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Groundworks Collaborative to Rebuild Former South Main Drop-In Center as Program Offices

by Not Signed In | Town News

BRATTLEBORO, VT—As the third and final phase of Groundworks Collaborative’s South Main Street capital project, the former Groundworks Drop-In Center at 60 South Main Street will be deconstructed this fall in preparation for the construction of a new building in its place.  The design will allow for adequate space for Groundworks’ growing program staff, many of whom have worked without offices since the start of the pandemic. 

The new 60 South Main Street building will be home to Groundworks’ Case Management team, Representative Payee program, and the team of embedded providers from Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, the Brattleboro Retreat, and HCRS—known as Healthworks.  

October 20, 2021 Brattleboro Development Review Board Agenda

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

AGENDA

Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
Review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations.
2021-139              Jason P. Doubleday; Rural Residential District; request for minor subdivision approval off of Rice Farm Road; Tax Map Parcels #30002.000 & 30003.000 continued from 9.15.2021

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Citizens Police Communication Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 5:30pm in the Brooks Memorial Library Main Reading Room.

The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 1:00pm in the Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).

We Are Pawns In A Deadly Game

by RDavis | Health

The American people have become pawns in a deadly game being played between the pharmaceutical industry and Washington politicians. This should not be news to anyone who has to pay for prescription drugs, especially those who struggle with medications such as insulin and other life-sustaining drugs that they have to ration in order to pay all their other bills.

News of this horrific situation is surfacing again because there are a few legislative initiatives in Washington aimed at lowering U.S. prescription drug prices. Our drug prices are the highest in the world because we do not allow negotiation for prices with the drug manufacturers.

According to the Center for American Progress, “Legislation such as H.R. 3—the Lower Drug Costs Now Act—would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate prices directly with drug companies to the cost of drugs. The bill ensures that both Medicare enrollees and privately insured patients will benefit from these prices, and it establishes an upper limit of 120 percent of the drug’s average price in several peer nations if drug companies refuse to come to the negotiating table.”

WSESD Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – David Schoales, Board Chair

II. CONSENT AGENDA

• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – September 14, 2021

III. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items (10 minutes)

IV. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

• Summer Enrichment Program; Family Outreach and Engagement in the First Month of this School Year

V. COVID Q&A – Dr. Elizabeth Richards

Brattleboro DPW Fall Flushing Schedule

by Not Signed In | Town News

Utilities Division crews will start Fall Flushing of the Town water mains on Thursday September 23, 2021, at 10:00 p.m. and continue through Saturday October 9, 2021.

Some users have recently noticed discoloration of their water. Unprecedented rainfall has added color from dissolved organics in the source water. Additional organics accumulated in the distribution system is the cause of the discoloration. The water is safe to drink. Public Works tests the water throughout the distribution system daily. Flushing the water mains will improve the situation. Brattleboro is currently constructing a new water treatment facility which will improve our ability to treat the water supply during unusual conditions in the future. 

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Steve Barrett To Retire, Stormwater, and a Bridge

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro Selectboard September 2021

The Brattleboro Selectboard met on the last evening of summer, and heard big news. Steve Barrett, long-time employee of the Town, will be retiring and Dan Tyler will be taking his place.  The switch happens in December.

There was discussion of racism in the community, COVID safety at the Stone Church, stormwater plans, designs for and objections to a new bridge on Western Ave, and more.

How About ‘Taking a Knee’ Against USA’s Infamously Greater Racist Homicide in Other Peoples Countries?

by jay janson | Op/Ed

The ‘Taking a Knee’ Phenomenon Shows Celebrities have extraordinary power to influence public protest against injustice.

The wide spread effectiveness of the ‘Taking the Knee’ phenomenon is proof that celebrities have extraordinary power to influence public action in protest of social injustice

(This would seem to imply, by the way, that a celebrity’s power to influence brings a higher level of citizen responsibility to speak out – yet so few do.)

Progressive United! Slate Wins Third Straight Election with Mandate at Vermont AFL-CIO Convention

by David Van Deusen | Activism

Northeast Kingdom, VERMONT: Today the progressive UNITED! Slate overwhelmingly won their third straight election for leadership positions within the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO at their annual Convention. United! prevailed in winning 18 of 19 Executive Board positions including David Van Deusen for President (2nd term), Dwight Brown for Executive Vice President (1st term), and Danielle Bombardier for Secretary-Treasurer (2nd term). United! also won elections for the Chair of the Rank & File Presidential Advisory Committee (Damion Gilbert), and for President of the Green Mountain Riders Union Motorcycle Club (Dan Brush). The election results are viewed as a mandate by the incoming leadership to keep moving in a more progressive direction.

