Thanksgiving Closings

The Brewster Town Offices will be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday November 27 for the Thanksgiving Day holiday. 

The Brewster Recycling Center will be closed Thursday, November 26, but will be open Friday November 27 and through the weekend.

Thanksgiving During COVID-19

As Massachusetts residents plan for the Thanksgiving holiday, we offer the following considerations to help keep our friends, families, and communities safe during COVID-19. If you host a holiday celebration, keep it small. If you are considering travel, be aware of Massachusetts travel orders. If you participate in a celebration, follow public health guidance.

Please review the state's Holidays During Covid site.

Any time you’re near people you don’t live with: 

• Wear a mask when not eating or drinking
• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Stay at least six feet apart from others 
• Consider if those around you may be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with certain medical conditions, and take extra precautions
• If gathering indoors, improve ventilation by opening windows and doors

Lower Risk Celebrations

• Limit in-person holiday gatherings to only people you live with or limit to a small group of individuals with whom you are regularly in contact.
• Gatherings with more people pose more risks. As a reminder, gatherings in Massachusetts are subject to gathering size limits.
• Keep visits short – gatherings that last longer pose more risk than short gatherings.
  • Host a virtual holiday dinner with extended family or friends, especially if they are at higher risk for illness from COVID-19. Prepare traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and deliver them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others.

Higher Risk Celebrations

Including people who are not in your household or limited social network increases the risk of contracting or spreading illness. If you plan on celebrating the holidays in person with people you don’t live with:

• Wear your mask and watch your distance at all times.
• Do not share food, drink, or any utensils.
• Encourage guests to bring food and drinks for themselves and for members of their own household only.
• Wear a mask while preparing or serving food to others who don’t live in your household.
• Consider having one person serve all the food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils.
• Use single-use options or identify one person to serve sharable items, like salad dressings, food containers, plates and utensils, and condiments.
• Avoid any self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets or buffet-style potlucks, salad bars, and condiment or drink stations.
• For 14 days before and after holiday gatherings, minimize  contact with other people, and leave home for essential services like going to work, buying groceries, and appointments with doctors;  OR,
• Obtain a negative result from a molecular (PCR) SARS-CoV2 test, on a sample obtained within 72 hours of the celebration. Information about where to obtain a test can be found at www.mass.gov/GetTested.
• Seat people with plenty of space from one another while dining.
• Consider small seating table arrangements in multiple rooms with plenty of spacing, instead of a large family table.
• If gathering indoors, improve ventilation by opening windows and doors.

Avoid these activities

• Avoid sharing food and drinks.
• Avoid shaking hands and hugging. Wave and verbally greet others instead.  
• Avoid singing, dancing, and shouting. These activities increase your chances of catching COVID-19 through the air.  
• Avoid in-person gatherings with people at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults and people with certain medical conditions.

Other Important Considerations

• Community levels of COVID-19 – Higher levels of COVID-19 cases and community spread in the gathering location, as well as where attendees are coming from, increase the risk of infection and spread among attendees. Consider the number and rate of COVID-19 cases in your community and in the community where you plan to celebrate when deciding whether to host or attend a holiday celebration. Find information on cases in Massachusetts cities and towns and information on cases across the United States.
• People with or exposed to COVID-19 should avoid attending in-person celebrations. Do not host or participate in any in-person festivities if you or anyone in your household:
• Has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not met the criteria for when it is safe to be around others
  • Has symptoms of COVID-19
  • Is awaiting COVID-19 viral test results
  • May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
  • Is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with certain medical conditions

All residents are also encouraged to get the flu vaccine. For additional information, please refer to the holiday guidance provided by the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#thanksgiving.

Town of Brewster Statement on Closing of Cape Cod Sea Camps

The Cape Cod Sea Camps, located in Brewster, announced on November 10, 2020 that the camps would be closing after 99 years of operation. A spokesperson for the camps indicated the coronavirus pandemic was a significant factor in the decision.

The Sea Camps provided several generations of campers and their families with valuable experiences, and the camps are recognized as an important part of the community. The Brewster Select Board and Town Administration recognize the potential opportunities ahead and are committed to playing a role in shaping the future of the camp properties.

2021 Brewster’s Top Dog Contest

Do you have Brewster's Top Dog?

