Select Board February Meetings Recap

FY25 Town Budget Presentations: An overview of Town Administration’s budget recommendations was presented to the Select Board and Finance Committee at their joint meeting on Monday February 5. The Select Board and Finance Committee then met jointly with Department Heads on Wednesday February 7 and Friday February 9 to review their specific budget requests.  The Town’s FY25 Operating Budget is available in an online format. Click here to access the FY25 budget materials.

FY25 Brewster Elementary School Budget Update: Select Board members reviewed the latest draft FY25 Brewster Elementary School Budget on February 12. Katie Miller-Jacobus, Brewster School Committee Chair, explained that the biggest cost drivers in this draft budget are Special Education expenses which are difficult to forecast. Based on their preliminary budget increases, an operating override to fund Brewster Elementary Schools expenses next fiscal year is expected.  For the next iteration of this budget, Mr. Lombardi requested further information on proposed changes in staffing levels at the school. The Select Board also asked for more details regarding anticipated increases in pre-school expenses. Nauset Public Schools agreed to report back on this information as they continue their budget development process.

Comprehensive Plans for Bay & Pond Properties: The Select Board voted on the final recommended comprehensive plans for the former Cape Cod Sea Camps properties as developed by the Bay and Pond Property Planning Committees. The plans, which are a reflective of a year of community outreach and public input, will be voted on at Annual Town Meeting on May 11, 2024 – they can be accessed here.

Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration: Brittany Taylor, Brewster Ladies Library Director, and Elton Cutler, Council on Aging Director, provided an update to the Select Board about the Town’s plans to host an inaugural Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday June 19 at Drummer Boy Park from 10am until 2pm. The celebration will include music, food, performers, activities, and educational programs. More details will be provided to the public in May.