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Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – September 21, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

A new bridge near Melrose Street will be one focus of attention for the Brattleboro Selectboard at their next meeting. VTrans reps will be on hand to explain the details and answer questions.

The board will also hear more about the creation of a stormwater utility and master plan for the town, will renegotiate tax payments for the Retreat, explore grants for a health program and for a water and sewer capacity study, and more. You can always bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Bernie Sanders’ New Political Life

by RDavis | Activism

The longevity of the political life of Bernie Sanders is nothing short of amazing. I think too many of us tend to take him for granted as our lone voice in the wilderness for what is just and fair for the American people.

Bernie is a political anomaly because he does what he says he will do and he has never wavered from his core principles over the decades of his political career. There are not too many Washington politicians who fit that profile and Vermonters, as well as the rest of the country, are lucky to have such a mensch in office.

We need to remind ourselves from time to time just how valuable Bernie has become to the national political process, especially during these times of political rancor and turmoil. I have always been amazed at Bernie’s ability to stay above the fray and forge straight ahead, despite the fact that Washington power brokers have tried to marginalize him at every turn.

Another Shopping Day at Swap Shop

by rbrem | Home & Garden

Another SHOPPING ONLY DAY at Swap Shop at WSWMD on Old Ferry Road, Brattleboro!  Saturday, September 18, 8:30 am to noon. ALL ITEMS ARE FREE

SCHEDULE & HOURS:
Shopping Days- 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month
Donation Days- 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month
If a month contains 5 weeks, the Swap will be closed
Hours are 8:30am-12pm.  (Large donation loads may not be accepted after 11:30am)

Representative Town Meeting Steering Committee Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

Agenda (start time / minutes)

• Call to order (6:00 / 2)

• Agenda review (6:02 / 5)

• Approve last meeting minutes (6:07 / 3)

• Announcements (6:10 / 5)

• Topic: Officer elections (6:15 / 20)

• Topic: Committee policy to discuss or not discuss charter change items – vote, from John Kennedy (6:35 / 5)

• Topic: Sub-committee on finance – vote, from Rikki Risatti (6:40 / 5)

“Here We Are” with Elayne Clift

by Not Signed In | Culture

Elayne always has her finger on the pulse of social justice, women’s rights and gender issues, and she keeps us up-to-date with her clear and incisive writing and commentary. She also talks about the joys of being a birth Doula and how travel connects her with others world-wide in powerful ways.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Safety and Spending

by cgrotke | Town News
brattleboro selectboard sept 14

The Brattleboro Selectboard is easing into budget season while wrestling with the safety of retuning to in-person meetings. They got an update on the Water Treatment Plant upgrade, paid for some emergency repairs, gave out a liquor license, and discussed Town Manager Elwell’s final Long Term Financial Plan.

There was more – there will be new stop signs coming to some corners, a discussion of ARPA fund possibilities was quick, and a discussion of blinking crosswalks took quite a while.

Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

1. Minutes – August 18, 2021 

2. Public Participation 

3. Monthly Report on Pedestrian and Bicycle Incidents 

4. Monthly Report on Traffic Data Collection 

5. Street and Sidewalk Safety Policy Safety Action Requests 

(a) Speed Concerns on Elliot Street 

(b) Speed Concerns on Grove Street 

(c) Speed Concerns on Pine Street 

(d) Request to Close Bullock and Whipple Streets + Provide Downtown Pedestrian-Only Zones 

Free Burgers and Dogs for Vietnam Veterans Friday Sept. 17th at the Brattleboro VFW

by LisaL | Food

On Friday September 17th, the Brattleboro VFW Post #1034 located at 40 Black Mountain Road will be offering free hamburgers, natural casing hotdogs, chips and sodas for any Vietnam veteran who come to the VFW from 5pm -7pm. The public is also welcome to come in and purchase burgers and dogs. Again, if you are a Vietnam Vet, this will be free. All others are welcome to come in and purchase food. You do not have to be a member.

Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Foodworks Remains Virtual in 2021

by Not Signed In | Activism

BRATTLEBORO, VT — In recognition of increased COVID case numbers, the Empty Bowls Steering Committee has opted to go virtual again this year as opposed to returning to an in-person dinner.  For 18 years now, local potters have created and donated beautiful and functional bowls to raise funds for the food shelf that has now grown to be Foodworks. In that regard, this year is no different.

“We experienced incredible support last year, putting on Empty Bowls in the time of COVID,” explains Groundworks Board Member and Empty Bowls Co-Chair Beth Kiendl. “The tweaks we made last year—shifting to selling bowls in local storefronts—were so successful due to the community support for our work providing emergency food to all who need it in our community.”  

Some Progress In Climate Legislation

by Kurt Daims | Activism

The Climate Crisis Committee of the Windham Southeast School District is advocating bold legislation..
Two years ago BCS started a Climate Crisis Committee in the school district in order to create a standing forum for climate issues and to keep climate issues in the board directors’ attention. The school district is larger than Brattleboro, and people are more sensitive and protective about it. So, it is a good venue.

In steady times the purpose of education is the transfer of culture and society. The Greta Thunberg Resolution addresses climate crisis through the schools. Realistically, scientifically, in the ultimate crisis the purpose of education must be to prepare students for life in that crisis, and to encourage serious action for survival and rescue. Since we all recognize Greta Thunberg as an exemplary influence on our students and society the WSESD should reduce the school week to four days, so that students have time to pursue climate rescue following Greta Thunberg’s exemplary activism. Many people who say they admire and support Greta Thunberg will oppose the resolution. So, the resolution illuminates latent denial.

Brattleboro Committee Vacancies

by Not Signed In | Town News

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

ADA Committee 

Agricultural Advisory committee 

Arts Committee 

Cemetery Committee 

Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) 

BCTV Schedules – Week of September 13, 2021

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1085 schedule for the week of 9/13/21

Monday, September 13, 2021

4:00 am West River Education District – WRED Bd Mtg 8/30/21
6:00 am Brattleboro Selectboard – Brattleboro SB Special Mtg 8/31/21
8:00 am The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show – Weekly Broadcast
9:00 am Energy Week with George Harvey – Energy Week #435 – 9/9/2021
10:00 am Brattleboro Planning Commission – Brattleboro PC Mtg 9/8/21
12:15 pm Dummerston Selectboard – Dummerston SB Mtg 9/8/21
1:00 pm Vernon Selectboard – Vernon SB Mtg 9/7/21

Fall Woodworking Classes for Beginners at HatchSpace

by HatchSpace | Creative

Learn something new and have fun in HatchSpace’s introduction to working classes.

Introduction to Woodworking: Build a Side Table

Through the creation of a side table, this class introduces students to the fundamentals of building furniture, the safe use of power tools such as the jointer, planer and table saw, a wide range of hand tools and techniques, and numerous design possibilities.  Instructor Doug Finkel has many years of experience teaching in schools and at craft centers.   Tuesdays, September 21 – November 9 (8 sessions); 6-9 pm.

9/11

by tomaidh | History

Today is September 11th, AKA 9/11, the 20th anniversary,
Let us take a few moments to reflect on this day of tragedy and the many innocent people who gave their lives.
I don’t pretend to know what really happened that day, but it’s different from the “Official Story”.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – September 14, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard willl take up a number of water treatment plant issues at their next regular meeting. This includes emergency replacement of a blower and other emergency repairs for wells, a project update, and a loan application. The board will continue discussion of adjusting COVID rules, hear an update on ARPA funding, consider some traffic safety measures, and contemplate Town Manager Elwell’s final Long Term Financial Plan, FY23-27.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meetings Scheduled

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 7:45am at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (230 Main Street). The Board will convene at 7:45am and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer.

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 8:00am. The Board will convene at 8:00am and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee.

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 1:00pm. The Board will convene at 1:00pm and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, collective bargaining agreements with employees, the negotiation of a real estate purchase or lease and contracts.