Town News

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.

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

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

The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, July 22, 2013 at 5:30pm in the Brooks Memorial Library community room.

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

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 8:30am in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

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

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 4:30pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

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

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.

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?

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!

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.

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

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

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will hold a special meeting on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 9:00am at the intersection of Clark and Canal Streets (near Agape Church). The Committee will discuss plantings in that area.

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

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 7:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

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

The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 10:00am at the Marlboro College Graduate Center in the VCIL conference room.

The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 4:00pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 4:30pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

At Tuesday’s long meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard the new solar farm was explained in detail and public support for the project appears to be substantial. The board also approved a “quick fix” approach to ice rink repairs in order to be able to open the season on schedule. It also gives them more time to consider long-term options for the facility. 

The Fire Department presented an overview of their operations, a store on Guilford Road was again denied a liquor permit, tax rates were set, Patrick Moreland was named the interim Town Manager when Barb Sondag officially resigns, and much more was packed into the over three hour meeting.

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee may hold a special meeting on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 2:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center. The Committee has been invited to a meeting with other parties to discuss the Main Street Sidewalk project.

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

In observance of the July 4th holiday, all Town offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2013, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on July 4. All other violations, including extended parking will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on July 4, 2013.

The Brattleboro Selectboard would like to know what you think about the proposed solar farm along I-91. They’ve carved out time during Tuesday’s meeting to listen to your ideas.

If you go, you’ll also be able to participate in discussions of the skating rink compressor, local hiring, the town website, the Town Manager search process, various grants and permits, and other issues. 

The proceedings are broadcast and streamed by BCTV, and you can read a wrap-up here the day after.