The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 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 regular meeting at 5:45pm, the Board will convene and is expected to move directly into executive session to discuss contracts, labor relations agreements with employees and real estate. 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.
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BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026
SELECTBOARD MEETING ROOM + ZOOM
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:45 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/87972169260?pwd=kaMPDwTj5HlkoUg6ZS4PklrlUmYpXr.1
Meeting ID: 879 7216 9260
Passcode: 810636
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,87972169260#,,,,*810636# US (Washington DC)
+13052241968,,87972169260#,,,,*810636# US
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
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
(please note that all times indicated are approximate)
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING (6:15 PM)
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA
3. CHAIR’S REMARKS
4. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
5. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
6. OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT (6:25 PM)
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Sages Pub First and Third Class Liquor License Renewal Application Approvals
B. Smoke N Munch Tobacco License, and Tobacco Substitute Endorsement Permit Renewal
Application Approvals
C. Setu Way Road Name – Approve
D. Library Capital Improvement Grant – Award $283,354 Bid
E. Award Pavement Marking Contract
F. Lepisto Settlement
G. Secondary Water Tank Upgrade – Authorize $1,578,000 Purchase
H. AIDS Walk Parade Permit – Approve
I. Announce Upcoming Brattleboro Housing Partnership Vacancies
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (6:35 PM)
A. Records Retention Policy (6:35 PM)
Presentation by Town Attorneys
B. Selectboard 2026-27 Rules of Procedure (6:55 PM)
Discussion by the Selectboard
9. REGULAR BUSINESS (7:15 PM)
A. India Masala House Outside Consumption Permit Application – Approve (7:15 PM)
Presentation by Town Staff
B. Local Emergency Management Plan (7:45 PM)
Presentation by Fire Department Staff
C. Fire Department Quarterly Review (7:55 PM)
Presentation by Fire Department Staff
D. FY26 Quarterly Budget Review Third Quarter (8:10 PM)
Presentation by Finance Department Staff
C. Draft FY27 Utility Fund Budget (8:40 PM)
Presentation by DPW Staff
D. Draft FY27 Parking Fund Budget (9:05 PM)
Presentation by Town Staff
10. CORRESPONDENCE
A. Warrants and Department Reports
11. ADJOURNMENT (9:35 PM)
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MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: John Potter, Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: May 16, 2026
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The following will summarize the proposed motions for the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, May
19, 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/87972169260?pwd=kaMPDwTj5HlkoUg6ZS4PklrlUmYpXr.1
Meeting ID: 879 7216 9260
Passcode: 810636
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,87972169260#,,,,*810636# US (Washington DC)
+13052241968,,87972169260#,,,,*810636# US
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
CONSENT AGENDA
Sages Pub First and Third Class Liquor License Renewal Application Approvals
Smoke N Munch Tobacco License, and Tobacco Substitute Endorsement Permit Renewal Application
Approvals
Setu Way Road Name – Approve
Library Capital Improvement Grant – Award $283,354 Bid
Grant Award (Placeholder)
Award Pavement Marking Contract
Lepisto Settlement
Secondary Water Tank Upgrade – Authorize $1,578,000 Purchase
AIDS Walk Parade Permit – Approve
Announce Upcoming Brattleboro Housing Partnership Vacancies
In a memorandum dated May 19, 2026, Town Clerk Hilary Francis discusses the First and Third Class Liquor License Renewal applications for Sages Pub located at 6 Flat Street. Staff have reviewed and recommend approval of these licenses. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve the First and Third Class Liquor License renewals for Sages Pub located at 6 Flat Street.
In a memorandum dated May 19, 2026, Town Clerk Hilary Francis discusses the Tobacco License, and Tobacco Substitute Endorsement Permit Renewal applications for Smoke N Munch located at 707 Putney Road. Staff have reviewed and recommend approval of these licenses. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve the Tobacco License and Tobacco Substitute Endorsement Permit Renewal applications for Smoke N Munch located at 707 Putney Road.
In a memorandum dated May 19, 2026, Assistant Planning Director Brian Bannon discusses the proposed assignment of a new street name serving legal E911 address 241 Quails Hill Road. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve the naming of a new private road accessing tax map parcel #00100215.110 (currently serving legal E911 address 241 Quails Hill Road) “Setu Way.”
In a memorandum dated May 8, 2026, Library Director Starr LaTronica requests authorization to accept a bid, award a contract, and approve notice to proceed for grant-funded Capital Improvements at The Brooks Memorial Library. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will authorize the award of a contract to GPI Construction, Inc for the final phase of interior and exterior work at Brooks Memorial Library as part of the Capital Improvements included in a grant from the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) administered by the Vermont Department of Libraries. The Board will also further authorize a Notice to Proceed, contingent upon receipt of the required documents and their approval by Town Counsel and Owner’s Representative.
In a memorandum dated May 19, 2026, Highway Superintendent Darren Pacheco discusses the Long Line Striping agreement with L & D Safety Marking Corporation. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will authorize the execution of an agreement with L & D Safety Marking Corporation for long line striping services on in-town roadways.
In a memorandum dated May 16, 2026, Town Manager John Poter discusses the Lepisto Settlement. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will ratify and consent to the settlement of the matter of Lepisto v. Brattleboro based on the advice of counsel and VLCT, provided that Town funds of any settlement shall not exceed the deductible amount and authorize Town Manager John Potter to execute all necessary documents to effectuate the settlement on behalf of the Town.
In a memorandum dated May 8, 2026, DPW Director Dan Tyler discusses the construction of a redundant water storage tank at the Pleasant Valley Water Treatment Facility. By approving the Consent Agneda, the Board will authorize the award of the Pleasant Valley Redundant Water Storage Tank Project to Statewide Aquastore, Inc. of East Syracuse, New York, in the amount of $1,578,000; and authorize the filing of an amendment to the existing Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan agreement for additional project funding associated with increased project costs.
In a memorandum dated May 16, 2026, Town Manager John Potter discusses the parade permit application from the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont for the AIDS Walk to take place on Sunday May 23, 2026. No road closures are required. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Board will approve a parade permit for the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont’s AIDS Walk on Sunday, May 23, 2026.
In a memorandum dated May 16, 2026, Town Manager John Potter announces one vacancy on the Brattleboro Housing Partnership Board.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Records Retention Policy (6:35 PM)
Presentation by Town Attorneys
In a memorandum dated May 1, 2026, Town Manager John Potter discusses a potential records retention policy. Included in the Board’s materials is a memorandum from Assistant Town Attorney Hannah Clarisse and a copy of the DRAFT Policy.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE TOWN’S RECORD RETENTION POLICY, AS PRESENTED.
Selectboard 2026-27 Rules of Procedure (6:55 PM)
Discussion by the Selectboard
In a memorandum dated May 1, 2026, Town Manager John Potter discusses possible changes to the Selectboard’s 2026-27 Selectboard Rules of Procedure.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TBD, POSSIBLY TO REVISE THE 2026-2027 RULES OF PROCEDURE, AS DISCUSSED.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
India Masala House Outside Consumption Permit Application – Approve (7:15 PM)
Presentation by Town Staff
In a memorandum dated May 19, 2026, Town Clerk Hilary Francis discusses an Outside Consumption Permit request from India Masala House located at 7 High Street to serve alcohol in the Plainy Park Stage area from 11:30am to 10:00pm. This application has been reviewed by Town staff who recommend its approval.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE OUTSIDE CONSUMPTION PERMIT FOR INDIA MASALA HOUSE, LOCATED AT 7 HIGH STREET.
Local Emergency Management Plan (7:45 PM)
Presentation by Fire Department Staff
In a memorandum dated May 11, 2026, Fire Chief Jay Symonds presents the Local Emergency Management Plan for 2026. Included in the Board’s materials are the Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) and the LEMP adoption form.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN, AS PRESENTED.
Fire Department Quarterly Review (7:55 PM)
Presentation by Fire Department Staff
In a memorandum dated May 16, 2026, Fire Chief Jay Symonds discusses the Fire Department’s Quarterly Review.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.
FY26 Quarterly Budget Review Third Quarter (8:10 PM)
Presentation by Finance Department Staff
In a memorandum dated May 16, 2026, Finance Consultant Bonnie Batchelder discusses the FY26 Quarterly Budget Review for the third quarter.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.
Draft FY27 Utility Fund Budget (8:40 PM)
Presentation by DPW Staff
In a memorandum dated May 4, 2026, DPW Director Dan Tyler discusses the FY26 Utility Budget.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.
Draft FY27 Parking Fund Budget (9:05 PM)
Presentation by Town Staff
In a memorandum dated May 15, 2026, Town Manager John Potter discusses the FY27 Parking Fund Budget.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.
BRAT hiring glitch and the BLAME-RENAME GAME
Hi, this is Kurt Daims with Brattleboro Common Sense. Thanks to Chairman Heller for giving time to fix our technical problem on Tuesday night.. I would have made a comment as follows,
I’m looking at today’s Reformer article about the new BRAT officers, and it looks like there’s a flaw in the hiring process. that reveals a pattern in previous selectboards.
According to BPD, these unarmed patrols require people with real empathy, especially empathy for homeless people. But looking at the hiring of Mr. Wessel, that empathy just isn’t there. People will recall the first trial about our emergency homeless shelter in RVs (2/21/23). During that trial Mr. Wessel wanted to close the shelter down immediately. It was 9:00 on a freezing cold February night. Wanting to throw people out onto the snow late at night with nowhere to go shows a total lack of empathy. Mr. Wessel opposed the idea of unarmed patrols when he was on the board, and now there can be financial gain, and he wants to participate .
These downtown patrols were originally part of the BCS SAFE Limited disarmament plan. The new town website no longer has the pages of info about the SAFE plan. So, some people may have forgotten, but the Selectboard made a commitment to move forward with it since the Community Safety Committee endorsed it.
Another police innovation proposed by BCS was the police substation. Our consultant from Police Scotland discussed the SAFE plan with three previous police chiefs, and we offered the town real estate for free. The board did not look into it with us. Instead, they renamed it a “satellite station,” and is now spending nearly $1,000,000 of taxpayers’ money on it.
So, I’m looking at these two police innovations, and I realize there is a pattern, where the town opposes or even prosecutes us, only to turn around, rename our projects, and adopt them as their own. I recalled three other instances:
1) We circulated a petition for an Energy Coordinator with specific research tasks back in 2020 and 2021. Our former director Spoon Agave proposed the funding at RTM, which was approved. The board resisted, and then set up a committee and changed the name to “sustainability coordinator” and approved the position.
2) The BCS short climate resolution: Our proposal for 100% renewable electric power for municipal buildings was delayed for three years after approval by RTM. The board renamed it “Cow Power,” then “Fossil Fuels Free Fund”, and now it is the “Global Climate Solutions Fund”.
3) The Emergency Shelter: We proposed a “decentralized” shelter outside of downtown and asked for clarification of the laws 2021. The board ignored it for months, saying there was no housing emergency. Then the board started lawsuits, all based on rumors and technicalities. Hardly a soul knew about the shelter before the Town announced the lawsuit in 2023. A Superior Court injunction said the shelter was safe. A few months later, the board proposed the “decentralized” camping under the name “dispersed camping.” — and later the Town gave us a permit for homeless camping on the same property. (Last year the board acknowledged the confusing laws and began clarifying the laws to address shelters downtown.)
So, there are two police innovations and three other proposals that have this pattern. I hope the new Selectboard will show greater integrity than the older board. If you are interested in our proposals, give Brattleboro Common Sense the credit. Don’t blame us and rename our proposals. We know them. Let’s work together so Brattleboro can actually be a leader in social justice and bring real innovation.