Town News

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

Selectboard Meeting Notes Redux- Board Approves 12% Property Tax Increase; Won’t Tax Cats

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard approved their revised FY26 budget with a 12% property tax increase without further changes, ignoring a great deal of feedback from the Finance Committee and members of the public that there were other items to consider and concerns that root problems were being put off for future years.

The board agreed that no cuts to staff will be considered. Staff positions in Brattleboro are seemingly guaranteed forever.

The board also asked that the community be more respectful when taking about municipal affairs, and laughed at Liz’s serious suggestion to tax cats.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – Agenda and Notes January 7, 2025

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will be taking another look at the FY26 budget at the first regular meeting of 2025. They made some cuts to services at their last meeting and will review the impact of their decisions thus far. Will they do more?

The board will hold a second reading of changes to the ordinance governing the Downtown Improvement District. If everyone likes it, it will be approved as well.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 6:15pm in the Brooks Memorial Library, Mezzanine Room.

The Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.

The Charter Revision Commission will meet on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room and over Zoom.

Finance Committee Resolution

by fidel | Town News

The Finance Committee of Representative Town Meeting approved the following resolution at its 18 December meeting:

The Finance Committee is concerned that the Selectboard was unwilling to consider staff cuts during its December 17 discussion for reducing the FY26 budget, relying instead on cuts to services and deferrals to FY27. The Finance Committee calls upon the Selectboard to instruct the Town Manager to present to the Selectboard a list of potential staff cuts to consider for FY26 at its next meeting. We recognize that the concept of staff cuts is painful, but we believe that considering it is an essential part of the responsible management of the Town.

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Winter 2024-25

by cgrotke | Town News

Here’s your seasonal spot to write up little things that might be worth a sentence.  What have you noticed recently in the Brattleboro area?

Winter has kicked off with most of the late autumn snow and ice melting away. It is Dec 30 and near 50 degrees.

Brattleboro RTM Human Services Committee Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

RTM Human Services Committee
Monday, December 30, 2024
6:00-9:00pm
Selectboard Meeting Room (RM 212) The Municipal Center 230 Main Street and Zoom
Agenda
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82025368613
• Approve minutes from previous meetings
• Complete review of grant applications.
• Go into deliberative session to discuss rubric scores of applications

Brattleboro Holiday Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the Christmas holiday:

Brattleboro Town offices will close at 12:00pm (noon) on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

Brooks Memorial Library will close at 1:00pm on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

In observance of the Christmas holiday all Town Offices will be closed Wednesday, December 25, 2024, except emergency services. .

Brattleboro Announces Free Parking for Last Two Weekends of 2024

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is offering free parking downtown during the final two weekends of the year. Parking will be free on Dec. 20, 21 and 22, 2024, and again on Dec. 27, 28 and 29 to coincide with the busy holiday season.

Since launching the new parking system in late November, Town staff have been making improvements to it based on public feedback. Several upgrades are currently in development, including additional signage, step-by-step instructions displayed on the sides of the parking kiosks, revisions to the parking zone/kiosk map, and the creation of a “how-to” video that will guide drivers through the three parking methods available downtown.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Deep Budget Cuts To Everything Except Personnel, Roads, Police…etc.

by cgrotke | Town News
FY26 General Fund Budget / Possible Reductions

T’was the week before Christmas and all through the town, not a creature was stirring except for the Brattleboro Selectboard discussing FY26.

The board used Town staff suggestions and assumptions as a starting point. They boldy saved items from being cut but also agreed on cuts worth close to $2 million.  Police will get new uniforms, for example, but snow cleanup, arts, and human services will see cuts.  Members of the public cautioned that these were superficial, one-time, unsustainable cuts and told the board they pushing taxpayers over a cliff in years to come.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – December 17, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

It is a rare Brattleboro Selectboard meeting when there is a single item of new business. Tuesday’s meeting is one of them, and the sole topic is possible budget cuts of 5%, 10%, or more. 

Watch as the board struggles to tame their mighty potential FY26 budget increase of over 20%. 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 RTM Human Services Committee will meet on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 6:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Rm. 212) and over Zoom.

The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 6:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room(230 Main Street, Rm. 211).

The Brattleboro Charter Revision Commission will meet on Thursday, December 19, 2024 in the Selectboard Meeting Room(230 Main Street, Rm. 212 and over Zoom

Brattleboro Town Office Closures

by Not Signed In | Town News

Brattleboro Town Offices will be closed from 7:00am to 10:00am on Friday, December 13, 2024 for an employee event. Impacted offices include: The Municipal Center, the Gibson Aiken Center and Public Works offices. The Brooks Memorial Library will open at 10:00am.

Brattleboro’s Finance Director Stepping Down in January

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is announcing the resignation of Brattleboro’s Finance Director, Kimberly Frost, who served in the role since April 2022. Frost will be stepping down from the position on Jan. 3, 2025, to pursue a different opportunity.

“Starting this next chapter was a difficult decision, but I’m grateful to have served my community,” said Frost.

During her tenure with the Town of Brattleboro, Frost was instrumental in re-uniting the Finance Department with the Treasurer’s Office and thereby finding efficiencies to reduce Town staff by one position. She also supported Town departments in the transition to a new financial system through the platform OpenGov. The goal of that project was to modernize and enhance the efficiency and transparency of the Town’s finances including an online publication that provides detailed expenditure information in an interactive format.

Brattleboro, VTrans to Improve Traffic Flow in Bridge Area

by Not Signed In | Town News

The newly opened General John Stark Memorial Bridge connecting Hinsdale, N.H. to Downtown Brattleboro has altered traffic patterns on Vernon Street and lower Main Street.

To improve traffic flow in both directions, the Town of Brattleboro and the Vermont State Agency of Transportation are working to create efficiencies. Traffic light engineers will be working on adjustments during the next few weeks. We appreciate your patience and cooperation while this work is underway.

Brattleboro Winter Storm Advisory for Thanksgiving

by Not Signed In | Town News

Brattleboro Emergency Services is watching the Thanksgiving weather forecast and preparing for the first winter storm of the season. The storm is forecast to start on the morning of Thursday, November 28, before daybreak and last throughout the day. We anticipate that downtown snow accumulations will be less than three inches, with up to eight inches in higher elevations.

The snow is expected to be wet and heavy, which could cause downed trees and limbs, along with wires in the travel ways. Brattleboro Public Works crews are prepared for the storm and will be working throughout the day to keep roads, downtown sidewalks, and Town facilities open.