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Walking On The I-91 Bridge in Brattleboro

by cgrotke | Town News

A beautiful, clear, cold day in Brattleboro for a town field trip to the new I-91 bridge, for a rare chance to walk across the bridge before it is opened to traffic. Many people took advantage of the offer of free bus rides to the site, departing from the BUHS parking lot at regular intervals.

In Like A Lion Still Works

by cgrotke | Nature

We may be experiencing unusual temperatures at unusual times of the year, but March’s famed “In Like A Lion…” is holding true today, right on schedule. High winds are blowing about everything that is untethered in Brattleboro and southern Vermont.

Forum Follow-Up: Brandie Starr

by cgrotke | Politics

Questions remaining at the end of the Selectboard Candidate Forum on BCTV were sent to the candidates. Here are the answers from Brandie Starr, candidate for the one year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Melrose Structures Approved for Demolition, and Permits

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard was missing both their Chair and Town Manager, but efficiently managed their agenda at their regular meeting Tuesday night.

The board approved of most of their annual list liquor permits and polices, though two establishments have an additional hurdle before their licenses are granted. They also approved of demolition of four buildings at Melrose Terrace, the Strolling of the Heifers received event permits, and a debate over parking meters for the Stroll will occur at a later date.

Cruisers will get up-fits, Cultural Intrigue will get technology, and the Town will get servers.

iBrattleboro Turns 14

by cgrotke | iBrattleboro

Well, well. One day we’re sitting around planning a community news site and fourteen years later we’re looking back as if in a Talking Heads’ song. My god, what have we done?

Same as it ever was.

For fourteen years now, almost every day of our lives has had an extra layer to it – iBrattleboro.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – February 21, 2017

by cgrotke | Town News

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, the Brattleboro Selectboard will be approving purchases and permits.

The board will hear an update from the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition, get an update on the facilities projects, hear about town finances, and talk about demolition of part of Melrose Terrace. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Representative Town Meeting Article: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

by cgrotke | Politics

We hope you enjoy this interview with Rich Holshuh regarding a Representative Town Meeting article advising Brattleboro change to Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

What question would you like Brattleboro to vote on?

To simply change the holiday observed on the second Tuesday in October from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Why is this an issue for Brattleboro?

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Solar Agreement Approved, Sidewalk Plow In and Out of Action

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard took up a number of somewhat ordinary agenda items at their postponed regular meeting Monday evening. Facility updates, grants, certificates of mileage, parking lot contracts and other mundane matters were handled with ease. There was a minor TIF tiff, too.

The high points, perhaps, were discussions of solar net meter credits, the new energy coordinating volunteer position, and news that the most recent storm broke our sidewalk plow.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview: David Schoales

by cgrotke | Politics

We hope you enjoy this interview with David Schoales, candidate for Brattleboro Selectboard.

Which seat are you running for, and why do you want to be on the Selectboard again?

I am running for the three year seat and I want to serve a few more years to help assure the good progress we made over the past four years continues as new members gradually replace us.

Give us your stump speech/qualifications…

I’ve served on a day care board, health center board, land trust board, school boards, union boards- lots of experience working with others to get things done that will help my neighbors. I’m a good listener, a strong advocate, I love learning new stuff, and I care a lot about what happens to people.

Tractor Trailer Crash Closes I-91 South for 1.5 Hours

by cgrotke | Police & Fire

From the VT State Police report:

“SUMMARY OF CRASH: 

On 02/09/2017 at approximately 12:39 pm, members of the Vermont State Police (Westminster Station), VT DMV and the Brattleboro Fire Department responded to Interstate 91 (I91) in the Town of Brattleboro for a reported TT-Unit which had jackknifed and was blocking the southbound lane.  

Snow Day 2017

by cgrotke | Nature

This morning Brattleboro is being treated to a very nice snow storm. It’s a heavy, constant snow, covering up all the dirt and grime of the previous storm. For a moment, it looks like a calendar, or snow globe.

We’ve had four or five inches so far, and more is falling. Is the snow falling to the ground, or the ground rushing up to meet it?

When I first looked out this morning, I saw flakes that were hovering in mid-air over the street, just bouncing along at a height of about 8 feet with no intention of dropping. Others were choosing to drop, but a certain class of flakes would have nothing of it.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview: Davey Cadran

by cgrotke | Politics

We hope you enjoy this interview with Davey Cadran, candidate for the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Which seat are you running for, and why do you want to be on the Selectboard?

I am currently running for one of the two open one-year seats on the Selectboard. I previously ran for the Selectboard and I believe that some of the issues facing the town then are still facing us now. Particularly around economic development and a pro-business atmosphere. I have had several conversations with business owners in the community who feel that the town is either outwardly against their business or suffering a form of complacency. They actually want the government to do more. You don’t often hear that from business owners.

Give us your stump speech/qualifications…

Brattleboro is an incredible town that suffers from a lack of good middle-class jobs. Go out and find someone in their late 20’s in this town and ask them what they do for work. They will often tell you that they have to string along multiple jobs just to get by.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview: Tim Wessel

by cgrotke | Politics

We hope you enjoy this interview with Tim Wessel, candidate for the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Which seat are you running for, and why do you want to be on the Selectboard?

I’m running for a one-year seat. I feel that this is a good time for me to contribute to the town by serving the community that I have grown to love over the past 17 years of living in this area, and I think I can bring a good listening ear and solid judgment to the board.

Give us your stump speech/qualifications…

I offer voters a good balance between relative youth and a good amount of experience with town politics and board positions. I served for 11 years on the board of BCTV, and served as President for my final year. I was a town meeting representative for 6 years, and I also served on the BACC board for 5 years. I’m a local fiscal conservative, with the taxpayers’ concerns at the forefront of my mind, but I also recognize the need for some creative thinking and smart expenditures when it comes to new revenue sources and making Brattleboro affordable to all.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Notes – Town Meeting Warnings, Drinking Event Approved

by cgrotke | Town News

The FY18 municipal budget and related issues have been written up in the form of official meeting warnings, and have been approved by the Brattleboro Selectboard. This wraps up their recent FY18 budget discussions and prepares the town for March voting.

The board also approved of a special event permit for a downtown drinking and shopping event, learned of a farm expansion, and voted to send Peter Elwell to a meeting.