Selectboard Meeting Notes – Long Term Planning To Return, EMS Numbers Reported

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard april 15 2025

The Brattleboro Selectboard, meeting for some regular business and a discussion of the evolving FY26 budget, were able to agree on a few structural budget issues – to have a long term financial plan once again and to have a capital equipment and a capital infrastructure plans as well. 

The new fire chief praised his amazing staff, and all town departments. He also gave the first accounting of what EMS services were costing the taxpayers. Solid waste and mural discussions were postponed. And the 12% tax increase was really just 6% if you average it with some other numbers.

WSESD Joins Rural School Community Alliance

by Not Signed In | Education

As state legislators and Governor Phil Scott draft and release plans for drastic education reform, the Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board voted unanimously to join the Rural School Community Alliance (RSCA) on February 11, 2025. RSCA is a coalition of Vermonters that advocates for the importance of rural community public schools and for a democratic voice in decision-making about their future. The RSCA’s goal is to encourage legislators to pursue meaningful property tax reform that strengthens Vermont’s future while maintaining support for high-quality, equitable, cost-effective rural schools.

Brattleboro Water Department’s 2024 Consumer Confidence Report / Water Quality Report Available

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro Water Department’s annual Consumer Confidence Report / Water Quality Report for 2024 is now available. This report can be viewed online at www.Brattleboro.gov under Water Supply.  Printed copies are available at the Department of Public Works, Tri-Park CO-OP Office, Guilford Country Store, Town Clerk’s Office and Treasurer’s office (both located in the Brattleboro Municipal Center) and at the I-91 Welcome Center in Guilford. 

Jo Dery on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

JO DERY is a visual storyteller who thrives in community-based collaborations. She creates animated films, comics, books, multi-media performances and more. “Adoption Stories” is her most recent project inspired by her own lived experience.

Vermont Delegation Statement on Mahdawi Arrest in Colchester

by cgrotke | State News

Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch and representative Becca Balint issued a statement on the arrest of a green card holder going for a naturalization interview. Mohsen Mahdawi was in Colchester when detained by ICE agents.

“BURLINGTON, Vt., April 14 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Becca Balint (Vt.-AL) today released the following statement on the illegal detention of Mohsen Mahdawi by the Trump Administration:

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda April 17 – FY26 Budget Revenues and Reductions

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Rm. 212) and over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members. The backup materials for this meeting will be available on the town Website Brattleboro.gov/Selectboard as soon as possible.

Brattleboro Press Release – Fire at 52 S. Main Street

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

At 9:58 p.m., the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched to a first alarm house fire. Engine two arrived on scene at 10:02 p.m. reporting heavy fire. Captain Emery (Engine two officer) established command and upgraded to a second alarm. 

After arriving on the scene, Captain Emery and Brattleboro Police Officers confirmed the structure was unoccupied and crews stretched handlines to the front of the structure. Access to the house was delayed due to debris spread across the front entrance and yard, blocking firefighting progress. 

At 10:03 p.m., Chief Symonds assumed command. As further Brattleboro Fire Department units arrived, the crews used multiple handlines to contain the fire at 52 South Main St. Due to the structure being unstable and conditions inside of the structure, all fire suppression operations occurred from outside of the structure. 

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes – April 8, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● 3 Executive Sessions were held regarding student academic records and disciplinary matters, and labor relations. Board motioned to ratify the contract for certified employes as negotiated
● Significant public comment and board discussion occurred concerning Title VI and recent
federal DEI-related directives from the state; a special board meeting was scheduled for April 10 to continue the conversation.
● Board subcommittees and leadership councils shared updates, including ongoing work in social justice, goal setting, and community engagement through the Rural School Alliance.
● Personnel updates included multiple hires, two resignations, and one retirement, all accepted with appreciation.
● Board voted to ratify the contract for certified staff.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda & Notes – April 15, 2025

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard continues their month of many meetings with a regular meeting on Tuesday where they will approve of some paving grants, approve a new mural, discuss tax stabilization for a farm, and get financial and fire updates. 

