Brattleboro Select Board Meeting – January 27, 2026

The Brattleboro Select Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, beginning at approximately 6:30 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including a storm response appreciation, a proposal to move a liquor and tobacco agenda item, two charter petition hearings (Australian ballot and open town meeting), an open meeting law refresher, adoption of the revised FY27 budget, a town audit update, and a lengthy debate on the human services funding article for the annual town meeting warning. The meeting concluded with a vote on the town meeting warnings and adjournment just before 11 PM to avoid parking towing.

Agenda Adjustments

• Item B (liquor and tobacco authority and process) was moved to the February 5, 2026 meeting by a 4-0 vote due to the absence of Cassandra Holloway.

Chair's Remarks

• Chair thanked the community, all town departments, and partner organizations for their collaboration during the winter storm (January 24-26, 2026), noting no cold‑weather injuries or fatalities, and that shelters had extra beds available.

Town Manager's Remarks

• John Potter reminded that snow removal from streets and uncovered lots would begin at 11 PM; vehicles must be moved or risk towing. Business license renewals due March 15, 2026. 2026 dog licenses due April 1. Absentee ballots for March 3 town meeting will be mailed around February 11. He also thanked Bonnie Batchelder, Melissa Cole, and Pete Lynch for rapid budget work.

Select Board Member Comments

• One member announced a fundraiser for Ukraine at Saxons River Distillery on February 5 (5-7 PM) with a Lithuanian ambassador. Another acknowledged the death of Alex Predi, killed by federal agents, and noted a vigil in Brattleboro.

Public Participation

• Ivan Hennessey (Brattleboro) requested that the town forgive parking tickets issued during the storm when people parked at the Transportation Center to comply with the parking ban.
• Eric asked if select board emails were working; Chair confirmed they were.
• David Minor (Chair of Human Services Committee) criticized the board’s decision to eliminate human services funding, noting that 63% of voters in a March 2025 advisory vote supported 1% or more funding for human services.
• Kate Barry (local business owner) expressed concern about “Planet Hank” filming police and medical crises, requesting a journalistic ordinance to establish a safe perimeter, review of police media policy, and prioritization of victim privacy. She submitted a formal letter.
• Police Chief Hardy defended the department, stating that filming by individuals is legally protected and that accusations of departmental bias are misleading.
• Hank (self‑identified as Brattleboro News) defended his First Amendment rights, offering copies of the Constitution, and argued that any ordinance limiting filming would be unprecedented and an abuse of authority.
• Steve Peterson supported Hank’s reporting as providing valuable transparency, and also argued that the previous advisory vote on human services funding should not bind the board without full context of budget tradeoffs.
• Dick (resident) thanked petition filers, noted three candidates for a three‑year seat and five for two two‑year seats, and criticized the board’s acrimony during the budget process.
• Angela (via Zoom) criticized the board’s process on the emergency zoning ordinance (passed just before Christmas) and the complete elimination of the human services budget, stating that the board’s actions felt dehumanizing and that public records requests did not support stated complaints.
• Frick (District 9 rep) argued that the zero human services budget usurped the power of Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and expected town meeting to restore funding.

Charter Petition Hearings (First of Two)

The board held the first public hearing on two charter petitions related to the future of Representative Town Meeting (RTM).

Petition 1 – Australian Ballot (Secret Ballot):

• Presented by Tom Franks and Randy Bloodett. They argued that Australian ballot allows every voter to participate, reduces barriers (location, schedule, duration, physical, language, personality, coercion), and increases participation. They cited data showing 81% of Vermont towns over 5,000 use Australian ballot for all voting; only Brattleboro and Middlebury do not. They noted that 31 towns have adopted Australian ballot in the last three years. A video featuring local residents supported the change.

Petition 2 – Open Town Meeting (if RTM is discontinued):

• Presented by Millicent Cooley (via Zoom). She argued that open town meeting preserves face‑to‑face debate and the ability to amend articles, which is lost with Australian ballot. She noted that open town meeting is the default under Vermont law if RTM is ended.

Public Testimony on Charter:

