HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002-05-06- Annual Town Mtg ReportReport of the
Annual Town Meeting
May 6 and 7, 2002
In accordance with the Warrant, the Annual Town Meeting was held in the
Stonybrook Elementary School Cafetorium, Monday May 6, 2002. The Meeting
was reconvened May 7, 2002.
Both Meetings were called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Moderator, Stephen L.
Doyle. The Tellers were, Jean Gage, Althea Alling, Ken Berbrick, Sheila Gerhardt,
June Gallant, and Ruth Hanlon. The Checkers were, Mitzi Unger, Sandra Jospeh,
Ann Golini, Maureen Steinmann, Dorothy Leone, Joan Mitchell, Liz Hardy and
Nancy Berbrick.
A quorum was present on both nights.
The Town Clerk, Joanna Krauss, read the Town Meeting Warrant and the return
of the Warrant. There being no objection, the Moderator dispensed with the
reading of all the articles.
ANNUAL REPORT/CONSENT CALENDAR
ARTICLE NO. 1: To act upon the Annual Town Report of the Board of Selectmen,
Town Officers and other Special Committees, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
This article provides for acceptance of the 2001 Annual Town Report, and any other reports,
which various boards and committees may wish to present to the 2002 Annual Town Meeting.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
HERRING FISHERIES/CONSENT CALENDAR
ARTICLE NO. 2: To see if the Town will vote to take no action regarding its
Herring or Alewife Fishery, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Alewife Committee)
SUMMARY
This is an annual article that seeks to determine what action the town may wish to take
concerning the alewife fishery. This issue must be reviewed annually by town meeting. As in the
past due to the fragile nature of this resource it will be recommended that no action be taken on
this resource.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
COMPOST BIN GRANT REVOLVING FUND/CONSENT CALENDAR
ARTICLE NO. 3: To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to General Laws, Chapter
No. 44, Section No. 53E1/2, as amended, to reauthorize the establishment and maintenance of a
revolving fund for the continuance of the composting bin account program; to authorize the
deposit of revenues from the sale of compost bins into the revolving fund; to authorize the Town
Administrator to expend from these funds, for the purchase of additional compost bins, an
amount not exceeding the funds on deposit in the account and, in no event, more than the
statutory limit; and to authorize the Town Administrator during the ensuing fiscal year to enter
into contracts for this purpose, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
The Town received a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to sell compost bins on a
reduced cost basis several years ago. The revenues from the sale of the compost bins are used
to purchase additional units. This, so-called, revolving fund must be authorized on an annual
basis until the grant proceeds are exhausted. Alternatively, the remaining fund balance within
the account will be returned to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Articles no. 1, 2 and 3
as printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Adopted
INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENTS
MOTION: I move that the town vote to indefinitely postpone
consideration of articles:
• No. 16 (Nauset Intermunicipal Agreement / Facilities Maintenance)
• No. 30 (Water Quality Grant for Long Pond)
• No. 32 (Boulder Road Water Main Replacement)
• No. 41 (Pension Fund)
• No. 42 (Stabilization Fund)
ACTION: Adopted
MOTION: I move that the town vote to indefinitely postpone
consideration of articles:
• No. 19 (Amendment to Zoning Bylaw / Accessory Buildings)
• No. 36 (Amendment to Zoning Bylaw / Affordable Housing)
• No. 37 (Amendment to Zoning Bylaw / Affordable Housing)
• No. 38 (Amendment to Zoning Bylaw / Affordable Housing)
ACTION: Adopted
CAPE COD VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 4: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds a sum of money to defray Cape Cod Vocational Technical High
School charges and expenses for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2003, as follows:
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
ITEM DEPARTMENT FY2001 FY2002 FY2003
1. CAPE COD TECH. ASSESSMENT $620,549.00 $640,896.00 $634,860.00
TOTAL ASSESSMENT $620,549.00 $640,896.00 $634,860.00
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Cape Cod Vocational Technical School Committee)
SUMMARY
This article will provide funding for the Fiscal Year 2003 operational budget for the Cape Cod
Vocational Technical 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 the sum of $444,327.00 or by 4.8%
over Fiscal Year 2002. Brewster’s proportionate assessment share has decreased by the sum of
$6,036.00 or .94% over Fiscal Year 2002. Most significantly our enrollment has declined by 16
student or 25% from Fiscal Year 2002 levels. Unfortunately the current State Chapter 70 formula
for the distribution of the assessment fails to properly recognize student enrollment decreases.
[The funding decrease requested within this article will result in approximately a .3-cent decrease
in the FY2003 tax rate.]
BOS: 0-YES; 5-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MAIN MOTION: I MOVE THAT THE TOWN VOTE TO APPROVE ARTICLE NO.4 AS
PRINTED IN THE WARRANT AND TO RAISE AND APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF
$634,860.00 FOR THIS PURPOSE
MAIN MOTION: I respectfully move the Town to amend the motion
under article 4 to state that the Town dissapproves the Cape Cod
Regional Technical High School District’s Fiscal Year 2003 annual
budget and the Town’s apportioned share of $634,860.00, but in the
event the full school budget is approved by two thirds of the member
towns and Brewster, thus, becomes obligated to pay the greater sum,
then to authorize the Town, without the need for another vote of
appropriation, to raise and appropriate the sum of $634,860.00.
ACTION: Adopted
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OPERATING BUDGETS
ARTICLE NO. 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds a sum of money to defray the Elementary Schools’ charges and
expenses, for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2003, as follows:
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
ITEM DEPARTMENT _FY2001 FY2002 FY2003
1. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUDGET $4,,514,727.30 $5,124,082.00 $5,220,108.00
TOTAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL $4,514,727.30 $5,124,082.00 $5,220,108.00
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Elementary School Committee)
SUMMARY
This article will provide funding for the Fiscal Year 2003 operational budget for
the Stony Brook and Eddy Elementary Schools. As of the printing of this warrant
book the Fiscal Year 2003 budget request for the Elementary Schools stood at
$5,240,341.00, slightly above the request printed in the warrant article. These
operational budgets have increased by the total sum of $116,259.00 or 2.26%,
over Fiscal Year 2002. These percentage factor increases to 3.93 % when the
Schools’ proportionate share of fringe benefit expenses are applied. [The
funding increase requested within this article will result in approximately a 14.4-
cent increase in the FY2003 tax rate.]
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 5, however,
that the total sum of $5,220,108.00 be amended to $5,236,312.00, and
that the town raise and appropriate this amended sum of
$5,236,312.00 for this purpose.
ACTION: Adopted
TOWN OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 6: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds a sum of money to defray Town charges and expenses, and
furthermore, to fix the salary and compensation of all elected officials of the Town as provided in
Section No. 108 of Chapter No. 41 of the General Laws, as amended, for the Fiscal Year ending
June 30, 2003, as follows:
SELECTMEN
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
DEPARTMENT FY2001 FY2002 FY2003
1 MODERATOR WAGES 300.00 300.00 300.00
2 SELECTMEN'S WAGES 5,250.00 5,250.00 5,250.00
STAFF WAGES 36,049.94 38,086.00 39,898.00
EDUCATIONAL REIMB 1,075.00 2,000.00 1,200.00
EXPENSES 29,745.45 23,800.00 23,150.00
3 ASSESSMENTS 18,695.70 20,845.00 21,887.00
4 ADMINISTRATOR WAGES 172,592.00 194,620.00 201,870.00
EXPENSES 6,965.76 7,280.00 7,505.00
5 FINCOM EXPENSES 0.00 1,000.00 1,000.00
RESERVE FUND 98,910.09 100,000.00 100,000.00
6 ACCOUNTANT WAGES 89,909.80 94,204.00 99,055.00
AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS 13,000.00 17,500.00 22,500.00
EXPENSES 1,635.62 2,025.00 2,055.00
7 ASSESSOR WAGES 113,118.65 119,113.00 125,274.00
EXPENSES 17,902.47 19,875.00 19,200.00
8 TREAS/COLL WAGES 148,453.91 158,983.00 167,159.00
EXPENSES 46,314.34 52,310.00 59,150.00
9 LEGAL EXPENSES 93,800.00 72,500.00 80,000.00
10 TOWN CLERK'S WAGES 42,881.13 45,877.00 48,115.00
CLERK STAFF WAGES 32,954.02 49,647.00 53,100.00
EXPENSES 3,432.03 8,810.00 8,600.00
11 ELECTION WAGES 10,187.26 13,800.00 10,650.00
EXPENSES 4,547.10 6,050.00 4,820.00
12 REGISTRAR WAGES 3,251.55 3,300.00 3,500.00
EXPENSES 3,469.40 3,950.00 5,050.00
13 PLANNING/APPEALS WAGES 33,055.70 27,532.00 29,029.00
PLANNING/APPEALS EXPENSES 1,545.54 1,900.00 2,125.00
14 VEHICLE POOL MAINT 4,000.00 2,500.00 3,000.00
SELECTMEN
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
DEPARTMENT FY2001 FY2002 FY2003
15 INFORMATION TECH. WAGES 23,557.75 51,230.00 53,768.00
EXPENSES 39,577.04 42,977.00 31,090.00
16 TOWN HALL MAINT WAGES 47,916.34 50,648.00 52,681.00
EXPENSES 46,042.53 45,400.00 43,200.00
COA BLDG EXPENSES 9,745.17 14,100.00 12,800.00
17 TOWN REPORT EXPENSES 8,679.78 9,000.00 8,500.00
18 DRUMMER BOY EXPENSES 81.16 450.00 810.00
19 DEBT SERVICE 3,782,391.50 3,604,433.00 2,841,843.00
20 FRINGE BENEFITS 1,104,058.75 1,329,120.00 1,507,374.00
21 RETIREMENT/PENSION 652,402.30 641,057.00 667,241.00
22 UNCLASSIFIED 87,084.19 106,820.00 92,656.00
23 LIABILITY INSURANCE 237,988.94 255,006.00 308,271.00
24 CONSTABLE 250.00 250.00 250.00
25 POLICE WAGES 1,144,481.60 1,234,343.00 1,321,741.00
EXPENSES 144,408.03 180,425.00 171,259.00
STATION EXPENSES 5,000.00 0.00 0.00
26 FIRE/RESCUE WAGES 740,546.05 818,252.00 915,013.00
EXPENSES 49,500.59 60,374.00 61,900.00
RESCUE EXPENSES 40,510.16 40,945.00 46,700.00
STATION EXPENSES 0.00 40,255.00 43,300.00
27 BLDG INSPECTOR/HDC WAGES 200,398.74 213,345.00 246,750.00
BUILDING/HDC EXPENSES 5,890.58 8,980.00 9,535.00
28 NATURAL RESOURCES AND
CONSERVATION WAGES 92,202.86 140,763.00 148,778.00
EXPENSES 50,078.15 23,800.00 23,750.00
PROPAGATION 4,500.00 4,500.00 6,000.00
29 DOG OFFICER EXPENSES 10,000.00 10,500.00 10,500.00
30 ALEWIFE COMM. WAGES 125.00 1,778.00 1,852.00
EXPENSES 957.60 1,000.00 1,000.00
31 DPW WAGES 609,832.96 665,141.00 658,860.00
ROAD MACHINERY 26,195.67 27,900.00 27,900.00
SNOW & ICE CONTROL 72,927.54 65,000.00 65,000.00
INSECT/PEST CONTROL 934.62 1,100.00 1,100.00
EXPENSES 117,445.03 174,938.00 179,700.00
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL 268,611.81 360,760.00 312,485.00
32 RECYCLING EXPENSES 96.21 300.00 300.00
33 STREETLIGHTING 9,734.18 9,720.00 7,000.00
34 BOARD OF HEALTH WAGES 110,031.35 116,984.00 124,255.00
VISITING NURSE ASSOC. 15,527.00 17,625.00 17,625.00
EXPENSES 5,807.72 6,835.00 6,835.00
35 COUNCIL ON AGING WAGES 110,139.23 116,868.00 125,457.00
EXPENSES 9,533.28 10,800.00 11,910.00
36 OLD MILL SITE COMM. 3,474.44 3,700.00 3,700.00
37 VETERANS SERVICES 0.00 6,000.00 6,000.00
38 LADIES LIBRARY 339,959.50 371,451.00 383,704.00
39 WATER COMM. WAGES 2,200.00 2,200.00 2,200.00
WATER STAFF WAGES 398,035.39 459,993.00 474,501.00
OPERATING EXPENSES 151,704.51 251,149.00 245,897.00
EQUIPMENT EXPENSES 8,112.35 8,383.00 8,493.00
40 RECREATION WAGES 74,451.41 82,044.00 84,303.00
EXPENSES 22,247.97 28,858.00 28,858.00
41 GOLF DEPT WAGES 882,459.63 951,358.00 989,811.00
EXPENSES 619,756.60 630,660.00 638,657.00
42 MEMORIAL/VETERANS DAY EXP. 1,276.23 1,300.00 1,400.00
GRAND TOTAL 13,421,911.90 14,393,875.00 14,178,955.00
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
This article will provide funding for the Fiscal Year 2003 operational budget for the Town Boards,
Committees and Departments. The Town’s operational budget, as presented in this article,
exclusive of the debt budget has increased by 5.08 %. However, this budget does include
approximately $ 659,083.00 in fringe benefit expenses for the Elementary Schools. In addition,
the budget includes the additional sum of $144,000.00, which was authorized by a Proposition 2
½ Override in February of 2002, for two new firefighter/paramedics in the Fire Department.
