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EVENTS CALENDAR

April 2026

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
29	30	31	1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20 Council Meeting Council Meeting Monday, April 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	1	2

Mar May

More Events

Last updated Monday, April 6, 2026 8:10:59 AM

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM UPDATES:

Good afternoon Falcons,

The Village of Brewster and Fairless Local Schools are participants in the Safe Routes to School grant program. This program has already helped to construct sidewalks that connect parts of the district campus and downtown Brewster. We have recently completed a draft School Travel Plan update with plans showing how the Safe Route to School could be completed. This document is now available for public review with comments being accepted between Wednesday, January 14th through Wednesday, January 28th, 2026. The document can be accessed by the link below, or reviewed in person at the Brewster Village Hall office. Comments may be submitted via email to ELowry@GPDGroup.com or provided as a written letter delivered to the Brewster Village office by the end of business, Wednesday, January 28th.

M. Hearn

Safe Routes to School

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Issue 8 Proposed Municipal Income

Tax Village of Brewster on May 5th Ballot On May 5th, Brewster residents will be voting on a “NEW” income tax of 1%. The ballot language indicates that the income tax will increase Brewster’s income tax from 1% to 2%.

Specifically, it states in part: …1 percent levy increase on income to be effective January 1, 2027, and abolishing any existing temporary income taxes … (emphasis added)

Brewster’s residents AND those working in the Village currently pay 2% in income tax. That 2% is made up of; a “base” amount of 1%, and another “temporary” .5% for Fire and EMS, and another “temporary” .2% for Police, and another “temporary” .3% for Streets.

What the “1 percent levy increase” will do is “ replace” (abolish) the existing Fire, Police, and Street income taxes that add up to 1%. That means there will be no difference between what an income tax payer pays currently versus what an income tax payer will pay if the “1 percent levy increase” is passed.

Income tax is paid both by residents AND those who work in the Village and live elsewhere. Residents who have social security, retirements, or pensions do not pay income tax on their social security, retirements, or pensions. AND , for every $1 residents pay in income tax another $9 is contributed by those who work in the Village and live elsewhere. In that way, those who work in the Village and live elsewhere are contributing to Village Fire and EMS Services, Police protection, and Streets where if the Village relied only on property taxes only residents would pay for those services.

The .5% portion of the 1 percent income tax for Fire and EMS will replace (abolish) the .5% “temporary” income tax passed for Fire and EMS for a period of 8 years effective January 1, 2020. That income tax has been primarily used to fund the addition to Brewster’s Fire Station which in turn allowed for EMS/Fire personnel to be staffed 24/7. That income tax helps fund two (2) EMS/Fire individuals 24/7, which has vastly improved the Village’s ability to respond to EMS and Fire calls. A portion of those income tax funds are also being set aside for replacement of fire equipment that is beyond its useful life. The .5% portion of the 1 percent income tax for Fire and EMS will allow the Village to have a reliable source of funds to replace that fire equipment, providing for better service and lower fire insurance rates.

The current .2% “temporary” income tax portion of the 1 percent income tax has placed a full-time officer in Fairless Schools, trained as a School Resource Officer, protecting our children and ensuring a safe environment. The .2% portion of the 1 percent income tax for Police will replace (abolish) the .2% “temporary” income tax, allowing that full-time officer in Fairless Schools, trained as a School Resource Officer, to continue. It also provides ongoing training and equipment for the Police Department.

The current .3% “temporary” income tax for Streets has allowed the Village to maintain, pave, and improve its streets. Those funds have also been used as a match to obtain additional grant funds. From 2018 when income tax for streets was first collected, through 2025 the Village has spent $1,719,814.60 in income taxes on street paving, and been able to use those funds to obtain an additional $441,159.41 in grants. In 2026 the Village is now able to, based on the improved condition of its streets, to also use those funds to begin improving alleys as well. The .3% portion of the 1 percent income tax for Streets will replace (abolish) the .3% “temporary” income tax and allow for the continued funding for maintenance, paving, and improvement of Village streets and alleys.