Town News

For stories pertaining to the town of Brattleboro at large and its government.

Melchen Road Closure

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Monday November 18th, Green Mountain Power will be relocating an overhead power line to be buried under Melchen Road. Crews will start at the top of Melchen Road and work their way down towards Hinesburg Road. A full closure is expected within their working area from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday the 18th through Friday the 22nd. Residents should plan accordingly and seek alternate routes. Emergency services are aware of this closure and will implement a plan to continue to provide any services needed beyond this closure.

Brattleboro Road Closure Notice for Canal Street on November 12, 2024

by Not Signed In | Town News

Brattleboro, VT — The southbound lane of Canal Street will be closed from South Main Street to Elm Street on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 09:30 to 12:30. The closure will facilitate ongoing debris removal following the recent fire at 45 Canal Street. Demolition crews will be on-site throughout the day to safely clear the affected area which could create traffic delays in the area.

Southbound traffic on Canal Street will be detoured via Flat & Elm Streets or South Main & Washington Streets. The northbound lane will remain open, but drivers should anticipate periodic delays to accommodate trucks and equipment entering and exiting the site.

Brattleboro Road Closure Notice for Canal Street on November 11, 2024

by Not Signed In | Town News

Brattleboro, VT — The southbound lane of Canal Street will be closed from South Main Street to Elm Street on Monday, November 11, 2024, due to ongoing debris removal following the recent fire at 45 Canal Street. Demolition crews will be on-site throughout most of the day to safely clear the affected area.

Southbound traffic on Canal Street will be detoured via Flat & Elm Streets or South Main & Washington Streets. The northbound lane will remain open, but drivers should anticipate periodic delays to accommodate trucks and equipment entering and exiting the site.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda and Notes – November 12, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

As the budget process gets going, Town staff will ask the Brattleboro Selectboard to approve a $700,000 police substation at a special meeting on November 12.  The board will also be asked to put the Esteyville Gazebo project out to bid, and will tinker with the Parking Ordinance.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Veterans’ Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Veterans’ Day, all Brattleboro Town Offices will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Monday, November 11. All other violations will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024.

Brattleboro Property Taxes and Utility Bills Due Nov. 15, 2024

by Not Signed In | Town News

The second installment of the 2024 Brattleboro Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes will be due by 5 p.m. on November 15, 2024. Payments made after November 15, 2024 will have an additional 1% interest added to the unpaid balance.

The Town of Brattleboro utility bills are also due by 5 p.m. on November 15, 2024. Payments made after November 15, 2024 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – What Services Would You Like To Cut?

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard nov 5 2024

The Brattleboro Selectboard discussed the “base budget” – a budget with no changes to services from current levels – at Tuesday’s Election Night meeting. As is, they said, it would be a 22% increase. Board members agreed it was a difficult budget, but none had any big ideas for getting the increase to a more manageable level.

Citizens attending had ideas – eliminate raises, cut Municipal Center hours to 32 hours a week for most employees, cut positions, and throw it all out and build up from what is truly necessary were suggested.  Personnel costs, they noted, were the big numbers.

In a flashback to the era of Barb Sondag we heard the Town Manager ask the board to simply tell him what services they’d like to cut from the people of Brattleboro…

Brattleboro Property Tax – Proposed Increase of 14%, Plus Maybe 5-8% More for Solid Waste

by cgrotke | Town News

Here are some excerpts from the Town Manager’s memo to the Brattleboro Selectboard regarding their enormous FY’26 budget. I’ve left out some of the tables mentioned to make it easier for me to format. Go view the full document to see them.

At the start, they anticipate a 14% increase in property taxes, but this does not yet include any solid waste disposal costs, which staff say may add another 5-8%.

Get yourself a drink so you can spit it out in amazement as you read the details.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – November 5, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

While the rest of the world is concerned with election day and results, the Brattleboro Selectboard will be presenting the an overview of the draft budget for the FY26. They will also continue with their approval of liquor and entertainment licenses for a new business in the former River Garden public space.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda, during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room (230 Main Street) and over Zoom on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 6:00pm.

The Charter Revision Commission will meet in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street) and over Zoom on Thursday, November 7, 2024  at 6:15pm.

The Tree Advisory Committee will meet in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room (230 Main Street) on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 4:15pm.

The RTM Finance Committee will meet in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room (230 Main Street) on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 5:45pm.  

Brattleboro Community Safety Fair & Forum

by Not Signed In | Town News

The public is invited to attend the second annual Community Safety Fair & Forum. This event will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the New England Youth Theatre, located at 100 Flat Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. This event is free and open to the public.

During this event, local organizations will share information and resources with the public, while providing an opportunity for continued dialogue and solution sharing. The evening will include an open house with tabling, a panel discussion, Selectboard office hours, and healing.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in the Selectboard Meeting Room.

The Brattleboro Board of Listers will meet on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 1:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Solid Waste and Substations: A Million Here, A Million There

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard oct 15 2024

It is the second Selectboard meeting of October, and more potential tax increases were considered. The cost of trash, recycling and compost will be going up substantially to cover the costs of the new automated robot arm collection system.  The Town says it isn’t that the new system is expensive, it is that the old system was way too cheap. Hints that the costs will skyrocket more after signing on were given.

The board discussed a million dollar plus plan to put a police substation, four public bathrooms, a community room, and new parking system offices at the Transportation Center.  They also heard from members of the public saying these costs were too much.

The board’s “Review of Debt Management Guidelines” was postponed to another meeting.

Brattleboro Public Works Open House

by Not Signed In | Town News

Join us for the Brattleboro Public Works Open House on October 19th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm! This exciting event is your chance to learn more about the essential services that keep our community running smoothly. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, we invite you to come out and engage with your local public works team.

What to Expect at the Open House

Meet the Team
This is a unique opportunity to meet the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Our public works team is eager to share their experiences, answer your questions, and provide insight into their daily tasks.