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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Brattleboro Select Board Meeting - July 23, 2026

Selectboard — Thursday, July 23, 2026

BodyBrattleboro, Vermont

SessionSelectboard

DateThursday, July 23, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

0:08

All right, welcome everyone to the select board meeting of July 21st at 617 p.m.

0:16

Welcome all uh board.

0:18

Any adjustments to the agenda today?

0:20

None.

0:20

Seeing none.

0:23

Chair's remarks.

0:24

Uh just to welcome all of you.

0:26

Look forward to having a productive meeting.

0:29

And I wanted to note that now that I've done it a couple times that I've been holding office hours at the works Sunday morning before each select board meeting from 9 to 11.

0:42

I plan to keep doing it, so please come by, say hi, talk about anything on the agenda or whatever is on your mind.

0:50

And with that, it looks like we have one set of minutes to approve if someone would care to make a motion.

1:02

Anyone can I move to approve the minutes of June 16th.

1:09

Nell has made a motion to approve the minutes of June 16th.

1:12

Any discussion?

1:15

All in favor, please say aye.

1:17

Aye.

1:18

Carries 4-0.

1:21

Town manager's comments.

1:22

A couple of staffing uh updates tonight.

1:25

So after a comprehensive search process, ably led by HR director Sally Cruz Nix.

1:32

We are welcoming Sarah Rose Bissell as our new finance director starting later this month.

1:38

Sarah Rose brings an extensive background in sustainable financial management practices and organizational operations from the nonprofit and for-profit business worlds.

1:49

I'll be looking to her to continue the really great work that Bonnie Batchelder has done for us in the finance department over the past year, as well as continuing to innovate on how we are communicating all the numbers and finding efficiencies in service delivery.

2:08

Also, uh Lindsay Bellville has settled into her role as interim library director, and I'm very pleased with and grateful for how she is doing that.

2:19

I have an update on the library renovation project.

2:22

The contractors are moving to the front of the building next week, uh, which means that the rear will still be closed.

2:32

You won't be able to access the library through the rear rear of the building yet.

2:37

Um so the access will be in the front of the building, but it will be safely through the construction that's going on there.

2:46

So I I just want people to know that the library is still going to be open.

2:50

Um they'll just have to navigate uh through that uh construction.

2:56

Um there will also be some parking changes for where people park to use the library.

3:03

Those will be that info will be going out in a press release and on social media later this week, so look for that.

3:12

Uh the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department is excited to announce that the new pump track at Living Memorial Park is now open.

3:21

Uh I hope the riders get up there to enjoy it.

3:24

The pump track is located on the lower level of the park behind the playground and the basketball court.

3:32

The pump track is open from dawn to dusk.

3:35

Helmets are required, and it is not supervised, so please ride safely and be respectful of others.

3:42

A special thanks for pump track support goes out to the Vermont Community Foundation Withington Fund and Belco Excavating.

3:54

Um finally for the August 11th state primary elections.

3:59

Uh mailed ballots can be requested through your voter portal or by calling the town clerk's office or emailing the town clerk.

4:09

You may also stop by and pick up an absentee ballot for yourself only.

4:15

In-person voting can be done during normal business hours in the town clerk's office, so long as there are two election officials that were able to be scheduled in the office at that time.

4:26

That's it.

4:27

Thanks, John.

4:28

Welcome.

4:29

Board comments.

4:30

Board members with comments.

4:31

I'll start on the right.

4:33

Amanda.

4:34

Well, I just want to um welcome everyone here and on um line and um congratulate a lot of uh baseball success for the town of Brattleboro, starting with the Broadboro U uh 12U Little League winning the district tournament and advancing to states, defeating Rutland, and they'll be in uh St.

4:54

Albans, I believe, starting on the 25th.

5:00

Also the 10U All-Stars won D2 title, going to states defeating Bennington, and the state tournaments in Burlington.

5:04

And also the U-11s won their D2 state title and are currently playing in South Burlington.

5:11

And very exciting, uh, the Bratt Post Five COFAX baseball team won the 13U state Babe Ruth Tournament at Tennyfield, the newly renovated Tennyfield, beating Arlington, and um they will be in the regional tournament in Westfield Mass, starting starting against Westfield.

5:30

So that's great.

