From the Manager's Desk
The Town is hosting our Fall Special Town Meeting on Monday November 17 at the Stony Brook Elementary School starting at 6PM - check-in starts at 5PM. Voters will be asked to deliberate on 14 articles, including one citizens petition. Highlights include:
- Article 5 seeks to appropriate Community Preservation Act funds for 2 projects.
- Article 6 is our standard capital and special projects funding request, totaling just over $2.75M, consistent with the Town's 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan.
- Article 7 is a stand alone Sea Camps capital funding request of just over $1M, consistent with the Town's updated phasing and financing plan. If both capital articles are approved, the Town will have about $1.5M remaining in available Free Cash.
- Our Short-Term Rental Task Force delivers their third and final update to Town Meeting with Article 10 - their full report and recommendations are available in the appendix of the warrant (more on that below).
- Lastly, the Planning Board is bringing another round of proposed zoning revisions to our accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaw via Article 12, largely to bring it into compliance with new state law under the Affordable Homes Act.
For more details about this Town Meeting, the Town is hosting an information session on Thursday November 6 at 7PM. We hope you join us on the 17th!
Peter Lombardi
Town Manager
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Table of Contents
From the Manager's Desk
Town Meeting
Committee Corner
Local Emergency Planning Committee
Department Profile
Fire & Rescue
Meet Our Team
Kevin Varley,
Fire Chief
Project Updates
Stony Brook Elementary School Playground
Sea Camps Spotlight
Preparing for Special Town Meeting
Getting to Know Your Select Board
Amanda Bebrin,
Vice Chair
In Focus
Short-Term Rental Task Force Report
Seasonal Items
Oyster Sunday- Food Drive
Veterans Day Ceremony & Closings
Events
NPS Regionalization & Efficiency Public Engagement Sessions
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Committee Corner
Local Emergency Planning Committee
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Brewster’s Local Emergency Planning Committee identifies areas of community vulnerability, prepares for all disasters whether natural or humanmade, coordinates the response of a variety of community agencies, and conducts training and exercises to improve preparedness.
The Committee is comprised of Town staff members from several key departments including Administration, Fire, Police, Building, Water, Public Works, Health, Natural Resources, Council on Aging, Finance, Information Technology, and Human Resources. The Committee works closely with the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee who provides the Regional Multi-Agency Coordination Agency and Regional Sheltering System during disasters and emergency events.
In 2021, the Town's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) was developed. The CEMP provides a framework for a community-wide emergency management system to ensure a coordinated response to emergencies and coordinated support of certain pre-planned events. The CEMP addresses the roles and responsibilities of all community departments, agencies, government organizations, volunteers and community partners that may be involved in response operations, and identifies how regional, state, federal, private sector, and other resources may be activated to address disasters and emergencies in the community.
The Committee developed the Brewster Emergency Preparedness Handbook to assist residents in times of emergency. The Handbook includes information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC).
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Department Profile
Fire & Rescue
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The Brewster Fire/Rescue Department is proud to serve our community with a team of highly trained and dedicated professionals. Our staff of duly trained firefighters and emergency medical service providers respond to emergencies with skill, care, and compassion—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A key part of our mission is preventing emergencies before they happen. Our Fire Prevention Officer plays a vital role in this effort, leading safety inspections, code enforcement, and public education programs that help keep residents and businesses safe.
The Brewster Fire/Rescue Department is a professional emergency response organization that:
- Preserves life and property through Fire Prevention and Suppression
- Provides Medical and Rescue services
- Promotes public safety through community outreach and education
Whether or not you’ve needed our help, we want you to know—we’re always here for you. Proudly serving Brewster with excellence in service.
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Meet Our Team
Kevin Varley
Fire Chief
Chief since: 2024
With BFD since: 2001
Q: What is one of your favorite things about your position?
One of the greatest privileges of being Fire Chief is leading a team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals who are committed to responding to the emergency fire related and medical needs of our community.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Cape Cod?
What I enjoy most about Cape Cod is being close to the ocean. On my days off, spending time on the water is the perfect way to relax and recharge.
Emergency Response and Community Services
Residents and visitors are encouraged to call 911 for all emergency needs.
The public is welcome to visit the Brewster Fire Department (Mon-Fri, 8AM-4PM) for non-emergencies such as routine blood pressure checks and fire prevention information.
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Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Prevention Week was October 5-11 and a great success in Brewster, highlighted by school visits from Fire Prevention Officer Romer, who taught students essential fire safety lessons.
The Brewster Fire Department also hosted an open house, giving families a behind-the-scenes look at fire equipment, station tours, and a chance to meet our local firefighters. This year’s NFPA theme, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home”, focused on educating the public about the safe use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries.
We’re proud to support this important initiative and help keep our community informed and prepared.
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Welcome Deputy Chief Sivert!
The Brewster Fire Department is pleased to introduce Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Sivert. Deputy Chief Sivert officially joined the department this August and brings 25 years of experience in the fire service. He is a certified EMT and he has served as an instructor at the Massachusetts Fire Academy, where he’s helped train and mentor firefighters from across the state.
