17 V.S.A. Political Party Organization Law Does Not Make Sense to a Registered Voter in Ludlow, VT

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

A Vermont registered voter in Ludlow, Vermont asked me why I am asking people to start a new minor political party with me while I am not stating a platform, and I said 17 V.S.A. says you organize the party in September of an odd numbered year and make the platform in an even numbered year. That made no sense to him at all so he would not join.

“17 V.S.A. § 2319. Party conventions for platforms:
On or before the fourth Tuesday in September in each even-numbered year, upon the call of the chair of the State committee of the party, a party platform convention of each organized political party shall be held to make and adopt the platform of the party.”

Bus Drivers Update: Lockout Ended

by IsaacEF | Activism

Recently I posted about joining me at the picket this week with the school bus drivers and monitors. Based on news on Monday, it sounds we can hold off on the picket for the moment. The Brattleboro Reformer has reported that the lockout of the bus drivers and monitors has been dropped, and that they are allowed back to work! This is good news for children and families who will see their regular drivers who know the bus routes. And it’s good for the drivers who can return to work while contract negotiations resume!

Join Us At The Picket: Support Our School Bus Drivers!

by IsaacEF | Activism

Happy Labor Day! As billionaires try to take over our country, this is a critical moment to stand with working people. Will you join us this week to stand with our school bus drivers and monitors? I’ll be there Tuesday, September 2, outside Brattleboro Union High School at 7:30am.

Kuzmeskus, which is owned by an out-of-state private-equity firm, has locked out school bus drivers and monitors for the Windham Southeast district. It has been chaos for students and families, with scab drivers who don’t know our community or our streets. Teamsters Local 597 and community supporters are picketing to get Kuzmeskus to go back to the table, stop the lockout, and get our bus drivers back to work. I’ll be there bright and early Tuesday morning. Will you join us?

August 2025 Precipitation Report

by local | Nature

A second dry month in a row with brown lawns and gardens needing regular watering. At my location recorded 2.06″ compared to the NOAA normal of 4.32 inches.  A little less than half of normal.  For the calendar year still a little ahead of the average with 32.52″ compared to the average of 30.73 inches.

This month there have been a number of small scattered rain storms traveling thru, and if you were lucky you may have received more rain than I.  All numbers are from my location in the S.E. corner of Brattleboro and do vary.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 6:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room.

The Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.

Brattleboro VTrans Paving Project Construction Update 8/29/2025

by Not Signed In | Town News

Nighttime single-lane closures will be in place Tuesday night through Saturday morning from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Work will continue on Vermont Route 9 (Western Avenue and High Street), U.S. Route 5 (Canal Street and Main Street), Vermont Route 30 (Linden Street) and begin on Vermont Route 142 (Vernon Street). Flaggers will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic through multiple work zones. Motorcyclists should watch for grooved and uneven surfaces. All motorists should be aware of raised utility structures and wet paint.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes August 26, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● The Board voted to rotate the location of the meetings around the district.
● Board representation on the Leadership Councils was determined for this upcoming year.
● The Board determined to have the Policy Committee review and discuss the procedure regarding death that was drafted by BUHS.
● A motion was passed to establish a redistricting taskforce. Six Board members stepped up to serve on this taskforce.
● Three new hires were approved, one full time and two part time teachers.
● The consent agenda was approved.

High Blood Pressure Still #1 Killer

by RDavis | Health

It’s worth checking in on some basic health care issues from time to time because expert guidance changes and new developments are always worth considering. When it comes to blood pressure experts have long recommended that a person’s blood pressure should be at or below 140/90, but in recent years recommendations are for that to be 130/80.

According to a recent article on the Medscape web site, “The target blood pressure level for adults remains below 130/80 mm Hg, but drug therapy should be initiated sooner, according to new guidelines published Thursday by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC). Eleven other medical organizations endorsed the new guidelines, which replace those issued in 2017. “We’re trying to get started earlier in the process of preventing cardiovascular disease,” said Daniel W. Jones, MD, dean and professor emeritus of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, who chaired the guidelines committee. Almost half of American adults have hypertension, according to the AHA.”

Bandwagon Summer Series Presents Hazmat Modine at Putney Inn Field

by hahrenholz | Music

The Bandwagon Summer Series closes its 2025 season with a high-energy performance by Hazmat Modine on Saturday, September 27 at 4:00 PM at the Putney Inn Field, 57 Putney Landing Road, Putney. Gates open at 3:00 PM.

For more than 25 years, Hazmat Modine has been creating what they call “a uniquely intercontinental sonic collage encompassing a tremendous range of instrumental, vocal, and conceptual originality—all with a lot of soul and groove.” The New York–based, eight-piece band draws on everything from Blues, Soul, and American Roots to Gypsy Jazz, Avant Garde loft music, Country, and Rock ’n’ Roll. With members spanning generations—from their 20s to their 70s—the group embodies both deep tradition and constant reinvention.

Brattleboro Labor Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Labor Day, all Town offices will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Monday, September 1. All other violations will be enforced.

WSESD Policy and Amendment Committee Meeting Agenda and Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

New policy: Behavior Threat Assessment Teams

The committee reviewed the draft of the Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams policy from the VSBA and looked at the Vermont statutes referenced within it. The policy codifies what the district is already doing. The Behavior Threat Assessment Team is a new title, but schools have school safety teams in place.

Brattleboro Roadway Crack Sealing Work Scheduled to Begin August 27

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro has hired Indus, a private contractor, to complete crack sealing work on various road surfaces throughout town. Work is scheduled to begin Wednesday, August 27, 2025, and will continue through the week, weather permitting.

To allow crews to safely and efficiently complete the work:

Parking will not be permitted on the affected streets between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Motorists should expect travel restrictions and delays around active work zones.

Brattleboro Vtrans Paving Project Construction Update 8/22/2025

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the Labor Day Holiday, no work will be conducted on the project after 6:00 a.m. Friday, August 29th until Tuesday, September 2nd at 7:00 p.m.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS:

Nighttime single-lane closures will be in place next week on Monday night through Friday morning from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Work will continue on Vermont Route 9 (Western Avenue and High Street), U.S. Route 5 (Canal Street and Main Street), and Vermont Route 30 (Linden Street). Flaggers will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic through multiple work zones. Motorcyclists should watch for grooved and uneven surfaces. All motorists should be aware of raised utility structures and wet paint.

Guilford Church Embraces ‘A Joyful Path’ Curriculum for Sunday School in September

by Nanci Leitch | Spiritual

The Sunday School at Guilford Community Church on September 7 will resume the curriculum of the ‘A Joyful Path” in which spiritual lessons for children kindergarten through 6th grade are both heart-centered and experiential, according to Sue Owings, chair of the church’s Christian Education committee.

Owings explained that this curriculum was chosen for many reasons, not the least of which was for its integrated approach to every lesson. “Children will listen to oral stories, reflect on their impressions as a group, and create projects that relate to the spiritual theme of the day,” Owings stated.

Going Deeper into RTM and Democracy

by spoon | Op/Ed

Responding to comments to my post about RTM on Sept 17th:

Since last read comments remain most in mind I shall respond first to the statement that you “could buy the argument that RTM members were more informed if about 140 attended Selectboard meetings.” First, it isn’t clear if you are saying that all 140 should attend all 25 or so meetings each year or some members attend some. The next obvious question is: how many SB meetings should be required of voters choosing to attend an Open mtg? How would we ascertain this in either case? But we should put this aside because it gets into enactment details before we have a goal to act upon. There is a deeper implied issue. Should there be any qualifications at all?