Sea Camps Funding Fails At Special Election

BREWSTER – On Tuesday, Brewster residents voted against taking on $11.4 million in debt to finance all phases of the Sea Camps pond property plan and the first two phases of the bay land plan. 

 The special election ballot question failed by 324 votes, 1,255 in favor to 1,579 against. Two people left their ballots blank.

 At the Nov. 18 special town meeting, residents were at odds over passing the funding article. After an initial vote failed to reach a two-thirds majority, a contentious reconsideration followed and the article subsequently passed with the necessary two-thirds majority.

“I’m certainly disappointed,” Caroline McCarley, chair of the Sea Camps advisory committee, said late Tuesday. “While there was support for the projects, there were also concerns. Obviously the committee will be regrouping and talking about how to move forward. Infrastructure work done on the property is the most crucial part right now. We’re going to figure out a way and residents are going to have to figure out a way to move forward.” 

It will now be up to town officials and the committee to determine what the next steps are with the project. The comprehensive plans will not be implemented until funding is in place. 

There were two main concerns of the committee before the special election. First, members felt the need to prioritize items on which action would be taken in the plans. Second, they wanted to draft a policy concerning revenue generation.

The committee will meet next week to discuss their next steps. 

In an update at this week’s select board meeting, Assistant Town Manager Donna Kalinick said consultants Tighe and Bond finished their structural and hazardous material assessment of the buildings on the bay property. At least six structures were reported to be in critical condition, and one contained asbestos. Officials will be working on a plan to start the removal process soon.