News & Information

News and information sections, from near to far

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – January 2, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard kicks off the new year with another error. The paving project was under-estimated by 3211 tons of asphalt. Oops, and $32,000.

The Fire Department will read their monthly report – for November of last year, the board will revisit their retreat and goal-setting, and the Town Manager will request a transfer of over $2 million to the Revolving Loan Fund.  You can attempt to bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation if the Chair deems you worthy.

Brattleboro Committee Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).

The RTM Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).

Brattleboro Planning Commission Meeting: January 8, 2024

by planning | Town Plan

6:15 – 6:45 Neighborhood Center Zoning District
Discussion of Neighborhood Center Zoning District and land uses in light of request from Bohler Engineering to amend Section 224.E.6 pertaining to the location of vehicular service bay doors.

6:45– 7:25 Historic Overlay District
Review of a comparison of the pathways and regulatory powers provided for in statute for historic preservation. Begin to consider the positives and negatives of each as applied to our existing historic areas.

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Winter 2023-2024 Edition

by cgrotke | Town News

Time again for Noticed, where you add little things you notice. Did you see a bird? How’s the rose bush? What’s that new thing over there?  That sort of stuff.

For me, I’ve noticed that it doesn’t really seem like winter very much. It’s warm, foggy, rainy and we haven’t seen snow in quite a while. Also:

No ice on Retreat Meadows.
No ice huts on the ice at Retreat Meadows.

Ames Hill Road Closure

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Friday, December 22, a contractor will be working in the roadway on Ames Hill at the Robb Farm. The road will be open with restricted traffic and occasional short delays. Please plan accordingly and avoid the area if possible. All emergency services will have free access to Ames Hill with no delays. 

Brattleboro’s Collection Correction

by Not Signed In | Town News

For Immediate Release:
The Town of Brattleboro would like to correct our previous press release, which stated that there will be trash pick up on Christmas Day. There WILL NOT be trash pickup on Christmas Day. All trash pickups will be delayed by one day that week.

Brattleboro Storm Update – Dec 18 Evening

by Not Signed In | Town News

According to recent estimates, Brattleboro received more than 4 inches of rain during the storm. West Brattleboro was the most heavily impacted area. Earlier in the day, 12 residents from Mountain Home Park, located along Village, Valley, and Edgewood Drive, were evacuated but have since been allowed to return home.

The Department of Public Works has reported that 19 roads have sustained damage.

Currently, Hescock Road, George F. Miller Drive, and Dettman Drive are closed, while six others have reduced lanes. Crews are expected to work on all affected roads on Tuesday.

Brattleboro Monday Morning Storm Update

by Not Signed In | Town News

Since the rain storm began late in the day on Dec. 17, Brattleboro has received 2 inches of rain. Towns west of Brattleboro have received up to 3 inches of rain. With the amount of rain and snow melt from higher elevations, Brattleboro is experiencing flooding prominently in the West Brattleboro area.

The Department of Public Works, Fire Department, and Brattleboro Police are working diligently to keep roads passable and safe for travel. Town staff have notified and are assisting residents in the Mountain Home Trailer Park, along Valley Road and Edgewood Road, with evacuation.

The bridges on Dettman Drive, George F. Miller Drive, and Meadow Brook Road are currently closed because of water going over them. Other roads have minor water flows, and our team will continue to monitor the situation. Please use caution when you encounter water passing over roadways and use alternate routes.

Brattleboro Holiday Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the Christmas holiday:

Brattleboro Town offices will close at 12:00pm (noon) on Friday, December 22, 2023.

In observance of the Christmas holiday all Town Offices will be closed on Monday, December 25, 2023.

Brattleboro Weather Advisory: Potential River Flooding, High Winds and Power Outages Expected

by Not Signed In | Town News

Town staff is monitoring a weather event that is expected to begin later in the day on Dec. 17. Weather forecasts indicate an expected rainfall of 1-3 inches starting this evening and extending possibly through tomorrow and into Tuesday.

