News and information sections, from near to far
It was the first April meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard, the first meeting with Elizabeth McLoughlin as Chair, the first time Congressman Peter Welch has told Brattleboro about $3.3 million on the way, and the first time we learn of Town Manager Peter Elwell’s planned retirement at the end of the year.
Much discussion, though, was about goals for the coming year.
AGENDA
A. Meeting Called to Order
B. Announcements
C. Public Comment
D. Approve Minutes of March 12, 2021 (5 minutes)
Daryl Pillsbury and I feel an obligation to the community to provide a report of how we spent the money that has been donated to the Windham County Heat. Accountability and transparency is important, even for a small local non-profit organization.
When we started the fund in 2005 we thought the problem we were helping to alleviate was the high price of home heating fuel.
We quickly learned that affordability of heating fuel has very little to do with the price of oil, kerosene or propane. It is about social and economic justice.
We live in a very unequal society and the gap between the haves and the have nots has only increased over the years. Although the Heat Fund is about providing a little fuel for people in need it is really about making the lives of the more vulnerable around us a little easier. Almost all of the people who apply to us are making efforts to support themselves, but they experience an unexpected setback or find that the money they set aside for fuel this year is just not going to be enough.
“How to Hide an Empire”: Daniel Immerwahr on the History of the Greater United States
Congressman Peter Welch will be a special guest at the Brattleboro Selectboard’s next regular meeting. He’ll be joining to discuss the stimulus package and other issues.
Otherwise, it is a rather standard meeting agenda, with lots of usual set-up and orientation for the new board, reviewing RTM actions, and appointing people to various positions and committees. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
A. Introductions and announcements
B. Review Open Meeting Law
C. Discuss schedule and plan for the year
D. Adjourn
6:00-6:05 Meeting Called to Order
6:05-6:10 Welcome and Introductions
6:10-6:15 Announcements
6:15-6:20 Approve Minutes of March 1, 20201
On Friday, April 2, Utilities Crews will be working to repair a water main on Melrose St between the intersection with Western Ave and 39 Melrose ST. The work will begin at 7:00 am. The road will remain closed through Tuesday, April 6.
Motorists should plan to use alternate routes during this time period.
2021-31 B & C Management – Vermont, Inc. for Stephen & Wynetta John and Catherine & Rich John; Service Center District; request for Site Plan Approval to change use to 34 unit multi-family dwelling with site improvements at 1043 Putney Road; Tax Map Parcel #70718.000
If you can stomach this, it is must reading to be informed about George Floyd’s killer’s murder trial.
What have you noticed this spring in and around Brattleboro?
Outlet Center renovations are coming along nicely. Looks like we get one of those official “outlet center cupolas” at the corner, too. Look out, Manchester.
Potholes are big enough for small families to inhabit.
Fiber optic cables being strung all over the place.
BRATTLEBORO VT – At its Annual Meeting, held virtually on January 21, 2021 The Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce was pleased to welcome three new directors to the governing board. Connie Burton of Burton Touch Free Car Wash, Chris Stoner of Twombly Wealth Management Group, LLC, and Jon Potter of the Latchis Hotel & Theatre/Latchis Arts
were elected by the membership.
They joined continuing directors Nicole Braun (C & S Wholesale Grocers, Inc.), Michele Coursen (Brattleboro Savings & Loan), Bob Gammon (WTSA Radio), Shawn Garland (VABIR), Ross Gibson (The Richards Group), David Harlow (Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC), Carla Lineback (SIT/World Learning), Ryan Jennings (Community Bank NA), Tracey John (Vermont Country Deli), and Gina Pattison (Brattleboro Memorial Hospital).
I received a flyer in the mail from Consolidated.com that says they will be offering fiber internet connections in Brattleboro soon. I found a couple stories on iBrattleboro that do not paint Consolidated in the best light and which suggest Consolidated has been offering internet services in Brattleboro already for some time:
Vermont sugarhouses are a vanishing landmark and with them their history is at risk of being permanently lost. A statewide network of sugar-making enthusiasts have organized a project to create a comprehensive and descriptive list of all sugarhouses in Vermont with a focus on the oldest sugarhouses.
Once the list is complete the project team will interview sugarmaking families and photograph Vermont sugarhouses. This visual and documented history will be made available for future review and use. The final outcome will be the creation of a photo book to showcase these architectural legacies and landmarks.
Town Clerk Hilary Francis swore in newly-elected members of the Brattleboro Selectboard Monday evening.
Ian Goodnow, Daniel Quipp, and new member Jessica Gelter took their oath of office and joined Tim Wessel and Elizabeth McLoughlin to form the next selectboard. New signed Oaths of Office will be arranged at a later date.
They all affirmed that they will faithfully execute the duties of selectboard member for the Town of Brattleboro, doing equal rights and justice to all people, in the best of their judgement and ability, according to law under the pain and penalties of perjury.
Here’s your link to the 2021 Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting.
As always, if anything is notable, you can make note of it!
. CONVENE MEETING BY TOWN CLERK HILARY FRANCIS
2. CONFIRM MEETING OFFICIALLY WARNED
3. INTERNAL BUSINESS
A. Oath of Office – Newly Elected Member and Re-Elected Members
B. Election of Officers
Agenda
I. Call to Order and Quorum Check
II. Review of Agenda
III. Review and Approval of Minutes from February 2021
IV. Review of Compliments and Complaints from BPD
Please join us for the second public meeting for the Route 9 Bicycle Scoping Study. This presentation and discussion will be focused around the alternatives along the corridor which have been developed and analyzed based on the feedback collected during the first public meeting. Share your ideas and thoughts on the future of mobility, safety, and accommodations for all modes of travel along this corridor.
Date: March 29, 2021
Time: 6:00 pm
Many people want police officers (SRO) removed from schools across Vermont, and there is state legislation pending about it. At last night’s (Tuesday March 16) meeting WSESU school directors heard public comments about the officer in the high school located in Brattleboro.
School administrations and other advocates cling to the SRO’s as high-power hall monitors and deterrents to school shooters and terrorists, while opponents like BCS and most notably Youth for Change, want students to feel safe and not intimidated at school. BCS is proposing a compromise: following the BCS S.A.F.E. policing disarmament plan the police could continue their SRO function without their pistols (or other non-lethal weapons).
