Town News

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

Brattleboro Parking Closure Extended to June 11

by Not Signed In | Town News

 Due to additional necessary work, the closure of the lower floor of the Brattleboro Transportation Center will be extended until Saturday, June 11, 2021. The Brattleboro Transportation Center was due to open on Saturday, June 5, 2021, but due to the additional work the closure has been extended. The Flat Street entrance/exit to the Transportation Center will be closed to all traffic. Vehicles will be allowed to enter and exit through the Elliot Street entrance only. 

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Police Hours Change, Mask Mandate To Expire, Water Treatment Plant Contract Approved

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro Selectboard june 1

The Brattleboro Selectboard approved a plan to let Brattleboro Police switch from an understaffed three shift system to a two shift system that will reduce hours and stress. Brattleboro will go without patrol staff for certain hours of the week.

The water treatment plant is going ahead with approval of a firm to build the new plant, despite a bad reference and previous bad town experiences with the company. The local mask mandate will be lifted on Friday. And State Senator Becca Balint described the huge piles of money coming to Vermont in the near future.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – June 1, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will take up matters relating to COVID at their next regular meeting. State Senator Becca Balint will give an update on ARPA and other funding sources, the board will discuss what to do about the mask order in town, they’ll talk about in-person meeting possibilities. and whether to continue deferring Small Business Loans.

Hiring a firm to help find Brattleboro a new Town Manager is up for discussion, as will approving a nearly $12 million big to build a new water treatment plant. You can bring up other items not on the agenda, and/or ask for your $12 million, during public participation.

Brattleboro Closures on Memorial Day

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Memorial Day, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Monday, May 31, 2021, with the exception of emergency services. 

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday, May 30 and Monday, May 31, 2021. All other violations will be enforced. 

Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on Sunday, May 30 and Monday, May 31, 2021. 

Trash, recycling and curbside compost will NOT be picked up on Monday, May 31. 

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: 

Agricultural Advisory Board 

Agricultural Advisory Board Ex-Officio Members 

ADA Advisory Board 

Arts Committee 

Brattleboro Housing Partnerships Board of Commissioners 

Town of Brattleboro Mask Order Still In Effect

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Town Manager’s COVID-19 update today says the following:

“WEARING FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED 

At its meetings on May 19 and May 26, 2020, the Selectboard adopted the following resolution. The resolution was reviewed and reaffirmed at the Selectboard meeting on June 16. On May 13, 2021, the United States Government issued new guidance that says fully vaccinated people can safely choose not to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors. Today, Governor Scott reiterated that guidance to Vermonters. The updated guidance states that “fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.” The Town of Brattleboro’s face covering order remains in effect at this time. Moreover, it is important to remember that many people are not yet fully vaccinated so individual businesses may choose to continue to require face coverings on their premises even after government-issued face covering orders have been rescinded. “

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – May 18, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will continue to review FY22 proposed budgets for the Parking and Utilities Funds at their next regular meeting. Either or both may be adopted.

The board will also buy two new dump trucks, discuss placement of a ski jumper sculpture on Main Street during winter months, figure out details of dependent care reimbursement for themselves, and consider buying a summer sidewalk tractor.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Western Avenue Road Patching

by Not Signed In | Town News

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12, DMI Paving (a contractor of the town) will be patching Western Avenue between Melrose ST and Meadowbrook Rd.  The work is expected to take place between 7 am and 5 pm.  

(Rain date: Thursday, May 13 and Friday, May 14)

Motorists should expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes during these days.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – FY22 Parking and Utility Funds, Paving, and the Whetstone Path

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro selectboard meeting

The Brattleboro Selectboard heard the sad tale of the Parking Fund and its many losses over the previous, current, and probably future year at Tuesday’s meeting. Estimates for the coming year are just guesses. One of the hardest financial discussions ever, the Town Manager told the board.

Everything else, however, went smoothly. The Utilities Fund is pretty much as it was before. New paving projects have been approved. Winston-Prouty got a liquor license (for a single event for grown ups, ahem…), and more. No public participation, either. “A return to normal,” your reporter snarks snarkily.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – May 4, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

At the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard they will discuss two proposed budgets – the FY22 Utilities Fund budget, the FY22 Parking Fund budget – approve emergency repairs for the Whetstone Pathway, review plans for summer paving, and more.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation. And of course, May the 4th be with you.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Representative Town Meeting Steering Committee will meet on Monday, May 3, 2021 at 4:00pm using Zoom (with no physical location due to the ongoing social distancing requirements of COVID-19). The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” 

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 9 Southern Avenue (call 257-1164 for directions).  The agenda is attached.

Brattleboro Consumer Confidence Report/Water Quality Report for 2020 Available

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro Water Department’s annual Consumer Confidence Report/Water Quality Report for 2020 is now available. This report can be viewed on-line at https://www.brattleboro.org/ccreport or printed copies are available at the Department of Public Works, Tri Park CO–OP Office and the Guilford Country Store.  Questions about this report can be addressed to the Department of Public Works at 254-4255.

Brattleboro COVID-19 Update -April 23, 2021

by Not Signed In | Town News

IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT PLANNING FOR REOPENING 

Governor Scott’s “Vermont Forward Plan” anticipates a phased reduction in restrictions for both indoor and outdoor activities between now and a projected return to near-normal by July 4. It is important to note that the Governor and other State officials have stated that this schedule is subject to change. It is based on certain assumptions regarding increased vaccination numbers and decreased new case numbers. If those targets are not met, the schedule will be adjusted. We in Brattleboro town government will continue to closely monitor the available data and public health experts’ advice. We intend to be cautious in reopening Town facilities to ensure that we do not move too quickly and endanger Town employees or the public we serve. Based on local conditions and expert advice, we may decide to move more slowly than indicated in the Governor’s plan. Please read these weekly COVID updates from the Town and other information released by Town departments to stay up to date on Town decisions and actions as COVID-related restrictions are eased.