6:10 – 6:15 Announcements
• Canal Street Study 2nd public meeting – November 14, 2024 from 6-8 in Selectboard Meeting Room
• Others
6:15 – 7:10 Water and Sewer District and Zoning
There are two possible scenarios that could play out after the November 5 election that are causing a lot of anxiety for a lot of people. Then there is one outcome that would ease some of the psychic pain many of us have been feeling and that is the election of Kamala Harris as President.
A Harris win would mean that the specter of fascism and rule by a deranged egomaniac would not happen. But what worries me is that there are so many Americans who have bought into the evil plans that Trump has proposed for this country. If Trump loses I don’t think that he will walk away with his tail between his legs and quietly drift off into the sunset. His ego is too big and his need for recognition is too great. He will seek out a new way to spew his poison to anyone who will listen.
There is a plan (Project 2025) in place for the Trump cabal to totally restructure American government if he wins, and I think the people who crafted this insane plan will find a way to at least keep the issues alive even if they cannot take the reins of the federal government. They are already working to push their agenda in states in the same way they are trying to make abortion illegal.
Crews will begin to install the traffic signals needed for the project beginning Monday, October 28th. Sign crews will begin placing signs for the new bridge next week as well. The signs will be covered until the bridge is ready to open. This crew will be accessing shoulders along approach routes to the project in a mobile work zone with a uniformed traffic officer.
Clean up continues on all parts of the project while the contractor removes overhang forms and strips, patches (if needed), and waterproofs exposed concrete. Removal of the temporary trestle, with its intermittent noise from the diesel hammer, is an ongoing process.
Next Stage Arts presents multidisciplinary flamenco artist Laura Sánchez, with her work Welcome to Holland!? on Sunday, November 24 at 7:00 pm at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, in Putney.
Step into a world of resilience and inspiration with Welcome to Holland!?—a breathtaking multidisciplinary flamenco performance that will touch your heart and ignite your spirit.
Join us for a transformative 75-minute journey that beautifully intertwines flamenco, poetry, humor, and film, celebrating the incredible strength of caregivers. Experience the story of an immigrant mother as she navigates her unique “Holland!?”—a landscape reshaped by trauma. Watch as everyday objects transform into powerful symbols of hope, guiding her through challenges and illuminating the path to belonging. This transformative journey challenges stereotypes about motherhood and disability, shedding light on the diverse experiences of caregivers and fostering empathy towards non-traditional families.
The NXT Gallery is pleased to present “Water: Shape and Time,” an exhibition of palladiotypes by photographer Nick Ellison. The exhibit runs November 16 through February 9, with an opening reception on Sunday, November 17 from 3 to 5 pm.
Nick Ellison reminds us that time is a critical element of photography. From exposure to development to printing, each step in the process is defined by time. At each step time is taken to allow the chemical and physical processes to create the final image. Ellison has chosen to have an element of water in each photograph in this series as a way to depict the passing of time to draw attention to change that is often overlooked. He is trying to narrow the gaze, to focus in on these particulars, on how time changes our view of the environment, because it’s happening incrementally, and we often don’t have the time to notice. But if you pause, as a photograph asks you to do, you can see that the force and power of the water, just like time, offers change.
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2024-election-forecast/ is the current home of 538, Nate Silver’s project to provide statistical insight into politics and specifically the electoral college.
On Sunday the forecast was 52% Trump, the first forecast I’ve seen favoring him. Just now, 50-50, hence this post.
538 started forecasting in 2008 and has been rather good. In 2008 Obama was 90% late and in the last few days became 99%; nonetheless they did not see Indiana turning blue. In the 2016 election Trump was given 11-16% until the last few days when it screamed up to 24%–when working with chess engines the trending can be more important than the evaluation, and I think that’s what happened then.
There was no public comment.
Mark gave an overview of the new HR Clerical position at the Central office being proposed.
Given the new programs and responsibilities including Grow Our Own, Title 9 and HHB oversight, workforce recruitment, onboarding and exit interviews, etc, the central office is in need of additional support. In the current budget, we will use unutilized funds. Next budget year, the plan would be to add this to the office budget. This is a part-time position with benefits.
Message to: ChatGPT
Cris Ericson said:
Hi! ChatGPT, I went to a news link because I want to know if the Governor of Vermont is following through with his idea to let homeless children stay in the State Police Barracks in Williston, Vermont but when I clicked on the link, all I got was this … (deleted)
ChatGPT said:
It sounds like you’re encountering some confusing content. I couldn’t find specific updates on the Governor of Vermont’s proposal about homeless children staying in State Police Barracks. If you want, I can help look for more recent news articles or summarize related information.
In the light of Trump’s most recent campaign shenanigans, seemingly more outré each day- foul language, falling asleep, working the fryer, false accusations, disquisitions on phallus size, dance performance- this on top of his long string of unusual practices- mocking disabled people, belittling war victims, sexual assaults, absconding with secret documents, etc…it occurs to me this display clearly derives from the archetype of the Trickster.
