News & Information

Time again for one of our round-ups of observations of changes in the Brattleboro scene. Here are a few things I’ve noticed over the last few days, weeks, and months. What can you add?

• The first bit of new bridge over Rt.30 is visible, showing a light-colored stone-patterned support column rising from the West River.
• The Brattleboro History Center on Main Street has a great display of Island Park materials. Photos and artifacts relating to baseball on the island, political events, the grandstand, the pavilion, and more.
• The candy store across from the Coop is closed.
  

The PCL+FIGG Team will conduct the next on-site “trail talk” for the Public on Saturday, June 14, 2014. These trail talks will discuss the status of the I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project and allow the public to ask questions. The talks will originate at the West River Trail near the marina. The trail talk will be led by Caleb Linn, Project Manager for PCL (lead contractor), and Garrett Hoffman, Design Manager for FIGG (bridge designer).

Interested participants should meet the PCL+FIGG Team at the West River Trail trailhead on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 8 a.m. and the talk will begin at 8:15 a.m. Participants will walk the trail to the I-91 bridge site, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.