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Brewster Select Board
How the Brewster Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Ben deRuyter and Mary Chaffee joined the board after the May 22, 2018 town election; Peter Norton and James Foley left. On May 23, 2018 the board chose Cynthia Bingham as Chair, David Whitney as Vice Chair (3 to 1 over Ben deRuyter) and Ben deRuyter as Clerk. Covers 32 meetings, May 23 to May 13, 2019.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetYour Brewster ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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What Town Meeting decided
In Brewster, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.
Annual Town Meeting · May 4, 2026 29 votes: 27 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 indefinitely postponed
- Art. 1 FY2026 budget transfer: $100,000 from ambulance receipts to fire overtime Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 2 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School budget for FY2027: raise $1,857,881 Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 3 Elementary schools budget for FY2027: raise $13,802,339 Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 4 Additional $180,000 for elementary schools, contingent on a Proposition 2½ override vote Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 5 Nauset Regional School District budget for FY2027: raise $17,943,405 Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 6 Additional $550,000 for Nauset Regional School District, contingent on a Proposition 2½ override vote Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 7 Town operating budget for FY2027: $29,008,939 Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 8 Additional $1,250,000 for town operating expenses, contingent on a Proposition 2½ override vote Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 9 Water Department budget for FY2027: $3,168,592 from water receipts Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 10 Golf Department budget for FY2027: $5,649,948 from golf receipts Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 11 Community Preservation Committee FY2027 budget and appropriations Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 12 Acquire land at 0 W.H. Besse Cartway: $275,000 from CPA open space reserves (reconsidered; eminent domain struck) Passed as amended “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 13 Capital and special projects expenditures Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 14 Appropriate $375,000 from the Cable Franchise Fee fund for local cable television costs Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 15 Fund first-year costs of OPEIU Local 6 contract Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 16 Fund first-year costs of Brewster Ladies Library Association / SEIU Local 888 library contract Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 17 Fund first-year costs of SEIU Local 888 contract Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 18 Fund first-year costs of firefighters (IAFF Local 3763) contract Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 19 Fund first-year costs of Brewster Police Union contract Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 20 Fund first-year costs of police superior officers contract Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 21 Fund first-year costs of police public safety dispatchers contract Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 22 Fund July 1, 2026 wage and salary adjustments for non-union employees Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 23 Create a revolving fund for the pre-school family program Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 24 Reduce the Conservation Commission from seven to five members Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 25 Adopt a new Short-Term Rental Registration and Inspection bylaw (Chapter 160) Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 26 Accept the Seasonal Communities designation (MGL c.23B §32(b)) Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 27 Petition: require dogs to be leashed (amend Chapter 86) Indefinitely postponed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 28 Petition: accept a revised comprehensive plan for 500 W.H. Besse Cartway (Sea Camps Pond Property) Passed “Adopted by a majority vote. · Yes — 285, No — 120”
- Art. 29 Petition: transfer 500 W.H. Besse Cartway to conservation purposes and seek a special act Passed “Adopted by a two-thirds counted vote. · Yes - 264, No - 97”
Source: Town Clerk's Report of the May 4, 2026 Annual Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · November 17, 2025 14 votes: 12 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 advisory
- Art. 1 Pay prior-year bills: $185 from free cash and $3,131.60 from golf retained earnings Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote. · 233 Yes – 0 No”
- Art. 2 Repeal or rescind unused borrowing authority Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 3 Transfer $387,216.95 from private road betterment receipts for FY2026 debt service Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 4 Appropriate $97,000 from free cash for Crosby Mansion overflow beach parking and revolving fund Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 5 Community Preservation Committee appropriations Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 6 Capital outlay expenditures Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 7 Sea Camps capital outlay expenditures Passed “ACTION on main MOTION: Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 8 Acquire a conservation restriction on about 20-22 acres at 379 Main Street, Harwich: $300,000 (eminent domain struck) Passed as amended “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 9 Create a short-term rental registration and inspection revolving fund Passed “ACTION on main MOTION: Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 10 Accept the report of the Short-Term Rental Task Force Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 11 Authorize contracts for property revaluations for up to five years Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 12 Zoning amendments, including replacing Accessory Commercial Dwelling Unit with Mixed Use Development Passed “Adopted by a Moderator declared two-thirds vote.”
- Art. 13 Petition: non-binding resolution on pollinator protection Advisory “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 14 Amend General Bylaw Section 12-7 (Alewife Committee) Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
Source: Town Clerk's Report of the November 17, 2025 Special Town Meeting.
