HomeMy Public PortalAboutVPC April 10, 2023 meeting packet
Town of Brewster
Vision Planning Committee
2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
brewplan@brewster-ma.gov
(508) 896-3701
MEETING AGENDA
2198 Main Street, Room A
Monday, April 10, 2023 at 3:30 PM
This meeting will be conducted in person at the time and location identified above. This means that at least a quorum of the members of the
public body will attend the meeting in person and members of the public are welcome to attend in person as well. As a courtesy only, access
to the meeting is also being provided via remote means in accordance with applicable law. Please note that while an option for remote
attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting/hearing will not be suspended or terminated if
technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast or affect remote attendance or participation, unless otherwise required by law.
Members of the public with particular interest in any specific item on this agenda, which includes an applicant and its representatives, should
make plans for in-person vs. virtual attendance accordingly.
Members of the public who wish to access the meeting may do so in the following manner:
1. Phone: Call (929) 436-2866 or (301) 715-8592. Zoom Meeting ID: 819 3038 8203 and Passcode 317154
To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized.
2. Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930388203?pwd=VHEvUURMM1ZFdUJNREJIbEN3SFdOZz09 and enter Passcode 317154
To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand” button, then wait to be recognized.
Additionally, the meeting will be broadcast live, in real time, via Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel
18), Livestream (livestream.brewster-ma.gov), or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov).
Vision Planning
Committee
Sharon Tennstedt
Chair
Amanda Bebrin
Vice-Chair
Andi Genser
Patricia Hess
Suzanne Kenney
Alex Wentworth
Town Planner
Jon Idman
Admistrative
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. Approval of February 6, 2023 meeting minutes
5. Review the revised draft Vision Planning Committee Charge
6. Discuss and develop a work plan and schedule for Committee activities
7. Discuss VPC meeting schedule
8. Update from Bay and Pond Property Planning Committees
9. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
10. Adjournment
Date Posted: Date Revised: Received by Town Clerk:
3-28-2023
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TOWN OF BREWSTER VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Monday, February 6, 2023, at 3:30PM
Hybrid Meeting
Sharon Tennstedt, Vice Chair, convened the Brewster Vision Planning Committee in person with members: Amanda
Bebrin, Suzanne Kenney, Patricia Hess, Andi Gesner and Alex Wentworth were present. Fran Schofield was absent. A
quorum was determined.
Also present: Peter Lombardi, Kari Hoffman, Jon Idman, and Ellen Murphy
The Chair read the Recording or Taping Notification: This meeting will be conducted in person and via remote means, in
accordance with applicable law. This means that members of the public body may access this meeting in person, or via
virtual means. In person attendance will be at the meeting location listed above, and it is possible that any or all members of
the public body may attend remotely. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, and public
participation in any public hearing conducted during this meeting shall be by remote means only.
To submit public comment or questions to the Vision Planning Committee, please email: brewplan@brewster-ma.gov.
Review and approval of October 31st meeting minutes
Amanda made a motion to approve the October 31st meeting minutes, Suzanne seconded the motion, a roll call
was taken, all approved, Sharon Tennstedt abstained, she was absent from the meeting. October 31 st meeting
minutes were approved.
Recognition of Hal Minis’ service on the Committee including Chair
Sharon Tennstedt stated that Hal Mini, who recently resigned as Chair and a member of the Committee
contributed an enormous amount of time to the planning effort. Sharon gave the Committee an opportunity to
share their thoughts and experiences working with Hal. They each discussed the positive impact Hal made as a
member and the Chair of the Vision Planning Committee.
Vote – Committee Reorganization: Chair, Vice Chair, Liaison to Pond Property Planning Committee
Sharon informed the Committee the Committee Chair is vacant and asked the Committee for nominations.
Patricia made a motion to nominate Sharon Tennstedt as Chair of the Vision Planning Committee, Andi
seconded the motion, a roll call vote was taken, and Sharon unanimously was appointed as Chair of the Vision
Planning Committee. There now being a vacancy in the Vice Chair position, Patricia nominated Amanda as Vice
Chair of the Vision Planning Committee and made a motion, Andi seconded the motion, a roll call vote was
taken, and Amanda Bebrin was appointed Vice Chair of the Vision Planning Committee. The next vacancy was
for Liaison to Pond Property Planning Committee, Andi made a motion to nominate Suzanne Kenney as the
Liaison to the Pond Property Planning Committee, Amanda seconded the motion, a roll call vote was taken, and
Suzanne Kenney was unanimously appointed as the Liaison to the Pond Property Planning Committee.