The big item should be the budget discussion about solid waste options.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Finance Committee will meet on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.

The Charter Revision Commission will meet Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 7:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room and over Zoom.

Riding Home: Sneak Peek Screening of a Documentary Set in Putney, VT

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

Join Next Stage Arts on Thursday, April 17th at 7:00pm for an exclusive sneak peek of Riding Home, a documentary in progress that follows longtime Putney resident Caryl Richardson as she navigates the final chapter of her life, surrounded by the horses, land and people she loves.

More than just a portrait of one woman’s journey, Riding Home seeks to crack open the conversation around death, dying, and end-of-life choices. In a culture that often avoids these discussions, this film invites us to bear witness, reflect, and engage with the complexities of mortality with honesty and grace.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Library Listening Session for FY26 Captures Community Complexity

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard held a rare listening session Tuesday evening. It was held at the Library and the topic the FY26 budget.

The board was quiet; some took notes as they heard from many community members responding to three pre-set questions which enabled a wide-ranging discussion and quite a few passionate, eloquent arguments for various desired outcomes.

Expressing My Gratitude

by Norsehorse | Health

Since having been diagnosed with, among other things, a malignant cancerous colon tumor while at CVMC for two full weeks late last year, I have been the recipient of a priceless wealth of kind and generous encouragement as well as support that has taken many forms, including deliveries of food (e.g., freshly homemade omelets and scrambled eggs as well as, recently, breakfast and a half dozen donuts from the Wayside Restaurant and so on).

This is what I term as going the gracious extra mile and beyond.
 
Everyone who has done so, has my deepest gratitude.

Hands Off March in the Rain in Brattleboro

by local | Activism

A good size crowd (estimated at near 2000 by the Reformer) met at the Center Congregational Church on Main St.  There they listened to Rep. Becca Balint speak, then walked to the Town Common For more speeches.  It was a loud but civil crowd.  All on a rainy day.

Political Murder

by RDavis | Activism

Over six million Americans who rely on federal government fuel assistance to heat their homes or pay electric bills to fend off extreme heat may have to find another way to pay for things that keep them alive. The government office that administers the LIHEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) has been gutted and all of the staff have been fired.

Theoretically, the money still exists to meet people’s needs but there will be no way to get that money to people. The bottom line is that if this program doesn’t do what it has done in past years a lot of people are going to suffer and die. This kind of action by the Trump administration is nothing short of murder.

Proposed Bill To Improve Tourism In Vermont During 2025 Summer of Stock Market Crisis

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

Any citizen can draft a proposed bill in Vermont, but only members of the Vermont General Assembly (the House of Representatives and the Senate) can introduce it for consideration.

The Vermont citizen needs to pray that any member of the House or Senate will be willing to introduce the bill.

It is proving to be a concerning statistic that in cities across the United States of America where homeless unsheltered people live, in view of tourists who cringe in sympathy, that this upsets tourists so much that they are now avoiding places where homeless people are suffering in plain sight.

Palestine Film Series Concludes April 13th with ‘The Teacher’

by KCasa | Arts

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – The second annual Palestine Film Series concludes on Sunday, April 13, with The Teacher, a plot-driven drama about a Palestinian teacher grieving the loss of his teenage son and struggling to reconcile his commitment to political resistance with his support for two students. Meanwhile, an American couple begs for the return of their son, who was kidnapped while serving in the Israeli military.

Predating the events of Oct. 7, 2023, The Teacher highlights the atrocities and inhumanities enacted upon Palestinians and shows that these horrific circumstances are not new; they have been happening for decades.

Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – April 2025

by cgrotke | Health

It’s the April 2025 dashboard summary. We continue semi-regular 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. Numbers are low, but not zero. Scroll down the new comments for the latest. Happy anniversary, too. This ledger started in April 2020.