News and information sections, from near to far
It’s the summer 2021 edition of “Noticed Around Brattleboro” – your seasonal catch-all for little things not worthy of a full story but certainly worthy of making note of for the history books.
• Exit 2 I-91 bridge work is ongoing. Looks like a new surface for the upper level.
• Hermit Thrush Brewery has a sign up where Silver Moon used to be.
The Brattleboro Planning Commission announces the release of the Downtown Plan. This Plan outlines a vision for placemaking and public space improvements to attract and retain businesses and residents. It looks at pedestrian and bicycle improvements, stormwater and landscaping, and how arts and cultural activities can enliven and revitalize public spaces.
In mid- to late 2019, a series of activities were held to engage the public. Surveys, walking tours, demonstration projects, and open studios were all used to allow the public to share ideas and aspirations for downtown. The Downtown Plan presents a starting point to help envision how to create an active, vibrant, and sustainable downtown.
A. Call to Order
B. Announcements
C. Approve May 25, 2021 Meeting Minutes
D. Public Comments
E. Old Business
1. West River Trail Plants – Guest: Mike Duffy
2. Phototoxic Invasive Species Video Update – Guest: Jennifer Latham
3. Whetstone Brook Water Quality Update
4. Solar Siting
Update to the Community from Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell:
There is no longer a COVID-19 State of Emergency in Vermont.
All Town of Brattleboro government facilities have reopened for public visitation without an appointment. Some offices will still require face coverings or other special precautions until further notice. For example, masks will be optional in the public spaces throughout the Municipal Center, but anyone who needs to go behind the counter or into the vault at the Town Clerk’s Office will be required to wear a mask.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 3:30pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center. The Board will convene at 3:30pm and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee. The Board will reconvene after the executive session and immediately adjourn. No action will be taken.
The Housing Coalition of Southeastern Vermont will host a free, virtual Landlord Summit on Thursday, June 24th from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. People interested in attending can register at tinyurl.com/93ruu7tk.
The purpose of the Landlord Summit is to educate residential property owners about available financial resources and new housing policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly new opportunities connected with the recently-passed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These resources include mortgage assistance, rental assistance, and an anticipated second round of the grants for rental property rehabilitation. The Summit will also include an update from the Town of Brattleboro on recent changes to zoning policies designed to promote development of new rental units.
Agenda
June 21, 2021
5:30 pm
Library Mtg Room
Call to Order 1 min
2. Agenda Review 2
The Brattleboro Selectboard held their final Zoom meeting Tuesday night. Their next meeting, July 6, will be in person (with a hybrid mix) at the Municipal Center in the Selectboard Meeting Room. The Governor says it must be so.
Water shutoff will resume, in November. The board also approved of a financing plan for the water treatment plant on quite favorable financial terms, Tri-Park finances were re-financed, a process for gathering information for a new town website was presented, and committee members were appointed.
Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
On the record review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations. Pursuant to 24 VSA §§ 4464(a)(1)(C) and 4471(a), participation in this local proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal.
2021-50 Groundworks Collaborative Foundation, Inc; Mixed Use Neighborhood District; request for Site Plan Approval to demolish existing structure, retain existing masonry fireplace; construct new 2-story, wood-framed, saltbox-style building for social services use at 60 South Main Street; Tax Map Parcel #325266.000
The Brattleboro Selectboard will be discussing water and sewer finances, including paying for the new water treatment plant, at their next regular meeting. They’ll also consider reinstating water shutoffs for delinquent accounts and Tri-Park loan refinancing.
There will also be COVID matters, committee members, and a process for creating an RFP for a new town website. You can bring up other matters not on the agenda during public participation.
Bazin Brothers Trucking, Inc (a contractor of the town) will be paving Hinesburg Road between Quails Hill and the power lines (near #888 Hinesburg Rd.) The work will take place between 7am and 6pm on Friday, June 11, Monday, June 14 and Tuesday, June 15. There will be alternating one lane traffic in the area during paving. Motorists should expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes.
Utilities Crews will be working to repair a sewer line on Highland ST between the intersection with Washington ST and 109 Highland ST. The road will be closed beginning at 7:00 am on Wednesday, June 9 and remain closed overnight and will reopen at around 5:00pm on Thursday, June 10. Access to all addresses on Highland ST will be via Central ST.
Due to additional necessary work, the closure of the lower floor of the Brattleboro Transportation Center will be extended until Saturday, June 11, 2021. The Brattleboro Transportation Center was due to open on Saturday, June 5, 2021, but due to the additional work the closure has been extended. The Flat Street entrance/exit to the Transportation Center will be closed to all traffic. Vehicles will be allowed to enter and exit through the Elliot Street entrance only.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
DMI Paving (a contractor of the town) will be paving Western Avenue between Orchard Street and the Academy School. The work will take place overnight on Monday, June 7 between 6pm and 6am. There will be alternating traffic in the area during these hours. Motorists should expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes.
1. Call to Order
2. Agenda Review
3. Approve minutes
4. Announcements 1a. Town webpage
5. Reports: 5a) Subcommittee on Survey 5b) Subcommittee on Internal Rules
6:00-6:05 Call to order
6:05-7:10 Announcements
6:10 -6:15 Approve Minutes of May 10, 2021
6:15 – 7:15 Downtown Plan – https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/68e5f8b5d6504c808db00854bbd8e2cb
1. Overview of Key Concepts
2. Discussion of top aspects to advocate for
3. Public Roll Out
The Brattleboro Selectboard approved a plan to let Brattleboro Police switch from an understaffed three shift system to a two shift system that will reduce hours and stress. Brattleboro will go without patrol staff for certain hours of the week.
The water treatment plant is going ahead with approval of a firm to build the new plant, despite a bad reference and previous bad town experiences with the company. The local mask mandate will be lifted on Friday. And State Senator Becca Balint described the huge piles of money coming to Vermont in the near future.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will take up matters relating to COVID at their next regular meeting. State Senator Becca Balint will give an update on ARPA and other funding sources, the board will discuss what to do about the mask order in town, they’ll talk about in-person meeting possibilities. and whether to continue deferring Small Business Loans.
Hiring a firm to help find Brattleboro a new Town Manager is up for discussion, as will approving a nearly $12 million big to build a new water treatment plant. You can bring up other items not on the agenda, and/or ask for your $12 million, during public participation.
Agenda items:
Approve minutes
Public participation
Planting sites
Guidelines for Memorial Trees
Goals for 2021
Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
On the record review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations. Pursuant to 24 VSA §§ 4464(a)(1)(C) and 4471(a), participation in this local proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal.
2021-50 Groundworks Collaborative Foundation, Inc; Mixed Use Neighborhood District; request for Site Plan Approval to demolish existing structure, retain existing masonry fireplace; construct new 2-story, wood-framed, saltbox-style building for social services use at 60 South Main Street; Tax Map Parcel #325266.000