The Winner will receive:

• Tag #1
• Fee waived for year
• Picture posted on Town Website and displayed in Town Clerk’s Office
• Dog Gift Basket – donated by Agway

To enter the contest: 

• Submit a 4x6 Photo of your precious pooch to the Town Clerk’s Office.
• Must be a recent photo, within the previous year.
• Please include your name and telephone number on the back of the photo
• Photo must be submitted by December 31st, 2020. 
• Contest limited to first 75 entrants.
• Any currently licensed dog residing in Brewster may enter.
• Previous winners are not eligible.

To vote:

• Voting will be open January 1st, 2021 through January 15th, 2021
• All Brewster residents are eligible to vote.
• Voting will take place in the Town Clerk’s Office.

The Winner will be announced January 19th, 2021
Please remember the dog licensing period has changed in Brewster.
The licensing period is now January 1st through December 31st
Spayed/Neutered: $6.00 – Intact: $12.00

Charter Committee Presents Draft Charter Document and Continues to Seek Feedback

In Spring 2019, the Select Board established a Charter Committee tasked with developing a Town charter.  This document will address the structure and powers of Brewster town government, including election procedures, the legislative and executive branches, town administration, multi-member bodies, financial provisions, and more.  Additional information can be found here: https://www.brewster-ma.gov/committees-mainmenu-29/charter-committee

Following their extensive work over the past year and a half, the Charter Committee presented their recommendations on a draft Town charter to the Select Board on November 16.  Residents are encouraged to view a copy of this presentation and the draft document.

Over the next few months, the Charter Committee will continue to seek feedback from Town officials and residents regarding this foundational document.  The Town plans to hold several public forums in early 2021 to solicit input from all stakeholders – more information to follow.  The goal is to bring the charter to Town Meeting for a vote in Spring 2021.

Update on Millstone Road Public Works Project

Town officials continue to work through finalizing design on this upcoming infrastructure improvement project.  Surveyors began field work on November 12, delineating the outer limits of the extent of the proposed work.  As always, the Department of Public Works is available to talk to residents or meet on site to answer any specific questions or concerns.  Please call the DPW at 508-896-3212 or email dpw@brewster-ma.gov.

The Town and its engineering consultant will give a presentation on Monday November 30 at 6:00PM, updating residents on the latest project developments and timelines.

Residents are invited to virtually attend this forum and may participate in the question and answer session by calling (929) 436-2866 or by clicking on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84641371241?pwd=S3FXcFdTelByTjd3OUswTmVvMWVpZz09.  The webinar ID is 846 4137 1241.  The passcode is 743933.

Guidance to Visitors to the Cape & Islands

Information for Visitors to the Cape & Island’s Community:
Updated as of November 6, 2020 – Will be updated with changes in local/state regulations

Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands appreciate, welcome, and depend on you, our visitors, seasonal residents, non-resident homeowners, and seasonal workforce. On November 6, Massachusetts issued orders and advisories related to size of public and private gatherings, use of face coverings in public places and time of closure for businesses or activities.

Cape Cod and the Islands continue welcoming visitors with some restrictions for:

• Accommodations of all types (including short term rental of homes, condos, and cottages)
• Seated dining and take out
• Retail shops and museums
• Outdoor historic and recreational activities

Please check with your host or local business for specific times of operation and available amenities.

We care about your health and ours, thus all enterprises must certify participation in the Commonwealth’s Mandatory Safety Standards. Please be patient and follow health advisories as we all work to keep everyone safe and healthy.

We have been successful in limiting the extent of the spread of COVID-19 in our communities by implementing early and vigilant social distancing measures per the guidance of public health officials. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health warns that all of Massachusetts remains vulnerable to new cases due to the highly contagious and insidious nature of this disease.

