MassVoter.com← Brewster Select BoardBrewster Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
January 5, 2026
17 recorded votes, 6 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Mary Chaffee, Amanda Bebrin, Ned Chatelain, Pete Dahl, Caroline McCarley
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Enter executive session for reasons listed on the agenda, and to return to open session
To enter executive session for reasons listed on the agenda, and to return to open session
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chatelain moved to enter executive session for reasons listed on the agenda, and to return to open session. Selectperson Bebrin seconded the motion. All Select Board members voted in favor of the motion, via roll call vote: Chair Chaffee -yes, Selectperson Bebrin-yes, Selectperson Chatelain-yes, Selectperson Dahl -yes, Selectperson McCarley-yes. The vote was 5-Yes, 0- No.” (Motion: Chatelain, second: Bebrin)
Approve the consent agenda of December 15
To approve the consent agenda of December 15
From the minutes
“Selectperson Bebrin moved to approve the consent agenda of December 15. Selectperson Chatelain seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0- No.” (Motion: Bebrin, second: Chatelain)
Approve the new oyster grant as described in the packet and presented
To approve the new oyster grant as described in the packet and presented
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chatelain moved to approve the new oyster grant as described in the packet and presented. Selectperson Bebrin seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0-No.” (Motion: Chatelain, second: Bebrin)
Change the allocations under the Short Term Rentals Revenue Policy to shift the Capital Stabilization and Water Quality Stabilization to 10% each and to add at 20% allocation to support the...
To change the allocations under the Short Term Rentals Revenue Policy to shift the Capital Stabilization and Water Quality Stabilization to 10% each and to add at 20% allocation to support the Preschool Family Support Program for FY27
Mary Chaffee stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chatelain moved to change the allocations under the Short Term Rentals Revenue Policy to shift the Capital Stabilization and Water Quality Stabilization to 10% each and to add at 20% allocation to support the Preschool Family Support Program for FY27. Selectperson McCarley seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 4- yes, 0- No.” (Motion: Chatelain, second: McCarley)
Open the public hearing
To open the public hearing
Mary Chaffee stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Chatelain moved to open the public hearing. Selectperson McCarley seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 4- yes, 0-No.” (Motion: Chatelain, second: McCarley)
Close the public hearing
To close the public hearing
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chatelain moved to close the public hearing. Selectperson Bebrin seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0- No.” (Motion: Chatelain, second: Bebrin)
Submit an FY26 CDBG grant for housing rehabilitation and childcare subsidies and authorize the Town Manager or Designee to sign the grant application and associated forms
To submit an FY26 CDBG grant for housing rehabilitation and childcare subsidies and authorize the Town Manager or Designee to sign the grant application and associated forms
From the minutes
“Selectperson Bebrin moved to submit an FY26 CDBG grant for housing rehabilitation and childcare subsidies and authorize the Town Manager or Designee to sign the grant application and associated forms. Selectperson Chatelain seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0- No.” (Motion: Bebrin, second: Chatelain)
Appoint Terry Halvorson as an alternate to the Historic District Committee with a term to end on June 30, 2026
To appoint Terry Halvorson as an alternate to the Historic District Committee with a term to end on June 30, 2026
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chatelain moved to appoint Terry Halvorson as an alternate to the Historic District Committee with a term to end on June 30, 2026, Selectperson Bebrin seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0- No.” (Motion: Chatelain, second: Bebrin)
Defer any action regarding housing on the Sea Camps Pond Property until presentation and acceptance of the updated Integrated Water Resource Management Plan, a report of significant progress from...
