TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO Town Manager’s Office 230 Main Street Brattleboro, VT 05301 (802) 251-8151 FAX (802) 257-2322
PRESS RELEASE
TO: Local Media Date: July 17, 2020
From: Town Manager’s Office
*************************************************************************************
For Immediate Release:
Town of Brattleboro
COVID-19 Response Status
July 17, 2020
3:15pm
An Update to the Community from Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell:
The United States Government and the State of Vermont are operating under State of Emergency declarations issued by President Trump and Governor Scott related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The Town of Brattleboro, as a subdivision of the State of Vermont, is operating in accordance with Governor Scott’s declaration of a State of Emergency for all of Vermont.
Fire Chief Mike Bucossi, who also is the Town’s Emergency Management Director, is in close ongoing communication with Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Rescue Inc., and other emergency health service providers. Chief Bucossi and Town Manager Peter Elwell also are in regular communication with the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Emergency Management. All other members of the Town’s management team are maintaining similarly close contact with their colleagues in State government
and others to ensure that the Town’s actions are taken in concert with similar actions to protect the public throughout Vermont and beyond.
Please visit the Town’s website at www.brattleboro. org for extensive information about COVID-19,
its impacts, and actions being taken to address those impacts. All of the Town’s COVID-19 updates are posted there, along with links to the Vermont Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization. Most importantly, the Town’s homepage includes
links to numerous resources for informing and assisting individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations. All of this information is being reviewed frequently to ensure you can rely on the Town’s site for current and accurate information throughout the COVID-19 emergency.
WHAT IS NEW TODAY
• Here are links to 3 important COVID-19 financial relief programs offered by the State of Vermont for renters, landlords, and sole proprietor businesses:
o Emergency Mortgage Assistance- https://www.vhfa.org/documents/images/vt_map_flyer.pdf
o Rental Housing Stabilization Fund – https://www.vsha.org/rental-housing-stabilization-program/
o Vermont Sole Proprietor Stabilization Fund – https://www.vermont-cdbg-cv.com/
• The Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, July 21, at 6:15pm, on GoToMeeting. Here is how the public can watch and/or participate in that meeting:
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone using this link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/804762765 You also can dial in using your telephone (but this alternative is not recommended): United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 Access Code: 804-762-765
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/804762765
The meetings also are carried live on BCTV, whose telecast can be accessed using the following links:
https://www.brattleborotv.org/
https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv/
Here is a link to the agenda for the meeting:
https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/07-21-20_Agenda.pdf
Here is a link to the backup materials for the meeting:
https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/07-21-20_Back-Up_Materials.pdf
• Brooks Memorial Library is now open for brief periods of browsing and limited services, noon- 4:30pm, Monday-Saturday. The following measures are in place for the safety of the public and staff:
➢ Maximum building capacity of 30 people.
➢ Admittance on the hour + half-hour
➢ Maximum length of visits is 20 minutes.
➢ The building is cleared at 20 past the hour + 50 past the hour for cleaning.
➢ Everyone in the building is required to wear a mask covering both their nose and their mouth and fitting snugly under their chin.
➢ Hands must be sanitized upon entering.
➢ Individuals must maintain social distance.
➢ Directional arrows will guide patrons through the stacks.
o There is computer access on the first floor, along with copying and printing capabilities.
o Personal assistance is available within the appropriate social distance constraints.
o Most of the furniture has been stored and only limited seating is available. This is to help people avoid congregating and to limit physical contact with surfaces.
o Magazines are available to take home, including the current issues, but there are no newspapers to read on site.
o The minimum age for unattended children has temporarily been raised to 12-years-old.
o To ensure the safest possible transactions for public and staff, patrons are encouraged to continue using the convenient curbside and delivery service and to access the growing wealth of electronic resources, including streaming video and downloadable ebooks and audio.
• The Recreation + Parks Department has reopened the Senior Center on a limited basis. The following measures are in place for the safety of the public and staff:
➢ Patrons are only able to enter through the back door of the Gibson Aiken Center.
(This is the door that connects to the parking lot.) This will help ensure that our sign in sheets are complete and that everyone is having their temperatures taken upon arrival, before entering the facility.
➢ Assistant Director Sarah Clark or a trained volunteer sits at a table near the back door to welcome people and sign them in.
