cgrotke

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Dick DeGray

by cgrotke | Politics

Richard “Dick” DeGray is running for a three year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

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Introduce yourself – who are you and why are you running?

My name on the ballot will be Richard Dick DeGray. Many of you know me as the Flower Guy, something I take great pride in doing for our community. I have been active for over thirty years in our community. RTM rep, former BUHS board member and most importantly former eight-year select board member. Several of those years serving as vice chair and chair. I am running for a couple of reasons: first, no one challenged any of the incumbents in last year’s election. I don’t think that is healthy for the town. The other is the way Rescue/ BFF was handled, along with safety issues in our town.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: A Dream

by cgrotke | Town News

Hi all. It’s a selectboard meeting night and usually I’d willingly volunteer to sit through the 3-4 hour thing and type up everything everyone has to say. It’s a bit hard for me to do tonight, though. I’m tired, slightly injured, and would rather tell you about a dream I had about the selectboard. It’s a good one!

I’m tired because I just got back from a weekend in Buffalo, cleaning out the family home of 80+ years. It was built by my grandparents, was the first place I was taken after being born, the site of many a Christmas and visit,  as well as family weddings, births, Thanksgiving dinners and more. 

Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – February 2023

by cgrotke | Health

Here’s the February 2023 dashboard summary. We continue semi-regular COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro, as long as they continue providing them.  Scroll down the new comments for the latest.

Vermont and MA have very limited looks at what are going on these days, with weekly snapshots. NH attempts daily updates but doesn’t always give new totals, and didn’t update at all at the end of January.

Brattleboro 2023 Selectboard and School Board Candidates

by cgrotke | Politics

Selectboard and school board candidates in Brattleboro have collected their signatures and campaigns are getting underway.

For the Selectboard 3 year seat, Dick DeGray will be running against Liz McLoughlin. Voters can elect one.

For the Selectboard 1 year seat, Spoon Agave, Peter Case, Jessica Gelter, Franz Reichsman and Samuel Stevens have all declared themselves as candidates. Voters can elect two.

Governor Scott’s FY24 Budget Address (Full Text)

by cgrotke | State News

Vermont Governor Phil Scott gave his FY24 Budget Address. In it, he explained the enormous cash infusion coming our way from the Federal government, and what he thought would be the best way to handle all the money.

A full transcript of Governor Scott’s address is included below:

“Mr. President, Madam Speaker, Mr. Pro Tem, members of the General Assembly, and fellow Vermonters:

Two weeks ago, I asked that we focus on the fundamentals in order to seize upon the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity we have before us.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Public Restrooms Desired, But Where To Put Them?

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard jan 19 2023

Public restrooms were a major topic of discussion for the board at the regular Tuesday meeting. Nothing, of course, was decided. The board also allowed the Assessors ask Representative Town Meeting Representatives to agree to a town-wide re-appraisal of taxable properties.

There were financial and EMS updates, and a discussion of further revising meeting agenda formats to reflect anticipated times of agenda items. (Good luck with that… says this reporter.)

iBrattleboro Interview: John R. Potter

by cgrotke | Town News
John R. Potter

We took some time to ask Brattleboro’s new Town Manager, John Potter, a few questions about his return to New England and thoughts about the town and his new job.
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Welcome to Brattleboro!  It’s always fun to catalog initial impressions.  When you look around Brattleboro, what do you see and how does it look  to you?

The last time I was in Brattleboro before interviewing for the Town Manager position was around thirty years ago when I came to town to buy a couple of draft horses for a woodlot operation I was running in Massachusetts. When returning this winter, the town looks very similar to what I remembered from years ago — a classic Vermont river town with kind and welcoming people who really care about their community.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda & Notes – January 17, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will take an almost-final look at the proposed FY24 budget at their next regular meeting. Items of interest – the FY23 budget may be overspent, the Town Attorney gets a raise to $120,563, construction of some sort of public bathrooms might get approved, and more.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Vermont Governor Scott’s Inaugural Address – Full Text

by cgrotke | Politics

Governor Scott was sworn-in again today and gave the following address to kick off his new term.

