HomeMy Public PortalAbout03.13.24 FinCom PacketTown of Brewster Finance Committee
2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
fincommeeting@brewster-ma.gov
(508) 896-3701
MEETING AGENDA
2198 Main Street
March 13, 2024 at 6:00PM
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:
Phone:Call (312) 626 6799 or (301) 715-8592. Webinar ID: 862 2956 9696 Passcode: 565167
To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized.
Zoom Webinar: Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86229569696?pwd=MUhJNGpoU3VocTZ0cTU0VGpYcWdVQT09
Passcode: 565167
To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand”, then wait to be recognized.
When required by law or allowed by the Chair, persons wishing to provide public comment or otherwise participate in the
meeting, may do so by accessing the meeting remotely, as noted above. 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).
Please note that for any item agenda item listed the Finance Committee may take official action including a vote.
1.Call to Order
2.Declaration of a Quorum
3.Meeting Participation Statement
4.Recording Statement - As required by the Open Meeting Law, we are informing you that the Town
will be video and audio taping as well as broadcasting this public meeting. In addition, if anyone else
intends to either video or audio tape this meeting, they are required to inform the chair.
5.Public Announcements and Comment: Members of the public may address the Finance
Committee on matters not on the meeting’s agenda for a maximum of 3-5 minutes at the Chair’s
discretion. Under the Open Meeting Law, the Finance Committee is unable to reply but may add items
presented to a future agenda.
6.Town Manager/Finance Director Report
7.Town Meeting Warrant Articles – Discussion and Vote
a.Article 1 – Unpaid Bills
b.Community Preservation Act Funding – Sarah Robinson, Chair
c.CPA Acquisition: 3571 Main Street
d.Water Department Enterprise Fund
e.Golf Department Enterprise Fund
8.Brewster School Department - FY25 Budget Update and Discussion
9.Nauset Regional School Department – FY25 Budget Update and Discussion
10.Town Meeting Articles Discussion – Citizen’s Petitions
11.Nauset Regional School District Agreement – Update and Discussion
12.Liaison Reports
13.Approval of Minutes
14.Request for agenda items for future meetings
15.Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
16.Future Finance Committee Meetings
17.Adjournment
Date Posted:Date Revised:Received by Town Clerk:
Finance
Committee
Harvey (Pete) Dahl
Chair
Frank Bridges
Vice Chair
William Meehan
Clerk
Patrick Buckley
Andrew Evans
William Henchy
Alex Hopper
Robert Tobias
Robert Young
Town Manager
Peter Lombardi
Finance Director
Mimi Bernardo
Town of Brewster
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
WARRANT
for
May 11, 2024
at
1.00 PM
STONY BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
384 UNDERPASS ROAD
Please bring this copy of the warrant to Town Meeting
Large print copies of the warrant are available at the Brewster Town Offices
INFORMATION FOR MAY 11, 2024
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Services Available to the Public During Town Meeting
TRANSPORTATION:
The Council on Aging offers rides to and/or from Town Meeting. For information or to schedule
a ride to and/or from Town Meeting please call the Council on Aging at 508-896-2737 by noon
on Wednesday, May 8th.
CHILD CARE SERVICES:
Nauset Youth Alliance provides free childcare services for children ages 5 – 14 in the Stony
Brook School Art Room during Town Meeting. If you would like to take advantage of this
service, please call or email the NYA before 4pm on Wednesday, May 8th; 508-896-7900 or
drost@nausetyouthalliance.org
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
Nauset Youth Alliance provides food and beverages for purchase during Town Meeting. Items
include sandwiches, chips, desserts, water, coffee, tea, and juice. These refreshments are
generously provided by Ocean Edge Resort.
TOWN OF BREWSTER
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
May 11, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A INDEX 2
B INFORMATION & MODERATOR’S
STATEMENT FOR VOTERS
4
C FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
D TAX RATE INFORMATION
E CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
F HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES REPORT
G 2024 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
ARTICLES
ARTICLE DESCRIPTION SPONSOR PAGE
1 Outstanding Obligations Select Board
2 Budgetary Transfers Select Board
3 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School
Budget
Cape Cod Technical
School Committee
4 Elementary Schools Budget Brewster Elementary
School Committee
5 Elementary Schools Operating Override Brewster Elementary
School Committee
6 Assessment Formula for Nauset Regional
Schools
Nauset Regional School
Committee
7 Nauset Regional Schools Budget Nauset Regional School
Committee
8 Nauset Regional Schools Operating Override Nauset Regional School
Committee
9 Town Operating Budget Select Board
10 Water Department Enterprise Fund Operating
Budget
Select Board
11 Golf Department Enterprise Fund Operating
Budget
Select Board
12 Community Preservation Act Funding Community
Preservation
Committee
13 Community Preservation Act Land
Acquisition: 3571 Main Street
Community
Preservation
Committee
14 Capital & Special Projects Expenditures Select Board
15 Overlay Appropriation: Preschool Family
Support Pilot Program
Select Board
16 Special Revenue Fund: Cable Franchise Fee Select Board
17 Recreation Revolving Fund Select Board
18 Adoption of Local Option - Massachusetts
General Law Ch. 59, Sec. 5K: Senior Tax Work-
off Designee
Select Board
19 Adoption of Local Option - Massachusetts
General Law Ch. 59, Sec. 5N: Veterans Tax
Work-off Designee
Select Board
20 Sea Camps Comprehensive Plan: Bay Property
(3057 Main Street)
Select Board
21 Sea Camps Comprehensive Plan: Pond
Property (500 W.B. Besse Cartway)
Select Board
22 Temporary Easements: Millstone Road
Improvement Project
Select Board
23 Private Road Construction Services: Vesper
Pond Drive
Select Board
24 Drummer Boy Park Advisory Committee
Report
Select Board
25 Citizens Petition: Short-Term Rental
Registration General Bylaw
Citizens Petition
26 Citizens Petition: Short-Term Rental
Restrictions General Bylaw
Citizens Petition
J TOWN MODERATOR’S RULES
K GLOSSARY OF FINANCIAL TERMS
TOWN OF BREWSTER ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MAY 11, 2024
Barnstable, ss
To: Roland W. Bassett, Jr. Constable of the Town of Brewster
Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and
inform the Town of Brewster inhabitants qualified to vote in Town affairs to meet in the
Cafetorium at the Stony Brook Elementary School, 384 Underpass Road, on Saturday, May 11,
2024, next, at 1 p.m. o’clock in the afternoon, then and there to act upon the following articles:
OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS
ARTICLE NO. 1: To see what sums the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds for
the payment of unpaid obligations from previous fiscal years, including any bills now on
overdraft:
Department Outstanding Obligations Amount
a. Golf Department Columbia Laboratories $615.00
Total $615.00
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Nine-tenths Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will authorize the payment of outstanding bills from a previous fiscal year.
According to Massachusetts General Laws, a Town cannot pay a bill from a previous fiscal year
with the current year’s appropriation. Therefore, Town Meeting authorization is required.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
BUDGETARY TRANSFERS
ARTICLE NO. 2: To see what sums the Town will vote to transfer into various line items of the
Fiscal Year 2024 General Fund operating budget from other line items of said budget and from
other available funds:
FROM TO AMOUNT
a Ambulance Receipts Fire Department Overtime $150,000
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article would authorize the transfer of surplus funds from certain departments’ budgets
and/or accounts and Free Cash for Fiscal Year 2024 to other accounts which are experiencing
unanticipated shortfalls and/or require additional funding for new programs and/or initiatives.
The following is a brief review of these requests:
a. This sum is required to cover additional Fire Department personnel expenses stemming from
employee turnover and changes in minimum staffing levels. The Ambulance Receipts account
has a current balance of just over $2M.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
CAPE COD REGIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 3: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer
from available funds to defray Cape Cod Regional Technical High School charges and expenses
for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025, as follows:
DEPARTMENT EXPENDED
FY2023
APPROPRIATED
FY2024
REQUESTED
FY2025
CAPE COD TECH
ASSESSMENT
DEBT ASSESSMENT
TOTAL ASSESSMENT
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Cape Cod Technical School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will provide funding for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the Cape Cod Regional
Technical High School District. This district consists of the Towns of Barnstable, Brewster,
Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet and
Yarmouth. The overall district-wide budget has increased by 4.38% over Fiscal Year 2024. Due
to increases in projected revenues, the total Fiscal Year 2025 operating assessment has
decreased by $217,785 or -1.71% over Fiscal Year 2024. District-wide enrollment has slightly
decreased from 664 students to 662 students, while Brewster’s enrollment has decreased from
53 to 51 students for this same period. Brewster’s operating assessment has increased by a
sum of $32,954, or 3.3%, over Fiscal Year 2024. Brewster’s debt assessment has decreased by
$29,845, or -6.3%, based on the level principal debt schedule for the Cape Cod Tech School.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 4: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer
from available funds to defray the Elementary Schools’ charges and expenses, for the Fiscal
Year ending June 30, 2025, as follows:
DEPARTMENT EXPENDED
FY2023
APPROPRIATED
FY2024
REQUESTED
FY2025
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BUDGET
SCHOOL FRINGE BENEFITS
TOTAL ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL BUDGET
(ARTICLE 4)
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BUDGET OVERRIDE
(ARTICLE 5)
TOTAL ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL BUDGET
(ARTICLES 4 + 5)
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Elementary School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article provides partial funding for the Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget for the Stony
Brook and Eddy Elementary Schools. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the Elementary
Schools, as approved by the Brewster School Committee, is $8,791,810, a $642,837 or 7.89%
increase over Fiscal Year 2024 operating expenses. The Town’s total elementary school
assessment is increasing by 5.54% when the schools’ proportionate shares of fringe benefits
expenses is applied. This article will fund the portion of the Elementary Schools’ Fiscal Year
2025 budget that can be raised and appropriated within the Town’s current levy limit, a 4.5%
increase in their operating budget. Approval of supplemental funding in Article 5 and at the
local ballot on May 28, 2024 is required to fully fund the $316,878 balance of the FY25
Elementary School budget to match the amounts voted by the Brewster School Committee.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OPERATING OVERRIDE
ARTICLE NO. 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $316,878 to
defray the Elementary Schools’ charges and expenses, for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025,
provided however that such appropriation shall be expressly contingent upon approval by the
Town at a Regular or Special Election to authorize such sums to be raised outside the limits of
General Laws Chapter 59 Section 21C, paragraphs (g) and (m) (Proposition 2½ so called), or to
take any other action relative thereto.
(Elementary School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will provide the balance of funding needed for the Fiscal Year 2025 operational
budget for the Stony Brook and Eddy Elementary Schools. This appropriation is subject to
approval of a Proposition 2 ½ override question on the May 28, 2024 local election ballot.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
ASSESSMENT FORMULA FOR NAUSET REGIONAL SCHOOLS
ARTICLE NO. 6: To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to the provisions of the fourth paragraph
of General Laws Chapter 71 Section 16B, to reallocate the sum of the member towns’
contributions to the Nauset Regional School District in Fiscal Year 2025 in accordance with the
Regional Agreement rather than the Education Reform Formula, so-called, or to take any other
action relative thereto.
(Nauset Regional School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will apportion the Nauset Regional School District’s assessment to the four member
towns for the upcoming fiscal year based on their proportionate annual student enrollment
within the school district. This specific methodology is provided for within the regional school
agreement establishing the Nauset Regional School District. This so-called alternative allocation
formula has been applied to towns’ assessments in the Nauset district since at least 2002.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
NAUSET REGIONAL SCHOOLS OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 7: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer
from available funds to defray the Nauset Regional School District charges and expenses for the
Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025, as follows:
DEPARTMENT EXPENDED
FY2023
APPROPRIATED
FY2024
REQUESTED
FY2025
NAUSET OPERATING
ASSESSMENT
NAUSET DEBT
ASSESSMENT
TOTAL NAUSET
ASSESSMENT
(ARTICLE 7)
NAUSET OVERRIDE
(ARTICLE 8)
-
TOTAL NAUSET
ASSESSMENT
(ARTICLES 7 + 8)
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Nauset Regional School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article provides partial funding for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the Nauset Regional
School District. The overall operating budget for the Nauset Regional Schools, as approved by
the Nauset Regional School Committee, is $27,763,994, a $1,981,905 or 7.69% increase over
Fiscal Year 2024 operating expenses. Brewster’s share of the Nauset Schools budget is
$13,359,244. Brewster’s proportionate share of total student enrollment has decreased from
48.1% in Fiscal Year 2024 to 46.4% in Fiscal Year 2025. This article will fund the portion of the
Nauset Region Fiscal Year 2025 operating assessment that can be raised and appropriated
within the Town’s current levy limit, a 4.5% increase in their operating budget. Approval of
supplemental funding in Article 7 and at the local ballot on May 28, 2024 is required to fully
fund the $647,720 balance of the FY25 Nauset Region assessment to match the amounts voted
by the Nauset Regional School Committee.
Brewster’s FY25 Nauset debt assessment is increasing by $X,XXX,XXX to $3,621,965 in
anticipation of long-term excluded debt for the high school project being issued this year. This
new amount reflects the full tax impacts of this project on residents, which will continue at
these levels for the next 25 years until the debt is fully retired.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
NAUSET REGIONAL SCHOOLS OPERATING OVERRIDE
ARTICLE NO. 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $647,720 to
defray the Nauset Regional School District charges and expenses, for the Fiscal Year ending June
30, 2025, provided however that such appropriation shall be expressly contingent upon
approval by the Town at a Regular or Special Election to authorize such sums to be raised
outside the limits of General Laws Chapter 59 Section 21C, paragraphs (g) and (m) (Proposition
2½ so called), or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Nauset Regional School Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will provide the balance of funding needed to fully approve the Fiscal Year 2025
operating budget for the Nauset Regional School District. This appropriation is subject to
approval of a Proposition 2 ½ override question on the May 28, 2024 local election ballot.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
TOWN OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 9: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from
available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute, for the purposes of supporting
the offices, departments, boards, and commissions of the Town of Brewster for Fiscal Year
2025, including authorization for lease purchases of up to five years, as follows:
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
DEPARTMENT FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Finance Committee
Assessors
Accounting
Treasurer/
Collector
Information
Technology
Legal
Moderator
Planning
Select Board / Town
Administration
Human Resources
Town Clerk
Public Buildings
SUBTOTAL GENERAL
GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC SAFETY
Building Department
Fire Department
Emergency
Management
Natural Resources
Police Department
Sealer of Weights &
Measures
SUBTOTAL PUBLIC
SAFETY
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
DEPARTMENT FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works
Snow & Ice Removal
Streetlights
SUBTOTAL PUBLIC
WORKS
HUMAN SERVICES
Council on Aging
Board of Health
Veteran’s Services
Public Assistance
SUBTOTAL HUMAN
SERVICES
CULTURE & RECREATION
Brewster Ladies
Library
Recreation
Parades & Events
SUBTOTAL CULTURE
& RECREATION
DEBT SERVICE
Principal & Interest
SUBTOTAL DEBT
SERVICE
INSURANCE, UTILITIES & FRINGE BENEFITS
General Insurance
Utilities
Fringe Benefits
SUBTOTAL
INSURANCE & FRINGE
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
DEPARTMENT FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES & ASSESSMENTS
Assessments
Alewives
Local Service Funding
Transfer to Capital
Stabilization
Transfer to General
Stabilization
Transfer to Housing
Trust
Transfer to OPEB Trust
Transfer to Brewster
Elementary Schools
SPED Stabilization
Transfer to Water
Quality Capital
Stabilization
SUBTOTAL OTHER
OPERATING EXPENSE
& ASSESSMENTS
GRAND TOTAL OF
GENERAL FUND
OPERATING BUDGETS
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
This article will provide funding for the Fiscal Year 2025 operational budget for the Town
boards, committees, and departments. The Town’s operational budget, as presented in this
article, has increased by 5.3%.
Please note the following details on several of the budget line items listed above: Public
Assistance includes funding for Health & Human Service organizations and fuel assistance.
Assessments include funding for the Pleasant Bay Alliance, Greenhead Fly, and Historic District.
Local Services includes funding for the Chamber of Commerce, Town Band, Cultural Council,
Skipping Program, and Millsites.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
WATER DEPARTMENT ENTERPRISE FUND OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 10: To see if the Town will vote, in accordance with General Law Chapter 44
Section 53F1/2, to appropriate from Water Department receipts, transfer from available funds
or otherwise fund the sum of TWO MILLION NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY SIX THOUSAND ONE
HUNDRED FORTY FOUR DOLLARS ($2,986,144) for Fiscal Year 2025 costs associated with the
operation of the Water Department including, but not limited to acquiring professional services
and equipment, personnel and maintaining facilities and operations, including authorization for
lease purchases of up to five years; all expenditures to be made by the Water Department,
subject to the approval of the Town Manager, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53F1/2, receipts from
Water Department related activities are used to directly offset Water Department related
expenditures including capital and infrastructure costs. Voting a spending amount within the
Water Department Enterprise Fund allows receipts and related expenditures to be recorded in
one fund. The Water Department’s operating budget, as presented in this article, has increased
by 2.7%. Water Department expenses are fully covered by user fees.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
GOLF DEPARTMENT ENTERPRISE FUND OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 11: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the Golf Fund, in accordance
with General Law Chapter 40 Section 5F, the sum of FOUR MILLION SIX HUNDRED AND SIX
THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY THREE DOLLARS ($4,606,233) for Fiscal Year 2025 costs
associated with golf department related expenses including, but not limited to acquiring
professional services and equipment, personnel and maintaining facilities and operations,
including authorization for lease purchases of up to five years; all expenditures to be made by
the Golf Department, subject to the approval of the Town Manager, or to take any other action
relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53F½, receipts from Golf
Department related activities are used to directly offset Golf Department related expenditures,
including some capital and infrastructure costs. Voting a spending amount within the Golf
Department Enterprise Fund allows receipts and related expenditures to be recorded in one
fund. The Golf Department’s operating budget, as presented in this article, has increased by
4.9%. Golf Department expenses are fully covered by user fees.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING
ARTICLE NO. 12: To see if the Town will vote to act on the report of the Community
Preservation Committee on the Fiscal Year 2025 Community Preservation Budget and to
appropriate or reserve for later appropriation monies from the Community Preservation Fund
annual revenues or available funds for the administrative and operating expenses of the
Community Preservation Committee, the undertaking of Community Preservation Projects and
all other necessary and proper expenses for the year, with each item considered a separate
appropriation to be spent by the Community Preservation Committee, all as set forth below:
FY25 Estimated Revenues
a. Estimated FY25 tax surcharge $1,254,583
b. Estimated FY25 state contribution (20%) $ 250,857
c. FY25 Estimated Total: $1,505,140
FY25 Appropriations and Allocations
a. Historic Preservation Reserve appropriation (10%) $ 150,514
b. Community Housing Reserve appropriation (10%) $ 150,514
c. Open Space/Recreation Reserve appropriation (10%) $ 150,514
d. Budgeted Reserve (65%) $ 978,341
e. Administrative Expense (Budgeted Reserve) ( 5%) $ 75,257
f. Designated Reserves for Open Space $ 32,094
g. Undesignated Fund Balance $ 102,089
h. Total $1,639,323
Purpose Item Funding Source(s) Amount
1 Historic Preservation
a. Designated Reserves for
Historic Preservation
Transfer to reserve from
estimated annual
revenues in accordance
with MGL Ch. 44B Sec. 6
Fiscal Year 2025 CPA
estimated annual revenues
$150,514
Sub-total $150,514
2 Community Housing
a. Designated Reserves
for Housing
Transfer to reserve from
estimated annual
revenues in accordance
with MGL Ch. 44B Sec. 6
Fiscal Year 2025 CPA
estimated annual revenues
$150,514
Sub-total $150,514
3 Open Space
a. Community Preservation
Bonded Debt Service
Payment of debt
principal and interest
for the BBJ Property, &
Bates Property bonds
$150,514 from Fiscal Year
2025 CPA estimated annual
revenues and $32,094 from
Designated Reserves for
Open Space
$182,608
Sub-total $182,608
4 Budgeted Reserve
a. Administration Expense Administration and
operating expenses for
Community
Preservation Committee
Fiscal Year 2025 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$75,257
b. Designated for Budgeted
Reserve
Transfer to reserve from
estimated annual
revenues in accordance
with MGL Ch. 44B Sec. 6
Fiscal Year 2025 CPA
estimated annual
revenues
$978,341
Sub-total $1,053,598
5 Undesignated Fund Balance
a. Community
Development
Partnership (CDP)
2 Years of funding for
Cape Housing Institute
Undesignated Balance
CPA Reserves
$20,000
b. Town of Brewster
Administration-
Housing Coordinator
Payroll and operating
costs for Part Time
Housing Coordinator
position to assist public
with affordable housing
program
Undesignated Balance
CPA Reserves
$74,589
c. Nauset Together We
Can Prevention Council,
Inc.
Renovations to Finch
Skateboard Park in
Orleans
Undesignated Balance
CPA Reserves
$7,500
Sub-total $102,089
Grand Total $1,639,323
For Fiscal Year 2025 Community Preservation purposes, each item is considered a separate
appropriation to be spent by the Community Preservation Committee; provided however, that
the above expenditures may be conditional on the grant or acceptance of appropriate historic
preservation restrictions for historic resources, open space restrictions for open space reserves,
and housing restrictions for community housing, running in favor of an entity authorized by the
Commonwealth to hold such restrictions for such expenditures, meeting the requirements of
G.L. c.184 and G.L. c.44B, Section 12, and to authorize the Select Board to convey or accept
such restrictions; And further, any revenues received in excess of the estimated receipts are
transferred to their respective reserve fund balance(s) for future appropriation using the
allocation formula of 10% Open Space/Recreation, 10% Housing, 10% Historical, and 70% for
Budgeted Reserve for CPA. Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Community Preservation Committee) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
In May of 2005, Brewster voters approved a ballot question which allowed for the adoption of
the modified Community Preservation Act (CPA). The act appropriates a 3% surcharge on the
Town’s real estate tax revenues, which are reserved in a special fund in order to finance
projects and programs for the purposes of preservation of open space, recreation, community
housing, and historic preservation. Brewster is also eligible to receive up to 100% in matching
funds from the State, although we anticipate a reduced reimbursement rate from the State for
Fiscal Year 2025, which is projected at 20%. In Fall 2022, Brewster adopted, through a local
bylaw, a distribution schedule for the annual CPA funds beginning in FY24 as follows: 10% of the
funds for open space and recreation, 10% for community housing, 10% for historic
preservation, and the 70% undesignated reserve balance is available for any CPA eligible
project. The 2022 bylaw also established a non-binding 2023-2027 Target Allocation Policy as
follows: 30% for Open Space, 30% for community housing, 10% historic preservation, 10%
recreation, and 20% for any CPA eligible project.
At the beginning of FY24, Reserve balances were as follows:
Historic Preservation $ 460,039
Affordable Housing $ 302,973
Open Space and Recreation $1,971,368
Undesignated Reserve $1,125,042
1. Historic Preservation:
a. Designated Reserves for Historic Preservation – This item transfers money from FY25
estimated annual revenues to the Historic Preservation reserve for future appropriation to
meet the minimum 10% statutory allocation.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
2. Community Housing:
a. Designated Reserves for Community Housing – This item transfers money from FY25
estimated annual revenues to the Community Housing reserve for future appropriation to meet
the minimum 10% statutory allocation.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
3. Open Space:
a. Community Preservation Bonded Debt Service – This item pays for the $182,608 in FY 2025
principal and interest on 3 CPA (BBJ 1 and 2 and Bates) open space acquisitions that were
financed via long-term bonding.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
4. Reserves for Community Preservation:
a. Administrative Expense – This item will fund the costs associated with general administrative
and operating expenses, including but not limited to legal and other professional consulting
services, related to carrying out the operations of the Community Preservation Committee. The
Community Preservation Act allows up to 5% of expected annual revenues for this purpose.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
b. Designated for Budgeted Reserve – This item transfers money from FY25 estimated annual
revenues to the Budgeted Reserve for future appropriation to meet the minimum statutory
allocation.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
5. Undesignated Balance/CPA Reserves:
a. Community Development Partnership (CDP) – Lower Cape Housing Institute: The CDP’s
Lower Cape Housing Institute is one of three components of Lower Cape Community Housing
Partnership (LCCHP). The LCCHP harnesses the urgency to address the deepening housing crisis
by providing opportunities for business owners, low-moderate income households, historically
marginalized communities and year-round residents to advocate for housing production and
related policies at annua town meetings. Since 2017, the CDP has offered an annual Lower
Cape Housing Institute (LCHI) to educate at least 40 local elected and appointed officials per
year from the eight towns on the Lower Cape including the Town of Brewster. Over the past six
years, 306 Lower and Outer Cape individuals have attended the LCHI, including 45 from
Brewster. Through quality training, peer-to-peer learning, and technical assistance, the LCHI
builds municipal capacity to address the housing needs of Brewster residents. Brewster voters
have supported funding for LCHI since its inception. This item will fund years 8 & 9 of the LCHI.
Total project cost: $652,337 Funding requested: $20,000 CPC vote: 7-0-0
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
b. Town of Brewster – Housing Coordinator: This item will fund the part-time Housing
Coordinator position. The Community Preservation Committee has supported the Housing
Coordinator position since 2017. The hiring of a Housing Coordinator was identified as a key
strategy in the first Brewster Housing Production Plan. The Housing Coordinator holds hours for
the public weekly, supports multiple town committees, including the Housing Trust and Housing
Partnership, and works with regional housing agencies and organizations in town to promote
housing choice. The Housing Coordinator is an integral part of the Town housing efforts,
outlined in both the Town Vision Plan and the Select Board Strategic Plan. The Housing
Coordinator helps to acquire, create, preserve, and support community housing. The FY25
request is to fund the position at 30 hours per week, with the CPC providing funding for the
salary and the Town providing funding for all benefits of the position. Our housing program
continues to be a partnership of many town entities.
Total Project Cost: $ 114,599 CPC Request: $ 74,589 CPC Vote: 8-0-0
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
c. Nauset Together We Can – Finch Skatepark Safety Improvements:
The Finch Skatepark in Orleans provides a thriving social hub for the Lower Cape skateboard
community. The park was established through a grass roots community effort in 1995 and has
been volunteer managed for more than 25 years by Nauset Together We Can -- a 501c3 whose
goal is to develop and implement solutions to prevent high-risk social behaviors in our youth.
Although the Towns of Brewster, Eastham and Orleans provide small amounts of funding for
day-to-day operations of the park, all funding for the park’s infrastructure comes from grants
and private donations. This award will be used to fund safety upgrades to the current electrical
service and several existing ramp features in order to keep the park open and available to its
many users.
