Welcome to Brewster
Brewster is a quiet, residential town on Cape Cod Bay known for its expansive tidal flats, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, and Nickerson State Park. The town has no traditional village center, instead spread along historic Route 6A with a strong emphasis on conservation and natural preservation.
Neighborhoods of Brewster
- Brewster Center (Coming Soon)
- East Brewster (Coming Soon)
- West Brewster (Coming Soon)
Brewster is governed by a five-member Select Board and a Town Manager, with an Open Town Meeting as the ultimate legislative authority. The town sits along Cape Cod Bay and is known for its freshwater ponds, conservation land, and strong community planning traditions. Brewster is currently managing one of the most consequential property decisions in its history — the redevelopment of the former Cape Cod Sea Camps — alongside major investments in water quality, housing, and long-term land use.
Key Officials (2025)
| Role | Name / Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Town Manager | Peter Lombardi | Chief executive and administrative officer |
| Select Board | 5 elected members | Roster & agendas → |
| Planning Board | Appointed | Zoning, development, permitting |
| Finance Committee | Appointed | Budget review and Town Meeting financial recommendations |
| School Committee | Elected | Nauset Regional School District |
Active Issues (2024–2026)
Cape Cod Sea Camps Redevelopment
In 2021, Brewster voters approved the purchase of the former Cape Cod Sea Camps properties — a 66-acre Bay Property on Cape Cod Bay and a 55-acre Pond Property on Long Pond — for approximately $36 million combined. Comprehensive Plans for both properties were adopted at Town Meeting in May 2024, establishing a vision for public access, conservation, and community facilities. The Sea Camps Advisory Committee is now overseeing phased implementation with engineering firm Weston & Sampson.
Why it matters: This is the largest land acquisition and redevelopment in Brewster's history. The Bay Property's beachfront location makes it uniquely valuable for public recreation. The Pond Property adds significant conservation land and freshwater access. How the town finances, phases, and manages these properties will shape Brewster's character and budget for decades.
Resident impact: Implementation is financed through a mix of excluded debt, grants, and other sources. Residents should track annual capital appropriation articles at Town Meeting. The Bay Property opened to limited public access in 2024; phased improvements are ongoing through 2026 and beyond.
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)
Brewster relies entirely on private wells and a town water district rather than a municipal sewer system. The town is developing an Integrated Water Resource Management plan to address nitrogen pollution in its more than 80 freshwater ponds — many used for swimming, fishing, and as drinking water sources. The plan includes strategies for alternative septic systems, aquifer protection, and pond restoration.
Why it matters: Unlike towns with centralized sewer systems, Brewster's water quality challenges are distributed across the entire town. Nitrogen loading from septic systems is degrading pond and coastal water quality. The IWRM approach is designed to protect both the drinking water supply and recreational water resources that define Brewster's character.
Resident impact: Homeowners may eventually face requirements or incentives to upgrade septic systems. The plan also informs where future development can be permitted. Long-term costs will depend on the scale and phasing of infrastructure improvements selected.
Local Comprehensive Plan — Implementation
Brewster adopted its Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP) at Town Meeting in November 2023, after more than two years of public process. The LCP covers housing, water resources, open space, coastal management, local economy, and governance. It is organized around ten "Building Blocks" and includes an Action Plan that shapes the Select Board's annual strategic planning process.
Why it matters: The LCP is the town's long-range blueprint — it guides where growth happens, how land is protected, and what infrastructure gets prioritized. The original 2022 draft was rejected at Town Meeting over concerns about a Wing Island Boardwalk project, which has since been dropped. The adopted 2023 version reflects extensive community revision and compromise.
Watch for: Annual Town Meeting articles that advance LCP action items — including zoning changes, open space acquisitions, housing production, and capital projects. Implementation progress is reported through the Select Board's strategic plan updates.
Affordable & Attainable Housing Production
Brewster's Housing Office — established as part of the Community Planning and Land Use Department — is working to expand affordable and attainable housing options guided by the town's Housing Production Plan and LCP. In early 2026, Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod broke ground on two new affordable homes on Mackie Drive. The Brewster Affordable Housing Trust is active in funding and managing housing programs.
Why it matters: Like all Cape Cod towns, Brewster faces pressure to meet state affordable housing benchmarks under Chapter 40B. Towns below the 10% threshold are more vulnerable to comprehensive permit applications that can override local zoning. Proactive production helps the town retain planning control.
Watch for: Affordable Housing Trust funding articles at Town Meeting, ZBA applications for 40B comprehensive permits, and any zoning bylaw amendments related to accessory dwelling units or multi-family housing.
Issue Timeline — Brewster
Local Landmarks
The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster is one of the region's premier educational institutions, offering exhibits on the Cape's unique ecology, geology, and wildlife. The museum sits on 80 acres of conservation land with walking trails that wind through salt marshes, woodlands, and barrier beaches along Cape Cod Bay.
Brewster is also known for its historic sea captain homes along Route 6A, Nickerson State Park with nearly 2,000 acres of forest and freshwater ponds, and the dramatic Brewster flats — at low tide, visitors can walk nearly a mile out onto the exposed bay floor. The town's commitment to preserving its natural character makes it a favorite destination for nature lovers.
Town Resources
- Town Website
- Assessor — Property Records
- GIS / Property Maps
- Dog Licenses (Town Clerk)
- Beach Stickers (Natural Resources)
- Transfer Station / Recycling
- Building Permits
- Town Clerk — Vital Records
- Animal Control
How to Stay Involved in Brewster
Meeting Agendas & Minutes
Official agendas for Select Board, Planning Board, and other meetings
Town Meeting Information
Warrant articles, schedules, and how to participate in Brewster Town Meeting
Voter Registration & Elections
Register to vote, check your status, and find polling locations
Join a Board or Committee
Volunteer openings on town boards — Planning, Conservation, Finance, and more
MA Secretary of State — Elections
Official state election information, candidate filings, and campaign finance
MA Legislature — Bill Tracker
Search bills filed by your state representative and senator
Upcoming Meetings
Mar 6 — Select Board joint with Finance Committee, 8:30 AM @ Town Hall Rms A&BMar 9 — Historic District Committee, 7:00 PM @ Town Hall Rm BFull meeting calendar →
Brewster Government TV (BGTV)