From the Manager's Desk
Each summer, the Select Board meets for their annual goal setting session to work on updating their Strategic Plan. This Plan reflects our community's shared goals and it serves as a guide to prioritizing initiatives, projects, and policies across the organization for the next two years.
The Select Board organizes their Plan around the building blocks identified in the Town’s Local Comprehensive Plan, including Community Character, Water Resources, Open Space, Housing, Coastal Management, Local Economy, Governance, Community Infrastructure, Solid Waste Management, and Climate Mitigation & Adaptation. There is also a separate section devoted to the Town's work at the Sea Camps.
To help inform this process, the Town asks for feedback every year from residents, Town volunteers, and staff regarding the values and principles that are most important for the Select Board to consider in advance of their retreat. We appreciate all of your input.
Once the revised Plan is finalized and adopted, the Select Board shares it with the community and stakeholders. The Board then devotes time at their meetings throughout the year to review progress and provide policy direction on the many goals identified in the Plan. Stay tuned for the release of the updated Plan next month!
Peter Lombardi
Town Manager
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Table of Contents
From the Manager's Desk
Select Board Annual Retreat
Committee Corner
Brewster Ladies' Library Association
Department Profile
Brewster Ladies' Library
Meet Our Team
Brittany Taylor,
Library Director
Project Updates
Stony Brook School Code Compliance Study
Sea Camps Spotlight
Value Engineering
In Focus
Pre-School Family
Support Program
BGTV Now in High Definition
Seasonal Items
Summer Nights
on the Lawn
Community Pool Season Extended
Events
2025 Fall Civics Academy
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Committee Corner
Brewster Ladies' Library Association
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A Public Private Partnership | | |
The Brewster Ladies' Library Association (BLLA) works in collaboration with the Library Director, library staff, and the Town to deliver resources and services that meet the interests, passions, and information needs of our diverse community, and that promote a love of lifelong learning in a space where all are welcome. Our membership dues, book sale proceeds, and other donations assist in supporting programs, museum passes, the Nickerson lecture, and other library needs.
The BLLA is a dedicated organization with over 700 members who actively support the Brewster Ladies' Library through contributions and participation as voting members. The BLLA Board of Directors provides governance, develops policies, and exercises fiduciary oversight to ensure the long-term health and strategic direction of the library. The Board also leads fundraising efforts to advance the library's mission and services.
Recently, the BLLA in coordination with the Town has contracted with a building science firm, Spencer Preservation Group, to do a complete assessment of the library building. The report will help to identify and prioritize repairs as well as serve as an initial step towards a partial renovation that will optimize space at the library. We look forward to next steps in this planning process to make needed improvements to the library.
| | "Working on a committee, any committee, is extremely worthwhile. It is good for the organization or institution but it is also rewarding personally as it gives you an opportunity to meet, get to know, and appreciate all the other individuals working on various committees that contribute so much." - Frank Schroth | |
Meet the Chair
Frank Schroth
Years served: 3
Q: What is one thing you wish the public knew about the association?
What some in the community might not realize is that the Brewster Ladies Library is an independent non-profit organization. The organization is currently 700+ strong, committed to maintaining our library as the valuable, vital public asset it is today. While we are not an official part of town government, we partner closely with our colleagues in town hall.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Brewster?
The sense of community I feel everywhere I go from Eat Cake for Breakfast to the Brewster Bookstore to the Juneteenth celebration and Brewster in Bloom. It is a vibrant town and I am so proud to be part of it.
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Meet a Member
Lauren Dreyer
Years served: 1
Q: What motivated you to serve on this association?
One of my favorite things about serving on the Brewster Ladies' Library board is being part of an institution that plays such a vital role in the heart of our community. The library is more than a place for books—it's a welcoming space for learning, connection, and creativity for people of all ages throughout the Cape. I was motivated to join the board because I believe deeply in the power of public libraries to enrich lives and create access to resources, ideas, and opportunities. It’s an honor to support an organization that does so much for Brewster and its residents.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Brewster?
One of my favorite things about Brewster is Snowy Owl Coffee. I’ve lived in a lot of cities with really great coffee and Snowy Owl continues to be the best. Not only is their coffee great, but their warm and welcoming atmosphere is something I enjoy with friends and family over a cup of cold brew.
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Department Profile
Brewster Ladies' Library
| | Serving the community since 1852, the Brewster Ladies’ Library (BLL) is the free public library for the Town of Brewster. In cooperation with the Town, it is managed by a Board of Directors, elected by the membership of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association. The Library’s mission is to be a cultural and life-long learning community center that provides free access to a range of resources, activities, and professional assistance to further enhance the quality of life of the community. | | The BLL has something for everyone. Along with books, which always go hand-in-hand with libraries, patrons can attend programs, borrow museum passes, "library of things" items like a sewing machine, hotspots, games, and so much more! | |
Meet Our Team
Brittany Taylor
Library Director, Brewster Ladies Library
Years served: Just over 2 years
Q: What is one of your favorite things about your position?
I'm always busy and no day is the same - there's always something new and different going on - an exciting program, a visit from a classroom, a fresh challenge.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Cape Cod?
