Town News

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

Brattleboro COVID-19 Update – June 10, 2020

by Not Signed In | Town News

 TODAY’S NEW INFORMATION + IMPORTANT REMINDER 

• Reminder: A second State-organized food distribution will be held in Brattleboro tomorrow, June 11, from 10am to 2pm. This time, you must pre-register to be able to receive food. (This helps the organizers better plan for both the amount of food to distribute and the safety and efficiency of the distribution process.) Appointments are clustered every 15 minutes. As with last time, no personally identifying or financial questions will be asked. Please use this link to register: https://humanresources.vermont.gov/food-help. 

• On June 15, the softball fields at Living Memorial Park and West River Park will reopen for team practices. Use is limited to one team at a time and a maximum of 25 people. No games or scrimmages. A list of other limitations on this use has been distributed by the Recreation and Parks Department to the organizers of local softball leagues. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at 6:15pm. It is anticipated that the Board will enter Executive Session at that time.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely. 

Jan Anderson

Executive Secretary

Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – June 2, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will approve their own budget for the first time, due to a special act of the Vermont legislature to bypass Town Meeting Representatives this year in an effort to get the budget approved prior to the new fiscal year on July 1. The board will also discuss options for convening a Representative Town Meeting at some point.

Water and sewer rates will be raised, downtown parklets for businesses will be purchased,  the Solid Waste Fund will be discussed and might be folded into the General Fund, another COVID-19 update will be given, and even more will happen during this packed agenda. Prediction: watch as Selectboard members mention that they hate the dog warrant language again this year! “It’s the owners, not the animals…”  You can bring up other items and animals not on the agenda during Public Participation. Just don’t ask your questions in the chat room of the virtual meeting.

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – May 29, 2020

by Not Signed In | Town News

 WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

Two big announcements today! 

From the Recreation and Parks Department: 

The Living Memorial Park Swimming Pool and Rotary Water Playground will be opening for the season on Saturday, June 20th, 2020, at 1pm. Space will be limited to 25 patrons and staff inside the gated area at any one time. Daily reservations may be made by calling the pool at 802-254-6700. Priority will be given to Brattleboro Residents. 

Due to COVID-19, the pool schedule, fees, and procedures have been updated for the Summer of 2020: 

Brattleboro Committee Virtual Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 5:00pm.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  A copy of the agenda is attached and it contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.  

The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, June 1, 2020, at 5:30pm.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  A copy of the agenda is attached and it contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.  

Brattleboro Amended Face Covering Emergency Order

by Not Signed In | Town News

At its meeting last night, the Brattleboro Selectboard reaffirmed and slightly modified its Emergency Order requiring that face coverings be worn by all employees, customers, and visitors in any store, office, or other indoor setting where business is conducted. 

The modification clarified that children under 5 “are not required” to wear face coverings. The original order stated that masks “should not be placed on” children under 5. The remainder of the order is unchanged and it continues to apply equally to businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental facilities anywhere in Brattleboro. 

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Water and Sewer Rate Increases, and Face Mask Review

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro Selectboard Virtual Meeting

The Brattleboro Selectboard had a long discussion about their long discussion last week about face coverings. Is it too strict? Not stick enough? What about the children? They then moved on to a discussion of raising water and sewer rates to help pay for the new water filtration plant. Is 6% a year too much? Is 2% too low?

The final discussion was of the parking system, and how with no income and continued expenses, the budget doesn’t look so good. Should the Parking Fund remain an enterprise fund or be rolled back into the General Fund? And who has the best ceiling?

Brattleboro Filing 2020 Abstract Grand List and Warning of Grievances by Listers

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro announces the filing of the 2020 Abstract Grand List.  Applications to schedule a grievance hearing are available at the Assessor’s Office by appointment or online at www.Brattleboro.org on the Assessor’s page. Applications for a hearing must be received in the Assessor’s office by 5:00pm on June 9, 2020.  The Brattleboro Board of Listers will hold grievance hearings via GoToMeeting starting Tuesday, June 9.  See the attached Warning for instructions on how to access GoToMeeting. 

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status May 26, 2020

by Not Signed In | Town News

 WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Free Wi-Fi at the Library: 

Brooks Memorial Library is providing limited outdoor tables and chairs for wi-fi access along the Main St. area of the library (weather permitting). Tables will be positioned in accordance with social distancing requirements for café seating. All users are requested to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and notify staff upon leaving so that tables and chairs can be disinfected between users. 