Therefore, the Town’s adjusted budgetary increase, without these items would stand at 2.8%.
The Town’s debt budget has decreased by the sum of $762,590.00, or 21.16%. [The funding
increases requested within this article over FY2002 in the Town’s operating budget, minus the
school’s fringe benefits expenses, will result in approximately a 17.8-cent increase in the tax rate
for FY2003.]
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 6 as printed
in the warrant, however that the following line items be amended;
• Line item no. 8 for Treasurer/Collector expenses be amended
from $59,150.00 to $62,150.00,
• Line item no. 20 for Fringe Benefits be amended from
$1,507,374.00 to $1,476,717.00,
• Line item no. 34 for Board of Health / Visiting Nurse Association
be amended from $17,625.00 to $17,025.00,
and in order to appropriate this amended total sum of $14,150,698.00
that the town raise and appropriate the sum of $13,695,484.00,
transfer the sums of $100,000.00 from the Overlay Surplus Account,
$150,000.00 from the Golf Receipts Reserved for Appropriation
Account, $70,000.00 from the Pension Reserve Account, and
$135,214.00 from the Ambulance Receipts Reserved for Appropriation
Account for these purposes.
ACTION: Adopted
NAUSET REGIONAL SCHOOLS OPERATING BUDGET
ARTICLE NO. 7: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money to defray the Nauset
Regional School’s charges and expenses for the Fiscal Year ending June 30,
2003, as follows:
EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED
ITEM DEPARTMENT FY2001 FY2002 FY2003
1. NAUSET ASSESSMENT $5,564,537.00 $5,611,826.00 $6,552,298.00
TOTAL ASSESSMENT $5,564,537.00 $5,611,826.00 $6,552,298.00
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Nauset Regional School Committee)
SUMMARY
This article provides funding for the Fiscal Year 2003 operational budget for Nauset Regional
School District. Due to a series of budgetary amendments the Nauset Regional School
Committee will be reducing this request to the sum of $6,322,951.00 when it is presented to
town meeting. The total Nauset operational budget, excluding repair projects and debt service,
has increased by the sum of $813,719.00, or 4.56%. Nauset’s debt service costs have declined
by the sum of $43,452.00, or 12.26%. Brewster’s proportionate share of enrollment continues to
climb slightly from 46.94% in Fiscal Year 2002 to 47.02% in Fiscal Year 2003. [The funding
increase requested within this article will result in approximately an 18.9-cent increase in the
FY2003 tax rate.]
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MAIN MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 7 as
printed in the warrant, however, that the sum of $6,552,298.00 be
amended to $6,322,952.00, and that the town raise and appropriate
the sum of $6,322,952.00 for this purpose.
AMENDED MOTION: I respectfully move that the town amend the
motion under Article no. 7 to request that the sum of $100,000.00 of
Brewster’s apportioned share of $6,322,952.00 be placed on a town
ballot to seek a levy limit override from the limitations of Proposition 2
½, so-called.
ACTION: Adopted
HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING
ARTICLE NO. 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds the sum of SIXTY THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIX AND
00/100 ($60,806.00) DOLLARS for the following organizations and in the following respective
amounts:
1. Cape Aids Resource Exchange and Services (CARES) $2,300.00
2. Cape Cod Child Development Program, Inc. $4,825.00
3. Cape Cod Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc. $4,500.00
4. Cape Cod Human Services, Inc. $6,792.00
5. Consumers Assistance Council, Inc. $ 500.00
6. Independence House, Inc. $3,400.00
7. Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Lower Cape Cod $2,664.00
8. Legal Services for Cape Cod & Islands, Inc. $3,800.00
9. Lower Cape Outreach Council, Inc. $4,200.00
10. Nauset, Inc. $6,425.00
11. Sight Loss Services, Inc. of Cape Cod & Islands $ 650.00
12. South Shore Mental Health – Cape Cod $6,500.00
13. The Salvation Army $2,750.00
14. Nauset Together We Can Prevention Council, Inc. $5,000.00
15. Elder Services of Cape Cod “Meals on Wheels” $6,500.00
GRAND TOTAL $60,806.00
and to authorize the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Health, and the School
Committee, as appropriate, to enter into contracts with these organizations in
order to provide desired social services for residents of Brewster, or to take any
other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Human Services Committee)
SUMMARIES
1. Cape Aids Resource Exchange and Services (CARES) provides,
among other things, anonymous testing referrals, primary care referrals,
transportation to appointments, lunches to homebound clients, home care
and emergency housing assistance. It also provides support to families of
AIDS patients through referrals.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $2,000.00)
2. Cape Cod Child Development Program, Inc. provides assistance and
counseling to children who have been identified as being at risk with
emotional and/or learning disabilities.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $4,728.00)
3. Cape Cod Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc. provides
treatment and counseling to residents and families fighting dependency
and addiction, and runs preventive education programs.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $4,500.00)
4. Cape Cod Human Services, Inc. specializes in counseling and
interventions for family crisis management for adolescents and teens, as
well as, adults with social and emotional problems.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $6,792.00)
5. Consumer Assistance Council, Inc. is an organization which makes
consumers aware of their legal rights should they have difficulties dealing
with a business.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $500.00)
6. Independence House, Inc. is the Cape’s only twenty-four hour free and
confidential resource center, providing counseling and shelter to battered
women, their children and survivors of rape and sexual assault.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $3,047.00)
7. Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Lower Cape Cod serves
Brewster residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $2,400.00)
8. Legal Services for Cape Cod & Islands, Inc. provides free legal
advice and representation to Brewster residents over the age of sixty
despite income, through the Elder Law Project.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $3,700.00)
9. Lower Cape Outreach Council, Inc. assists persons and families who
are experiencing financial hardship.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $3,600.00)
10. Nauset, Inc. runs two group homes and provides rehabilitation, training
and employment for local residents who are mentally retarded and/or
handicapped.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $6,200.00)
11. Sight Loss Services, Inc. of Cape Cod & Islands provides assistance
to Brewster residents who are newly blind, visually impaired or affected
with progressive eye disease.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $600.00)
12. South Shore Mental Health – Cape Cod supports a mental health
clinic, a community residence and other programs to assist individuals and
their families in dealing with mental and psychological problems.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $2,500.00)
13. The Salvation Army provides services, including clothing, heating
assistance, holiday meal baskets and a monthly food pantry to those in
need.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $2,500.00)
14. Nauset Together We Can Prevention Council, Inc. provides
Brewster teens with an alcohol, tobacco and drug free club environment.
(Previous Request in FY2002 – 5,000.00)
15. Elder Services of Cape Cod “Meals on Wheels” serves meals to
homebound elders in Brewster who are unable to prepare nutritionally
balanced meals for themselves, who are unable to attend the senior
dining room facility and who lack a support system to assist with meal
preparation.
(Previous Request in FY2002 - $5,000.00)
[There will be a tax rate impact of 3.8-cents per $1,000.00 of property
valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 8 as printed
in the warrant and to raise and appropriate the sum of $60,806.00 for
these purposes.
ACTION: Adopted
FUNDING FOR TOWN NURSE POSITION
ARTICLE NO. 9: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds the sum of THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100
($35,000.00) DOLLARS to allow for the creation of a Town Nurse position and/or to authorize
the Board of Selectmen and the Board of
Health to enter into a contract in order to provide additional social services for residents of
Brewster, however, that this sum of money for the Town Nurse
Program shall not be raised and appropriated under this vote unless the Town votes at a Regular
or Special Town Election to exempt this sum of money from the limitations of Proposition 2 ½,
so-called, and, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Human Services Committee)
SUMMARY
There are presently 52 families over the age of 60, with gross incomes of less than $28,000.00
per couple, who have unmet critical needs with activities such as bathing, dressing or toileting.
When these conditions exist, Elder Services of Cape Cod may provide assistance; however,
funding is unavailable if income exceeds this threshold. Medicare, Medicaid, Mass Health, etc.
provide little or no assistance with nursing benefits. With 2652 residents now over the age of 65
and more than 1,000 meals per month being served at home or at the Council on Aging, the
Health and Human Services Committee believes there is a large unmet need for part-time nursing
management for non-emergency medical activities. [There will be a tax rate impact of 2.2-cents
per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 1-YES; 4-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 1-YES; 5-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 9, as printed
in the warrant, however, that the reference to the “Board of Health” in
the forth and fifth line will be amended to the “Council on Aging” and
that the town raise and appropriate the sum of $35,000.00 for this
purpose, however, that these monies shall not be raised and
appropriated under this vote unless the town votes at a regular or
special town election to exempt this sum of money from the limitations
of Proposition 2 ½, so-called.
ACTION: Adopted
LOCAL BUSINESS ORGANIZATION FUNDING REQUEST
ARTICLE NO. 10: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, and/or
transfer from available funds, the sum of TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND AND 00/100
($22,000.00) DOLLARS, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen to help
defray costs associated with the annual publication and distribution of the Brewster Book and
Beach Map Guide, as well as the monthly publication of Brewster advertising and website, which
advertises the Town’s attractions, amenities, and services; to provide funds for the operation of
the Brewster Visitor Information Center; to enable the Chamber of Commerce and Board of
Trade United to appropriately advertise Brewster in order to increase room tax and beach pass
revenue for the Town, promote the Town’s golf course, or to take any other action relative
thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Citizens’ Petition)
SUMMARY
This article partially funds operational costs for the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade
United, which serve to generate room’s tax revenue for the Town of Brewster through the
promotion of tourism. Brewster is the beneficiary of a 4% room’s occupancy tax, which is levied
on guests staying in bed and breakfasts, inns and resorts in the Town of Brewster. The Chamber
of Commerce and Board of Trade United promotes tourism annually through a trade guidebook;
the map and guide; through publication advertising; and other promotional events. In addition
this funding is used to assist in the operation of the Visitor’s Information Center, accommodate
the yearly tourism business and develop further revenues for Brewster. [There will be a tax rate
impact of 1.4-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 5-YES; 1-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 10 as
printed in the warrant and to raise and appropriate the sum of
$22,000.00 for this purpose.
ACTION: Adopted
BREWSTER TOWN BAND FUNDING
ARTICLE NO. 11: To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to enter into a contract with the Brewster Town Band in order to
obtain instrumental performances for the Town, to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds the sum of ONE THOUSAND AND 00/100
($1,000.00) DOLLARS, and to authorize the Town Administrator to solicit bids
and/or proposals, enter into a contract or contracts, accept grant proceeds and
expend said funds for this purpose, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
The Brewster Town Band provides a weekly concert series throughout the summer season at
Drummer Boy Park property. This article would provide limited financial assistance from the
town to augment private fundraising by this organization. [There will be a tax rate impact of .06-
cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 12 as
printed in the warrant and to raise and appropriate the sum of
$1,000.00 for this purpose.
