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Support for Amanda Ellis Thurber

by Not Signed In | Op/Ed

I support Amanda Ellis Thurber for the 3 year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard. She’s been a farmer for years, was a founding member of the Brattleboro Area Farmers Market and she has been working with numerous regional organizations on issues revolving around sustainability of the farming economy and community.  Amanda is pleasant and respectful to every community member. More important she has an open mind, is willing to ask questions and work to solve problems. 

When former Town Manager Peter Elwell wrote a letter to the editor he expressed concerns about fiscal mismanagement. For Peter who was always measured and reasoned during his tenure in that position to raise the alarm to that level  should cause one to look carefully. He steadfastly guided Brattleboro and managed the town’s finances well. Upon his departure Peter left the Town of Brattleboro in decent financial standing.

Vermont Air National Guard & F-35 Jets On Their Way to War!

by Cris Ericson | Op/Ed

Pentagon announcement: Vermont Air National Guard and F-35 strike fighter jets are on their way to WAR. Please note that F-35 strike fighter jets are dual capable to carry nuclear bombs.

In other news, the Lunar Eclipse will occur early tomorrow morning, and then we will have the full moon in Virgo opposite Sun in Pisces. Virgo can be a cold calculated sign, great for precision missiles.

Pass the vomit bag.

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interviews

by cgrotke | Politics

Interview questions were sent to all candidates for Brattleboro Selectboard; for the first time, not everyone bothered to return answers (there is still time).  

Here are the links to candidate interviews in one handy spot of those who chose to participate so far:

February 2026 Brattleboro Precipitation Report

by local | Nature

February was a dry and average temp month with no big warmups or rains.  Measured 1.22″ of moisture compared to the NOAA average of 3.11″.  For the water year that we are 5 months into, the total is 14.94″ compared to the normal of 19.10″.   Has stayed on the dry side thru fall and winter.

Snow for the month here was 10.9″ compared to my average of 16.1″ and for the season 48.2″.  February snow extremes from my records are 0.0″ in 2012 and 40.0″ in 2015.

When Is Later?

by fidel | Op/Ed

In her Reformer commentary, “I won’t be silenced,” Elizabeth McLoughlin claims to be committed to the Town’s “stability, safety, and fiscal health” and, so, wishes another three-year term on the Selectboard. When it comes to stability and fiscal health, Ms. McLoughlin has been a forceful member of a board that delivered an 11.4% Town property tax increase last year and is presenting a 6.3% increase for next year. Even so, we ran a deficit in FY24, and there may have been a deficit also in FY25—we don’t know on the last because the formal audit which is normally available in the fall won’t be completed until May or June.

Brattleboro Structure Fire – 448 Halladay Brook Road

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

On Feb. 26 at 2156 hours, the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched to 448 Halladay Brook Road for a reported chimney fire with extension into the residence. Because of the residence’s location outside the hydrant district, additional units were dispatched immediately from mutual aid partners. While responding, Brattleboro Dispatch received a second call advising that fire could be seen from the residence’s roof. Responding crews upgraded the alarm assignment to a “second alarm,” bringing in additional mutual aid fire department companies.

The first arriving companies from Station #2 (West Brattleboro) found moderate fire on the second floor, venting through the roof line. Firefighters (LT. Fellows, FF Martin, and FF Bulla) made an aggressive attack on the fire by advancing a 1 ¾-inch hose line to the second floor of the residence, ultimately knocking down much of the fire. Additional incoming crews relieved the initial crew and extinguished the fire completely.

Twilight Music Brings a Songwriters’ Circle—and a Headliner—to Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Music

Putney’s Twilight Music series continues its tradition of intimate, listening-room concerts with a standout Singer/Songwriter Showcase on Friday, March 20, at Next Stage Arts. The evening opens with a special in-the-round set from Early Risers, Jake Klar, and Lizzy Mandell, before culminating in Andrea von Kampen’s debut performance at the venue.

Doors open at 6:45 pm, with music beginning at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door, or $10 for the livestream, available at nextstagearts.org.

