Dear Business owners and employers,
We understand that news is coming in fast as the circumstances around COVID-19 change. In order to make sure the region’s businesses have access to vital information necessary to navigate a turbulent economy, BDCC is making the most up-to-date information available on our website
The Town of Brattleboro has some excellent resources being compiled. Here are the links to the Town’s pages:
Town Updates
Resources for Businesses
Resources for Individuals and Families
Due to the COVID-19 health concerns, and the guidance from Governor Scott to limit gatherings to 50 people, the Brattleboro Selectboard decided at the March 17 Selectboard meeting to cancel the March 21, 2020 Representative Town Meeting. The goal is to reschedule this meeting when it is safe to do so. The public will be informed when a new date is set.
If you are a Vermont voter or if you know a Vermont voter, would you please share my 2 political candidate petitions
to qualify for the official election ballot in November as an independent candidate for Representative to U.S. Congress & for Governor of Vermont?
Thank you so much!
The Brattleboro Selectboard held their regular meeting, but it was anything but “regular” Tuesday. Board members were absent. Those attending sat apart from one another (not quite 6 feet…). COVID-19 was influencing almost every article on the agenda. And Brattleboro’s Skatepark was approved to begin construction.
The COVID-19 update and discussion was the main item. Groundworks got an additional grant to begin construction on their new building, the town finance report looks good up until last week but may show deficits before the fiscal year is over, and Representative Town Meeting is postponed.
Following advice and common sense, Mitchell-Giddings has made the difficult decision to temporarily close our doors until further notice even as we remain open online for purchases and gallery activities (or at 802-251-8290).
We gladly welcome scheduled gallery visits by appointment.
I recently had the honor of hosting BCTV Open Studio with Lenny Derby, Vermont Chapter president of Vietnam Veterans of America. Lenny is spearheading an effort to bring the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall to Brattleboro in September. This is a very important undertaking and deserves the support of the community. Please watch the show and find a way to support this worthy endeavor. Thank you.
As a precautionary measure the Town of Brattleboro will immediately suspend the collection of all parking fees and cease issuing parking fines until further notice. All meters and parking kiosks will message “Free Parking”. No further permits will be sold until paid parking is resumed. All previously issued citations must be paid by mail or online at www.brattleboro.org. The Parking Enforcement Office at 77 Flat Street is also closed until further notice.
This measure is intended to be temporary and will be reviewed as COVID-19 conditions change. Once a decision to reinstate parking fines and fees is made, the public will be notified well in advance of the renewed enforcement activities.
Words, Language, and Poetry As Possible Pathway to Compassion
Evening moderated by Shanta Lee Gander
(originally taking place at the Brooks Memorial Library)
Has been cancelled until further notice.
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 taking emergency actions 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 are in daily communication with the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Emergency Management. Through this coordination, they are not only ensuring the preparedness of Brattleboro town government but also assisting in the preparedness of first responders throughout southeastern Vermont. All other members of the Town’s senior 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.
WHAT IS NEW TODAY
• All Town facilities will be closed to the public beginning Wednesday, March 18.
• All Town departments will continue to be available to the public via telephone and email.
• Some employees will work from home. Other employees will continue to report to work.
• All regularly scheduled Town board, committee, and commission meetings are cancelled until further notice.
As a precaution, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brattleboro Town Clerk’s Office will be closed to the public effective Wednesday morning, March 18 and until further notice. The Town Clerk’s Office staff will remain available to assist you by phone and email.
Town Clerk’s Office hours remain the same, Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Strange times, eh? And such a quick, sudden shift for just about everything. Aside from whiplash, how are you holding up?
I find myself going back and forth between trying to continue some semblance of business as usual, and being in shock at how this is not business as usual at all.
BCTV Channel 8 / 1075 schedule for the week of 3/16/20
Monday, March 16, 2020
4:15 am Current Topics in Science Series – Ginger Nickerson, Ph. D.
5:30 am Community Forum – Public Forum on Vehicle Break-Ins 2/29/20
7:35 am Yestermorrow – Tiny House VT 2019 – Vermont Solar Installers
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast
9:00 am Couch Potatoe Productions – Holocaust Survivor Mr. Elly Gotz 2/26/20
Dr Aviva Wertkin on DJ pockets’ “buttahmilk” radio program this Tuesday, March 17th, at 6pm.
Learn about the corona virus and what you can do to boost your immune system. Tune in 1n 107.7fm and online to wvew.org
IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT : I AM…2020 – The Statewide Exhibition
Coming to Southern Vermont (Posted to the Calendar for May 1 – May 31)
*NOW RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 2021*
Given the current landscape with COVID-19 we want to be cautious and will be rescheduling the I AM… exhibition to coincide with Diversity Day celebrations in May 2021. If you have questions, please inbox curator, Shanta Lee Gander.
In preparation—and following the guidance recommended for homeless shelters and programs—Groundworks has taken a number of preventive and precautionary steps in response to COVID-19. Our goal is to protect our community’s most vulnerable neighbors by responding with an abundance of caution, while not contributing to feelings of panic or fear.
Groundworks is working closely with State partners to ensure a strong local response to keep our shelter guests safe. Our staff at both shelters are engaging in additional cleaning and sanitizing protocols, and we have limited access to restrict any external guests at any of our program sites.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced Sunday that all pre-K-12 schools in the state will close no later than Wednesday and remain closed until April 6, according to a news release from Scott’s office.
Students are not required to go to school Monday or Tuesday, if their parents or guardians would prefer to keep them home, Scott said.
Update: Not many people have asked for help here, but this has become a bit of a collection of useful information links, so we’re changing the title slightly.
Beloved customers, your health and safety is what matters most to us. For this reason, Sunday will be our last day of regular hours for a while. Helping to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 by closing is our act of community solidarity to help flatten the curve. We will take appropriate steps for resuming our regular schedule with the guidance of health officials.
On Sunday we will be offering our regular menu plus grab-and-go items such as sambar soup, turmeric bone broth, dosa batter and curry and rice boxes. Support us and your health by stocking up, or consider purchasing a gift certificate that you can use later (consider this for as many downtown businesses as you can!).
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. While a separate local State of Emergency is not necessary in Brattleboro at this time, the Town of Brattleboro has implemented a variety of emergency actions and is planning to scale-up local emergency actions, if necessary.
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 are in daily communication with the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Emergency Management. Through this coordination, they are not only ensuring the preparedness of Brattleboro town government but also assisting in the preparedness of first responders throughout southeastern Vermont. All other members of the Town’s senior 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.
The following summary of the Town’s actions on this matter are separated into “Emergency Services,” “Non-Emergency and Administrative Support Services,” and “Representative Town Meeting and Other Meetings”:
