Brattleboro Selectboard Meetings Have Become Too Long

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Brattleboro Selectboard meetings have become very long. Too long, really.

It isn’t the number of items on the agenda. Even a short agenda can lead to a very long meeting.

Holding the meetings online might be part of the problem. 

First, it adds time to each meeting to explain how to participate. It adds time to invite people to speak and wait for them to work out technical issues. Almost every virtual meeting has delays due to the meeting being virtual. Sometimes they are short delays, but they add up.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – FY22 Budget – Police Policies and Procedures Review

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The Board will convene at 5:15pm and is expected to enter into executive session to discuss the negotiating or securing of real estate purchase or lease options and the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, and to enter into deliberative session to deliberate on the Hinsdale Bridge takings and eminent domain matter involving the lands of Tullius on Left Bank Way.  The Board will reconvene at 6:15pm for the business portion of the meeting.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  Information about how to connect to the meeting is also posted on the homepage of the Town’s website.  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

It’s Not Over til the Fat Lady Sings, Pt 2

by tomaidh | Politics

The legendary “Fat Lady” was Kate Smith who had a wonderful contralto voice.

She sang “God Bless America” at the end of NY Yankee games for years.

Yankee catcher Yogi Berra changed the saying to “It’s not over till it’s over”, which is the situation we’re in right now with the presidential election.

Medicare Disadvantage

by RDavis | Health

Every year during Medicare’s open enrollment period, which is from October 15 to December 7 this year, millions of Medicare beneficiaries are bombarded by private insurance companies looking for their business. The advertising makes it sound like these benevolent companies are looking to offer you a pot of gold for free. If it sounds too good to be true then it is too good to be true.

Here’s the story. In 1997 congress authorized the creation of Medicare C which has come to be known as Medicare Advantage. It was an effort by Republicans to privatize Medicare and make it less of a government-run program. It was also a gift for the private insurance industry which continues to haul in huge profits when people switch from traditional Medicare A to Medicare C.

Brattleboro Senior Meals Director Retires Update

by KathrynT | Other

Attached please find the following. A response to a concern to the article.

Regarding the article “Brattleboro Senior Meals Director Retires”. This article meant only to honor Chris McAvoy for her excellent leadership of the Senior Meals Program. In no way was the article meant to infer that we are not one hundred percent supported by Senior Solutions.

In 2004 a group of seniors, headed by Greg Propster and supported by Chris, determined – after a great deal of reflection – that Brattleboro Senior Meals should become an independent non-profit 501c3 organization. Beyond the program goals of providing area seniors with regular meals and a link to the larger community, the group wanted to keep their long-time kitchen help and keep their meals prepared on site. In addition, becoming a 501c3 allowed Brattleboro Senior Meals the opportunity to apply for grants and other fund-raising opportunities.

Dealing with High Rental Costs in Brattleboro

by Lise | Op/Ed, Opinion

I’ve been following the rental debate involving the Brattleboro Selectboard and the Brattleboro Tenants Union, and finding aspects of it perplexing. Brattleboro is gentrifying — it’s a hip little town in an attractive part of the country and the trend in rents has been up in recent years. That won’t get better now that people with more money than we have are moving here to get away from Covid. The solution to the problem of rising rents for lower income people has typically been to move away to someplace more affordable. It seems weird to me that you would be expected to get a loan, subsidy, or grant to rent in Brattleboro. If the rents are too high, then many moderate income people won’t be able to live here.  Simple as that.

Brattleboro Station – New ADA-Compliant Building, Platform, and Track Changes

by Not Signed In | Travel
Brattleboro Station

Proposed facility will feature track changes and the first level boarding platform in Vermont

BRATTLEBORO, VT – Amtrak today announced it is in discussions with the Town of Brattleboro, NECR Railroad and the State of Vermont on its proposal for a new, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant Brattleboro Station, including a new station building, platform and track changes. The new station will feature the first level boarding platform in Vermont. Measuring approximately 48 inches above track, the proposed platform will allow customers to move on or off a train without having to step up or down. Additional ADA-compliant amenities include parking, ramps and steps up to the platform level, lights, signage, a new waiting room with an attached restroom and covered outdoor seating.

“Vermont’s weather presents challenges to travelers all year round. Amtrak’s investment in an ADA accessible platform and station will ensure that all rail passengers in Brattleboro will have a safe, warm, welcoming place to wait for and board the train. In our rural state, passenger rail represents a vital link for Vermonters and tourists alike. This new station in one of the gateways to Vermont will be a worthy addition to our transportation system,” said U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy.

Brattleboro Senior Meals Director Retires

by KathrynT | Other

With your management and leadership, the program will continue and be even better” The Brattleboro Senior Meals Board

From 1997 to 2020 that what Chris McAvoy has done just that. Brattleboro Senior Meals from 1997 to 2004 the program was under Senior Solutions. In 2004 Senior Solutions decided that they would no longer fund the meals program at this site.

