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From the Assistant Town Manager's Desk
Welcome summer and all the wonderful opportunities that it brings to our community- from long days on the Brewster Flats, followed by ice cream cones and Brewster Whitecaps games, to sunsets at Paines Creek. While we all look forward to summer on the Cape, the work of local government does not slow down during this busy season. With more people in town enjoying summer fun, beaches and parks need to be maintained, traffic and events managed and fire department staff respond to more calls. Restaurant and business inspections, water sampling, annual beach and recycle permits and shellfish programs-your local government manages them all with a limited increase in seasonal staff. We all, including our local businesses, put in extra time and effort in the summer months.
This summer is very special as our country turns 250 years old. Internally, we also have some significant milestones in our organization as our long time Treasurer Collector, Lisa Vitale retires in August. We say thank you for her commitment to this community over 22+ years. We are happy to welcome Carrie Guiliano, our Assistant Treasurer Collector into this role with Tatiana Santos moving from payroll coordinator to the Assistant Treasurer Collector. This team has been well trained for a big transition and to continue the exemplary work of the Finance offices. We also say goodbye and congratulations to Rob Campbell who has been with the Captains Golf Course for 41 years and Dee Schofield who has been a dispatcher with the Police Department for 30 years.
As we celebrate America 250 and as many of us log long hours in the summer months, remember to enjoy what people flock here for and take time to take in a sunset or two.
Donna Kalinick
Assistant Town Manager
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Table of Contents
From the Assistant Town Manager's Desk
Committee Corner
Water Resources Task Force
Department Profile
Facilities
Meet Our Team
Tom Thatcher
Project Updates
Nauset Public Schools Efficiency & Regionalization Study
Sea Camps Spotlight
Grants & Project Planning
In Focus
Select Board Invitation for Input for Annual Goal Setting
Important Dates
Brewster Conservation Day
Brewster Historical Preservation Awards
Da Hedge
Seasonal Items
Stony Brook Mill Sites Summer Saturdays
Crosby Mansion Open Houses
Recreation Summer Nights
Helpful Information & Reminders
Good Neighbor Fund
Bathing Beach Water Quality
Pond Cyanobacteria Monitoring
Mandatory Water Restrictions
Pets on the Bay Property
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Committee Corner
Water Resources Task Force
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Protecting Water Resources | | |
Brewster has long recognized that protecting its water resources requires a coordinated, community-wide approach. The Town first adopted an Integrated Water Resources Management Plan in 2009 to guide the protection and management of its interconnected water resources. Groundwater, surface waters, drinking water supplies, freshwater ponds, marine waters, stormwater, and wastewater systems are all interconnected. Decisions affecting one resource often influence others, making it essential to evaluate and manage them through a single, integrated planning framework.
In line with this philosophy of coordinating water quality planning, the Town Manager established the Water Resources Task Force (WRTF) in 2022. The WRTF brings together Town staff, committee chairs, and representatives from community organizations involved in water resource protection. The Task Force advises the Select Board on water policy, helps coordinate implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan, and provides a forum for collaboration across departments and stakeholder groups.
The WRTF is comprised of the following members:
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Peter Lombardi, Town Manager
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Chris Miller, Director of the Natural Resources Department
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Dan Syriala, Health Director
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Jon Idman, Town Planner
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Amanda Bebrin, Select Board liaison to the Cape Cod & Islands Water Protection Fund Board
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David Bennett, Board of Health designee
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Kim Crocker Pearson, Natural Resources Advisory designee
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J. David Jacobs, Brewster Ponds Coalition designee
This membership structure benefits from the group’s collective expertise, interdisciplinary perspective, and community participation. The Horsley Witten Group, the Town’s long-time water resources consultant, that helped prepare the original integrated plan, provides professional/ technical support to the WRTF.
Most recently, the Task Force has been focused on advising and helping guide:
- Updating the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan, including revised implementation strategies and timelines.
- Preparing Brewster's first Pond Management Plan, which is currently in draft form.
- Monitoring changes to Massachusetts water protection regulations—including Title 5 and watershed permitting requirements—and educating the public about their implications.
- Renewing and updating the Pleasant Bay Watershed Permit.
- Advancing watershed permitting for the Herring River, Swan Pond River, and Bass River watersheds.
- Reviewing and recommending revisions to Brewster's public health and zoning regulations related to protection of the Town's water resources.
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"The WRTF brings together the key staff members and commission chairs dealing with water quality issues and protection, and allows them to share their expertise. The task force has been focused on a number of issues, including aquifer and surface water quality, and an update to our Integrated Water Resources Management Plan. They also have professional technical assistance from a Hydrogeologist with the Horsley Witten Group and a representative from the Brewster Ponds Coalition."
-Chris Miller, Director of the Natural Resources Department
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Presentation of the IWRMP to the Select Board
Monday, July 27 at 6pm
Join the Select Board for a presentation of the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan (IWRMP) at their Monday, July 27 meeting.
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Department Profile
Facilities
Our interaction with the public is minimal due to operating in the field carrying out repair and maintenance projects. We typically greet folks coming in for business as we love for them to feel at home. It is our mission to extend the lifespan of our buildings by providing responsive, cost-effective, and high-quality services in the operation, maintenance, and repair of our Town Facilities.
In addition to providing excellent standards of custodial services, we also assist our fellow colleagues during town special events in the operations of Annual/Special Town Meetings and Local/State Elections.
In total, our department maintains ten different buildings across town.
I have a wonderful group of men that I work with, and we all learn from each other. Ed Barber, Demion Bucknor, Peter Kobani and Richard Archer, thank you for all hard work and support, it shows every day! - Tom Thatcher
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Meet Our Team
Tom Thatcher
Director of Facilities
Years with Brewster: 27 Years
Q: What is one of your favorite things about your position?
I love working with my hands, it allows me to be creative which makes the job enjoyable!
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Cape Cod?
Clam chowder and fried scallops, we have amazing seafood restaurants.
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Preparing New Office Space
The office space in the lower level of Town Hall that had been home to the Chamber of Commerce for decades, will soon welcome the IT and Media Services Departments. It is not often that an office space is empty of things and people, making the transition a unique opportunity to freshen the space.
With the help of Senior Work Off volunteer Dave Berton the walls were patched and painted; the wood work washed and re-coated; the carpet cleaned. This work was completed in-house by Tom and the volunteer.
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Project Update
Elementary School Efficiency & Regionalization Study
Over the past year, representatives from the towns of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet, in partnership with Nauset Public School officials, have been engaged in a district-wide study to better understand how to sustain strong schools in the face of declining enrollment, aging facilities, and rising costs.
This work focused on our five elementary schools and the middle school. It includes detailed analysis of school buildings, enrollment trends, and educational programming, along with input from community members, school leaders, and staff across all four towns. Together, this input helped shape a shared set of priorities that define what a “thriving school” looks like in Nauset.
From June 2 to June 8, findings from the study were shared out at a series of public presentations in each town. The sessions provided four regionalization scenarios that reflect different ways the district could organize schools, programs, and resources and other potential efficiency considerations, including governance and programming approaches, that are not directly tied to a particular scenario.
It is important to note that the study does not make specific recommendations or decisions – it is the first step in a long-range planning process that will take years to work through. The scenarios are tools to support discussion and future decision-making - the merits of each are examined. Any decisions about changes to schools or district structure will be made by the individual towns and Nauset Public Schools.
These sessions were an opportunity to learn about the study and better understand the range of possible paths forward. The Brewster presentation with Q&A is available to watch online.
Volume 1 - Final Report (Read me online!)
Volume 2 - Appendix A: Analysis Report
Volume 3 - Appendices B-L
Next steps
The Steering Committee will continue to meet to develop next steps and future public engagement opportunities. Meeting again in July, the committee will discuss resident feedback provided during the presentations and submitted to members throughout June.
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Sea Camps Spotlight
Grants & Project Planning
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The Town is continuing to advance the Sea Camps Bay Property Comprehensive Plan Phasing Program (Bay Property Revised Phase 1 & 2 Program). The first phase of the Comprehensive Plan includes the design, permitting and construction of a new water main (taking offline the existing water main in the dunes), a new fiber optic utility loop, remediation and demolition of up to 34 buildings, construction of four tennis courts, workforce housing improvements for the Main Administration Building and the Westcott House, limited field refurbishments, dune restoration, a new parking lot for the boathouse and nature center and septic system improvements for the boathouse and Westcott House. In order to minimize the cost of these projects, Town staff, with the assistance of our partners and consultants, have been identifying and applying for applicable grants for the various projects.
To date, Town staff has or will be submitting the following grants for each of the listed projects below:
- Water Main
- Grant application submitted through the MA Coastal Zone Management for approximately $588,800 to cover the construction.
- Fiber Optic Loop
- Community Compact Information Technology Grant received for $250,000 to cover the construction.
- Tennis Courts & Limited Field Refurbishment
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United States Tennis Association grant submitted for up to $35,000 per court for a total of $140,000 (4 courts total) to cover a portion of construction for the Tennis Courts.
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Community Preservation Committee grant submitted for $650,000 to cover construction for the tennis courts and limited field refurbishments.
- Dune Restoration
- Grant application submitted through the MA Coastal Zone Management for $355,600 to cover the construction.
- Westcott House Septic Improvements
- The Town will be submitting a Seasonal Communities grant application to cover the design and construction for an innovative alternative (IA) septic system for the Westcott House. It is anticipated that the available grant money for the Town of Brewster will be approximately $90,000.
