Brewster Poll Hours Reduced for June 23, 2020 Town Election

Brewster Town Election 6/23/2020

The Select Board voted to reduce poll hours for the June 23 Town Election from 10am to 2pm to keep citizens and poll workers safe. Voters are encouraged to vote by mail. Those wishing to do so may either submit a signed letter requesting a ballot or an application for the ballot. Submission requests may be submitted electronically by sending a scan or photo of a signed letter or application by email to townclerk@brewster-ma.gov, fax to 508-896-8089, or txt to 774-353-0070. Ballots must be returned by mail or in the Town Clerk drop box outside town hall by election day, June 23.

A sample ballot is available in PDF format.

Memorial Day Holiday Closings

The Brewster Recycling Center will be closed Monday, May 25, 2020 for the Memorial Day holiday. We will be open Tuesday, May 26, 2020 to alleviate any inconvenience.

Homemade Face Coverings/Masks

Governor Baker issued a Statewide Order Requiring the Use of Masks Or Face Coverings effective May 6, 2020 in any place open to the public where social distancing cannot be maintained includings stores and public transit. Simple cloth face coverings can slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

DIY Instructions for Homemade Face Coverings:
Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items (rubber bands, string) or made at home from common materials (T-shirts, bandanas) can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/07/answers-your-diy-face-mask-questions-including-what-material-you-should-use/?arc404=true

Washing Masks/Care Instructions:

1. Donated masks should always be washed prior to use.
2. Wash dirty masks between daily usage or after each use depending on level of exposure.
3. Machine wash or Hand wash in hot water with regular detergent.
4. Dry completely on hot setting or lay on flat surface to dry.
5. Ensure mask is completely dry prior to next usage.
6. Everyone should have at least two masks – one for wearing and one for laundry.
7. Always wash your hands after removing a mask or putting a previously worn mask back on.

Wearing and Removing Masks:

1. Mask should fit snugly against the side of face, over the nose bridge, beneath the chin, and be secured with ties or ear loops.
2. Breathing should be unrestricted.
3. Replace mask if material becomes wet (versus damp) from breath condensation.
4. To remove mask, be careful not to touch eyes, nose, or mouth and fold outside surface away from face.
5. Wash hands immediately after removing used mask.

To Volunteer:
Because of the continued shortage of face masks for health care professionals, several organizations across the Cape are producing homemade face coverings for those in need. To learn more, please visit https://www.ccmedicalreservecorps.org.

Local Retailer Face Coverings:

• www.barnstablecountyhealth.org/community-tips/looking-for-face-masks
• www.softasagrape.com

Remember – if you need to leave home, face coverings with social distancing will help protect you and your family.

Guidance to Cape & Islands Seasonal Community

Please recognize that many of the amenities you are used to enjoying in our communities may be operating at limited capacity at this time and must comply with Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces. Be patient and follow health advisories as we all try to adjust to this “new normal”. We appreciate your support of our local economy.

With your help, and all of us working together, Cape Cod and the Islands will recover from this virus and these challenging economic times. We look forward to welcoming you back. Thank you for supporting this place that we all love by respecting this guidance.

Adjustments To Beach And Shellfish Permit Programs For Summer 2020

Town of Brewster, Massachusetts– The Town of Brewster has been proactive in modifying our beach and shellfish permit programs for the 2020 Summer in order to continue to provide access to our beaches while ensuring the safety of our residents, visitors, and employees.  Over the past month, at the recommendation of Town Administration, the Select Board has approved the following adjustments to how beach parking will be handled this year:

• Resident Beach Parking Permits issued in 2019 are now valid until June 30, 2020.  These typically would have expired in September 2019.
• Resident Recreational Shellfish Permits issued in 2019 are now valid until June 30, 2020.  These typically would have expired in December 2019.  Non-Resident Recreational Shellfish Permits will not be issued this summer.
• Annual Resident, Annual Non-Resident Beach Parking Permits and Resident Recreational Shellfish Permits will be issued starting June 1. These will be available via the mail-in program and online purchasing options only. There will be no in-person sales of permits in Town Hall this year.  The same is true for 2020-2021 Resident Transfer Station Permits.
• Daily Non-Resident Beach Parking Permits will be available online only, as a purchase and print system. Those non-residents who wish to visit Brewster beaches will be able to log on to the website http://stickers.brewster-ma.gov, purchase a daily permit, and print the permit for placement on their vehicle dashboard.  Weekly Non-Resident Beach Parking Permits will not be issued this summer.

