Brattleboro Select Board Meeting - July 24, 2025
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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.
Meeting Transcript
Ladies and gentlemen, let's bring the Brattleboro Select Board meeting of Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025 to order. We had this is a regular meeting, and we had an executive session at 5 15, and no uh decisions were made. So I'm gonna bring this meeting to order. John, does anyone know of any adjustments to the agenda that would be necessary? Great. And at the executive session, I asked John if the meeting was properly warned, and he assured me that it had been. So let's approve the minutes from July 8th and July 15th. Would anyone like to make a motion? Yes, I think I move that we approve the that the select board approves the minutes from July 8th and 15th. Great. Isaac has made a motion to approve the minutes of July 8th and 15th. All select board members in agreement. Please raise your hand. That's 5-0. And chair's remarks. I have a couple. First, I'm I'm um in constantly endeavoring to make sure this meeting is conducted properly. And I want to um redouble my efforts to have a three-minute timeline for all the speakers. And you can help. You can help by understanding that there is a three-minute limit and help me and work with me to make sure that no one speaks more than that. And I have two items that are let's call them the free ice cream items. Uh following the success of last year's summer block party at the Common, the Brattleboro Police Department and partners will be bringing back the celebration again this year. Join the Brattleboro Police Department during community connection night, scheduled for August 6th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Harmony lot and along Elliott Street. And this is a family event that will feature free food served by the Brattleboro Fire Department, free ice cream for all children in attendance, a bounce house, a dunk tank where you can dunk your favorite police officer, a touch a truck area, games, music, a mini petting zoo, and much more. And the second item is the Vermont Covered Bridge Society is planning a special evening event at the Cream Recovered Bridge during Covered Bridge Week. On Thursday, August 7th, from 6 to 8 p.m., visit the covered bridge at 500 Western Avenue, admire the flowers, and have a unique opportunity to view covered bridges of Southern Wyndham County, Vermont, a 30-minute film by Philip Gattenby, which will be shown on a continuous loop. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs to enjoy the screening. And as a special treat, free ice cream will be provided, which was donated by the Brattleboro Park and Rec Department and the Brattleboro Elks Club, and served by the Brattleboro Garden Club. And don't miss this chance to celebrate Vermont's Covered Bridge Heritage in Brattleboro. And John, I'll leave it to you for further remarks. Yep, I have a few comments tonight. I wanted to mention that on Thursday, July 10th, when the day camp was wrapping up their swim time at Living Memorial Park, and they were heading out to lunch. One of the campers tripped and fell into the pool in water over their head. The uh camper was fully clothed with a backpack on, but due to the quick response from Abby Henry, Lizzie LeClair, and Evelyn Moody staff was able to get this child safely to the side of the pool without further incident. The situation could have turned out much differently if it wasn't for the quick response and teamwork of these three staff members. So really wanted to acknowledge their work there. This gesture of solidarity reflects the professionalism and readiness of our department. Thank you to the select board for your continued support, which enables us to serve both our town and our neighbors with distinction. The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems extended their gratitude for EMS Superintendent Fritz's outstanding instruction during the pediatric ready caring for the critically ill child and pediatric tracheostomy care and management courses. Superintendent Fritz received exceptionally high evaluation marks and enthusiastic feedback from both BLS and from both uh basic life support and advanced life support clinicians. Further demonstrating his dedication and professionalism, we're so grateful to EMS Superintendent Fritz. And he's here in the room, and we appreciate it very much. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. The town of Brattleboro, uh well, there's so everyone driving around, you will see lots of uh public works projects going on around town as well as state road projects going on around town. And uh we'd like to remind residents and visitors uh particularly of the state's ongoing resurfacing work. Um this week work will continue on Route 9 and Route 5, which includes Western Ave, High Street, and Canal Street. Uh during the uh the hours that they're working there and uh particularly in nighttime flaggers will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic through the construction zones.
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