Past BCN Forums

“The Path to a Community Center in Brewster”

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Tuesday February 6, 2018

Brewster Community Network (BCN) is hosting a forum on Tuesday, February 6, beginning at 6:30 pm at Brewster Ladies’ Library, to advance discussion about a future Brewster Community Center meeting the needs and wants of citizens of all ages and inclinations.

The forum will feature information on community centers in the towns of Harwich and Chatham, perspectives from members of the Brewster School Committee, and audience Q&A. Members of the Council on Aging Board and Recreation Commission also have been invited to address the following questions:

· What is your mission, and how do you currently serve the community?
· How well does your existing physical infrastructure meet your mission and the current and future needs of your constituents?
· What’s your vision for a Community Center – what capabilities, facilities, programming opportunities, etc., would you like to see?

The forum will focus on what we need from a Community Center, not on any particular location.

Regulating Recreational Marijuana in Brewster: How and Where?

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Thursday, January 11, 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Brewster Ladies Library

Video of Zoning for Recreational Marijuana in Brewster

Play video now

On January 11 at Brewster Ladies’ Library, Mike Embury, Town Administrator, and Ryan Bennett, Town Planner, will present a draft zoning bylaw for “Recreational Marijuana Facilities” at a forum sponsored by the Brewster Community Network. The forum, to be held from 6:30-8:00 pm, is intended to inform community conversation about important issues relating to siting and operations. Citizens and prospective customers and business owners are invited to come and add questions and comments.

This forum is in response to the defeat of the Town’s proposed ban and moratorium at Fall Town Meeting. The Brewster Planning Board is in the process of drafting a zoning bylaw to regulate a retail store and other establishments, including cultivators and product manufacturers. A final version of the bylaw is scheduled to be put before Brewster voters at a Special Town Meeting on March 12th, 2018. Recreational marijuana is expected to become commercially available across Massachusetts during 2018.

The Future of Affordable Housing in Brewster

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Thursday, December 7, 6:30 –8:00 pm
Brewster Ladies’ Library

Housing availability and affordability challenge current and prospective Brewster residents, leading to unbalanced demographics in terms of age and income. Will problems worsen over time, or are solutions on the way?

This forum will present the findings of a regional housing market analysis, forecast, and second-homeowner survey conducted by the Cape Cod Commission, as well as a model bylaw designed to increase the stock of accessory units. Local progress, challenges, perspectives, and solutions will also be explored.

Speakers include Jeff Ribeiro, a regulatory planner at Cape Cod Commission; Jill Scalise, Brewster’s recently-appointed housing coordinator; and Ned Chatelain, a member of the Brewster Housing Partnership Committee. There will be ample time for questions, answers, and discussion.

CITIZEN’S FORUM ON ARTICLES 8, 10 AND 11

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BEFORE YOU VOTE: CITIZEN’S FORUM ON ARTICLES 8, 10 AND 11

RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AND BEACH PARKING AT PAINES CREEK

THURSDAY, NOV. 2, FROM 6:30 TO 8:00 PM

BREWSTER LADIES LIBRARY

Three noteworthy articles on the Nov.13 Brewster Town Meeting Warrant will be discussed at the Brewster Community Network’s forum on Thursday, Nov. 2nd from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Brewster Ladies’ Library, 1822 Main St., Brewster.

Articles 10 and 11 seek to update the town’s zoning bylaws in the wake of the state ballot initiative and legislation supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana. Article 10 would ban recreational marijuana establishments, including marijuana cultivators, retailers and related businesses. Article 11 would place a temporary moratorium on the use of land or structures for a recreational marijuana establishment, giving town officials opportunity to develop zoning and other regulations.

Article 8 would authorize the Select Board to purchase a vacant residential parcel of land at 375 Paines Creek Road for conservation and/or passive recreation purposes, including the proposed development of a new beach parking lot. The parcel is now owned by the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, working with the Brewster Conservation Trust. The article seeks to appropriate $195,000 from Community Preservation Funds for this purchase.

Differing points of view on these articles will be presented by a variety of speakers, including Mike Embury, Brewster’s Town Administrator and a speaker representing Regulate Cape Cod, a group formed to support both the establishment and regulation of recreational marijuana establishments.

Mark the date, Thursday, Nov. 2 on your calendar and be sure to bring your questions and comments on these warrant articles.

Guiding Brewster’s Land Development for a Sustainable, Affordable and Well-Balanced Community

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Guiding Brewster’s Land Development for a Sustainable,
Affordable and Well-Balanced Community

Wednesday August 2, 6:30–8 pm at the Brewster Ladies’ Library
Sponsored by the Brewster Community Network

How do we balance the needs of community, business development and conservation? Where should we conserve and where should we develop? How should we guide the uses of remaining undeveloped land to best sustain our natural environment, our economy and a vibrant affordable community?

Less than one-third of the property in Brewster is left for assignment. Conservation protects the rural atmosphere and our affordable award-winning water supply. Development adds to the tax base and often creates economic opportunity, and we specifically need more affordable housing to maintain our community balance and affordable services. Managing our land use well will be vital to achieving the shared vision Brewster is working hard to develop.

A panel of experts will explore these issues. Among the speakers will be:
Mark Robinson is director of The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts and advises the Town Open Space Committee.
Paul Anderson is superintendent of the Brewster Water Department, responsible for maintaining Brewster’s water supply.
Ryan Bennett is Brewster’s town planner, trying to find an opening for more affordable housing and balancing other interests.

Please come to hear the different perspectives, question the experts, and participate in an open discussion of how to guide these critical overlapping needs.

“The Future of Our Coast: Enhancing Access, Adapting to Change, Seeking Public Engagement”

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“The Future of Our Coast:
Enhancing Access, Adapting to Change, Seeking Public Engagement”

Presented by Brewster Community Network
6:30 – 8 pm, Thursday, June 15
Brewster Ladies Library

Are you concerned about the effects of climate change on Brewster’s coastline? Are you frustrated about access to our beaches in the summer season? Do you feel like your voice is being heard? This forum will feature the Brewster Coastal Adaptation Strategy, which summarizes the anticipated impacts of climate change on public landings and beaches and provides consensus recommendations for building resiliency while protecting community values. Members of the Coastal Committee and the Brewster Coastal Advisory Group will present the adaptation strategy and its guiding principles for protecting and enhancing beach access, as well as solicit ideas for public engagement in the development of coastal projects based on a discussion of relevant case studies.

Download PowerPoint Presentation