Summary
● Two Board members will join the Collective Bargaining team for the upcoming negotiations this year.
● The Board will review the policies to formally identify those that require a report to the Board.
● The Board voted to approve the 24-25 Calendar of Presentations to the Board.
● The Board will review and discuss the CIP goals following the Summit on (sic)
DS amended the agenda to include a discussion about identifying policies that require regular reports to the Board.
DS also noted that there has been a request to re-evaluate F21 (Policy on the Use of Restraint and Seclusion). AB will reach out to Harwood, a district that does not use restraint or seclusion.
A wetter month with 5.28″ of rainfall compared to the average of 4.32″. There was measurable rain on 10 of the first 11 days and on 20 of August’s 31 days. For the calendar year 36.10″ compared to the NOAA average of 30.73″. Across Windham County I see monthly totals as high as 7.59″ in Marlboro and a low of 3.75″ in Rockingham. My numbers are from the South east corner of Brattleboro. For more information visit CoCoRaHS.org
The 2020 Community Safety Plan is on the agenda again after quite a long time. “Final Staff Recommendations for Implementation” will be presented and acted upon.
The Town wants to adjust Town Ordinances regarding “Acceptable Community Conduct” and will hold a first reading of some proposed changes. Some new housing on Elliot Street, plans for the Safe Fair, and a Health Order for 6 Reynolds Drive, round out the agenda for the evening. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during Public Participation.
The Brattleboro Human Services Committee will meet on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 5:00pm at the Municipal Center.
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.
At the Vermont abutment, crews have begun and will continue to work on the expansion joint. Work on moment slabs/sidewalks adjacent to VT 142 will begin and continue over the next few weeks.
Over the river, the overhang work with copings/sidewalks is progressing from east to west toward Vermont. Removal of the temporary trestle continues and nearby residents and workers can expect the noise of the diesel hammer to be heard intermittently between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday from now into the Fall.
The Utilities Division will be replacing a sewer line on Upper Forest Street beginning Tuesday, September 3 through Friday, September 6. Upper Forest Street will be closed in the area of house number 61 during this work. Work will begin at 6:30am and end by 5:00pm daily. Accommodations for access for residents of Thorn Lane will be made available though there may be some delays. Emergency Service access to 61-72 Upper Forest St and Thorn Lane will be via Upper Forest Street and 35-55 Upper Forest will have access via Chestnut Hill/Acorn Lane.
Guilford, Vermont…The love of music, friends and tradition will come together once again when the Guilford Free Library presents a ‘cello concert on Saturday, September 7 at 7:00 p.m., at the historic Guilford Center Meeting House, 4042 Guilford Center Road, followed by a dessert reception where the audience will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the musicians. This concert series benefits the Library and was first presented in 2013, featuring a ‘cello duet, and evolved into a ‘cello trio, then a quartet over the years. It has not taken place since 2019 for several reasons: the pandemic; and the condition of the Meeting House, the traditional venue, which had been closed for renovations and just reopened in late spring so this year there is even more reason to celebrate another wonderful experience.
Once again the concert will feature celebrated musicians Judith Serkin, of Guilford, Elizabeth Tuma, Peter Wiley and Theodore Mook who will present a wide-ranging program including music from the late 16th century to the late 20th century.
The other day I was out for a stroll and passed two middle aged guys in animated conversation, “I remember high school like it was yesterday, and my best friend from there is now a grandfather!” That was interesting to me because I’d been thinking about how only with age do we see the makeup of that tumultuous phase- the cliques, the overlapping circles, passage from underclass to senior. At the time it’s all too much to fully take in- social rapids, interpersonal eddies, perilous falls. If we knew then what we do now, what would be different?
Which got me thinking about perspectives, given or gotten by way of time or shifted points of view. Semi-related, for some reason I can’t yet understand, I’m a bit unsettled by a thing I habitually do when seeing someone for the first time from behind. I try to guess what they look like head on. It’s kind of a game, but it’s not, probably harkening back to a reptile brain instinct. And it’s practically impossible to guess accurately. The human array is infinite. I’m not sure if the disturbing part has to do with being unwittingly judgmental, confused, or other measures that reside in the unconscious mind.
On September 3, 2024, LaRock Construction (a contractor of the Town) will begin replacement of a retaining wall near the eastern intersection of Brannan Street and Williams Street. The work is expected to take several weeks.
When work commences, Brannan Street will remain closed from the east intersection with Williams Street to the intersection of Brannan Street and West Streets. This closure will continue through the completion of the project. Following the completion of the retaining wall, pavement repairs will be made on Brannan Street, Crosby Street, Strand Avenue, West Street and Highlawn Road that will create minor traffic restrictions.
In observance of Labor Day, all Town offices will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024, with the exception of emergency services. Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday, September 1, and Monday, September 2. All other violations will be enforced. Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday, September 1, and Monday, September 2. Trash, recycling and composting WILL NOT be picked up on Monday, September 2, 2024. All curbside collections will be delayed by one day all week.