5:31

We were in the Fourth of July parade, you know, and saw all those little league, and I said, You guys, you guys need to win.

5:40

And they I said, you can ride on a fire truck if you win.

5:42

And they were like, well, all right, we're gonna do it.

5:45

And look.

5:46

Here we are.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Engagement████████████████████████████████32%

Budget Equity Analysis██████████████████████22%

Restorative Justice Programs████████████12%

Human Services██████████10%

Procedural████████8%

Community Engagement███3%

Hospital Services███3%

Public Safety██2%

Fiscal Sustainability██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Brattleboro Select Board Meeting - July 23, 2026

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was held on July 21, 2026, but the provided date is July 23, 2026. This summary uses the date specified in the instruction.

The meeting covered approval of minutes, town manager updates, public comments on the proposed charter revision's 60% threshold for Australian ballot, a resolution supporting the BMH Birthing Center, a discussion on potential financial support for the birthing center, a presentation from Interaction on restorative justice, and the monthly finance report.

Consent Calendar

Approved minutes of June 16, 2026 (4-0).
Approved consent agenda as amended (5-0), including:
- Purchase of fire department vehicle replacement ($47,362).
- Purchase of police department vehicles (not to exceed $260,000).
- Resolution supporting a Vermont Community Development Program grant ($540,000).
- Purchase of PFAS-free turnout gear (cost corrected to $46,662).
- Ratification of SAMHSA grant application (up to $3 million annually).
- Purchase of rotary press channels ($189,756).
- Attestation regarding DBA downtown vibrancy fund.
- Appointment of Nina Heller to Brooks Memorial Library Board of Trustees.

Public Comments & Testimony

Bob Beattie announced a parade called "Awake Extravaganza" on October 10, 2026, and invited the town to participate.
Randy Blodge opposed the 60% threshold for Australian ballot in the proposed charter revision, calling it inequitable and likely illegal. He urged the select board to comment publicly.
Susan Bellville opposed the 60% threshold, arguing it is unfair and counter to constitutional rights.
Tom Franks opposed the 60% threshold, stating it effectively disenfranchises voters (one person, five-sixths of a vote). He cited 18 Vermont towns with hybrid systems where budgets are not voted on twice.
Dick DeGrey requested updates on the railroad sidewalk easement and the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance (DBA) revolving loan funds. Town Manager John responded that the construction agreement is with the railroad pending signature, and a DBA update is expected in September or October.
Janet Therese opposed the 60% threshold, arguing it disenfranchises disabled people, shift workers, and others who cannot attend open town meetings.
Timothy (online) opposed the 60% threshold, stating it erases votes and urged the select board to disband the Charter Revision Commission.
Eddie (online) expressed neighbor opposition to the 60% threshold, preferring a simple majority.
Neil (online) argued the March ballot was confusing and that the 60% threshold is based on meaningless numbers; he supported a period for discussion before a full vote.
Ivan Hennessy opposed the 60% threshold, supporting open town meeting and arguing that the charter revision is a "sledgehammer" to town government.

Discussion Items

BMH Birthing Center Resolution of Support: Town Manager John reported that letters were sent to state officials and select boards of 48 towns; three towns are processing resolutions. The board adopted a resolution (5-0) strongly recommending BMH maintain birthing services, encouraging state support, and urging residents to choose BMH first.
Potential Financial Support for BMH Birthing Center: The board discussed options for a special town meeting to consider a one-time property tax levy (e.g., $1 million, equating to 8 cents per $100 assessed value, or $37.25 per quarter for median home). Town staff provided options: a special town meeting as early as September 2, 2026, or using $795,000 in unobligated reserves. Board members expressed concerns about insufficient information, taxpayer burden, and the need to hear from BMH leadership and the Green Mountain Care Board. After extensive debate, the board approved a motion (5-0) to direct staff to prepare a draft warning for a special town meeting and to invite stakeholders (BMH CEOs, Green Mountain Care Board) to a future board meeting for discussion.
Interaction Restorative Justice Presentation: Russell Bradbury-Carlin and Casey from Interaction presented a report from Creative Discourse Group on safety and restorative justice downtown. The report found no need for a new program but recommended expanding community restorative practices and piloting community circles. The board expressed interest and gratitude; no action was taken.
Monthly Finance Report (through May 2026): Town Manager John reported:
- General fund: revenues at 108% of budget, expenditures at 95%, surplus of ~$3 million currently.
- EMS revenue expected to exceed budget by $373,000.
- Risk management over budget by $188,000; fire overtime over by $425,000 offset by salary savings; police overtime offset by $510,000 savings.
- Estimated fiscal year-end surplus of ~$530,000.
- Utility fund in surplus; parking fund deficit of $219,000 (largely depreciation).
- FY25 audit nearly complete; FY26 audit scheduled to begin September 21, 2026.

