News and information sections, from near to far
TRAFFIC ALERT
Wilmington-Brattleboro VT-9 Resurfacing Project
DATE: Thursday, June 9, 2022
TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: Due to heavy rain causing unfavorable roadway conditions, motorists are advised to travel with caution along Vermont Route 9 between Wilmington and Brattleboro. Crews are on site working to minimize impacts to travelers.
Tuesday’s Select Board meeting and an article in today’s Brattleboro Reformer brought to the surface a major issue with crime, especially in the downtown area. Various Select Board members chimed in both in the meeting and in the press. It rather hurt to see a friend of mine with his picture on the front page this morning given the circumstances.
Tim Wessel is quoted in the Reformer as saying:
“I live downtown and I have to say there’s an increase in the feeling of lawlessness occurring,” he said at Tuesday’s board meeting. “Whether it’s flower pots being overturned, business windows being smashed, unlocked cars being rifled through, or loud cars speeding recklessly through family neighborhoods, a lot of folks have been reaching out to me to say that it feels a little more like the Wild West in Brattleboro, and I agree.”
But, little known to many, actually including some Select Board members, Chief Hardy was a victim of the rapid shift away from Rescue Inc as well and she had no part in that decision that I am aware of.
The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards:
Agricultural Advisory Board
Agricultural Advisory Board Ex-Officio Members
ADA Advisory Board
Arts Committee
Brattleboro Housing Partnerships Board of Commissioners
Cemetery Committee
Citizen Police Communications Committee
The Brattleboro Selectboard held one of their longer meetings in some time. The public was active! Complaints about downtown crime, lack of action on climate change, and open meetings kept the board busy until after 10:30pm.
Of note, the Town acknowledged their violation of open meeting protocols and adopted a new two-part process to make sure it won’t happen again. This wasn’t enough for most people, who wanted a more detailed accounting of the EMS decision making process.
The board changed RTM districts to conform with state updates, adopted Utility and Parking budgets, and poured luke-warm water on a suggestion to bring back the electric trolley.
Rescue Inc Press Release: “Brattleboro – The Brattleboro selectboard sent a request to the Rescue Inc trustees asking for a meeting to discuss mutual aid on May 19th. This was the first communication between the Town and Rescue Inc. since the September 2021 consortium meeting which was attended by then Town Manager Peter Elwell and the Selectboard Chair Elizabeth McLoughlin. The Rescue corporate officers agreed to an early June meeting and replied to the request on May 20th. A June 6th meeting date was confirmed.
Brattleboro’s request for help covering ambulance calls comes after the selectboard unilaterally chose to terminate a 56-year relationship with our nonprofit, community-based organization. This decision was made without any discussions about, or actual consideration of, the impact on the surrounding communities. The Town presented its position during a February 9th meeting when Rescue was told the Town would not pay an assessment fee and that Rescue should provide service for free. The response from Rescue Chief Drew Hazelton rejecting those terms in March has been cited as the reason for the sudden closed door meeting that led to the change in EMS providers.
Robert Oeser sent a notice to the Town of Brattleboro on Friday. The Town has 10 calendar days to respond publicly..
…
“To: The Brattleboro Selectboard
Ian Goodnow, Chair
Daniel Quipp, Vice-Chair
Jessica Gelter, Clerk
Dollar stores popped up a few years ago based on the premise that everything would be the same price, and that price would be One Dollar ($1.00).
Three such stores popped up in Brattleboro:
Family Dollar on Putney Rd,
Dollar General on Marlboro Rd,
Dollar Tree on Canal St
When I asked him about his goals back on Jan 20, Town Manager Yoshi Manale spoke of creating more open spaces downtown, being open and transparent, and being flexible while solving problems. No mention of wanting to alter EMS services. Yet the impression one might get from official communications is that a new town manager came to town, took aim at EMS, and is walking away.
But that’s not the full story. First off, the Brattleboro Selectboard told him to take on Rescue.
Both the current and former Chair of the Brattleboro Selectboard have confirmed that Town Manager Manale was not acting solo when it came to Rescue Inc actions and decisions.
A. Call to Order (5:15)
B. Approve Minutes of April 26 (5:15 – 5:20)
C. New Business (5:20 – 5:35)
1. Discussion: Memo to Selectboard on Energy Projects Tax Stabilization Program (5:20 – 5:35)
The Brattleboro Selectboard will emerge from another Executive Session to do something that isn’t done very often – update the boundaries of the voting districts in town, which will change representation at Representative Town meeting. This update is to conform with adjustments recently made by the state.
The board will also take up the Utility Fund, Parking Fund Budget, raises, and the Depot Street parking lot project. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
It is sometimes helpful to look at information in a timeline format. Thanks to everyone who assisted in piecing this together this list of Brattleboro Fire, Rescue, and EMS items from the past year or so.**
Please note any additions or corrections you feel would clarify in the comments if you’d like. This is an in-progress project and will likely be updated. I’ll note any edits to the main timeline list in the comments.
2021
March 22 – Elizabeth McLoughlin becomes Chair of the Selectboard.
Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
Review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations.
2022-46 Kate Greenough Richardson; Residential Neighborhood District; request for Waiver of Dimensional Standards approval to construct a 2-story single family detached home located in part in the side yard setback at 168 Elliot St; Tax Map Parcel #325016.000
The Brattleboro Selectboard held a special meeting to accept the resignation of Town Manager Yoshi Manale and to ratify his severance agreement.
Manale wasn’t in attendance. The board let Chair Ian Goodnow do the talking, which was tightly constrained to pre-approved boundaries by legal counsel.
6:00 Call to Order
6:00 – 6:10 Announcements
6:10 – 6:15 Minutes of May 2, 2022
Discussion of Edits, Motion to Approve
6:15-7:15 Zoning for Neighborhood Housing
Here’s the full text of the Severance Agreement and General Release for Brattleboro Town Manager Yoshi Manale.
…..
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
This Severance Agreement and General Release Agreement (“Agreement”), made the 19th day of May 2022, between Octavian Yoshi Manale, an individual, hereinafter referred to as “Manale”, and the Town of Brattleboro, a Vermont municipality, hereinafter referred to as “Brattleboro”, is an agreement which includes a general release of claims.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, May 31 , 2022, at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center at 230 Main Street. Directly after the conclusion of the meeting, the Board is expected to meet in executive session to discuss contracts, labor relations with employees and the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee. Everyone will be required to maintain social distance. The public is encouraged to participate in the meeting over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” Closed Captions will be available.
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (230 Main Street).
In observance of Memorial Day, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2022, with the exception of emergency services. Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday, May 29 and Monday, May 30, 2022. All other violations will be enforced.
Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday, May 29 and Monday, May 30, 2022.
Trash, recycling and curbside compost will NOT be picked up on Monday, May 30. All collections for the week will be delayed by one day.
A. Call to Order (5:15)
B. Approve Minutes of April 26 (5:15 – 5:20)
C. New Business (5:20 – 5:35)
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 26, beginning at 6:00 pm, Highway crews will be milling and paving Main ST between High ST and Grove ST. The work will take place overnight and is expected to be completed by Friday morning at 7:00 am. There will be no on street parking during this project and motorists should expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes.
