Snow Removal Contractors Wanted

The Town of Brewster DPW is seeking experienced snow removal contractors for the 2020-2021 Winter Season. Contractors must meet the minimum insurance and equipment requirements. For information and rates please contact the DPW at 508-896-3212 or email dpw@brewster-ma.gov.

How Has COVID-19 Impacted You?

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA-DPH) is trying to better help people through the COVID-19 crisis by hearing about their experiences and challenges right now. By taking this survey, you can help find new solutions to community problems, and give MA-DPH the information they need to take action and support the communities that need it most. MA-DPH is also committed to sharing information back in ways that will help us all take collective action.

I believe this effort will help us better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our communities, and would encourage anyone over the age of 14 to participate using this link: www.mass.gov/COVIDsurvey

Open Position: Building Custodian

The Town of Brewster seeks applications for a Building Custodian. Position is responsible for cleaning and maintenance of buildings and grounds. Duties include, but are not limited to; daily cleaning and disinfecting town buildings, including high touch areas and restrooms; dispose of trash throughout the buildings; prepares conference rooms for events and meetings; snow removal to ensure safe access to buildings and securing buildings at end of work shift. High School diploma required and minimum of 1 year experience in the maintenance of buildings preferred, or any combination of education and experience. This is a 40 hour a week, Grade 2 SEIU union position, with a starting pay range of $20.20 - $22.80 per hour, evenings required. Please send cover letter, resume and Town employment application to Susan Broderick, Assistant Town Administrator at; employment@brewster-ma.gov. For full job description, click here. Deadline 11/06/20 EEO/AA

Seeking Letters Of Interest For The New Brewster Natural Resources Commission

Be A Leaf Hero

Assembly of Delegates Passes Resolution on Public Participation in Meetings

Brewster Assembly Delegate Mary Chaffee, and two other Delegates, recently proposed an Assembly Resolution that facilitates public participation in Assembly meetings. The purpose of the resolution titled “Public Participation in Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates Meetings and Hearings,” is to compile all regulations that guide how Assembly meetings are conducted into a single resource. The Resolution was adopted by the Assembly on October 7.

By compiling all of meeting rules in one document it will be easier for parties who participate in Assembly meetings to do so effectively. Public participation in Assembly meetings is beneficial and welcomed but there are requirements for how that participation is conducted.

Assembly meeting practices are governed by the State’s Open Meeting Law, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s interpretation of the Open Meeting Law, and the Barnstable County Charter. The new resolution explains how members of the public may participate in meetings and that the Assembly Speaker has the authority under the law to regulate meeting proceedings.

The Assembly of Delegates is Barnstable County’s legislative branch of government. Assembly meetings are held the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 4pm. Meetings currently are conducted via remote (virtual) technology due to the pandemic. Guidance on how to participate in a virtual Assembly meeting appears at the top of each meeting agenda. Information about Assembly meetings is available at: https://www.barnstablecounty.org/regional-government/assembly-of-delegates/assembly-of-delegates-agendas-minutes/

The new resolution on public participation in Assembly meetings is available here.

Discussion On Hunting On Conservation Land In Punkhorn Parklands And In Southwest Brewster

The Conservation Commission has certain town owned lands under its care, custody and control.  It is the policy of the Brewster Conservation Commission to annually review and vote on the hunting policy for lands under its control. Click here for a map of areas under discussion.

A request to open certain conservation lands to deer and turkey hunting was received.  The Commission contacted the state to provide comments and to conduct a survey of the Punkhorn Parklands to evaluate deer density.  There will be a presentation on that study and public discussion at the Conservation hearing on October 20th. 7:00 pm 

Discussion on modifications to the hunting policy for lands under the care and custody of the Conservation Commission

1. Presentation on deer browse and deer pellet studies in the Punkhorn Parklands, Steven Wright, Wildlife Biologist, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
2. Staff presentation of draft regulations
3. Questions from Commissioners
4. Public comment (1 hour).  Each speaker will be asked to limit their comments to three minutes to allow everyone to be heard.  Any written comments will also be read into the record.

No vote on changes to the hunting policy is proposed for this meeting.

