The Brattleboro Selectboard held its first-ever virtual public special meeting. It’s also the first time the newly-configured board has taken up new business. They discussed… you guessed it… coronavirus, of course.
Notes from this historic meeting are below.
Preliminaries
Chair Tim Wessel calls the virtual special meeting to order.
Tim – welcome to this strange new way of meeting. Hope your haircuts are holding out. We’ll start with new business, which will be COVID-19 – steps we are taking and that we could take.
Coronavirus
Elwell – we’ll focus on things since the stay at home order by the Governor. March 17 was the last live update. Operations haven’t been normal, and have been adjusted. After March 24th, things changed significantly – the necessity to stay at home as much as possible. We were no longer in facilities nor doing work in those facilities. We powered down and it has been slightly stable. Adjustments have been made in field work, once we know about ways to do things safely.
Elwell – Emergency services are in operation. The ways we interact have changed. For non-life threatening issues, no police are dispatched immediately. Decisions are made on a case by case basis.
Elwell – The one other essential 24-7 service is public utilities. The community relies on them, and we have to take particular precautions to keep employees and facilities safe. We’re doing that. There are special procedures in place. Should be no change for users of the service.
Elwell – it’s awkward to not interact in person, but town administration is fully available. We’re spending a bunch of time on email. Use email to reach us. Telephone numbers still work. They get forwarded to the person you’d normally reach (at home). You might get a voicemail, but you will reach them. The direct dial numbers for the main numbers don’t work, but they get messages and employees check the messages daily. The ability of people to stay productive… there is a significant degree to which they are completing regular administrative work. Communication methods are different, but the work is the same. Some employees have been repurposed, and some are working on long term projects for their departments, or prepping for when work resumes. There are some with less work, and some who are at home and not working. Of 140, fewer than 10 are not working.
Elwell – field operations. On the 17th, parking enforcement was discontinued. It continues to be suspended. Public Works and Parks Maintenance are important. In the initial powering down, we more fully brought the crews off the street as well, and worked on-call. For public safety in the community, we need to continue some level of service, and we could do it in a manner that is safe for employees and society. Each unit has made adjustments. To keep transportation working, green spaces are available for public use, and otherwise performing work where the work is done by individual employees. There are rare occasions where they need to team up to do a task. Our adjustment means we still have employees on call – not whole shifts, but all are staying busy and work is getting done. Reserve employees are available on call at any time. We could have a water main break or other significant issue that would require a normal crew. We’ll do that as needed. For Parks, we can’t keep the equipment safe – no basketball, playgrounds, or benches. You can use the green spaces. It is important to get exercise and fresh air. We’re keeping parks maintained for green spaces. Don’t use equipment.
Tim – curious – is the equipment marked?
Elwell – yes. At playgrounds, we were quick to put out signs. We were concerned with schools closed that kids would come to playgrounds, and we can’t keep it clean enough, so stay off of it. Forgive me, but I’m realizing I have a dim, odd spotlight effect going on. I look like I’m hiding in the shadows.
Tim – an underworld boss crime thing going on
Elwell – a couple other things, and staff can answer questions. I want to stress that the Library and Recs dept are both staying creative to stay in service at this time. All rec programs are cancelled, but the department is working online and looking ahead, but also keeping people engaged. The most recent example is a virtual easter egg hunt. The Library already does a lot o online service already, even if people can’t come to the library. use their websites.
Elwell – a reminder of some normal things. Outside fires require a burn permit, even now. Open air fires require burn permits from the fire department. The annual leaf pickup will happen end of april and beginning of may. Leaf bags are still available. April 17, May 1. Take advantage of that normalcy – get exercise and clean up the yard!
Elwell – we were asked about suspending PAYT. The state said no when we asked if we could suspend it. The reason is: the state law related to solid waste collection requires variable rate pricing. The more you throw away, the more you pay. In normal times it diverts garbage into recycling and compost waste streams. Better and more sustainable way to do that in normal times. Because state law requires it, and the sale of purple and yellow bags is the way we comply, we need the state’s permission.
Brandie – From the heart, I am disappointed with this decision from the state. We need to be responsive and pull as much burden off of humans. I’m disappointed in the decision.
Elwell – the selctboard on March 17 took and action to postpone Small Biz Assistance Loan payback. Suspended until further notice. There will be a time when the board decides to resume monthly payments, but for now, each month that goes by, it will just be added to the far side of the loan period, subject to future loan action by the board.
and more!
Tim – it can be a significant thing. Some loan recipients thanked me. If only mortgage companies could do the same for us. I’m working on that myself.
Elwell – that’s it for me.
Tim – this was a special meeting, I do want to open this up to board members to add anything, ask questions…. I promised the ESL interpreter that we’ll be under an hour, and we have a meeting next week.
Brandie – still figuring out the mute… accolades to the police department where they do some scavenger hunts. I’m trying to find normalcy for my kids and that connection is good. There is more I’d like to see, but now I just want to give a shout out to the police for engaging kids.