To defer any action regarding housing on the Sea Camps Pond Property until presentation and acceptance of the updated Integrated Water Resource Management Plan, a report of significant progress from the Municipal Land Evaluation Committee, and a vote of Town Meeting to approve funding to move forward with the housing feasibility study for the Sea Camps property
The minutes give only the count (1-4), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Dahl moved to defer any action regarding housing on the Sea Camps Pond Property until presentation and acceptance of the updated Integrated Water Resource Management Plan, a report of significant progress from the Municipal Land Evaluation Committee, and a vote of Town Meeting to approve funding to move forward with the housing feasibility study for the Sea Camps property. Chair Chaffee seconded the motion. The Board discussed the motion further. Selectperson Chatelain clarified that funding for a feasibility study would utilize state grant funds and not taxpayer dollars. The vote was 1- yes, 4- No.” (Motion: Dahl, second: Chaffee)
Refer the ten acres to the Affordable Housing Trust and authorize them to do only the feasibility study and report back to the Select Board with their findings
To refer the ten acres to the Affordable Housing Trust and authorize them to do only the feasibility study and report back to the Select Board with their findings
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Bebrin moved to refer the ten acres to the Affordable Housing Trust and authorize them to do only the feasibility study and report back to the Select Board with their findings. Selectperson Chatelain seconded the motion. The Board discussed the motion, with Selectperson Chatealin recommending quarterly updates to the Board by the Housing Trust. Chair Chaffee recommended adding that no Town funds be used to proceed with the study. Ms. Kalinick noted that Mass Housing Partnership ( MHP) has a grant program to fund a feasibility study, and noted that if housing is not proceeded with, that a repayment of the funds is required. The maximum amount for a feasibility study under the MHP program is $ 35, 000. With this information, Selectperson Chatelain recommended limiting the Town' s exposure to $ 35, 000. Chair Chaffee asked that the amended motion delineating that public participation and engagement in the process be a priority. After the Board confirmed that the Select Board would retain care, custody and control of the parcel, Selectperson Bebrin amended the motion: to move to refer the ten acres to the Affordable Housing Trust only to complete a feasibility study specific to the Pond Parcel site, that the Trust will include opportunities for public input and community engagement, and further that the Trust will report out to the Select Board and by extension the community on a quarterly basis. Selectperson Chatelain seconded the amended motion. The vote was 4-yes, 1- No.” (Motion: Bebrin, second: Chatelain)
Approve the recommended 2026 Captains Golf Course Fee Schedule ( Greens Fees, Carts, and Driving Range)
To approve the recommended 2026 Captains Golf Course Fee Schedule ( Greens Fees, Carts, and Driving Range)
From the minutes
“Selectperson Bebrin moved to approve the recommended 2026 Captains Golf Course Fee Schedule ( Greens Fees, Carts, and Driving Range). Selectperson Chatelain seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0- No.” (Motion: Bebrin, second: Chatelain)
Approve Conservation Restriction for Thacher Bog Property in Harwich and send it to the MA Dept of Energy & Environmental Affairs
To approve Conservation Restriction for Thacher Bog Property in Harwich and send it to the MA Dept of Energy & Environmental Affairs
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chatelain moved to approve Conservation Restriction for Thacher Bog Property in Harwich and send it to the MA Dept of Energy & Environmental Affairs. Selectperson Bebrin seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0- No.” (Motion: Chatelain, second: Bebrin)
Dissolve the Short - Term Rental Task Force
To dissolve the Short - Term Rental Task Force
The minutes give the vote as 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Mary Chaffee, Amanda Bebrin, Ned Chatelain, Pete Dahl and Caroline McCarley). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Selectperson McCarley moved to dissolve the Short - Term Rental Task Force. Selectperson Chatelain seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 4- yes, 0-No.” (Motion: McCarley, second: Chatelain)
Refer to Town staff, as applicable, to draft a general use bylaw and regulations for consideration at Town Meeting
To refer to Town staff, as applicable, to draft a general use bylaw and regulations for consideration at Town Meeting
The minutes give the vote as 4-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Mary Chaffee, Amanda Bebrin, Ned Chatelain, Pete Dahl and Caroline McCarley). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chatelain moved to refer to Town staff, as applicable, to draft a general use bylaw and regulations for consideration at Town Meeting. Selectperson McCarley seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 4- yes, 0-No.” (Motion: Chatelain, second: McCarley)
Set the open Spring 2026 Town Meeting Warrant
To set the open Spring 2026 Town Meeting Warrant
From the minutes
“Selectperson Chatelain moved to set the open Spring 2026 Town Meeting Warrant. Selectperson Bebrin seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0-No.” (Motion: Chatelain, second: Bebrin)
Set the Spring 2026 Town Meeting Date for May 4, 2026
To set the Spring 2026 Town Meeting Date for May 4, 2026
From the minutes
“Selectperson Bebrin moved to set the Spring 2026 Town Meeting Date for May 4, 2026. Selectperson Chatelain seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0-No.” (Motion: Bebrin, second: Chatelain)
Adjourn at 9:50 pm
To adjourn at 9:50 pm
From the minutes
“Selectperson Bebrin moved to adjourn at 9:50 pm. Selectperson Chatelain seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion. The vote was 5- yes, 0-No.” (Motion: Bebrin, second: Chatelain)
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).
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