Harckham Aids in Getting Brewster a New Backhoe Loader

By Eric Gross

Senator Peter Harckham joined Brewster Village officials to inspect the recently purchased piece of heavy equipment. Photo, Eric Gross

Describing it as the “nuts and bolts of what we do,” State Senator Peter Harckham stopped by at Wells Park in Brewster last week to inspect a new tractor backhoe loader purchased by the village with a $50,000 state grant acquired by the Putnam lawmaker.

The equipment, which carried a price tag of $100,000, will be used this spring by the village’s Public Works Department.

While meeting with Mayor Jim Schoenig, Village Trustees Mary Bryde and George Gaspar and DPW Superintendent Domenic Consentino, Harckham said he was pleased to assist: “By receiving this money from the state, local property owners are being saved tax dollars. One way I can support our local municipalities is by helping them with the financial resources to carry out their high level of service.”

Mayor Schoenig thanked the senator for “again stepping up to the plate to assist our village. The new tractor backhoe loader is a much-needed addition to the DPW’s equipment inventory and will be a big boost to the department. It is a versatile piece of equipment that will be used multiple times a week for tasks like snow removal, water main breaks and sidewalk repair, to name a few. We appreciate everything Senator Harckham has done for the village over the years.”

Gross, Eric. 2024. Harckham Aids in Getting Brewster a New Backhoe Loader. Putnam County Courier, March 19.

THE SPRING HYDRANT FLUSHING WILL NOW BE ON MAY 8, 2024, PLEASE INFORM YOUR TENANTS OF THIS CHANGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SIGNS WILL BE POSTED AT THE ENTRANCES OF THE VILLAGE A WEEK BEFORE THE FLUSHING.

What is it that makes the water turn orange when they flush the hydrant?

Minerals – Primarily Iron & Manganese

The Village of Brewster supply source is ground water drawn from five sand and gravel wells.

The semiannual hydrant flushing purges the system of the accumulated settlement of these minerals suspended in the ground water.

Opening the hydrants and increasing the water flow causes the disturbance of this settlement so that it may be flushed from the system.

Does running the tap water make it clear up faster? 

No.  To the contrary, running the water prolongs the turbulence in the system.  The best thing to do is use as little water as possible for 12 to 24 hours so the system has a chance to settle out and clear. 

Why does my toilet run after hydrant flushing?

Sometimes tiny particulate gets caught under the flush valve seal in the toilet holding tank preventing it from sealing tightly.  The same can be true for washers and aerators (strainers) in faucets.  Make sure your faucets and toilets are not leaking and are unobstructed after hydrant flushing.  If you have strainers on washer supply hoses you should also check them but refraining from doing laundry for a 24 to 48-hour period from May 8^th is recommended.  

VILLAGE OF BREWSTER
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
17 JANUARY 2024
7:30 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
AGENDA
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster is holding a regular meeting at 7:30 PM, on January 17, 2024, at Village Hall, at 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY 10509.
Attendees: Absent:

Pledge to flag.
Notion of Exits
Regular Meeting

1. Monthly Reports
   1. Code Enforcement Report, December 2023
   2.  Engineer’s Report, December 2023.
   3. Police Report, December 2023.
2. Account 369 – Water Bill.
3. Account 172 – Water Bill.
4. PBA Union Contract.
5. IMA – Town of Southeast Snow Management.
6. Correspondence Sent & Received for December 2023.
7. Minutes for Approval – January 3, 2024.
8. Vouchers Payable.
9. Other Business
10. New Business
11. Public Comment
12. Executive Session, possible.
13. Adjourn

Attention all Residential Refuse users in the Village of Brewster:

On October 20, 2021, at the Village of Brewster Board of Trustees Meeting, the Board approved the Residential Refuse, Bulk and Recyclable Materials Bid that was provided by Suburban Carting. This new contract period begins on January 1, 2022, and ends on December 31, 2024, with the option to extend the contract for one or two years.

