Selectboard Meeting Notes – Brattleboro Ambulance Rides To Be $1400

selectboard feb 20 2024

The Brattleboro Selectboard set EMS rates and policies, settling on a $1400 cost for a ride in their new ambulance service. Your insurance will pay for most of it, and if you get a bill you can ignore it completely or enter into a payment plan or pay it all at once. It is compassionate, they agreed.

The Town will embark on a search for a new waste management partner, someone who will listen and be responsive, and perhaps take long walks or watch movies together.


Windham Southeast School District Finance Committee Meeting Minutes – Feb 13, 2024

2. VT Legislative developments affecting FY25 Budget; Review State Funding Formula updates

Shaun Murphy started off saying that in this time of uncertainty, his suggestion is that this committee is “Steady at the helm through these rocky waters”. The budget development started on 10/6/23. The work done by Frank Rucker and his team along with the Finance Committee has been thoughtfully and carefully developed, been through a process of presenting to the Board three times as well as to the finance committee an additional three times. This FY25 budget proposal has increased by 3%, which is in alignment with previous budget increases. Frank Rucker spoke about the lack of information from the legislature that would be needed to make assumptions on how this budget could be adjusted to affect the CLA equalized tax rate.


Soaring: An Evening of Circus and Song Takes Center Stage at Next Stage Arts

Next Stage Arts is thrilled to present “Soaring: An Evening of Circus and Song” featuring soprano-aerialist Elizabeth Wohl, pianist Ivan Tan, and special guest artists on Saturday, March 16th at 4:00 and 7:30 pm. The performances will be held at Next Stage Arts, located at 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT.

Prepare to be enchanted as Elizabeth Wohl, a professional classically-trained opera singer, combines her vocal prowess with breathtaking aerial acrobatics. Wohl, known for her innovative interpretations of classical music, will perform a repertoire that includes works by Mozart, Gounod, Bizet, and Vermont composer Gwyneth Walker, accompanied by the skilled pianist Ivan Tan.


iBrattleboro is 21 Years Old

iBrattleboro.com has turned 21. That means the site can now drink in most states.

Brattleboro’s experiment in citizen journalism continues, and from my perspective there has been a bit of an uptick in use of the site over the last year.  Many seemed distracted by social media for a while, but people are returning and we’re seeing a bit more writing again. It’s heartening. Thanks!

A few reminders of iBrattleboro’s history, for those new to the area. 


BCTV Schedules – Week of February 19, 2024

Monday, February 19, 2024

6:00 am Brattleboro Reformer Presents – Windham County’s Got Talent 1/25/24

7:55 am Video Announcement – Winter Driving

8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

9:00 am Energy Week with George Harvey – Energy Week #559 – 2/8/2024

10:00 am At BMAC – Artist Conversation: Fawn Krieger, David B. Smith with Wendy Vogel


The Most Qualified Person Running for Selectboard This Year

Talk about laboring in obscurity!

Last week, I found myself discussing a $3.4 million gift that Brattleboro had received. When should we spend it? What should we spend it on? And who should decide?

That’s when we got hung up for a good 20 minutes on the finer points of jurisdiction within Town government. Also the finer points of pickleball.


Evie Kiehle on “Here We Are”

“Where Are the Women?” is a new book just published by EVIE KIEHLE, a BUHS senior. She looks at the lack of women in American Politics and has written a guide to the ways we can change this. Evie also talks about growing up in Brattleboro, and the people and activities that influence her.


Harris Hill Ski Jump February 18, 2024: Sunday Results and Highlights – Fred Harris Memorial Tournament

Brattleboro, Vermont (February 18, 2024) – The 102nd Harris Hill Ski Jumping competition came to a close this afternoon, with the Fred Harris Memorial Tournament, in Brattleboro, Vermont.

The jumper who wins the Fred Harris Memorial Tournament three times retires the famed Winged Trophy, unique to Harris Hill Ski Jumping. Today’s winner in the Men’s Open class was Uhr Rosar (SLO) with a jump of 98 meters. On the women’s side, the Open class was won by Nejka Zupancic (SLO). Additional winners of the day include Max Fey(USA) for Men’s U16, Jack Kroll (USA) for Men’s U20 and Ole Henning Holt (NOR) for the Masters division. 