Key Outcomes

Vote on Minutes: Approved 4-0.
Vote on Consent Agenda as Amended: Approved 5-0.
Vote on BMH Birthing Center Resolution: Approved 5-0.
Vote on Motion to Prepare Draft Warning for Special Town Meeting and Invite Stakeholders: Approved 5-0. The motion directs staff to draft a warning for a special town meeting to consider financial support for the birthing center and to invite BMH and Green Mountain Care Board representatives to a future board meeting.
No action taken on Interaction presentation or finance report beyond receipt.

Meeting Transcript

All right, welcome everyone to the select board meeting of July 21st at 617 p.m. Welcome all uh board. Any adjustments to the agenda today? None. Seeing none. Chair's remarks. Uh just to welcome all of you. Look forward to having a productive meeting. And I wanted to note that now that I've done it a couple times that I've been holding office hours at the works Sunday morning before each select board meeting from 9 to 11. I plan to keep doing it, so please come by, say hi, talk about anything on the agenda or whatever is on your mind. And with that, it looks like we have one set of minutes to approve if someone would care to make a motion. Anyone can I move to approve the minutes of June 16th. Nell has made a motion to approve the minutes of June 16th. Any discussion? All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Carries 4-0. Town manager's comments. A couple of staffing uh updates tonight. So after a comprehensive search process, ably led by HR director Sally Cruz Nix. We are welcoming Sarah Rose Bissell as our new finance director starting later this month. Sarah Rose brings an extensive background in sustainable financial management practices and organizational operations from the nonprofit and for-profit business worlds. I'll be looking to her to continue the really great work that Bonnie Batchelder has done for us in the finance department over the past year, as well as continuing to innovate on how we are communicating all the numbers and finding efficiencies in service delivery. Also, uh Lindsay Bellville has settled into her role as interim library director, and I'm very pleased with and grateful for how she is doing that. I have an update on the library renovation project. The contractors are moving to the front of the building next week, uh, which means that the rear will still be closed. You won't be able to access the library through the rear rear of the building yet. Um so the access will be in the front of the building, but it will be safely through the construction that's going on there. So I I just want people to know that the library is still going to be open. Um they'll just have to navigate uh through that uh construction. Um there will also be some parking changes for where people park to use the library. Those will be that info will be going out in a press release and on social media later this week, so look for that. Uh the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department is excited to announce that the new pump track at Living Memorial Park is now open. Uh I hope the riders get up there to enjoy it. The pump track is located on the lower level of the park behind the playground and the basketball court. The pump track is open from dawn to dusk. Helmets are required, and it is not supervised, so please ride safely and be respectful of others. A special thanks for pump track support goes out to the Vermont Community Foundation Withington Fund and Belco Excavating. Um finally for the August 11th state primary elections. Uh mailed ballots can be requested through your voter portal or by calling the town clerk's office or emailing the town clerk. You may also stop by and pick up an absentee ballot for yourself only. In-person voting can be done during normal business hours in the town clerk's office, so long as there are two election officials that were able to be scheduled in the office at that time. That's it. Thanks, John. Welcome. Board comments. Board members with comments. I'll start on the right. Amanda. Well, I just want to um welcome everyone here and on um line and um congratulate a lot of uh baseball success for the town of Brattleboro, starting with the Broadboro U uh 12U Little League winning the district tournament and advancing to states, defeating Rutland, and they'll be in uh St.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com

Brattleboro Select Board Meeting - July 23, 2026

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was held on July 21, 2026, but the provided date is July 23, 2026. This summary uses the date specified in the instruction.

Consent Calendar

Approved minutes of June 16, 2026 (4-0).