Total Project Cost: $31,300 CPC Request: $7,500 CPC Vote: 7-0-0
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
CONSERVATION RESTRICTION ACQUISITION: 0 & 3571 MAIN STREET
ARTICLE NO. 13: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to acquire a
perpetual conserva on restric on under MGL Ch. 184, Secs. 31 through 33, on a parcel of land
designated on Brewster Assessors' Map 126 as Parcel 4, 5 and 9 located at 0 Main Street, and a
por on of the parcel currently designated on the Brewster Assessors' Map 114, Parcel 60
located at the rear of 3571 Main Street in Brewster, Barnstable County, Massachuse s,
consis ng of 12.36 acres as shown on a plan of land en tled, "Survey and Plan of Land in
Brewster, Mass, as claimed by Washington E. & Mary F Chase, Scale I in = 60 . March 10, 1989,
East Cape Engineering, Orleans MA" and recorded in the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds as
Plan Book 459, Page 75, and as more par cularly shown as Lot 2 and Lot 3 on a plan of land
en tled, "Lot Study Sketch for Property at 3571 Main St, Brewster, MA 02631 Prepared for
Brewster Conserva on Trust, Scale 1 in. = 80 , July 3, 2023, Soule Land Surveying" a copy of
which is on file with the Brewster Town Clerk; to acquire interests in said parcel by gi , purchase
and/or eminent domain taking under MGL Ch. 79, or any other enabling authority; to acquire
said conserva on restric on for conserva on and passive recrea on purposes for the general
public, consistent with the provisions of MGL Ch. 40 Sec. 8C and Ar cle 97 of the Amendments
to the Cons tu on of the Commonwealth of Massachuse s, and in compliance with MGL Ch.
44B, Sec. 12(a), protec ng the property for the purposes for which it is acquired; to transfer
from available funds, including, without limita on, the Community Preserva on Fund, the sum
of Two Hundred Thirty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($230,000.00) to pay the $225,000 costs of
this acquisi on, and $5,000 for all other legal and administra ve costs incidental and related
thereto; further, to authorize the Conserva on Commission to assume the monitoring and
enforcement authority of the conserva on restric on on the property; and to authorize the
Select Board and Conserva on Commission to enter into all agreements and execute any and all
instruments as may be necessary on behalf of the municipality to effect this purchase and
obtain reimbursement funding, or to take any other ac on rela ve thereto.
(Community Preserva on Commi ee) ( Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
The Town of Brewster is working with the Brewster Conserva on Trust (BCT) to protect a 12.36
acre parcel known as Washington Chase Bog, comprised of 7.33 acres of upland and 5.04 acres
of wetland. The property is located on the north side of Main Street in East Brewster. BCT is
purchasing the property and asking the Town to share the acquisi on cost by using Community
Preserva on Act funds to purchase a Conserva on Restric on (CR). Previously having been run
as a campground and a working cranberry bog, the parcel remains a typical pine-oak woodland
with exis ng paths and vehicle tracks running through the property. The wetland areas are now
overgrown with trees and vegeta on, which BCT would like to restore to a natural wetland
(fresh marsh) habitat. The bog drains under the Rail Trail into Namskaket Marsh. This has the
poten al to be the most visible bog-to-marsh eco-restora on project on Cape Cod, along the
historic Old Kings Highway.
Restora on/protec on of this parcel would contribute to the scenic and natural character of
Brewster and will enhance the open space value of these and nearby lands. The parcel is
proximate to land already conserved, including Nickerson State Park, 1700+ acres of con guous
open space owned and operated by the Massachuse s Department of Conserva on and
Recrea on (DCR). It also abuts the DCR Cape Cod Rail Trail on its norther property boundary,
which in turn abuts land owned and conserved by BCT and connec ng through to the 120+ acre
Namskaket Marsh Town Conserva on Area. The Select Board, Town Manager, Natural
Resources Department, Conserva on Commission, and Open Space Commi ee support this
purchase of a Conserva on Restric on.
Total Project Cost: $706,660 Amount Requested: $225,000 CPC Vote: 7-0-0
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
CAPITAL AND SPECIAL PROJECTS EXPENDITURES
ARTICLE NO. 14: To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from
available funds, or authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow under and pursuant to
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Sections 7, 7(1), or 8, or any other enabling authority,
for the capital outlay expenditures listed below, including, in each case, all incidental and
related costs, to be expended by the Town Manager, except School expenditures to be made by
the School Superintendent with the approval of the School Committee; authorize leases and
lease purchase agreements for more than three but not more than five years for those items to
be leased or lease purchased, and further that the Town Manager with the approval of the
Select Board or School Superintendent with the approval of the School Committee for school
items, be authorized to sell, convey, trade-in or otherwise dispose of equipment being
replaced, all as set forth below:
Department Item Funding Source(s) /
Appropriation or
Transfer
Amount
1 Select Board
Sub-Total $
2 Elementary School Department
a.
Sub-Total $
3 Nauset Regional School District
a.
Sub-Total
4 Natural Resources
a.
Sub-Total $
5 Information Technology
a.
Sub-Total $
6 Water Department
a. $
Sub-Total $
7 Department of Public Works
Sub-Total $
8 Facilities
Sub-Total $
9 Library
Sub-Total $
10 Golf Department
Sub-Total $
11 Fire Department
$
Sub-Total $
Grand Total $
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
1. SELECT BOARD
1a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
2. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
2a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
3. NAUSET REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
3a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
4. NATURAL RESOURCES
4a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
5. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
5a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
6. WATER DEPARTMENT
6a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
7. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
7a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
8. FACILITIES
8a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
9. LIBRARY
9a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
10. GOLF
10a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
11. FIRE DEPARTMENT
11a.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
OVERLAY APPROPRIATION: PRESCHOOL FAMILY SUPPORT PILOT PROGRAM
ARTICLE NO. 15: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000) from available overlay funds, for the purpose of funding pre-
school educational opportunities for the 3- and 4-year-old population within the Town of
Brewster, including all expenses incidental and related thereto, or to take any other action
relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
See attached memo.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
SPECIAL REVENUE FUND: CABLE FRANCHISE FEE ACCOUNT
ARTICLE NO. 16: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the Cable Franchise Fee
Special Revenue Fund the sum of FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($400,000), for the
purpose of offsetting costs associated with providing local cable television related purposes, the
sum of including, but not limited to the general public purpose of supporting and promoting
public access to the Brewster cable television system; training in the use of local access
equipment and facilities; access to community, municipal and educational meeting coverage;
use and development of an institutional network and/or municipal information facilities;
contracting with local cable programming services providers and/or any other appropriate
cable related purposes, and including all incidental and related expenses, or to take any other
action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Each resident’s cable bill includes a line item to provide for the costs of local cable television
services. These monies are retained in a special revenue account and are used to enhance local
cable programming for the Town’s public, education, and government channels. These funds
will be used to continue these informational and educational services, and may include, but is
not limited to, equipment purchases, contracted services, construction services, and labor
expenses.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
RECREATION REVOLVING FUND
ARTICLE NO. 17: To see if the Town will vote to pursuant to MGL Ch. 44 Sec. 53 E ½ and Sec 21,
Revolving Funds, of the Town of Brewster’s General By-laws, to increase the spending limits for
Recreation Revolving Fund as follows, with such expenditure limits to be applicable from fiscal
year to fiscal year, until such time as they may later be amended by Town Meeting, as follows:
Fund Revenue
Source
Authority to
Spend
Use of Fund Fiscal Year
Spending
Limit
Recreation Fees and
Charges
related to
Seasonal
Programs,
Yoga, Youth
Sports, Adult
Fitness, Tennis
and Special
Events
Department
Head -
Recreation
Expenses shall be
related to salaries
and operations of
providing
Recreational
Services and not
used for any other
purposes.
$300,000
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
LOCAL OPTION: SENIOR TAX WORK-OFF DESIGNEE (MGL CH 59, SEC 5K)
ARTICLE NO. 18: To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of the third paragraph
subsection (1) of MGL Ch 59 Sec 5K, the so-called Senior Tax Work-off program, to allow the
Town to designate an approved representative for persons physically unable to provide such
services to the city or town.
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
LOCAL OPTION: VETERANS TAX WORK-OFF DESIGNEE (MGL CH 59, SEC 5N)
ARTICLE NO. 19: To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of the third paragraph
subsection (1) of MGL Ch 59 Sec 5N, the so-called Veterans Tax Work-off program, to allow the
Town to designate an approved representative for persons physically unable to provide such
services to the city or town.
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 7, No 0, Abs 0
SEA CAMPS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: BAY PROPERTY (3057 MAIN STREET)
ARTICLE NO. 20: To see if the Town will vote to accept the comprehensive plan for the Bay
Property previously owned by the Cape Cod Sea Camps located at 3057 Main Street, or to take
any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
SEA CAMPS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: POND PROPERTY (500 W.H. BESSE CARTWAY)
ARTICLE NO. 21: To see if the Town will vote to accept the comprehensive plan for the Pond
Property previously owned by the Cape Cod Sea Camps located at 500 W.B. Besse Cartway, or
to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
TEMPORARY EASEMENTS: MILLSTONE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
ARTICLE NO. 22: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to acquire, by
purchase, gift and/or eminent domain, permanent and temporary right of way, utility, drainage,
access, construction and other easements in, on, under, and across the parcels of land at or
near Millstone Road for the purpose of improving Millstone Road and for any and all purposes
and uses incidental or related thereto, and, further, to raise and appropriate, transfer from
available funds, and/or borrow a sum of money for the foregoing purposes.
Or to take any other action related thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
The Town of Brewster is undertaking a road improvement project on Millstone Road that will
include the installation of sidewalks and the creation of a consistent roadway shoulder. The
roadway layout of Millstone Roads consists of a variable 40- to 50-foot-wide Town owned right-
of-way. Permanent easements related to sidewalk construction and drainage improvements
will not be required on any residential property on Millstone Road. However, based on the
design, temporary impacts will occur on residential properties while construction is ongoing.
This article authorizes the Town to acquire easements by eminent domain in order to allow the
contractor necessary access to their property to complete the project. The Town sent
correspondence to all impacted residents along Millstone Road to enter into right of entry
and/or temporary easement agreements, but only heard back from a limited number of
residents. The Town has developed a standard methodology to calculate financial
reimbursement for access, which will be funded through available road project funding. Copies
of the project plans highlighting impacted properties are also available at Town offices.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
PRIVATE ROAD BETTERMENT: VESPER POND DRIVE
ARTICLE NO. 23: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available
funds, and/or borrow a sum of money pursuant to MGL Ch. 40, Secs. 7 and 8, Chapter 297 of
the Acts of 2002, Chapter 373 of the Acts of 2006, and/or any other enabling authority, said
sum to be spent by the Town Administrator with the approval of the Select Board, to finance
temporary road repairs to the private way known as Vesper Pond Drive, including, without
limitation, costs associated with engineering, construction, and reconstruction of said way, and
costs incidental or related thereto, which costs shall be assessed by the Select Board as a
betterment under MGL Ch. 80 Sec. 1 on each parcel within the area benefiting from the
improvement, all in compliance Brewster General Bylaws, Section 157-20.
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Two-Thirds Vote Required)
COMMENT
The Town adopted a general bylaw at the 1996 Annual Town Meeting, which allows citizens to
petition Town Meeting to obtain financing assistance to undertake repairs to private ways. In
June 2022, the Select Board received a petition from residents for proposed road and drainage
improvements in the Vesper Pond neighborhood, including: Vesper Pond Drive, Mayflower
Circle, Cranberry Lane, Deer Path Circle, Jam Lane, and Bay View Road. The Planning Board
approved the proposed plan in August 2022.
Town Meeting in November 2022 endorsed the betterment by a 2/3 vote and authorized
financing in the amount of $785,566.00. However, every construction bid subsequently
received for the project exceeded the funding authorized by Town Meeting. Based upon the
latest quotes, the total project cost is now estimated at $1,256,636.88, including administrative
expenses. Therefore, in order for the process to proceed, Town Meeting must appropriate an
additional $471,070.88.
If approved, the Town, in coordination with impacted residents, will contract out for the repair
work. Once completed, the abutting property owners will then be required to reimburse the
Town for the full project costs, plus interest and administrative expenses, by means of
betterment assessments over a period of time. There will be no tax impacts to other residents.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
DRUMMER BOY PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
ARTICLE NO. 24: To see if Town will vote to accept the report of the Drummer Boy Park
Advisory Committee or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Select Board) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
CITIZENS PETITION: SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGISTRATION GENERAL BYLAW
ARTICLE NO. 25: To see if the Town will vote to create a registration system for short-term
rentals by adopting a new General Bylaw entitled “Chapter 180 – Short-Term Rental
Registration,” as printed below, or take any other action relative thereto.
CHAPTER 180 SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGISTRATION
§ 180-1 Purpose
A. To create a registration system for short-term rentals in order to protect the health,
safety, and welfare of both the occupant(s) of those rental housing units and the
general public, and to maintain the quality of life in residential neighborhoods in the
Town.
B. The bylaw seeks to provide for orderly operation of short-term rentals within the Town
and prevent any negative impacts on neighborhood character, housing availability,
house prices, availability of long-term rental units, and impacts on infrastructure
systems such as sewer/water, parking, access, fire codes, and building code
enforcement.
C. The bylaw also seeks to provide a method for correcting violations when conditions
warrant and to help enforce local and state laws, codes, and regulations.
D. The bylaw seeks to create a registration system for short-term rentals so that accurate
data about how many short-term rentals are operating within the Town may be
gathered, as well as to ensure public health and safety. This would also provide data to
the town on who operates short-term rentals within the town.
E. Registrations would be subject to an annual fee that would cover costs of enforcement.
Fines collected would be designated for use for enforcement costs in subsequent years.
Registration fees would be set by the enforcing authority at a level sufficient to cover
associated costs of enforcement and registration.
§ 180-2 Definitions.
A. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
“Corporation” is defined as any business or charitable entity that is required to file
Articles of Incorporation and Annual Reports with the Massachusetts Secretary of State
or an equivalent agency of another state, pursuant to G.L. c. 156D, § 2 or G.L. c. 180, § 4,
respectively.
“Dwelling” is defined by the Town of Brewster as a building containing three or more
dwelling units. This definition includes “Dwelling, One Family Detached” and “Dwelling,
One Family Security” (defined below).
DWELLING, ONE FAMILY DETACHED: A single, separate dwelling unit, designed for
occupancy by one family. [Added 5-7-2012 ATM, Art. 23]
DWELLING, ONE FAMILY SECURITY: One family dwelling unit for owner occupancy or for
occupancy by personnel hired by the owner for the protection of property and safe
operation of a permitted use. [Added 5-7-2012 ATM, Art. 23]
DWELLING UNIT: One or more living and sleeping rooms providing complete living
facilities for the use of one or more individuals constituting a single housekeeping unit,
with permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
“Fit for winter habitation” refers to a dwelling unit that is suitable for habitation in the
winter in so much as that it has a heating system and proper insulation.
“Full-Time Resident” is defined as a person who either lives in Brewster for the entire
tax year or who maintains a permanent place of abode in Brewster that they spend at
least 183 days per year in, as attested by where the domicile of the responsible party is
given according to tax records in the state of Massachusetts.
From mass.gov , “Your domicile, or legal residence, is your true home or main residence.
You may have multiple residences at one time, but only 1 domicile. You can't choose to
make your home one place for general living purposes and in another for tax
purposes. Your legal residence is usually where you maintain your most important
family, social, economic, political, and religious ties, and it depends on all the facts and
circumstances per case, including good faith.”
“Occupancy” is defined as the use or possession, or the right to the use or possession, of
a room in a bed and breakfast establishment, hotel, lodging house or motel designed
and normally used for sleeping and living purposes for a period of not more than 90
consecutive calendar days, regardless of whether such use and possession is as a lessee,
tenant, guest or licensee, or the use or possession or the right to the use or possession
of a room in a short term rental normally used for sleeping and living purposes for a
period of not more than 31 consecutive calendar days, regardless of whether such use
and possession is as a lessee, tenant, guest or licensee; provided, however, that
“occupancy” shall include the right to the use or possession of the furnishings or the
services and accommodations, including breakfast in a bed and breakfast establishment,
accompanying the use and possession of such a room. § 1. Definitions, MA ST 64G § 1
“Occupant” is defined as a person who uses, possesses or has a right to use or possess a
room in a bed and breakfast establishment, hotel, lodging house, short-term rental, or
motel for rent under a lease, concession, permit, right of access, license or agreement.
“Operator” is defined as a person operating a bed and breakfast establishment, hotel,
lodging house, short-term rental, or motel in the Commonwealth including, but not
limited to, the owner or proprietor of such premises, the lessee, sublessee, mortgagee
in possession, licensee or any other person otherwise operating such bed and breakfast
establishment, hotel, lodging house, short-term rental, or motel.
“Operator’s Agent” is defined as a person who on behalf of an operator of a bed and
breakfast establishment, hotel, motel, short-term rental, or lodging house: (i) manages
the operation or upkeep of a property offered for rent; or (ii) books reservations at a
property offered for rent; provided, however, that an “operator’s agent” shall include,
but not be limited to, a property manager, property management company or real
estate agent.
“Owner” is defined as the duly authorized agent, attorney, purchaser, devisee, trustee,
lessor or any person having vested or equitable interest in the use, structure, or lot in
question.
“Permanent Place of Abode” is defined as a dwelling place that someone, not
necessarily the owner, continually maintains. This includes a place owned or leased by a
spouse.
This does not include a camp, military barracks and housing, dormitory room, hospital
room or room in any other similar temporary institutional setting; a university owned
studio apartment available only to a university affiliated student, faculty and staff; a
dwelling place completely lacking both kitchen and bathing facilities, or a dwelling
place that is not prepared for winter; a hotel or motel room (but facts and situational
circumstances will be taken into account before deciding); dwelling place owned by
someone who, during the term of a lease, leases it either to others not related to the
owner or their spouse by blood or marriage, for at least 1 year, or where the individual
has no right to occupy any portion of the premises and who does not use such premises
as his or her mailing address during the term of the lease; dwelling place that is
maintained only during a temporary stay in Massachusetts for accomplishing a
particular documented purpose. A temporary stay is defined as a predetermined period
of time not to exceed 1 year.
"Person" is defined as an individual, partnership, trust or association, with or without
transferable shares, joint-stock company, corporation, society, club, organization,
institution, estate, receiver, trustee, assignee or referee and any other person acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, whether appointed by a court or otherwise, or any
combination of individuals acting as a unit.
“Property Owner” is defined as any person who alone, or severally with others, has legal
or equitable title or a beneficial interest in any dwelling unit; a mortgagee in possession;
or agent, trustee, or other person appointed by the courts.
“Short-Term Rental” is defined as an owner-occupied, tenant-occupied, or non-owner
occupied property including, but not limited to, an apartment, house, cottage,
condominium, or a furnished accommodation (such as a bedroom within a residential
dwelling) that is not a hotel, motel, lodging house or bed and breakfast establishment,
where: (i) at least 1 room or unit is rented (for a fee) to an occupant or sub-occupant for
a period of not more than 31 consecutive calendar days; and (ii) all accommodations are
reserved in advance; provided, however, that a private owner-occupied property shall
be considered a single unit if leased or rented as such. Excludes hotels licensed under
M.G.L. Chapter 140, section 6; motels licensed under M.G.L. Chapter 140, section 32B;
lodging establishments licensed under M.G.L. Chapter 140, section 23.
“Unfit for winter habitation” refers to a dwelling unit that is not suitable for habitation
during the winter, in that the dwelling lacks a heating system and/or lacks proper
insulation.
§ 180-3 Registration Requirements.
A. Any property owner seeking to offer a short-term rental needs to register annually with
the town of Brewster for a fee set by the enforcing authority. The fees collected are
solely to pay for costs associated with enforcement, such as compliance software and
any positions that need to be hired. All properties that are registered would need to be
in compliance with local and state ordinances, zoning bylaws, and the State Sanitary
Code.
B. The registrants need to apply prior to Feb. 28 of each year, with the rental period
running from Mar. 1 to Feb. 28 of the following year. Registrations are subject to annual
renewal and fees. Registrations cannot be transferred to any other person, legal entity,
or address. The registration shall be terminated upon sale or transfer of the property for
which the registration has been issued.
Properties purchased after Feb. 28 will not be able to obtain a short-term rental
certificate for the current registration year; owners will be able to obtain short-term
rental certificates for the following registration year.
C. Each registrant is required to submit a sworn affidavit of compliance with their
registration. The enforcing authority reserves the right to conduct inspections of
properties to ensure compliance, including, but not limited to, when complaints have
been made.
D. All short-term rentals are required to include the town-issued registration certificate
number on their listings.
E. Contact information for the owner of a short-term rental shall be provided to the town
with a current address and phone number, as well as an attestation that all persons’ and
entities with an ownership interest in the unit have been notified that a certificate of
registration has been applied for. If the owner is a corporation (includes LLCs), the
name, address, and phone number of the president and legal representative of the
corporation shall be provided. If the owner is a realty trust or partnership, the name,
address, and phone numbers of the managing trustee or partner shall be provided.
F. The name and contact information of the operator, and the operator’s agent if different
from the operator, must be provided to ensure that the person can respond to any
emergencies that arise during occupancy within 2 hours of contact by the Town’s Health
Division or Police or Fire Department to complaints regarding the condition or operation
of the property. Contact information must include a phone number that is available
24/7 to occupants and the above-stated public safety agencies and the information shall
be posted conspicuously in the unit.
G. Operators will be responsible for trash removal after conclusion of an occupancy or
once per week, whichever is more frequent.
H. The maximum number of occupants in a short-term rental shall be 2 per bedroom, plus
2 additional occupants.
I. Parking on-site shall be provided and must not impede traffic or traffic safety.
J. Rental Certificates may be suspended or revoked for violations of the bylaw, State
Sanitary Code, or any other applicable General Law, regulation, or bylaw intended to
protect public health, safety, and/or the environment. Additional conditions may be
imposed on the Rental Certificate in lieu of suspension or revocation.
§ 180-4 [Reserved].
§ 180-5 Violations; Enforcement.
A. Violators will be subject to fines of $200 per day, with each day of the violation
constituting a separate offense. Any short-term rental found to be operating without a
rental certificate will be subject to these fines. Violations of this regulation will be
subject to the Regulation of the Town of Brewster regarding non-criminal disposition,
according to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 21D, and the town of
Brewster’s bylaw concerning non-criminal disposition, where applicable.
B. The enforcing and regulatory authority for the registration program is to be the
Brewster Health Department.
§ 180-6 Effective Date.
A. This bylaw shall take effect on January 1, 2025.
(Citizens Petition) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
Creating a registration system for short-term rentals would ensure that there is a way to collect
data about short-term rentals, which is beneficial when assessing the housing needs of the
community. A registration system also provides a way to track short-term rentals and ensure
compliance with local rules and regulations by providing guidelines that short-term rentals
need to comply with in order to keep their certificate. The fee for the registration system would
be set by the enforcing authority (the Board of Health) to an amount reasonable to cover
associated expenses.
Of the 15 towns on the Cape, only 3 have no registration system in place – Brewster, Wellfleet,
and Sandwich. 80% of the towns on the Cape have some sort of registration system in place; it
is time Brewster adopted one as well. Brewster should not be lagging behind our neighbors;
registration systems allow towns to obtain accurate figures on the number of short-term
rentals within the town, as well as accurate information about who owns and operates short-
term rentals, and having a registration system in place provides a means for towns to enforce
local rules and regulations.
Language in the bylaw states that property owners are required to submit a sworn affidavit of
compliance with their registrations. This language is included so that not every property that is
registered needs to be inspected, and instead be inspected on a case-by-case basis, such as
when it is suspected that a property is not in compliance. The spreadsheet details which towns
follow this model for inspections.
Currently, Brewster has nearly 1,100 short-term rentals (according to the Mass Public Registry
of Lodging Operators) that are registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, although the
number likely exceeds that figure, as not all short-term rentals are officially registered. Given
the current housing crisis, Brewster should be proactive in taking steps to collect data about
housing usage in the town to better inform public policy decisions, as well as making sure short-
term rentals are in compliance with local rules and regulations. Having a registration system is a
way to effectively track short-term rentals and make sure that they are operating in a way that
minimizes impact to the town.
Brewster also passed an ADU bylaw at Fall Town Meeting where it was specified that ADUs
would need to be long-term properties. Without a registration system, there is no oversight to
make sure the ADUs that are created will not be converted to STRs. This registration system
provides a means of monitoring short-term rentals and a means to address violations, such as
properties operating as STRs without registering.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
CITIZENS PETITION: SHORT-TERM RENTAL RESTRICTIONS GENERAL BYLAW
ARTICLE NO. 26: To see if the Town will vote to limit the number of short-term rentals that a
property owner can operate within the town of Brewster to one per property owner unless the
property owner is a full-time resident of the town of Brewster, in which event they may then
operate two properties as short-term rentals, and to amend Section 180-4 of the Town’s
General Bylaws accordingly by deleting the strikethrough language, and inserting the bold and
underlined language, or take any other action relative thereto.
CHAPTER 180 SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGISTRATION
§ 180-4 [Reserved] Limitations; Maximum Number of Short-Term Rentals.
A. A property owner can operate within the town of Brewster one Short-Term Rental per
property owner unless the property owner is a full-time resident of the town of
Brewster, in which event they may then operate two properties as short-term rentals.
B. In the event that an owner has properties unfit for winter habitation in excess of the
short-term rental limits (1 per non-resident, 2 per Brewster resident), an exception
may be granted by the enforcing authority (Brewster Health Department) so that
those properties may be registered as short-term rentals in excess of the limit, if
certain criteria are met.
(1) To qualify for an exception to the limit, a property owner must only operate
registered short-term rentals in properties that are unfit for winter habitation;
no exception will be granted if a property owner has a registered short-term
rental in a property that is fit for winter habitation.
All short-term rentals must be registered in accordance with the bylaw.
(2) An owner may only exceed the limit if all their registered short-term rental
properties are properties that are unfit for winter habitation. If an owner has a
registered short-term rental that is fit for winter habitation, they will not be
eligible for an exception to the limit, even if their other registered properties
are unfit for winter habitation
(3) If an exception is granted, it can be revoked if the owner attempts to register a
property fit for winter habitation as a short-term rental.
The exception may be revoked at the discretion of the enforcing authority if
the property owner violates any part of the registration bylaw.
If an exception is granted, all properties unfit for winter habitation will still
need to be registered as short-term rentals and will be subject to registration
fees and all other parts of the registration bylaw.
C. Short-term rentals are prohibited in dwelling units owned by a corporation.
Short-term rentals are permitted in dwelling units owned by an LLC, Trust, or S-Corp
only when every shareholder, partner, or member of the legal entity is a natural
person, as established by documentation provided by the applicant at time of
registration.
If any shareholder, partner, or member of the legal entity already has registered short-
term rentals under their own name, those will count toward the limit for the legal
entity they are trying to register with.
