Brattleboro Select Board Meeting January 6, 2026

The Brattleboro Select Board convened on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, following an executive session, to address routine business, public comments, and critical policy matters regarding the town's homeless response and fire department infrastructure. The meeting was highlighted by a detailed presentation on the town's encampment removal approach, significant public testimony advocating for humane solutions and designated camping spaces, and a debate over the funding source for an urgent fire department HVAC replacement.

Consent Calendar

• Items included the approval of minutes from December 16 and December 22, the naming of 805 Western Av as the Whetstone Food Forest, a $13,100 proposal for the Church Street retaining wall, a tobacco substitute permit for a store at 69 Elliott St, a parade permit for a homelessness awareness action day, a $5,000 forestry grant application, a $37,600 wastewater pump replacement, a $46,000 Sunset Lake Dam engineering evaluation, and a $45,000 small business loan for India Masala House.
• Item G (HVAC rooftop unit replacement at the Central Fire Station) was requested to be removed from the consent agenda by multiple speakers including Kate O'Connor, Ivan Hennessey, Randy Blodgett, Eric Karen, and Trish Twining. The board voted 3-2 to remove the item for full discussion due to concerns regarding the use of the fire engine replacement fund for non-fire engine expenses and the lack of a long-term capital plan for HVAC maintenance.
• The consent agenda as amended was subsequently approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Seth Agabe (Caller): Expressed concern that the increasing prevalence of AI could lead to massive unemployment (projecting 120+ unemployed Brattleboro residents per million unemployed in the US), which would drastically increase homeless populations beyond the town's current capacity to manage.
• Steve Zalozny: Stated that while he felt compassion for the homeless, he previously allowed encampments on his own property until they caused theft and sanitary issues for neighbors; he noted that the current town process provides a necessary legal framework that he lacked fifteen years ago.
• Ivan Hennessey: Strongly opposed the notion that homeless people can simply "move away" if treated unpleasantly, characterizing this as a fantasy based on the false assumption that unhoused individuals are mobile; he warned against policies that operate on cruelty or the assumption that people will die rather than remain.
• Dick DeGray: Requested specific data on the financial cost of cleanup efforts and asked for clarification on public restroom availability; expressed deep appreciation for the difficult work performed by public works and fire staff.
• Gemma Seymour: Criticized the tendency of officials to focus on legal authority rather than the ethical question of whether actions "should" be taken; advocated for classifying camping violations as civil rather than criminal offenses and suggested designating specific public lands for encampments.
• Jane Congleton: Expressed horror at the recent zoning ordinance changes regarding 69 Elliott St, described the space as life-saving for many, and raised concerns about the isolation and criminalization of the unhoused, including fears of involuntary hospitalization advocated by national figures.
• Andy Davis: Expressed hope that the Select Board would work collaboratively with the operators at 69A to make their "third space" work rather than trying to force them out of existence.
• Steve Peterson: Expressed full support for the recent decisions regarding 69A, calling the program noble and critical for the future, while urging that economic growth be managed intelligently to avoid negatively impacting local businesses.
• Tom Grasso: Expressed gratitude for the Select Board's support of the police, fire, and social services, arguing that cutting these fundamental programs would destroy the social fabric of the town.
• Veronica Wheeler: Asked the recurring question regarding where homeless individuals can actually go given the lack of shelter space.
• Laura Chapman: Volunteered on the Groundworks board and advocated for the immediate installation of lockers, bathrooms, and trash receptacles, questioning why hotel beds in the state-approved program are not being utilized locally when they are not full.
• Jessica Radboard (ACLU of Vermont): Asked the board to table the motion to adopt the current encampment response policy to allow time for a detailed review of local case law and specific feedback on civil rights compliance, citing Grant Pass v. Johnson and the lack of alternative camping spaces as critical factors.
• Abby Manukin: Expressed strong support for the ACLU's request to table the motion, emphasizing the need for designated legal camping areas until affordable housing is available.
• Cecil: Suggested expanding outreach efforts beyond downtown, noting that unhoused individuals in West Brattleboro and near hotels are often overlooked.
• Heidi Fisher: Noted the absence of discussion regarding the responsibility of unhoused individuals to assist in cleaning their encampments.

