cgrotke

Selectboard Meeting Notes – FY22 Parking and Utility Funds, Paving, and the Whetstone Path

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro selectboard meeting

The Brattleboro Selectboard heard the sad tale of the Parking Fund and its many losses over the previous, current, and probably future year at Tuesday’s meeting. Estimates for the coming year are just guesses. One of the hardest financial discussions ever, the Town Manager told the board.

Everything else, however, went smoothly. The Utilities Fund is pretty much as it was before. New paving projects have been approved. Winston-Prouty got a liquor license (for a single event for grown ups, ahem…), and more. No public participation, either. “A return to normal,” your reporter snarks snarkily.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – May 4, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

At the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard they will discuss two proposed budgets – the FY22 Utilities Fund budget, the FY22 Parking Fund budget – approve emergency repairs for the Whetstone Pathway, review plans for summer paving, and more.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation. And of course, May the 4th be with you.

Elliot Street Cats

by cgrotke | Pets

The Windham County Humane Society had this story in their most recent newsletter. Interesting project regarding the community cats of Elliot Street in downtown Brattleboro.

When we received a call from Brattleboro Animal Control Officer Cathy Barrows about a colony of community cats, we got straight to work. The first request from the property owner was that we come trap all of the cats and move them. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of people clamoring for cats that you can’t touch and who won’t sit in your lap.

Brattleboro’s Academy School Building Renovations Vote May 11

by cgrotke | Education

The Windham Southeast School District wants to know if you’d like to spend an extra $2 million. The money would be spent on renovations to the Academy School in Brattleboro, grades K-6. The vote is called for everyone in the school district – Putney, Guilford, Dummerston, and Brattleboro.

If you’ve been following Wendy Levy’s meeting minutes for the school meetings, you already know all about the renovations, which include an addition to the building and updates to “student learning environments.”

Selectboard Meeting Notes – The Gods & Goddesses Say No

by cgrotke | Town News

I was all set to do the usual insane typing of what is said at the Brattleboro Selectboard but at 6 pm our power went out.  It’s now 8:30 and things have just come back on here at HQ.

The Gods and Goddesses of Typing Up Selectboard Meetings have spoken, and I will obey their wishes. I will also go make an offering of some sort. (Any suggestions?)

We’ll see if they let me cover the next meeting.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – April 20, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

A new “Fossil Fuel Free Facilities Fund” will be up for discussion at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. The 5F is intended to set aside money each year to help cover costs to the Town of switching away from fossil fuels. The latest revision, by Sustainability Coordinator Stephen Dotson, sets out the purpose and operation of the new fund.

Planning Services Director Sue Fillion will join the meeting to provide an update on the Tri-Park Master Plan, the updated Local Emergency Management Plan will be adopted, the board will continue to discuss their goals for the new year, some financial matters will be dealth with, and more. You can always bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Royal Brush

by cgrotke | Other

When I was a wee lad in Chicago, my parents took me to a parade and Prince Philip waved to me. I have no recollection of it, but I now claim it as a close personal connection. I must, then, say goodbye to my close personal friend, the Duke.  : )

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Elwell To Retire, Brattleboro To Receive $3.3 Million

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard april 6

It was the first April meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard, the first meeting with Elizabeth McLoughlin as Chair, the first time Congressman Peter Welch has told Brattleboro about $3.3 million on the way, and the first time we learn of Town Manager Peter Elwell’s planned retirement at the end of the year.

Much discussion, though, was about goals for the coming year.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes + Special Guest

by cgrotke | Town News

Congressman Peter Welch will be a special guest at the Brattleboro Selectboard’s next regular meeting. He’ll be joining to discuss the stimulus package and other issues.

Otherwise, it is a rather standard meeting agenda, with lots of usual set-up and orientation for the new board, reviewing RTM actions, and appointing people to various positions and committees. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Spring 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

What have you noticed this spring in and around Brattleboro?

Outlet Center renovations are coming along nicely. Looks like we get one of those official “outlet center cupolas” at the corner, too. Look out, Manchester.
Potholes are big enough for small families to inhabit.
Fiber optic cables being strung all over the place.

Occasional Robot Round-Up – March 2021

by cgrotke | Sci-Tech

We haven’t done one of these in a while. What’s up with our robot overlords?

It seems as if it is a given, now, that robots can walk, fly, swim, drive, crawl, and otherwise move freely about. It looks like robot research is now moving into more subtle forms of communication and action.

Brattleboro Selectboard: McLoughlin Becomes Chair, Gelter Joins Board

by cgrotke | Town News

Town Clerk Hilary Francis swore in newly-elected members of the Brattleboro Selectboard Monday evening.

Ian Goodnow, Daniel Quipp, and new member Jessica Gelter took their oath of office and joined Tim Wessel and Elizabeth McLoughlin to form the next selectboard.  New signed Oaths of Office will be arranged at a later date.

They all affirmed that they will faithfully execute the duties of selectboard member for the Town of Brattleboro, doing equal rights and justice to all people, in the best of their judgement and ability, according to law under the pain and penalties of perjury.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Whetstone Woes, WRC Wows, and Playgrounds

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro Selectboard march 16 2021

Water leaks and collapsing walls were part of  the first post-Daylight Savings Time regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.  The Department of Public Works reported on a couple of recent and ongoing emergency repairs downtown involving water.

The board heard an update on the work of the Windham Regional Commission, found out more about how poorly parking revenues are going this year, hired a company to do cemetery maintenance, and purchased some new playground equipment. And board members said goodbye to Brandie Starr and Jan Anderson, thanking them for their service.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – March 16, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

Playground equipment, cemetery maintenance, and Representative Town meeting loose ends will be on the agenda for the next regular meeting for the Brattleboro Selectboard.

The board will also buy an insertion valve, hear updates on recent projects at the Windham Regional Commission, and appoint a new health officer, WRC delegates, and committee members.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Should Try A Warrant Committee

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting members should try an experiment. The body should form a Warrant Committee for a trial period of one year and see how it goes.

What’s a Warrant Committee? 

When Bob Gannett brought Representative Town Meeting to Brattleboro, his experience with it began in Milton, MA. And in Milton, Town Meeting Representatives have a much bigger role in setting the agenda and budget to be voted on. Representatives elect a 15 person Warrant Committee to decide what articles will be warned.

Brattleboro Official Election Results March 2, 2021

by cgrotke | Politics

Here are the official results:

….

Annual Town Meeting

MARCH 2, 2021

Pursuant to the Annual Town Meeting Warning recorded in Town Records Book 21, page 332 the polls were declared open at 7:00 A.M. in the three polling places. The polling places are stated in the Warning. At 6:55 P.M. the Town Clerk warned that the polls would close in 5 minutes. At 7:00 P.M. the polls were declared closed. After declaring the polls closed tally sheets from the Accu-Vote ballot tabulator used to record results of the Meeting were printed. The “unofficial” returns were then announced at the polling places. Ballot summaries were compiled by the Town Clerk and evening election workers.