The Brattleboro Selectboard will be approving a range of new contracts for police officers, firefighters, and other unionized employees at their next regular meeting.
Union Station will be handed over to the BMAC, the board will hear a sustainability update, they’ll review their goals, Selectboard meetings will be moved to Central Fire Station, and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participations.
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The Brattleboro Selectboard meeting will not be reconvening in the Selectboard Meeting Room as stated in the original warning but will reconvene the meeting on Zoom.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 5:45pm and is expected to enter immediately into executive session to discuss contracts and collective bargaining agreements with employees. The Board will reconvene at 6:15pm on Zoom. The Selectboard members and Town staff will participate in this meeting on Zoom and the public is strongly encouraged to attend and participate on Zoom. People who choose to attend the meeting in-person may do so in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, where everyone will be required to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing.
Jessica Sticklor (she/her)
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street, Suite 208
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251 – 8115
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BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2021
SELECTBOARD MEETING ROOM + ZOOM
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:45PM
REGULAR MEETING – 6:15PM
AGENDA
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
NOTE: The Selectboard members and Town staff plan to participate in this meeting on Zoom and
the public also is encouraged to attend and participate on Zoom. People who choose to attend the
meeting in-person may do so in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, where
everyone will be required to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING
2. APPROVE MINUTES –October 4, October 5, and October 6
3. CHAIR’S REMARKS
4. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
5. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Monthly Financial Report – Through September (First 3 Months of FY22)
B. VCDP Grant Brattleboro Housing Authority – Accept and Appropriate
C. Bike/Ped Master Plan – Authorize Application for Municipal Planning Grant
D. Utility Terrain Vehicle – Authorize Purchase
E. Plans for In-Person Selectboard Meeting at Central Fire Station on November 2
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Union Station / BMAC – Approval of Purchase and Sale Agreement
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Police Officer Compensation + Creation of Community Safety Fund
(i) Collective Bargaining Agreement with the New England Police Benevolent Association, Local 412
(ii) Creation of Community Safety Fund
B. Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 98
C. Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Brattleboro Professional Firefighters Association
D. Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Steelworkers Union, Local 944
E. Sustainability Update
F. Selectboard’s Annual Goals for 2021-2022 – Status Report
10. CORRESPONDENCE/FYI
A. Warrants
11. MEETINGS
See Town Calendar
12. ADJOURNMENT
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MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: Peter B. Elwell, Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: October 15, 2021
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The following will summarize the proposed motions for the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. The meeting will begin at 5:45pm, when the Board is expected to enter into executive session to discuss contracts and labor relations agreements with employees. The Board will reconvene the public business meeting at 6:15pm.
The Selectboard members and Town staff will participate in this meeting on Zoom and the public is strongly encouraged to attend and participate on Zoom. People who choose to attend the meeting in-person may do so in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, where everyone will be required to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing.
Join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers
for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The meeting will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv/
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Monthly Financial Report – Through September (First 3 Months of FY22)
B. VCDP Grant Brattleboro Housing Authority – Accept and Appropriate
C. Bike/Ped Master Plan – Authorize Application for Municipal Planning Grant
D. Utility Terrain Vehicle – Authorize Purchase
E. Plans for In-Person Selectboard Meeting at Central Fire Station on November 2
The Board is asked to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
The Monthly Financial Report through September is included in the Selectboard’s backup materials for this meeting, along with a summary memorandum dated October 4, 2021, from Accountant Kim Ellison. There is no cause for concern in this month’s report and no action is required on this item.
In a memorandum dated October 12, 2021, Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland describes a $28,237 grant to the Brattleboro Housing Authority (BHA) from the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) Municipal Public Facility and Service Program (CARES Act funding) for reimbursement of COVID-related expenses. If the Selectboard approves this item on the consent agenda, it will approve the Grant Agreement Resolution to accept and appropriate the sum of $28,237 from VCDP for BHA and will authorize the Town Manager to execute the Grant Agreement and all other associated documents necessary for the performance of the grant funded activities.
In a memorandum dated October 12, 2021, Planning Director Sue Fillion describes the Planning Commission’s proposed application for a 2022 Municipal Planning Grant in the amount of $22,000 to create a Walk Bike Master Plan. This Plan will set forth a multi-year program to accomplish much needed improvements so that residents can safely walk, bike, roll and bus around Town, reducing dependence on individual gas-powered vehicles and enhancing equity. The Planning Department intends to use the funds to hire a consultant or consultant team to engage the public to assess existing conditions, develop a vision and goals, identify proposed projects, prioritize projects, and create an implementation plan. The current Municipal Planning Grant funded the Housing Action Plan and will be completed by the end of 2021, so the two projects will not be going on at the same time. If the Selectboard approves this item on the consent agenda, it will adopt the FY22 Municipal Resolution for a Municipal Planning Grant.
In a memorandum dated October 5, 2021, Assistant Fire Chief Charles Keir requests permission to purchase a utility terrain vehicle. There will be no out-of-pocket cost to the Town for this purchase because the funds are coming from the recent sale of other equipment that was purchased with a prior Homeland Security grant. Those funds can only be used for another purpose approved by Homeland Security and Homeland Security has approved the purchase of the utility terrain vehicle. If the Selectboard approves this item on the consent agenda, it will authorize the purchase of a utility terrain vehicle from Full Throttle Powersports of Swanzey, New Hampshire, for a total of $18,415.16.
