Selectboard Meeting Notes – Energy, Diversity, Plastic Bags, and New Trails

The energy of the Brattleboro Selectboard was spent on many issues of energy – from a demonstration of carbon use during a fuel oil purchase to appointing, oddly, multiple weighers of coal. Energy improvements were contemplated, but not firm enough to take hold quite yet.

The conversation about diversity continued, with a status report and a plan to survey experts and others in the community before jumping in with decided plans. Green Street and surrounding areas will get a new network of trails. And the board asked for an ordinance to ban single use plastic bags from retail outlets.


Town of Brattleboro Job Opening E-Mail List

The Town of Brattleboro is asking for help from anyone and everyone who is interested in promoting increased diversity on the Town staff. In addition to proactively distributing all future job opening notices more widely than in the past, the Town will send those notices to any individual or group who wishes to receive them.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Diversity Discussion and Emergency Repairs

The Brattleboro Selectboard held an extensive discussion of diversity, both in Town hiring practices and the community at large. It was a start and step toward something probably positive, though the goals and steps to get there remain to be more fully developed.

Emergency repairs at the pool and the Harris parking lot were the other big items on the agenda, but the long diversity discussion made for quick summaries of these and other smaller matters due to a late hour.


Brattleboro Community Justice Center Executive Director Retires

Brattleboro Community Justice Center, will be retiring in August. Kehnemuyi stepped into the position in August 2015 during a period of significant organizational changes, including new by-laws, a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Brattleboro, and a new Board of Directors. During these organizational changes, Kehnemuyi has overseen the day-to-day operations of the BCJC, providing Restorative Justice programs for the Department of Corrections and the Brattleboro Area community. The BCJC is stronger for his service.


Annual Brattleboro Water Quality Report Available

The Brattleboro Water Department’s annual Water Quality Report for 2016 is now available on-line at www.brattleboro.org. Printed copies can be obtained at the Town of Brattleboro’s Municipal Center, in the offices of the Treasurer and the Town Clerk, at the Department of Public Works on Fairground Road, and the Brooks Memorial Library on Main Street.


Japanese Knotweed Workshop in Brattleboro, May 23

The Brattleboro Conservation Commission is hosting a free workshop for people interested in learning about Japanese knotweed and participating in a town-wide mapping exercise on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the West River Park from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Participants will learn about the plant biology, how to identify it and management options from Elizabeth Spinney, Invasive Plant Coordinator from VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. A project database will also be introduced.