(Citizens Petition) (Majority Vote Required)
COMMENT
The proposed restriction bylaw is an addendum to the registration bylaw. Passing the
registration bylaw does not automatically pass the restriction bylaw. The restriction bylaw
seeks to limit the number of properties an owner can operate to one per owner, unless the
owner is full-time Brewster resident, in which event they may operate two short-term rentals.
The goal is not to stop short-term rentals, as that is unrealistic. The goal is to preserve the
ability of owners to continue with short-term rentals on a small-scale, while stopping large
investment groups, LLCs, corporations, and other big owners, from operating on a large-scale in
Brewster.
An exception (to be made at the discretion of the enforcing authority) has been included to
address properties that are unfit for winter habitation. If an owner ONLY has STRs in properties
that are “unfit for winter habitation”, the enforcing authority may allow the owner to register
STRs beyond the limit (1 for non-residents, 2 for residents). However, if an owner wishes to
operate an STR in a property that is “fit for winter habitation”, no exemption will be granted. All
properties would still need to be registered with the town and would be subject to all rules and
regulations.
There is also language (taken from the Provincetown ban on corporate operation of STRs) to
prevent owners from forming LLCs to skirt the restrictions.
In analyzing the assessor’s data from Brewster for FY 2022, it appears there would be 100 or
fewer owners who would be impacted by the proposed bylaw, while most short-term rental
operators would be able to continue their small-time operations.
The intent of the restrictions is to create more year-round housing (either as rentals or as
properties for sale). Having more available properties would lower rents (or home prices),
which would be beneficial to the area as a whole. Workers could stay in the towns they work in,
spending their money on local goods and services, while employers would be able to stabilize
wages without worrying about employee retention.
This is a cost-effective way to potentially create more housing opportunities, as building more
units is not only costly, but the projects themselves also take a long-time to build (and are
taxing to the water table). The homes already exist and some were once used for year-round
housing. This is a way to increase year-round housing without a large capital expenditure.
Select Board: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0 Finance Committee: Yes 0, No 0, Abs 0
You are hereby directed to serve this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at
the time and place of said meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hand and Seal of the Town of Brewster affixed this __th day of April 2024.
___________________________________
Edward B. Chatelain, Chair
___________________________________
Mary W. Chaffee, Vice-Chair
___________________________________
Kari Sue Hoffmann, Clerk
___________________________________
Cynthia A. Bingham
___________________________________
David C. Whitney
I, Roland W. Bassett Jr, duly qualified Constable for the Town of Brewster, hereby certify that I
served the Warrant for the Town Meeting of May 11, 2024 by posting attested copies thereof, in
the following locations in the Town on the xx day of April, 2024.
Brewster Town Offices
Café Alfresco
Brewster Ladies Library Brewster Pizza House
The Brewster General Store Millstone Liquors
U. S. Post Office
_________________________________
Roland W. Bassett, Jr. Constable
Creating opportunities for people to live, work, and thrive on the Lower Cape
260 Cranberry Highway, Unit 1, Orleans, MA 02653 ph: 508.240.7873 | 800.220.6202 fx: 508.240.5085
contact@capecdp.org www.capecdp.org www.facebook.com/capecdp
Brewster • Chatham • Eastham • Harwich • Orleans • Provincetown • Truro • Wellfleet
December 1, 2023
Faythe Ellis
Chair, Brewster Community Preservation Committee
Brewster Town Hall
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631-1898
RE: 2023 CPA PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST - Lower Cape Housing Institute
Dear Ms. Ellis:
I am pleased to enclose a copy of an application from the Lower Cape Cod Community Development
Corporation d/b/a Community Development Partnership (CDP) in submission for 2023 CPA Project
Funding for 2024-2026 (our FY 2025 and FY 2026).
The CDP is excited about continuing years eight and nine of our Lower Cape Housing Institute and
providing training opportunities to municipal officials and town staff in Brewster on advanced level
topics for those who have already attended the Lower Cape Housing Institute. The Institute is a much-
needed continuing education opportunity as evidenced by the 306 people who have attended the past
seven Housing Institutes, including 45 participants from the Town of Brewster. These participants
include members of the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Housing Authority, Zoning Board of
Appeals, Planning Board, Community Preservation Committee, and the Administration department.
With 31 years of experience in managing and developing affordable housing, the CDP understands that
creating more affordable housing in our region is complicated. That’s why we created the Lower Cape
Housing Institute to demystify the process and support towns in creating and implementing a
comprehensive housing supply strategy to meet current and future housing needs.
Please note that this application seeks funding to support the 2024 and 2025 Lower Cape Housing
Institutes including quarterly Peer Groups and Advanced Trainings. In order to maximize efficiency for
both CDP staff and the Brewster Community Preservation Committee, our application seeks a funding
request for FY25-26 at a rate of $10,00 per year for two years. The total request for this multi-year
program is $20,000. We look forward to the Committee’s response and please feel free to contact me
with questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Jay Coburn
Chief Executive Officer
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Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING
Date Application Submitted: December 1, 2023
Name of Project Applicant: Community Development Partnership
Name of Co-Applicant(s), if applicable: N/A
Name of Contact Person: Terri Barron
Contact Person’s Mailing Address: 260 Cranberry Highway, Unit 1, Orleans, MA 02653
Contact Person’s Daytime Phone Number: 508-290-0114
Contact Person’s email Address: grants@capecdp.org
Proposed Project Name: Lower Cape Housing Institute
Project Address (or assessor’s parcel ID): N/A
Project Synopsis:
The CDP’s Lower Cape Housing Institute is one of three components of our Lower Cape Community Housing
Partnership (LCCHP). The LCCHP harnesses the urgency to address the deepening housing crisis by providing
opportunities for business owners, low-moderate income households, historically marginalized communities, and
year-round residents to advocate for housing production and related policies at annual town meetings.
Since 2017, the CDP has offered an annual Lower Cape Housing Institute (LCHI) to educate at least 40 local
elected and appointed officials, per year, from the eight towns on the Lower Cape including the town of Orleans.
Over the past six years, 306 Lower and Outer Cape officials have attended the LCHI, including 45 from Brewster.
The LCHI helps overcome many of the barriers to developing more affordable housing in the region in order to
better meet the housing needs of working families. Through quality training, peer-to-peer learning and technical
assistance, the LCHI builds municipal capacity to address the housing needs of Brewster residents.
Category: ☐ Open Space ☐ Historic Preservation ☐ Recreation XX Community Housing
CPA funding requested $ 20,000 over 2 years Total Cost of Proposed Project $ 652,337
4
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Please describe your project, answering all of the following questions in the order presented. Applications
will be considered incomplete if all requested information is not provided. Include supporting materials
(maps, diagrams, photos, etc.). Please number pages of application.
Form fields are provided after each question for your convenience. If you need more room, you may
provide additional information via separate documents/attachments at the end of the document. Please
do not provide any documentation via on-line links, as the committee will not be checking for updates. Be
as concise as possible.
1. Project Description: Describe the proposed project. Is this part of a larger project or an ongoing project?
a. Please see attached narrative for sections 1 through 10.
2. For Historic Preservation projects: Attach proof of listing on the State Register of Historic Places or a
letter from the Brewster Historical Commission indicating that the resource has been determined to be
significant in the history, archaeology, architecture, or culture of Brewster. Please note that rehabilitation
projects must comply with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties.
Additional information and analysis will be needed for projects submitted by churches/religious
organizations to determine if they comply with the SJC’s Caplan vs. Town of Acton decision.
3. CPA Goals/Criteria: Describe how this project accomplishes the goals and objectives of the CPA and the
Town of Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-27 (refer to the attached general and issue-specific
criteria and identify which of these apply to the project).
5
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
4. Community Benefits: What are the community benefits of the projects?
5. Community Support: What is the nature and level of support for this project? Include letters of support
and any petitions. If this is a funding request for a regional project where Brewster CPA funds will be spent
in another town, include Brewster based letters of support.
6. Timeline: What is the schedule for project implementation, including a timeline for all milestones? Please
identify any special timing considerations for the project’s implementation. If this is part of a larger project,
is it phased? What is the timeline for the entire project?
7. Credentials: What are the qualifications and relevant experience of those undertaking the project?
6
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
8. Budget/Need for Public Funds: What is the total budget (sources of funds and uses/expenses) for the
project and schedule for expenditure of CPA funds? All sources of funds and expenses must be clearly
identified. For housing development projects, include a budget that includes rents, revenues and cash flows
taking into account financing expense related to loans. Provide the basis for cost estimates whenever
possible. (Note: CPA funds may not be used for maintenance.)
If this is part of a larger project, what is the budget for the entire project (sources of funds and
expenses/uses)?
Clearly identify what additional funding sources are available, committed, or under consideration and why
public funding would be appropriate. Include copies of commitment letters, if available, and describe any
other attempts to secure funding for this project.
Provide the most recent audited financial report or if none available, an applicant generated financial report
that includes a balance sheet and operating budget. Town-sponsored projects must demonstrate why the
project cannot be funded through the Department’s or Committee’s budget
For housing development projects, describe the resident selection process.
7
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
9. Maintenance: If ongoing maintenance is required for your project, who will be responsible for maintenance
and how will it be funded?
10. Site Control and Appraisal: If the project involves acquisition of real property, provide evidence of site
control (deed, purchase and sale, option, etc.). In addition, provide an appraisal of the property’s value by a
state licensed appraiser using customary appraising techniques. The CPA does not allow funding for
acquisitions if the acquisition price is greater than appraised value.
8
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
Town of Brewster Community Preservation Committee
CATEGORY SPECIFIC CRITERIA
(Identify which of the following criteria apply to your project.)
Open Space Proposals
Meets one or more of the Open Space goals listed on page 28-30 of Town of Brewster Community
Preservation Plan FY23-27
Permanently protect important wildlife habitat, including areas of significance for biodiversity,
diversity of geological features and types of vegetation, contain a habitat type that is in danger of
vanishing from Brewster or preserve habitat for threatened or endangered species of plants or animals.
Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education.
Enhance or protect wildlife corridors, promote connectivity of habitat and prevent fragmentation of
habitats.
Provide connections with existing trails or potential trail linkages.
Preserve scenic views or border a scenic road.
Protect drinking water quantity and quality.
Provide flood control/storage.
Preserve important surface water bodies, including wetlands, vernal pools or riparian zones.
Preserve priority parcels in the Town’s Open Space Plan/maximize the amount of open land owned by
the Town of Brewster.
Historical Preservation Proposals
MANDATORY: Must be on the State Register of Historic Places or have a letter from the Brewster
Historical Commission indicating that the resource has been determined to be significant in the history,
archaeology, architecture, or culture of Brewster.
MANDATORY: Project must meet Secretary of the Interior Standards for rehabilitation and/or
restoration of Historic Preservation Properties.
MANDATORY IF REQUEST IS FROM A CHURCH/RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION: The
project must satisfy the analysis outlined by the SJC’s Caplan vs. Town of Acton decision.
Meets one or more of the Historical Preservation goals listed on page 36-37 of Town of Brewster
Community Preservation Plan FY23-27
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate historic, cultural, architectural or archaeological
resources of significance, especially those that are threatened.
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate town-owned properties, features or resources of
historical significance.
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate the historical function of a property or site;
Demonstrate a public benefit and/or public access, or
Otherwise provide permanent protection for maintaining the historic resource.
Project site should not be privately owned unless there is demonstrable public access and benefit.
Community Housing Proposals
X Meets one or more of the Community Housing goals listed on page 22-24 of Town of Brewster
Community Preservation Plan FY23-27
Increase the supply of year-round affordable rental housing for all types of households, such as young
singles and couples, families, and seniors.
X Build support for addressing housing needs through partnerships with conservation groups and non-
profit and for-profit developers.
Create housing that is affordable and appropriate for very low-income seniors and people with
disabilities.
X Increase local capacity to plan, advocate for, and create affordable housing, preserve the affordability
and condition of existing affordable units, and monitor affordable housing restrictions.
9
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
X Increase the variety of mixed-income housing choices in Brewster, particularly in or near commercial
areas in order to support Brewster’s economy and accommodate household growth.
Provide at least 10% of Brewster’s year-round housing units as affordable housing in order to meet
local and regional needs.
Ensure long term affordability.
Recreation Proposals
Meets one or more of the Recreation goals listed on page 42-43 of Town of Brewster Community
Preservation Plan FY23-27
Support multiple active and passive recreation uses.
Serve a significant number of residents and visitors.
Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to all ages of Brewster residents and visitors.
Benefit other Brewster committees providing recreational resources to residents.
Promote the use of alternative corridors that provide safe and healthy non-motorized transportation.
Promotes or enhances accessibility. (Please elaborate in application.)
2
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
PROJECT NARRATIVE
1. Project Description
The Lower Cape Housing Institute advances the purpose of the Community Preservation Act by
providing training and technical assistance to the Town of Brewster to create, preserve and support
affordable and community housing in the town and across the Lower and Outer Cape region.
The Lower Cape Housing Institute (LCHI) is a component of the Lower Cape Community Housing
Partnership (LCCHP) – a comprehensive response to insufficient affordable and attainable housing in
Brewster and throughout the Lower and Outer Cape. The region’s ability to respond to this housing
crisis is hindered by land use policies that encourage sprawl and discourage smart growth oriented
multi-family housing. Existing zoning has resulted in a housing monoculture: over 80% of the Cape’s
housing is single family, detached homes. Local elected and appointed municipal officials, and town
staff seek training and technical assistance in the complexity of developing and managing affordable
housing to year-round residents to address this situation.
Another major factor hindering the creation of affordable housing in the region has been
community resistance to specific proposals to build affordable housing. Many voters have
misconceptions and harbor stereotypes about working families in need of affordable housing. Few
voters understand the economics of development and the need for density to reduce costs and
reduce negative impact on the environment.
In June of 2017, the Community Development Partnership (CDP) launched a comprehensive
community-based strategy entitled the Lower Cape Community Housing Partnership (LCCHP). It is
designed to build public support for affordable housing and equip LMI (low to moderate-income)
residents, business and community leaders, and local elected and appointed officials with the
knowledge and skills to support the creation of more year-round housing. The LCCHP helps
overcome many barriers to developing more affordable housing in the region to better meet the
housing needs of our communities. Without an informed electorate, skilled and knowledgeable
volunteer officials, and town staff with expertise in affordable housing development, little progress
can be made in addressing the region’s affordable and year-round housing challenges.
The LCCHP advances outcomes under the following categories:
• Increased funding for housing production that serves low- and moderate-income households
in Brewster.
• Zoning changes that encourage multifamily housing development by right in Brewster
activity/village centers.
• Increase in units on Brewster’s Subsidized Housing Inventory.
• Increased public support for housing in Brewster.
3
Lower Cape Housing Institute
Since 2017, the CDP has offered an annual Lower Cape Housing Institute (LCHI) to educate at least 40
local elected and appointed officials per year from towns on the Lower Cape including the Town of
Brewster. Over the past six years, 306 Lower and Outer Cape officials attended the LCHI including 45
Brewster officials and staff.
For the first three years, the Institute consisted of a series of six workshops intended to equip officials
with the knowledge and skills to support affordable housing development in their towns. In 2020, the
pandemic forced the Institute to be held online and sparked a change in format. All offerings were
online, and each workshop was independent of each other rather than building on the subsequent
one. This is the format the CDP has chosen to stay with to increase access to the material. We
collaborate with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), Citizens’ Housing and Planning
Association (CHAPA) and the Cape Cod Commission to refine and deliver the LCHI curriculum.
The Lower Cape Housing Institute has covered a wide range of topics. For example, our current 2023-
2024 LCHI includes: “Housing 101”, “Community Engagement”, “ADUs to Zoning Changes: Strategies
to Encourage Housing Production”, “Local Preference”, and “Financing Attainable Housing”. The 2023-
2024 LCHI Calendar of Events is enclosed and all CPC members are encouraged to attend.
Beginning in 2022, the CDP implemented a three-year work plan for the Lower Cape Housing Institute
that prioritizes zoning reform outcomes. We continue to offer monthly learning opportunities
throughout the year from September to June. Housing 101 will be the first workshop every year and
is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive foundation of knowledge and skills to
address housing issues. Since it is structured as an introductory course, many topics are covered at a
basic level. To provide more in-depth knowledge of issues such as affordable housing finance, zoning
reform and development of community housing, advanced trainings are offered for elected and
appointed officials who already have a basic understanding of housing issues. In 2023 – 2025,
workshops will focus on high impact rural zoning strategies, innovative wastewater solutions,
effective community engagement and building for climate change. We typically offer 5 workshops per
year at minimum.
Due to town participation in these trainings, Brewster will be better positioned to implement changes
in zoning by-laws that support affordable housing development and ultimately increase the number
of affordable units in Brewster’s Subsidized Housing Inventory. Furthermore, the LCHI encourages
towns to increase their use of Community Preservation Act funding for affordable housing and make
optimal use of the town’s Affordable Housing Trust.
In addition to the workshops, Peer Group Meetings are held quarterly for Lower and Outer Cape
participants. These meetings are open to Town staff involved in housing issues (i.e., Town managers,
planners, housing specialists) and elected and appointed officials. The meetings provide an
opportunity for the exchange of ideas and the development of regional solutions to address the Lower
and Outer Cape’s housing crisis. Since the pandemic, we have moved to a hybrid format where we
hold fall and summer peer groups meeting in person for each sub-region and then in the winter and
spring, we hold virtual meetings that include all eight towns. This change was a direct result of
responding to past participant feedback.
Our short-term annual goals for the Lower Cape Housing Institute are:
• 2 towns create or amend zoning bylaws to increase density in their village center.
4
• 2 towns work toward implementing a wastewater treatment system that will allow them to
allow for higher density.
• 2 towns increase their allocation of short-term rental tax revenue for housing production OR
adopt a real estate transfer fee.
2. For Historic Preservation Projects
Not Applicable
3. CPA Goals/Criteria
The Lower Cape Housing Institute is specifically designed to assist the Town of Brewster in creating,
preserving and supporting community housing for low-to-moderate income residents including
families and seniors. As such, this project is eligible for CPA funds under the Community Housing
eligible use. By attending the Lower Cape Housing Institute and advanced trainings, Town officials
and staff will have the knowledge and tools that they need to make decisions and implement
strategies that increase affordable housing in a way that is appropriate for the town. Furthermore,
Brewster will be better positioned to support the creation of affordable housing in a way that
protects open space, maintains its historic character and enhances recreational use of land. With the
recent approval of Brewster’s Local Comprehensive Plan and the reality of current conditions, it is
more important than ever to think about accomplishing multiple CPA and community goals at a
time, instead of tackling them in distinct silos: this theme is central to the LCHI’s curriculum and
goals.
Alignment with the Brewster’s Overall CPA Goals (Community Preservation Plan FY23-27)
The Lower Cape Housing Institute supports the following CPA goals:
• Goal #1: Prioritize allocation of CPA funding to create and support community housing and
preserve open space/natural resources, including multi-purpose projects that address both
housing and open space needs.
• Goal #3: Support eligible projects that demonstrate compatibility with the Brewster Vision
Plan and other CPA relevant plans, along with community initiatives and goals such as at the
Pond Parcel and/ or Bay Parcel at the former Cape Cod Sea Camps property.
• Goal #4: Encourage leveraging of CPA funds with other public and private funding as well as
donation, bargain sales, and the like.
• Goal #5: Allocate funding for regional projects that demonstrate clear community benefit and
contributions from other communities in the region.
LCHI workshops and peer groups discuss and support the need to think about affordable housing in
a holistic way that balances other community priorities, such as open space and recreation. Housing
101, Community Engagement, and Strategies to Encourage Housing Production are all workshops
that incorporate the importance of envisioning and creating housing in areas that are already
developed to protect natural assets as well as siting new housing developments in appropriate areas
and with small footprints to preserve open space. The CDP leverages the funding allocated by our
region’s CPCs to pursue other grant opportunities that contribute to the financial solvency of the
program.
5
The purpose of the LCHI is to equip municipal officials and staff with the education and resources
needed to understand and advocate for the range of strategies that bolster housing production in
Brewster. As a regional entity, LCHI peer groups provide a venue for municipalities to develop
relationships with each other, both to share strategies and ideas, and to collaborate on solutions, as
housing is a regional issue. Having the data, vocabulary, and understanding of their roles as elected
and appointed officials are critical to the conversations had and decisions made about housing
across boards and committees.
As referenced in CPA Goals #3 and 5 above, the LCHI curriculum is also highly aligned with other
CPA-relevant plans, including the 2022-2027 Housing Production Plan (HPP) and the Housing
Building Block of the newly-approved Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP).
In particular, the LCHI curriculum supports and provides strategies for the following goals from the
HPP:
o Increasing and diversifying rental options for a range of incomes
o Preserving existing year-round rental stock
o Building support for addressing housing needs through partnerships
o Continuing to thoughtfully address concerns about issues sometimes seen as conflicting with
the development of fair, affordable housing
o Continuing to build capacity to produce housing through staffing, funding, regional
partnerships, advocacy and education, and relationships with nonprofit and for-profit
developers
Alignment with the Brewster CPC Category Specific Criteria for Community Housing proposals
• Create community housing, including affordable housing, that will address documented local
and regional housing needs including, but not limited to, affordable year-round senior
housing options, year-round rental housing and housing assistance for low-income families
and seniors, and housing for residents with special needs, such as Veterans.
• Support eligible housing initiatives and ongoing work of the Brewster Affordable Housing
Trust to address local housing needs.
• Continue to support local capacity to implement housing initiatives, including through the
Town’s housing coordinator position.
• Support the preservation of the existing stock of affordable rental and ownership housing.
The purpose of the Lower Cape Housing Institute is to provide Brewster elected and appointed
officials, and staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to increase the supply of affordable
housing in their town. By definition, these units will add to Brewster’s Subsidized Housing Inventory
(SHI) thereby getting closer to meeting the Commonwealth’s ten percent affordability goal.
However, the Institute will go further by teaching participants how to exceed this goal by planning
for the future needs of town residents at all income levels. The Lower Cape Housing Institute will
support the Town of Brewster in determining its affordable housing needs and implementing
strategies to meet those needs in a way that is place-based and contextual.
The Housing Institute provides an overview of the different types of planning tools available to meet
specific needs through workshop topics and peer group discussions. Additionally, the Director of
Housing Advocacy provides regular communication and individual support about training
opportunities, planning resources, specific questions, and regional data/research requests as
needed.
6
4. Community Benefits
Cape Cod has the most severe housing shortage in the state after Boston. Year-round rentals are in
short supply due to the premium placed on high-priced summer vacation rentals, and lower-wage
workers cannot afford market rate rents for year-round housing, assuming they can find a rental.
Many workers have moved off-Cape to find housing, which has led to many small businesses needing
to reduce their hours due to staffing shortages. Between 2010 and 2015, the Cape lost 3,800 year-
round housing units while gaining 5,000 seasonal units. These figures are based on pre-pandemic data
and the housing crisis has worsened significantly since then.
According to the Cape Cod Commission, “the region’s housing market did not meet its residents’
diverse needs prior to COVID-19, and challenges to the adequate provision of affordable and
attainable housing on Cape Cod have only increased throughout the pandemic. The annual median
sales price of single-family homes in Barnstable County rose to $749,000 in May 2022 compared to
$600,000 in June 2021. To afford a mortgage at this price, a household would need an estimated
annual income of $172,374.40. The median household income for Barnstable County based on the
2020 Census was $76,287. At the same time, the inventory of homes for sale continued to decrease,
from 1,744 in 2019 to 388 in 2021. These trends have thus far persisted through 2022,
(https://datacapecod.org/pf/real-estate-trends/, accessed September 28, 2022).
The pre-Covid housing shortage was driven by second homeowners with higher incomes that out
competed year-round households. While this is still true, the post-Covid housing shortage is
exacerbated by a new group of residents who fled urban centers to find safety on the rural Lower and
Outer Cape. These so-called Covid refugees have added significant pressure to an already strained
housing market. There is a large body of both qualitative and quantitative evidence showing that
homes at all price points are being purchased above asking price in cash within hours of hitting the
market. The economic impacts of Covid are significant as it has become commonplace in the region
for businesses to operate for reduced hours due to staff shortages from housing insecurity.
The Lower Cape Housing Institute will assist the Town of Brewster in responding to this crisis by
supporting the creation of affordable and community housing in its town.
5. Community Support
The CDP has collected feedback from municipal officials and staff who have participated in the
Lower Cape Housing Institute. Participants were asked to state the value of the Lower Cape Housing
Institute from the following options: Very valuable, Valuable, Fairly valuable or Not valuable. 100%
of respondents indicate that the sessions are either Very valuable or Valuable. We have also
received anecdotal praise for the Lower Cape Housing Institute and how it empowers municipal
officials to work toward their affordable housing goals. At the end of the Institute, all participants
are asked to complete a final evaluation to provide feedback on how we can strengthen the Lower
Cape Housing Institute.
6. Project Timeline
See attached FY25 Lower Cape Housing Institute Work Plan as a sample of activities to be completed
withing the grant’s performance period.
7
7. Credentials
The Lower Cape Housing Institute will be overseen by Chief Program Officer, Andrea Aldana. Andrea
graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Urban Studies. Before moving into this position,
Andrea was responsible for launching and implementing the Lower Cape Community Housing
Partnership from 2017-2021 as the former Director of Housing Advocacy. Andrea has been with the
CDP for over 12 years.
Andrea Aldana directly supervises the CDP’s Director of Housing Advocacy, Amanda Bebrin, who is
responsible for implementing the Lower Cape Housing Institute, as well as the broader Lower Cape
Community Housing Partnership, throughout the eight towns of the Lower Cape including Brewster.
Amanda holds a B.A. in French and Secondary Education from Providence College, was a realtor on
Cape Cod for 10 years and serves on several Boards and Committees in Brewster including as Chair
of the Planning Board.
Amanda Bebrin directly supervises the CDP’s Housing Advocacy Program Manager, Pelinda Deegan,
who provides program support and holds a B.A. in Anthropology from San Francisco State
University.
8. Budget/Need for public funds
The Lower Cape Housing Institute is a component of our Lower Cape Community Housing
Partnership initiative. The requested funding of $20,000 for two years ($10,000 per year) from the
Brewster CPC grant will be used to partially fund staff time spent on the Lower Cape Housing
Institute. Total budgeted salaries for the Lower Cape Community Housing Partnership in FY24 are
$429,745.
The remaining costs outlined below for the Lower Cape Community Housing Partnership, including
the Lower Cape Housing Institute, will be covered by CPA granted funds from the other seven Lower
and Outer Cape towns, a state earmark administered by MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable
Communities, and a MA Community Health & Healthy Aging Funds grant administered through the
MA Department of Public Health. The CDP will use revenue earned through the Cape & Island
License Plate program to cover any shortfalls.
