From the Select Board Chair
August is upon us and, like every year, the summer is half over before I’ve managed to get my beach chair out of the trunk of my car. For seasonal residents and summer visitors, it’s finally time for vacation, a relaxing pause from their everyday lives. For the many year-round residents, businesses, and municipal staff and officials who make those experiences possible, thank you for all your work to keep Brewster a coveted destination, now and throughout the year.
As for your elected officials and staff, ‘summer break’ is a term we’ve heard but don’t necessarily understand. This month, the Select Board and Town Administration will meet for our yearly Strategic Retreat, where we evaluate progress toward last year’s goals and articulate current priorities and policy direction. The day-long session provides the Board time to think through policy conversations more deeply than our regular meetings allow and sets our course for the year ahead. Strategic planning is handled very differently from town to town - we are proud of the thorough, in-house process we’ve developed that solicits feedback from department heads, boards and committees, and residents to inform priorities.
This year, alongside this very full agenda, the Board is also contemplating how to better focus the Strategic Plan and align it with the Select Board’s authority and priorities. From operations, programming, and capital projects to 45-plus boards and committees’ worth of work, Brewster always has a lot going on. As the executive body, we want to make the connections between our goals for the Town, and the actions we undertake to achieve those goals, clearer for our residents, businesses, and visitors alike. As with anything in local government, we can’t do it without you - thank you to everyone who took the time to submit comments for our consideration. I look forward to sharing the completed Strategic Plan with you all in the coming months – and maybe finding a few hours to spend at the beach when it’s done.
Thank you,
Amanda Bebrin
Select Board Chair
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Table of Contents
From the Select Board Chair
Committee Corner
Board of Health
Department Profile
Health Department
Meet Our Team
Dan Syriala
Project Updates
Pond Management Plan
Sea Camps Spotlight
Pond Property Conservation Restriction
In Focus
Regional Opioid Initiative
Employee Celebration
Lisa Vitale
Important Dates
State Primary Voting
Select Board/Town Manager Office Hours
Seasonal Items
Annual Brew Run
Millsites Annual Cornbread Festival
Rec Summer Nights
Community Pool Extended Season
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Committee Corner
Board of Health
1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm
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The Brewster Board of Health supports the Brewster Health Department in addressing community health issues and enforcement of local Board of Health Regulations. This work includes:
- providing or resourcing physical and mental health services,
- immunizations and vaccinations,
- restaurant and food service inspections,
- drinking water and water testing,
- review and approval of septic systems.
The Board of Health works to align health concerns and regulatory policies with the Town's Integrated Water Resource Management Plan working with the Water Department, Conservation and Natural Resources. In 2026, much of the Board of Health work has focused on septic system impacts within the mandated Watershed Permitting requirement and Zone II Wellhead Protection as well as pond water quality concerns for safe recreational uses.
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Meet the Chair
David Bennett
Since 2021
Q: What is one thing you wish the public knew about the board?
The Board of Health's role in the expenditure of the opioid settlement fund awarded to Brewster.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Brewster?
The unique character as a bedroom community with emphasis on environmental quality.
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Meet a Member
Penny Holeman
Since 2017
Q: What motivated you to serve on the board?
For as long as I can remember, I have had a very strong interest in protecting others (people, organizations, nature, etc.) from harm. Prevention is a far more cost-effective approach than responding to an incident or emergency and attempting to restore previous conditions. Public Health is a discipline that focuses on communities to promote wellness and good health, and to prevent injury and illness. I spent my working career protecting people, their families, the surrounding community, and the environment from hazardous biological, chemical, nuclear, and physical hazards. My work included ensuring that biomedical research was conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines, and international, federal, state, and local guidelines, standards, and regulations. In addition to keeping bad things from reaching others, I also worked to keep bad people from accessing harmful materials. When I moved to Brewster, serving on the Board of Health seemed like an appropriate place for me to transfer my skills and continue this work.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Brewster?
Brewster's natural beauty and small town spirit and charm are enchanting. One of my most favorite things about Brewster is its caring and participatory community. We are so fortunate to have friends and neighbors who care deeply about Brewster, what happens here, and who selflessly devote their talents, skills, and resources in so many ways to make Brewster a wonderful place to live - now and in the future.
