It’s the March 2025 dashboard summary. We continue semi-regular COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro, as long as they continue providing them. Numbers are low, but not zero. Scroll down the new comments for the latest.
The newest version of the Brattleboro Selectboard had their first regular meeting, and it was quite something. Chair Liz McLoughlin kept things under control but things weren’t going her way most of the evening. The public was riled, the new members had “ideas,” and her suggestions weren’t always easily agreed upon by others. It was a long meeting.
The primary focus of the night was what to do about the rejected FY26 budget and how to go about doing it. It’s not 100% determined, but generally there will be lots of meetings in April (most Tuesdays and Thursdays), including a listing session to hear why the budget was rejected, a meeting to discuss what was heard at the listening session, and more meetings to discuss whatever then needs to be discussed. There will also be one or two special Representative Town Meetings to vote on whatever gets presented.
And, our new Fire Chief was sworn-in. There was much rejoicing.
Summary
● Leadership Council and Committee assignments were established.
● The Board determined that they will follow Robert’s Rules for Small Boards and confirmed Board Norms.
● A committee was established to explore the Board goal setting process.
● Donation of $4,626,00 made to the Rural Community School Alliance was approved.
● Approved 3 policies.
Offering spiritual approaches to addiction and recovery, LAMA TOMAS (aka Tom O’Flaherty) is an ordained Celtic Buddhist Monk living a life of service. He talks about his own path to sobriety and his place in the Crazy Wisdom lineage.
A warmer first half of the month and a rainy second half totaling 3.61″ of moisture compared to a NOAA normal of 3.62″. Only recorded 0.2″ of snow all month. Earlier in the winter many were saying what a snowy winter we are having, but the season total so far is 51.8″ compared to my average of 62.5″. Most all snow was melted by the middle of March. Still possible to receive snow in April.
For the calendar year, total moisture is 9.92″ compared to the average of 10.12″. Very close to normal. All numbers are from my home in the S.E. corner of Brattleboro and do vary by location.
April First – I had wanted to play an April F00ls’ joke and came up with the idea of a bogus announcement that an expedition to discover the East Pole is underway. But then I realized that the joke will not work because any educated person knows that the East Pole was discovered decades ago.
Just for fun, let’s regard the government as a game.
It is, in a way. There are rules, roles, and regalia, a bank, an army, real estate. You could construct any number of exciting board games from this apparatus. In order to play the game of government, you are presented with a rule book that you are required to follow. You are not allowed to tear up the rule book and make your own rules that you then insist are binding to all other players. As is true of every game there is, from checkers to baseball, if you persist in breaking the rules of the game, you are disqualified from playing.
Next Stage Arts presents indie rock band BETTY, plus DJ ezGirl at Next Stage on Friday, April 25 at 7:30 pm.
The award-winning Indie Rock trio BETTY, Alyson Palmer (vocals, bass, guitar), Elizabeth Ziff (vocals, guitar, electronic programming) and her sister, Amy Ziff (vocals and cello), uses beguiling melodies, compelling lyrics and signature harmonies to create energetic live shows that mix music, performance art, politics and comedy.
BETTY sings of joy, love, longing, lust, food, heartbreak, and the universal hilarity of human existence. More than a band, BETTY uses music to channel their passion for representation, fairness and equality. From the beginning, they’ve blended their voices for causes they fight for, their talents in collaboration with other artists of every medium, and their time in support of women and girls, worldwide.
The Brattleboro Listers will meet on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 3:00pm at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Rm. 101).
I was going to do an April Fools’ story, but the Town of Brattleboro beat me to it. : )
The Town Manager has provided the Brattleboro Selectboard with an extensive overview of current town operations. Along with it, he provided a number of dramatic scenarios that could unfold if the new selectboard dared to make any cuts to the town budget.
These doomsday scenarios are really something. Department heads were asked to provide examples of what could happen if some unspecified cuts were undertaken. These were then tossed in the “make scary” machine.
The Charter Revision Commission is making its public debut on Monday, the 30th, in the Library at 6 pm. And online too. After two and a quarter years it is introducing itself by asking the public what to do about one particular question: should Representative Town Meeting vote itself out of existence and revert Town Meeting to the former and more common open meeting style.
I have not seen any of the evidence it has gathered pro and con but perhaps they will share that at the meeting itself though at that point perhaps not as useful as it might be. Presumably they have gathered evidence inasmuch as that is what Charter Revision Commissions are appointed to do.
What a jerk!
Homeless Women Less Than 6 Months Pregnant Will Be Kicked Out Of Motel Program
From Burlington Free Press: “March 29, 2025 Republican Gov. Phil Scott has signed an executive order allowing families with children under age 19 and “medically vulnerable” Vermonters who face eviction from hotel and motel rooms on April 1 to remain in the state’s General Assistance program through June 30. Pregnant women in their third trimester or who will enter their third trimester between April 1 and June 30 are among those who qualify as “medically vulnerable.”
March 31 Baked Chicken Feta
Roasted Potatoes
Mixed Veggies
Jell-o
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