ACTION: Adopted
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
ARTICLE NO. 12: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds a sum of money for the purpose of funding the following capital
acquisitions and expenditures to be undertaken during Fiscal Year 2003 and to authorize the
Town Administrator to sell, trade, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of, in the best interests
of the Town, old equipment or vehicles deemed available, the proceeds from any such disposition
to be applied toward the cost of acquiring said equipment or services as the case may be:
TRANSFER
RAISE FROM
AND AVAILABLE
ITEM DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATE FUNDS
1. Water Department
a. Construction Account $100,000.00
b. Computer Equipment $ 3,500.00
c. Vehicle Transfer Expense $ 800.00
TRANSFER
RAISE FROM
AND AVAILABLE
ITEM DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATE FUNDS
2. Golf Department
a. Spray Rig Replacement $ 20,000.00
b. Engineering Services/Irrigation $ 27,000.00
c. Pickup Truck Replacement $ 30,000.00
d. Fairway Over-Seeding Project $ 18,000.00
e. Deep-Tine Aerification Project $ 26,400.00
f. Tee Renovation Project $ 12,000.00
g. Greens Renovation Project $ 30,000.00
3. Police Department
a. Police Vehicles $ 78,700.00
4. Board of Selectmen
a. Financial System Software $150,000.00
b. Town Offices Parking Lot Lighting $ 28,000.00
5. Fire Department
a. Ladder Truck Lease $ 14,000.00
b. Rescue Billing Services $ 32,000.00
c. Rescue Equipment $ 7,500.00
d. Defibrillator Equipment $ 21,000.00
e. Protective Clothing $ 15,000.00
f. Computer Equipment $ 10,000.00
6. Millsites Building
a. Upgrade Millsites Museum $ 15,000.00
7. Department of Public Works
a. Road/Drainage Maintenance $ 60,000.00
b. Transfer Station Improvements $ 9,500.00
c. Solid Waste Trailer Replacement $ 55,000.00
d. Lawn Mower Replacement $ 8,500.00
8. Recreation Department
a. Upgrade/Repair Irrigation System $ 12,000.00
9. Elementary Schools
a. Building Painting/ Stony Brook School $ 25,000.00
b. Building Painting/ Eddy School $ 15,000.00
c. Replace Fire Alarm / Eddy School $ 30,000.00
d. Sidewalk Repairs / Stony Brook School $ 10,800.00
TRANSFER
RAISE FROM
AND AVAILABLE
ITEM DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATE FUNDS
10. Board of Assessors
a. Inspection Vehicle $ 16,375.00
b. Tax Mapping $ 10,000.00
11. Council on Aging
a. Air Conditioning Units $ 1,000.00
___________
Sub-Totals $892,075.00
and to authorize the Town Administrator to solicit bids and/or proposals, enter into a contract or
contracts, accept grant proceeds and expend said funds for these purposes, or to take any other
action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARIES
1. WATER DEPARTMENT
1a. Construction Account – This item is an annual appropriation for goods, materials and
services to maintain and repair the water system. It includes an allowance for the purchase of
water meters, as well as, for new services and replacements as required by state regulations.
This account is part of the department’s capital plan and is provided for within the present water
rate structure. [These funds will be transferred from the Water Revenue Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
1b. Computer Equipment – The Water Department has a number of computers, which are
aging to the point where productivity at the department is being hindered. Upgrading this
existing equipment is simply not cost effective. [These funds will be transferred form the Water
Revenue Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
1c. Vehicle Transfer – The department obtained a 1991 Taurus sedan from the Police
Department in 2000 in order to assess the usefulness of a used car in the Water Department
vehicle fleet. The concept has been practical, however, maintaining the Taurus has been costly,
and it needs to be replaced. A used cruiser in better condition is being proposed as a transfer
from the Police Department for the sum of $5,200.00. This sum represents the value of the
trade-in that the town would recognize if it were sold. The balance of the request will cover the
outfitting of the vehicle with radio equipment and proper markings. [These funds will be
transferred from the Water Revenue Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
2. GOLF DEPARTMENT
2a. Spray Rig Replacement – These monies will be used to purchase new 200-gallon
spray equipment, which will replace the current 160-gallon spray unit. The current equipment is
eleven (11) years old and has significant rust and wear. This unit is used to spray all areas of the
golf course and has a normal, useful life of five to ten years. The current unit will be sold as
surplus equipment upon the purchase of the new unit. [These funds will be transferred from the
Golf Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
2b. Engineering Services/Irrigation – These monies will be used to hire a firm to create a
set of plans and specifications that will allow for the eventual upgrade of the irrigation system on
the original eighteen holes at the Captains Golf Course. This system is seventeen years old. The
normal useful life of an irrigation system is fifteen to twenty years. The engineering plans are
necessary in order to plan for costs, financing and scheduling of this anticipated upgrade. The
irrigation system upgrade will also provide the department with more consistent conditions
throughout the thirty-six holes of the golf course. This project will allow for the installation of a
double row system, which will match the system that exists on the new golf course holes. [These
funds will be transferred from the Golf Receipts Account.]
BOS: 2-YES; 3-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
2c. Pickup Truck Replacement – In 2001 the Golf Department transferred its 4-wheel drive
pickup truck to the Department of Natural Resources. In turn, the Water Department transferred
a used pickup truck to the Golf Department. The pickup truck was in disrepair, and the
department feels that the cost to repair this vehicle is not practical. This vehicle will be used for
various projects around the golf course, including general transportation, as well as, for towing
equipment. [These funds will be transferred from the Golf Receipts Account.]
BOS: 2-YES; 3-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
2d. Fairway Over-Seeding Project – These monies will be used to carry out a fall over-
seeding application on the fairways of the old course. . The program schedule will allow for
applications in the spring and fall of 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. This procedure is
necessary in order to develop new grass plants in the established turf. We are scheduled to
conduct over- seeding this spring. Within our capital plan we have projected a spring and fall
application in each of the next three years. It is our intention to assess the effectiveness of these
two applications prior to conducting any future over-seeding applications. [These funds will be
transferred from the Golf Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
2e. Deep-Tine Aerification Project - These funds will be used to contract out for a service
vendor to conduct deep tine aerification on the new fairways at the golf course. Along with the
construction of a new golf course, there are often a large number of rocks and debris located
under the surface of fairways. These items result in damage to the department’s aerification
equipment and limit our ability to properly aerify the fairways. The deep tine aerification process
provides more substantive equipment, which serves to break up, lift up, or push down these
materials. Eventually once these significant problems are resolved the Golf Department will be
able to conduct the periodic aerification program with our own manpower and equipment.
We did contract out for the first phase of this multi-year program in the fall of 2001. We plan to
use Golf Department’s equipment this spring to determine how effective the fall 2001 deep-tine
aerification process was in removing these problem materials from the fairways. We will use the
information from the in-house town effort during the spring of 2002 to determine how many
holes will require the deep-tine aerification procedure. The procedure occurs in the fall and must
be done in early October, therefore it is necessary to request these monies at this time. [These
funds will be transferred from the Golf Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
2f. Tee Renovation Project – These monies will be used to renovate several of the golf tees
on the older holes. These tees are not level, which affect the playability of the course. We have
identified eight tee areas in total with a variety of problems. The Golf Department has created a
four-year program within the capital plan, which allows for the phased renovation of these
facilities.
These monies will be used to renovate four of the golf tee areas on the original course layout, as
follows:
• The blue tee on Port Course No. 11
• The blue tee on Port Course No. 9
• The blue tee on Port Course No. 2
• The blue tee on Starboard Course No. 9
[These funds will be transferred from the Golf Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
2g. Greens Renovation Project – The department has indicated that three of the putting
greens on the original course layout need rehabilitation. This appropriation is the first of a
phased plan and will be used to renovate the green on golf hole no. 8 of the Port Course. The
condition of this particular green is the most problematic on the course. The renovations will be
built to U.S.G.A. specifications, which provide for improved drainage and soil conditions. [These
funds will be transferred from the Golf Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
3. POLICE DEPARTMENT
3a. Police Vehicles – This is an annual expense, which will allow for the
replacement of two marked police vehicles. One of these units will have over
130,000 miles of service at the time of replacement. The second vehicle will have
approximately 110,000 service miles. This unit will be transferred to the Water
Department as discussed under Item No 1c of this warrant article. [There will be
a tax rate impact of 4.9-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
4. BOARD OF SELECTMEN
4a. Financial System Software – The purpose of this article will be to
purchase an up-to date software system to process all financial transactions for
the town, including accounting, tax collection and billing, payments, payroll and
personnel. This upgrade is necessitated as we have received official notice from
our service provider that development on our current system, based upon
outdated COBOL technology, is being discontinued. [There will be a tax rate
impact of 9.3-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
4b. Town Offices Parking Lot Lighting – The purpose of this article is to
allow for the installation of lighting in the new parking area at the Town Offices
building. The town has been working to rehabilitate this structure and associated
facilities over the past several years. The most recent major project allowed for
the reconstruction of the driveway and parking lot area. This effort included the
installation of underground conduit and light pole bases. These funds would be
used to acquire the actual light poles and fixtures. The parking area has some
limited lighting; however, there are significant areas that have little or no
lighting. Due to the nature of our operation the building is heavily utilized at
night for numerous public meetings throughout the year. [There will be a tax
rate impact of 1.7-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 4-YES; 1-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
5. FIRE DEPARTMENT
5a. Ladder Truck Lease - This is an annual expense, which represents the lease purchase
payment for the Fire Department’s Ladder Truck. [These funds will be transferred from the
Ambulance Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
5b. Rescue Billing Services – This is an annual expense item, which is utilized to pay for the
costs of the rescue billing collection service. [These funds will be transferred from the
Ambulance Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
5c. Rescue Equipment – The rescue equipment account was established when the town first
began billing for ambulance services. This fund allows for equipment replacement repairs and
purchases throughout the year as the need dictates. [These funds will be transferred from the
Ambulance Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
5d. Defibrillator Equipment – Presently, there is one defibrillator within the department that
does not include the range of features that are required by our paramedics for today’s standard
of care. This unit must be replaced or modified to allow for performance that is necessary for
proper patient care. [These funds will be transferred from the Ambulance Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
5e. Protective Clothing – Protective clothing within the department is in very short supply and
badly worn. The department includes eleven full-time staff, as well as, approximately forty call
personnel members. This authorization will allow the Fire Department to purchase 10 new sets of
protective clothing. [These funds will be transferred from the Ambulance Receipts Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
5f. Computer Equipment – The purchase of the computer equipment will be under the control
of the Information Technology Coordinator as he feels it is required to address the functional
needs of the Fire Department. [These funds will be transferred from the Ambulance Receipts
Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
6. MILLSITES BUILDING
6a. Upgrade Millsites Museum – The town originally acquired the Millsites building and
property in the 1940's. Volunteers, who have and continue to provide invaluable service to the
town, largely care for this facility and the surrounding property. However, there is an ongoing
effort to make a series of substantive repairs and improvements to the building prior to the
bicentennial celebrations that are outside of the ability and time constraints of our volunteers.
The fall 2001 town meeting appropriated a sum of money, which will allow for significant
improvement to the building’s interior and exterior systems. The funding being pursued within
this request will be used to upgrade the presentation and display of the various artifacts in the
museum’s collection. [There will be a tax rate impact of .9-cents per $1,000.00 of property
valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
7. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
7a. Road/Drainage Maintenance – This has been an annual appropriation to provide funding
for the maintenance and repair of the town’s local road and drainage and systems. While we do
receive some assistance from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for roadway improvements
these sources of funding have been significantly impacted by the state’s fiscal crisis. In addition
the state’s resources have certain limitations and conditions attached to their utilization. This
limited town’s funds are critical to our ability to carry out some form of a multi-year plan to
improve and maintain our roadway systems. [There will be a tax rate impact of 3.7-cents per
$1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
7b. Transfer Station Improvements – This request will provide funding to allow for the
installation of new electrical power to that area of the Transfer Station where we locate the
various bins for the recycling containers. Currently we collect the recycling materials in open top
transport bins. This new electrical service will allow for our recycling vendor to install compacting
equipment in this area. Compaction of the recycled loads will increase the density of the product
for transportation purposes. This project will serve to improve the overall efficiency of this
operation. [There will be a tax rate impact of .6-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
7c. Solid Waste Trailer Replacement – This solid waste trailer was originally purchased in the
spring of 1989 and has become unreliable for every day service. The solid waste transfer trailers
are used to transport solid waste from Brewster to the SEMASS resource recovery facility in
Rochester, Ma. This is a demanding environment, which results in a great deal of wear and tear
on this equipment. This particular trailer needs significant repairs, such as a new a walking floor
system, replacement of the structural steel, tires, wheels, brakes, air systems, wiring and light
repairs, along with sandblasting and painting to return this unit to a reliable service level. [There
will be a tax rate impact of 3.4- cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
7d. Lawn Mower Replacement – This would allow for the replacement of a 1990 ride-on
mower. This unit has provided very good service during its career with the department, but the
unit has become unreliable and needs to be replaced. This equipment is essential to the
department’s turf maintenance efforts throughout the town. The Department of Public Works is
responsible for the maintenance of seven cemeteries, eight recreational fields, numerous parks
and all town-building sites. [There will be a tax rate impact of .5-cents per $1,000.00 of property
valuation.]
BOS: 4-YES; 1-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
8. RECREATION DEPARTMENT
8a. Upgrade/Repair Irrigation System – The in-ground irrigation systems located at
Freeman’s Way recreational fields; the Town Offices softball fields and the little league field
behind the Fire Station need to be overhauled. These systems have been in service for
approximately ten (10) years, and they have only received “as needed” maintenance. Areas such
as computer control panels, junction boxes, electrical components, irrigation heads and pumps
must be evaluated and replaced. In order to avoid catastrophic repairs a maintenance plan such
as this is necessary to keep our fields playable and safe for its users. This request will be
amended at town meeting to reduce the funding request to the sum of $9,350.00. [There will be
a tax rate impact of .6-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 2-YES; 3-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
9. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
9a. Building Painting/ Stony Brook School – This request will fund interior painting, which is
being scheduled as part of a continuing building maintenance program. [There will be a tax rate
impact of 1.5-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
9b. Building Painting/ Eddy School – This request will fund interior painting that is being
scheduled as part of a continuing building maintenance program. [There will be a tax rate impact
of .9-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
9c. Replace Fire Alarm / Eddy School – The fire alarm at Eddy Elementary School has been
problematic for many years and its replacement is necessary. [There will be a tax rate impact of
1.9-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
9d. Sidewalk Repairs / Stony Brook School – The sidewalk repair project at
Stony Brook Elementary School were deferred from an earlier town meeting due
to the ongoing renovation project at the school. These funds will provide funding
to replace bituminous concrete sidewalks throughout the site. A number of these
sidewalks are quite old. Tree roots, frost action and normal wear has created
safety problems, which should be corrected for pedestrian safety purposes.
