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The Immigrant Experience in 2022

by RDavis | Culture

I am a second generation American. My grandparents were immigrants. They came from eastern Europe to escape the pogroms and persecution that Jews faced. I often wonder what it was like for them when they arrived in this country. I never did ask them about their experiences.

The reason I am thinking about this now is that I am experiencing immigration from the perspective of someone welcoming new immigrants to this country. Brattleboro, Vermont has become the home to about 100 people from Afghanistan. They have escaped the prospect of constant violence and painful lives to become citizens of a new country.

Our community has worked hard to help the Afghans adjust to their new home. I am surprised to realize that the adjustment can be difficult for the local people as well as the newcomers.

Brenda Siegel of Newfane Files for 2022 Gubernatorial Race

by Not Signed In | Politics

Montpelier, VT – This morning, Brenda Siegel of Newfane filed her petitions with the Secretary of State to become the first candidate from any party to officially be in the race for Governor of Vermont. Siegel, a Democrat, is running on a platform committed to some of Vermont’s biggest issues: housing, the overdose crisis, education, and climate change. 

Said Siegel upon filing: “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to run in this race. I’ve been fighting for working Vermonters my entire life, and now, more than ever, our communities are struggling and they need us to do more. Vermont needs leaders who prioritize taking bold climate action, building a bottom-up economy, putting real resources into healing the overdose crisis, and supporting and strengthening our education system. These are not new issues and we need a Governor that is ready to lead. I’m confident that I can – and will – be that Governor.”

Milling and Paving of Main Street

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Thursday, May 19, beginning at 6:00 pm, Highway crews will be milling and paving Main ST between High ST and Grove ST.  The work will take place overnight and is expected to be completed by Friday morning at 7:00 am.  There will be no on street parking during this project and motorists should expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes.  

The rain date for this project is Thursday, May 26th.

High Street Paving

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Thursday, May 19, beginning at 6:00 pm, DMI Paving (a contractor of the town) will be paving High ST from Main Street to Green Street.  The work will take place overnight and is expected to be completed by Friday morning at 7:00 am.  There will be no on street parking during this project and motorists should expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes.  

The rain date for this project is Thursday, May 26th.

Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

AGENDA
1. Minutes – March 17, 2022
2. Public Participation
3. Monthly Report on Pedestrian and Bicycle Incidents – For March and April 4.
5. Monthly Report on Traffic Data Collection – for March and April
6. Street and Sidewalk Safety Policy Safety Action Requests

Brattleboro Committee Vacancies Announced

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

EMS in Brattleboro – On the Agenda Tuesday May 17 Selectboard

by RobertOeser | Town News

It is important that Selectboard members hear from Brattleboro residents on how our Emergency Medical Response service to the town will work, going forward.

A change to the delivery of EMS was agreed to by the Selectboard at the April 19 meeting. This week’s board meeting will cover a proposal for a feasibility study, to include EMS. See item 8 (B) on the attached agenda for this Tuesday, May 17 at 6:15pm. In-person and remote joining details are below.

A general observation –

When the $25,000 for the Fire Department strategic plan was approved in the budget at RTM on March 19 of this year, there was no public indication that Rescue Inc would no longer be providing EMS services. Community input absolutely needs to be a part of any strategic plan for this service, following the example of other towns. Therefore, in this proposed feasibility study, “all options should be on the table.”

Q & A – The Brattleboro Website RFP

by cgrotke | Town News

Hey. I see in the agenda that your web design company, MuseArts, didn’t get the gig to do the new town website…

– That is correct!

Sorry to hear. Your bid must have been too high, eh? Didn’t like your response to the RFP?

– Nope.  They never saw our proposal.

Okay, now I’m confused… did you want to respond to the RFP?

BCTV Schedules Week of May 16, 2022

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1075 schedule for the week of 5/16/22

Monday, May 16, 2022

5:15 am Brooks Memorial Library Events – Saige Doll and Books 4/13/13
6:00 am Collegiate A Cappella Concert – 18th (Almost) Annual A Cappella Concert 4/9/22
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast
9:00 am Keeping Up with Senior Solutions – Ep 24 – Volunteers

Youth Services Is Finalizing Play Times for May 21 CORNSTOCK: Cornhole for a Cause!

by Nanci Leitch | Recreation & Sports

The deadline for registrations is fast approaching for “CORNSTOCK: Cornhole for a Cause!”, according to organizers at Youth Services.   The inaugural year of this new fundraiser, Youth Services is offering space on Saturday, May 21 for 12 teams to play this popular lawn game every hour, between noon and 5, on the Farmhouse Square at Retreat Farm on Rt. 30 in Brattleboro, Vermont.

CORNSTOCK: Cornhole for a Cause! is presented by Chroma Technology. Sponsors for all Youth Services events in 2022 are Pacesetters Brattleboro Subaru, The Richards Group and Headwater Precision.

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 – May 3 and May 10
III. Pupil Weighting – Emilie Kornheiser
IV. Coalition for Vermont Student Equity
V. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items (10 minutes)
VI. Unfinished Business
A. Sexual Abuse Investigation Update

Abortion, The Supreme Court, and the Death of Democracy

by RDavis | Activism

American women will soon find it more difficult to make decisions about pregnancy thanks to the persistent bullying of a minority of Americans. When the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, abortion will be an issue that will be controlled by individual states.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, “If Roe were overturned or fundamentally weakened, 22 states have laws or constitutional amendments already in place that would make them certain to attempt to ban abortion as quickly as possible. Anti-abortion policymakers in several of these states have also indicated that they will introduce legislation modeled after the Texas six-week abortion ban.”

2021 Brattleboro Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes Due

by Not Signed In | Town News

The fourth installment of the 2021 Brattleboro Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes will be due on May 16, 2022. Payments made after May 16, 2022 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.

The Town of Brattleboro utility bills are also due on May 16, 2022. Payments made after May 16, 2022 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance. Payments can be mailed to the Town of Brattleboro, 230 Main Street, Suite 111, Brattleboro VT 05301. An official postmark of May 16, 2022 will be considered as an on time payment.

South Main Street Sidewalk Replacement

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

The Town has contracted with LaRock & Son Inc to replace the sidewalk on the west side of South Main Street between Cotton Mill Hill and Pine ST.  This project will be ongoing for several weeks and at times, operations will require one lane, alternating traffic as well as no parking in the area.  Residents are asked to be aware of no parking signs in the area and drivers should be prepared for alternate traffic patterns during this work.

Andrzej Mikijaniec on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Entertainment

Authentic Polish food, stories of leaving the homeland, and all Borscht sales donated to the Ukraine – plus everything served up with humor and heart – Andrzej and his Polish Food Stand – a Brattleboro treasure, indeed. (now located in West Bratt.)

Brattleboro Dog and Wolf-hybrid Licenses Due

by Not Signed In | Pets

Vermont dogs and wolf-hybrids 6 months of age and older must be licensed per Title 20, Section 3581(c) of Vermont State Statutes.  For dogs not previously licensed in Brattleboro, a new dog license application form is available on the www.brattleboro.org website; go to Departments; Town Clerk; on the right-hand side bar is a section on Dogs.  From that page on the right side bar look at Licensing a New Dog.   Licenses being renewed may be processed in the Town Clerk’s office (in-person or by using the drop box in the Municipal Center parking lot), through the mail or paid online at www.brattleboro.org.