Brewster Current Cases: 107 (90 in long-term care facilities)
Please note - # of cases may differ from state or county totals based on data collection methods. Long term care facility data reported to the state database includes all residents and staff tested at the facility. Brewster totals only include residents and staff that reside in Brewster.
Brewster residents are encouraged to respond to the 2020 Census. Less than 50% of Brewster residents have responded to date, well below current statewide response rates. Data collected from the census impacts federal funding levels for education, transportation, housing, and important local social services. More information here.
Beginning Tuesday July 7, 2020, Town offices are open to the public. Town offices at Town Hall, the Department of Natural Resources, the Water Department, and Department of Public Works, will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays during normal hours of operation. Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to continue to access services remotely as they have for the past four months. Routine payments and applications can continue to be left in the dropboxes at building entrances. When Town offices are closed, phone messages and email correspondence will be answered promptly by Town staff.
Beach, Recycle or Shellfish permits will not be sold in person at Town Hall. Residents may purchase permits through the mail-in program or online. Non-resident day and season permit passes are available online only. Details about the Summer 2020 permit program are available here. The Chamber of Commerce Office in Town Hall is not open to the public this summer. Please visit their website for additional information https://brewster-capecod.com/.
All people entering Town offices to conduct business must have a face covering on, unless under the age of 5 or unable to due to a medical condition. Only one person will be allowed in each office at a time. People who are waiting to be served must maintain a distance of 6’ from the person in front of them. Before entering an office, you must sign-in for contact tracing purposes. If you have a specific issue or concern, please call ahead and make an appointment with the appropriate department. If you are looking to review plans or files, you must make an appointment and you will be provided a separate space.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
Seasonal Grounds Workers
The Captains Golf Course seeks individuals for seasonal grounds worker positions. Must be at least 18 years of age. Familiarity with various types of mowers and ability to work in adverse weather conditions. Familiarity with the game of golf is helpful. Pay range is $14.00 - $15.00 per hour.
Seasonal Pro-shop & Operations Workers
The Captains Golf Course seeks individuals for seasonal pro-shop staff, cart attendants and driving range staff. Must be able to work weekends and holidays, customer service skills are a must. Starting pay $12.75 per hour.
Please send Town employment application to contact@captainsgolfcourse.com Positions opened until filled. AA/EOE
On July 1, 2020, the Board of Assessors will begin accepting applications for FY2021 tax exemptions. Tax exemptions are available for qualifying primary resident seniors, veterans, and blind tax payers. Renewal applications have been mailed to those who received the exemption last year.
See the following guidance and application links for eligibility requirements. Please note that all elderly exemption applicants MUST make an appointment with Brenda Locke or Deb Johnson at the Council on Aging to submit and review their application materials. They can be reached at (508) 896-2737 or by email at blocke@brewster-ma.gov or djohnson@brewster-ma.gov .
Brewster Elderly Exemption Letter
Massachusetts Guides to Senior Property Tax Exemptions: https://www.mass.gov/doc/qualifying-senior-citizens/download ;https://www.mass.gov/doc/qualifying-surviving-spouses-minor-children-and-elderly-persons/download
Elderly Exemption Application: https://www.mass.gov/doc/form-96-1/download
Brewster Veterans Exemption Letter
Massachusetts Guide to Veterans Property Tax Exemptions: https://www.mass.gov/doc/qualifying-veterans/download
Veteran Exemption Application: https://www.mass.gov/doc/form-96-4/download
Brewster Blind Exemption Letter
Massachusetts Guide to Blind Persons Property Tax Exemptions: https://www.mass.gov/doc/blind-persons/download
Blind Exemption Application: https://www.mass.gov/doc/form-96-3/download
Due to Town Meeting scheduling changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Preservation Committee will not be accepting any new applications on July 1, 2020 for FY2021 funding. The next application submission date is December 1, 2020 for Spring Town Meeting 2021 (FY2022).
