Only 15 Voters Attend First Daytime Town Meeting in Brattleboro, 1893

by cgrotke | History

We often curse low turnout at the polls. “How could it be that only 1,200 people came out to vote?” we ask, usually when the vote goes against us. Why can’t it be like the olden days, where everyone turned out to participate in civic affairs?

Here’s a story from May 5, 1893 Phoenix about the incredibly low turnout for the first town meeting to be held in the daytime. – there were more election officers in the room than citizens. Maybe our numbers aren’t so bad?

Frost, Elm, Elliot Neighbors – DIG IN

by Rabiah | Home & Garden

On Thursday, May 8th, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, the F.E.E.T. Neighbors will be hosting a meeting at the Elliot Street Cafe to discuss ways to beautify the neighborhood with Gardens. If you live or work in or near this area, please join us. We would love any support in gardening throughout the neighborhood and everyone is welcome. If you have seeds, or gardening advice to share, please come! And if you have no experience gardening, you are also welcome.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 5/5/14

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 5/5/14

Monday May 5              

12:00 am      Will Miller Social Justice Lectures: Native Rights v. Tar Sands

1:30 am       Hunger Free VT: Medical Professionals and Hunger in VT

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Jericho Historical Society: Who Was Here First

Municipal Power Generation In and Around Bratttleboro

by tomaidh | Sci-Tech

Municipalities and public agencies across America (and elsewhere) are investing in renewable energy generation to offset some of the costs of purchased energy. A penny saved, is a penny earned, and we’re not talking about pennies! At times, these efforts result in surplus energy, for which there’s always a market. Funds thus generated can significantly defray taxes.

Brattleboro has significant opportunities to benefit from renewable power. In fact, we have already embarked upon this path.

Guests to Share Regional Economic Development Ideas at Next WBA Meeting

by WBA | Town News

The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will be held at the New England House
on Thursday, May 8th at 6:00 PM. The guests are Pat Moulton Powden and Laura Sibilia of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation/BDCC and the Southeast Vermont Economic Development Strategies/SeVEDS. Their discussion will likely focus on the recently published regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy/CEDS plan.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – May 6, 2014

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will return to the discussion of what to do about the FY15 budget at their next regular Tuesday meeting at the Municipal Center. You can attend in person or watch on BCTV.

The board will also take first steps toward a state-mandated Pay As You Throw system, the Planning Department will receive grant money for a rewrite of the zoning regulations, there will be discussion and approval of a Parking budget, the Heifers will get a parade permit, and more. You can also bring up other items not on the agenda during Public Participation.

Weekend Concert Series: The Upper Crust

by cgrotke | Entertainment

Okay. Here’s an obscure one. Ever hear of the Upper Crust? I didn’t think so.

The Upper Crust was sort of a joke band. They dressed as 18th century nobleman, complete with powdered wigs, and played heavy metal songs about being the upper crust of society.

They had songs such as ‘We’re Finished with Finishing School,’ ‘Little Lord Fauntleroy,’ and ‘Let Them Eat Rock.’

New Executive Director at Green Mountain Crossroads

by Not Signed In | News & Information

Green Mountain Crossroads Announces New Executive Director

Brattleboro, VT (05/01/14) – The Green Mountain Crossroads (GMC) Board of Directors has appointed HB Lozito as its new Executive Director. Green Mountain Crossroads works to strengthen the community, conversation, and identity of rural LGBTQ folks in Southern Vermont and throughout the region. Lozito joins GMC with varied experience as a grassroots organizer, advocate, designer, educator, and leader in the LGBTQ community. The Board is thrilled to have Lozito join GMC and eager to see them succeed in this new position.

Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, May 9, 2014 at 10:00am at the Marlboro College Graduate Center in the VCIL conference room.

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

Back Pain Treatment is Topic of Free BMH Educational Program

by BMH | Health

On May 19, at 6:00 PM in the Brew Barry Conference Room, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will be offering a free educational program entitled, “Understanding Back Pain and Sciatica: When is Surgery Advised,” by Dr. Jon Thatcher.

Thatcher, who is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, will discuss the causes of back pain, surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, and when surgery is appropriate.

“Many people suffer from back pain, and most back pain can be treated conservatively without surgery,” says Thatcher. “Surgery becomes more effective when leg pain is caused by a pinched nerve in the lower back known as sciatica.”

Unspeakable Saturday Night

by Ezie | Arts

Tomorrow evening, sixteen local residents will perform a public reading of “Project Unspeakable” at 7pm New England Youth Theater.  A facilitated discussion of the play and the issues, questions and feelings it raises for the audience will follow.