Chris with the help of a group of seniors, headed by Greg Propster, decided to become their own entity and for a non-profit, 501c3. With this accomplished Chris was able move the program with her management and leadership skills.

BCTV Schedules – Week of November 16, 2020

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 8 / 1075 schedule for the week of 11/16/20

Monday, November 16, 2020

5:00 am Brattleboro Drive-Thru Halloween – Brattleboro Drive-Thru Halloween 2020
6:20 am Stuck in Vermont – Camping at Grand Isle State Park During a Pandemic
6:30 am Indigenous Peoples Day – Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration Part 1 – 2020
7:25 am Putney Craft Tour – Putney Craft Tour 2020 – Julia Brandis
7:26 am Putney Craft Tour – Putney Craft Tour 2020 – Judy Hawkins

Updated $12 Brattleboro VFW Turkey Meals Nov. 21st -Now To Go’s Only

by LisaL | Food

Due to COVID restrictions, this meal is now TO-GO’s ONLY.

Starting Monday Nov. 9th, the VFW will start taking reservations for our Saturday, November 21st $12 turkey meal. The meal will be served from 4pm-7pm, and it is TO-GO’s ONLY. For $12, you will get turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, roll, stuffing, cranberry sauce and blueberry or raspberry pie for dessert. Please call in to let us know how many meals you will require, choice of pie, and the approximate time you will be arriving for pick up. Public may order, not just members. You MUST call in your orders by Friday night Nov. 20th. 802-257-0438

Brattleboro Town Manager Friday COVID-19 Update – What’s New

by Not Signed In | Town News, Uncategorized

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Governor Scott’s updated executive order earlier today includes the following: 

“All businesses, not-for-profit entities, and municipal entities in the State shall reinstitute, to the maximum extent possible, … telecommuting or work from home procedures… [A]ll meetings should be held by telephone or electronically to avoid in person meetings whenever possible.” 

In furtherance of this directive, Town of Brattleboro administrative offices will transition next week back to the almost entirely remote operations that we put in place during the Stay Home Stay Safe period last March and April. Starting Monday, November 16, some Town offices will be unoccupied. By Friday, November 20, most Town offices will be unoccupied most of the time. As was true last spring, some employees will come to the offices on some days just to perform tasks that cannot be performed from remote locations. We found last spring that we could adequately meet the public’s needs while performing the vast majority of our work online, via email, and by phone. 

Governor Issues Strict Order On Social Gatherings, More

by cgrotke | State News

Governor Scott issued new COVID-19 executive orders today for Vermonters. The big news is that everyone must limit attendance at all gatherings to members of their immediate household. This includes staying at home for Thanksgiving, with a tiny loophole for family members living alone.

Effective Saturday November 14, 2020 at 10pm it is ordered that multiple household social gatherings be suspended, restaurant hours and seating limits be tightened, and bars and clubs be closed to in-person service.

It is furthered ordered that restaurants and public accommodations keep contact logs, that the public comply with contact tracing efforts, and that recreational sports programs be suspended.

There’s more: all college students returning home in or out of state must quarantine at home, and all businesses shall reinstitute or reemphasize telecommuting and work from home.

The full text of the executive order is below.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – November 17, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will attempt their first “consent agenda” at their next regular meeting. It is an effort to move things along at a slightly quicker pace than before by grouping items that are simple and require no discussion.

Bigger issues for Tuesday’s meeting include an update to inform the board that Community Development Block Grants cannot be used for direct aid to tenants, SeVEDS will give their annual update and appeal for funding,  the Energy Committee will offer up their revised goals,  and the FY22 budget exploration gets underway with a discussion of revenues, capital projects, and capital equipment needs. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings and Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee will meet on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 1:00pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” 

The Brattleboro Community Safety Review Committee will meet on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 6:00pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” 

Brattleboro Winter Overnight Parking Ban Begins November 15, 2020

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Parking Department would like to advise everyone that the winter parking ban will go into effect, starting Sunday, November 15, 2020.  Overnight parking is forbidden on all streets in the town of Brattleboro.  Vehicles parked for longer than one (1) hour between 11:00pm and 07:00am may be ticketed and towed at the owners expense. 

THIS BAN IS IN EFFECT EVEN IF THERE IS NO SNOW ON TOWN STREETS.

Homemade Pie Sale Set for November 21 as Drive-Thru at Guilford Church

by Nanci Leitch | Food

A fall tradition, a home-made pie sale–this time with COVID-safe precautions–will be held on Saturday morning, November 21 from 9-noon in the Guilford Community Church parking lot, just in time to save some preparations before Thanksgiving.

According to organizers, church volunteers will bake apple, raspberry, pecan, pumpkin and specialty pies. Customers will remain in their car and a church volunteer, dressed in COVID-safe mask and gloves, will both come to car windows to take orders and deliver pies and collect payment of cash, check or credit card. To speed your purchase, you may reserve your pie(s) and pay ahead with a credit card by calling Patty Meyers anytime at 802-257-0994.