I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update – Week of February 9th, 2014 – RT 30 Closing

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 in the Fall of 2015.

Weather permitting, night work will be conducted Sunday night, February 9th through Friday night, February 14th.

Route 30

The speed limit on Route 30 near the work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. This reduction will remain in effect through 2016.

Project-related truck activity on Route 30 will continue. Route 30 will be reduced to a single lane intermittently both day and night, with flaggers regulating traffic within the work zone.


‘High Power’ Cancelled

Please help spread the word. The film showing of “High Power” tonight is cancelled as the film maker is stranded up north. It was scheduled for 7pm at the Brattleboro Food Coop Community Room.

We are disappointed, but there is another opportunity to hear Pradeep Indulkar and see the film, .  Consider going to see him and the film this Friday, Feb. 7th  at
7:00pm, Frances Crowe Community Room, Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic Street in Northampton, Mass.  Please read event details here.


Salon Jacque Welcomes Madison Britt

SALON JACQUE Welcomes Madison Britt. Madison joins us from the Keene, NH area and we are excited to have her join our artistic team. Madison is available for appointments Tues.1-7 Fri.9-7 and Sat.9-5

Please call SALON JACQUE at 802 258-4411 to book with her.


Selectboard Meeting Notes: Brattleboro Threatens Local Businesses With Court Dates; Police Fire Plans Debut

Plans for the new police and fire facilities were presented to the Brattleboro Selectboard at their first Tuesday meeting in February. The plans were detailed and raised few comments from the board or the public.

Brattleboro businesses face new fines and possible court dates. That’s the word from the Selectboard regarding those who fail to pay for a Brattleboro business license.

The Selectboard held a discussion of evaluating the necessity of positions if staff retire, provoking minor protest from department heads who felt the budget process allows the board an opportunity for just that. The board disagreed.

Read on for all the details, plus FY13 audit information, grants, liquor licenses, meetings and appointments.


Safety Tip of the Week – Driving

Yield at Crosswalks

Motorists, yield to pedestrians in all crosswalks, even at mid-block crosswalks. When downtown, stop for pedestrians who are waiting to cross. Pay particular attention to the crosswalk in front of the Post Office/Rec. Department.  

In other town crosswalks, stop for pedestrians if they are already in the crosswalk. Do not drive through the crosswalk if a pedestrian is crossing in it, even if they are on the far side of the lane from you.


Cell Phone Scam – One Ring, and Brattleboro in the 1950’s

I was down at the Town Clerk’s office today doing some research. While I was there, someone called asking how to get in touch with iBrattleboro, so they put me on the phone. He said he didn’t have a computer but wanted to warn people about another phone scam.

He said that the scam goes like this. You cell phone will ring once. If you get curious and call it back, you get charged $20, plus another $9 a minute for as long as you stay on the phone.

So, be warned.

Part of my research involved looking at Selectboard minutes from the 1950’s and I got to pass over many unrelated but interesting things we don’t hear much about today (and some things we still hear about).

Do you remember:

– The West Brattleboro Speedway…


Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast Invitation – Selectboard Candidates Forum

The next “Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast” will take place on Friday, February 21,  2014 at the Gibson Aiken Center, downstairs, hosted by Senior Meals. Doors open at 7:30am. 

This year three incumbent members of the Brattleboro Selectboard are all  standing for re-election. John Allen, Donna Macomber and David Schoales all plan to be in attendance at this forum.  There are no declared opposition candidates.

This presents a unique opportunity for a conversation about the  issues facing the Town.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – February 4, 2014

The Brattleboro Selectbaord will see three plans and proposed budget for new Police Fire facilities during their Tuesday meeting at the Municipal Center. 

There will be a discussion of the FY13 audit, they will set a special meeting to discuss the Utility budget and rates, and will hear about adding late fees and fining businsses for not having a Brattleboro  business license.

Four new Police recruits will be sworn in, and the board will contemplate a hiring pause for the Town. 

If there’s something that isn’t on the agenda, you can bring it up during Public Participation.  Attend in person or watch it on BCTV, then read about it here the next day.


Delays On Route 30 on Saturday February 1

Good evening:

There will be single lane traffic tomorrow (Saturday, Feb 1) through the work zone on VT Route 30. Flaggers will regulate traffic. Delays up to 10 minutes may occur.

Cindy Cook
Public Relations Officer
Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project


Brattleboro Area Affordable Housing Celebrates Byron Stookey with Scholarship Award

BRATTLEBORO 1/31/2013 – After nearly 20 years of service and dedication to Brattleboro Area Affordable Housing (BAAH), Byron Stookey (the Board’s founder), retired from the organization’s volunteer board in November 2013.

Stookey – described by his colleagues as steadfast, tenacious, unyielding, determined, inspirational, resolute, and meticulous – led BAAH from its infancy in 1995 to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving greater-Brattleboro with a number of initiatives, including three current programs.

1 The Save Our Homes loan program makes no-interest loans to people facing housing emergencies.
2. The Apartments-in-Homes program helps homeowners who have under-utilized space in their homes create a modest and affordable apartment for rental.


Town of Brattleboro – Notice of Availability of Auditors’ Reports

NOTICE is hereby given that the Brattleboro Town Auditors’ Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, is available upon request and may be picked up at the Brattleboro Town Clerk’s office, 230 Main Street, Brattleboro, Vermont.

The Auditors’ Reports will also be available as part of the Town and Town School District Annual Report which will be available at the Town Clerk’s office no later than February 21, 2014.


Public Invited To “Trail Talk” To Be Held For I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project

The PCL+FIGG Team will conduct the next on-site “trail talk” for the Public on Saturday, February 8, 2014. These trail talks will discuss the status of the I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project and allow the public to ask questions. The talks will originate at the West River Trail near the marina.

The trail talk will be led by Caleb Linn, Project Manager for PCL (lead contractor), and Garrett Hoffman, Design Manager for FIGG (bridge designer). Interested participants should meet the PCL+FIGG Team at the West River Trail trailhead on Saturday, February 8, 2014, at 8 a.m. and the talk will begin at 8:15 a.m. Participants will walk the trail to the I-91 bridge site, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update – Week of February 2nd, 2014

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 in the Fall of 2015.

Weather permitting, night work will be conducted Sunday night, February 2nd through Thursday Night, February 6th.

Route 30

The speed limit on Route 30 near the work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. This reduction will remain in effect through the Fall of 2015.


Safety Tip of the Week – Walking

Walking – you’re in charge of your own safety. 

No sidewalk? Walk facing traffic. If there isn’t a sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic. The mantra is “Walk left, ride right.”


Brattleboro Ballot Issues 2014 – Climate Change, and Adding More Sales Tax

Despite the few candidates on the ballot, there are two issues for voters this year when they get to the polls.

The first is non-binding consideration of adding a 1% sales tax to help property owners save money:

“ARTICLE II

Should the Town of Brattleboro provide property tax relief and help defray the cost of Police- Fire facilities renovations by adopting a 1% local option sales tax?

YES
NO”


Brattleboro Selectboard Has No New Candidates This Year – The List of Who Is Running

Unless something unusual happens, the same Selectboard members you see serving the town today will be the same ones serving Brattleboro in the next year.  No one is challenging them this year at the polls.

David Schoales will be running for the 3 year seat. John Allen and Donna Macomber are running for the two open 1 year seats on the board.

Lawrin Crispe is the only candidate for Representative Town Meeting Moderator.