When someone donates land to a town, they often request and intend that it be used only for specific purposes, like a park. But if those intentions are not clearly set down in a property deed, problems can arise.
In Brewster, construction has begun on new parking spaces at Breakwater Beach. The parking spaces are being built next to an existing parking lot at Breakwater Beach, on land that was donated to Brewster in 1955.
But the woman who donated the land six decades ago wanted it to be used as a “beach park,” and that use was approved at the time by a Town Meeting vote. But those intentions were never recorded in the deed, and that’s led to different interpretations on what uses are permissible at a “beach park.”
Brewster voters will consider a petition at a Special Town Meeting November 16, aimed at clarifying the issue of donor intent.
Brewster resident Chris Powicki, who co-sponsored the petition, spoke with Morning Edition’s Brian Morris.