The Region

News from towns around the Brattleboro area

Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge- Construction Update April 27, 2023

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

The contractor has finished the leveling pad installation for the northern MSE wall and will begin to set panels and the panel straps. The covered retaining wall on the west side of VT 142 will be maintained as necessary until the location can be backfilled during the summer closure period. Excavation for the gravel wetland is ongoing and coinciding installation of drainage structures has begun.

Pile driving operations are anticipated to be finished at Pier 2 by the end of this week. Pier 1 piles will be driven later this season. Additional work on the temporary trestle access over the CT River will need to be completed to facilitate construction equipment and the intermittent pounding of diesel hammers will continue as a part of this operation.

Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge Construction Update – April 6, 2023

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

The contractor has finished the tree clearing operation. Covering the existing retaining wall on the west side of VT 142 is ongoing.

On the east side of VT 142, the north MSE wall near Abutment 1 work has begun and will continue next week. In addition, work is scheduled to begin on the gravel wetland located just to the south of Abutment 1 on Monday.

As noted before, pile driving operations will continue at Pier locations 2 and 1 and intermittent pounding of diesel pile hammers is anticipated through the Summer of 2023 with Saturday work anticipated from 7 AM – 7 PM.

Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge Construction Update March 30

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

The contractor has begun working on environmental protections and controls on the west side of VT 142, preparing the retaining wall to be covered. They anticipate tree clearing operations to begin tomorrow. Tree removal will result in brief periods of full closure on VT 142 for the safety of the traveling public.

Work continues on the bridge abutment on the Vermont side where the MSE wall construction is scheduled to begin.

Hinsdale Bridge Update March 2023

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

TRAFFIC IMPACT: Motorists on Vermont Route 142 should be aware that construction activities are ongoing along VT 142 approximately 1000′ south of the intersection with New Hampshire Route 119. Construction vehicles will continue entering and exiting the construction site and minor flagging and delays may be encountered in this area.

Guilford Election Results

by DonInGuilford | Guilford

Here are the Guilford Town Meeting Australian Ballot unofficial vote totals, from the Board of Civil Authority:

Selectboard 3 Year: Verandah Porche 413; Jason Herron 91. Selectboard 2 Year: Jaime Durham 52, Tara Cheney 379, Jason Herron 75. Town Clerk: Danielle Latulippe 454. Treasurer Ellen (Elly) Majonen 454. Auditor: Lesley C. Malouin 420.

Windham Southeast School District Directors (Note: This is the Guilford Count Only; Votes from All Four Towns Will Be Combined to Determine Those Elected):

WSESD Director – Brattleboro 3 Year: Kimberly Price 234, Jaci Reynolds 111; WSESD Director – Brattleboro 2 Year: Robin Morgan 306; Rikki Risatti 47; WSESD Director – Dummerston 3 Year: Michelle Luetjen Green 178; Eva Nolan 179; WSESD Director – Putney 3 Year: Ruby McAdoo 309.

Guilford Park Project Embraces 60-day Race to Raise $20,000 for 2:1 Match

by Nanci Leitch | Guilford, Recreation & Sports

“On Your Mark, Set, Go!” According to the Guilford Park committee, the “starter pistol” has been fired for a 60-day race to raise $20,000 more dollars for the construction of the Guilford Community Park. The committee has been working for over a year on plans to build a park behind the Guilford Store, alongside the Guilford Community Church, in the center of Guilford’s Algiers Village. The park they envision is complete with a green spaces, a pavilion, a walking labyrinth, children’s play area with a slide and swings, a basketball half-court, net and fire pit.

If community members and businesses donate $20,000 by February 28, the park can qualify for a matching $40,000 Vermont Community Development grant, “Better Places Program” which will allow the park committee to have everything on their wish list, explained Dunham Rowley, one of the organizers.

Guilford Unofficial JP Election Results

by DonInGuilford | Guilford

Town of Guilford: General Election Nov. 8, 2022 — Justice of the Peace Vote Totals. UNOFFICIAL RESULTS. Per Guilford Board of Civil Authority.

R= Republican, D = Democratic, I = Independent. * = one of 10 elected.

*Roberta Bremmer (D) 561;
Patricia Bullock (R) 217;
Connie Burton (R) 263;
Kathy W Clark (R) 207;
Richard Clark (R) 246;

Guilford Voters: Another New JP Ballot

by DonInGuilford | Guilford

Guilford voters will be receiving a new ballot in the mail for the Justice of the Peace election. The ballot will be mailed to every registered voter in town by Guilford town clerk, Penny Marine, following meetings this past week of the town’s Board of Civil Authority and Selectboard. Voters should be receiving the new ballots within a few days. All previously submitted JP ballots — only the JP ballot, not the main ballot for all other offices — will not be counted and will be destroyed.

