PAYT Bags, FY27 and a Town Policy on encampments are all planned for the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard – the first of the new year.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 212) and over Zoom. Prior to the meeting, at 5:30pm, the Selectboard will convene and is expected to enter immediately into executive session to discuss contracts. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” Closed captioning will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members. The backup materials for this meeting will be available on the town website by the end of the day.
Jessica Sticklor (she/her/hers)
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street, Suite 208
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251 – 8115
* Please note that all correspondence with Town staff is part of the public record and may be shared with others.
…
BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026
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.
Selectboard Meeting materials can be found on the Town’s website, Brattleboro.gov/Selectboard.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use the link below.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81564656649?pwd=hX9AZJbP203lT4d2bwZv1qPCeLHRbS.1
Meeting ID: 815 6465 6649
Passcode: 529415
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV.
Cable TV: Channel 1079
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/live/gov-ed-channel/
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
AGENDA
(please note that all times indicated are approximate)
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING (6:15 PM)
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA
3. APPROVE MINUTES – December 16 and December 22, 2025
4. CHAIR’S REMARKS
5. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
6. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (6:25 PM)
8. CONSENT AGENDA (6:30 PM)
A. Naming of the Food Forest at 805 Western Avenue
B. Church Street Retaining Wall – Approve $13,100 Engineering
C. J & K Store Tobacco Substitute Endorsement – Approval
D. Homelessness Awareness/Action Day Parade Permit – Approval
E. 2026 Tree Board Grant Request – Approval
F. Ratify WWTP Pump Replacement – Ratify $37,600 Replacement
G. Replace Roof Top Unit at Central Station – Approve Contract
H. Sunset Lake Dam – Approve Engineering $46,000 Agreement
I. Small Business Loan Recommendation – India Masala House
9. REGULAR BUSINESS (6:35 PM)
A. Removal of Encampments (6:35 PM)
Presentation by 69a, Groundworks, and the Town Health Officer
B. FY27 General Fund Budget (7:05 PM)
Selectboard Discussion
C. Reconsider Trash Bag Motion (8:05 PM)
Selectboard Discussion
10. CORRESPONDENCE
11. ADJOURNMENT (8:15 PM)
…
MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: John Potter, Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: January 2, 2026
———————————————————————————————————————————–
The following will summarize the proposed motions for the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday,
January 6, 2026. The Board will convene the 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.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use this link:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85223252040?pwd=f0zpzRIYterkWvZ53MAfbuxuMv3Dvm.1
Meeting ID: 852 2325 2040
Passcode: 602388
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV.
Cable TV: Channel 1079
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/live/gov-ed-channel/
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
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
8. CONSENT AGENDA (6:30 PM)
Naming of the Food Forest at 805 Western Avenue
Church Street Retaining Wall – Approve Engineering
J & K Store Tobacco Substitute Endorsement – Approval
Homelessness Awareness/Action Day Parade Permit – Approval
2026 Tree Board Grant Request – Approval
Ratify WWTP Pump Replacement – Ratify
Replace Roof Top Unit at Central Station – Approval
Sunset Lake Dam – Approve Engineering Agreement
Small Business Loan Recommendation – India Masala House
In a memorandum dated December 5, 2025, Sustainability Coordinator Stephen Dotson discusses the proposed new name for the food forest/park at 805 Western Avenue. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve the official name of the parcel at 805 Western Avenue as the “Whetstone Food Forest.”
In a memorandum dated December 18, 2025, DPW Director Dan Tyler discusses the engineering services agreement for the Church Street Retaining Wall project and recommends that the Board accept the proposal from Stone Boat Consulting for a cost of $13,100. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will accept the proposal from Stone Boat Consulting (SBC) for final design, permitting, bidding assistance, and construction- phase support for the Church Street retaining wall project for a total cost of $13,100.
In a memorandum dated January 6, 2026, Town Clerk Hilary Francis discusses the Tobacco Substitute Endorsement permit application for J & K Store located at 69 Elliot Street. Staff have reviewed and recommend approval of this item. Representatives from J & K Store will be in the meeting, should this be pulled from Consent. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve a Tobacco Substitute Endorsement Permit for J & K Store located at 69 Elliot Street.
In a memorandum dated January 2, 2026, Town Manager John Potter discusses Southeastern Vermont Housing Coalition’s Homelessness Awareness/Action Day parade permit application scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. Participants will march from Pliny Park to Main Street to Elliot Street. Participants will use sidewalks and crosswalks. No street closures are required. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve a parade permit for a Homelessness Awareness/Action Day Parade on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
In a memorandum dated December 19, 2025, Assistant Public Works Director Pete Lynch requests authorization to apply for a 2026 Communities Caring for Canopy Grant. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will authorize the Department of Public Works, on behalf of the Tree Advisory Board, to apply for a 2026 Communities Caring Canopy Grant through the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program in the amount of $5,000.
In a memorandum dated December 22, 2025, DPW Director Dan Tyler discusses the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s need for an in-line turbine pump replacement and requests that the Board ratify the decision to replace two wastewater in-line turbine pumps at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will ratify the decision to replace two wastewater in-line turbine pumps at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $37,600 from the Utilities FY26 operating budget.
In a memorandum dated December 22, 2025, Fire Chief Jay Symonds informs the Board that the rooftop HVAC unit at Central Fire Station has reached the end of its life and will need to be replaced. This project will be funded through the FY26 Fire Engine Replacement Fund. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will authorize the Fire Department to proceed with contracting with Control Technologies, Inc. as the sole provider for the rooftop unit replacement at Central Fire Station.
In a memorandum dated December 19, 2025, DPW Director Dan Tyler discusses the Sunset Lake Dam Evaluation and a potential Engineering Services Agreement. The dam is classified as a Significant Hazard dam and received a “Poor” overall condition rating during a July Selectboard Meeting 1/6/26 inspection by the Vermont Dam Safety Program. To remain in compliance, the Town must complete additional studies, including hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, geotechnical evaluations, updated hazard classification, and development of required safety and operations plans. After reviewing two proposals, DPW recommends DuBois & King. The project will be funded through the Utility Capital \Improvement Plan for Sunset Lake Dam improvements. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will authorize the execution of an Engineering Services Agreement with DuBois & King (D & K) for evaluation and preliminary engineering work for the Sunset Lake Dam, for the cost of $46,000.
In a memorandum dated December 19, 2025, Town Accountant Kim Ellison discusses Small Business Assistant Program (SBAP) loan application from India Masala House. This business has requested a $45,000 loan at 5% per annum of interest for seven years. The Small Business Assistance Program Loan Committee recommends approval of this loan.
By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve the SBAP Loan committee’s recommendation to provide a loan to Madan Rathmore dba India Masala House as follows: $45,000.00 loan at 5.00% per annum for seven (7) years. Twenty thousand dollars of the loan is for working capital to be issued following closing. The remaining $25,000 is to be disbursed upon receipt of invoices for furniture and equipment. Collateral will be a Uniform Commercial Code on all furniture, fixtures and equipment purchased with SBAP funds.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED.
9. REGULAR BUSINESS (6:35 PM)
Removal of Encampments (6:35 PM)
Presentation by 69a, Groundworks, and the Town Health Officer
In a memorandum dated December 30, 2025, Town Manager John Potter discusses a memo and presentation by Town Health Officer and Assistant Fire Chief Charles Keir, regarding the Town’s Encampment Response Policy. Included in the Board’s materials are Assistant Fire Chief Keir’s memo and a presentation on this item.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO FORMALLY ADOPT THE TOWN’S ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE APPROACH, AS PRESENTED BY THE TOWN HEALTH OFFICER, AS OFFICAL TOWN POLICY.
FY27 General Fund Budget (7:05 PM)
Selectboard Discussion
The Board will further discuss items related to the FY27 General Fund Budget.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO BE DETERMINED.
Reconsider Trash Bag Motion (8:05 PM)
Selectboard Discussion
In a memorandum dated January 2, 2026, Town Manager John Potter discusses a motion made by Selectboard Clerk Isaac Evans-Frantz regarding the pricing of Pay As You Throw (PAYT) bags. Following public input, the Selectboard voted at its December 16, 2025, meeting to revisit this motion. The Board is now asked to reconsider the motion and to determine whether to rescind it and consider another proposal.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO RESCIND THE AMENDED MOTION MADE ON NOVEMBER 18, 2025 BY ISAAC EVANS-FRANTZ, ‘TO APPROVE AN INCREASE FROM $200 TO $4.60 FOR YELLOW BAGS, AND $300 TO $6.90 FOR PURPLE BAGS WITH THE TRANSITION TO TAKE PLACE DURING JANUARY 2026, AND TO DESIGNATE $0.10 OF EACH YELLOW BAG SALE AND $0.15 OF EACH PURPLE BAG SALE TO A DEDICATED FUND FOR A STAFF-DEVELOPED PROGRAM THAT WILL SUBSIDIZE BAG PURCHASES BY LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS.’
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE AN INCREASE TO PAY AS YOU THROW BAG FEES FROM $2.00 TO $_____ FOR YELLOW BAGS, AND $3.00 TO $_____ FOR PURPLE BAGS WITH THE TRANSITION TO TAKE PLACE DURING _________ 2026.