The Trickster appears in various guises in almost all cultures throughout history. Shape shifting, boundary busting, upsetting the status quo by way theft, subversion, unorthodox behavior, inexplicable alliances, and undermining established morality. There’s always an element of twisted humor; Bugs Bunny, the Joker, Brer Rabbit, Loki, the incarnations are varied and always idiosyncratic, the energy irrepressible and unpredictable.
I first went to Google to ask it how to make a video go viral, and then I went to YouTube to view some of the Google suggestions,
and then I learned it’s a lot more work than I thought. I tried to follow some of the instructions but so far I just don’t have the “art” of being concise and getting a message across in 30 seconds or 60 seconds, and my editing skills, or lack thereof, don’t help.
I think some of the basic ideas the “How To” videos were trying to get across, is that you don’t go “Viral” overnight. Some of them discussed the “method” of creating a “challenge” and making a new short video every single day while showing that you are participating in the “challenge” you have chosen or created.
Oct. 21 Salisbury Steak
Mashed Potato
Mixed Veggies
Apple Crumble
The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 5:00pm at the Brooks Memorial Library Community Room.
Jessica Sticklor (she/her/hers)
Executive Assistant
Final pavement was placed on VT 142. Crews will be mobilizing next week to work on the signal system in the intersection of VT 142 and VT/NH 119. Crews will also be working on guardrail and fencing systems. Work will continue at the Pier 1 site on the Barrows and Fisher property while the drainage in the area is planned and the finalized.
Clean up continues on all parts of the project while the contractor continues to take advantage of the weather to strip, patch (if needed), and waterproof exposed concrete. Removal of the temporary trestle, with its intermittent noise from the diesel hammer is an ongoing process.
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the WRCC Cusick Conference Room, Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom.
Below and attached is information that might be helpful to know for the November 5, 2024 General Election.
Fill Out Your Ballot
All active registered voters in Vermont were automatically mailed a ballot in early October. Please make sure to follow the instructions provided with your ballot, including:
Signing the certificate envelopeand ensuring your ballot is insidethe certificate envelope.
Using ablack pen to mark your ballot.
Do NOT use a markeras it can bleed through to the back of your ballot, requiring a replacement ballot.
If you have not received your ballot, or if you have any questions about your ballot, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 802-251-8157. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
It’s that time of year when seniors are assaulted with all kinds of media ads for Medicare Advantage enrollment.
It is also the open enrollment period for Medicare, from October 15-December 7, when Medicare enrollees can change plans. Choosing a plan is always complicated but, if you gather good information, you can make an informed decision.
Less than half of seniors are enrolled in traditional Medicare. This plan has predictable costs and when coupled with a Medicare Supplemental policy will provide 100% coverage for hospital and outpatient care. Medicare coverage is comprehensive and traditional Medicare allows you to go to any health care provider in the country who is a Medicare provider. Almost all providers accept Medicare.
Next Stage Arts presents dynamic eight-piece band Hazmat Modine, on Saturday, November 16 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, in Putney.
Hazmat Modine is “a uniquely intercontinental sonic collage encompassing a tremendous range of instrumental, vocal, and conceptual originality–all with a lot of soul and groove.” This dynamic eight-piece band has toured and performed original songs for 25+ years with genre-defying music that is quintessentially New York–vibrant international cultures meets American Roots. Diverse backgrounds in Gypsy Jazz, Downtown Avant Guard loft music, Blues, Soul, Country, Rock n’ Roll, and Roots is written and performed by musicians whose ages span every decade from their 20s to 70s.
Next Stage Arts presents Portland-based string ensemble Palaver Strings, on Friday, November 15 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, in Putney.
“Last time they performed at Next Stage, they opened a new world of musical compositions I’ve never heard – the ensemble is bringing light to the careers of composers living and dead, from around the world,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “For sure, any classical music-loving audience member is going to fall in love. What was also apparent was that even for those adventurous music lovers, this is music that is relevant and heartfelt.”
The ensemble’s current program, Ready or Not Revisited, celebrates the groundbreaking visions of women, queer, trans, and nonbinary composers from the medieval period to the present day. This program builds on the concept of Palaver’s 2022 album Ready or Not, which “blew the tent flap open to embrace new contemporary classical fans” (Midwest Record) and left BBC Music Magazine “wanting more.” Repertoire includes wide-ranging selections by Jessie Montgomery, Hildegard von Bingen, inti figgis-vizueta, Tanner Porter, Sato Matsui, Leilehua Lanzilotti, Pétalo Seslar and Lili Boulanger. Ready or Not Revisited disrupts our expectations, challenges our narratives, and uplifts a multitude of voices who have always been here, whether the concert hall was ready or not.
The Hinsdale Bridge, Bridge Street, and Route 119, which were temporarily closed to traffic during the morning of October 16, 2024, have since reopened.
The Hinsdale, NH bridge on Route 119 is currently closed due to an emergency incident. The traffic lights on lower Main Street are on flash and access to NH Route 119 is closed at the Bridge and Main Street intersection. Motorists should seek alternate routes.