Beginning January 1, 2024, the Village will be increasing the price for the annual and monthly refuse bills to meet the current prices for overhead costs and processing fees that come with the billing. The new rates will be as follows:

                                                                                                2024

Refuse bill paid yearly in March:                             $475 per unit

Refuse bill paid using the monthly option:          $46.75 per unit, per month

Please note that the Village of Brewster requests bids from multiple carting companies and selects the bid that is the most cost-effective choice for the Village residents. When this contract expires at the end of 2024; the Village of Brewster will decide if they would like to continue with Suburban Carting for an additional year or send out a bid for the carting contract and follow the same procedure. The refuse fee pays for the overhead costs and the contractual expenses to continue the service that all residents must use.

If you would like to switch from either billing schedule, you must contact the Village Clerk at 845-279-3760 or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Before December 27, 2023. Please include your name, your residential address, and a telephone number. Please contact the Village Office if you have any questions.

VILLAGE OF BREWSTER
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
1 NOVEMBER 2023
7:30 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
AGENDA

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster is holding a regular meeting at 7:30 PM, on November 1, 2023, at Village Hall, 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY.

Pledge to Flag

Notion of Exits

Regular Meeting

1. Monthly Reports
   1. 1. DPW Report.
   2. 2. Planning Board Report for October 2023.
   3. 3. Zoning Board Report.
2. Gentech LTD proposal.
3. Special Meeting iPark update November 8, 2023.
4. Minutes for Approval – October 18, 2023.
5. Vouchers Payable.
6. Other Business.
7. New Business.
8. Public Comment.
9. Executive Session, possible.
10. Adjourn.

VILLAGE OF BREWSTER
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
15 NOVEMBER 2023
7:30 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
AGENDA

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster is holding a regular meeting at 7:30 PM, on November 15, 2023, at Village Hall, 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY.

Pledge to Flag

Notion of Exits

Regular Meeting

1. Monthly Reports
   1. 1. Engineer’s Report, October 2023.
   2. 2. Code Enforcement Report, October 2023.
   3. 3. Police Report, October 2023.
2. Correspondence Sent & Received for October 2023.
3. Minutes for Approval – November 1, 2023.
4. Vouchers Payable
5. Other Business.
6. New Business.
7. Public Comment.
8. Executive Session, possible.
9. Adjourn.

VILLAGE OF BREWSTER
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
4 OCTOBER 2023
7:30 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
AGENDA

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster is holding a regular meeting at 7:30 PM, on October 4, 2023, at Village Hall, 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY.
Pledge to flag
Notion of Exits
Regular Meeting

1. Monthly Reports
2. 1. DPW Report.
3. 2. Planning Board Report for September 2023.
4. 3. Zoning Board Report.
5. Minutes for Approval – September 20, 2023.
6. Vouchers Payable.
7. Other Business.
8. New Business.
9. Public Comment.
10. Executive Session, possible.
11. Adjourn.

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster is holding a regular meeting at 7:30 PM, on October 18, 2023, at Village Hall, 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY.

Pledge to flag

Notion of Exits

Regular Meeting

1. Monthly Reports  
   1. Police Report, September 2023. 
   2. Code Enforcement Report, September 2023.
   3. Engineer’s Report, September 2023.
      1. VOB WWTP Brewster Clean in. Place (CIP) Proposal
      2. VOB WWTP Influent Grinder Proposal
2. Halloween Road Closures.
3. Alarm Company.
4. Correspondence Sent & Received for September 2023
5. Minutes for Approval – October 4, 2023.
6. Vouchers Payable.
7. Other Business.
8. New Business.
9. Public Comment.
10. Executive Session, possible.
11. Adjourn.

AGENDA

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster is holding a regular meeting at 7:30 PM, on September 20, 2023, at Village Hall, 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY.
Pledge to flag.
Notion of Exits
Regular Meeting

1. Monthly Reports
   1. Police Report, August 2023.
   2. Engineer’s Report, August 2023.
   3. Tonetta Brook Bid
   4. Code Enforcement Report, August 2023.
2. Correspondence Sent & Received for August 2023.
3. Minutes for Approval – September 6, 2023.
4. Vouchers Payable.
5. Other Business.
6. New Business.
7. Public Comment.
8. Executive Session, possible.
9. Adjourn.