Brewster Select Board Meeting
The meeting commenced with an executive session regarding strategy sessions for negotiations with non-union personnel, including police personnel bylaw and personnel bylaw, collective bargaining, litigation strategy, and real estate purchase considerations, with an anticipated return to open session at 6:00 p.m. Upon returning to open session, the board approved the consent agenda, which included approving a request for tree removal at the Brewster Historical Society property following a hazard assessment. A major discussion point involved the potential continued expansion of the Hero Act veterans exemption for fiscal year 2027, with the board opting to revisit the vote after the budget presentation. The board also discussed and voted to approve the Local Action Unit application for Serenity at Brewster, involving 23 additional rental units, 12 of which will be affordable, potentially bringing the town to 9.7% of its subsidized housing inventory goal. Subsequent public hearings resulted in the approval of ten-year renewal terms for the Paul Young and the Timothy and Claudia Ellis shellfish aquaculture grants. Finally, the board began a joint presentation with the Finance Committee on the Fiscal Year 2027 Town Operating Budget overview, which presented significant challenges due to cost escalation and the absence of COVID-19 relief funds. Key budget discussions covered revenue assumptions, expense projections, and the directive for level services, noting that personnel costs are the primary driver. The budget proposal within the levy limit projects a 3.4% increase in town expenses, while the overall recommendation requiring an operating override projects a 6.9% increase. Specific attention was given to school budgets, projecting a 3% operating increase cap for the Nauset Region (though preliminary middle school budget is at 4.7%) and a 4.4% increase for Elementary Schools (excluding health insurance and pension increases carried on the town side). Cape Cod Tech assessments are projected to increase by 7.1% in total assessment. Health insurance rates increased by 8% for the Municipal Health Group (resulting in a 5.2% actual increase for the town budget), and pension assessments saw a 6.2% actual increase for the town portion.