Town News

For stories pertaining to the town of Brattleboro at large and its government.

Brattleboro Amended Face Covering Emergency Order

by Not Signed In | Town News

At its meeting last night, the Brattleboro Selectboard reaffirmed and slightly modified its Emergency Order requiring that face coverings be worn by all employees, customers, and visitors in any store, office, or other indoor setting where business is conducted. 

The modification clarified that children under 5 “are not required” to wear face coverings. The original order stated that masks “should not be placed on” children under 5. The remainder of the order is unchanged and it continues to apply equally to businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental facilities anywhere in Brattleboro. 

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Water and Sewer Rate Increases, and Face Mask Review

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro Selectboard Virtual Meeting

The Brattleboro Selectboard had a long discussion about their long discussion last week about face coverings. Is it too strict? Not stick enough? What about the children? They then moved on to a discussion of raising water and sewer rates to help pay for the new water filtration plant. Is 6% a year too much? Is 2% too low?

The final discussion was of the parking system, and how with no income and continued expenses, the budget doesn’t look so good. Should the Parking Fund remain an enterprise fund or be rolled back into the General Fund? And who has the best ceiling?

Brattleboro Filing 2020 Abstract Grand List and Warning of Grievances by Listers

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro announces the filing of the 2020 Abstract Grand List.  Applications to schedule a grievance hearing are available at the Assessor’s Office by appointment or online at www.Brattleboro.org on the Assessor’s page. Applications for a hearing must be received in the Assessor’s office by 5:00pm on June 9, 2020.  The Brattleboro Board of Listers will hold grievance hearings via GoToMeeting starting Tuesday, June 9.  See the attached Warning for instructions on how to access GoToMeeting. 

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status May 26, 2020

by Not Signed In | Town News

 WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Free Wi-Fi at the Library: 

Brooks Memorial Library is providing limited outdoor tables and chairs for wi-fi access along the Main St. area of the library (weather permitting). Tables will be positioned in accordance with social distancing requirements for café seating. All users are requested to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and notify staff upon leaving so that tables and chairs can be disinfected between users. 

• At its meeting tonight at 6:15pm on GoToMeeting, the Selectboard will hear additional public comment on the emergency order requiring face coverings to be worn in all indoor locations where the public is invited to transact business. At this meeting, the Selectboard also will give preliminary consideration to staff proposals on the Parking Fund budget, the Utilities Fund budget, and Utilities Fund rate increases. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – FY21 Utility and Parking Funds

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, 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.

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – May 20, 2020, 12:30pm

by Not Signed In | Town News

 WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• The Brattleboro Selectboard issued an Emergency Order at its meeting last night requiring that face coverings be worn by all employees, customers, and visitors in any store, office, or other indoor setting where business is conducted. This requirement is effective immediately and applies equally to businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental facilities anywhere in Brattleboro. 

The Selectboard made this decision after a lengthy discussion that included substantial public input on the GoToMeeting platform where Selectboard meetings are currently being held without any specific physical location due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Here is the full text of the resolution that the Selectboard adopted to issue this order: 

Brattleboro Emergency Order- Wearing Face Coverings Required

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard issued an Emergency Order at its meeting last night requiring that face coverings be worn by all employees, customers, and visitors in any store, office, or other indoor setting where business is conducted. This requirement is effective immediately and applies equally to businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental facilities anywhere in Brattleboro. The Selectboard made this decision after a lengthy discussion that included substantial public input on the GoToMeeting platform where Selectboard meetings are currently being held without any specific physical location due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Here is the full text of the resolution that the Selectboard adopted to issue this order: 

Be it resolved by the Selectboard of the Town of Brattleboro, Vermont, as follows: 

Brattleboro Committee Virtual Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 8:00am.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  A copy of the agenda is attached and it contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.  

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:30pm.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  A copy of the agenda is attached and it contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.  

Brattleboro Water Department’s Annual Consumer Confidence Report/Water Quality Report for 2019

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro Water Department’s annual Consumer Confidence Report/Water Quality Report for 2019 is now available. This report can be viewed on-line at https://www.brattleboro.org/ccreport or printed copies are available at the Brattleboro Municipal Center in the Town Manager’s Office or Town Clerk’s Office or at the Department of Public Works, Brooks Memorial Library, Tri Park CO–OP Office, and the Guilford Country Store.  Questions about this report can be addressed to the Department of Public Works at 254-4255

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status May 16, 2020 12:30pm

by Not Signed In | Town News

 WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• The Recreation and Parks Department has received many questions about the usage of Town parks facilities by people from outside of Brattleboro. Recreation officials all over Vermont have received many similar questions. In the Governor’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” addendum issued on Friday, May 15, he clarified earlier instructions regarding limits on day travel to Vermont from out of state. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – May 19, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

COVID-19, and the Utilities Fund, will be the primary focus of the next regular, virtual meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.

