From the Manager's Desk
Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in our Annual Town Meeting. We know it was a late night, especially for those of you who stayed until its conclusion. We appreciate your patience, commitment, and involvement in shaping the future of Brewster.
Here are some of the meeting highlights:
- All 29 warrant articles were presented and voted on – all but Article 27 (Dog Leash Bylaw Citizens Petition) were approved.
- Over 700 residents were in attendance.
- The Cape Cod Technical High School, Brewster Elementary Schools, and Nauset Regional School budgets were approved.
- Operating budgets for the Town, Water Department, and Golf Department Enterprise Funds were approved.
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Three overrides were approved (Brewster Elementary Schools, Nauset Regional Schools, and Town Operating Budgets) as were the new union contracts. The overrides are also subject to approval by voters at the May 19 local election.
- The creation of the Preschool Family Support Revolving Fund was approved.
- A new general bylaw, Short-Term Rental Registration & Inspection, was approved.
- Two citizen petitions to limit public uses on all 70 acres of the Sea Camps Pond Property to conservation, open space, and water supply protection only were approved.
Full meeting results are now available. For more details on these articles, please review the Town Meeting warrant.
The recording of the Annual Town Meeting is available to watch online.
In honor of Public Service Recognition Week, I'd like to extend a special thank you to the entire outstanding Brewster team who made Town Meeting possible and who work on your behalf every day.
Peter Lombardi
Town Manager
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Table of Contents
From the Manager's Desk
Town Meeting Recap
Committee Corner
Planning Board
Department Profile
Community Planning & Land Use Management
Meet Our Team
Jon Idman, Town Planner
Tom Delaney,
Building Commissioner
Project Updates
Elementary School Efficiency & Regionalization Study
Sea Camps Spotlight
Seasonal Events at the Bay Property
In Focus
Age-Friendly Designation
Shellfish Constable of the Year - Ryan Burch
Important Dates
Annual Election
Seasonal Items
Mandatory Water Restrictions
2026 Beach, Recycling & Shellfish Permit Sales
Pool Information
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Committee Corner
Planning Board
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Stewards of Zoning, Land Use, & Planning | | |
Left to right - Steve Ferris, Rob Michaels, Carmel Gilberti, Elizabeth Taylor
Not pictured - Alex Wentworth (chair), Tony Freitas, Madalyn Hillis-Dineen
| | The Planning Board is a great opportunity to get involved in decisions that affect every resident of the town now and into the future. While the work on planning and zoning can be challenging, being on a team of dedicated volunteers makes it easier. The board members truly strive to hear every side of an issue in order to create policy that reflects the will of the public and follows the rules set forth in the bylaws. A recent example of this work is the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Mixed-Use bylaw amendments adopted at our last town meeting and approved by the Attorney General. While the board works very well together it would be impossible without the tireless support of our staff - Jon Idman and Lynn St. Cyr. | |
Stormwater Management Listening Session
Wednesday May 13, 2026, at 6:30 PM
This is a great opportunity to learn about our Stormwater Management Bylaw and share your thoughts as the Town considers potential updates to the bylaw and its accompanying regulations. The Stormwater Management Bylaw and Regulations can be found on the Town website here: Stormwater Management | Town of Brewster. Residents, business owners, design professionals, and interested community members are encouraged to attend.
You can also join us on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84107781002?pwd=VTVSV1ExaUNCL253NmNZV21Gdmo4dz09 Webinar ID: 841 0778 1002 | Passcode: 612505 or by phone at (312) 626‑6799 or (301) 715‑8592.
If you’d like to share feedback ahead of time, please email brewplan@brewster-ma.gov or send written comments to the Brewster Planning Board, 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631. All comments will be shared with the Planning Board and may be shared during the session.
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Meet the Chair
Alex Wentworth
Years served: 4
Q: What is one thing you wish the public knew about the board?
We really do encourage engagement from the public at our meetings
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Brewster?
The open space and recreation.
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Meet a Member
Rob Michaels
Years served: 4
Q: What motivated you to serve on the board?
I decided to serve on the Planning Board because it was an opportunity to join the community discussion about land use and protection and to propose changes to zoning bylaws that the public wants. It is motivating to see how many residents and town departments work hard to keep Brewster such a desirable community for living, working, and vacationing. Planning board members are very open to and respectful of each other's opinions and we have excellent support from Jon & Lynn in the Planning Office.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Brewster?
Whatever your recreational interests are, Brewster has woods, ponds and beaches in which to enjoy. My five daughters and two grandchildren love coming to Brewster for the Rec programs, the summer camps and the ice cream shops.
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Department Profile
Community Planning and Land Use Management
(previously known as the Planning Department, Housing Office
and Building Department)
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The Community Planning & Land use Management (CPLUM) department coordinates the Town's land use regulatory, planning, and community development functions in order to deliver services and information to the public with efficiency, effectiveness and consistency.
The three offices that make up CPLUM work together, along with community partners and other town departments to promote comprehensive, sustainable land use and community development strategies to preserve, protect and enhance the quality of life in the Town.