November 2022 Town Meeting De-brief (joined by Town Manager, Peter Lombardi)
Sharon recognized Peter Lombardi, Town Manager who will de-brief the Committee on the November 2022
Town Meeting and talk about how to move forward. Peter informed the Committee that the Select Board had a
follow up meeting from the November Town Meeting in December where they discussed next steps on several
related items that were voted on. Coming out of the process the consensus was the concerns brought to Town
meeting around the LCP regarding the Wing Island Boardwalk and The Drummer Boy Park Master Plan update.
The Select Board will focus on the concerns expressed for the Wing Island Boardwalk before they address the
Vision Planning Committee and the LCP. The Select Board pledged to bring the ideas of changing or improving
access to Wing Island and seek a conservation restriction on Wing Island to the May Town Meeting. He
informed the Committee that the Town received a citizen’s petition to hold a special Town Meeting on three
articles that are related to Wing Island Boardwalk and the Drummer Boy Park Master Plan. He indicated the
meeting will be held on March 6th and suggested the VPC be in a holding pattern until after that meeting. Peter
Lombardi also informed the Committee that a public forum will be held on February 9 th. The public forum will
be informing the residents of the citizen’s petition and the Special Town Meeting as well as providing an
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opportunity to solicit feedback. The outcome of the meeting will determine if an article(s) will be brought to
Town Meeting in May. Sharon informed the Committee that after the public hearing the LCP was handed over
to the Select Board and therefore it is out of the hands of the VPC. The VPC will need direction from the Select
Board for next steps. Peter reminded the Committee that the vote taken at the November Town Meeting was
to send the LCP back to the VPC. The Committee expressed their disappointment in the meeting and feedback
for the LCP. Amanda suggested the Committee take some time to discuss how the plan will be implemented
when the time comes. The Committee agreed they need sufficient time and waiting until the Fall Town Meeting
would provide time to work out a plan. Jon suggested a more even hand approach handling the actions, keeping
the content in but having fewer actions articulating in a more general way. Patricia asked if the actions were
written in a more general way would the LCP have to go to the Select Board again for approval. Jon confirmed
that it would have to be approved by the Select Board and require a public hearing again because it would be a
different plan. Kari suggested that if the Select Board is presenting articles for the Spring Town Meeting should
the Committee wait until after the Spring Town Meeting to start the process. She indicated that resolutions
from the Special Town Meeting on March 6th will be discussed at the Spring Town Meeting. She also highlighted
education, not only how Town government works but how the LCP fits into the process.
Kari questioned the appointment process for the Vision Planning Committee and if the members need to be
reappointed. Sharon suggested the Select Board review the current Committee charge in order to bring it up to
date in terms of the Committee’s focus. Peter Lombardi indicated that the Select Board will debrief after the
March 6th Special Town Meeting. He agreed either at the debrief or the next Select Board meeting, it makes
sense to review the current Committee charge. Sharon made a motion for the Select Board to review the
current Committee charge within an appropriate time, Amanda seconded the motion, a roll call vote was taken,
and the Committee unanimously approved.
Discussion of Recommencing Activities on a Draft LCP
After the March 6th Special Town Meeting the Select Board will debrief and discuss the warrant articles that will
be brought to the May 1st Town Meeting. The Committee will wait to hear next steps from the Select Board.
Sharon mentioned the summary papers may need to be updated given they were written over a year ago and
may be outdated.
Discussion about Filling Committee Vacancy/ies
Sharon informed the Committee that in addition to Hal Minis resigning, Fran Schofield also resigned from the
Committee, therefore there are two vacancies. The vacancies will be posted on the Town Website. Peter
Lombardi informed the Committee the Select Board has a formal policy on filling Committee vacancies, which
includes an application process. He stepped through the process for the formal appointment. It was decided to
wait until the charge is updated before the vacancies are posted. Jon stated typically an odd number of
Committee members works better and should be included in the charge. He indicated in his experience with ad
hoc committees such as this one, members continue to serve until the charge of the Committee has been
completed and suggested that also be considered in the updated charge. Sharon suggested if and when the LCP
is adopted will the Select Board be responsible for the implementation in their strategic plan.
Discussion of Committee’s draft report for the Town’s 2022 Annual Report
Sharon provided background on the draft report and indicated that it will be included in the Annual Town Report
available at the Spring Town Meeting. She informed the Committee that all edits are due on February 17 th if
anyone has changes, they would like to include, please submit to her no later than February 14 th, otherwise we
will assume it is complete.
