Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard showed signs of revisiting the location of the skatepark, but no firm decision was made. Tuesday evening’s meeting saw opponents of the Crowell location pledging fundraising support for a different location, while BASIC petitioned to make the Crowell skatepark smaller and more in line with their expected funds.

The board also heard of changes in plans for the West Brattleboro Fire Station. It turns out that building a new wooden structure in line with the surrounding area would give the Fire Department a brand new station at a lower cost than repairing the current one. This and other money-saving ideas will be explored.

The town got an update on the solar installation planned for Technology Drive, and considered options for encouraging public hearings on the matter before the Public Service Board.

All this and more in an animated Selectboard meeting in Brattleboro.

The Brattleboro Human Services Review Committee will hold its initial meeting on October 15, 2013. The
applications and information for FY15 Human Services Funding will be made available soon after that. The Human Services Review Committee will also announce the date and time of the information meeting. The Town Manager’s office will issue a Press Release when the information is available and documents will be posted on the Town’s website – www.brattleboro.org.

For information regarding the application process, contact Jan Anderson in the Brattleboro Town Manager’s at 802-251-8151.

West Brattleboro Fire Station will be knocked down and a new building built to replace it if the Brattleboro Selectboard accepts the recommendations of the Police-Fire Facility Project committee at next Tuesday’s regular meeting at the Municipal Center.

Also on the agenda: BASIC is returning to to ask for a new conceptual design to reduce the size and scope of the planned skatepark at the Crowell location, the ad hoc citizen Town Manager Search Committee will be appointed, firefighters will apply for a big, capital-saving grant to replace aging radios and breathing apparati, and the board will take a look at two suggested ordinance amendments.

You can attend in person or watch on TV. If you’d like to bring something up that isn’t on the agenda, there is time for that, too. You can read all about it here the morning after, too.

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Monday, September 30, 2013 at 12:30pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.  It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 12:30pm to discuss a personnel matter.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 2:00pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center. It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 2:00pm to discuss a personnel matter.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

The Brattleboro Police-Fire Facility Building Committee will meet on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 4:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 4:30pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 8:30am in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 5:30pm in the Brooks Memorial Library community room

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

WATER MAIN FLUSHING TO START

Utilities Division crews will start Fall Flushing of the Town water mains on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013 at 10:00 p.m. and continue through Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013.

NOTE!! Some daytime flushing will continue throughout the weeks of Oct. 15 and 21, 2013

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

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.

Night flushing will occur from 10:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.. Daytime flushing will occur from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m..

A Schedule of Water Main Flushing Follows:

The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards:

Agricultural Advisory Board
Arts Committee
CPCC (Citizen Police Communications Committee)
Development Review Board Alternate
Honor Roll Committee
Inspector, Lumber Shingles & Wood
Senior Solutions Representative
SEVCA Representative
Town Manager Search Citizen Committee
Town Service Officer
Tree Advisory Committee

The night belonged to the Department of Public Works. From project updates and truck purchases to the spotlight of a departmental presentation, Steve Barrett and Hannah O’Connell had their hands full with budgets, outlines, explanations, and answers.

The Selectboard was informed that Brattleboro’s FY13 budget has been completed and the town ended up with a small surplus in the General Fund.

And of over 60 applications received, we learn that only four women applied for the job of Brattleboro Town Manager. A new citizen committee of an indeterminate number of members will help with the second round of interviews.

Spring has long been the time when Vermonters Green Up, and this fall, for the first time, Vermonters will be encouraged to “Button Up.” On Saturday, October 5th, Vermonters have a powerful opportunity to participate in a local effort — or start one! — and lend a few hours to help friends and neighbors take actions to lower their energy bills this winter.

Modeled after Vermont’s successful “Green Up Day” and building on the familiar Button Up brand, this will be the first ever grassroots day of action on weatherization in Vermont. The day is being spearheaded by the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN), in partnership with Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Home Energy Challenge Coordinators, and is aimed at mobilizing as many volunteers as possible in communities throughout the state to take steps — large and small — to help Vermonters stop wasting energy and money and reduce our contribution to climate change. There is still plenty of time for towns to sign on to the effort, and VECAN will provide support and guidance to help make participating as easy as possible.

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hear the year end financial report for FY13 at their next Tuesday meeting at the Municipal Center oin Main Street. You are welcome to attend in person or watch on BCTV.

If you do, you’ll hear an update on work at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and pump stations, learn of new fees for mobile food carts, get a departmental report from the Department of Public Works, watch as grants and bids are approved, hear an update on the search for a new Town Manager, and more. You can bring up other issues that aren’t on the agenda during public participation.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for the Brattleboro area until 7:00pm. Rain is expected to continue throughout the overnight hours. Rainfall is expected to be heavy at times. We ask that you continue to monitor the National Weather Service for the latest weather information.

Damage from this afternoon’s storms has been identified at:

Elm Street, Between Canal and Flat – This section of Elm Street will remain closed until further notice. A significant washout occurred near to the corner of Canal and Elm, which may take several days to complete the repair.

Minor scarring and washouts have occurred on Bridge Street, Maple Street near Canal, and on Canal Street near Maple.

The Brattleboro area continues to be in line for a series of very strong thunderstorms, and we continue to be under a severe thunderstorm watch from the National Weather Service. Several areas of minor to moderate damage have occurred across town. Elm Street between Flat and Canal is closed, with a significant washout near the intersection of Canal Street. A section of Guilford Street near Frog Hill Road is covered with water due to plugged culverts. A small wash out has occurred near Bridge Street, the area is blocked off with barrels and the road is not closed at this time.

We ask that you pay close attention to the weather and monitor WTSA and the National Weather Service for future statements. Please report any significant damages to Brattleboro Central Dispatch at 257-7946.

The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 4:00pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

The Brattleboro Energy Committee will meet on Monday, September 9, 2013 at 5:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 4:30pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 7:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100