Snow Removal Contractors Wanted

The Town of Brewster DPW is seeking experienced snow removal contractors for the 2022-2023 Winter Season. Contractors must meet the minimum insurance and equipment requirements. Rates are $100-$170/hour, depending on equipment.  For rate details and more information, please see the attached application materials. Call the DPW at 508-896-3212 or email dpw@brewster-ma.gov if you have questions.

Fall 2022 Littleneck Harvest and Oyster Sunday Schedule

The littleneck beds off Ellis Landing will be open for harvest for one Sunday only on October 9th. There is a 5-quart limit, and littlenecks must be 1” thick (all seed must be returned to the rock beds). Low tide on October 9^th is at 5:45PM (-0.4ft).

Oyster Sundays will start on October 23^rd at Mants Landing and will continue weekly until stock runs out. There is a 5-quart limit per week.  Please arrive 45 minutes prior to low tide (or sunrise as applicable) to ensure a full limit. Low tide on October 23^rd is at 4:56PM (0.6ft).

Please bring a valid 2022 Brewster taxpayer/resident recreational shellfish permit (purchase permits online here  https://brewsterstickers.townhall247.com/).

For questions, call the Natural Resources department at 508-896-4546

2022 Fire Prevention Week Sunday October 9 to Saturday October 15

“Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape”

The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape”. This theme supports the critical importance of developing a home escape plan with all members of the household and practicing it regularly. In addition, this October represents the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, the nation’s longest-running public health observance on record.

According to NFPA data, home — the place people feel safest from fire — is where they are at greatest risk, with three-quarters (74 percent) of all U.S. fire deaths occurring in homes. When a home fire does occur, it’s more likely to be serious; people are more likely to die in a home fire today than they were in 1980.

“Today’s homes burn faster and hotter than they used to, minimizing the amount of time they have to escape safely,” said Carli. “In a typical home fire, you may have as little as two minutes to get out from the time the smoke alarms sounds.”

The Fire Prevention Week 2022 theme, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape,” promotes potentially life-saving messages that can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. Developing a home escape plan with all members of the household and practicing it regularly ensures that everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds and uses that time wisely.

Following are key messages behind this year’s “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape” theme:

• Make sure your home escape plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

FY 2023 Real Estate Taxes

Fiscal Year 2023 Real Estate & Personal Property First Half Tax bills will be issued on October 3, 2022 and are due November 2, 2022.  Second Half Tax bills will be due May 3, 2023 (30 days after the issue date of April 3, 2023). 

Read more: FY 2023 Real Estate Taxes

New Mandatory Water Restrictions Effective September 30th

In response to severe drought conditions, the Brewster Water Commission recently voted to update mandatory restrictions on outdoor watering in accordance with Town bylaws and relevant state permits.

These restrictions continue to only permit hand watering from 4:00AM to 8:00AM and from 5:00PM to 9:00PM until further notice. Irrigation systems or use of sprinklers are still not permitted. However, effective Friday September 30^th, newly established lawns or plantings are exempt from these restrictions. 

The Monomoy Lens, from which our groundwater is pumped, is currently experiencing lower than average levels. The lack of precipitation over the past two years has resulted in groundwater levels that are significantly below their historical benchmark. The majority of Massachusetts is currently in a Level 3 Critical Drought Status.

Similar water conservation measures are being implemented in all five towns that share the Monomoy Lens. Although properties serviced by private wells are exempt from these restrictions, the Town encourages their participation given their impact on our shared aquifer. Several other exemptions from these restrictions also exist. Please contact the Brewster Water Department at 508-896-5454 if you have any questions.

