Selectboard Meeting Notes – The Meeting That Wasn’t

sb sept 5

The Brattleboro Selectboard got off to a late start then quickly put their meeting on hold for technical reasons.  Forty-five minutes later, the meeting was postponed until Thursday to give BCTV and Facebook time to fix themselves.

Those interested in discussing EMS and downtown safety will have to wait.


Belmont Avenue Water Main Replacement

On Wednesday, September 6, the Utilities Division will be replacing a water main on Belmont Avenue.  During this project, Belmont Avenue will be closed between #107 and #114 Belmont Avenue.  The work is scheduled between the hours of 6:30 am and 5:00 pm. Emergency Services and residents will be able to access #107 and lower numbers from Canal Street and #114 and higher numbers from Maple Street.  Motorists should seek alternate routes.


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – Sept 5, 2023

The Brattleboro Selectboard will be spending most of their first regular September meeting discussing town safety and EMS options for Brattleboro. They will review the EMS proposals received and learn about EMS insights from other communities. They’ll also discuss wrapping up the process, holding a public meeting, and then making an EMS decision.

Twelve items are packed into the consent agenda – a possible record, and good thing!  You may bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

The Brattleboro RTM Human Services Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 4:00pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).


Brattleboro Labor Day Closures

In observance of Labor Day, all Town offices will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2023, with the exception of emergency services. Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday, September 3, and Monday, September 4. All other violations will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday, September 3, and Monday, September 4.


Two Private Ambulance Proposals Received by Town of Brattleboro

The Town of Brattleboro has been exploring its options for providing Fire-EMS services. In addition to considering a fully municipal Fire Department approach, the Town has received two proposals from private companies to compare. The Town is thankful to both companies for putting together thoughtful and thorough proposals.

American Medical Response of Springfield, MA proposed a turn-key approach that would not require any first response services from Brattleboro Fire Department staff. They would dedicate multiple ambulances to respond within the town to meet desired response times.

Rescue Inc. of Brattleboro, VT proposed an approach like the Town’s previous model that shared emergency response responsibilities with the Brattleboro Fire Department. They would rely on Brattleboro Fire Department paramedics and EMTs to respond to priority one calls, such as cardiac arrests and vehicle crashes, with the private company responding to all other types of emergency calls and transporting the priority one patients. Rescue Inc. would utilize multiple ambulances that are deployed across the fifteen towns that the company serves.


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – Aug 30, 2023

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 5:00pm. They will convene in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street) and are expected to enter immediately into executive session to discuss contracts. Invited into the executive session are HR Director Sally Nix, Finance Director Kimberly Frost, Town Manager John Potter and Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland. Once they have exited executive session, the Board is expected to immediately adjourn. No action will be taken.


Brattleboro Notice of Water Service Interruption

Crews are working to repair damage to a fire hydrant and water main on Maple Street at Canal Street as a result of an accident. During this emergency repair work, several residences in the area were without water while the water flow was controlled. The water is now restored throughout Town. The entire water system was stirred up causing discoloration in some sections of Town. 

You may experience discolored water or air in the water lines for several hours now that the repair is complete. Running the cold water should clear the lines if this happens.  


Green Street Closure

PRESS RELEASE

On Monday, August 28, the Utilities Division will be installing a manhole at the intersection of Green Street, Garden Drive and Church Street.  During this project, Church Street will be closed and Green Street will be closed from Bullock Street to High Street.  Residents will be able to access their homes and may choose to utilize Retting Place for access, also.  The work is scheduled between the hours of 6:30 am and 4:00 pm. Motorists should seek alternate routes.


Elm Street Water Main Repair

On Thursday, August 24, the Utilities Division will be repairing a water main at the intersection of Elm Street and Lynde Place.  Elm Street between Flat Street and Elliot ST and Lynde Place will be closed during this repair.  The work is scheduled between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:00pm. Motorists should seek alternate routes.


Tree Removal on Walnut Street

On Wednesday, August 23, Renaud Tree Care will be removing hazardous trees at the east end of Walnut Street.  This work will begin at 7:00 am and is expected to be completed by 5:00 pm.  During this project, Walnut Street will be closed between the 3-way intersection of Terrace, Tyler and Walnut Streets, down to the area of St Michael’s Catholic Church.  Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes.  


Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Friday, August 18, 2023 at 5:15pm. They will convene in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center (230 Main Street) and are expected to enter immediately into executive session to discuss contracts. Invited into the executive session are Town Manager John Potter and Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland.


Selectboard Meeting Notes – Summer Public EMS Discussions Wrapping Up

selectboard aug 15 2023

The Brattleboro Selectboard held their August public EMS discussion at their regular meeting on Tuesday. The board is happy with their progress though one member said that the public doesn’t understand what decisions are to be made,. They will make their EMS decision in late September. Two more public meetings will be held prior.

The Town Manager said the EMS project web page has had over 1600 page views since May. (This site averaged 7,750 pages viewed per day in August for comparison). The board had questions about the Fire Department’s large overtime budget and the public had questions about downtown cameras and sheltering people without homes this winter. 


Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – Agenda and Notes – August 15, 2023

Brattleboro’s Town Manager will suggest changes to the budget process at the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. One proposed change to the schedule is intended to increase public participation.

EMS discussions continue, with one more chance for the public to weigh in on aspects of pending EMS decisions. The board will also hear a financial report and will spend nearly $60,000 for a Pool Engineering Feasibility Study.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.


Brattleboro 2023 Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes Due

The first installment of the 2023 Brattleboro Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes will be due by 5 p.m. on August 15, 2023. Payments made after August 15, 2023 will have an additional 1% interest added to the unpaid balance.

The Town of Brattleboro utility bills are also due by 5 p.m. on August 15, 2023. Payments made after August 15, 2023 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.


Brattleboro’s Charter Revision Commission to Meet

Brattleboro, VT – Brattleboro’s Charter Revision Commission will meet on Thursday, August 10 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room in the Municipal Center, 230 Main Street.

The meeting agenda includes an overview of the 2011 charter changes and the history of Representative Town Meeting. The commission will also set the meeting schedule for the remainder of 2023