HomeMy Public PortalAboutBay Parcel Planning -- 2024-03-12 MinutesTown of Brewster
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631-1898
Phone: (508) 896-3701
Fax: (508) 896-8089
MINUTES OF THE BAY PROPERTY PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
DATE: March 12, 2024
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Hybrid Participation —Zoom/2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA
PARTICIPANTS: Town Manager Peter Lombardi, Vice -Chair Katie Jacobus, Chair Amanda Bebrin, Selectperson
Mary Chaffee, Karl Fryzel, Caroline McCarley, Patricia Hughes (remote), Peter Johnson, John Phillips,
Liaisons/Representatives: Bill Meehan, Jan Crocker, Kathleen Walker
Town Staff: Mike Gradone (Recreation Department Director), Elton Cutler (COA Director), Griffin Ryder (DPW
Director)
Absent: Clare O'Connor -Rice, Thomas Wingard, Selectperson David Whitney
Call to Order Declaration of a Qjorum, Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement:
Vice -Chair Katie Jacobus called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Vice -Chair Jacobus read the meeting
participation statement and Clerk Karl Fryzel read the recording statement. Vice -Chair Jacobus announced all
members of the committee who were present, a quorum was declared. There were no public
announcements or comments.
Public Announcements and Comments
None
Review Draft Presentation Materials and Committee Outreach Activities
Town Manager Peter Lombardi introduced the updated draft presentation materials, noting that the original
PowerPoint would have been too long for providing an overview at public information sessions and group
outreach presentations. Mr. Lombardi and Donna Kalinick therefore worked to reduce the slide count by
close to half, and reshuffled content to prioritize important information. Mr. Lombardi noted that there was
a logistical challenge with the presentation software (InDesign), which the Reed Hilderbrand team used —
Town staff do not have access to this software. During the remaining time left working with the Town, Reed
Hilderbrand will help to refine these materials. As an example of what has been removed, the FAQs have
been pulled out, but will be available for staff and committee use during Q&A sessions. In advance of Town
Meeting, the Town will host two information sessions. The first will be held on Monday April 29 at 6PM and
it will cover all articles on the warrant besides the Sea Camps plans. The second session, focusing entirely on
the Sea Camps plans, will be on Tuesday April 30 at 6PM — Mr. Lombardi noted that the updated version of
the presentation would be used during this session. This presentation will also be used for providing an
overview at public information sessions and group outreach presentations. Mr. Lombardi asked the
committee to provide feedback on the draft presentation.
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Town of Brewster
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631-1898
Phone: (508) 896-3701
Fax: (508) 896-8089
Karl Fryzel asked if committee members would be expected to visit different locations to deliver these
presentations, considering that not every community group may have the capacity to host a PowerPoint
presentation. Mr. Lombardi responded that this would depend on the group in question. Caroline McCarley
asked if this presentation would be available in hard copy. Mr. Lombardi responded that staff could make a
limited number of hard copies, and make them available at the COA, Ladies Library, and Town Hall.
Mr. Fryzel asked if there could be a slide about the warrant articles, particularly in terms of clarity on what a
"yes" or "no" vote means at Town Meeting, and if the articles could be amended on the floor. Mr. Lombardi
responded that this information would be included. Mr. Fryzel also asked what kind of overlay zoning is
required for this project, as this is referenced on a slide. Mr. Lombardi replied that municipal uses are
normally exempt from zoning, but that there may be some uses with this project that aren't necessarily
exempt, such as housing and the Nature Centre —the Town anticipates there will therefore need to be an
overlay brought forward at Town Meeting. Mr. Fryzel also suggested adding slides on the financial
implications for residents, including future tax impacts. Mr. Fryzel also asked that the need for a Community
Center feasibility study should be explained in this presentation. Mr. Fryzel added that, if any of this
supplementary financial information is not added to the slides, the material should be provided to
committee members to be able to speak about when meeting with residents.
Selectperson Chaffee asked why, in terms of partnerships on the Bay property, Mass Audubon was
referenced in the slides but not the Brewster Conservation Trust. Mr. Lombardi responded that this still
needs to be determined. Vice -Chair Jacobus suggested that a one-page handout could be produced that
might summarize the distinction between a "yes" vote and a "no" vote. Mr. Lombardi said this would be a
challenge, but agreed it would certainly be useful if the information could be condensed to this level. Vice -
Chair Jacobus said that all of the information should be made available on the website. Ms. McCarley said
she had trouble with the visual plans because of how difficult they can be for the average resident to read,
and there may be too many iterations of the plans. Mr. Lombardi responded that there were initially more
drawings, but that they had been reduced. Vice -Chair Jacobus said that all of the plans on the slides
contained important information. Ms. McCarley asked if some of these slides could be combined.
Selectperson Chaffee suggested that the sub header on Slide 29 could be altered to "Proposed Future
Building Uses".
John Phillips said the presentation needs to clarify that it is not certain that a Community Center will be
constructed on the Bay Property. Mr. Lombardi concurred with Mr. Phillips' suggestion. Selectperson Chaffee
suggested the deletion of slides 2-5, as she believes the information here can be deleted to focus on the
plans. Mr. Lombardi disagreed in relation to slide 3, as he belives that the timeline and process are important
for residents to be reminded of. Mr. Lombardi said that slides 2 and 3 could be refined. Peter Johnson asked
if there was a date in mind for a second Town Meeting, if it is needed. Mr. Lombardi said that a date has not
been identified at this point.
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2198 Main Street
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Brewster, MA 02631-1898
o Phone: (508) 896-3701
Fax: (508) 896-8089
Vice -Chair Jacobus asked if large poster boards on easels could be constructed for Town Meeting. Mr.
