Village of Brewster, NY

LEGAL NOTICE
VILLAGE OF BREWSTER
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster will hold a Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2026 pertaining to the amendment for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Exemption for those living in the Village of Brewster but volunteer in a neighboring municipality. Copies of the proposed local law will be available on the Village website, www.brewstervillage-ny.gov, and at Village Hall. The Public Hearing will take place during the Village Board Meeting of February 4, 2026, at 7:30 P.M. at Village Hall, 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY 10509. At said Public Hearing, all interested persons shall be heard on the subject thereof. The Board of Trustees will make every effort to ensure that the Public Hearing is accessible to persons with disabilities. Anyone requiring special assistance and/or reasonable accommodations should contact the Village Clerk. Anyone wishing to speak may do so.

By Order of the
Board of Trustees of the
Village of Brewster
Michelle Diebold
Village Clerk

PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1 OF THE YEAR 2026

BE IT ENACTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BREWSTER, COUNTY OF PUTNAM, STATE OF NEW YORK AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1 : AUTHORITY
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority, of Article 2, §10 of the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law.

SECTION 2 : AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 199 ENTITLED “TAXATION”
Article IV of Chapter 231 of the current Code of the Village of Brewster entitled “Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers Exemption” is hereby repealed and amended to read as follows:
§ 231-9. PURPOSE
The purpose of this article is for the Village of Brewster to opt in to the provisions of New York State Real Property Tax Law § 466-a, and to provide a real property tax exemption on the assessed valuation of certain real property owned by an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service, or to such enrolled member and spouse, as permitted by the Real Property Tax Law.
§ 231-10 EXEMPTION GRANTED
An exemption from taxation of a maximum of 10% of the assessed value of property owned by an eligible person as set forth below is hereby granted with respect to the Village and special district charges exclusive of special assessment.

§231-11 ELIGIBILITY
Such exemption shall be granted to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service residing in the Village of Brewster, provided that:
A. The applicant resides in the Village of Brewster, is an enrolled member such incorporated volunteer fire company or fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service which either serves the Village of Brewster or in any neighboring municipality, which for the purpose of this section shall include any municipality in Putnam County;

B. The property is the primary residence of the applicant;

C. The property is used exclusively for residential purposes; provided, however, that in the event any portion of such property is not used exclusively for the applicant's residence but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall be entitled to the exemption provided by this section; and

D. The applicant has been certified by the authority having jurisdiction for the incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or voluntary ambulance service as an enrolled member of such incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or voluntary ambulance service for a period of at least two years, the Village of Brewster to determine the procedure for certification. The applicant must submit proof of such certification, together with the application for an exemption.
§231-12 GRANT OF LIFETIME EXEMPTION
Any enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service that resides in the Village of Brewster and either serves in the Village of Brewster or in any neighboring municipality, which for the purpose of this section shall include any municipality in Putnam County and who has accrued more than 20 years of active service and is so certified by the authority having jurisdiction for the incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service shall be granted the 10% exemption as authorized by this section for the remainder of his or her life as long as the property for which exemption is sought under this article is the primary residence of the enrolled member.

§231-13 UNREMARRIED SPOUSES.
A. Line of duty death of member. Any exemption under this article shall be continued to the unremarried spouse of an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or incorporated voluntary ambulance service who is killed in the line of duty upon the following conditions:
(1) Such unremarried spouse is certified by the authority having jurisdiction for the incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service as an unremarried spouse of an enrolled member of such incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service who was killed in the line of duty; and

(2) Such deceased volunteer had been an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service and resided within the Village of Brewster and either served in the Village of Brewster or in any neighboring municipality, which for the purpose of this section shall include any municipality in Putnam County for at least five years; and
(3) Such deceased volunteer had been receiving the exemption prior to his or her death.
B. Death of member. Any exemption under this article shall be continued to the unremarried spouse of a deceased member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or incorporated voluntary ambulance service upon the following conditions:

(1) Such unremarried spouse is certified by the authority having jurisdiction for the incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service as an unremarried spouse of a deceased enrolled member of such incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service and that resided in the Village of Brewster and either served in theVillage of Brewster or in any neighboring municipality, which for the purpose of this section shall include any municipality in Putnam County ; and
(2) Such deceased volunteer had been an enrolled member for at least 25 years; and

(3) Such deceased volunteer had been receiving the exemption prior to his or her death.

