Smart Zone Tools Will Provide Public with Real Time Information re Travel Conditions for 1-91 Bridge Replacement in Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

MONTPELIER, Vt.—October 14, 2013–

The PCL+FIGG Team that is working under contract to the Vermont Agency of Transportation to reconstruct I-91 bridges in Brattleboro is using a full array of “Smart Zone” tools, including Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS), Wavetronics radar traffic sensors, and video cameras that will broadcast live data to a public website devoted to the project. The site’s traffic sensors will continuously monitor traffic volumes in the work zone. This information will be used to automatically post messages on project signs regarding potential delays and expected travel times.

Free Scrabble Mentor

by EdLiebfried | Recreation & Sports

Club and Tournament Scrabble is more than just a pastime.  Like chess and bridge, it is played as a competitive sport all over the English-speaking world.  Brattleboro is fast becoming a hotbed of Scrabble players, with a weekly club session and a developing group of friends who take the game seriously (while alllowing room for laughter and orientation of newbies.  

Like any competitive game, there are fundamentals and preparation involved with becoming a top player.  I am committed to promoting the game and to helping folks who wish to dive more deeply into the fascinating world of club and tournament play to improve their skills and become a part of this vibrant community. 

150 Years Ago (1863 10/14)

by BusyMom | History

Camp Austine, Oct. 14th, 1863

Dear wife –

I now seat myself to write you. Since Saturday I have been hard at work. I had a gun to clean and more brass to fix up than I wish to see again. Sunday was cold and unpleasant. I got a pass and went over to see Susan. Found them all well. Mary Ann commences her school next Monday. She teaches 13 weeks at $3. per week and boards herself. She is going to board with Susan. I enjoyed the visit much. We had a grand good dinner of boiled victuals, and Susan filled my haversack with apples. The battery M boys have left Monday. There were a lot of prisoners sent off yesterday, the Captain of Company A, a corporal and four men with them as guard. There are a few left in the guard house.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 15 and 18, 2013

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will have another discussion about the PACE program with at their next regular Tuesday meeting. This discussion will focus on adopting the program guidelines.

The board will continue their discussions about negotiations with the Waste Water Treatment Plant contractor, PC, over unapproved change orders, and will hear about the results of the environmental review of the plans for the Black Mountain gravity sewer.

A number of grants will be approved and/or accepted and spent, including a Windham and Windsor Housing Trust grant, and funds for fixing the retaining wall on Washington Street. The Police would also like to apply for a last-minute grant to help prevent terrorism – by getting new radio and dispatch equipment. There will also be second readings of ordinance changes to parking on Elliot and Linden Streets.

You can attend in person or watch on BCTV. If you go, you can speak to any issue, and bring up other topics not on the agenda during public participation. Full coverage here, too, the very next day.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 10/14/13

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 10/14/13

                   Monday October 14                  

12:00 am      For the Animals: Ep. 126

12:30 am      The Outfitting of Revolutionary Armies in the Champlain Valley

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Spotlight On Vermont Issues: Ep. 5 – John Odum

4:30 am       Montpelier Movement Collective at the Phantom Theater 7/12/13

5:40 am       Library Lecture: Goodnight Irene – Craig Brandon

Senator Sanders Very Disappointed by Senate Vote on Debt Ceiling – “Dangerous Territory”

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today after Senate Republicans on a party-line vote blocked consideration of a measure to raise the federal debt ceiling:

“I find it incredible that every Republican voted against a motion to even let the Senate consider legislation to pay our bills and prevent a default. We are entering very dangerous territory.

Weekend Concert Series: B-52’s in Atlanta 1978

by cgrotke | Entertainment

This weekend’s concert takes us to Atlanta, Georgia in May of 1978 for a club show with a new band you might like called the B-52’s.

This is a grainy black and white video that captures the weirdness and wonderfulness of an early B-52’s performance. I started listening to them around 1980 or so, and was able to see them at a show in Tampa for their Mesopotamia tour.

The show was at a Jai Alai facility, which was a bit weird, but we had traveled almost 3 hours to get there and didn’t care. I was in high school and got to hear Ring My Bell by Anita Ward played loudly over the sound system before the show – a formative experience for a rock lover in learning to like funk.

Brattleboro Town Manager Citizen Search Committee Meeting and Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Town Manager Citizen Search Committee will meet on Friday, October 18, 2013 at 4:00pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center. It is anticipated that the Committee will enter into executive session at 4:00pm to discuss a personnel matter.

