Town of Brewster: Bruch Property

The town of Brewster has been active in purchasing land through the Land Bank acquisition fund since 1999. Brewster's main goal is to preserve the town's rural character from the threat of development. Brewster concentrates its energy on large developable parcels, owners who are interested in selling, properties that abut other open spaces, and parcels with the possibility of contributing to future municipal water supplies. Janice Harrison, secretary of the Land Bank committee, explains that, "Our town has a unique character and we would like to keep it that way."

Ms. Harrison is an active and concerned citizen who has been with the Land Bank committee since its inception. When asked about the property that stood out among all their purchases, she immediately replied, "The Bruch property! The gentleman who sold the property to us should be awarded a medal."

The Bruch property is a 33-acre parcel located near the town's bike path; it has beach access to Sheep Pond and frontage along Route 137. "The owner could have made a considerable amount of money from a developer, but instead he opted to sell it to the town for a steal so it would remain open space."

The Bruch property is a densely vegetated parcel and, if all goes well, will be complemented by two abutting lots of equal size. Ms. Harrison's words of wisdom were, "Don't give up; once it (the land) is gone, it is gone forever."