Selectboard Meeting Notes – Brattleboro Discusses Big Issues with State Delegation

Repeat Offenders

The Brattleboro Selectboard held an extended conversation with members of the state legislative delegation, handing them a long list of things that Brattleboro would like help with – money, staff, changes to laws, and so on.

Reps said they were working on many items already, but were eager to stay involved and work together to find solutions to housing, justice, addiction, mental health, crime, and other issues plaguing the ‘boro.


Brattleboro Selectboard – Agenda and Notes – November 7, 2023

Downtown Brattleboro surveillance is on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. New $45,000 police cameras will be purchased for the intersection of High and Main so that the Town can watch everything you do there, in addition to watching everything you do at the Transportation Center. Some local stores will join in and add their cameras to the surveillance system, too.

Brattleboro’s sludge removal has become more expensive and the board will approve nearly $45,000 contract increase for just six months of disposal costs.  The board will also discuss their new Legislative Agenda (things they want the State to help fix), a bike path proposal for Rt. 5, discontinuing part of Melrose Street, ordinance changes, and more.

You can request other items not on the agenda during public participation, as long as you don’t bring up something that annoys the Chair.


Brattleboro Installs Bike Lanes on Western Avenue

The Town of Brattleboro is in the process of striping bike lanes onto Western Avenue from the intersection with High Street to Allerton Avenue. The project is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed this fall. Drivers should pay attention to the lane shifts and are reminded that no parking is allowed in bicycle lanes.

Starting on Sept. 19, the Department of Public Works began the process of marking bike lanes, installing signage, and adding new crosswalks on Western Avenue at Greenhill Parkway and on Western Avenue at Green Street. A rectangular rapid-flashing beacon will
also be added near Allerton Avenue.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Brattleboro Bike and Pedestrian Plan Adopted

The Brattleboro Selectboard approved bike and pedestrian plan that, when implemented, will create a network of sidewalks and bike lanes throughout the town. 

The board debated possible changes to budget meeting times, considering a return to the days when budgets would be held on off-days at odd times rather than regular Tuesday evenings. They also approved a one year extension for Golden Cross ambulance service.


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – April 18, 2023

The Brattleboro Selectboard will approve a one year extension with Golden Cross for ambulance services at their next regular meeting, putting in place a new contract that extends well beyond the EMS service decision the board plans to make in less than six months.

They’ll approve rules of conduct, plan a board retreat, adopt new parking rules, endorse a bike and walking plan, and consider changing the way the budget is prepared. They will also most certainly crow about winning a major award.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – March 14, 2023

The Brattleboro Selectboard will decide on a way to make decisions about EMS services at their next regular meeting, with decisions expected by September.

The board will also hear some ideas on how to spend some of the ARPA funds, endorse a walking and biking action plan, and more. You can bring up other issues not on the agenda during public participation.


Find Out What Bicycle and Improvements Have Been Proposed at The Brattleboro Walk/Bike Plan’s Second Public Meeting on November 28th!

The Town of Brattleboro thanks everyone who participated in the first public meeting for Brattleboro’s Walk/Bike Action Plan in late September. Based on your feedback, the gaps in the town’s walking and bicycling network, and in consideration of future town and VTrans projects, some recommendations have been developed. They have been categorized into short, medium, and long-term projects that will further connect the town’s evolving network of sidewalks, bike facilities, and shared-use paths.

Please join us for the second public meeting on Monday, November 28th from 6:30 to 8:00pm and see what has been proposed. Be prepared to share your thoughts on the projects themselves and their sequencing.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Brattleboro Discusses Downtown Crime

selectboard nov 1 2022

Quite a few business and organization directors had harsh words for the Brattleboro Selectboard regarding downtown crimes, especially at the Transportation Center. Almost all mentioned break-ins or thefts, and quite a few reminded the board that the Transportation Center is town-owned and municipally- controlled. In other words – it’s your problem.

After many hours, the board voted to get price quotes on a new camera system for the Transportation Center, and possible consider some other steps, maybe, after we do a timeline and budget season is coming up, y’know. Can’t promise anything, but we feel your pain.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – November 1, 2022

Camera options for the parking garage will be up for discussion at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. The Interim Town Manager has some preliminary cost estimates for them to review.

The board will hear from SeVEDS, get an update on EMS services, pass those bike ordinance changes, buy winter fuel, talk about ARPA fund spending rules, and consider a 6.7% increase in health insurance premiums. They’ll also kick off FY24 budget season with a look at revenue and expenses in the General Fund. Quite possibly they’ll talk of postponing some of these items when the meeting runs on too long. You can make the meeting longer by bringing up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – AP Triton, Charter Commission, and Bikes

selectboard october 18, 2022

The new bike ordinance was almost adopted by the Brattleboro Selectboard, but it looked strange upon a second review, and was delayed until the next meeting.

