Selectboard Meeting Notes – More Parking System Changes; Old Hinsdale Bridges Uncertain Future

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard May 6 2025

The Brattleboro Selectboard had a regular meeting and approved of more changes to the recently-changed parking system. Zones will get new names, there will be new signs and stickers, rates and times will change, and more. This will make it easier for everyone, the Town assures us.

There are big beautiful plans by locals in Brattleboro for the old Hinsdale bridges, but they are owned primarily by New Hampshire and that side of the river isn’t too keen on maintaining them in the long term. It will take might private efforts to make something happen at this juncture, but a “balanced” letter will be sent to the NH DOT, with or without support from Hinsdale.

And Kate O’Connor is again director of the Chamber of Commerce.

Brattleboro District 9 Forum

by fidel | Politics

District 9 residents in Brattleboro are cordially invited to attend a forum to express their opinions about the revised budget prepared for a special Representative Town Meeting (RTM); the new budget is intended to replace an earlier version that was voted down by RTM and will, if approved, guide spending in the next fiscal year which begins 1 July.

The forum will be held in the Community Room (third floor) of the Brooks Memorial Library at 7 pm on Wednesday 14 May. RTM members from District 9 are encouraged to attend to hear their constituents’ opinions.

WSESU Sends Letter Supporting Inclusive Representation on HHB Prevention Advisory Council

by Not Signed In | Education

The Board of Directors of the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union sent the attached letter dated April 22, 2025 to Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders, CMP Assistant Director Tracy Watterson and Rebecca McBroom, Chair of the Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Prevention Advisory Council Vermont-NEA as an urgent call for inclusive representation on the HHB Prevention Advisory Council.

Rain On His Parade

by RDavis | Activism

The time has come for the protesters of the current administration to take it to the next level. There have been marches on Washington over the years and they have had some degree of effect, while sending messages that need to be heard from loud voices.

The difference in 2025 is that there is more at stake than ever before. Trump is quickly transforming our democracy into an oligarchy that will eventually become a dictatorship if there is no massive pushback. It is worth repeating that not enough legislators in congress are willing to fight against the new king. If they don’t kiss his ring they are subject to vindictive retribution.

Reflections on the “White Christian Nationalism” Event at Putney Meeting House

by PeytonE | Op/Ed

*A Letter from the Heart to Mike Mrowicki, Rev. Sparrow, and the Interfaith Community*

An interfaith initiative titled “White Christian Nationalism” recently circulated in Vermont, culminating in a gathering at the Putney Meeting House, led by Representative Mike Mrowicki and Reverend Sparrow. Everyone was friendly, and I believe well-intentioned. But the initiative, sadly, fell into the same trap we’ve seen repeated again and again: othering. Not just in whispers, but woven into the framing itself — casting Christian conservatives as the threat, and “tolerant liberals” as the solution.

Québécois Powerhouse Genticorum Brings High-Energy Folk to Putney’s Next Stage Arts – June 6

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY — One of Canada’s most celebrated folk trios, Genticorum, is set to bring their internationally renowned blend of traditional Québécois music to Next Stage Arts in Putney on Friday, June 6 at 7:30 pm.

With a sound that’s both deeply rooted and refreshingly contemporary, Genticorum has been captivating audiences for over 20 years. Known for their infectious energy, intricate arrangements, and joyful performances, the trio has graced stages from Scotland’s Celtic Connections to Australia’s National Folk Festival, and even the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia. Now, they’ll share their music with southern Vermont audiences in the intimate setting of Next Stage.

Book Launch & Reading in Putney: Tim Weed’s The Afterlife Project

by hahrenholz | Books

Join acclaimed local author Tim Weed for the launch of his highly anticipated novel, The Afterlife Project, with a reading and celebration on Tuesday, June 3 at 6:00 pm at Next Stage Arts in Putney.

