Municipal EMS potential revenues will be open for limited discussion at the next Brattleboro Selectboard meeting. The board begins their official EMS decision making process, which they continue to call a “Fire-EMS transition,” and will ask potential 3rd party EMS contractors to give the town information. They’ll also announce a new project website, a new taxpayer-sponsored and government-generated news program, and an email address!
The board will also discuss emergency housing, cemetery changes, and a new plan to fix the I-91 pile of rust… er,. bridge at Exit 1.
You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation, if the Chair doesn’t read your mind and forbid you from speaking on issues he doesn’t want discussed.
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The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 5:30pm and is expected to enter immediately into executive session to discuss contracts and labor relations agreements with employees. The Selectboard will reconvene the business part of the meeting at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center at 230 Main Street. The public may also participate in the meeting over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
Jessica Sticklor (she/her/hers)
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street, Suite 208
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251 – 8115
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BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023
SELECTBOARD MEETING ROOM + ZOOM
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:30 PM
REGULAR MEETING – 6:15 PM
The physical location for this meeting will be the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center at
230 Main Street.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
(*6 Mute/Unmute – *9 Raise Hand)
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1079
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-1079-livestream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
AGENDA
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
(please note that all times are approximate)
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING (6:15 PM)
2. APPROVE MINUTES – May 2, 2023
3. CHAIR’S REMARKS
4. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
5. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (6:25 PM)
7. CONSENT AGENDA (6:40 PM)
A. The Good Spot Annual Entertainment License – Approve
B. Retreat Farm Second Class Liquor License – Approve
C. Local Emergency Response Plan – Approve
D. Vermont Food Bank Grant – Authorize Application
E. Financial Report – Accept Report
F. Financial Management Questionnaire and Internal Controls
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (6:45 PM)
A. Cemetery Ordinance Change – Second Reading and Possible Adoption
9. NEW BUSINESS (6:55 PM)
A. VTrans Project Informational Meeting for I-91 Bridges Rehabilitation, Exit 1 (6:55 PM)
B. EMS Update – Accept Report (7:35 PM)
C. Fire-EMS Transition – Discussion (7:45 PM)
(i) Engagement Improvements – Project Website, Project Email, and Podcast
(ii) Review Draft Request for Information (RFI) from Potential Third-Party EMS
Contractors
(iii) Initial Analysis of Potential Revenues with a Municipal EMS Approach
D. Emergency Housing Response Team – Discussion (8:55 PM)
10. CORRESPONDENCE/FYI
A. Warrants and Department Reports
11. MEETINGS
See Town Calendar
12. ADJOURNMENT (9:15 PM)
….
MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: John Potter, Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: May 12, 2023
———————————————————————————————————————————–
The following will summarize the proposed motions for the regular Selectboard meeting on
Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Board will convene the regular meeting at 6:15pm in the Selectboard
Meeting Room and on Zoom. All times listed below are approximate, and interested parties should
monitor the meeting if they do not want to miss an agenda item.
Join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
(use *6 to Mute/Unmute, *9 to raise Hand)
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1079
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-1079-livestream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
7. CONSENT AGENDA (6:40 PM)
A. The Good Spot Annual Entertainment License – Approve
B. Retreat Farm Second Class Liquor License – Approve
C. Local Emergency Response Plan – Approve
D. Vermont Food Bank Grant – Authorize Application
E. Financial Report and Financial Management Questionnaire and Internal Controls – Accept Report
F. Financial Management Questionnaire and Internal Controls – Authorize Response
In a memorandum dated May 16, 2023, Town Clerk Hilary Francis explains that The Good Spot located at 580 Canal Street is seeking approval of an Annual Entertainment License to hold indoor events at their location between the hours of 12:00pm and 9:00pm, with an estimated 50 attendees. They do not intend to serve alcohol at these events. Town Staff have reviewed this application and recommend approval. Chris Thomas from the Good Spot will be present to answer any of the Board’s questions, if removed from consent.
In a memorandum dated May 16, 2023 Town Clerk Hilary Francis explains that the Retreat Farm LTD, located at 45 Farmhouse Square, is seeking a Second-Class Liquor License. Town staff has reviewed the application and recommends its approval. Ms. Crowell will be present at the Selectboard Meeting to address any questions the Board might have, if removed from consent.
Vermont Emergency Management requires municipalities to annually submit a Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP). The Board is asked to adopt the 2023 Brattleboro LEMP and to authorize the Town Manager to certify that the Town’s LEMP has been duly adopted by the Board. A copy of the Town’s 2023 LEMP is included in the Board’s backup materials, along with a memorandum dated May 2, 2023 from Fire Chief Leonard Howard III that summarizes this year’s LEMP update.
In a memorandum dated May 5, 2023 Library Director Starr LaTronica and Sustainability Coordinator Stephen Dotson request approval to apply for Vermont Food Bank Funds in the amount of $19.900 to establish an equipment collection to support food cultivation and preparation. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Selectboard will authorize the application for a Vermont Food Bank Funds Grant to continue the operation of an equipment collection to support food cultivation, preparation, and assessment of the food/farm system.
