October 21, 2020 Brattleboro Development Review Board Agenda

AGENDA

Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
Review of Cases/Public.
2020-70                 Pass Trading, LLC; Mixed Use Neighborhood District; request for Sign Approval to replace wall signs with conforming externally lit sign with new business name adopted by new property/business owner and a Variance to replace a  price panel on a freestanding sign that is non-conforming for area, height, and lighting in contradiction to Section 319.L of the Regulations at 228 Canal Street; Tax Map Parcel 325401.000


Brattleboro Fall Paving Update

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Starting Monday, October 5th, All States Asphalt (a contractor of the town) will begin the Contract #1 portion of our annual capital paving project. Weather permitting, the following schedule is anticipated:

Monday, October 5

New England Dr. – Access may be limited during paving operations. Paving operations may take several hours.


England’s Trump

The English have their own Trump

His name is Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (AKA Boris or BOJO).

He’s a former journalist who has served as Prime Minister of the UK and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2019.


Selectboard Special Meeting Notes – Committee Interviews and Human Services Increases

Brattleboro Selectboard sept 22 2020

The Brattleboro Selectboard held a special meeting to accept the recommendation of Representative Town Meeting and increase the Human Services budget, giving every applying organization extra money.

They spent the bulk of the meeting interviewing prospective candidates for the Community Safety Review Committee, then voting on them. The Committee is now formed.


Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Funding Committee Meeting Agenda

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Funding Committee will meet on Friday, September 25, 2020, at 1:00pm by GoToMeeting (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.


Brattleboro Finance Director Probationary Period “Not Successfully Complete”

The Town of Brattleboro  just sent out this announcement:

“Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell has announced that Finance Director Andre Jaeger did not successfully complete his probationary period and is no longer employed by the Town of Brattleboro. Elwell said the Town will contract with the accounting/auditing firm of Melanson Heath to provide interim finance director services, just as during January-May of 2020 after the retirement of former Finance Director John O’Connor.”

I can’t recall another hire not successfully completing their probationary period…


VT AFL-CIO, VT Building & Construction Trades Council, & Devonwood Pursue $175 Million Burlington CityPlace Partnership

9/21/20, Burlington, Vermont – For the last six weeks, the Vermont AFL-CIO and the Vermont Building & Construction Trades Council of the AFL-CIO have been in active discussions with CityPlace developer, Devonwood to formalize a partnership for phase 1 of the Burlington project. Partnership talks have included the Washington DC based National AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT). HIT acts as a financer for major affordable housing projects across the United States. HIT expressed an interest in the project pending approval from HUD. Devonwood is now working with a HIT recommended Mortgage Banker who will assist Devonwood in navigating the HUD process. Once HUD backing is secured, and pending the National AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust commitment to financing the project, the final development agreement would guarantee that all construction jobs on the CityPlace project be union jobs. The CityPlace project, in its present form, is projected to create 89 affordable housing units (20% of the total), 300-400 construction jobs, with 500,000 labor hours. CityPlace shall also be constructed with strong energy efficiency standards (LEED Gold standard). Phase 1 of the project is estimated to cost $175 million to complete.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda – Human Services + Community Safety Committee

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, on Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).   It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 5:30pm to discuss the negotiating or securing of real estate purchase or lease options and the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee.  The Board will reconvene the business meeting at 6:15pm.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  Information about how to connect to the meeting is also posted on the homepage of the Town’s website.  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.


Brattleboro Paving Update – Acorn Lane

Updated Capital Paving Schedule Press Release

The Acorn Lane portion of the Town’s annual capital paving project has been postponed until Monday, September 21.  The street will be closed to through traffic during paving operations, and driveway access may be limited.  Each street closure may take several hours. 


Great Again!

Wikipedia reports that Trump signed letters of intent to sell arms to the Saudis totaling US$100 billion immediately, and $350 billion over 10 years.
A billion (with a B) is more than 3 times the number of people in the entire United States. It’s only a drop in the bucket. The immoral reality is much greater.


Selectboard Meeting Notes: Community Safety Review Facilitators Chosen, Committee Stipends Set

The Brattleboro Selectboard approved a proposal for a Community Safety Review facilitation team. They chose a local proposal, created a committee, and decided on how much to pay for stipends.

Other issues before the board involved the Department of Public Works, some grants, and gathering data on housing to aid town planning.


Brattleboro Water Main Flushing Schedule Fall 2020

Utilities Division crews will start Fall Flushing of the Town water mains on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. and continue through Saturday, October 10, 2020

NOTE: Some daytime flushing will continue throughout the week of October 13th and 19th  

Customers are asked to check the flushing schedule closely as flushing causes water discoloration, low water pressure and in some areas, intervals of no water.

Please note that water main flushing will occur at night and during the day.


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – September 14, 2020

Five proposals for community safety review facilitation have been received, twenty six applications to be on the committee are in hand, and the perhaps re-organized Brattleboro Selectboard will decide next steps at their next Tuesday meeting. Committee members will be interviewed and appointed at a special meeting.

Grants and bid awards are also on the agenda, as is the purchase of a new salt shed. You can add other items not on the agenda during public participation.