Brattleboro Select Board Meeting - July 24, 2025

The Brattleboro Select Board held a regular meeting on July 24, 2025. The board approved routine items, heard public comments, discussed several major agenda items including a Green Mountain Power project, a street food festival permit, water and sewer rate ordinance changes, and a negotiated municipal contribution program for tax-exempt properties. The board also received the FY25 May budget report, approved a vacant building fee schedule, and accepted the Fire Department's quarterly report. Several votes were taken, with one item passing 4-1.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from July 8 and July 15, 2025 (5-0).
• Approved liquor licenses for Sage's Pub and Brattleboro Inn.
• Approved capital equipment purchases for DPW (trailer jetter loader, backhoe loader, three pickup trucks) totaling $358,402.
• Accepted up to $32,157 from opioid settlement funds for fire department community training programs.
• Ratified a grant application for $20,473 from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for six defibrillators.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sue Bellville (Brattleboro) raised concerns about parking changes on Canal Street (east side parking eliminated) and noted a significant increase in police calls: 1,401 calls in June 2025 vs. 1,074 in June 2024. She also referenced an article about opioid settlement funds being withheld from law enforcement.
• Dick de Grey (District 8) complimented road conditions after scarification and asked about the transportation project motion (whether the $55,000 contingency was included in the $550,000 not-to-exceed amount).
• Ivan Hennessy (District 8) inquired about renovations to the transportation center stairs.
• Bob Ozer (Brattleboro) described difficulty directing visitors to the trail from the bridge area, highlighting the lack of a pedestrian connection.
• Gary Shroud praised the new pharmacy opening and thanked road crews for their work.
• Gemma Seymour (District 8) asked about the legal basis for property tax exemptions and the impact on renting nonprofits.
• Bill Harvey (District 8) asked about the number of nonprofits to be contacted, whether the contribution would be lump sum or quarterly, and whether the vote set a precedent.
• Heidi Fisher (District 7) offered to help wordsmith the contribution letter to emphasize the voluntary nature and partnership.
• Dick de Grey opposed the municipal contribution letter, arguing it sends the wrong message to community nonprofits, and he hoped the board would vote it down.
• Kate O'Connor (Brattleboro) requested that the town's financial reports use actual cash figures rather than receivables for clarity.
• Frick Sprout (District 8) expressed concern that the vacant building ordinance oversteps property rights and could discourage housing providers. He also questioned the legality and efficacy of the ordinance.
• Susan Bellville (Brattleboro) asked about enforcement teeth for the vacant building fee and suggested liens be placed promptly.

Discussion Items

• Green Mountain Power Ames Hill Road Project: Tim Jones and Don Mills presented a project to underground power lines along Ames Hill Road from Hinsburg Road into Marlborough. Work is scheduled for early August and to be completed by Halloween. The project will replace culverts 24 inches or smaller and go over larger culverts and bridges. Joint utilities will be offered a spare duct. The board expressed support for the project, and no formal action was taken.
• Brattleboro Street Food Festival: Jordan (online) and Bud Lolot requested an open meeting permit for the eighth annual free festival on the Common, scheduled for September 6, 2025, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They estimated 1,500 attendees throughout the day. The board approved the permit 5-0.
• Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance (Second Reading): Dan presented ordinance changes to remove specific rates and refer to a fee schedule. The proposed five-year schedule for water: 9% increase in FY26 and FY27, then 3% annually for FY28-30. For sewer: 0% in FY26, 1% in FY27, then 2% annually for FY28-30. Connection fees were added to the fee schedule. The board approved the ordinance changes 5-0 and adopted the fee schedule as amended 5-0.
• Negotiated Municipal Contribution: Town Assessor Jennifer Brunell proposed sending letters to 53 tax-exempt nonprofits requesting voluntary contributions equivalent to 48% of the full municipal tax (based on services used). The list included 11 organizations already contributing and 42 that do not. Extensive debate: Isaac argued it is not the right time due to federal cuts; Peter, Oscar, and Amanda supported asking; Dick de Grey opposed. The board voted 4-1 to approve the list of parcels, with the letter to be finalized by Peter Case, Heidi Fisher, and Oscar Heller under the direction of the town assessor's office. The dissenting vote was cast by Isaac.
• FY25 May Budget Report: John presented financial reports. General fund revenues: $24.2 million, expenses: $22.5 million, surplus of $1.7 million. Utility fund showed a deficit of $689,000 (including $2 million non-cash depreciation). Parking fund deficit of $236,000 (including $219,000 depreciation). EMS receivables were highlighted. The board discussed the inclusion of receivables in reports; no vote was taken.
• Vacant Building Fee Schedule: Sue Phillian proposed a fee of $1,000 for the first year, doubling annually, then increasing by $5,000 per year after the fourth year. The board also appointed Brian Bannon, zoning administrator, as the building safety officer. The motion passed 5-0.
• Fire Department Quarterly Report: Chief Simons, Assistant Chief Keir, and EMS Superintendent Fritz reported 1,371 fire and EMS alarms, 882 EMS responses, and financial performance: $1.15 million in payments received, $1.14 million in total costs, net cost of $241,552. The board accepted the report 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 5-0.
• Street Food Festival Permit: Approved 5-0 for September 6, 2025, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Water and Sewer Ordinance Changes: Approved 5-0.
• Water and Sewer Fee Schedule: Adopted as amended 5-0.
• Negotiated Municipal Contribution Letter: Approved 4-1 (Isaac opposed). The letter will be finalized by a subcommittee of Peter Case, Heidi Fisher, and Oscar Heller.
• Vacant Building Fee Schedule and Building Safety Officer Appointment: Approved 5-0.
• Fire Department Quarterly Report: Accepted 5-0.
• Meeting Adjourned: 5-0.