Lombardi responded that this is planned, and in the lead up to Town Meeting, these poster boards would be
placed at Town offices for residents to view. Ms. Jacobus asked if these easels could be taken to outreach
meetings. Mr. Lombardi responded that this could be done.
Mr. Lombardi announced that residents have started registering for the Pond Property tours — those will be
held on April 6 and April 10. The Bay Property tours will be held on April 17 and April 27. Mr. Lombardi said
committee members should let Chair Amanda Bebrin know if they are available.
There are a number of other information sessions coming up, not directly related to the Sea Camps, such as a
presentation on the Package Treatment Plant on March 26, an Affordable Housing 101 presentation on April
1, and a presentation by the Finance Team on April 18. These sessions will all reference the Sea Camps. Mr.
Lombardi said that committee members are not expected to attend these sessions, but it might be helpful if
they can.
In terms of media outreach, Town staff will be more proactive with press releases and providing information
to the press in the lead up to Town Meeting.
Chair Amanda Bebrin joined the meeting. In terms of group outreach, Mr. Lombardi has identified the
Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society, the Brewster Men's Club, the Elementary School's PTO, the
Democratic Town Committee, and the Ponds Coalition as potential organizations. A presentation will be also
be given to the Finance Committee, as is the case with all warrant articles. Mr. Lombardi asked if any
committee members could attend the presentation to the Brewster Men's Club at noon on April 11. John
Phillips and Peter Johnson agreed to attend this presentation. One of Selectperson Chaffee or Vice -Chair
Jacobus will also attend.
Mr. Lombardi said no dates have been set yet for any other organizations. Vice -Chair Jacobus suggested that
April 13 at 10.00am would be a good date to present to the Democratic Town Committee. Chair Bebrin and
Vice -Chair Jacobus will attend this meeting. Mr. Lombardi will confirm the dates for the other presentations.
Mr. Fryzel asked if a presentation could be given at the Council on Aging. Elton Cutler, COA Director, said it
would be unlikely to be heavily attended.
Mr. Lombardi said that church visits were mentioned as a possible form of outreach at a previous meeting.
Mr. Johnson noted that the churches will have to be contacted to check they are comfortable with hosting
committee members. Mr. Lombardi noted that Beautify Brewster and Brewster in Bloom are coming up, and
outreach could be done at these events. A number of Brewster Rec events are also coming up, such as soccer
on Sundays, beginning April 28. All of this outreach would simply involve setting up staffed tables with flyers.
Selectperson Chaffee said a single page, two-sided handout with bay information on one side, and pond
information on the other, will be important for succeeding in this outreach. Mr. Lombardi said that any flyer
like this will have to simply be a map of both properties with a link to the website and information about
when Town Meeting is.
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Town of Brewster
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631-1898
Phone: (508) 896-3701
Fax: (508) 896-8089
Review Upcoming Approved Interim Uses and Vote on Proposed New Interim Uses
The review of upcoming approved interim uses and vote on proposed new interim uses was postponed to
the next meeting.
Vote on Meeting Minutes: February 5 and February 6, 2024
The committee voted to approve the minutes from February 5 and February 6, with a minor amendment to
the February 5 minutes — Selectperson Whitney was named twice as an attendee.
Selectperson Chaffee moved to approve the February 5 minutes with the aforementioned change. Chair
Bebrin second. A roll call vote was taken. Pat Hughes — yes, Karl Fryzel — abstain, Caroline McCarley — yes,
Thomas Wingard — yes, Chair Amanda Bebrin — yes, John Phillips — yes, Peter Johnson — yes, Selectperson
Chaffee — yes, Vice -Chair Jacobus — yes.
Selectperson Chaffee moved to approve the February 6 minutes. Chair Bebrin second. A roll call vote was
taken. Pat Hughes — yes, Karl Fryzel — yes, Caroline McCarley — yes, Thomas Wingard — yes, Chair Amanda
Bebrin — yes, John Phillips — yes, Peter Johnson — yes, Selectperson Chaffee — yes, Vice -Chair Jacobus — yes.
Discuss Future Meeting Agenda Items
Mr. Lombardi said that the Town Planner, Jon Idman, would attend a future meeting to discuss the zoning
overlay issue.
Next Meetings
Mr. Lombardi said that the next regular meeting date will be March 26. Tours of Falmouth and Sandwich's
facilities are scheduled for March 27. April 3 is penciled in for the tour of the Dennis facility. Sandwich's
facility, the Center for Active Living, is probably closest to what has been discussed for a future Community
Center in Brewster.
April 16 is the only regularly scheduled meeting for April. If another meeting is scheduled, it will have to be
on April 23.
Ms. McCarley asked if there is any decision on who might speak on this article at Town Meeting. Mr.
Lombardi said that this still needs to be determined —this will depend on if there is going to be a formal
presentation or not.
Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
FYIs
Adiournment
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Town of Brewster
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631-1898
Phone: (508) 896-3701
Fax: (508) 896-8089
Karl Fryzel moved to adjourn at 5:34pm. Chair Bebrin second. A roll call vote was taken. Pat Hughes — yes,
Karl Fryzel — yes, Caroline McCarley — yes, Thomas Wingard — yes, Chair Amanda Bebrin — yes, John Phillips —
yes, Peter Johnson — yes, Selectperson Chaffee — yes, Vice -Chair Jacobus — yes.
Respectfully submitted by Conor Kenny, Project Manager
03/28/2024
Approved: Signed:
Accompanying Documents in Packet: Agenda, Draft Presentation Materials
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