COVID-19

Brattleboro Town Manager Friday COVID-19 Update – What’s New

by Not Signed In | Town News, Uncategorized

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Governor Scott’s updated executive order earlier today includes the following: 

“All businesses, not-for-profit entities, and municipal entities in the State shall reinstitute, to the maximum extent possible, … telecommuting or work from home procedures… [A]ll meetings should be held by telephone or electronically to avoid in person meetings whenever possible.” 

In furtherance of this directive, Town of Brattleboro administrative offices will transition next week back to the almost entirely remote operations that we put in place during the Stay Home Stay Safe period last March and April. Starting Monday, November 16, some Town offices will be unoccupied. By Friday, November 20, most Town offices will be unoccupied most of the time. As was true last spring, some employees will come to the offices on some days just to perform tasks that cannot be performed from remote locations. We found last spring that we could adequately meet the public’s needs while performing the vast majority of our work online, via email, and by phone. 

Governor Issues Strict Order On Social Gatherings, More

by cgrotke | State News

Governor Scott issued new COVID-19 executive orders today for Vermonters. The big news is that everyone must limit attendance at all gatherings to members of their immediate household. This includes staying at home for Thanksgiving, with a tiny loophole for family members living alone.

Effective Saturday November 14, 2020 at 10pm it is ordered that multiple household social gatherings be suspended, restaurant hours and seating limits be tightened, and bars and clubs be closed to in-person service.

It is furthered ordered that restaurants and public accommodations keep contact logs, that the public comply with contact tracing efforts, and that recreational sports programs be suspended.

There’s more: all college students returning home in or out of state must quarantine at home, and all businesses shall reinstitute or reemphasize telecommuting and work from home.

The full text of the executive order is below.

Brattleboro Town Manager’s November 6 COVID-19 Update – What’s New

by Not Signed In | Town News

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Businesses can now remotely fill out and pay for their 2021 Business License. Go Here for the link to the form and to pay online. Check/Money Order also can be mailed to the Town Assessor’s Office at 230 Main Street, Suite 109, or dropped off in the brown “Town Business” drop box in the Municipal Center parking lot. The annual fee is $50. 

• Both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Leagues have voted not to move forward with league play this winter. However, Men’s and Women’s Adult Basketball Open Gym & Pickup Games will be offered at the Gibson Aiken Center located at 207 Main Street. This program is by donation and will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7pm-8:30pm, beginning immediately. Please note that this program is for men and women who are 18 years old and older and all participants must be out of high school. To participate on any specific evening, arrive between 7pm and 7:15pm. No one will be admitted after 7:15pm. Due to COVID-19: 

Town of Brattleboro Update: COVID-19 at American Legion Not A Risk To Voters

by Not Signed In | Health

Town Clerk Hilary Francis learned that a person who visited the Legion last week has tested positive for COVID-19. Francis advised Town Manager Peter Elwell immediately of this information and also that someone who was at the Legion yesterday had briefly interacted with the visitor last week. Town Manager Elwell reviewed this matter with officials at the Vermont Department of Health. The department informed him that because of the circumstances of the person’s potential exposure, no one who was at the Legion yesterday was at risk, or are being considered a “close contact.” Also, the Legion was deep cleaned last weekend (as it is every weekend) and best practices to prevent the spread of germs were in place throughout yesterday’s voting at that site. 

Brattleboro and Vermont COVID-19 Dashboard Numbers – November 2020

by cgrotke | Health

We’re in November. Here is the continuation of daily COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro.

You can find the October stats here,  September numbers here, August numbers here,  July numbers here, the June numbers here, the May dashboard reporting here, and the April numbers here.

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Update October 30, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News, Uncategorized

Here’s what’s new in this week’s COVID-19 update from Brattleboro’s Town Manager:

…

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• The Presidential/General election is coming up on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Due to the pandemic, there is no in-person early voting in Brattleboro. All active registered voters were automatically mailed a ballot. Please make sure to follow the instructions included with your ballot, including signing the certificate envelope and making sure your ballot is inside that envelope, as well as using a black pen or pencil (not a marker). If you have not yet received your ballot, or if you have any questions about your ballot, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 251-8157. 

Governor Scott Did What He Should Have. Is That Exceptional?

by spoon | Politics

It’s true that, given the limited extent of impact and damage in Vermont from the virus, Scott has done a proper job. However he only did what any of us would do. If you recall, one of his earliest public statements was that he was in completely uncharted territory with the pandemic. He didn’t know anything more about it than any of us in the state. So he called the state’s medical team together, got a bit of an education and followed their advice. I’d like to think that all of our governors would have done the same. He was very lucky in this particular crisis to have had the federal government step in fairly quickly with a huge cash infusion that gave us all time to understand and assess the situation and choose our actions under less stressed conditions.