We hope to be successful with grants but will revisit phasing and financing as needed. We are also looking to balance the amount of construction work that is being conducted on the site. It is anticipated that Projects in the Fall 2026 through the Spring 2027 will include the Water Main Replacement, Fiber Optic Loop Construction, Building Demolition, Tennis Court Construction, Westcott House Septic Improvements and Administration Building Renovations and therefore we expect the Property to be closed during this time.
We look forward to continuing to advance these projects and improving the experience for residents and visitors on the Bay Parcel.
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In Focus
What do you think the Select Board should prioritize for the coming (fiscal) year?
The Select Board will meet for their annual goal setting session this summer where they will develop an updated Strategic Plan that reflects our current collective community goals and serves as a guide to prioritizing initiatives and policies across the organization over the next two years.
Resident input is crucial to this goal setting process!
Looking for ideas? Check out the Local Comprehensive Plan or consider the following topics:
- Community Character
- Water Resources
- Open Space
- Housing
- Coastal Management
- Local Economy
- Governance
- Community Infrastructure
- Solid Waste Management
- Climate Mitigation & Adaptation
Email TownManager@brewster-ma.gov by July 17 with your ideas. The Select Board will meet in August for their annual retreat to discuss!
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Important Dates
Brewster Conservation Day- Conservation Begins at Home
The Department of Natural Resources, Brewster Conservation Trust and the Brewster Pond Coalition invite you to Brewster Conservation Day on Saturday July 11, from 9:30am to 1:30pm at the Sea Camps Bay Property.
Brewster Historical Awards
Kick off America's 250th anniversary celebrations by honoring local history! The Brewster Historical Commission is inviting nominations for its inaugural Historical Preservation Awards. The program recognizes excellence in exterior restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of properties, landscapes, or sites at least 75 years or older.
For more information, including eligibility requirements and nomination forms, please visit the Brewster Historical Commission page. Nominations close August 31, with the awardees announced at the end of September.
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Join us at "Da Hedge"
Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) riders will be pedaling through Brewster to raise funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on Sunday, August 2, 7am-9am. Come be part of the excitement and community spirit! Open to all ages, bring a chair and a noisemaker!
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Stony Brook Gristmill Summer Saturdays
June 27 - August 29
10am - 2pm
See the millworks in motion and watch the miller grinding corn. Fresh ground organic cornmeal is available to purchase. In the museum upstairs, learn about Brewster’s Factory Village and 19th Century Cape Cod life. The mill and museum are family-friendly and admission is free.
(No dogs, please.)
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Crosby Mansion Open House Tours
Tuesdays & Thursdays
June 30 - September 1
10am - 3pm
Step back in time and learn the amazing tale of Albert and Matilda Crosby and the many incarnations of this lovingly restored jewel of Brewster. Tours are self-guided but Docents are available to answer questions.
Suggested $7 donation for adults, children under 12 are free.
Last entry is 2pm
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Summer Nights on the Lawn
The Recreation Department will be hosting 3 free family-friendly events at the Bay Property:
- DJ Dance Party: Thursday, July 23 at 6pm
- Family Movie Night: Hoopers - Friday, August 7 at 8pm
- Touch-A-Truck: Friday, August 21 at 5pm
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Contribute to the Good Neighbor Fund
Since the inception of the Good Neighbor Fund the Town has awarded just over $62,000 to more than 55 Brewster residents in need.
Thanks to your generous donations, the Town has been able to help our residents with:
- mortgage and rent payments
- medical bills
- childcare cost
- utility bills
- car payments
- insurance payments
- and other needs
If you would like to partner with the Town so that we may continue to support your neighbors in need - donate online to the Good Neighbor Fund.
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Pond Cyanobacteria Monitoring
The Brewster Health Department works in conjunction with the Brewster Ponds Coalition and Brewster Department of Natural Resources to monitor for cyanobacteria in Brewster Ponds. The Health Department maintains an up-to-date risk assessment of the 20 ponds that are regularly tested. Please visit Cyanobacteria in Brewster Ponds | Town of Brewster to see the current status of these ponds.
If you have any questions, please contact the Health Department at 508-896-3701 x1120.
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Mandatory Water Restrictions
As of May 1, the Water Commissioners imposed mandatory restrictions on outdoor watering due to on-going drought conditions and low monitoring well levels.
These mandatory restrictions establish an alternating (odd/even) schedule for outdoor watering based upon house number and calendar date. Properties with odd number street addresses may water on odd number calendar days and properties with even number addresses may water on even number calendar days.
More information is available online, including approved uses.
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Pets on the Bay Property
To help keep the Bay Property safe and enjoyable for everyone, please remember that all pets must be leashed at all times throughout the property, in accordance with the Select Board's policy for First Light Beach and Related Parking (section B-9).
Additionally, between now and September 15, per the Board of Health, all dogs, horses and pets (except service animals) are prohibited from public ponds, landings, beaches, and tidal flats.
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