The community. I grew up in Orleans & my entire family remains (for the most part) local, & the same goes for my husband, who's from Brewster. Our support system here makes it the best place for us to live/raise our family. Oh, and the beach!
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Books & Big Ideas:
Living on the Coast
Similar to the familiar One Book, One Town program, Brewster’s Books & Big Ideas program aims to use books to encourage and enrich discussion about the many important topics and policies affecting our community.
The selected books will be paired with different programs and events throughout the fall that will highlight the many facets - wonderful and complicated - that accompany living in a coastal community. We are thrilled to continue our Books and Big Ideas program, now in its 2nd year.
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Books & Big Ideas
Event Schedule*
9/6 - Movie Screening and Program Kick-off
9/14 - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Guided Family Field Walk
9/27 - MA Audubon Nature Walk at Sea Camps Bay Property
9/28 - Good Neighbor Day Beach Clean-up with Coast Sweep
9/30 - Author Event
10/6 - Oyster Tour
10/23 - Book Discussion
*details to be released in August, dates subject to change
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Project Update
Stony Brook Elementary School Code Compliance Study
The Stony Brook Elementary School requires a new roof and HVAC system which are estimated to cost at least $13M in total. The MA State Building Code requires mandatory facility upgrades when a renovation project exceeds 30% of a building's assessed value. Accordingly, in 2023, Town Meeting approved $100,000 in funding to hire a consultant to examine and assess the conditions and adequacy of the building, systems, and site, identify capital needs and costs, and develop renovation options.
Habeeb & Associates Architects were hired to work with Town and School officials on this project. They presented their report to the Select Board and Brewster School Committee on July 14. They identified between $22.7M and $33M in required capital upgrades, including $12.6M in physical plant improvements plus $10.1M to $20.4M for the new HVAC, depending on the solution that is selected. Another $6.8M in potential medium-term facility needs were also included in the report. All of these estimates assume the project would be completed in 2030 and factor in a 5% annual cost escalation. As part of their analysis, Habeeb also estimated the cost to build a new school at $86.4+M.
State funding through the Massachusetts School Building Authority and the Green Communities program could help defray a significant portion of the costs to renovate the Stony Brook School or build new. The findings from this report will help inform the Town's ongoing work with the other towns in the Nauset school district to identify potential efficiencies and regional solutions across our elementary schools. Decisions about future financial investments in the Stony Brook School won't be made until the efficiency and regionalization report is delivered next summer.
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In response to resident feedback expressing interest in trying to reduce the costs of implementing the Sea Camps Comprehensive Plans, the Town hired an engineering team from Weston & Sampson and EDR to help assess and refine the preliminary phasing and financing plans.
Over the past six months, the Sea Camps Advisory Committee and Town staff have been working with the consulting team to update our approach to phasing and financing for both the Bay and Pond Properties. This value engineering analysis refined the scope of the project and verified cost estimates for the initial phases of the approved Comprehensive Plans.
The consultants assessed the original funding request from November and December of 2024, performed site visits with Town staff, reviewed recent building studies, and drafted an updated program focused on three categories: required infrastructure, value-added amenities, and general building improvements.
These new recommendations were shared out at a joint meeting of the Select Board and Sea Camps Advisory Committee on July 28. They still retain the vision of the Comprehensive Plans that were approved at the May 2024 Town Meeting, while cutting the anticipated cost of the project almost in half. In the next month, the Sea Camps Advisory Committee will work with Town staff and the consultants on detailed funding scenarios and prepare materials for a community forum in September.
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In Focus
Preschool Family Support Program
Applications now available
The Town of Brewster launched the Preschool Family Support Pilot Program in 2024, funded with an initial $250,000 appropriation. Approximately 70 Brewster families received financial support in the first year. For this coming year, Town Meeting once again appropriated funds in May to continue this program.
The Town provides up to $3,000 for families with children ages 3 or 4 years old to help cover the costs of preschool services by a certified childcare provider. For 2025, up to 80 families may be eligible to receive this financial support.
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Brewster Government Television now in High Definition (HD)
Xfinity Channel 1072
BGTV, currently on Channel 8, is now available in HD on Xfinity Channel 1072.
BGTV provides a way for residents to watch Brewster committee meetings and programs of public interest from the comfort of their home.
Residents can also stream meetings on their smart TV through the “Cablecast” app. The app is available on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Mac, and Amazon devices.
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Summer Nights on the Lawn
Always free, always family-friendly
Family Movie Night: A Minecraft Movie
Friday, August 8 | Movie starts at 8pm
Touch-a-Truck
Friday, August 22 | 5pm
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Community Pool Season Extended!
The Recreation Department is pleased to share that we are able to extend the season by one week! From August 18 through August 23, the Community pool will remain open with limited hours, from 9am to 4pm daily.
The regular pool hours remain in effect through August 17, 6am to 6pm daily with a noontime opening on Wednesdays.
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Civics Academy 2025
The Town's new Civics Academy is an opportunity for community members to explore Town Departments, meet Town staff, and learn more about the less public facing aspects of municipal government.
Beginning September 10, this 11-week series will be held weekly on Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm.
Town staff and volunteers look forward to sharing their work and expertise with you at the Civics Academy! Applications are due by August 11.
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