cgrotke

Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – December 2022

by cgrotke | Health

Here’s the December 2022 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 attempt daily updates but doesn’t always give new totals. We continue to try…. : )

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – November 15, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will discuss cost increases, delays, and supply chain issues at the Water Treatment Plant at their next regular meeting. This is in addition to kicking off budget season in earnest, with an overview of the FY24 General Fund Budget, revenue, and capital project and equipment expenses.

They will consider free parking for Holly Days, hear the annual presentation from the downtown alliance, and learn about marketing initiatives. The board will also cross into school matters as they take up the issue of appointing a new member to the WSESU board. You can, as always, bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Unofficial Election Results November 2022

by cgrotke | Politics

Here are the unofficial Brattleboro election results from Town Clerk Hilary Francis.

“These are the results from the ballot tallies, not including write-in votes, and not including other towns’ results.

Thanks to the amazing poll workers and the American Legion who made today possible! Considering our number of absentee voters, we had a lot of voters coming through the doors, and high voter participation for a mid-term General. The day was smooth and safe!”

Musking and Moderating

by cgrotke | iBrattleboro

Oh, Elon.

Running a community-based site isn’t easy. Take it from us. We were among the first to try the experiment of letting people speak freely online, right here in Brattleboro twenty years ago. We could teach you a lot and save you a lot of time.

Elon Musk is going to go through a sharp learning curve., as we know from experience and Mike Masnik at TechDirt points out in a great article: “Hey Elon: Let Me Help You Speed Run The Content Moderation Learning Curve”

Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – November 2022

by cgrotke | Health

It is time for the November 2022 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 attempt daily updates but doesn’t always give new totals. We continue to try…. : )

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Brattleboro Discusses Downtown Crime

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard nov 1 2022

Quite a few business and organization directors had harsh words for the Brattleboro Selectboard regarding downtown crimes, especially at the Transportation Center. Almost all mentioned break-ins or thefts, and quite a few reminded the board that the Transportation Center is town-owned and municipally- controlled. In other words – it’s your problem.

After many hours, the board voted to get price quotes on a new camera system for the Transportation Center, and possible consider some other steps, maybe, after we do a timeline and budget season is coming up, y’know. Can’t promise anything, but we feel your pain.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – November 1, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

Camera options for the parking garage will be up for discussion at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. The Interim Town Manager has some preliminary cost estimates for them to review.

The board will hear from SeVEDS, get an update on EMS services, pass those bike ordinance changes, buy winter fuel, talk about ARPA fund spending rules, and consider a 6.7% increase in health insurance premiums. They’ll also kick off FY24 budget season with a look at revenue and expenses in the General Fund. Quite possibly they’ll talk of postponing some of these items when the meeting runs on too long. You can make the meeting longer by bringing up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – AP Triton, Charter Commission, and Bikes

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard october 18, 2022

The new bike ordinance was almost adopted by the Brattleboro Selectboard, but it looked strange upon a second review, and was delayed until the next meeting.

Reps from AP Triton said they, too, would not be giving much weight to community input gather by their own community survey on EMS feasibility. They will present four options, but not a preferred choice, and will leave it to the board to come to their own conclusions. They are also 75% done with their work, but would love to hear from the public at their Wednesday night meeting.

The board bought their simulation machine, and started a Charter Review Commission at the last moment possible, despite earlier requests to get the process going multiple times in the past few years.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 18, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will approve the purchase of a simulation machine at their next regular meeting.

They’ll also update the bike section of the Code of Ordinances, hear a presentation on preliminary findings of feasibility of a Fire/EMS service within the Brattleboro Fire Department, and will begin a Charter review process. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Domestic Violence Resolution Adopted

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard oct 11 2022

The Brattleboro Selectboard adopted a resolution recognizing freedom from domestic violence as a human right. They heard a presentation and had a discussion about the impact and effects of domestic violence in the community, and talked about making changes to end it. Men were encouraged to get involved.

The board was also zoom-bombed a few times, which hadn’t happened in a while. They bought police equipment, heard about changes to bike regulations, and got more questions about EMS in Brattleboro.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 11, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will purchase almost $24,000 worth of 9mm pistols at their next regular meeting.

The board will also discuss a domestic violence resolution, extend a loan to Metalarts, begin modification of the Code of Ordinances regarding bicycles,  and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – October 2022

by cgrotke | Health

It is time for the October 2022 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 attempt daily updates but doesn’t always give new totals. We try…. : )

MuseArts Turns 25 Years Old

by cgrotke | Business

A bit of business news here. MuseArts, Inc., our web design company, has now been in business over 25 years. Lise and I started doing professional web design in September of 1997.

How daring was that? There was no Google, nor RSS, Craigslist, Mozilla, YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter when we started.

One of the first things we decided was that we’d do work for other people, but also for ourselves. This would allow us to have some things we owned and controlled, have some fun, but also gave us a way to experiment with things that people weren’t necessarily paying us to do.

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Fall 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

Time once again to make note of the little things you have noticed around town, not quite worthy of a full story but very qualified for a mention of interest.

What have you noticed?

RT 30 paving materials seem to be being accumulated near the Humane Society.
New High Street Mural – seems to be coming together…
New roadwork for behind the Estey buildings…

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – Agenda and Notes – September 20, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will approve a $50,000 annual increase in fees to Golden Cross at their next regular meeting. This will cover a 3rd ambulance and a second full time AEMT provider.

The board will also discuss a “Declaration of Inclusion,” authorize sewer repairs, continue with committee appointments. You can, additionally, bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – DV Fiber Presentation

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard Sept 6 2022

The Brattleboro Selectboard got into a rather detailed discussion of DV Fiber’s plans to provide high speed internet throughout southeastern Vermont. It stated out as a simple request for some closet space, but expanded into a description of the network and coming plans for service.

The board also approved a grant application for housing assistance and accepted a grant for bike paths.

Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – September 2022

by cgrotke | Health

It is time for the September 2022 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 attempt daily updates but doesn’t always give new totals. We try…. : )