Please see attached for the “unofficial results” for Brattleboro Town Meeting. The attached is formatted to show the unofficial winners for each race in bold. These are the results from the ballot tallies, not including write-in votes.
Brattleboro’s WSESD unofficial results are at the bottom of the spreadsheet. These are not the final results, as the school district needs to tally the votes from all 4 towns.
The Brattleboro Selectboard lifted town rules requiring masks. People and businesses are free to once again do as they please with caution. The mask rules can come back if things get bad again.
The board also passed a new rule requiring downtown property owners to clear their sidewalks of snow within 24 hours of a snowstorm or face fines and costs. It may be a while before this is tested, though, as winter is wrapping up for the season.
Welcome to the March mud season 2022 dashboard summary. We continue daily and limited-weekend COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro, as long as they continue providing them. Scroll down the new comments for the latest.
Jessica Gelter is an incumbent running for a one year seat.
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Tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running for a one year seat…
I’m a nonprofit business leader, a townie, an artist, and a mom. I’m running again because the work that fired me up and inspired me to run last year is still underway, and I would like to be accountable and follow through on some of the decisions I helped make last year, like hiring new town manager Yoshi Manale.
What did you think of your first budget season? Enjoy the overview of Town Operations?
I keep saying, it felt like a love fest! It was really surprising. Peter and the staff handed us a budget that was really easy to understand and say yes to, with some minor tweaks and alterations to make sure the tax rate didn’t jump up significantly again. I certainly learned a lot about the various functions of the Town departments, and all the equipment we own!
A small town may not have any special qualities over living in a large city. Many of the neighborly community senses found in Brattleboro may be elsewhere. A good deed here is likely universal and inherent in much of our day to day lives.
Recently, I dropped my bank card in the Brattleboro Post Office where it was found by a good person who promptly delivered it to TD Bank across the street. The best customer service is that which protects its patrons, even if it can be inconvenient at first.
The 2022 Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee Report on the Town FY23 Budget is currently available online on the Town website, Brattleboro.org. Paper copies are also available at the Town Manager’s Office at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Suite 208).
Tim Wessel is an incumbent running for a one year seat.
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Is there anything special you are still trying to accomplish? Why keep doing this?
As you know I’ve been on the board for five years, and I do feel I’ve been on the board long enough and have accomplished much in that time. I’ve decided to continue for another year for two reasons: 1. I saw no one who I thought was capable stepping up as a candidate, and 2. I think it will be good for Brattleboro to have some consistency as our new Town Manager Yoshi Manale gets settled into his role with consistent board leadership. I’m also interested in continuing efforts around housing in Brattleboro and have an influence in the ARPA funds conversation going forward.
RTM increased compensation to make it easier for more people to serve, yet you are running unopposed. Did RTM make a mistake? Increasing compensation did not increase candidates…
I think RTM did make a mistake, and I said so at the time. More money does not equal a better Selectboard. Of course, one year does not close the debate on this, but one does have to wonder what impact effectively doubling the compensation has had. It is appreciated by the sitting board of course, and did influence my decision to continue this year.
March at HatchSpace: Learn to use jigs for precision cuts, make a clever box or a gourmet rolling pin, or have fun with turning green wood!
Two Fun Projects
Pivot Top Box: A small project with infinite design possibilities! This great place for small keepsakes is fun and quick to make. The class will cover the safe and thoughtful use of the band saw and the drill press.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MENU
Feb. 29 Beef Stew w/Veggies
Biscuits
Green Beans
Tiramisu
Monday, February 28, 2022
5:00 am Newfane Selectboard – Newfane SB and Pre-Town Informational Mtg 2/22/22
6:05 am Brattleboro Development Review Board – Brattleboro DRB Mtg 2/16/22
6:30 am Vermont State House – Senate Comm. on Government Operations 1/28/22
7:30 am Windham Southeast School District – WSESD Budget Info Mtg 2/24/22
Jarmal is always moving forward. From growing up with inner city challenges to crisis intervention in Brattleboro, Jarmal has the skills and compassion to create safe spaces, and bring support and positive change for youth in our community.
Daniel Quipp is an incumbent running for a three year seat.
Tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running for a three year seat…
Hello iBrattleboro! I’ve been on the board for the last three years and have decided to take the plunge for the 3-year seat. I’m proud of the work we have done in the last three years and am up for the challenge of the next three. Hopefully we’ll finally move out of the pandemic and into a period of recovery for all people. There are many opportunities ahead and with a new town manager at the helm, I’m excited to see what we can accomplish for the good of the town.
RTM increased compensation to make it easier for more people to serve, yet you are running unopposed. Did RTM make a mistake? Increasing compensation did not increase candidates…
Running unopposed certainly feels quite strange. In my previous three elections I think the smallest field was four candidates vying for two seats. Whether the lack of candidates is related to compensation, I cannot say. The $8000 stipend did not really figure in my decision to run again. I think the work of being on the board for the last two years might not have looked super appealing and with all of the incumbents choosing to run again perhaps potential candidates decided to wait until next year?
The February 19 edition of the Vermont Business Magazine carried a piece written by Dawn Schneiderman, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, claiming that if Vermonters are allowed to enroll in Medicare supplemental plans after their initial six month eligibility period costs will rise for everyone else. She does a poor job of defending her position.
To make this issue real look at the current cost of a Vermont Medigap Blue Plan G policy for someone initially enrolling during the initial six month window. It will cost that person $152.33 a month. If that person wants to enroll in that same plan after the six month window it will cost them $268.91 for the same coverage under Vermont Blue 65 Plan G.
A reminder that the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic is open Tuesday evenings with sign-in from 5:00 – 6:30 PM. We’re a non-profit that provides primary medical treatment to persons ages 18-64 in our community, thanks to a pool of volunteer physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and receptionists.
Even if you have health insurance, you may hesitate to get medical care because your policy has high deductibles or co-pays. Remember that the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic does not charge our patients for the medical care we provide.
Kurt Daims is running for Moderator for Brattleboro’s Representative Town Meeting.
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Tell us about yourself and why you’d like to be Moderator of Brattleboro’s Representative Town Meeting…
What sort of moderating experience would you bring, if elected? What’s your style?
A potentially short regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard is scheduled for Town Meeting Day (election day). They will hear about new plans for liquor for the Latchis Pub & Underground, they’ll talk about wearing masks a while longer, and they’ll amend the ordinance change regarding downtown snow removal. You can add to the meeting by bringing up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
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.
We sent out interviews to all the Selectboard candidates, as we always do, almost a month ago. None have returned them yet. (Why bother when there is no competition, eh?)
We sent out interview questions to candidates for Representative Town Meeting Moderator. David Gartenstein returned his and you can find it here. (Update:) Kurt Daims’ answers are here.
The Brattleboro Citizens Police Communications Committee will meet on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 5:30pm in the Brooks Memorial Library Meeting Room.
The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 6:00pm at the Co-op Café.
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 4:15pm at the Hanna Cosman Room at the Municipal Center.
Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Capital Plan Project Review & Funding Sources:
Follow up on brief discussion at the 2/8/22 WSESD Board meeting, Finance Committee support for Board action to approve the FY23 Capital plan projects as identified in the document shared with the Board.
