Brattleboro Select Board Meeting Summary - September 16, 2026

The Brattleboro Select Board met on September 16, 2026, for a regular business meeting. The agenda was adjusted to move finance department reports to the top. Key items included financial reports through FY26, an update on the Putney Road reconstruction project, a progress report on the town-wide reappraisal, and adoption of the FY28 budget development schedule. Public comments addressed a restaurant noise concern, traffic signal synchronization, a request for a resolution condemning the war on Iran, and other topics.

Consent Calendar

• Approved an annual entertainment license for Rail and River Tavern at 36 Bridge Street (live music, trivia, bingo from 8 PM to midnight). A public comment about potential noise impact on nearby residents was noted; the board chose not to pull the item and will pass along concerns to the restaurant.
• Approved second-class liquor, tobacco, and tobacco substitute endorsement renewals for JK Grocery at 69 Elliott Street.
• Approved first- and second-class liquor license renewals for Hooles Wines at 972 Putney Road.
• Approved second-class liquor, tobacco, and tobacco substitute endorsement renewals for Changee Food Mart at 228 Canal Street.
• Approved first- and third-class liquor license renewals for Snow Republic at 100 Main Street.
• Reappointed Stephen Nelson as deputy town health officer.
• Appointed the town manager as the VLCT annual meeting delegate.
• Approved error and omission changes to the 2026 grand list.
• Approved an agreement to purchase road salt from Morton Salt Inc. under state contract at $10,469 per ton delivered.
• Approved a wastewater agreement with Algiers Fire District Number One.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Baxter (downtown resident): Expressed support for Rail and River restaurant but requested that amplified speakers remain inside and away from doors and decks to mitigate sound carry across water. He asked the board to make this a condition of approval.
• Dick de Grey: Asked for an update on traffic signal synchronization on Putney Road (north of the Hinsdale Bridge), noted weekend sequencing issues affecting traffic on Main Street, inquired about a fire truck engine that had reportedly blown an engine, and urged progress on a sidewalk to the shelter area on Route 142.
• Ahmad Lesfahani: Asked the board to consider a resolution condemning the ongoing war against Iran, calling for an immediate end to violence, protection of civilians, and a diplomatic path. He cited similar resolutions in other communities and emphasized that opposing the war does not support any particular government.
• Dr. William Foster (CEO, Holographic Technologies Inc.): Commented on technology and AI data centers, suggesting that Brattleboro will see a major influx of technology investment and that the board should be careful in selecting IT vendors.
• Prudence McKinney (Brattleboro Coalition for Active Transportation): Praised pedestrian improvements in the Putney Road plan but expressed concern about the 2032 timeline and asked about widening the pinch point near the West River.
• Gemma Seymour (Planning Commission): Asked about the distinction between shared-use paths and sidewalks (given a town ordinance that may restrict bikes on sidewalks), coordination with private property owners on access redesign, and the impact on properties north of the I-91 Exit 3 interchange (no changes planned there). She also noted the plan had not been presented to the Planning Commission.
• Molly Burke (State Representative): Thanked VTrans for incorporating complete streets principles and for listening to community input.
• Kathleen White (Brattleboro Coalition for Active Transportation): Raised concern about large locust trees along the narrow section near the West River that would need to come down; VTrans confirmed they will be removed due to road widening.
• Other public comments addressed the parking fund deficit and the need for a broader financial discussion.

Discussion Items

• Finance Department Reports:
  • FY25 Audit: Bonnie Batch Elder presented the completed audit, noting no issues or findings. The general fund ended FY25 with revenues at 108% of budget ($27 million) and expenses at 105% ($26 million), leaving a surplus of $889,000. The unassigned fund balance was projected at $1.366 million for FY26. Detailed discussion covered the parking fund deficit ($497,000, largely due to depreciation and asset write-offs), EMS revenue (exceeded budget by $464,000), and the decline in unassigned fund balance from 10% policy to about 2-5% in recent years. Board member Isaac expressed concern about the low fund balance and urged a broader conversation on financial health.
  • July 2026 Monthly Report: Sarah Rose Bissell (new finance director) presented the first month of FY27. General fund revenues were $2.1 million (8% of annual budget), expenses $2.8 million (10%). The parking fund showed a surplus of $18,000. Public comment noted a very low collection of refuse bag revenue ($157 out of a budgeted $442,000), which staff will investigate.
• Putney Road Reconstruction Project:
  • VTrans Project Manager Bruce Martin and consultant Dennis Ferdiev presented a revised conceptual design that replaces the original plan (which included four roundabouts) with a scaled-down approach focusing on signalized intersection improvements, full-depth pavement reconstruction, 11-foot travel lanes, 5-foot shoulders, an 8-foot shared-use path, bus pull-offs, mountable bump-outs for traffic calming, mid-block crossings, upgraded signals with pedestrian phases, and new stormwater infiltration basins.
  • The project footprint runs from the West River bridge north to the existing roundabout at Exit 3. The target completion date is 2032.
  • Board members and public raised concerns about: bicycle and pedestrian safety at bus pull-offs and intersections, maintenance of grass strips and infiltration basins, tree removal (especially large locust trees), timing of construction (given that planning began in 2007), and coordination with the Brattleboro Coalition for Active Transportation and low-income residents.
  • VTrans representatives stated they will consider feedback and continue to refine the design. The board deferred formal endorsement to allow more public input, with plans to discuss again in a future meeting.
• Town-Wide Reappraisal Update:
  • Project Manager Ryan Silvestri and Assessor Jennifer Burnell reported that data collection is 70% complete (2,378 of 3,578 residential parcels listed, 890 interiors inspected). Commercial data collection will begin in January 2026. The reappraisal remains on schedule for a 2027 grand list implementation.
  • They outlined a public outreach plan including preliminary value notices, a Q&A forum, and informal hearings to address taxpayer concerns about assessment increases (the last reappraisal was in 2010).
• FY28 Budget Development Schedule:
  • Town Manager John Potter presented a proposed timeline: department heads are already working; first presentation to the board on November 5; an all-day retreat on November 10 for department head presentations; public comment on December 1. The board adopted the schedule (5-0).
  • During discussion, Isaac requested a separate meeting to discuss broader financial issues (reserve fund, fund balance policy) and the parking fund. The board agreed to try to schedule a finance discussion in October and to consider a parking fund discussion later, without delaying the budget schedule.

Key Outcomes

• Finance Reports: The FY25 audit and June 2026 monthly report were received and discussed; the July 2026 report was presented. No formal vote was taken on acceptance.
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (5-0). Concerns over Rail and River noise will be communicated to the restaurant.
• Putney Road Project: Board decided to allow more public review time and will bring the item back to a future meeting for formal endorsement of the revised concept.
• Reappraisal: Noted that the project is on schedule; no vote required.
• Budget Schedule: Adopted unanimously (5-0). Board will explore adding a separate finance discussion item in October and a parking fund discussion later.
• Next Steps: The board will follow up on public comments regarding signal timing, fire truck repair (noted repaired and back in service), sidewalk progress on Route 142, and coordination with the property owners along Putney Road.