In a memorandum dated May 4, 2023, Town Finance Director Kimberly Frost discusses the monthly financial report for April 2023.
In a memorandum dated May 8, 2023, Finance Director Kimberly Frost discusses the Financial Management Questionnaire and Internal Controls Checklist. There were no changes to the responses that were provided to the Board on the 2022 Financial Management Questionnaire. The 2022 Municipal Checklist for Internal Controls was updated to reflect the new Treasurer as a bank signatory. Included in the Board’s backup materials are the Financial Management Questionnaire and the Internal Controls Checklist. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will authorize the Chair to sign the (1) Financial Management Questionnaire – towns and cities, (2) Municipal Checklist for Internal Control – Part I, cash controls, and (3) Municipal Checklist for Internal Control – Part II, other controls, as required by the State of Vermont and the Town’s auditors.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (6:45 PM)
A. Cemetery Ordinance Change – Second Reading and Possible Adoption
The Selectboard is asked to conduct a second reading to possibly adopt the proposed amendments to Chapter 19 of the Code of Ordinances: Brattleboro Cemetery Ordinance, Article 3: Rules of Operation, Section 19-8: Purchase and Payment of Plots and Lots, and Section 19-9: Burial Site.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS TO THE BRATTLEBORO CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 19 BRATTLEBORO CEMETERY ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 3: RULES OF OPERATION, SECTION 19-8: PURCHASE AND PAYMENT OF PLOTS AND LOTS, AND SECTION 19-9; BURIAL SITE, AS PRESENTED.
9. NEW BUSINESS (6:55 PM)
A. VTrans Project Informational Meeting for I-91 Bridges Rehabilitation, Exit 1 (6:55 PM)
In a memorandum dated May 16, 2023, Town Manager John Potter informs the Board that Robert Klinefelter from the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will be in the meeting to discuss the I-91 Bridges Rehabilitation project for I-91 Bridges 4N and 4S over Route 5 (Canal Street) at Exit 1. Mr. Klinefelter will provide a presentation to the Board that covers the existing conditions of the bridges, details of the rehabilitation work, a project schedule, and planned traffic control during the construction.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS ITEM.
B. EMS Update (7:35 PM)
In a memorandum dated May 8, 2023, Assistant Fire Chief Charles Keir discusses the EMS Update for April 2023.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ACCEPT THE EMS UPDATE REPORT, AS PRESENTED.
C. Fire-EMS Transition – Discussion (7:45 PM)
(i) Engagement Improvements – Project Website, Project Email, and Podcast
(ii) Review Draft Request for Information (RFI) from Potential Third-Party EMS Contractors
(iii) Initial Analysis of Potential Revenues with a Municipal EMS Approach
In a memorandum dated May 12, 2023, Town Manager John Potter discusses the Fire- EMS transition including engagement enhancements to emphasize and invite further public input, the DRAFT Request for Information for potential third-party EMS contractors, and an initial analysis of potential revenues with a municipal EMS approach. Included in the Selectboard’s materials are a DRAFT Request for Information for potential third-party EMS providers and the May 16, 2023 staff presentation on Municipal EMS Revenue Projections.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS ITEM.
D. Emergency Housing Response Team – Discussion (8:55 PM)
In a memorandum dated May 12, 2023, Town Manager John Potter says that there are currently 179 households in Brattleboro (around 270 people) using vouchers through the State’s Emergency Housing Hotel Voucher Program, which is set to be discontinued as of June 1, 2023 and July 1, 2023. Potter discusses some issues that may arise for the Town when the program is discontinued. He informs the Board that Town staff has been in communication with Agency of Human Services staff and have created a strategic crisis response team made up of public and private organizations to help the community coordinate as this emergency housing program reduces its scope. Town staff are also coordinating internally to define and improve response capabilities for potential impacts to the Town. Staff plan to bring regular updates to the Selectboard at upcoming meetings.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ACCEPT THE TOWN STAFF’S RESPONSE PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING CHANGES TO THE STATE’S EMERGENCY HOUSING PROGRAM, AS PRESENTED.
EMS
Snipped from the back up materials on the EMS RFI. I look forward to seeing how many responses they get since they seemed to think so many “vendors” and they do use that term may be interesting in providing service.
“Staff proposes to broadly circulate the RFI to local and regional vendors. The plan is to email the
RFI directly to a list of eighty-two potential EMS providers, mostly in Vermont, but also including
those nearby in New Hampshire and western Massachusetts. Notifications will be sent to the
Health-EMS Departments for the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New
York.”
From the RFI itself:
“8. Would you need access to dispatching services from Brattleboro Central Dispatch?”
That should be, “8. Would you need access to dispatching services from Brattleboro Central Dispatch at the cost to you of $48,000 a year?”