Selectboard Meeting Notes: Fire Department Computer Ransom Demand Ignored, Police Plans Approved

Brattleboro Fire Department computers were unintentionally encrypted and virtually “held hostage” by nefarious no-gooders, somewhere, demanding a ransom to unlock the impacted systems. The town did not give in to their demands, and the locked files are instead being re-created by staff.

Plans for the new police station were presented and approved, the Black Mountain sewer settlement began to be settled, public hearings lacked public participation, and more.

Preliminaries and Ransom

“School is back in session,” began Chair David Gartenstein.  “Drive safely.” He asked the public to be patient as the town completes work on roads.

Town Manager Peter Elwell reminded everyone that Friday is the deadline for public comment on the Comprehensive Review of Town Operations.

Elwell also announced that computers at the fire department had been “hacked” on August 22. He described the event as a “common intrusion” where nothing is taken but the files are encrypted. The computer displays a request for ransom to be paid to un-encrypt the data.

Elwell said after collaborating with the fire department, police department, and IT consultants, it was determined that the information that had been frozen could be recreated, and no ransom would need to be paid. “So we didn’t.”

Most of the information locked up by the event consisted of memos and reports, with only some sensitive firefighter employee information encrypted, reported Elwell. He said the good news was that there had been improvements in the town’s systems over the last few weeks, and everything is better protected than before. A new IT plan is also in the works.

For selectboard comments and committee reports, David Schoales reported that two budgets for the Windham Solid Waste Management District would be created. A preliminary budget showed some savings, but more details were desired regarding the possible elimination of the MRF.

Kate O’Connor was frustrated by not receiving the budget information earlier in the summer, as promised, so that the town could do better planning. Schoales and Elwell said that a lot of work has gone into gathering accurate information to make more informed decisions when budgets come around. Gartenstein alluded to executive session discussions regarding trash hauling contracts earlier in the summer that considered some alternatives under varying assessment models.

Elwell assured her that this year the board won’t be faced with “the same old options” regarding the WSWMD budget.

Dick DeGray thanked Scot Borofsky for Harmony Lot mural restoration.

John Allen noted a wedding event he was a part of, after which the guests expressed enjoying their time in Brattleboro. “It was remarkable to hear,” he said.

For those betting on whether there was any public participation, those betting  a crowd would turn out have lost their bets. There was no public participation.

New Assistant Fire Chief Swearing-In Ceremony

Brattleboro has a new Assistant Fire Chief. Leonard Howard III was sworn in to service by Annette Cappy in what was one of the most touching of swearing-in ceremonies in recent years, and possibly one of the last officiated by Cappy before retirement.

Almost the entire Brattleboro Fire Department came in uniform to show their support, applauding after he took his oath. Assistant Chief Howard’s wife, Becky, came forward to pin his new badge on his uniform. They kissed, there was more applause, and Assistant Chief Howard shook the hands of the assembled firefighters as they went out of the room and back to work.

Black Mountain Road Gravity Sewer Project – Final Change Order

“There goes our crowd,” said John Allen.

You may recall that the Town recently decided to settle a lawsuit over responsibility for delays and problems with a final stage of the Waste Water Treatment project – the installation of a money-saving, gravity-fed sewer line.

As a (hopefully) final action on the Black Mountain Gravity Sewer Project, the Brattleboro Selectboard approved of an additional $540,924.84 payment to Kingsbury Construction, signed a mutual release document, and took other actions to complete the settlement agreement with the company. 

The $540,925 gets added to a remaining balance of $184,075 for a total final payment of $725,000.

Town Manager Elwell said this was the first of three actions related to the settlement. The Town will also pay an additional $15,000 to pave the VFW parking lot, and $62,000 to remove the old pump station at Black Mountain Mobile Home Park. There will also be $11,000 in “expert fees” and other litigation costs related to the lawsuit.

Funds to cover these costs will come from previous project loans ($198,631), previous bond funds ($215,706), and from the fund balance in the Utility Fund ($398,663).

John Allen was a sole vote against the motion, which carried 4-1.

Police Fire Facilities Project Update

Town Manager Elwell reported that the state of the West Brattleboro Fire Station was good, with progress being made on the foundations. He said no unexpected issues had arisen.

“No latent conditions!” joked John Allen, making an inside reference to the contract language that snuck up on them with the Black Mountain sewer project.

Overall, everything else remained on track, Elwell reported. He encouraged the public to attend and participate in any of the upcoming meetings.

Architect Ray Giolitto then presented site and floor plans as well as building elevation drawings to the Brattleboro Selectboard for review. The plans have been approved by the oversight committee and will next be sent along to the Planning Commission for review.

Site-wise, he showed that some of the current pavement would be removed. An area for impounded vehicles will be added, surrounded by chain link fence. The grade will be adjusted in places to make it all even with the building. Post and beam fencing will be at the front of the property, and there will be signs indicating entryways and parking. Some of the parking will be for employees only, some will be for the public, and some will be for tenants.

Kate O’Connor asked if a push button door opener was considered. Giolitto said the state didn’t require it. O’Connor replied it might not be required, but it is appreciated, and it is an issue. She hoped the button be reconsidered. John Allen promised to bring it up at the next oversight committee meeting.

