News & Information

News and information sections, from near to far

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 17, 2013

by cgrotke | Town News

For the final regular Brattleboro Selectboard meeting of 2013, the board plans to continue their discussion of a PACE Energy District in town, and the legal and accounting hurdles that remain.

The board will also hear about the cost of Elm Street Bridge repairs, discuss penalties for late Homestead Declarations, consider grants for zoning rewrites and brownfield remediation, and evaluate a request for a Planned Unit Development for Red Clover Commons.

You can attend in person or watch on BCTV. You may also bring up other items for discussion during Public participation.

VT Route 30 under 1-91 Bridge in Brattleboro to be Closed December 18 and 19

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

MONTPELIER, Vt.—December 15, 2013–

The section of VT Route 30 that is directly under Interstate 91 in Brattleboro will be closed to all traffic beginning at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, December 18 and continuing on Thursday, December 19. The closure is required to ensure the safety of the traveling public while demolition work is conducted on the existing I-91 northbound bridge spanning VT Route 30. The closure will be for a maximum of 48 hours; the route will reopen no later than 8:00 AM on Friday, December 20.

I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update – Week of December 15, 2013 – Rt 30 Closure Info

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

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.

This week, night work will be conducted Sunday through Friday nights (December 15th – 20th), and will continue Sunday through Thursday, and occasionally Friday, nights for the next several months, until demolition is complete.

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.

Brattleboro Offices Christmas Closures

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the Christmas holiday, all Brattleboro Town offices will close at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 24, and will be closed all day Wednesday, December 25, 2013, with the exception of emergency services. The offices will resume normal hours on Thursday, December 26.

Brooks Memorial Library will be open on Tuesday, December 24, from 9:00am to 12:00 noon and will be closed all day Wednesday, December 25. It will resume normal hours on Thursday, December 26.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots from 12:00 noon on December 24 through December 25. Parking enforcement will resume normal hours on Thursday, December 26. All other violations, including extended parking, will be enforced.

Stroll In For Lunch! Brown-bag Events Continue at River Garden

by MartinLangeveld | News & Information

Strolling of the Heifers has announced three more brown bag lunch events at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden in downtown Brattleboro, to take place during the week of December 16.

Each event is from noon to 1 p.m. and is free, open to the public, and indoors. People are encouraged to bring a lunch from home or a local takeout restaurant, and to enjoy it at one of the River Garden’s café tables.

On Monday, Dec. 16, Scott Hurley performs classical piano. Scott is a student at the Brattleboro Music Center studying with Bruce Griffin. He has produced a CD which he is selling to support his further education as a yoga teacher.

More Suspicious Calls

by KAlden | Other

Today I received two calls -both on my cell phone – both looking for medical information. The first- from # 767 – 275-9061-was from someplace called ” National Medical Audits”. The second – about 2 hours later- was from # 356-490-5697. and from “US Medical Associates” Both calls were obviously from call centers – there was a lot of background noise-and both times the caller was a man with a very pronounced Indian accent.

Open Letter to Obama and Congress – Restrict the Surveillance

by cgrotke | Business

It appears that spying on citizens is impacting bottom lines. Today, major tech companies released the following letter.

….

Dear Mr. President and Members of Congress,

We understand that governments have a duty to protect their citizens. But this summer’s revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide. The balance in many countries has tipped too far in favor of the state and away from the rights of the individual — rights that are enshrined in our Constitution. This undermines the freedoms we all cherish. It’s time for a change.

Hit and Run Fatality Friday Western Ave near Union Hill

by Rolf | Police & Fire

Brattleboro Police are looking for the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian on Western Avenue near Union Street around 7:00 Friday night. The vehicle involved had left the scene before emergency crews arrived. The name of the victim has not yet been released. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 257-7950 or the TIPSLINE at 251-8188.

Christmas Tree Tips from Brattleboro Rotary

by Not Signed In | Business

Vermont-grown Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes are currently for sale by the Brattleboro Rotary Club in front of Brattleboro Bowl on Putney Road. Sale hours are Monday-Thursday 11-7; Friday 11-6 and Saturday-Sunday 10-6.

All trees are $40 with proceeds supporting the club’s annual local student scholarship awards.

The Brattleboro Rotary Club offers the following tips to keep your Christmas tree fresh.

• Once you and your Christmas tree have safely returned home, make a fresh cut across the bottom of the trunk, to open up the pores in the wood, allowing it to absorb water readily

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meetings – FY14 Budget

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 11:00am in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 2:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

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

Public Invited to ‘Trail Talk’ To Be Held For I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

The PCL+FIGG Team will conduct the first on-site “Trail Talk” for the Public on Saturday, December 14, 2013. These trail talks will discuss the status of the I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project and will provide participants the opportunity to learn about the construction and ask questions.

The talks will originate at the West River Trail near the marina. The first trail talk will be led by Caleb Linn, Project Manager for PCL (lead contractor), and Garrett Hoffman, Design Manager for FIGG (bridge designer).

2014 Brattleboro Budget In The Black

by FAKElkins | Other

[Brattleboro, 1,000 years ago]

LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER KING DICK YIELDED THE MUNICIPALITY TO SIR DAVID: THE ONCE FEARSOME, FIRE-BREATHING BUDGET-DRAGON WAS SLAIN, THANKS TO AN IBRATTLEBORO POLL. 

SOME SAY THE POLL HAD BEEN HACKED. BUT IT TURNS OUT THAT ONLY THE WOODEN FLAGPOLE IN FRONT OF THE IBRATTLEBORO COMPLEX HAD BEEN HACKED BY SOME KID WHO JUST HAD TO TRY OUT THE NEW HATCHET HE RECEIVED AS A GIFT FOR HIS 10TH BIRTHDAY. 

Yet Another Telemarking Scam

by Andie | Other

I just received a new twist on the medical alert obnoxious telemarketing calls.  This one showed up in the caller ID as being from “Alert” so when I picked up, I just listened, didn’t say anything.  A robo call came on saying that a system had already been paid for, including shipping (“perhaps by a friend or relative”), and all I needed to do was press one to arrange for delivery.  I didn’t go down that road, but to be so bold as to say it is already paid for will undoubtedly get some people to respond.  How despicable can thes telemarketers get?  Please don’t answer!!  I ask that rhetorically.  I’m sure your responses would be just as nasty as the thoughts going through my head!

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Board Eyes Farm Fund For Tax Relief; Energy Audits On Hold

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard took up issues of farming, energy audits, and downtown improvements at Tuesday’s regular meeting. 

The tax stabilization rate for farms was discussed and formalized, but a debate is now brewing over $95,000 in a little-used but popular loan fund for farms. The Selectboard has eyes on it as a way to reduce taxes.

A request to look for ways to save money was tabled, putting the issue of energy audits for municipal buildings on hold for the moment.

Vermont’s downtown program was described in detail, and the BaBB budget and workplan were approved for presentation at Representative Town Meeting.