Clean Energy Development Fund Public Hearing

The Clean Energy Development Board will be holding a public hearing to receive comments regarding the $2.6 million that the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) received (see press release below) for clean energy development activities in or for the benefit of Windham County.  The public is also welcome to provide comment on the deployment of the $2.6 million to be spent state-wide by the CEDF and on the performance of the Clean Energy Development Fund Manager.  Here are the details of the public hearing:

When: Wednesday, May 14 2014 at 5:30 PM

Where: Brattleboro Union High School.  In the “multi-purpose” room


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Upper Dummerston To Close Again

Good Afternoon:

We will need to close Upper Dummerston Road for two days: Friday, May 16 and Monday, May 19; the road will be open over the weekend. The closure will be for daytime hours only, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Due to the complex and evolving nature of the project, schedule changes are necessary from time to time. We will continue to keep you updated, and appreciate your patience.


West Brattleboro Bicycle/Pedestrian Scoping Study Presentation

Good Afternoon,

The West Brattleboro Bicycle/Pedestrian Scoping Study alternatives presentation will take place on Tuesday MAY 13, 2014 at 6PM at the ACADEMY SCHOOL. The meeting location was changed because of a special selectboard budget meeting on the same evening.

Please see the enclosed press release/ flyer for the upcoming meeting. If you have any questions please contact Highway & Utilities Superintendent Hannah O’Connell or Director Stephen Barrett.


Rhonda Taylor, Mother of MacAdam Mason, Issues Statement Upon Passage of H.225 – Taser Bill

This week the Vermont House of Representatives voted unanimously to concur with the Senate proposal of Amendment of H.225 – the Taser bill.

Barring any technical problems that might pop up during vetting of the bill by his staff (which is a common disclaimer with any bill that hits his desk), it was reported by his staff that Governor Peter Shumlin intends to sign the bill into law.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – FY15 Budget and PAYT

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center. It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 5:45pm to discuss personnel and contractual matters, and reconvene the special meeting at 6:15pm.

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


Brattleboro VT 4th Quarter Taxes & Utilities

The fourth installment of the 2013 Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes will be due on May 15, 2014 by 5:00 PM. Payments made after May 15, 2014 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.

The utility billing is also due on May 15, 2014 by 5:00 PM. Payments made after May 15, 2014 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.


The West River Trail Is Open

Friends of the West River Trail has re-routed the section of the trail between the southern trailhead near the Marina Restaurant and the I-91 bridge. The new section of trail passes under the interstate on the hill just below the bridge abutment, offering a great vantage point to watch the bridge construction.

From the southern trailhead, the trail extends for 3.5 miles north to Rice Farm Road in Dummerston and is open to the public for walking, bicycling, fishing, and nature study. Wildflowers are abundant, and now is a great time to enjoy the trail!


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of May 11

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.

There will be no night work the week of May 11.

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.


NECCA Student in Ringling Bros. Fall

Former New England Center for Circus Arts student Samantha Pitard was one of the eight circus acrobats that fell at a Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circus show in Providence.

She’s the only performer released from the hospital so far.

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Elsie Smith, NECCA co-founder and Artistic Director, said doing aerial arts is like driving a car.  ”You learn slowly, and know that there is danger in what you are doing.  There are bumps and bruises and fender benders along the way, and every once in a while there is an accident like a pile up on the interstate that gets a lot of attention.”


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Upper Dummerston Work

UPPER DUMMERSTON CLOSURE UPDATE: Demolition work on the I-91 Bridge over Upper Dummerston Road will be halted later today, May 7. Upper Dummerston will remain open from later today through to the morning of Monday, May 12.

Our work and the Upper Dummerston Road closure will resume at 7:00 AM Monday, May 12th and will be completed Wednesday, May 14th. Upper Dummerston road will only be closed during the day from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and will be reopened at night. We do not anticipate any night work for the closure.


Selectboard Meeting Notes: Budget Plan Remains Undecided, Zoning, and The Return of PAYT

The FY15 budget was again the focus of discussion for the Brattleboro Selectboard. At their regular Tuesday meeting they refined their positions on what cuts to aim for, and instructed the Interim Town Manager to prepare and bring options to their next special meeting to discuss and decide on the budget. This, despite significant disagreement amongst board members over which way to proceed.

In other news, work will begin on a plan to implement some sort of Pay As You Throw system to comply with state law. The board decided to hire a consultant, quite likely Moss Kahler, to assist.

There was also ample discussion of heifers, bridges, the parking budget and more.


Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast Invitation

 Strolling of the Heifers … Slow Living Summit . . . . and the River Garden!  

The “Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast” will take place on Friday, May 16,  2014 at the Gibson Aiken Center, downstairs, hosted by Senior Meals. Doors open at 7:30am.

We plan to hear from Orly Munzing , Strolling of the Heifers Founder and Executive Director who will talk about the Strolling, the Slow Living Summit  and the River Garden and invite questions and suggestions.


Governor Shumlin Proclaims May 10 as ‘Winston Prouty Center for Child Development Day in Vermont’

Governor Peter Shumlin has issued a proclamation declaring May 10, 2014 as “Winston Prouty Center for Child Development Day in Vermont.”

The proclamation coincides with the The Prouty Center’s 25th Taste of the Town fundraiser, which will take place May 10th, from 6:30-10:30pm at the International Center on the campus of SIT Graduate Institute.

The proclamation reads:


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Alternate Route for the West River Trail

An alternate route for the West River Trail that provides recreational use of the trail near the construction access road has been opened at the Marina Trailhead. Signage has been installed providing clear direction to recreational users of the trail. There are intersections between construction access and the trail; users are strongly encouraged to exercise extreme caution at these intersections. As an additional safety precaution, users of the West River Trail are reminded to keep pets on a leash when using the trail in this area.


Guests to Share Regional Economic Development Ideas at Next WBA Meeting

The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will be held at the New England House
on Thursday, May 8th at 6:00 PM. The guests are Pat Moulton Powden and Laura Sibilia of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation/BDCC and the Southeast Vermont Economic Development Strategies/SeVEDS. Their discussion will likely focus on the recently published regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy/CEDS plan.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – May 6, 2014

The Brattleboro Selectboard will return to the discussion of what to do about the FY15 budget at their next regular Tuesday meeting at the Municipal Center. You can attend in person or watch on BCTV.

The board will also take first steps toward a state-mandated Pay As You Throw system, the Planning Department will receive grant money for a rewrite of the zoning regulations, there will be discussion and approval of a Parking budget, the Heifers will get a parade permit, and more. You can also bring up other items not on the agenda during Public Participation.