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That’s Alotta Empanada

By Eric Gross

The Montague family at Alotta Empanada in Brewster. (l-r) Linnie Montague, Payton Montague, Tanya Montague and Shelby Montague. Photo, Eric Gross

The newest restaurant in Brewster is Alotta Empanada, at 141 Main Street in the Village.

Tanya and Chris Montague have created a take-out restaurant featuring a fusion of African American and Puerto Rican fare which Tanya called “Afro-Rican.”. She explained: “Our empanadas are packed with fillings that include everything from meats and fish to fruits and desserts. A vegan filling is also available.”

Family favorites include beef, chicken, shrimp, black bean, spinach and cheese, mac and cheese and an apple empanada.

The family relocated from the Bronx to Putnam a few years ago, and decided to open a local eatery as Tanya explained: “We wanted to put our money into our community by bringing something unusual and different into our home town, which will result in shoppers returning.”

Tanya, a nurse by trade, and her husband opened the restaurant because “my family loves my cooking. I have been told countless times over the years: ‘You need to open a restaurant!’ My five kids kept egging me on as did my husband.

Brewster Mayor Jim Schoenig stopped by during our visit and welcomed the new business to his community: “This is truly fantastic. It’s wonderful to see a family like this doing its part to aid in the rebirth of our village. They could have opened anywhere but they chose Brewster.”

Gross, Eric. 2024. That's Alotta Empanada. Putnam County Courier, March 19.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Board of Trustees of the VILLAGE OF BREWSTER will hold a Public Hearing on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026, 7:30 P.M. at Village Hall, 50 Main Street, Brewster, NY, 10509. The purpose of this Public Hearing is to take and hear comments on the 2026-2027 Proposed Budget as proposed by the Board of Trustees.  A copy of the proposed budget will be available for review by the public, at the office of the Village Clerk and online at www.brewstervillage-ny.gov, five (5) days prior to the public hearing.  All persons wishing to be heard on the question of the adoption of the proposed budget will be provided an opportunity, as time permits.

By order of the

Board of Trustees of the

Village of Brewster

Michelle Diebold

Village Clerk

FY 2027 PROPOSED BUDGET

LEGAL NOTICE
VILLAGE OF BREWSTER
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PUBLIC HEARING

LOCATION CHANGE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster will hold a Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law No. 5 of 2026 pertaining to updating Chapter 263 of the Village Zoning Code. 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 June 10, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. at ST. LAWRENCE O’TOOLE GYMNASIUM, 34 PROSPECT STREET, Brewster, NY 10509, followed by a special meeting at 7:01 PM or soon thereafter, at 34 PROSPECT STREET. 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 #5 OF 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 263 ENTITLED “ZONING”

Chapter 263 of the current Code of the Village of Brewster entitled “Zoning”

Specifically Article IV and §263-12 thereof Entitled “MU District (Mixed Use District)” is hereby amended to read as follows:

A. UNCHANGED/UNMODIFIED;

B. UNCHANGED/UNMODIFIED;

C. UNCHANGED/UNMODIFIED;

D. Height. For any use, no building shall be erected to a height in excess of 5 (five) stories, but no greater than 60 (sixty) feet (average);

E. UNCHANGED/UNMODIFIED;

F. UNCHANGED/UNMODIFIED;

G. Density. Residential single-family density shall not exceed one dwelling unit per lot. The density for multifamily or town home dwelling units shall not exceed 40 (forty) bedrooms per acre.

H. UNCHANGED/UNMODIFIED;

I. UNCHANGED/UNMODIFIED;

SECTION 3: HOME RULE

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

SECTION 5: EFFECTIVE DATE

This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State in accordance with Section 27 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.

*PLEASE NOTE* As per the NYS Open Meeting Law, to give all the opportunity to speak and share their thoughts on the local law, the Village Board of Trustees will not be answering questions or debating with the public. This forum is for the public to state their opinion on the local law above, and each person wanting to speak will be given two (2) minutes to do so. If you wish to speak longer than two minutes, you may submit your comment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

PUBLIC NOTICE
VILLAGE OF BREWSTER
ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT

The VILLAGE OF BREWSTER Annual Water Quality Report for 2025 is now available on the Village website under Services > Water > Water Quality Report. The report is also available in the Village Office during normal business hours. If you would like a copy of the report, please email the Village Clerk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the Village Office at 845-279-3760. 

LINK TO THE ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT

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The Village of Brewster in Putnam County, NY is an historic community about an hour north of New York City, 30 minutes north of White Plains, 10 minutes from Connecticut and the City of Danbury.  We are pursuing strategies and resources that will position us to renew our community by, broadening our tax and government services customer base, re-purposing vacant buildings, leveraging new and upgraded infrastructure, capitalizing on the hub of two interstate highways, proximity to NYC via commuter rail, and highlighting natural surroundings such as the East Branch of the Croton River and other environmental assets.