Groundworks

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Groundworks Update and How To Decide How To Govern

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard sept 9 2025

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their first regular meeting in over a month. Top issue was Groundworks, who came to give an overview of recent stats and projects. People seemed most interested in a new project to build 40 beds near Morningside, and safety issues.

The other big discussion was about possible changes to the Charter. The results of the 2.5 years of Charter Revision Commission meetings were somewhat enhanced and overshadowed by members of the public being confused, asking to slow down, wanting consideration of other options such as certified petitions, potential petitions, special and regular meetings, informational meetings, educational programs, and legal issues.

The board made the firm decision to wait until their next regular meeting, not the listening session, to decide whether to discuss putting it on an agenda at a meeting in October to consider holding a special election on November.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agendas Sept 9 and 11, 2025

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold two meetings the week of September 8th – a regular meeting and a listening session.

Tuesday’s regular meeting features the presentation by the Charter Revision Commission regarding a new draft charter and an update from Groundworks.  The Thursday listening session is for the public to weigh in on the upcoming budget for FY27.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda at both meetings, but only the regular meeting will have the livestream and zoom elements. You have to be there in person to participate Thursday.

Caz Clark on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Town News

CAZ CLARK fills a place in our town we didn’t even know we needed. Working at our Food Co-op, Caz interacts with folks in need and finds ways to help connect them to many local organizations. Caz has a view of Brattleboro that’s gritty, real, timely and hopeful.

Groundworks Promotes Libby Bennett To Be New Executive Director

by Not Signed In | Town News
Libby Bennett.

BRATTLEBORO—The Board of Directors of Groundworks Collaborative has announced that Libby Bennett, formerly the agency’s Director of Development & Communications, has accepted the offer to lead the organization as its new Executive Director.  

Bennett has been on staff with the agency since joining the Morningside Shelter team in 2012. Previously, she served as an intern for the organization in 2011 while completing practicum work toward her master’s degree in non-profit management from the SIT Graduate Institute.  

Bennett points back to volunteering for overnight shifts at Brattleboro’s Seasonal Overflow Shelter in 2010/2011 as her earliest interaction with the agency—inspired to volunteer after hearing a presentation from the founder of Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center, Melinda Bussino. 

Groundworks’ Director Josh Davis To Step Down – Leaving Strong Leadership To Carry The Transition

by Not Signed In | Town News

BRATTLEBORO—Josh Davis, Executive Director of Groundworks Collaborative for the past 11+ years, has announced that he will be leaving the organization in the coming weeks to become the Executive Director of SEVCA—Southeastern Vermont Community Action—at the start of the new year.

“Groundworks has been incredibly fortunate to have Josh at the helm for over a decade; during which the organization has grown tremendously to meet the increasing needs of our state and community,” said Board Chair Rita Ramirez. “Although this news is difficult and bittersweet, we are happy for Josh and excited about this next phase for Groundworks.  With the dedication of the Board and our Leadership Team and staff, we will move into this next phase from a position of calm and strength.”

“Josh is leaving Groundworks with a vibrant and impactful legacy, felt most deeply through the leadership and organizational culture he has built together with staff,” said Director of Development & Communications Libby Bennett. “We will miss Josh immensely, but his presence will always be felt here alongside evidence of all we’ve built together.”

Groundworks Leans On Community Partners To Support Operations While Staff Grieve Loss of Leah

by Not Signed In | Town News

In the wake of the tragic loss of our coworker, Leah, Groundworks Collaborative has received a truly remarkable outpouring of support from our community, our organizational partners, and our state government.  In order to allow our wider community to appropriately respond to this loss, Groundworks will be collaborating with its many community partners to cover the services it provides.  This collaboration will allow Groundworks’ clients to continue to receive the services they need, while Groundworks’ staff take the time they need to grieve, assess, begin to heal, and return to work.   

“It is clear that our entire staff needs a pause in order to come together to grieve, work together toward healing, and figure out our way forward,” said Executive Director Josh Davis.

Former Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell Joins Groundworks Staff as Interim Deputy Executive Director

by Not Signed In | Town News
Josh & Peter -March 2023

Executive Director Josh Davis and the Groundworks Collaborative Board of Directors are pleased to announce that former Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell has joined the Groundworks staff as Interim Deputy Executive Director.  Elwell’s appointment is timely as he will assist Davis and the Groundworks team as they continue to navigate a period of significant transition coming out of the pandemic. Additionally, Davis will be taking intermittent leave over the next few months to support his family through a significant health issue. 

“Personally, it’s clear that I need to take some time to support my family; and we are grateful to have Peter stepping into active Groundworks staff work during this critically important time for the organization,” said Davis, who noted the substantive upcoming changes to the emergency motel program converging with Groundworks’ continued innovation to address basic needs in the community. 

Groundworks Collaborative to Rebuild Former South Main Drop-In Center as Program Offices

by Not Signed In | Town News

BRATTLEBORO, VT—As the third and final phase of Groundworks Collaborative’s South Main Street capital project, the former Groundworks Drop-In Center at 60 South Main Street will be deconstructed this fall in preparation for the construction of a new building in its place.  The design will allow for adequate space for Groundworks’ growing program staff, many of whom have worked without offices since the start of the pandemic. 

The new 60 South Main Street building will be home to Groundworks’ Case Management team, Representative Payee program, and the team of embedded providers from Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, the Brattleboro Retreat, and HCRS—known as Healthworks.  

Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Foodworks Remains Virtual in 2021

by Not Signed In | Activism

BRATTLEBORO, VT — In recognition of increased COVID case numbers, the Empty Bowls Steering Committee has opted to go virtual again this year as opposed to returning to an in-person dinner.  For 18 years now, local potters have created and donated beautiful and functional bowls to raise funds for the food shelf that has now grown to be Foodworks. In that regard, this year is no different.

“We experienced incredible support last year, putting on Empty Bowls in the time of COVID,” explains Groundworks Board Member and Empty Bowls Co-Chair Beth Kiendl. “The tweaks we made last year—shifting to selling bowls in local storefronts—were so successful due to the community support for our work providing emergency food to all who need it in our community.”  

May 19, 2020 Brattleboro Development Review Board Agenda

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

AGENDA

Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
On the record review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations. Pursuant to 24 VSA §§ 4464(a)(1)(C) and 4471(a), participation in this local proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal.
2021-50                 Groundworks Collaborative Foundation, Inc; Service Center District; request for Site Plan Approval to demolish existing structure, retain existing masonry fireplace. construct new 2-story, wood-framed, saltbox-style building for social services use at 60 South Main Street; Tax Map Parcel #325266.000

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Rental Ordinance Fizzles

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard in brattleboro

The Brattleboro Selectboard held a first reading of a proposed ordinance to limit upfront rental costs, but decided not to move ahead with a second reading. Instead, more research, new ideas, and data will be explored.

Groundworks got a big grant which enables the completion of their project on South Main Street, and the marketing initiative to promote Brattleboro was discussed.