Brewster's May election: Meet the 3 people running for Select Board. And, 2 tax questions.

There are two seats on the town's top-governing board up for grabs at the Brewster May 28 annual town election and three candidates hoping to fill them.

Eyeing the three-year terms on the Select Board are incumbent Vice Chairwoman Mary Chaffee, Amanda Bebrin and Laurel Labdon. Selectwoman Kari Hoffman is leaving the board to run, uncontested, for a three-year term on the Nauset Regional School District Committee.

Two questions are on the ballot, as well. These include an operational override for the local Stony Brook and Eddy schools and a proposal to add an income-related exemption to the town's Community Preservation Act surcharge.

Where to vote in Brewster?

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Brewster Baptist Church in Fellowship Hall, 1848 Main St. A sample ballot can be viewed at www.brewster-ma.gov — go to the Town Clerk's page, then click on the Town Meeting/Elections link on the left side of the page.

Who is running for the Brewster Select Board?

Candidate Mary Chaffee

"Brewster’s state-wide recognition with three Massachusetts Municipal Association awards this year underscores strong leadership and community engagement," Chaffee said. "As I seek re-election, I’m committed to continuing this excellence in public service."

With a background as a nurse, military leader, policy analyst and Select Board member, she said she offers "seasoned leadership" as the town faces critical issues including protecting its water quality, crafting sustainable budgets, advancing housing initiatives and shaping the Sea Camps’ future.

"My experience equips me to help Brewster address these challenges effectively," Chaffee said.

Brewster’s update to its water resources plan is vital, and watershed permitting efforts are reducing nitrogen impacts and ensuring residents aren’t required to do costly state-mandated septic upgrades, she noted.

"Brewster’s strong financial health, new revenue streams and success at winning grants reduce taxpayer impacts. For example, we built a beautiful dog park using grant money and donations — taxpayers provided significantly less than half of building costs. Brewster also opened the Cape’s first municipal pool last year and it paid for itself," Chaffee said.

Town meeting's approval of the Sea Camps plans also means Brewster residents have "exciting work ahead to achieve town goals and create desirable amenities."

"Brewster will benefit from continued selective open space protection — a strategy that has enhanced our drinking water quality. We will ensure our water system infrastructure can continue to deliver award-winning water, and we’ll optimize traffic flow at the Recycling Center. We've taken important steps on climate change and will do more, including enhancing Brewster’s tree canopy."

"I’m dedicated to guiding Brewster forward, so it remains a thriving, inclusive, fiscally sustainable community that reflects our shared values," Chaffee said.

CHAFFEE'S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: www.marychaffee.com

Candidate Amanda Bebrin

"Brewster has an effective Select Board and expert town administration. My experience as chair of Brewster’s Planning Board and Bay Property Planning Committee, and my background as a Realtor, teacher, housing advocate and community leader will make me a productive part of this strong team," said Bebrin.

Her priorities are "to produce sustainable budgets that maximize all funding sources to offset taxpayer costs, protect water resources and natural resources, achieve our housing goals to keep Brewster a vibrant place to live and encourage residents to participate in town government."

"Our multi-pronged approach to restoring and protecting Brewster’s water quality is making a difference, and my work on the town’s stormwater bylaw is helping," Bebrin said.

In order to continue Brewster’s efforts to expand housing options, she said, zoning reform is essential.

Bebrin believes town government "thrives when residents volunteer their time and energy." She spearheaded Brewster’s first volunteer fair and will continue to encourage residents with diverse backgrounds to run for office or apply for committee appointments.

With approval of the Sea Camps plans at town meeting, Bebrin said, "we’ll move forward with implementing them in a financially responsible way to create numerous community benefits."

"I understand Brewster’s values through my work on the Vision Committee. I have financial management skill and knowledge of the local economy through my work as a Realtor. My town leadership positions have maximized public engagement to create important plans, and I’ll continue to do that. Brewster is a special place. I’m committed to protecting its unique character as we keep it a sustainable community."

BEBRIN'S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: bebrinforbrewster.com

Candidate Laurel Labdon

Labdon, who lost a bid for the Select Board last year by five votes, is running again because of continuing concerns about increasing taxes, a critical housing shortage, increased education costs and the Stony Brook school "that is in desperate need of extremely costly repairs."

She emphasizes "transparency and context of impending capital expenditures before residents vote for overrides or discretionary luxury projects."

Pointing at "currently opposing needs and wants at play in Brewster," Labdon said she offers a different perspective as a lifelong resident "that could guide the priorities of the initiatives and projects that the town chooses to pursue."

"I am absolutely committed that Brewster remains a town that provides opportunities for young families, essential workers and seniors to live, work and thrive," she said.

"I am not a seasoned, smooth-talking politician. I am a local Brewster gal who isn’t afraid of progress but is determined to keep the community strength of Brewster that surrounded me as a child, sustained me as a young adult after a life-changing injury, and now supports me as a potential steward of Brewster by considering me to serve on the Select Board."

Labdon highlights a strong volunteer and advocacy background and problem solving and consensus building skills. Having faced and overcome adversity, she said, "I have learned to adapt in ways I never thought I could."

"I am determined to use my education, lifelong love of Brewster, and the skills that have allowed me to thrive in spite of my physical limitations to benefit the residents of Brewster should I have the privilege of being elected to the Select Board."

LABDON'S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: www.LaurelLabdonforBrewster.com

Ballot question 1: Override for local schools

A $758,091 operational override for the Stony Brook and Eddy schools was approved at the May 11 annual Town Meeting, but also needs approval at the polls before it can take effect.

If it passes, it will add an estimated $82 per year to the average property tax bill based on the current $710,900 median residential home value.

The override is sought to augment the $11.7 million school operating budget that was approved at the town meeting and would bring the budget to the full $12.5 million school officials say is needed to cover the schools' costs. Brewster School Committee Chairwoman Katie Jacobus told voters at town meeting if the override does not pass, the elementary schools will face "significant" cuts in personnel and programming.

School officials point at a 30% increase in special education costs as the main driver for the override, plus a 6.5% increase in other expenses.

Ballot question 2: Community Preservation surcharge exemptions

In 2005, voters adopted the Community Preservation Act, a state law that allows towns to levy a property tax surcharge of up to 3%, to be used with state matching funds for open space and recreation acquisition and protection, historic preservation, and community housing creation and maintenance.

Brewster charges the maximum 3% surcharge. Ballot question 2 would exempt qualifying low-income residents and low-to-moderate income seniors from paying the surcharge. All seniors who qualify for the existing senior real estate tax exemption will automatically qualify for the CPA exemption.

Town meeting approved the measure last November, but it also needs approval at the polls.

According to Town Manager Peter Lombardi, the town typically collects about $1.25 million annually from the surcharge. If the question passes, the town will see a reduction in revenue of $10,000-$20,000 per year. It would take effect for the upcoming fiscal year.

Heather McCarron can be reached at hmccarron@capecodonline.com, or follow her on X @HMcCarron_CCT

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Brewster election: Three-way race for Select Board, two questions