This special meeting of the Brattleboro Select Board began on Thursday, January 22, 2026 and extended into the early hours of Friday, January 23, 2026 (the date provided in metadata). The board addressed multiple high‑profile items including the transition of police leadership, a revised FY27 budget that ultimately passed with a 6.2% property tax increase after contentious debate over solid waste services and human services funding, and the addition of a separate town meeting article on human services. The meeting also included public comments on winter shelter, nuclear waste, and bicycle parking.
Thank you. All right. Let's bring the Brattleboro Select Board meeting to order. Today is Thursday, January 22nd, 2026. And this is a regular meeting at a different time. Or is this a special meeting, John? Where are we? This is a special meeting. This is a special meeting. John, has it been properly warned? Yes, it has. Great. Are there any adjustments to the agenda that anyone would like to bring forward? All right. Hearing none. Chair's remarks. I think most of my remarks, I'll see. But John, do you have any? Yes, I have quite a few tonight. Let's see. First of all, the uh highway superintendent asked me to let you know that the state of Vermont and several surrounding states are currently experiencing a shortage of road salt for winter storm operations from supply shortages. So as a result, the town will be unable to get additional salt deliveries for about the next two weeks. And this time frame may extend depending on the supply availability. The town right now has an adequate salt supply to maintain priority roads, main travel corridors, and steep hills for the next few weeks. However, uh to ensure that we have sufficient reserves remaining available, uh residents may notice changes in how salt is applied during winter weather events. During this period, sand may be used on some side roads as needed, and salt application may be lowered or adjusted in priority in lower priority roadways. These measures are necessary to preserve the reserves to preserve their resources while continuing to maintain safe travel conditions. Public safety remains the top priority for the department, and they'll continue to prioritize roadway safety and monitor conditions closely, making adjustments as we need to respond to weather events. And we appreciate everyone's understanding and patience as we manage limited resources during this regional supply shortage. And updates will be provided as the conditions change. The town clerk asked me to let you know that petitions for Brattleboro Town Officers. Wyndham Southeast School District Board members and town meeting members are available at the town clerk's office during open business hours from Monday through Friday from 8 30 to noon and from 1 o'clock to 5 p.m. Completed petitions are due back to the town clerk's office by 5 p.m. on Monday, January 26th for town officers and representative town meeting members, incumbents for RTM meet members who have terms expiring. They will be mailed a notice of intent form in early January. Hopefully those have gone out. And those must be uh returned and signed uh by 5 p.m. on Monday, January 26th, if you want to continue uh as an RTM member. Town elections will be Tuesday, March 3rd at the American Legion, located at 32 Linden Street. An annual representative town meeting will begin on Saturday, March 21st at 8:30 a.m. in the high school gymnasium. 2026 dog licenses are available either through the online portal that can be accessed through the town's website or in the town clerk's office. All renewals are due by April 1st. Uh all dog owners should have either received an email or a notice in the mail with instructions for renewing their dog licenses. Note that we are working through the dog licenses already submitted, which is taking longer than expected. Anyone who has submitted online will receive an email with payment options. The last the last announcement I have for you tonight, uh I really I bring with a heavy heart. Um I need to inform you that uh Chief Norma Hardy has given me given me official notification of her pending retirement on March 30th. I've been uh working to really hard to postpone this day as long as possible, but I know from extensive conversations with the chief that now is the best time for the next chapter in her life. And I thank her and I wish her all the best.