Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – February 21, 2017

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, the Brattleboro Selectboard will be approving purchases and permits.

The board will hear an update from the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition, get an update on the facilities projects, hear about town finances, and talk about demolition of part of Melrose Terrace. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Bagels and Blocks – A Drop-in Playgroup!

Make new friends while having fun with your child!
Brattleboro Area Jewish Community is excited to offer a Jewish-based drop-in playgroup for parents/caregivers and their infants and toddlers (0-5 years).

Our next playgroup is March 5th from 1-3pm. Join us for a Purim party! Make masks, eat some hamantaschen (yummy Jewish pastries), sing some songs, and hear a story. Come in costume or use our play clothes for dress up!


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Spring Session Begins

Are you looking for healthful ways to feel good? Singing has been shown to do just that. And the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus offers any woman or girl age 10 or older the opportunity to create music in a community of other singers.

The spring session will begin on Wednesday, March 1 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at All Souls Church or Thursday, March 2 from 10 am – noon at Centre Congregational Church. The first rehearsals are open to anyone who would like to experience chorus with no obligation.

The session will culminate in a concert on Mothers’ Day at the Latchis Theatre. Some people enjoy singing week to week without being in the concert, while others enjoy being part of a performance with professional instrumentalists.


Chariots of Dire

A mile is four times around the track. Each lap can be seen as a year, with a full presidental term of office being a mile.

This administration, after four weeks out of the blocks, has covered a bit more than 100 ft. of that mile.  Pace wins races.

So far stiff headwinds, skipping lanes, some doping, and stalking horses doing their thing. Still holding rallies yet not out of the first turn (which seems weird, kind of like stretching after the race has started).

Any early indications or predictions of how this ends? 


Guilford Pre-Town Meeting

Broad Brook Grange will hold its annual Guilford Pre-Town Meeting on Thursday, February 23, 7:00 pm at the Grange hall.  

This is the only opportunity for voters to hear details of the articles which will be presented at the Town and School District Meetings, and to meet and discuss issues with the selectboard and school board all in one evening, in advance of Town Meeting.   

In addition, candidates for town and school board offices are urged to attend to introduce themselves to the voters.  State law prevents any “campaigning” by candidates at Town Meeting, when an Australian ballot is used, as in this instance.  So this is the only time before the vote for the public to meet and hear the candidates all at once.   


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of February 20th

I-91

Northbound I-91 traffic has been relocated onto the southbound bridge. Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction on I-91 until completion of the new bridge. The new bridge will be 104’ wide and is designed to carry all four lanes of traffic –two northbound and two southbound.

To reduce congestion on I-91, both Exit 3 on ramps will be closed on Monday, February 20th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (I-91 will remain open). Traffic conditions on both I-91 and through the town will be monitored closely throughout the day. Should traffic congestion become an issue, the ramps may be re-opened until traffic conditions improve. This will be managed actively throughout the day until peak traffic volumes have passed.


Snow Removal From Brattleboro Streets Thursday Evening

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.

Snow and ice will be removed from the streets in the downtown area this evening. Streets will include, but not limited to the following: Elliot, Walnut, Harris, Canal, and Western Ave. If time permits, additional clean up on Main Street may also occur

Parked vehicles in the downtown district must be removed by 11:00pm or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.


Representative Town Meeting Article: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

We hope you enjoy this interview with Rich Holshuh regarding a Representative Town Meeting article advising Brattleboro change to Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

What question would you like Brattleboro to vote on?

To simply change the holiday observed on the second Tuesday in October from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Why is this an issue for Brattleboro?


Brattleboro Presidents Day Closings

In observance of Presidents’ Day, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2017, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday and Monday, February 19 and February 20. All other violations will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, February 19 and February 20, 2017.

Trash, recycling, and composting are NOT affected by the holiday. Collections will take place on the normal schedule


Town of Brattleboro Volunteer Energy Coordinator Position Available

On February 13, 2017, the Brattleboro Selectboard announced a vacancy for the volunteer Town Energy Coordinator position. The position is defined in the Town Charter as follows: “Town Energy Coordinator: One 1-year term. The energy coordinator, created by the Vermont Legislature, reviews energy-related material received by the town and advises the town on energy conservation measures. S/he reviews as needed.”

The Energy Coordinator’s job description is as follows:

This person is appointed by the Selectboard and is supervised by the Energy Committee.

In working with the Energy Committee, the Volunteer Town Energy Coordinator gets involved with energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other energy-related matters.


Who’s Crazy?

Every family has secrets. Mine had more than its share. If there were a way that my mother could have avoided telling me about Aunt Rose, I am sure that I would never had found out about her.

Rose had been in Rockland State Hospital since the 1930s when her brief marriage failed, and she lost custody of her only child. Now, in 1956, her three sisters (Aunt Fanny, Aunt Yetta, and my mother) were planning a visit. We went in two cars: Uncle Irving’s DeSoto Deluxe, and Uncle Mac’s Oldsmobile Rocket 88. 


Harris Hill Ski Jump Set For Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19, 2017

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Some of the world’s best up-and-coming ski jumpers are set to fly at New England’s only Olympic-size venue Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19, during the annual Harris Hill tournament in Brattleboro, Vt.

The nearly century-old competition will feature athletes from Austria, Slovenia and the United States leaping off a 90-meter hill that’s one of just six of its size in the country.

Since its start in 1922, the annual event attracts several thousand spectators who watch jumpers shoot at speeds of 60 mph before soaring more than 300 feet in the air.Austria, Slovenia and the United States.


Brattleboro Rabies & Chipping Clinic March 4

Low Cost Rabies AND Micro-Chipping Clinic

SATURDAY, MARCH 4th – 10am to 1pm

Location: Brattleboro Auto Mall (800 Putney Rd. Brattleboro,VT)

Open to pets from everywhere!

$10.00 Rabies Vaccination
$20.00 Micro-Chipping


Mainstream News: USA Heroic in Vietnam 15 Years No Victory 7 Million Dead, TV News: Trump Dangerous

DESCRIPTION:
Trump calls mainstream reporters and commentators 80% liars. Blood soaked war-promoting CIA fed monopolized mainstream media accusing Trump supporters and allies of ‘fake news’ has backfired. Essay traces history of genocide justifying media in America. Ramsey Clark expects eventual prosecution of media executives and media celebrities. Five Nazi media celebrities were convicted a Nuremberg. Two hanged.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Solar Agreement Approved, Sidewalk Plow In and Out of Action

The Brattleboro Selectboard took up a number of somewhat ordinary agenda items at their postponed regular meeting Monday evening. Facility updates, grants, certificates of mileage, parking lot contracts and other mundane matters were handled with ease. There was a minor TIF tiff, too.

The high points, perhaps, were discussions of solar net meter credits, the new energy coordinating volunteer position, and news that the most recent storm broke our sidewalk plow.


BCTV Schedules For Week of 2/13/17

BCTV channel 8 schedule for the week of 2/13/17

Monday, February 13, 2017

12:00 am Sweetback Sisters Country Christmas Spectacular Sing-Along

2:00 am Chinese New Year Presentation

4:00 am Norwich Bookstore: Cindy Pierce


Brattleboro Monday Night Parking Lot Snow Removal

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.

Snow and ice will be removed from the parking lots in the downtown area this evening.

Parked vehicles in the downtown parking lots must be removed by 1:00am or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.


Monday Evening Snow Removal in Downtown Brattleboro

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.

Snow and ice will be removed from the streets in the downtown area this evening.

Parked vehicles in the downtown district must be removed by 11:00pm or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.