Updated Guidance to Cape Cod & Islands Seasonal Community

Brewster Fire/Rescue Receives a $29,000 FEMA (AFG) Award for Vehicle Extrication Equipment

On Friday July 31st Brewster Fire/Rescue received notification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that our 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Application had been approved and would receive funding in the amount of $29,000. In providing the award FEMA stated “after considerable consideration, the recipients project described in the narrative and details section of the application which included financial need, project description, cost/benefit, and statement of effect information was consistent with the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program’s purpose and worthy of an award”.

Since 2010 the department has received eight Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) awards and one Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant totaling more than 1.5 million dollars in funding for equipment, fire safety education programs, training, and staffing.

With this award the department will replace an older set of vehicle extrication equipment or “Jaws of Life” with a new technologically advanced, state-of-the-art, battery operated set of spreaders and cutters that will reduce the time required to extricate victims from motor vehicle accidents, significantly enhance patient care and treatment, improve firefighter safety, and allow for a more effective and efficient delivery of fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to Brewster residents.

Brewster Fire/Rescue would like to thank Congressman Keating, Senator Warren, and Senator Markey for their support of this vital Federal grant program and for the valuable assistance provided by their offices during this year’s application period. In addition, we would also like to thank David Parr our FEMA Region 1 Fire Program Specialist for the outstanding comprehensive and expert guidance delivered to our organization throughout the entire grant process.

Housing Assistance Corporation Announces 100% Online Application For Rental And Mortgage Assistance

There are 15 towns on the Cape, but just one local housing assistance agency that serves them all. Apply online: One form, many assistance programs Housing Assistance is ready to help. Our standard rental assistance application is 100% online and serves the entire Cape. All of our rental and mortgage assistance programs are accessed with just one secure, online application. This includes state, federal and privately funded programs such as:

• RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition)
• ERMA (Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance)
• Our private homeless prevention programs and funding
• Our new Workforce Housing Relief Fund

We are committed to keeping our community safely housed. Part of this means rapid access to rental and mortgage assistance. Our staff is trained to work remotely with clients to determine the programs that are the best fit for their particular situation, or to help clients navigate systems that are already in place. If you or someone you know needs help with their rent or mortgage, please tell them to contact Housing Assistance today.

Call 508-771-5400
Email hac@haconcapecod.org
To apply, please visit haconcapecod.org/programs/homeless-prevention

Announcement in PDF format

Barnstable County Gets Creative with Appeals to Generation Z to Practice Safety Precautions During COVID-19

The Campaign Includes a TikTok Video Challenge Promoting Mask-Wearing

Barnstable, MA. (July 30, 2020) — The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment is exploring new ways to convey to young locals and visitors the importance of wearing masks during the pandemic and launched the #ShowUpWithAMask campaign today.

So far, the campaign includes a one-minute Public Service Announcement featuring several youths promoting mask-wearing, most of whom are residents on Cape Cod between the ages of 15 and 25. The video is posted on all County social media platforms and websites as of today. The campaign also includes a TikTok Challenge that calls for youth to create videos based on the #ShowUpWithAMask concept that can be viewed on the County's new TikTok page www.tiktok.com/@barnstablecounty.

Barnstable County Communications Manager Sonja Sheasley said, "We know we are taking a risk because TikTok is completely different than how local governments normally do social media, which is via Facebook and Twitter. However, we see TikTok as an entertainment app with the potential to engage creative, young locals and visitors in sharing this essential message in a fun way, and at the height of our summer season. We are hoping to see some videos promoting mask-wearing far more creative than we have come up with."  

The instructions posted on the Barnstable County Health and Environment website are: 

Accept our TikTok #ShowUpWithAMask Challenge. Go to www.tiktok.com/@barnstablecounty to see what we've posted. Upload your original video to your TikTok account that promotes mask-wearing. Use fun transitions and music expressing the concept of "showing up with a mask," and don't forget to use the hashtags #ShowUpWithAMask and #CapeCod so we can share it!

Barnstable County Youth Are Invited to Request A Free Mask While Supplies Last

To further drive the message on the importance of wearing a mask, Barnstable County is also offering a free mask to Barnstable County youth in the age range of 15-25. These residents are prompted to fill out a short form, and a surgical mask will be mailed to them with a thank you letter from the County within 5-7 days.  

Deputy Director of the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment, Erika Woods, says, "As part of this campaign to reach a younger demographic and to remind them of this community responsibility, we are happy to send young residents a free mask. It may not be much, but we want to offer what we can." 

To receive a free mask from the County, you must be between 15 and 25. The County has set aside a certain number of surgical masks for youth requests and will send them out while those supplies last, up to three per household.

About the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment

Established under a Special Act of the Legislature in 1926, the Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment (BCDHE) provides regional public health and environmental health services throughout the 15 towns comprising Barnstable County. The Department manages several environmental, public health, and homeland security grants funded through state and federal resources. The Department's primary mission is to protect public health and the environment and promote the physical and mental health and well-being of the residents of Barnstable County.

