Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – August 6, 2013

Brattleboro will return to the discussion of skating rink repairs at the next regular Tuesday meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. A grant for $100,000 will be accepted and applied to the cost, and a contractor to do the repairs will be chosen.

The board will hear from Town Clerk Annette Cappy about her department, will accept grants and grant permits, and may get to their long-scheduled discussions of local hiring and the town website.

You can bring up anything else not on the agenda during Public Participation. Attend in person at the Municipal Center on Main Street or watch on BCTV, and get the full report here the next day.


Summer Volunteer Opportunities in Windham County

Mid-summer volunteer opportunities in Windham County.

Loaves and Fishes food shelf and kitchen on Main Street, Brattleboro, needs volunteer(s) with computer skills. Contact Green Mountain RSVP (802) 254 7515.

Halifax School needs a volunteer gardener. Contact Green Mountain RSVP (802) 254 7515.

Volunteers needed to help with Brattleboro Housing Authority/United Way summer lunch program, one-hour slots. Contact Green Mountain RSVP (802) 254 7515.

The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI) needs volunteer drivers, most particularly in Brattleboro, Putney, Bellow Falls, Saxtons River, Wilmington, West Dover. Mileage reimbursement available. Contact Green Mountain RSVP (802) 254 7515.


Brattleboro Committee Vacancies

The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards:

Agricultural Advisory Board
Arts Committee
BASIC (Brattleboro Area Skatepark is Coming)
CPCC (Citizen Police Communications Committee)
Development Review Board Alternate
Fence Viewer (by statute, must be legal voter of the Town)
Honor Roll Committee
Inspector, Lumber Shingles & Wood
Senior Solutions Representative
SEVCA Representative
Skating Rink Committee – do not have to be residents of Brattleboro
Town Service Officer
Tree Advisory Committee


Downtown Disruptions in Brattleboro

A section of the Whetstone Pathway near the Co-op is closed today for pavement repair. This is work left from the Co-op project. The Pathway will reopen tonight and close again tomorrow to finish the repair. We apologize for the lack of notice.

The work disrupting traffic in the downtown area is the phone company (Fairpoint) lowering a few of their manholes so our snowplows do not hit them in winter.

Brattleboro Public Works


Move to State Office Building Postponed

The state offices currently located on Linden Street in the former Linden Lodge will remain in that location until a later date.

The move back to 232 Main Street that was scheduled to begin July 26 has been postponed. A date for the move has not yet been determined. Offices at the Linden Street location include:


Building a Better Brattleboro Selects Next Stewards of the Robert H. Gibson River Garden

The Board of Directors of Building a Better Brattleboro today announced that it is in negotiations to transfer ownership of the Robert H. Gibson River Garden to the Strolling of the Heifers organization.

The details of the transfer are still being finalized, but the Strolling of the Heifers has committed to honor the spirit of the original intent of the building by keeping the space open to the public and providing visual access to the Connecticut River. The building will continue to be known as the Robert H. Gibson River Garden.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – Town Manager Search Ads

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 7:30am in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center to discuss the Town Manager search advertising package. It is possible that the Board will enter into executive session to discuss a contractual matter.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100


Building a Better Brattleboro to Announce Future of Robert H. Gibson River Garden

The Board of Directors of Building a Better Brattleboro will hold a press conference on Monday to announce the future plans for the Robert H. Gibson River Garden.

When: Monday, July 22, 2013 – 10:30 am
Where: Robert H. Gibson River Garden, Main Street, Brattleboro

Building a Better Brattleboro is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to support and nurture the economic, cultural and residential environment of Brattleboro’s downtown district. BaBB is the designated downtown organization for the town of Brattleboro.

Contact: Kate O’Connor, (802) 490-2073


Selectboard Meeting Notes: Sondag Sayonara, Strand Ave Stress, Skating Rink Committee

Tuesday night’s meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard was the final regular Selectboard meeting for outgoing Town Manager Barb Sondag. Former Chair Dick Degray appeared during Public Participation to offer her a sincere, heartfelt send off. A public thank you and farewell is scheduled for later this week.

Residents of Strand Avenue came to request that the road and retaining wall repair project on their street be temporarily halted to enable a discussion of closing the street to vehicles. They were told it had been decided long ago to allow cars to go through, but that recent project mishaps would be straightened out.

The Selectboard voted to form a citizen committee to research long-term ice rink options, the board heard about the Recreation and Parks department, and they worked on granting of permits, permitting of grants, public hearings, and more.


Public Farewell to Brattleboro Town Manager Barb Sondag

The Brattleboro Selectboard, Administration and Staff invite the public to a farewell celebration for outgoing Town Manager Barb Sondag on Friday, July 19, 2013 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm in the Selectboard meeting room, Suite 212 at the Municipal Center. You are also invited to meet the Interim Town Manager Patrick Moreland. Cake and punch will be served.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100


Will There Be A Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast in July?

Will there be a Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast in July?

The short answer: yes! Please reply if you plan to attend.

The longer answer: The next “Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast” will take place on Friday, July 26, 2013 at the Gibson Aiken Center, downstairs, hosted by Senior Meals. Doors open at 7:30am.

The presenter will be: you!


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – July 16, 2013

At their next Tuesday meeting, the Brattleboro Selectboard will begin to spend big money on the Police-Fire Facility project with an $800,000 contract for architectural services and $290,000 for property on Church Street on the agenda. 

The board will also form a committee to look at skating rink options, discuss the town website as well as local hiring, hire Lane Construction ofNorthfield, MA for paving, regulate food carts, and more. You can bring up other matters not on the agenda during public participation. Watch on BCTV or attend in person, and read all about it here afterwards.


Brattleboro Town Manager Search – Job Description and Ad Drafts

At the Brattleboro Selectboard’s July 16, 2013 meeting, the Board will consider for adoption a revised job description for the Town Manager’s position, and a job listing/ad for the soon to be vacant Brattleboro Town Manager position. and are now available for consideration and review by the public in anticipation of the July 16 Selectboard meeting.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100


Senator Gannett Drive Dedication Ceremony at Brattleboro Country Club

The private drive into the Brattleboro Country Club from Upper Dummerston Road was recently named Senator Gannett Drive. A dedication ceremony is scheduled on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 12:00 noon at the Brattleboro Country Club. Governor Shumlin will be present for the dedication ceremony. The public is encouraged to attend.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100