This action is a result of an error in the preparation of the main General Election ballot, which failed to include the Justice of the Peace candidates. With the approval of the Vermont Election Division of the Secretary of State’s office, the town clerk initially remediated the omission by sending new ballots to voters who requested them. A number of townspeople, however, questioned the fairness of this system.

Guilford Voters Need to Request Ballot for Justice of Peace

by DonInGuilford | Guilford

Registered Guilford Voters,

Due to unexpected circumstances, the Justice of the Peace candidates were not submitted in time to be placed on the original ballot for the November 8, 2022, General Election. You will not automatically receive this ballot, as you did with the original ballot. You must request this ballet if you plan to vote in advance. There are a number of contests for JP this time, so it is important to have full voter participation.

Newfane to Vote on Retail Cannabis

by cgrotke | West River Valley

Newfane voters can weigh in on whether to allow retail cannabis sales at a Special Town Meeting to be held on September 20 at 6 pm at the Newbrook Fire Station. There will be in-person voting only.

An informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday August 23 at 6 pm:  www.zoom.us/joinameeting   ID: 972 2791 1757   Passcode 352680

Rescue Inc Opens VEMSA – Vermont EMS Academy

by Not Signed In | The Region

Brattleboro – Rescue Inc. is proud to announce the opening of VEMSA, Vermont EMS Academy, to bring state-of-the-art emergency medical training to Southern Vermont and the surrounding region. The facility is on Route 30 in Newfane, Vermont, just minutes off I-91. VEMSA will be opening this fall with an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and AHA (American Heart Association) classes and many other courses soon to follow. 

“It’s both a natural progression and a dream realized for Rescue Inc,” said Drew Hazelton, Rescue Inc’s chief of operations, “We’ve always wanted to create a place where doctors, nurses, teachers, and first responders can hone and broaden their skills.” VEMSA will focus on the latest in emergency medical techniques for all skill levels. “We will offer CPR courses, for instance, to high school students and teachers while also providing instruction to practicing medical professionals,” said Hazelton.  

HatchSpace Seeks Volunteers for a Community Woodworking Project

by HatchSpace | Putney

HatchSpace, Brattleboro’s community woodworking facility, is looking for assistance with a special service project to benefit the Putney Central School. Volunteers will work alongside skilled woodworkers to build classroom worktables. Light carpentry skills appreciated but not necessary. We’re aiming for an August 1st start date, with day and evening work sessions to last for about two weeks. This will be a fun and instructive experience! Please contact Karen at info@hatchspace.org for more information.

Upper West River to be Studied this Summer

by Not Signed In | West River Valley

The water quality of the upper West River and some of its tributaries is getting closely examined this summer. Fitzgerald Environmental Associates has been hired through the State of Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to conduct a Stream Geomorphic Assessment (SGA), which is a way of assessing, understanding, and evaluating the condition of the river system.

According to Marie Caduto, Vermont DEC Watershed Planner for the southeastern portion of Vermont which includes the West River and its tributaries, “this project has been in the works for several years.  The local communities are concerned that the recreational use of Townshend Lake and the West River has been impacted by all the sediment moving down the river since Tropical Storm Irene.  What we are looking to study is where this sediment is coming from and to find on-the-ground projects that can be done to help stabilize the erosion.”

Road Construction Projects in the West River Valley

by cgrotke | West River Valley

Travelers in the West River Valley might be both pleased and dismayed to know that there will be Route 30 paving and other road projects going on soon. Expect some delays and alternative routes in the near future.

The big plan is to re-surface VT Rt. 30 in Brattleboro, Dummerston and Newfane. You may have seen people out taking measurements last year.:

“Project Location: Beginning on VT Route 30 in the Town of Brattleboro, at mile marker 0.326 (just north of the intersection of VT-30 and Cedar St.) and extending north for 9.948 miles and ending at mile marker 1.597 in Newfane (just past the intersection of VT-30 and Hemlock Hill Rd).

Guilford Pre-Town Tonight Has Room for All

by DonInGuilford | Guilford

Contrary to earlier info, Guilford Pre-Town Meeting (tonight, Thursday, 7:00 pm) will be able to accommodate up to 500 participants. BCTV, which is managing the Zoom (and also providing live coverage on the station) has changed their zoom setting to ensure that everyone can zoom in. Info on joining by zoom, by phone, or watching on BCTV on cable or live-stream, or watching on YouTube — all that info is on the Town website guilford vt.net

Community Center in Guilford Announces Matching Challenge

by Broad Brook Community Center | Guilford

Broad Brook Community Center (BBCC) in Guilford has announced a winter fund drive to support the major phase of renovations this spring. Thanks to a matching gift challenge, all donations received by January 31, 2021, will be doubled.

The BBCC purchased the 1896 building from Broad Brook Grange three years ago, began raising funds for a complete renovation, and completed the first phase of work in 2018. The improvements particularly addressed accessibility and safety, and included a new entry ramp, ADA-compliant restrooms, and a fire escape.