Public Disclosure Notice To Brewster Taxpayers

The Town of Brewster Board of Assessors is completing the Fiscal Year 2022 Revaluation as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 56 to achieve full and fair cash value. This public disclosure is part of the Revaluation and Re-Certification of values that is required by statute every five years. The Assessors received Preliminary Certification from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on July 14, 2021. The proposed assessed values reflected the estimated market value of properties as of January 1, 2021, based on sales in calendar years 2019 and 2020. Given the market conditions, the revaluation generally resulted in value increases of 10% to 15%. This increase in valuation is anticipated to result in a lower tax rate in FY22.

FY2022 Preliminary Assessments will be available here for public disclosure on Thursday August 5, 2021 through Thursday August 12, 2021.

Revisions to parcel data may be made during the public disclosure period. After that time, values will be set and submitted to the Department of Revenue for final certification. Please note that this disclosure period does not supplant the standard annual abatement process.

Taxpayers may contact the Assessors Office with questions or additional information regarding their proposed values by phone (508) 896-3701 ext 1137, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4pm; or by email at assessor@brewster-ma.gov.

Thank you. Brewster Board of Assessors.

Seymour Pond Cyanobacteria Update

On July 30, 2021,  the Cyanobacteria Advisory postings at Seymour Pond were REMOVED at the neighborhood association landings after two weeks of monitoring and water sampling.  The Cyanobacteria and associated toxin levels have dropped to a low risk level for swimming and other recreational water activities.  The Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod (apcc.org/our-work/science/community-science/cyanobacteria/) and the Brewster Ponds Coalition (www.brewsterponds.org/) continue to monitor our freshwater ponds in Brewster to provide timely notification to our residents of potentially harmful algal blooms.   For additional information,  please visit  www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water.

Open Position: Captains Golf Course, Skilled Groundsman

Brewster seeks qualified candidates for the position of Skilled Groundsman for the Captains Golf Course. The position is responsible for the maintenance of the municipal golf course grounds, including the application of chemicals and operation of equipment. Duties include, but are not limited to; aeration, seeding, weeding, clean up, watering, preparation and fertilizing of the grounds; operates vehicles, equipment, tools and machinery used in the maintenance and repair of the golf course; responsible for seasonal snow and leave removal. High School diploma or equivalent and a minimum of one year experience in grounds maintenance; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Hoisting & Pesticide Applicators licenses required. This is a year-round, full time, 40 hour a week, Grade III SEIU Union position with a pay range of $22.61 - $28.46. Submit cover letter, resume, and Town employment application to Susan Broderick, employment@brewster-ma.gov. Deadline 4pm on 08/13/21.  EEO/AA.  Job description, click here

Brewster Voters to Consider Town Acquisition of the Cape Cod Sea Camps for Public Use

Brewster voters will consider a public acquisition of the Cape Cod Sea Camps properties. The announcement was made by the Brewster Select Board and Town Administrator Peter Lombardi at the July 26 Select Board meeting. 

The Sea Camps’ owners have offered two properties for sale:

• The Bay Parcel: A 55-acre parcel at 3057 Main Street (Route 6A) that stretches from Main Street north to Cape Cod Bay.
• The Pond Parcel: A 66-acre parcel at 500 W. H. Besse Cartway that extends from Route 137 (Long Pond Road) west to Long Pond.

The Select Board believes that Brewster voters deserve the chance to decide if the Town should acquire the Sea Camps and determine the future of these properties. The properties offer opportunities for significant public benefits including conservation of land, coastal dunes, and wetlands; habitat and drinking water protection; beach access; a home for a community center; extensive recreational amenities; and housing.

In an effort to keep acquisition costs as low as possible, the Select Board followed the disposition process put in place by the current owners and their representatives, and the Town submitted bids for both parcels on June 23, 2021. The bids are contingent on authorization by Town Meeting vote and a special election ballot question. The bids were based on property appraisals, title research, discussion with Town counsel, and consultation with local land use professionals including an engineer and a conservation land acquisition expert.

The Town is concerned these properties may be privately developed. Both parcels are zoned for development and the Town is aware that at least two major developers have submitted bids to purchase the Sea Camps. The Town continues to seek a negotiated sale. However, if that is not successful, Brewster voters may consider acquiring the Sea Camps through eminent domain.

A Special Town Meeting will be called in late September to consider this matter. Acquisition of one or both parcels requires approval by both Town Meeting and at the ballot. Accordingly, a special election will be held shortly after Town Meeting.

A virtual public forum will be held on Tuesday, August 17 at 6pm to provide voters with detailed information about the potential acquisition, and the plans for Special Town Meeting and a special election. In addition to the public forum, updates and additional information about the potential acquisition of the Sea Camps will be posted on the Town website and distributed on the Town’s social media. Print information will be available at Town Hall.

The Sea Camps ceased operations in 2020, and since then the Select Board and Town Administration analyzed possible acquisition of the two parcels. Acquisition for public use appears to be aligned with community priorities identified in the Brewster Vision Plan and resident feedback from other recent strategic planning initiatives. If Brewster voters decide to acquire the Cape Cod Sea Camps, the Town will facilitate a public engagement process inviting input from residents about potential future uses.

