News and information sections, from near to far
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Monday, February 17, 2020, at 5:00pm in the meeting room at the Brattleboro Tennis Club, located at 202 Cedar Street.
In observance of Presidents’ Day, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2020, with the exception of emergency services.
Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday and Monday, February 16 and February 17. All other violations will be enforced.
This has been a very difficult winter for many roadways in Brattleboro. We have experienced multiple freeze/thaw cycles that have deteriorated the roadways and made maintenance a challenge. Potholes are formed when the road surface fails, introducing water into the roadway which weakens the soil beneath the pavement. Traffic applies loads to the roadway that stress the pavement past the breaking point.
The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.
Snow and ice will be removed from the streets in the downtown area this evening.
Parked vehicles in the downtown district must be removed by 11:00pm or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Do you like trees? They reduce energy use, provide erosion control, and help control storm water runoff. The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Board is short-handed and needs a new member. If you are a resident of Brattleboro, and want to help us look after the Town’s trees, fill out the online application at the Town’s website: www.brattleboro.org > Serving the Community > Boards and Committees > Application. (Don’t be intimidated by the application; it’s an all-purpose document. If you have questions about it, Jan Anderson at 251-8100 can help.)
An unusual encounter:
The third installment of the 2019 Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes will be due on February 18th, 2020. Payments made after February 18th, 2020 will have an additional 1% interest added to the unpaid balance.
The utility billing is also due on February 18th, 2020. Payments made after February 19th, 2020 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.
Intoximeters, a manufacturer of breathalyzers used in Vermont, is under criminal investigation in Michigan.
Captain Mark Carignan of the Brattleboro Police confirmed that Brattleboro uses this brand of breathalyzer, and that the use of the machine if coordinated by the state forensic laboratory.
He shared this message from the lab:
The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at 4:00pm at Harmony Collective, located at 49 Elliot Street.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
The Brattleboro Representative Finance Committee will meet on Monday, February 10, 2020 at 5:00pm in the Mezzanine Meeting Room at Brooks Memorial Library.
The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on February 14, 2020, at 9:00am in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.
The Brattleboro Selectboard contemplated strange things at their regular Tuesday meeting. Shall we plant $16,000 worth of carbon-capturing trees? Could we do without paved roads? Should we bring the trolley back along RT. 9? None of these were agenda items per se, but they were intriguing side thoughts to scheduled conversations.
A municipal broadband survey is coming your way, the sustainability coordinator is on the job, and most liquor licenses will be renewed without incident.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will return to non-FY21 business at their next regular meeting, granting permits for festivals, approving liquor licenses, and proposing parking spaces.
The board will also be introduced to Stephen Dotson, Brattleboro’s new Sustainability Coordinator and will hear about carbon offsets and renewable sources of electricity. You can bring up other matters during public participation.
The Brattleboro Energy Committee will meet on Monday, February 3, 2020, at 5:00pm in the Mezzanine Room at Brooks Memorial Library.
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at 6:30pm in the Community Room at the Brattleboro Food Co-Op, located at 2 Main Street.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
The Seller wants to sell their home at the highest possible price. The Buyer does not want to lose out to a competing buyer but also does no want to overpay. How do we determine a fair price?
Black’s Law Dictionary (Sixth Edition) defines “Fair Market Value” (in part) as:
The amount at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts.
The Brattleboro Selectboard held a quick meeting to approve the FY21 budget, Town Meeting warning, and Representative Town Meeting warning. They also discussed a planned sidewalk for the new Hinsdale Bridge and changes to RT 142.
During public participation, citizens questioned the police chief about the recent uptick in vehicle break-ins.
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Monday, January 27, 2020, at 5:00pm in the Mezzanine Meeting Room at Brooks Memorial library.
The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, January 27, 2020, at 5:30pm in the Meeting Room at Brooks Memorial Library.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center. An ASL interpreter will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
Hi All, I wanted to just share some communication from our Brattleboro Police Department’s Chief Fitzgerald concerning the recent increase in auto larcenies. This comes at my request to let everyone know rapidly that the town is aware of the uptick, is pursuing leads, and some further information on current laws regarding these distressing activities. Also please be aware that I’ve requested that either the Chief or Capt Carignan be present at our next two Selectboard meeting to answer any questions from the public. (January 28th and February 4th at 6:15 pm, Municipal Center)
From the Chief:
Burlington, VT, January 23, 2020 – Some of Vermont’s most iconic companies gave employees time off today to lobby policy makers at the Statehouse in Montpelier. More than 100 employees met with elected officials and called on the Governor and the legislature to make climate change a priority in this legislative session and to pass a package of laws to ensure that Vermont meets its goals of a 40% reduction of GHG levels by 2030, and 80-95% reduction by 2050.
The employees warned that Vermont’s failure to reduce carbon emissions is damaging to the economy, environment, and their way of life.
A full transcript of Governor Scott’s budget address is included below.
Governor Scott:
Mr. President, Madam Speaker, Supreme Court Justices, members of the General Assembly and fellow Vermonters:
Less than two weeks ago, I came before you to report on the state of the state to share my vision for Vermont and some ideas on how to grow our economy, make Vermont more affordable and protect the most vulnerable.
