Our Mission
The Brewster Community Network is a network of Brewster residents dedicated to sharing resources, information and contacts so that, in collaboration with town officials and the greater Brewster community, we are all better able to maintain the character of our town and the quality of our lives.
Our Goals
- Identify town-wide issues of concern to residents, both year-round and part-time
- Bring residents and stakeholders together at scheduled forums to share information, facts, expertise and opinions around these issues
- Provide a safe, respectful and dignified environment for open discussion that encourages input and consensus building at all levels
- Enable residents, town officials and all other stakeholders to make better-informed decisions
Our History
The Brewster Community Network (BCN) held its first public forum at the Brewster Ladies’ Library on December 10, 2015. At that time, Brewster citizens had no regular way, beyond the formal processes of local government, to come together to discuss community-wide issues and town initiatives. BCN began with the hopes of about twenty residents – including Peter Herrmann, John Lamb, Mary O’Neil and Chris Powicki – to provide all citizens with a non-partisan and neutral forum for sharing information, concerns, perspectives, and ideas and for learning from each other. Since then, BCN has organized dozens of public forums bringing together year-round and seasonal residents, candidates for elected office, experts and thought leaders, town and other officials, and other stakeholders and contributors. We believe we have increased community engagement, built understanding, and informed planning and decision-making. BCN’s mailing list has grown steadily – now well over 400 members.
Our Steering Committee
is Peter Herrmann, John Lamb and Chris Powicki.
(We are eager to broaden participation! So please let us know if you may be interested in helping … in any way.)