First Light Beach Now Open to Residents

A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Brewster’s First Light Beach took place on Thursday evening to officially open the beach to residents. The speaking program featured Town staff and Select Board members, who offered their remarks on the significance of the occasion. Select Board Chair, Dave Whitney, noted, “This is the first new bay beach purchased by Brewster since Spruce Hill, 36 years ago. The Board is very pleased to make First Light Beach available to Brewster residents and we would like to thank the voters of Brewster for making it a reality.”

An official ribbon cutting then took place, after which residents were invited to enjoy First Light Beach for the very first time.

The beach is now open to resident parking for the summer of 2022, seven days a week from July 1 through Labor Day, from 8am to 8pm. No entry is permitted after 6pm. A valid resident beach parking sticker will be required to access parking spaces in the designated beach parking lot. The First Light Beach rules and regulations are included here. 

Questions may be directed to the Town Administrator’s office, townadmin@brewster-ma.gov, 508-896-3701 X1100.

FY2023 Tax Exemption Applications

Starting July 1, 2022, the Board of Assessors will be accepting applications for FY2023 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 an 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 the Outreach Workers at the Council on Aging to submit and review their application materials.  Appointments will not be scheduled until after July 15, 2022.  They can be reached by phone at (508) 896-2737 or by email at outreach@brewster-ma.gov.

• 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
• Veterans Exemption Letter
• Massachusetts Guide to Veterans Property Tax Exemptions
  
• Veteran Exemption Application
• Blind Exemption Letter
• Massachusetts Guide to Blind Persons Property Tax Exemptions
• Blind Exemption Application

Holiday Safety Reminder: Leave Fireworks to the Professionals

The possession and use of all fireworks by private citizens is illegal in Massachusetts, even if they were legally purchased in another state. This includes Class C fireworks such as sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers, spinners, cherry bombs and more.  

In the past decade, 37 people were treated at Massachusetts emergency rooms for severe burn injuries from fireworks. Fifty-four percent (54%) of these victims were under age 25. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of fireworks-related burn injuries in Massachusetts over the last 10 years were to children under age 18. Twenty-five percent (25%) of those injuries were children under age 10. These victims are scarred for life. 

The week of July 4^th is one of the busiest times of the year for firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals.  We ask you to help us by modeling good behavior and leaving fireworks to the professionals.

Saints Landing Summer Quahog Program

The Department of Natural Resources has begun stocking the recreational shellfish area at Saints Landing. Clamming is now open for holders of a valid shellfish permit for the months of July and August on Thursdays and Sundays – the weekly limit is 10 quarts. Questions may be directed to the Brewster Natural Resources Department, 508-896-4546.

Seeking Letters of Interest For Board of Health

Due to a recent resignation, the Town is seeking a resident to serve on the Board of Health until the next annual town election (May 2023).  The Board of Health consists of five elected members and are required by state and local laws and regulations to perform many critical duties related to the protection of public health.  Some of the duties include but are not limited to development, implementation, and enforcement of health regulations, overseeing of inspections to maintain minimum standards for sanitation in housing, food service, swimming pools, bathing beaches, communicable disease, barn animals, wells, and septic systems, including wastewater planning.  For more information, visit the Health Department page on the Town website.  Meetings are usually held on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7pm.

If you are interested in filling this position, please send a letter of interest and completed application form to Erika Mawn, emawn@brewster-ma.gov in the office of the Select Board, by July 14, 2022, no later than 4:00pm. Prospective candidates will be interviewed by the Board of Health and Select Board at their joint virtual meeting on August 8, 2022 at 6:00pm.  For additional information, contact the Health Department at brhealth@brewster-ma.gov or call 508-896-3701 x1120.

Open Positions: Department of Public Works

Skilled Laborer/CDL Class B or A Driver

The Town of Brewster seeks applicants for the position of Skilled Laborer/CDL Truck Driver for the Department of Public Works. Position is responsible for operating trucks and equipment and performing skilled labor for the DPW.  Duties include but are not limited to; performing a wide variety of skilled and unskilled manual work to repair & maintain roadways, facilities and infrastructure; operators roll-off truck to transport solid waste and recyclables from the Town to appropriate facilities; trimming of trees, shrubs, and mowing, preparing and maintaining sports fields and removal of debris; operates a variety of light and heavy equipment and participates in snow & ice removal. High School diploma, CDL Class B or A license with a minimum of 5 years verifiable clean driving record, and minimum of 3 years equipment operation experience, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Mass Class 2B and 4G equipment operator licenses required in the first six months of employment. This is a 40 hour a week, Grade 3A SEIU union position, with a pay range of $25.09 - $30.86 pr/hr. Excellent benefits package, including paid time off, health insurance, and retirement benefits. Position is subject to mandatory overtime.  Please send cover letter, resume, and Town employment application to Human Resources, employment@brewster-ma.gov. Position open until filled with a priority deadline of 07/15/22. EEO/AA. Click her for full job description.