Beach parking permit enforcement is in effect June 15 through September 6, 2020, from 9am to 4pm daily. Vehicles parked without a visible permit will be fined $40.00. This is strictly enforced by the Brewster Police Department.  Shellfish permit enforcement will continue in a manner consistent with current state directives.

The Town may further modify the Beach Parking Permit program this summer as necessary.

Cape Cod Commission and Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Launch Survey of COVID-19 Business Impacts

Survey seeks to better understand the current and anticipated impacts of COVID-19

For Immediate Release (May 19, 2020) – The Cape Cod Commission and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce have issued an online survey to Cape Cod business owners to better understand the current and anticipated economic impacts of COVID-19.

Data collected through this survey will be used to support economic recovery now and in the coming weeks and months, and can be leveraged by businesses, towns, and other organizations in future grant applications and reports.

“Cape Cod’s economy is built on the backs of small and local businesses,” said Wendy Northcross, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO. “The pandemic has seriously impacted our economy, and their response to this survey will help us craft a strategy for recovery.”

Business owners are asked to share their experiences and answer specific questions on topics including business closure, revenue loss, seasonality, employment impacts, and the need for assistance.

“Supporting the region through data is a key component of the agency’s work,” says Cape Cod Commission Executive Director Kristy Senatori. “Our hope is that the data collected through this survey will help strengthen our economy and provide critical assistance to our communities.”

Business owners are encouraged to respond. The Cape Cod Businesses: Economic Impacts of Covid-19 survey is available here:https://cccom.link/ImpactSurvey

Full Statement in PDF Format

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Cape Cod Reopening Task Force Offers Reactions to Governor Baker’s Reopening Plan

Seeking Letters of Interest for Residents to Fill Vacancy on Nauset Regional School Committee

Due to a recent resignation, the Select Board is seeking one Brewster resident to serve on the Nauset Regional School Committee until the next town election (anticipated to be May 2021).

The Nauset Regional School Committee is comprised of ten members, elected at large, concurrently for a three-year term.  The school committee has charge of the Nauset Regional Middle and High Schools.

The School Committee is responsible for:

• Establishing educational goals and policies for the schools in our district.
• The review and approval of the school system's annual budget. 
• Hiring the Superintendent of Schools to serve as the educational advisor and chief executive officer in charge of overseeing the administration of the school district in a manner that is consistent with district goals and policies.

They typically meet on the first and second Thursday of each month and may meet more during budget season (Jan. - March), if needed.  They also attend Joint School Committee meetings four times a year.

If you are interested in filling this position, please send a letter of interest and resume for consideration to Robin Young, ryoung@brewster-ma.govin the office of the Select Board no later than June 24, 2020. Prospective candidates are expected to be interviewed at the June 29, 2020 virtual joint Nauset Regional School Committee and Select Board meeting. 

2020 Brew Run Cancelled Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic

Brewster, MA May 12, 2020- Race organizers announced today that due to ongoing safety issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic the 42nd annual Brew Run scheduled for Saturday August 8th has been cancelled. Regrettably, this is the first cancellation in the history of this well-known and established 5.2 mile road race that has become a tradition for many Cape Cod families.

Race Director Tom Meagher offered the following on the cancellation. “While we regret having to take these actions a strong commitment to our main mission of ensuring the health and safety of the runners, volunteers, and the many families who enjoy this outstanding community based event prompts us to make what we feel is an extremely applicable decision to cancel this year’s Brew Run”.

In making the official announcement Meagher also wanted to remind runners that race officials and volunteers are excited about continuing the Brew Run legacy during next year’s event which is scheduled for Saturday August 14th, 2021.