In a memorandum dated October 12, 2021, Town Manager Elwell recommends that future in-person Selectboard meetings be held at the Central Fire Station, beginning on November 2 and continuing until further notice. If the Selectboard approves this item on the consent agenda, it will approve proceeding with the plan outlined by Town Manager Elwell in his October 12 memorandum. With Windham County’s rate of community transmission of COVID increasing and the State of Vermont’s rate now the highest of any time during the pandemic, the Selectboard may choose to pull this item from the consent agenda to direct an alternative course of action.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Union Station / BMAC – Approval of Purchase and Sale Agreement In a memorandum dated September 30, 2021, Town Manager Elwell explains the history of the Town’s ownership of Union Station, the reasons he recommends that ownership be transferred to the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center (BMAC), and the key provisions of a purchase and sale agreement that has been negotiated between the Town and BMAC. The Selectboard discussed this matter on October 5 and is now asked to approve the purchase and sale agreement. The actual transfer of ownership would be contingent upon subsequent approval by Representative Town Meeting.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO AND THE BRATTLEBORO MUSEUM AND ART CENTER FOR THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF UNION STATION.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Union Police Officer Compensation + Creation of Community Safety Fund
(i) Collective Bargaining Agreement with the New England Police Benevolent Association, Local 412
(ii) Creation of Community Safety Fund
In a memorandum dated October 12, 2021, Town Manager Elwell recommends that the Selectboard approve the collective bargaining agreement addendum between the Town of Brattleboro and the New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA), Local 412. The proposed addendum, which has been ratified by the union members, would be effective November 1, 2021, though June 30, 2023. The main focus of the proposed addendum is to increase Police Officers’ salaries. All other terms of the existing collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the NEPBA (including changes previously agreed upon by the parties since July 1, 2019) will remain in effect until June 30, 2023.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT ADDENDUM BETWEEN THE TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO AND THE NEW ENGLAND POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, LOCAL 412, FOR THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2021, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2023.
In a memorandum dated October 12, 2021, Town Manager Elwell explains that due to excessive Police Officer vacancies, the FY22 budget allocation to Police Officer staffing will be underspent by over $340,000. Approximately $70,000 of that will be invested in the implementation of the Police Officer raises in the proposed collective bargaining agreement addendum addressed immediately above. Of the remaining surplus funds, Elwell proposes that the Town invest $200,000 in the establishment of a new Community Safety Fund, providing resources the Selectboard can allocate in future decisions to purchases and programs intended to increase community safety through alternatives to traditional police interventions.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY SAFETY FUND IN THE INITIAL AMOUNT OF $200,000.
B. Collective Bargaining Agreement with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 98 In a memorandum dated October 12, 2021, Town Manager Elwell recommends that the Selectboard approve the collective bargaining agreement addendum between the Town of Brattleboro and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 98. The proposed addendum, which has been ratified by the union members, would be effective November 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023. The main focus of the proposed addendum is to increase employee salaries, including the creation of a step pay system since this is the only group of Brattleboro Town employees who currently are not in a step pay system. All other terms of the existing collective bargaining agreement between the Town and Local 98 (including changes previously agreed upon by the parties since July 1, 2019) will remain in effect until June 30, 2023.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT ADDENDUM BETWEEN THE TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO AND THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS, LOCAL 98, FOR THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2021, TO JUNE 30, 2023.
C. Collective Bargaining Agreement with Brattleboro Professional Firefighters Association In a memorandum dated October 12, 2021, Town Manager Elwell recommends that the Selectboard approve the collective bargaining agreement addendum between the Town of Brattleboro and the Brattleboro Professional Firefighters Association (BFPA), IAFF Local 4439. The proposed addendum, which has been ratified by the union members, will be effective November 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023. The main focus of the proposed addendum is to increase Firefighters’ salaries. All other terms of the existing collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the BFPA (including changes previously agreed upon by the parties since July 1, 2019) will remain in effect until June 30, 2023.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT ADDENDUM BETWEEN THE TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO AND THE BRATTLEBORO PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION (BFPA), IAFF LOCAL 4439, FOR THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 1, 2021, TO JUNE 30, 2023.
D. Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Steelworkers Union, Local 944 In a memorandum dated October 12, 2021, Town Manager Elwell recommends that the Selectboard approve the collective bargaining agreement between the Town of Brattleboro and the United Steelworkers Union, Local 944. The proposed agreement, which has been ratified by the union members, will be effective for the period from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. The proposed agreement is, in effect, a one-year extension of the existing agreement between the Town and Local 944, while also providing a pay increase to all Local 944 members on July 1, 2022.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO AND THE UNITED STEELWORKERS UNION, LOCAL 944, FOR THE PERIOD FROM JULY 1, 2022, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2023.
E. Sustainability Update
Sustainability Coordinator Stephen Dotson provided a written sustainability update in the Selectboard’s backup materials and will make a presentation of this update at the October 19 Selectboard meeting. A discussion with and among the Selectboard members and the public will follow the presentation.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS MATTER.
F. Selectboard’s Annual Goals for 2021-2022 – Status Report
The Selectboard will review progress on the implementation of its annual goals that were adopted on April 20, 2021.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS MATTER.
