News and information sections, from near to far
PRESS RELEASE
Town of Brattleboro Spring Leaf Collection Schedule
This year leaves and yard waste will be picked up according to your normal trash, compost and recycling pick up day. The following dates have been scheduled for Brattleboro’s curbside Spring Leaf Collection:
The Brattleboro Selectboard heard two overviews at their short Tuesday meeting. The first was regarding the very long process of relicensing the dams along the Connecticut River. They got the overview and agreed to send a letter to FERC outlining local desires for the relicensing plan.
The second overview was about the major changes to trash, recycling and organic waste collection in Brattleboro after July 1. The sole bidder for the collection contract, Casella, wants to use one-person trucks that use joystick-controlled grabbers to pick up new, special trash receptacles. Town staff will be gathering information from residents about how much more they are willing to pay, and if they’d like to contract directly with Casella, if all waste should be picked up every other week, what to do about already-bought bags and containers, and other important issues.
Utilities Division crews will start Spring Flushing of the Town water mains on Friday, April 19 and continue through Friday, May 3. Occasional daytime flushing will continue throughout the week of May 6 through 10..
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. Users who experience a short period of discolored water or air in the water lines after flushing is complete should run the cold water for a few minutes to clear the lines.
Th Brattleboro Selectboard has a low impact agenda planned for the next regular meeting. One of the two big issues will be approving a letter regarding their opinion of relicensing the Vernon Dam.
The other issue is, heh heh, who will pick up the trash? The board only got one bid, from current provider Casella. Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland will suggest they punt this one down the road and gather input from the community before making any decisions.
You can bring up other items not on the agenda (as long as you are respectful) during Public Participation.
The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 8:00am over Zoom (please note there is no in-person option for this month’s meeting).
The Brattleboro Charter Review Commission will meet on Thursday, April 18th at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room and over Zoom.
The Town of Brattleboro Water Department’s annual Consumer Confidence Report / Water Quality Report for 2023 is now available. This report can be viewed on line at www.Brattleboro.gov under Water Supply. Printed copies are available at the Department of Public Works, Tri-Park CO-OP Office, Guilford Country Store, Town Clerk’s Office and Treasurer’s office (both located in the Brattleboro Municipal Center) and at the I-91 Welcome Center in Guilford.
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.
2023-146 MWF Industries; Rural Residential District; Site Plan Approval for the construction of 4 dwellings and a 3,600 sq. ft. garage/storage/office building with site improvements, at 680 West River Road; Tax Map Parcel #70317.000
Last February the health board (selectboard) of Brattleboro, VT, issued a health order against Kurt Daims for violations of rental health codes at an emergency homeless shelter operated by BCS on land owned by him. Daims works for BCS. He and BCS appealed to the Vermont State Board of Health.
In re : Town of Brattleboro v Kurt Daims
The Brattleboro Selectboard took issue with new costs of a bridge project requested by an earlier board, and sent VTrans back to their offices without an approval for their design of the Western Ave bridge replacement near Melrose. VTrans is invited back when the project won’t cost the Town quite so much. No one mentioned the increases that will inevitably occur between now and 2028 when the bridge is scheduled to be completed.
The board also took up some start-up and general housekeeping issues. New Chair Daniel Quipp pledged earlier meeting end times and more public participation in the coming year.
Beginning this construction season anyone performing excavation work in the Town of Brattleboro right-of-way or on systems involving Town infrastructure must have an Excavation and Trench Permit. The permit will allow Public Works to have greater communication with homeowners and contractors about Town infrastructure and important steps for a safe workplace prior to beginning excavation. It will also ensure that at the end of the project that the ground surface covers (pavement, concrete, plantings) are left in proper condition.
A relatively easy first official Brattleboro Selectboard meeting for new Chair Daniel Quipp is scheduled for Tuesday. The Consent Agenda is ample, there are some board rules and assignments to take care of, and there will be some discussion of the recent Representative Town Meeting.
The big discussion could be that the board might use property taxes to pay for matching costs associated with replacing the Rt 9 bridge at Melrose Place. The Town’s share has risen from half a million to $1.6 million since 2021.
You can once again, one assumes, bring up any other item not on the agenda during public participation.
Agenda Items
Approve Minutes
Public Participation
Spring Planting / Maintenance
Grant Update
The Brattleboro Selectboard organized themselves with the assistance of Brattleboro’s Town Clerk, swearing in members, electing a new Chair, Vice-Chair, and Clerk.
Daniel Quipp is the new Chair, Liz McCloughlin is Vice Chair, and Richard Davis is the Clerk.
6:15 – 6:50 Downtown Economic Development
Guest: Kate Traszkos, Downtown Brattleboro Alliance Executive Director
Presentation about downtown economic development efforts, data, and opportunities for the Planning Commission to engage in inventory efforts.
6:50 – 7:05 Vernon Dam Relicensing
Endorse comment letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the Vernon Dam relicensing.
Please be advised that the top floor of the Transportation Center has been closed for maintenance starting March 22, 2024. The closure will remain in effect throughout the next few weeks as a fence is installed around a portion of the top deck.
To prioritize safety, a temporary fence will be erected while preparations and construction of a permanent installation are underway.
The Brattleboro Selectboard’s Organizational Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6:15pm, in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, RM 212) and over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” Closed captioning will be available for the deaf and hard of hearing.
AGENDA
I. Convene, quorum check
II. Approve Minutes of February, 2023 Meeting
III. Welcome & Introductions/Check-in [10 mins]
IV. Purpose and Priorities [40 mins]
A place to make note of little things you see in and around Brattleboro, such as:
New bigger stronger electric poles going in along Rt 30 between the Retreat farm area and the bakery.
Work taking apart the motel in West B continues.
Potholes! Some are so big the Rec & Parks Department will begin maintaining them as swimming pools.
I just went through the process of buying a used car from a local dealership – twice! I thought I’d share what happened in case you are considering getting yourself something new or used to drive.
The Realization
Last summer I came to a point in the proverbial road where a choice had to be made – spend some money fixing up my older car, or look for something newer. Both options had pros and cons.
1. Minutes – February 15, 2024
2. Public Participation
3. Monthly Report on Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Incidents– For February
4. Safety Action Requests
