Town News

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

Selectboard Member to Hold Office Hours at the Library

by FranzReichsman | Town News

Hello, Brattleboro. Last evening I attended my first meeting as a member of the Brattleboro Selectboard. As has been discussed in various forums recently, openness of the Selectboard proceedings and the active solicitation of input from members of the community will be of paramount concern for the Board and the town administration in the coming year.

As one part of this process, beginning next week on April 12 and for the next six weeks, I will station myself in one of the meeting rooms on the mezzanine level of Brooks Memorial Library each Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. During this time, everyone is invited to come for conversation on pretty much any topic having to do with the town and its government.

Evaluating EMS Delivery

by RobertOeser | Town News

As the Town of Brattleboro continues to explore the future of Emergency Medical Services there is discussion happening in the State Assembly.

On March 22, 2023, beginning at 10:00 am, the Vermont House Health Care Committee took testimony on H. 263. [1] The recording of that over one and a half hour session is available for review on YouTube. [2] I highly recommend listening to the testimony. One of the details of the bill provides for the creation of a Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Coordination Study Committee. [3] Overall the testimony itself provides excellent context for further discussion.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Board Chair Suggests Further Limiting Public Comment

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard april 4 23

New Brattleboro Selectboard members Peter Case and Franz Reichsman attended their first regular meeting since swearing-in. They were treated to discussions of rules and goals, the Windham Regional Commission, Representative Town Meeting, hazard mitigation, and more.

Town Manager John Potter suggested the board have a retreat to discuss short-term and longer-term goals and budgets, to which the board readily agreed.

Chair Ian Goodnow had an unusally rough night. He was 40 minutes past his usual 8 pm break time as he explained to the board his new goals for keeping the meeting on schedule. This included his new desire to limit public comments to just two minutes per person, per agenda item. 

Brattleboro Water Department 2022 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 2022 is now available. This report can be viewed on line at https://www.brattleboro.org/ccreport and 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. 

Brattleboro Committee Vacancies

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards:
ADA Committee
Arts Committee
Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC)
Design Review Board (Alternate)

Press Release – Brattleboro Gravel Road Conditions

by Not Signed In | Town News

This year DPW has changed how we inspect and report the conditions of Brattleboro’s gravel roads during mud season. The updated report will not be sent daily as in past years. Starting this week, you will see a sign at the beginning of each gravel road. The sign will have a color-coded section that indicates the current condition of the road and QR code that will take you directly to Maps-on-line for the conditions of all roads.  Instead of waiting for all of the roads to be checked to report each road be entered immediately which should speed up the reporting significantly.  Attached is a press release explaining the new procedure.

Daims’ March 21, 2023 Recollection of Remarks With Selectboard

by Kurt Daims | Town News

Below is my recollection of remarks at tonight’s meeting.

The preliminaries are usually unremarkable and brief. But yesterday Jessica Gelter said that she mentioned the suppression of Kurt Daims/BCS written testimony in the notes of the previous meeting. Also two members were leaving the board. They all appreciated each other’s their devotion to democracy and fairness. Such flattering speeches are not usually brief. It was a good time to comment like this:

Vote Brattleboro as Strongest Town

by planning | Town News

Brattleboro is facing Dunnellen, New Jersey in the first round bracket of the Strongest Town Contest, with voters from across the continent deciding which will advance to the Elite Eight round of this March Madness-style tournament.

The Strongest Town Contest spotlights and celebrates communities that are continuously becoming more resilient and prosperous through bottom-up action.

Vote for Brattleboro at https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/3/20/stc2023-r1-dunellen-brattleboro

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Spring 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

Time for the regular “add your own” observation column. What’s going on around Brattleboro this spring?

Renaissance Jewelry is having a big sale and seemingly going out of business after quite a while on Main Street.
Rt 30 work is starting up again – some new guardrails installed near the edge of town.  The bigger observation is that flaggers are going to become a job of the past, replaced by robotics.

Brattleboro Downtown District Snow Removal

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.   

Snow and ice will be removed from the streets in the downtown area this evening.   

Parked vehicles in the downtown district must be removed by 11:00pm or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – March 21, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will set aside over $2 million of the $2.7 million in ARPA funding for EMS related projects and potential start-up costs, leaving a much smaller amount for the public to discuss how to spend. This comes after promises of community outreach and public input to best determine the ways to spend the funds. Related, the monthly EMS update has been relegated to the Consent Agenda. 

The board will also discuss how to spend the $300k in community safety funds.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.