Reps from AP Triton said they, too, would not be giving much weight to community input gather by their own community survey on EMS feasibility. They will present four options, but not a preferred choice, and will leave it to the board to come to their own conclusions. They are also 75% done with their work, but would love to hear from the public at their Wednesday night meeting.

The board bought their simulation machine, and started a Charter Review Commission at the last moment possible, despite earlier requests to get the process going multiple times in the past few years.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 18, 2022

The Brattleboro Selectboard will approve the purchase of a simulation machine at their next regular meeting.

They’ll also update the bike section of the Code of Ordinances, hear a presentation on preliminary findings of feasibility of a Fire/EMS service within the Brattleboro Fire Department, and will begin a Charter review process. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Domestic Violence Resolution Adopted

selectboard oct 11 2022

The Brattleboro Selectboard adopted a resolution recognizing freedom from domestic violence as a human right. They heard a presentation and had a discussion about the impact and effects of domestic violence in the community, and talked about making changes to end it. Men were encouraged to get involved.

The board was also zoom-bombed a few times, which hadn’t happened in a while. They bought police equipment, heard about changes to bike regulations, and got more questions about EMS in Brattleboro.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 11, 2022

The Brattleboro Selectboard will purchase almost $24,000 worth of 9mm pistols at their next regular meeting.

The board will also discuss a domestic violence resolution, extend a loan to Metalarts, begin modification of the Code of Ordinances regarding bicycles,  and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Public Meeting for the Brattleboro Walk/Bike Action Plan – Thursday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m.

The Walk/Bike Action Plan has generated over 200 comments on the challenges and opportunities for better walking and biking in Brattleboro through an interactive map that can be accessed at www.brattleboro.org in the News section or at https://arcg.is/1Oe04q.

Please join us at a virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 22 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm for a discussion of the locations in Brattleboro most in need of attention from a pedestrian or bicyclist’s perspective – and some potential solutions. This will be the first of two public meetings for the Walk/Bike Action Plan. The goal is to share what we have heard so far and start determining how best to prioritize and fund the projects and maintenance required to keep bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders safe and comfortable as they get around town. Although virtual, this will be an interactive meeting that includes two-way discussion about potential targeted solutions through live polling and audience questions.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – DV Fiber Presentation

selectboard Sept 6 2022

The Brattleboro Selectboard got into a rather detailed discussion of DV Fiber’s plans to provide high speed internet throughout southeastern Vermont. It stated out as a simple request for some closet space, but expanded into a description of the network and coming plans for service.

The board also approved a grant application for housing assistance and accepted a grant for bike paths.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Openness, Transparency, Parklets, and Housing

selectboard may 3, 2022

Members of the public scolded the Brattleboro Selectboard again for poor communication regarding their recent EMS decision. After, the board discussed removing some mentions of transparency and openness from their goals while patting themselves on the back for already having an open and transparent process.

They discussed other goals, then heard presentations about some exciting, possibly large housing projects going through the planning process. They also discussed improving the parklet program.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – FY23 Budget Finishing Touches, Bike Paths, Tax Stabilization for Alternative Energy

sb january 18 2022

The Brattleboro Selectboard did some final tinkering with remaining FY23 budget items, with a discussion about bike paths and whether waiting six months is worth $16,000.

They approved some sidewalk improvements, Human Services requests, and a tax stabilization idea to encourage solar projects on already-developed land was discussed and sent along to RTM.


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – January 18, 2022

Speak now or forever hold your peace – on the FY23 budget.  The Brattboro selectboard will be doing a final look at the FY23 budget they plan to send to Representative Town Meeting for consideration. Also for RTM, they will also review the annual Human Services funding request, consider an article to allow tax stabilization for alternative energy projects, appoint officers, and review draft warnings for upcoming elections and meetings.

The board will also have a public hearing for some safety improvements and hire a company to do some sidewalk repair. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Brattleboro Needs 500 Housing Units

selectboard december 6, 2021

The Brattleboro Selectboard learned about housing issues and possible strategies for addressing some serious housing needs during their first regular meeting of December . 500 housing units is the low estimate of what Brattleboro needs, now, and the selectboard is eager to make it an actual goal.

The board also approved corrections and updates to a Civil War monument, preserving the original but annotating it with a new plaque and information about the people of color and lower classes of soldiers not named on the original. They won’t name them on the new plaque, but will be directed to further information.