• Gemma Seymour (District 8 RTM) questioned the legality of the petitions, citing charter provisions, but the town attorney confirmed the petitions were duly filed and vetted.
• Neil Banders (West Brattleboro) confessed he did not consult his constituents as an RTM member and favored Australian ballot for one‑person‑one‑vote.
• Tim (resident) argued that Australian ballot includes seniors, working parents, and people with disabilities who cannot attend long meetings.
• Dina Chadwick (District 9 RTM, candidate for select board) supported Australian ballot to bring power back to the people.
• Ken Faye (District 8 RTM) noted that only 30% voted in the last contentious election and that RTM provides representation without requiring everyone to attend.
• Steve Patterson argued that open town meeting is vulnerable to last‑minute legal threats and that Australian ballot avoids such tactics.
• Ivan Hennessey raised a concern that with Australian ballot, if a separate article (e.g., human services) is voted down, it is simply not funded; the town attorney confirmed that would be binding.
• Janet Therese (West Brattleboro) said RTM does not represent the population, citing the safety ordinance and human services votes as examples.
• Nell Mayo (District 8) defended RTM as ensuring a quorum and allowing amendments, while Australian ballot removes the ability to amend.
• Jackie Reese (District 9) argued that 3,600 voters (30% turnout) is more representative than 120 RTM members.
• Dick (resident) noted that RTM has become dominated by one‑issue candidates and that open town meeting might also decline in attendance.
• Robin (resident) warned that Australian ballot reduces voter power to a yes/no without feedback, potentially causing repeated budget rejections.
• Heidi Fisher (District 7 RTM) expressed concern that a yes/no vote lacks nuance and understanding of the full budget.
• Sue Bell (Brattleboro) shared personal experience of being unable to attend open town meeting in Guilford due to childcare, and later physical pain as an RTM member, strongly supporting Australian ballot.
• Bob Ozer and Ken Faye echoed concerns about the lack of amendment ability and the risk of repeated budget votes.
• Gary (resident) asked for informational sessions so voters understand the pros and cons of each system.

Closing Statements:

• Millicent Cooley argued that face‑to‑face meetings allow immediate challenge of misinformation, while Australian ballot is vulnerable to social media manipulation.
• Randy Bloodett emphasized that the petition is about giving every voter a say, and urged everyone to vote regardless of preference.

Open Meeting Law Refresher

• The town attorney and assistant attorney presented a slideshow on open meeting law requirements: meetings must be public, agendas posted, minutes taken; a quorum of three members discussing town business constitutes a meeting. Serial communications (e.g., email chains among a quorum) are prohibited except for scheduling. Consequences include a $500 fine for knowing violations and potential civil litigation. Board members asked about serial conversations, Front Porch Forum posts, and asynchronous electronic meetings; the attorney clarified that asynchronous meetings are not currently allowed under the law.

Revised FY27 General Fund Budget

• Town Manager John Potter presented a revised budget incorporating changes from the January 22 meeting: restoration of recycling/compost, elimination of the finance clerk half‑position, and zeroing human services funding. The revised budget total was $27,408,400, with a property tax increase of $1,244,592 (6.3% over FY26).
• Pete Lynch explained that deferring the automated recycling pickup for five months (to December 2026) saved ~$100,000, reducing the solid waste put‑back to $600,102.
• Public comments: Heidi Fisher asked if carts could be deferred longer; Pete Lynch said further delay is possible but under negotiation. Dick praised the finance director’s work and suggested a stipend for Pete Lynch. David Lovembach noted the savings may shift costs to next year. Millicent Cooley raised a discrepancy in revenue figures between the budget and finance report; John Potter explained the difference is due to timing (revenues updated through January 22 vs. November 30).
• A motion to approve the revised budget passed 4-1 (Isaac opposed).

Town Audit Update

• Town Manager Potter reported that after three rounds of RFPs, the town received one proposal from an auditor to cover FY25, FY26, and FY27 audits. The auditor can start in late April/early May, allowing the FY25 audit to be completed by the end of the fiscal year. The contract will be brought for approval. The FY25 financial statements will be drafted as unaudited but will be audited later. The cost is higher than previous years.

2026 Town Meeting Warning and RTM Warning

• The board discussed two versions (A and B) of the Representative Town Meeting warning, particularly the placement of the human services funding article. Version A placed the human services article after the general budget vote; version B placed it before.
• Peter moved to accept version A but strike Article 6 (the separate human services article), arguing that human services funding should be discussed within the general budget to allow a holistic conversation. He stated he would honor the will of the town meeting if it amended the budget to include human services.
• After extensive debate, the motion failed (2-3, with one abstention).
• Amanda then moved to accept version A as presented (with Article 6 after the budget). The motion passed 3-1-1 (Peter abstained, Isaac opposed).
• The warnings for the March 3, 2026 Australian ballot and March 21, 2026 RTM were adopted.

November 2025 Finance Report

• Town Manager Potter presented the five‑month financial report. General fund revenues were at 44% of budget (ahead of the 42% of the year completed), expenditures at 39%. EMS revenue was projected to exceed budget by $400,000. Worker’s comp and utility costs are expected to exceed budget. Fire and police overtime are offset by underspending on salaries. The parking fund is in the black by ~$16,000. The report was accepted without a formal vote.

Key Outcomes

• Item B (liquor/tobacco) moved to February 5, 2026, by a 4-0 vote.
• Revised FY27 budget approved (including deferral of automated recycling pickup) by a vote of 4-1 (Isaac opposed).
• Town meeting warnings adopted (Version A for RTM) by a vote of 3-1-1 (Peter abstained, Isaac opposed).
• Town audit contract to be brought for approval; auditor found for FY25-27.
• Next steps: The second charter petition hearing will be held on February 5, 2026. The board will also discuss the liquor/tobacco item on that date. The March 3 town meeting and March 21 RTM will proceed as warned.