Discussion Items

Encampment Removal Policy Presentation (Town Health Officer Chuck, Assistant Chief, Superintendent Pachico):

• Presentation Overview: The town officials presented a review of the existing encampment approachment policy developed three years prior. They outlined a four-zone system (Zone 1 being immediate removal for life-threatening hazards, Zones 2-4 involving notice periods or monitoring) based on criteria including waste, fire hazards, and access to emergency services.
• Personal Property: Officials stated that personal belongings are stored at the Department of Public Works for 14 days. They explained that sorting through items saturated with blood, needles, or feces poses significant health risks to staff, often resulting in the disposal of the tent and its contents to ensure safety.
• Collaboration: The presentation emphasized the collaborative nature of the response, involving Groundworks, the Fire Department, Police, and DPW to conduct welfare checks and connect individuals with services before removal.
• Board & Public Deliberation:
  • Isaac: Expressed appreciation for the collaborative effort but sought clarification on planned process improvements for storing belongings and agreed that the motion should be reviewed further after receiving feedback from the ACLU and Planning Commission.
  • Peter: Acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but argued that as a Select Board member, his responsibility is to maintain town safety and policy, while as a citizen he wishes for better social services. He supported the motion to adopt the policy but noted the 69A project was a "misguided good" that missed the mark.
  • Amanda: Expressed deep concern regarding the legal implications raised by the ACLU and the lack of financial grants to support the municipality's costs; she stated she was not ready to vote on the motion tonight and preferred to table it for further review and negotiation.
  • Bob (Council): Stated his comfort with the legal sufficiency of the current policy, noting it already adheres to the protections (notice, property retrieval, outreach) required by recent case law, though he agreed it could be amended if the ACLU provides new suggestions.
  • Vote: The board voted 3-2 to table the motion to formally adopt the policy, deferring the decision until feedback from the ACLU and other stakeholders is received.

Fire Department HVAC Unit Replacement (Chief Jay):

• Issue: The fire station's rooftop HVAC unit (installed 2017) failed catastrophically, releasing carbon monoxide and rendering the office area uninhabitable. The unit is unsafe and cannot be repaired as the manufacturer no longer provides parts.
• Proposal: The Fire Department requests to contract Control Technologies Inc. as a sole provider (due to emergency status and existing automation integration) to replace the unit for $43,355.
• Funding: The Chief proposed using funds from the FY26 Fire Engine Replacement Capital Fund (having a balance of ~$110k after a previous ambulance purchase), with the intent to replenish the fund in the FY27 budget.
• Debate:
  • Kate O'Connor & Heidi Fisher: Supported the removal from the consent agenda for transparency; Heidi noted the emergency justification for skipping the bidding process.
  • Dick DeGray: Expressed concern that funds were being drawn from a capital replacement fund for an item that could arguably be covered by operational funds or unassigned fund balance, arguing that taxpayer money is being shifted to future years unnecessarily when other funds are available.
  • Chief Jay: Defended the use of the capital fund, stating that operational funds were already stretched thin (overtime over budget, vacancies leading to savings) and a $43k expense would severely impact daily operations.
  • Resolution: The board discussed the financial mechanics, with the Town Manager noting that using unassigned fund balance now versus capital funds later results in the same bottom line. The board accepted the Chief's plan to replenish the fund later.
• Vote: The motion to approve the fire department to proceed with the replacement using the Fire Engine Replacement Capital Fund was approved unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Adoption of Encampment Policy: The motion to formally adopt the town's encampment response approach was tabled 3-2. The board will wait to consider the motion until after receiving legal feedback from the ACLU of Vermont and the Planning Commission.
• HVAC Replacement Approval: The Select Board approved (5-0) the sole-source contract with Control Technologies Inc. for the Central Fire Station rooftop unit replacement at a cost of $43,355, to be funded from the FY26 Fire Engine Replacement Capital Fund.
• Fire Station Status: The fire department's office space remains cold and unsafe due to the HVAC failure; the new unit is expected to be installed within several weeks pending the approval.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after the HVAC vote, with a decision made to pause the budget discussion and resume on Tuesday, January 13th. Other pending items (trash bag motion, budget) will be addressed at the next meeting. The board also acknowledged the upcoming fire on December 27 at Samuel Elliott Apartments, directing residents to make donations to Brattleboro Housing Opportunities Inc. for displaced families.