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Department Profile
Health Department
| | The Health Department protects and promotes the health of Brewster residents through inspections, permitting, health services, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and public education. We help keep our community healthy, safe, and resilient. | |
Meet Our Team
Dan Syriala
Health Director
Years with Brewster: 1
Q: What is one of your favorite things about your position?
Working with my colleagues and figuring out solutions to complex problems.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Cape Cod?
The fishing.
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Cyanobacteria Monitoring
The Health Department is in the process of adopting a Cyanobacteria Bloom Response and Public Health Communication Policy, establishing a coordinated, science-based approach for responding to harmful algal blooms. The policy provides clear procedures for cyanobacteria reporting, assessment, and public notification to help residents and visitors make informed decisions about recreational water use. This effort builds upon our strong partnership with the Brewster Ponds Coalition (BPC) and the Natural Resources Department. Through collaboration with BPC’s volunteer pond monitoring program, the Department receives timely observations and data that support early identification of potential blooms and informed public health communication. To improve access to timely information, the Health Department maintains an online pond status page where residents can view current cyanobacteria advisories and educational resources throughout the monitoring season.
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Project Update
Pond Management Plan
The Natural Resources Advisory Commission has completed a town-wide Ponds Management Plan, a comprehensive look at the 23 freshwater ponds Brewster has monitored since 2001. The plan sorts these ponds into one of four management categories based on their current impairment and threats to their future condition. It then matches each category to a tailored response — from simple protection to full watershed-and-in-pond rehabilitation.
Starting in summer 2027, the Town and the Brewster Ponds Coalition will launch pilot studies of four ponds—one from each management category—funded through a 2023 Town Meeting appropriation and with pledged financial assistance from the Brewster Ponds Coalition. Lessons from these pilots will guide how the Town approaches the rest of Brewster's ponds in the years ahead. Residents can explore 24 years of water quality data for any of the 23 ponds through the Cape Cod Commission's online freshwater portal.
Submit your public comment on the draft Ponds Management Plan to pondcomments@brewster-ma.gov by August 21 - be sure to include your name and address.
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Sea Camps Spotlight
Pond Property Conservation Restriction
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 | | The Town of Brewster purchased the 70 acre former Sea Camps Pond Property in 2021 for $6M. To date, Mass Audubon and Brewster Conservation Trust (BCT) have contributed $2.75M in total to protect 60 acres of the property with a conservation restriction that will be jointly held. The restriction identifies a small area on Long Pond for future Mass Audubon programming. Over the past couple years, the Town has worked with BCT and Mass Audubon to draft the conservation restriction, which is currently under final review by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Affairs. Thanks in part to these financial contributions, in less than 5 years, the Town was able to fulfill our promise to residents to finance the acquisition of this property without issuing any long-term debt. Once this conservation restriction is approved and recorded, BCT has also pledged close to another $500,000 in additional funds over the next 5 years to help make improvements to the property, including removing buildings and building new trails.
In May 2026, two citizens petitions removed Housing and Wastewater as public uses of the 10 acres of the Pond Property adjacent to Route 137. Because the original acquisition vote in 2021 listed these potential uses, special legislation is required to permanently protect the remaining 10 acres as open space. The Select Board has conveyed the special act that Town Meeting approved to our state delegation for their consideration. We anticipate it will be acted on in the next legislation session which beings in January 2027.
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In Focus
Regional Opioid Initiative
The Regional Opioid Initiative continues to advance as a collaborative effort among Lower Cape communities (Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Harwich and Orleans) to address opioid use disorder through prevention, treatment access, harm reduction, and recovery support. The recently completed regional opioid needs assessment identified significant gaps in behavioral health and substance use services, including limited access to treatment providers, transportation barriers, and the need for expanded community education, recovery support, and coordination among service providers. These findings will help guide future priorities and investments using opioid settlement funds.
The five towns are moving forward with Crescendo Consulting Group to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that will establish shared priorities, measurable goals, and an implementation framework for the region. The strategic planning process will build on the needs assessment findings and engage municipalities and community partners to identify evidence-based strategies for prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction. This work, expected to be completed this winter, will help ensure opioid settlement funds are invested effectively and that regional efforts are coordinated to achieve long-term, sustainable improvements in public health.