➢ EVERYONE has their temperature taken before entering the facility and must answer a COVID-19 screening survey.
➢ Anyone who is symptomatic or COVID-19 positive will not be allowed on site.
➢ Anyone who has had contact with any person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 must quarantine for 14 days.
➢ Anyone who has been tested for COVID-19 should not come to the center until they have received a confirmed negative result.
➢ Only 20 people will be allowed into Center at any given time. Currently the ratio is 1 person per 200 square feet. To reserve your spot in the Center or for Senior Programming, please call 257-7570.
➢ Patrons will be asked to adhere to social distancing of at least 6 feet while using the Center.
➢ There will be no large group activities and all activities will be restricted to the Senior Center itself due to youth programming in other parts of the Gibson Aiken Center.
o The Brattleboro Senior Meals Program continues to offer Take Away Meals + Meals On Wheels. No congregate meals are served at this time.
The following information has previously been announced by the Town to the community. Some of the items have been modified to update the details. The information is separated into sections, as follows: “Wearing Face Coverings Required,” “Overall Status of Town Government’s Daily Operations,” “Emergency Services,” “Non-Emergency and Administrative Support Services,” and “Public Meetings”:
WEARING FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED
At its meetings on May 19 and May 26, the Selectboard adopted the following resolution. The resolution was reviewed and reaffirmed at the Selectboard meeting on June 16.
Be it resolved by the Selectboard of the Town of Brattleboro, Vermont, as follows:
AMENDED
COVID-19 EMERGENCY ORDER
WEARING FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and to help prevent people who may unknowingly have the virus from transmitting it to others; and
WHEREAS, the Vermont Department of Health “recommends that all Vermonters wear cloth face coverings when outside of the home to help slow the spread of COVID-19;” and
WHEREAS, Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development have issued the following instructions in conjunction
with the Governor’s executive orders regarding COVID-19:
“Employees must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others. In the case of retail cashiers, a translucent shield or “sneeze guard” is acceptable in lieu of a mask. Businesses and non-profit and government entities may require customers or clients to wear masks” while on their premises
and
“The legislative body of each municipality may enact more strict local requirements regarding mask use than those set forth herein;” and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 remains a health hazard to residents of Brattleboro and a significant threat to vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, wearing a face covering is an important act we can do in an effort to protect others from an infection that we may not even know we have.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Selectboard hereby issues the following COVID-19 Emergency Order:
WEARING FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED
Requirement to Wear Face Covering.
Starting May 20, 2020, all establishments located in the Town of Brattleboro that invite the public into their premises for the purpose of receiving services, purchasing products, or otherwise transacting business, shall require both staff and customers (or visitors) to wear cloth face coverings or face shields over their nose and mouth while inside the establishment.
Exceptions.
Cloth face coverings are not required on young children under age 5 and should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Posting of Requirement.
Each establishment is individually responsible to post signage at the entrance and at other appropriate locations stating that customers (or visitors) are required to wear face coverings by order of the Brattleboro Selectboard.
Effective Period.
This Order shall remain in effect until the Brattleboro Selectboard amends, rescinds, or suspends this Order or until the Governor declares an end to the COVID-19 State of Emergency in Vermont, whichever occurs first.
Adopted by the Brattleboro Selectboard at its meeting on May 19, 2020.
Amended by the Brattleboro Selectboard at its meeting on May 26, 2020.
OVERALL STATUS OF TOWN GOVERNMENT’S DAILY OPERATIONS
• Emergency services and field crews continue to operate as described below.
• The exterior entrances to all Town facilities remain locked at all times. The only exception is at the two fire stations, where the exterior doors are unlocked daily 8am-4pm so the public can access the entrance area, but permission and public health precautions are required for anyone passing from the entrance area into the interior of the building.
• Signs are posted at the exterior entrances to all Town facilities clearly indicating that no one may enter the building if they have any symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath).
• There is a minimum of 1 employee in each office each day, and more are there when more than one employee is needed to complete a required task.
• Employees who are not in the office continue to work from home in the same manner as they did during the full closure of Town offices between March 27 and May 4.
• All email communications and most telephone communications are functioning exactly as they do during normal office operations.
• Town employees who have direct dial phone numbers and individual email addresses can be contacted in the usual way. If you don’t have that information, please use the contact information for each department listed below under “Non-Emergency and Administrative Support Services.”