§ 231-14 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
A. Application for such exemption shall be filed with the Assessing unit on or before the taxable status date, on a form as described by the Commissioner.

B. No applicant who is a volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance worker who, by reason of such status, is receiving any benefit under the provisions of Real Property Tax Law, Article 4, Exemptions, on the effective date of this article shall suffer any diminution of such benefit because of the provisions of this article.

SECTION 3 – HOME RULE
Nothing in this Local Law is intended, or shall be construed to limit the home rule authority of the Town under State Law or to limit the Town’s discretion in setting fees and charges in connection with any applications requiring Town approval.

SECTION 4 – SEVERABILITY
If any part or provision of this Local Law or the application thereof to any person or circumstance be adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part or provision or application directly involved in the controversy in which judgment shall have been rendered and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this Local Law or the application thereof to other persons or circumstances, and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby declares that it would have passed this Local Law or the remainder thereof had such invalid application or invalid provision been apparent.

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF BREWSTER

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster will hold a Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law No. 3 of 2026 pertaining to the 100% Disabled Veteran Wholly Tax Exemption for those living in the Village of Brewster. Copies of the proposed local law will be available on the Village website, www.brewstervillage-ny.gov, and at Village Hall. The Public Hearing will take place during the Village Board Meeting of February 4, 2026, at 7:30 P.M. at Village Hall, 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY 10509. At said Public Hearing, all interested persons shall be heard on the subject thereof.  The Board of Trustees will make every effort to ensure that the Public Hearing is accessible to persons with disabilities.  Anyone requiring special assistance and/or reasonable accommodations should contact the Village Clerk. Anyone wishing to speak may do so.

By Order of the

Board of Trustees of the

Village of Brewster

Michelle Diebold

Village Clerk

PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #3 OF THE YEAR 2026

BE IT ENACTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BREWSTER, COUNTY OF PUTNAM, STATE OF NEW YORK AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1 : AUTHORITY
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority, of Article 2, §10 of the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law.

SECTION 2 : AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 231 ENTITLED “TAXATION”
Chapter 231 of the current Code of the Village of Brewster entitled “Taxation”, is hereby amended to add Chapter V entitled “Alternative Veterans Exemption” to read as follows:

§ 231-15. PURPOSE
The purpose of this article is for the Village of Brewster to provide a real property tax exemption to honorably discharged veterans that served in combat zone, combat theatre and/or endured a service-connected disability, as permitted by New York State Real Property Tax Law § 458-a,

§ 231-16 EXEMPTION GRANTED
A complete exemption from taxation shall granted from assessed value of property owned by an eligible person as set forth below is hereby granted with respect to the Village taxation and special district charges. Eligibility for such complete exemption shall require the following:

A. The property is the primary residence of the applicant;

B. The property is used exclusively for residential purposes; provided, however, that in the event any portion of such property is not used exclusively for the applicant's residence but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall be entitled to the exemption provided by this section; and

(i) The applicant was discharged or released from service under honorable conditions; and

(ii) The applicant has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service; or

(iii) The applicant is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service; and

D. (i) Is considered to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service;
(ii) Is rated one hundred percent disabled by the United States

Department of Veterans affairs;

(iii) Has been rated by the United States Department of Veterans affairs as individually unemployable; and
(iv) Who is eligible for pecuniary assistance from the United States government, or has received pecuniary assistance from the United government and has applied such assistance toward the acquisition or modification of a suitable housing unit with special features or movable facilities made necessary by the nature of the veterans' disability and the necessary law therefor shall be fully exempt from taxation and special district charges, assessments and special ad valorem levies provided that such veteran meets all other requirements of this section.

§ 231-17 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Application for such exemption shall be filed with the Assessing unit on or before the taxable status date, on a form as described by the Commissioner.

SECTION 3 – HOME RULE
Nothing in this Local Law is intended, or shall be construed to limit the home rule authority of the Town under State Law or to limit the Town’s discretion in setting fees and charges in connection with any applications requiring Town approval.

SECTION 4 – SEVERABILITY
If any part or provision of this Local Law or the application thereof to any person or circumstance be adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part or provision or application directly involved in the controversy in which judgment shall have been rendered and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this Local Law or the application thereof to other persons or circumstances, and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby declares that it would have passed this Local Law or the remainder thereof had such invalid application or invalid provision been apparent.

Village Hall will close at 1 PM on December 24, 2025, and will not reopen until December 29, 2025, at 8:00 AM. 