Annual Town Meeting · May 5, 2025 21 votes: 18 passed, 1 failed, 1 indefinitely postponed, 1 advisory
- Art. 1 Pay prior-year bill: $360 from CPA historic preservation reserves Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 2 FY2025 budget transfer: $90,000 from ambulance receipts Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 3 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School budget for FY2026: raise $1,794,076 Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 4 Elementary schools budget for FY2026: raise $13,183,639 Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 5 Nauset Regional School District budget for FY2026: raise $17,220,661 Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 6 Town operating budget for FY2026: $27,737,255 Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 7 Water Department budget for FY2026: $3,086,434 from water receipts Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 8 Golf Department budget for FY2026: $4,827,049 from golf receipts Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 9 Community Preservation Committee FY2026 budget and appropriations Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 10 Capital and special projects expenditures Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 11 Transfer $250,000 from overlay funds for pre-school education programs Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 12 Appropriate $400,000 from the Cable Franchise Fee fund for local cable television costs Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 13 Accept c.59 §5 Clause 22I annual increase in veterans exemptions Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 14 Accept c.59 §5 Clause 22J annual increase in exemptions Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 15 Zoning: Water Quality Protection District and related amendments Passed “Adopted by a Moderator declared two-thirds.”
- Art. 16 Accept the report of the Short-Term Rental Task Force Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 17 Accept the report of the Nauset Regional Agreement Working Group Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 18 Petition: fund a town-wide Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (estimated $300,000) Indefinitely postponed “Adopted to Indefinitely Postpone.”
- Art. 19 Petition: non-binding resolution supporting Medicare for All legislation Advisory “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 20 Approve a Nauset Regional School District Special Education Stabilization Fund Passed “Adopted by a majority vote.”
- Art. 21 Petition: $35,000 from free cash for electronic voting at Town Meeting Failed “Defeated by a majority vote. · Yes -123, No - 131”
Source: Town Clerk's Report of the May 5, 2025 Annual Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · November 18, 2024 14 votes: 13 passed, 1 indefinitely postponed
- Art. 1 Pay prior-year bills: $40,809.03 from free cash Passed “Adopted Unanimously.”
- Art. 2 Community Preservation Committee appropriations Passed “Adopted by a Majority.”
- Art. 3 Capital and special projects expenditures, items 1 through 11 Passed “Adopted Unanimously.”
- 3.12a Sea Camps: $300,000 from free cash for a community center needs assessment Passed “Yes - 232 No - 153”
- 3.12b Sea Camps: reappropriate $32,000 for Brewster Community Pool equipment Passed “Adopted by a Majority.”
- 3.12c Sea Camps: $200,000 from free cash for planning and facilities maintenance Passed “Adopted by a Majority.”
- Art. 4 Transfer $720,543 from free cash for short-term debt on the Sea Camps Pond Property Passed “Adopted by a Majority.”
- Art. 5 Transfer $116,000 from free cash to the elementary school Special Education Stabilization Fund Passed “Adopted Unanimously.”
- Art. 6 Appropriate $11,400,000 to implement the Sea Camps comprehensive plans (passed on reconsideration) Passed “ACTION under Reconsideration Vote: Adopted by a 2/3 vote: · Yes - 239 No — 109”
- Art. 7 Zoning: Bay Property Overlay District amendments Passed “Adopted by a Moderator declared 2/3 vote.”
- Art. 8 Amend Affordable Housing Trust Fund bylaw (Chapter 18) wording Passed “Adopted by a Majority.”
- Art. 9 Adopt MGL c.138 §33B Indefinitely postponed “Adopted by a Majority.”
- Art. 10 Adopt MGL c.40U Passed “Adopted by a Majority.”
- Art. 11 Accept the report of the Short-Term Rental Task Force Passed “Adopted by a Majority.”
Source: Town Clerk's Report of the November 18, 2024 Special Town Meeting.
Annual Town Meeting · May 11, 2024 24 votes: 22 passed, 2 indefinitely postponed
- Art. 1 Pay prior-year bill: $615 from golf retained earnings Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 2 FY2024 budget transfer: $150,000 from ambulance receipts to fire overtime Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 3 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School budget for FY2025: raise $1,467,474 Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 4 Elementary schools budget for FY2025: raise $11,719,073 Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 5 Additional $758,091 for elementary schools, contingent on a Proposition 2½ override vote Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 6 Nauset Regional School District budget for FY2025: raise $17,019,204 Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 7 Town operating budget for FY2025: $26,523,727 Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 8 Water Department budget for FY2025: $2,986,144 from water receipts Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 9 Golf Department budget for FY2025: $4,606,233 from golf receipts Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 10 Community Preservation Committee FY2025 budget and appropriations Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 11 Acquire a conservation restriction on 12.36 acres at 0 Main Street: $230,000 from CPA open space reserves Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 12 Capital and special projects expenditures Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 13 Transfer $250,000 from overlay funds for pre-school education programs Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 14 Appropriate $400,000 from the Cable Franchise Fee fund for local cable television costs Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 15 Increase revolving fund spending limits Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 16 Adjust the Senior Tax Work-off Program exemption (c.59 §5K) Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 17 Adjust the Veterans Tax Work-off Program exemption (c.59 §5N) Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 18 Accept the comprehensive plan for the Sea Camps Bay Property, 3057 Main Street Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 19 Accept the comprehensive plan for the Sea Camps Pond Property, 500 W.H. Besse Cartway Passed “ACTION on Main Motion: Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 20 Acquire temporary easements by eminent domain to rehabilitate Millstone Road Passed “Adopted by a majority.”
