Bebrin Wins Brewster Seat By Three-vote Margin

BREWSTER – If you thought last year’s select board race was tight with a six vote margin, well, 2024 produced an even tighter result.

After the final 10 ballots were counted, Amanda Bebrin held off Laurel Labdon by a three-vote margin, 1,458 to 1,455 for. In the second board seat up for grabs, incumbent Mary Chaffee racked up 1,685 votes to win her third term as a select person.

All told, 2,068 people voted.

Last year Labdon lost to incumbent Ned Chatelain by six votes after a recount. Labdon will have the option to ask for a recount this time around as well.

“Many Brewster voters appreciate well informed leadership and I’ve demonstrated the ability over the last two terms to work collaboratively and effectively in the best interest of the community,” Chaffee said. She plans to continue working hard in her next term.

“Guiding the future of the Sea Camps to benefit the community is a priority,” Chaffee said. “Continued water quality is vital, more progress on affordable housing and helping people stay in their homes and continuing to provide high quality cost effective excellent services for Brewster residents.”

The race for the other seat was very tight, and after the first precinct Labdon held a 576-514 lead. But Bebrin was able to chip away in precincts two and three to hold a narrow four-vote edge. After the 10 ballots were hand counted, Chaffee picked up seven votes, Labdon four and Bebrin three.

“I’m thrilled to see such a tremendous turnout from Brewster voters,” Bebrin said. “And if there is a recount I look forward to continuing to serve the community.”

Bebrin is the chair of the Bay Property Planning Committee, which is set to be dissolved in the next few weeks.

“Brewster has a lot of complex challenges to work through and by energizing the community we’ll find solutions,” Bebrin said, “affordable housing, Sea Camps access, water quality, the local economy, zoning reform.”

The override of $758,091 for the elementary schools passed, as did a question to modify the CPC to exempt low income housing from the 3 percent surtax.