News & Information

News and information sections, from near to far

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 15, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

There is a monster on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. It’s a channel monster grinder in need of some love and attention.

The board will also discuss non-monster items, such as the 2nd reading of the rental housing ordinance, a radio tower agreement, a new solar site designation, and more of the FY22 budget. You can bring up other items not already on the agenda, be they monster or non-monster, during public and monster participation.

Brattleboro Seeks Public Input on Update to Hazard Mitigation Plan

by planning | Town Plan

The Town of Brattleboro is in the process of updating the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The purpose of the HMP is to identify hazards facing the Town and to develop strategies to reduce the risks from those hazards. Hazards such as flooding, wildfires, landslides, blizzards, straight-line winds, ice storms, and droughts have the potential for inflicting economic loss and personal hardship.

As mandated by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, all municipalities must have a local Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to qualify for Federal Emergency Management Administration funding should a natural disaster occur. The Brattleboro Hazard Mitigation Committee will provide feedback required for the Plan update, including the ranking of hazards and identification of strategic, cost-effective mitigation activities that may reduce future losses.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda – December 8, 2020

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 6:15pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  Information about how to connect to the meeting is also posted on the homepage of the Town’s website.  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

Brattleboro Community Safety Review Committee Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Community Safety Review Committee will meet on Monday, December 7, 2020, at 6:00pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” 

Morningside Cemetery Winter Closing

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department would like to announce that Morningside Cemetery will close for the winter on Friday, December 4, 2020.  The cemetery will re-open in the spring of 2021 as weather permits. 

For information, please call 254-5808.    

Route 9 (Exit 2 – Main Street) Bicycle Lane Scoping Study: Local Concerns Meeting, Wednesday, December 9, 2020

by planning | Town Plan

The Town of Brattleboro, with technical assistance from consultant Dufresne Group, invites the community to join them in a discussion of the Route 9 (Exit 2 – Main Street) Bike Lane Scoping Study. The project seeks to examine the roadway for improvements to the transportation network to facilitate bicycle travel. The purpose of the meeting is to obtain comments and concerns about the existing conditions related to bicycle and pedestrian use from local residents and members of the public. Comments are also being accepted at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DW8DBMD.

Bridge Transformation Forum

by sus | Town Plan

There is a community forum on Wednesday December 2nd at 6:30 to discuss the transformation of the Hinsdale-Brattleboro Bridge into a pedestrian-recreational area. ( Once the new bridge is built) Plans are being developed and community input is welcome. At this forum there will be: Preliminary Concept discussion, Summary of public feedback and time for questions and answers.

Brattleboro Town Manager COVID-19 Update – What’s New Nov 27

by Not Signed In | Town News

 WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Town field services continue transitioning back to the way in which they operated during last spring’s “Stay Home Stay Safe” period. For now, the way in which the public receives those services still is relatively normal, but the work is being done in accordance with many special procedures required by the State of Vermont and recommended by public health officials. As we move into even more restrictive practices for the protection of employees and the public, we will identify those changes in future “COVID-19 Response Status” updates. 

• The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department encourages everyone to transform your front yard, apartment, or house into a bright and decorative celebration of winter! We all need a little light in our lives, so get ready to challenge your neighborhood, your friends, and your family to help us “Light Up Brattleboro.” Join us as we come together to show our festiveness and help bring joy and light into the lives of others. Here’s how you can participate: 

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Human Services Review Committee will meet on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 1:00pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” 

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 4:00pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” 

The Brattleboro Community Safety Review Committee will meet on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 6:00pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” 

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 1, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

Goodbye, Archery Building. At their next meeting, the Brattleboro Selectboard will be voting to tear down the old train yard building to make room for paved parking spaces.

They will also hear another first reading of the proposed Rental Housing ordinance, hear updates on community marketing and the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance, consider tax exemptions for five properties, and continue with their review of the FY22 budget. If you are so inclined, you can add to the agenda by bringing up other items during public participation.

December 16, 2020 Brattleboro Development Review Board Agenda

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

AGENDA

Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
Review of Cases/Public.
 2020-140              Barbara Gentry.; Rural Residential District; request for Plat Approval to create a new lot on East Bonnyvale Lane; Tax Map Parcel 100318.100

2020-143              Esta B. Smith Life Estate; Rural Residential District; request for Plat Approval to create a new lot on South Street; Tax Map Parcel 110231.100

Greenleaf Street Utility Work Tuesday November 24

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

On Tuesday, November 24, Utilities crews will be working on Greenleaf Street between Country Hill and the lower end of Green Meadow.  The road will be closed to through traffic in that area for most of the day.  Please seek an alternate route.  

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Department of Public Works at 802-254-4255 or email Mike Earle at mearle@brattleboro.org

Brattleboro COVID-19 Update – November 20, 2020

by Not Signed In | Town News

• In compliance with Governor Scott’s instructions on November 13 for offices throughout Vermont to “reinstitute, to the maximum extent possible, … telecommuting or work from home procedures,” Town office operations have transitioned this week back to the way in which we operated during the “Stay Home Stay Safe” period in March and April of 2020. Office employees are working from home most of the time. Some employees are coming into their offices occasionally when it is necessary to accomplish a particular task or to provide a needed service to a member of the public. Since Town employees and the public we serve all have learned to transact most of our business electronically or by phone, we have found that the vast majority of our Town office work can be performed at our homes. 

• Town field services also are transitioning back to the way in which they operated during last spring’s “Stay Home Stay Safe” period. For now, the way in which the public receives those services is relatively normal, but the work is being done in accordance with many special procedures required by the State of Vermont and recommended by public health officials. As we move into even more restrictive practices for the protection of employees and the public, we will identify those changes in future “COVID-19 Response Status” updates. 

Brattleboro Thanksgiving Closures

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, 2020, with the exception of emergency services. 

Brooks Memorial Library does not allow in-person visits at this time. Curbside visits and on-line services are available. The Library will close at 5:00pm on Wednesday, November 25, and will be closed on Thursday, November 26. It will re-open for curbside pick-up between 10am and 5pm on Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28. 2020. 

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee will meet on Monday, November 23, 2020, at 12:00pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” 

The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, November 23, 2020, at 5:30pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” 

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – FY22 Budget – Police Policies and Procedures Review

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The Board will convene at 5:15pm and is expected to enter into executive session to discuss the negotiating or securing of real estate purchase or lease options and the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, and to enter into deliberative session to deliberate on the Hinsdale Bridge takings and eminent domain matter involving the lands of Tullius on Left Bank Way.  The Board will reconvene at 6:15pm for the business portion of the meeting.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  Information about how to connect to the meeting is also posted on the homepage of the Town’s website.  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

Brattleboro Senior Meals Director Retires Update

by KathrynT | Other

Attached please find the following. A response to a concern to the article.

Regarding the article “Brattleboro Senior Meals Director Retires”. This article meant only to honor Chris McAvoy for her excellent leadership of the Senior Meals Program. In no way was the article meant to infer that we are not one hundred percent supported by Senior Solutions.

In 2004 a group of seniors, headed by Greg Propster and supported by Chris, determined – after a great deal of reflection – that Brattleboro Senior Meals should become an independent non-profit 501c3 organization. Beyond the program goals of providing area seniors with regular meals and a link to the larger community, the group wanted to keep their long-time kitchen help and keep their meals prepared on site. In addition, becoming a 501c3 allowed Brattleboro Senior Meals the opportunity to apply for grants and other fund-raising opportunities.