News & Information

News and information sections, from near to far

Mollie Burke To Share Information About Transportation Issues 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, June 12th at 6:00 PM. Vermont State Representative Mollie Burke will address issues pertaining to transportation as it relates to West Brattleboro at this gathering. A member of the Vermont legislature since 2008, Mollie currently serves on the Transportation Committee and successfully procured funds for the repaving of Route 9 slated now to be done ahead of the original schedule due to its bad condition. In addition, Burke will discuss pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 10:00am at Marlboro College Graduate Center in the VCIL conference room.

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

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Scheduled – Personnel

by Not Signed In | Town News

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

Brooks House Plans Open House for Strolling of the Heifers Weekend

by Not Signed In | Town News

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.

A Few Good People Needed

by spoon | Town Plan

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. 

I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of June 9

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

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.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Police Fire Possibilities Probed, Feisty Event Potentially Averted

by cgrotke | Town News

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.

Public Meeting Set For Brattleboro Hazard Mitigation Plan

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

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 Committee for Futures Commission

by spoon | Town Plan

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.

Brattleboro Police Chief Wrinn Retirement

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

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.

Fairview Street Closing from Maple to Winter

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

Road closure on Fairview Street from the intersection of Maple Street to the intersection of Winter Street will occur on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for tree work. No through traffic will be allowed. This closure will be weather permitting and if postponed, the alternate date is Friday, June 20th.

Motorists should plan to use alternate routes during this time period.

Building a Better Brattleboro Brainstorm – Idea Board

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

APRIL / MAY 2014

Premise: As a way of gathering ideas and input from a variety of Downtown stakeholders, BaBB has hosted a variety of information gathering and visioning sessions this Spring 2014.

In mid-April, we invited the general public to attend a gathering at McNeil’s Pub we called “Beautify Brattleboro”, a discussion that was centered on enhancing our community through a variety of physical improvements; in mid-May, we invited downtown business owners to attend a Merchant meeting at The Works; and at the end of May we invited folks interested in local Economic Development to attend a roundtable discussion at the Marlboro Graduate Center.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – June 3, 2014

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard plans a regular Tuesday meeting free of FY15 budget discussions for the first time in quite a while, filled instead with the more ordinary business of parade and liquor permits, new bridges, grants, and dog warrants. The outcome of Monday’s special Representative Town Meeting could come up for discussion, and a conversation of what to do with the Police and Fire Facilities project might veer in the direction of the budget, but otherwise the agenda is refreshingly nonbudgemental at first glance.

You can bring up items not otherwise on the agenda during Public Participation if you attend in person. You can also watch on BCTV, and read the full report here the day after.

Jon Potter New Executive Director at Latchis

by Not Signed In | Business

Greetings,

We are very happy to let you know that Jon Potter of Brattleboro will take over duties as Executive Director of the Latchis as of July 1.

Lisa Bloch, President of Latchis Arts and Rick Hashagen, President of Latchis Corp. issued a joint statement, saying “We’re delighted to welcome Jon Potter to lead both the non-profit arts component at the Latchis, and the day-to-day business dealings of the Latchis Hotel and Theatre. His relationship to the arts and artists in the area is a big plus to both halves of our equation.”

Many of you may know Jon as the creative force behind the arts coverage in the Brattleboro Reformer, having served the past 11 years as editor of Ovation, the paper’s weekly arts and entertainment section.

Brattleboro Town Manager Search Citizen Committee Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Town Manager Search Citizen Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 6:00pm at the Academy School.  It is anticipated that the Committee will enter into executive session at 6:00pm to discuss a personnel matter.

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