Serious Illness Program
Support for Those Going Through Life-Altering Illnesses
Have you or someone you love been diagnosed with a serious illness, or coping with an exacerbation of an ongoing serious illness such as organ disease or cancer?
The time of a new diagnosis, or treatment for a recurrence or exacerbation of an ongoing illness often calls for added support. If you or your loved one are going through cancer treatment, or experiencing a healthcare crisis due to cancer or organ disease we can help.
6:15 – 6:55 Request for Land Use Regulation Amendment (cont.)
An update on how the VT Legislature’s changes to 24 VSA 4412 affect World Learning’s re-zoning request. Review maps of other affected areas. Discuss potential options for bringing the Land Use Regulations into compliance with State statute.
6:55- 7:25 2026 Town Plan
Review and discuss additional data assessment of Brattleboro. Preview activity for October Planning Commission meeting.
Please run the attached and below regarding voter information for the November 5 election.
The Vermont Secretary of State’s office will be mailing the November 5 General Election ballot to all active registered voters by late September. They will be pulling that list from the election database on or around September 3.
The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Brazilian-born percussionist in jazz and world music Cyro Baptista, on Saturday, September 21 at 5:00 pm.
Cyro Baptista is a Brazilian born percussionist and composer whose vast talent and penchant for innovation brought him to be praised as one of the most respected musicians in the world.
Cyro’s endless sonic curiosity and intense rhythmic led him to create several musical ensembles and record many albums of his own. He has also lent his sounds to several GRAMMY award-winning records and to over 300 CDs with many of the most beloved musicians in the world.
“Easily the most famous of all of the artists of the series, Cyro has played with Trey Anastasio, Paul SImon, Yo-Yo Ma, Herbie Hancock, and John Zorn. This project, Chama, is his new group that explores Brazilian themes, but with obvious surprises,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Cyro is a musician’s musician, and it goes without saying that we’re blessed to have this performance as part of our outdoor summer series. Cyro is a playful soul whose music is imbued with playfulness and virtuosity.”
Review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations as warned on October 12, 2015.
2024-71 David Timmons & Robin Bitters; Residential Neighborhood 5400 District; request for Waiver of Dimensional Standards Approval to construct a 41′ x 42′ 2-story home, located in part in the front yard setback in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and in response to site conditions at 101 Chestnut Hill; Tax Map Parcel #00265205.000
2024-84 BEEC & Earth Bridge Community Land Trust; Rural District; request for Site Plan & Local Act 250 Approval to construct a parking lot at 1219 Bonnyvale Road; Tax Map Parcel #100248.000 Continued from August 21, 2024
It looks like a UFO has landed at the Bondville Fair. As the flying disc stops spinning and comes to a full stop, the doorway opens up as if the aliens were about to come out to make contact. Instead, it was some slightly dizzy kids. Looks like fun.
We approach the Starship 3000 with eager anticipation. The rotating metal contraption was built, one might guess, when Close Encounter of the Third Kind was released in theaters or shortly thereafter.
We are told, somewhat suspiciously, to take all of our belongings out of our pockets and leave them outside the spaceship. Wallets, keys, purses, phones, and more all go into a communal pile on a white folding table.
The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 5:00pm in the Brooks Memorial Library Community Meeting Room.
I make no claim of being a therapist or an expert on human behavior. But when you have been around for nearly eight decades you do come to understand a few things. I have learned that people who are unhappy about the course of their lives, people, who feel they are trapped in their lives with no way out and people who feel that the world around them will not allow them to succeed, often turn to drugs and/or addictive behaviors to ease their pain.
This is not a judgment call but simply an observation. I suspect that if you were to do a survey among people who have turned to drugs or alcohol or who have any kind of addiction at the center of their life, you would find most of those people to be among the unhappy.
Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present a contemporary folk double bill with Rakish (Maura Shawn Scanlin and Connor Hearn) and The Early Risers (Ashley Storrow and Putnam Smith) on Friday, September 20 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage.
Violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist Conor Hearn unite to form “Rakish.” The pair gets their namesake from the traditional Irish tune Rakish Paddy, an origin that aptly suits the duo and their shared background in traditional Irish and Scottish music. Yet “rakish” itself also suggests something strikingly unconventional in its appearance, and Maura and Conor knowingly embrace this wealth of connotation in their music, drawing on the music they grew up with and performing it with their own slant. In a performance that toes the line between concert music and session music, Rakish explores tunes and songs from Irish and American folk traditions in a way that reflects their shared interest in and love for old traditional tunes and chamber music. Maura Shawn, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition, wields the technical range of a classical violinist and the deep sensitivity of a traditional musician. Conor, a native to the Irish music communities of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, makes his home in Boston, MA playing and teaching guitar. As a duo they have performed at venues and festivals across North America, and can be found teaching at fiddle camps across the country.