“Madam Speaker, Mr. President, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the General Assembly, Honored Guests, and fellow Vermonters.

I am truly thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve as governor.

And after a few long years, it is good to be back in the people’s house, where Vermonters have come together from across the state in our darkest times and finest hours to solve problems for their communities and help their neighbors.

So today, I am especially grateful we are here, in this building, together.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – In-Person Representative Town Meeting, Alcohol Rules Relaxed

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard jan 3 2023

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their first regular meeting of the new year, and new Town Manager John Potter was on hand to answer questions and advise the board.

They discussed changes to the liquor license application requirements, backing off a previous BAPC suggestion that hasn’t had the desired results. They also had an extended discussion about the type of Representative Town meeting to hold this year, and heard from the public about homeless people and cold weather.

Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – January 2023

by cgrotke | Health

Here’s the January 2023 dashboard summary. We continue semi-regular COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro, as long as they continue providing them.  Scroll down the new comments for the latest.

Vermont and MA have very limited looks at what are going on these days, with weekly snapshots. NH attempts daily updates but doesn’t always give new totals. We continue to try…. : )

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Winter 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

Another edition of “Noticed” where you can make note of little things you’ve seen in and around Brattleboro. 

Retreat Meadows had ice before xmas, but it has warmed up and skaters are being warned to stay off.
Theory Wellness opened up.
Goodwill opened up.
Add your observations below. (And thanks!)

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – January 3, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

The format for the next Representative Town Meeting – in-person, online, or hybrid – will be up for discussion at the Brattleoro Selectboard’s first regular meeting of 2023.  They will also revise the liquor license process and review flagged items on their FY24 General Fund budget list.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation throughout the New Year!

Selectboard Meeting Notes – AP Triton Brattleboro EMS Report Presentation

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their final regular meeting of 2022, taking up issues of finance, cannabis, and EMS services. The AP Triton report gave the board four options of EMS services. The top recommendation of the consultants, though, was to get Brattleboro Fire Department up to national performance standards asap.

The board also heard a well argued critique of their recent police budget discussions.

Brattleboro EMS Feasibility Report Available

by cgrotke | Police & Fire

The AP Triton EMS Feasibility Report is available:

https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/Sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/Brattleboro_FD_EMS_Study_(FINAL).pdf

As expected it presents four options for possible EMS services going forth:

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 20, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

The AP Triton EMS Feasibility Study and its (expected) four options for Brattleboro EMS services will be made available for the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.

The board will also look at financial statements and audits, appoint members to the Charter Review Commission, and more.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Town Manager Contract Details

by cgrotke | Town News

Amidst all the hoopla and excitement of a contract with a new Town Manager at the Selectboard meeting Tuesday night, the board neglected to inform the public of any details of the contract.

Here’s your quick overview:

$120k salary
$5k for transportation
10 sick days

Selectboard Meeting Notes – McNeills, Budgets, and Park Planning

by cgrotke | Town News
new tm john potter signs contract

A long night of budget talk, with nods to McNeill’s. Plus, Interim Town Manager Patrick Moreland admits he  forgot to add in repayment of a bond in the preliminary budget.

Should we fill more potholes? Should we build a year-round pool? Will homes get re-assessed soon? Is it called global warming?  These are the issues of the day.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – December 6, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will continue their journey through the FY24 budget planning season at their next regular meeting. In this installment, they will hear from the DPW, Assessors, and Rec & Parks departments with a special mention of the Living Memorial Park project financing.

The board will approve the contract with new Town Manager John Potter and will discuss ARPA funds, Fossil Free Facility Funds, and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation. Another reminder: you can run for office to become a member of the Selectboard. Contact the Town Clerk for details.