So far we've been highlighting the articles that Town Meeting Representatives will vote on in public. The next few articles can be discussed in the full meeting before a certain time in the morning, but voting is done by Australian ballot.

It's really just a fancy term for secret ballot. The name was given because it originated in Australia, though it is also known as the Massachusetts ballot in some places. Why we go all the way to Australia when Massachusetts is nearby is a question for another time.

These ask if each Town Meeting Representative will vote for capital improvements for the Town. The first is for a boiler, air handling, resurfacing a roof, and "fortification" of the second floor of the Municipal Center.

It's not what you think. There will be no cannons, moats, or other military additions. Fortification in this case refers to fortifying, as in strengthening. This is really a vote on whether we want the Planning Department to fall into the Police Department or not.

"ARTICLE 28: To see if the Town will authorize the following Capital Improvements:

The replacement of one boiler in the Department of Public Works at the Fairground Road facility, at an estimated cost not to exceed $65,875;
The fortification of the second floor in the Municipal Center for an amount not to exceed $20,000;
The replacement of controllers for the Brooks Memorial Library air handling system for an amount not to exceed $20,000;
The resurfacing of the center roof at the Gibson Aikens Building for an amount not to exceed $50,000.

and the issuance of bonds or notes in the aggregate principal amount of $155,875 at a rate of interest not to exceed six percentum (6%) per annum and for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years, in order to pay to that extent the cost of said public improvement. The vote on the foregoing article will be by Australian ballot as required by law. The question to be voted upon will be as follows:

"Shall bonds and/or short-term notes of the Town of Brattleboro, in an amount not to exceed $155,875 bearing interest at a rate not to exceed 6%, for a term not to exceed twenty years, be issued for the purpose of replacing one boiler in the Fairground Road Facility, fortification of the second floor in the Municipal Center, replacement of controllers in the Brooks Memorial Library, An(] resurfacing of the main roof at the Gibson Aikens Center?"

If in favor of this bond issue.,
make a cross (x) in this square: Yes

If opposed to this bond issue,
make a cross (x) in this square: No"

......

Next up is a request to rebuild a retaining wall..

"ARTICLE 29: To see if the Town will authorize the following Capital Improvement: the reconstruction of the Strand Avenue Retaining Wall, at an estimated cost not to exceed $180,000, and will authorize the issuance of bonds or notes in the aggregate principal amount of $180,000 at a rate of interest not to exceed six percentum (6%) per annum and for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years, in order to pay to that extent the cost of said public improvement. The vote on the foregoing article will be by Australian ballot as required by law. The question to be voted upon will be as follows:

"Shall bonds and/or short-term notes of the Town of Brattleboro, in an amount not to exceed $180,000 bearing interest at a rate not to exceed 6%, for a term not to exceed twenty years, be issued for the purpose of designing and replacing the Strand Avenue Retaining Wall?"

If in favor of this bond issue.,
make a cross (x) in this square: Yes

If opposed to this bond issue,
make a cross (x) in this square: No"

.....


Town Meeting Representatives will be provided with actual boxes to check before dropping their ballots into a locked box that gets counted later in the day.

Next up is whether Town Meeting Representatives would like to kick in some money to build the new bridge next to the Creamery Bridge.


"ARTICLE 30: To see if the Town will authorize the following Capital Improvement: The local share of the construction of the "new" Creamery Bridge, at an estimated cost not to exceed $230,000, and will authorize the issuance of bonds or notes in the aggregate principal amount of $230,000 at a rate of interest not to exceed six percentum (6%) per annum and for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years, in order to pay to that extent the cost of said public improvement. The vote on the foregoing article wille by Australian ballot as required by law. The question to be voted upon will be as follows:

"Shall bonds and/or short-term notes of the Town of Brattleboro, in an amount not to exceed $230,000 bearing interest at a rate not to exceed 6%, for a term not to exceed twenty years, be issued for the purpose of contributing 10% of the construction costs for the new Creamery Bridge?"

If in favor of this bond issue.,
make a cross (x) in this square: Yes

If opposed to this bond issue,
make a cross (x) in this square: No"

....


The final secret ballot is the vote on replacing the dasherboard at the skating rink.

"ARTICLE 31: To see if the Town will authorize the following Capital Improvement: Replacement of the dasherboard at the Nelson Withington Skating Facility, at an estimated cost not to exceed $175,000, and will authorize the issuance of bonds or notes in the aggregate principal amount of $175,000 at a rate of interest not to exceed six percentum (6%) per annum and for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years, in order to pay to that extent the cost of said public improvement. The vote on the foregoing article will be by Australian ballot as required by law. The question to be voted upon will be as follows:

"Shall bonds and/or short-term notes of the Town of Brattleboro, in an amount not to exceed $175,000 bearing interest at a rate not to exceed 6%, for a term not to exceed twenty years, be issued for the purpose of replacement of the dasher board at the Nelson Withington Skating Facility?"

If in favor of this bond issue.,
make a cross (x) in this square: Yes

If opposed to this bond issue,
make a cross (x) in this square: No"

.....

Next time: Other business, and motions