The FY20 year-end budget will be reviewed, a new treasurer will be appointed, they will discuss the parking budget, and Brattleboro will apply for some grants. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during virtual public participation.

Andre Jaeger Appointed as Brattleboro Finance Director

by Not Signed In | Town News

Town Manager Peter Elwell has announced the appointment of Andre Jaeger to be the Town’s new Finance Director. Jaeger’s first day with the Town will be on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. 

Jaeger comes to the Town of Brattleboro from Keene State College, where he was the Budget Director. That position was eliminated on May 1, 2020, as part of the college’s reducing and restructuring its administration and support staff. Prior to working at the college, Jaeger had 3 years of experience as a tax associate with the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouse Coopers and 16 years of audit and financial management experience with private companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including 6 years at the headquarters of C+S Wholesale Grocers in Keene. He earned a BA in Economics and Accounting from the University of Massachusetts and is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts. He also is a Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, and Certified Fraud Examiner. 

Town of Brattleboro  COVID-19 Response Status -May 13, 2020, 12:05pm 

by Not Signed In | Town News

• Reminder: As buildings (or parts of buildings) that have been in a state of full or partial shutdown begin to be actively used again, water lines within buildings should be flushed to keep the water supply safe. While the Town has recently completed semi-annual flushing of the water mains and is continuing to deliver water to the meter that complies with all safe drinking water standards, the water quality within the interior piping of a building will deteriorate if not used. 

• Reminder: Summer Camp registration application forms are now being accepted. You may use this link to access the application form: https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/Sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/Official_Youth_Registration_Form_With_T-Shirt_Size_2020(1).pdf. You may submit your completed form online or mail it to: Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department ATTN: Summer Camp Registration PO Box 513 Brattleboro, Vermont 05301 All registrations will be required to be paid in full by June 1st, unless other payment arrangements have been made with the Recreation and Parks Director. No one will be turned away for lack of ability to pay. Please be advised, however, that the number of camp participants will be limited this year due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements and will be confirmed on a first-come first-served basis with priority given to Brattleboro Residents. 

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – May 8, 2020, 1:30pm 

by Not Signed In | Town News

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• While we will continue to post a daily update to the Town’s website every day, we will issue those daily updates as news releases only on days when there is a change in the status of Town operations. This change is intended to make it easier for the media and the public to identify when something is changing. To check the status of Town operations at any given time, please view the latest daily update posted on the Town’s website. 

• The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department announces the following update regarding the status of its facilities: 

➢ The Fred H. Harris Tennis/Pickleball Courts at Living Memorial Park are open. 

➢ The frisbee golf course at Living Memorial Park remains open. 

➢ All softball fields are available to families for informal kickball, wiffleball etc. 

Softball fields are not yet open for more formal team activities (games or practices). 

➢ Basketball courts remain closed until further notice. 

➢ The Dog Park at Living Memorial Park remains closed until further notice due to COVID-19 and being recently reseeded to rejuvenate the turf. 

➢ All park equipment remains closed (benches, picnic tables, playgrounds etc.) until further notice because it is impossible to sanitize that equipment in between users. 

➢ Restrooms at Living Memorial Park and West River Park remain closed until further notice. 

Brattleboro 2019 Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes Due

by Not Signed In | Town News

The fourth installment of the 2019 Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes will be due on May 15, 2020 by 5:00 PM.  Payments made after May 15, 2020 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.

The utility billing is also due on May 15, 2020 by 5:00 PM. Payments made after May 15, 2020 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – War and Water

by cgrotke | Town News
brattleboro sb may 5 2020

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their regular virtual meeting Tuesday night to discuss war monuments, COVID-19, the Town financial outlook, a new water treatment plant, a new pump station, a new purchase of property, and an overview of additional planned Utility Fund expenses.

The new water treatment plant is estimated, currently, to cost about $11 million.

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – May 4, 2020, 5:15pm 

by Not Signed In | Town News

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

All Town offices resumed daily on-site office functions today, in accordance with the following: 

• The exterior entrances to all Town facilities remain locked at all times. 

• Signs are posted at all exterior entrances clearly indicating that no one may enter the building if they have any symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath). 

• There is only 1 employee in each office at any one time, except when more than one employee is necessary to complete a required task. 

• Employees who are not in the office continue to work from home in the same manner as they did during the full closure of Town offices between March 27 and May 4. 

• The public is requested to continue to do as much Town business as possible remotely (by email, internet, phone, or mail). Please note that this includes the payment of property taxes and utility bills. Those can be paid by mail, online, or by dropping an envelope containing your check (no cash) into a locked black drop box that is attached to the large wooden light pole in the parking lot behind the Municipal Center.