Brattleboro Paving and Sidewalk Work

Starting July 5, Brattleboro Public Works will be conducting preliminary work for an anticipated paving project on Flat Street, Frost Street, Elm Street, and Lynde Place.  The work will include sidewalk and ramp repairs, repairs to the drainage and sewer infrastructure, and some curb repairs. There will be periods of alternating one-lane traffic, road closures, and restricted traffic during this project.  Motorists should plan for delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes. The preliminary work will conclude near the end of August.  


Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Policy and Amendment Committee – Meeting Minutes

Chair DS convened the meeting at 2:32 pm and read hybrid statement.

I. Approval of Minutes and confirmation of next meeting date

The minutes of 06/05/23 meeting approved by assent.

A discussion took place on whether the Policy and Amendments Committee will meet during the summer. It was agreed that there will be one meeting in July, specifically focused on planning a calendar and setting priorities for which policies to review in the coming school year.


By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth

“By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” is set to hold the town’s 50th annual Independence Day celebration on Tuesday, July 4, with a morning parade downtown and afternoon and evening program of family activities and fireworks at Living Memorial Park.

Marching units including the local American Legion and Brattleboro Union High School bands, veterans, civic and youth groups will kick off the festivities at 10 a.m. with a parade from Flat Street to Main Street to the town Common.

Brattleboro’s Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which is sponsoring the parade for a sixth year, will lead the march with its giant American flag, while local personality Alfred Hughes Jr. will conclude the event by debuting his annual top-secret ensemble.


Brattleboro Independence Day Closures

In observance of the July 4th holiday, all Town offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. All other violations will be enforced.


BCTV Schedules – Week of June 26, 2023

Monday, June 26, 2023

5:00 am Vote for Vermont – Seven Steps to Better Schools

6:00 am Brattleboro Literary Festival – A Path Lit by Lightning: David Maraniss on Jim Thorpe

7:00 am Juno Orchestra – Heavens Border – Suite for String Orchestra

7:15 am Brattleboro Gallery Walk – June 2, 2023

7:55 am BDCC presents – Fearless Futures 6/6/23


Ezlerh Oreste on “Here We Are”

Check out this show with EZLERH ORESTE – a guy who knows how to perform, have a good time and who generously shares the fun! From Stand-Up to Sweat Lodges, Clowning to Video Productions….Ezlerh also gives a beautiful tribute to Jonas Fricke.


Heat Fund Update – The Need Continues

The Windham County Heat Fund, an IRS non-profit, was started in 2005 by me and Daryl Pillsbury. We never intended to create a fund that would keep going for so long but the need never decreases. So we raise money every year and rely on a generous community to do the heavy lifting for us. They always come through and we, and the people we help, are grateful for the support.

This past heating season 81 individuals and a number of local businesses and churches donated a total of $55,542. Daryl and I continue to work for the fund without compensation and we have almost no administrative expenses. The money we raise goes directly to fuel companies.


Citizens Police Communications Committee Meeting Agenda

1.) Call to Order and Review Minutes from May 24th 2023 and approve and go over Roberts Rules briefly.
2.)Discuss Complaints and Compliments from May 24th 2023 meeting any additional questions from last months review of Complaints and Compliments to determine final or continued decisions.
3.) Go over any New Complaints and Compliments from BPD.


Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge

DETOUR INFORMATION: The truck detour route from VT 142 will be up Cotton Mill Hill Road, left onto South Main Street, continuing onto Fairground Road, and finally back Canal Street. Cars detouring from VT 142 should proceed up Cotton Mill Hill Rd. and make a right hand turn onto South Main St. A turnaround has been constructed south of Cotton Mill Hill Rd. on VT 142 to allow vehicles to safely navigate this corridor. A three-way stop configuration has been implemented at the Cotton Mill Hill Rd. and VT 142 intersection.


VT 142 Royal Road Weekend Work Scheduled

The installation of a 30″ Reinforced Concrete Pipe (RCP) under the railroad tracks adjacent to the intersection of Vermont Route 142 and Royal Road in Brattleboro will necessitate the contractor work 24 hours a day over the weekend beginning Friday, June 23rd and ending on Sunday, June 25th. Residents in the vicinity of the project should be advised that site lighting and construction noise will come from this location overnight on both Friday and Saturday nights. Train traffic will be suspended during this weekend closure period and is scheduled to resume again on Monday morning at 8 a.m.


WSESD Board Meeting – Draft Minutes June 13, 2023

…”Now, therefore, we, the New Brattleboro Mascot Oversight Committee of the Windham Southeast School District, do hereby recommend that the Board of School Directors officially adopt Bears as our new school mascot and identifier for the purpose of enabling a unified and spirited school community….”


Democracy Expands in Brattleboro and From Brattleboro

At BCS we’re shouting hallelujah, You can imagine, with the overwhelmong selectboard lawsuits against our homeless shelter it’s great to have this good news. It’s been ten years. Brattleboro is the first city — the only city in America that gives its young people a voice as voters and as elected officials. This may stem the tide of youth moving out of town. We were just talking with Addie Lentzner of the Vermont Youth Lobby. We’re thinking about a state-wide campaign. If we proceed BCS will advocate for full voting membership on school boards.

Young Brattleboro students have a great range of options for political expression. On one hand the student member of the school board is formal but tokenized and not allowed to vote. On the other hand Rio and other Youth Vote workers also disrupted the selectboard and the Heifer Parade to declare a climate emergency. The Youth Vote amendment creates the best option, both formal and powerful, if the young voters choose to own their power.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – EMS and Kitten Update

The Brattleboro Selectboard approves union and non-union pay raises and contracts for town employees at Tuesday’s meeting, they will talk finances and financial software, and they will approve enterprise fund budgets and a rate decrease for those who use water.

I’ll skip that stuff and give you a kitten update, then join the board for their discussion of EMS after 7 pm.