[There will be a tax rate impact of .7-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
10. BOARD OF ASSESSORS
10a. Inspection Vehicle – Currently this vehicle is shared among the
Assessing Department, the Conservation Commission and the Custodial Staff at
Town Hall. Periodically, when needed, the Building Department will use it for
inspections when their vehicle is in use on other Town business. The current
vehicle is a 1988 model with 170,000 miles of service. It was originally used by
the Police Department and has seen almost daily service since its purchase. It is
the collective opinion of the three-affected department heads that the purchase
of a small truck as a replacement vehicle would be most logical. Seldom does
more than a single individual use the vehicle. Many of the roads in Town are
little more than cart paths and often times difficult to access in a traditional
vehicle. If there were tools to be carried, or materials to be transferred/towed, a
small truck would be the best solution. [There will be a tax rate impact of 1-
cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 0-YES; 5-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
10b. Tax Mapping – Each year the Assessor’s Office is required to create new
parcels as a result of the subdivisions of land by property owners. It is also
necessary to create new maps for use by the various departments within the
Town of Brewster so that they can perform their functions with the most
accurate information. The Police, Fire, School, Water, Planning, Health and
Conservation Departments use these updates, as well as, many other boards and
committees that serve the town. This account also allows for special projects
such as the new Brewster Memorial Cemetery to plot and manage the gravesites,
and the Land Bank Committee to plot potential new purchases of open space
purchases. [There will be a tax rate impact of .6-cents per $1,000.00 of property
valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
11. COUNCIL ON AGING
11a. Air Conditioning Units – The Council on Aging is located in the COA/Old Town Hall
building next to the Fire Department on Main Street. The COA uses the second floor auditorium
for a number of group activities and classes. Since there is no central cooling system in this
building, it can get quite uncomfortable in the summer season. The COA would like to install two
window air conditioning units, which will allow for the use of this area of the building during the
summer season. [There will be a tax rate impact of .06-cents per $1,000.00 of property
valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 12 as
printed in the warrant, however, that the following items be amended:
• No. 2b (Engineering Services / Irrigation) be amended from the sum
of $27,000.00 to $0.00,
• No. 2c (Pick-up Truck Replacement) be amended from the sum of
$30,000.00 to $0.00,
• No. 2e (Deep-tine Aerification Project) be amended from the sum of
$26,400.00 to $13,200.00,
• No. 4b (Town Offices Parking Lot Lighting) be amended from the
sum of $28,000.00 to $24,000.00,
• No. 7a (Road/Drainage Maintenance) be amended from the sum of
$60,000.00 to $0.00,
• No. 8a (Upgrade/Repair Irrigation System) be amended from the
sum of $12,000.00 to $9,350.00,
• No. 9a (Building Painting / Stony Brook School) be amended from
the sum of $25,000.00 to $0.00,
• No. 9b (Building Painting / Eddy School) be amended from the sum
of $15,000.00 to $0.00,
• No. 10a (Inspection Vehicle) be amended from the sum of
$16,375.00 to $0.00,
and to appropriate the amended total sum of $698,850.00 for these
purposes, and in order to appropriate this amended total sum that the
town transfer the sums of $109,500.00 from the Water Revenue
Account, $93,200.00 from the Golf Receipts Reserved for
Appropriation Account, $35,000.00 from the Telecommunication
Account, $10,000.00 from the Overlay Surplus Account, $351,650.00
from Free Cash, and $99,500.00 from the Ambulance Receipts
Reserved for Appropriation Account.
ACTION: Adopted
ASSESSMENT FORMULA FOR NAUSET REGIONAL SCHOOLS
ARTICLE NO. 13: To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions
of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter No. 71, Section No. 16B, which
would reallocate the sum of the member towns’ contributions to the Nauset
Regional School District in accordance with the Regional Agreement rather than
the Education Reform Formula, so-called, or to take any other action relative
thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Nauset Regional School Committee)
SUMMARY
The Education Reform Act of 1993 requires that regional school districts make
annual minimum local contributions based upon the Department of Revenue’s
calculation of the member town’s ability to pay. This funding is based, in turn,
on the municipal revenue growth factor, an annual estimate of the upcoming
fiscal year’s potential receipts. Because estimates vary from town to town, and
because actual receipts vary from estimates, this has caused a significant
disparity in the per-pupil costs of our four member communities in the past. This
article must be approved annually by the town meetings in the four Nauset
communities before it can take effect. It would return the distribution of the
minimum contribution to the sharing formula, which was historically used by the
towns, and contained within the Regional Agreement. That is, that each year’s
budget is apportioned by the official Nauset enrollment on the preceding October
1, on a strict per-pupil basis.
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 13 as
printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Adopted Unanimously
NAUSET SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
ARTICLE NO. 14: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds the sum of ONE HUNDRED ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED
TWENTY-FIVE AND 00/100 ($101,525.00) DOLLARS, Brewster’ share of capital
improvements to the Nauset Regional Middle School and Nauset Regional High School, for the
following purposes and in the following amounts:
A. Nauset Middle School:
• Replace carpet with vinyl tile
$ 35,000.00
• Replace bleachers 10,000.00
• Replace tennis courts 60,000.00
• Replace ball field backstop 13,900.00
• Purchase additional security equipment 10,000.00
B. Nauset High School:
• Replace exterior doors 36,000.00
• Repair gymnasium bleacher sets 28,000.00
• Replace pipes in science labs 12,000.00
• Replace fire brick in No. 2 boiler 11,000.00
Grand Total: $215,900.00
Brewster’s Enrollment Share X 47.02%
Brewster’s Appropriation Request $101,525.00
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Nauset Regional School Committee)
SUMMARY
The Nauset Regional Schools, in consultation with town officials, have determined that the best
way to address facility maintenance needs is in the form of a capital article separate from the
operating budget. This article will address deteriorating aspects of the facilities at both schools in
a timely fashion. The intent of this program is to avoid major costly renovations by performing
repairs and maintenance on an annual basis. It is our understanding that this article will be
amended at town meeting to eliminate the following items:
• Replace carpet with vinyl tile $35,000.00
• Replace bleachers 10,000.00
• Replace tennis courts 60,000.00
Brewster’s contribution to this project under the regional assessment formula would be reduced
from the sum of $101,525.00 to $52,150.00. [There will be a tax rate impact of 3.2-cents per
$1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 14 as
printed in the warrant, however, that the following items are deleted:
A. Nauset Middle School
• Replace carpet with vinyl tile $35,000.00
• Replace bleachers $10,000.00
• Replace tennis courts $60,000.00
and that the total request be amended from the sum of $215,900.00 to
$110,900.00, and that Brewster’s appropriation be amended from the
sum of $101,525.00 to $52,150.00, and that the town transfer the sum
of $52,150.00 from Free Cash for this purpose.
ACTION: Adopted
NAUSET SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
ARTICLE NO. 15 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds the sum of TWELVE THOUSAND SIXTY-SEVEN AND 00/100
($12,067.00) DOLLARS, Brewster’ share of capital improvements to the Nauset Regional
Central Offices building, as follows:
A. Nauset Central Offices:
Brewster’s Enrollment Share $25,000.00
X 47.02%
Brewster’s Appropriation Request $12,067.00
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Nauset Regional School Committee)
SUMMARY
Air quality deficiencies have been identified at the Nauset Public Schools’ Administration Office.
The area, which requires attention as soon as possible, is the below-grade section of the north
wall. The proposed funding would provide for architectural/engineering services, as well as, the
removal of mold, replacement of metal studs, vapor barrier, and gypsum wallboard. Re-grading
of the surrounding landscape would also occur in order to minimize water intrusion and mold
growth within the building. [There will be a tax rate impact of .07-cents per $1,000.00 of
property valuation.]
BOS: 1-YES; 4-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 15 as
printed in the warrant and to transfer the sum of $12,067.00 from Free
Cash for this purpose.
ACTION: Adopted
NAUSET INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT / FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
ARTICLE NO. 16: To see if the Town will vote to amend Section IV of the Nauset
Regional School District Agreement, as follows (Proposed changes are underlined and
highlighted in bold):
SECTION IV
Apportionment and Payment of Costs Incurred by the District
A. For the purpose of apportioning assessments levied by the district against
the member towns, costs shall be divided into three categories: capital
costs, operating costs, and facility maintenance costs.
B. Capital costs shall include all expenses in the nature of capital outlay such
as the cost of acquiring land, the cost of constructing, reconstructing and
adding to buildings, and the cost of remodeling or making extraordinary
repairs to a school building or buildings, including without limitation the
cost of the original equipment and furnishings for such buildings or
additions, plans, architects’ or consultants’ fees, costs of sewage
treatment or disposal, grading and other items incidental to placing school
buildings and additions and related premises in operating condition and
any other costs (whether or not so financed) which the district is or may
be authorized by statute to finance by the issue of bonds. Capital costs
shall also include payment of principal and interest on bonds or other
obligations issued by the district to finance the foregoing costs. Capital
costs represented by debt service shall be apportioned as capital costs of
the year in which the debt service falls due.
C. Operating costs shall include all costs not included in capital cost as
defined in Section IV(B) but including interest on temporary notes issued
by the districts in anticipation of revenue.
D. Facility maintenance costs shall include the cost of remodeling,
rehabilitation or repairs to a school building or buildings, their
systems, or attendant properties and grounds. Such costs may
be requested separately from the district’s operating assessment,
and to be funded shall require approval of three of the four
member towns.
E. Payment of all capital costs in any fiscal year shall be apportioned among
the member towns on the basis of their respective enrollments in the
regional district schools on October 1 of the preceding fiscal year.
F. Operating expenses of each fiscal year shall be apportioned to the
member towns on the basis of their respective enrollments in the regional
district schools on October 1 of the preceding fiscal year.
G. Facility maintenance expenses of each fiscal year shall be
apportioned to the member towns on the basis of their respective
enrollments in the regional district schools on October 1 of the
preceding fiscal year.
H. Each member town shall pay its proportionate share of the capital,
operating and facility maintenance expenses, if any, to the regional
school district in each fiscal year in four equal installments not later than
the first days of September, December, March and June.
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Nauset Regional School Committee)
SUMMARY
Under state law, regional school’s operating budget requires the approval of two-
thirds of the district’s members. The Nauset Regional School District has chosen
to present its facility maintenance costs in an article separate from its operating
budget. This amendment to the Regional District Agreement would allow
approval of such facility maintenance requests on the same basis, that is, by
three of the four member towns.
BOS: 1-YES; 4-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
NAUSET INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT / COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE NO. 17: To see if the Town will vote to amend Section I of the
Nauset Regional School District Agreement by deleting the present paragraphs
lettered A and B, and replacing them with the following:
SECTION I
A. Number of Members. The Regional School District Committee,
hereinafter referred to as the Committee, beginning with the
annual town elections of 2003, shall consist of ten members, four
from the Town of Brewster, three from Orleans, two from Eastham,
and one from Wellfleet. To achieve proportional representation on
the Committee, effective following the annual elections of 2003, the
members from Brewster, Eastham and Wellfleet shall have one
vote per member, and the members from Orleans .8 (8/10) votes
per member. All ten members shall be elected by their individual
towns, as prescribed in Paragraph B. below.
B. Election of Members. The Nauset Regional School District
shall consist of four member towns, each of which shall elect
representatives to serve for three-year terms as described above;
provided, however, that any member elected prior to 2001 shall
serve for a three-year term.
At the annual town elections in 2002, Brewster and Orleans shall
elect one member each for terms of three years. At the 2003
elections, Brewster, Eastham, and Orleans shall elect one member
each, for terms of three years. At the 2004 elections, Brewster
shall elect two members, and Eastham, Orleans and Wellfleet one
member each, for terms of three years. The terms of all such
elected members shall commence on the day following their
election and continue for the terms for which they are elected and
thereafter until their successors are elected and qualified.
Thereafter, at every succeeding annual or special town election
when a member town is required to elect a member each town
shall elect such member to serve on the Committee for a term of
three years commencing on the day following such election.
