The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 5:30pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center. It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 5:30pm to discuss a personnel matter.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
BRATTLEBORO, VT—With the countdown on for opening in early August, the Brooks House Development Team will host an Open House on Strolling of the Heifers weekend to allow folks a peek at progress.
A Brooks House representative will be available in the space that will be occupied by Duo Restaurant (at the corner of Main and High Streets) to provide updates on the construction, answer questions and provide information on spaces still to be leased. The Open House will be free and open to the public during Gallery Walk on Friday night and during the Strolling of the Heifers parade on Saturday.
Representative Town Meeting gave almost unanimous (one nay) support to the idea of establishing a body that will study the most difficult issues we face in Brattleboro. Now people are needed who can set up this body. Give it specific purpose, rules, and whatever else it needs to get started. There are a lot of questions about how such an endeavor should be approached. One of the qualities one should bring is the ability to be affirmative and positive in a culture where helplessness and hopelessness is creeping into its bones. It is a good place for those ready to fight the good fight.
I’ve submitted my name to prime the pump.
With the launch of a new patient portal this month, called “MyHealthPortal”, now offers patients the option to access select portions of their health records online.
MyHealthPortal, featured on the home page will launch June 2014, giving patients fast, easy access to their personal health information. MyHealthPortal is a personalized, safe, secure and completely confidential communication link between the patient and the providers.
A group battling Walmart has done some research into the chaitable giving of the Walton family.
“Key Findings:
Host a Spanish boy this summer…for just three weeks, starting June 25! Hosting an exchange student is such a great way to expand your family’s horizons, share some summer experiences with a teen who’s eager to learn, and to make a lifelong friend from another country.
We have homes for 23 of these Spanish teens, but are still looking for families who could host these three boys: Aitor, 17 – “friendly, shy, funny.” Likes soccer, basketball & tennis. Has a 14-year old brother who is coming also. Ignacio, 17 – “Friendly and generous,” likes soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming, and animals and has a 14-year old brother. Eneko, 16 (m) – plays rugby, likes music and computer games. “Shy at first but also funny and happy.”
In the only game on last weekend’s Connecticut River Valley Baseball League schedule, the Claremont Cardinals shut out the Sunapee Old Lakers, 9 – 0. All eight teams in the region’s adult baseball league return to action this weekend.
Jon Nicholas picked up the complete game win for the Cardinals, giving up four hits while striking out eight. Nicholas was also the team’s offensive star, going four for four, driving in a run and scoring twice.
I-91
Northbound I-91 traffic has been relocated onto the southbound bridge. Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction on I-91 until completion of the new bridge in the Fall of 2015.
Route 30
The speed limit on Route 30 near the work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. This reduction will remain in effect through the Spring of 2016.
Project-related truck activity on Route 30 will continue. Route 30 will be reduced to a single lane intermittently both day and night, with flaggers regulating traffic within the work zone.
Night work on the new bridge will continue at the columns on Route 30.
There was almost no mention of the FY15 budget during Tuesday’s meeting, giving the board a slight break from their spreadsheet to tackle other important issues, such as what on earth will the town do about the need for Police and Fire facility improvements. There wasn’t agreement, but some small steps forward were proposed.
The board also handled some feisty event prevention, made sure that the annual Independence Day parade would occur annually, discussed bridge work, and bought some equipment and software for the Police to crack open your cell phone’s lock codes and passwords, if necessary.
The Town of Brattleboro will hold a public meeting to gather input for the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) on Monday, June 9, 2014 at 6:00 PM in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center, 230 Main Street.
The HMP identifies potential natural and non-natural hazards that could affect some or all of the town’s residents. It also identifies projects that can reduce the economic and social impact of natural and human disasters to begin reducing risks. By having a current, approved HMP the Town is eligible for VT Emergency Relief Assistance Funds (ERAF) for federally declared disasters covering up to 92.5 percent of project cost. FEMA approval also makes the town eligible for HMP Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Motion: to establish an ad hoc committee of Representative Town Meeting for the purpose of bringing forth a proposal for the establishment of a “futures commission.” The ad hoc committee shall create a statement of goals for the Commission consistent with this resolution and shall propose bylaws in furtherance of its purpose. The committee shall report back to Representative Town meeting with it recommendations at Town Meeting 2015. Members shall apply to and be appointed by the Town Moderator.
