Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAboutBay Parcel Planning -- 2023-04-04 Minutes\\\��oo,_R a W goo, Town of Brewster 4,� . E�o� .�9%, ° 4k. '! 2198 Main Street Q0 Brewster, MA 02631-1898 ° _ _y Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: 896-8089 (508) ORmaa\0\\\1\\\\ MINUTES OF THE BAY PROPERTY PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING DATE: April 4, 2023 TIME: 4:00 PM PLACE: Hybrid Participation – Zoom/2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA PARTICIPANTS: Town Manager Peter Lombardi, Chair Amanda Bebrin, Selectperson Mary Chaffee, Selectperson Ned Chatelain, Karl Fryzel, Katie Jacobus, Caroline McCarley, Patricia Hughes, Peter Johnson, John Phillips, Clare O'Connor -Rice; Liaisons/Representatives: Jan Crocker, Sharon Tennstedt, Gary Christen, Kathleen Walker, Maggie Spade -Aguilar, Town Staff: Griffin Ryder (DPW Director), Mike Gradone (Recreation Department Director), Chris Miller (Natural Resources Department Director); Reed Hilderbrand Consultant Team: Elizabeth Randall, Madeleine Aronson, David Vega -Ba rachowitz Absent: Thomas Wingard Call to Order Declaration of a Quorum, Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement: Amanda Bebrin called the meeting to order at 4:07 pm and read the meeting participation and recording statements. Ms. Bebrin announced all members of the committee who were present, a quorum was declared. There were no public announcements or comments. Public Announcements and Comments None Presentation and Discussion of Bay Property Discovery Findings & Analysis Elizabeth Randall from Reed Hilderbrand noted that the team was nearing the conclusion of the discovery process. Ms. Randall stated that her presentation at this meeting is not the exact same presentation as what will be presented at the community forum –that will include a short presentation of some of the discovery process, but it will also include printed materials and large boards in the dining hall on the Bay property. Ms. Randall then introduced her colleague, Madeleine Aronson. Ms. Aronson began her presentation by noting that the Sea Camps properties were part of the ancestral homelands of the Aquinnah Wampanoag and the Mashpee Wampanoag peoples for thousands of years prior to European occupation. The Cape Cod Sea Camps have been a feature of the Town of Brewster for almost half of its history — built into the memories and imaginations of many. Ms. Aronson displayed several aerial photos from 1938 through to 1994, demonstrating the historic evolution of the site. Ms. Aronson noted that the Bay and Pond Parcels have the potential to contribute to Brewster's vibrant network of open spaces and leverage connections to adjacent conserved areas including Spruce Hill and the Long Pond Woodlands. Both parcels present opportunities to expand Brewster's town amenities by providing space for new activities and the potential relocation of existing amenities in need of BPPC 4.4.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 1 of 5 Doc ID: d6148b4e6e66fb9d05867ac26964eale3ded2ba6 extent to which the existing conditions were described in conjunction with recommendations — it is extremely important that the committee asks for feedback from the public with an open mind. Ms. Randall responded that the recommendations can be adjusted after speaking to the community, it is important not to suggest that any of these recommendations are final. The presentation for the forum is still being developed, and it will be far more abbreviated than the presentation at today's committee meeting. More information will be provided at the individual stations at the forum for those seeking more detail. The committee will ask for feedback from Brewster residents about what they want for future uses of the property. Selectperson Chatelain asked how the first forum will be different from the second. Mr. Lombardi responded that the intent is to provide as much contextual information as possible at the first forum so that residents understand the physical and regulatory constraints for possible use. Then, the Town will be able tc obtain useful and well-informed feedback from residents. Clare O'Connor -Rice said that she is happy with the phraseology of "opportunities", rather than "development", which has negative connotations for many people. Karl Fryzel asked if the committee would begin to discuss how they want to structure the upcoming forum on May 20. Mr. Lombardi responded that committee members will have an opportunity on April 25 to discuss the approach to the forum. Gary Christen and Katie Jacobus commented that the presentation was well laid out and important points were articulated. Ms. Hughes said that providing context to residents on the geography of the parcel and the condition of its buildings will be helpful. Maggie Spade -Aguilar asked how much of a focus on Spruce Hill there will be at the first public forum. Ms. Randall said this could discussed at the next meeting. Ms. Hughes asked about the status of the Spruce Hill property in terms of conservation restrictions and ownership. Mr. Lombardi responded that the entirety of the Spruce Hill parcel is under the care and custody of the Conservation Commission, with the exception of the buildings, which are under the care and custody of the Select Board. Ms. Hughes asked if