Approved consent agenda as amended (5-0), including:

Purchase of fire department vehicle replacement ($47,362).
Purchase of police department vehicles (not to exceed $260,000).
Resolution supporting a Vermont Community Development Program grant ($540,000).
Purchase of PFAS-free turnout gear (cost corrected to $46,662).
Ratification of SAMHSA grant application (up to $3 million annually).
Purchase of rotary press channels ($189,756).
Attestation regarding DBA downtown vibrancy fund.
Appointment of Nina Heller to Brooks Memorial Library Board of Trustees.

Public Comments & Testimony

Bob Beattie announced a parade called "Awake Extravaganza" on October 10, 2026, and invited the town to participate.

Randy Blodge opposed the 60% threshold for Australian ballot in the proposed charter revision, calling it inequitable and likely illegal. He urged the select board to comment publicly.

Susan Bellville opposed the 60% threshold, arguing it is unfair and counter to constitutional rights.

Tom Franks opposed the 60% threshold, stating it effectively disenfranchises voters (one person, five-sixths of a vote). He cited 18 Vermont towns with hybrid systems where budgets are not voted on twice.

Dick DeGrey requested updates on the railroad sidewalk easement and the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance (DBA) revolving loan funds. Town Manager John responded that the construction agreement is with the railroad pending signature, and a DBA update is expected in September or October.

Janet Therese opposed the 60% threshold, arguing it disenfranchises disabled people, shift workers, and others who cannot attend open town meetings.

Timothy (online) opposed the 60% threshold, stating it erases votes and urged the select board to disband the Charter Revision Commission.

Eddie (online) expressed neighbor opposition to the 60% threshold, preferring a simple majority.

Neil (online) argued the March ballot was confusing and that the 60% threshold is based on meaningless numbers; he supported a period for discussion before a full vote.

Ivan Hennessy opposed the 60% threshold, supporting open town meeting and arguing that the charter revision is a "sledgehammer" to town government.

Discussion Items

BMH Birthing Center Resolution of Support: Town Manager John reported that letters were sent to state officials and select boards of 48 towns; three towns are processing resolutions. The board adopted a resolution (5-0) strongly recommending BMH maintain birthing services, encouraging state support, and urging residents to choose BMH first.

Potential Financial Support for BMH Birthing Center: The board discussed options for a special town meeting to consider a one-time property tax levy (e.g., $1 million, equating to 8 cents per $100 assessed value, or $37.25 per quarter for median home). Town staff provided options: a special town meeting as early as September 2, 2026, or using $795,000 in unobligated reserves. Board members expressed concerns about insufficient information, taxpayer burden, and the need to hear from BMH leadership and the Green Mountain Care Board. After extensive debate, the board approved a motion (5-0) to direct staff to prepare a draft warning for a special town meeting and to invite stakeholders (BMH CEOs, Green Mountain Care Board) to a future board meeting for discussion.

Interaction Restorative Justice Presentation: Russell Bradbury-Carlin and Casey from Interaction presented a report from Creative Discourse Group on safety and restorative justice downtown. The report found no need for a new program but recommended expanding community restorative practices and piloting community circles. The board expressed interest and gratitude; no action was taken.

Monthly Finance Report (through May 2026): Town Manager John reported:

General fund: revenues at 108% of budget, expenditures at 95%, surplus of ~$3 million currently.
EMS revenue expected to exceed budget by $373,000.
Risk management over budget by $188,000; fire overtime over by $425,000 offset by salary savings; police overtime offset by $510,000 savings.
Estimated fiscal year-end surplus of ~$530,000.
Utility fund in surplus; parking fund deficit of $219,000 (largely depreciation).
FY25 audit nearly complete; FY26 audit scheduled to begin September 21, 2026.

Key Outcomes

Vote on Minutes: Approved 4-0.

Vote on Consent Agenda as Amended: Approved 5-0.

Vote on BMH Birthing Center Resolution: Approved 5-0.

Vote on Motion to Prepare Draft Warning for Special Town Meeting and Invite Stakeholders: Approved 5-0. The motion directs staff to draft a warning for a special town meeting to consider financial support for the birthing center and to invite BMH and Green Mountain Care Board representatives to a future board meeting.

No action taken on Interaction presentation or finance report beyond receipt.

Meeting Transcript