As an early posting on ibrattleboro indicated, the Selectboard is holding a worksession on Monday morning at 8:30am to discuss goals for 2006. Below are my proposed goals; what I’d like the Selectboard to accomplish in the coming year. Under each goal are activities or action steps that support the goal.
Some of the goals are initiatives that are already in progress through the work of committees and community groups. Some were formulated with input I’ve received from citizens over the past two months. Some will say they are unrealistic, but I believe these goals are attainable. They are a step in a positive direction for our community.
What goals would you like to see the Selectboard adopt? Please email me at madmidge@sover.net and let me know what you think of my proposed goals. Email the rest of the Selectboard members too! Greg Worden: vtart@sover.net; Kevin Yager: not4ginny@yahoo.com; Dick DeGray: crumpinhugo@hotmail.com; Steve Steidle: ssteidle@adelphia.net. Come to the meeting on Monday morning. Tell us about your vision and goals for Brattleboro and the Selectboard.
Goal 1: Establish local “think tank” committee
1. Establish committee of diverse community volunteers to research governance, relocalization and sustainability initiatives for Brattleboro, and make recommendations to the Selectboard
Goal 2: Increase efficiency in Town systems and reporting to the Selectboard
1. Establish and approve job descriptions for town committees, including committee purview and responsibilities, meeting frequency, protocol for presenting info/recommendations to the Selectboard, and their relationship to the Selectboard
2. Adopt a procedure that will provide the Selectboard, via memorandum, all changes in current and new policies
Goal 3: Tax rate stabilization – increase revenue/decrease expenditures
1. Create resolution supporting the Vermont League of Cities and Town’s health care plan in response to the ballot question of 2004 passed by majority vote, and the 2006 Representative Town Meeting request
2. Study, consider and adopt, if appropriate, “pay-as-you-throw” waste management option
3. Reassess interest rate and method of collection on delinquent taxes
4. Study 1% options tax on food and lodging
5. Study request for funding from surrounding Municipalities for mutually utilized amenities/services that are supported by Brattleboro
6. Institute Honeywell contract
Goal 4: Implement initiatives for sustainable, local economy
1. Conduct a Town-wide economic analysis
2. Increase local purchasing of products/supplies; negotiate with local businesses for competitive pricing
3. Adopt large-retail impact study ordinance
4. Study feasibility of local currency
Goal 5: Increase participation and transparency in Town Government
1. Hold community informational forums by District twice/year
2. Hold Selectboard meetings in different locations - one in each District/year
3. Create link on home page for Town Rep names and contact information on Town website
4. Appoint committee to create community event for Town Meeting day, 1st Tuesday in March, to increase voter turn out
5. Adopt policy that insures expeditious citizen access to all public records/information
6. Actively work to increase diversity on town committees, boards and commissions
7. Adopt procedure that will provide monthly fiscal reports on the town budgets to the public via posting on the Town's website
8. Adopt policy that worksessions will be recorded and minutes shall be taken
9. Provide Power Point presentation of supplementary documents to agenda items during regular Selectboard meetings so audience has access to the information
10. Develop user-friendly guide on Brattleboro Town Government, including policies and procedures of various departments, boards, commissions and committees
Goal 6: Support inclusive community
1. Adopt policy that all residents, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic status, will be treated fairly by police and all town employees
2. Schedule presentation by ALANA to Selectboard on Community-Police Relations Survey
3. Request and respond to recommendations from ALANA
4. Support efforts to incorporate Bellows Falls “social worker” model program
Goal 7: Implement initiatives for sustainable community
1. Study options for local generation of power
2. Establish a Town Environmental Advisory Council
3. Do a “build out” of Brattleboro according to current zoning regulations
4. Explore incentives to encourage existing building reuse
5. Work with the Windham Regional Commission to create bike lanes on Canal Street
6. Extend Putney Road 50-year plan to Brattleboro/Dummerston Town line
7. Include information on water conservation techniques with utilities bill
Goal 8: Encourage affordable housing initiatives
1. Assess current affordable housing stock and needs assessment in Brattleboro
2. Direct the Planning Commission to create “Inclusionary Zoning” ordinance
Goal 9: Review, evaluate, amend as appropriate and accept the Emergency Management Plan
1. Incorporate the improvements in the plan as set forth in the ballot question, approved by 84% of the voters
2. Present the plan at community information forums
3. Distribute dedicated, nuclear only alert radios to all families, individuals, businesses, schools and care facilities in Brattleboro
Progress of goal achievement will be reviewed and evaluated on a quarterly schedule.
The Town should utilize the extensive resources of volunteers in the community through programs such as RSVP, Community Service requirements, SIT internships and high school curriculum projects required for graduation, and community groups.
Audrey Garfield