Virginia Ray
From flood plain to food forest
BRATTLEBORO-In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene changed the landscape of Vermont, including turning a house lot at 805 Western Ave. into a flooded, vacant, unbuildable space bordering Whetstone Brook.
Now, Edible Brattleboro is changing that piece of the landscape yet again, partnering with the town to create a public "food forest" there.
'It's just a fun place'
With Rod's Food Truck Park, Julie Winchester fulfills a vision to bring community together in a relaxed setting
PUTNEY-Julie Winchester had no desire to get involved in the restaurant business. What she did want was to bring her community together and show visitors what her town has to offer. And she had a vision that included making Exit 4 a destination - maybe even a food truck...
Restoration underway of historic bridge in W. Townshend
The $800,000 project should be completed by early October
WEST TOWNSHEND-After five years of fundraising and planning, the restoration of the historic Follett Stone Arch Bridge here has started. The 110-year-old bridge is one of six dry stone masonry arch bridges in Townshend - all on the National Register of Historic Places and built between 1894 and 1910...
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BIPOC farm now owns 37 acres — a ‘sacred space’
NEWFANE-SUSU commUNITY Farm has purchased the 37-acre farm along the West River here where the organization has been for about two years. The land buy was made possible through a collaboration with the Vermont Land Trust, which paid for half the acquisition. SUSU raised the other half through contributions and donations. "This land represents more than just a new home; it is a sacred space where our Afro-Indigenous vision of healing and connection will flourish," writes Collaborative Director Amber Skye...
Brattleboro property tax rate to rise almost 8%
BRATTLEBORO-Property taxes will go up about 8% after the Selectboard voted unanimously July 9 to adopt the fiscal year 2025 property tax rate. Their vote was essentially a rubber stamp to pay for what was decided at this year's Representative Town Meeting, the Grand List, and state-mandated education rates, as Finance Director Kim Frost explained. "The good thing is state statute requires that the Selectboard set the rate, but every decision has been made, so that's a good thing," said...
Brattleboro raises parking rates, will still accept cash
BRATTLEBORO-Selectboard members have decided to raise parking rates to achieve full recovery for the town parking fund and cover capital needs. The board voted on June 18 to raise the rates and add a charge for Sunday parking. Board members Peter Case, Daniel Quipp, Elizabeth McLoughlin, and Richard Davis voted to adopt the plan; Franz Reichsman abstained. Expenses for fiscal year 2025 are anticipated to be $1,015,866, and a budget had to be determined by July 1. Ultimately, the board...
Church marks 250 years, welcomes new pastor
NEWFANE-Rev. Matthew Deen, settled pastor at Newfane Congregational Church, has been ordained by the Windham-Union Association of the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Deen has been the licensed pastor here since 2022. His installation took place on Sunday, May 26. On Sunday, June 30, parishioners will celebrate the church's 250th anniversary with an outdoor service and celebration on Newfane Hill - or Fane Hill, as it was called on June 30, 1774, the date the congregation...
Londonderry board rejects draft zoning regs
LONDONDERRY-A 218-page proposed zoning bylaw document - the subject of recent controversy over the extent and nature of the proposed regulations - has been sent back to the Planning Commission for revision. That action followed a June 17 hearing, after which the Selectboard voted 3–1 to reject the draft. The document, on which the Planning Commission worked for six years, was given to the board on May 1 of this year. The revision was prompted by the 2017 Town Plan...