT members (20) helping
with parking and moving people and town staff that donated their time in addition to the
volunteers. It would not have worked in conjunction with another event as all hands had to be
on deck for this event.
Are you aware of any busses, with driver, that might be available on a weekly basis for doing
tours of the pond property? The COA van would not as they transport seniors during the week
and I don’t think we could find a COA driver for every weekend. I don’t think we could get a
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commitment from CCRTA to do so on a weekly basis- they really only agreed as a one-time
event.
Are there other aspects of the bay tours that I am unaware of that might prove useful to know
if we are to consider doing bus tours? Anything you think might be relevant would be
appreciated.
Two Select Board members, myself and Peter worked on the planning for several months. For
at least one month ahead of the tour, most of my time was spent on the logistics and dealing
with signing people up, answering questions and coordinating resources. We had planning
documents, scripts for the docents, an online platform for signups, a volunteer tracking
spreadsheet, schedules. It was an enormous amount of work to do the one-day event.
Happy to answer questions. Donna
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1
Donna Kalinick
From:Massachusetts Municipal Association <gbeckwith@mma.org>
Sent:Friday, July 15, 2022 11:13 AM
To:Peter Lombardi
Subject:Alert: Legislature Passes Remote Meeting Extension Through March 31st
Legislature Passes Remote Meeting Extension
Through March 31, 2023
On Thursday afternoon, the House and Senate passed legislation (S. 3007) extending key
pandemic-era accommodations, including remote meeting authorizations, to March 31, 2023.
Once the Governor signs the bill, cities and towns will retain the option to hold public
meetings remotely, following the same guidelines that have been in place since the COVID
public health emergency was first declared in March of 2020.
Back in May, a remote meeting extension was included in the final FY23 Senate Budget as
an outside section, but this language was advanced by the Senate as a standalone bill last
week with the July 15th expiration approaching and the final budget still tied up in
negotiations. The House later passed its own version of the bill, including language that
would have created a permanent mandate for remote access to all public meetings aside
from those in executive session, with a provision requiring remote participation by the public
if public participation is allowed or required at the meeting. This would have gone into effect
on April 1, 2023.
The MMA worked with our members and stakeholders across the Commonwealth to make it
clear to the Legislature that despite the good intentions behind H. 4991, such an unfunded
mandate would have presented unworkable financial, technological, logistical, and practical
challenges for cities and towns.
The MMA is pleased the Legislature took these concerns very seriously and removed this
unfunded mandate from the bill, extending current remote meeting options through March
31st of next year. The MMA will continue to push for a permanent solution that gives
municipalities the necessary flexibility and funding they will need to expand participation and
engagement through remote and hybrid meetings.
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The bill is now on the Governor’s desk awaiting action, and will go into effect immediately
once signed. Communities with public meetings scheduled today or early next week are
encouraged to consult with their municipal legal counsel on the best course of action.
Please thank your Representatives and Senators for extending the remote meeting options,
and for recognizing the challenges that would have been created with an unworkable
mandate.
To help protect your privacy,
Microsoft Office prevented
automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
To help protect your privacy,
Microsoft Office prevented
automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft
Office prevented automatic
download of this picture from the Internet.
Massachusetts Municipal Association
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(617) 426-7272 | Email Us |View our website
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