The Brewster Community Preservation Committee is comprised of 9 members: four Citizen Representatives, appointed by the Board of Selectmen and members designated by the following committees: Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Brewster Historical Commission, Housing Authority and Recreation Commission. The Committee was established with initial staggered terms and three terms thereafter. The CPC typically meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 4:45 p.m. at Town Hall. For meeting schedules and agendas, please check the Brewster Calendar.

Committee Members

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a state law designed to help communities plan ahead for sustainable growth. The CPA allows towns to levy a community-wide property tax surcharge of up to 3% for the purpose of creating a local Community Preservation fund that can qualify for state matching funds. The fund must be used to acquire and protect Open Space and recreation lands, preserve Historic Buildings, Documents and Landscapes, and create and maintain Community Housing.What is the Community Preservation Act?

In Brewster, the CPA has replaced the Cape Cod Land Bank, which had previously funded Open Space acquisitions. The Act also created a State fund which will provide the Town with matching funds. A 20% State match is anticipated for at least the near future.

Property taxes traditionally fund the Town's day-to-day operating needs of safety, health, schools, roads, maintenance. - and more. The 3% CPA property tax surcharge will generate additional needed revenue to meet Open Space, Community Housing, Historic Preservation, and Recreation goals.

How does the CPA work in Brewster?

The CPA was adopted by Town Meeting, November of 2004 and received ballot approval in May of 2005. This approval results in a 3% surcharge on real estate tax, thereby replacing the Land Bank surcharge.

The Brewster By-law requires that 50% must be spent or reserved for Open Space, 10% must be spent or reserved for Community Housing and 10% must be spent or reserved for Historic Preservation. The balance, 30%, may be spent for Community Housing or Historic Preservation areas plus Recreation purposes. This money is cumulative and can be spent in subsequent years.

This gives Brewster the opportunity to determine its priorities, plan for its future, and generate funds to implement those plans.

What is the Application Process?

CPC Applications are available at Brewster Town Hall in the Selectmen's Office and the Planning Office. Applications should be submitted by July 1st for the fall meeting or December 1st for the spring meeting, to allow sufficient CPC review time for potential presentation to the following Brewster Town Meeting. Note: Due to Town Meeting scheduling changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPC will not be accepting any new applications on July 1, 2020 for FY2021 funding. The next application submission date is December 1, 2020 for Spring Town Meeting 2021 (FY2022).

These applications are reviewed, public hearings are held and decisions are made as to which applications will be approved for recommendation at Town Meeting. Voters at Town Meeting will then vote yes or no on CPC recommendations.

The following are the CPC funding requests that were approved at the May 2016 Town Meeting.

• Cape Cod Village
• Boehm Property
• Babe Ruth Field
• Cape Rep Theatre
• Harwich Ecumenical Council for the Homeless

The following is the CPC funding request that was approved at the November 2016 Town Meeting.

• Habitat For Humanity -- Tubman Road Housing Phase 1

The following are funding requests that were approved at the May 2017 Town Meeting.

• Brewster Woods Application
• Bikeways: CCRT Crossing Lights
• Part Time Housing Coordinator

The following is the funding request that was approved at the November 2017 Town Meeting

• Meeting House Road Property

The following are the funding requests that were approved at the May 2018 Town Meeting.

• Rec Department ADA Improvements
• Rec Department Tennis Court Improvements
• Housing Coordinator FY18
• CDP Cape Housing Institute CPC Application
• Brewster Housing Authority CPC Application
• Cobb House Application
• Millstone Road Community Housing Land Acquisition
• Long Pond Conservation Area Application

The follow are the funding requests that were approved at the Fall 2018 Town Meeting

• Habitat for Humanity: Paul Hush Way Phase 2
• Cape Rep Theatre
• Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Observation Platform
• Brewster Affordable Housing Trust

The following are the funding requests that were approved at the May 2019 Annual Town Meeting.

• Community Development Partnership- Cape Housing Institute
• Town of Brewster- Part Time Housing Coordinator
• Copelas Property Acquisition

The following are the funding requests that were approved at the Fall 2019 Town Meeting

• FORWARD Housing for Autistic Adults
• Brewster Affordable Housing Trust – Preserve Subsidized Housing Inventory
• Update Open Space and Recreation Plan

The following are the funding requests that were approved at the 2020 Annual Town Meeting:

• Town of Brewster – Housing Coordinator
• Community Development Partnership – Cape Housing Institute
• Pleasant Bay Community Boating – Accessible Dock
• Brewster Whitecaps/Brewster School Committee – Stony Brook Field Improvements
• Land acquisition – 106 McGuerty Road

The following is a list of CPA funded projects along with financial information:

• CPC FY2021 Budget
• CPC Projects
• CPC Open Space Bond Payments

For more information, contact Elizabeth Taylor, Clerk
508-896-3701 x1149
Brewster Town Offices
2198 Main St
Brewster, MA 02631