Liquor license is approved for new Mexican restaurant
BRATTLEBORO — BRATTLEBORO - On April 4, the Liquor Commissioners unanimously approved a first-class liquor license for Cantina Vidorra, a Mexican restaurant slated to open in mid-April at 49 Elliot St.
This class of license allows a dining establishment to serve beer and wine on the premises. According to the Department of Liquor Control, applicants must get their first-class license approved by the municipality before applying to the state.
A memorandum from the office of the town clerk states the applicant, John Broyles, owes no outstanding taxes or fees to the town, and the Brattleboro Police and Fire Departments have reviewed and approved the application.
DPW gets a new truck
BRATTLEBORO - On April 4, the Water and Sewer Commissioners unanimously approved the Department of Public Works's request to purchase a new pickup truck.
A memorandum from Public Works Director Steve Barrett lists the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck's cost as $26,995, which includes a $1,500 trade-in reduction for the department's 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. There is $30,000 allocated for this purchase in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget.
“Can we look at electric [vehicle] options going forward?” Water and Sewer Commissioner David Schoales asked Barrett.
Barrett agreed, and said his department has already switched some of their vehicles to compact cars. This truck, he said, is “for heavy lifting.”
Barrett noted there is an interest in his department for purchasing electric cars where applicable, but, “we're not successful in getting grants” for electric cars or trucks.
Cemetery maintenance bid awarded
BRATTLEBORO - The Selectboard awarded the contract for seasonal maintenance of the town's cemeteries to Vermont Road Works.
Recreation and Parks Director Carol Lolatte appeared at the April 4 regular Selectboard meeting to review the bids. At $17,180, Vermont Road Works' bid was the lower of the two bids the town received, and Lolatte suggested awarding them the contract.
Lolatte said she called some of the company's current property-maintenance customers and their references were good.
Skatepark grant applications OK'd
BRATTLEBORO - At the April 4 regular Selectboard meeting, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for a grant for the skatepark at Living Memorial Park.
The $1,000 Crosby Gannett grant, which the department will apply for on behalf of BASIC (Brattleboro Skatepark Is Coming), will help fund the design and construction of the facility.
The Board also voted to ratify Town Manager Peter Elwell's approval of the application for a $2,500 Small and Inspiring Grant from the Vermont Community Foundation. The Recreation and Parks Department will apply for this grant on behalf of BASIC.
Because the deadline was April 1, Elwell approved the grant application prior to the April 4 Board meeting.
Carol Lolatte, director of Recreation and Parks, told Board members BASIC has raised more than $63,000, with an additional $35,000 pledged from organizations and individuals.
“Their fundraising is picking up right now,” including a capital campaign, a donation from professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, and a GoFundMe.com page with a video, Lolatte said.
“It's been a long road,” said Board member Tim Wessel.
Selectboard makes committee and board appointments
BRATTLEBORO - The Selectboard made their annual one-year appointments to municipal committees and boards at the April 4 regular meeting.
Selectboard Chair Kate O'Connor and Selectboard Vice-Chair Brandie Starr were appointed to the Capital Grant Review Board. This Board meets as needed when the town is applying for capital grants for ongoing expenses, rather than for new or replacement items, O'Connor explained.
Selectboard Clerk Tim Wessel was appointed to the Rental Housing Improvement Program Loan Committee. Selectboard member David Schoales was appointed to the Small Business Assistance Program Loan Committee. Both committees meet as needed and manage revolving loan funds.
The Traffic Safety Committee, which meets the third Thursday of the month and focuses mostly on pedestrian and bicycle concerns, now has Wessel as a member.
Selectboard member John Allen was re-appointed as the representative to the Windham Solid Waste Management District Board of Supervisors, which meets the second Thursday of the month. Starr was appointed as the alternate. She will attend meetings and vote when Allen can't be there.
Allen was re-appointed as the Selectboard liaison to the Police-Fire Facility Building Committee.
At the March 21 Selectboard meeting, Elizabeth McLoughlin and Rod Francis were appointed as the town's representatives to the Windham Regional Commission.