Discuss potential next meeting date/s
There will be no meeting until after the Special Town Meeting in March, possibly after the Spring Town Meeting.
Jon informed the Committee all meetings will be in person starting in March.
Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair:
Amanda provided an update on the Bay Property Committee. In December the consultant team joined and in
January the first public outreach event took place on the pool. It was very well attended. Residents provided
support for the opening of the pool. More information will be coming out in the spring.
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Kari updated the Committee on the Pond Property Committee. Public outreach will start in the spring. Focus is
on access due to limited parking. A kayak trip is sponsored by Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Brewster
Recreation Commission and Department. There is also a video of the property that will be launched in the next
couple of months.
Sharon informed the Committee that the Town Clerk sent out an email on the new state required Ethics on-line
training course. All must take the training, even if you recently took a course.
Suzanne made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Patricia seconded the motion, a roll call vote was taken, and the
meeting was unanimously adjourned at 4:39 pm.
Vision Planning Committee Charge
3.30.23
This charge is an update to the current Vision Planning Committee charge adopted by the Select Board on
August 19, 2019, with a focus on finalizing a draft Local Comprehensive Plan for Town Meeting consideration .
PURPOSE: The Vision Planning Committee (VPC) will prepare a draft Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP) to
recommend to Town Meeting for adoption. To this end, the VPC will conduct public
outreach, education, and communication about the LCP and the process for its preparation
and adoption. The VPC is an ad hoc committee, advisory to the Select Board.
APPROACH: The Goals established under the 2018 Brewster Vision Plan will serve as the basic
framework for the LCP. The VPC will also develop the LCP in consideration of: input from
the community and Town officials; work on the LCP to date; generally accepted
comprehensive planning best practices, principles and policies; and relevant guidance under
State and County laws and regulations relating to comprehensive land use plans.
Upon completion of the draft LCP, the VPC will recommend it to the Brewster Select Board and
Brewster Planning Board who will hold a public hearing and consider endorsement, subject to any
amendments by the Boards, prior to the LCP being submitted to Town Meeting for a vote on its
adoption. After Town Meeting adoption, the Select Board may elect to submit the LCP to the Cape Cod
Commission for a certification of its consistency with the Barnstable County Regional Policy Plan, or to
file the LCP with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), or
both.
MEMBERSHIP: The VPC will consist of seven (7) members to be appointed by the Select Board and will
include: one (1) former Vision Advisory Group member; two (2) current Planning Board
members; and four (4) members from the community at-large. Appointments, or
reappointments, will be for one (1) year terms beginning July 1, provided that incumbents
appointed to terms longer than one year shall continue to serve for the terms appointed.
The Select Board will make appointments to fill vacancies as soon as is practicable. The
Select Board will annually appoint a liaison to the VPC. The VPC will be supported by
Planning Department staff. Other Town Staff may be made available to the VPC by the
Town Manager as necessary or desirable. The VPC will continue to be empaneled until
discharged either upon the vote of the Select Board or upon adoption of the LCP.
BREWSTER VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE
REVIEW AND UPDATE OF SUMMARY PAPERS AND RELATED ACTIONS
April 10, 2023
Responsibili es
1.Review and Update Summary Paper, focusing on “Recent Ac ons
by the Town” and “Key Issues Moving Forward”
2.Review and Update related Ac ons for review by the VPC
BUILDING BLOCKS SUMMARY PAPER
AND ACTIONS
REVIEW AND UPDATE OF
SUMMARY PAPER
AND ACTIONS
Community Character Suzanne Kenney
Patricia Hess
Suzanne Kenney
Patricia Hess
Water Resources Suzanne Kenney
Andi Genser
Suzanne Kenney
Andi Genser
Open Space Hal Minis Hal Minis
Coastal Management Hal Minis
Pat Hughes
Hal Minis
Pat Hughes
Housing Suzanne Kenney
Andi Genser
Suzanne Kenney
Andi Genser
Local Economy Patricia Hess Patricia Hess
Alex Wentworth
Governance Amanda Bebrin
Sharon Tennstedt
Amanda Bebrin
Sharon Tennstedt
Community Infrastructure Hal Minis
Amanda Bebrin
Amanda Bebrin
Alex Wentworth
Solid Waste Hal Minis Hal Minis
Climate Mi ga on
and Adapta on
Sharon Rooney
Sharon Tennstedt
Sharon Tennstedt