Town News

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

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – Agenda and Notes – May 21, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

At their next regular meeting, the Brattleboro Selectboard will consider a number of ordinance changes, and in one case an “ordnance ” change. Water and sewer rates, liquor licenses, and vacant buildings are the topics.

They will also hear about the suitability (or “suitablity”) of municipal properties for potential housing, and list the various committee vacancies that are awaiting members of the public to apply and serve. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Prospect Street Closure To Replace Water Valve

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Tuesday, May 14 the Utilities Division will be replacing a water valve in front of 136 Prospect Street.  The road will be closed between Washington Street and Central Street during this work.  Crews will begin at 7:00am and the project is anticipated to be completed by 3:00pm. Accommodations for access by residents of Prospect Street will be made available.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet for a special meeting on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 2:00pm at Holton Hall at the Winston Prouty Center (4th floor, 204 Austine Drive). The board is expected to recess around 6:00pm until Saturday, May 18 at 9:00am. This meeting will be carried on BCTV after the conclusion of the meeting.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings & Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 8:00am in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Room 212) and over Zoom.

The Brattleboro Charter Review Commission will meet on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Room 212) and over Zoom.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – I See Those Rates and Raise Them , Too

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard may 7 2024

The Brattleboro Selectboard is contemplating just how much to raise Utility rates, specifically the cost of water. Rather than a 1% increase in FY25, they are thinking of raising it 5%, and 5% every year until 2030. But, it might go up even more because of the new expert study of utility rates they will commission for $75,000.

In good news, all the major roads of Brattleboro that the state has a hand in will be repaved in 2025-2026. And the Charter Commission is taking a deep dive into all sorts of issues related to Town Meeting and asking for your input.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – May 7, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hear an update from the Charter Review Commission at their next regular meeting. They’ll also hear from BDCC, and the DPW, and the ATM about the UFB. (“Matt Busby. Dig it, dig it, dig it….”)

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

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda April 25, 2024

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 212) and over Zoom. Prior to the meeting at 5:30pm, the Board will convene and is expected to enter immediately into executive session to discuss contracts and real estate negotiations. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members. The backup materials for this meeting will be available on the town Website Brattleboro.gov/Selectboard by the end of today.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 5:00pm in the Brooks Memorial Library Community Room.

The Brattleboro Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 24, 204 at 6:30pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.

Brattleboro Spring Leaf Collection Schedule

by Not Signed In | Town News

PRESS RELEASE

Town of Brattleboro Spring Leaf Collection Schedule

This year leaves and yard waste will be picked up according to your normal trash, compost and recycling pick up day. The following dates have been scheduled for Brattleboro’s curbside Spring Leaf Collection:

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Trash Talk

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard heard two overviews at their short Tuesday meeting. The first was regarding the very long process of relicensing the dams along the Connecticut River. They got the overview and agreed to send a letter to FERC outlining local desires for the relicensing plan.

The second overview was about the major changes to trash, recycling and organic waste collection in Brattleboro after July 1. The sole bidder for the collection contract, Casella, wants to use one-person trucks that use joystick-controlled grabbers to pick up new, special trash receptacles. Town staff will be gathering information from residents about how much more they are willing to pay, and if they’d like to contract directly with Casella, if all waste should be picked up every other week, what to do about already-bought bags and containers, and other important issues.

Brattleboro Water Main Flushing Schedule Spring 2024

by Not Signed In | Town News

Utilities Division crews will start Spring Flushing of the Town water mains on Friday, April 19 and continue through Friday, May 3.  Occasional daytime flushing will continue throughout the week of May 6 through 10..  

Customers are asked to check the flushing schedule closely as flushing may cause water discoloration, low water pressure and in some areas, intervals of no water.  Users who experience a short period of discolored water or air in the water lines after flushing is complete should run the cold water for a few minutes to clear the lines.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – April 16, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

Th Brattleboro Selectboard has a low impact agenda planned for the next regular meeting. One of the two big issues will be approving a letter regarding their opinion of relicensing the Vernon Dam.

The other issue is, heh heh,  who will pick up the trash? The board only got one bid, from current provider Casella.  Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland will suggest they punt this one down the road and gather input from the community before making any decisions.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda (as long as you are respectful) during Public Participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 8:00am over Zoom (please note there is no in-person option for this month’s meeting).

The Brattleboro Charter Review Commission will meet on Thursday, April 18th at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room and over Zoom.

Brattleboro Water Department Annual Consumer Confidence Report / Water Quality Report Available

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro Water Department’s annual Consumer Confidence Report / Water Quality Report for 2023 is now available. This report can be viewed on line at www.Brattleboro.gov under Water Supply.  Printed copies are available at the Department of Public Works, Tri-Park CO-OP Office, Guilford Country Store, Town Clerk’s Office and Treasurer’s office (both located in the Brattleboro Municipal Center) and at the I-91 Welcome Center in Guilford. 

Selectboard Meeting Notes: We Don’t Like the Cost of the Bridge We Ordered

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard april 2 2024

The Brattleboro Selectboard took issue with new costs of a bridge project requested by an earlier board, and sent VTrans back to their offices without an approval for their design of the Western Ave bridge replacement near Melrose. VTrans is invited back when the project won’t cost the Town quite so much. No one mentioned the increases that will inevitably occur between now and 2028 when the bridge is scheduled to be completed.

The board also took up some start-up and general housekeeping issues. New Chair Daniel Quipp pledged earlier meeting end times and more public participation in the coming year.

Brattleboro Excavation and Trench Permits Required

by Not Signed In | Town News

Beginning this construction season anyone performing excavation work in the Town of Brattleboro right-of-way or on systems involving Town infrastructure must have an Excavation and Trench Permit. The permit will allow Public Works to have greater communication with homeowners and contractors about Town infrastructure and important steps for a safe workplace prior to beginning excavation. It will also ensure that at the end of the project that the ground surface covers (pavement, concrete, plantings) are left in proper condition.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – April 2, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

A relatively easy first official Brattleboro Selectboard meeting for new Chair Daniel Quipp is scheduled for Tuesday. The Consent Agenda is ample, there are some board rules and assignments to take care of, and there will be some discussion of the recent Representative Town Meeting.

The big discussion could be that the board might use property taxes to pay for matching costs associated with replacing the Rt 9 bridge at Melrose Place.  The Town’s share has risen from half a million to $1.6 million since 2021.

You can once again, one assumes, bring up any other item not on the agenda during public participation.