News & Information

News and information sections, from near to far

Brattleboro Storm Damage

by BrattFireDept | Police & Fire

Early this evening a thunder storm came through Brattleboro, with heavy rains, lighting and wind. The storm affected the Western Ave corridor and Maple Street corridor. The damage consists of trees and power lines down, and minor road damage. The Green Mountain Power South Substation is currrently down. This affects power to residents on Canal Street, Fairview Street, Maple Street to Western Ave and West Brattleboro, this is affecting 2600 residents. Green Mountain Power has crews working on the issue along with replacing a broken utility pole on Maple Street.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Former Chair Decides Now Is Time To Reveal Longstanding Fire-Rescue Relationship Issues

by cgrotke | Town News
sb sept 7

Well, well, well. The Brattleboro Selectboard has decided at the last moment that it would be good for them to explain to the public all the secret EMS BFD Rescue relationship information they have known about, information the public has asked them about for over a year and half and the board has remained steadily tight-lipped about. Until now.

Former Chair Liz McLoughlin cracked and said she wouldn’t let Rescue, Inc. control the narrative anymore, and that she wanted a meeting to reveal everything the board knows that the public has been kept in the dark about by her and her fellow board members. Chair Ian Goodnow warned the board that the town attorney told them they should not discuss these secrets with the public, but they voted to hold a special meeting anyway. The plan is to let the public know all the reasons that Rescue and BFD don’t get along.

This throws the public forum and decision-making meeting dates into question.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 6:15pm in the  Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (230 Main Street). Prior to the special meeting, at 5:15pm, the Board will convene and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discussion contracts. Invited into the executive session are the Town Manager and the Assistant Town Manager. No action will be taken in executive session. The public may also participate in the meeting over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

Public Forum: Fair & Impartial Policing in Windham County with Discussion of Proposed Changes around Immigration

by ESchwartz | Other

Join the Windham County Sheriff’s Office and the Windham County No Más Polimigra Campaign for a public discussion about proposed reforms to the Sheriff’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy (FIPP) related to immigration status. The meeting will take place on September 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The forum will include brief presentations about the FIPP, the proposed reforms, and the perspectives of the Sheriff’s Office and the No Más Polimigra campaign about these proposals. Following those presentations, residents of Windham County will be invited to participate with questions or comments. Moderators will be Betsy Williams and Debbie Lynangale.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – The Meeting That Wasn’t

by cgrotke | Town News
sb sept 5

The Brattleboro Selectboard got off to a late start then quickly put their meeting on hold for technical reasons.  Forty-five minutes later, the meeting was postponed until Thursday to give BCTV and Facebook time to fix themselves.

Those interested in discussing EMS and downtown safety will have to wait.

Brattleboro Development Review Board, September 20, 2023

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
Review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations as warned on October 12, 2015.
2023-84                G & L Enterprise, LLC; Residential Neighborhood District; request for Subdivision Approval to create a new 1.5 acre parcel off of Marlboro Road; Tax Map Parcel #200003.000 Continued from August 16, 2023

2023-98                Kurt Daims; Residential Neighborhood District; Appeal of a Zoning Administrator’s determination that an 8′ fence located on a property boundary is allowed with a zoning permit under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations at 16 Washington Street; Tax Map Parcel #325378.000

Belmont Avenue Water Main Replacement

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Wednesday, September 6, the Utilities Division will be replacing a water main on Belmont Avenue.  During this project, Belmont Avenue will be closed between #107 and #114 Belmont Avenue.  The work is scheduled between the hours of 6:30 am and 5:00 pm. Emergency Services and residents will be able to access #107 and lower numbers from Canal Street and #114 and higher numbers from Maple Street.  Motorists should seek alternate routes.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – Sept 5, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will be spending most of their first regular September meeting discussing town safety and EMS options for Brattleboro. They will review the EMS proposals received and learn about EMS insights from other communities. They’ll also discuss wrapping up the process, holding a public meeting, and then making an EMS decision.

Twelve items are packed into the consent agenda – a possible record, and good thing!  You may bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro RTM Human Services Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 4:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).

Brattleboro Labor Day Closures

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Labor Day, all Town offices will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2023, with the exception of emergency services. Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday, September 3, and Monday, September 4. All other violations will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday, September 3, and Monday, September 4.

