The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 212) and over Zoom. Prior to the regular meeting at 5:30pm, the Board will convene and is expected to move directly into executive session to discuss contracts, labor relations agreements with employees and the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” Closed captioning will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members. The backup materials for this meeting will be available on the town website by the end of the day.
The Executive Session time has changed to 5:15pm.
Jessica Sticklor (she/her/hers)
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street, Suite 208
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251 – 8115
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BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026
SELECTBOARD MEETING ROOM + ZOOM
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:15 PM
REGULAR MEETING – 6:15 PM
The physical location for this meeting will be the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center
at 230 Main Street.
Selectboard Meeting materials can be found on the Town’s website, Brattleboro.gov/Selectboard.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use the link below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84862348950?pwd=2o1IQvaSlC4LU0lAR5rM5SxQWnUDMA.1
Meeting ID: 848 6234 8950
Passcode: 840380
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV.
Cable TV: Channel 1079
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/live/gov-ed-channel/
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
AGENDA
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
(please note that all times indicated are approximate)
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING (6:15 PM)
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA
3. APPROVE MINUTES: January 13, January 15, January 20, and January 22, 2026
4. CHAIR’S REMARKS
5. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
6. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (6:25 PM)
8. CONSENT AGENDA
A. AARP Grant for a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon and Crosswalk Improvements at the
Greenleaf/Western Avenue Intersection – Authorize Application
B. Brattleboro Food Co-op First and Third Class Liquor Renewal Approvals – Approve Licenses
C. Audit Contract – Approve $60,000 Contract
D. Police Cruiser Replacement – Approve $89,000 Purchase
E. Deerfield Valley Communications Union District (DVFiber) Board – Appointment
F. Brattleboro Luck Crawl – Approve Special Event Permit
9. REGULAR BUSINESS (6:35 PM)
A. Encampments Policy (6:35 PM)
Presentation by ACLU Vermont and Town Manager Staff
B. Benchmarking Brattleboro’s General Fund Expenditures and Revenue Sources (7:20 PM)
Presentation by Town Staff
C. FY26 2nd Quarter Financial Report (7:40 PM)
Presentation by Finance Staff
D. Quarterly Fire Department Update (8:10 PM)
Presentation by Fire Department Staff
E. Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee Report Update (8:30 PM)
Presentation by Fire Department Staff
F. Town Clerk’s Office Contingency Staffing Plan (9:00 PM)
Presentation by Town Clerk Staff
10. CORRESPONDENCE
A. Warrants and Department Reports
11. ADJOURNMENT (9:10 PM)
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MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: John Potter, Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: February 13, 2026
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The following will summarize the proposed motions for the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday,
February 17, 2026. The Board will convene the meeting at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting
Room and on Zoom. All times listed below are approximate, and interested parties should monitor
the meeting if they do not want to miss an agenda item.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use this link:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85223252040?pwd=f0zpzRIYterkWvZ53MAfbuxuMv3Dvm.1
Meeting ID: 852 2325 2040
Passcode: 602388
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV.
Cable TV: Channel 1079
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/live/gov-ed-channel/
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1079
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-1079-livestream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
8. CONSENT AGENDA
AARP Grant for a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon and Crosswalk Improvements at the
Greenleaf/Western Avenue Intersection – Authorize Application
Brattleboro Food Co-op First and Third Class Liquor Renewal Approvals – Approve Licenses
Audit Contract – Approve $60,000 Contract
Police Cruiser Replacement – Approve $89,000 Purchase
Deerfield Valley Communications Union District (DVFiber) Board – Appointment
Brattleboro Luck Crawl – Approve Special Event Permit
In a memorandum dated February 11, 2026 Planning Director Sue Fillion requests authorization to
apply for a $15,000 grant from the AARP Community Challenge Grant program. This grant would be
used to purchase a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) to improve pedestrian safety at the
intersection of Greenleaf Street and Western Avenue. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board
will authorize staff to apply for $15,000 from the AARP Community Challenge Grant to purchase and
install a pedestrian walk signal at the intersection of Western Avenue and Greenleaf Street.