The goal of the ultimate “futures commission” would be to study the major issues, past, present and future, and recommend a blueprint for moving Brattleboro towards becoming a sustainable community. Reports and recommendations would focus on achieving economic and environmental stability while maintaining equitable human rights and the best possible standard of living for all residents.
First Wednesday: Fallingwater, Wednesday 4 June 2014, 7 pm – 9:00
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater is widely considered one of the finest masterpieces of American architecture. H. Nicholas Muller, III, retired executive director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, shares the story—and controversy—behind the house.
BRATTLEBORO, VT – On Saturday, June 7th at 8:00 PM, the Vermont Jazz Center presents “Sounds of Shearing,” an all-star group comprised primarily of alumni from the working bands of the great pianist, George Shearing. Under the leadership of vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake, the ensemble pays tribute to George Shearing, performing his elegant arrangements and bringing to life his legendary sound. This music typifies a refined version of jazz often called “cool jazz.” His music was swinging but accessible, nimble but never loud, complex but beautiful. Shoemake and his associates take this to heart, they’ve distilled the essence and are revitalizing Shearing’s music with passion, experience and expertise.
Its time for yet another experience you won’t soon forget..this one features,Daniel Raphael. Daniel is a shamanic apprentice who currently trains in multiple healing modalities and consciousness-expansion technologies. He splits his time between California, South America, and Gabon where he will continue to study with the Bwiti in guiding Iboga ceremonies.
Join DJ Pockets this tuesday from 6-8pm as we discuss Iboga, DMT and other related and non related topics
tune in locally to 107.7fm and online at www.wvew.org
We’ll be doing a live blog here of the special Representative Town Meeting, in which the revised FY15 budget is presented for reconsideration. With the fiscal year looming, it is likely to pass, but how it passes may be another matter. Occasional updates coming throughout the meeting…
July 17-20, Second Annual Southern Vermont Dance Festival Draws Top Artists, Top Faculty, Top Dance Companies from all over New England and Offers Over 100 Different Classes, Two Master Classes, Several Lectures and Gala Concerts — all in four days in Brattleboro, Vermont. www.southernvermontdancefestival.com
“Dancing is really important. It’s not just a frivolous thing. Dancing changes lives. It makes the world a better place. It connects people and communities,” says Billbob Brown, director of dance at UMass Amherst.
BRATTLEBORO, VT—From little kids to college students to baby boomers more and more people are interested in dance. This hype has helped draw attention to dance programs at colleges and universities across the country. Brattleboro, Vermont looks to boost economic development and morale following the devastating effects of 2011’s Tropical Storm Irene by bringing back for a second year in a row, a major dance festival —The Second Annual Southern Vermont Dance Festival.
BURLINGTON, Vt., June 2 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was joined this morning by representatives of Vermont-based, worker-owned businesses and an employee-ownership expert at a news conference to announce legislation to help workers who want to form their own businesses or worker-owned cooperatives.
Sanders said employee ownership increases employment, productivity, sales and wages. The federal government, however, has not done enough for employee ownership to realize its full potential.
The world is finite, resources are scarce,
Things are bad and will be worse.
Coal is burned and gas exploded,
Forests cut and soils eroded.
Wells are dry and air’s polluted,
Dust is blowing, trees uprooted,
After nearly 28 years of dedicated service to the community of Brattleboro, Police Chief Gene Wrinn has announced his intention to retire from the department effective June 27th. Chief Wrinn was hired by the department in 1986 and quickly rose through the ranks. He was appointed to the position of Sergeant in 1989, promoted to the rank of Captain in 2002, and ultimately he accepted an appointment to the position of Chief of Police in 2008.
Chief Wrinn has had a distinguished career with the Brattleboro Police Department, receiving recognition for his work rebuilding positive relations with the community. Chief Wrinn instituted a program to enhance public safety in the downtown by requiring patrol officers to perform foot patrols as a regular part of their workday.
BURLINGTON, Vt., June 2 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) welcomed an Obama administration initiative unveiled today to reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants, but the senator said real progress on global warming has been blocked by Republicans in Congress who have thwarted every measure to confront a planetary crisis that they deny is happening.
