Help A New Town Meeting Rep Decide How To Vote?

Hey folks,

So the elected district 1 reps were kind enough make me to be a town meeting rep, despite arriving at the last moment. 

I came into the meeting tonight supportive of moving the police department to the reformer building though extremely concerned about the financial considerations.  During the course of the meeting I rediscovered that I am rather nervous public speaker but more importantly I now have doubts such that I am unsure of how to cast my vote at the next meeting.


Police/Fire Project

Town Meeting Members will be asked to vote on a question that asks if they are willing to spend $4,500,000 on the relocation of the police station to Black Mountain Road.  The vote will in fact authorize the spending of about $13,000,000 above the five million dollar loan already taken out.  

The actual loan, which will include work on the West B. fire station, is in fact anticipated to be $7,760,000.  Interest on the loan, for a twenty year option, is an additional $2,740,000.  What is not calculated into the final figure is the cost of having the station on the far north end of town.  Nearly all the police business and activity occurs in the central, south and west end of town.  Not surprising.  There is almost no residential population at all in the north end.  

Consequent to that location it is therefore necessary for every town vehicle that either originates from or is destined to the police station (every cop on duty, every administrator going to a meeting from or to there, every DPW trip etc etc) is traveling four extra miles and ten minutes every roundtrip.  Take out a pencil and paper.


Brattleboro Fire Department Shares Cold Weather Safety Tips

In a weather briefing from the National Weather Service the coldest air mass of the season is expected this weekend, with the coldest temperatures Saturday night into Sunday.

Very cold temperatures combined with strong gusty winds will allow for wind chill values to reach dangerous to potentially life threatening levels between Friday Night and Sunday night.  The lowest values will be on Saturday night and will occur across the higher elevations, where wind chill values may be as low as 30 to 50 below zero.  Valley areas will see wind chill values in the 20 to 30 below zero range.   Actual air temperatures will be below zero across the entire area on Saturday night as well.  


Valgar Street Fire Investigation Continues, Reward Offered

The investigation into the arson fire that caused extensive damage to four apartments at 16 – 38 Valgar St. continues to be a very active, joint effort by the Brattleboro Police and Fire Departments. Both agencies, along with assistance from the VT State Police, have been working persistently since the morning of the fire, conducting dozens of interviews to gather information about the incident. At this time the investigation is continuing and the agencies are again asking for anyone who may have seen anything unusual before the time of the fire or may have any information about the fire to call the Brattleboro Police Department at 802-257-7946 or the Brattleboro Police Tips Hotline at 802-251-8188.


Brattleboro Selectboard Schedules Two More Police Fire Info Sessions

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting and public information session on Monday, November 30, 2015 at 6:00pm in the Academy School gymnasium. This is the second of three public information meetings to present information and hear public comment about the proposed alternatives for the Police-Fire Facilities Project. This meeting will be taped and rebroadcast by BCTV. ASL interpreters will be available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.


Police-Fire Facilities Project Public Sessions

The Brattleboro Town Manager’s office announces that the Selectboard is holding 3 special meetings to present information and hear public comment about the proposed alternatives for this project. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend at least one of these meetings:

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, AT 9:00 AM, AT THE GREEN STREET SCHOOL GYM

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, AT 6:00 PM, AT THE ACADEMY SCHOOL GYM (ASL interpreters will attend this meeting and BCTV will record it for later broadcast)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, AT 6:00 PM, AT THE BRATTLEBORO AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM


Valgar Street Fire Deemed Suspicious

For Immediate Release – November 11, 2015

The investigation into the fire that caused extensive damage to four apartments at 16 – 38 Valgar St. has been determined to be suspicious in nature. In a joint effort, Investigators from the Brattleboro Fire Department, Brattleboro Police Department and the VT State Police have been working continuously since the morning of the fire to determine an origin and cause, and conducting interviews to gather information.

At this time the investigation is ongoing and the agencies are asking for anyone who may have seen anything unusual before the time of the fire or may have any information about the fire to call the Brattleboro Police Department at 802-257-7946 or the Brattleboro Police Tips Hotline at 802-251-8188. There is also up to a $5000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction by calling 1-800-32-ARSON (1-800-322-7766).