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Nauset Regional School Committee)
SUMMARY
The Nauset Regional School Committee must reorganize every ten- (10) years to
comply with federal one person-one vote standards. This article will phase in
that process over the next three town elections, resulting in a ten-member
school committee with four (4) representatives from Brewster. This
representation is in direct proportion to the town’s share of the Nauset Regional
School District’s population.
BOS: 2-YES; 3-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MAIN MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 17 as
printed in the warrant.
AMENDED MOTION: I respectfully move that the Town indefinitely
postpone article no. 17.
ACTION: Adopted Yes- 111 No- 87
HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY PROGRAM
ARTICLE NO. 18: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
and/or transfer from available funds the sum of EIGHT THOUSAND AND
00/100 ($8,000.00) DOLLARS to finance costs associated with the hazardous
waste collection day program and to authorize the Town Administrator to solicit
bids and/or proposals, enter into a contract or contracts and expend said funds
for this purpose, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Health)
SUMMARY
This article provides an annual opportunity for residents to dispose of household
quantities of hazardous waste in a safe and secure manner. The ultimate
purpose of this program is to protect groundwater resources from possible
contamination due to the improper disposal of hazardous materials. [There will
be a tax rate impact of .5-cents per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 18 as
printed in the warrant and to raise and appropriate the sum of
$8,000.00 for this purpose.
ACTION: Adopted Unanimously
AMENDMENT TO ZONING BYLAW/ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
ARTICLE NO. 19: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Brewster
Zoning By-law by deleting from the Code of the Town of Brewster,
Massachusetts, Chapter No. 179, Section No. 179-2.B the current definition of
“BUILDING, ACCESSORY” and substituting therefore the following new
definitions in proper alphabetical sequence:
BUILDING, ACCESSORY – A detached building or structure (a)
which is used for a purpose which is customarily incidental and
subordinate to the use of the principal building, (b) which is located
on the same lot, and (c) which is not a Shed as defined in this
bylaw. Accessory buildings or structures shall conform to the
setbacks in the Town of Brewster Zoning Bylaw. No accessory
building shall contain habitable space or be used for human
habitation.
SHED – A single story detached building or structure (a) which has
a footprint that does not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square
feet, (b) which is used for a purpose which is customarily incidental
and subordinate to the use of the principal building, and (c) which
is located on the same lot. A shed may be located as close as ten
(10) feet from any side or rear property line, but shall conform to
the front property line setback, as required by the Town of
Brewster Zoning Bylaw. No shed shall contain habitable space or
be used for human habitation.
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Planning Board)
SUMMARY
This bylaw clarifies the description of sheds and accessory buildings, eases the
setback requirements for sheds and emphasizes that they may not serve as
dwellings.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
AMENDMENT TO ZONING BYLAW/FOOT BRIDGES
ARTICLE NO. 20: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Code of the
Town of Brewster, Massachusetts, by repealing Chapter No. 179, Article II,
Section No. 179-6.E Subsection (3) [ "Footbridges, constructed or fabricated
trails and walks, docks and landings."] and by renumbering Subsections (4), (5),
(6), and (7) as (3), (4), (5), and (6), or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Planning Board)
SUMMARY
Currently, “footbridges, constructed or fabricated trails/walks, docks and
landings” require an order of condition from the Conservation Commission and a
special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The deletion of this section
within the Zoning Bylaw would eliminate the requirement for an applicant to
obtain a repetitious special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. This type
of activity would require only the approval of the Conservation Commission. This
article will help to streamline and simplify the permitting process.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 5-YES; 0-NO; 1-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 20 as
printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Adopted Unanimously
TOWN CODE / MANDATORY RECYCLING BYLAW
ARTICLE NO. 21: To see if the Town will vote to adopt, as Chapter No.
141 of the Code of the Town of Brewster, the following general bylaw:
Recycling Bylaw
Section 1. Title.
This bylaw shall be cited and may be referred to as the "Recycling Bylaw".
Section 2. Purpose.
With the state-mandated closure of landfills across Cape Cod, waste disposal
costs have increased dramatically. The Town’s waste disposal fees are not and
have not been, for several years, reflective of the actual cost that the Town incurs
for processing. It is the goal of the Town of Brewster to encourage the public to
reduce waste, re-use and recycle material and items that are re-usable, but
currently viewed as waste. Furthermore it is the goal of this bylaw to encourage
the public to dispose of solid waste generated within the town in the most
environmentally acceptable manner and to reduce the amounts of the Town's solid
waste which are transported at substantial cost to SEMASS for incineration.
Through a more rigorous recycling initiative the Town will increase the percentage
of the Town's solid waste, which is recycled, and hence divert that portion of the
waste stream from costly processing.
Section 3. Implementation.
The Board of Selectmen is hereby granted the authority to issue rules and
regulations implementing this bylaw, and the Board shall have the authority to
require that materials brought to the Brewster Transfer Station must conform to
disposal and recycling criteria established by its regulations.
The rules may:
1. require the separation of recyclable from non-recyclable materials at the generating
source;
2. Require that recyclable materials be sorted by type;
3. Establish "criteria for acceptance" of materials at the Brewster Transfer Station and
issue regulations which will outline the condition in which each item will be
accepted;
4. Require that materials be delivered in the conditions set forth in the
"criteria for acceptance";
5. Establish procedures that the public must necessarily follow to facilitate the efficient
processing and handling of recyclable and non-recyclable materials at the Transfer
Station;
6. Establish procedures and policies to ensure compliance with this Bylaw, and;
7. Establish other rules and procedures necessary to meet the goals set forth in
Section No. 2.
The Board of Selectmen shall have the authority, after a public hearing, to include
items on the mandatory recycling schedule even when they are not listed in the
CMR 310 waste bans. However, all items listed in the CMR 310 waste bans shall be
included in the Town's mandatory recycling schedule according to, or earlier than,
the State's implementation schedule. Mandatory recycling of items listed in the
CMR 310 waste bans may be implemented sooner than the dates set by the State,
but not later.
The Board of Selectmen may, from time to time and after determination at a public
hearing, change the items listed on the schedule.
Section 4. Public Hearing.
Notice of a public hearing shall be advertised at least fourteen (14) days prior to
the hearing date and all commercial waste haulers licensed by the Brewster Board
of Health shall be notified in writing of a public hearing at least fourteen (14) days
prior to the hearing.
At the public hearing, the Board of Selectmen may consider federal and state laws
regulating the disposal and delivery of recyclable and solid waste materials, the
current market conditions for the item(s) proposed to be recycled, the practicality
of recycling the item(s), the cost versus the benefit of recycling the item(s), and
any other pertinent information deemed necessary for the determination of an
informed decision.
The decisions reached by the Board of Selectmen at the public hearing, including
the schedule of effective dates for mandatory recycling of items, the criteria for
acceptance and rules pertaining to efficient and effective recycling at the Transfer
Station, shall be incorporated into the implementing regulations.
The recycling schedule, or any revisions thereto, shall become effective a least
thirty (30) days after a public hearing.
A copy of recycling schedule shall be filed in the Town Clerk’s Office and posted at
the Brewster Town Offices, the Brewster Transfer Station, and any other location
designated by the Brewster Board of Selectmen.
Section 5. Enforcement.
The Superintendent of Public Works, or his/her designee, shall have the right to
periodically inspect any materials delivered to the Transfer Station to be sure that
all materials that the Board of Selectmen have designated as required recyclables
are properly separated from non-recyclable materials and are in acceptable
condition as identified by the Board of Selectmen in the implementation schedule
attached as Recycling schedule.
The Superintendent of Public Works, or his/her designee, may refuse to accept any
materials that are in violation of this by-law, and reserves the right to revoke the
disposal privileges and permits from repeat offenders.
The Superintendent of Public Works may issue fines for the violation of this bylaw.
All such fines may be recovered by non-criminal disposition in accordance with MGL
Chapter No. 40, Section No. 21D. When the Superintendent of Public Works fines a
commercial waste hauler, the Brewster Board of Health shall be notified within
seven (7) days of issuance of the fine. For the purposes of this bylaw, the enforcing
persons shall be the Superintendent of Public Works and any member of the Police
Department.
Section 6. Violations and Penalties.
Any delivery which is made by any person or commercial waste hauler and which
violates the conditions and rules established by the Board of Selectmen and
attached as recycling schedule may be punished by fine as follows:
First offense during one year's time.........written warning
Second offense during one year's time................$ 50.00
Third offense during one year's time...............….$100.00
Subsequent offenses may be subject to fine at the $100.00 rate and/or to
revocation or suspension of disposal privileges.
Within the boundaries of the Town of Brewster but excluding the Transfer Station,
any abandonment, disposal, or dumping on public property of any materials or
items or any abandonment, disposal, or dumping of items listed on the recycling
schedule is forbidden. Illegal disposal and/or dumping is a crime and shall be
punished to the highest and severest extent of the law, including fines, confiscation
of vehicles and possible imprisonment.
The Superintendent of Public Works may issue fines for the violation of this bylaw.
All such fines may be recovered by non-criminal disposition in accordance with MGL
Chapter No. 40, Section No. 21D. When the Superintendent of Public Works fines a
commercial waste hauler, the Brewster Board of Health shall be notified within
seven (7) days of issuance of the fine. For the purposes of this bylaw, the
enforcing persons shall be the Superintendent of Public Works and any member of
the Police Department.
Section 7. SEVERABILITY.
The invalidity of any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this
bylaw shall not invalidate the remaining portions thereof.
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
This bylaw was proposed as a means of holding the private waste haulers to the
same standards that the Town holds individuals and homeowners when they
deliver solid waste to the Town’s Transfer Station. Private waste haulers are
currently not required to separate recyclable materials from the waste stream.
Homeowners, who sort their recyclable materials and bring their separated waste
to the Transfer Station, would not be affected by this bylaw. Individuals and
companies contracting for waste disposal services will most likely be affected,
since their contractor will probably institute charges for this additional service.
This bylaw would result in a reduction of the amount of solid waste that is
transported to the SEMASS waste to energy plant, which is located in Rochester,
MA. In addition, it would increase the amount of separated materials for the
recycling marketplace. This bylaw would also serve to bring us into closer
compliance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ recycling policy goals.
There would be an initial capital cost of about $40,000 for additional equipment.
In addition, it is estimated that there would be new operational cost of about
$45,000 per year. It is unclear if the avoided tipping fees at the SEMASS facility,
coupled with unsure revenues from the sale of recyclable would offset the
additional expenses incurred by the town and the homeowners. The market for
recycling materials is particularly unstable and unreliable at this time.
BOS: 1-YES; 4-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to indefinitely postpone
consideration of Article no. 21.
ACTION: Adopted
AMENDMENT TO ZONING BYLAW/ SIGN REGULATIONS
ARTICLE NO. 22: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Code of the Town
of Brewster, Massachusetts by amending Chapter 179-20.5. “Regulations for
Specific Types of Signs”, to read, as follows, (Proposed changes are
underlined and highlighted in bold):
N. “Welcome to Brewster” signs. Welcome signs may be permitted at
key entrances to the Town. No more than eight (8) of these signs
shall be permitted town-wide. Signs must be Town-owned and will
state “Welcome to Brewster, twinned with Budleigh Salterton,
England”. These signs may contain an insignia and the Town’s
date of establishment. Signs shall not exceed ten (10) square feet
and the top of said sign shall be no higher than six (6) feet above
ground level. The sign color shall be consistent with other town
facility or regulatory signs.
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
Town meeting recently provided authorization to erect “Welcome to Brewster”
signs at the various borders of the town. To date no signs have been made and
installed. This amendment would provide for the addition of a reference to
Brewster’s twinning association with Budleigh Salterton, England within these
signs.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 22 as
printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Adopted Yes- 194 No- 20
MASSACHUSETTS TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM
ARTICLE NO. 23: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town
Administrator, acting through the Board of Selectmen, to apply for and accept
grant proceeds (Waste to Energy Grant Program) offered through the
Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation from the Massachusetts Renewable
Energy Trust Fund; these funds will be transferred to SEMASS and utilized to
alleviate certain payment obligations incurred by the Town through long-term
contractual agreements with the SEMASS Partnership, the owner/operator of the
waste to energy facility in Rochester, MA, and to authorize the Town
Administrator to expend the grant funds, solicit proposals/bids and enter into
contracts for this purpose, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
In 1997 the Governor approved legislation that served to restructure the
electricity industry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The act required the
Department of Telecommunications and Energy (DTE) to impose a mandatory
charge per kilowatt-hour for all electricity consumers in order to support the
development and promotion of renewable energy projects. As required by this
legislation, the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation (MTPC), an
independent state agency has placed the revenues generated from this
surcharge into a trust fund.
