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Slow Response to Housing Crisis

by Kurt Daims | Activism

Brattleboro officials notice the housing crisis: 500 units are needed — NOW. But recent proposals for construction of a dozen or so units are a pathetic response.

The selectboard and committees are fixated on new construction, as if that is the only way.

Brattleboro Common Sense (BCS) proposed rent controls and just-cause eviction controls (JCE) two years ago, and town government has done nothing. BCS is also proposing emergency measures to create new housing by increasing occupancy limits and allowing RV’s to be rented as bedrooms and mini-houses in private driveways.

Cris Ericson On The Nov. 8, 2022 Election Ballot!

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

Hello! My name is Cris Ericson and I would like to publicly thank more than 500 local Vermonters in southeastern Vermont who signed my petitions to allow me to be on the Nov. 8, 2022 general election ballot as an Independent candidate for United States Senator.

I am very grateful for this opportunity to be another voice in this election when so many people are a little bit frustrated with their usual political affiliations with Democrats and Republicans and they are willing and ready to hear my newest ideas. 

Juneteenth

by tomaidh | History

Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It marks the anniversary of an announcement by the Union Army on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas.

The holiday has been celebrated annually on June 19th in various parts of the United States since the 1860s, broadly celebrating African-American culture.

The day was first recognized as a federal holiday in June 2021, when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – June 21, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

Golden Cross is back on the agenda with a limited-time offer that will only cost $50,000 a year after the initial 90 day free trial. The Brattleboro Selectboard will, by approving this, “expand the second AEMT provider to 24 hours per day and situate a third ambulance (to be housed at Station 2.)”

They will also discuss liquor licenses, fines for rental housing inspection program violations, Waste Water Treatment Plant and water pump improvements, and more. You can bring up other issues not on the agenda during public participation.

WSESD Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – Kelly Young, Board Chair
II. CONSENT AGENDA
• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – June 7, 2022
III. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items (10 minutes)
IV. Unfinished Business
A. Sexual Abuse Investigation Update
B. SRO Task Force Recommendations Update

Shopping at Swap Shop

by rbrem | Home & Garden

SHOPPING DAY (no donations accepted) at Swap Shop at WSWMD on Old Ferry Road, Brattleboro on Saturday, June 18, 8:30 am to noon. ALL ITEMS ARE FREE.   Photos of some available items are posted on Facebook’s Brattleboro, Vermont group page. MANY NEW ITEMS! WE’RE OVERSTOCKED!

SCHEDULE & HOURS:
Shopping Days- 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month
Donation Days- 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month

That Electric Trolley Idea… I Like It

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Django Grace brought up a fun idea at the most recent Brattleboro Selectboard meeting – a return to the electric trolley.

Now, I’d advocate for a trolley-monorail hybrid, of course, but the trolley alone is interesting. I like transportation that is fun.

It would be cost prohibitive to get one custom built and installed.  Recent trolley projects have costs cities between $4-14 million dollars per mile. There are Federal funds available, but they are calculated on ridership estimates and larger locations would certainly win out over Brattleboro.

What could be done, though, is to build something locally.

Brattleboro Planning Commission Special Joint Meeting: Monday, June 20, 2022

by planning | Town Plan

6:00 – 6:10 Announcements

6:10 – 6:20 Roles Of These Government Bodies
Possible Presentation of Supporting Documentation; Q & A

6:20 – 7:00 Land Use Regulations Concerns and Proposals
Parts 1, 2, 3, & 5: Discuss suggestions for Cannabis land use classifications, Setbacks, Historic Resource Overlay District, Pets vs. farm animals, Parking, Signs, Noise, Demolition Standards, and more

The Bilbao Song

by tomaidh | Travel

I’m watching a film on Netflix that takes place in Bilbao, a city in northern Spain.

I can’t stop remembering when, many years ago, I visited Bilbao, courtesy of the US Navy.

Our ship docked in San Sebastian, a sleepy fishing village where nothing EVER happens. However, a dozen miles away lay Bilbao, a thriving metropolis.

Street Closing Tuesday For New Hydrant for Elliot Street

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Tuesday, June 14, the Utilities Division will be installing a new hydrant in the area of 195 Elliot ST.  Elliot ST will be closed in the area beginning at 7:30 am through approximately 4:00 pm.  Stewart Place and Elliot ST addresses up to #186 can be accessed from the east end of Elliot ST and addresses #190 and higher can be accessed from the west end of Elliot ST. 

The World As It Is vs. The World As We Would Like To See It

by RDavis | Activism

I have been writing weekly commentaries for 28 years and I am beginning to realize that the time has come to think outside of the box. All those words may have had some impact on the world. People have learned a few things, but I remain impatient for the kind of change I would like to see.

So I have decided to try something new. I will write what might be called wishful thinking news stories, not fake news. These will be stories written in a news format that describe how the world might be if we made some of the changes that many Americans would like to see.

BCTV Schedules – Week of June 13, 2022

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1085 schedule for the week of 6/13/22

Monday, June 13, 2022

4:10 am Vermont Cannabis Control Board – 5/16/22
5:00 am Brattleboro Development Review Board – Brattleboro DRB Special Mtg 5/25/22
6:45 am Vernon Selectboard – Vernon SB Mtg 6/7/22
8:00 am The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show – Weekly Broadcast

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Executive Session

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street). The Board will convene at 6:15pm and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discuss labor relations agreements with employees and contracts. The Board will reconvene after the executive session and immediately adjourn. No action will be taken.

WSESU Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER—6:00 p.m. — Michelle Luetjen-Green, Board Chair
II. VSBA Superintendent Evaluation Services – Phil Gore, Director of Board Services
III. Approval of Minutes – May 11 and May 25, 2022
IV. Warrants and Payroll Approvals

VTrans Issues Traffic Alert For Route 9 Between Brattleboro and Wilmington

by Lise | News & Information, Other

TRAFFIC ALERT

Wilmington-Brattleboro VT-9 Resurfacing Project

DATE: Thursday, June 9, 2022 

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: Due to heavy rain causing unfavorable roadway conditions, motorists are advised to travel with caution along Vermont Route 9 between Wilmington and Brattleboro. Crews are on site working to minimize impacts to travelers.

Brattleboro Police Department Budget

by rick | Police & Fire

Tuesday’s Select Board meeting and an article in today’s Brattleboro Reformer brought to the surface a major issue with crime, especially in the downtown area. Various Select Board members chimed in both in the meeting and in the press. It rather hurt to see a friend of mine with his picture on the front page this morning given the circumstances.

Tim Wessel is quoted in the Reformer as saying:
“I live downtown and I have to say there’s an increase in the feeling of lawlessness occurring,” he said at Tuesday’s board meeting. “Whether it’s flower pots being overturned, business windows being smashed, unlocked cars being rifled through, or loud cars speeding recklessly through family neighborhoods, a lot of folks have been reaching out to me to say that it feels a little more like the Wild West in Brattleboro, and I agree.”

But, little known to many, actually including some Select Board members, Chief Hardy was a victim of the rapid shift away from Rescue Inc as well and she had no part in that decision that I am aware of.

Brattleboro Committee and Board Vacancies

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards:

Agricultural Advisory Board
Agricultural Advisory Board Ex-Officio Members
ADA Advisory Board
Arts Committee
Brattleboro Housing Partnerships Board of Commissioners
Cemetery Committee
Citizen Police Communications Committee