News & Information
News and information sections, from near to far
Selectboard Meeting Notes – Thanksgiving Edition
A full meeting for the Brattleboro Selectboard just prior to Thanksgiving. Discussions of the FY20 Budget, the Downtown Alliance, affordable housing, downstairs tenants driving someone nuts, and more took place, plus there was the introduction of a new 25 year plan for replacing town equipment, as well as a new suggestion to put some money aside, like a layaway plan, to buy future fire trucks.
Brattleboro Thanksgiving Closures
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23, 2018, with the exception of emergency services.
Brooks Memorial Library will close at 6:00pm on Wednesday, November 21, and will be closed on Thursday, November 22. It will be open for regular hours on Friday and Saturday, November 23 and 24. 2018.
Ambassador Galbraith To Present Talk To Windham World Affairs Council on Nov 30
On Friday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 pm, for the fifth year in a row, Ambassador Peter W. Galbraith will address WWAC on developments in the Middle East. He will give a talk at Centre Congregational Church entitled “The US versus Iran: Will a proxy fight in Syria, Iraq and Yemen lead to War? “
Our community has come to rely on Galbraith’s knowledge and insider’s expertise on this region. He is currently working on a mediation project related to Syria and has made 12 trips into the country in the last three years.
Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – November 20, 2018
It’s the return of the 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) at the next Brattleboro Selectboard meeting. The board will try once again to convince residents and businesses to add a 1% sales tax to purchases in the ‘boro, despite competition from online shopping and nearby states.
The Downtown Brattleboro Alliance will give their semi-annual report and present a budget for the coming year, a private drive will be named, finances reviewed, and the board will discuss housing, and economic & community development.
You can bring up other items not on the agenda, or a side dish, by attending the meeting at the Municipal Center on Tuesday.
High Street and Whipple Street Valve Nut Repair
On Monday, November 19, Utilities Crews will be working at the intersection of High Street and Whipple Street to replace a valve nut. During this time, Whipple Street will be closed and there will be restricted traffic on High Street in the area of Whipple and Oak Streets.
Brattleboro Winter Parking Ban Begins Nov 15
The Brattleboro Parking Department would like to advise everyone that the winter parking ban will go into effect, starting Thursday,November 15, 2018. Overnight parking is forbidden on all streets in the town of Brattleboro.Vehicles parked for longer than one (1) hour between 11:00pm and 07:00am may be ticketed and towed at the owners expense.
The Brattleboro Budget Process and You
The Brattleboro Selectboard officially kicked off FY20 budget season at a meeting Tuesday night, in which they learned about the Police and Fire departments and where the Town expects to find revenue to pay for the budget.
It’s nice that the Selectboard reviews these matters, but this is really about you — the Brattleboro resident or visitor.
Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda – FY20 Budget: Police, Fire, & Revenues
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center. ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 6:30pm in the Mezzanine Meeting Room at Brooks Memorial Library.
The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 2:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 5:30pm in the Cusick Conference Room (2ndfloor) at the Windham Regional Career Center located at 80 Atwood Street.
11 Pleasant Street – Carbon Monoxide Poisonings – Press Release
At 12 midnight Engine 2 and Utility 8 responded to 11 Pleasant Street for a Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm activation.
Upon arrival firefighters were met outside by a tenant who reported the carbon monoxide detector in the basement was going off. Firefighters entered the basement to find the CO detector was sounding, and the gas meter firefighters were carrying with them registered elevated levels of CO. There was also a light haze in the basement, this being caused by a malfunctioning boiler.
Brattleboro Taxes & Utilities Due
The second installment of the 2018 Real Estate and Personal Property Taxeswill be due onNovember 15th, 2018 by 5:00 PM. Payments made after November 15th, 2018 will have an additional 1% interest added to the unpaid balance.
The utility billing is also due on November 15th, 2018 by 5:00 PM. Payments made after November 15th, 2018 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.
Selectboard Meeting Notes – Budget Preview, and Blinking Lights Baffle
The Brattleboro Selectboard cancelled a few possible contentious items on the agenda (the Harmony Lot mural and the Health Code violation) but still got an earful from a couple concerned that blinking safety lights on Western Ave are unnecessary and lower the value of their home. The Wessel Baffle might prove to be the solution.
Town Manager Elwell gave the board an overview of the coming budget request from Town staff. Of note: the expected 4% health insurance increase is actually more like 17%. Ouch. Call a doctor. Police cars are being uplifted, a new solar project is being considered, and more.
Town of Brattleboro Veterans’ Day Closings
In observance of Veterans’ Day, all Brattleboro Town Offices will be closed on Monday, November 12, 2018, with the exception of emergency services.
Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday and Monday, November 11 and 12. All other violations will be enforced.
Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, November 11 and 12, 2018.
Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – November 6, 2018
There are citizen complaints about the new flashing lights on Western Avenue near Cedar Street, and the Brattleboro Selectboard will hear them at their next regular meeting.
The Town has complaints, too, against a property owner on Oak Street. The Town Arts Committee has concerns about the bookshelf mural in Harmony Lot, the FY20 budget overview will be presented, and a solar array might be coming to a parking garage near you.
You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas
The Brattleboro Energy Committee will meet on Monday, November 5, 2018 at 5:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.
The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 9:00am in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.
Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market Set to Open for 13th Season in New Location
The Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market will open the 2018 season on Saturday, November 3, 2018 in a new location. Having outgrown the old location, the Winter Farmers’ Market is looking forward to welcoming market-goers to the C. F. Church Building at 80 Flat St. in downtown Brattleboro. This new location offers free, convenient parking, better accessibility, and a more spacious indoor space, promising a market that is easier to navigate for customers and vendors alike.
Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee Meeting Agenda
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at 5:30pm in the Cusick Conference Room (2ndfloor) of the Windham Regional Career Center located at 80 Atwood Street.
Downtown Brattleboro Valve Nut Replacement
On Wednesday, October 24, Utilities Crews will be working in the junction of lower Main Street and Canal Street. The work will begin at 10:00 pm and continue through 5:00 am Thursday morning, October 25. Traffic will be restricted in that area during the scheduled time while the Utilities Division works to replace a valve nut in the middle of the roadway.
Motorists should plan to use alternate routes during this time period.
Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting with Governor Phil Scott and Cabinet
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, from 10:30am to 11:30am, in the Community Meeting Room at Brooks Memorial Library.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office