The opening set brings three distinct voices together in a collaborative circle. Early Risers—known for their close harmonies and roots-rich arrangements featuring banjo, mandolin, piano, guitar, and shruti box—reunited in 2015 after solo careers and quickly found national traction. Their debut album, Making Life Sweet, topped the Folk DJ Charts, with multiple tracks landing in the top ten.

We Deserve Better

by fidel | Politics

Selectboard Chair Elizabeth McLoughlin made some grossly false charges against former Town Manager Peter Elwell in her piece in the Reformer on February 17. Why? Could it be because he had the temerity to express concerns about her impacts on town finances and on the atmosphere of town politics? McLoughlin’s disproportionate and misleading response seems to prove his point.

McLoughlin says Elwell favors defunding the police. He doesn’t. She says, correctly, that at one point the police department was down to 13 officers but fails to acknowledge that, in his capacity as town manager, Elwell hired Norma Hardy, the police chief who rebuilt the department and who developed and implemented the Downtown Safety Action Plan that McLoughlin supported. She implies that he seeks to create a new Community Safety Department with over $100,000 a year for an executive director. Not so.

Brattleboro DRB March 18 Agenda

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 as warned on October 12, 2015.
2026-16                Town of Brattleboro; Urban Center  District; request for Site Plan Approval to improve sidewalk, front plaza, landscaping and create new seating areas at 224 Main Street; Tax Map Parcel #275219.000

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Ken Fay

by cgrotke | Politics
Ken Fay

Ken Fay is running for a three year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Introduce yourself. Who are you and what would you say are your qualifications for the job?

I’m Ken Fay running for the 3-year term on the selectboard. I believe that my qualifications for the position can be divided into two sections – what I have done professionally throughout my adult life as well as my life experiences. As a CPA with an MBA who has worked in finance and accounting and as a finance director for nonprofits as well as for an Alaskan municipality, I have hands on experience with municipal government. The towns in Alaska while smaller in size than Brattleboro had many of the same fiscal challenges – including that of doing more with less. Since graduating college in 1983, I have had 49 life events – 29 moves and 20 changes in employment. Having no children and never been married has allowed me that flexibility. 

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agenda Updates

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 5:45pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room. (The Zoom link has changed.)

The Brattleboro Finance Committee will meet at 6:00pm at the Brooks Memorial Library. (The location has changed.)

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Isaac Evans-Frantz

by cgrotke | Politics
isaac evans-franz

Issac Evans-Frantz is an incumbent running for a one year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Introduce yourself. Who are you and what would you say are your qualifications for the job?

My name is Isaac Evans-Frantz, and I’m the clerk of the Brattleboro Selectboard, running for re-election for a one-year term. I was born at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and raised in West Brattleboro.

I bring a strong understanding of municipal finances and a willingness to dig into the details. I’ve consistently asked hard questions, advocated for responsible budgeting, and stood up for democratic processes, including voting against budgets I believed placed an undue burden on taxpayers.

Brattleboro March 3rd Election Information

by Not Signed In | Politics

Below is some helpful information for the March 3rd Town Meeting and WSESD School Board Director Elections.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots for these elections were mailed by request. Please make sure to follow the instructions provided with your ballot, including: 

Signing the certificate envelopeand ensuring your ballot/s are insidethe certificate envelope.
Using ablack pen to mark your ballot.
Do NOT use a markeras it can bleed through to the back of your ballot, requiring a replacement ballot.
WSESD you may vote in all town’s races for School Board.
Only vote for the number of seats available. Voting for more than the number indicated in that race will result in an overvote, and that vote will not be counted.

Reminder – Brattleboro District 9 Meeting

by fidel | Town News

All Brattleboro residents of District 9 are invited to meet:

Tuesday, February 24 at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Quiet Reading Room (Room D) on the mezzanine.

We’ll discuss and, best we can, answer questions about the March 3 election on our form of government and next year’s budget, and whatever other issues people want to raise.

Winter Storm Expected Sunday Night into Monday, Feb. 23

by Not Signed In | Town News

A winter storm is expected to impact the Brattleboro area beginning during the late night hours of Sunday, Feb. 22 and continuing through Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Possible impacts include:

Snow-covered roads, especially during the Monday morning commute.
Periods of reduced visibility during heavier snowfall.
Gusty winds that may lead to blowing snow and tree damage.
The potential for scattered power outages.