• The public is requested to continue to do as much Town business as possible remotely (by email, internet, phone, or mail).
• When an on-site visit is necessary for a particular individual to comply with a Town requirement or to receive a Town service, such visits can be arranged in advance (by making an appointment) or at the time of the visit (by calling the applicable office).
• Anyone who is not a Town employee will be met at the exterior door by a Town employee, escorted into the applicable office, and then escorted out of the building.
• Making an appointment in advance is strongly encouraged for two reasons:
1. Since most offices are being staffed by only 1 employee at a time, there are unscheduled times each day when any particular office is not available to the public. There also may be some scheduled closures in certain departments (e.g. for an entire morning, afternoon, or day). Those will be announced to the public in advance.
2. Since only 1 visitor is allowed in any office at any given time, visitors who do not make an appointment in advance may have to wait outside the building until it is their turn to enter.
• During every visit, the 1 employee and 1 visitor will:
➢ Wear masks at all times covering both the nose and the mouth and fitting snugly under the chin. (The Town will provide a mask to any visitor who does not have one.)
➢ Wear gloves or use hand sanitizer before handling documents.
➢ Abide by social distancing best practices (such as standing no closer than 6 feet apart).
• Town employees use disinfectant cleaner to wipe down all counters, door knobs, and other commonly touched surfaces at the beginning of each shift, after each visitor, and at the end of each shift, paying particular attention to wiping down any surface that is touched by any visitor.
• Restrooms are not available for public use. If an employee allows a visitor to use a restroom in an emergency, that employee will use disinfectant cleaner to wipe down all fixtures, handles, and touched surfaces immediately after the visitor leaves.
• Town employees are continuing to do as much work as possible with other Town employees via email, internet, and phone. When 2 or more employees must meet face-to-face to complete a particular task, they adhere to the same requirements as when providing 1-to-1 services to visitors:
➢ Wear masks at all times covering both the nose and the mouth and fitting snugly under the chin.
➢ Wear gloves or use hand sanitizer before handling documents.
➢ Abide by social distancing best practices (such as standing no closer than 6 feet apart).
• Town officials are continuing to coordinate with a variety of community organizations regarding emerging community needs that extend beyond the scope of our normal Town government services.
• All reservations for use of Town facilities by non-Town organizations are cancelled until further notice.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
• Emergency services are still being provided by the Police Department (BPD) and Fire Department (BFD).
• Dispatch is fully staffed 24/7 and is screening for COVID-19 on all calls.
• Both BPD and BFD are conducting “doorway assessments” for COVID-19 before entering into buildings.
• Both BPD and BFD have instituted policies that adjust their normal procedures to reflect COVID-19 best practices advice from public health experts. This includes screening every employee for COVID-19 before and during every shift.
• BPD officers are responding to all calls for assistance in person, unless the caller requests to be contacted by other means. Officers wear masks during all interactions with the public and follow best practice guidelines and directives from the AG, CDC, DPS, VDH, etc. Motor vehicle enforcement activity is mainly limited to addressing moving violations. The police facility on Black Mountain Road is locked and closed to the public except for emergencies and appointments.
• Both BPD and BFD have implemented best practices for more rigorous than normal cleaning of facilities and equipment, for the use of personal protective equipment, and for decontamination (when needed) after calls.
NON-EMERGENCY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Water+Sewer Utilities
• Town water+sewer facilities are being operated. Staffing and some procedures have been adjusted to reflect COVID-19 best practices advice from public health experts. The public should notice no change in water or sewer service.
• For general water+sewer questions, please call 802-254-4255.
• Many buildings remain in a state of partial shutdown. The Town’s Water Department reminds all building owners that water lines within buildings should be flushed to keep the water supply safe. While the Town is continuing to deliver water to the meter that complies with all drinking water standards and has a trace of chlorine for disinfection, the water quality within the interior piping of a building will deteriorate if not used.
• Water+Sewer crews will not enter private buildings until further notice. People who experience service problems should call the Department of Public Works, as usual. A DPW crew will address the situation on the outside of the building. If that does not resolve the issue, then the owner/customer will need to hire a private plumber to address the issue on the interior of the building.
• Until further notice, the Town will not shut-off water service to any customer as a result of that customer becoming delinquent on payment of water+sewer fees.