Donald Trump’s October Surprise

by Lise | Politics, Spiritual

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has Covid-19. That this happened on a full moon was weird, almost spooky and very Octoberish.

I noticed no other omens however.  Last night, we watched Stella Dallas on tv and then checked news wherein we saw that Trump was on a short list to have Covid-19.  In one of those “this changes everything” ways, that news instantly blew up all conventional thinking about everything.  Not that it was unexpectable — but definitely unexpected.  We were expecting him to try to keep the White House by force, not catch Covid and potentially die.  Like I said, Octoberish.

Brattleboro and Vermont COVID-19 Dashboard Numbers – October 2020

by cgrotke | Health

It’s October now. Here is the continuation of daily COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro.

You can find the September numbers here, August numbers here,  July numbers here, the June numbers here, the May dashboard reporting here, and the April numbers here.

The End of Restaurants as We Know Them?

by RDavis | Health

Sadly, one of the sectors of the economy taking a major hit during the pandemic is the restaurant industry. Many places have gone out of business and those that remain are struggling to figuring out a way to create a new kind of business model that promotes financial viability.

When restaurants ramp down and close there are all kinds of ripple effects in the economy. People lose jobs and supporting industries, which include farmers, also feel the pinch. If one looked at the pandemic solely from an economic viewpoint that would mean that opening all public businesses would be the highest priority.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Community Safety Review Facilitators Chosen, Committee Stipends Set

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard approved a proposal for a Community Safety Review facilitation team. They chose a local proposal, created a committee, and decided on how much to pay for stipends.

Other issues before the board involved the Department of Public Works, some grants, and gathering data on housing to aid town planning.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – September 14, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

Five proposals for community safety review facilitation have been received, twenty six applications to be on the committee are in hand, and the perhaps re-organized Brattleboro Selectboard will decide next steps at their next Tuesday meeting. Committee members will be interviewed and appointed at a special meeting.

Grants and bid awards are also on the agenda, as is the purchase of a new salt shed. You can add other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro and Vermont COVID-19 Dashboard Numbers – September 2020

by cgrotke | Health

Welcome to September. Here is the continuation of daily COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro.

You can find the August numbers here,  July numbers here, the June numbers here, the May dashboard reporting here, and the April numbers here.

Helpful Brattleboro Election Information for August 11 State Primary

by Not Signed In | Politics

Good morning,

Below is information that might be helpful to know for August 11th State Primary elections.

Polling place for all three districts in Brattleboro is the American Legion, 32 Linden St., from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. 

Due to COVID-19, masks will be required (and provided if needed) to enter the American Legion for voting, and hand sanitizer or gloves will also be provided. If you are unable to wear a mask and did not vote absentee, there will be a space outdoors for you to vote. Due to social distancing and reduced capacity indoors, please be prepared for potential wait times.

Vermont Economic Recovery Grant Program Expands Eligibility for Businesses

by Not Signed In | State News

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and the Department of Taxes today announced expanded eligibility for Economic Recovery Grants for Vermont businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the original eligibility criteria, a business was required to have at least one W-2 employee who was not an owner of that business. Starting today, August 3, businesses with at least one W-2 employee – now including those who are an owner – are also eligible and encouraged to apply.

“Businesses of all sizes are doing everything they can to survive under the difficult circumstances caused by this pandemic, and it’s our responsibility to step up and support them in the recovery,” said Governor Scott. “We are hopeful these new requirements will provide some additional relief as we continue to rebuild together and emerge from this crisis stronger than before.”

Vermont School Re-Opening Date Is Tuesday, September, 8, 2020

by Not Signed In | Education

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott has signed a Directive officially setting Tuesday, September 8 as the universal reopening date for Vermont schools.

“Schools should take this extra time to make sure systems are ready and effective, so we can deliver for our children, and build confidence in the public education system’s ability to be flexible and responsive,” said Governor Scott. “I know none of this has been easy, and I appreciate and have faith in educators and school boards, because I know they are 100% committed to giving kids the educational opportunities and support they need.”

Originally announced on Tuesday, the directive requires all public and independent schools to open for in-person or remote instruction on September 8, with an exception for schools primarily serving students with disabilities, which can restart operations prior to September 8. The Secretary of Education will have oversight and authority in the implementation of the order and local school officials and governing bodies are required to consult with, and abide by, the direction of the Secretary of Education.