News and information sections, from near to far
A. Call to Order (5:15)
B. Approve Minutes of February 22 (5:15 – 5:20)
C. Old Business (5:20 – 5:50)
—–1. Ongoing invasives mitigation updates (5:20 – 5:50)
D. New Business (5:50 – 6:55)
—–1. Action: Conservation Commission Participation in 350 Vermont’s Earth Day Street Fair (5:50 – 6:00)
The Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office is currently accepting applications for one seat on the Windham Regional Commission. Information regarding the Windham Regional Commission can be found on the Town’s website under the heading Other Town Boards and Committees.
The Brattleboro Selectboard heard details of the Windham Regional Commission’s past year work as well as an overview of Brattleboro’s new Housing Action Plan, which tells us that Brattleboro is in a housing crisis. 500 units or more are needed immediately just to catch up with current needs. More if Brattleboro want to grow.
Peter Elwell and Steve Barrett were both commended for their years of municipal public service, the Brewer’s Fest got their annual permit, and liquor on town property rules are being tweaked.
Correction to 03-15-22 Selectboard agenda: The agenda for the 03-15-22 Selectboard meeting states that the Organizational Meeting will take place on Monday, March 21, 2022 at 6:15pm at the Central Fire Station. The time of the meeting has been changed from 6:15pm to 9:00am. It will no longer take place at the Central Fire Station but will instead take place in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.
AGENDA
1. Minutes – February 17, 2022
2. Public Participation
3. Monthly Report on Pedestrian and Bicycle Incidents – for February: No Incidents to Report
4. Monthly Report on Traffic Data Collection – for February
5. Street and Sidewalk Safety Policy Safety Action Requests
The long-anticipated housing plan will be presented to the Brattleboro Selectboard at their next regular meeting. This comes after Steve Barrett and Peter Elwell receive special ceremonial recognition from the board and the State of Vermont.
They’ll also hear a discuss work at the Windham Regional Commission, appoint some committee members, approve the brewer’s festival permits for an alcoholic beverage celebration, and start the process of prohibiting alcoholic beverages on Town property. You can discuss how we aren’t conflicted, or bring up other items not on the agenda, during public participation.
Brattleboro, VT – Integrated Solar Applications (ISA) has announced a limited opportunity to join a new community solar array entitled “ISA Exit 1 Solar”. The array is located on 13.8 acres owned by the company, on Canal Street in Brattleboro, serviced by Green Mountain Power. It will provide direct access to renewable energy, enabling members to reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprint, without having to install or own a solar array on their property.
The Brattleboro Treasure’s Office, located in the Municipal Center (230 Main Street), will be closed on Friday, March 11, 2022 from 11:00am to 1:00pm for a meeting.
For Immediate Release:
Due to an illness, the Brattleboro Planning Department will be closing today at 2:45pm. They will reopen again tomorrow morning at 8:30am. Thank you for your patience.
Complying with a vote of Representative Town Meeting in 2021, RTM’s Finance Committee has prepared a “Guide to the Brattleboro Town Budget.” The guide is posted on the Town’s website under the Finance Committee’s page and the RTM Resources section, both of which are accessible from the Representative Town Meeting tab on the left menu bar. Also newly posted is the annual report for RTM’s consideration of the FY23 budget.
Brattleboro Town Selectboard will hold a pre-town meeting information forum on Wednesday, March 9 via Zoom beginning at 7:30pm. Representative Town Meeting articles will be discussed, including the budget.
Beginning at 5:15pm (District 1), 6:00pm (District 2), and 6:45pm (District 3), town meeting members of each district will be available to meet with constituents to offer residents an opportunity to share their views and discuss articles to be voted on at the annual meeting. Also, at those times, each district will be accepting nominations to fill meeting member vacancies for 1 year.
The water main break near Brattleboro Museum and Art Center has been repaired and water service has been restored to all customers as of 1:00 am.
Vernon St. has also been opened. Crews will be working to make temporary repairs to the side of the roadway today. There may be some traffic disruption, but everything is open.
6:00 – 6:10 Call to Order
Agenda Amendments, Announcements
6:10 – 6:15 Minutes of February 7, 2022
Discussion of Edits, Motion to Approve
6:15 – 6:35 Bylaw Modernization Grant Request for Proposals
Due to a water main break near the Brattleboro Museum and Arts Center, Vernon Street will be closed
until further notice. Water will be out for Bridge Street customers until further notice. Town staff is aware
of the situation and they are working to safely resolve it.
The Brattleboro Selectboard lifted town rules requiring masks. People and businesses are free to once again do as they please with caution. The mask rules can come back if things get bad again.
The board also passed a new rule requiring downtown property owners to clear their sidewalks of snow within 24 hours of a snowstorm or face fines and costs. It may be a while before this is tested, though, as winter is wrapping up for the season.
A small town may not have any special qualities over living in a large city. Many of the neighborly community senses found in Brattleboro may be elsewhere. A good deed here is likely universal and inherent in much of our day to day lives.
Recently, I dropped my bank card in the Brattleboro Post Office where it was found by a good person who promptly delivered it to TD Bank across the street. The best customer service is that which protects its patrons, even if it can be inconvenient at first.
The 2022 Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee Report on the Town FY23 Budget is currently available online on the Town website, Brattleboro.org. Paper copies are also available at the Town Manager’s Office at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Suite 208).
A potentially short regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard is scheduled for Town Meeting Day (election day). They will hear about new plans for liquor for the Latchis Pub & Underground, they’ll talk about wearing masks a while longer, and they’ll amend the ordinance change regarding downtown snow removal. You can add to the meeting by bringing up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.
Snow and ice will be removed from the parking lots in the downtown area this evening.
Parked vehicles in the downtown parking lots must be removed by 1:00am or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.
The Brattleboro Citizens Police Communications Committee will meet on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 5:30pm in the Brooks Memorial Library Meeting Room.
The Brattleboro RTM Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 6:00pm at the Co-op Café.
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 4:15pm at the Hanna Cosman Room at the Municipal Center.
