News & Information

News and information sections, from near to far

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Virtual Meeting Agenda – RTM

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, via GoToMeeting.   It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 5:30pm to discuss contracts and confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the body.  The Board will reconvene the business meeting at 6:15pm.   In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee Virtual Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, July 27, 2020, at 5:30pm via GoToMeeting.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.

Collaborative Community Statement  Regarding the Brattleboro Policing/Community Safety Review Process

by cgrotke | Town News

Here’s the full text of the document discussed at the July 21, 2020 meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard:

…..

July, 21, 2020

Collaborative Community Statement  Regarding the Brattleboro Policing/Community Safety Review Process

Summary Statement

We are seeking a review process focused on a comprehensive examination of community safety and policing in Brattleboro to determine whether the police force effectively meets the communities’ needs, and to determine how to best fund and support community safety. 

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Status Report

by Not Signed In | Town News

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Here are links to 3 important COVID-19 financial relief programs offered by the State of Vermont for renters, landlords, and sole proprietor businesses: 

o Emergency Mortgage Assistance- https://www.vhfa.org/documents/images/vt_map_flyer.pdf 

o Rental Housing Stabilization Fund – https://www.vsha.org/rental-housing-stabilization-program/ 

o Vermont Sole Proprietor Stabilization Fund – https://www.vermont-cdbg-cv.com/ 

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda – July 21, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

The next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard will be devoted to a single topic – the continued discussion of a potential police review process. 

The previous conversation left off with two competing proposals – one from the board and one from community groups working with these issues – and a request that the selectboard’s proposal be withdrawn. The board wanted time to consider merging the two proposals.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Selectboard Special Meeting Notes – $3,600 Toward Three Hand Sanitizing Stations

by cgrotke | Town News
brattleboro selectboard july 14 2020

Handy Stations were the primary topic of a special virtual meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. The board approved spending $3,600 on three artistic devices to help people sanitize their hands downtown. If it works out, they may spend even more on keeping people safe.

It was admitted that some hand sanitizer taped to the wall might be significantly less expensive, but a motion-sensing, artist -decorated, musical hand sanitizing station to be adopted and maintained by businesses was the preferred idea. There was also an interesting discussion about the Civil War monument.

Brattleboro Hydrant Flow Testing

by Not Signed In | Town News

Hydrant Flow Testing in the Town of Brattleboro

On Thursday, July 16, beginning at 9:00pm through approximately 4:00am Friday, July 17, Utilities Crews will be conducting flow tests of the hydrants around town.  Residents may see water in the roadway and/or have discolored water in their homes.  If you experience water discoloration, you should run the cold water for a few minutes to flush your pipes which should take care of the issue.  

VT Governor Scott Announces Housing Assistance Programs

by Not Signed In | State News

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Vermont State Housing Authority and the Vermont State Housing Finance Agency today announced $30 million in housing assistance to those affected by COVID-19. The programs, first proposed by the Administration and amended and passed by the Legislature, utilize federal CARES Act funding to provide relief for those tenants unable to pay rent, landlords suffering from a loss of rent payments and those lower income homeowners needing assistance in paying their mortgages.

“Landlords, renters, homeowners and those experiencing homelessness have all been impacted by this virus and need assistance, which is why we’ve worked closely with the Legislature to provide this relief,” said Governor Phil Scott. “As we continue to fight this virus, keep Vermonters safe and restart our economy, we know our recovery starts with everyone having a safe and secure place to call home.”

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Collaborative Proposal for Police Reform Presented To Board, RTM Remains On Hold

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard july 7, 2020

The Brattleboro Selectboard didn’t get to new business until after 11 pm. Old business of Representative Town Meeting scheduling, second thoughts on an already-approved budget, and competing proposals for police reforms filled the lengthy meeting.

In the end, no new RTM was set, the board was told the budget cannot be changed but can be ignored selectively, and competing proposals for police reforms will fill a new meeting schedule for July 21.

Brattleboro Independence Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the July 4th holiday, all Town offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2020, with the exception of emergency services. 

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and July 5, 2020. All other violations will be enforced. Parking enforcement will resume on Monday, July 6, 2020. 

Brooks Memorial Library curbside service will be closed from Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, 2020. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – July 7, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will consider a re-imagined, two-part Representative Town Meeting at their next regular virtual meeting. The plan calls for an online portion on one day, and voting by Australian ballot on another.

A “police review” process is being proposed to look at funding and whether social services might be able to relieve the police of some responsibilities, new bike lanes and pedestrian safety measures will be discussed for Putney Rd., a new Exit 2 to downtown bike lane possibility will be studied, the board will offer up thoughts on the rebuilding of Rt 9 to Wilmington, and you can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Parking Enforcement Resumes

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Parking Department would like to remind everyone, starting July 1st, 2020, payment will once again be required at all street meters and kiosks in parking lots in the downtown area. If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Carol at 257-2305.

Vermont Expands Travel Policy July 1

by Not Signed In | State News

Montpelier, Vt. – As state data and expanded testing and tracing capacity continue to support reopening, Governor Phil Scott today announced he will expand the number of states covered under Vermont’s county-by-county quarantine-free travel policy, which allows direct travel from designated counties without a 14-day quarantine requirement.

In early June, the Governor, in close consultation with the Vermont Department of Health, opened up travel to and from counties in New England and New York with less than 400 active cases of COVID-19 per one million residents without a quarantine requirement. Effective July 1, this policy will be expanded to counties below this threshold in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. Quarantine requirements remain in place for those traveling to and from other regions.

Vermont Changes Unemployment Insurance Rates & Benefits

by Not Signed In | State News

June 23, 2020  Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Labor today announced changes to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program that will reduce employers’ UI tax rates and increase the maximum weekly benefit amount for UI claimants.

“This tax relief will help reduce the burden on employers who’ve had to make difficult decisions to protect the health and safety of their workers and help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Vermont,” said Governor Scott. “We know Vermonters made a tremendous economic sacrifice in order to respond to this virus, and we will continue to pull every lever we can to help workers and employers recover from this pandemic.”