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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
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2198 Main Street
MA 02631-1898
Brewster,
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Phone: (508) 896-3701
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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