Selectboard Meeting Notes – Refugees, and a New Police Chief is Sworn-In

The Brattleboro Selectboard returned from summer break to take up issues such as refugees and a new police chief. BDCC explained why they think the refugee program is a must, ECDC explained what their program was, and Brattleboro can look forward to up to 75 refugees a year and the anticipated financial and housing challenges, as well as the hoped-for benefits to the community and economy.

The board also swore-in new Police Chief Norma Hardy. The entire department showed up in support.


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – August 3, 2021

The Brattleboro Selectboard returns from their summer break to take up issues of new people in the community. They will swear in our new Police Chief Norma Hardy in a welcoming ceremony. They’ll also hear a presentation about the possibility of welcoming refugees to the area.

The Solid Waste Fund’s final transfer from the General Fund occurs, liquor permits will be given out, water and sewer repairs will be considered, and committee members will be appointed. You can also bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – The Dam Plan

Brattleboro selecboard july 6

The first “hybrid” meeting using a combination of in-person and zoom participants had no real technical issues to speak of, but many interesting details to discern.

Big news was the agreement being worked out with owners of the nearby Connecticut River dams. They will be changing their operations to create a more natural water flow, which is good news for the river banks, all sorts of critters, recreation, and even the company’s plans for the future.

New land use amendments were approved, as was a mural project. The board also heard of two new places in town to get drinks more easily – Retreat Farm and craft experiment at the River Garden.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda & Notes – July 6, 2021

At their first meeting in July, the Brattleboro Selectboard will make it easier to buy liquor downtown and at Retreat Farm with the granting of two new liquor licenses. They will also buy pick-up trucks, approve a new mural for a parking lot, contemplate repairs on the Elliot Street bridge, adopt new Land Use regulations, discuss their summer meeting schedule, review their goals, approve of dams, and more.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during hybrid public participation.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 4:30pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center. The public can also connect to the public session of the meeting using zoom. The Board will convene at 4:30pm and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee. The Board will reconvene after the executive session and immediately adjourn. No action will be taken.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special (In-Person) Meeting

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 3:30pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center. The Board will convene at 3:30pm and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee. The Board will reconvene after the executive session and immediately adjourn. No action will be taken.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – The Final Zoom, Financing, and Web Site Information Gathering

Brattleboro Selectboard june 15 21

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their final Zoom meeting Tuesday night. Their next meeting, July 6, will be in person (with a hybrid mix) at the Municipal Center in the Selectboard Meeting Room. The Governor says it must be so.

Water shutoff will resume, in November. The board also approved of a financing plan for the water treatment plant on quite favorable financial terms, Tri-Park finances were re-financed, a process for gathering information for a new town website was presented, and committee members were appointed.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – June 15, 2021

The Brattleboro Selectboard will be discussing water and sewer finances, including paying for the new water treatment plant, at their next regular meeting. They’ll also consider reinstating water shutoffs for delinquent accounts and Tri-Park loan refinancing.

There will also be COVID matters, committee members, and a process for creating an RFP for a new town website. You can bring up other matters not on the agenda during public participation.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – May 4, 2021

At the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard they will discuss two proposed budgets – the FY22 Utilities Fund budget, the FY22 Parking Fund budget – approve emergency repairs for the Whetstone Pathway, review plans for summer paving, and more.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation. And of course, May the 4th be with you.


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – April 20, 2021

A new “Fossil Fuel Free Facilities Fund” will be up for discussion at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. The 5F is intended to set aside money each year to help cover costs to the Town of switching away from fossil fuels. The latest revision, by Sustainability Coordinator Stephen Dotson, sets out the purpose and operation of the new fund.

Planning Services Director Sue Fillion will join the meeting to provide an update on the Tri-Park Master Plan, the updated Local Emergency Management Plan will be adopted, the board will continue to discuss their goals for the new year, some financial matters will be dealth with, and more. You can always bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Elwell To Retire, Brattleboro To Receive $3.3 Million

selectboard april 6

It was the first April meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard, the first meeting with Elizabeth McLoughlin as Chair, the first time Congressman Peter Welch has told Brattleboro about $3.3 million on the way, and the first time we learn of Town Manager Peter Elwell’s planned retirement at the end of the year.

Much discussion, though, was about goals for the coming year.


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes + Special Guest

Congressman Peter Welch will be a special guest at the Brattleboro Selectboard’s next regular meeting. He’ll be joining to discuss the stimulus package and other issues.

Otherwise, it is a rather standard meeting agenda, with lots of usual set-up and orientation for the new board, reviewing RTM actions, and appointing people to various positions and committees. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Brattleboro Selectboard: McLoughlin Becomes Chair, Gelter Joins Board

Town Clerk Hilary Francis swore in newly-elected members of the Brattleboro Selectboard Monday evening.

Ian Goodnow, Daniel Quipp, and new member Jessica Gelter took their oath of office and joined Tim Wessel and Elizabeth McLoughlin to form the next selectboard.  New signed Oaths of Office will be arranged at a later date.

They all affirmed that they will faithfully execute the duties of selectboard member for the Town of Brattleboro, doing equal rights and justice to all people, in the best of their judgement and ability, according to law under the pain and penalties of perjury.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – March 16, 2021

Playground equipment, cemetery maintenance, and Representative Town meeting loose ends will be on the agenda for the next regular meeting for the Brattleboro Selectboard.

The board will also buy an insertion valve, hear updates on recent projects at the Windham Regional Commission, and appoint a new health officer, WRC delegates, and committee members.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Stein Drops Out of Selectboard Race, Endorses Gelter

Jackson Stein has dropped out of the race for a one-year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

“I would strongly urge anyone that was planning on voting for me to instead vote for Jess Gelter,” Stein said in a video posted to Instagram.

Stein explained their choice to drop out as “damage control,” stating, “it is a given that Daniel Quipp, as the incumbent, is going to win back his seat,” but that when it comes to the second seat, Brattleboro needs “anyone but Chadwick.”


Brattleboro Town Staff Response To Community Safety Review Recommendations

I’m attaching two PDF files here that are part of the upcoming Brattleboro Selectboard meeting.

The first is Town Manager Peter Elwell’s memo to the board regarding implementing the community safety recommendations. He gives some background information, acknowledges harm and a commitment to reckoning and collaboration, has some notes about the pace and timeframe of changes, accountability, and a bit about the way they annotated the recommendations.

The second is the list of the recommendations, now annotated by the Town with remarks. Of the 41 recommendations, 30 are marked with a “Yes” indicating that the Town can take unilateral action to accomplish the goal. Those marked “No” aren’t out of the question, but they are out of the Town’s direct control. State or federal changes would be required.


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – March 2, 2021

The Brattleboro Selectboard will take up Community Safety Review recommendations at their next regular meeting, which happens to fall on Town Meeting day. Town staff has provided the board with a path for adopting recommendations, if they so choose.

The board will also pick up on their conversation about Cow Power, get grant money for the new train station parking lot, and some possible money for eligible households impacted by COVID. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.