Safe Neighborhoods Wants To Hear From You!

Safe Neighborhoods is a Brattleboro area group organized to address the problem of drug-selling houses in our town. This group is growing and we invite anyone affected and/or concerned by this issue to contact us (we safeguard your identity), learn more and join in. We coordinate with the police department plus town and state officials.  Please email us at


Harris Hill Ski Jump February 17, 2024: Saturday Results and Highlights

Brattleboro, Vermont (February 17, 2024) – The first day competition of the 2024 Harris Hill Ski Jump successfully concluded after a roaring crowd came to support 33 male and female ski jumpers from around the world. With temperatures in the low 30s and skies that displayed typical New England weather including puffy clouds, snow squalls and sun, organizers estimated approximately 3,000 fans were in attendance at today’s competition. The weekend officially kicked off last night with Harris Hill’s first ever night Target Jump competition under the lights. This is the 102nd year of ski jumping at Harris Hill.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – February 20, 2024

The big item for the Brattleboro Selectboard at their next regular meeting will be setting the billing and collection policies for the Town’s new EMS service. The board is setting the rates to be charged and what to do if someone doesn’t pay, among other things.

Also, the Water Treatment Plant’s engineering costs are over-budget and will cost an additional $303k.  ARPA funds will be used to cover staff salaries, bids will be accepted for trash collection in town, motions will be assigned for reading at Representative Town Meeting, and you can bring up other items not on the agenda, perhaps, during public participation.


Oscar Heller for Selectboard

I have served on the Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee with Oscar Heller for three years, during one of which he served as chair, and I can enthusiastically recommend his candidacy for a three-year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Heller is a flatlander who came to Vermont as a camper and then counselor at Camp W in West Brattleboro. Those summer experiences made him commit to Brattleboro as a place where he wanted to make his life and his work (which is in web design and marketing).

Brattleboro’s budget provides for the services residents receive, is the foundation for addressing problems facing the community, and determines the taxes we pay. Because of Heller’s dedicated work on the Finance Committee, Oscar has deep knowledge of the budget, and he can work the numbers.


WSESD Special Board Meeting Agenda

AGENDA
I. Call to Order [5:00 to 5:05]
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items [5:05 to 5:15]
III. Board Retreat for the Purpose of Training in Order to Effectively Plan for the Upcoming Year [5:15 to 8:45]
IV. Public Discussion [8:45 to 9:00]


The Christine Correa Ensemble Highlights Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite and Percussion Bitter Sweet at Next Stage Arts

The Christine Correa Ensemble will highlight Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite and Percussion Bitter Sweet at Next Stage Arts on Sunday, March 10th, at 7:00 pm, at 15 Kimball Hill in downtown Putney, VT. Tickets are $20 in advance / $25 at the door / $10 livestream, and may be purchased at nextstagearts.org.

“Max Roach broke the mold with his ‘We Insist!’ record in 1960, being one of the first jazz records that publicly proclaimed racial injustice. Christine Correa is bringing an all-star lineup of New York-based Jazz musicians to play Roach’s album live, allowing the audience to hear its ferocity and message live,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Through the generosity of Chamber Music America, we’re able to bring this to our region.”

The Christine Correa Ensemble will highlight Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite and Percussion Bitter Sweet in order to celebrate the creative and activist legacy of Max Roach, a high-profile artist who was an outspoken civil rights advocate and who used the arts as a catalyst for change.


Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge – February 15, 2024

The Pier 1 cofferdam continues to have manageable groundwater flows and keeping it de-watered has been a non-issue. The formwork for the footing is mostly complete with the final bracing being finished in preparation for concrete. The footing rebar is in place and almost completely tied and the crews will move on to working on the stem and cap rebar. This work will continue into next week. Formwork will also progress on the stem and cap into next week. Concrete placement for the footing is still scheduled for Tuesday, February 20th.


Brattleboro Presidents’ Day Closings

In observance of Presidents’ Day, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2024, with the exception of emergency services. Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday and Monday,
February 18 and February 19. All other violations will be enforced. Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2024 as well. Trash, recycling, and composting are NOT affected by the holiday. Collections will take place on the normal schedule.