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The Town of Brewster Department of Public Works is offering private residents the option to have their catch basins cleaned. Regular cleaning removes accumulated debris, sediment, and pollutants that can clog the basin and lead to backups, flooding, and environmental contamination. As of August 12, neighborhood associations can sign up for this service. Click here to access the application. The completed form and accompanying payment of $65 must be received by the Town by October 1.  The BPC held its Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 9, at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church in East Brewster, with over 80 members and guests attending the two-hour event. If you missed the meeting, a full video recording will be available soon on our website and YouTube channel. In the meantime, here is a recap of what was presented and discussed.
The business portion of the meeting included a review of the BPC’s long-term strategic goals and priorities for the 2025-2026 business year; a review of the organization’s 2024 Full Year and July YTD finances provided by Treasurer, Rob Condon; a bylaw change and Board elections. Susan also recognized two retiring Board members, Rob Condon and Tim Chase, and introduced two new Board members, Bruce Semple and David Jacobs.
Julie began her presentation with a brief review of what cyanobacteria is, how it is formed, environmental conditions that contribute to it, and how the differing characteristics of ponds affect its formation. She also explained the different types of toxins that cyanobacteria can produce and the side effects that might result from exposure. Julie also explained the APCC’s cyanobacteria monitoring program including its work with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health at individual towns to analyze water samples and provide warning and use restriction notices to the public when safety concerns are identified. She concluded by encouraging the audience to review the APCC Cyanobacteria Monitoring 2025 map for up-to-date news of the status of the ponds that are being monitored. To view all the slides presented at the meeting, click here.
The BPC thanks Agway of Cape Cod (a business partner) for its sponsorship of this year’s event and the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church for the use of its facilities, audiovisual capabilities, and the support of its staff. Susan Baur, founder of the Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage (OLAUG), will captivate attendees with the efforts of this energetic group of ladies who swim in Cape Cod's freshwater ponds collecting trash. The BPC is sponsoring her talk on Wednesday, September 10, from 2 to 3:30 PM, at the Brewster Ladies Library (1822 Main Street). This free event will be held in the main auditorium and is open to the public. This summer has been a busy one for the group, with more than 20 dives scheduled throughout the area. Although some planned dives have been complicated by cases of cyanobacteria, it's been a banner year for trash! OLAUG has hauled parts of an 18-foot dock and portions of a yellow corvette. As Susan says, "Every dive is an adventure and gives us another story to tell." You won't want to miss hearing about OLAUG's adventures! The Brewster Ponds Coalition (BPC) and the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) have suspended cyanobacteria monitoring in Nickerson State Park.
APCC and BPC are partners in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of cyanobacteria in certain ponds within Nickerson State Park. We have been notified by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) that our access to the park for the purposes of data collection is contingent upon our obtaining a DCR research permit. Cyano monitoring has been taking place for over 6 years without this requirement. We have been told by DCR to stop monitoring until and unless the permit is granted. The required permit has been applied for. We are currently unable to continue sampling for cyanobacteria within Nickerson State Park until further notice. APCC’s Cyano map will color the ponds within Nickerson State Park as grey, the coloration of ponds not actively being sampled. Users of the ponds within the park are advised to educate themselves about cyanobacteria blooms and use their own judgement and observations to make decisions governing use of the ponds. Click here to access the APCC Cyanobacteria Monitoring 2025 map. |
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