Parking
• Parking Enforcement resumed on July 1.
• Overnight parking is allowed on most side streets at this time of year, but overnight parking is prohibited on Main Street, High Street, Elliot Street (east of School Street), Flat Street, Church Street, Elm Street, Harris Place, and Grove Street.
• Parking related inquiries should be directed to the Parking Enforcement Office at 802-257-2305 or ccoulombe@brattleboro.org.
Town Manager’s Office
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general information, please call 802-251-8151 or email townmanager@brattleboro.org.
Town Clerk’s Office
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general information, please call 802-251-8157 or email townclerk@brattleboro.org.
• Until further notice, the Town Clerk’s Office will waive late fees for any dog licensed after April 1. While the late fee after the April 1 deadline has been waived, dogs are still required to be licensed per Title 20, Section 3581(c) of Vermont State Statutes.
• Due to the inability to sanitize paper records and books, customers are currently not allowed in the vault. The Town Clerk’s Office staff is happy to work with each customer to identify the accurate book and page number, and then pull the records for their review. The communication can occur over the phone or by email, staff can scan and email the records, and the customer can pay online.
• There are Statewide and Federal elections coming up.
➢ It is important for all voter rolls to be up to date. All voters are encouraged to visit their “My Voter Page” to confirm or update their voter registration address, including both their physical and mailing addresses. The My Voter Page is now found at https://mvp.vermont.gov. If you encounter problems logging into your My Voter Page, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 802-251-8157 for assistance. People who are not yet registered to vote can register online at https://olvr.vermont.gov.
➢ All voters are encouraged to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them. You can do this now. It is quick, easy, and safe. For additional information, please visit our website: https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/Sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/Flyer_for_request_vote-by-mail.JPG.
➢ General election information can be found here: https://www.brattleboro.org/index.asp?SEC=FFED1EC2-A91E-4068-B082-FDC98D7653D2&Type=B_BASIC.
Public Works Department
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general information, please call 802-254-4255.
• Field operations continue in accordance with special procedures required by the Governor’s executive orders and public health best practices.
Planning Services Department
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general information, please call 802-251-8154 or email planning@brattleboro.org.
• The Planning Services Department is accepting zoning permit and development applications by mail or email. To view a list of issued permits visit: https://www.brattleboro.org/index.asp?SEC=2CB22546-F959-4A03-B179-60D7295CD090&Type=B_BASIC
• Monthly Development Review Board meetings have resumed. All meetings will be held via GoToMeeting. Application deadlines can be found at:
https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/2020_DRB_Schedule_reviswed_1.23.2020.pdf.
Brooks Memorial Library
• To ensure the safest possible transactions for public and staff, patrons are encouraged to continue using the convenient curbside and delivery services and to access the growing wealth of electronic resources, including streaming video and downloadable ebooks and audio.
• The library is open for brief periods of browsing and limited services, noon- 4:30pm, Monday-Saturday.
o The following measures are in place for the safety of the public and staff:
➢ Maximum building capacity of 30 people.
➢ Admittance on the hour + half-hour
➢ Maximum length of visits is 20 minutes.
➢ The building is cleared at 20 past the hour + 50 past the hour for cleaning.
➢ Everyone in the building is required to wear a mask covering both their nose and their mouth and fitting snugly under their chin.
➢ Hands must be sanitized upon entering.
➢ Individuals must maintain social distance.
➢ Directional arrows will guide patrons through the stacks.
o There is computer access on the first floor, along with copying and printing capabilities.
o Personal assistance is available within the appropriate social distance constraints.
o Most of the furniture has been stored and only limited seating is available. This is to help people avoid congregating and to limit physical contact with surfaces.
o Magazines are available to take home, including the current issues, but there are no newspapers to read on site.
o The minimum age for unattended children has temporarily been raised to 12-years-old.
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general information, please call 802-254-5290 (Extension 0) or email info@brookslibraryvt.org.
• Cardholders may request (via phone or email) materials for curbside pick-up. Details are available at www.brookslibraryvt.org.
• Borrowed items may be returned through the big blue metal bookdrop box in the Municipal Center parking lot.
