Brattleboro Select Board Special Budget Listening Session - Nov 12, 2025

The Brattleboro Select Board convened a special listening session to gather public input on the proposed FY27 town budget, estimated at $27 million. Town Manager John Potter addressed prior concerns regarding salary line accounting to reassure residents that no improper payments were distributed. The meeting featured extensive public testimony focused on fiscal responsibility, rising health care costs, the management of solid waste services, and the allocation of funds for human services. Speakers emphasized a perceived financial crisis, with many calling for a level-funded budget, reductions in non-essential services, or the elimination of the town's solid waste contract.

Consent Calendar

• No routine business was conducted as this was a special budget listening session.

Public Comments & Testimony

General Concerns & Fiscal Crisis

• Kate O'Connor (Resident): Expressed that the town is in a "financial crisis," citing deficits in FY24 and FY25, a 10.8% tax increase in FY26, and the depletion of the unassigned fund balance. She expressed full support for transparency in personnel accounting but urged the board to be cautious, noting that the proposed 4.4% tax increase is likely inaccurate and will be higher.
• Eric Karen (Resident): Stated full agreement with the notion of a financial crisis and expressed opposition to any tax increase, advocating for a level-funded budget through careful negotiation with department heads.
• Randy Blodge (RTM Rep, District 7): Highlighted the town's economic hardship, noting Brattleboro is in the top five US tax jurisdictions. He opposed the current budget's assumptions on revenues (EMS, sales tax) and called for a "zero this budget out with real numbers" approach.
• Hugh Barber (Resident): Expressed strong concern that the current spending pace is "unsustainable" and would double the budget to $46 million in eight years. He advocated for a level-funded budget and suggested the board reduce the budget to honor the constituents who elect them.
• Jackie Pinger (Resident): Expressed nervousness regarding the upcoming revaluation and the potential for property tax spikes to push residents out of town.

Health Insurance & Personnel

• Richard Davis (Resident): Expressed frustration that health care price increases of 19% are "out of control" and noted he could not provide a reasonable range for tax increases given the uncertainty.
• Robert Ozer (Resident): Noted conflicting data on Blue Cross Blue Shield premiums (VLCT citing 4.4% vs. town negotiation at ~19%). He supported a serious look at self-insurance options.
• Frick Sprite (District 9 Rep): Expressed opposition to the Town Manager's previous explanation of health insurance options as "disingenuous" and called for a serious look at self-insurance, potentially with other communities.
• Kate O'Connor: Noted personnel makes up 66% of the budget and expressed concern over adding 6.75 new equivalents in FY27 without a plan to control costs.

Solid Waste & Public Works

• Pierre Landry (District 1 Rep): Expressed full support for eliminating curbside compost pickup and adopting the model of other Vermont towns where households contract their own waste removal.
• Susan Velva (District 8 Rep): Stated she is a "strong opponent" to renewing or entering the solid waste contract, arguing the $1.9 million budget should be redirected to essential infrastructure.
• Aaron Smith (District 7 Rep): Argued that trash and leaf collection should be personal responsibilities to foster competition and lower costs, suggesting the town level-fund the budget.
• Ivan Hennessy (District 8 Rep): Expressed opposition to the idea that individuals contracting waste is cheaper, arguing it removes money from local circulation and ultimately costs property owners (and indirectly renters) more.
• Neil Manders (RTM Rep, District 7): Suggested the town could do without solid waste collection and proposed community-run dumpsters, noting the complexity of the current two-year process.
• Oscar (Select Board): Clarified that the proposed solid waste plan is driven by the goal of saving $1.3 million over three years compared to the April proposal, though public sentiment appears mixed.

Human Services & Emergency Services

• Ken Faye (RTM Rep, District 8): Expressed support for increasing the human services budget, proposing an increase to 2% of the total budget.
• Lisa Marie (Resident): Expressed support for keeping the "brat team" (mental health crisis team) and advocated for public toilets to address hygiene issues on sidewalks.
• Becky Sit (Resident): Expressed support for the current composting improvements but agreed that police and fire departments must be leaned on to become "leaner and more affordable."
• Andrew Davis (District 9 Rep): Expressed concern about the RTM's power to potentially change the human services budget by over $400,000 in March, arguing the Select Board should retain the authority to set the budget level.
• David Spencer (Resident): Expressed support for maintaining the current budget level while acknowledging the need for hard decisions and explaining the timeline for efficiency to residents.
• Mr. DeGray (Resident): Supported keeping the human services budget at 2% based on historical precedent but expressed concern about the selective budget presentation process.
• Marilyn (Resident): Expressed deep concern that the town is cutting human services to fund police, stating that the cost of preventing homelessness is far less than the cost of addressing the consequences (e.g., encampment dismantling).

Procedural & Charter Issues

• Frick Sprite: Asked for clarification on the charter review process; confirmed it will not go to a public vote immediately but must be deliberated by the RTM first.
• Randy Blodge: Clarified that the charter commission process involves educational meetings before any vote is considered.
• Caitlin Babcom & Liz (Residents): Expressed frustration and anger regarding the lack of accessible budget questions and the eviction notice given to "69A" shelter services. Liz, identifying as autistic, expressed that police actions against homeless individuals on public property are illegal, stating police "cannot legally trespass people" without a designated area.

Discussion Items

• Town Manager John Potter: Addressed a specific accusation regarding salary lines from a previous meeting, clarifying that certain benefits (travel, clothing, opt-outs) were historically recorded in salary object codes and will be revamped in the FY27 budget for clearer departmental tracking. He assured the board that no employees received improper payments.
• Select Board Oscar: Clarified that the solid waste proposal aims to save money and noted the Select Board cannot disclose contract negotiation details until a final decision is ready.
• Select Board Member: Responded to a question about the revaluation (reappraisal), confirming it is scheduled for 2027 and that the tax amount only changes via the budget process, not the revaluation itself, though the spread of taxes across the community may shift.
• Select Board Member: Rebutted the idea that human services are being cut to fund police, stating that 400,000 fewer dollars are not being taken out of human services to go to police, and highlighted efforts to secure state aid for needle cleanup, rooms and meals tax reestablishment, and revenue sharing.

Key Outcomes

• Public Sentiment on Tax Increase: The majority of speakers expressed strong opposition to any tax rate increase, with many advocating for a "level-funded" budget.
• Solid Waste Service: There is no consensus; while the board proposes the contract to save $1.3 million, numerous public witnesses expressed a desire to eliminate the service or return to private contracts.
• Charter Review: Confirmed that charter commission questions will not be on the immediate ballot but will be referred to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for thorough deliberation before any public vote.
• Human Services Budget: Disagreement exists on the fixed 1% vs. 2% increase, with some calling for zero increase and others supporting a 2% historical average or a specific dollar cap.
• Next Steps: The Select Board will continue to receive input at the next meeting on Tuesday and will pursue state aid requests regarding needle cleanup and revenue sharing.