Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – April 7, 2020

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at 6:15pm.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  Copies of the agenda and administrative report are attached.  Both documents contain information about how to access the meeting remotely.   ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.  We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.  


Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – March 30, 2020, 2:55pm 

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• We continue to make adjustments in Town operations as we come to clearer understandings of what is possible during these unprecedented circumstances. As we make these adjustments, our goal is to remain as productive as possible in service to the community while fully complying with the Governor’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order. The current status of particular Town services is set forth each day in the function-by-function summary below. 

• Annual Spring Leaf Pickup service will be provided by Triple-T on Friday, April 17, and on Friday, May 1. The Town decided to proceed with this service in the usual manner because curbside solid waste collection is continuing under the “essential services” provisions of the Governor’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order and because the fresh air and exercise involved in doing yard work is a safe and healthy way for people to take a break from staying indoors during the COVID-19 emergency. 

• There may be a special Selectboard meeting this coming Thursday, April 2, at 6:15pm on GoToMeeting. If the plans come together for this meeting, it will be warned tomorrow (March 31) and will also be announced in tomorrow’s COVID-19 Daily Update. 


The 2020 Census Windham County UPDATE

Greetings iBrattleboro people,

My name is David Longsmith with the 2020 Census here in Windham County. I’m now a Census Response Representative and my job is to assist members of our communities with responding to the census questionnaire.


I AM…2020 Important Update – Rescheduled for May 2021

IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT : I AM…2020 – The Statewide Exhibition
Coming to Southern Vermont (Posted to the Calendar for May 1 – May 31)
*NOW RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 2021*

Given the current landscape with COVID-19 we want to be cautious and will be rescheduling the I AM… exhibition to coincide with Diversity Day celebrations in May 2021. If you have questions, please inbox curator, Shanta Lee Gander.


Can Word, Language, and/or Poetry be Possible Pathways to Compassion?

This question is being explored in an event taking place on Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. at the Brooks Memorial Library as a part of the Compassionate Brattleboro discussion series.

If we look closely at the words we are bringing together within the title of this discussion, compassion has its Latin roots com- together with + pati to suffer which means suffering together. A poet, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, a poet is: “writer of verse distinguished by particular insight, inspiration, or sensibility, or by remarkable powers of imagination, creativity, or expression…” There are many key words, one of them being sensibility from sensibili or the French etymology, both linking to the senses and feeling.


Join the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus!

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus will begin their spring session with open rehearsals the first week of March. To celebrate the 100thanniversary of women’s right to vote, the theme of the songs will be of strength, solidary, and suffrage. Following the Chorus’s concerts in May, those who choose to can join a repeat performance of several songsat WomenSing100, a singing gathering in honor of women’s strength and voting rights to be held in Worcester, MA in August.

Open rehearsals are for any women or girls age 10 and older to check out with no obligation whether Chorus is right for them. The Chorus has been under the direction of Becky Graber since 1996 and is unique in that much of the music, even multiple and complicated parts, is taught by ear. Written music is available on occasion, but practice recordings and word sheets are always provided to help with learning.


Just Say “No” to a Mayor in Brattleboro

On Election Day in March, Brattleboro voters will have the opportunity to tell the Selectboard to consider replacing the five-member Selectboard with one mayor.

The complete wording of the article which will appear on the ballot: “Shall the voters of the Town of Brattleboro advise the Select Board to amend the Brattleboro Town Charter to replace the Select Board form of governance with that of a mayoral form of governance?”

I encourage voters to reject this proposal for a number of reasons.


Go Brattleboro Shopping at The Brattleboro Shop

Need some Brattleboro-centric gifts for someone you know, or for yourself? The Brattleboro Shop has you covered.

You’ll find all sorts of T-Shirts, mugs, posters, postcards, watches, flasks, bottle openers, circus stuff, and other items that we’ve loaded up with historic Brattleboro logos and lettering.

Completely original items that you won’t find in stores. You can shop easily online from where you are right now, so no parking hassles, either.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Opioid Lawsuit Hokey-Pokey, Plus FY21 Police and Fire Budgets

brattleboro selectboard nov 26, 2019

At their special meeting this week, the Brattleboro Selectboard decided to reverse a decision they made just last week and instead remain IN a second, national opioid lawsuit. A lawyer told them opting out wouldn’t be so smart.

Health and safety issues at local apartments, an effort to reduce the speed limit in West Brattleboro along Route 9, and discussions of the FY21 Police and Fire budgets rounded out the special meeting.


Brattleboro Thanksgiving Day Closures

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29, 2019, with the exception of emergency services. 

Brooks Memorial Library will close at 6:00pm on Wednesday, November 27, and will be closed on Thursday, November 28. It will re-open for regular hours on Friday and Saturday, November 29 and 30. 2019. 


“Love Changes Everything”: Brattleboro Women’s Chorus’ Fall Concert

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus will present their 24th annual fall concert titled Love Changes Everything on Saturday, November 23 at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm at the newly named Epsilon Spires, formerly the First Baptist Church, on Main Street.

Director Becky Graber and the 100-plus member chorus will be joined by guest musicians Lisa McCormick with her ukulele orchestra and Cathy Martin on piano.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – November 19, 2019

It is a night for lawyers at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. They plan to enter into one or more opioid-related lawsuits, settle a lawsuit with Penny Witherbee, and even start off the night with an executive session that has additional pending or probable civil litigation.

Green Street parking changes, financial updates, a review of proposed FY21 capital projects and equipment, some grants, and appointments will fill out the agenda. You can bring up other items during public participation.


Can We Get Behind Hemp Yet?

Close your eyes and imagine a wealthy Vermont. A Vermont with many high-paying jobs, exports, environmentally friendly manufacturing. Now open your eyes and look at the opportunity that is staring us in the face, hemp.

What are the barriers preventing the return to hemp products in the US and more specifically VT? Can we possibly overcome these barriers? The answer is yes.


The Brookline Go-Getter Launches Just in Time for the Holidays

There’s a new business in town, but that Town is Brookline, Vermont. Living 25 minutes away from Brattleboro may not seem like an inconvenience, but life happens. Especially during the winter, living in a rural part of the state can be incredibly scenic, but not necessarily convenient. The Brookline Go-getter offers customers a new way to free up some time and have peace of mind. The goal here is to encourage folks to have more time to make memories and live, and focus less time on running errands and rushing around.


New Errand and Task Business Starting, from Brattleboro to Brookline!

Have you heard? The Brookline Go-Getter is officially opening its doors November 4, 2019, just in time for your holiday needs. Based in Brookline, Vermont, services offered will include, grocery shopping, personal shopping, errand running, appointment setting, and other services. You can hire the Brookline Go-Getter to run errands and perform tasks between the Brookline/Newfane area and Brattleboro Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. They do not, however, transport people or pets.