New Program at Youth Services Offers Community Conflict Support for All Ages

by Nanci Leitch | Other

Have a conflict with a neighbor? Looking for restorative practices training for your group or business? Youth Services is pleased to announce a new restorative practices program, Circle Up, to provide community conflict support through circle facilitation and training in restorative practices, starting next month.

In 2021, the Brattleboro Community Justice Center merged with Youth Services’ Restorative Justice programs. “Over the years we frequently received requests for these kinds of services, but haven’t had enough staff to respond to most of them,” explained Mel Motel, formerly the  Brattleboro Community Justice Center Executive Director and now co-director of Youth Services’ Restorative Justice programs.

“We’re excited to finally be able to offer this new program, with a seasoned staff member taking on the role, at a time when community members are still navigating the stresses and tensions heightened by the pandemic with fewer resources,” Motel explained.

Two Private Ambulance Proposals Received by Town of Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro has been exploring its options for providing Fire-EMS services. In addition to considering a fully municipal Fire Department approach, the Town has received two proposals from private companies to compare. The Town is thankful to both companies for putting together thoughtful and thorough proposals.

American Medical Response of Springfield, MA proposed a turn-key approach that would not require any first response services from Brattleboro Fire Department staff. They would dedicate multiple ambulances to respond within the town to meet desired response times.

Rescue Inc. of Brattleboro, VT proposed an approach like the Town’s previous model that shared emergency response responsibilities with the Brattleboro Fire Department. They would rely on Brattleboro Fire Department paramedics and EMTs to respond to priority one calls, such as cardiac arrests and vehicle crashes, with the private company responding to all other types of emergency calls and transporting the priority one patients. Rescue Inc. would utilize multiple ambulances that are deployed across the fifteen towns that the company serves.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – Aug 30, 2023

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 5:00pm. They will convene in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street) and are expected to enter immediately into executive session to discuss contracts. Invited into the executive session are HR Director Sally Nix, Finance Director Kimberly Frost, Town Manager John Potter and Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland. Once they have exited executive session, the Board is expected to immediately adjourn. No action will be taken.

GunSense Vermont Celebrates First Recipient Of Its Leadership & Courage Award At The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center; Guest Speaker: U.S. Representative Becca Balint

by LSBS | Other

BRATTLEBORO, VT—August 28, 2023— GunSense Vermont, the leading non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization for common-sense gun safety measures, will host a public reception to award the inaugural “Leadership & Courage Award” to Brattleboro resident and author Ann Braden who founded GunSense Vermont following the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. The event will take place at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center on Wednesday, September 6 at 6:00 p.m.

Conor Casey, Executive Director, GunSense Vermont says, “Ann Braden’s dedication has been instrumental in propelling GunSense Vermont’s mission forward and advocating for the safety and well-being of our community. As founder, she has been a driving force in shaping the organization’s mission and fostering its impact on reducing gun violence. There is no one more deserving of GunSense Vermont’s inaugural “Leadership & Courage Award” than Ann.”

Brattleboro Planning Commission Meeting: September 6, 2022 at 6:00 pm

by planning | Town Plan

6:10 – 6:40 Bike Parking Standards
Guest: Jonathan Weber, Local Motion
Information and presentation on what Brattleboro’s Land Use Regulations currently contains with regard to bike parking, and what updates could be considered.

6:40 – 7:35 Short Term Rentals
Discussion of short term rentals and review of ways that municipalities are managing short term rentals.

Brattleboro Notice of Water Service Interruption

by Not Signed In | Town News

Crews are working to repair damage to a fire hydrant and water main on Maple Street at Canal Street as a result of an accident. During this emergency repair work, several residences in the area were without water while the water flow was controlled. The water is now restored throughout Town. The entire water system was stirred up causing discoloration in some sections of Town. 

You may experience discolored water or air in the water lines for several hours now that the repair is complete. Running the cold water should clear the lines if this happens.  

Green Street Closure

by Not Signed In | Town News

PRESS RELEASE

On Monday, August 28, the Utilities Division will be installing a manhole at the intersection of Green Street, Garden Drive and Church Street.  During this project, Church Street will be closed and Green Street will be closed from Bullock Street to High Street.  Residents will be able to access their homes and may choose to utilize Retting Place for access, also.  The work is scheduled between the hours of 6:30 am and 4:00 pm. Motorists should seek alternate routes.