Tim – I had a follow up question – with the burn permits… I’m curious if it doesn’t apply to small contained units on legs…??
Fire Chief Mike Bucossi – even if it is a contained fire in a fire pit, we’d still like to know. Burn permits are mapped, so if we get calls we know if it is a yard waste burn.
Tim – that’s it for the update….
Liz – question of public works – will spring street sweeping occur?
Brandie – yes, loudly.
Elwell – I meant to mention that. That’s exactly the type of activity we can do right now. A single operator can do the work, alone. Not creating additional risk for the community or person working.
Steve Barrett – we’re also doing the parking lots, as well as the streets. We’ll do all the streets in town.
Tim – the great thing is that people at this meeting don’t have to stay long hours away from home to attend.
Daniel – one challenge with working from home is the work-home balance is off for many people. I don’t have kids, or a dog… I’m thinking of the employees working at home. A tricky question – taxpayers need value for their money, and staff needs to be safe.
Elwell – I appreciate that. We are paying particular attention to our relationship and public service. Not just an obligation, but there is a reward in doing this work. At the same time, the stresses, especially if you have children at home, is a real issue. As a team working together we are making sure families are well supported. The state and federal legislation is mindful of that. I was a bit surprise, pleasantly, at how far it goes to protect family interests, when the work/home boundary is blurred. Some employees are experiencing extra stress at lower wage levels. Daniel mention privilege – some of us have less stress and others are more vulnerable. Employees are among both groups.
Liz – explain all the various things on the new website and services we do and beyond us?
Elwell – throw Peter another softball – thanks. The homepage of the town website has links – we’ll post these meeting links from the homepage just before the meeting. The day to day information is a six box COVID-19 information center – town updates with updates and a timeline. The only town box is the first one. Public health requires us to be careful. For BMH info, or business info… it is posted as a link to other resources elsewhere. The second box is resources for businesses. Then individuals and families. Then state, national and global sites in the boxes on the right. Lots of health info available, and coping info.
Ian Goodnow – how can individuals participate if they don’t have internet access?
Elwell – meeting warnings will list phone numbers to participate, and they can watch on BCTV. We encourage people to use computers to join rather than by phone if you can. Easy for us to manage if online. Much more cumbersome to deal with a phone call, but we do allow it for those who can’t. It might take some trial and error on it. We’ll see how it works… we set up permanent numbers to call, and we can use the same link for every selectboard meeting.
Tim – the number is 1-866-899-4679 804762765 is the access code. I want to move us along and remind people that we’re allowing public comment. Use the chat function to let me know. Also want to shout out to David Schoales – thanks for your service. And hello to Ian for his first official board meeting.
Brandie – thanks David, welcome Ian….
Tim – Patrick is bringing up people for me… say where you are from, etc.
Olga Peters – in Dummerston – Q: we’re usually sending out bids for projects now… are things on hold?
Elwell – we’re doing some, but some are impractical right now.
Steve Barrett – good summary. Things that would impact health and safety we’ll focus on. We’ll work on manholes. Uncertain of hot mix contracts. Things we’ll go over with the board…
Olga and Milicent – RTM? Whats the plan? Are plans for a remote one? New date?
Elwell – I think the best thing… because tonight is a short meeting and this is a big topic, we’ll do it next Tuesday. It is on the agenda for next week. If you can wait, we’ll have a good, complete discussion. We won’t warn the meeting for May 9th, due to the length of expected impacts. More on Tuesday.
Tim – not looking good for May 9th in my perspective.
Millicent – yes, that was my question. I’ll wait for next week.
Tim – this is working well in my opinion.
Me – Any known cases in Brattleboro?
Elwell – there have been some, but maybe not now. We share responsibility for getting info out – we become aware of some things. We aren’t speaking for other organizations. BMH is planing to make a dashboard soon, with that kind of info. Don’t know if it will include broader health dept data – cases not at the hospital. VT Health Department is the best source.
Tim – we’re a small interconnected town, and there is obvious reticence to release information. many people know of some cases happening. The town can’t be spending rumors, but it is important to know it is here in Brattleboro and go forward and act safely. We’re not in a special bubble here. Better numbers coming soon.
Tim – any other comments or questions? (Over 40 watching right now in-chat)
Peter May – a way for people to raise their hands in future would be good…
Tim – yes, use the chat feature to ask a question/comment
Millicent – there are people in the community trying to help with computer access for those who don’t have it. Our sustainability coordinator is working on getting devices to people. I’m working through BAMA to find tech volunteers to help. There is an awareness of the digital divide.
Tim – thanks! Brattleboro Area Mutual Aid is a great forum to request help and offer help. The community really comes together – people are stepping up.
Tim – no more comments, and we’re at an hour, so….we’ll wrap this up.
Ian – I move we adjourn! (his first motion…)
The board agrees. 5-0.
Tim – thanks for tuning in.