In light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, Governor Baker issued an emergency Order on March 12, 2020 allowing public bodies greater flexibility in utilizing technology in the conduct of meetings under the Open Meeting Law. The Town of Brewster greatly values the participation of its citizens in the public meeting process but, given the current circumstances and recommendations at both the state and federal levels to limit or avoid public gatherings, including Governor Baker’s ban on gatherings of more than 25 people, together with the present closure of Brewster Town Hall and all other town offices to the public, the Town of Brewster has decided to implement the “remote participation” procedures allowed under Governor Baker’s emergency Order for all boards, committees, and commissions. This means that:
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All or any of the members of the public body may choose to participate in a public meeting via remote access. Meetings may be virtual, in their entirety.
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The public will not be allowed into a Board/Committee meeting, even where there are any members of the public body and/or Town of Brewster staff or official(s) physically present at the meeting location during the meeting. “Public comment” portions of meetings will be temporarily suspended. However, residents are encouraged to send written comments to the following relevant email addresses in advance of and/or duringeach meeting:
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All relevant comments will be verbally shared to Board and Committee members by Town staff at the appropriate time as part of the meeting proceedings and will be entered into the meeting minute records.
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All supporting materials for each of these meetings will be available in advance on the Town’s website. Both the web address for meeting materials and the email address for public comment will be listed on the board, committee, or commission meeting agenda.
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In addition, the public will be provided with alternative access through which they can watch or listen to meetings “in real time” via the livestreaming feature on our Town website and/or via Channel 18. Meeting notices will specify the manner in which members of the public may access audio or video of the meeting as it is occurring.
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If, despite our best efforts, our technological capabilities do not adequately support public access to virtual or remote meetings, the Town of Brewster will ensure that an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of the proceedings at the meeting is posted on the Town’s website as soon as possible after the meeting.
Notices for public hearings will contain additional information about how the public may participate via electronic/technological means.
For executive session meetings, public access to the meeting will be limited to the open session portion(s) of the meeting only. Public access to any audio, video, internet or web-based broadcast of the meeting will be discontinued when the public body enters executive session.
Where individuals have a right, or are required, to attend a public meeting or hearing, including executive session meetings, they will be provided with information about how to participate in the meeting/hearing remotely.
Meeting notices will still be posted at least 48 hours in advance (not counting Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays), unless it is an emergency meeting as defined under the Open Meeting Law (in which event, the meeting notice will be posted with as much advanced notice as is possible in the circumstances). Minutes will still be taken.
Please check individual meeting agendas on the calendar on the Town’s website, located at www.brewster-ma.gov for the latest information regarding meetings. Each meeting may experience unique circumstances that may require last minute changes in protocol, including cancellation or rescheduling. We appreciate your patience as we undergo this shift in a significant aspect of how the Town of Brewster conducts business.
To the Brewster community, your Fire and EMS personnel are looking a little different when they show up to emergency medical calls these days. Pictured, here is Firefighter/Paramedic Jared Hogg shown wearing some of the personal protective equipment commonly being worn by our staff members amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
The Brewster-Orleans-Chatham-Harwich (BOCH) Community Emergency Response Team delivered bags of groceries to military personnel and military families recently, including to Wells Court senior housing in Brewster.
