Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – January 3, 2023

The format for the next Representative Town Meeting – in-person, online, or hybrid – will be up for discussion at the Brattleoro Selectboard’s first regular meeting of 2023.  They will also revise the liquor license process and review flagged items on their FY24 General Fund budget list.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation throughout the New Year!


Ice Condition at the Retreat Meadows

The Brattleboro Fire Department is advising you to stay off the ice on the Retreat Meadows for the Last Night Celebration and Fireworks display on Saturday, December 31, 2022.

The ice thickness at the Retreat Meadows on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, ranged between 3 to 4 inches with extremely thin ice along the edges and westerly portion of the Meadows. The National Weather Service of Albany has advised that daytime temperatures starting Thursday will be in the mid-forties for the next several days and at night the temperature is going to stay above freezing.


Theory Wellness Announces Brattleboro Recreational Dispensary Opening on Friday, December 30th

Theory Wellness (“Theory” or “the Company”) will open its doors to their adult-use dispensary in Vermont this Friday, December 30th at 9 am. The new retail location is located at 768 Putney Road in Brattleboro, in the Fairfield Plaza Shopping Center. This newest location will be their eighth location, but will have a different approach from their operations in Massachusetts and Maine.

“Vermont is one of the most interesting regulatory models on the East Coast for cannabis,” states Brandon Pollock, CEO of Theory Wellness.  “The emphasis on streamlined licensing for craft farmers will allow for a terrific mix of top-quality products in our dispensary. By focusing on retail, we look forward to showcasing  this unique network of local cultivators, many of which have been producing high-quality flower for years.”


Brattleboro Fire Department Warns Incoming Potential of Inclement Weather

The weather forecast for Thursday night into Saturday morning is for our area to potentially receive 2-3 inches of rain along with southwest winds from 20-30 miles per hour(mph) and gusts 60 to 70 mph. At the conclusion of this weather event, temperatures are expected to drop into the low teens.

The Brattleboro Fire Department and Department of Public Works are monitoring the weather closely and preparing for fallen trees, downed wires, extended power outages, streams to rise out of their banks, and icing on roadways.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – AP Triton Brattleboro EMS Report Presentation

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their final regular meeting of 2022, taking up issues of finance, cannabis, and EMS services. The AP Triton report gave the board four options of EMS services. The top recommendation of the consultants, though, was to get Brattleboro Fire Department up to national performance standards asap.

The board also heard a well argued critique of their recent police budget discussions.


Brattleboro EMS Feasibility Report Available

The AP Triton EMS Feasibility Report is available:

https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/Sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/Brattleboro_FD_EMS_Study_(FINAL).pdf

As expected it presents four options for possible EMS services going forth:


Brattleboro Holiday Closures

In observance of the Christmas holiday:

Brattleboro Town offices will close at 12:00pm (noon) on Friday, December 23, 2022.

In observance of the Christmas holiday all Town Offices will be closed on Monday, December 26, 2022. Brooks Memorial Library will be open on Friday, December 23. The Library will be closed on Saturday, December 24 and Monday, December 26, 2022.

Trash, recycling and composting will NOT be affected by the holiday. Collections will be picked up on the regular schedule.


High Grove Parking Lot Lights and Meters Broken

Due to a vehicle crash in the High Grove Parking Lot the overhead lights are not currently working. Local electricians will be working to secure and install replacement parts. Expect the lights to be out and the lot to be unlit until further notice.

As a result of the incident the pay-and-display stations have also been affected. Those stations are powered by solar with an electrical backup. Use of the pay-and-display stations may be interrupted occasionally during this time.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 20, 2022

The AP Triton EMS Feasibility Study and its (expected) four options for Brattleboro EMS services will be made available for the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.

The board will also look at financial statements and audits, appoint members to the Charter Review Commission, and more.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda

The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center at 230 Main Street. 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.”  The Selectboard will then meet in executive session at the conclusion of the meeting.


Walnut Street Water Shut-Off

Notice of Water Service Interruption

Crews have discovered a leak in the water main on Walnut Street near the intersection with Terrace Street.  Repairs will be made on Tuesday, December 13 beginning at 3:00pm and continuing through approximately, 7:00pm.  During this work water service will be shut off to all residents and businesses on Walnut Street.  

Once the water is restored, you may experience a short period of discolored water or air in the water lines after the repair is complete.  Running the cold water for a few minutes should clear the lines if this happens.  


McNeill’s Memorial Party

A celebration of Ray McNeill and his brewery will take place a week from today, Saturday December 17th, at the Stone Church, 210 Main St. from 1 to 3 pm. Doors will open at noon.

There will be tributes and relics. There may be some special goods available- a McNeill’s beer brewed for this occasion, and classic tie-dyed McNeill’s T-shirts may appear as well. Bring your stories, songs, laughter. As Eve said, “Let’s make this epic!”


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda and Notes – December 13, 2022

The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center at 230 Main Street. 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.


Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 11:30am over Zoom.

The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 6:00pm in the Hana Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).


250 Birge Street Floodplain Restoration Presentation Dec 13

AGENDA

Call to Order
Jeremy Roberts, P. G., on behalf of the Vermont River Conservancy, will present elements of the proposed brownfield cleanup work at 250 Birge Street, a floodplain restoration project under the direction of the Town of Brattleboro. The presentation will review the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) objectives, methods, and project schedule. Meeting materials can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/250-Birge-Street 


Thinking About Starting a Home-Based Child Care Business?

The Windham County Child Care Count coalition, in partnership with the Winston Prouty Center, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation and BCTV, share a series of conversations with local early childhood professionals to help answer question about opening your own registered child care program. Topics include:

Overview: Melanie Zinn, Owner & CEO of Horizon, Vernon Village & Mulberry Bush Early Learning Programs, shares her experience in starting a childcare program in her home including the initial challenges, licensing and regulation considerations, and the importance of mentorship.


Brattleboro Town Manager Contract Details

Amidst all the hoopla and excitement of a contract with a new Town Manager at the Selectboard meeting Tuesday night, the board neglected to inform the public of any details of the contract.

Here’s your quick overview:

$120k salary
$5k for transportation
10 sick days


Selectboard Meeting Notes – McNeills, Budgets, and Park Planning

new tm john potter signs contract

A long night of budget talk, with nods to McNeill’s. Plus, Interim Town Manager Patrick Moreland admits he  forgot to add in repayment of a bond in the preliminary budget.

Should we fill more potholes? Should we build a year-round pool? Will homes get re-assessed soon? Is it called global warming?  These are the issues of the day.