GETTING READY FOR TOWN MEETING FORUM — April 25 |
BCN’s Town Meeting Forum had a new twist this Spring – it was a forum for any interested citizens and Town officials to share information and opinions, and also raise questions and concerns, about any articles in our Town Warrant. This forum was open to all.
A summary of these discussions will be posted here …
The following articles were discussed:
Regulation of Short-term Rentals
- Articles 23 & 24: Citizen Petition for Short-term Rental Registration & Ownership Restrictions Bylaws
Matilda Delano, lead petitioner of the short-term rental registration articles, presented her latest findings, Her current petition is fully vetted by Town Counsel. She knows of no progress on this matter by our Town, since it recommended delaying action at Town Meeting last Fall to work on it more comprehensively.
School Budgets, Prop 2½ Override and Regional School Planning
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Article 5: Brewster Elementary Schools Operating Override
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Article 6: Nauset Regional Schools Operating Budget
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Article 12: Item 1b: Nauset Elementary School Regionalization & Efficiency Study
Sea Camps Property Planning
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Articles 18 & 19: Sea Camps Comprehensive Plans: Bay Property & Long Pond Property
BCN FORUM – THURSDAY MARCH 28, 6:30 – 8:10 pm
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OTHER PAST BCN FORUMS
including VIDEOS & PRESENTATIONS
2023 BCN FORUMS
Getting Ready for Town Meeting: Regulating Short-Term Rentals
November 2, 2023
Sorry – no video available
As other major topics – like rebuilding Millstone Road and revisiting the proposed Local Comprehensive Plan – were covered in other venues, this forum focused on the two citizen-petitioned articles (13 and 14) for our Town Meeting on November 13. Lead petitioner Matilda Delano, explained : “Registration of Short-Term Rentals” and “Restriction of Short-Term Rentals” and answered questions.
Attendees also offered perspectives on other Town Meeting articles. Peter Lombardi, our Town Manager, and SelectBoard member Kari Hoffmann was available to answered questions about the Town’s recommended response to the issues raised.
Article 13 would promote compliance with all local and state ordinances by those offering short-term home rentals. This includes occupancy, trash removal, parking requirements, zoning bylaws, and health and safety codes. An annual $150 fee is intended to cover required registration and enforcement costs. Violators may have to pay $200/day fines.
Peter reported that, given the many things the articles require the Town to check for each rental, our Board of Health projects it would need to hire two more people. The estimated extra cost for them and all the systems and expenses needed is around $200k per year. However, other towns like Chatham and P’town have implemented similar policies (developed in broader consultation) with one extra hire at the most.
Article 14 would limit the number of short-term rentals operated in Brewster to two for full-time residents and one for all others.
According to the Cape Cod Chronicle, Mati and family have experienced the Cape’s affordable housing crisis for more than a decade. This has worsened in Brewster as more homes became short-term rentals and fewer homes were offered for year-round occupancy. State data indicate that over 1,000 Brewster homes – 15% of our total – are used for short-term rentals.
Candidates for May Town Elections – May 4 2023
Watch Video
Timing:
Recreation Commission from start
Board of Health from 34 mins 25 secs
Select Board from 1 hr 8 mins 25 secs
See the election results here: Brewster’s Election