News and information sections, from near to far
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
On Thursday, August 24, the Utilities Division will be repairing a water main at the intersection of Elm Street and Lynde Place. Elm Street between Flat Street and Elliot ST and Lynde Place will be closed during this repair. The work is scheduled between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:00pm. Motorists should seek alternate routes.
News from the Co-op… General Manager moving on.
“Dear BFC Shareholders,
I have unexpected news to share. Lee Bradford, our General Manager for the last 15 months, will be leaving his position at the Co-op at the end of August. As he stated clearly in his communication to Co-op staff he is “not leaving the Co-op because of any concerns, questions, regrets, or challenges.” He has indicated that an unforeseen opportunity emerged, one that he feels most strongly compelled to accept for “both professional and several deeply personal reasons.”
On Wednesday, August 23, Renaud Tree Care will be removing hazardous trees at the east end of Walnut Street. This work will begin at 7:00 am and is expected to be completed by 5:00 pm. During this project, Walnut Street will be closed between the 3-way intersection of Terrace, Tyler and Walnut Streets, down to the area of St Michael’s Catholic Church. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes.
A. Call to Order (5:15)
B. Approve Minutes of July 25, 2023 (5:15 – 5:20)
C. Public Comments (5:20 – 5:25)
D. Announcements (5:25 – 5:30)
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Friday, August 18, 2023 at 5:15pm. 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 Town Manager John Potter and Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland.
The Brattleboro Selectboard held their August public EMS discussion at their regular meeting on Tuesday. The board is happy with their progress though one member said that the public doesn’t understand what decisions are to be made,. They will make their EMS decision in late September. Two more public meetings will be held prior.
The Town Manager said the EMS project web page has had over 1600 page views since May. (This site averaged 7,750 pages viewed per day in August for comparison). The board had questions about the Fire Department’s large overtime budget and the public had questions about downtown cameras and sheltering people without homes this winter.
1. Minutes – July 20, 2023
2. Public Participation
3. Monthly Report on Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Incidents– For July
4. Old Business
(a) Speed Concerns on Marlboro Avenue
Brattleboro’s Town Manager will suggest changes to the budget process at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. One proposed change to the schedule is intended to increase public participation.
EMS discussions continue, with one more chance for the public to weigh in on aspects of pending EMS decisions. The board will also hear a financial report and will spend nearly $60,000 for a Pool Engineering Feasibility Study. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, August 15th, 2023 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).
The first installment of the 2023 Brattleboro Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes will be due by 5 p.m. on August 15, 2023. Payments made after August 15, 2023 will have an additional 1% interest added to the unpaid balance.
The Town of Brattleboro utility bills are also due by 5 p.m. on August 15, 2023. Payments made after August 15, 2023 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.
All Town offices within the Brattleboro Municipal Center will be closed on Friday, August 11, 20223from 11:00am to 2:30pm for a staff event.
The Brooks Memorial Library will open at 2:30pm on Friday, August 11, 2023.
Brattleboro, VT – Brattleboro’s Charter Revision Commission will meet on Thursday, August 10 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room in the Municipal Center, 230 Main Street.
The meeting agenda includes an overview of the 2011 charter changes and the history of Representative Town Meeting. The commission will also set the meeting schedule for the remainder of 2023