The script, with the exception of two Narrators and a young seeker of truth, is made up of actual quotes attributed to each of the dozens of characters portrayed. Saturday’s cast includes Sophie Bady-Kaye, Frederic Noyes, Daniel Cantor Yalowitz, John Ungerleider, Bob Bady, Leo Schiff, Gary and Leslie Sullivan Sachs, Mary Kay Sigda, Greg Moreau, John O’Neal, Paula Green, RylandWhite, Tim Bullard, Debbie Lynangale and Amilcar Shabazz.

After three rehearsals and indivdual sessions with the director and principal playwright Court Dorsey, we are eager to share this moving and motivating story with the public.

New Technology for Hip Replacement is Topic of Free BMH Educational Program

by BMH | Health

On May 12, at 6:00 PM in the Brew Barry Conference Room, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will be presenting a free educational program entitled, “The Anterior Hip: A Muscle-Sparing Approach to Total Hip Replacement,” by Dr. William Vranos.

Vranos, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, will describe this new approach to replacing the hip, which is minimally invasive and spares muscles from incision allowing patients to have a shorter recovery time and less rehabilitative time.

Selectboard Special Meeting Notes: Everyone Is Heard, Nothing Is Decided

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their special meeting to continue discussion of the FY15 budget on Thursday with a large crowd in attendance that included many town meeting representatives and town staff, along with others including some that rarely attend public meetings of any sort.

No decisions were made, but the Selectboard seemed to be sticking to their previously announced views, a 3-2 majority favoring significant cuts beyond the elimination of the second bond.

The public seemed divided as well, with some insisting they could afford increases and would like the same budget as before, while others expressed real issues with tax increases and asked for relief.

Elliot St. Flash Fighting

by Robyn Flatley | Town News

Yet another conflict on Elliot. The second in recent days. This evening a woman at 175 Elliot St. was transported with a head & neck injury. When the head injury occured this afternoon she refused transport. But tonight she was in severe pain. Brutal assault. Are the people on Elliot getting more violent? I wonder. How do we have a dialogue about this?

Traffic Light At High and Main Temporarily Repaired

by Not Signed In | Town News

The traffic light at Main and High Streets has been temporarily repaired with spare parts and is back in service after one of the components was damaged on Tuesday. The strobe light which indicates when the train is crossing Bridge Street is still out of service at this intersection and will NOT activate until the repair is complete.

Department of Public Works
211 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, Vermont 05301
Tel: 802-254-4255 • Fax: 802-257-2316 • E-mail: brattdpw@sover.net

Selectboard Meeting Tonight – Location

by Not Signed In | Town News

For clarification on the location of the Selectboard meeting tonight:

The Special Selectboard meeting tonight (May 1) is scheduled in the BAMS (Brattleboro Area Middle School) multi-purpose room at 6:30pm. The “BAMS Front Entrance” door on the south side of the building will be unlocked. Parking is available by the BAMS front entrance, in the “parking lot bus loop” lot on the southwest side of BAMS building, and at the Community Bible Chapel on Atwood Street. For additional information, please contact the Town Manager’s office (251-8151).

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

Things For The Village Meeting To Take In Hand, 1885

by cgrotke | History

From the Vermont Phoenix, May 1, 1885, an article discussing matters that should be discussed at the upcoming annual village meeting.

Things For The Village Meeting To Take In Hand, 1885

A matter of the first importance, which should receive attention at the annual village meeting next Tuesday evening, is the sanitary condition of the village. With a cholera invasion threatened, and all the great cities of the country fearing an attack of the scourge, more importance will attach to sanitary matters in every community the coming season than ever before.

While Brattleboro as a rule is in clean, wholesome condition, and enjoys a remarkable degree of freedom from epidemic disease, there are plague spots in the village which are too obvious to need pointing out.

Special Budget Meeting Will Be At BAMS Multi Purpose Room

by Lise | Town News

There have been a few locations mentioned for the Special Budget Meeting scheduled for tonight at 6:30 PM.  I called the Town Manager’s Office this morning, and Executive Secretary Jan Anderson tells me that the meeting will take place in the BAMS (Middle School) Multi Purpose Room.  

People who go to the BAMS Gymnasium (as listed in the official meeting warning) or the BUHS Multi Purpose Room (as listed in the Brooks Library notice yesterday) will be directed to the proper location at BAMS Multi Purpose Room.

Just wanted to clear that up as I was feeling confused myself.  And as Jan says, there will be signs so it should be easy to find once you get to there.