The NTIA has released a new map showing indicators of broadband need. It takes several data sources, combines them, and then shows how different parts of the country compare.
It’s a fascinating map, showing where people in the US are getting fast internet speeds (big cities, Silicon Valley, and a few places here and there), and how the rest of us are doing.
For Windham County the numbers are like this:
On Wantastiquet, the trail is dry and the mountain laurel is blooming. On June 23, 2021, there was no water on the carriage road trail up to the summit. Not even a puddle. Really, things are that dry. You can wear sneakers. And the mountain laurel will be in bloom for another week. Invasive mountain laurel is everywhere on Wantastiquet, unfortunately, but it sure is pretty for these two weeks. It doesn’t bloom well at lower elevations, so you won’t see blossoms until the 7th hairpin turn (out of 9). The blossoms are much better if you continue past the summit towards Mine Ledge. (The trail after the antenna tower is narrow. I found a tick on my arm within three minutes. Past the summit, tick precautions are necessary.)
The view from the summit is disappointing now. The scruffy oak trees were last cleared out in 2009. Now they block most of downtown Brattleboro. Instead, you should take the side trail at the 6th hairpin turn to see the view from the lower lookout–the preferred spot for Brattleboro panoramas for 165 years. I’ve posted the two panoramas I took today on iBrattleboro’s photo section. It was a post-thunderstorm morning with low humidity–perfect for a photo. There’s even some mountain laurel in bloom on that side trail. That outcrop will have good blueberries in two weeks.
I can’t stop being outraged at the lack of action by politicians on the issue of gun control. It would be easy to become insensitive to the daily reports of mass shootings in this country but every time I hear about one I become more and more depressed because I know that nothing will change in my lifetime, if ever.
This lack of action makes it clear that the U.S. political system is controlled by amoral, unethical and inhumane people. It is fueled by self-interest and the only time that things get done is when politicians think they can get more votes or more financial support in the next election.
Gun control is not about guns or mental health. It is about a failed political system.
It’s the summer 2021 edition of “Noticed Around Brattleboro” – your seasonal catch-all for little things not worthy of a full story but certainly worthy of making note of for the history books.
• Exit 2 I-91 bridge work is ongoing. Looks like a new surface for the upper level.
• Hermit Thrush Brewery has a sign up where Silver Moon used to be.
BCTV Channel 1075 schedule for the week of 6/21/21
Monday, June 21, 2021
5:30 am North Branch Nature Center – Gulls Demystified
7:06 am HANDS in the Kitchen – Plant Based Proteins 4/15/21
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast
9:00 am Juno Singles – Derrik Jordan – Suite for an Imaginary Country
9:30 am Community Conversation – Cutting the Cable Cord
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MENU
June 21 Beef Brisket
Boiled Potato
Boiled Carrots
Peaches
Breakfast every Wednesday and Saturday from 6am-10am. Public welcome, as are to-go’s. Breakfast specials are offered every Wednesday, and the special for this Wednesday the 23rd will be the meat lover’s omeltte with toast for $7.50. Also offering corned beef hash, eggs cooked your way, homemade pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
Listed below are our $7 lunch specials offered Thursday’s and Friday’s. Also selling burgers, fries, etc. during our lunches that are served 11:30 am-1:30 pm.
The Brattleboro Planning Commission announces the release of the Downtown Plan. This Plan outlines a vision for placemaking and public space improvements to attract and retain businesses and residents. It looks at pedestrian and bicycle improvements, stormwater and landscaping, and how arts and cultural activities can enliven and revitalize public spaces.
In mid- to late 2019, a series of activities were held to engage the public. Surveys, walking tours, demonstration projects, and open studios were all used to allow the public to share ideas and aspirations for downtown. The Downtown Plan presents a starting point to help envision how to create an active, vibrant, and sustainable downtown.
A. Call to Order
B. Announcements
C. Approve May 25, 2021 Meeting Minutes
D. Public Comments
E. Old Business
1. West River Trail Plants – Guest: Mike Duffy
2. Phototoxic Invasive Species Video Update – Guest: Jennifer Latham
3. Whetstone Brook Water Quality Update
4. Solar Siting
Update to the Community from Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell:
There is no longer a COVID-19 State of Emergency in Vermont.
All Town of Brattleboro government facilities have reopened for public visitation without an appointment. Some offices will still require face coverings or other special precautions until further notice. For example, masks will be optional in the public spaces throughout the Municipal Center, but anyone who needs to go behind the counter or into the vault at the Town Clerk’s Office will be required to wear a mask.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 3:30pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center. The Board will convene at 3:30pm and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee. The Board will reconvene after the executive session and immediately adjourn. No action will be taken.