Untimely Death on Old Ferry Road is Suspicious

State Police Updates and Press Release:

“UPDATE #2:

The Brattleboro Police Department and the Vermont State Police continue to investigate the untimely death of Sultan Rashed. Investigation has revealed that this death is not a suicide and in fact a death with suspicious circumstances. Investigation suggests this is not a random act and does not suggest any threats to the public in general. An autopsy is scheduled for today at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and will focus on the cause and manner of death. 
 
Anyone who had contact with Sultan Rashed from 11/8/15 – 11/9/15 is asked to contact the Vermont State Police or the Brattleboro Police Department.


Valgar Street Fire Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

Date of Incident: November 7, 2015
Location of Incident: 16-38 Valgar St

Nature of Call: Building Fire

Time Reported: 6:06am
Time Under Control: 8:33am

Number of Alarms and Times Upgraded: 2nd alarm @ 6:09am; 3rd alarm at 6:16am; 4th alarm@ 7:00am

Type of Building: 2 ½ story multi-family
# of Apartments: 12


Hinesburg Road Fire – Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

Date of Incident: 11/02/15
Location of Incident: Hinesburg Road
Nature of Call: Reported basement fire
Time Reported: 5:14pm
Time Under Control: 6:03pm
Number of Alarms and Times Upgraded: 2nd alarm transmitted @ 5:26pm


Fire at 176 Canal Street Press Release

Brattleboro Fire Department, 103 Elliot Street * Brattleboro, VT 05301 * 802-254-4831 FAX: 802-257-2323

Michael Bucossi, Fire Chief
Peter Lynch, Assistant Chief

PRESS RELEASE

Date of Incident: 10/17/15
Location of Incident: 176 Canal Street

Nature of Call: Fire in attic

Time Reported: 04:40am
Time Under Control: 5:36am


Brattleboro To Consider Purchase of Reformer Building for Police Station

The north end “mystery property” has been revealed. According to documents on the town web site, Brattleboro will be considering an option to purchase the Brattleboro Reformer’s building at 62 Black Mountain Road to renovate as a police station.

The north end option would be secured initially through March 31 with a $20,000 payment. Total cost, if the town decides to make the purchase, would be just under $750,000. Total cost with renovations would be just over $4 million.

The Brattleboro Selectboard will be discussing options for going forward with the Police and Fire facility upgrades at their regular meeting Tuesday night.


Two Recent Hit & Runs in Brattleboro

From the Police Log: 

July 20, 2015

Officer J. Hamilton

On July 17th 2015 at approximately 1300 hours Officers of the Brattleboro Police Department investigated a hit and run on a pedestrian in the area of the intersection between Elliot St., Frost St., Bridge St., Williams St. and Union St. The operator of the vehicle was described as having should-length blond hair. The vehicle was described as a green Honda Civic with a Vermont plate on the back only. Anyone with information about the suspect operator or vehicle please contact the Brattleboro Police Department at (802)257-7950.


Burn Ban in Brattleboro and Vermont

Last night’s showers did little to ease the dry conditions in the area. The State of VT and local burn ban is still in effect until May 19 or until it is revoked or extended.

The burn ban means that there is no burning until the order is revoked or expired.

Michael Bucossi
Fire Chief
Brattleboro Fire Department
103 Elliot Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 254-4831
www.brattleborofire.org


Four Alarm Fire at Melchin Road

Today the weather service issued warnings about brush fires. It’s dry, windy, and and generally ideal circumstances for a brush fire. And that’s what happened.

Nearby, a brush fire at 493 Melchin Road has grown into a 4 alarm affair, with 50 acres going, according to the mutual aid folks and observers at a fire tower in Massachusetts. Brush trucks and tankers from all over the region have been called in.

The size of the fire has grown considerably. 50 acres at 3:30 p.m; 10-15 acres going closer to 2:30.


$10,000 Reward: Who Killed Eugene Narrett?

A $10,000 reward is now being offered in the fatal hit-and-run of Eugene Narrett, a 64 year old father who was killed Friday, December 6, 2013 around 7pm while crossing Western Avenue near Union Street in Brattleboro, Vermont. Eugene was an artist. He was showing his paintings at Gallery Walk, when his life ended in the blink of an eye. The driver who hit him was going so fast, police say Eugene was knocked right out of his shoes. He died from his injuries at the scene.


Elliot Street, Brattleboro, Feb 22, 2015

Elliot Street, Brattleboro, Feb 22, 2015

 

I just watched you get arrested.

The waitress noticed it first.

Oh, wow, she said, someone is getting arrested

And I saw two policemen talking to you while

one of them pointed something in your face.