How the Brewster Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Same five members after the May 2023 town election (Ned Chatelain was re-elected after a recount). On June 5, 2023 the board chose Ned Chatelain as Chair, Mary Chaffee as Vice Chair and Kari Hoffmann as Clerk. Covers 33 meetings, June 5 to May 20, 2024.
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.
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. 12Acquire 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. 8Acquire 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. 18Petition: fund a town-wide Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (estimated $300,000)Indefinitely postponed“Adopted to Indefinitely Postpone.”
Art. 19Petition: non-binding resolution supporting Medicare for All legislationAdvisory“Adopted by a majority vote.”
Art. 20Approve a Nauset Regional School District Special Education Stabilization FundPassed“Adopted by a majority vote.”
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).
"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.
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Apr 8Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Police Superiors…Motion: to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Police Superiors UnionPassed 4–0 · Abstained: Chaffee
April 8, 2024: Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Police Superiors Union
ApprovePassed · 4–0
To approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Police Superiors Union
“Selectperson Whitney moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Police Superiors Union. Selectperson Bingham seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -abs, Selectperson Whitney - yes, Chair Chatelain- yes. The vote was 4 -Yes, 0 -No, 1 -Abs..” (Motion: Whitney, second: Bingham)
Apr 1Approve the consent agenda as outlined in the packet…Motion: to approve the consent agenda as outlined in the packet ofApril…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
April 1, 2024: Approve the consent agenda as outlined in the packet ofApril 1, 2024. 0 FtE WS ywii, OQ B"6 Town of Brewster T?e` s.` G select Board 3 P > =…
ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To approve the consent agenda as outlined in the packet ofApril 1, 2024. 0 FtE WS ywii, OQ B"6 Town of Brewster T?e` s.` G select Board 3 P > = Brewster, MA 02631- 1898
David Whitney had not yet arrived.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Hoffmann moved to approve the consent agenda as outlined in the packet ofApril 1, 2024. 0 FtE WS ywii, OQ B"6 Town of Brewster T?e` s.` G select Board 3 P > = Brewster, MA 02631- 1898 Selectperson Chaffee seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Hoffmann - yes, Selectperson Chaffee- yes, Chair Chatelain-yes. The vote was 4 -Yes, 0 -No.” (Motion: Hoffmann, second: Chaffee)
Apr 1Approve the common victualler license for property located at…Motion: to approve the common victualler license for property located at 2671…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
April 1, 2024: Approve the common victualler license for property located at 2671 Main Street, the property previously operated as the Kitchen Cafe and the new owners of the property are the Lliguichuzhcas…
ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To approve the common victualler license for property located at 2671 Main Street, the property previously operated as the Kitchen Cafe and the new owners of the property are the Lliguichuzhcas and operations will remain, hours of the operation are 7am to 10pm seven days a week with seating capacity of 92 people. Condition includes that the food trailer must be registered by Mass DOT to be deemed a trailer and not a structure. The food trailer may operate seasonally from 11am to sundown between April and October
David Whitney had not yet arrived.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Hoffmann moved to approve the common victualler license for property located at 2671 Main Street, the property previously operated as the Kitchen Cafe and the new owners of the property are the Lliguichuzhcas and operations will remain, hours of the operation are 7am to 10pm seven days a week with seating capacity of 92 people. Condition includes that the food trailer must be registered by Mass DOT to be deemed a trailer and not a structure. The food trailer may operate seasonally from 11am to sundown between April and October. Selectperson Bingham seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -yes, Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee- yes, Chair Chatelain- yes. The vote was 4 -Yes, 0 -No.” (Motion: Hoffmann, second: Bingham)
Apr 1That the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article…Motion: that the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 4: Elementary…Passed 3–2 · No: Bingham, Chatelain
April 1, 2024: That the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 4: Elementary School Budget in the amount of 11, 719, 073. 00
ApprovePassed · 3–2