A finalist for the 2023 Prism Prize for Climate Literature, The Afterlife Project is a gripping and poetic work of literary speculative fiction. The story follows microbiologist Nicholas Hindman, who is launched 10,000 years into Earth’s future using experimental time-travel technology originally designed for deep-space exploration. In a haunting, uninhabited wilderness, Hindman searches desperately for evidence of the human race. Meanwhile, in the year 2068, the scientists who sent him on this mission are on a perilous journey of their own—a voyage by sailboat to a volcanic island off Sicily in search of another test subject, and perhaps, a future for humanity.

Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music Presents Geneviève Racette with Hilary & G at Next Stage – May 30

by hahrenholz | Music

Putney, VT – Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music continue their 2025 concert season with a double bill of heartfelt folk-pop and boundary-pushing acoustic traditions on Friday, May 30 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. The evening features acclaimed Québec singer-songwriter Geneviève Racette, joined by genre-blending folk duo Hilary & G. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door, or $10 for a livestream, available at nextstagearts.org.

Geneviève Racette has been turning heads across Canada and beyond with her emotive songwriting and ethereal voice. Since her 2014 debut, she’s built a bilingual following in both French- and English-speaking communities, earning acclaim from Rolling Stone, CBC, Exclaim!, and the Americana Music Association. Her 2022 album Satellite—highlighted by a duet with City and Colour’s Dallas Green—explores love, reflection, and resilience with rare emotional depth. Racette’s music has earned her a Canadian Folk Music Award, performances at top festivals, and radio play across North America.

Bandwagon Summer Series Kicks Off with High-Energy Global Grooves from Shokazoba and Zikina – May 24 at Putney Inn Field

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY, VT — The Bandwagon Summer Series returns with a powerful opening night on Saturday, May 24 at 6:00pm at the scenic Putney Inn Field (57 Putney Landing Road), featuring two powerhouse bands that promise to get audiences dancing, connecting, and celebrating: Shokazoba and Zikina.

Presented by Next Stage Arts, the Bandwagon Series brings music and community together all summer long at outdoor venues across southern Vermont. This year’s season launches with a global, groove-rich evening that blends afrobeat, funk, East African rhythms, and soul-lifting dance music.

NXT Gallery Presents “Art Array”: Paintings by Vermont Artist Ricky McEachern

by hahrenholz | Arts

The NXT Gallery at Next Stage Arts welcomes a new exhibition, Art Array, featuring the evocative work of Vermont-based artist Ricky McEachern. The show opens with a public reception on Thursday, May 29, from 6 to 8pm, and will remain on view through August 11.

A recent transplant from Boston, McEachern is no stranger to the visual richness of New England. His oil paintings, many based on his own photographs, reflect a deep connection to the region’s layered history and striking diversity—ranging from gritty urban centers to tranquil shorelines, forgotten mills to majestic mountains.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – May 2, 2025

by cgrotke | Town News

It has been a while, but the Brattleboro Selectboard will again hold a regular meeting to discuss items other than the FY26 budget. Instead they will examine more changes to the parking system, new murals and events, get an update on the Housing Plan,  and hire a financial services company for a year to help ill in for the Finance Director.

The board will also have a discussion about the old bridges sitting in the Connecticut River and come up with a list of requests for the state of New Hampshire to consider. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Chair Encourages Civility For Herself; Loses It Over Rescue Comment; Budget Passes

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard may 1 2025

The Brattleboro Selectboard held a May Day meeting to discuss and pass their new budget, which takes the overall municipal tax increase down from 12.1% to 10.8%, shaving 1.3% from the budget rejected by Representative Town Meeting.

The public, those allowed to speak, weren’t very impressed.

Chair McLoughlin began by apologizing for being rude to young people at the previous board meeting. Later on, she shut down the meeting with gavel banging and demands for an adult to stop speaking about something she said could not be tolerated-  a discussion of Rescue Inc correcting the record. 

April 2025 Precipitation Report

by local | Nature

A little wetter than average April with cool weather in the first half but warmer days in the second half. Measured 4.62″ this month with measurable moisture on 17 of 30 days compared to the normal of 3.85″.  For the calendar year my number is 14.54″ compared to the NOAA average of 13.97″.

Also recorded 2.7″ of snow, bringing the season total to 54.5″. My snow average is 62.6″ per season.  All numbers are from my location in the SE corner of Brattleboro and do vary with location.