I-91 To Close Between Exits 2 and 3 Overnight February 18, 19

I-91 between Exits 3 and 2 and the Exit 3 on ramps will be closed to both Northbound and and Southbound traffic so that crews can install a glare screen that will help shield the glare from on-coming headlights. The closure is scheduled for the nights of Wednesday 2/18 and Thursday 2/19 from 7:00 PM to 6:00AM. Traffic will use Route 5 as a detour.


Expect President’s Day Weekend Traffic Delays on I-91 in Brattleboro Area

The traveling public is advised to expect traffic delays on I-91 northbound between Exits 2 and 3 in the Brattleboro area. These delays are likely to occur during periods of high traffic volume. Expect delays on I-91 Northbound on Friday afternoon and evening, and on I-91 Southbound on Sunday and Monday afternoon of President’s Day Weekend. Motorists are encouraged to use Route 5 as an alternate route between Exits 2 and 3, and those with flexible travel plans are encouraged to schedule their travel to avoid high travel periods.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting: Pay As You Throw

An abbreviated Brattleboro Selectboard had an extended special meeting to primarily discuss Pay As You Throw. Donna Macomber was absent, and David Schoales left midway through.

New information revealed that our new trash bags will be color coded (colors undisclosed) with drawstring enclosures at top.

Also new, that bags will be sold about town in packs of five or ten. A 5-pack of small, 15 gallon bags will cost, at $2 each, ten dollars. For the larger 32 gallon bags, a 5-pack will cost, at $3 each, fifteen dollars. Ten packs will then cost $20 and $30.

Individual bags will be sold at the Municipal Center and at the Gibson-Aiken Center.


Brattleboro Closures for Presidents’ Day

In observance of President’s Day, all Town offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2015, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday and Monday, February 15 and February 16. All other violations, including extended parking will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, February 15 and February 16, 2015.


Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee Meeting Cancelled

The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee meeting previously scheduled on February 13 is cancelled due to the expected extreme cold and difficult travel conditions. The next scheduled meeting is 03/13/2015.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project: Detour Thursday

Tomorrow, 2/12/15, I-91 Southbound between Exits 3 and 2 will be closed to all traffic from 10 AM to 2 PM. The Exit 3 on ramp will be closed to both NB and SB traffic. The interstate will be closed so crews may complete necessary repairs to developing pot holes. Traffic will use Route 5 as a detour.


Downtown Brattleboro Snow Removal

This evening (February 10, 2015) starting at 10:30 pm, the town will begin snow removal operations in the downtown area to improve pedestrian access, sight visibility, and open up parking spaces.

Please remember that per the Brattleboro Code of Ordinances, that overnight parking is prohibited on all streets within the Town limits. Vehicles parked for longer than one (1) hour between 11:00 pm and 07:00 am may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. Vehicles may be towed at any time if they are hampering snow plowing or snow removal. Please refer to Chapter 16 in the Brattleboro Code of Ordinances for further information.


Remove Snow From Roofs

With the recent large snowfalls and more in the forecast in the coming days, the Brattleboro Fire Department would like to urge all residents to check your roofs and shovel them as needed. In the past couple of weeks we have received 2+ feet of snow, the weight of inches or feet of snow on even the sturdiest roof can cause structural or leakage problems.

One of the biggest problems is when the snow melts a little and then re-freezes.  This melting and re-freezing causes ice to form on the top of the snow pack, creating even more weight.  If you do not get the heavy weight of the snow off a flat roof before the melting and freezing occurs, you could wind up having structural issues and possible collapse. Flat roofs pose the biggest threat of collapse. 


Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast – Notes from a Breakfast with the Brattleboro Chief of Police Michael Fitzgerald

Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast   
January 23,  2015      
Gibson-Aiken Center                                                                                           

Breakfast with the Brattleboro Chief of Police Michael Fitzgerald
     (802) 257-7950

Chief Michael Fitzgerald spoke about the vision he has for the Brattleboro PD as it relates to the community. “No one is immune from the impact” of the recent events in Ferguson, MO. What is needed is that we all sit down and have a candid and in depth conversation with the community.


Brooks Memorial Library Closing At 6 P.M.

The Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro will be closing today (Monday, 2/9) at 6:00pm due to the weather. The bookdrop will be open and the Library will re-open tomorrow at 10:00am.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100


27 Brattle Street Fire Investigation

On Friday evening, February 6, 2015 at 5:27pm the Brattleboro Fire Department responded to a reported kerosene heater explosion at 27 Brattle St. The 2nd floor front apartment, in the four unit apartment building, received extensive heat and smoke damage in the 2 alarm fire. Two occupants of the building received injuries, one treated for smoke inhalation, the other for minor burns.

A joint investigation by the Brattleboro Fire and Brattleboro Police Departments over the weekend has determined that the cause of the fire to be accidental. The investigation has revealed that there is a strong possibility that the wrong type of fuel was accidentally used in the heater.


Brattleboro Time Trade – Week of February 6

Brattleboro Time Trade:

Exchanging services, creating connections, strengthening communities, one hour at a time.

See below for exciting Upcoming Events and learn what Time Trade is all about!

This week’s fabulous listings, brought to you with thoughts of warmth:

OFFERS:

Help Photographing your Stuff
Life Sciences Tutor
Borrow My Snowshoes
I Will Help You Sleep Better


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of February 8

Night work on the new bridge will resume at Route 30. Night work will be conducted Monday night, February 9th thru Friday night, February 13th.

Travelers are advised to take high traffic volumes associated with Presidents Day weekend into account when making travel plans.

I-91

Northbound I-91 traffic has been relocated onto the southbound bridge. Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction on I-91 until completion of the new bridge. The new bridge will be 104’ wide and is designed to carry all four lanes of traffic –two northbound and two southbound.


Another One Bites The Dust..

Sadly, yet another fine downtown business is closing. MILAGROS restaurant’s last day will be February 13th. This restaurant was really fun to go to; delicious, inexpensive authentic food, great atmosphere, colorful space. Most of all it was a welcome change from the overwhelming amount of pizza and Chinese food places. This is tough town to try to keep a business with reasonable prices afloat. One more big, empty storefront on Main Street. It’s a shame to see them close.


Selectboard Meeting Notes: Nothing Ado About Much

The Brattleboro Selectboard had a non-controversial, almost-dull meeting Tuesday night. If you are looking for fireworks, there are none to report.

Interesting things were accomplished, however. Things you need to know about. Things that will change the way of life as we know it in this town. A major sidewalk renovation will be underway later this year, there are new zoning regulations being developed, and Representative Town Meeting informational meetings for Town Representatives are being planned.

There was no decision regarding opposing the Charter change questions, other than to prepare informational materials, in case the board decides to send a statement.


Free Computers for Tax Filing at Brooks Library

The Brooks Memorial Library at 224 Main Street in Brattleboro offers free sessions on its public access computers for filing taxes online.

Because the IRS and Vermont Department of Taxes have severely limited their distribution of paper tax forms through libraries, many citizens are turning to online filing, which has many benefits—including, in many cases, a quicker refund.

The library cooperates with the Windham County United Way and its partner agencies to provide access to www.myfreetaxes.com, where citizens with household incomes at or below $60,000 can file their taxes for free.