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Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 21, 2025

The Brattleboro Selectboard will again hold a meeting on a Tuesday evening, and they will discuss a new pedestrian and bike path being planned for along the Connecticut River.

They’ll also get annual updates from Interaction, and BDCC and SeVEDS. They’ll also learn about housing possibilities in town-owned properties and review their legislative priorities. You can bring up other items during public participation if they aren’t already on the agenda.


Brattleboro VTrans Paving Project Construction Update 10/17/2025

Between Vermont Avenue and Noah’s Lane, crews will work on bridge joints and the painting operation will move to this location after paint is complete in the downtown area.

Once this section is complete and in the next few weeks, crews plan to move the active work zone from night shift to day shift and to continue to make progress on U.S. 5 from the Brattleboro/Dummerston town line north toward Putney.


Mandolin Masters Matt Flinner & Joe K. Walsh Bring an Intimate Evening of Acoustic Brilliance

Two of the finest mandolinists in the modern acoustic world are coming together for a special evening of music that promises to delight fans of bluegrass, roots, and contemporary string band sounds.

Matt Flinner, a National Banjo and Mandolin Champion, has spent decades pushing the boundaries of acoustic music. From performing at bluegrass festivals before his teens to touring and recording with artists ranging from Steve Martin to the Modern Mandolin Quartet, Flinner’s artistry is widely celebrated for its musicality, innovation, and versatility.


Brattleboro Installs Automated Defibrillator at Living Memorial Park

The Town of Brattleboro has installed its first publicly accessible, outdoor automated external defibrillator (AED) at Living Memorial Park, located outside the front entrance of the Nelson Withington Skating Facility. An AED is a portable electronic device that can analyze a person’s heart rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electric shock (called defibrillation) to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest. The device was donated by Brattleboro Senior Corp.

“This project shows what Brattleboro does best — working together to make our community safer and stronger. Thanks to our partners and Town staff, we now have a lifesaving resource right where people gather every day,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter.


Resist / Aggressive Next Step

The Strongest Action against Mr. Trump began here in Brattleboro in 2008.

Now (again) it is time for ACTIVE resistance to Mr. Trump. Brattleboro Common Sense (BCS) in common cause with people protesting nationwide and around the world, proposes this action, to block unlawful military orders from him; an emergency ordinance per Brattleboro charter article IV section 6AA, as follows.

The people of Brattleboro honor the courage and the sacrifices of our troops. We remind them that they took an oath of allegiance NOT to the president, but to the Constitution of the United States — the enduring doctrines of liberty and justice of our nation. We implore their vigilance “against all enemies, foreign or domestic”, and in accordance with the Nuremberg Principles we exhort them to refuse unlawful orders and to file charges against anyone giving an order to start a war of aggression or commit any war crime.


Jen Karpin on “Here We Are”

Great Vintage! Walk into MORNING GLORIOUS, one of downtown’s coolest, most colorful stores, and say hello to JEN KARPIN – she’s created a warm and friendly place filled with ever-changing inventory sure to raise your dopamine levels! Jen also talks about growing up amidst antiques and auctions, sustainable textiles, the Vintage Fashion Guild, and the “joyful wardrobe”. Tune in !


WSESD Policy and Amendment Committee Minutes Oct 8, 2025

Policies

Note: The committee did not review two policies that were at the top of the agenda (the proposed Asthma Friendly Schools policy and D15 Travel Reimbursement) as the invited guests were unable to attend the meeting.

Gender Freedom in Schools

The committee reviewed and discussed the final section of the policy, School Activities.


What’s Cooking at Leda’s Kitchen This Week?

Here’s the menu for this week–several Indian dishes plus a mild and deeply flavorful Mexican pork stew with fixings that you can make into taco night. Orders are due Tuesday by 7PM for Thursday pickup. Questions? Message me at 802-246-7592 or ledaskitchen@gmail.com

ANDHARA-STYLE CHICKEN CURRY GF, DF
This dish features free-range chicken that is marinated in lemon and chili powder, then simmered in a slightly creamy and spicy sauce made from tomatoes, cashews, coconut, and aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
$26 for 24oz container (2-3 servings)


Engage with State Rep Ian Goodnow (Windham 9)

All are invited to a community dialogue with featured guest Brattleboro (Windham District 9) State Rep. Ian Goodnow on Wednesday October 15, 2025 – 6:30 pm in the Community Room at Brooks Memorial Library
While there is no formal agenda for this meeting, one might say it is divided in three parts:

• What happened in the last legislative session?
• What can we expect in the session starting January 2026?
• What legislative issues are front of mind for you?


Fiscal Shock

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH), our small community non-profit hospital, is facing what looks like its most challenging financial situation in its 121 year history. It is frightening for the 807 employees (as of 2023 according to an August 2025 IRS 990 filing) who depend on the institution for their livelihood. The prospect of having to lose access to a local hospital would also change the lives of 40,000 people who live in Windham County.

Sadly, it is not clear what is going on at the hospital because the board of directors has not said much other than putting the CEO on leave. Hospitals are notorious for hiding their dirty laundry and BMH is no exception. I worked there on and off for about 14 years and I was always at odds with many of the higher level management team.


Brattleboro Indigenous Peoples’ Day Closings

In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, all Town offices will be closed on Monday, October 13, 2025, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Monday, Monday, October 13, 2025. All other violations will be enforced.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda & Notes – October 16, 2025

When the Brattleboro Selectboard has their regular Tuesday meeting… on Thursday (?!), they will deal with both novel and routine items of business.

In the novel category there will be a discussion of a Festival of Miniatures, and approvals of permits for No Kings and Horribles. Routine items include changes to parking ordinances, talk about local roads, a monthly budget update, and more.

You can bring up other items in either category, if they are not already on the agenda, during Public Participation.


Brattleboro VTrans Paving Project Construction Update 10/10/2025

Due to the holiday weekend, no work will occur after 6:00 a.m. Friday, October 10, 2025 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Nighttime single-lane closures will be in place Tuesday night through Saturday morning from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Work will continue on Vermont Route 9 (Western Avenue and High Street) and U.S. Route 5 (Main Street). Flaggers will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic through the work zones. Motorists should be aware of wet paint.


It Is Below Freezing Oct. 10, 2025 Where Are Homeless VT Babies Tonight?

A homeless unsheltered Vermont baby left outside in the cruel cold of 31°F or colder weather can die from hypothermia in as little as 15 to 45 minutes. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia because they lose heat more quickly than adults and have less body mass.

Couldn’t we charge Governor Phil Scott and the entire Vermont legislature with negligent homicide or something?