Bringing Back The Montreal Train

by Lise | State News

The Vermont Rail Action Network reported in their newsletter Thursday that there’s been some movement in the effort to bring back the train from Vermont to Montreal.  According to Christopher Parker, executive director of VRAN, Vermont was granted a “pre-clearance customs agreement” that, if approved, will help to ensure that customs delays don’t happen at the border.  Given that there is currently no train, this recent development might seem to be putting the cart before the horse, but perhaps it’s just a sign of things to come.

According to Parker, Senator Leahy was instrumental in making this happen, as he serves on both the Judiciary Committee (which has jurisdiction over Customs & Border Patrol) and the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee. Obtaining this pre-clearance agreement required that the Secretary of Homeland Security as well as the Canadian Minister of Public Safety meet in Washington to sign it.  It’s not a done deal though — both the US Congress and the Canadian Parliament have to approve it before it comes into effect.

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting 2015

by cgrotke | Town News

Welcome. It’s a lovely March 21st, 2015. It’s grey, cold, and snowing. Town Meeting Representatives have made their way to the south end of town for the annual Representative Town Meeting.

We’ll be doing ongoing updates throughout the day. As they begin, Moderator Lawrin Crispe is going through rules and some announcements, including a moment of silence for Dick Guthrie and Jesse Corum.

Schools goes first. We’ll have more for you soon.

(Apologies in advance for typing errors and spelling mistakes.)

Windham County Health Needs Survey

by RobertOeser | Health

The Windham County Community Health Needs Assessment  Steering Committee is seeking to hear directly from community members, and is conducting an assessment through a survey that is open throughout the month of March.

The survey gives an opportunity to hear from a larger portion of the community (from as many who wish to participate).

The .

WBA Plans March 26th Meeting with Brattleboro Police on Home Break-In Issue

by WBA | Town News

On Thursday, March 26th, the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) is hosting a discussion with the Brattleboro Police Department about recent property break-ins. It will be held at 7:00 PM, in the Hayes Court Community Room on Garfield Drive.

All residents are invited to pose questions to the police and get pointers on how best to avoid future break-ins. This will also be an opportunity for neighbors to suggest ideas to other neighbors and/or to ask questions of or get clarifications from the Police Department. It is important to understand that the police in attendance will not be able to report on any ongoing investigations other than in very general terms.

Weekend Comedy Series – Robin Williams

by cgrotke | Entertainment

In 1986 Robin Williams star had risen and he taped the following performance at the Met in NYC.

It seems to be an accurate representation of what people most enjoyed about him to that point – a manic genius. Part of that may have been some the cocaine he was known to be doing, but it was mostly a real talent for laser-quick improv, free-association, and ability to mimic and caricature.

Roots Music Low Lily Recording Fundraiser

by Rolf | Music

The Fiddler for roots music band Low Lily is from Brattleboro. Her name is Lissa Schneckenburger, and she lives on my street. More importantly, she plays fiddle, really, really, really, really well. I had her on my radio show when I was doing the Colonel Brattle’s Music Hall, and I have seen her at play here in Brattleboro.

Now, Low Lily is raising money for their CD.

If you donate $15, you will get a copy of their CD which will have 4-7 tracks on it. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/low-lily-s-new-ep#home

Doubly cool, after they meet their goal, which will allow them to create this recording, they will donate 50% of all funds to the Drop In center. http://www.feedthethousands.org/brattleboro-area-drop-center.

Here is the text of their indiegogo campaign.

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Warning and Expected Budget Motion

by cgrotke | Town News

In preparation for Brattleboro’s Representative Town Meeting, here is the officially warned agenda for said meeting. The amounts in Article 23 has been changing, and the text of the currently expected motion is also included below.

Each year the schedule alternates, and this year the schools will have the first items up for discussion and vote.

You can watch on BCTV. As per the poll results, you can also tune in here for a live blog of the day’s events. The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. We’ll get going here shortly thereafter, once the opening ceremonies and reminder of rules is out of the way.

