Brewster Association of Part-Time Residents

Reports included below

Minutes of August 2009 Annual Meeting

Minutes of August 2008 Annual Meeting

MINUTES of the August 29, 2009 Annual Meeting

The seventh Annual Meeting of the Brewster Association of Part-time Residents was held on August 29, 2009 at the Brewster Ladies Library. Approximately 40 members were present. The meeting was called to order by President Edward Goldman at 10:00 am. Ed welcomed all.

Greg Jones gave the Treasurer's Report indicating that at the end of July we had a balance of $19,158.74. For ease of use our checking account was moved to Bank of America into an interest bearing checking account. Overall our expenses amount to about $6,000 per year. We have 877 members of which 599 are active (68% have paid their dues).

The question was raised as to what type of non-profit organization we are. This will be checked into and if any of our members can give legal assistance it would be appreciated.

Ed Goldman gave his report on the 'State of the Association' recapping the history of BAPR. We were formed because of the residential tax exemption that was passed by the Selectmen in 2002. We must be vigilant on this issue as tax contributions to the Town are down. Barnstable passed the tax exemption for residents and people were not aware of this. We represent the non-residents to the town government and try to keep informed of issues.

The BAPR made donations this year as follows: $1,000 to the Friends of Crosby Mansion for the reupholstering of their chairs, $1,000 to the Town of Brewster for the Heating Fund, and $3,000 for towards the renovation of the First Parish Church.

Donations to the Town show that we are good neighbors and friends and keep us visible to the people of Brewster. At the Board of Directors Meeting it was voted to donate up to 35% of our money each year. We are open to suggestions for donations each year.

Most neighboring towns have part-time resident organizations. We will be communicating with them. There is strength in numbers. The Brewster Taxpayers Association, which is a small organization, has contacted us asking if we would like to work with them. We are trying to have a positive impact on the town, rather than being viewed as only negative.

Jim Carrabetta discussed the rental tax House Bill HO2940, whereby homeowners who rent their homes would be have to charge room tax. Thus far it has not progressed very far, but we have to be aware of it. The bill can be reviewed at www.mass.gov. Some people feel it has some fairness but are concerned with the implementation and how people would pay this tax. We took a poll of our membership and two to one they wanted us to take a stand against this tax. We sent a letter to legislators and town officials recapping our members' feelings.

If this bill is passed each town would vote whether or not to implement this. If neighboring towns do not adopt this tax and Brewster does, people who rent their homes would be at a disadvantage.

A member made the suggestion that we publicize the Annual Meeting with signs around town announcing the meeting, publicity on the public access channel, and articles in the newspaper.

A motion was made and unanimously accepted to appoint the following officers and directors to serve for a two year term from August 2009 to August 2011:

President: Edward Goldman

Vice President: Steven Berkowitz

Treasurer: Greg Jones

Secretary: Mary Ann Lozano

Board of Directors: Phil Wise

James Carrabetta

Kit Reynolds

Louise Choulian

Luis Lozano

David Fergusson

Edward McCullough

Kathy Fergusson

We are always looking for new directors. We only meet a few times a year.

Ed asked for a ten minute break at 10:50 am before we began the Information Forum portion of the meeting.

The meeting resumed at 11:00 am. Ed introduced Don Schober, a member of the Brewster Meeting House Preservation Project who thanked us for our donation, explained his organization and the reasons for restoring the First Parish Church. (Mr. Schober is also Chairman of the Brewster Finance Committee.) We will send an email to our members to see if any are interested in serving on this committee.

Ed introduced Charlie Sumner, our Town Administrator who discussed the following:

