Welcome
We are thrilled to launch our new monthly newsletter! We hope you find it interesting and informative.
Over the past several years, the Town has made a concerted effort to expand our outreach activities and build on our commitment to communicating with residents. Our new Town website won a state award for enhanced functionality in 2024 and we've been recognized with a national award for best practices in budget presentation and transparency for our online budget platform for the past two years.
Last year, we developed a formal communications plan that identified some new and different opportunities for us to better connect with our residents. This newsletter represents an important next step in making sure we are sharing timely information with the community in accessible, meaningful, and impactful ways.
Each month, we will showcase one of our committees and one of our departments, and we will profile a few of our many outstanding volunteers and staff. We will share out project updates and the latest news on the Sea Camps. We will also highlight recent and upcoming events and activities that may interest you.
Thank you for tuning in!
Peter Lombardi
Town Manager
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Table of Contents
From the Manager's Desk
Welcome
Committee Corner
Recreation Commission
Department Profile
Recreation
Meet Our Team
Michael Gradone,
Recreation Director
Project Updates
Millstone Road
Sea Camps Spotlight
In Focus
Town Meeting & Election Recap
Public Service Recognition
Seasonal Items
Beach Permits
Community Pool
Events
Juneteenth Celebration
Brewster Conservation Day
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Committee Corner
Recreation Commission
Meets last Thursday of the month | 5pm
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Recreation Needs Assessment
Open Space and Recreation Plan
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There is more to Recreation than just youth sports! You may have seen or taken the Recreation Needs Assessment survey this past winter. Your responses as part of the assessment will help shape future programming for all ages and evaluate facility needs to best serve the community. We will be reviewing the final report in a joint meeting with the Select Board in July - so stay tuned.
In recent years, we have helped form the policies at the Brewster Community Pool and have helped guide and support the Recreation Department's move to the Bay Property for summer of 2025.
The Commission has also recently reviewed the recreation-related action items in the Open Space and Recreation Plan. Recreation means different things to different people, so if your idea of leisure time includes reading long planning documents, you can dive into the Open Space and Recreation Plan online.
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Meet the Chair
Roland Bassett
Years served: Forever & 1 day
(38 years)
Q: What is one thing you wish the public knew about the commission?
The Recreation Commission oversees the Town’s Recreation Department and its programs to promote health, fitness, play, recreation, and sport for people of all ages. The Commission establishes policies, programs, and the fee structure.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Brewster?
I enjoy seeing the cooperation between Town employees and volunteers working together to make our programs and events second to none.
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Meet a Member
Chris Ellis
Years served: 2
Q: What motivated you to serve on this commission?
I enjoy seeing our work in action. I was inspired by first participating, then coaching with Rec.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Brewster?
I feel very lucky to raise a family in a place with such natural beauty and sense of community.
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Department Profile
Recreation
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The Recreation Department provides programs and events for people of all ages. We provide offerings like youth sports, adult sports, after school programs, Summer Rec, and family events.
| | | The Brewster Recreation Department has seen significant growth in the past 3-4 years. We now have 2 full time staff, as well as 2 part time staff. We have expanded both our program offerings and events. We also have the responsibility of running the community pool at the Sea Camps. | |
Meet Our Team
Mike Gradone - Director, Recreation Department
Years served: 7
Q: What is one of your favorite things about your position?
I have a wonderful staff and we get to create and implement programs that our community are passionate about. We also get to promote the three pillars of Parks & Recreation - Health & Wellness, Equity, and Environmental Resilience.
I grew up in Brewster and feel extremely privileged to be back serving the community that I grew up in.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Cape Cod?
Salt in the air and sand in my toes! I couldn't live anywhere without water nearby. Between the great ocean beaches and the clean kettle ponds, we have it all.
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Summer Rec Moves to the Bay Property
We have been looking at the opportunity of moving our Summer Rec program over to the Bay Property for the past several years.
With 260 kids and 30 staff this summer, we are excited to incorporate the beach, the pool, and extra open space into the Summer Rec programing. We are also thrilled to offer an afternoon session for the first time!
We understand that this is another huge lift for a small department, but it is an extremely unique opportunity for us. We have put a lot of thought into the move and have worked with other Town Departments to make sure we have a safe and successful transition for Summer Rec 2025.
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Summer Nights on the Lawn
Join Brewster Rec for these free, family friendly events held on the front lawn at the Sea Camps Bay Property.
DJ Dance Party
Thursday, July 24 - 6pm
Family Movie Night
A Minecraft Movie
Friday, August 8 - 8pm
Touch-A-Truck
Friday, August 22 - 5pm
Learn more about what Brewster Recreation has to offer.
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Project Update
Millstone Road
The Millstone Road improvement project continues to make significant progress. Some of the construction that has been completed to date includes the installation of new stormwater infrastructure and curbing. Additionally, road shoulders have been widened and the existing surface has been graded and paved. Another coat of asphalt will be applied to the entire road in June to ensure a smooth, safe driving surface before summer. Utility work will continue during the summer months but road construction will be paused.
The finish paving and sidewalk work are expected to be completed in fall 2025, with the project slated for substantial completion by winter 2025. Thank you for your continued patience as we work toward wrapping up this important project, which will improve safety and traffic flow along Millstone Road.
As construction progresses, please stay informed through the Town's social media pages and updated Millstone Road project page. For any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at 508-896-3212.
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We are excited to announce that there will be expanded public access to the properties this summer and beyond, one of our key goals over the past year. Starting June 14, the Bay Property on Route 6A will be open 7 days a week from 6 AM to 8 PM. While you will still need a Brewster resident beach sticker to park in the lots by First Light Beach and the Brewster Community Pool, there will be public parking by the administration building for the first time. In addition, beach parking permits will not be required at the Pond Property lot this summer.