• At its meeting tonight at 6:15pm on GoToMeeting, the Selectboard will hear additional public comment on the emergency order requiring face coverings to be worn in all indoor locations where the public is invited to transact business. At this meeting, the Selectboard also will give preliminary consideration to staff proposals on the Parking Fund budget, the Utilities Fund budget, and Utilities Fund rate increases. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – FY21 Utility and Parking Funds

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 6:15pm.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  The attached agenda contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.   ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – May 20, 2020, 12:30pm

by Not Signed In | Town News

 WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• The Brattleboro Selectboard issued an Emergency Order at its meeting last night requiring that face coverings be worn by all employees, customers, and visitors in any store, office, or other indoor setting where business is conducted. This requirement is effective immediately and applies equally to businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental facilities anywhere in Brattleboro. 

The Selectboard made this decision after a lengthy discussion that included substantial public input on the GoToMeeting platform where Selectboard meetings are currently being held without any specific physical location due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Here is the full text of the resolution that the Selectboard adopted to issue this order: 

Brattleboro Emergency Order- Wearing Face Coverings Required

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard issued an Emergency Order at its meeting last night requiring that face coverings be worn by all employees, customers, and visitors in any store, office, or other indoor setting where business is conducted. This requirement is effective immediately and applies equally to businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental facilities anywhere in Brattleboro. The Selectboard made this decision after a lengthy discussion that included substantial public input on the GoToMeeting platform where Selectboard meetings are currently being held without any specific physical location due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Here is the full text of the resolution that the Selectboard adopted to issue this order: 

Be it resolved by the Selectboard of the Town of Brattleboro, Vermont, as follows: 

Brattleboro Committee Virtual Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 8:00am.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  A copy of the agenda is attached and it contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.  

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:30pm.  In keeping with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order, this meeting will be held with no physical location using GoToMeeting.  A copy of the agenda is attached and it contains information about how to access the meeting remotely.  

Brattleboro Water Department’s Annual Consumer Confidence Report/Water Quality Report for 2019

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro Water Department’s annual Consumer Confidence Report/Water Quality Report for 2019 is now available. This report can be viewed on-line at https://www.brattleboro.org/ccreport or printed copies are available at the Brattleboro Municipal Center in the Town Manager’s Office or Town Clerk’s Office or at the Department of Public Works, Brooks Memorial Library, 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

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status May 16, 2020 12:30pm

by Not Signed In | Town News

 WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• The Recreation and Parks Department has received many questions about the usage of Town parks facilities by people from outside of Brattleboro. Recreation officials all over Vermont have received many similar questions. In the Governor’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” addendum issued on Friday, May 15, he clarified earlier instructions regarding limits on day travel to Vermont from out of state. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – May 19, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

COVID-19, and the Utilities Fund, will be the primary focus of the next regular, virtual meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.

The FY20 year-end budget will be reviewed, a new treasurer will be appointed, they will discuss the parking budget, and Brattleboro will apply for some grants. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during virtual public participation.

Andre Jaeger Appointed as Brattleboro Finance Director

by Not Signed In | Town News

Town Manager Peter Elwell has announced the appointment of Andre Jaeger to be the Town’s new Finance Director. Jaeger’s first day with the Town will be on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. 

Jaeger comes to the Town of Brattleboro from Keene State College, where he was the Budget Director. That position was eliminated on May 1, 2020, as part of the college’s reducing and restructuring its administration and support staff. Prior to working at the college, Jaeger had 3 years of experience as a tax associate with the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouse Coopers and 16 years of audit and financial management experience with private companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including 6 years at the headquarters of C+S Wholesale Grocers in Keene. He earned a BA in Economics and Accounting from the University of Massachusetts and is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts. He also is a Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, and Certified Fraud Examiner. 

Town of Brattleboro  COVID-19 Response Status -May 13, 2020, 12:05pm 

by Not Signed In | Town News

• Reminder: As buildings (or parts of buildings) that have been in a state of full or partial shutdown begin to be actively used again, water lines within buildings should be flushed to keep the water supply safe. While the Town has recently completed semi-annual flushing of the water mains and is continuing to deliver water to the meter that complies with all safe drinking water standards, the water quality within the interior piping of a building will deteriorate if not used. 

• Reminder: Summer Camp registration application forms are now being accepted. You may use this link to access the application form: https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/Sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/Official_Youth_Registration_Form_With_T-Shirt_Size_2020(1).pdf. You may submit your completed form online or mail it to: Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department ATTN: Summer Camp Registration PO Box 513 Brattleboro, Vermont 05301 All registrations will be required to be paid in full by June 1st, unless other payment arrangements have been made with the Recreation and Parks Director. No one will be turned away for lack of ability to pay. Please be advised, however, that the number of camp participants will be limited this year due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements and will be confirmed on a first-come first-served basis with priority given to Brattleboro Residents.