Starting the week of July 6, the Board of Assessors will be conducting annual inspections of properties with building permits issued or completed in 2019. The inspections will be performed by appraisers employed by PK Valuation Group of Sandwich, MA on behalf of the Brewster Board of Assessors. The appraisers will be measuring and listing property to check for accuracy with the Town’s records and will also take pictures of the property. For everyone’s health and safety, the appraisers will be following strict policies and procedures related to the pandemic while on site and will be limiting their inspections to the exterior, with very few exceptions.
The appraisers will have picture IDs and their information is on file with the Brewster Police Department. The appraisers’ vehicle information is the following:
We appreciate your assistance and cooperation during the inspection of your property. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 508-896-3701 ext 1137.
The Brewster Select Board recently established the Brewster Natural Resources Commission (BNRC). The Town now seeks volunteers to serve on the Commission who have natural resources, open space, conservation, water quality, coastal management, or other appropriate experience/expertise. Application form in PDF Format
Commission Mission:
The mission of Brewster Natural Resources Advisory Commission is to assist the Brewster Select Board and Department of Natural Resources (BDNR) in guiding the sustainable use and enjoyment of Brewster’s abundant natural resources in ways that safeguard and enhance the ecological, social, and recreational benefits of those resources over the long-term.
Commission Charge:
Meetings:The BNRC is expected to meet monthly beginning this fall. There will also be meetings with the public and individual assignments between Commission meetings.
Members:The BNRC will be composed of seven to nine members:
Due to a recent resignation, the Select Board is seeking a resident to serve on the Planning Board until the next town election (May 2021). The Planning Board consists of seven elected members and is responsible for the review of subdivisions, site plans, and other development projects. The board also oversees land use planning efforts and develops zoning by-law amendments for Town Meeting. Meetings are usually held on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM.
If you are interested in filling this position, please send a letter of interest to Robin Young, ryoung@brewster-ma.gov in the office of the Board of Selectmen, by Friday July 17. Prospective candidates will be interviewed by the Planning Board and Select Board at an upcoming joint meeting. For additional information, contact the Planning Department at brewplan@brewster-ma.gov or call 508-896-3701 x1133.
Following the recent local election, the Select Board is seeking a resident to serve on the Brewster Housing Authority until the next town election (May 2021). The Housing Authority is overseen by a five member board. Four board members are elected and one is appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts. Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 PM.
The Brewster Housing Authority was created in 1986 and manages two public housing properties. Frederick Court, located off Brewster Road, provides 32 units of housing for seniors and disabled persons. 24 units of two and three bedroom family housing are located on Huckleberry Lane.
If you are interested in filling this temporary vacancy, please send a letter of interest to Robin Young, ryoung@brewster-ma.gov in the office of the Select Board. Prospective candidates will be interviewed by the Housing Authority and Select Board at an upcoming joint meeting. For additional information, contact the Housing Authority at director@brewsterhousing.org or call 508-896-9800 x203.
On June 27, 2020 the Brewster Health Department posted a Cyanobacteria Advisory at Walker’s Pond Landing due to reduced water clarity, visible algal bloom, and elevated levels of Phycocyanin pigment indicative of elevated levels of Cyanobacteria. Until further notice, small children and pets should avoid contact with the pond water. For additional information, please visit https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water.
The Town Moderator is seeking volunteer(s) to serve on the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is made up of nine members appointed by the Town Moderator for a three year term. The Finance Committee is an advisory committee that is required to review and report on all matters of business that are submitted for Annual and Special Town Meetings. The Finance Committee is also responsible for the administration of the Reserve Fund, which is an appropriation used for emergency and unforeseen events. The Finance Committee typically meets Wednesday evenings on a monthly basis, however meetings are more frequent during the warrant and budget review processes. Please submit a letter of interest by email to Robin Young, Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen's Office at cwilliams@brewster-ma.gov. Interested parties must be a resident of the town of Brewster and members of Finance Committee shall generally hold no other Town office.
