Brewster To Face Three Overrides At Town Meeting, Election

BREWSTER – Brewster officials are moving to raise the town’s levy limit to cover anticipated costs in 2027 and 2028, a step the select board unanimously approved Monday to try to reduce the likelihood of future Proposition 2½ overrides.

Voters will see three separate overrides totaling just under $2 million on the town meeting warrant and accompanying election ballot: $1.25 million for the town’s operating budget, $550,000 for the Nauset Regional School District budget and $180,000 for the town’s two elementary schools. Approval of the overrides will increase the amount of property taxes the town can raise above the 2.5 percent limit allowed under Proposition 2½ in order to cover expected cost increases over the next two years. 

The decision to increase the operating budget override came from two scenarios town officials presented to the select board. 

The first scenario offered a $945,000 override, which covers salary adjustments for town employees. Town manager Peter Lombardi said there are nine union contracts set to expire in June, so the town must stay competitive in the market. Scenario one would not account for future years, however. 

Scenario two, approved by the select board, increases the override to $1.25 million, with the understanding that the additional $305,000 would cover a projected shortfall in Fiscal Year 2028 determined by the five-year financial forecast.  

“The additional $305,000 that are included in the updated override will, we believe, put us in a position where we don’t have to have a discussion either around an override or potential staffing cuts next year,” said Lombardi. 

If voters approve the town operating override, it will increase property taxes by about $100 in 2027 for the average homeowner, with another $35 increase in 2028. The May town meeting article would authorize raising the levy limit, but only appropriate the $945,000 for the 2027 budget.  

“I just want to point out that this is a really good plan to get through the next three years,” said select board member Pete Dahl. “In the third year, having just a deficit that I think can be handled within the levy limit and within whatever cash we have coming in. I think this is a good approach.”

The five-year financial forecast predicts a $200,000 deficit in 2029. 

The override for the Brewster elementary schools is driven primarily by a reclassification of some regional expenses. A portion was moved to the central office budget. The operating expenses for the elementary schools only went up by 1.8 percent. 

The Nauset Regional School District budget override is based on an enrollment shift. School officials have decided not to rely on their excess and deficiency balance to cover increases, accounting for the need for the override. The Brewster select board has been requesting less use of excess and deficiency to cover budget costs since that account is based on one-time revenues and is  not a reliable funding source year-to-year. 

“I hate for our taxpayers to be in this position,” said Ned Chatelain, select board member. “But at the same time, on the town side, we have got to be paying our people better. We just do. For the region side, [the enrollment shift] is a funky math problem that’s concealing a really pretty responsible budget.” 

Chatelain said that while this scenario is unfortunate, all three overrides feel appropriate. 

The tax impact of the proposed budget for the average resident without the overrides would be an additional $225. Part of the tax increase is due to the debt exclusion for the Millstone Road project, which is now coming due. The three overrides add $180, raising the average tax bill by a total of $405. 

All members of the select board shared the same sentiment: all town departments are being asked to do more with less this year. Most of the budget is level funded for 2027. 

Town meeting will be held on Monday, May 4 at 6 p.m. at Stony Brook Elementary School.