Village Hall will close at 1 PM on December 31, 2025, and will not reopen until January 5, 2026, at 8:00 AM.

The Village of Brewster mourns the loss of Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez, a dedicated and beloved taxi operator in our community. As a longtime member of Orbe’s Taxi Service, Aurelio served our residents with professionalism and care, safely transporting passengers each day to and from their destinations. On behalf of the Village of Brewster, I extend my deepest sympathies to those who knew and loved him. As a community, we are left to mourn Aurelio’s loss as we cope with this senseless violence.

Together with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Village of Brewster Police, and surrounding agencies, we will ensure the person responsible is brought to justice for Aurelio, his family, and friends.

Once again, we offer our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez.

Mayor James J. Schoenig

PUBLIC NOTICE

VILLAGE OF BREWSTER

WORK SESSION

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster will hold a Work Session on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, beginning at 7:00 P.M. at Village Hall - 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY.  The work session is to evaluate and rework the current Fee Schedule, and no public comment will be taken during this time.

By order of the

Board of Trustees of the

Village of Brewster

Michelle Diebold

Village Clerk

PUBLIC NOTICE

VILLAGE OF BREWSTER

WORK SESSION

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster will hold a Work Session on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, beginning at 7:00 P.M. at Village Hall - 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY.  The work session is to evaluate and rework the current Fee Schedule, and no public comment will be taken during this time.

By order of the

Board of Trustees of the

Village of Brewster

Michelle Diebold

Village Clerk

The following roads will be closed for through traffic for the 5K route that will take place on October 25, 2025. The race will begin at 7 AM and will not conclude until 3:00 PM. Please avoid the area if possible.

Main Street (between Hoyt Street and Route 22)

Marvin Avenue (between Park Street and Main Street)

East Branch Avenue (between Railroad Avenue and Main Street)

Oak Street (Main Street to Hoyt Street)

North Main Street (between Wells Street and Oak Street)

Hoyt Street (entirely)

Prospect Street (entirely)

Wells Street (entirely)

Sealed bids will be received at the Office of the Village Clerk, Village of Brewster, 50 Main Street, Brewster, New York 10509, until 11:00 A.M. on October 9, 2025 immediately after which the bids will be opened publicly and read.

The work under this Contract comprises the furnishing of all tools, equipment, materials and labor for the construction of the Marvin Avenue Retaining Wall Reconstruction located in the Village of Brewster, New York, complete, in place and ready for use in accordance with the Contract Documents.

The principal features of the Work to be performed under this project are defined in the Contract Documents and include:  site clearing and grubbing; demolition and removal of an existing 1,500 sf face gabion retaining wall; demolition and removal of existing asphalt pavement, concrete curbing and concrete sidewalk; demolition and removal of existing meatal guide rail and chain link fence; rock excavation and removal; installation of a new 3,200 sf face pre-cast concrete retaining wall; installation of new precast concrete catch basins, manhole and cast in place concrete curb and sidewalk; installation of HDPE stormwater pipe; installation of rip-rap; installation of chain link fencing and metal guiderail; installation of roadway maintenance and traffic protection elements; installation of asphalt paving; installation and removal of temporary erosion and sediment control (E&SC) practices; site restoration work including tree and shrub installation and all other appurtenant and related work as shown, specified and required to complete the project. 

The foregoing is a general description only and shall not be construed as a complete description of the work to be performed for this project.  Prospective Bidders shall refer to the Contract Documents including Contract Drawings for additional project work information.

Contract Documents may be examined at the Village of Brewster Village Hall or the office of the ENGINEER, J. Robert Folchetti & Associates, L.L.C., 31 Sodom Road, Brewster, NY 10509.  Copies may be obtained from the office of the Village of Brewster Engineer, J. Robert Folchetti & Associates, L.L.C., 31 Sodom Road, Brewster, NY 10509 beginning on September 9, 2025 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. 

Prospective bidder’s requests for mailing of Contract Documents will be filled by Federal Express or United Parcel Service.  Prospective bidders shall furnish a prepaid Air Bill or Account Number.  Neither OWNER nor ENGINEER shall be responsible for any delay in such shipment.  Prospective bidders shall make such request and provide such airbill a minimum of one (1) week prior to the mandatory pre-bid conference.

Neither the OWNER nor the ENGINEER will be responsible for full or partial sets of Contract Documents, including any Addenda, obtained from other sources. 

