Sea Camps Next Steps: Engagement, Outreach And Education

BREWSTER – A common thread of discussions among members of the Sea Camps advisory committee and the select board last week centered upon their in-depth knowledge of the project. 

Many members of both groups said it was time for them to take a step back from the minute details and remember that many residents aren’t as familiar with the project plans and funding sources as they are. 

In a debriefing of the Nov. 18 special town meeting and the Dec. 3 special election, multiple select board members discussed creating informational sheets summarizing the meetings that have occurred throughout the year regarding the Sea Camps properties and plans.

Mary Chaffee, select board member and liaison to the Sea Camps advisory committee, said she believes the town does an excellent job at sharing information, but there are always ways to do better.

Sea Camps advisory committee member Karl Fryzel, at his debrief meeting, and Select Board Clerk Amanda Bebrin, at her debrief meeting, separately spoke of their surprise at residents not having the full breadth of information. 

“The first thing I heard was that a number of people felt like the cost itself and the idea that we were asking for money was news,” said Bebrin. 

“We should not make assumptions about the state of knowledge of the citizens about this project,” Fryzel cautioned.

Chaffee said she saw a lot of misinformation spread across social media platforms. While it wasn’t the only factor in the vote, she noted that she thought it should be considered one of many. 

“Someone pointed out that there was very little information [with the question],” said Sea Camps committee member John Dickson. “Basically, the question was ‘do you want to raise your taxes?’ Yes or no?” 

State law dictates verbiage for special election questions, so there is very little leeway. But this falls within the context of similar discussions about providing more information about the project and funding beforehand. 

The complexity, size and scope of the project is fairly new to most town officials and committee members, so there is a lack of historical records to refer to when looking forward, they said. 

Many members of the Sea Camps committee reflected on their decision to combine the funding for multiple phases of implementation on both properties, noting that breaking it out might have been an easier vote. Their initial decision was made in an effort to use one pot of money for both properties, saving taxpayers money in the future. 

Most of the committee members felt that if the properties were split, the bay property funding would’ve likely passed. This aligns with discussions from the public at special town meeting regarding the affordable housing plan and wastewater treatment solutions on the pond property. 

Amy Woods, member of the Sea Camps committee, brought a thorough and robust list of ideas to break out the implementation process and source other means of funding for smaller projects on the properties. For example, she suggested donor funding for the pollinator garden outlined in the bay property plan. 

 “We can take voters at their word,” said select board member Ned Chatelain. “They are supportive of the plans, but concerned about the spending.”

More discussions will need to take place over the next few months between the Sea Camps advisory committee and the select board to determine concrete next steps. 

Priorities include the removal of eight buildings, two with hazardous materials, and site access. It was initially reported that six buildings would be removed, but two additional structures were determined to be in need of removal, including one that sits on land on which Mass Audubon will hold a conservation restriction. Article 3 at town meeting appropriated $200,000 to cover the removal.

The recreation department is moving their summer programming from Eddy Elementary School to the bay property and will need to increase access. Right now, a booth sits at the entrance, slowing down incoming traffic. 

The town will hear back from the state Department of Environmental Protection in the next three weeks regarding a grant to fund a feasibility and wastewater solutions study at the pond property. The recreation department’s needs assessment will be completed next July. This, along with the council on aging’s needs assessment, will help to guide plans for the proposed community center.