For media inquiries:

Contact: Sonja Sheasley, Communications Manager

Sonja.Sheasley@barnstablecounty.org

Further Modifications Made To Breakwater Beach Parking

As the Town continues to refine its Summer 2020 Beach Access Plan to best support the health and safety of our residents and visitors, we have further reduced parking at Breakwater Beach effective July 28.  On July 15, the number of available parking spaces at Breakwater Beach was reduced from 57 to 44.  As of July 28, there are 31 parking spaces available for beachgoers at this lot.  Based on continued increased activity at this location, these changes have been made to ensure sufficient room for residents and visitors to social distance and safely enjoy this popular beach.  Please visit https://www.brewster-ma.gov/2017-beach-information for more information on Brewster beaches.

Seeking Residents to Serve on Audit Committee

The Town is looking for 3 residents interested in serving on the newly formed Audit Committee. Members of this new committee will assist in the selection of an auditing firm charged with conducting an independent review of the Town’s finances, review the results of the annual audit report, and communicate those results to the Select Board and Finance Committee.

This committee will consist of five (5) members, two (2) to be appointed by the Select Board, two (2) to be appointed by the Finance Committee (filled), and one (1) to be appointed by the Moderator. While the initial terms range from 1 to 3 years, members will be appointed to 3 year terms thereafter. The Town is seeking residents who have professional experience in accounting, finance, law, business management, or municipal government. Finance Committee members may serve on the Audit Committee and will likely fill at least one (1) of the initial terms. The Town Administrator and the Finance Director will serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Committee.

If you are interested in serving on the Audit Committee, please contact Robin Young in the Select Board/Town Administrator's office at 508-896-3701 x 1100 or email your resume, a brief history of your work and/or volunteer activities, and a completed Serve Your Community form to ryoung@brewster-ma.gov.

Cyanobacteria Advisory For Seymour Pond

On July 25, 2020, a Cyanobacteria Advisory at Seymour Pond was posted at the neighborhood association landings due to visibly elevated levels of Cyanobacteria. Until further notice, people and pets should avoid contact with the pond water. The Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod and the Brewster Ponds Coalition 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 .

Seeking Letters of Interest for Finance Committee

The Town Moderator is seeking volunteer(s) to serve on the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is made up of nine members appointed by the Town Moderator for a three year term. The Finance Committee is an advisory committee that is required to review and report on all matters of business that are submitted for Annual and Special Town Meetings. The Finance Committee is also responsible for the administration of the Reserve Fund, which is an appropriation used for emergency and unforeseen events. The Finance Committee typically meets Wednesday evenings on a monthly basis, however meetings are more frequent during the warrant and budget review processes. Please submit a letter of interest by email to Collette Williams, Town Clerk at cwilliams@brewster-ma.gov. Interested parties must be a resident of the town of Brewster and members of Finance Committee shall generally hold no other Town office.

Millstone Affordable Housing Property Update

At the May 2018 Special Town Meeting, Brewster designated 16+ acres of town owned land for Community Housing purposes. The parcel is located on the west side of Millstone Road near Agassiz Street. The Town also received a grant from Mass Housing Partnership for a pre-development feasibility study. Since last October, the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust held three sequential community engagement sessions to discuss potential community housing opportunities for the property and gain input from residents. In May an online survey of three conceptual sketches received over 250 completed responses. Concept #2 was the highest survey rated concept plan and would potentially provide 50 units of rental housing in 12 buildings. The buildings shown would be 1-2 stories, each comprised of 4-6 units. Properties such as Melpet Farms in Dennis or parts of Ocean Edge, both favorably rated in the earlier online design preference survey, are examples of similar neighborhood styles. A significant portion of the parcel would remain as open space.

Using guidance from the sessions and two online surveys, the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust is now directing Bohler Engineering to complete the Millstone Property Feasibility Study. Based on Concept #2, Bohler will create the Master Plan. Additionally, with resident feedback expressing concern about the proximity to abutting properties, the Trust is requesting Bohler look to increase the setback distance, or buffer, between the abutting north property lines and potential buildings. The Bohler Master Plan is expected to be presented at the September Housing Trust meeting. This plan is one part of the process in writing a Request for Proposals (RFP) and, in time, creating housing on the property. To learn more about the Millstone property, read the presentation or watch the video of the third community engagement session. For additional information, please contact Jill Scalise, Brewster Housing Coordinator, at jscalise@brewster-ma.gov or 508-896-3701, ext. 1169.

Revisions Made to 2020 Election Schedule

Legislation signed by Governor Charlie Baker on July 6th made several changes to the upcoming election schedule. In-person, early voting timeframes have been increased for both the State Primary and Presidential Election and now include a weekend. This legislation also moved the last day to register to vote or change your political designation deadline to 10 days before the election. These changes are for the 2020 Election cycle only. Specific hours will be posted in advance of each in-person, early voting cycle which will be held at the Brewster Town Hall. In addition, with Town Meeting postponed from May 4 to September 15, the Town does not plan on holding a Special Town Meeting later this fall. Please do not hesitate to contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-896-4506 with any questions.

An Amended Election Calendar is available in PDF format.