Brattleboro Summer Paving Schedule 2021

2021 paving map

Monday, July 19th, D.M.I. Paving (a contractor of the town) will be starting our summer paving project. Cold Planning and paving operations will be taking place on Highland ST, Central ST, Pearl ST, Thomas ST, Pellet ST, Blakeslee ST and White Birch AVE. Weather permitting, work is expected to happen between 7 am and 5 pm, Monday thru Friday. On street parking will not be permitted during work hours. The project is expected to take approximately two weeks. 


BCTV Schedules – Week of July 12, 2021

BCTV Channel 1085 schedule for the week of 7/12/21

Monday, July 12, 2021

5:05 am Vermont State House – Presentation of the Final 10 Year Telecom Plan 6/22/21
7:30 am Montpelier Connection – Rep. Sara Coffey 6/24/21
8:00 am The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show – Weekly Broadcast
9:00 am Energy Week with George Harvey – This Week’s Energy News
10:00 am Brattleboro Selectboard – Brattleboro SB Mtg 7/6/21


Minority Rules in Government and COVID

It’s bad enough that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his band of idol-worshipping Trumpies are controlling much of what goes on in congress, but many of their supporters around the country are also in control of the course of COVID.

Federal politics has always been less than representative of the will of the people and that kind of imbalance has increased over the last few years. Even though Democrats have a slim majority in the Senate they have great difficulty passing any significant legislation because of issues like the filibuster and the need for 60 votes for bill passage. This situation has all but crippled the body politic and it will continue for the foreseeable future.

That future is starting to look at little grimmer when it comes to COVID in this country. A minority of Americans are determining the course of COVID because of their refusal to get vaccinated. The unvaccinated are not a monolithic group but it seems clear that states that lean Republican and places that have bought into the Trump lies have the lowest vaccination rates.


Summer Woodworking Classes at HatchSpace

HatchSpace is offering several woodworking classes for both beginners and experienced woodworkers.

Mastering the Card Scraper with Tom Bodett: In this 2.5-hour workshop, Tom Bodett shares his passion for woodworking and especially the Card Scraper – a simple and effective tool for creating a beautiful finish on wood.   Tom will cover how to use the Card Scraper and how to keep it sharp.  Each participant will receive a card scraper and the tools to keep it sharp – a diamond stone and burnisher.  Offered on July 17 and August 14.

Intermediate Lathe Techniques: An introduction to face-turning techniques on the lathe, with master wood turner Jeff Bower.  This 3-hour direct learning experience focuses on tools and techniques to create a wide-variety of simple forms. Includes safety, setup, design, and tool selection to take the mystery out of turning and inspire your creativity.  Previous lathe experience is required.  Offered on July 25 and August 1.


Help Us Understand Housing Needs in Brattleboro

The Town of Brattleboro is conducting a housing survey to help the Town and its partners create housing solutions to address pressing housing needs. Your contribution to the study of housing needs is very important. Findings from the survey will be incorporated into a Housing Action Plan that is expected to be completed this fall. Take the survey at http://tinyurl.com/brattleborohousing. In addition to residents of Brattleboro, property owners and those who would like to live in Brattleboro but have had trouble finding housing are encouraged to take the survey.


Brattleboro Celebration Planned for the Resumption of Amtrak Service

The Vermont Agency of Transportation has announced the resumption of Amtrak Service to Vermont beginning on July 19, 2021. A celebration is planned for Monday, July 19 at 12:45pm to be held on the green adjacent to the Connecticut River, across from Whetstone Station restaurant. The festivities are provided by the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance (DBA) and will include free gelato and a performance by a local band, the Detrani Brothers. The event is free and the public is welcome. An official from Operation Lifesaver of Vermont will be on hand to give a brief talk on train safety, and other local dignitaries will also address those in attendance.


New Interactive Weather Map for iBrattleboro

iBrattleboro Weather Map

As Tropical Storm Elsa wends her way up the coast, it seems as good a time as any to point out our new weather feature — an interactive weather map! We’re very happy with the new functionality, having lost access to the National Weather Service maps about a year ago.

Before telling you more about the map and its many features, here’s how to find it: go to the iBrattleboro Weather Page and scroll down past the forecast and weather links where you’ll find it labeled Weather Map and Radar. There she blows, and isn’t she a beauty?


HatchSpace Re-Opens with Summer Woodworking Programs

HatchSpace, a non-profit 501(c)(3) community organization, re-opens in its new location at 22 High Street in Brattleboro, Vermont starting in early June. Summer classes and workshops will include an intensive beginning woodworking course with Gail Grycel, along with workshops on making a tile top end table, a Shaker Bench with guest instructor Tim Clark, intermediate woodturning with guest instructor Jeff Bower, carving with Noriko Isogai, bending wood with steam with Blake Johnson, intro to CNC with Gail Fletcher, designing your vision, using a card scraper with HatchSpace founder Tom Bodett, along with many others. For more info, see the complete course list at hatchspace.org or email info@hatchspace.org


“Here We Are” Brattleboro’s Community Talk Show

This week’s Guest: BILLIE SLADE, Green Mountain Camp for Girls, Executive Director

One of the coolest summer camps in Vermont, BILLIE SLADE is at the heart and helm of the Green Mountain Camp for Girls, right here in Dummerston. Tune in to hear great stories about this historic camp, 104 years old & going stronger than ever!


Selectboard Meeting Notes – The Dam Plan

Brattleboro selecboard july 6

The first “hybrid” meeting using a combination of in-person and zoom participants had no real technical issues to speak of, but many interesting details to discern.

Big news was the agreement being worked out with owners of the nearby Connecticut River dams. They will be changing their operations to create a more natural water flow, which is good news for the river banks, all sorts of critters, recreation, and even the company’s plans for the future.

New land use amendments were approved, as was a mural project. The board also heard of two new places in town to get drinks more easily – Retreat Farm and craft experiment at the River Garden.


$1 Amtrak Fares, Special Events in Vermont To Celebrate Return of Trains

This is a bit of fun news for train lovers.

“Amtrak and the Vermont Agency of Transportation welcome back Vermont’s beloved Amtrak trains – the Vermonter and the Ethan Allen Express – for full service beginning on July 19. Celebratory events will be held 45 minutes before the trains are scheduled to arrive at all stations in Vermont. To complement these events, $1 fares are being offered for travel on July 19 within Vermont so that attendees can cap off their participation with an Amtrak train ride.


Brattleboro VFW Breakfast/Lunch Info. Public Welcome to All Meals

Breakfast Wednesday at the Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road from 6am-10am. Special is a 3 egg western omelette with toast for $7.50. (Ham, onions and green peppers) Public welcome, as are to-go’s by calling 802-257-0438. Scott and Lou cooking.

Thursday July 8th lunch special will be stuffed pork with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and roll.