I-91 Exit 3 Closed Sunday

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

This Sunday, the project team will close both the northbound and southbound Exit 3 on-ramps to reduce congestion on I-91 Southbound caused by merging traffic. Because of highway logistics, we need to close both northbound and southbound on-ramps. Local southbound traffic will be rerouted to Route 5 south to Exit 2 or 1, and local northbound traffic will be rerouted to Route 5 north to Exit 4. Sheriff officers will assist in directing traffic. The on-ramps at Exit 3 will be closed from approximately noon to 7:00 pm.

Registration Open! 3rd Annual Tulip Trot 5k Run/Walk, May 2, 2015

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

Come out rain, mud and/or shine and support Green Street School enrichment programs while you walk or run down neighborhood streets and the scenic Retreat trails behind Brattleboro’s famous ski jump. This family-friendly local 5k is in its third year and gaining great momentum, please join us!

The Saturday, May 2 race starts and finishes at Green Street School, 164 Green Street, Brattleboro. There is also a 1/2 mile Sprout Run for younger children before the 5K.

Brattleboro Area Hospice to Host 6th Death Cafe in Wilmington

by Not Signed In | Deerfield Valley

Brattleboro Area Hospice will host it’s 6th Death Café in Wilmington. This free event will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2-4 pm at Dot’s Restaurant at 3 West Main St.

Part of an international movement that started in Europe (www.deathcafe.com), the Death Cafe is dedicated to taking death out of the closet in order to discuss it publicly.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Monday, March 23, 2015 at 5:15pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

New Dates for Medicare Boot Camp

by SeniorSolutions | Health

At this free class, Senior Solutions staff will provide unbiased information about the Medicare system. Medicare has strict enrollment periods, and this session will help  participants make timely decisions about drug plans and supplemental plans as well as many other issues.

This class is appropriate for those who are currently enrolled in Medicare, as well as anyone who will be signing up in the near future. Family members who help elders may also find this class useful. Space is limited, so please call ahead to register. There is no fee, but donations are appreciated.

To register or get more information, call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-642-5119.

Brattleboro in the Vietnam War Era: A BHS Oral History Project

by reginaldwam3 | History

The Brattleboro Historical Society is putting together an ORAL HISTORY of the Vietnam War Era and is seeking Brattleboro area people – veterans to anti-war activists – to come forward to share experiences.  If you have an interest in participating contact Bill Holiday at –

holiday@brattleborohistoricalsociety.org

Sanders: Let Vermont Protect Consumers from Dangerous Chemicals

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, March 18 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today backed stronger curbs on the use of dangerous chemicals in consumer products but criticized a bill in Congress that would take away from Vermont and other states the power to protect consumers with new state regulations.

Under the current federal law, tens of thousands of potentially harmful chemicals have continued to be used in products without proper testing and without disclosure by the companies that use them. The law, enacted in 1976, is so weak that it kept the Environmental Protection Agency from even banning asbestos, which causes cancer.

Brattleboro Locals Playing at SXSW

by reginaldwam3 | Music

Bill Holiday passed along the following “heads-up!”

“A local teen band, featuring 2 BUHS students, Dharma Ramirez (3rd from L) and Mavis Eaton (far R), will perform next week in Austin, Texas as part of the Southwest Music Festival.  Incredible that they are a part of this popular, major, national event.  Look at what is being said about them…”

… and WVEW Is Back On The Air

by Stevil | Media

A circut (or some kind of wiring) that delivers WVEW’s signal to the transmitter boogied to our music a little too hard and got completely fried. It’s all fixed and our over the air broadcasts are back.

Today (as with most days) our all volunteer community radio station has a very full schedule of programming for you to enjoy. If you live within the range of our (over the air) broadcasts, you can get a show on the station too. Check out our website for more information – www.wvew.org.

Open Letter Re: Brattleboro Town Finances

by JohnWilmerding | Op/Ed

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Dear fellow Town Representatives:

I have been meaning to write an open letter reporting out my concerns and observations about this year’s Representative Town Meeting, items on the agenda, the budget, etc. I have left this until the last minute in hopes that others of you might finally step forward to join me in drafting a brief report as your Town Finance Committee.

This is the

The site has not been updated in a year. I can’t do the work of the committee by myself, so please regard this as merely a personal letter.