This has been a very difficult winter for many roadways in Brattleboro. We have experienced multiple freeze/thaw cycles that have deteriorated the roadways and made maintenance a challenge. Potholes are formed when the road surface fails, introducing water into the roadway which weakens the soil beneath the pavement. Traffic applies loads to the roadway that stress the pavement past the breaking point.
The Brattleboro Selectboard got a first look at the FY21 proposed Town Budget. Your taxes will be going up. By how much exactly will be determined over the next several meetings.
The board heard more about opioid lawsuits, learned about the Department of Public Works and Recreation and Parks Department budgets, heard about marketing Brattleboro generally and possibly to “homosexual couples,” and learned of doings at the downtown organization.
The DPW Utilities crew is working to correct a leak on a 16” water valve located on Marlboro Rd. Service interruptions were expected and warned for yesterday. Unanticipated circumstances will result in water service interruption today, October 22nd between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The area of water service interruption will be between #254 and #1205 Marlboro Rd.
Water service interruptions should be expected between the hours of 8 A.M. and 3 P.M.
An unusually-short agenda awaits the Brattleboro Selectboard at their next regular meeting. Short agendas sometimes imply absent board members.
They will get an update on the Work Today program at Youth Services and hear results of staff research into a potential new utility, municipal broadband. There are just two other items – buying a generator and announcing committee vacancies. You can extend this meeting by bringing up other items not on this tiny agenda during Public Participation.
The Brattleboro Selectboard decided once again that there is no climate emergency worth declaring. The proposed declaration was “a mess” and existing efforts were deemed ample.
The board had their expectations managed about possibilities of self governing anytime soon, budget season is lurking, and the possibility of a bike lane on Western Ave will be further investigated.
Utilities Division crews will start Fall Flushing of the Town water mains on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 10:00 p.m. and continue through Saturday, October 12, 2019
NOTE: Some daytime flushing will continue throughout the weeks of October 15th and 21st
Customers are asked to check the flushing schedule closely as flushing causes water discoloration, low water pressure and in some areas, intervals of no water.
Starting Tuesday, September 17, Northeast Paving (a contractor of the Town) will begin the paving portion of our annual capital paving project. Weather permitting, the following schedule is anticipated:
Tuesday, September 17
Old Guilford Road – One-way alternating traffic. Expect traffic disturbances.
Starting Thursday, September 12th, Northeast Paving (a contractor of the town) will begin the cold planing portion of our annual capital paving project. Weather permitting, the following schedule is anticipated:
Thursday, September 12
Cold planing: Estey St. (Birge St. to Pleasant St.), Fairview St. (#51 Fairview St. to Maple St.)
Friday, September 13
Cold planing: Oak St. (Chapin St. to High St.), Green St. (Church St. to #164 Green St.)
Starting Wednesday, September 11th, Northeast Paving (a contractor of the town) will be starting our annual capital paving project. Weather permitting, the following schedule is anticipated:
Wednesday, September 11
Cold planing: Fairview St. (#51 Fairview St. to Maple St.), Estey St. (Birge St. to Pleasant St.)
Thursday, September 12
Cold planing: Green St. (Church St. to #164 Green St.), Oak St. (Chapin St. to High St.)
The Hinsdale Bridge project inches forward at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. The board will also learn details of the $40k plan to market some aspects of Brattleboro to some other people somewhere.
Compassionate Brattleboro will give an update on their progress, winter heating oil will be bought, grants will be applied for, and more. You can always bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
On Wednesday, September 4th, the Highway Division will be working with Green Mountain Power to remove a tree near the corner of Oak St. and Chapin St.
In preparation of an upcoming paving project, this tree was inspected by the tree warden to consider trimming. Upon inspection, it was determined that the tree is in poor health with significant rot. Due to the concern for nearby utilities, buildings, and traffic it was determined that the tree should be removed.
On Thursday, August 1, East Coast Signal will be working on the traffic lights at the intersection of Canal Street and Fairground Rd. Crews will be working on the vehicle detection loop in the southbound, left turn lane. All efforts will be made to keep one southbound lane open at all times but there may be a need to close both lanes at some points during the day. There will be an officer there to assist with traffic control. The work will begin at 10:00am and continue through approximately 2:00pm
On Tuesday, July 30, the Utilities Division will be working with a private contractor to an install new water service at 88 High St. The work will take place on Bullock Street. During this work, Bullock Street will also be closed near the intersection with High Street. Bullock Street will be closed from approximately 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Bullock St. residents will have access to and from their homes from Green St.
The Department of Public Works received an alert of a high water flow on Wednesday July 24, 2019 at 10pm.
Utilities Crews responded to Route 9 in West Brattleboro for a reported water main break.
The crew determined the break was on a 16 inch water main.
Starting on Monday, July 29, the Highway Division will begin installing new wooden deck boards on the Whetstone Path bridge. During this work, the bridge will be closed to pedestrians 7:00am to 2:30pm. The bridge will be reopened after 2:30.
This project is expected to take 5-7 working days to complete. Weather Permitting.
Starting on Wednesday, July 24, the Highway Division will be installing new drainage on Green Street from the intersection of School Street to 120 Green Street and from the top of Church Street to the west side of the intersection with Bullock Street. During this work, sections of Green Street will be closed from approximately 7:00am to 2:30pm. At times, Bullock Street will also be closed at the intersection with Green Street.
The Brattleboro Selectboard held their only meeting of July. Despite objections from many landlords, the board approved a new rental housing inspection program, and despite numerous statements of support they put off deciding on how best to deal with issues of sustainability.
New tax rates for FY20 were set, a 3-month day work pilot program was funded, Groundworks received $100,000 for housing, and more.
Starting Monday, July 8th, Hinesburg Road will be closed to through traffic in the area of 402 Hinesburg Rd. The closure is to install a new box culvert. Through traffic will be detoured across Mather Road to Bonnyvale Road, and through Lee Road. The detour will be marked. Residents within the closure will still have access to their homes.
On June 24, weather permitting, Cotton Mill Hill will be closed from Route 142/Vernon ST to the south end of the parking lot at the Cotton Mill Hill Complex. The road will be closed to allow the Highway Department access to replace failing drainage in the roadway. All access to the Cotton Mill Hill Complex will be from South Main ST.
Paving and pickups are a focus at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.
The board will also begin the start-up of rental housing registrations and inspections, Groundworks will see an increase in Town funds for a housing project, the Brooks House will get a modification of their tax stabilization agreement, a Charter Review process may start up soon, and more. You can, as always, bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation near the start of the meeting.
