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Residents voiced their concerns at a Monday night public hearing held by the Southeast Planning Board. Grace Community Church needs site plan approval and a wetlands permit from the Planning Board, in addition to a special permit from the Town Board.
The public hearing will resume at 7:30 p.m., Monday Aug. 11 at Town Hall, 1360 Route 22, in the Brewster postal zone.
Two women in the neighborhood, who declined to give their names, brought up noise and safety as issues. One of them noted that she bought her house for privacy and expressed concern about people who would be attending the church.
“I’m concerned about the security of my children,” she said. The woman also was concerned about the tent's potential effect on her property value.
Another woman, whose concerns ranged from traffic to noise from the graveling parking lot, voiced concern about the church growing and of a permanent structure being added to the site.
Resident Jeff Schajer mentioned noise and expressed skepticism about a town response to it.
Town Attorney Willis Stephens, after another man asked about noise, brought up a possible consequence, describing a scenario in which the special permit could be pulled.
Raymond Mellett, the church’s pastor, was supportive of following the town codes. He also expressed a desire to have a good relationship with neighbors.
“We want to be good neighbors,” he said.
Details of the plan were discussed at the meeting. The proposed tent would accommodate about 100 people with a gravel parking lot with 36 spaces. The tent, which is intended for religious services, would be used from late spring to early fall, according to Jamie Kieper, a landscape architect involved with the project. During her initial remarks, Kieper also noted the protection for religious use that is provided by a federal law. She also referred to comments about religious use as being “inappropriate.”
The field is across the street from a Brewster firehouse and it was disclosed that the state’s Department of Transportation has approved an entrance. Planning Board Chairman Tom LaPerch wanted information relating to DOT’s action.
The church meets at Henry H. Wells Middle School, according to Mellett.
In response to a woman's question, Mellett said there would be music and a loudspeaker at the site, which would be for amplification. Regarding music, Mellett mentioned having practice ahead of time.
Tom Boissonnault, a Brewster resident and church member, spoke in favor of the proposed tent. A resident who lives near two churches, he noted that he rarely hears them. He also dismissed security as being a serious issue and suggested things to do in response to noise, which includes coming by or calling the sheriff.
Boissonnault is a Brewster trustee but spoke in his personal capacity.
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