The MTPC was charged with the authority to disperse grants from the trust to
alleviate payment obligations incurred by municipalities and other governmental
bodies, under an existing contractual agreement, for the installation of pollution
control technology. The Town of Brewster has a solid waste disposal contract
with SEMASS, a resource to energy facility that was required to upgrade their air
quality equipment. The member communities of SEMASS have applied and
received a grant from MTPC, which will be used to reduce the town’s long-term
payment obligations under this program.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 23 as
printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Adopted
FUNDING FOR THE EVALUATION OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE
ARTICLE NO. 24: To see it the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
and/or to transfer from available funds the sum of TWENTY THOUSAND AND
00/100 ($20,000.00) DOLLARS for the purpose of investigating and making
recommendations for the purchase of real estate and for obtaining various
clerical, professional, legal, appraisal and engineering services, and to authorize
the Open Space Committee to solicit bids, enter into contracts, and expend these
funds for this purpose, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Open Space Committee)
SUMMARY
This article will provide funds that will allow the Open Space Committee to
evaluate and investigate the potential purchase of land for watershed protection,
open space and recreational purposes. The committee to contract with various
technical and professional services to support this acquisition process will use
these funds. [There will be a tax rate impact of 1.2-cents per $1,000.00 of
property valuation.)
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 24 as
printed in the warrant and to transfer the sum of $20,000.00 from Free
Cash for this purpose.
ACTION: Adopted
BETTERMENTS DEFFERAL PROGRAM
ARTICLE NO. 25: To see the Town will vote to accept the provisions of
Chapter No. 80, Section No. 13B of the General Laws, to allow for the deferral of
betterments under Chapter No. 59, Section No. 5, Clause 41A, or to take any
other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Assessors)
SUMMARY
The adoption of this article will allow the town to extend the tax deferral
program to include costs associated with septic betterment expenses. When the
town first adopted the provisions of Chapter 80 under the Massachusetts General
Laws, the septic betterment program did not exist. With the advent of this new
program, it has become necessary to fine-tune the program to allow deferrals
consistent with Chapter 59, Section 41A for elderly exemptions.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 25 as
printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Adopted Unanimously
ELDERLY EXEMPTION
ARTICLE NO. 26: To see the Town will vote to accept the provisions of
Chapter No. 59, Section No. 5, Clause 17E of the General Laws, to allow for the
adjustment of certain elderly exemptions by an annual consumer price index
established by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, or to take any other
action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Assessors)
SUMMARY
The acceptance of this enabling legislation under Chapter 59, Section 17D of the
Massachusetts General Laws will allow the town to adjust the elderly exemption
provision to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index. The elderly
exemption is currently set at $175.00 per year. In Fiscal Year 2002 the town
provided twenty such exemptions to eligible taxpayers. Based upon the current
index the total program expenses would increase would by $129.00 per year or a
total or $6.45 per applicant.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 26 as
printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Adopted
OPEN SPACE / GIFT OF LAND
ARTICLE NO. 27: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to acquire the land, which is designated on the Board of Assessors’
Maps, as follows:
1. Map No. 22 , Parcel No. 11;
said acquisition to be undertaken by gift, purchase or by an eminent domain
taking under the General Laws, Chapter No. 79 and any other enabling authority
for use as open space; to appropriate a sum of money to pay for land
acquisition, tax awards, financing, and other costs incidental and related thereto;
to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept, and expend any funds
which may be provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or some other
source to defray a portion or all of the costs of acquiring this property; and to
authorize the Conservation Commission to assume the care, custody, control and
management of this property, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Open Space Committee)
SUMMARY
The 2001 Fall Yearly Town Meeting authorized the Board of Selectmen to acquire
a small parcel of land consisting of 3.3 acres north of Route 6A in West Brewster.
As a part of this acquisition the owner has agreed to further gift a neighboring 2-
acre parcel to the town or the Conservation Trust for conservation/open space
purposes. This article will provide the necessary authorization for the town to
accept this property.
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 27 as
printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Adopted Unanimously
OPEN SPACE LAND ACQUISITION
ARTICLE NO. 28: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to acquire a parcel of land which is designated on Brewster Assessor’s
Map No. 36, as Parcel No. 1-0, located off A.P. Newcomb Road, in the Town of
Brewster, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, which parcel is further described in
the deeds recorded at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds in Deed Book
11243, Page 149 and Deed Book 12202, Page 216, consisting of approximately
18.3 acres, more or less, of which 3.97 acres, more or less, is comprised of land
subject to an easement of Cape & Vineyard Electric Company and its successors
and assigns more fully described in the easement instrument recorded at the
Barnstable County Registry of Deeds in Book 702, Page 336, and of which 14.33
acres, more or less, is comprised of open space; to acquire the entire parcel by
gift, purchase or eminent domain taking under Massachusetts General Laws,
Chapter No. 79, or any other enabling authority; to acquire the 3.97 acres
consisting of the land subject to the easement for general public purposes; to
acquire the remaining 14.33 acres for uses defined by Chapter No. 293 of the
Acts of 1998, also known as an Act Relative to the Establishment of the Cape
Cod Open Space Land Acquisition Program (hereinafter, “the Act”); to authorize
the Board of Selectmen to grant to the Trustees of the Brewster Conservation
Trust, for no consideration, a perpetual Conservation Restriction pursuant to the
provisions of G.L. c. 184, Sections 31 – 33, over the 14.33 acres acquired for
purposes under the Act, allowing conservation and passive recreation uses within
the meaning of the Act and Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section
8C; to authorize the Board of Selectmen to contract with a registered land
surveyor for purposes of conducting a full perimeter survey of the property and
preparing a plan of land for recordation at the Barnstable County Registry of
Deeds; to appropriate a sum of money to pay for land acquisition and other costs
incidental and related thereto, including costs associated with said survey and
plan; to authorize the Town Treasurer to transfer from available funds a sum of
money for the purpose of paying for the engineered survey; to authorize the
Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow a sum
of money for the acquisition of the 14.33 acres in anticipation of repayment by
the receipt of future monies collected in accordance with the Act, pursuant to the
provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter No. 44, Section No. 7(3),
and any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds and/or notes of the Town
therefor; to authorize the Town Treasurer, with approval of the Board of
Selectmen, to transfer from available sums a sum of money for the acquisition of
the remaining 3.97 acres subject to the easement; to authorize the Town
Treasurer to transfer from available funds a sum of money for the purpose of
paying for the preparation, issuance, and marketing of notes and bonds issued
hereunder and for paying interest on temporary notes issued in anticipation
thereof; to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept and expend any
funds which may be provided by the Commonwealth or some other source to
defray a portion or all of the costs of acquiring this property, provided that the
amount of notes or bonds issued hereunder shall be reduced by the amount of
any such grants received or funds accepted prior to the sale of such notes or
bonds; to authorize the Conservation Commission to assume the care, custody,
control and management of the 14.33 acres of the property acquired for
purposes under the Act; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to assume the
care, custody, control and management of the remaining 3.97 acres of the
property acquired for general public purposes; or to take any other action
relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Open Space Committee)
SUMMARY
This parcel of land contains approximately 18.3 acres and is located off A.P.
Newcomb Road in West Brewster. The parcel is bisected by the corridor
easement for the electric company’s transmission lines. The balance of this
rolling site is a heavier forested parcel that includes a small wetland area. The
purchase of land certainly has open space, wetland and wildlife habitat
protection value. The proposed purchase price is $22,500.00 per acre. The
town and the landowner have executed a purchase and sales agreement that is
conditional upon town meeting approval. We will be requesting that the town
authorize the borrowing of approximately $322,000 for the acquisition of 14.33
acres, which will be financed from Land Bank proceeds over a period of time.
The balance of the site is 3.97 acres, which is essentially the land within the
utility corridor. We will be recommending that this portion be acquired with a
transfer of $88,900.00 from available funds, since it fails to meet the stringent
environmental protection standards established under the Land Bank program.
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town authorize the Board of Selectmen to
acquire a parcel of land which is designated on Brewster Assessor’s
map no. 36, as parcel no. 1-0, located off A.P. Newcomb road, in the
Town of Brewster, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, which parcel is
further described in the deeds recorded at the Barnstable County
registry of deeds in deed book 11243, page 149 and deed book 12202,
page 216, consisting of approximately 18.3 acres, more or less, of
which 4.5 acres, more or less, is comprised of land subject to an
easement of Cape & Vineyard Electric Company and its successors and
assigns more fully described in the easement instrument recorded at
the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds in book 702, page 336, and of
which 13.8 acres, more or less, is comprised of open space; that such
acquisition may be made by gift, by purchase or by eminent domain
taking under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 79, or pursuant to
any other enabling authority; to acquire the 4.5 acres consisting of the
land subject to the easement for general public purposes; to acquire
the remaining 13.8 acres for uses defined by Chapter 293 of the Acts of
1998, also known as the act relative to the establishment of the Cape
Cod Open Space Land Acquisition Program (hereinafter, the “act”; to
authorize the Board of Selectmen to grant to the Trustees of the
Brewster conservation Trust, for no consideration, a perpetual
conservation restriction to the provisions of Chapter 184, Section 31 –
33 of the General Laws, over the 13.8 acres acquired for purposes
under the act, allowing conservation and passive recreation uses
within the meaning of the act and Massachusetts General Laws,
Chapter 40, Section 8c; to authorize the Board of Selectmen to contract
with a registered land surveyor for purposes of conducting a full
perimeter survey of the property and preparing a plan of land for
recordation at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds; to appropriate
the sum of $310,000.00 to pay for a portion of the aforesaid land
acquisition and other costs incidental and related thereto, including
costs associated with said survey and plan and to meet this
appropriation the town treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen,
is hereby authorized to borrow said amount, under and pursuant to
Chapter 44, Section 7(3) of the General Laws, or pursuant to any other
enabling authority and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor;
that the sum of $7,000.00 is hereby transferred from Free Cash of the
town for the purpose of paying for the aforesaid engineering survey;
that the sum of $101,750.00 is hereby transferred from Free Cash of
the town for the purpose of the acquisition of the remaining 4.5 acres
subject to the easement; that the sum of $9,500.00 is hereby
transferred from free cash for the purpose of paying for the
preparation, issuance, and marketing of notes and bonds issued
hereunder and for paying interest on temporary notes issued in
anticipation thereof; to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for,
accept and expend any funds which may be provided by the
Commonwealth or some other source to defray a portion or all of the
costs or acquiring this property, provided that the amount of notes or
bonds issued hereunder shall be reduced by the amount of any such
grants received or funds accepted prior to the sale of such notes or
bonds; to authorize the conservation commission to assume the care,
custody, control and management of the 13.8 acres of the property
acquired for purposes under the act; and to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to assume the care, custody, control and management of
the remaining 4.5 acres of the property acquired for general public
purposes.
ACTION: Defeated Yes-143 No- 79
REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION
ARTICLE NO. 29: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to acquire a building and associated property improvements, which is
designated on the Board of Assessors’ Maps, as follows:
1. Map No. 46, Parcel No. 41;
said acquisition to be undertaken by gift, purchase or by an eminent domain
taking under the General Laws, Chapter No. 79 and any other enabling authority
for municipal use; to appropriate a sum of money to pay for this acquisition, tax
awards, financing, and other costs incidental and related thereto; to authorize
the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept, and expend any funds which may
be provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or some other source to
defray a portion or all of the costs of acquiring this site; and to authorize the
Water Department to assume the care, custody, control and management of this
property, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen & Water Commission)
SUMMARY
The Water Department has been evaluating the space needs of its 30-year-old
office and garage facility since 1999. Conceptual planning for the expansion of
the existing facility located at 1671 Main Street location, behind the COA and Fire
Department has begun, but expansion possibilities on the site are very limited.
The COA and the Fire Department, which is currently seeking funding for an
expansion program, share this location. The existing Water Department building
has had two minor interior renovations during this period. In addition, the
Water Department took over utilization of the garage at the north end of the
parking lot when the new DPW complex was constructed off Run Hill Road in
1990.
In 1974, the Water Department had 4 employees, 42 miles of system, 1,100
service accounts, 535 hydrants, two supply wells and one water standpipe.
Today, the Department has 11.5 employees, 103 miles of system, 6,930 service
accounts, over 1,300 hydrants, 4 wells with a fifth planned, 3 supply treatment
facilities and two water standpipes. While the operation of the department has
been as conservative as possible, the efficiency of the operation and the safe,
proper storage of materials is currently being hindered by lack of space.
A used space building, on town owned in the Commerce Park, off Freeman’s
Way, is for sale. The building and lot size are large enough to accommodate
the Water Department’s operations for many years to come. The condition of the
building and a construction estimate for the expense to modify the warehouse
type building to house the necessary offices, garage and storage space is being
evaluated. More detailed information will be presented at town meeting. If the
assessment of the space building and associated costs proves positive, this
alternative location for the Water Department would be attractive. The move will
relocate the Water Department’s operations center to the Freeman’s Way area.