• Limited delivery service of materials is available for Brattleboro residents who are unable to come to the library. Please email circulation@brookslibraryvt.org or call 254-5290 ext. 1206. Please specify that delivery service is required in the subject line or phone message. Patrons may request up to 5 items and will be contacted to verify delivery day and time. Because delivery capacity is limited, the staff requests patience. It may take several days to fulfill an order. When items are ready for return, contact the library by email or phone as above to schedule a pick-up.
• Please go to www.brookslibraryvt.org for information on obtaining a library card, which will allow access to online resources. Library cards that are due to expire can be renewed on a month-by-month basis until the library reopens. Fees for renewing non-resident cards are suspended until further notice. If you encounter a problem using your card, please call 524-5290 (extension 0) or email info@brookslibraryvt.org.
• Follow us on Facebook @BrooksMemorialLibrary and @BrooksMemorialLibraryCR or on Twitter @brookslibraryvt. Check the library website for updates and to subscribe to the online newsletter.
• Free Wi-Fi is available near the Main Street entrance to the library. People are invited to use the library’s tables and chairs, and also can access the Wi-Fi from cars parked in front of the building.
If you use the library’s furniture, please wear a mask, use hand sanitizer, and notify staff upon leaving so that the tables and chairs can be disinfected between users.
Recreation+Parks Department
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general information, please call 802-254-5808 or email recreation@brattleboro.org.
• Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook at “Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department” and follow us on Instagram at “Brattleboro recandparks”.
• Parks Maintenance field operations continue in accordance with special procedures required by the Governor’s executive orders and public health best practices.
• Parks equipment at playgrounds is available for use as long as users adhere to the social distancing and other safety precautions described on signs adjacent to that equipment.
• The Fred H. Harris Tennis/Pickleball Courts at Living Memorial Park are open.
• The frisbee golf course at Living Memorial Park is open.
• The dog park at Living Memorial Park is open. Use of the dog park is “at your own risk” as this facility cannot regularly be disinfected. Users are asked to adhere to the following guidelines:
➢ Keep six feet apart and wear masks.
➢ Try to visit the dog park during “off peak” hours.
➢ Sanitize hands before, during, and after visiting the dog park.
• All softball fields are available to families for informal play and to softball teams for practices.
• The women’s softball league has cancelled its season.
• The men’s softball league will play a shortened season beginning on July 9 using modified rules to adhere to public health best practices for outdoor recreation.
• Morningside Cemetery is open for visits to honor a loved one or to get some fresh air and exercise.
• The restroom next to the snack bar at Living Memorial Park is open and is being cleaned and disinfected 3 times daily.
• All basketball courts remain closed until further notice.
• Space is still available for additional kids in all summer camps. To register, please call 802-254-5808.
• The Living Memorial Park Swimming Pool and Rotary Water Playground are open daily 1pm-4pm and 5pm-8pm. All surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before opening and between 4pm and 5pm, and high touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the two swim sessions. No pre-registration is required, but participation in the swim sessions is limited to a maximum of 75 people.
• The Senior Center is open and the following measures are in place for the safety of the public and staff:
➢ Patrons are only able to enter through the back door of the Gibson Aiken Center.
(This is the door that connects to the parking lot.) This will help ensure that our sign in sheets are complete and that everyone is having their temperatures taken upon arrival, before entering the facility.
➢ Assistant Director Sarah Clark or a trained volunteer sits at a table near the back door to welcome people and sign them in.
➢ EVERYONE has their temperature taken before entering the facility and must answer a COVID-19 screening survey.
➢ Anyone who is symptomatic or COVID-19 positive will not be allowed on site.
➢ Anyone who has had contact with any person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 must quarantine for 14 days.
➢ Anyone who has been tested for COVID-19 should not come to the center until they have received a confirmed negative result.
➢ Only 20 people will be allowed into Center at any given time.
Currently the ratio is 1 person per 200 square feet.
To reserve your spot in the Center or for Senior Programming, please call 257-7570.
➢ Patrons will be asked to adhere to social distancing of at least 6 feet while using the Center.
➢ There will be no large group activities and all activities will be restricted to the Senior Center itself due to youth programming in other parts of the Gibson Aiken Center.
• The Brattleboro Senior Meals Program continues to offer Take Away Meals + Meals On Wheels.
No congregate meals are served at this time.
Assessor’s Office
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general information, please call 802-251-8156.
• The deadline for businesses to submit personal property tax data was postponed from April 20 to July 20, consistent with the annual income tax filing deadline being postponed by both the IRS and the State of Vermont from April 15 to July 15.