Advertising/Marketing: $1,000
Travel: $5,000
Computers/Software: $6,500
Postage: $250
Printing: $3,400
Town Planner Consultant: $10,000
Video Production: $9,000
Other Professional Services: $20,000
Meeting Space Rent: $300
Training/Professional Dev.: $7,000
Memberships: $1,250
Training/Educ. & Meeting Supplies: $6,000
Telephone: $900
Administrative Costs: $37,878
8
9. Maintenance
Not applicable.
10. Site Control
Not applicable.
2024-2025 Lower Cape Housing Institute Work Plan
Activities Key Milestones & Dates Activity Lead
LCHI Curriculum Development
- Revise curriculum & recruit speakers
- Recruit participants
- Secure training venues, if applicable
- Plan & schedule quarterly trainings
June – August, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
Summer Lower & Outer Cape Peer Group Meetings (in-person)
As a result of participating in this Peer Group meeting, participants will be able to:
- Discuss engagement strategies to broaden outreach and help inform better decision making at town meetings
- Highlight different approaches to engaging regulatory boards and residents.
- Identify how to reach community members that are underrepresented.
July, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
Fall Lower & Outer Cape Peer Group Meetings (hybrid)
As a result of participating in this Peer Group meeting, participants will be able to:
- Discuss engagement strategies to broaden outreach and help inform better decision making at town meetings
- Highlight different approaches to engaging regulatory boards and residents.
- Identify how to reach community members that are underrepresented.
September, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
Housing 101 Workshop
As a result of participating in this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify effective strategies to increase housing in your community.
- Demonstrate the basics about who needs housing, why housing is so hard to build and what you can do to increase housing production in
your town.
- Discuss the best ways to talk about housing so that you can be an effective agent of change in your role as a municipal offic ial.
- Acquire knowledge and language to support housing initiatives.
- Illustrate what must be done to solve your town’s housing crisis.
October, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
Advanced Workshop #1
2023 topic = Beyond the Usual Suspects: Addressing barriers to participation for Community Engagement
As a result of participating in this workshop, participants will:
- Consider the demographics of those who regularly participate in local decision-making, as well as those who need to be involved but are not.
- Reimagine what it means to engage with impacted populations; identify barriers to participation and discuss appropriate solut ions.
- Demonstrate the value of developing inclusive, strategic engagement best practices for long -term community success & outcomes
- Delve more deeply into soliciting and prioritizing input from impacted populations while encouraging a high degree of engagem ent from the
community overall
October, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
Winter Regional Peer Group Meeting (virtual)
As a result of participating in this Peer Group meeting, participants will be able to:
December, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
- Discuss engagement strategies to broaden outreach and help inform better decision making at town meetings
- Highlight different approaches to engaging regulatory boards and residents.
- Identify how to reach community members that are underrepresented.
Advanced Workshop #2
2024 topic = ADU’s to Zoning Changes: Strategies to Encourage Housing Production
As a result of participating in this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand how our region developed its current zoning, centered around single-family homes on large lots
- Discuss current ADU production and conditions, and barriers to both
- Highlight emerging technologies in construction and wastewater
- Explore zoning changes that more easily allow more homes to be created
- Discuss process and requirements to implement zoning changes
January, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
Advanced Workshop #3
2024 topic = Local Preference: “...but who’s going to live there”?
As a result of participating in this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand the history and mechanics of local preference and affirmative fair marketing
- Explore the usage of local preference in reinforcing existing socioeconomic and racial demographics
- Connect local preference to community visioning and discuss ways for towns to create opportunities to attract diverse residents that will
economically contribute to and benefit from being part of the community
February 2023 Director of Housing Advocacy
Spring Regional Peer Group Meetings (virtual)
As a result of participating in this Peer Group meeting, participants will be able to:
- Discuss engagement strategies to broaden outreach and help inform better decision making at town meetings
- Highlight different approaches to engaging regulatory boards and residents.
- Identify how to reach community members that are underrepresented.
March, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
Advanced Workshop #4
2024 topic = Financing Attainable Housing
As a result of participating in this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Share Cape Cod Commission’s Regional Housing Strategies, specifically those about funding.
- Examine how affordable housing development initiatives are financed.
- Analyze the impact of implementing short-term rental tax allocations to affordable housing initiatives in your community.
- Identify the funding gaps associated with building housing for 80% AMI and over.
April, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
Annual Town Meeting Housing Summary
- Provide updates and results of pro-housing articles on town warrants.
- Identify areas in which partnerships can be developed as part of community outreach.
- List key individuals and housing champions that helped advance pro-housing articles.
- Formulate areas of improvement in preparation for discussion at Summer Town Huddle in June.
May, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
Summer Town Captain Huddle
As a result of participating in the Summer Town Captain Huddle, participants will be able to:
June, annual Director of Housing Advocacy
- Celebrate successes of the past year.
- Evaluate municipal pro-housing goals identified for Town Meetings and beyond to determine what was successful and what needs to be
reevaluated.
- Enhance CDP’s pro-housing advocacy strategies (internal and external).
- Provide feedback on next year’s topics.
Lower Cape Housing Institute 2023-
2024
SEPTEMBER 2023
OCTOBER 2023
Workshop: Housing 101
Tuesday, 10/17 at 10 am - 11:30 am
DECEMBER 2023
JANUARY 2024
Workshop: ADU’s to Zoning
Changes: Strategies to Encourage
Housing Production
Tuesday, 1/9 at 10 am - 11:30 am
MARCH 2024
Regional Peer Group Meetings
Tuesday, 3/12 at 3 pm - 5 pm
APRIL 2024
MAY 2024
2024 Annual Town Meetings
JUNE 2024
FEBRUARY 2024
Outer Cape Peer Group
Tuesday, 9/12 at 3 pm - 4:30 pm
Lower Cape Peer Group
Thursday, 9/14 at 3 pm - 4:30 pm
Workshop: Community
Engagement
Tuesday, 10/31 at 10 am - 11:30 am
Workshop: Local Preference -
“But who’s going to live there?”
Tuesday, 2/13 at 10 am - 11:30 am
Workshop: Financing Affordable
Housing
Tuesday, 4/2 at 10 am - 11:30 am
Town Captain Huddle
Thursday, 5/30 at 12 pm - 2 pm
Outer Cape Peer Group
Tuesday, 6/11 at 3 pm - 4:30 pm
Lower Cape Peer Group
Thursday, 6/13 at 3 pm - 4:30 pm
Regional Peer Group Meetings
Tuesday, 12/12 at 3 pm - 5 pm
T o r e g i s t e r , e m a i l
A m a n d a B e b r i n , D i r e c t o r
o f H o u s i n g A d v o c a c y a t
a m a n n d a @ c a p e c d p .o r g
2 0 2 3 - 2 0 2 4
L O W E R
C A P E
H O U S I N G
I N S T I T U T E
H e l d S e l e c t
T u e s d a y s ,
1 0 a m -
1 1 :3 0 a m
V i r t u a l
W o r k s h o p s
Register at
capecdp.org, and click
on Upcoming Events
and then Housing to
sign up for workshops
and peer groups. Pre-
registration is
required.
C o n t a c t :
A m a n d a B e b r i n
D i r e c t o r o f H o u s i n g
A d v o c a c y
a m a n d a @ c a p e c d p .o r g
5 0 8 -2 9 0 -0 1 3 0
L o w e r & O u t e r C a p e
P e e r G r o u p M e e t i n g s
Q u a r t e r l y , S e l e c t T u e s d a y s
a n d T h u r s d a y s 3 p m - 4 :3 0 p m
F a l l P e e r G r o u p
W i n t e r P e e r G r o u p
S p r i n g P e e r G r o u p
S u m m e r P e e r G r o u p
Outer Cape Peer Group
Tuesday, September 12th
Lower Cape Peer Group
Thursday, September 14th
Regional Peer Group Meeting
Tuesday, December 12th
3 pm - 5pm
Regional Peer Group Meeting
Tuesday, March 12th
3 pm - 5pm
Outer Cape Peer Group
Tuesday, June 11th
Lower Cape Peer Group
Thursday, June 13th
W O R K S H O P : H O U S I N G 1 0 1
What is housing, affordable and attainable?
Who needs it?
What are the various types of housing that
would meet the need of a diverse community?
What can it look like and how does it get built?
What do we need to get the best housing?
What housing developments are happening in
your town?
Date: October 17, 2023
This workshop addresses barriers to housing
production on the Lower & Outer Cape by providing
effective strategies to create more homes in your
town. You will leave this workshop with the
knowledge and language to support housing
initiatives as well as a firm understanding of what
must be done to solve your town’s housing crisis.
We’ll explore the following questions:
W O R K S H O P : C O M M U N I T Y
E N G A G E M E N T
Date: October 31, 2023
Housing opportunities are made or broken
at the local level, but recent research* has
shown that the loudest voices in the room
often do not represent the community as a
whole. In this session, we’ll explore a
variety of methods for inviting groups that
are underrepresented in local decision-
making, including renters, POC, and
parents, into the conversation in order to
create more equitable outcomes.
W O R K S H O P : A D U ’S T O
Z O N I N G C H A N G E S :
S T R A T E G I E S T O E N C O U R A G E
H O U S I N G P R O D U C T I O N
Date: January 9, 2024
Historically, zoning has been used to exclude
development, uses, and people. This workshop
will explore how we can reimagine zoning to
encourage certain development patterns, create
needed homes, and attract a range of residents.
Zoning-based tools ranging from ADU’s to design
standards and housing “by right” can be used to
accomplish these goals; this workshop will also
discuss the practicalities of implementing these
strategies.
W O R K S H O P : L O C A L
P R E F E R E N C E : “...B U T W H O ’S
G O I N G T O L I V E T H E R E ”?
Date: February 13, 2024
What are local preference and affirmative fair
marketing? Is local preference working the way
people think it does? While the term seems
self-explanatory, the mechanics of local
preference are complex and not widely
understood. Providing homes for local people
and providing homes for new residents are
equally important in a healthy, sustainable
community, and we’ll explore how local
preference is involved in that equation.
W O R K S H O P :F I N A N C I N G
A T T A I N A B L E H O U S I N G
Date: April 2, 2024
In order to address the housing shortage,
towns must allocate significant local funds
to create more units serving a range of
income levels. This workshop will examine
how affordable housing development
initiatives are financed, as well as exploring
gaps in financing, and will analyze the
impact of allocating short-term rental
taxes to housing initiatives.
Brewster Community Preservation Committee Application Form
Instructions for
Applicants
Before you begin completing the form:
1. Download and save this document under a new name (for
example Projectname.applicant.pdf)*
2. Open your saved document and provide the requested
information.
3. If you need more room for answers/information, feel free
to include additional pages in your submission.
4. Need help, or have questions? Send an email to
cpcmeeting@brewster-ma.gov and we will respond
quickly.
Dear Community Members,
The Brewster Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is accepting Community Preservation Act (CPA)
funding applications for:
1. Acquisition, creation, and preservation of Open Space
2. Acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of Historic Resources
3. Acquisition, creation, preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of land for Recreational use.
4. Acquisition, creation, preservation, and support of Community Housing.
5. Rehabilitation and restoration of Open Space and Community Housing that have been acquired or
created using monies from the fund.
CPA funds may not be used for maintenance or the use of land for a stadium, gymnasium, or similar structure.
For examples of projects and additional information, go to: www.communitypreservation.org.
Applicants should review the Town of Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-27 before submitting an
application. An application form and list of selection criteria are attached.
Applications should be submitted by July 1st for the fall meeting or December 1st for the spring meeting, to
allow sufficient CPC review time for potential presentation to the following Brewster Town Meeting.
Interested parties are urged to submit applications as soon as possible. For further information, please contact
any member of the committee.
Thank you,
Faythe Ellis, Chair
Community Preservation Committee
Faythe Ellis, Chair Historical Commission faythe.ellis@outlook.com
Sarah Robinson, Vice Chair Citizen Representative RobinsonFinancialSolutions@comcast.net
Sharon Marotti, Treasurer Citizen Representative sharonmarotti@gmail.com
Elizabeth G. Taylor, Clerk Planning Board egtfarm@gmail.com
Roland W. Bassett, Jr., Member Recreation Commission
Christine Boucher, Member Brewster Housing Authority cb.bb.boucher@gmail.com
Bruce Evans, Member Conservation Commission nanumetbruce@gmail.com
Peggy Jablonski, Member Citizen Representative pegjab@gmail.com
Paul Ruchinskas, Member Citizen Representative pjruch@comcast.net
1
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
Town of Brewster Community Preservation Committee
Project Eligibility Criteria
Projects must be eligible for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding according to the requirements
described in the CPA legislation. These requirements include:
Acquisition, creation, and preservation of Open Space
Acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of Historic Resources. (See Secretary of the
Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties for rehabilitation projects)
Acquisition, creation, preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of land for Recreational use.
Acquisition, creation, preservation, and support of Community Housing
Rehabilitation and restoration of Open Space and Community Housing that have been acquired or
created using monies from the fund
CPA funds may not be used for maintenance or the use of land for a stadium, gymnasium, or similar structure.
For examples of projects and additional information, go to: www.communitypreservation.org.
Applicants must be able demonstrate a clear need for the use of public funds for their project. The CPC may
recommend grants for the planning phase of projects where sufficient information is included in the application
concerning the sources of funding that will be available after the planning phase is completed.
The Brewster Community Preservation Committee (CPC) encourages applications that address as many of the
following general criteria as possible:
Overall CPA goals listed in Town of Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-27
Category specific goals listed in Town of Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-27
Contribute to the preservation of Brewster’s unique character
Help implement the Vision Plan and other CPC related town planning documents
Enhance the quality of life for Brewster residents
Serve more than one of the four CPA purposes
Save resources that would otherwise be threatened
Serve a currently under-served Town population
Demonstrate practicality and feasibility, and ability to implement within budget
Demonstrate a positive cost/benefit relationship
Leverage additional public and/or private funds
Preserve, enhance, or better utilize existing Town resources
Receive endorsement by other Town committees and the Brewster public at large
2
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING
Date Application Submitted: December 1, 2023
Name of Project Applicant: Donna J. Kalinick, Assistant Town Manager
Name of Co-Applicant(s), if applicable: Jon Idman, Town Planner
Name of Contact Person: Donna J. Kalinick
Contact Person’s Mailing Address: C/O Town Manager’s Office
Contact Person’s Daytime Phone Number: 508-896-3701 X1130
Contact Person’s email Address: dkalinick@brewster-ma.gov
Proposed Project Name: Housing Coordinator
Project Address (or assessor’s parcel ID): _____________________________________________________
Project Synopsis: The Community Preservation Committee and Town Administration & the Select Board have
been partners in the funding of the critical position of the Brewster Housing Coordinator. The Housing
Coordinator works 30 hours a week and the salary portion of the position has been funded through CPA. The
Town supports the Housing Coordinator position with funding of the benefits associated with the position. Due
to the growth of the Brewster Housing Program, this year, the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust joined this
partnership and is funding a 19-hour Housing Program Assistant position. The Town of Brewster continues to
be a leader in the Lower Cape for housing initiatives, through the creation, support, and preservation of housing
in our community. Much of the Housing Program’s success in the creation of affordable housing, support
services for residents, and the preservation of our existing affordable housing stock are led by the Housing
Coordinator.
Category : 0 Open Space 0 Historic Preservation 0 Recreation X Community Housing
CPA funding requested $ 74,589.00 Total Cost of Proposed Project $ 114,599.00
3
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Please describe your project, answering all of the following questions in the order presented. Applications
will be considered incomplete if all requested information is not provided. Include supporting materials
(maps, diagrams, photos, etc.). Please number pages of application.
Form fields are provided after each question for your convenience. If you need more room, you may
provide additional information via separate documents/attachments at the end of the document. Please do
not provide any documentation via on-line links, as the committee will not be checking for updates. Be as
concise as possible.
1. Project Description: Describe the proposed project. Is this part of a larger project or an ongoing project?
The creation of the Housing Coordinator position was identified as a key strategy and goal in the 2017
Housing Production Plan (HPP). We are proud that not only was this goal met with the support of the
CPC, but that this support has continued and grown. The Brewster Housing Production Plan update was
completed in 2022 and subsequently, certified by the State of Massachusetts. The Housing Coordinator
led the community outreach and coordination for the update and the certification of the HPP. Goals #3
and #4 in the 2022 HPP both speak to the need to build capacity in the housing program. Housing has
been identified as a key challenge and building block in the proposed Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP),
Select Board Strategic Plan and the CPC 5 Year Plan. The data collected for the 2022 HPP update
points toward growing housing costs for both renters and homeowners, unattainable first-time home
ownership and that low to moderate income residents are leaving Brewster due to the high cost of
housing and the high cost of living. The Housing Coordinator position is the keystone to continuing the
critical housing work that has happened in our community since the creation of this position. The
Community Preservation Committee has been an important partner in Brewster’s housing initiatives.
The Housing Coordinator meets with residents, furthers housing initiatives for the Town, communicates
with other towns, state and local agencies and non-profit partners and supports the housing efforts of the
Housing Trust, Housing Partnership, CPC and Select Board.
For Historic Preservation projects: Attach proof of listing on the State Register of Historic Places or a
letter from the Brewster Historical Commission indicating that the resource has been determined to be
significant in the history, archaeology, architecture, or culture of Brewster. Please note that rehabilitation
projects must comply with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties.
Additional information and analysis will be needed for projects submitted by churches/religious
organizations to determine if they comply with the SJC’s Caplan vs. Town of Acton decision.
2. CPA Goals/Criteria: Describe how this project accomplishes the goals and objectives of the CPA and the
Town of Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-27 (refer to the attached general and issue-specific
criteria and identify which of these apply to the project). Funding of the Housing Coordinator position meets all
of the Housing Goals in the CPC 5 year plan:
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-FY27 GOALS
1. Create community housing, including affordable housing, that will address documented local and regional
housing needs including, but not limited to, affordable year-round senior housing options, year-round rental
housing and housing assistance for low-income families and seniors, and housing for residents with special
needs, such as Veterans:
Since the creation of the Housing Coordinator position, the Town has permitted 125 new affordable units
including 30 rental units at Brewster Woods, 27 rental units at Serenity Brewster, 2 Habitat homes off Red Top
Road and 45 rental units at Spring Rock Village. The Town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) has seen an
increase of approximately 2% points from 5.31% to 7.2% during this time frame. These new units serve a
spectrum of income levels, 30 to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and residents. While Serenity serves
those 55+, Brewster Woods is a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units open to all types of
households, including 3 units for disabled individuals transitioning to independent living and of the two Habitat
homes, one is for a veteran. The 45 rental units at Spring Rock Village which received its’ comprehensive
permit this year will be open to all types of households. In addition to the creation of new housing, the Town
with the assistance of the Housing Coordinator has started a Rental Assistance Program and offers both
Childcare Vouchers and Housing Rehabilitation funds through a regional CDBG grant. The Town also has a
Good Neighbor fund that the Housing Coordinator works on with the COA and Human Resources. The Housing
Coordinator and Assistant Town Manager presented a Local Preference Forum to the Select Board, CPC,
Finance Committee, Housing Trust and Housing Partnership in August. After this forum, the Select Board voted
to ask for 55% Local Preference and 15% regional preference for Spring Rock Village. This request was
subsequently approved by the State of Massachusetts Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC).
2. Support eligible housing initiatives and ongoing work of the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust to
address local housing needs. The Housing Coordinator supports the work of the BAHT; attends every meeting,
and does research for the Trust in between meetings. The Housing Coordinator worked with the BAHT in
developing and awarding an RFP for Community Rental Housing off Millstone Road; helped create BAHT
guidelines and a funding application; helps run the BAHT Rental Assistance program; worked with the BAHT
and BHP to host a Housing Forum and Fair at the Brewster Ladies Library in October 2022 and has assisted the
BAHT with the preservation of SHI homes, including the acquisition and rehabilitation of 212 Yankee Drive.
The Housing Coordinator was instrumental in coordinating between the Trust and the CPC in funding the
Brewster Buy Down program and bringing it under the supervision of the Trust.
3. Continue to support local capacity to implement housing initiatives, including through the Town’s
housing coordinator position. The CPC has been a key partner in the creation of the Housing Coordinator
position, the expansion of hours and the continued growth of the Housing Program. The CPC has funded about
$3.3 million dollars in housing initiatives in the last 7 years, including the Housing Coordinator Position. The
Housing Coordinator also supported the efforts of the Planning Board to revise the ADU bylaw which was
successfully passed at the November town meeting.
4. Support the preservation of the existing stock of affordable rental and ownership housing.
The CPC provided the Housing Trust with $500,000 in funding to preserve existing units on our SHI. The
Housing Trust, with the support of the Housing Coordinator, took possession of 212 Yankee Drive in 2022. We
are now actively working on rehabilitating the home and re-sale to an eligible affordable buyer through a fair
marketing process. We expect this project to be complete by March 2023 and a new eligible affordable
homeowner to be living there. In addition to 212 Yankee Drive, the Housing Coordinator is actively working
with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) on two other homes at risk that are on
our SHI. The Housing Coordinator maintains accurate records of the units on our SHI, communicates with
owners annually and verifies that our SHI is accurate through DHCD on an annual basis.
The Housing Coordinator keeps a file on all units on the SHI, handles re-sales and requests and takes every
opportunity to update homes to the new universal deed rider that ensures affordability in perpetuity.
5. Continue to support the Brewster Buy Down Program to assist eligible first-time homebuyers.
The Town of Brewster, through Community Preservation Funds, provides up to $30,000 of grant
assistance for eligible buyers purchasing a home in Brewster. The program, contingent on existing funds,
is available to households qualifying at 80% AMI (Area Median Income) who agree to place a permanent
affordable housing deed restriction on the home. The grant assistance is provided as an interest free loan
which is forgivable after 30 years.
The Housing Coordinator oversees the Brewster Buy Down program. The Housing Coordinator worked with the
Trust and CPC to determine the future of the program in a joint meeting. The Housing Coordinator prepared and
submitted a funding application to the CPC this fall for the continuation of the program, to be overseen by the
BAHT. The Housing Coordinator, working with the Trust to update all the application documents. The Housing
Coordinator handles inquiries and applications for the program. She will continue to communicate with the
Trust, as she did with the CPC when a Buy Down application is submitted and with the Treasurer Collector
when funding is approved.
3. Community Benefits: What are the community benefits of the projects?
In addition to assisting with the creation, support and rehabilitation of housing in Brewster, the Housing
Coordinator holds weekly office hours and is available to the public for housing questions and concerns. As
you can see from the enclosed housing coordinator reports, the number of requests for assistance and
information is significant. The Housing Coordinator, working with the Housing Trust and Housing
Partnership, sponsored a Housing Forum and Fair in October 2022 at the Brewster Ladies Library for the
community. The Housing Program also participated in the COA Community Health fair in May 2023. The
Housing Coordinator has actively participated in the Cape Cod Commission’s Cape Wide Housing report.
The Housing Coordinator actively engages in Lower Cape Housing peer group meetings, CHAPA monthly
calls, is the Town representative on the Barnstable County Home Consortium and participates in many other
local and statewide housing coordination efforts, including recently speaking to the Cape Cod Realtors
Association.
4. Community Support: What is the nature and level of support for this project? Include letters of
support and any petitions. If this is a funding request for a regional project where Brewster CPA
funds will be spent in another town, include Brewster based letters of support.
Letters of Support are included from the Brewster Select Board and the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust.
5.Timeline: What is the schedule for project implementation, including a timeline for all milestones? Please
identify any special timing considerations for the project’s implementation. If this is part of a larger project,
is it phased? What is the timeline for the entire project?
The funding request is for FY25, July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
5
6. Credentials: What are the qualifications and relevant experience of those undertaking the project?
The Housing Department is located in the Town Planning Department and overseen jointly by Town
Planner, Jon Idman and Assistant Town Manager, Donna Kalinick. The Housing Coordinator collaborates
closely with Jon and Donna as well as the many other Department Heads who are involved in Housing,
including the COA Director, Building Commissioner, Health Director, DPW Superintendent, Police and Fire
Chief, Water Superintendent and Finance Team. In addition to the internal staff, the Housing Coordinator
regularly interacts and relies on the expertise of EOHLC, MHP, HAC, HPC, CDP and other community
organizations.
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
6
7. Budget/Need for Public Funds: What is the total budget (sources of funds and uses/expenses)
for the project and schedule for expenditure of CPA funds? All sources of funds and expenses must be
clearly identified. For housing development projects, include a budget that includes rents, revenues and
cash flows taking into account financing expense related to loans. Provide the basis for cost estimates
whenever possible. (Note: CPA funds may not be used for maintenance.)
The Funding for this position is shared between CPA-salary and the Town budget-benefits. The
Housing Program has created a five-year financial forecast that looks at all expenditures across the
housing program for the next five years. In addition to the Housing Coordinator, the Housing Trust has
funded a new part-time Housing Program assistant. There are many town departments who need
additional staff in the next few years, particularly with the addition of the Cape Cod Sea Camps. Funding
the Housing Coordinator is a CPA eligible expense and is supported in many communities across the
State. The position is part of the Personnel Bylaw employees of the Town. The salary rate and benefits
are calculated on an annual basis by the Finance Team which is made up of the Town Manager,
Assistant Town Manager, Finance Director, Treasurer/Collector and Deputy Assessor. Additionally, the
Finance Director works directly with the CPC committee on monthly financial reporting; the Assistant
Town Manager oversees the Housing Coordinator’s payroll and bills associated with the Housing
Program.
If this is part of a larger project, what is the budget for the entire project (sources of funds and
expenses/uses)?
Clearly identify what additional funding sources are available, committed, or under consideration and
why public funding would be appropriate. Include copies of commitment letters, if available, and
describe any other attempts to secure funding for this project.
Provide the most recent audited financial report or if none available, an applicant generated financial report
that includes a balance sheet and operating budget. Town-sponsored projects must demonstrate why the
project cannot be funded through the Department’s or Committee’s budget: The FY23-FY27 Financial
Forecast for the Housing Program is included. This forecast is in progress of being updated for FY24-FY28.
For housing development projects, describe the resident selection process.
Community Preservation Committee Application rev.
09/15/23
7
9. Maintenance: If ongoing maintenance is required for your project, who will be responsible for maintenance
and how will it be funded?
10. Site Control and Appraisal: If the project involves acquisition of real property, provide evidence of site
control (deed, purchase and sale, option, etc.). In addition, provide an appraisal of the property’s value by a
state licensed appraiser using customary appraising techniques. The CPA does not allow funding for
acquisitions if the acquisition price is greater than appraised value.
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
Town of Brewster Community Preservation Committee
CATEGORY SPECIFIC CRITERIA
(Identify which of the following criteria apply to your project.)