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Celebrating 25 years of Service in the Treasurers/Collectors Office
Join us in wishing Lisa Vitale a happy retirement! Lisa has served the Town of Brewster as our Treasurer & Collector for 22 years.
Lisa received her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance from Worcester State University as an adult learner with two small children. Having summered on the Cape, Lisa and her family relocated to Cape Cod in 2001 after she graduated. Not long after, Lisa was hired in Eastham as the Assistant Treasurer/Collector before joining Brewster about two years later.
Lisa is proud of her office, her employees, and most importantly - being a kinder gentler tax office for the taxpayers - whom are friends and neighbors.
Notable achievements & career highlights:
- Married for 39 years with two sons who went through the Nauset School system
- Developed and standardized processes and procedures that manage office workflow
- Modernized the operations of tax collections with online and lockbox payments
- Completed three payroll software conversions
- Helped obtain and retain AAA bond rating for the Town
- Flawless audits over the last twenty years
- Very high tax collection rates with very low tax title rates
"My most proud achievement has been mentoring my wonderful ladies over the last 22+ years. Three of my Assistant Treasurer/Collectors have become Treasurer/Collectors and three of my Payroll and Benefits Coordinators have moved into higher HR/Finance roles. Also, all the wonderful relationships I’ve had with my co-workers here in Brewster, which continue even after many have retired... Honestly, it is quite an honor to be the Town’s Treasurer/Collector, and I’ve been proud and happy to be of service." - Lisa Vitale
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State Primary - Tuesday, September 1
1848 Main Street | 7am – 8pm
In-person early Voting at Town Hall | Room C
Saturday August 22: 10am – 4pm
Monday August 24 - Friday August 28: 8:30am – 4pm
Voter Registration/Change of Party deadline:
Saturday August 22: 9am - 5pm (Town Clerk's office)
Deadline to Request Vote-by-Mail ballot:
Tuesday August 25 at 5pm (Town Clerk's office)
Voter Registration/Status
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Check voter registration status: The Secretary of the Commonwealth (SOC) of Massachusetts Registration Status webpage is intended for use by the individual voter to determine their voter registration status.
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Online Voter Registration System: The SOC online voter registration system allows voters to register or pre-register to vote; update address and/or party; update name; and check registration information.
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Vote by Mail Registration Form: Option of registering to vote thorugh the mail.
Contact the Town Clerk's office with questions at (508) 896-4506
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Select Board & Town Manager Office Hours
Wednesday, August 19 | 10:30am – 12:00pm | Community Pool
Join Select Board Vice Chair, Caroline McCarley and Town Manager Peter Lombarid on Wednesday August 19, at the Community Pool.
No appointment is necessary- just stop by to ask questions, share your ideas or discuss topics that matter to you. We look forward to seeing you there!
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48th Annual Brew Run Road Race
Sat., August 8 | 4pm
The 48th Annual Brew Run will take place on Saturday August 8. This charity 5.2-mile road race will start at 4pm from the Woodshed. Residents should expect traffic delays on Route 6A, Route 124, Route 137, Tubman Road, Stony Brook Road and Lower Road between 3:30pm and 5:30pm.
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Stony Brook Gristmill Cornbread Festival
Sat., August 29 | 10am - 2pm
Enjoy a piece of fresh baked cornbread topped with raspberry butter - delicious! Cornmeal will also be available for sale so you can enjoy all year long.
This is the last day of the 2026 summer Stony Brook Grist Millsites and Museum schedule.
Admission is free. Please remember, no dogs allowed.
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Family Movie Night:
Friday, August 7 @ 8pm
Gather your friends and family, grab a blanket and join us for the screening of "Hoopers". Ice cream, snacks, and drinks will be available for purchase.
Touch-a-Truck:
Friday, August 21 @ 5pm
Get ready for a hands-on adventure! This exciting family-friendly event lets kids explore, climb on, and interact with trucks, emergency vehicles, construction equipment, and more.
Events are held on the Bay Property, are family-friendly, and free.
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Community Pool Extended Season
The Brewster Recreation Department is pleased to announce that the Community Pool season has been extended through Sunday August 30, 2026, with abbreviated operating hours during the final two weeks of the season.
Pool Hours
- Now through Sunday August 16: 6:00am – 6:00pm
- Monday August 17 – Sunday August 30: 8:00am – 3:00pm
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