Other town departments in need of space would utilize the existing Water
Department building. This article and the building represent a unique
opportunity to solve space needs for the Water Department and the town.
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town authorize the Board of Selectmen to
acquire a building and associated property improvements, which is
designated on the Board of Assessors’ maps, as follows:
1. Map no. 46, Parcel no. 41;
Said acquisition to be undertaken by gift, purchase or by an eminent
domain taking under the General Laws, Chapter 79 and any other
enabling authority for municipal use; to appropriate the sum of
$206,000.00 to pay for this acquisition, tax awards, financing, and
other costs incidental and related thereto and to meet this
appropriation, the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of
Selectmen, is authorized to borrow up to the sum of $200,000.00,
under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7(3) of the General Laws, or
pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes
of the town therefor; that the sum of $6,000.00 is hereby transferred
from the Water Revenue Account for the purpose of paying for the
preparation, issuance, and marketing of notes and bonds issued
hereunder and for paying interest on temporary notes issued in
anticipation thereof to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for,
accept, and expend any funds which may be provided by the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts or some other source to defray a
portion or all of the costs of acquiring this site; and to authorize the
water department to assume the care, custody, control and
management of this property.
ACTION: Adopted Yes- 198 No- 31
WATER QUALITY GRANT FOR LONG POND
ARTICLE NO. 30: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money in order to provide for the
Town’s share of costs associated with a program to improve water quality on
Long Pond, in cooperation with the Town of Harwich and the Cape Cod
Commission, to authorize participation in a grant program offered through the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and to authorize the Town Administrator to
solicit bids and/or proposals, enter into a contract or contracts, accept grant and
gift proceeds and expend said funds for this purpose, or to take any other action
relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
Long Pond is a shared resource of the towns of Harwich and Brewster and is the
largest great pond on Cape Cod. Water quality problems in the late 1990’s
prompted Brewster, Harwich, the Long Pond Watershed Association and the
Cape Cod Commission to conduct a water quality assessment funded by the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management. Subsequently, these
partners prepared a management plan entitled, “Management Study of Long
Pond, Brewster and Harwich”, completed in the summer of 2001 by ENSR
International. This management plan recommended the addition of aluminum
salts to address the nutrient and oxygen conditions. In addition, an education
effort is recommended to address the root causes of degraded water quality in
the pond. The combination of in-lake and watershed phosphorous reductions
offers an opportunity to successfully attain sustainable long-term protection of
water quality in Long Pond. Brewster’s share of the $350,000.00 restoration
grants proposal is $30,000.00 to 45,000.00. It appears that this article will be
indefinitely postponed at town meeting. The Town of Harwich has made a
decision to defer action on this project at this time.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
REHABILITATION OF STANDPIPE NO. 1
ARTICLE NO. 31: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of
money to pay for engineering and designing services, construction and
modifications, the complete removal of interior and exterior paint and the
subsequent repainting of Standpipe No. 1 (2 million gallon capacity), and all
incidental and related costs, to meet this appropriation by transferring, raising,
and/or borrowing these funds and by issuing notes and bonds therefor, to
authorize the Town Treasurer, under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and
pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter No. 44, Section No. 7 (3A) and
any other enabling authority, to issue these notes and bonds, to raise and
appropriate a sum of money to pay for the preparation, issuance, and marketing
of these notes and bonds and to pay legal expenses and the interest on
temporary notes, to authorize the Board of Selectmen through the Town
Administrator, to solicit bids and/or proposals and to enter contacts and expend
such funds for these purposes, to authorize the Town Administrator to seek and
accept grants to defray these expenses but to reduce the amount of the notes
and bonds authorized hereby by any sums received before their issuance, or to
take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Water Commissioners)
SUMMARY
The Town’s standpipes are in need of an overhaul. The paint coating is failing
substantially and serious metal corrosion will occur if corrective action is not
taken. Funds for Standpipe No. 2 were approved in May of 2001 and that
project is progressing. This article will provide funding for Standpipe No. 1. The
existing interior and exterior paints will be removed and replaced with new high
performance coatings that should provide protection well into the future. The
sum of $90,000.00 has also been included to install piping and diverters inside
the tank, which will serve to improve the circulation of the stored water. This
modification will assist to minimize problems associated with stagnation that
occurs in this type of tank. Stagnation is a water quality liability. Funds for this
project have been provided within the current rate structure and a ten-year
borrowing is anticipated. Estimated first year payment for FY2003 will be
$106,937.00. [These funds will be transferred from the Water Revenue Account.]
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 5-YES; 0-NO; 1-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 31 and that
the sum of $738,000.00 be appropriated to pay for engineering and
designing services, construction and modifications, the complete
removal of interior and exterior paint and the subsequent repainting of
Standpipe No. 1 (2 million gallon capacity), and all incidental and
related costs, and that to meet this appropriation, the Town Treasurer,
with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is hereby authorized to
borrow the sum of $725,000.00 under and pursuant to Chapter 44,
Section 8(7c) of the General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling
authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor; that the
additional sum of $13,000.00 is hereby transferred from the Water
Surplus Account to pay for the preparation, issuance, and marketing of
these notes and bonds and to pay legal expenses and the interest on
temporary notes; that the Board of Selectmen through the Town
Administrator, is hereby authorized to solicit bids and/or proposals and
to enter into contracts and expend such funds for these purposes, and
that the Town Administrator is hereby authorized to seek and accept
grants to defray these expenses but to reduce the amount of the notes
and bonds authorized hereby by the sums received before their
issuance.
ACTION: Adopted unanimously
BOULDER ROAD WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT
ARTICLE NO. 32: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of
money to pay for engineering and designing services, materials and
appurtenances, installation costs, and all incidental and related expenses for
laying an eight (8”) inch ductile, iron water main approximately seven hundred
twenty-five (725’) feet along the length of Boulder Road, to meet this
appropriation by transferring, raising, and/or borrowing these funds and by
issuing notes and bonds therefor under the authority of Massachusetts General
Laws Chapter No. 44, Section No. 8(5) and any other enabling authority, to
authorize the Town Treasurer, under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, to
issue these notes and bonds, to raise and appropriate a sum of money to pay for
the preparation, issuance, marketing of these notes and bonds and to pay legal
expenses and the interest on temporary notes, to authorize the Board of
Selectmen, through the Town Administrator, to solicit bids and/or proposals and
to enter contracts and expend such funds for these purposes, to authorize the
Town Administrator to seek and accept grants to defray these expenses but to
reduce the amount of the notes and bonds authorized hereby by any sums
received before their issuance, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Water Commissioners)
SUMMARY
The original plans for the subdivision’s water main called for the installation of an eight-inch pipe.
However a two-inch pipe was unfortunately installed. The number of houses and lots on this
street exceed the capacity of the exiting pipe. There are currently six houses on eight interior
subdivision lots fronting Boulder Road. The Water Commissioners have decided to postpone this
item until the 2002 Fall Yearly Town Meeting in order to provide adequate time to meet with the
abutters and continue to refine this project.
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 5-YES; 0-NO; 1-ABSTAINED
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
PRIVATE ROAD BETTERMENT PROJECT/MILLSTONE VILLAGE
ARTICLE NO. 33: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to undertake a series of temporary road repairs to the following
roads:
• Lund Farm Road
• Horseshoe Way
and furthermore, to authorize the Board of Selectmen to proceed with the
reconstruction of these ways after it has been determined that the provisions of
the Brewster Town Code, Article VIII, Chapter No. 157, Section No. 157-20 have
been satisfied; to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, and/or to
obtain by borrowing a sum of money to pay for the costs of, engineering,
construction, reconstruction, and related expenses in connection therewith; to
authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to
borrow a sum of money, under and pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws,
Chapter No. 44, Section No. 7 or any other enabling authority and to issue notes
and bonds of the Town therefor; and, initially, to raise and appropriate and/or
transfer from available funds a sum of money, to be recovered through the
betterment assessments against the abutters, to pay the first year’s principal and
interest expenses for this project, or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Citizens’ Petition)
SUMMARY
The town adopted a bylaw at the 1996 Annual Town Meeting, which allows for
citizens to petition town meeting to obtain funding assistance to undertake
repairs to private ways. The town, along with the private road organization, will
contract out for the repair work. 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 a betterment assessment over a period of
time. [There will be no tax rate impact related to this project. The abutters will
incur all costs associated with this project through a betterment assessment.)
BOS: 5-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 6-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the Board of Selectmen is hereby authorized to
undertake a series of temporary road repairs to the following roads:
• Lund Farm Way
• Horseshoe Way
and furthermore, to authorize the Board of Selectmen to proceed with
the reconstruction of these ways after it has been determined that the
provisions of the Brewster Town Code, Article VIII, Chapter no. 157,
Section no. 157-20 have been satisfied; that the sum of $293,000.00 is
hereby appropriated to pay for the costs of engineering, construction,
reconstruction, and related expenses in connection therewith; that to
meet this appropriation, the town treasurer, with the approval of the
Board of Selectmen, is hereby authorized to borrow the sum of
$285,000.00, under and pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws,
Chapter 44, Section 7 or any other enabling authority and to issue
notes and bonds of the town therefor; and, initially, the sum of
$8,000.00 is hereby raised and appropriated, to be recovered through
the betterment assessments against the abutters, to pay the first
year’s principal and interest expenses for this project.
ACTION: Adopted Yes- 206 No- 4
RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF THE FIRE STATION
ARTICLE NO. 34: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of
money for completing the design, constructing, renovating, originally equipping
and furnishing of a Fire Station, including other costs incidental and related to
the carrying out of this project and its financing, and to see whether such sum
shall be raised by a transfer from available funds, or to authorize the Town
Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow a certain sum
of money under and pursuant to Chapter No. 44 of the General Laws, and/or any
other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor; to
transfer from available funds an additional sum of money for the purpose of
paying for the preparation, issuance and marketing of bonds and notes issued
hereunder and for paying interest on temporary notes issued in anticipation
thereof; provided, however, that a favorable vote under this article shall have no
effect unless the Town votes at a regular or special election to exempt the
amounts required to pay the bonds or notes and other related expenses from the
limitation of Proposition 2 ½, so called, or to take any other action relative
thereto.
(Two-Thirds Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
The Town of Brewster undertook a needs and feasibility study for the Police and
Fire Station in 1998. At that time both the Police and Fire Departments occupied
the Main Street building. The long-range facility requirements of both the Police
and Fire Departments were extensively evaluated. The study results indicated
that the town should construct a new Police Station, and renovate and expand
the existing building solely for Fire Department utilization. Of course the town
built a new Police Station off Route 124, which was completed in June of 2001,
and is now ready to undertake the second phase of this program.The existing
fire facility consists of approximately 17,300 square feet. The building no longer
meets the space requirement needs necessary for the professional and efficient
operation of the Fire Station. This structure was originally constructed in 1973,
and expanded in 1985. There is a primary need to expand the Fire apparatus
garage and create living quarters for the fire staff. Significant construction of
this nature triggers a series of requirements to bring the complete building up to
today’ standards under the building codes, public safety and handicapped
accessibility. Finally, a number of the building essential systems, i.e., electrical,
communications, heating, cooling, plumbing and air quality need to be upgraded.
The building that has been designed will provide an adequate facility for the
operations of the Fire Department now, and well into the future. The town will
be opening public bids on this project in late April of 2002, so we should have a
firm construction number available for presentation at the 2002 Annual Town
Meeting. Tax rate impact information will be provided at that time.
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
MOTION: I move that the town vote to utilize a secret ballot method
for the counting of the vote for Article no. 34 (Fire Station Renovation
& Expansion Project).
ACTION: Adopted Yes- 142 No- 111
MAIN MOTION: I move that the sum of $3,700,000.00 is hereby
appropriated to pay for costs of completing the design, constructing,
renovating, originally equipping and furnishing of a fire station,
including other costs incidental and related to the carrying out of this
project and its financing and that to meet this appropriation, the town
transfer the sum of $500,000.00 from the Stabilization Fund and the
Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is hereby
authorized to borrow the amount of $3,200,000.00 said amount, under
and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7(3) of the General Laws, or
pursuant to any other enabling authority and to issue bonds or notes of
the town therefor; to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 for
the purpose of paying for the preparation, issuance and marketing of
bonds and notes issued hereunder and for paying interest on
temporary notes issued in anticipation thereof; provided, however, that
a favorable vote under this article shall have no effect unless the town
votes at a regular or special election to exempt the amounts required
to pay the bonds or notes authorized by this vote from the limitations
imposed by Proposition 2 ½, so called.