Last year, the Town consolidated the Planning Department, Housing Office, and Building Department under a single department to take better advantage of the shared resources, opportunities for enhanced communication, and collaboration. This organizational framework allows a direct bridge between permitting and regulatory functions, and the land use planning and policies that inform them. Another goal of this new approach is to make the permitting process easier to navigate for our residents and businesses.
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Meet Our Team
Tom Delaney
Building Commissioner
Years with Brewster: 3
Q: What is one of your favorite things about your position?
One of my favorite things about working in the Building Department is helping people understand that the hoops they may have to jump though are wider than they think and that I will be there to help them navigate the process.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Cape Cod?
One of my favorite things about Cape Cod is the beauty of all of the seasons. Spending time on our beaches and trails in the fall, winter, and spring has just as much beauty as the summer.
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Meet Our Team
Jon Idman
Town Planner
Years with Brewster: 4
Q: What is one of your favorite things about your position?
I enjoy supporting the Planning Board. The Town is fortunate to have a dedicated, effective and highly functional board that cares deeply about the town and one another. They are very different from one another but still find common ground.
I enjoy working for Brewster. There still exists a distinct culture and community here. At a high level, most folks in town agree more than they disagree about what’s important. I appreciate that there still exists in Brewster a distinct culture and community. In general, most folks in town agree more than they disagree about what's important. I also value Brewster’s independent streak.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Cape Cod?
Dark night skies
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Project Update
Elementary School Efficiency & Regionalization Study
Informational Session June 4, 6pm | Brewster Town Hall & Zoom
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.
What will be shared at the final presentations:
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Critical data and key findings from the assessment of facilities, enrollment, and programs
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Four regionalization scenarios that reflect different ways the district could organize schools, programs, and resources
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Other potential efficiency considerations, including governance and programming approaches, that are not directly tied to a particular scenario
What this study is - and what it is not:
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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
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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 – no immediate impacts
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The study does not include the high school
Join Us for Final Presentations
All presentations are open to the public. They will start at 6PM and will be held at Town Hall in each community. Residents can attend in person or via Zoom. The presentations will be live streamed and recorded. They will be joint sessions of the Select Board and School Committee from each respective town. The content will be the same at each meeting.
- Tuesday June 2 – Orleans
- Wednesday June 3 – Wellfleet
- Thursday June 4 – Brewster
- Monday June 8 – Eastham
These sessions are an opportunity to learn about the study findings and better understand the range of possible paths forward. It will also highlight potential next steps for Town and school leaders.
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Sea Camps Spotlight
Seasonal Events at the Bay Property
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The Brewster Recreation Department and Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee would like to invite families to the 2026 Brewster Bike Fest! The day will also include a fun bike rodeo course. This is a FREE event. Snacks and drinks will be provided for everyone!
Event includes:
- Bike clinic
- Safety tips
- Vendors
- Bike checks
- Kids bike rodeo
- Bike & helmet fittings
- Bike/bus loading demonstration
- Free water bottles
Health Fair | Friday May 15 | 2pm-4pm | Dining Hall
We invite you to attend our fifth annual Health & Wellness Fair! This year, over 40 organizations will be present, offering valuable information on topics ranging from healthy eating to home modifications, veteran's needs, and so much more.
Event highlights:
- Blood pressure screenings
- Cardio Checks
- Meet the Hearts & Paws Comfort Dogs!
Celebrating Older American's Month | Thursday, May 21 | 1-3pm | Boat House
Join the COA in celebrating our older residents on Thursday May 21 at the Bay Property Boat House 1pm-3pm. There will be live music, light refreshments, and a new Living Legacy display.
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In Focus
Age-Friendly Community Designation
The Brewster Council on Aging (COA) continues to build on their Dementia Friendly Community certificate by joining the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities.
AARP helps participating communities to become more livable and age-friendly by creating safer and more walkable streets, needed housing and transportation options, better access to key services, and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities. The COA will continue to work with residents, families, and local partners to assess needs, develop an action plan, and launch programs and improvements aligned with AARP’s age-friendly framework.
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Shellfish Constable of the Year
Congratulations to Senior Shellfish and Natural Resource Officer, Ryan Burch, on being awarded this year’s Shellfish Constable of the Year by the Massachusetts Shellfish Officers Association (MSOA).
Each year, a shellfish constable who demonstrates outstanding dedication to the profession of shellfish management is selected and honored with this statewide award. Ryan was unanimously supported by his peers for 2026.
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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.
| | Beach & Recycling Center Permits | |
Beach permits required:
June 15, 2026 - September 6, 2026
Recycling Center permits required:
July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
| Purchase online or through the mail-in program. There are no in-person sales of permits. | | | | |
Community Pool Memberships
Summer 2026 memberships are on sale!
Registration for swim lessons and water aerobics opened on May 11.
Community Pool will be open from June 13, 2026, through August 16, 2026.
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