- Art. 21 Borrow $471,070.88 for temporary repairs to six private roads, assessed as betterments Passed “Adopted by a Moderator declared 2/3 vote.”
- Art. 22 Accept the report of the Drummer Boy Park Advisory Committee Passed “Adopted by a unanimous vote.”
- Art. 23 Petition: create a short-term rental registration bylaw (Chapter 180) Indefinitely postponed “ACTION on Postponement: · Yes - 183, No - 94”
- Art. 24 Petition: limit short-term rentals to one per owner (two for full-time residents) Indefinitely postponed “Indefinitely Postponed.”
Source: Town Clerk's Report of the May 11, 2024 Annual Town Meeting.
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
Members
Mary ChaffeeMember · Elected townwide · at 30 of 32 meetingsJohn DicksonMember · Elected townwide · at 26 of 32 meetingsBen deRuyterClerk · Elected townwide · at 31 of 32 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: every Select Board meeting from January 2018 through August 31, 2026 whose minutes are posted in the town’s online records archive (Laserfiche), 338 meetings in all, including 29 closed (executive session) meetings from 2020-2021 whose minutes the board has since released. Not here: 50 meetings since January 2018 that have an agenda but no minutes in the archive (including September 14, 2026 and September 28, 2026), and separate executive-session minutes for meetings whose open-session minutes are loaded (the vote to go into executive session is in the open-session minutes). Brewster’s minutes are scanned paper copies with a computer-read text layer; we read that text (and, for five files with a missing or unreadable text layer, our own text recognition), and checked split votes against the page images. The minutes name the mover and seconder of each motion and give the result as a count (for example 5-0); from 2020 to 2024 most votes are also roll calls with each member’s yes or no by name. When the count equals the number of members present and no one voted no, or the minutes say all members voted in favor, we show every member present as voting yes; when the minutes give a roll call, or name the members who voted no or abstained, we show each member’s vote as recorded. Where the minutes give only a count with no names (for example 4-1), or the count does not match the members present, or a roll call lists a member the minutes show as absent or lists a member twice, we show the count only and add a note. Votes where the minutes give no count and no names are shown as result only. Members who had not yet arrived, had left, or stepped aside (recused) are left out of that vote. Votes by other boards at joint meetings (Finance Committee, Board of Health, Planning Board, Conservation Commission and others) are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Apr 22Approve the release ofthe draft plan for public viewing…Motion: to approve the release ofthe draft plan for public viewing and…Passed 5–0 · see note
April 22, 2019: Approve the release ofthe draft plan for public viewing and open the 30 day comment period
To approve the release ofthe draft plan for public viewing and open the 30 day comment period
The minutes give the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present for this vote (Cynthia Bingham, Ben deRuyter, David Whitney and Mary Chaffee). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Selectperson deRuyter moved to approve the release ofthe draft plan for public viewing and open the 30 day comment period, Selectperson Chaffee second .The Board voted 5-Yes 0-No.” (Motion: deRuyter, second: Chaffee)
Apr 22Approve Action Items l - based on Administration 's…Motion: to approve Action Items l - based on Administration 's recommendationPassed 5–0 · see note
April 22, 2019: Approve Action Items l - based on Administration 's recommendation
To approve Action Items l - based on Administration 's recommendation
The minutes give the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present for this vote (Cynthia Bingham, Ben deRuyter, David Whitney and Mary Chaffee). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Selectperson deRuyter moved to approve Action Items l - based on Administration 's recommendation, Selectperson Whitney seconded .The Board voted 5-Yes 0-No.” (Motion: deRuyter, second: Whitney)
Mar 11Move the Cape Tech budget as presentedMotion: Move the Cape Tech budget as presentedPassed 4–0 · see note
March 11, 2019: Move the Cape Tech budget as presented
Move the Cape Tech budget as presented
The minutes give the vote as 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Cynthia Bingham, Ben deRuyter, David Whitney, John Dickson and Mary Chaffee). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Dickson moved the Cape Tech budget as presented, Selectperson Whitney second . The Board voted 4- Yes 0-No.” (Motion: Dickson, second: Whitney)
Mar 11Vote on the FY20 Human Services as presentedMotion: to vote on the FY20 Human Services as presentedPassed 4–0 · see note