ACTION: Defeated Yes- 124 No- 154
BAYSIDE SKIPPERS FUNDING
ARTICLE NO. 35: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
and/or transfer from available funds the sum of FIVE THOUSAND AND
00/100 ($5,000.00) DOLLARS for the purpose of funding part of the
transportation expenses for the Brewster Bayside Skippers Jump Rope
Competition Team and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a
contract in order to provide these recreational services for residents of Brewster
and to expend such funds for this purpose, or to take any other action relative
thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Citizens’ Petition)
SUMMARY
This article would help provide partial funding for transportation expenses for the
competition team to attend the USA/Jump National Championship in June 2003
and the AAU Junior Olympics in August 2002. The Competition Team is made up
of 35 members of the Brewster Bayside Skipper who have earned the privilege of
competing at the national level. The Bayside Skippers are young Brewster
athletes in grades 1-10. The petitioners have indicated that this will be a one-
time request for financial assistance. [There will be a tax rate impact of .03-cents
per $1,000.00 of property valuation.]
BOS: 4-YES; 1-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 3-YES; 3-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 35 as
printed in the warrant and to transfer the sum of $5,000.00 from Free
Cash for this purpose.
ACTION: Adopted
AMENDMENT TO ZONING BYLAW / AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ARTICLE NO. 36: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Code of the
Town of Brewster, Chapter No. 179, also known as the Zoning Bylaws, Article I,
“General Provisions”, Section No. 179-2., “Definitions.”, Sub-Section B., as
follows:
AFFORDABLE ACCESSORY APARTMENT – a single-family dwelling unit,
controlled by a deed rider for affordability, and allowed by Special Permit
duly authorized by the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with
Section No. 170-42.1
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Citizens’ Petition)
SUMMARY
If approved, this article would incorporate a new definition under the Town’s
Zoning Code for affordable accessory apartments.
BOS: 3-YES; 2-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
AMENDMENT TO ZONING BYLAW / AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ARTICLE NO. 37: To see if the Town will amend Article IV, “Use
Regulations”, Section No. 179-11, Table of Use Regulations, to include the
following new wording as Sub-Section B.3.2., “Affordable Accessory Apartments”,
as follows:
R-R R-L R-M C-H V-B I MRD CT
3.2. Affordable Accessory
Apartment S S S S S S
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Citizens’ Petition)
SUMMARY
This article would modify the Zoning Code’s to allow for affordable accessory
apartments through the issuance of a special permit from the town’s Zoning
Board of Appeals. These units will be allowed within the Residential-Rural (RR),
Residential-Low Density (RL), Residential-Medium Density (RM), Village Business
(VB) and Commercial High-Density (CH) zones. This provision would not allow
these apartment units by right. The applicants would have to agree to the
requirements as forth in the bylaw and, would be subject to conditions imposed
by the Zoning Board of Appeals, after a public hearing process.
BOS: 3-YES; 2-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
AMENDMENT TO ZONING BYLAW / AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ARTICLE NO. 38: To see if the Town will vote to adopt a new section
179-42.1, to be known and “Affordable Accessory Apartments”, as follows:
179-42.1. Affordable Accessory Apartments.
For the purpose of promoting the development of affordable housing in
Brewster for year-round residents, one accessory dwelling unit per lot may
be allowed by Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals subject to
the following standards and conditions:
1. Affordable Accessory Apartments may be allowed on residential lots
with a minimum of 15,000 square feet of contiguous upland, if no
change in the footprint of the existing building is proposed. If a
change in building footprint is proposed, an Affordable Accessory
Apartment may be allowed on a lot with ½ acre or more of
contiguous upland, or on a commercial lot of 10,000 square feet or
more of contiguous upland, provided additional new building
coverage will not exceed a 50% increase to the existing principal
structure footprint.
2. In order to create an Affordable Accessory Apartment, the owner of
a residential property must occupy, as a primary residence, either
the principal or accessory dwelling on that lot. For Affordable
Accessory Apartments as part of a commercial property, the owner
of the property must either reside in Brewster or have a property
manager residing in Brewster, who will be named in the Special
Permit and shall remain immediately responsible for the
management of the Affordable Accessory Apartment. For the
purposes of this section, residency shall be confirmed by listing on
the annual town census. Changes in designation of a property
manager or owner shall only be made by amendment to the Special
Permit and shall require amendment to the deed and/or deed rider.
3. Affordable Accessory Apartments created under this bylaw shall be
subject to a fifteen (15) year deed-rider, which shall maintain a
maximum rent which can be charged, as defined in Subsection 8
herein. No Affordable Accessory Apartment shall be occupied until a
copy of said deed rider is provided to both the Building Inspector
and the Town Administrator.
4. Affordable Accessory Apartments shall not be larger than eight
hundred (800) square feet or exceed fifty percent (50%) of the
existing building coverage (as defined herein), whichever is smaller.
5. No more than twenty (20) new Affordable Accessory Apartments
may be approved in a calendar year, excluding re-certifications.
Completed applications for Affordable Accessory Apartments shall
be reviewed in the order in which they are received by the Zoning
Board of Appeals.
6. Site Requirements:
a. Affordable Accessory Apartments may be within or
attached to a principal dwelling or within an existing
detached accessory structure. An Accessory
Apartment as part of a principal structure shall not
increase site coverage by more than fifty percent
(50%) of the pre-existing building coverage. An
Accessory Apartment within an existing detached
accessory structure shall only be allowed if no
increase in building coverage is proposed.
b. Affordable Accessory Apartments shall be designed so
as to be compatible with existing site and
neighborhood conditions.
c. Affordable Accessory Apartment units shall meet all
state and local requirements, including Building
Codes, Wetlands Protection, Title V, and Brewster’s
Groundwater Protection District standards, if
applicable.
d. Where substantial repairs or upgrades are necessary
to bring a property into code compliance, the Town
and the Housing Authority will assist the property
owner in identifying potential funding sources.
7. No Affordable Accessory Apartment shall be separated by
ownership from the principal structure.
8. Owners of a property containing an Affordable Accessory
Apartment shall be responsible for annual submission to the
Building Inspector and the Brewster Housing Authority of
information verifying occupancy status and management status of
said Affordable Accessory Apartment.
9. Leases for Affordable Accessory Apartments shall be issued for
twelve (12) months at a time, to be renewed pending verification
by the Brewster Housing Authority, or the Housing Authority’s
designee, of the tenant’s income. All occupants of an Affordable
Accessory Apartment shall upon initial application and annually
thereafter, submit necessary documentation to the Brewster
Housing Authority, or the Housing Authority’s designee, to confirm
their income eligibility for the Affordable Accessory Apartment.
Specifically, Affordable Accessory Apartments created under this
provision may only be rented to families or individuals meeting the
guidelines of the United States Department of Housing and Urban
development for Barnstable County for either low or moderate
income households.
10. Maximum rents shall be established by the Brewster Housing
Authority in accordance with the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rental Guidelines, as
amended from time to time. Property owners are required as part
of the Special Permit application to submit to the Zoning Board of
Appeals information on rents to be charged. Each year thereafter,
owners shall submit verification to the Brewster Housing Authority
on the actual annual rents charged. Forms for this purpose shall be
provided by the Housing Authority, or an agent thereof.
11. Failure to comply with any provision of this bylaw may result in
fines as established in Brewster’s Zoning Code, Chapter No. 179,
Article X, “Administration and Enforcement”, Section No. 179-49.
12. In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter No. 40A ,
Section No. 9, the Zoning Board of Appeals may adopt, after a duly
advertised public hearing, rules and regulations further defining
procedures or fees related to the administration of this bylaw.
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Two-Thirds Vote Required) (Citizens’ Petition)
SUMMARY
This article is being proposed as a low-impact option for Brewster property
owners wishing to rent a portion of their homes to income-qualified tenants.
This bylaw is intended to provide seniors and families, experiencing financial
difficulty in retaining their property, with rental opportunities. This bylaw is in
keeping with the Town’s objective to scatter its affordable housing throughout
town, as opposed to the development of large-scale projects.
It is estimated that there are currently approximately 100 accessory apartments
in Brewster. Many of these apartments were created through Zoning Board of
Appeals’ special permit process for in-law or healthcare provider apartments.
Under the town’s current bylaws rental apartments are only allowed when a
family member or a healthcare provider occupies them.
This new bylaw would provide property owners with a legal option for the
continued use of those apartments as affordable rental units. In many cases,
the bylaw would be accommodating existing residents who have been renting
these apartments “illegally”. The units would still need to meet all zoning, health,
building, and wetland code requirements. Units would be restricted to no more
than 800 square feet in size, which equates to a small two-bedroom apartment.
Units would be permitted in existing detached accessory structures, only if they
do not expand the existing footprint. Accessory apartments would be allowed as
additions to single-family owner-occupied homes and locally managed
commercial properties, however, they can not expand the existing footprint of
the primary structure by more than 50%.
In order to receive the special permit, the property owner will be required to
accept a 15-year deed rider to insure affordability. The Brewster Housing
Authority, or its designee, will assist property owners in verifying income
eligibility. The issuance of special permit applications will be limited to 20 units
per year.
BOS: 3-YES; 2-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
TOWN MEETING SCHEDULE
ARTICLE NO. 39: To see if the Town will vote to amend Article No. I of
Chapter No. 48 (Annual Town Meeting) of the Code of the Town of Brewster,
Massachusetts by substituting therefor, but with the same code designation, the
following general by-law (Proposed changes are underlined and
highlighted in bold):
§ 48-1. Designation of time.
The town will hold two regularly scheduled Town Meetings. The Spring
Annual Town Meeting for the transaction of all business for the town,
other than matters to be determined by ballot, shall be held on the
second Saturday in May to commence at 10:00 a.m. A one hour
lunch break will be provided, and adjournment shall be no later
than 5:00 p.m. The Annual Election for the election of officers and such
matters as are by law determined by ballot shall be held on the third
Tuesday in May. The Fall Yearly Town Meeting will be held the third
Monday in November to address the transactions of all business for the
town.
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Voted Required) (Citizens’ Petition)
SUMMARY
A solution to the problem of low attendance at town meetings must be found in
order to insure that a larger and more representative number of voters are
encouraged and allowed to participate in town government. The reasons for
limited attendance at night meetings have been addressed in discussions with
the Selectmen and other town officials. Well-intended attempts to work at
solutions have had limited impact. Saturday meetings will not add to the cost of
doing the business of the town and may indeed lower them by enabling us to
complete action on all articles on the warrant in a single session. This would
reduce the chance that the town’s business would not get completed due to lack
of quorum at second or third sessions.
BOS: 1-YES; 2-NO; 2-ABSTAINED
FCR: 0-YES; 6-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 39 as
printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Defeated
ADOPTION OF BYLAW/CAPITAL EXPENSE BALLOT QUESTION
ARTICLE NO. 40: To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following
Bylaw:
Any amount of money to be appropriated, borrowed and/or bonded in
excess of seventy-five thousand ($75,000.00) dollars, excepting the
Town’s Operating Budget which is voted in a Town Meeting, shall not
become valid unless ratified by a majority of the voters by ballot in a
subsequent Town Election. The effective date of this bylaw shall be the
first day of fiscal year two thousand and three (2003),
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Citizens’ Petition)
SUMMARY
Too often at town meeting municipal spending is determined by a majority of a
small minority of Brewster’s voters. There are many reasons why voters may not
be able to attend a town meeting. Age, inability to drive safely at night and the
unavailability of babysitters can all contribute to unavoidable absences. By
placing all major money articles on the ballot at the town election, a more
democratic representation of the wishes of all the voters of the town will be
allowed. It is far less likely that special interest groups can influence an election.
BOS: 0-YES; 5-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
FCR: 0-YES; 6-NO; 0-ABSTAINED
MOTION: I move that the town vote to approve Article no. 40 as
printed in the warrant.
ACTION: Defeated
PENSION FUND
ARTICLE NO. 41: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money to add to the Pension Fund,
or to take any other action relative thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
The unfunded pension liability is the difference between the value assigned to
those retirement benefits already earned by a municipality’s employees and the
assets that the local retirement system has on hand to meet these obligations.
The dollar value of the unfunded pension liability is driven by assumptions about
interest rates at which retirement system’s assets will grow and the rate of future
costs of living increases to pensioners. The town is participating in a multi-year
program is address this long-term financial obligation. Due to the current
financial demands that the town is experiencing this article will most likely be
indefinitely postponed at town meeting.
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
STABILIZATION FUND
ARTICLE NO. 42: To see if the Town will vote to add a sum of money to
the Stabilization Fund and to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available
funds a sum of money for this purpose, or to take any other action relative
thereto.
(Majority Vote Required) (Board of Selectmen)
SUMMARY
The purpose of this article is to transfer an amount of money into the
Stabilization Fund to be used for future capital expenditures. Due to the current
financial demands that the town is experiencing this article will most likely be
indefinitely postponed at town meeting.
BOS: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
FCR: RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED UNTIL TOWN MEETING
INDEFINELTY POSTPONED