We all must do our part to remain safe and healthy by following the common sense precautionary measures outlined by public health officials:

• There is a mandatory face covering/mask order in Massachusetts for people over the age of 5. Wear a face covering in public places whether indoors or outdoors, regardless of ability to social distance. Visit this link for details.
• Please be advised that the Governor of Massachusetts has signed an Executive Order effective August 1, 2020 that affects travelers to Massachusetts.
  • All visitors entering Massachusetts including returning residents, unless traveling from a state designated by the Department of Public Health as a lower risk state or otherwise meet an exemption, must:
    • Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form
    • Quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test that has been administered 72 hours prior to arrival in MA. Please visit this link for specifics on how to quarantine.
    • Visit mass.gov/matraveler to see a full explanation of exemptions and see if the new requirements apply to you and your family.
    • For specific information, please read the full COVID-19 travel order at this link.
  • The Department of Public Health has issued a “Stay At Home” advisory from 10:00PM – 5:00AM restricting the hours and capacity of some amenities & private gatherings. Please see this link for further details: https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-order-54/download
• · Follow public health guidelines and orders:
  • Wash your hands and clean surfaces frequently
  • Practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from others
  • Stay vigilant for symptoms and stay home if you’re sick

For information regarding Massachusetts COVID-19 response, please visit: Mass.gov/covid19 and Mass.gov/reopening
We appreciate your support of our local economy. With your help, and all of us working together, Cape Cod and the Islands will recover from this virus and these challenging economic times. We look forward to welcoming you back. Thank you for supporting this place that we all love by respecting this guidance.

Infrastructure Work Set to Begin at New Brewster Woods Affordable Housing Complex

BREWSTER, MA: The Town of Brewster, together with its partners, Preservation of Affordable Housing, Housing Assistance Corporation, and the Brewster Housing Authority, are pleased to announce that a contract for the Brewster Woods Phase I infrastructure work has been awarded to CC Construction of Dennis & Plymouth, MA. Infrastructure work for this critical affordable housing development was funded through a Commonwealth of Massachusetts MassWorks grant in the amount of $1.68 million and a local match of Brewster Community Preservation Act funds. We thank the Baker-Polito Administration and Secretary Kennealy for their ongoing support of important housing and economic development initiatives. 

Brewster Woods will be a community of 30 units of rental housing, located on Brewster Road, serving low and moderate income households, which is highlighted as a critical need in the Town’s Housing Production Plan and Vision Plan. Architecture, design, and engineering for the project are being provided by local firms Catalyst Architects and Coastal Engineering Company.

Brewster Woods Phase I infrastructure work is expected to commence in mid-November and will last approximately six months. Construction of the new housing community will begin in the spring of 2021 and we expect to welcome residents by May of 2022.

This project exemplifies Brewster’s commitment to addressing our housing challenges in a collaborative, thoughtful, and evidenced-based manner. The creation of new housing is fulfilling a critical local need while at the same time providing jobs in our community. Working together with our Town, State, local housing non-profits and contractors, we strive to make Brewster a welcoming and holistic community. We thank our residents for their support of Brewster Woods and the many varied housing initiatives the Town is engaged in to create, support, and inform about the importance of stable, affordable housing of all types.

Questions regarding this project can be directed to Donna Kalinick, Assistant Town Administrator for Community Development and Finance, dkalinick@brewster-ma.gov, or to Jon Springfield, Preservation of Affordable Housing, jspringfield@poah.org. Questions about Town of Brewster housing initiatives can be directed to Jill Scalise, Housing Coordinator, jscalise@brewster-ma.gov

Brewster’s Meg Morris Receives Recycling “Lifetime Achievement” Award

Meg Morris, Chair of Brewster’s Recycling Commission, received a “Lifetime Achievement” award at MassRecycle’s annual meeting in October 2020. Each year MassRecycle recognizes individuals whose efforts have improved recycling, reuse, or waste reduction in Massachusetts.

Meg Morris has served on Brewster’s Recycling Commission nearly 10 years and is the co-founder and president of the Cape Cod Anti-Litter Coalition. Morris is an advisor to the Ocean Voyages Institute, a group that works to clear litter and debris from the oceans, and founded the Community Warehouse, a large New York retail reuse center. She spearheaded the implementation of the “Go Green Initiative” introducing recycling and environmental education into New York schools.

In 2016 Morris was honored by the National Recycling Coalition for her longtime efforts to improve solid waste management. She worked for over 25 years in sustainable materials management including as Vice President of Covanta’s Materials Management and Community Affairs unit and as Covanta’s Director of Environmental Science.

MassRecycle is a not-for-profit organization that works to reduce, reuse, and recycle more materials in Massachusetts.

Veterans Day Closings

The Brewster Town Offices and Brewster Recycling Center will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2020 for the Veterans Day Holiday.

Veterans Day Brewster Massachusetts 2020 from Town of Brewster, MA on Vimeo.