News and information sections, from near to far
The Windham Regional Commission (WRC) has released the Request for Proposals for the newly developed Windham County Renewable Energy Grant Program. The Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund awarded $400,000 to the WRC to develop a funding program to support renewable energy projects in Windham County. The program will focus on small-scale projects. Award amounts begin at $10,000 with a maximum of $320,000.
Transportation Board holds Brattleboro Forum on Rail
The Vermont Transportation Board at 6 p.m. on November 9 will hold a public forum in Brattleboro on transportation policy associated with trains, both passenger and freight. The Board wants to discuss railroad related issues with the public – including rail-side economic development and the possible initiation of commuter rail service to Massachusetts – to determine how future policy can be shaped to best position Vermont’s rail interests to meet the needs of the state residents.
The forum, which will be held at the Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center at 10 Vernon Street, is one of seven such public conversations the Board is holding around the state. Topics the Board plans to discuss include:
Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell on Town Operations
Friday, October 21, 2016
The Brattleboro Water Department has experienced some slightly discolored water complaints from customers of the Brattleboro Water System. Because of drought conditions and the replacement of a one million gallon storage tank we were unable to conduct fall water main flushing. Flushing normally occurs spring & fall and removes organics and minerals from the water distribution system.
Naturally occurring minerals (primarily iron) are typically to blame for water discoloration. These minerals, which are heavier than water, settle in water pipelines and may be stirred up from increased water flows in our system.
The discolored water poses no health hazards and the Brattleboro Water System is in full compliance with public water supply standards.
A revised project schedule for the water line installation at the Brattleboro Municipal Center results in the following impact to the public.
Monday, October 31: Grove Street Closed to Through Traffic
Municipal Center Access Access from Linden Street
Parking Meters Not Available
Should Brattleboro ban single use plastic bags in retail stores? It is one of many issues the selectboard will take up at their next regular meeting, Tuesday at the Municipal Center.
Brattleboro’s selectboard will also get a first look at the proposed budget for FY18, see the lease agreement with The Reformer, help with some refinancing of business loans, apply for a grant to buy a new fire truck, learn of two new mural proposals for downtown, buy winter sand, talk more about pedestrian safety measures to implement, and more.
You can attend and participate, and also bring up other items not on the agenda during Public Participation.
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, at 4:30pm in the Brattleboro Food Co-Op community room.
The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 10:00am in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
Board of Commissioner Action on the Future Use of Melrose Terrace
The Brattleboro Housing Partnerships’ Board of Commissioners affirmed the following statement at their regular meeting on October 24, 2016:
“After extensive engineering, planning and analysis we have determined that it is in the best interest of the entire community for the future use of the land at Melrose Terrace to be used for the Brook and flood hazard area water storage. We have worked very closely with Town staff in reaching this decision and plan. We have adopted a plan to remove 11 buildings at Melrose Terrace; widen the Whetstone Brook and add a box culvert to the George Miller Bridge. We have submitted a request for Pre-Disaster Mitigation funds to assist with this project and are looking for other funding as well. After we have done this work, we will proceed to remove all the remaining structures.
A reminder of the lane closures for Tuesday, October 25th and Wednesday, October 26th.
· Interstate Deck Repairs, Preventative Maintenance:
o On Tuesday, October 25th, I-91 Northbound will be closed between Exits 1 & 3 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
o On Wednesday, October 26th, I-91 Southbound will be closed between Exits 3 & 2 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
Grove Street/Municipal Center Access – Revised Schedule
A revised project schedule for the water line installation at the Brattleboro Municipal Center results in the following impact to the public.
Thursday, October 27: Grove Street- Open to Through Traffic
Municipal Center Access – Access from Linden Street
Parking Meters – Not Available
USA today reports that a massive attack by yet unknown perpetrators disrupted the net yesterday:
“If you live on the East Coast and had trouble accessing Twitter, Spotify Netflix, Amazon or Reddit Friday morning, you were not alone.”
Dyn, a New Hampshire-based company that monitors and routes Internet traffic, was the victim.
The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, October 24, 2016 at 5:30pm in the Brooks Memorial Library community room.
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 4:30pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.
Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of October 24th
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. The new bridge will be 104’ wide and is designed to carry all four lanes of traffic –two northbound and two southbound.
· Interstate Deck Repairs, Preventative Maintenance:
o On Tuesday, October 25th, I-91 Northbound will be closed between Exits 1 & 3 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
o On Wednesday, October 26th, I-91 Southbound will be closed between Exits 3 & 2 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
The excitement over a new Town Clerk, a maximum price set for Central Fire Station, and completed plans for the Police Station was somewhat tempered by the news that a longtime friend of Town government and volunteerism, James Banslaben, had passed away. The board offered heartfelt memories and was genuinely moved by the unexpected news.
Late fees and penalties due to the Town’s scheduling of Water & Sewer bills will not be abated, garbage is good, and child victims may gain an advocate.
The 4th Annual Southern Vermont Career EXPO will be held on Thursday October 20th between 1:00pm – 5:00pm at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden and the Brooks House Atrium. Each year, the Career Expo brings together local businesses, colleges, and career service providers to promote and support exciting career opportunities right here in Southern Vermont.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will appoint a new Town Clerk at their next regular meeting at the Municipal Center. You are always invited to attend and participate.
If you do, you’ll learn of facility project updates, town finances, loans, garbage, grants and more. You can also bring up other items not on the agenda during Public Participation.
The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 5:30pm in the Youth Services Meeting Room, located at 32 Walnut Street.
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 7:00pm in the community room at the Brattleboro Food Co-Op.
The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 8:00am in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.
TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO FALL LEAF COLLECTION SCHEDULE
The following dates have been scheduled for Brattleboro’s curbside Fall Leaf Collection. All locations will be picked up each Friday:
Leaf Pick Up Date
ALL RESIDENTS Friday, October 21, 2016
ALL RESIDENTS Friday, November 4, 2016
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. The new bridge will be 104’ wide and is designed to carry all four lanes of traffic –two northbound and two southbound.
Interstate Deck Repairs, Preventative Maintenance:
-On Tuesday, October 25th, I-91 Northbound will be closed between Exits 1 & 3 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
-On Wednesday, October 26th, I-91 Southbound will be closed between Exits 3 & 2 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has become the new King of Thailand, succeeding the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s I was working at Capital Children’s Museum in DC and one of the exhibits we built was in conjunction with the government of Thailand. We filled a room the size of about three or four classrooms with examples of Thai art, architecture, food, music, language, costume, etc. and the Thai government helped out with money, artifacts and crafts, and even helped construct small buildings.
