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Survey Alert: Have You Eaten Food from Foodworks, Edible Brattleboro, or Retreat Farm? We want to hear from you!

by Stephen Dotson | Food

We’re looking for shoppers (past and present!) and stakeholders from Foodworks, Retreat Farm, and Edible Brattleboro. We’d love to hear your thoughts about visiting these three places. If you’re interested, you can continue the conversation in an interview about your experiences. This is a chance to partner with the collaborative as we create a 5-year vision for an equitable, resilient, food system in Brattleboro. We’re hoping to build a broad coalition and welcome you to join us!

The Delta Variant

by SK-B | Health

I superficially looked at the CDC site, and learned 2 things about delta:

1. CDC sayszz the Delta Variant is one and a half times as contagious as Alpha (which I understand is the first new iteration after original Covid-19. What they mean is that if a person infected with Alpha would (under a particular set of circumstances) infect 2 additional persons; then a person infected with Delta, under the same set of circumstances, would infect 3 people. (Of course a major epidemic management goal would be to get the that number down to .9 or less.).

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Refugees, and a New Police Chief is Sworn-In

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard returned from summer break to take up issues such as refugees and a new police chief. BDCC explained why they think the refugee program is a must, ECDC explained what their program was, and Brattleboro can look forward to up to 75 refugees a year and the anticipated financial and housing challenges, as well as the hoped-for benefits to the community and economy.

The board also swore-in new Police Chief Norma Hardy. The entire department showed up in support.

The Selectboard Is Perfect. Or Maybe The Representative Town Meeting Is A Rubber Stamp

by Kurt Daims | Op/Ed

The people must make RTM representative and creative, to insure RTM represents the people and looks beyond the money and infrastructure concerns of the selectboard. Join your neighbors.

At the 2021 RTM the selectboard assigned twenty-five articles for the RTM to consider. Many times the debate ended before everyone was finished, and all twenty-five were approved with huge majorities, many above 90% . Does this mean the selectboard is perfect, or does it mean the RTM is an uninformed rubber-stamp ?

At a recent selectboard candidate forum there was a show of hands of people who had read the town charter, and hardly anyone in the audience raised a hand. The surprise was that some people campaigning and on the selectboard had not read the charter, either.

Wildlife Rescues at WCHS

by cgrotke | Nature

Some news from the Windham County Humane Society:

” Many of us in Windham County know the awesome work done by local wildlife rehabilitator, Patti Smith. Patti has worked for decades with Dr. Ron Svec (WCHS’s newest board member!) of the VT-NH Veterinary Clinic when wildlife needed medical care. When Dr. Svec recently retired, Patti called up the shelter with what she thought was a big ask – would we be willing to allow vets to use our surgery space for wildlife?

The answer was a resounding YES! Former board member and veterinarian Dr. Susan Kelly was also up for the challenge. So when an opossum was injured by a dog, Dr. Kelly gave us a call. Momma possum had four joeys in her pouch. The babies were healthy but mom had a nasty injury 2/3 of the way down her tail. Baby possums need the entire tail because they sometimes hang by their tail. Adults use their tail to gather brush but don’t hang by their tails.

Representative Town Meeting Steering Committee External Issues Working Group Meeting Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

External Issues Working Group Meeting

August 5, 5:00 pm

Outdoor patio at the Brattleboro Food Coop

The agenda is to review suggestions concerning items related to the lead-up and preparation for Representative Town Meeting.

The public is invited to attend this discussion on issues concerning Representative Town Meeting.

Ocean Clean-Up

by cgrotke | Questions & Answers

Why don’t we task the U.S. Navy with cleaning up the oceans? 

The program is paid for, they have boats and people, and they are out in the oceans of the world all the time.

Okay, so you want some naval defense. Fine. If not 100%, why not 50%, or 10% of their assignment be ocean clean-up?

Blog88.org August Issue (The Word, “CRAZY!”) Is Out!

by SK-B | Other

With a few last-minute glitches and a few hours late, the new issue of Blog88.org is online. The theme of this edition is:

The Word, “CRAZY!”

Featured as the lead article, is a powerful, first-person account of the horrendous, routine abuse of human beings in the guise of psychiatric care: CRAZY OR NOT, HERE I COME by Phoebe Sparrow Wagner.

Only 55.8% In Windham County Are Fully Vaccinated, Says CDC

by cgrotke | Health

According to the CDC’s website, 64.4% of the total population of Windham County has had at least one does of a COVID vaccine.  55.8% are fully vaccinated.

Keep this in mind as we crow about Vermont’s high vaccination rates.  We haven’t hit 70% in Windham County yet. We’re much closer to “half way there” than the “almost 100%” people like to assume.

BCTV Schedules – Week of August 2, 2021

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1075 schedule for the week of 8/2/21

Monday, August 2, 2021

4:35 am All Things LGBTQ – Interview Show 7/20/21
5:30 am Moccasin Tracks – Gluskabe and The Stone People 7/8/21
6:00 am The News Project – In Studio – Meredith Angwin and the Electric Grid
6:30 am HANDS in the Kitchen – Healthier Snacking 7/1/21
7:07 am Stuck in Vermont – Kitty Korner Café

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – August 3, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard returns from their summer break to take up issues of new people in the community. They will swear in our new Police Chief Norma Hardy in a welcoming ceremony. They’ll also hear a presentation about the possibility of welcoming refugees to the area.

The Solid Waste Fund’s final transfer from the General Fund occurs, liquor permits will be given out, water and sewer repairs will be considered, and committee members will be appointed. You can also bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Chase Street – Notice of Road Closure and Water Service Interruption

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

There will be an interruption of water service on lower Oak ST and Chase ST from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, while Utilities personnel can replace valves in the intersection of Oak ST and Chase ST.

Work will begin on Monday, August 2, when the intersection will be closed for utilities crew to dig up the old valves and will remain closed until the work is completed on Tuesday, August 3. Residents at #6 – #26 Chase ST should use Forest ST for access and residents at #30 – #49 Chase ST will be able to use Linden ST for access in both directions.

Brattleboro Senior Meals To Open 5 Days a Week

by KathrynT | Food

Beginning Monday,  August 2nd,the Brattleboro Senior Congregate Meal program will be operating five days a week (Monday – Friday).

Please note that there will be a limited capacity and reservations will be required. To make a reservation please call Cynthia at 802-267-1236. No later than 10 am.

Another Jobs Blow To Brattleboro

by David Cadran | Business

In another disappointing blow to the jobs market in Brattleboro; M&T Bank (Formerly People’s United) has filed a WARN notice with the state that next year they intend to lay-off 51 employees at the Brattleboro Operation’s Center.

People’s United is the largest depositor in Vermont with 26% of the state’s total deposits. Perhaps this will kick off the discussion again about the possibility of establishing a state bank who’s charter is to serve the people of Vermont. Just an idea…

Brattleboro Development Review Board, August 18, 2021

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

AGENDA

Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
Review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations.
2021-87                   Paul Belogour for Vermont Re Development, LLC; Service Center District; appeal of a Zoning Administrator’s determination that a ground sign cannot be refaced as it is non-conforming for height, lighting, and area, and non-grandfathered at 580 Canal Street; Tax Map Parcel #00340035.000 Continued from July 21, 2021