Brattleboro Select Board Regular Meeting Summary - November 18, 2025

The Brattleboro Select Board convened its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. to address a solid waste management plan, a fireworks contract, public safety issues regarding trespass orders, and departmental budgets for the police and fire departments. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on the affordability of solid waste program fee increases and the staffing models for emergency services, alongside debates on the legality of trespass orders issued on public property. Select board member Amanda Evans Franz expressed concern over the composting implementation costs, leading to a failed motion to delay it, while Isaac Evans and other board members supported the comprehensive solid waste contract. The board also addressed allegations of police overreach in issuing trespass orders, with police leadership defending their practices as necessary for safety and not based on mere presence. Finally, the department budgets were presented, with significant debate and public support for transitioning the fire department to a four-platoon, 42-hour work week model.

Consent Calendar

• Routine Approvals:
  • Approved minutes from October 16 and October 21, 2025 (5-0 vote).
  • Approved the consent agenda items: (1) First and third class liquor license and outside consumption permit for Marigold LLC; (2) Rescheduling of public hearing and site visit for Bittersweet Lane to Class 3 Town Highway to January 20, 2026; (3) Reclassification of Gulf Road segment (Wikipedia Hills) from Class 3 to Class 4 Town Highway. Corrections to typos regarding "Melrose Street" and "Bittersweet Lane" in the backup materials were noted and addressed before approval. (5-0 vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Solid Waste Program (Affordability and Model):
  • Randy Bladgett (District 7): Expressed strong opposition to the proposed contract, arguing for multiple haulers to create competition and reduce costs. He stated the town should not be in the rubbish collection business and labeled the contract a "hostage-taking situation" by Casella, arguing for efficiency and lower taxes.
  • Susan (District 8): Opposed the contract, stating the town should focus on infrastructure repairs. She described the bag price increase (doubling fees) and the built-in annual increases as "cruel" and "mean," arguing that the town should not be in the waste management business and taxpayers should be responsible for their own rubbish.
  • Amanda Evans Franz: Expressed a desire to "put a pin" in the municipal compost curbside plan for the time being due to budget constraints and the high cost of implementation. She suggested a delay until January 2026 to examine alternatives like self-hauling or collaboration with the Windham Solid Waste District.
  • Peter: Expressed support for the current contract and municipal composting, stating that removing compost would be going backward and the savings "isn't worth the juice" of losing the service.
  • Isaac Evans: Supported the solid waste contract, noting the $1.3 million savings over three years. He proposed an amendment to the pay-as-you-throw bag fee increase to add a small surcharge (10 cents on yellow, 15 cents on purple) to create a dedicated fund for subsidizing low-income residents, arguing for immediate action to ensure dignity and equity.
  • Heidi Fisher (District 7): Expressed support for the sentiment of Isaac's amendment but argued against the implementation logistics, stating it would be a "huge undertaking" for staff to manage eligibility and distribution. She suggested alternative community-based donation models.
  • Marta Gosich (District 9): Expressed support for the amendment, fearing that affordability issues would incentivize illegal dumping. She suggested using EBT/SNAP verification at the point of sale as a simple implementation method.
  • Ivan Hennessy (District 8): Expressed support for the amendment, viewing it as a necessary "pilot program" to implement equity measures now rather than delaying action indefinitely.
  • Lisa Marie (69A): Shared accounts of residents being trespassed for checking on friends or sleeping on benches, and for having their property taken or not being properly informed of where they are trespassed. She expressed concern that verbal trespasses are common and that misinformation regarding property storage exists.
  • Bob Nealed: Expressed gratitude for police services but questioned the bodycam policies and the authority for public property trespassing. He asked about the validity of reports regarding tent slashing.
  • Fire Department Support: Multiple speakers, including Chris Duby (Professional Firefighters of Vermont), Jamal Cunningham (former union president), Alex Morren (former firefighter), and Charles Hugot (former firefighter), strongly supported the transition to a four-platoon, 42-hour work week. They argued the current 56-hour schedule causes fatigue, burnout, poor mental health, and recruitment/retention issues. They stated that a 56-hour schedule is unsustainable and that the 42-hour model is standard and necessary for safety.