In a memorandum dated February 17, 2026 Town Clerk Hilary Fracnis discusses the First and Third
Class Liquor License Renewal applications for the Brattleboro Food Cooperative located at 2 Main
Street. Town staff have reviewed and recommend approval of these licenses. Representatives from
the Brattleboro Food Cooperative will be in the meeting to answer any questions should this item be
pulled from Consent. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve the First and Third
Class Liquor License renewals for the Brattleboro Food Cooperative located at 2 Main Street.
In a memorandum dated February 4, 2026, Interim Finance Director Bonnie Batchelder discusses the
Town’s RFP to find an Auditor, and a proposed contract for auditing services from Telling & Hillman of
Middlebury, Vermont. Included in the Board’s materials is a copy of the proposed contract. By
approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve a contract for auditing services with Telling &
Hillman of Middlebury, Vermont.
In a memorandum dated February 4, 2026, Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Evans discusses the
purchase of a replacement Police Cruiser 2 from MacMulkin Chevrolet in Nashua, NH. The
replacement, along with the upfit, will not cost more than the $89,000 budgeted for this purchase. By
approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve the purchase of Police Cruiser 2 from
MacMulkin Chevrolet of Nashua, NH for a price not to exceed $89,000.
In a memorandum dated February 13, 2026, Town Manager John Potter discusses the reappointment
of Eric Lineback to the Deerfield Valley Communications Union District (DV Fiber) Board for a one-year
term. Mr. Lineback served on the Board last year and has agreed to continue this work. Planning
Director Sue Fillion has agreed to be the alternate for this seat. By approving the Consent Agenda, the
Board will appoint Eric Lineback to the Deerfield Valley Communications Union District (DV Fiber)
Board for a one-year term and Sue Fillion as the alternate to the Deerfield Valley Communications
Union District (DV Fiber) Board for a one-year term.
In a memorandum dated February 17, 2026, Town Clerk Hilary Francis discusses a Special Event
Permit for the Brattleboro Luck Crawl to take place on March 12, 2026. This permit allows
manufacturers of spirits, malt or vinous beverages to sell by the glass or by unopened bottle during the
event. This includes five special events permits for the establishments listed in her memo. By
approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve the five special event permits outlined in Hilary
Francis’ memo, for the Brattleboro Luck Crawl to take place on March 12, 2026.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED.
9. REGULAR BUSINESS (6:35 PM)
Encampments Policy (6:35 PM)
Presentation by ACLU Vermont and Town Staff
In a memorandum dated February 12, 2026, Town Manager John Potter discusses the ACLU of Vermont’s proposed encampments policy and the Town’s proposed encampments policy. Included in the Board’s materials are documents from the ACLU of Vermont.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TBD.
Benchmarking Brattleboro’s General Fund Expenditures and Revenue Sources (7:20 PM)
Presentation by Town Staff
In a memorandum dated February 12, 2026, Town Manager John Potter analyzes Brattleboro’s FY25 municipal spending compared with similar regional hub communities across the country and discusses potential approaches to lower the municipal tax rate such as local sales taxes, fuel taxes, fees, and stronger state revenue-sharing.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.
FY26 2nd Quarter Financial Report (7:40 PM)
Presentation by Finance Staff
In a memorandum dated February 6, 2026, Interim Finance Director Bonnie Batchelder discusses the FY26 2nd Quarter Financial Report.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.
Quarterly Fire Department Update (8:10 PM)
Presentation by Fire Department Staff
In a memorandum dated February 17, 2026, Fire Chief Jay Symonds discusses the Quarterly Fire Department Update.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.
Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee Report Update (8:30 PM)
Presentation by Fire Department Staff
Included in the Board’s materials is a presentation from EMS Superintendent William Fritz discussing the Vermont Emergency Medical Systems Assessment.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.
Town Clerk’s Office Contingency Staffing Plan (9:00 PM)
Presentation by Town Clerk Staff
In a memorandum dated February 17, 2026, Town Clerk Hilary Francis discusses possible upcoming staffing shortages in her department and several possible contingency plans. The Town requests guidance from the Board on this matter.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TBA