there was a driveway easement — Mr. Lombardi responded that this was part of the Sea Camps property. Ms. Bebrin thanked the Reed Hilderbrand consultants for their presentation. Summer 2023 Brewster Community Pool Update Mr. Lombardi commented that the Select Board approved a policy for use of the Brewster Community Pool. Permit season has begun, and the applications for the pool passes have increased foot traffic and phone calls to the Select Board office. The website has been updated with all pertinent information. A website announcement has been put up, advertising the available positions for the pool. The Select Board has also approved an updated wage schedule for this calendar year relative to these positions, making sure that the Town is offering competitive pay. Pool furniture is in the process of being ordered. The DPW is continuing to do site work, and the Town has had meetings with the Brewster Garden Club to discuss their assisting with improving the aesthetics of the entrance to the property. Mr. Fryzel noted that blue furniture was attractive to greenhead flies, and this should be considered as a factor when ordering pool furniture. BP PC 4.4.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 3 of 5 Doc ID: d6148b4e6e66fb9d05867ac26964ea1e3ded2ba6 Town of Brewster .aEWrF��%,, At 3� a 2198 Main Street MA 02631-1898 Brewster, 0 — _ y\ Phone: (508) 896-3701 ` — — Fax: (508) 896-8089 extent to which the existing conditions were described in conjunction with recommendations — it is extremely important that the committee asks for feedback from the public with an open mind. Ms. Randall responded that the recommendations can be adjusted after speaking to the community, it is important not to suggest that any of these recommendations are final. The presentation for the forum is still being developed, and it will be far more abbreviated than the presentation at today's committee meeting. More information will be provided at the individual stations at the forum for those seeking more detail. The committee will ask for feedback from Brewster residents about what they want for future uses of the property. Selectperson Chatelain asked how the first forum will be different from the second. Mr. Lombardi responded that the intent is to provide as much contextual information as possible at the first forum so that residents understand the physical and regulatory constraints for possible use. Then, the Town will be able tc obtain useful and well-informed feedback from residents. Clare O'Connor -Rice said that she is happy with the phraseology of "opportunities", rather than "development", which has negative connotations for many people. Karl Fryzel asked if the committee would begin to discuss how they want to structure the upcoming forum on May 20. Mr. Lombardi responded that committee members will have an opportunity on April 25 to discuss the approach to the forum. Gary Christen and Katie Jacobus commented that the presentation was well laid out and important points were articulated. Ms. Hughes said that providing context to residents on the geography of the parcel and the condition of its buildings will be helpful. Maggie Spade -Aguilar asked how much of a focus on Spruce Hill there will be at the first public forum. Ms. Randall said this could discussed at the next meeting. Ms. Hughes asked about the status of the Spruce Hill property in terms of conservation restrictions and ownership. Mr. Lombardi responded that the entirety of the Spruce Hill parcel is under the care and custody of the Conservation Commission, with the exception of the buildings, which are under the care and custody of the Select Board. Ms. Hughes asked if there was a driveway easement — Mr. Lombardi responded that this was part of the Sea Camps property. Ms. Bebrin thanked the Reed Hilderbrand consultants for their presentation. Summer 2023 Brewster Community Pool Update Mr. Lombardi commented that the Select Board approved a policy for use of the Brewster Community Pool. Permit season has begun, and the applications for the pool passes have increased foot traffic and phone calls to the Select Board office. The website has been updated with all pertinent information. A website announcement has been put up, advertising the available positions for the pool. The Select Board has also approved an updated wage schedule for this calendar year relative to these positions, making sure that the Town is offering competitive pay. Pool furniture is in the process of being ordered. The DPW is continuing to do site work, and the Town has had meetings with the Brewster Garden Club to discuss their assisting with improving the aesthetics of the entrance to the property. Mr. Fryzel noted that blue furniture was attractive to greenhead flies, and this should be considered as a factor when ordering pool furniture. BP PC 4.4.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 3 of 5 Doc ID: d6148b4e6e66fb9d05867ac26964ea1e3ded2ba6 Approved: Approved: 05 / 10 / 2023 Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Signed: Accompanying Documents in Packet: Agenda, Community Pool Select Board Policy, Pool Rules Sign, Pool Schedule Draft, Community Pool Job Opportunities, Email Re. Girl Scouts, Minutes from 3.21.2023 BPPC 4.4.2023 www.brewster-ma.gov Page 5 of 5 Doc ID: d6148b4e6e66fb9d05867ac26964ea1e3ded2ba6