Discussion Items

• Solid Waste Management Plan:
  • Staff presented a proposal to maintain pay-as-you-throw trash collection (with fees rising from $2 to $4.50 for yellow bags and $3 to $6.75 for purple bags), transition recycling to an automated cart-based system managed by the town, and implement municipal compost collection via DPW. The contract with Casella for trash and recycling includes a $1.025 million first-year cost with 4.5% annual increases. The proposal aims to save the town $1.3 million over three years compared to previous iterations.
  • Debate centered on the affordability of the fee increases for low-income residents and the municipalization of composting. Amanda Evans Franz moved to strike the composting portion from the implementation motion, citing budget concerns. The motion to strike composting failed (1-4 vote). Isaac Evans moved to amend the bag fee increase to include a surcharge for a low-income subsidy fund; this amendment passed (4-1 vote).
• Fireworks Contract:
  • Recreation Director Caroline presented a request to renew a $20,000 contract with North Star Fireworks for the July 4, 2026 display. She noted that costs have risen due to tariffs and insurance, and many other companies were either unavailable or had minimums above $20,000. She emphasized that community donations via the "Brattleboro Goes Fourth" committee cover about $700-$800 of the cost.
  • Isaac Evans expressed a desire to save the money and noted other communities are considering alternatives. Amanda Evans Franz noted the impact on wildlife and pets but was not prepared to vote to cancel without alternatives.
• Public Safety Update (Trespass Orders):
  • Follow-up to Select Board Member Isaac Evans' previous comments regarding claims that police were issuing trespass orders for merely being in public spaces. Chief Hardy and the Police Department presented data and testimony clarifying that trespasses are typically issued for illegal behavior, not mere occupancy. Chief Hardy stated that verbal trespasses are rare and that the vast majority of trespass orders (69 total this year) were issued at private property requests. Of the 45 on public property, 23 are currently active. The department emphasized that they attempt to resolve issues through conversation before issuing orders.
  • Town Attorney Hannah Clarice clarified the legal authority, stating that police can issue trespass orders on behalf of public property owners if the individual is engaging in unlawful disorderly conduct. She noted that while some locations have specific signage, the authority stems from the property owner's right to control access.
• Police Department Budget (FY27):
  • The department presented a budget emphasizing staffing recovery (from 14 sworn officers to 30), increased overtime costs due to court appearances and training, and capital needs for vehicles and security cameras. The department highlighted the success of the Brattleboro Resource Assistance Team (BRAT) and HCRS liaisons in reducing officer workload.
  • Public speakers, including Elizabeth Bridgewater (Windham and Windsor Housing Trust) and George Karabakis (HCRS), strongly supported the budget, praising the community policing model and the collaboration between the police and social services.
• Fire Department Budget (FY27):
  • Chief Simons presented a budget proposing a transition from a 3-platoon (56-hour work week) to a 4-platoon (42-hour work week) model, requiring the addition of two firefighter/EMT positions. The department cited health and safety benefits, recruitment/retention improvements, and alignment with NFPA standards. Overtime is projected to increase significantly in the proposal as it includes current overtime costs before the new shift pattern is fully implemented.
  • Speakers supporting the 42-hour week emphasized work-life balance and safety, while some public comments questioned the financial assumptions regarding EMS revenue reimbursement.

Key Outcomes

• Solid Waste:
  • Motion 1 (Solid Waste Implementation): Approved 4-1. The board approved the implementation of the solid waste system including pay-as-you-throw trash, automated recycling, and curbside compost pickup.
  • Motion 2 (Casella Contract): Approved 4-1. The board approved a 42-month contract with Casella for trash and recycling collection.
  • Motion 3 (Pay-As-You-Throw Fees): Approved 4-1 (with modification). The board approved the fee increase to $4.60 for yellow bags and $6.90 for purple bags, and authorized a fund created by surcharges (10 cents/15 cents) to subsidize low-income residents.
• Fireworks:
  • Contract Approval: Approved 4-1. The board authorized the $20,000 contract with North Star Fireworks for the 2026 Independence Day display.
• Budgets:
  • Police & Fire: The board received presentations for the FY27 budgets for both departments but did not vote on final approval during this meeting. Negotiations for union contracts are ongoing for both departments.
• Procedural: The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:15 p.m. with a 5-0 vote to adjourn.
• Next Meeting: A special meeting regarding town-wide reappraisal is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 6:15 p.m.