For stories pertaining to the town of Brattleboro at large and its government.
AGENDA
1. Minutes – March 17, 2022
2. Public Participation
3. Monthly Report on Pedestrian and Bicycle Incidents – For March and April 4.
5. Monthly Report on Traffic Data Collection – for March and April
6. Street and Sidewalk Safety Policy Safety Action Requests
The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards:
Agricultural Advisory Board
Agricultural Advisory Board Ex-Officio Members
ADA Advisory Board
Arts Committee
Brattleboro Housing Partnerships Board of Commissioners
Cemetery Committee
It is important that Selectboard members hear from Brattleboro residents on how our Emergency Medical Response service to the town will work, going forward.
A change to the delivery of EMS was agreed to by the Selectboard at the April 19 meeting. This week’s board meeting will cover a proposal for a feasibility study, to include EMS. See item 8 (B) on the attached agenda for this Tuesday, May 17 at 6:15pm. In-person and remote joining details are below.
A general observation –
When the $25,000 for the Fire Department strategic plan was approved in the budget at RTM on March 19 of this year, there was no public indication that Rescue Inc would no longer be providing EMS services. Community input absolutely needs to be a part of any strategic plan for this service, following the example of other towns. Therefore, in this proposed feasibility study, “all options should be on the table.”
Hey. I see in the agenda that your web design company, MuseArts, didn’t get the gig to do the new town website…
– That is correct!
Sorry to hear. Your bid must have been too high, eh? Didn’t like your response to the RFP?
– Nope. They never saw our proposal.
Okay, now I’m confused… did you want to respond to the RFP?
The Brattleboro Selectboard will award a contract to a web developer for the redesign of the Town website at their next regular meeting. They’ll also approve of a contract for an EMS feasibility study.
You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
The fourth installment of the 2021 Brattleboro Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes will be due on May 16, 2022. Payments made after May 16, 2022 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.
The Town of Brattleboro utility bills are also due on May 16, 2022. Payments made after May 16, 2022 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance. Payments can be mailed to the Town of Brattleboro, 230 Main Street, Suite 111, Brattleboro VT 05301. An official postmark of May 16, 2022 will be considered as an on time payment.
The Brattleboro Planning Services Department will be closed all day on Thursday, May 12, 2022, so that staff can attend training.
The Town of Brattleboro is seeking a Lister, to be appointed by the Select Board to serve the remainder of a one year term until March 7, 2023, at which time the candidate can run to be elected for a 2 year term.
The candidate must be a registered voter of Brattleboro, understand appraisal methods and property assessment administration in Vermont, be detailed oriented, be interested and dedicated to the job responsibilities, have knowledge of the town, and able to work collaboratively with others. Real Estate knowledge preferred but not required.
Members of the public scolded the Brattleboro Selectboard again for poor communication regarding their recent EMS decision. After, the board discussed removing some mentions of transparency and openness from their goals while patting themselves on the back for already having an open and transparent process.
They discussed other goals, then heard presentations about some exciting, possibly large housing projects going through the planning process. They also discussed improving the parklet program.
Should the Harris Lot be developed by a private contractor? The Brattleboro Selectboard will discuss it at their next regular meeting.
There will also be a discussion about expanding a parklet program, a discussion about the Prouty-Delta Development initiative, discussion and possible apoproval of selectboard goals, and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 4:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room in the Municipal Center (230 Main Street).
The Town of Brattleboro Water Department’s annual Consumer Confidence Report/Water Quality Report for 2021 is now available. This report can be viewed on-line at https://www.brattleboro.org/ccreport. 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.
Due to tree work which will be done on Prospect Street between Central Street and Pearl Street on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 (Rain Date May 5) parts of Prospect Street will be closed to traffic from 8:00am to 3:30pm.
The Brattleboro Selectboard voted to enter into a one year contract with Golden Cross Ambulance, effectively ending five decades of Rescue, Inc. collaboration with the town. There was much public discussion, mostly against the way this was handled, but it was approved 5-0.
The board also went back on their previous decision about the ski jump sculpture, now allowing it to be downtown year round but unlit most of the year, sort of like the Valentines hearts that hang year round downtown.
When you think of the River Garden, you probably think “there’s not enough liquor there.” Well, the Brattleboro Selectboard will take care of that at their next regular meeting.
A new ambulance contract will be signed to officially end the Rescue, Inc. era. The board will also reconsider their decision from their last meeting about whether the downtown metal ski jump sculpture should stay or go in off seasons. And they’ll handle a few financial and administrative matters.
You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
As part of the ongoing Melrose Terrace Flood Plain Restoration Project, beginning on Monday, April 18, Zaluzny Excavating Company will be installing a box culvert on George F Miller Drive, forcing all traffic to use Melrose Street. Temporary traffic lights have been set up at the intersection of Western Avenue and Melrose Street for traffic control. The traffic lights will be put in service when the project begins on Monday, April 18 and will be in place for approximately two weeks.
Utilities Division crews will start Spring Flushing of the Town water mains on Thursday April 21 and continue through Saturday May 7. Occasional daytime flushing will continue throughout the week of May 9 through 13.
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. You may experience a short period of discolored water or air in the water lines after flushing is complete in your area. Running the cold water for a few minutes should clear the lines if this happens.
Due to a washout and erosion concerns, the western leg of Williams ST near the Vermont Country Deli will be open to eastbound traffic only. Vehicles may enter from Western Avenue onto Williams Street via that section of Williams ST.
Motorists should plan to use alternate routes while repairs are being planned and completed.
The Brattleboro Parking Department would like to announce the lifting of the winter parking ban. Starting tonight, 04/06/2022, at midnight, overnight parking will be allowed on all streets EXCEPT in the downtown area. The following streets are never available for overnight parking:
The Brattleboro Selectboard, under new management of Chair Ian Goodnow, had their first regular meeting of April and their first long discussion. It was about goals and what they want to do in the coming year. They also had their first meeting in the Municipal Center in quite a long time, sitting closely without masks and wondering where members of the public might be.
The board approved of a catering license, loaned some more money for new housing, allowed short term rental in the parking garage, and more.