Inside the building, Giolitto continued, there would be a lobby area, an area for forms and records, and for transactions. There would be safe rooms, dispatch rooms, records storage and space for IT. Locker rooms, a conference area, administrative offices and a workout area were included. There was space for two sally ports, a breathalyzer area, rooms for interviews and processing, space for detectives, tactical gear storage, and evidence storage. “It’s a pretty straightforward linear layout.”

The area between the police station and the rental space (for the Reformer, for now) will be reinforced in places, and new entry and exit ways for the rental space will be added.

The sally ports (controlled entry, garage areas) share a way into the building, which was described as the most secure way to design them. At least one sally port will be large enough to fit an ambulance.

New dispatch equipment is part of the project, but the architect is only working on making sure vendors can hook it all up, not the equipment itself.

There is some possibility that a carport-type roof might be added over the parked police cars, to protect the cars from the elements. This will be decided later, if there are enough contingency funds to pay for it.

Giolitto began to show the building elevations when John Allen reported a problem. “Kate has a problem with…”

“It’s weird that the locker rooms are in the middle, by the chief’s room,” admitted O’Connor.

“She’s been on this for the last 10 minutes,” said Allen.

O’Connor said it was just an observation, and nothing could be done, but was clearly bothered that while official police business was being conducted there might be people walking around in their workout wear.

“Close every beach in America,” said Allen, ribbing her further.

Elwell said there had been an earlier design with detectives, instead of locker rooms, being near the chief, but this newer design flow was preferred by the department.

Giolitto continued discussing the elevations he was now showing. “We’re keeping the roof,” he began. He said there would be new, square windows mounted higher “for security,” and the entry way will get new glass and framing. he estimated the current roof could last 25 years and the front entry roof was in good enough shape for the time being.

O’Connor cautioned them to look at the parking lot after a heavy rain. “It turns in to a lake.”

The number of accessible parking spaces is still under consideration. There will be signs on Putney Road and Black Mountain Road directing people to the station.

These plans were approved by the selectboard.

Town Health Officer Appointment

Newly-appointed Assistant Fire Chief Leonard Howard III had his job description expanded. He’s been appointed as a Town Health Officer, retroactively effective as of September 1st, 2016. 

He replaces Brian Bannon and Catherine Barrows, temporarily on the job from August 26, who had been delegated by Selectboard Chair David Gartenstein. Gartenstein was appointed by default when Town Health Officer Peter Lynch resigned to take a new job at a state agency, and served just long enough to delegate duties to Bannon and Barrows.

Gartenstein’s fellow board members seemed surprised and amused that Mr. Gartenstein had been the Health Officer. 

John Allen joked that board members could keep him in the position. “We should all vote no (against the appointment of Howard), just for the heck of it…”

Survey for Minshall Street Trail

The Brattleboro Selectboard recently considered and approved of a request to change Minshall Street (near Canal and Birge) from a road to a trail. To do so will require a survey of the street to determine the public right of way, and the property lines of abutters.

Town Manager Peter Elwell said that Town Attorney Bob Fisher had requested the survey, for clarity and to help prevent future disputes over property lines.

Second Reading and Public Hearing –  Parking Ordinance

With very little public input, Public Hearings have become somewhat of a paperwork formality rather than a public discussion of any agenda item. The hearing is opened, no public is present or participates, and the hearing is closed. Tonight there were two of them, back to back.

The first sans-public hearing was in regard to parking and no parking spaces, clearing up confusions on Canal, Oak, Chestnut, Hillwinds, Meetinghouse Lane, New England Drive, Timber Lane, and one space in front of the library.

The changes were approved and will go into effect November 5 unless there is a petition to challenge the decision.

Second Reading and Public Hearing –  Mobile Home and Trailer Park Ordinance

The second public hearing without the public (they were invited!) was held to consider a repeal of ordinances related to mobile homes and trailer parks. Local ordinances are now covered by both state laws and by Brattleboro’s new Land Use Regulations, making these older rules merely historical at this point. Also, obsolete.

The repeal was approved and will go into effect November 5 unless there is a petition to challenge the decision.

Vermont Municipal Employees Retirement System Plan B Compensation Acknowledgement

The Town must report employee compensation to the state retirement fund. This helps in the calculation of retirement benefits.

“This is part of a large number of things we’re doing as part of the transition to the defined benefit system,” said Elwell. He explained that this is a formal acknowledgment that more than just base salary will determine pensions.

The Brattleboro Selectboard complied with acknowledging that total compensation of employees, including all taxable earnings and overtime, will be reported to the Vermont Municipal Employees Retirement System.

Vermont League of Cities & Towns Annual Meeting Delegate

Town Manager Peter Elwell was appointed by the Brattleboro Selectboard to be the voting delegate to the VLCT Annual Town Fair and business meeting. It will be held October 5 and 6 at the Champlain Valley Exposition Centre.

Committee Appointments

Timothy Maciel was appointed to the Conservation Commission for four years.

Bethany Ranquist was appointed to a three year seat on the Recreation & Parks board.

Leo Schiff was appointed to a two year term on the Traffic Safety Committee.

Other

Louis Bruso of the Windham Solid Waste Management District sent a note to the town that the solar project at the landfill is “back on track,” and that they are looking to the town to become a “subscriber” to obtain lower cost electricity for a 20 year term. Sky Solar of Hong Kong and Encore Renewable Energy of Burlington, VT are financing and developing the project.