UNITED! was formed in 2019 in response to the continuing decline of the labor movement happening all over the country, including right here in Vermont. Union density — the percentage of workers who belong to a labor union — has been hovering around 10% nationally, a record low. In Vermont, union density is 11.8% as of 2020, but has climbed in 2021 due to new organizing by UFCW, AFSCME, and AFT. The Vermont State Labor Council now has over 11,000 members.

Online Auction To Benefit The West River Railroad Museum

by Not Signed In | History

The West River Railroad was established in 1880, ran from Brattleboro, Vermont, to South Londonderry, Vermont, and was discontinued in 1936. The Newfane Depot was one of ten on the line and had been used for different purposes through the years until the Historical Society of Windham County was given the opportunity to purchase the Depot in 2014.

The Historical Society set about to restore the Depot and make it a museum for the West River Railroad. The Museum opened in 2017 and has been open every year to the public free-of-charge on weekends from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

Brattleboro VFW Breakfast/Turkey Dinner Info. Public Welcome to All Meals

by LisaL | Food

Breakfast at the VFW every Wednesday and Saturday from 6 am – 10 am. Public welcome to our meals!

Remember, breakfast will be served on our hall side from now on for more spacing. Slight differences between our Wednesday and Saturday breakfast. Every Wednesday there is a breakfast special offered, and Saturday has sausage gravy and biscuits.

Brattleboro VFW Fish Fry Friday Sept. 24th 4pm-7pm Public Welcome

by LisaL | Food

It’s back! Friday September 24th at the Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road. Hand breaded fried haddock with fries and coleslaw for $13 a person. Also having burgers for those of you who don’t like fish. Public is welcome. Serving 4pm-6pm. Please be aware we have one fish fryer, and this is a big piece of haddock that takes time to cook. In other words, you could be waiting for your meal. Have some patience. Sit and stay awhile.

BCTV Schedules – Week of September 20, 2021

by BCTVProg | Media

Monday, September 20, 2021

4:30 am Senator Bernie Sanders – Virtual Town Hall on Climate Crisis 8/25/21
5:30 am Guilford Selectboard – Guilford SB Mtg 9/13/21
6:55 am Vermont Cannabis Control Board – 9/10/21
8:00 am The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show – Weekly Broadcast
9:00 am Energy Week with George Harvey – This Week’s Energy News
10:00 am Brattleboro Planning Commission – Brattleboro PC Mtg 9/8/21

Gary Stroud FWD ABC News: Young People Highly Stressed From Government Inaction On Climate

by Kurt Daims | Op/Ed

Here is disturbing information to show how serious the climate emergency is for youth, our communities and the world. People should take a hard look at this and take action. Not knowing what to do is not an option. The people need to to take action NOW. Be SAFE. Be well. Be Warned. Leave your thoughts below.

Here is a link to the article:

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – September 21, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

A new bridge near Melrose Street will be one focus of attention for the Brattleboro Selectboard at their next meeting. VTrans reps will be on hand to explain the details and answer questions.

The board will also hear more about the creation of a stormwater utility and master plan for the town, will renegotiate tax payments for the Retreat, explore grants for a health program and for a water and sewer capacity study, and more. You can always bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Bernie Sanders’ New Political Life

by RDavis | Activism

The longevity of the political life of Bernie Sanders is nothing short of amazing. I think too many of us tend to take him for granted as our lone voice in the wilderness for what is just and fair for the American people.

Bernie is a political anomaly because he does what he says he will do and he has never wavered from his core principles over the decades of his political career. There are not too many Washington politicians who fit that profile and Vermonters, as well as the rest of the country, are lucky to have such a mensch in office.

We need to remind ourselves from time to time just how valuable Bernie has become to the national political process, especially during these times of political rancor and turmoil. I have always been amazed at Bernie’s ability to stay above the fray and forge straight ahead, despite the fact that Washington power brokers have tried to marginalize him at every turn.

Another Shopping Day at Swap Shop

by rbrem | Home & Garden

Another SHOPPING ONLY DAY at Swap Shop at WSWMD on Old Ferry Road, Brattleboro!  Saturday, September 18, 8:30 am to noon. ALL ITEMS ARE FREE

SCHEDULE & HOURS:
Shopping Days- 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month
Donation Days- 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month
If a month contains 5 weeks, the Swap will be closed
Hours are 8:30am-12pm.  (Large donation loads may not be accepted after 11:30am)

Representative Town Meeting Steering Committee Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

Agenda (start time / minutes)

• Call to order (6:00 / 2)

• Agenda review (6:02 / 5)

• Approve last meeting minutes (6:07 / 3)

• Announcements (6:10 / 5)

• Topic: Officer elections (6:15 / 20)

• Topic: Committee policy to discuss or not discuss charter change items – vote, from John Kennedy (6:35 / 5)

• Topic: Sub-committee on finance – vote, from Rikki Risatti (6:40 / 5)