A big thank you to everyone who participated in our two listening sessions this spring and to those who completed our recent survey - we had almost 1500 responses! We are looking forward to sharing a community feedback report soon. We appreciate your input and support as we continue to carefully shape the Sea Camps properties into a wonderful resource for our Brewster community.
The Sea Camps Advisory Committee is comprised of nine volunteers. We meet on a regular basis at Town Hall on Wednesday afternoons. Residents are invited to attend our meetings. More information about can be found on the Sea Camps project page.
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In Focus
Town Meeting Recap
On Monday May 5, over 275 Brewster residents gathered at the Stony Brook Elementary School for Annual Town Meeting. All warrant articles were presented and voted upon.
- Cape Cod Technical High School, Elementary Schools, and Nauset Regional School budgets were all approved.
- Operating budgets for the Town, Water Department and Golf Department Enterprise Funds were approved.
- All Community Preservation Act funding, including $550,000 for the Stony Brook Elementary Playground, was approved.
- Capital & Special Project expenditures, including $150,000 for the demolition of some Sea Camps buildings, were approved.
- The Preschool Family Support Pilot Program was adopted for FY26.
- A Citizen’s Petition for a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan, presented by the Brewster Ponds Coalition, was indefinitely postponed. An update to the Integrated Water Resource Management Plan was funded in Article 10, to include a section on wastewater management.
- A Citizen’s Petition for electronic voting machines was defeated by a vote of 123-131.
- A Citizen’s Petition for Medicare for All in Massachusetts, which asked Town Meeting to support pending state legislation, was approved.
View the full results online. The recording of the Annual Town Meeting is available to watch online.
Election Results
Meet your newly elected board and committee members from the May 20, 2025 Town Election.
Select Board
- Harvey Pete Dahl
- Carline McCarley
Board of Health
- David Bennett
- Penny Holeman
Planning Board
- Carmel Ann Gilberti (1 year term)
- Antone Joseph Freitas (4 year term)
- Elizabeth G. Taylor (4 year term)
Recreation Commission
- Marie K. Enochty
- Peter James Jelinek
Brewster Housing Authority
Brewster School Committee
- Marie K. Enochty
- Katie Miller Jacobus
| | Public Service Recognition | | |
The first week of May was Public Service Recognition Week. The Town of
Brewster formally recognized public service volunteers and employees at the May Town Meeting. Read more about them.
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Environmental Leadership
Meg Morris
Waste Reduction & Recycling Commission, Chair
2012 - Present
Meg's leadership includes guiding the Pay-As-You-Throw launch and banning disposable plastics and nip bottles. She serves as the co-coordinator of Beautify Brewster, and launched an organics recycling program in Brewster schools to engage a new generation of recyclers.
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Recreational Leadership
Anne O’Connell
Golf Commission
2011-Present
Anne has been a Golf Commissioner for 14 years, seven as Chair. Her leadership was crucial in navigating financial challenges and the pandemic. With Anne’s guidance, the Golf Department became an enterprise fund in 2022, and since 2020, the Captains has been able to take on much needed capital projects.
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Community Leadership
Dr. Carmen Scherzo
Board of Health
Dog Park Development Committee
A retired veterinarian, Dr. Scherzo was the Board of Health liaison to the Dog Park Development Committee and helped guide the long process to build the dog park. He is co-founder and President of the Friends of Brewster Dog Park, a volunteer group that works to keep the park a safe and enjoyable environment for dogs and their people.
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Financial Leadership
Robert Tobias
Finance Committee
2020 - Present
Robert has been a dedicated liaison to the Nauset Regional School Committee. He’s worked to create better understanding of regional school budgets. Robert created a budget primer for fellow committee members, and was instrumental in this year’s successful budget workshop, that was attended by leaders from all four towns in the district.
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Barbara Mahoney,
Treasurer/Collector's Office
Barbara is knowledgeable and resourceful when helping residents who come to her desk. Her pleasant demeanor and care for her work leaves taxpayers walking away with a smile.
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Scott Romer,
Fire Prevention Officer
Scott is a positive role model for the FD and the community. Scott leads by example, is always willing to help, and puts others first.
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Matt Silva,
Water Department Operator
Matt provides exemplary community and professional service. He is what you want in an employee - thorough, precise, and detailed. You can rely on him to do the best job every time, for every task. He explains details to both his customers and peers.
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Jill Scalise,
Housing Coordinator
Jill has a deep and personal commitment to the health, happiness, and welfare of the entire Brewster community. Her housing work is centered on the humanity of those she works with. She is a champion for justice and fairness, an advocate for the underdog, and she celebrates the inalienable dignity of all people. Her work is calling and not a job, going far beyond what is expected. She is a recognized expert and leader across the region, and a go-to for innovation, guidance, and advice in the housing field.
| | | | Beach & Recycling Center Permits | |
Beach permits required:
June 15 - August 31, 2025
Recycling Center permits required:
July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
| Purchase online or through the mail-in program. There are no in-person sales of permits. | | |
Brewster Community Pool
June 14 - August 17 | 6am - 6pm
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Open 7 days a week.
See Recreation website to sign up and for full schedule.
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Juneteenth Celebration
June 19, 2025 | 10am-1pm |
Drummer Boy Park | Free
Music, guest speakers, activities, food trucks and more!
Join us for this family-friendly event.
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Brewster Conservation Day
July 12, 2025 | 9:30am - 1:30pm |
Sea Camps Bay Property | Free
New location, same great event!
Brewster Conservation Day will be held on the lawn at the Bay Property.
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