******* PRESIDENT'S BULLETIN BOARD*****

President's Oct 29, 2008 Letter to Members

Dear Members:

I thought I would take a few minutes to give you an update on your organization and the progress it has made over this past year.

The quick summary is that your association is in good shape. We currently have 807 member families, up from 741 last year.  Our finances are solid. We are fortunate to have an excellent vice president, Werner Schuele, an equally excellent treasurer, Greg Jones, and an even more excellent administrator, Brenda Locke.

We held our Annual Information Forum on August 9^th, and were pleased to have as guest speakers Charlie Sumner, Town Administrator, Ed Lewis, Selectmen, and Fire Chief Roy Jones.

Mr. Sumner told us that:

-The tax rate will increase approximately 4% in 2009

-The Commonwealth will increase payments to Brewster to $600,000 this year

-The town bond rating has increased to AA++

-Brewster will hire a Town Planner

-The Fire and Rescue facility was evaluated and the recommendation (as of 24 Oct 08) is to build      a new facility on the present site (approx. $12 million)

-Private roads will continue to be plowed but specific rules will be imposed for 2009-2010

-Waste water planning is becoming a major issue (pay attention to this subject), although town-wide sewer installation is not imminent (yet).

Chief  Jones explained the needs of the Fire Department, including the new station.

We had 40 of our 807 member families in attendance at the Forum and Annual meeting. This is the other side of success. We wish we could have more of you participate in the meetings and in the Association’s activities. We are much like a reserve army - when there is no enemy it is hard to get excited. But when the enemy appears, we need to be totally ready. Our enemy is the annual vote of the Selectmen which deals with the tax rate. We are fortunate that our present Selectmen agree with us that a differential tax rate is not fair, and they have supported us since 2003 and kept the tax rate equal. We could be faced with a different group of Selectmen, or a desperate group faced with declining State and Federal contributions to the Town. That is the reason we need to keep a high profile, and we need to be viewed as valuable, contributing neighbors and friends; not as the strangers from across the bridge that cannot vote. 

Last year, in an effort to maintain a highly visible position in the town, we contributed $4500 to the Town to buy 3 AED’s (defibrillators) for the Fire Department. This month we contributed $1000 to the Town’s Fuel Assistance Fund, and $1000 to the Crosby Mansion to re-upholster antique furniture. Recognition to BAPR will be provided for both donations. Depending on our financial condition as we approach year end, we may provide additional funds for the Fuel Assistance Program. 

Our members have volunteered at Town events. We are clearly contributors to the Town, and BAPR works hard to create a strong presence and to maintain a positive image.

Beside the “big picture” vigilance against unfair taxation, we provide a link into Town and Cape-wide activities. Brenda prepares and sends an e-mail report of any news events in the Town that she feels are important. We sponsor an annual Information Forum open to anyone in Brewster at which the Town officials update the audience on Town affairs. Last year we sponsored a session on the insurance crisis affecting so many of us on the Cape.

We hope that you agree with the activities of your organization. Our objective is to be the voice, as well as the eyes and ears of the part-time residents of Brewster. The future brings a need for a strong and visible BAPR.

The BAPR Officers, Directors and Staff  wish you the best for the rest of 2008, and a great 2009.

Ed Goldman, President

2008 ANNUAL MEETING AND INFORMATION FORUM

Our Annual Meeting was held on August 9 at the Brewster Ladies Library.  Approximately 40 BAPR members were present.  Ed Goldman, President, gave his "State of the Association" report and Ed Lewis (Selectman), Charles Sumner (Town Administrator) and Roy Jones (Fire Chief) contributed news items of interest.  Of particular interest was the announcement that the tax rate will increase 4% on our next tax bill. Minutes of the Meeting providing details of the presentation are reported under the "Reports Section" of this website.

 CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ?

Those of you who have recently changed your email provider or email address are asked to advise us of your new address as soon as possible. We want to make sure our periodic mailings and news items are being received.  Please advise Brenda Locke, Administrator, of the details.

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Our mission is to:

• Inform our members of  Town and Cape 
   issues of  importance.       
• Give members a voice in Brewster affairs.
• Improve communication and cooperation between members and 
  the Town of  Brewster.
• Use member resources and skills to the maximum benefit of the
   Town

We support our members:

We have opposed discriminatory taxes and improved our members' awareness of Town activities.

We support our Town:

We have worked to assist needy residents obtain financial support to meet their tax expenses. We are also the sponsors of the Brewster Information Forum organized in 2004 to bring together full-time and part-time residents with the Town officials.  

In Fall 2006, we donated $1700 to the Town to purchase a spectator bench and two picnic tables for the new baseball field at the Stony Brook School.  Last year  BAPR donated $4500 for the purchase of three Automatic Emergency Defilibrators (AED's) - to be located at the Library, Town Hall and Senior Center.  In addition, we gave $250 to the Brewster Ladies' Library and $250 to the Brewster Pond Stewards.  In October 2008, we contributed $1000 to the Town's Fuel Assistance Fund and $1000 to the Crosby Mansion

We will continue to be your voice to the Brewster government •