News and information sections, from near to far
From: Town Manager’s Office
Captain Mark Carignan has retired from the Town of Brattleboro Police Department after twenty years. Mark was hired as an Officer in 2002, he became a Detective in 2005, Sergeant in 2008, and Captain since 2014. We sincerely thank him for his years of service to the town.
Due to tree work which will be done on Prospect Street between Central Street and Pearl Street on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 (Rain Date May 5) parts of Prospect Street will be closed to traffic from 8:00am to 3:30pm.
6:00 – 6:05 Call to Order
6:05 – 7:05 Presentation for the Public on Cannabis Businesses and Brattleboro’s Land Use Regulations
Discussion of Brattleboro’s existing Municipal Land Use and Development Regulations and their impact on potential forthcoming cannabis businesses. Receive public feedback.
7:05 – 7:15 Announcements
AGENDA
Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
Review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations.
2022-37 Steve Robertson; Mixed Use Residential District; request for approval to adjust boundary between 56 Linden Street and 18 Chapin Street; Tax Map Parcels #275213.000 & #275209.000
A. Call to Order (5:15)
B. Approve Minutes of March 22 (5:15 – 5:20)
C. New Business (5:20 – 6:25)
1. Discussion: 250 Birge Street Project (5:20 – 5:30)
2. Guest Presentation on Outdoor Cats (5:30 – 6:00)
On May 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Brattleboro Planning Department staff will be presenting on Cannabis Establishments and Zoning at the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. During the meeting, staff will present maps that show where retail cannabis businesses are allowed, accounting for zoning and proximity to specific locations prohibited by state law. They will also discuss where other cannabis establishments, as allowed under state licensing, can be located. The public is invited to come and provide feedback. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format.
I. Call to Order and Quorum Check
II. Review of Agenda
III. Review and Approval of Minutes from March 2021
IV. Review of Compliments and Complaints from BPD
The Brattleboro Selectboard voted to enter into a one year contract with Golden Cross Ambulance, effectively ending five decades of Rescue, Inc. collaboration with the town. There was much public discussion, mostly against the way this was handled, but it was approved 5-0.
The board also went back on their previous decision about the ski jump sculpture, now allowing it to be downtown year round but unlit most of the year, sort of like the Valentines hearts that hang year round downtown.
On January 18, 2022, the Selectboard voted to change the traffic pattern at the intersection of Canal Street and South Main Street to include a stop sign for NORTHBOUND traffic. This new stop sign was installed by DPW staff today and the traffic pattern change is now in effect. The stop sign in the northbound lane is a flashing stop sign, and there is a pedestrian crossing signal in the southbound lane that is also a flashing sign. As soon as weather permits the stop bar will be painted.
This change in traffic pattern was recommended by staff and the Traffic Safety Committee and will make it safer for pedestrians who use the crosswalk to cross Canal Street at the intersection with South Main Street. It also will allow drivers who want to turn from Canal Street southbound onto South Main Street to have sufficient room to make that turn.
BRATTLEBORO, VT—For organizations and nonprofits dealing to survive during COVID who would like to learn from others and how they’ve faced novel ways to tell their stories and connect to community join Vermont Independent Media’s panel discussion on Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30p on Zoom. Registration required. Email: Geoffburgess2@gmail.com
The event will be moderated by Joyce Marcel, journalist and president of the board of the nonprofit Friends of Brooks Memorial Library.
A few items have come our way that indicate some pushback on the recent Town decisions regarding Rescue, Inc.
Anne Latchis has sent this out:
I’m writing to ask you to please write or call our town select-board members to ask them bring the ‘Town Manager’s decision to no longer contract with Rescue, Inc.’ to a TOWN VOTE . Contact info is listed below.
The Brattleboro Fire Department and Golden Cross will host a community forum on Monday, April 18, 2022 at 6:00pm in the Second Floor Meeting Room at the Central Fire Station at 103 Elliot Street and over Zoom.
When you think of the River Garden, you probably think “there’s not enough liquor there.” Well, the Brattleboro Selectboard will take care of that at their next regular meeting.
A new ambulance contract will be signed to officially end the Rescue, Inc. era. The board will also reconsider their decision from their last meeting about whether the downtown metal ski jump sculpture should stay or go in off seasons. And they’ll handle a few financial and administrative matters.
You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
As part of the ongoing Melrose Terrace Flood Plain Restoration Project, beginning on Monday, April 18, Zaluzny Excavating Company will be installing a box culvert on George F Miller Drive, forcing all traffic to use Melrose Street. Temporary traffic lights have been set up at the intersection of Western Avenue and Melrose Street for traffic control. The traffic lights will be put in service when the project begins on Monday, April 18 and will be in place for approximately two weeks.
What are those funny boxes that appeared downtown and elsewhere?
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather related death in the United States, a problem that can affect urban and rural communities across the country including in northern climates. To better understand the variability and magnitude of extreme heat in Vermont communities, faculty in the UVM Transportation Research Center (TRC), with funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), are leading a research effort to collect heat variability data in towns and cities across the state during the summer of 2022.
On Friday, April 8, the western leg of Williams Street, near the Vermont Country Deli was reduced to one way traffic due to a washout on the west side of the street. To improve visibility and reduce hazards, the traffic pattern has been changed to only allow traffic to exit Williams Street onto Western Avenue on this side of the Deli. Vehicles will no longer be allowed to enter Williams ST from the west side of the Vermont Country Deli.
Motorists should plan to use alternate routes while repairs are being planned and completed.
Utilities Division crews will start Spring Flushing of the Town water mains on Thursday April 21 and continue through Saturday May 7. Occasional daytime flushing will continue throughout the week of May 9 through 13.
Customers are asked to check the flushing schedule closely as flushing may cause water discoloration, low water pressure and in some areas, intervals of no water. You may experience a short period of discolored water or air in the water lines after flushing is complete in your area. Running the cold water for a few minutes should clear the lines if this happens.
On March 25th, 2022, Chief Drew Hazelton of Rescue Inc. informed the Selectboard and Town Manager that Rescue Inc. would no longer be providing emergency medical services (EMS) for the Town of Brattleboro as of July 1st, 2022. The Town thanks the dedicated members of Rescue Inc. for their many years of service in our town. Their excellent help and dedication to the community have been appreciated. We know that they will continue to provide that high level of service to their remaining customers in our surrounding municipalities.
After careful consideration of various options, The Town will be shifting from a private provider to a joint Fire/EMS service, offering patient care from the scene to the hospital with transport service. This Municipal Fire/EMS model is the most efficient and effective standard practice for the rapid delivery of medical care. It is currently being utilized in a highly successful manner by 5 of the 6 Vermont municipalities larger than Brattleboro and our neighbor in Keene, NH.
Due to a washout and erosion concerns, the western leg of Williams ST near the Vermont Country Deli will be open to eastbound traffic only. Vehicles may enter from Western Avenue onto Williams Street via that section of Williams ST.
Motorists should plan to use alternate routes while repairs are being planned and completed.
1. Call to Order
2. Review of Development Proposals
a. Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center, 10 Vernon Street, Downtown Historic District; review of proposed new wall sign; Tax Map Parcel #325212.000.
b. Windham Windsor Housing Trust; 63 Canal Street, Canal St – Clark St Neighborhood Historic District; review of ADA Accessible Ramp; Tax Map parcel #00325262.000.
