Town Matters: A Podcast by Brattleboro’s Town Manager

Charter, Parking, RTM Committee Updates

The Brattleboro Selectboard launches the FY27 budget discussion and discusses the charter, parking, and much more during a packed September schedule.
"Town Matters," the Town of Brattleboro's podcast, summarizes Selectboard meetings so you can quickly catch up on local government while you go about your day.
Show notes:
Sept. 9: Agenda
Sept. 11, Budget Listening Session: Watch
Join a board or committee!
The Planning Department is hosting a presentation about intersections along Western Ave.
Register for fall sports.
A burn ban is still in effect in Brattleboro.

Selectboard Retreat, FY27 Budget Season Begins

The Brattleboro Selectboard will return from its summer break on Sept. 9. Catch up on what happened in August and what's ahead this month. 
"Town Matters," the Town of Brattleboro's podcast, summarizes Selectboard meetings so you can quickly catch up on local government while you go about your day.
Show notes:
Aug. 4 (Selectboard Retreat): Agenda, Watch 
Aug. 5: Agenda, Watch
Sept. 9: Agenda
Sept. 11: FY27 Budget Listening Session

Hinsdale Visits, Police Substation, Vacant Building Ordinance

The 50th episode of "Town Matters" is available online! 
"Town Matters," the Town of Brattleboro's podcast, summarizes Selectboard meetings so you can quickly catch up on local government while you go about your day.
This episode covers all three meetings in July 2025.
Show notes:
July 8: Agenda, Watch
July 15: Agenda, Watch
July 22: Agenda
Bratt PD's summer block party returns on Aug. 6.
Celebrate Brattleboro's covered bridge on Aug. 7.

Budget Decisions, Charter Chat, Hinsdale Bridges

The latest episode of "Town Matters," the Town of Brattleboro's podcast, summarizes a Selectboard meeting held on June 17, 2025, and previews the next regular meeting scheduled for July 8, 2025.
Show notes:
June 17: Agenda, Watch
The Brattleboro pool is open.
Sign up for VTrans alerts regarding paving projects in summer 2025.
Celebrate July 4th in Brattleboro!

Utility, Parking Budget Talk Continues

The latest episode of "Town Matters," the Town of Brattleboro's podcast, summarizes a Selectboard meeting held on June 3, 2025, and previews the next regular meeting scheduled for June 17.
Show notes:
June 3: Agenda, Watch
Learn more about the utility rate discussion.
There is a traffic advisory in Downtown Brattleboro on June 14.
Brattleboro's 3rd Annual Juneteenth Art Show begins June 16.
Sign up for VTrans alerts regarding paving projects in summer 2025.

Utility Rate Study, RTM Votes Again, Pickleball

This episode of the Town of Brattleboro's podcast covers a regular Selectboard meeting held on May 20, 2025, recaps the Special Representative Town Meeting, and previews a brief, special meeting on May 30 and the next regular meeting on June 3.
Show notes:
May 20: Agenda, Watch
Special RTM: Watch
May 30: Agenda
June 3: Agenda
Apply to join a board or committee here.
The Planning Department will be hosting a public forum regarding an intersection study on Western Avenue. 

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.