Equipment Operator

The Town of Brewster seeks qualified candidates for the Position of Equipment Operator. Position is responsible for operating heavy equipment and performing skilled labor for the DPW.  Duties include but are not limited to; safe operation of light and heavy equipment and landscape equipment, including, tractor trailers, front end loaders, backhoes, dump trucks, snowplows and sanders; loads and unloads trucks, pick up and hauls materials and equipment to job sites, including assisting in Recycling Center operations; assists with road construction and maintenance projects and participates in snow & ice removal. High School diploma and minimum 2 years experience in operating heavy equipment, preferable in highway, parks or construction industry, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. CDL Class B or A driver’s license with a minimum 5 years verifiable clean driving record, 1C, 2A, and 4G Hoisting Engineer licenses required. This is a 40 hour a week, Grade 4A SEIU union position, with a pay range of $27.35 - $33.64 pr/hr. Excellent benefits package including paid time off, health insurance, and retirement benefits. Position is subject to mandatory overtime.  Please send cover letter, resume, and Town employment application to Human Resources, employment@brewster-ma.gov. Position open until filled with priority deadline of 07/15/22. EEO/AA. Click her for full job description.

Brewster Cultural Council Supports Free Family Events This Summer

Each year, the Brewster Cultural Council receives approximately $6500 in state funds to help support local artists and cultural programming.  Another $1000 is funded through the Town’s operating budget.  In 2022, the Cultural Council awarded funding to 13 individuals and organizations.  

We want to alert residents and visitors to a number of free events supported by the Cultural Council this summer:

• Sunday July 3 (1-2PM) at Crocker Nursery: Beyond the Bounds, with Brewster resident Naomi Steckman on the cello surrounded by other musicians connecting art, nature and humanity.  Check them out at www.beyondtheboundscapecod.org.
• Tuesday July 5 (2PM) at Brewster Library: The Places You”ll Go, a summer story and song celebration by Davis Bates and Roger Tincknell.
• Saturday July 9 at Drummer Boy Park (Brewster Conservation Day): Artists Jess Georges, owner of Green Road refill in Foster Square, and Alejandra Cuadra from Kemp Pottery at the Art in Action tent.  With your help, we’ll all create a community sculpture using plastic waste.  There will be opportunities for children, who will be recognized as “Plastic Waste Warriors”.  In the spirit of the day, bring unrecyclable plastic with you from home, or better yet, bring a bucket the next time you’re walking on the beach or marsh and collect some waste to contribute.  We’ll be doing some collecting right at Drummer Boy Park the week before at low tides.
• Wednesday July 20 (3:30 PM) at Eastham Library: Premiere of Brewster resident Lee Roscoe’s film 4 Plays for a Planet in Peril. The film was a finalist in the 2022 Independent Shorts Award.  https://easthamlibrary.libcal.com/event/9256679fbclid=IwAR1Fe9boXtPajV8FNZ75cxwW3XcR1crwsqpNX1JGlX9ViFn0gTt13scYym0

The Council’s goal is to offer community wide activities highlighting the role that culture, broadly defined, enhances our appreciation of nature and each other, to create a sense of community that is so critical to Brewster.  We are working to get the word out about the cultural assets that exist in the town, and to connect with artists of all types and residents who want to support what makes Brewster special.  If you want to find out more or have conversations on what you’d like to see happen in Town, please email brewsterculturalcouncil@gmail.com.  Meanwhile, reduce waste, appreciate nature, and enjoy art.  Join in!

Brewster Housing Update: Public Comment Welcomed through June 30th on Draft Housing Production Plan

The Draft Housing Production Plan is now available here. Informed by the compilation of recent housing data and extensive community input, this plan will guide the Brewster Housing Program over the next five years. Barrett Planning Group presented the plan’s key findings, goals, and strategies a June 16^th Community Meeting hosted by the Housing Partnership. Here is the Draft Housing Plan PowerPoint Presentation. Public comment on the Draft Plan is welcomed thru June 30^th and can be sent to Jill Scalise, Brewster Housing Coordinator, at  jscalise@brewster-ma.gov.  

Open Position: Laborer, DPW/Recycling Center

The Town of Brewster seeks applications for the position of Laborer for the Department of Public Works. The position performs semi-skilled manual work in the operations of the Recycling Center and the Public Works Department. Duties include but are not limited to; monitors incoming waste and recycling items, assesses items for proper disposal, and directs customers to the appropriate locations within the facility; loads and operates compactors; sorts recycling; participates in snow & ice operations. Operates a variety of equipment, hand tools and machinery. High School diploma or equivalent & 1 year experience in municipal solid waste or recycling center operations preferred, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.  This is a 40 hour a week Grade 2 SEIU union position with a starting pay rate of $23.03 - $24.42 per hour, and a work schedule of Thursday through Monday. Excellent benefits package include paid time off, health insurance, and retirement benefits.  Position is subject to mandatory overtime. Please submit cover letter, resume, and Town employment application to Human Resources at employment@brewster-ma.gov. Position open until filled with a priority deadline of 07/08/22. Full job description, click here.  EEO/AA.

First Light Resident Beach Opening on July 1

Brewster’s First Light Beach, located at the former Cape Cod Sea Camps property, 3057 Main Street, will open to residents on Friday, July 1. 

First Light Beach will be open to resident parking for the summer of 2022, seven days a week from July 1 through Labor Day, from 8am to 8pm; no entry after 6pm. A valid resident beach parking permit will be required to access parking spaces in the designated beach parking lot. The First Light Beach rules and regulations are included here.  

The public is invited to attend a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 30, at 6pm. Parking for this event will be available in the front lawn area at 3057 Main Street. Questions may be directed to the Town Administrator’s office, townadmin@brewster-ma.gov, 508-896-3701 X1100.