For stories pertaining to the town of Brattleboro at large and its government.
Here’s your seasonal spot to write up little things that might be worth a sentence. What have you noticed recently in the Brattleboro area?
Winter has kicked off with most of the late autumn snow and ice melting away. It is Dec 30 and near 50 degrees.
RTM Human Services Committee
Monday, December 30, 2024
6:00-9:00pm
Selectboard Meeting Room (RM 212) The Municipal Center 230 Main Street and Zoom
Agenda
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82025368613
• Approve minutes from previous meetings
• Complete review of grant applications.
• Go into deliberative session to discuss rubric scores of applications
The Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office will be closed from Thursday, December 26, 2024 to Thursday, January 2, 2025
In observance of the Christmas holiday:
Brattleboro Town offices will close at 12:00pm (noon) on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
Brooks Memorial Library will close at 1:00pm on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
In observance of the Christmas holiday all Town Offices will be closed Wednesday, December 25, 2024, except emergency services. .
The Town of Brattleboro is offering free parking downtown during the final two weekends of the year. Parking will be free on Dec. 20, 21 and 22, 2024, and again on Dec. 27, 28 and 29 to coincide with the busy holiday season.
Since launching the new parking system in late November, Town staff have been making improvements to it based on public feedback. Several upgrades are currently in development, including additional signage, step-by-step instructions displayed on the sides of the parking kiosks, revisions to the parking zone/kiosk map, and the creation of a “how-to” video that will guide drivers through the three parking methods available downtown.
T’was the week before Christmas and all through the town, not a creature was stirring except for the Brattleboro Selectboard discussing FY26.
The board used Town staff suggestions and assumptions as a starting point. They boldy saved items from being cut but also agreed on cuts worth close to $2 million. Police will get new uniforms, for example, but snow cleanup, arts, and human services will see cuts. Members of the public cautioned that these were superficial, one-time, unsustainable cuts and told the board they pushing taxpayers over a cliff in years to come.
It is a rare Brattleboro Selectboard meeting when there is a single item of new business. Tuesday’s meeting is one of them, and the sole topic is possible budget cuts of 5%, 10%, or more.
Watch as the board struggles to tame their mighty potential FY26 budget increase of over 20%. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
The Brattleboro RTM Human Services Committee will meet on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 6:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Rm. 212) and over Zoom.
The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 6:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room(230 Main Street, Rm. 211).
The Brattleboro Charter Revision Commission will meet on Thursday, December 19, 2024 in the Selectboard Meeting Room(230 Main Street, Rm. 212 and over Zoom
Brattleboro Town Offices will be closed from 7:00am to 10:00am on Friday, December 13, 2024 for an employee event. Impacted offices include: The Municipal Center, the Gibson Aiken Center and Public Works offices. The Brooks Memorial Library will open at 10:00am.
The Town of Brattleboro is announcing the resignation of Brattleboro’s Finance Director, Kimberly Frost, who served in the role since April 2022. Frost will be stepping down from the position on Jan. 3, 2025, to pursue a different opportunity.
“Starting this next chapter was a difficult decision, but I’m grateful to have served my community,” said Frost.
During her tenure with the Town of Brattleboro, Frost was instrumental in re-uniting the Finance Department with the Treasurer’s Office and thereby finding efficiencies to reduce Town staff by one position. She also supported Town departments in the transition to a new financial system through the platform OpenGov. The goal of that project was to modernize and enhance the efficiency and transparency of the Town’s finances including an online publication that provides detailed expenditure information in an interactive format.
The newly opened General John Stark Memorial Bridge connecting Hinsdale, N.H. to Downtown Brattleboro has altered traffic patterns on Vernon Street and lower Main Street.
To improve traffic flow in both directions, the Town of Brattleboro and the Vermont State Agency of Transportation are working to create efficiencies. Traffic light engineers will be working on adjustments during the next few weeks. We appreciate your patience and cooperation while this work is underway.
The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 6:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 212).
The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Rm. 211).
Brattleboro Emergency Services is watching the Thanksgiving weather forecast and preparing for the first winter storm of the season. The storm is forecast to start on the morning of Thursday, November 28, before daybreak and last throughout the day. We anticipate that downtown snow accumulations will be less than three inches, with up to eight inches in higher elevations.
The snow is expected to be wet and heavy, which could cause downed trees and limbs, along with wires in the travel ways. Brattleboro Public Works crews are prepared for the storm and will be working throughout the day to keep roads, downtown sidewalks, and Town facilities open.
Should Brattleboro end Representative Town Meeting? The Brattleboro Selectboard will decide if this question is allowed to be put to voters at their next regular meeting.
They will make changes to ordinances relating to parking, the downtown improvement district, and vacant buildings and will also hear the annual pleas from the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance and BDCC. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room (230 Main Street).
Jessica Sticklor (she/her/hers)
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 6:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 212).
In Observance of Thanksgiving all Town Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024, and Friday, November 29, 2024, with the exception of emergency services.
Brooks Memorial Library will close at 6:00pm on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. They will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024 and open on Friday, November 29, 2024 from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
After much discussion, the Brattleboro Selectboard chose the only serious solid waste option presented to them: to have a 5 year contract with Casella to haul trash, recycling and compost for the Town. This decision added a significant amount to the budget and to Brattleboro property taxes.
The board told Town staff that the budget was too large now that the costs of their decisions this year have been factored in and asked to see a version reduced by 10%. This punted any significant FY26 decision-making away from the board until mid December.
Just about everyone had complaints for the Windham and Windsor Housing Trust and their planned “Chalet” development of affordable housing units.
At their Tuesday evening regular meeting, Brattleboro Selectboard will make a solid waste decision. The board will choose the number 2 option, suggested by Town staff, and the costs associated will be officially dumped into the FY26 budget under review.
Review of FY26 budget open house feedback and budget alternatives will discussed. The board will also hear about the West Brattleboro (Dalem’s) Chalet Project from the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, will announce committee vacancies. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