Finance Department
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general information, please call 802-251-8152 (Finance) or 802-251-8153 (Treasurer’s Office).
Human Resources
• The Human Resources Director’s office hours at the Municipal Center are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 8:30am to 5pm. On Mondays and Fridays, the Human Resources Director is working from home.
• The Human Resources Director can be contacted on all days at the usual phone number (802-251-8135) and email address (snix@brattleboro.org).
Fire Department (non-emergency and administrative support)
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general Fire Department information, please call 802-254-4831.
• Fire Safety and Rental Housing inspections are canceled until further notice.
• Burn Permits are still required for any open air fires. To apply for a Burn Permit, please visit the Fire Department’s website at www.brattleborofd.org.
Police Department (non-emergency and administrative support)
• Direct contact phone numbers and email addresses remain operational.
• For general Police Department information, please call 802-257-7946 or email bpd@sover.net.
• The Police Department is waiving alarm fees until further notice.
• The Police Department is not performing Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verifications until further notice.
Small Business Assistance Program Loans
• Businesses who are repaying loans to the Town’s Small Business Assistance Program can defer (without penalty or additional interest) their monthly payments until further notice.
Curbside Garbage, Recycling, + Compost Program
• Due to the closure of Town facilities, individual pay-as-you-throw bags are not being sold at the Treasurer’s Office and the Gibson-Aiken Center until further notice. Packages of five pay-as-you-throw bags are still available at retail outlets.
• Some residents asked the Town to suspend the pay-as-you-throw program so that no one would have to buy the yellow and purple bags during the COVID-19 emergency. Unfortunately, our local pay-as-you-throw system is required for the Town to comply with a State-mandate to have “variable rate pricing” for garbage collection and disposal (i.e. the more one throws away the more one pays) so it can’t be suspended without the State’s permission. The Town asked the State if we can temporarily suspend the pay-as-you-throw system and the State said “no.”
U.S. Census Reminder
If you have not completed your census form yet, now is a great time. You can complete it without leaving home or coming into contact with any other person. There are three simple ways to complete the Census form:
1. Online: Go to www.2020census.gov. Can’t find your 12-digit code that you received in the mail?
No problem. Just follow the instructions and you will be able to complete the questionnaire on-line.
2. By Phone: Call 844-330-2020 to get started in English. The 2020 Census can be completed by phone in 14 different languages.
3. By Mail: All homes that do not respond online or by phone will receive a paper questionnaire. Simply respond using a blue or black ink, and return the questionnaire in the envelope provided.
Regardless of how you respond, your answers will be kept confidential. Every Census employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life and the U.S. Census Bureau cannot release any information that identifies you individually.
The results of the 2020 Census will help determine our eligibility for billions of dollars in Federal funding to flow into our community, county, and state every year for the next decade. This money means better health care, schools, roads, job opportunities, housing assistance, disaster assistance and more. With so much at stake, every response counts!
Brooks Memorial Library Staff can assist the public in accessing the Census questionnaire. Call 802-254-5290 ext.1206 or email info@brookslibraryvt.org for assistance. For more information, visit: www.2020census.gov.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
• The Selectboard’s next meetings will be on July 21, July 28, and August 4.
Here is how the public can watch and/or participate in those meetings:
Please join the Selectboard meetings from your computer, tablet, or smartphone using this link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/804762765 You also can dial in using your telephone (but this alternative is not recommended): United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 Access Code: 804-762-765
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/804762765
The meetings also are carried live on BCTV,
whose telecast can be accessed using the following links:
https://www.brattleborotv.org/
https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv/
• All other Town boards, commissions, and committees also are meeting on the GoToMeeting platform
for remote-only meetings (with no physical location) until after the COVID-19 emergency has passed.
• The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) that would have been held on March 21 was cancelled in compliance with the Governor’s executive orders re: social distancing. RTM will be re-warned when it
becomes legal and prudent to do so. At its meeting on June 2, the Selectboard discussed alternatives for holding an RTM during COVID-19 with concern for maximizing both inclusive participation in the democratic process and the health and safety of all involved. Those alternatives include different locations, different procedures, using the GoToMeeting platform, relying on BCTV for video and audio connectivity, voting by Australian ballot, or some combination of these.