He does not like overrides but feels 2010 could be a problem. Revenues are way down and the Commonwealth has reduced our aid.
The tax rate will increase about 2% on our next tax bill.
The town has a AA+ bond rating. We are 96% residential.
Jean Sears, Council of Aging, Roy Jones, Fire Chief, Paul Hicks, Water Supervisor and Mitzi Unger, Town Clerk are all retiring in the near future.
We have a new Town Planner, Susan Leven. We were the only Cape town without one.
The biggest issue is the town facilities reutilization plan. The suggested plan is to move all elementary students into Stony Brook School, build an addition to Stony Brook. The Council of Aging, Recreation Department and Town Hall would move to the Eddy School. We would sell the present town hall to the Charter School. This money would be used to pay for the addition. The old Council of Aging building would be leased to the Brewster Historical Society. For five years we will need to keep a small number of classes in the Eddy School, along with the above offices, in order to retain State reimbursement. We would save money having only one school. The federal stimulus money is a headache, and we don?t know if the money will continue.
We are behind in Waste Water Planning. Our Town Planner is looking at the waste water issues.
One-third of town land is protected. We are looking into further land acquisitions. There is 3% surcharge on our tax bill for this. The Bates property near Punkhorn will be on the docket for the October town meeting.
Drummer Boy playground will be taken down and rebuilt starting shortly.
Zoning by laws have been changed. Water protection rules will restrict the ability to use land in public water supply areas.
A sand, earth, mining by-law was passed which will allow mining, but sets standards.
Tennis Courts ? four new adult courts and four quick start courts will be built near Stony Brook School. It is out to bid and should be completed by Spring. The old courts will be abandoned.
A federal grant was received to replace the storm water drain, culvert and filter under Route 6A for the Herring River.
Two commercial size wind turbines are planned for off of Freemans Way. They will be 450 feet high. We have joined with Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative. The turbines will provide electricity for the town at the rate of 8 cents for 20 years. We will have excess power that we will look into selling to Nauset Regional School.
Two solar panels will be placed on Eddy School.
Charlie is an advocate of the Local Options Tax but realizes there would be issues and problems. We would not implement this tax unless neighboring towns do.
There is also an option for local towns to add .75 meal tax. He will hold a public hearing on this. No Cape town has adopted this yet.

The meeting adjoined at 12:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ann Lozano

MINUTES of the August 9, 2008 Annual Meeting

The sixth Annual Meeting of the Brewster Association of Part-time Residents was held on August 9, 2008 at the Brewster Ladies Library. Approximately 40 members were present. The meeting was called to order by President Edward Goldman at 10:00 am. Ed welcomed all and particularly our guests Ed Lewis, Selectman, Roy Jones, Fire Chief and Charles Sumner, Town Administrator.

Ed Goldman gave his report on the “State of the Association” recapping the history of the BAPR. We presently have 807 members, an increase from 741 members last year. We were formed to fight the differential tax rate for residents and non-residents. The part time residents are good neighbors and friends, and we need the support of all our members. The personal property tax is 1% and has been reduced over recent years. Ed Lewis suggested that someone from our organization attend the September/October Selectmen’s Meeting when the property tax comes up for the setting of the rates.

Last year our organization donated $4,500 to the fire department for the purchase of three Automatic External Defibrillators for Brewster.

Ed gave the Treasurer’s Report indicating we started the year with $9,886 and presently have an estimated $14,000. Our administrator, Brenda Locke, has an annual salary of $4,000. We purchased an advertisement to publicize our Open Forum meeting.

Ed asked for suggestions for a gift to the town for 2008.

Frank Koehler, our webmaster has moved from Cape Cod. Jim Carabetta explained the duties of the webmaster. Ed Goldman asked for a volunteer for this position. Michael Stevens volunteered to take the position.

Ed Goldman mentioned that the Treasurer’s position and six directors positions are up for election and asked for volunteers. There being no volunteers a motion was made and accepted to appoint the following members to the position indicated:

Treasurer: Greg Jones

Board of Directors: Greg Jones

Phil Wise

Ann Wise

Steven Berkowitz

Kit Reynolds

Louise Choulian

Ed opened the Information Forum portion of the meeting by introducing Charles Sumner, Brewster Town Administrator, who discussed the following:

The tax rate will increase 4% on our next tax bill using the excess levy capacity.

Our payment from the Commonwealth has increased from $100,000 to $600,000 per year.

The town bond rating has increased to AA++.

The Town Planner position approved in May is presently being advertised, and we will begin interviewing candidates.

Waste water planning is a major issue.

The fire and rescue facility is being analyzed as to how it can accommodate future needs and if a new building is needed.

The snow plowing of private roads will continue for 2008-2009. Starting in 2009-2010 roads will have to improve to specific standards to be plowed.

The wind turbine is being investigated, and the Town may join the collaborative.

Roy Jones, Fire Chief, explained the needs of the fire department.

The meeting adjoined at 11:50 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ann Lozano, Secretary