That the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 4: Elementary School Budget in the amount of 11, 719, 073. 00
“Selectperson Hoffmann moved that the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 4: Elementary School Budget in the amount of 11, 719, 073. 00. Selectperson Chaffee seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham- no, Selectperson Hoffmann- yes, Selectperson Chaffee- yes, Selectperson Whitney- yes, Chair Chatelain- no. The vote was 3- Yes, 2- No.” (Motion: Hoffmann, second: Chaffee)
Apr 1That the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article…Motion: that the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 5: Elementary…Passed 3–2 · No: Bingham, Chatelain
April 1, 2024: That the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 5: Elementary Schools Operating override for approximately$ 758, 091. 00
ApprovePassed · 3–2
That the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 5: Elementary Schools Operating override for approximately$ 758, 091. 00
“Selectperson Hoffmann moved that the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 5: Elementary Schools Operating override for approximately$ 758, 091. 00. Selectperson Whitney seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham- no, Selectperson Hoffmann- yes, Selectperson Chaffee- yes, Selectperson Whitney- yes, Chair Chatelain- no. The vote was 3- Yes, 2- No.” (Motion: Hoffmann, second: Whitney)
Apr 1That the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article…Motion: that the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 6: Nauset…Passed 3–2 · No: Bingham, Chatelain
April 1, 2024: That the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 6: Nauset Regional Schools Operating Budget for$ 17, 019, 204. 00
ApprovePassed · 3–2
That the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 6: Nauset Regional Schools Operating Budget for$ 17, 019, 204. 00
“Selectperson Hoffmann moved that the Select Board recommend to Town Meeting Article 6: Nauset Regional Schools Operating Budget for$ 17, 019, 204. 00. Selectperson Whitney seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham- no, Selectperson Hoffmann- yes, Selectperson Chaffee- yes, Selectperson Whitney- yes, Chair Chatelain- no. The vote was 3- Yes, 2- No.” (Motion: Hoffmann, second: Whitney)
Apr 1That the Select Board recommend Article 23: Citizens Petition…Motion: that the Select Board recommend Article 23: Citizens Petition Short -Term…Failed 1–3 · No: Bingham, Chatelain, Hoffmann
April 1, 2024: That the Select Board recommend Article 23: Citizens Petition Short -Term Rental Registration General Bylaw
ApproveFailed · 1–3
That the Select Board recommend Article 23: Citizens Petition Short -Term Rental Registration General Bylaw
Yes: WhitneyNo: Bingham, Chatelain, HoffmannMary Chaffee stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Hoffmann moved that the Select Board recommend Article 23: Citizens Petition Short -Term Rental Registration General Bylaw. Selectperson Whitney seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -no, Selectperson Hoffmann -no, Selectperson Whitney -yes, Chair Chatelain- no. The vote was 1 -Yes, 3 -No.” (Motion: Hoffmann, second: Whitney)
Apr 1That the Select Board recommend Article 24: Citizens Petition…Motion: that the Select Board recommend Article 24: Citizens Petition Short -Term…Failed 0–4 · see note
April 1, 2024: That the Select Board recommend Article 24: Citizens Petition Short -Term Rental Restriction General Bylaw
ApproveFailed · 0–4
That the Select Board recommend Article 24: Citizens Petition Short -Term Rental Restriction General Bylaw
The minutes give the result as 0-4, but the roll call reads: Cynthia Bingham no, Kari Hoffmann no, David Whitney yes, Ned Chatelain no, and 4 members were present. Showing the count only. Mary Chaffee stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Hoffmann moved that the Select Board recommend Article 24: Citizens Petition Short -Term Rental Restriction General Bylaw. Selectperson Whitney seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Bingham -no, Selectperson Hoffmann -no, Selectperson Whitney -yes, Chair Chatelain- no. The vote was 0 - Yes, 4 -No.” (Motion: Hoffmann, second: Whitney)
Feb 12Approve the final revised American Rescue Plan Act funding…Motion: to approve the final revised American Rescue Plan Act funding planPassed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
February 12, 2024: Approve the final revised American Rescue Plan Act funding plan
ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To approve the final revised American Rescue Plan Act funding plan
Mary Chaffee stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Bingham moved to approve the final revised American Rescue Plan Act funding plan. Selectperson Whitney seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Hoffmann -yes, Selectperson Bingham - yes, Selectperson Whitney -yes, Chair Chatelain- yes. The vote was 4 -Yes, 0 -No.” (Motion: Bingham, second: Whitney)
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).