Open Space Proposals
Meets one or more of the Open Space goals listed on page 28-30 of Town of Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-27
Permanently protect important wildlife habitat, including areas of significance for biodiversity,
diversity of geological features and types of vegetation, contain a habitat type that is in danger of
vanishing from Brewster or preserve habitat for threatened or endangered species of plants or animals.
Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education.
Enhance or protect wildlife corridors, promote connectivity of habitat and prevent fragmentation of
habitats.
Provide connections with existing trails or potential trail linkages.
Preserve scenic views or border a scenic
road.
Protect drinking water quantity and quality.
Provide flood control/storage.
Preserve important surface water bodies, including wetlands, vernal pools or riparian zones.
Preserve priority parcels in the Town’s Open Space Plan/maximize the amount of open land owned by
the Town of Brewster.
Historical Preservation Proposals
x MANDATORY: Must be on the State Register of Historic Places or have a letter from the Brewster
Historical Commission indicating that the resource has been determined to be significant in the history,
archaeology, architecture, or culture of Brewster.
x MANDATORY: Project must meet Secretary of the Interior Standards for rehabilitation and/or
restoration of Historic Preservation Properties.
x MANDATORY IF REQUEST IS FROM A CHURCH/RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION: The
project must satisfy the analysis outlined by the SJC’s Caplan vs. Town of Acton decision.
Meets one or more of the Historical Preservation goals listed on page 36-37 of Town of Brewster
Community Preservation Plan FY23-27
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate historic, cultural, architectural or archaeological
resources of significance, especially those that are threatened.
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate town-owned properties, features or resources of
historical significance.
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate the historical function of a property or site;
Demonstrate a public benefit and/or public access, or
Otherwise provide permanent protection for maintaining the historic resource.
Project site should not be privately owned unless there is demonstrable public access and benefit.
Community Housing Proposals
X Meets one or more of the Community Housing goals listed on page 22-24 of Town of
Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-27
X Increase the supply of year-round affordable rental housing for all types of households, such as
young singles and couples, families, and seniors.
X Build support for addressing housing needs through partnerships with conservation groups and
nonprofit and for-profit developers.
X Create housing that is affordable and appropriate for very low-income seniors and people
with disabilities.
X Increase local capacity to plan, advocate for, and create affordable housing, preserve the
affordability and condition of existing affordable units, and monitor affordable housing restrictions.
8
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
9
o X Increase the variety of mixed-income housing choices in Brewster, particularly in or near
commercial areas in order to support Brewster’s economy and accommodate household growth.
o X Provide at least 10% of Brewster’s year-round housing units as affordable housing in order to
meet local and regional needs.
o X Ensure long term affordability.
Recreation Proposals
o Meets one or more of the Recreation goals listed on page 42-43 of Town of Brewster Community
Preservation Plan FY23-27
o Support multiple active and passive recreation uses.
o Serve a significant number of residents and visitors.
o Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to all ages of Brewster residents and visitors.
o Benefit other Brewster committees providing recreational resources to residents.
o Promote the use of alternative corridors that provide safe and healthy non-motorized transportation.
o Promotes or enhances accessibility. (Please elaborate in application.)
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
Town of Brewster Community Preservation Committee
APPLICATION REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Step 1 – Complete the application (with numbered pages) and submit with all attachments either:
Electronically to cpcmeeting@brewster-ma.gov, or
Deliver a thumb drive containing the complete application with all attachments*
to:
Community Preservation Committee
Town Hall
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631
*Do not submit access to additional documentation via links as the committee will
not be checking for updates.
Deliver 2 (two) hard copies of the full application to the Community Preservation
Committee at the address above within 5 business days of the application
deadline.
Step 2 – Community Preservation Committee Review and Public Comment
A. Application Review:
The Brewster Community Preservation Committee (CPC) will review submitted applications to
determine whether:
Proposed project is eligible for Community Preservation Act funding after review by Town
Counsel.
The application, including the project description and any supporting documentation, is
complete.
The application is sufficiently developed in terms of work plan and timely for further
consideration. When necessary, the CPC will ask applicants to provide additional information,
and the CPC may accept modifications to the original proposal based upon that information
and/or discussions with the CPC.
B. Project Review Guidelines are as follows:
When the CPC has determined that the 3 criteria in the application review process
listed above (A) have been satisfied, the CPC will refer an application to the appropriate
committee for review and comment:
Historic Preservation applications will be referred to the Brewster Historical Commission for
review and recommendations.
Community Housing applications will be referred to the Brewster Housing Partnership
for review and recommendations.
Recreation applications will be referred to the Recreation Commission for review and
recommendations (unless the application originated with the Recreation Commission).
Open Space applications will be referred to the Open Space Committee for review and
recommendations (unless the application originated with the Open Space Committee)
C. Public Comment – The CPC will seek public comment on proposed projects at regular scheduled
meetings.
10
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
D. CPC Recommendation – After Application Review (A), Project Review (B) and Public
Comment (C), the CPC will make recommendations, pro or con, on all applications and will
notify applicants of the CPC’s determination. Applications that are approved will be
recommended in the form of warrant articles to be voted on at the next Town Meeting.
The Brewster Community Preservation Committee (CPC) will make a recommendation to Town
Meeting for warrant articles that seek Community Preservation funds only if satisfactory information
is received from a project applicant indicating that:
1. Sufficient funds will be available to complete the project(s).
2. Every application shall include a project budget with a list of project sources and
uses/expenses of funds and a schedule for completion.
3. The source and estimated value of any expected ‘in-kind’ contributions shall be
specified.
4. The Brewster CPC may decline any application that is not responsive to these
requirements.
5. The CPC will establish the preliminary terms and conditions for any recommended
grant as part of its vote to recommend it.
6. Specific terms and conditions/requirements will be contained in the conditional award
letter from the CPC.
Step 3 – Town Meeting Approval. Town Meeting has the final authority to award funds from Brewster’s
Community Preservation Fund. Should Town Meeting vote approval, for non Town-sponsored awards, a Grant
Agreement will be executed between the Town and the applicant that will incorporate the terms and conditions
included in the award letter among other items. No CPC funds shall be expended until the Grant Agreement is
fully executed.
Step 4 – Funding and project oversight by the Community Preservation Committee
Funding will be available following Town Meeting, subject to submission of documents, including
the Grant Agreement, if necessary, as required by the Community Preservation Committee.
In general, the Town and CPC will execute a grant agreement with the applicant that will
describe, among other issues, the conditions for CPC disbursement of funds, including any funds
held back until project completion. The CPC must review and approve all agreements.
Historic Preservation projects will require monitoring to ensure that work meets the restrictions
as outlined in the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Properties.
In general, grant agreements will require that the project be completed and CPC funds expended
within two years.
The CPC will appoint one of its members as the liaison for each approved project. The liaison will
frequently be in contact with persons responsible for each project and will require regular reports in
person and/or in writing to the Committee. The liaison will also provide the initial approval for any
project funding request.
Two sets of bills must be submitted (via email or hard copy) directly to the CPA Administrative
Clerk (one original for the Town Accountant and one copy for the CPA Committee files). These
must be approved/initialed by the Committee Clerk/Treasurer prior to being submitted to the
Town Accountant.
Step 5 – Final Report after project completion. The Community Preservation Committee requires a final
grant report. The Committee reserves the right to withhold some funds until a final report is received
and approved by the Committee.
11
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
August 1, 2023
Mr. Ned Chatelain
Chair, Brewster Select Board
2198 Main St.
Brewster, MA 02631
Housing Production Plan – Certification Approved
Dear Mr. Chatelain:
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) has reviewed the Town of Brewster’s
July 13, 2023 request for certification of compliance with its Housing Production Plan (HPP). In order for
a municipality to be certified the following needs to occur:
• Housing units affordable to low- and moderate-income households and eligible for inclusion on the
Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) have been produced during one calendar year, the same year for
which certification is requested during the initial year of SHI eligibility.
• Units must total at least 0.5% units for Brewster of year-round housing units for a one-year of
certification. A total of 1% of year-round housing units for Brewster are needed for a two-year
certification.
• The municipality must have a valid Housing Production Plan (HPP) at the time the units became
initially eligible for the SHI.
• The units were produced and are eligible in accordance with the approved HPP and EOHLC’s c.
40B Guidelines.1
EOHLC makes the following findings:
1. The project for which certification is requested is 0 Millstone Road (SHI ID # 10855). The project’s
Comprehensive Permit was filed with the Brewster Town Clerk on June 14, 2023.
2. The project consists of 45 SHI-eligible units, which constitute enough units for a one-year
certification period.
3. The municipality had a valid Housing Production Plan (HPP) at the time the units were produced.
The HPP is valid until August 11, 2027.
4. The housing development is consistent with the production goals outlined in Brewster’s HPP.
1 https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/10/10/guidecomprehensivepermit.pdf
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HOUSING &
LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Maura T. Healey, Governor Kimberley Driscoll, Lieutenant Governor Edward M. Augustus, Jr., Secretary
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300 www.mass.gov
Boston, Massachusetts 02114 617.573.1100
This certification is effective for a one-year period from June 14, 2023 to June 13, 2024. Please note that
all units must retain eligibility for the SHI for the entire certification period. If units are no longer eligible
for inclusion on the SHI, they will be removed and will no longer be eligible for certification. This action
may affect the term of your certification.
I have included an updated list of SHI eligible units. Brewster’s current SHI stands at 7.20%. If you have
any questions or need assistance, please contact Phillip DeMartino, Technical Assistance Coordinator, at
(617) 573-1357 or Phillip.DeMartino@mass.gov.
Sincerely,
Louis Martin
Director
Division of Community Services
cc: Senator Julian Cyr
Representative Christopher Richard Flanagan
Peter Lombardi, Town Administrator, Town of Brewster
Donna Kalinick, Assistant Town Administrator, Town of Brewster
Jill Scalise, Housing Coordinator, Town of Brewster
Parameters of Affordable Housing Trust Buydown Program
Approved by Housing Trust 5.11.23
Proposed Program: The Affordable Housing Trust may provide up to $50,000* of grant
assistance for eligible buyers purchasing a home in Brewster. The program, contingent on
existing funds, is available to households qualifying at up to 80% AMI (Area Median Income)
who agree to place a permanent affordable housing deed restriction on the home. The program
is targeted to preserve affordable homes already on the Town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory
(SHI). The grant funds will reduce, buydown, the purchase price of the home. In extenuating
circumstances, the Trust may decide to direct funds in connection with a purchase to assist with
verified, required repairs which will help preserve the home. The grant assistance is provided as
an interest free loan which is forgivable after 30 years.
*Amounts over $50,000 may be considered but will require approval of both the Affordable
Housing Trust and the Select Board.
Amount of Grant Assistance: The amount of assistance will be determined on a home-by-home
basis. The aim is to ensure that SHI home resales are affordable with a sales price set to be
affordable for a household making 80% AMI. If necessary, the Trust will consider making the
home affordable to a household at 70% AMI. It is expected that buydown grants will range up
to $50,000. Amounts over $50,000 may be considered but will require approval of both the
Affordable Housing Trust and the Select Board.
Program Eligibility (from original CPC Buydown Program):
First Time Homebuyer, defined as someone who has not owned a home within the past
3 years. Some exceptions.
The household must occupy the property as their principal residence.
The property must be located in Brewster.
A household cannot have more than $75,000 in assets.
The total household income must not exceed 80% of AMI.
Maximum Household Income Limits for 2023
2023 HUD
Income Limits
Household
Size
1
Person
2
Persons
3
Persons
4
Persons
5
Persons
6
Persons
80% AMI $64,450
$73,650
$ 82,850
$92,050
$99,450
$106,800
\\\\\\\1\1111111111JI1f/Il//!o///
Town Of Brewster
2198 Main Street
Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898
(508) 896-3701
FAX (508) 896-8089
March 10, 2023
Ms. Jill Scalise, Housing Coordinator
Brewster Town Hall
2198 Main St.
Brewster, MA 02631
RE: Homeownership Buy -Down Program Award
Dear Ms. Scalise:
1 am pleased to inform you that on March 8, 2023 the Brewster Community Preservation Committee
(CPC) voted to approve your request dated March 7, 2023 for an award of $62,500 to Nicole Anthony
from the Homeownership Buy -Down Fund to enable her to purchase an affordable SHE home located at
14 Yankee Drive in Brewster.
1'LRMS AND CONDITIONS: The funds will be provided by the Town for the closing of the property
under the following terms and conditions:
1) The funds will be the subject of a forgivable 0% note and mortgage to be held by the Town.
The note shall be forgiven and the mortgage shall be discharged upon the sale or transfer of the
property to an eligible purchaser provided the owner has complied with the requirements of the
affordable deed restriction, the note and the mortgage.
2) The funds will be provided at closing to reduce the actual purchase price for the buyer. The
funds shall be reflected in the resale formula calculation for the affordable deed restriction.
3) The form and substance of the affordable deed restriction shall be approved by Town of
Brewster Housing Coordinator.
The CPC is pleased to be able to play a role in the ability of this low-income, first-time homebuyer to be
able to purchase a home in Brewster and to maintain our affordable housing stock. Do not hesitate to
contact me at Favthe.Ellis@outlook.com if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Faythe Ellis
Chair- Brewster CPC
April 21, 2023
Nicole L. Anthony
14 Yankee Drive Brewster Ma.
508-240-4867
Jill Scalise
Brewster Housing Coordinator Brewster Town Offices
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631
Re: 14 Yankee Drive
Dear Jill,
It is with excitement and great pride that I write my new address on the top of my letter to you!
I want to thank you and everyone involved with Brewster Housing for giving me the opportunity to
purchase 14 Yankee Drive.
As you may know, I was born and raised in Brewster. Returning to my hometown and owning my own
place is a dream come true.
I have met several of my neighbors and they have been very welcoming. I recently painted the unit and I
am in the process of installing new flooring. I am excited to start furnishing and decorating. I am looking
forward to having my first cookout with friends and family this summer!
None of this would have been possible without the hard work and commitment from you and the
Brewster Housing team, I will continue to support the program and I can’t thank you enough!
Nicole Anthony-Owner
Town of Brewster
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631-1898
Phone: (508) 896-3701
Fax: (508) 896-8089
November 27, 2023
Ms. Faythe Ellis, Chair
Community Preservation Committee
Brewster Town Hall
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA. 02631
Chair Ellis,
Office of:
Select Board
Town Manager
The Brewster Select Board continues to prioritize housing as an important goal in our Strategic
Planning process. Due to the efforts of the Housing Coordinator, in the last year, the State
certified our 2022 Housing Production Plan, placing the Town in Safe Harbor through June of
2024 in connection with the issuance of a comprehensive permit for Spring Rock Village, 45
units of rental housing off Millstone Road. We continue to be the lead community for the
regional Community Development Grant Block funding which provides housing rehabilitation
and childcare voucher funds to eligible families. The Trust also offers a Local Rental Assistance
Program and Buy Down Program to assist our residents. The Housing Program also celebrated
the dedication and wall raising for two new Habitat homes this fall. All these accomplishments
are directly tied to the efforts of the Brewster Housing Coordinator. The CPC has been a partner
in the creation, acquisition, support, and preservation of community housing, through the funding
of the Housing Coordinator position. Now more than ever, as we see home prices continue to rise
and the availability of year-round rentals diminish, we must double down on our efforts.
We hope that the Community Preservation Committee and our residents will continue to
financially support the vital position of Brewster's Housing Coordinator. The Board and Town
Administration have matched the commitment by funding the benefits portion of the position.
The Housing Trust has matched their support by funding a part-time housing program assistant
for the Housing Program. The Housing program has grown significantly, but we still have lots of
critical work ahead of us. The need for housing that is affordable, sustainable, and safe is
significant in our community. Together, we can continue the good work that benefits the
economic and social well-being of the Brewster community.
Thank you or al you and your committee do for the Town of Brewster.
/,
Ned fiatelain, `Chair
Brewster Select Board
Housing Trust 5 Year-Plan FY23-27
12.29.22
FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27
Carryforward Balance 1,195,879 1,190,879 893,879 714,569 1,053,821
Anticipated Revenues 1,891,900 2,870,580 2,344,461 2,519,557 2,425,927
Appropriations 1,896,900 3,167,580 2,523,771 2,180,304 2,567,196
End Balance 1,190,879 893,879 714,569 1,053,821 912,553
FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27
Projects:Funding Source
Housing Coordinator CPA- Salary Only 66,900 70,580 74,461 78,557 82,877 Benefits paid by the Town-approx. 35K/ year
Housing Program Asst.BAHT Salary Only -42,000 44,310 46,747 49,318 19 Hours- new non-benefitted position
Rental Assistance CPA 150,000 150,000 150,000
Preservaton of SHI Homes CPA 300,000 200,000
Buy Down Program CPA 300,000 300,000
Housing Production Plan CPA 30,000
212 Yankee Drive BAHT 75,000
Town Development of Other Properties BAHT 500,000 500,000
Outside Applications for Funding BAHT 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000
Millstone Road Community Housing CPA/BAHT 1,000,000
Legal Expenses CPA/BAHT 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000
Housing Rehabilitation-Child Care Vouchers CDBG-Regional Grant 1,300,000 1,500,000 1,700,000 1,700,000 1,700,000 Town is lead community for Dennis, Wellfleet and Brewster
Total Appropriations:1,896,900 3,167,580 2,523,771 2,180,304 2,567,196
Sources
Short Term Rentals Allocation 375,000 400,000 420,000 441,000 463,050 Financial Forecast 5% escalator
CPA Housing Coord. Wages 66,900 70,580 74,461 78,557 82,877
CPA Rental Assistance 150,000 150,000 150,000
CPA for SHI Homes -200,000
Proceeds on Re-sale of SHI Homes 150,000
CPA Buy Down 300,000 300,000
CPA Housing Production Plan 30,000
CPA Millstone Rd. Community Housing 250,000
Grants & Donations
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)1,300,000 1,500,000 1,700,000 1,700,000 1,700,000
Total Revenues:1,891,900 2,870,580 2,344,461 2,519,557 2,425,927
CPA Rev 216,900 820,580 224,461 378,557 262,877
CPA Exp 516,900 570,580 224,461 378,557 262,877 390,675.00 5 year average
Estimated annual CPA revenue 1,492,304 1,529,612 1,567,852 1,607,048 1,647,225
Target Allocation Policy- Housing 30%447,691 458,884 470,356 482,115 494,167
TAP - Open Space 30%447,691 458,884 470,356 482,115 494,167
TAP - Recreation 10%149,230 152,961 156,785 160,705 164,722
TAP- Historic 10%149,230 152,961 156,785 160,705 164,722
CPA Recommended 20%298,461 305,922 313,570 321,410 329,445
1,492,304 1,529,612 1,567,852 1,607,048 1,647,225
Local Preference
Information
Session
Thursday August 17th at 6PM
Joint meeting of the
Brewster Housing Partnership,
Select Board,
Affordable Housing Trust,
Community Preservation Committee &
Finance Committee
Welcome & Introductions
Donna Kalinick, Brewster Assistant Town Manager
Jill Scalise, Brewster Housing Coordinator
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Brewster’s Housing Plan is certified.
In 2017, Brewster’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) had 250 units, 5.2% of
4,803 year-round housing units.
Today, Brewster’s SHI has 372 affordable housing units.
Brewster’s SHI has increased to 7.2% of 5,170 year-round housing units.
The state certified the Housing Production Plan three times in five years!
Housing Coordinator Update July 2023
Jill Scalise
Ongoing Activities/ Projects
1.Community Outreach and Education (Housing Production Plan (HPP) Strategy #14)
Responded to email, phone & in person requests for information and assistance, 53 total requests for
housing information (38) or assistance (15). Open office hours Thursday from 10-noon.
Updated webpage. Made website postings & did outreach for two affordable housing opportunities.
2.Brewster Affordable Housing Trust (BAHT) (HPP assorted strategies, Select Board (SB) Strategic Plan H-1)
Finalized and submitted Community Preservation Act application to CPC for funding of the Affordable
Buydown Program. CPC deemed application complete & appropriate, referred to Housing Partnership.
Trust authorized $5,000 funding for start-up costs of Housing Program Assistant position.
Trust provided comments for SB strategic plan & support letter for Millstone CPA application.
3.Community Housing Parcel off Millstone (SB Strategic Plan H-4, HPP Strategies #12 & 16)
Comprehensive Permit decision recorded July 12th, after the appeal period concluded without an appeal.
Compiled documentation and submitted request to state for certification of Housing Production Plan.
Updated 0 Millstone Road timeline and worked on name for development.
4.Comprehensive Permit Projects (HPP Strategy #16): Habitat for Humanity on Phoebe Way. See link below.
5.Preservation of Housing and Related Support of Brewster Residents (SB H-3, HPP Strategies #20, 21 & 22)
Brewster’s Rental Assistance Program (BRAP)- Received 3 quotes for management of BRAP. Read quotes
and compiled information for Housing Trust to make decision on 3-year contract at August meeting.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)- Received quarterly report on FY21 housing rehabilitation
& childcare assistance. Grant progressing well, waiting on FY22/23 grant decision.
6.Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) (HPP Strategies #21 & 22)
212 Yankee Drive- Donna Kalinick oversaw response to questions, bid opening, and reference calls for
work to preserve home & prepare for affordable resale. Bid recommendation to be made by Housing Trust,
with final decision by Select Board. Met with legal counsel about the use of CPA funds on the property.
Serenity Apartments- With Ms. Kalinick, met with legal counsel about regulatory requirements. Also talked
with Serenity representatives about requirements for annual report and affordable unit rent increase requests.
6 Sachemus Trail- addressing deed violation. Resale of property by HAC. See below.
Continue working on SHI several homes of concern.
7.Housing Production Plan (HPP) (Select Board Strategic Plan Goal H-2)
ADU Bylaw: Participated in discussions and/or presentations led by Town Planner Jon Idman at Planning
Board, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), and Housing Partnership.
Updated progress on HPP Implementation Table & provided to SB along with comments for strategic plan.
8. Collaboration (HPP Strategies #7 &15)
Prepared Local Preference Information Session flyer and distributed information to participating groups.
Met with CDP about Housing Institute planning. Attended scheduled HOME Consortium meeting.
Upcoming Events:
Applications open for 2 Habitat for Humanity 3 bedroom homes on Phoebe Way. Due August 14th.
To Apply for a Home | Habitat for Humanity Cape Cod (habitatcapecod.org)
Applications are available from HAC for an affordable home at 6 Sachemus Trail. Due August 11th.
6 Sachemus Trail in Brewster - Housing Assistance Corporation Cape Cod (haconcapecod.org)
Local Preference Information Session planned for August 17th at 6PM & hosted by Housing Partnership.
Personnel
Participated in Housing Partnership, Housing Trust, Planning Board, & ZBA meetings. Worked with:
Assessors, Building, Council on Aging, CPC, Finance, Health, Planning, Public Works, Town
Administration & ZBA. Attended First Amendment Audit session
Housing Coordinator Update August 2023
Jill Scalise
Ongoing Activities/ Projects
1.Community Outreach and Education (Housing Production Plan (HPP) Strategy #14 & 15)
Responded to email, phone & in person requests for information and assistance, 66 total requests for
housing information (47) or assistance (19). Open office hours Thursdays from 10-noon.
Local Preference Information Session held for Select Board, Housing Partnership, Housing Trust,
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) and Finance Committee. With Donna Kalinick, prepared and
presented information on local preference. Questions and discussion followed.
Updated housing webpages. Newspaper interview & article.
2.Brewster Affordable Housing Trust (BAHT) (HPP assorted strategies, Select Board (SB) Strategic Plan H-1)
Housing Trust’s Community Preservation Act (CPA) application for Affordable Buydown Program
presented to Housing Partnership which recommended CPC support of the application.
Housing Program Assistant job description finalized, expect to be posted in September.
Trust met and worked on additional items throughout this report.
3.Community Housing Parcel off Millstone (SB Strategic Plan H-4, HPP Strategies #12 & 16)
Name approved for development: Spring Rock Village. Woodlot Way is driveway name. Spring Rock refers
to a nearby large glacial erratic. Historically, this area had woodlots used to harvest poles for fishing weirs.
State added the 45 permitted Spring Rock Village units to Brewster’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI)
which now stands at 7.2 %, 372 units. With these units, the Town’s Housing Production Plan was certified.
Select Board voted & request letter sent to Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC)
to approve 55% local preference and 15% regional preference (Barnstable County) for initial leasing.
Spring Rock Village $500,000 CPC funding application recommended for approval by Housing Partnership.
4.Comprehensive Permit Projects (HPP Strategy #16):
Habitat for Humanity, Phoebe Way: 30 applications received for 2 homes. Evaluating applicant eligibility.
5.Preservation of Housing and Related Support of Brewster Residents (SB H-3, HPP Strategies #20, 21 & 22)
Brewster’s Rental Assistance Program (BRAP)- Housing Trust voted to award 3 year contract to HAC.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)- Brewster awarded FY 22/23 $1.7 million regional grant
for housing rehab and childcare assistance in Brewster, Dennis, and Wellfleet.
6.Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) (HPP Strategies #21 & 22)
212 Yankee Drive- Upon the Housing Trust’s recommendation, Select Board awarded housing preservation
contract to Pearl Construction and waved building fees. Attended walkthrough of property with Pearl.
6 Sachemus Trail- Worked with homeowner, Planning, Administration, legal counsel, EOHLC, and Select
Board on deed violation. Property in resale process. Applications were due and lottery held by HAC.
Continue working on several SHI homes of concern including 11 Sean Circle.
7.Housing Production Plan (HPP) (Select Board Strategic Plan Goal H-2)
ADU Bylaw: Planning Board recommended ADU bylaw amendments to Select Board.
8.Collaboration and Education (HPP Strategies #7 &15)
Met with CDP. Attended HOME Consortium meeting and CDP event.
State of Emergency declared by Governor Healey for safe shelter in Massachusetts.
Upcoming Events & Announcements:
Brewster’s Housing Production Plan was certified by the state and the Town is in ‘safe harbor’ until June
13, 2024. Brewster’s SHI is 7.2%, this is based on Brewster’s 2020 census data of 5,170 year round units.
Personnel
Participated in Housing Trust, Planning Board & Select Board meetings. Also worked with: Assessors,
Building, Council on Aging, CPC, Finance, Health, Library, Planning, Public Works, Town Administration,
Vision Planning & Water.
Housing Coordinator Update September 2023
Jill Scalise
Ongoing Activities/ Projects
1.Community Outreach and Education (Housing Production Plan (HPP) Strategy #14 & 15)
Responded to email, phone & in person requests for information and assistance, 51 total requests for
housing information (32) or assistance (19). Open office hours Thursdays from 10-noon.
2.Brewster Affordable Housing Trust (BAHT) (HPP assorted strategies, Select Board (SB) Strategic Plan H-1)
Housing Trust’s FY23 Financial Report (CP3) for Community Preservation Committee (CPC) completed by
Donna Kalinick and presented to CPC. Thanks to Finance Director Mimi Bernardo for her assistance.
Trust’s Affordable Buydown Program CPA funding application recommended for approval by CPC.
Housing Program Assistant job description posted, priority review deadline October 9th.
Trust working on additional items throughout this report and setting priority goals for FY24-25.
3.Spring Rock Village- comp permit for 45 affordable rental units off Millstone (SB H-4, HPP #12 & 16)
Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC) approved Select Board’s request of 55%
local preference (24 units) and 15% regional preference (7 units, Barnstable County) for initial leasing.
Spring Rock Village $500,000 CPC funding application recommended for approval by CPC. Provided
recent affordable development cost information to CPC.
4.Comprehensive Permit Projects (HPP Strategy #16):
Habitat for Humanity, Phoebe Way: Eligible applicant drawing for two homes to be held in October.
5.Preservation of Housing and Related Support of Brewster Residents (SB H-3, HPP Strategies #20, 21 & 22)
Brewster’s Rental Assistance Program (BRAP)- Quarterly report: 3 new households in program, now 10
households receiving assistance. Also, $16,061 in additional housing funding to 7 Brewster households.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)- FY21 Housing Rehab projects: 6 Brewster, 8 Dennis & 6
Wellfleet. 80% elderly & 2 families with children. 30 children receiving childcare assistance, 15 Brewster.
6.Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) (HPP Strategies #21 & 22)
212 Yankee Drive- Pearl Construction obtained permits and began preservation work. With the assistance
of DPW & Tom Thatcher, moved personal contents to a secure location. Also met with legal counsel.
6 Sachemus Trail- Deed violation addressed. Affordable resale expected to close within the next month.
Serenity Apartments at Brewster (27 affordable rental units)- Worked with Serenity’s management
regarding the required process for Serenity to request a rent increase and complete the annual report
verification. Did initial audit of affordable unit files. Prepared material for Select Board.
Continue working on several SHI homes of concern including 11 Sean Circle.
7.Housing Production Plan (HPP) (Select Board Strategic Plan Goal H-2)
ADU Bylaw: Joint Public Hearing on ADU bylaw amendments held by Planning Board & Select Board.
8.Collaboration and Education (HPP Strategies #7 &15)
Participated in COA’s Focus Group & Cape Cod Commission’s Regional Housing Strategy Working
Group. Attended presentation by Harwich Conservation Trust & Affordable Housing Trust.
Attended meeting with Sea Camps consultants. Confirmed housing stats, and Housing Plan goals/strategies.
Housing Partnership & Trust members participated in Brewster Volunteer Fair. Ms. Kalinick attended
HOME Consortium meeting. Discussion with library about potential Town book theme emphasis.
Upcoming Events & Announcements:
Habitat for Humanity’s Brewster Phoebe Way Kick-Off scheduled for Monday November 6th at 4PM at
Brewster Baptist Church. Two Phoebe Way Wall Raisings on Saturday November 11th at 8AM.
Personnel
Participated in Housing Trust & CPC meeting. Also worked with: Assessors, Building, Council on Aging,
Finance, Health, Housing Partnership, Library, Planning, Public Works, Town Administration, & Water.
Special thanks to Assistant Town Manager Donna Kalinick and Town Planner Jon Idman for their
assistance, guidance and support.
Housing Coordinator Update October 2023
Jill Scalise
Ongoing Activities/ Projects
1.Community Outreach and Education (Housing Production Plan (HPP) Strategy #14 & 15)
Responded to email, phone & in person requests for information and assistance, 72 total requests for
housing information (48) or assistance (24). Open office hours Thursdays from 10-noon.
Presented Brewster Housing update to over 20 realtors at the Brewster Realtors Tour gathering.
Website announcement for Habitat Community Kickoff & outreach for surveys. Interview with CC Times.
2.Brewster Affordable Housing Trust (BAHT) (HPP assorted strategies, Select Board (SB) Strategic Plan H-1)
Trust’s Affordable Buydown Program CPA funding on Town Meeting Warrant, has been recommended for
approval by BHP, Community Preservation Committee(CPC), Finance Committee and Select Bord.
Housing Program Assistant resumes reviewed, and initial interviews held.
Trust working on additional items throughout this report and setting priority goals for FY24-25.
3.Spring Rock Village- comp permit for 45 affordable rental units off Millstone (SB H-4, HPP #12 & 16)
Spring Rock Village $500,000 CP funding on Town Meeting Warrant, has been recommended for approval
by Housing Partnership (BHP), CPC, Finance Committee and Select Board.
4.Comprehensive Permit Projects (HPP Strategy #16):
Habitat for Humanity, Phoebe Way: Attended eligible applicant drawing for two homes.
5.Preservation of Housing and Related Support of Brewster Residents (SB H-3, HPP Strategies #20, 21 & 22)
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)- Completed outreach survey for Executive Office of
Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC). FY21 Housing Rehab moving towards closeout. 19 approved
projects. 37 children utilizing childcare assistance funds. FY22/23 Grant administration RFP advertised.
6.Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) (HPP Strategies #21 & 22)
212 Yankee Drive- Pearl Construction continuing work and making great progress. Site visit with Assistant
Town Manager Donna Kalinick. Communication with legal counsel regarding Barbie dolls and with
Housing Assistance Corporation about home resale process.
6 Sachemus Trail- Affordable home resold. Compliance certificate signed by Town. As part of a deed
violation agreement, a $1,000 payment was made to Brewster Affordable Housing Trust.
Serenity Apartments at Brewster (27 affordable units)- Elevation Financial presented Serenity update & rent
increase request to Select Board. Increase was approved as it’s below the allowable 80% AMI rent limit.
11 Sean Circle- communicated with EOHLC and realtor representing Freddie Mac. They are in the process
of completing the final requirements prior to resale.
7.Housing Production Plan (HPP) (Select Board Strategic Plan Goal H-2)
ADU: Bylaw revisions are on Town Meeting warrant. With Ms. Kalinick, visited recently built ADU.
Brewster awarded $65,000 One Stop grant to examine Town zoning bylaws with a focus on multi-unit and
mixed -use residential. Lead on grant and project: Town Planner, Jon Idman.
8.Collaboration and Education (HPP Strategies #7 &15)
Participated in Housing 101 Training, Housing to Protect Cape Cod gathering, HOME Consortium and
Brewster local business semi-annual roundtable.
With Ms. Kalinick, presented Brewster Housing initiatives and CPC funding at the CPC Annual Hearing.
Continued library discussion about potential housing Town book theme emphasis.
Upcoming Events & Announcements:
Habitat for Humanity’s Brewster Phoebe Way Community Kick-Off November 6th at 4PM at Brewster
Baptist Church. Wall Raisings on Saturday November 11th at 8AM.
Personnel
Participated in Select Board, Housing Partnership & CPC meetings. Also worked with: Assessors, Building,
Council on Aging, CPC, Finance, Health, Housing Partnership, Human Resources, Library, Planning, Public
Works, Town Administration, & Water.
Attended Open Meeting Law training and community briefing on Census data.
APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING
DateApplication Submitted:
Nameof Project Applicant: 1DXVHW7RJHWKHU:H&DQ3UHYHQWLRQ&RXQFLO,QF
Nameof Co-Applicant(s), ifapplicable:
Nameof Contact Person: (ULFD2
5HLOO\
ContactPerson’s Mailing Address:32%R[2UOHDQV0$
ContactPerson’s DaytimePhoneNumber:
ContactPerson’s email Address:HULFDRUHLOO\#\DKRRFRP
Proposed ProjectName: )LQFK6NDWHSDUN6DIHW\8SJUDGHV
ProjectAddress (orassessor’s parcel ID):(OGJUHGJH3DUNZD\2OUHDQV0$
ProjectSynopsis:
Category:տ Open Space տ Historic Preservation տ Recreation տ Community Housing
CPAfunding requested $ ______________Total CostofProposed Project $
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
✔
7,500 31,300
The Finch Skatepark provides a thriving social hub for our community. The park was established through a grass roots
community effort in 1995 and has been volunteer managed for more than 25 years by Nauset Together We Can -- a
501c3 whose goal is to develop and implement solutions to prevent high-risk social behaviors in our youth. Although
the towns of Brewster, Eastham and Orleans provide small amounts of funding for day-to-day operations of the park,
all funding for the park’s infrastructure comes from grants and private donations. The purpose of this grant is to secure
funding for safety upgrades to the current electrical service and several existing ramp features in order to keep the
park open and available to its may users.
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Please describe your project, answering all of the following questions in the order presented. Applications
will be considered incomplete if all requested information is not provided. Include supporting materials
(maps, diagrams, photos, etc.). Please number pages of application.
Form fields are provided after each question for your convenience. If you need more room, you may
provide additional information via separate documents/attachments at the end of the document. Please
do not provide any documentation via on-line links, as the committee will not be checking for updates. Be
as concise as possible.
1. Project Description: Describe the proposed project. Is this part of a larger project or an ongoing project?
2. For Historic Preservation projects: Attach proof of listing on the State Register of Historic Places or a
letter from the Brewster Historical Commission indicating that the resource has been determined to be
significant in the history, archaeology, architecture, or culture of Brewster. Please note that rehabilitation
projects must comply with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties.
Additional information and analysis will be needed for projects submitted by churches/religious
organizations to determine if they comply with the SJC’s Caplan vs. Town of Acton decision.
3. CPA Goals/Criteria: Describe how this project accomplishes the goals and objectives of the CPA and the
Town of Brewster Community Preservation Plan FY23-27 (refer to the attached general and issue-specific
criteria and identify which of these apply to the project).
See Project Description Attached
n/a
Per page 42 of the Plan
Rehabilitate existing playgrounds, parks, and other outdoor public recreation facilities to improve quality
and accessibility.
As amended in 2012, the CPA statute allows CPA funds to be used for rehabilitation of existing outdoor
recreational resources including playgrounds, parks, golf courses, and other facilities
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
4. Community Benefits: What are the community benefits of the projects?
5. Community Support: What is the nature and level of support for this project? Include letters of support
and any petitions. If this is a funding request for a regional project where Brewster CPA funds will be spent
in another town, include Brewster based letters of support.
6. Timeline: What is the schedule for project implementation, including a timeline for all milestones? Please
identify any special timing considerations for the project’s implementation. If this is part of a larger project,
is it phased? What is the timeline for the entire project?
7. Credentials: What are the qualifications and relevant experience of those undertaking the project?
See details attached.
Brewster residents make up an estimated 14% of the Finch Park's non-transient user base
See attached letter of support from Brewster Resident
See attached budget detail and timeline. Work will be scheduled upon confirmation of funding.
The park is operated under an intermunicipal agreement between the Towns of Brewster, Eastham and Orleans.
Via their Recreation Departments, these towns have an ongoing agreement with Nauset Together We Can to
manage and maintain the skatepark. Nauset Together We Can has managed and maintained the park for over
25 years.
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
8. Budget/Need for Public Funds: What is the total budget (sources of funds and uses/expenses)for the
project and schedule for expenditure of CPA funds? All sources of funds and expenses must be clearly
identified. For housing development projects, include a budget that includes rents, revenues and cash flows
taking into account financing expense related to loans. Provide the basis for cost estimates whenever
possible. (Note: CPA funds may not be used for maintenance.)
If this is part of a larger project, what is the budget for the entire project (sources of funds and
expenses/uses)?
Clearly identify what additional funding sources are available, committed, or under consideration and why
public funding would be appropriate. Include copies of commitment letters, if available, and describe any
other attempts to secure funding for this project.
Provide the most recent audited financial report or if none available, an applicant generated financial report
that includes a balance sheet and operating budget. Town-sponsored projects must demonstrate why the
project cannot be funded through the Department’s or Committee’s budget
For housing development projects, describe the resident selection process.
The total budget for the project is $31,300. Similar CPC grants are being submitted to the Towns of Eastham and
Orleans for the FY25 Grant Cycle. If successful the project will be funded at $7,500 each from the Towns of Brewster
and Eastham and $16,300 from the Town of Orleans.
n/a
No other funds outside of Brewster, Eastham and Orleans CPA grants are being sought at this time. Nauset Together
We Can applied for private funding through T-Mobile's Hometown Grant program this Fall and was not selected as a
recipient. Prior funds have been secured via the Orleans CPA, The Kelley Foundation, and Go Fund Me campaings.
See attached
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
9. Maintenance: If ongoing maintenance is required for your project, who will be responsible for maintenance
and how will it be funded?
10. Site Control and Appraisal: If the project involves acquisition of real property, provide evidence of site
control (deed, purchase and sale, option, etc.). In addition, provide an appraisal of the property’s value by a
state licensed appraiser using customary appraising techniques. The CPA does not allow funding for
acquisitions if the acquisition price is greater than appraised value.
Long term planning for the Finch Skatepark is expected to be a part of the Town of Orleans master plan for the
properties on Eldredge Parkway. It is likely that this plan will include an upgraded concrete skatepark. Until that project
comes more into focus, the current park will utilize its annual budget for regular maintenance (repainting, replacing
fasteners and park clean-up). These costs are covered by the funds appropriated by the Recreation Departments of
Brewster, Eastham and Orleans.
n/a
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
Town of Brewster Community Preservation Committee
CATEGORY SPECIFIC CRITERIA
(Identify which of the following criteria apply to your project.)
Open Space Proposals
Meets one or more of the Open Space goals listed on page 28-30 of Town of Brewster Community
Preservation Plan FY23-27
Permanently protect important wildlife habitat, including areas of significance for biodiversity,
diversity of geological features and types of vegetation, contain a habitat type that is in danger of
vanishing from Brewster or preserve habitat for threatened or endangered species of plants or animals.
Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education.
Enhance or protect wildlife corridors, promote connectivity of habitat and prevent fragmentation of
habitats.
Provide connections with existing trails or potential trail linkages.
Preserve scenic views or border a scenic road.
Protect drinking water quantity and quality.
Provide flood control/storage.
Preserve important surface water bodies, including wetlands, vernal pools or riparian zones.
Preserve priority parcels in the Town’s Open Space Plan/maximize the amount of open land owned by
the Town of Brewster.
Historical Preservation Proposals
__MANDATORY: Must be on the State Register of Historic Places or have a letter from the Brewster
Historical Commission indicating that the resource has been determined to be significant in the history,
archaeology, architecture, or culture of Brewster.
_MANDATORY: Project must meet Secretary of the Interior Standards for rehabilitation and/or
restoration of Historic Preservation Properties.
_MANDATORY IF REQUEST IS FROM A CHURCH/RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION:The
project must satisfy the analysis outlined by the SJC’s Caplan vs. Town of Acton decision.
Meets one or more of the Historical Preservation goals listed on page 36-37 of Town of Brewster
Community Preservation Plan FY23-27
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate historic, cultural, architectural or archaeological
resources of significance, especially those that are threatened.
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate town-owned properties, features or resources of
historical significance.
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate the historical function of a property or site;
Demonstrate a public benefit and/or public access, or
Otherwise provide permanent protection for maintaining the historic resource.
Project site should not be privately owned unless there is demonstrable public access and benefit.
Community Housing Proposals
Meets one or more of the Community Housing goals listed on page 22-24 of Town of Brewster
Community Preservation Plan FY23-27
Increase the supply of year-round affordable rental housing for all types of households, such as young
singles and couples, families, and seniors.
Build support for addressing housing needs through partnerships with conservation groups and non-
profit and for-profit developers.
Create housing that is affordable and appropriate for very low-income seniors and people with
disabilities.
Increase local capacity to plan, advocate for, and create affordable housing, preserve the affordability
and condition of existing affordable units, and monitor affordable housing restrictions.
Community Preservation Committee Application rev. 09/15/23
Increase the variety of mixed-income housing choices in Brewster, particularly in or near commercial
areas in order to support Brewster’s economy and accommodate household growth.
Provide at least 10% of Brewster’s year-round housing units as affordable housing in order to meet
local and regional needs.
Ensure long term affordability.
Recreation Proposals
Meets one or more of the Recreation goals listed on page 42-43 of Town of Brewster Community
Preservation Plan FY23-27
Support multiple active and passive recreation uses.
Serve a significant number of residents and visitors.
Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to all ages of Brewster residents and visitors.
Benefit other Brewster committees providing recreational resources to residents.
Promote the use of alternative corridors that provide safe and healthy non-motorized transportation.
Promotes or enhances accessibility. (Please elaborate in application.)
✔
1. Project Description
Relocate Electrical Panel
Approximately 15 years ago, a shed was constructed next to the skatepark to house the electrical and
telephone services. The shed is showing signs of wear. The door has required replacement several
times, the structure is becoming a magnet for rodents, and it has on rare occasion been subject to
vandalism. As land line telephone service is no longer needed at the skatepark we believe the best
course of action is to relocate the electrical service to an outdoor panel and raze the shed.
The Finch Park is the only lighted skatepark on Cape Cod open year-round. This is especially
important to a core group of users ages 19-35 who use the park after work. They usually come to the
park around 4 or 5 in the evening just as younger users are leaving and stay into the evening. (The
park closes at 10:00 pm). It is especially heartening to see the spontaneous mentoring that takes
place during the hour or so when the older and younger skaters overlap. There are no scheduled
practices or formal coaching in the sport, so younger skaters learn from the older ones who in turn
pay it forward as they advance in skills. Keeping the electrical service and lighting safe is essential to
the park’s continued success.
Ramp Shoring / Resurfacing
The park is made up of a combination of concrete and wooden ramps. The wood ramps are surfaced
with Skatelite, an eco-friendly skate surface designed for outdoor use. Both the concrete and
Skatelite ramps have metal toe plates which are repainted annually to avoid excessive rust. The
ramps range in age from 3 to 15 years and some are beginning to show varying degrees of wear in
the form of worn edges from the repeated impact of skate boards and scooters, missing screws and
slight unevenness from expansion and contraction in cold weather. The surfaces are generally
wearing as expected and do not currently pose safety issues to the park’s users. However, similar to
the way tennis and basketball courts require occasional re-surfacing these ramps will soon require
attention. While the annual amount allotted to the Finch Park by the towns of Brewster, Eastham and
Orleans is enough to cover general park maintenance (trash/recycling, portable toilet services,
electricity bills for lighting, repainting of the toe plates, etc.) it does not allow for replacing Skatelite or
the pressure treated plywood supporting it. This grant would allow for the proactive replacement of
worn surfaces to ensure that the park remains safe in accordance with Nauset Together We Can’s
duty as managers of the Finch Park.
4. Community Benefits
The following estimate user data shows the park’s use by Brewster residents.
Estimated Visit Volume by User Type
Daypart Heavy Regular Casual Transient All
Before 10am
37
94
109 46
286
10 to noon
21
132
56 46
255
Noon to 4pm
176
218
268 176
838
4pm to 8pm
641
772
165 66
1,644
After 8pm
85
164
133 62
444
960
1,380
731 396
3,467
Estimated Total Visits (4
Months)
7.6 11.0 5.8 3.1 27.5 Visits per Day
13 48 82 396 539 Estimated Total Unique Visitors
Estimated Visits by Non Transient Users Annualized
3,071 x 2.5 =
7,678
Based on 4 May 8 to Sept 9
weighted to adjust for higher usage in summer
months
Estimated Residency of Non Transient Users Est % of use Est Annual Visits by Non Transient Users by Town
Orleans 43 30% 2,309
Eastham 34 24% 1,825
Brewster 20 14% 1,074
Other Cape 29 20% 1,557
Off Cape 17 12% 913
Total 143 7,678
5 Community Support
Erica O'Reilly <ericaoreilly@yahoo.com>
To: Erica O'Reilly
Hello all,
I’m writing to you in support of future safety upgrades of the Orleans/ Finch public skate park.
My name is Michael Archer, I am a 50-year-old Brewster resident and have been skateboarding since I was 12. I have
also been involved in the management and day-to-day operations of a local skateboard shop located in downtown
Hyannis for over 25 years. During that time, we have held dozens upon dozens of skateboard related demos, contests
and events. These events have always obtained their best results when held at spacious well-maintained, well-designed,
and safe venues.
While these scheduled events are certainly an important part of what will bring skateboarders and the general public to a
skate park, the casual “stop by and skate” day to day riding is of even of greater importance.
The Orleans skate park provides a place for much needed physical and mental exercise for age groups ranging from 5 to
55. Somewhere for parents to bring their children and feel the security of a designated area to ride. A meeting spot for
teenagers to get off their phones and blow off some steam after school or on the weekend while having fun and
interacting socially with each other, and a great surface for more mature and accomplished skaters to practice and hone
their abilities at the highest level they can personally achieve.
Cool thing about skateboarding is there are no rules on style, there are no demands on tricks you have to make, no
specific line or boundary of in and out. The round and flat surfaces that make up the skate park are the canvas and the
skateboarders paint it however they see fit.
It is important to realize how accepting the skateboard culture is of each other. Regardless of age, ability, equipment or
otherwise, all are welcome. For many it is a sanctuary, one of the only places they feel comfortable being around other
people. There are no expectations of achievement but you will typically be applauded when others notice you have
reached a self-made goal.
In short, the Orleans skate park is a special place. It is an asset to the community as a whole. That is why not only does it
make sense to sure up this space of personal reinforcement and creativity, but also should be seen as necessary, to
further nurture its growth based on its tremendous positive impact on locals and visitors alike.
Thank you for your time,
Michael Archer
Sent from my iPhone
6. Timeline
Work will be scheduled upon confirmation of funding
Electrical Work (1 day) Vendor is scheduling 3-4 weeks in advance
Raze Shed (1 day) Vendor is scheduling 5-6 weeks in advance
Ramp Shoring / Resurfacing (2-3 weeks) 6-8 weeks contractor lead time. Nauset Together We Can
will order materials upon confirmation of funding.
8. Budget Detail
Budget: $31,300
Raze shed $1,500
Estimate by Brundage Site Work, 400 Massasoit Rd, Eastham MA 02642
Includes razing the structure, disposal of debris, and loam / seeding of area. Work is expected
to take one day.
Relocate Electrical to exterior panel: $4,400
Estimate by Farrell Electric, 105 Holmes Rd, North Eastham MA 02651
All labor and materials to disconnect power to exiting meter socket and panel on shed and
remove. Install new 100 amp meter socket and outdoor panel on wooden pedestal with 2-20
amp GFCI receptacles and switch for lights. Relocate existing service and wires running to
lights into new outdoor panel. Work is expected to take one day.
Ramp Shoring / Resurfacing: $25,400 + volunteer labor
All materials (Skatelite, pressure treated plywood, hardware) and debris disposal for ramp
shoring/resurfacing as needed. Includes 160 hours of professional crew labor to be augmented
by local volunteers. Work is expected to take 2-3 weeks depending on volunteer availability.
Finch Skateboard Park
FY22-23 Final
Receipts
Town Funding 8,900.00
Allocated Donations
Balance Forward 0.00
Total Receipts 8,900.00
Expenses
Finch Insurance -4,032.00
Expansion Project 0.00
Maintenance -3,723.43
Electricity -221.91
Supplies
General 0.00
Total Supplies 0.00
Superintendent Wages
Net Pay -371.03
Employee Federal Tax -64.40
Employee State Tax -37.37
Total Superintendent Wages -472.80
Payroll NTWC
Contributions
State Unemployment-
DUA 0.00
Total Payroll NTWC Contributions 0.00
Total Expenses -8,450.14
Total Finch Skateboard Park 449.86
1
TOWN OF BREWSTER
SPRING 2024
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
APPLICATION: 0 MAIN STREET/WASHINGTON CHASE BOG
CONSERVATION RESTRICTION
Old Washington Chase Cranberry Bog
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgarn property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
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1
0
BREWSTER BICENTENNIAL
0
0
APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
Date: February 9, 2024
Name of Applicant: Brewster Open Space Committee
Contact Individual: Elizabeth Taylor. Chair
Mailing Address: Town Hall 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631
Daytime Phone: 774-216-1659 e-mail: " etavlor(ibrewster-ma.gov"
Name of Proposal: Washington Chase Bog — Conservation Restriction
Address of Proposal (or assessor's parcel ID: 0 Main Street and a portion of 3571 Main Street, (126-4; 126-
5: 126-9 and a portion of 114-601
PROJECT SYNOPSIS:
The Town of Brewster is working with the Brewster Conservation. Trust (BCT) to protect a 12.36 -acre parcel known as the
Washington Chase Bog, comprised of 7.33 acres of upland and 5.04 acres of wetland. The property is located on the north
side of Main Street in East Brewster. BCT is purchasing the property and asking the Town to share the cost, by purchasing
the Conservation Restriction (CR). Previously having been run as a campground and a working cranberry bog, it remains a
typical pine -oak woodland with existing paths and vehicle tracks running through the property. The wetland areas are now
overgrown with trees and vegetation, which BCT would like to restore to a natural wetland (fresh marsh) habitat. The bog
drains under the rail trail into Namskaket Marsh. This has the potential to be the most visible bog to marsh ecorestoration
project on Cape Cod, along the historic Old Kings Highway. Att. 3.A & 3.B.
Restoration/protection of this parcel would contribute to the scenic and natural character of Brewster and will enhance the
open -space value of these and nearby lands. The parcel is proximate to land already conserved, including 1700+ acres of
contiguous open space owned and operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)-
Nickerson State Park. It also abuts the DCR Cape Cod Rail Trail on its northern property boundary, which in turn abuts
land owned and conserved by the Brewster Conservation Trust and connecting through to the 120+ acre Namskaket
Marsh Town Conservation Area. Att. 3.K.
The Town Select Board, Town Manager, Natural Resources Department, Conservation Commission, and Open Space
Committee support the purchase of a Conservation Restriction (CR), as does the Brewster Conservation Trust (BCT).
Att. 2.
Category (circle all that apply): OPEN SPACE Historic Preservation RECREATION Community Housing
CPA funding requested $225x000. Total Cost of Proposed Project $706,660
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
3
I.PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Town of Brewster is working with the Brewster Conservation Trust (BCT) to protect a 12.36 -acre parcel
known as the Washington Chase Bog, comprised of 7.33 acres of upland and 5.04 acres of wetland. The property
is located on the north side of Main Street in East Brewster. BCT is purchasing the property and asking the Town to
share the cost, by purchasing the Conservation Restriction. Previously having been run as a campground and a working
cranberry bog, it remains a typical pine -oak woodland with existing paths and vehicle tracks running through the
property. It, is generally level, although the southeast border, near Main Street, slopes up steeply. Due to the
steepness of this slope, there are guard rails along Main Street in this area. The wetland/bog areas are now
overgrown with trees and vegetation, which BCT would like to restore to a natural wetland (fresh marsh) habitat.
The bog drains under the rail trail into Namskaket Marsh. Att. 3.C.& 3.I.
Restoration/protection of this parcel would contribute to the scenic and natural character of Brewster and will
enhance the open -space value of these and nearby lands. The parcel is proximate to land already conserved,
including 1700+ acres of contiguous open space owned and operated by the Massachusetts Department of
Conservation and Recreation (DCR)- Nickerson State Park. It also abuts the DCR Cape Cod Rail Trail on its
northern property boundary, which in turn abuts land owned and conserved by the Brewster Conservation Trust
and connecting through to the 120+ acre Namskaket Marsh Town Conservation Area. Att. 3.B.
This East Brewster property had been on BCT's radar for strategic acquisition for the past 40 years since they
received a donation of 21 acres on Mitchell Lane to the north. The late Ms. Marian Dalgam inherited the
property from her father Washington Chase (1913-2008) who lived to be 95 years old. He ran a campground
and cranberry bog on the property after World War II for most of his remaining years. BCT intends to purchase
and protect in perpetuity, this highly visible, strategically located upland and wetland property with the potential
to be the most visible bog to marsh ecorestoration project on Cape Cod, along the historic Old Kings Highway.
Att. 3.G. & 3.H.
2. CPA GOALS/CRITERIA:
The goals of this project encompass a number of the Community Preservation general criteria areas for
community preservation and enhancement serving the purposes of Open Space and Recreation; saving resources
that would otherwise be threatened; leveraging public funds and enhancing existing Town resources; all
contributing to the preservation of Brewster's unique character.
Preservation of these 12.36 acres will provide:
Open Space Protection bv:
❑ Permanently protecting important wildlife habitat, including areas of significance for biodiversity,
diversity of geological features and types of vegetation, containing a habitat type that is in danger of
vanishing from Brewster or preserving habitat of threatened or endangered species of plants or animals
Biodiversit .
The parcel lies in close proximity (200 to 300 feet) to areas designated as BioMap Rare Species Core Habitat
and BioMap Critical Natural Landscape Aquatic Core Buffer, as defined by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage
and Endangered Species Program. BioMap, published in 2010 and updated in 2022, was designed to guide
strategic biodiversity conservation in Massachusetts over the next decade by focusing land protection and
stewardship on the areas that are most critical for ensuring the long-term persistence of rare and other native
species and their habitats, exemplary natural communities, and a diversity of ecosystems. BioMap is also
designed to include the habitats and species of conservation concern identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan.
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgarn property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
4
This parcel connects hydrogeologically to land conserved by the Brewster Conservation Trust and Town of
Brewster at Namskaket Marsh, part of an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Att. 3.E.
The parcel is also home to rare Eastern Box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina, a species of Special Concern),
Fishers, coyote dens, and waterfowl, all documented by retired biology professor, current landowner David
Dalgam Att. 3.L2.
Water Quality And Wetlands
Protection of vegetated upland buffers can help maintain water quality within wetlands and connected
groundwater. In turn, protected wetlands can improve water quality by removing pollutants from surface water
runoff from surrounding property. The wet meadow wetlands on the parcel provide valuable habitat for a
diverse array of wildlife species as well as provide the many other public benefits of wetlands protection
recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Section 40 of Chapter 131 of the Massachusetts General
Laws).
Habitat Restoration
Protecting the parcel from development supports the Town's goals for maintaining water quality, open space,
preserving the rural and scenic character of the area, and protecting habitat diversity. BCT would like to explore
the restoration of the bog, back to its natural wetland (fresh marsh) habitat.
Unique soils
The parcel specifically encompasses 5 acres+ of Farmland of Unique Importance and 4.7 acres+ of Prime Forest
Land as identified by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The protection of the property will
promote healthy soils and healthy soils practices as such terms are defined in Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020,
which added definitions of these terms to Section 7A of Chapter 128 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Att.
3.D. & 3.F.
❑ Enhancing or protecting wildlife corridors, promoting connectivity of habitat and prevent fragmentation
of habitats.
As indicated above, this parcel is proximate to land already conserved, including 1700+ acres of contiguous
open space owned and operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)-
Nickerson State Park. It also abuts the DCR Cape Cod Rail Trail on its northern property boundary, which in
turn abuts land owned and conserved by the Brewster Conservation Trust and connecting through to the 120+
acre Namskaket Marsh Town Conservation Area. The Chase Bog knits these lands together allowing wildlife
corridors to connect from NSP thru to the saltmarshes. Att. 3.K.
Preservation of these 12.36 acres will also provide:
Recreational Benefits by:
❑ Providing opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education available to all ages of
Brewster residents and visitors.
❑ Providing connections with existing trails or potential trail linkages connects to conservation areas
❑ Preserving scenic views or bordering a scenic road.
When the Town of Brewster updated its Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) in 2021, additional goals
were added including preservation of a variety of rural recreational activities and high -quality natural
environments in close proximity to all residential areas. It stresses that recreation opportunities are incredibly
important for a healthy and vibrant community. Recreation provides a common ground focused on inclusivity
while fostering a culture of health and well-being in our community. Residents are looking for more
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
5
recreational opportunities for all ages. Respondents to the OSRP survey highlighted the need for future
open
space and recreational planning to focus on walking and hiking trails, specifically those that are accessible. The
Brewster Vision Plan also highlights the need for more walking trails.
Public Access
The Massachusetts Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is a planning document that
discusses the available recreational resources in the Commonwealth, along with the needs of its residents, and
identifies the gap between them. This land acquisition will support the SCORP trail initiative by providing an
easily available new trail that connects to a number of existing trail systems. The state has indicated that Brewster
needs to provide more accessible trails and this parcel lends itself to an interior ADA-feasible trail leading from
the Cape Cod Rail Trail to see the bog. Public access to the parcel will be allowed for passive outdoor recreation,
education, and nature study. Att. 4.A -4.D.
The property abuts 1,100 feet of the DCR Cape Cod Rail Trail, preserving scenic vistas for users of the rail trail
and providing the opportunity to expand walking rail connections between Nickerson State Park, the Rail Trail
and Cape Cod Bay beaches
• Is across Main Street from 1700+ acres of contiguous open space owned and operated by the State
Division of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) as Nickerson State Park, the most popular campground in
the DCR system;
• Abuts the DCR Cape Cod Rail Trail, the most popular DCR facility on Cape Cod;
• Fronts on Route 6A for 600 feet, protecting a rural scenic view enjoyed by 12,000 motorists (average)
each day, in the Old Kings Highway Regional Historic District, the largest historic district in the US;
• Fronts Route 6A, named one of ten Most Outstanding Scenic Byways in America in 1993 Att. 3.J.
3. COMMUNITY BENEFITS:
This acquisition will provide multiple benefits to numerous populations. The current population of Brewster
(9,765 - Town Clerk, Jan 2024) will benefit, as will Brewster's 35,000+ annual visitors, many of whom will be
able to enjoy this area.
Brewster voters have been approving land acquisition for over 60 years, accumulating over 1,200 acres to protect
their drinking water and surface waters, wildlife corridors, rare and endangered species habitats, seacoast and
massive recreation areas. This parcel has been identified as important for habitat and wildlife corridor protection,
as well as providing excellent recreational trail connections. It has been endorsed by the Select Board, Town
Manager, Natural Resources Department, Conservation Commission, and Open Space Committee.
Recent Town of Brewster surveys found that residents value the preservation of public lands for accessible
peaceful recreation. In 2018, the Town completed the Vision Plan, the result of a significant public participation
process which included three series of workshops and a public survey to gauge the importance of actions to
achieve the vision. The Vision Plan is built on eight "building blocks", one being Open Space. These building
blocks received the highest rankings of importance in the public survey. Throughout the planning process, citizens
noted the contribution of open space to Brewster's character, the protection of water resources and natural habitat,
and passive recreation.
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgarn property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
6
In 2021 The Town updated its Open Space and Recreation Plan in 202, including a survey of Brewster residents
to obtain their views on the Town's open space and recreation priorities. Pertinent goals and objectives from the
updated OSRP include:
For Open Space:
• Provide more walking trails and expand ADA access to recreational areas.
• Provide open space and recreation opportunities that maintain Brewster's rural character
• Acquire and protect upland wooded, open field, coastal, and wetland parcels that preserve and enhance
community character.
• Protect open space for the purpose of preserving Brewster's unique and fragile ecological habitats and
augment the Town's network of wildlife corridors.
Brewster Conservation Restriction Program
Brewster has adopted a Conservation Restriction Program consisting of policies and guidelines approved by the
Board of Selectmen, Assessors and Conservation Commission in 1989, to encourage the use of conservation
restrictions as a means of "preserving open space, forest lands, and natural habitat of fish, wildlife or plants and
providing scenic enjoyment, outdoor recreation and education of the public" in perpetuity. The Program further
specified that purposes of a conservation restriction could include the following:
o prevent the cutting of trees;
o preserve a scenic view;
o prevent disturbance of wetlands;
o preserve important natural habitats; and,
o limit or prevent construction on land of natural resource value.
Granting this Conservation Restriction, for the reasons outlined above, aligns with the goals of the Town of
Brewster's Conservation Restriction Program. The Wildlife and Plant Habitat Goal will be advanced because
the property contains important pine -oak woodland upland and wetland habitat and is in close proximity to
Natural Heritage and endangered species Program (NHESP) Priority Habitat of Rare Species, and BioMap Core
Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape. This Conservation Restriction will ensure that these important habitats
remain undisturbed in perpetuity. The Open Space Goal will be served in preventing development on the
Premises. The Town of Brewster values land conservation and the preservation of open space to maintain the
Town's rural, small town character. The Town also values increasing the quantity and quality of its open space
-- looking at high priority ecological contributions of properties.
Consistency with Clearly Delineated State Conservation Policy
The protection of the parcel supports the Massachusetts Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
(SCORP) 2017 goal to support the Statewide Trails Initiative, specifically, to support the acquisition of land and
development of new open spaces that can provide or connect with a trail network. This objective is supported
by providing the opportunity to expand walking rail connections between Nickerson State Park, the Cape Cod
Rail Trail and Cape Cod Bay beaches.
Climate Change Resiliency
The majority of this parcel (two thirds) is identified as an area of average to slightly above average Terrestrial
Resilience according to The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Resilient Land Mapping Tool, including slightly
above average Landscape Diversity and average Local Connectedness. TNC's Resilient Land Mapping Tool
was developed in order to map `climate -resilient' sites that are 'more likely to sustain native plants, animals,
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
7
and natural processes into the future.' The protection of these climate resilient sites is an important step in both
reducing human and ecosystem vulnerability to climate change and adapting to changing conditions.
Preventing clearing of the forested areas also helps to moderate temperatures, an important factor in mitigating
climate change. Climate resilience will be enhanced by preserving this wetland and restoring the old bog back
to a more natural wetland with freshwater marsh and shrubs. Some of these wetlands have reverted to their
natural vegetative state and now provide important wildlife habitat, flood control and storm damage prevention,
and work to greatly improve water quality. Att. Ll.
For Recreation:
• Provide a variety of recreation and open space opportunities to promote healthy and active lifestyles for
Brewster residents, ensuring equitable access for all users and abilities.
• Acquire and protect lands of recreational value.
• Enhance walking and biking opportunities that connect residential areas with open space and recreational
resources.
This property meets these goals in providing connections to Town, BCT and state open space, preserving rare
and native species, allowing for both open space and recreational opportunities, and offering members of the
community options for local walking and birding activities. Connecting resources with walking and biking
networks allows residents to access areas without using their vehicles, which helps reduce air pollution and
promotes healthier choices. The state has indicated that Brewster needs to provide more accessible trails and
this parcel lends itself to an interior ADA-feasible trail leading from the Cape Cod Rail Trail to see the bog.
This acquisition fits squarely within these goals and purposes, clearly reflecting the priorities and vision of
Brewster's residents.
Massachusetts Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan SCORP 2017
The most recent SCORP identified several priority goals, including the goal of providing open space access to
underserved areas. Brewster is an Environmental Justice community and has protected open space acres per capita
that is about average in the county.
The SCORP supports an increase in trails statewide, increase in water -based activities, and conservation of
properties that allow community members and individuals within the neighborhood to experience outdoor
recreation close to home. Specifically, the Washington Chase Bog purchase will conform with the Plan's Goal
of "Supporting the Statewide Trails Initiative" with Objectives: 1) Support the acquisition of land and
development of new open spaces that can provide a trail network and 2) Fill in the gaps of existing trail
networks. In addition, the extensive residential areas of East Brewster will benefit from this new open space
closer to their homes.
Protecting a State Priority Preservation Area/Su ort of Cap a Cod Commission's Regional Policy Plan
The Cape Cod Commission's 2018 Regional Policy Plan (RPP) guides development and land use in the county.
Protection of this property supports the RPP's goals: 1) (wildlife and plant habitat) to protect, preserve or restore
wildlife and plant habitat to maintain the region's natural diversity, 2) (open space) to maintain or increase the
connectivity of open space, and 3) (open space) to conserve, preserve or enhance a network of open space that
contributes to the region's natural and community resources and systems."
Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program Further, this purchase will protect the road frontage
along Main Street, a Town Scenic Road identified in the 2007 Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory
Program for Brewster as a Transportation feature worthy of protection in the plan.
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
8
Workina with Native American Tribes
The Brewster Conservation Trust has been in negotiation with the Native Land Conservancy, Inc. on a Cultural
Agreement to work together on reviewing properties of mutual interest for their cultural significance and to
develop educational programs together to inform the public about the cultural significance of these BCT
properties, and the importance of the history of Native peoples on these lands. BCT also helped to financially
sponsor the NLC in its founding year of 2012, incorporating properties such as the Washington Chase Bog.
Working with BCT to further inform residents and visitors about the cultural significance of Brewster properties
would serve to support and enhance Brewster's inclusion and diversity goals.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT:
The Brewster Conservation Trust (BCT) has a full-time Land Stewardship Director, assisted by an AmeriCorps
member and an active covey of volunteers/trail crew. A volunteer Land Monitor walks their trails at least monthly
and reports on any management issues.
BCT will own the parcel, while Brewster will purchase a perpetual Conservation Restriction. The Town Select
Board, Town Manager, Natural Resources Department, Conservation Commission, and Open Space Committee
support this purchase of a Conservation Restriction.
Letter of Support is Att. 6.
5. CREDENTIALS:
The Brewster Conservation Trust will have custody and control of this conservation area. The Town of Brewster
will hold the Conservation Restriction, which will enable it to also participate in the management of this
conservation area.
6. TIMELINE:
May 2023 Offer accepted by Dalgarn
July 2023 State Conservation Partnership Grant submitted. By BCT
October 2023 Purchase and Sale signed between BCT and property owner
November 2023 State grant awards announced
Dec 2023 State contract signed
February 2024 CPC application for Funding for CR
May 2024 Town Meeting approval
June 2024 CR approved for local signatures
June 2024 Brewster Conservation Trust purchases property; CR conveyed to Town of Brewster
July -2024 Dedication/celebration
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgarn property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
9
7. BUDGET:
This Conservation Restriction acquisition would be funded through the Town's Community Preservation Fund.
The Open Space Committee recommended the purchase. Town Meeting approval will be sought at Town Meeting
in Spring 2024.
PROPOSED PROJECT COSTS
BCT Expense Items
Survey
Appraisal of 12.36 acres
Land purchase cost by The BCT
Miscellaneous due diligence for closing
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS
AMOUNT
$ 1,000
$ 3,000
$ 700,000
$ 2,660
$ 706,660
PROPOSED PROJECT FUNDING SOURCES
Town Community Preservation Fund $ 225,000_
State Partnership Grant -BCT
BCT Funds
COMMENTS
Appraisal Company of Cape Cod (2023)
Bargain sale negotiated Dalgam & BCT
2023
Legal services, Registry fees, etc.
to be voted at Town Meeting, Spring
2024 for Conservation Restriction
$ 175,000 50% of eligible costs (not to exceed
$175,000)
$ 306.660
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING $ 706,660
CPA PROJECT FUNDING
$ 225,000 Town of Brewster
8. MAINTENANCE:
The Brewster Conservation Trust will have custody and control of this conservation area. The Town of Brewster
will hold the Conservation Restriction, which will enable it to also participate in the management of this
conservation area, ensuring that BCT adheres to all standards set forth in the conservation restriction. The
Brewster Conservation Trust will conduct all necessary maintenance and management through their land
stewardship program which is led by a full time Land Stewardship Director and assisted by volunteers.
9. SITE CONTROL AND APPRAISAL:
The Draft Conservation Restriction is Att. 5
Deed of Record Att. 7.
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
10
An Appraisal of the property's value by a licensed appraiser using customary appraising techniques is Att. 8
Appraisal Summary:
CATHERINE HAMMOND
APPRAISAL COMPANY OF CAPE COD, INC.
170 ROUTE 6A, PO BOX 1655
ORLEANS, MASSACHUSETTS
PHONE (508) 255-8822
Opinion of Market Value: $800,000 June 19,2023
The Brewster Open Space Committee
February 9, 2024
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
11
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
1. Town Meeting Article (draft) authorizing CR purchase (to be voted May 2024)
2. Select Board Letter of Support for Conservation Restriction
3. Resource Maps
A. USGS Topographic Locus Map: USGS 1974 Harwich MA Quadrangle USGS
B. Assessor's 2023 Locus and Road Map
C. 2014 Aerial Photo
D. USGS Surficial Geology Map, 1962
E. 22022 Assessing Map showing BioMap Core Habitat and BioMap Critical Natural Landscapes
F. Primal Forest Soils
G. Survey Plan of Record, 1989
H. Updated Survey Sketch Locus 2024
I. Freshwater Wetlands indicating 50' and 100' Buffer Zones
J. Old Kings Highway Regional Historic District
K. Protected Open Space
L.1. Climate Resilience -The Nature Conservancy
L.2. Mesa -Listed Rare Species Documentation — Eastern Box Turtle — Terrapene carolina carolina
4. Site Photographs, 2023
A. Boundary Abutting Cape Cod Rail Trail — Washington Chase Bog
B. Overgrown Wetland — Washington Chase Bog
C. Interior Vehicle Tracks — Washington Chase Bog
D. Trail Visitor — Washington Chase Bog
5. Conservation Restriction Forms
Draft Conservation Restriction —Brewster Conservation Trust to Town Conservation Commission
(first page only)
6. Letter of Support
Brewster Conservation Commission: Michael Tobin, Chair
7. Site Background: Deed of Record
8. Appraisal Report:
CATHERINE HAMMOND Appraisal Company of Cape Cod, Inc. — June 2023 (excerpt)Value of land
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
12
ARTICLE NO. XX:
CONSERVATION RESTRICTION ACQUISITION: 0 MAIN STREET
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to acquire a perpetual conservation restriction under
MGL Ch. 184, Secs. 31 through 33, on a parcel of land designated on Brewster Assessors' Map 126 as Parcel 4,
5 and 9 located at 0 Main Street, and a portion of the parcel currently designated on the Brewster Assessors' Map
114, Parcel 60 located at the rear of 3571 Main Street in Brewster, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, consisting
of 12.36 acres as shown on a plan of land entitled, "Survey and Plan of Land in Brewster, Mass. as claimed by
Washington E. & Mary F Chase, Scale 1 in = 60 ft. March 10, 1989, East Cape Engineering, Orleans MA." and
recorded in the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds as Plan Book 459, Page 75, and as more particularly shown
as Lot 2 and Lot 3 on a plan of land entitled, " Lot Study Sketch for Property at 3571 Main St, Brewster, MA
02631 Prepared for Brewster Conservation Trust, Scale 1 in. = 80 ft, July 3, 2023, Soule Land Surveying." a copy
of which is on file with the Brewster Town Clerk; to acquire interests in said parcel by gift, purchase and/or
eminent domain taking under MGL Ch. 79, or any other enabling authority; to acquire said conservation
restriction for conservation and passive recreation purposes for the general public, consistent with the provisions
of MGL Ch. 40 Sec. 8C and Article 97 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and in compliance with MGL Ch. 44B, Sec. 12(a), protecting the property for the purposes for
which it is acquired; to transfer from available funds, including, without limitation, the Community Preservation
Fund, the sum of Two Hundred Twenty -Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($225,000.00) to pay costs of this
acquisition, and all other costs incidental and related thereto; further, to authorize the Conservation Commission
to assume the monitoring and enforcement authority of the conservation restriction on the property; and to
authorize the Select Board and Conservation Commission to enter into all agreements and execute any and all
instruments as may be necessary on behalf of the municipality to effect this purchase and obtain reimbursement
funding;
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Community Preservation Committee) ( Majority Vote Required)
Attachment 1. Town Meeting Article (draft) authorizing CR purchase (to be voted May
2024):
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
13
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Town of Brewster Office of the:
2198 Main Street Select Board
Brewster, MA 02631 Town Manager
(508) 896-3701 www.brewster-
ma.gov
February 12, 2024
To the Brewster Community Preservation Committee:
Re: Washington Chase Bog Property
On February 7, 2024, the Brewster Select Board unanimously voted to support the Open Space
Committee's request for $225,000 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding to purchase a
conservation restriction on 12.36 acres of the Washington Chase Bog property at 3571 Main
Street.
The Brewster Conservation Trust's acquisition of this parcel, in conjunction with their plan to
establish 3 deed -restricted affordable homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity houses on
the remaining 1.58 acres, will achieve two of the Select Board's priority goals - adding housing
and conserving open space. The Select Board applauds Brewster Conservation Trust's plan to
conserve and restore this former cranberry bog and preserve an area of open space that can be
enjoyed by the public.
Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding helps our community plan a sustainable future.
Your efforts to date have shaped Brewster in many important ways, and we believe this request
is worthy of your support.
Respegtfujly / 7
(
Ned Chatelain
e
Attachment 2. Select Board Letter of Support for Conservation Restriction:
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgarn property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
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ATTACHMENT 3 A: USGS Topographic Locus Map: USGS 1974 Harwich MA Quandrangle USGS — Washington Chase Bog
l3r .;e tray
4
1110 gyp. iii• 1i. ;
3346
I 4i 348 41 lit
4r"
3558 0.5 1570 ' 7572
NOTE: BCT will purchase all 14 acres, but this grant application is only for the 12.4 acres
4
3661 )671
1677 let 3
3667 tee„ 3675
v'
100 fti\
50m
I
3711
ATTACHMENT 3 B: Assessor's 2023 Locus and Road Man — Washineton Chase Bo
This shed no
longer exists
2014_ortho_imagery
ATTACHMENT 3 C: 2014 Aerial Photo - Washington Chase Bog
ATTACHMENT 3 D: USGS Surficial Geology Map, 1962 — Washington Chase Bog
L; 'r rtep C
41
g SLR
s
/f j4s� /t
'14
---Lbo•iidit
` ° -, : •Yowl r
A
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25
ro
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1 - J
ra f/ 4 .
1
_iMr- 11 nip.
arc
-
f ,.... ; + ''r_ _y4 dl -�.L rte.. V.
_y �. 7 1 'i ..7:-'-^:.-
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riez
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{( T- -fit
.3
C l ifJf Pond
26
_I C K E R S O N
Surficial Geologic Map of the Harwich Quadrangle, Massachusetts
Compiled by
Byron D. Stone and Mary L. DiGiaconio-Cohen
2009
isat base been artificially
amnia:nL prhwarili, in highway and milrnad cmhanknents and in dams; may also
irubutk• IantfilLti uman devchoprnent areas. and idled coastal v 1Thnds
C'rvnherrs him —Wally freshwater swamps tw peat [Kegs 'iv crlain Vocally by
reltfrcintly emplacvv1 sand or other 011
,'swamp and marsh deposal. --Organic murk and peal that contain minor amounts of
sand, sill. and clay. stratified and poorly sorted. in freshwater swamps and marshes.
kettle depressions, or poorly drained arms. Swamp and marsh deposits are shown only
where they are estimated to be al least 3 ft Ihiek. Most swamp and marsh deposits are
less than 10 ft thick. Swamp depesiLs overlie glacial meltwater deposits and
postglacial pond deposits in kcuk defrenni ms. Unit includes salt -marsh d pima not
differentiated on previously published quadrangle maps - - —
•
O Dane deposits include Crawl deposits comprised of ai kast 50 percent gravel -sin
cbtel;: cobbles and boulders predominate: minor amounts of sand trcur within gmvet
beds. and sand composes fens separate layers. Gravel layers generally are poorly
sorted and bedding commonly is distorted and faulted die to postdeposnional collapse
related to melting of ier. Sand and gravel depnsirs are composed of mixtures of gravel
and sand within individual layers and as alternating layers. Sand and gravel layers
generally range from 25 to 50 percent gravel pansies and from 50 to 75 percent sand
paniv-ks. Layers are well to poorly stored: bedding may be distorted and faulted due
to posudepositional collapse. Sand deposits are cotnpused minis of very coarse to fine
sand. commonly in moderately' sorted layers. Coarser layers may certain up to 25
percent gravel panicles. generally granules and pebbles; finer layers may contain
some very fine sand. silt and clay
Glacirtlacustrine one deposits include very fine sand. silt and clay that occur as
well -sorted. thin layers of alternating sih and clay. or thicker lavers of very fine smut
and silt. Very fine sand commonly occurs al the surface and grades downwanl into
rhythmically bedded silt and clay varies. Locally, this map unit may include areas
underlain by fine sand
] +�. BioMao Critical Natural Landscape
Components: Landscape Blocks
j BioMap Critical Natural Landscape
Components: Tem Foraging Habitat
y7.12 BioMap Critical Natural Landscape
Qgnponents: Coastal Adaptation Areas
BioMap Critical Natural Landscape
Components.: Wetland Core Buffer
j BioMap Critical Natural Landscape
Components: Aquatic Core Buffer
ATTACHMENT 3 E: 2022 Assessing Map Showing BioMap Core Habitat and BioMap Critical Natural
Landscapes — Washington Chase Bog
1' '83:3 = 7 &566:: LAT LON
t
Attachment 3 F: Primal Forest Soils — Washington Chase Bog
MassMapper
NOTE: The northern half of
the locus 12.36 acres
includes Prime 1 forest soils
In Prime 1
:F Prime Forest Land
▪ Prime 1
IN Prime 2
II Prime 3
▪ Statewide Importance
0 Local Importance
IN Prime 3 Wet
Statewide Importance Wet
Local Importance Wet
El Unique Wet
❑ Non -Forested Land
141
Wyly 5 rIZE ! �J
VJoL
� J
AC. 4.4.1..4..
1.4
Su2.v6.Y AU RA. ow' l...uO 114
seews-rse , MASS.
Al 4LAI.nCb IbY
WASH 1t36.T00.1 £, MA214-
• 0.0. lnAe.w 10, 19 Sq
6666... a. • . Ean+ . L G as
•
40/11,T
II 1f ea.a a.4,
nail III, MIT
3.