The Brewster Water Department respectfully requests the support of our residents and business community in complying with these restrictions to ensure the future health and adequacy of our water supply. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

Cyanobacteria Advisory For Lower Mill Pond and Gristmill Dam

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On September 28, 2022 the Brewster Health Department, per MA Department of Public Health Cyanobacteria in Recreational Water Board of Health Guidance 2022, posted a Cyanobacteria Health Advisory at the Lower Mill Pond Dam at the Gristmill location due to a visible algal bloom indicative of elevated levels of Cyanobacteria. As a precautionary measure, a second posting was erected at the Lower Mill Pond Beach Association kayak launch area through the collaborative efforts of the Brewster Ponds Coalition and the Beach Association. Testing of the pond will continue on a weekly basis to monitor existing cyanobacteria levels. Until further notice, people and pets should avoid contact with any pond water where a visible algal bloom is present. For additional information, please visit https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water or Cyanobacteria Monitoring on Cape Cod - Barnstable County (wpengine.com).

State Election – November 8th, 2022

Polls will be open on Tuesday, November 8^th, 2022, from 7.00am until 8.00pm at 1848 Main Street, Fellowship Hall/Brewster Baptist Church.

The last day to register to vote for the November 8^th election is Saturday, October 29^th.

The last day to request ballot by mail is Tuesday, November 1^st. 

For more information on in-person early voting and voting by mail, please click here.

Please call 508-896-4506 with any questions. 

1st Annual Crosby Haunted Mansion – Tickets Now Available

Join us as Crosby Mansion transforms into a house of thrills, chills, and spooky magic for ages 7-107! Groups of 6-12 people will be taken on a guided tour into Crosby’s spooky halls for a night of spine-tingling entertainment in a real haunted mansion! 

• LOCATION: 163 Crosby Lane, Brewster, MA 02631
• DATES: Fri. Oct. 21, Sat. Oct. 22, Thurs. Oct. 27, Fri. Oct. 28, and Sat. Oct. 29
• TIME: 5:30pm – 8:30pm each night. 
• TICKETS: Reserve online at www.BrewsterRecreation.com.  Please print your email confirmation at home or bring it on your phone to the door. Door sales are available on a limited basis, though guests are encouraged to reserve beforehand. Select your date, time slot, and number of tickets online. 
• ADMISSION:  $12 each all tickets 
• ALL AGES EVENT: Children 12 and under must be always accompanied by an adult. Each group will be led by a tour guide. NOTE:  There will be a limited number of stairs to go up and down during the tour. The first floor and restrooms are handicap accessible. 
• SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CRAFTS AND GAMES DAY! Ages 8 & under, Saturday Oct. 29 from 2pm-4pm in the function hall. Suitable for a younger audience, this event will be held prior to the evening tour. Please register separately online at www.BrewsterRecreation.com.
• PARKING: Parking is free on the property. For those with mobility challenges, handicap parking will be available directly in front of the Mansion.
• TOUR LENGTH: The estimated time to arrive, check-in, and complete the tour itself is approximately 30-45 minutes. This will vary depending on attendance on any given night. 

For ticketing questions, please contact the Recreation Department at 508-896-9430.

Additional Clinic Available

Covid Bivalent Booster & Flu Vaccine Clinic
Brewster Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
Monday October 3^rd from 1:00 to 2:30 pm

Sponsored by The BBC Caring Nurses in conjunction with Whole Health Pharmacy.

Who is ELIGIBLE?:
Covid Bivalent Booster: Age 18 and up only.
Only ONE choice for the new covid Bivalent booster (either Moderna or Pfizer determined on clinic day) will be available due to a National shortage. It must be at least 2 months since your last covid vaccine.

Flu Vaccine: 
Regular Flu Vaccine ages 65 and under.
High Dose Flu Vaccine for those 65 and over.  

BOTH the Covid Bivalent Booster AND the flu vaccine can be received on the same day.

Cost: The covid bivalent vaccine is free but the flu vaccine requires insurance coverage. Please bring your insurance cards.  

Register online at Brewster Baptist Church https://brewsterbaptistchurch.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/336/responses/new

If you have questions contact Lisa Freeman RN Lfree125@comcast.net or call 508-896-3299

Open Position: Skilled Laborer/CDL Truck 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 town facilities; operates a variety of light and heavy equipment and participates in snow & ice removal. High School diploma, CDL Class B or A license 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 twelve 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 10/14/22. EEO/AA. Click here for full job description.