Town News

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

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda – October 27, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

Tired of long Brattleboro Selectboard meetings? You aren’t alone. At their next special meeting the board will consider using a “consent agenda” as a way to potentially speed things up on a trial basis for the next few months. 

The board will also take up a few other matters that slipped through the cracks recently due to… long meetings. They’ll hear about a plan for sustainability, financial reports, the revised Long Term Financial Plan, and will et a schedule to hammer of the FY22 budget. You can bring up other itmes not on the agenda during public participation.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Rental Ordinance Fizzles

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard in brattleboro

The Brattleboro Selectboard held a first reading of a proposed ordinance to limit upfront rental costs, but decided not to move ahead with a second reading. Instead, more research, new ideas, and data will be explored.

Groundworks got a big grant which enables the completion of their project on South Main Street, and the marketing initiative to promote Brattleboro was discussed.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 20, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will have a first reading of an ordinance to limit upfront rental costs at their next regular meeting, which will be held on 10-20-2020. (And probably end at 10:20.)

Police cars will be purchased, health insurance will be renewed, leases will be extended, grants will be applied for, and the skatepark committee will be disbanded now that their work is through. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Board and Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Monday, October 19, 2020, at 4:00pm, using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.

The Brattleboro Community Safety Review Committee will meet on Monday, October 19, 2020, at 6:00pm, using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee will meet and hold an Informational Session (Applicant’s Forum) on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at 5:00pm, using GoToMeeting (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Community Safety Review Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at 6:00pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at 8:00am using GoToMeeting (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.

Brattleboro Indigenous Peoples’ Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, all Town offices will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2020, with the exception of emergency services. 

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday and Monday, October 11 and 12, 2020. All other violations will be enforced. 

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, October 11 and 12, 2020. 

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Tenants Union Proposal Passes 3-2

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard spent the bulk of their primetime evening discussing a proposal from the Tenants Union of Brattleboro. They heard from tenants and landlords about a wide range of issues, realized the problem was bigger than what Brattleboro can solve by itself, but pressed on to work on an ordinance limiting what landlords collect and how that money is used. A new board will be created to hear rental housing security deposit disputes.

Brattleboro Selecboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – October 6, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

Brattleboro’s budget season kicks off with the board reviewing the Town’s Long Term Financial Plan, and scheduling meetings about the FY22 budget.

The Tenant’s Union proposal will be revisited. Other items include a new fire truck, the taking of some land for the Hinsdale Bridge project, waterproofing at the parking garage, an interim finance director decision, a reduction of rent for The Reformer, finances, and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Selectboard Special Meeting Notes – Committee Interviews and Human Services Increases

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro Selectboard sept 22 2020

The Brattleboro Selectboard held a special meeting to accept the recommendation of Representative Town Meeting and increase the Human Services budget, giving every applying organization extra money.

They spent the bulk of the meeting interviewing prospective candidates for the Community Safety Review Committee, then voting on them. The Committee is now formed.

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Funding Committee Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Funding Committee will meet on Friday, September 25, 2020, at 1:00pm by GoToMeeting (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.

Brattleboro Finance Director Probationary Period “Not Successfully Complete”

by cgrotke | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro  just sent out this announcement:

“Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell has announced that Finance Director Andre Jaeger did not successfully complete his probationary period and is no longer employed by the Town of Brattleboro. Elwell said the Town will contract with the accounting/auditing firm of Melanson Heath to provide interim finance director services, just as during January-May of 2020 after the retirement of former Finance Director John O’Connor.”

I can’t recall another hire not successfully completing their probationary period…

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda – Human Services + Community Safety Committee

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, on Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19).   It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 5:30pm to discuss the negotiating or securing of real estate purchase or lease options and the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee.  The Board will reconvene the business meeting at 6:15pm.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  Information about how to connect to the meeting is also posted on the homepage of the Town’s website.  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Community Safety Review Facilitators Chosen, Committee Stipends Set

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard approved a proposal for a Community Safety Review facilitation team. They chose a local proposal, created a committee, and decided on how much to pay for stipends.

Other issues before the board involved the Department of Public Works, some grants, and gathering data on housing to aid town planning.

Brattleboro Water Main Flushing Schedule Fall 2020

by Not Signed In | Town News

Utilities Division crews will start Fall Flushing of the Town water mains on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. and continue through Saturday, October 10, 2020

NOTE: Some daytime flushing will continue throughout the week of October 13th and 19th  

Customers are asked to check the flushing schedule closely as flushing causes water discoloration, low water pressure and in some areas, intervals of no water.

Please note that water main flushing will occur at night and during the day.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – September 14, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

Five proposals for community safety review facilitation have been received, twenty six applications to be on the committee are in hand, and the perhaps re-organized Brattleboro Selectboard will decide next steps at their next Tuesday meeting. Committee members will be interviewed and appointed at a special meeting.

Grants and bid awards are also on the agenda, as is the purchase of a new salt shed. You can add other items not on the agenda during public participation.