Selectboard Meeting Notes: Solar Farming, Quick Fix for Brattleboro Rink

At Tuesday’s long meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard the new solar farm was explained in detail and public support for the project appears to be substantial. The board also approved a “quick fix” approach to ice rink repairs in order to be able to open the season on schedule. It also gives them more time to consider long-term options for the facility. 

The Fire Department presented an overview of their operations, a store on Guilford Road was again denied a liquor permit, tax rates were set, Patrick Moreland was named the interim Town Manager when Barb Sondag officially resigns, and much more was packed into the over three hour meeting.


A Call for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Projects

A Call for CEDS Projects

 The following is a call for the submission of project proposals to be included in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for this Windham region. While no monetary awards will directly result from these proposals, their inclusion in this document (the “CEDS”) will likely shape the areas where available federal funds may be targeted in the future. To quote from the : 


Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee – Special Meeting: Downtown Sidewalk Project

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee may hold a special meeting on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 2:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center. The Committee has been invited to a meeting with other parties to discuss the Main Street Sidewalk project.

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


Brattleboro Independence Day Schedules and Closings

In observance of the July 4th holiday, all Town offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2013, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on July 4. All other violations, including extended parking will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on July 4, 2013.


Saturday Power Outages in Brattleboro

Does anyone know what has happened in Brattleboro today?   We’ve lost electricity twice today. Once around 5:45 am and again at 4:45pm.   I saw some telephone’and power trucks’over by Linden Street and it looked like a line was down.  It is odd to lose power a total of now three times this passing week.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – July 2, 2013

The Brattleboro Selectboard would like to know what you think about the proposed solar farm along I-91. They’ve carved out time during Tuesday’s meeting to listen to your ideas.

If you go, you’ll also be able to participate in discussions of the skating rink compressor, local hiring, the town website, the Town Manager search process, various grants and permits, and other issues. 

The proceedings are broadcast and streamed by BCTV, and you can read a wrap-up here the day after.


Pine Street Vandalism

Many cars (at least 5) in the Pine Street area are were spray painted on Wed. night this week between 9:30-11pm, they also vanalized the granite pillars leading to Morningside Cemetery.  More disturbing than that is the racial slur sprayed on a house on Pine St. the same night. I doubt it was directed at the home owner, as I think the house is vacant. What a shame to our neighborhood and community.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – Contractual & Personnel Matters

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 5:00pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center. It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session to discuss a contractual matter and personnel matter.

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


Eat Some More! Brattleboro Cheese Introduces Expanded Lunch and Light Dinner Menu

Starting tomorrow, Thursday, June 27th, Brattleboro Cheese rolls out its new and expanded lunch and light dinner menu.  In addition to our great grilled cheese sammiches, we now offer more options, all developed by Chef Joseph Motika.  Come see us before you head to the movies! 

Our new menu is available Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30am-7pm; Friday and Saturday from 11:30am-8pm; and Sunday from 12:30 to 5pm.  Don’t forget!  Breakfast every day (but Monday, when we’re closed) from 7am-11am, Sundays til noon!


Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast Notes – GMO – Right to Know & What We Can Do

Presenter: Tristan Toleno – State Representative (Brattleboro – District 3)

Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast 

June 21, 2013 – Gibson-Aiken Center – Brattleboro VT

Brief Legislative History

The GMO Labeling Bill was last considered by the General Assembly in the second year of the  biennium, so that first bill went away, having been assigned to a committee and failing to see the floor for a vote.


Co-op Enters Mobile Marketing Arena

Daily Text Message Alerts Help Customers Save Money

BRATTLEBORO – The Brattleboro Food Cooperative announced today the launch of a mobile text messaging alert system that is designed to inform on-the-go shoppers of in-store sales and promotions.

Since May the Co-op has featured a different steeply discounted item everyday under the banner of “Wild Deal of the Day”. Now, consumers will be able to get these notices sent directly to their mobile phone. David Cadran, Shareholder Services Coordinator, said “The process is designed to be as simple as possible, just text the keyword to the phone number provided and you’re signed up.”


Wallace Stevens Essay, Commas, Connecticut, Rugged Independence and Good Will to All

This passage from a Wallace Stevens essay moved me, in part because I have been in the Connecticut visiting my mom, family and the land of my origin. It also strikes me that all of those writing instructors that I have had, who kept trying to remove almost every comma from my writing, were wrong. Notice how lovely the abundant use of commas make this piece, and how hard it would be to create as lovely an essay if it was attempted without them.

“I was not myself born in the state. There is nothing that gives the feel of Connecticut, like coming home to it. . .