News & Information

News and information sections, from near to far

January 15, 2025 Brattleboro Development Review Board Agenda

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

Review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations as warned on October 12, 2015.
2025-1                  Groundworks Collaborative; Residential Neighborhood 5400 District; request for site plan and waiver of dimensional standards approval to demolish the existing structures and construct a new community facility for an established emergency shelter use to serve up to forty (40) individuals. The two-story building will include office space, a kitchen and living area on the first floor and additional bedrooms with laundry facilities on the second floor. Site improvements include a new parking area with access drive, a patio area, and landscaping at 81 Royal Road; Tax Map Parcel #325283.000

Brattleboro Planning Commission Meeting: January 6, 2025 at 6:00 pm

by planning | Town Plan

6:15 – 7:10 Town Plan 2026 – Future Land Use
Interactive activity using maps and a lookbook to identify characteristics of development and uses that are desired for two areas of town.

7:10 – 7:25 Water & Sewer District and Zoning
Review and approve, if ready, proposed changes to the Land Use Regulations to bring areas with water and sewer into compliance with State statute.

7:25 – 7:40 Water & Sewer Ordinance
Review revised options for requiring sewer service area extensions/expansions to be supported by the Planning Commission, and/or the Town Plan and applicable planning bylaws. Vote on whether recommended one option to the Selectboard.

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Winter 2024-25

by cgrotke | Town News

Here’s your seasonal spot to write up little things that might be worth a sentence.  What have you noticed recently in the Brattleboro area?

Winter has kicked off with most of the late autumn snow and ice melting away. It is Dec 30 and near 50 degrees.

Brattleboro RTM Human Services Committee Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

RTM Human Services Committee
Monday, December 30, 2024
6:00-9:00pm
Selectboard Meeting Room (RM 212) The Municipal Center 230 Main Street and Zoom
Agenda
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82025368613
• Approve minutes from previous meetings
• Complete review of grant applications.
• Go into deliberative session to discuss rubric scores of applications

Brattleboro Holiday Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the Christmas holiday:

Brattleboro Town offices will close at 12:00pm (noon) on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

Brooks Memorial Library will close at 1:00pm on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

In observance of the Christmas holiday all Town Offices will be closed Wednesday, December 25, 2024, except emergency services. .

Brattleboro Announces Free Parking for Last Two Weekends of 2024

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is offering free parking downtown during the final two weekends of the year. Parking will be free on Dec. 20, 21 and 22, 2024, and again on Dec. 27, 28 and 29 to coincide with the busy holiday season.

Since launching the new parking system in late November, Town staff have been making improvements to it based on public feedback. Several upgrades are currently in development, including additional signage, step-by-step instructions displayed on the sides of the parking kiosks, revisions to the parking zone/kiosk map, and the creation of a “how-to” video that will guide drivers through the three parking methods available downtown.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Deep Budget Cuts To Everything Except Personnel, Roads, Police…etc.

by cgrotke | Town News
FY26 General Fund Budget / Possible Reductions

T’was the week before Christmas and all through the town, not a creature was stirring except for the Brattleboro Selectboard discussing FY26.

The board used Town staff suggestions and assumptions as a starting point. They boldy saved items from being cut but also agreed on cuts worth close to $2 million.  Police will get new uniforms, for example, but snow cleanup, arts, and human services will see cuts.  Members of the public cautioned that these were superficial, one-time, unsustainable cuts and told the board they pushing taxpayers over a cliff in years to come.

Valley Road Structure Fire

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

The Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched on a first alarm on December 13, 2024, at 10:37 a.m. to 12 Valley Road in the Mountain Home Trailer Park for a reported structure fire. Units from Station Two and Central Station responded. Engine Four arrived on the scene at 10:40 a.m. Lt. Ben Aither reported a shed fully involved with extension into the garage. Crews stretched hose lines and extinguished the fire. Command reported under control at 11:10 a.m.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – December 17, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

It is a rare Brattleboro Selectboard meeting when there is a single item of new business. Tuesday’s meeting is one of them, and the sole topic is possible budget cuts of 5%, 10%, or more. 

Watch as the board struggles to tame their mighty potential FY26 budget increase of over 20%. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro RTM Human Services Committee will meet on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 6:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Rm. 212) and over Zoom.

The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 6:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room(230 Main Street, Rm. 211).

The Brattleboro Charter Revision Commission will meet on Thursday, December 19, 2024 in the Selectboard Meeting Room(230 Main Street, Rm. 212 and over Zoom

Brattleboro Town Office Closures

by Not Signed In | Town News

Brattleboro Town Offices will be closed from 7:00am to 10:00am on Friday, December 13, 2024 for an employee event. Impacted offices include: The Municipal Center, the Gibson Aiken Center and Public Works offices. The Brooks Memorial Library will open at 10:00am.

Brattleboro’s Finance Director Stepping Down in January

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is announcing the resignation of Brattleboro’s Finance Director, Kimberly Frost, who served in the role since April 2022. Frost will be stepping down from the position on Jan. 3, 2025, to pursue a different opportunity.

“Starting this next chapter was a difficult decision, but I’m grateful to have served my community,” said Frost.

During her tenure with the Town of Brattleboro, Frost was instrumental in re-uniting the Finance Department with the Treasurer’s Office and thereby finding efficiencies to reduce Town staff by one position. She also supported Town departments in the transition to a new financial system through the platform OpenGov. The goal of that project was to modernize and enhance the efficiency and transparency of the Town’s finances including an online publication that provides detailed expenditure information in an interactive format.

Brattleboro, VTrans to Improve Traffic Flow in Bridge Area

by Not Signed In | Town News

The newly opened General John Stark Memorial Bridge connecting Hinsdale, N.H. to Downtown Brattleboro has altered traffic patterns on Vernon Street and lower Main Street.

To improve traffic flow in both directions, the Town of Brattleboro and the Vermont State Agency of Transportation are working to create efficiencies. Traffic light engineers will be working on adjustments during the next few weeks. We appreciate your patience and cooperation while this work is underway.

Brattleboro December 18, 2024 Development Review Board Agenda

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

2024-145              Setu Vermont for Emily Murphy Kaur & Harmeet Singh; Rural District; request for Site Plan, Conditional Use and Local Act 250 Approval to construct an access drive, parking lot, a dwelling with meeting space, a tiny home, an Airstream RV dwelling, change use of the existing home and property to a religious facility, an unlisted use in the district with impacts similar to an Exhibition, convention or conference structure, and authorize a phase II parking lot to be constructed if needed at 241 Quails Hill Road; Tax Map Parcel #100215.110

Brattleboro Winter Storm Advisory for Thanksgiving

by Not Signed In | Town News

Brattleboro Emergency Services is watching the Thanksgiving weather forecast and preparing for the first winter storm of the season. The storm is forecast to start on the morning of Thursday, November 28, before daybreak and last throughout the day. We anticipate that downtown snow accumulations will be less than three inches, with up to eight inches in higher elevations.

The snow is expected to be wet and heavy, which could cause downed trees and limbs, along with wires in the travel ways. Brattleboro Public Works crews are prepared for the storm and will be working throughout the day to keep roads, downtown sidewalks, and Town facilities open.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – Agenda and Notes Dec 2, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

Should Brattleboro end Representative Town Meeting? The Brattleboro Selectboard will decide if this question is allowed to be put to voters at their next regular meeting.

They will make changes to ordinances relating to parking, the downtown improvement district, and vacant buildings and will also hear the annual pleas from the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance and BDCC.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.