This precipitation may result in river flooding due to a combination of rain and snowmelt in higher elevations. Currently, there is no concern for flash flooding. There is also potential for high winds and wind gusts. Residents should be prepared for potential power outages.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 19, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will take up reviewing the revised FY25 budgets at the final regular meeting of the year. They will be examining the general fund, the capital fund, and the ARPA budgets – the only agenda item they plan to discuss in detail.

The consent agenda, however, has some interesting items. Notice the small grant to add EV charging stations to town properties, the grand list errors, and 47 lost land record binders, among other things.

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

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 8:00am in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, room 212) and over Zoom.

The Brattleboro Charter Review Commission will meet on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, room 212) and over Zoom.

Fire at 1178 Western Ave

by BrattFireDept | Police & Fire

Central Station and Station 2 were dispatched at 23:28 on a first alarm to 1178 Western Ave. for smoke on the second floor. Ladder 1 arrived on the scene at 23:32 and FF Chase Ibey reported heavy smoke showing from the second floor of a two-story wood framed structure and requested that a second alarm be dispatched. Ladder 1’s crew stretched a hose line to the second floor to encounter a heavy smoke condition and located the fire in the kitchen/living room area. Engine 2 arrived on the scene and assisted with water supply,fire suppression and ventilation. The fire was reported under control at 00:01.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Hey Buddy, Can You Spare A Sign?

by cgrotke | Town News
dec 5 brattleboro selectboard

The Brattleboro Selectboard bravely took no action against a non-existent problem at their most recent meeting. Panhandling isn’t a problem to be solved, and existing laws cover any other potential issues.  Perhaps we will make… a sign!

The Library has a strategic plan, housing development is lackluster, the town might get McNeill’s property to pay off demolition of his building, the public wondered about unusually large raises for department heads given an expected increase in property taxes, and an exhaustive search led the Town to hire Golden Cross’s billing service for EMS billing.

Muslim Women Leaders From US In Israel On Solidarity Mission “We Are Here To Denounce What Hamas Has Done To You.”

by SK-B | Other

(December 4, 2023 / JNS)
OFAKIM, Israel—A reverential silence fell on the room as the four American-Muslim women bowed their heads in prayer on Friday for the victims of the Hamas attack on Israel.

Moments earlier, the interfaith crowd in the apartment in this western Negev city, which included Muslims, Jews, a white-turbaned Sikh, a mixed Israeli family and Mayor Yitzhak Danino, stood mesmerized as the Arabic words of supplication for the Israelis murdered in the massacre were intoned.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – Dec 1, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

Ooops. A “previously overlooked item” will require an estimated base increase in Brattleboro property taxes for FY25 of 3.6%. It’s on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.

The Brattleboro Fire Department would like $3000 a month to pay an outside company for EMS billing services. Doing everything in-house is no longer an option.

The board will also hear about a strategic plan for Brooks Memorial Library, and update on how their housing plan has been going, talk of acquiring the McNeill’s property in exchange for the demolition costs, and another discussion of things that can be done about panhandling.

You can bring up almost anything else during public participation unless it is some issue the Chair doesn’t want discussed in public.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Monday, December 4th, 2023 at 4:00pm and on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 4:00pm. Both meetings will take place in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).

The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.

Public Forum on November 29 About the Green Street at High Street Intersection

by planning | Town Plan

The Town of Brattleboro is considering improvements to the intersection of Green Street and High Street. We’ve engaged an engineering team to support this effort and are inviting you to join a public forum on the matter later this month.

This forum will be an opportunity to review the preliminary concept and offer comments or potential improvements. Please join us on November 29, 2023 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Selectboard Meeting Room.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – Agenda and Notes – Nov 21, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

Budget season is underway at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. Reports and budget requests from BDCC, SeVEDS, and the DBA are scheduled, as is the draft FY25 budget. There will also be ordinance changes, software explanations, and an update from the fire department.

You can bring up other issues not on the agenda during public participation. (Except that one issue, whatever it is, that the Chair will not allow discussion of at the meeting.)