Early and absentee ballots for the Presidential Primary, Brattleboro Annual Town Meeting and Windham Southeast School District School Board vote to be held March 5 are now available by request. Absentee ballots for this election must be requested.
Anyone wishing to vote early and in-person may now do so at the Brattleboro Town Clerk’s Office. This option is available through March 4, 5:00pm.
Pier 1’s footing concrete was placed successfully this past Tuesday – all 220+ cubic yards of it. The contractor is waiting for the concrete to cure and achieve strength sufficient to begin work on the stem which could be as early as tomorrow and will progress into next week and the week after. In the meantime, care is being taken to keep the concrete hydrated and at an optimal temperature.
The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 6:30pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room (230 Main Street, R, 211).
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.
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.
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.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.
This is for the weather geeks.
The weather map on the iBrattleboro.com weather page has been updated and you now have access to nearly 40 different animated, real-time overlays, including:
weather radar
satellite view
solar power
wind
rain/thunder
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
Feb 19 CLOSED FOR PRESIDENTS DAY
Feb 20 Breaded Chicken Fingers w/Duck Sauce
Home Fries
Green Beans
Mandarin Oranges
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.
“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.
Just a quick housekeeping note. When tagging you stories, you are tagging them for this site and not that other social media site you might be thinking of, whatever that is.
No hashtag is necessary here, just a comma!
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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 Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 6:30pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Room 211).