Jeff’s extensive experience, leadership skills, and dedication to public safety make him a valuable addition to the Brewster Fire Department. We’re excited to have him on board!
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Project Update
Stony Brook Elementary School Playground Replacement Project
The Stony Brook Elementary School Playground is a popular spot- used by our elementary and pre-school students, Nauset Youth Alliance (NYA), and the public. It's also very popular with kids of all ages during Brewster Whitecaps games. The playground is currently going through a much-needed upgrade. The new playground will feature modern play equipment, handicap accessible play pieces and surfacing, and an updated basketball court area.
With funding from the Community Preservation Committee, a major donation from Nauset Youth Alliance and a gift from the Brewster Whitecaps, the project team (Brewster School Committee, Town Administration, NYA, and Nauset Public Schools) is working with M3 Land Studio, Pro-Built Designs, M.E. Obrien, and Childscapes to bring this new playground to our community. Active construction is ongoing and we are working to complete the project as soon as possible, weather dependent.
For information about this project, please contact the Town Manager's office, townmanager@brewster-ma.gov.
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Sea Camps Spotlight
Preparing for Town Meeting
Outreach tables at the Brewster Ladies' Library with the Sea Camps Advisory Committee!
Join committee members to learn more about the Sea Camps properties, the new approach to phasing and financing, and the upcoming Town Meeting Warrant article.
Wednesday, November 5 | 10am-11:30am
Sunday, November 9 | 1:30pm-3:30pm
Saturday, November 15 | 11:30am-4:30pm
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Getting to Know Your Select Board
Meet the Vice Chair
Amanda Bebrin
Elected 2024
Q: What is one thing you wish the public knew about the Select Board?
While most of our boards and committees have a very specific focus, the Select Board is responsible for a little bit (or a lot) of everything!
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Brewster?
The serenity of walking through the woods on one of our many beautiful (and well-maintained!) trails.
Office Hours
The Select Board hosts office hours the 1st Wednesday of each month at rotating locations. A different Select Board member takes part each month with either our Town Manager or Assistant Town Manager.
Please join us on Wednesday, November 5 at the Library
from 10am-11:30am!
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In Focus
Short-Term Rental Task Force Report
The Select Board created the Short-Term Rental Task Force (STRTF) in September 2024 to make progress towards their Strategic Plan goal under Community Character of "evaluate impacts of short-term rentals on the health, safety, and quality of life of our residents, on the local economy, and on year-round housing availability in our community; consider potential policy changes."
The STRTF began meeting in Fall 2024, with initial meetings focused on reviewing past citizens petitions brought forward to Town Meeting and the Town's major policy plans that all contain goals about evaluating the impacts on the community from short-term rentals. Throughout 2025, monthly meetings revolved around information gathered about:
- demographics
- data and statistics
- applicable laws
- finance and budgeting
- housing
- regulations
- registration and host compliance monitoring platforms
- the local economy
In Summer 2025, the STRTF began to analyze the information and draft findings and recommendations. With over 100 participants in attendance, a public listening session was held in August to gather feedback from various stakeholders and the community. The consensus of the STRTF was to establish a short-term rental registration, licensing and inspection program within Brewster. The registration process would be key to collecting and tracking data, which would be useful to help further assess the impacts of short-term rentals in the community.
The STRTF findings and recommendations are intended to assist the Select Board in policy making, budget development, and in prioritizing potential actions.
The Task Force has submitted six key recommendations that will be presented at the Special Town Meeting on November 17, 2025.
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Oyster Sunday Annual
Food Drive
Sunday November 23 | 6:45am - 8:30am | Mants Landing
Join the Dept. of Natural Resources for their annual food drive! Unexpired, non-perishable food items are collected on Sunday and delivered Monday to local food banks.
Can't make it to Oyster Sunday? Bring your items to the Natural Resources Office the week before.
Priority items include (but are not limited to):
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- Pasta Sauce
- Brown/White Rice/Rice Pilaf
- Canned Tomatoes
- Mayonnaise/Ketchup
- Name-Brand Cereal
- Olive Oil/Vegetable Oil
- Solid White Tuna
- Soups/Baked Beans
- Crackers
- Chicken/Beef Broth
- Ground Coffee - instant or regular
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- Toilet Paper
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Laundry Detergent
- Paper Towels
- Facial Tissues
- Diapers
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Veterans Day Ceremony & Closings
In honor of Veterans Day, we invite the Brewster community to join us for a special ceremony to recognize and thank the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
The ceremony will be held on Tuesday November 11 at 10am on the front lawn of the Council on Aging. In the event of inclement weather, we will gather at the Fire Department.
Office Closures:
All Town offices, including Town Hall, the Ladies Library, and the Recycling Center will be closed on Tuesday November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
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Nauset Elementary & Middle School Efficiency & Regional Study Community Engagement Sessions
Nauset Public Schools and the towns of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet are conducting an Efficiency & Regionalization Study to ensure our elementary and middle schools remain strong and sustainable for the future.
Community Engagement Sessions (6:00–7:30 PM):
Content will be the same at all meetings, attend one that works for you!
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