 It has been the BPC’s #1 goal to strive for a town-wide wastewater management plan. Towards that end, we filed a citizens petition to include an article on the warrant for the 2025 Annual Town Meeting requesting $300K to fund a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP). Thanks to our concerned voting members and friends, the CWMP petition appears as Article #19 on the warrant. However, the Select Board voted unanimously not to support the CWMP article based on funding concerns and duplication of effort with the Town’s ongoing work to update its Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (IWRMP).
The good news is that the Town along with support from the Water Resource Task Force came back to the BPC with an offer to incorporate many critical components of the CWMP into its IWRMP along with additional funding to support that work. This action was done with the understanding that if the BPC is satisfied with the proposed additions, we will in turn move to indefinitely postpone the CWMP funding article at the Annual Town Meeting on May 5. After careful review, the BPC Board of Directors did, in fact, vote unanimously to accept the Select Board’s proposal. Please read this detailed summary of the updates so that you will be fully informed before the Annual Town Meeting on May 5. Click here to read the updated outline for the IWRMP. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at [email protected]. For more information, please consider attending one of the BPC’s upcoming information sessions to learn about all the articles on the warrant related to water resources. Session 1: Wednesday, April 23 3 to 5 PM Auditorium, Brewster Ladies Library (1822 Main Street) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Session 2: Saturday, April 26 10 AM to 12 PM Community Room, Brewster Police Department (631 Harwich Road) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER  Pictured above are Susan Bridges (BPC President), Tom Cambareri (Sole Source Consulting), John Keith (BPC Vice President), and Tom Barr (Town of Chatham). The BPC held its annual Pond Summit on Saturday, April 5 at the Brewster Baptist Church. The Summit featured two speakers who delved into the topic of "Chemicals of Emerging Concern." Attendees first heard from Tom Cambareri, Water Resource Specialist and Hydrologist with Sole Source Consulting. He explained the use of these chemicals dating back to the 1950s and how they move through the groundwater into the Cape Cod aquifer. He noted how such chemicals, especially PFAS, threaten our sole source aquifer and create health risks via drinking water and the affected health of our ponds. Tom Barr, Deputy Director of Public Works for the Town of Chatham, provided a real-world example of the PFAS issue in Chatham. In specific, he noted how PFAS were detected in the town's drinking water, what options were considered to remediate the problem, and the resulting actions put in place. If you missed the event, you can view the recorded presentations and download the slides.
The BPC thanks the Brewster Baptist Church and its staff for the use of its facilities and The Leighton Team, a BPC business partner, for sponsoring the event. Saturday, April 12 Flax Pond in Nickerson State Park Join the BPC for its first hike of the year. Members Nancy Ortiz and Kristi Dondlinger will lead a 3.5-mile hike in Nickerson State Park on Saturday, April 12, starting at 10 AM (with a rain date of Sunday, April 13). Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and a snack. Although the trail is mostly flat, this scenic hike can be challenging in some areas. Along with a few steep inclines, expect some rocky paths and exposed roots. This free event is limited to a maximum of 18 participants. Further details will be sent to registered participants prior to the hike. In case of inclement weather, you will be notified at least one day in advance.  Join the BPC Team - always one of the largest and most fun groups - for the 13th Annual Beautify Brewster Day! Help clean up the roads in Brewster that contribute to pond and groundwater degradation. The event will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 9 AM to 12 PM (rain date is Sunday, April 27). After the clean-up, all volunteers will be treated to a luncheon at the Brewster Baptist Church (1848 Main Street, beginning at 12:30 PM). Click here to register for our team! Additional details will be sent to all registered volunteers. (Pictured below is the 2024 Beautify Brewster BPC group.)  The BPC is hosting two public information sessions in April to explain and answer questions about the articles related to water resource protection included in the town's Spring Warrant. These sessions aim to inform and educate Brewster voters about the need for these articles to pass during the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 5. Representatives from the BPC will explain the purpose of the articles and why we support them, including the BPC-sponsored article to request funding for a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP), and the recently-updated Water Quality Protection District (WQPD) Bylaw and its proposed amendments. We hope you can join us at one of the sessions, which are free and open to all.  Photograph above from a BPC information session held in April 2024.
Jon Idman, the Town of Brewster’s Director of Community Planning and Land Use Management and Town Planner, conducted a presentation to a group of BPC members and friends at the Brewster Ladies Library on Wednesday, March 12. He provided a thorough overview of the role of the Brewster Planning Office within the framework of the town’s government. He stressed the fact that all planning for town projects is a “systematic, open, broad, collaborative, dynamic, and creative process that involves everyone in the community.” Jon touched on his role on the Water Resources Task Force that takes an integrated approach to water quality planning of the marine, pond, and freshwater resources of Brewster. In this capacity, he has been involved in amendments to the Water Quality Protection District zoning bylaws that will be on the Spring Town Warrant for voting on May 5. The purpose of these amendments is to provide clarity and better understanding of the document. To read the full extent of Jon’s presentation, please click here. The Brewster Ponds Coalition participated in the Brewster Chamber of Commerce 2025 Eco Expo at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in mid-February. The BPC exhibit was a big hit with the children who visited during the mid-winter school break. They enjoyed spinning the wheel in the trivia game and learning fun facts about Brewster's ponds and the creatures that live within them. The children were also treated to a visit by "Shelly the Turtle." Top left photo: BPC Volunteer Coordinator Kristi Dondlinger, President Susan Bridges, and Board Member Marcia Kielb as Shelly the Turtle greeted visitors to its exhibit. Top right: A curious participant ponders her trivia question at the wheel.
Topic: Chemicals of Emerging Concern Saturday, April 5 9 - 11:30 AM Brewster Baptist Church (1848 Main Street) Join us for the BPC 2025 Pond Summit. The theme of this year's event is Chemicals of Emerging Concern, a topic in the news of late both nationally and on Cape Cod. We will have two speakers on this topic:
his work with municipal and private clients on water resources issues including groundwater modeling of PFAS contamination and remedial actions.
drinking water, the options considered to remediate the problem, and the course of action being taken. The Pond Summit is free and open to the public. It will begin with registration, coffee, and pastries at 9 AM, followed by the presentations at 9:30 AM. The Leighton Team, a BPC business partner, is sponsoring the event. 
Thursday, March 27 5:30 - 7 PM Brewster Ladies Library (1822 Main Street) Join the Brewster Ponds Coalition at this community forum to learn why the BPC Board believes that Brewster needs a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP). BPC representatives will explain how a CWMP should be a critical component of the town's Integrated Water Resource Management Plan, what the plan would include, what it will cost, and what happens after the plan is developed. Equally important is that we will encourage an open dialogue and look forward to hearing any concerns and questions you may have. This event is free and open to the public. The photograph above is from a Community Forum held in April 2024.
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