A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 AM on September 30, 2025, at the Village Hall, 50 Main Street, Brewster, New York 10509.   The purpose of the pre-bid conference is to afford the prospective Bidders and interested parties an opportunity to raise questions pertaining to the Bidding and Contract Documents, and for the OWNER or its representatives to clarify matters related to the Project. 

            Bid security and proof of qualifications to perform the Work shall be as described in the Instructions to Bidders.

            Bidders shall comply with all special and statutory requirements in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.

            Contract time of commencement and completion will be as specified in the Agreement.

            The Bid Bond Form is contained in the Proposal.

            Each bid shall be accompanied by a Bid Bond, or Certified Check accompanied by a Certificate of Surety, the coverage of which is specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

This project is subject to the provisions of Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York and certificates required thereunder shall be available for public inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of Brewster, New York.

For any reason whatsoever, or for no reason, the Village reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids or to reject any and all bids.  No bidder may withdraw their bid except by written request submitted at least twenty-four hours before the time of opening or until the lapse of 45 days after the actual opening thereof.

The Village is exempt from payment of sales and compensating use taxes of the State of New York and of Cities and Counties on all materials to be incorporated into the Work.  These taxes shall not be included in the Bid.

The Village will furnish the required certificates of tax exemption to the CONTRACTOR (s) for use in the purchase of supplies and materials to be incorporated into the Work.

The Village's exemption does not apply to construction tools, machinery, equipment or other property purchased by or leased by the CONTRACTOR (s), or to supplies or materials not incorporated into the Work.

Non-Discrimination in Employment:

It is the policy of the Village that their Contractors shall comply with all Federal, State, and local law, policy orders, rules and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race creed, color, or national origin, and will take affirmative action to insure that they are afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color or national origin.

Provisions concerning this requirement are detailed in the Supplementary Conditions.

PUTNAM COUNTY, NEW YORK
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Election of the qualified voters of the Brewster-Southeast Joint Fire District (hereinafter called the “Fire District”), in the Village of Brewster and Town of Southeast, Putnam County, New York, will be held at the Main Fire House located at 501 North Main Street in Brewster, New York, in said Fire District, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

The polls shall open at 12:00 o’clock noon P.M. (Prevailing Time) and shall remain open until 9:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) or as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their votes.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to the resolution adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Fire District on July 21, 2025, the following Proposition will be submitted to the qualified voters of the Fire District for approval or disapproval:

PROPOSITION

SHALL the bond resolution of Brewster-Southeast Joint Fire District, in the Village of Brewster and Town of Southeast, New York, entitled:

“BOND RESOLUTION OF THE BREWSTER-SOUTHEAST JOINT FIRE DISTRICT (“FIRE DISTRICT”), IN THE VILLAGE OF BREWSTER AND TOWN OF SOUTHEAST, PUTNAM COUNTY, NEW YORK, ADOPTED JULY 21, 2025, AUTHORIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FIRE STATION ON A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING SITE OF THE MAIN FIRE HOUSE OF THE FIRE DISTRICT, WHICH SUCH PARCEL IS EXPECTED TO BE CONVEYED TO THE FIRE DISTRICT BY THE VILLAGE OF BREWSTER, ALL AS SUBSTANTIALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PLAN PREPARED FOR THE FIRE DISTRICT BY KAEYER, GARMENT, AND DAVIDSON ARCHITECTS, P.C., MOUNT KISCO, NEW YORK, INCLUDING, TO THE EXTENT NEEDED, THE PURCHASE OF ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS, EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY OR APPARATUS AND ANY ANCILLARY OR RELATED SITE, DEMOLITION AND OTHER WORK REQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH SAID NEW FIRE STATION IS TO BE USED; STATING THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST THEREOF IS NOT TO EXCEED $38,000,000, INCLUDING PRELIMINARY COSTS AND COSTS INCIDENTAL THERETO AND TO THE FINANCING THEREOF; APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT FOR SUCH PURPOSE; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS OF THE FIRE DISTRICT IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $38,000,000 TO FINANCE SAID APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF TAXES TO BE COLLECTED IN INSTALLMENTS TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON SAID BONDS,” BE APPROVED?

All residents of the Fire District who were duly registered to vote with the Putnam County Board of Elections on or before August 18, 2025, shall be eligible to vote at said Special Election.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
DATED: July 21, 2025

Maurice DeSantis
FIRE DISTRICT SECRETARY