This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 2020 orders suspending certain Open Meeting Law provisions and imposing limits on public gatherings. No in-person meeting attendance will be permitted. If the Town is unable to live broadcast this meeting, a record of the proceedings will be provided on the Town website as soon as possible.

The Town has established specific email addresses for each board and committee so the public can submit comments either before or during the meeting.

To submit public comment or questions to the Conservation Commission, please email: conservationmeeting@brewster-ma.gov

To view the:

• Live broadcast: Tune to Brewster Government TV Channel 18
• Livestream: Go to  http://livestream.brewster-ma.gov
• Audio/video recording: Go to http://www.tv.brewster-ma.gov
• Public Meeting Packet: http://records.brewster-ma.gov/WebLink/0/fol/118271/Row1.aspx

To join the meeting via Zoom, either use this link to the meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89607769373?pwd=KzZsQ0lVZ0xrNisrbWN2cytQbmJxdz09

OR

Go to https://zoom.us/join, and if necessary, download the Zoom app. Once you are in Zoom,

enter the meeting ID number 896 0776 9373, hit enter, then enter the password 031734.

To join the meeting by phone, call 1 929 436 2866, then enter the meeting ID # 896 0776 9373

One tap mobile: +19294362866,, 896 0776 9373# US (New York)

Residents in Need Invited to Apply to Brewster COVID Relief Fund

Earlier this year, the Town established a relief fund designed to provide direct and essential support to Brewster residents whose health and well-being are most immediately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.  The goal of this fund is to help meet the basic needs of our residents faced with financial challenges related to housing, medical bills, utilities, etc. 

To qualify for assistance, residents must meet certain financial eligibility criteria based on established federal standards and must have lived in town for at least 3 months.  Brewster Council on Aging and Housing staff will assist residents in completing the application process, review completed applications, and determine program eligibility.  Requests for financial assistance from eligible residents will then be voted on by the Brewster COVID Relief Fund Committee on a regular basis.  The identity of applicants will be kept confidential throughout the process.  Payments will be made directly to the appropriate vendor. 

Applications are available in PDF format.  Please contact Town staff with questions at covidrelieffund@brewster-ma.gov.

Thanks to the generous support of our residents, over $27,000 has been raised to date and is now available for distribution. Residents interested in donating to this tax deductible relief fund can click here.

Community Preservation Committee Hearing 10/28/20

The Brewster Community Preservation Committee (CPC) will hold a Virtual Public Hearing on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 4:30 pm. The purpose of the hearing is to provide and gather information on the community preservation needs and possibilities in the areas of community housing, historic preservation, open space, and recreation. The CPC resources of the Town of Brewster will be reviewed, and the information gathered at the hearing will be useful in assessing any funding applications that the CPC may be recommending to the voters at the May 2021 Annual Town Meeting.

Please contact Beth Devine at bdevine@brewster-ma.gov with any questions.

The full agenda and meetingi information can be downloaded in PDF format.

Tips for a Safe and Healthy Halloween

Residents and communities should follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.  As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits as well as applicable sector-specific workplace safety standards.

Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include:

• Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.
• Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl
• Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.
• Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use.
• Wear a face mask or face covering.  For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.
  • A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering.  To protect yourself and others, ensure you are wearing a protective face mask or covering instead of or in addition to a costume mask.  
• Observe good hand hygiene, including hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol.  Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
• Refrain from touching your face.
• Decorate your yard for others to enjoy from their car or while on a socially-distanced walk.
• Hold virtual costume contests or pumpkin carving events.
• Celebrate with members of your household with a Halloween-themed meal, Halloween movie night, or by preparing a Halloween scavenger hunt.
• Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household.
• Avoid:
  • Attending crowded costume parties held indoors, or any gatherings that exceed indoor or outdoor gathering limits;
  • Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming; and
  • Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.
  • Indoor haunted houses; and
  • Hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.
  • Stay home and refrain from Halloween activities, including handing out Halloween treats, if
    • you feel unwell;
    • you have tested positive for COVID-19;
    • you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19; or
    • you have traveled to or from a state that is not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days.  For more information on lower risk states, please see the state’s COVID-19 Travel Order webpage.