1. Minutes – March 16, 2023
2. Public Participation
3. Monthly Report on Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Incidents– For March
4. Monthly Report on Traffic Data Collection – For March
5. Safety Action Requests
(a) Speed Concerns along Guilford Street – Kim Effron
The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, October 20, 2022 over zoom.
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.
A light agenda awaits the Brattleboro Selectboard at their first meeting in September – accept grant money for bike lanes, assist Windham & Windsor Trust, and help out DV Fiber.
You can add weight by bringing up other matters not on the agenda during public participation.
Over this past Summer I have noticed more and more squirrels visiting our feeders showing up with nasty/raw wounds and punctures right above or behind their shoulders where you might expect a target shooter/sniper to aim and fire a B-B or pellet gun site to do the most damage. There are an increasing numbers of these squirrels now along with an amputee, one blinded in one eye, and one shot near an ear that is deformed with paralysis so this particular squirrel has a lop ear making him look like Yoda (Yes we call him Yoda). I know they are attacked or even eaten once in a while by other wild animals no matter how willy or fight aggressively among themselves, but this would only explain some amount of pervasive suffering here we see these days.
AGENDA
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Minutes – June 16, 2022
3. Public Participation
4. Monthly Report on Pedestrian and Bicycle Incidents – For June and July
5. Monthly Report on Traffic Data Collection – for June and July
6. Street and Sidewalk Safety Policy Safety Action Requests
The Brattleboro Selectboard held one of their longer meetings in some time. The public was active! Complaints about downtown crime, lack of action on climate change, and open meetings kept the board busy until after 10:30pm.
Of note, the Town acknowledged their violation of open meeting protocols and adopted a new two-part process to make sure it won’t happen again. This wasn’t enough for most people, who wanted a more detailed accounting of the EMS decision making process.
The board changed RTM districts to conform with state updates, adopted Utility and Parking budgets, and poured luke-warm water on a suggestion to bring back the electric trolley.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will emerge from another Executive Session to do something that isn’t done very often – update the boundaries of the voting districts in town, which will change representation at Representative Town meeting. This update is to conform with adjustments recently made by the state.
The board will also take up the Utility Fund, Parking Fund Budget, raises, and the Depot Street parking lot project. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
As part of the ongoing Melrose Terrace Flood Plain Restoration Project, beginning on Monday, April 18, Zaluzny Excavating Company will be installing a box culvert on George F Miller Drive, forcing all traffic to use Melrose Street. Temporary traffic lights have been set up at the intersection of Western Avenue and Melrose Street for traffic control. The traffic lights will be put in service when the project begins on Monday, April 18 and will be in place for approximately two weeks.
On Friday, April 8, the western leg of Williams Street, near the Vermont Country Deli was reduced to one way traffic due to a washout on the west side of the street. To improve visibility and reduce hazards, the traffic pattern has been changed to only allow traffic to exit Williams Street onto Western Avenue on this side of the Deli. Vehicles will no longer be allowed to enter Williams ST from the west side of the Vermont Country Deli.
Motorists should plan to use alternate routes while repairs are being planned and completed.
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.
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.
An Alternatives Presentation for replacement of Brattleboro BF 2000(28), Town Highway 2 (VT Route 9), Bridge 54 over the Whetstone Brook will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, beginning at 6:15 PM in the Selectboard Meeting Room located in the Municipal Center at 230 Main Street, 2nd Floor Suite 212 in Brattleboro, VT. This is the bridge that is located on Western Avenue (VT Route 9) just west of the intersection with Melrose Street. The meeting will be held by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and the Town of Brattleboro.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
DMI Paving (a contractor of the town) will be paving Western Avenue between Orchard Street and the Academy School. The work will take place overnight on Monday, June 7 between 6pm and 6am. There will be alternating traffic in the area during these hours. Motorists should expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes.
Brattleboro Utilities and Parking Budgets for FY22 were adopted by the selectboard Tuesday evening. They also had an extended discussion of dependent care and reimbursing selectboard members for costs incurred.
Some DPW purchases were approved, a new ski jump skier statue will be manufactured and given to the town for winter display, and more.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will continue to review FY22 proposed budgets for the Parking and Utilities Funds at their next regular meeting. Either or both may be adopted.
The board will also buy two new dump trucks, discuss placement of a ski jumper sculpture on Main Street during winter months, figure out details of dependent care reimbursement for themselves, and consider buying a summer sidewalk tractor. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12, DMI Paving (a contractor of the town) will be patching Western Avenue between Melrose ST and Meadowbrook Rd. The work is expected to take place between 7 am and 5 pm.
(Rain date: Thursday, May 13 and Friday, May 14)
Motorists should expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes during these days.
On Friday, April 2, Utilities Crews will be working to repair a water main on Melrose St between the intersection with Western Ave and 39 Melrose ST. The work will begin at 7:00 am. The road will remain closed through Tuesday, April 6.
Motorists should plan to use alternate routes during this time period.
At 7:38am Central Dispatch received a call reporting smoke in the building at 929 Western Ave. A 1stalarm assignment consisting of Eng 2, Eng 4, Ladder 1 and Car 1 & 2 responded. At 7:41am Eng 4 reported there had been a fire in the bathroom of Apt 202 which was out, and they had a burn victim and requested an ambulance.
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee will meet and hold an application informational session on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at 5:00pm, in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.
The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at 8:00am, in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.
