BRANDON, Vt. – The Brandon Selectboard meeting on Monday, March 23 included a range of routine updates as well as decisions regarding ongoing town matters.
Before the meeting the selectboard held an executive session and agreed to hire Carly Leher as the town’s new Animal Control Officer (ACO).
Police Chief David Kachajian introduced Brandon’s newest officer, Rocio Ali-Nicolas, who comes to Brandon from the Springfield, Vt., police department.
Two members of The Vermont Council on Rural Development introduced the Community Visit they will facilitate in Brandon this spring.
In the manager’s report, it was noted that recent changes to the traffic signal at the intersection of Route 7 and Park Street appear to be improving traffic flow through town. The left-turn signal at the library intersection is now a “leader,” meaning southbound drivers on Route 7 turning onto Park Street are given a dedicated green arrow before northbound traffic proceeds through the intersection. Also, Chair Reniche-Smith was delighted that the clock on the steeple of the Congregational Church is now telling the right time, which follows restoration work on the steeple this past summer.
A $40,000 loan will be made from the Revolving Loan Fund to Andrew Doaner for a plan to establish Amateur’s Sport Bar in town, with security in the form of collateral.
Hopkins told us that various volunteer board positions are open:
Development Review Board (alternate)
Planning Commission (alternate)
Energy Committee
Brandon Historic Preservation Commission
Insect Control District (voter and alternate)
If you are interested, contact Town Manager Seth Hopkins for consideration by the selectboard.
There was considerable discussion about town vehicles. First, the 2017 Mac truck that has been in use has proven to be unreliable, and given its importance during winter plowing, needs replacement. The Board approved the proposal to purchase a new vehicle from the Capital Fund, then sell the older truck and partially replenish the Capital Fund with the proceeds.
Also members talked about the current Police Department fleet, and how many vehicles are needed for the increased staff. The currently-used F150, Hopkins said, was not preferred by the officers for their duties, however, it does have a hitch and so was the only vehicle able to pull the speed cart. Consensus was that having the truck was important not just for hauling, but for access to difficult roads, Bailey pointed out. The decision was to seek purchase of a single new police vehicle, after which Hopkins would get quotes for “upfitting.”
In response to concerns brought up by member Brian Coolidge about the town van being seen at events that were not sponsored by the town, a working group of select board members was set up to develop a town vehicle policy.
Some of the notable comments from the public related to concerns that Act 181, which was passed in 2024 and overhauls Vermont’s land use and planning system, might cause over-development in the populated areas of Brandon and Forest Dale. Reniche-Smith and others pointed out that there were still reviews and safeguards that the town oversees which would prevent over-development.