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

Interstate Lanes Associated with I-91 Bridge Reconstruction to be Reopened for Columbus Day Weekend

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

MONTPELIER, Vt.—October 11, 2013–The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will remove the temporary lane closures on Interstate 91 in Brattleboro over Columbus Day weekend to accommodate holiday traffic. The temporary closures are associated with construction to replace the interstate bridges between exits 2 and 3.

The northbound passing lane that is currently closed will be opened for the weekend starting at approximately 1:00 PM Friday, and the southbound passing lane will be opened at approximately 5:00 PM Friday. The northbound lane closures will go back in effect on Monday morning and the southbound lane closures will be re-established Tuesday morning.

Elm Street Bridge Re-Opened

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Department of Public Works has now re-opened the Elm Street Bridge to regular traffic effective immediately. Motorists may now use this street without restrictions.

Cheryl Petrin
Office Manager
Dept of Public Works
Town of Brattleboro
802-254-4255
fax 802-257-2316

Government Shutdown Plans

by tomaidh | Politics

This is a listing of agency-by-agency contingency plans. This outlines exactly what each agency is allowed to do, and all the things which… during the shutdown… they are NOT allowed to do.

Agency Contingency Plans http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-plans

“Below are the links to contingency plans for agencies across the Federal Government. The page will be updated as more plans are posted.”

Sunnyside Solar Returns! The Gentle Electric Company is Back, Bringing Good Things From Light!

by MichaelB | Business

By Dave Bonta, President of USA Solar Store

Carol Levin and Richard Gottlieb ran Sunnyside Solar for 30 years out of their home in Guilford selling their first PV panel in 1983! They have helped over 600 folks get solar; either as students, installers or customers.

Their remarkable story started in the Chelsea House Folklore Center, a Red Barn on the edge of West Brattleboro where Richard met Carol during  one of her famous country dances. Back in 1979 folks used to come from all over to “promenade” the night away at the Chelsea house. Today the Chelsea Royal diner still sports the name, which Carol used, inspired by the Joni Mitchell song of the 1960’s. Carol & Richard married at the Chelsea House in 1979.

150 Years Ago (1863 10/10, probably received a few days later)

by BusyMom | History

Slaughter Mountain, Va.

Oct. 10th, 1863

Mr. Charles Blake,

Dear Sir,

Your favor of Sept. 26th was duly received, and in accordance with your directions I forwarded $5.15 to your wife – the amount of my own and Charles Smith’s indebtedness to you as soon as we were paid off, directing her to write to my brother acknowledging its receipt, as I did not know where I should be at that time. I had some hesitation about sending it by mail, but the sum was so small that I did no think it was worth while to send it by express.

Here Is a Letter I Read To The Brattleboro Town School Board

by Not Signed In | Education

September 4, 2013

To The Brattleboro Town School Board:

I write today to express my dismay at what I have witnessed in the Brattleboro Town Schools lately, particularly in the last three years.

Our town, and the district as a whole, has chosen a path that I believe is stifling the desires of both teachers and students to analyze, reflect, create and explore. Adopting commercial programs (at no small expense) in an attempt to make learning “systematic” not only narrows the curriculum for students but also discourages thinking amongst teachers. The over-emphasis on “data points” from the recently-adopted ongoing assessment system has trumped existing classroom assessment systems that actually give deeper and more comprehensive information about individual students.

Brattleboro Columbus Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Columbus Day, all Town offices will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2013, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday and Monday, October 13 and 14, 2013. All other violations, including extended parking, will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, October 13 and 14, 2013.

Watching Angels Public Art Show – Slideshow

by Lee | Arts

Here is a slide show that Meg Donahue created about the interactive public art show she produced here in Brattleboro during the month of September called “Watching Angels.”

With a very small crew, she installed and maintained two big chalkboards (one on Flat Street and one in Harmony Parking Lot) that asked “What Are You Grateful For?…” And there were over 100 artist created angels scattered around the downtown with uplifting messages on placards next to them.

150 Years Ago (1863 10/10)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, Vt. Oct. 10th, 1863

Dear wife –

I have delayed writing until the present moment, that I might tell you where I was to remain. I suppose that my place is Company B, Capt Brannon. I have been trotting from Company A to Company B and from Company B to Company A without a musket or clothing. This morning I have come to Company B and expect to remain.