Selectboard

Why I’m Running for Selectboard

by Oscar Heller | Politics

Hi!

My name is Oscar Heller, and I’m running for a 1-year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

I’m a small business owner and the chair of the Brattleboro Energy Committee. I’ve been coming to Brattleboro for 17 years, and I’ve lived here since 2014. I’m thirty years old, and I hope to bring a fresh perspective to the Selectboard as a young business owner. My two primary areas of focus are bringing a modern, green economy to Brattleboro, and working to address homelessness and drug addiction in our community.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – February 5, 2019

by cgrotke | Town News

Will Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell get a five year contract extension? Most likely, at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.

A hearing on modified parking, some VCDP grants, and the scheduling of informational meetings for Representative Town Meeting representatives will occur. There is also one item on the agenda purely for the sake of not having it on the agenda any longer. You can, as always, bring up other matters not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidates 2019

by cgrotke | Politics

Brattleboro voters get a choice this year for all open Selectboard seats.

For the 3 year term, new candidate Ben Coplan will be running against incumbant Tim Wessel. Voters will be able to pick one.

For the 1 year term, four candidates have declared. Oscar Heller, Elizabeth McLoughlin, Daniel Quipp, and Franz Reichsman are the options. Voters can pick two.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – January 22, 2019

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hear their first request for an exemption from the relatively new Plastic Bag Ordinance. Zephyr Designs is making the request.

Culture Made Vermont will get lots of goodies, mileage will be certified, an EPA grant applied for, liquor permits approved, and nearly final FY20 budget thoughts presented.  You can weigh in on spending Rooms & Meals taxes on promotions and the precedent it sets, or bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 18, 2018

by cgrotke | Town News

Hydrologic and hydraulic matters will be on the agenda at the next meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. It’s all part of the Tri-Park Housing Cooperative Master Plan.

The board will review FY18 finances, discuss FY20 budget final steps, and approve a number of grants. You can participate, of course, and bring up other itmes not on the agenda during public participation.

Suggested Representative Town Meeting Improvements

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

I’ve been watching Brattleboro budgets for quite a while, through multiple selectboards, three Town Managers and one Interim Town Manager. I’ve watched many Representative Town Meetings as well and participated in a few.  That’s a lot of meetings.

While I’ve come to the conclusion that Representative Town Meeting doesn’t really work, I know that it has become cherished and it is unlikely that abolishing it will be on the ballot anytime soon. Therefore, it should be improved.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda – BCTV, Brownfields, and FY20 Budget

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.  It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 5:30pm to discuss contracts, labor relations agreements with employees, the negotiating or securing of real estate purchase or lease options, and the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee.  The Board will reconvene the special business meeting at 6:15pm.  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

Selectboard Meeting Notes- Dozer Decision Delayed, DPW Starts On Long Path To New Facilities

by cgrotke | Town News
Selectboard-dec4-2018

Read on for coverage of the Brattleboro Selectboard’s regular December 4th meeting. The mini-trial in the middle of the meeting regarding Dozer the Dangerous Dog took a turn when the owner made claims that it was not Dozer, but Buddy, her other dog. This led to much confusion in the courtroom.

In more substantial and long term news, the Department of Public Works got the go-ahead to do a feasibility study to see what new facilities would entail. Nothing will be built anytime soon.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 4, 2018

by cgrotke | Town News

Is Dozer a dangerous dog? Must Dozer be contained, leashed and muzzled? The Chief of Police says yes, the owner says no, and the Brattleboro Selectboard will get to decide at their next regular meeting on Tuesday.

The DPW will begin looking at options for improvements to their facilities on Fairground Road, the shiny discs on the parking garage will become a permanent installation, SeVEDS will review their year and ask for money, the Assessor’s Office will talk FY20 budget, and the board will approve some grants. You can bring up other items, of course, during public participation.

Local Option Tax Increases Brattleboro Revenue, But Property Taxes Will Still Rise

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

At Tuesday’s special meeting, the Brattleboro Selectboard discussed adding a 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) to items purchased in the ‘boro. Adding this additional revenue stream to the Town coffers has been attempted before. Most recently it barely passed as an advisory vote, but was ultimately rejected.

The main argument in favor of the tax usually involves the expected revenue. In 2015, the estimate was $600,000. This, in theory, could offset property taxes by that amount.

But, taxpayers have seen these property tax reducing “deals” many times before, and property taxes do not go down. Spending rises to meet the new income.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Thanksgiving Edition

by cgrotke | Town News
brattleboro selectboard nov20

A full meeting for the Brattleboro Selectboard just prior to Thanksgiving. Discussions of the FY20 Budget, the Downtown Alliance, affordable housing, downstairs tenants driving someone nuts, and more took place, plus there was the introduction of a new 25 year plan for replacing town equipment, as well as a new suggestion to put some money aside, like a layaway plan, to buy future fire trucks.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – November 20, 2018

by cgrotke | Town News

It’s the return of the 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) at the next Brattleboro Selectboard meeting. The board will try once again to convince residents and businesses to add a 1% sales tax to purchases in the ‘boro, despite competition from online shopping and nearby states.

The Downtown Brattleboro Alliance will give their semi-annual report and present a budget for the coming year, a private drive will be named, finances reviewed, and the board will discuss housing, and economic & community development.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda, or a side dish, by attending the meeting at the Municipal Center on Tuesday.

The Brattleboro Budget Process and You

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard officially kicked off FY20 budget season at a meeting Tuesday night, in which they learned about the Police and Fire departments and where the Town expects to find revenue to pay for the budget.

It’s nice that the Selectboard reviews these matters, but this is really about you — the Brattleboro resident or visitor.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Budget Preview, and Blinking Lights Baffle

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro Selectboard

The Brattleboro Selectboard cancelled a few possible contentious items on the agenda (the Harmony Lot mural and the Health Code violation) but still got an earful from a couple concerned that blinking safety lights on Western Ave are unnecessary and lower the value of their home. The Wessel Baffle might prove to be the solution.

Town Manager Elwell gave the board an overview of the coming budget request from Town staff. Of note: the expected 4% health insurance increase is actually more like 17%. Ouch. Call a doctor. Police cars are being uplifted, a new solar project is being considered, and more.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – November 6, 2018

by cgrotke | Town News

There are citizen complaints about the new flashing lights on Western Avenue near Cedar Street, and the Brattleboro Selectboard will hear them at their next regular meeting.

The Town has complaints, too, against a property owner on Oak Street. The Town Arts Committee has concerns about the bookshelf mural in Harmony Lot, the FY20 budget overview will be presented, and a solar array might be coming to a parking garage near you.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Special Meeting Brattleboro Selectboard with Governor Phil Scott and Members of the Cabinet

by Brooks Memorial Library | Living

Everyone is welcome to join Governor Phil Scott, members of the Cabinet, and the Brattleboro Selectboard, from 10:30 – 11:30 am on Tuesday, Oct. 23, for a special meeting in the Community Meeting Room at Brooks Memorial Library. Discussion topics will include (but might not be limited to):

Summary of Current Projects and Events in Brattleboro
Thank You for State Partnership and Support
Opportunities for Additional Shared Successes
Regional Economic Hubs
Transportation Matters
Matters of Social Equity and Public Safety

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 16, 2018

by cgrotke | Town News

Parking rates are set to go up after the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.  They’ll also be repealing the begging ordinance that caught the recent attention of the ACLU.

Brattleboro will buy sand and salt, get some bulletproof vest upgrades, and the board will review their goals as well as bulky item trash pickup. You can bring up other matters during public participation.