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Update on Funding and Timeline for the 2025-26 Brattleboro Town Arts Fund Application Cycle

by Not Signed In | Arts

Program Update: In light of the reduced funding allocation for the Brattleboro Town Arts Fund, we have decided to postpone the launch of the 2025 application cycle until January 2026, effectively combining this year’s and next year’s application process and funding resources.

While the Brattleboro Selectboard voted in April to restore $15,000 for the Town Arts Fund in the revised FY26 Town budget, the finalized budget that was sent to and approved at Representative Town Meeting in May included an additional reduction of $5,000 from the TAF program, for a final award of $10,000 for FY26.

Change All Your Passwords

by IM Holland Mills | Sci-Tech

The recent leak of over 16 000 000 000 passwords is quite serious and was reported when the world was hardly looking.  At the time of this writing it was scrubbed from the major US news outlets.

Dangerously Hot Temperatures in Forecast for June 23-24

by BrattFireDept | Health

On Monday and Tuesday, June 23-24, 2025, temperatures are forecast to reach into the high 90s. The heat index will be higher, with high humidity and dew point temperatures potentially causing dangerous conditions.

Keep an eye on your family, friends, neighbors, and yourselves for symptoms of heat illness. Symptoms include muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, headache, or light-headedness. Most symptoms can be treated with fluids and by resting in a cooler place. Look for grassy areas that are shaded. Paved areas will always be warmer, even in the shade. If symptoms persist or worsen, or someone seems confused or loses consciousness, dial 9-1-1 immediately for help!

WSESD WRCC Aviation Advisory Meeting Minutes – May 21, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

a. Connection with Young Eagles program in Rutland. The group discussed a number of flight opportunities connected with the Young Eagles program within a reasonable drive from Brattleboro. One of the biggest obstacles is the fact that free Young Eagles intro flights are age limited to 17 years old. Six of the nine students in the program are older than 17. Additionally, we discussed the possibility of scheduling introductory flight, at a cost, with a local flight school as a means to get students in the air in a light GA aircraft.

Arguments Against President Trump Playing the Part of Israeli Netanyahu’s Puppet

by Cris Ericson | Op/Ed

(1) Recall to active service.
In the event that President Trump should call a national emergency because Trump helps Israel bomb Iran and Iran decides to try to bomb U.S. Military bases over there somewhere, then people are concerned about retired U.S. Military people being re-called to service. This is what people are talking about, from the grocery delivery guy to the handyman repair guy. Even a lady at the grocery store knows this fear.

VTrans Paving Projects In Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

Project Description: Work will consist of course milling the existing pavement to a 2” depth, then placing a 1/2” lift of Type IVS pavement to level the road surface, followed but a 1-1/2” lift of Type IVS pavement as the final wearing surface. Sidewalk ramps and pedestrian crossing infrastructure will be replaced and upgraded to meet current ADA standards, as necessary. Some bicycle features may be added where applicable and feasible. Signs will also be replaced and upgraded as necessary to meet current specifications in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Finally, shoulder berms that have built up will be removed to facilitate better drainage from the road surface, and some ditching work may be performed to further aid in drainage.  The majority of the work within the project limits (STP PC25(6)) will occur during typical night time hours as an effort to minimize impacts to traffic.

Brattleboro Parking System’s Impact On Downtown Business

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Isaac Evans-Frantz made some good points about the parking system and downtown business at Tuesday’s Selectboard meeting. His points deserve underlining and emphasis because he latched on to some logical flaws of the current parking system, and hinted heavily that it might be really harming downtown business.

…

Isaac began by asking why, if there was a deficit in the parking fund, would the board consider offering any free parking at all during holidays.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Water and Sewer Rates To Rise

by cgrotke | Town News
new sculpture park for Brattleboro plan

Your water bill will go up, your sewer bills will go up, the town is buying a $73k car for the fire department, there will be a bit of free parking near the holidays, and a new sculpture park is being preliminarily proposed for the area near BMAC and he Amtrak station. All this and more at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Brattleboro Juneteenth Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Juneteenth, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Thursday, June 19, 2025. All other violations will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

The Big Sleep

by RDavis | Philosophy

When I read obituaries of people of my own age they no longer use the phrase “he died so young”, but they may say “he lived a full life”. Of course I am reminded of my imminent demise, but it also is a way to learn to cherish the time left on this planet. All kinds of thoughts cross your mind when you reach this point in life.

I always had a fascination with the obituary page, but I now find myself reading almost every word of every obituary. I’m not sure what this means, but I suspect I am comparing my life to that of others my age who have passed on and trying to figure out what I would like to have said about me when I pass.

These are not morbid thoughts. If we accept the fact that we all die then we can embrace the last chapters of our lives and exploit the perspective that a lot of decades on the planet have given us. Some people prepare their own obituaries so they can know exactly what will be said about them. It seems like a reasonable thing to do and I tell myself I should do it but I keep putting it off. Does this mean I am afraid of death?

Beatrice Birch on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Education

BEATRICE BIRCH has created a place where folks recovering from addictions and trauma can find health, solace, direction and community. Listen to her story and how INNER FIRE Healing Community helps to connect each person to their own inner fire.

More Than 2500 At Brattleboro’s No Kings Day

by cgrotke | Politics
brattleboro no kings day

More than 2500 turned out to protest today in Brattleboro. The number was according to a speaker at the stage at the common, and was probably an undercount, as people were still arriving. Indeed, Brattleboro was filled with people today. Cars filled side streets and church parking lots. Church bells were ringing out. There were people marching, chanting, singing, playing music and holding their signs and flags up as they marched.

Taking a Stand on No Kings Day

by Lise | Op/Ed

As did the authors of the Declaration of Independence, we find ourself in rare times. For the first time in our history, democracy itself is under assault by people bent on its destruction and along with it, the democratic values that guarantee our freedom. On Saturday, June 14, the two sides in the great battle between democracy and fascism face off in the first show of force since the Trump dictatorship began, officially, five months ago.