Town Matters: A Podcast by Brattleboro’s Town Manager

A New Proposed Budget

This episode of the Town of Brattleboro's podcast explores the budget redevelopment process, a series of meetings held throughout April in which the newly formed Selectboard took another look at the FY26 budget. This new proposed budget will be the main topic at a special Representative Town Meeting on May 27, 2025.
Show notes:
April 10: Agenda, Watch
April 15: Agenda, Watch
April 17: Agenda, Watch
April 22: Agenda, Watch
April 24: Agenda, Watch
May 1: Agenda, Watch
May 6: Agenda, Watch

Budget Redevelopment Begins

It’s been a minute! This episode, recorded prior to the April 10 meeting, provides a round-up of Brattleboro Selectboard meetings starting with the final meeting prior to Representative Town Meeting (RTM) up through the initial meetings regarding the FY26 redevelopment process. A schedule of future dates and topics about this process is toward the bottom of the show notes.
 
MEETINGS
March 20: Agenda, Watch
March 24 (Organizational): Agenda, Watch
RTM: Watch
April 1: Agenda, Watch
April 8 (Listening Session): Agenda, Watch
April 10: Agenda, Watch
April 15: Agenda
 
LINKS
Learn more about the local public safety organization One Brattleboro.
Learn more about the Canal Street Corridor Plan.
The Town has updated its zoning permit fees.
Learn about Safe Neighborhoods.
Take the Town Plan 2026 survey.
Take the Charter Revision Commission’s survey.
 
BUDGET REDEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
Following the RTM’s vote not to approve the proposed FY26 budget, the newly seated Selectboard is working to revise and resubmit a new budget proposal. The following topics will be discussed on the dates below:Tuesday, April 15 — Finance Committee Report / Structural Budget Issues / Solid Waste ReviewThursday, April 17 — Revenues / 2024-25 Selectboard Budget Reductions / Possible Service Reductions Other than Public SafetyTuesday, April 22 — Possible Service Reductions in Public SafetyThursday, April 24 — Preliminary Revised FY26 BudgetTuesday, April 29 — Possible Decision on Revised FY26 Budget / Warn Representative Town Meeting

State Legislative Delegation Visits

In this episode, Brattleboro's Town Manager John Potter summarizes the first of the Selectboard's busy March 2025 scheduled. This episode discusses the meetings held on March 3, 6, and 10, and previews a meeting scheduled for March 20. 
SHOW NOTES —
March 3: Meeting Materials, Watch
March 6: Meeting Materials, Watch
March 10: Meeting Materials, Watch
View the Selectboard's Legislative Priorities
Representative Town Meeting will be held on March 22.
The Charter Forum has been rescheduled to March 31.
The Rec & Parks Department is offering programs this spring.
Reach out at townmatters@brattleboro.gov.

Bridge Projects

In this episode, Brattleboro's Town Manager John Potter summarizes the Selectboard meeting held on February 18, 2025, and previews a special joint meeting with the Hinsdale Board of Selectmen scheduled for March 3 and a special meeting scheduled for March 6. 
SHOW NOTES —
Feb. 18: Meeting Materials, Watch
Brattleboro voters, here's some helpful info ahead of Town Meeting Day on March 4.
The Assessor’s Office published a guide on the homestead declaration and the Vermont property tax credit.
Business licenses are due March 15 and dog licenses are due on April 1.
Reach out at townmatters@brattleboro.gov.
 

Utility Rate Study, Department Updates

In this episode, Brattleboro's Town Manager John Potter summarizes the Selectboard meeting held on February 4, 2025, and previews a regular meeting scheduled for February 18. 
SHOW NOTES —
Feb. 4: Meeting Materials, Watch
The Rec & Parks Department is adding new youth programs in February. 
The Winter Carnival kicks off on Feb. 15.
View the project page for the utility rate study.
Voters may now request absentee ballots for the March 4th election through the state’s My Voter Page or by contacting the Town Clerk’s Office.
Reach out at townmatters@brattleboro.gov

Selectboard Approves Budget

In this episode, Brattleboro's Town Manager John Potter summarizes the Selectboard meeting held on January 21, 2025, and previews a special meeting scheduled for January 28 and a regular meeting on February 4. 
SHOW NOTES —
Jan. 21: Meeting Materials, Watch
Jan. 28: Meeting Materials, Watch
The Assessor's Office is accepting business license renewals for 2025.
Dog license renewals are now available for 2025.
The Charter Revision Commission is discussing annual town meeting on Feb. 6.
Reach out at townmatters@brattleboro.gov

Preparing for RTM

In this episode, Brattleboro's Town Manager John Potter summarizes the Selectboard meeting held on January 7, 2025, and previews a regular meeting scheduled for January 21. 
SHOW NOTES —
Jan. 7: Meeting Materials, Watch
The Assessor's Office is accepting business license renewals for 2025.
Dog license renewals are now available for 2025.
The Charter Revision Commission is discussing annual town meeting on Feb. 6.
Candidate petitions are now available for the March 4 elections & RTM 2025
Reach out at townmatters@brattleboro.gov

Budget Reductions

In this episode, Brattleboro's Town Manager John Potter summarizes the Selectboard meeting held on December 17, 2024, and previews the next regular meeting scheduled for January 7, 2025.
SHOW NOTES —
Dec 17: Meeting Materials, Watch
Visit the FY26 Budget page here.
Candidate petitions are now available for the March 4 elections & RTM 2025
Reach out at townmatters@brattleboro.gov

Vacant Building Ordinance, Charter Commission Update

In this episode, Brattleboro's Town Manager John Potter summarizes the Selectboard meeting held on December 3, 2024, and previews the final meeting of the year, which is scheduled for December 17. 
SHOW NOTES —
Dec. 3: Meeting Materials, Watch
Dec 17: Meeting Materials
Visit the FY26 Budget page here.
Improvements to traffic flow around the General John Stark Memorial Bridge is in the works.
The Recreation & Parks Department is hosting numerous events this holiday season.
Brooks Memorial Library is seeking feedback about technology at the library.
Reach out at townmatters@brattleboro.gov

Police Substation, Solid Waste Decisions

In this episode, Brattleboro's Town Manager John Potter summarizes a special Selectboard meeting held on November 12, 2024, and a regular meeting on November 19. He then previews a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 3.
SHOW NOTES —
Nov. 12: Meeting Materials, Watch
Nov. 19: Meeting Materials, Watch
Visit the FY26 Budget page here.
View committee vacancies.
A Special Representative Town Meeting has been scheduled for Dec. 12 to weigh whether to accept or reject an ordinance change. View the Community Safety project page here.
The burn ban was extended to Dec. 2.
The Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge will open to motor traffic on Dec. 5.
Reach out at townmatters@brattleboro.gov