.,or t4.a+a•-6e
n4. .,Srtt o u,u6 •0A4o
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4• 4 141400.
r. F6ecl+oc Tea/ -s
ewc4ll o44e sea.. awe.- y•446444.4
y. «.2
U14.....• L. yQ
•
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Tt .1...4, ea,.rl4., 4 tawlt I u.xe' .� • ,. t.,4
♦ 1441404 waY cea e.4. 1,1440. 01.,1,44 Clei,42.44
▪ Wail/ .a • u...f ° «,,.a•
.4.1444
6 11•4/111.' vYt11,.,ana,.
Attachment 3 G: Survey Plan of Record, 1989
Attachment 3 H: Survey Sketch Locus 2023 — Washington Chase BoK
CHASE BOG PROJECT
60.010 S.F.
PANHANDLE ,L1.12 S.F
?. TOTAL 86.859 S.F.
(1.535 AC.)
60.883 S.F
(1.581 AC.) SHED
OWLG.
1.58 Acre
House Lot
r
TF
At
i
1
1901 LAvoui U i 1` ti/.
50 W1AF
T
1. LOCUS REF: DB. 23085/155; P.B. 459/75, 593/17
2. ASSESSOR'S NAP 114/60; 128/4,5,9
3. ZONE RIA
1915 1A'roU1
i
i
rj 12.36 Acres of
OVERGROWN
BOG / Conservation Land x
i
1
UPLAND 5.791 AC.
WETLAND 5.036 AC
TOTAL 10.827 AC.
OVERGROWN BOG
i
i
Sf T
Wetland 5.04 Acres
Upland 7.33 Acres
OVERGROWN !00
PRO•ESS5I0NAI LAND SURVEYOR
FOR PROPERTY AT
3571 MAIN 5T
BREWSTER, IA. 02631
PREPARED FOR
SCALE: 1 I8 -80 R. JULY 3. 2023
SOULE LAND SURVEYING
'03 VESPER POND DRIVE
BREWSTER, 145 02531
(508)237-0853
40 80
160 240
Cape Cod Bay
/16411°
1
1
NOTE: The Chase Bog drains zwest and 1
north under the CCrRail Trail to empty into,
Namskaket salt marsh on Cape Cod Bay.
DEP Wetlands
Wer,an
747 Crencerry Bog
A - Wetlands 50' Buffer
Wetlands 100 Buffer
:7 s
1
r
Attachment 3 I: Freshwater Wetlands Indicating 50' and 100' Buffer Zones — Washington Chase Bog
Attachment 3 J: Old King's Highway Regional Historic District — Washington Chase Bog
..Historic District
0
2M ' us 127'
22+
ly S¢hoo
872,
MA DCR
NICKERSON STATE PARK
2t1
0111. an to
Fsrlll SIf.ect
—S-55 - C-E3_ LAT LON
.7
s n
MassMapper
Openspace by Ownership Solid
■ Federal
■ DCR-State Parks Recreation
■ DCRS/DFG
1 Department of Fish Game
■ DCR-Urban Parks Recreation
11 DCR-Water Supply Protection
■ Department of Agricultural Resources
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
■ County
Municipal
■ Public Non -Profit
■ Land Trust
■ Conservation Organization
Non -Profit
Private
Attachment 3 K: Protected Open Space — Washington Chase Bog
Ts t;� e I Resilient Land Mapping Tool
1
Resilient Sites (Customized)
• Most resilient
More resilient
Q Slightly more resilient
El Average or Median Resilience .1
Slightly Less Resilient
Ill Less Resilient
• Least Resilient
• Developed
• Migration Space for Tidal Habitat
Resilient Tidal Habitat
Q Vulnerable Tidal Habitat
El Sea Level Rise Area
The Nature Conservancy kiestiGtS €sn Cana -a Esri 9ERE Caatrnin INCREMENT P Inte rnap USGS
Attachment 3 1.1: Climate Resilience — The Nature Conservancy — Washington Chase Bog
September 10, 2015
Hello Mark,
Thanks for stopping by today. Attached are two box turtle photos. Turtle 1's shell was approximately 5-6 inches long on the long axis while turtle 2's shell was only
2.5 inches long on the long axis. Turtle 1's photos was taken on July 28 along the road behind our house while turtle 2's photo was taken just three hours ago in
our front yard (approximately 20 feet from where you were sitting). The white stuff on turtle 1's face was mushroom residue (looks like it has fangs).
David S. Dalgarn, Ph. D
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY (retired)
SAGINAW VALLEY STATE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY CENTER MI
Attachment 3 L2: Mesa Listed Rare Species
Documentation — Eastern Box Turtle -
(Terrapene carolina carolina) - Washington
Chase Bog
14
Washington Chase Bog Conservation Restriction Brewster, Mass.
GRANTOR: Trustees of the Brewster Conservation Trust
GRANTEE: Town of Brewster, Conservation Commission
ADDRESS OF PREMISES: Lot 2 and Lot 3, 3571 Main Street (MA Route 6A), Brewster, MA
FOR GRANTOR'S TITLE SEE: Barnstable County Registry of Deeds at Book , Page
FOR GRANTOR'S PLAN SEE: Barnstable County Registry of Deeds at Book , Page
DRAFT
GRANT OF CONSERVATION RESTRICTION
I. STATEMENT OF GRANT
JOSEPH BIERNAT, BETH FINCH, DEBRA JOHNSON, PETER JOHNSON, MARTIN KAMARCK,
DONALD KEERAN, JOHN LAMB, STEPHEN McKENNA, HAL MINIS, BONNIE NEWMAN,
ROGER V. O'DAY, PETER W. SOULE, CHARLES L. SUMNER, SEAMUS WOODS, MICHAEL T.
LINDGREN, and ROSEMARY VAN ANTWERP, as
Trustees of the BREWSTER CONSERVATION TRUST, under a Declaration of Trust dated June 22, 1983
and recorded with the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds in Book 3791, Page 25, as amended, with a mailing
address of 36 Red Top Road, Brewster, MA, 02631, being the sole owner of the Premises as defined herein, for
my successors and assigns ("Grantor"), acting pursuant to Sections 31, 32, and 33 of Chapter 184 of the
Massachusetts General Laws, grant, with
QUITCLAIM COVENANTS, to THE TOWN OF BREWSTER, a Massachusetts municipal corporation with
an address of 2198 Main Street, Brewster, Massachusetts, 02631, acting by and through its Select Board by
authority of the vote taken under Article _ of the _ Town Meeting of the Town of Brewster, an
attested copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C and, acting by and through its Conservation Commission
by authority of Section 8C of Chapter 40 of the Massachusetts General Laws, their permitted successors and
assigns
("Grantee"), for consideration of TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY FIVE THOUSAND and
00/100 DOLLARS ($295,000.00), IN PERPETUITY AND EXCLUSIVELY FOR
CONSERVATION PURPOSES, the following Conservation Restriction on land located in the Town of Brewster,
County of Barnstable, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, containing the entirety of a 12.4 -acre parcel of land
("Premises"), which Premises is more particularly described in Exhibit A and shown in the attached reduced copy
of a survey plan in Exhibit B, both of which are incorporated herein and attached hereto.
The Conservation Restriction was acquired utilizing, in part, Community Preservation Act funds pursuant to
Chapter 44B of the Massachusetts General Laws, which funds were authorized for such purposes by a vote of
the Town of Brewster Town Meeting held on , an attested copy of which vote is attached hereto
as Exhibit C (the "CPA Vote"). Pursuant to Section 12(b) of Chapter 44B of the Massachusetts General Laws,
and pursuant to the CPA Vote, the fee interest in the Premises, and therefore the management of the Premises, is
under the care, custody, and control of the Conservation Commission of the Town of Brewster.
Attachment 5. Draft Conservation Restriction - Brewster Conservation Trust to Town
Conservation Commission to (first page only)
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
15
Attachment 6. Letter of Support: Conservation Commission
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
16
Bk 23085 Ps155 041764
08-05-2008 8 12156p
QUITCLAIM DEED �} -
MARIAN DALGARN, 1693 Lethrup Avenue, $aiaw, MI ...48638, as
l indviduel and as Executrix of the Estate of Wash E. Chase, . earhstabie
'Probate No. 08P0174EP1, in consideration of ONE i AR'($1.06)r *et' grants
to MARIAN DALGARN and DAVID S. DALGARN, husband and wile as teifants by
lthe entirety, of 1693 Lathrop Avenue, Saginaw, Mi 48638, WITH QUITCLAIM
OVENANTs. the land, together with the bulldogs thereon, in Brewster,
nstable County, Massachusetts, bounded and described as follows:
parcels 1 through 6 shown on 'Survey & Plan of Land in Brewster, Mass. As
By Washington E. & Mary F. Chase Scale 1' ` 60' March 10, 1989 East
(Cape Engineering CE 8 LS', recorded with Barnstable County Registry of Deeds
'!n Plan Book 459, Page 75.
Excepting therefrom Lath. sum on `Plan of Land in Brewster, MA "as
br Richard B. Winslow at April 28th, 2004", recorded in said R ,
Book 593, Pogo 17, which was previously conveyed to Richard and
U1lirsslow . For title, see deeds recorded In Barnstable Registry of Deeds Book
x/199, Page 166, Book 861, Page 75, Book 959, Page 472, death of Mary F. Chase,
sec Barnstable Probate Court No. 92P0727VE1,-and estate of Washington E.
Chase, Barnstable Probate No. 08P0t74EP1.
Property address: 3571 Main Street, Brewster. MA 02631.
WrrNEss my hand and seal this sbdeenth day of July, 2008.
"4 fa" ArArAttle
Marian Dalgam
Rowe POw.uenrII
►A ldIMO.i J2w47
11110lp}I MIAOW
M.IML7101
tM pC sown
Attachment 7. Site Background: Deed of Record
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgarn property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
17
13k 23085 Pg 156 *41764
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS BARNSTABLE COUNTY, SS.
On this ebcteont h day of July, 2009, before me, the undersigned notary
per, personally appeared Marian Daigam, proved to me through satisfactory
evidence of Identification, which was State of Michigan Driver's Ucannao, to be the
person whose name is signed on the precedIng or attached • nt. and
acknowledged to me that she signed h vokmiarily for its sta
Nota "-ublic
My commission expires 1 ttl ,f 9 f 2,, FY
SARKS1A3 t REGISTRY OF DEEDS
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
18
REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL REPORT
LOCATED AT
3571 MAIN STREET & 0 MAIN STREET
BREWSTER, MASSACHUSETTS
FOR
THE BREWSTER CONSERVATION TRUST
BY
CATHERINE HA vtMOND
APPRAISAL COMPANY OF CAPE COD, INC.
170 ROUTE 6A, PO BOX 1655
ORLEANS, MASSACHUSETTS PHONE (508) 255-8822
DATE OF VALUE: JUNE 19, 2023 DATE OF REPORT: JULY 12, 2023
Appraisal Company of Cape Cod, Inc.
REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL AND CONSULTING
Residential
Commercial
Vacant Land
Expert Witness
BOX 1655, 170 ROUTE 6A
ORLEANS, MASSACHUSETTS 02653
(508) 255-8822 FAX (508) 255-9257
TOLL FREE (877) 760-8900
www.capecodappraiser.com
Michael Sutton
Certified General Real Estate
Appraiser—MALic. #786
Mikesutton@capecodappraiser.com
Attachment 8: Annraisal (in hart
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgam property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
19
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
The Brewster Conservation Trust c/o Amy Henderson, Director
36 Red Top Road
Brewster, MA 02631
RE: 3571 Main Street and 0 Main Street, Brewster, MA
Dear Ms. Henderson:
Per your request, attached is an appraisal report of two building sites containing 12.36 acres located at
3571 Main Street and 0 Main Street, Brewster, MA. It is the portion of the properties and is shown as
Lots #2 and #3 on the attached "Lot Study Sketch" (herein after referred to as "Sketch"). It is this Sketch
that has been relied in this report for the property descriptions. Lots #2 and #3 are hereinafter referred to
as the "subject property". The subject may also be identified as part of Parcels 114-60-0, 126-4-0, 1265-
0 and 126-9-0 on the Town of Brewster Assessor's records. The subject property is also a portion of the
lots shown as Lots #1 - #6 on a plan of land entitled "Survey and Plan of Land in Brewster, Mass.
(hereinafter called "Plan") as claimed by Washington E. and Mary F. Chase. Scale 1 in. = 60 ft. October
1967" prepared by James Bowman, East Cape Engineering, Orleans, Mass. recorded at the Barnstable
County Registry of Deeds (BCRD) in Plan Book 459 Page 75. This plan is hereinafter referred to as the
"Plan" a copy of which is attached to this report. The owner of record is David S. Dalgarn. by virtue of a
deed dated August 5, 2008, and recorded at the BCRD in Book 23085 Page 155 and the death certificate
of Marian C. Dalgarn, recorded on December 8, 2022. A copy of the deed is attached to this report. The
appraiser has been informed that the Brewster Conservation Trust intends to apply to the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts LAND grant program to aid in the financing of the property.
I personally inspected the subject property on June 19, 2023, and I have gathered all the data I consider
necessary to arrive at the value conclusions. There is a Hypothetical Condition to this report that Lots #2
and #3 can be subdivided from the 13.92 -acre parcel to create a three -lot subdivision and that both sites
can support a septic system for at least a five -bedroom home and that the subject site can connect to town
water and the existing utilities on Main Street. There are no Extraordinary Assumptions to this report.
As a result of my investigation and my analysis of the information gathered, I estimate the market value
of the subject property, as of the date of inspection, to be:
EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
($800,000)
July 12, 2023
Date Catherine Hammond - Certified Residential
Real Estate Appraiser; MA License #1481
Open Space Committee - Community Preservation Committee Application: 0 Main Street/Washington Chase (Dalgarn property)
Conservation Restriction February 9, 2024
FY25 Budget Changes:
Department 2.5.24 3.8.24 Increase /(Decrease)
Levy Capacity as of 2.5.24 51,085.00$ Expenses
Revenue Adjustments 84,751.40$ Health Insurance - Schools 1,923,355.06$ 1,955,710.06$ 32,355.00$
Expense Adjustments 117,025.86$ Health Insurance - Town 2,331,860.00$ 2,386,670.00$ 54,810.00$
Current Levy Capacity (3.8.24)18,810.54$ Pension - Schools 431,244.54$ 442,443.86$ 11,199.32$
Pension - Town 2,297,897.74$ 2,344,217.28$ 46,319.54$
Per OG 18,811.00$ Human Services 13,107.00$ 13,111.00$ 4.00$
Variance Due to Rounding (0.46)$ Building Dept Wages 77,966.00$ 80,304.00$ 2,338.00$
BAN Payment 180,000.00$ 150,000.00$ (30,000.00)$
Net Expenses 7,255,430.34$ 7,372,456.20$ 117,025.86$
Revenue
Investment Income 150,000.00$ 225,000.00$ 75,000.00$
Ambulance Revenue 1,079,092.00$ 1,077,652.00$ (1,440.00)$
BAN premium revenue -$ 1,191.40$ 1,191.40$
Increase Other Dept Rev 242,643.00$ 252,643.00$ 10,000.00$
Net Revenues 1,471,735.00$ 1,556,486.40$ 84,751.40$
Finance Committee Minutes
February 28, 2024 Page 1 of 5
TOWN OF BREWSTER
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Date: February 28, 2024 Time: 6:00 PM
MEETING MINUTES
Present: Vice Chair Frank Bridges, Clerk Bill Meehan, Andy Evans, William Henchy, Alex Hopper, Robert
Tobias, Patrick Buckley (attending remotely)
Also present: Peter Lombardi, Town Manager; Donna Kalinick, Assistant Town Manager; Mimi Bernardo,
Finance Director; Suzanne Kenney and Lisa Perkins, Health and Human Services Committee (attending
remotely)
Absent: Chair Pete Dahl, Bob Young
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm, announced a quorum, and read the participation
statement.
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. Additionally, the meeting may be viewed by: Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream
(livestream.brerwster-ma.gov), or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov).
1.Public Announcements and Comment- none
Glenn Casey, 288 Fletcher Lane – made several comments in other committee meetings regarding the
Millstone Project and a recent increase in cost of $9M. There will be skyrocketing inflationary costs because of
the climate we are in. POAH/HAC came in and said they needed to modify their project – taking it from 12
small buildings to 4 big apartment buildings. It looks like they may have reduced the overall square footage. It
is bringing it up to $800/square foot. The BAHT has put in their projections an additional $1.5M. This project is
going to continue to be a runaway. We are sitting at a 31% increase in the last 3 months and at a certain point
it will be untenable. It is nowhere near the design of the project pitched and the town needs to be aware.
2.Town Manager/Finance Director Report
Peter Lombardi said that they submitted the elementary school regionalization feasibility study grant
application. They have also had recent meetings with the district around issuing the long-term debt for the
high school with their financial advisors. Expects the Regional School Committee will be taking up their votes
shortly. The plan right now is to issue that long-term debt in early May which means that the second tranche
of the High School debt will come online on next year’s tax bills. The project is both on time and on budget
Approved:
VOTE:
Finance Committee Minutes
February 28, 2024 Page 2 of 5
currently. The district received a little over $7M in supplemental state funding. Ultimately, we think when
applied to the total project costs, it will help our taxpayers in the end. We will have updated information in the
near future. Frank asked if the supplemental funding we expect in May will be long-term funding. Peter
Lombardi said yes. The long-term debt will be a little over $120M of town owned and shared debt. Peter
Lombardi went on to say we met with the Superintendent, School Finance Director, Mimi Bernardo, other reps
from other towns, as well as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Regional School Committee – they are only looking
at the level 25 year debt option. They have to take a formal vote sometime this spring.
3.Town Meeting 2024 – Warrant Overview and discussion
Peter Lombardi said on page 4 in your packet there is a short memo with anticipated articles, there have been
3 articles added. Outstanding obligations – one we are aware of and don’t expect more budgetary transfers –
we are looking at one transfer, more to come on that; the Tech budget, we have the preliminary numbers
included in the budget presentation made on February 5th – the committee is voting on their budget
tomorrow night, so we will have that soon. Their business manager is coming in to present on March 11th to
the Select Board. If the Finance Committee is interested, we would like to have you in for a joint session on
March 11th. The elementary schools are continuing to work through their budgets. They are trying to come in
at or near the budget guidance we had given them which we are currently anticipating the need for another
operating override. We do have an article placeholder for that if a budget override is necessary. We don’t have
a date for the schools to come in for presentations yet. We are looking at March 27th. The Select Board is
tentatively scheduled for March 25th. He will confirm.
Peter Lombardi went on to say we have been talking about the Assessment Formula – after talking with town
counsel, we think it best to have a stand-alone article to vote separately on that. Just a reminder, that has
been since the regional agreement has been in place since 2002. We expect to have the regional numbers next
week, and he will circulate when they are received. We are anticipating an operating override at this point. We
will have more details soon.
CPA has 3 applications they are vetting right now, and they have their standard allocation for reserve funds as
well. There is a special article for the Washington Chase Bog Conservation Restriction.
Peter Lombardi continued to go through the memo with the anticipated articles, article by article.
One Select Board goal is bringing a childcare subsidy program to Town Meeting. We have had several
meetings, and they recently endorsed our plan to use surplus funds to finance a pilot program. We need Town
Meeting approval to appropriate those funds for that purpose.
He has been in touch with several residents about Citizens’ Petitions, there is a month+ to get these in. We
have one we’ve been working on language for over the last two months.
Andy Evans asked about Medicare for All. Peter Lombardi answered this would be a single payer system. There
is a grassroots level group wanting to advance this resolution. We haven’t seen exactly what they would bring
forward. They are trying to move it along at this point.
Robert asked about the short-term rental regulations. Peter Lombardi answered that the Select Board has
looked at this and it is an FY25 goal – starting next summer and beyond.
Finance Committee Minutes
February 28, 2024 Page 3 of 5
Bill Henchy asked what Orleans has done about pesticide reduction. Peter Lombardi said they looked at giving
the town authority to regulate use of pesticides not only on town property but also residential propertyd. The
General Court did not approve it. MDAR has explicit authority over this. It is more a signal than something that
would get through the legislature. Bill Henchy would like to see more local control over this.
Bill Henchy said regarding Millstone Rd – with the entrance to his street, they are well set, but asked if there
would be reason the town may request eminent domain? Peter Lombardi said, yes, but no permanent
easements. Bill Henchy asked why the town would make the choice to seek authorization to go outside the
right of way? Peter Lombardi said because they can’t do the project without access.
Bill Meehan asked about Medicare for All. He has been very consistent in opposing outright any warrant
article that has no material effect on the town. Town Meeting is not an appropriate place to make speeches
about national politics. He will oppose it.
4.Health and Human Services – Presentation by Suzanne Kenney, Chair
Suzanne Kenney addressed the committee. She also brought with her the Clerk of Health and Human Services
Committee, Lisa Perkins. You have all the information in your packet regarding Health and Human Services
which shows the requests of 20 agencies and our recommendations. All 17 of those agencies have impacted
over 3000 Brewster residents. We had a process which included 2 months of deliberation – reviewing all 20
applications; we brought in agencies to present, including Chief Eldredge who came to share his thoughts on
the needs of the community. We also brought in the 3 new applicants to tell us about their mission and the
impact they would have on our Brewster neighbors. We were giving a 10% increase over last year – about
$13,000; our committee would like to recommend we give an average of 2.34% increase for the initial 17
organizations and the remaining $10,050 to the 3 new organizations. A little less than $50/person for the 3000
that were served through our previous funding which is a pretty darn good investment.
Frank asked about the 3 new agencies. Suzanne Kenney discussed the 3 new agencies – she said last year,
Food for Kids was new last year. Pause Awhile is a facility that provides support and meeting space for folks in
recovering. HAC provides housing support in the form of rental units, counseling, and stabilization services.
Their request for us was to help in other ways than rental money – such as paying down utility bills to prevent
eviction. The Society of St. Vincent des Paul is a volunteer group offering financial support around housing and
food and collaborate with many of the organizations they already support.
Bill Henchy said he remembered last year being impressed by the work of the homeless prevention council.
Why not reallocate some of the money requested by HAC, which is very well funded from many sources to the
homeless prevention council to meet their request. Suzanne Kenney said when we went through that process,
we decided the organizations we funded previously, we would increase by 5%. We had to juggle what we had
to work with and found HAC compelling with what they were requesting. Donna Kalinick added that last year
they did not get as substantial an increase and we knew that was of concern. So, we built into the financial
forecast for FY25 and the budget to a 10% increase so they would have more money available to them
because we know how important these organizations are to our community. In the financial forecast for next
year, we have a 5% increase. If their needs become more substantial, we would have to look at that in the
Finance Team.
Finance Committee Minutes
February 28, 2024 Page 4 of 5
Bill Henchy MOVED to support the recommendations. Andy Evans second.
Roll Call Vote: Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex Hopper –
yes, Patrick Buckley – yes, Vice Chair Bridges – yes.
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
5.Town Meeting Warrant Articles – Discussion and Vote
a.Health and Human Service
No further discussion from the above agenda item.
6.Nauset Regional School District Agreement – Update and Discussion
Robert said the School Committee met a few days ago – no timeline yet, if it felt early on that the Regional
School Committee was trying to get this done quickly, they are not going to be rushing the process. The
process must be collaborative with member towns. They will be deliberative about that. They intend to review
the recent draft that incorporates the 3-year average request and will authorize a letter out to towns’ Select
Boards seeking input toward concerns and proposals for the restatement. They will then plan to meet with the
member towns and draft a revised regional agreement restatement that would then be subject to a vote to
the school committee whether to submit to DESE for preliminary review. Once a response was received, Select
Boards would again be invited to one or more meetings to discuss the version resulting from the DESE review.
Ultimately, the final version would be submitted to member towns for town meeting approval. Frank said he
hasn’t looked at the agendas for a week or so but hasn’t seen an agenda packet – is counsel’s timetable in
written form? Robert answered the chair presented a slide presentation, but there was no timeline discussion.
Robert said there was no packet presented. Frank wonders from a standpoint from Open Meeting Law (OML)
– Peter Lombardi said it is a public document. It is a policy decision if they decide to post that information
where it is readily available to the public. But as public documents, they can be requested, but there is no
obligation or requirement to provide that information in packet form.
Andy said there were some aspects that were not up to date with current DESE policies – is there a rush to get
into compliance? Robert said he thinks the draft we will see including the 3-year draft for enrollment, will
include the recommendations for things that bring the document up to current regulations. Robert noted that
the Feb 26th School Committee Meeting recording is out on their website to review if desired.
Frank said when he looks at the middle school sped budget, he thinks commentary there was that there was a
significant decline in sped students who had moved up to the high school, is that fair? Robert said yes, the
middle school chairman presented that his original budget was reducing the number of sped assistants by 6
and eliminating the request for 2 sped teachers.
Alex asked if the school district budget requires an override and it fails, what happens. Peter Lombardi
answered - if a single town fails, but the rest of the towns approve, the budget passes and we would either
have to cut the difference on our budget or go back to Town Meeting to ask for approval to fund our share of
the budget. If multiple towns don’t approve it, there is a more involved process. It could get complicated very
quickly.
7.Nauset Regional School Department - Budget Update and Discussion- none
Finance Committee Minutes
February 28, 2024 Page 5 of 5
8.Liaison Reports
Frank said there were interesting topics at the Recycling Committee Meeting. It sounded like the Fix It……
went very well. Donna Kalinick said they do this twice/year. Brewster Conservation Day is coming up. There
was a discussion of a Plastic Free July. There is an organics program going through our elementary schools.
There was also a talk about a Bike Fest where people could recycle their e-batteries. Donna Kalinick said they
were going to investigate it and at least have material for how you would go about recycling them. Frank said
they were trying to work with Agway to try to reduce the black plastic pots coming through and trying to get
them to use replacements that are more environmentally friendly.
9. Approval of Minutes- 10/4/23, 10/11/23, 10/25/23, 1/10/24, and 1/31/24 Jt w SB
10/4/23 – page 4, words in item 5, replacing three current gasoline models – “the” needs to be removed
10/11/23
10/25/23
1/10/24 – page 3, second paragraph, Brewster’s Nauset Regional School Committee
1/31/24 Jt. w SB
Robert Tobias MOVED to approve those Minutes with those amendments. Andy Evans second.
Roll Call Vote: Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex Hopper –
yes, Patrick Buckley – yes, Vice Chair Bridges – yes.
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
10. Request for agenda items for future meetings – please email Pete
11. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair- none
12. Future Finance Committee Meetings – new meeting date 3/11 Joint w Select Board
(briefly) and every Wednesday until Town Meeting
13. Adjournment
Bill Henchy MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 PM. Robert Tobias second.
Roll Call Vote: Bill Meehan – yes, Robert Tobias – yes, Bill Henchy – yes, Andy Evans – yes, Alex Hopper –
yes, Patrick Buckley - yes, Vice Chair Bridges– yes.
The Committee voted: 7-yes 0-no
Respectfully submitted, Beth Devine
Packet of supporting materials on website for public review.