March 11, 2019: Vote on the FY20 Human Services as presented
To vote on the FY20 Human Services as presented
The minutes give the vote as 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Cynthia Bingham, Ben deRuyter, David Whitney, John Dickson and Mary Chaffee). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chaffee moved to vote on the FY20 Human Services as presented, Selectperson Dickson seconded .The Board voted 4-Yes 0 -No.” (Motion: Chaffee, second: Dickson)
Mar 11That the Board support the continuation of the 2019…Motion: that the Board support the continuation of the 2019 Razor Clam…Passed 4–0 · see note
March 11, 2019: That the Board support the continuation of the 2019 Razor Clam Pilot Program
That the Board support the continuation of the 2019 Razor Clam Pilot Program
The minutes give the vote as 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Cynthia Bingham, Ben deRuyter, David Whitney, John Dickson and Mary Chaffee). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chaffee moved that the Board support the continuation of the 2019 Razor Clam Pilot Program, Selectperson Dickson second .The Board voted 4 -Yes 0-No.” (Motion: Chaffee, second: Dickson)
Feb 4Appoint Michael Mei as Police SergeantMotion: to appoint Michael Mei as Police SergeantPassed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
February 4, 2019: Appoint Michael Mei as Police Sergeant
To appoint Michael Mei as Police Sergeant
Mary Chaffee stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Bingham moved to appoint Michael Mei as Police Sergeant, Selectperson Whitney second .The Board voted 4-Yes 0-No.” (Motion: Bingham, second: Whitney)
Dec 3Approve article 13, Citizens Petition/Town Code Amendment/Prohibition on Marijuana…Motion: to approve article 13, Citizens Petition/Town Code Amendment/Prohibition on Marijuana Establishments,…Failed 1–3 · see note
December 3, 2018: Approve article 13, Citizens Petition/Town Code Amendment/Prohibition on Marijuana Establishments, as printed in the warrant
To approve article 13, Citizens Petition/Town Code Amendment/Prohibition on Marijuana Establishments, as printed in the warrant, Select
The minutes give only the count (1-3), not how each member voted. Ben deRuyter stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Dickson moved to approve article 13, Citizens Petition/Town Code Amendment/Prohibition on Marijuana Establishments, as printed in the warrant, Select Whitney person second. The Board voted 1-Yes, 3-No.” (Motion: Dickson, second: Whitney)
Dec 3Approve article 15, Citizens Petition/Zoning Bylaw Amendment/Recreational Marijuana Establishments,…Motion: to approve article 15, Citizens Petition/Zoning Bylaw Amendment/Recreational Marijuana Establishments, as…Failed 2–2 · see note
December 3, 2018: Approve article 15, Citizens Petition/Zoning Bylaw Amendment/Recreational Marijuana Establishments, as printed in the warrant
To approve article 15, Citizens Petition/Zoning Bylaw Amendment/Recreational Marijuana Establishments, as printed in the warrant
The minutes give only the count (2-2), not how each member voted. Ben deRuyter stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Dickson moved to approve article 15, Citizens Petition/Zoning Bylaw Amendment/Recreational Marijuana Establishments, as printed in the warrant, Selectperson Whitney second. The Board voted 2- Yes, 2-No.” (Motion: Dickson, second: Whitney)
Nov 19Approve the licensed special event request; Homeless for the…Motion: to approve the licensed special event request; Homeless for the HolidaysPassed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
November 19, 2018: Approve the licensed special event request; Homeless for the Holidays
To approve the licensed special event request; Homeless for the Holidays
John Dickson had not yet arrived.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chaffee moved to approve the licensed special event request; Homeless for the Holidays, Selectperson Whitney second. The Board voted 4-Yes, 0- No.” (Motion: Chaffee, second: Whitney)
Oct 29Article 6 , la as printed in the warrantMotion: Article 6 , la as printed in the warrantPassed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
October 29, 2018: Article 6 , la as printed in the warrant
Article 6 , la as printed in the warrant
The minutes record 1 abstention; Ben deRuyter had stepped aside (recused). Ben deRuyter stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Whitney moved Article 6 , la as printed in the warrant, Selectperson Chaffee second .The Board voted 4-Yes 0-No 1 -Abstain.” (Motion: Whitney, second: Chaffee)
From the Brewster Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s online records archive. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Brewster (Select Board and Staff Biographies page).
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →