News & Information

News and information sections, from near to far

Brattleboro Planning Commission Meeting: February 5, 2024 Meeting Agenda

by planning | Town Plan

6:15 – 6:45 Neighborhood Center Zoning District Amendment Request
Potential Action on moving forward a proposed Neighborhood Center Zoning District amendment to the Land Use Regulations that would amend Section 224.E.6 pertaining to the location of vehicular service bay doors.

6:45– 7:15 Bike Parking standards
Guest: Jonathon Weber, Local Motion
Discussion of available background information and rationale regarding short term and long term bicycle parking requirements.

7:15 – 7:40 Certified Local Government
Review of Certified Local Government(CLG) ordinance and proposed change to Historic Resource Overlay Purpose (Section 252.A) for potential recommendation to the Selectboard to pursue CLG.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 6:30pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 211).

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 211).

Selectboard Meeting Notes – We’ll See Your $80k, and Raise You $80k

by cgrotke | Town News
selectoard jan 16 2024

The Brattleboro Selectboard heard a request from two organizations for an $80,000 a year part time position (and some data collection) and decided to double it. They gave them $160,000 and two years for a “proof of concept” showing that this investment attracts new businesses to Brattleboro.

The board went on to discuss their ARPA plans and FY25 budgets.

20 Minute Bridge Street, Route 119 Closure

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Wednesday, January 17, contractors for the New Hampshire Bridge Project will be moving a steel structure from New Hampshire to Depot Street on the Vermont side of the existing bridge. At approximately 1:30pm Bridge Street from Main Street to the NH bridge will be closed for a twenty-minute period.  The rain date will be Thursday, January 18.  Please expect delays and plan accordingly.

Brattleboro DRB and DRC Site Visit

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

Call to Order.
Tour the newly refurbished building to see the results of a project review by the Committee and Board. No motions or decisions will be made. No applications will be heard.
Public Comment.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – January 16, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

At their next regular meeting , the Brattleboro Selectboard will approve budgets for FY25 to send along to Representative Town Meeting, including their plans to use what remains of ARPA funds.

The board will also hear from the Downtown Alliance and Chamber of Commerce  (two of several organizations that foster economic growth, attract new business, and enhance the overall economic well-being of the community) for new funding to pay for someone to “foster economic growth, attract new business, and enhance the overall economic well-being of the community.”

You can bring up other items not on the agenda, if the Chair allows, during Public Participation.

Clark Street Fire Details

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Crews from both stations were dispatched at 16:51 to 75 Clark Street for a report of smoke on the third floor and attic area. While crews were responding, dispatch received a second call advising there was a subject on the 3rd floor. Assistant Chief Charles Keir, along with Engine 2, arrived on the scene. AC Keir reported a 2 1/2-story multi-family wood frame building with light smoke showing from the front. Engine 2’s crew made their way to the third floor to report they had located a victim and were on their way out with the victim.

Crews reported there was still an active fire in the apartment. Golden Cross/BFD ambulance personnel transported the patient with significant burns to the arms, hands, and airway to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. A second and third alarm was requested for additional personnel as well as taking into consideration the longer response time due to weather conditions.

Brattleboro Martin Luther King Jr. Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all Brattleboro Town Offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Monday, January 15. All other violations will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15.

802 Credit Union Vice President Ethan Grimes Joins Youth Services Board

by Nanci Leitch | Town News

Ethan Grimes, the Vice President of mortgage lending at 802 Credit Union, recently joined 12 other community members in serving on Youth Services’ board of directors. With twenty programs ranging from court diversion, to trauma-informed after-school groups, counseling, mediation and case management to name but a few, Youth Services has built community throughout Windham County for over 50 years.

Since 2009, Grimes has worked in mortgages at River Valley Credit Union, now 802 Credit Union. Starting as a mortgage processor, he eventually became a mortgage originator and finally Vice President of the credit union’s mortgage department in 2016.

Grimes has deep roots in Windham County, having grown up and attended public school in Newfane, VT and graduating fourth in his class from Leland & Gray Union High School in Townshend.  Grimes attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, where he majored in Economics, with a minor in both Business Administration and Communications. He came home each summer to work with his father Marty Grimes with Southern Vermont Telephone and recalls even doing some wiring on occasion at Youth Services during those visits. After graduation, Grimes moved to Orlando, FL where he obtained his mortgage broker license and worked as a mortgage broker there for four years during which time he married his college sweetheart.

Brattleboro Winter Weather Watch – Week of January 8, 2024

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Emergency Management group is watching two storms this week that could impact our area. On Tuesday evening into midday Wednesday, the National Weather Service is forecasting snow followed by 1.5 to 2 inches of rainfall with temperatures in the 40s and gusty winds.

Expect hazardous travel conditions, with icing on roads and then minor flooding along waterways. High winds are in the forecast with gusts at 40 to 50 mph, which could result in downed power lines and power outages.

Please prepare for:
Hazardous travel and some sporadic road closures
Power outages
Flooding with the potential for evacuations

Brattleboro Street Parking During a Snow Emergency

by Not Signed In | Town News

A winter storm watch has been issued for southern Vermont from the afternoon of Saturday, January 6 through the evening of Sunday, January 7. Heavy snow and high winds are in the forecast. During this time, the Town of Brattleboro anticipates road crews and equipment will be working around the clock to keep roadways open and free of hazards. 

Vehicles parked on Town streets create dangerous obstacles for all during a storm and are susceptible to being towed at the owner’s expense, per Brattleboro Town Ordinance. Please attempt to utilize off-street parking. Free overnight parking is available in the Brattleboro Transportation Center between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. in UNRESERVED parking spaces. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – Dettman Drive

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 3:30pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 212). 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.”  Either ASL interpreters or closed captioning will be available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: The Last UDAG

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard jan 2 2024

The Brattleboro Selectboard were, until Tuesday night, the last keepers in the United States of something called an Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) Program grant. Before them was $2.3 million that has matured, and the board voted to transfer all of it away from UDAG into the Town’s Revolving Loan Fund.

The board was also pleased with their progress on a number of issues, and happy to hear the monthly fire department report.

Goodenough Road Closure

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Wednesday, January 3, the Highway Division will be replacing a failed culvert on Goodenough Road.  The closure will be near 342 Goodenough Road.  Residents and Emergency Services can access 42 – 342 Goodenough Road via Hinesburg Road and 446 – 528 via Akley Road.  Please plan accordingly and avoid the area if possible. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – January 2, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard kicks off the new year with another error. The paving project was under-estimated by 3211 tons of asphalt. Oops, and $32,000.

The Fire Department will read their monthly report – for November of last year, the board will revisit their retreat and goal-setting, and the Town Manager will request a transfer of over $2 million to the Revolving Loan Fund.  You can attempt to bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation if the Chair deems you worthy.