Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee Applications Accepted

 The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee is accepting applications for FY22 Human Services Funding. The Application, as well as Instructions and Guidelines, are posted on the Brattleboro Town website – www.brattleboro.org. The deadline to submit applications to the Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office via e-mail is Monday, November 9, 2020, at 5:00pm. 


Brattleboro Indigenous Peoples’ Day Closings

In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, all Town offices will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2020, with the exception of emergency services. 

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday and Monday, October 11 and 12, 2020. All other violations will be enforced. 

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, October 11 and 12, 2020. 


Heat Fund Appeal

It’s the time of year again when the Windham County Heat Fund reminds all of the generous people in the county that our less fortunate friends and neighbors will need your help once again as we approach another heating season.

The Windham County Heat Fund was created in 2005 by Richard Davis and me to help people in Windham County Vermont who were not able to buy enough heating fuel to make it through the winter. In 2010 the Heat Fund was incorporated as an IRS 501 C 3 non-profit entity. At the time, oil prices were escalating and we thought our efforts would only be needed for a year or two.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Tenants Union Proposal Passes 3-2

The Brattleboro Selectboard spent the bulk of their primetime evening discussing a proposal from the Tenants Union of Brattleboro. They heard from tenants and landlords about a wide range of issues, realized the problem was bigger than what Brattleboro can solve by itself, but pressed on to work on an ordinance limiting what landlords collect and how that money is used. A new board will be created to hear rental housing security deposit disputes.


Brattleboro Selecboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – October 6, 2020

Brattleboro’s budget season kicks off with the board reviewing the Town’s Long Term Financial Plan, and scheduling meetings about the FY22 budget.

The Tenant’s Union proposal will be revisited. Other items include a new fire truck, the taking of some land for the Hinsdale Bridge project, waterproofing at the parking garage, an interim finance director decision, a reduction of rent for The Reformer, finances, and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


October 21, 2020 Brattleboro Development Review Board Agenda

AGENDA

Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
Review of Cases/Public.
2020-70                 Pass Trading, LLC; Mixed Use Neighborhood District; request for Sign Approval to replace wall signs with conforming externally lit sign with new business name adopted by new property/business owner and a Variance to replace a  price panel on a freestanding sign that is non-conforming for area, height, and lighting in contradiction to Section 319.L of the Regulations at 228 Canal Street; Tax Map Parcel 325401.000


Brattleboro Fall Paving Update

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Starting Monday, October 5th, All States Asphalt (a contractor of the town) will begin the Contract #1 portion of our annual capital paving project. Weather permitting, the following schedule is anticipated:

Monday, October 5

New England Dr. – Access may be limited during paving operations. Paving operations may take several hours.


England’s Trump

The English have their own Trump

His name is Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (AKA Boris or BOJO).

He’s a former journalist who has served as Prime Minister of the UK and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2019.


Selectboard Special Meeting Notes – Committee Interviews and Human Services Increases

Brattleboro Selectboard sept 22 2020

The Brattleboro Selectboard held a special meeting to accept the recommendation of Representative Town Meeting and increase the Human Services budget, giving every applying organization extra money.

They spent the bulk of the meeting interviewing prospective candidates for the Community Safety Review Committee, then voting on them. The Committee is now formed.


Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Funding Committee Meeting Agenda

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Funding Committee will meet on Friday, September 25, 2020, at 1:00pm by GoToMeeting (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.


Brattleboro Finance Director Probationary Period “Not Successfully Complete”

The Town of Brattleboro  just sent out this announcement:

“Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell has announced that Finance Director Andre Jaeger did not successfully complete his probationary period and is no longer employed by the Town of Brattleboro. Elwell said the Town will contract with the accounting/auditing firm of Melanson Heath to provide interim finance director services, just as during January-May of 2020 after the retirement of former Finance Director John O’Connor.”

I can’t recall another hire not successfully completing their probationary period…


VT AFL-CIO, VT Building & Construction Trades Council, & Devonwood Pursue $175 Million Burlington CityPlace Partnership

9/21/20, Burlington, Vermont – For the last six weeks, the Vermont AFL-CIO and the Vermont Building & Construction Trades Council of the AFL-CIO have been in active discussions with CityPlace developer, Devonwood to formalize a partnership for phase 1 of the Burlington project. Partnership talks have included the Washington DC based National AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT). HIT acts as a financer for major affordable housing projects across the United States. HIT expressed an interest in the project pending approval from HUD. Devonwood is now working with a HIT recommended Mortgage Banker who will assist Devonwood in navigating the HUD process. Once HUD backing is secured, and pending the National AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust commitment to financing the project, the final development agreement would guarantee that all construction jobs on the CityPlace project be union jobs. The CityPlace project, in its present form, is projected to create 89 affordable housing units (20% of the total), 300-400 construction jobs, with 500,000 labor hours. CityPlace shall also be constructed with strong energy efficiency standards (LEED Gold standard). Phase 1 of the project is estimated to cost $175 million to complete.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda – Human Services + Community Safety Committee

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, on Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).   It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 5:30pm 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.  The Board will reconvene the business meeting at 6:15pm.  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.