The Housing Coalition of Southeastern Vermont will host a free, virtual Landlord Summit on Thursday, June 24th from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. People interested in attending can register at tinyurl.com/93ruu7tk.
The purpose of the Landlord Summit is to educate residential property owners about available financial resources and new housing policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly new opportunities connected with the recently-passed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These resources include mortgage assistance, rental assistance, and an anticipated second round of the grants for rental property rehabilitation. The Summit will also include an update from the Town of Brattleboro on recent changes to zoning policies designed to promote development of new rental units.
Agenda
June 21, 2021
5:30 pm
Library Mtg Room
Call to Order 1 min
2. Agenda Review 2
Youth Services’ Helicopter Golf Ball Drop, a hallmark of Youth Services’ Annual Golf Tournament, is a game of chance with incredible odds, according to Cathy Coonan, Chair of the Youth Services’ Board of Directors. Coonan described the $100 balls as a perfect gift for a Dad on Father’s Day, as no assembly is required and a $3000 cash pot putting a smile on anyone’s face.
Balls numbered 1-100 are purchased, Coonan said, loaded into a bucket and transported by helicopter over the 9th fairway at Brattleboro Country Club where they are dropped from a 20 feet height. The owner of the numbered ball which lands closest to the pin collects $3000 cash.
BrattRock, a youth rock festival organized by Youth Services, is seeking bands and solo musical artists from around New England to take the stage at 118 Elliot in downtown Brattleboro on Saturday, Sept. 25. This is BrattRock 2021, the sixth annual Brattleboro Youth Rock Festival and the first live festival since before the pandemic.
Performances will take place on a outdoor stage, with indoor stage available for inclement weather, between approximately 5 and 10 p.m. Gates open to the public at 4:30 pm. In addition to up to five continuous hours of live music, the festival will feature food vendors, arts and crafts activities, and games. All are invited to attend this fun-for-all-ages community event.
Cabot, Vermont, 6/15/21 – With over 80% of Vermonters having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and nearly 72% of us fully vaccinated, today [6/15/21] the Governor declared an end to the State of Emergency and the termination of pandemic related social restrictions. It is significant that Vermont is the first U.S. State to reach an 80% vaccinated rate. It is also significant that throughout the pandemic Vermont suffered only 24,339 known COVID infections and 256 total deaths; both our infection and mortality rate were the least in the Nation compared to the 49 other States. And while even a single death is a regrettable tragedy, stacked against Alabama’s half a million plus cases and 11,000 (and counting) fatalities, it’s clear that we fared better than most. And while we are not out of the woods yet, we have also emerged with the 5th lowest unemployment rate in the Nation at 2.9% (Texas by comparison is at 6.7% while Florida is at 4.8%).
How did we do this? Well, while much of the South and other parts of the country fretted about masks being an infringement of civil liberties and the vaccine being part of some insane conspiracy, Most Vermonters from the get go cared about their communities, abided by social distancing, wore masks (even before any mandates came into effect), and worked collaboratively in making our society resilient in the face of hardship.
The Brattleboro Selectboard held their final Zoom meeting Tuesday night. Their next meeting, July 6, will be in person (with a hybrid mix) at the Municipal Center in the Selectboard Meeting Room. The Governor says it must be so.
Water shutoff will resume, in November. The board also approved of a financing plan for the water treatment plant on quite favorable financial terms, Tri-Park finances were re-financed, a process for gathering information for a new town website was presented, and committee members were appointed.
Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
On the record review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations. Pursuant to 24 VSA §§ 4464(a)(1)(C) and 4471(a), participation in this local proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal.
2021-50 Groundworks Collaborative Foundation, Inc; Mixed Use Neighborhood District; request for Site Plan Approval to demolish existing structure, retain existing masonry fireplace; construct new 2-story, wood-framed, saltbox-style building for social services use at 60 South Main Street; Tax Map Parcel #325266.000
Windham County is again being used as a temporary military operations area, with loud jets buzzing the area for about six hours a day. The 104th Fighter Wing of Westfield, MA is in training.
Does Keene still have their tank? Maybe we could borrow it for defensive actions, if required, against aerial attack.
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER – Kelly Young
II. Approval of Previous Minutes – March 19, 2021
III. One Percent Requests
IV. Format of Upcoming Meetings