A copy of the July 26 presentation can be found here.

FY2022 Tax Exemption Applications

On July 1, 2021, the Board of Assessors began accepting applications for FY2022 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 Debra Johnson at the Council on Aging to submit and review their application materials.  They can be reached a (508) 896-2737 or by email at blocke@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

Applications now available for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Housing Rehabilitation and Childcare

The Towns of Dennis, Brewster and Wellfleet have been awarded $1.3 million dollars of CDBG funding for housing rehabilitation and childcare. The funds aid low to moderate income residents, earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income. Brewster will also be applying for continued CDBG funding of this regional program.

Childcare funding offers eligible families subsidies up to $6,000 per child, paid directly to a licensed childcare provider, to assist families in seeking or maintaining employment.

Housing Rehabilitation funds can provide a 0% interest, deferred, forgivable loan to make critical home repairs. The program is designed to improve the housing conditions of income qualified households. Funds up to $40,000 are available to eligible residents to pay for critical home repairs, like: roofing and siding, electrical, heating and plumbing work, structural repairs, lead paint abatement and energy efficiency upgrades such as windows and storm doors.

Applications for housing rehabilitation and childcare funds are now available. Funding will be awarded to income eligible year-round on a first come, first served basis.The Resource, Inc. (TRI) is managing the Housing Rehabilitation Program. Please contact TRI directly, jean@theresource.org, for applications. Bailey Boyd Associates oversees the Childcare assistance Childcare Programs — Bailey Boyd Associates.

Information sessions about the funds and how to complete applications will be held over the next week:

• Thursday July 22^nd at 10AM the Council on Aging, 1673 Main Street. (Limit of 10 people, please RSVP to Jill Scalise at jscalise@brewster-ma.gov)
• Wednesday July 28^th at 5PM, Outdoors at Whitecaps Field, Stony Brook Elementary School
• Thursday July 29^th at 4PM by Zoom Webinar, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82843607856?pwd=SHgrVnM3S2NFNEg5VEI2MlFTZ2Q2Zz09

For additional questions about Brewster’s Housing Programs, contact Jill Scalise, Housing Coordinator at 508-896-3701, ext. 1169 or jscalise@brewster-ma.govor Donna Kalinick, Asst. Town Administrator at 508-896-3701 ext. 1130 or dkalinick@brewster-ma.gov.

Cyanobacteria Advisory For Seymour Pond

On July 16, 2021, a Cyanobacteria Advisory at Seymour Pond was posted by several neighborhood associations at their landings due to visibly elevated levels of Cyanobacteria. Out of an abundance of caution and until further notice, children and pets should avoid contact with the pond water in those areas and any other areas with a visible algal mat. Additional testing is scheduled over the next two weeks. The Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod (www.apcc.org) and the Brewster Ponds Coalition (www.brewsterponds.org) continue to monitor our freshwater ponds in Brewster to provide timely notification to our residents of potentially harmful algal blooms. For additional information, please visit  https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water .

Saints Landing Summer Quahog Program

The Department of Natural Resources will be stocking all 6 buoys for clamming at Saints Landing on Sunday.  Please remember for the months of July and August clamming is open on Thursdays and Sundays with a current shellfish permit.  The Department is doing their best to stock weekly, however supply has been low.  Thank you for your patience.

Brewster's 2018 Vision Plan: How The Community's Vision For The Future Is Taking Shape

Brewster’s Vision Plan is the expression of community preferences for the Town’s social, physical, and economic evolution. Approved by the Select Board in July 2018, the Plan provides a vision for the future and includes goals and actions to guide decision making of Town government, community organizations, and citizens. The Vision Planning Committee was established by the Select Board in late 2019 to “foster public outreach and communication around the implementation of the 2018 Vision Plan and work with Town staff and the community to develop a Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP) based on the Vision Plan goals.”  To this end the Committee has just completed the first report documenting actions the Town and the community have taken to implement the Vision Plan.

Open Position: Project Manager, Town Administrator’s Office

The Town of Brewster seeks qualified candidates for the position of Project Manager in the Town Administrator’s Office. Position is responsible for managing, coordinating, and directing projects and programs for the Town Administrator’s Office. Duties include, but are not limited to: assists the Town Administrator and Assistant Town Administrator in the planning, analysis, and/or implementation of department projects, special projects, and other initiatives as assigned including citizen engagement strategies, annual report documents, internal studies, management analysis, procurement, policy research, and support of standing or ad-hoc committees; provides support to Department Heads on interdepartmental projects, assisting in coordination and oversight of projects;assists in the implementation of an integrated communication strategy for the Town, including but not limited to writing press releases, newsletters, and brochures; develops and maintains a system for identifying, applying for, and managing grants that supports the Town’s mission. Must be able to problem solve and work well with others in dynamic, team environment. Bachelor’s Degree in Government or Business and 3-5 years prior work experience, preferably in municipal government; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. This is a 40 hour a week, Grade III, Personnel Bylaw position, with a starting salary range of $67,500 - $74,000.   Please send cover letter, resume, and Town employment application to Susan Broderick, employment@brewster-ma.gov. Position open until filled, with priority deadline of4pm on 08/03/21.  Job description, click here  EEO/AA