Orleans holds off on Brewster rec merger plan

Select Board · Meeting of August 26, 2026

Orleans Select Board shelves a Brewster recreation merger after an hour of public pushback. Recreation Director Tom DiCervo announced he is leaving amid a family health matter, prompting Town Manager Kim Newman to quietly explore a pilot partnership with Brewster Recreation Director Mike Gradone to cover fall programming. More than a dozen residents, including Recreation Advisory Committee members Sharon Basso, Jamie Ballou and Tracy Murphy, warned the plan was rushed and risked Orleans' identity; Chair Kevin Galligan told staff "I don't want your job," and no vote was taken.

Separately, the board voted unanimously to accept a $150,000 anonymous gift for Eldridge Park, where construction bids came in at $3.71 million, and heard an update on the 78-unit Governor Prince affordable-housing project, now awaiting a Zoning Board of Appeals permit decision expected in November.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,825 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.