Town News

For stories pertaining to the town of Brattleboro at large and its government.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Virtual Meeting Agenda – RTM

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, via GoToMeeting.   It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 5:30pm to discuss contracts and confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the body.  The Board will reconvene the business meeting at 6:15pm.   In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee Virtual Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, July 27, 2020, at 5:30pm via GoToMeeting.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.

Collaborative Community Statement  Regarding the Brattleboro Policing/Community Safety Review Process

by cgrotke | Town News

Here’s the full text of the document discussed at the July 21, 2020 meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard:

…..

July, 21, 2020

Collaborative Community Statement  Regarding the Brattleboro Policing/Community Safety Review Process

Summary Statement

We are seeking a review process focused on a comprehensive examination of community safety and policing in Brattleboro to determine whether the police force effectively meets the communities’ needs, and to determine how to best fund and support community safety. 

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Status Report

by Not Signed In | Town News

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Here are links to 3 important COVID-19 financial relief programs offered by the State of Vermont for renters, landlords, and sole proprietor businesses: 

o Emergency Mortgage Assistance- https://www.vhfa.org/documents/images/vt_map_flyer.pdf 

o Rental Housing Stabilization Fund – https://www.vsha.org/rental-housing-stabilization-program/ 

o Vermont Sole Proprietor Stabilization Fund – https://www.vermont-cdbg-cv.com/ 

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda – July 21, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

The next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard will be devoted to a single topic – the continued discussion of a potential police review process. 

The previous conversation left off with two competing proposals – one from the board and one from community groups working with these issues – and a request that the selectboard’s proposal be withdrawn. The board wanted time to consider merging the two proposals.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Selectboard Special Meeting Notes – $3,600 Toward Three Hand Sanitizing Stations

by cgrotke | Town News
brattleboro selectboard july 14 2020

Handy Stations were the primary topic of a special virtual meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. The board approved spending $3,600 on three artistic devices to help people sanitize their hands downtown. If it works out, they may spend even more on keeping people safe.

It was admitted that some hand sanitizer taped to the wall might be significantly less expensive, but a motion-sensing, artist -decorated, musical hand sanitizing station to be adopted and maintained by businesses was the preferred idea. There was also an interesting discussion about the Civil War monument.

Brattleboro Hydrant Flow Testing

by Not Signed In | Town News

Hydrant Flow Testing in the Town of Brattleboro

On Thursday, July 16, beginning at 9:00pm through approximately 4:00am Friday, July 17, Utilities Crews will be conducting flow tests of the hydrants around town.  Residents may see water in the roadway and/or have discolored water in their homes.  If you experience water discoloration, you should run the cold water for a few minutes to flush your pipes which should take care of the issue.  

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Collaborative Proposal for Police Reform Presented To Board, RTM Remains On Hold

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard july 7, 2020

The Brattleboro Selectboard didn’t get to new business until after 11 pm. Old business of Representative Town Meeting scheduling, second thoughts on an already-approved budget, and competing proposals for police reforms filled the lengthy meeting.

In the end, no new RTM was set, the board was told the budget cannot be changed but can be ignored selectively, and competing proposals for police reforms will fill a new meeting schedule for July 21.

Brattleboro Independence Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the July 4th holiday, all Town offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2020, with the exception of emergency services. 

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and July 5, 2020. All other violations will be enforced. Parking enforcement will resume on Monday, July 6, 2020. 

Brooks Memorial Library curbside service will be closed from Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, 2020. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – July 7, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will consider a re-imagined, two-part Representative Town Meeting at their next regular virtual meeting. The plan calls for an online portion on one day, and voting by Australian ballot on another.

A “police review” process is being proposed to look at funding and whether social services might be able to relieve the police of some responsibilities, new bike lanes and pedestrian safety measures will be discussed for Putney Rd., a new Exit 2 to downtown bike lane possibility will be studied, the board will offer up thoughts on the rebuilding of Rt 9 to Wilmington, and you can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Parking Enforcement Resumes

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Parking Department would like to remind everyone, starting July 1st, 2020, payment will once again be required at all street meters and kiosks in parking lots in the downtown area. If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Carol at 257-2305.

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Summer 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

It’s summer. It’s Brattleboro.  Time to list the little things that grab your attention and share them with others.

Parklets are being set-up for some restaurants in town to serve outdoors. Cement barriers have been dropped in parking spaces to mark boundaries.

Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) Virtual Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, June 22, 2020 at 5:30pm via GoToMeeting.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  A copy of the agenda is attached and it contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.  

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Defund the Police, and Other Matters

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard june 16 2020

There were many big issues at Tuesday’s meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard but the biggest of them all was an extended discussion about dismantling a racist system by defunding the Brattleboro Police.  Citizens were rather clear and consistent in asking that the General Fund budget be voted down, and that funding for the police be reassigned to social services.

The system moves slowly, they were told, and their attention should be placed on next year’s budget process. The board committed to making a re-evaluation of community safety a priority in the near future, but passed the budget by a 3-2 split vote.

Brattleboro Parking Enforcement Resumes July 1, 2020

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro will resume Parking Enforcement operations on July 1, 2020. Parking meters and kiosks will once again require payment for parking in the downtown. This includes all regulated surface parking lots and all on-street metered parking spaces.

Parking enforcement was halted on March 17, in response to Covid-19. Now that Vermont is beginning to reopen for business, it is time to resume regular parking enforcement activities. To protect the public health, all meter and kiosk push buttons will receive a regular wipe down two times each day, Monday through Saturday, to disinfect the frequently touched surfaces.

Brattleboro Selectboard – Agenda and Notes, June 16, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

Brattleboro utility rates will be going up at the next virtual meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. New water and sewer rates, the parking and general fund budgets, and salary increases will be approved.

The Town Manager will give a COVID-19 update, Brattleboro will consider joining a communications district, the Municipal Center renovations will inch forward, and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda, of course, during public participations.