The Town of Brandon Selectboard met for about an hour Monday night to discuss dangerous e-bike use, animal welfare, the budget committee, proposals for a town-wide property reappraisal, and an event on the Sanderson Covered Bridge.

Paving and police staffing

Town Manager Seth Hopkins highlighted several updates in his report, beginning with the town's paving program. Pike Industries is scheduled to begin work this Thursday, Aug. 13, applying approximately 500 tons of asphalt across Rydon Acres, Stone Mill Dam Road, Union Street (from Maple Street to the swamp), McConnell Road (south of Wood Lane), and Wheeler Road.

The project, which is funded through grants and money from the local option tax rather than property taxes, is expected to run from Thursday, Aug. 13 through Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Hopkins said the town had accepted the resignation of Lieutenant Paul Samataro from the Brandon Police Department for family reasons. The department offered a contract to a Level 3 certified Vermont officer to replace him, but they chose an offer from a larger department. Hopkins said that to improve retention, Brandon has pursued uniform salary schedule increases rather than signing bonuses, a strategy recommended by the police union.

Animal welfare

Hopkins told the selectboard about a public health response that occurred late last week involving numerous animals voluntarily surrendered to the town.

In a follow-up email to the Current about the incident, Brandon's animal control officer Carly Lehrer said that 16 animals requiring medical attention were removed from a household with the help of Brandon's health officer, Gabe McGuigan, as part of an ongoing situation.

"We removed a challenging group of animals, from reptiles to exotic animals to domestic animals and birds. All of them require significant medical attention and required skilled placement with rescue personnel. All of the animals are in excellent hands," Lehrer wrote.

Hopkins said that Lehrer coordinated placement for dogs, cats, reptiles, and livestock by Monday morning.

"I'm really proud of this town," Lehrer stated in the email. "I'm really proud of this town leadership, and I'm really proud of the Vermont rescue community at large. Thanks to my amazing rescue community and their dedication."

Hopkins told the selectboard, "I just want to let the selectboard know, as you're going to consider appointing the Budget Committee later on, I think it probably is time for us as a town to think about an actual animal and public health program that we fund." Current budget allocations include only a part-time stipend for Animal Control and $1,000 for equipment.

Two new members of the Budget Committee

Selectboard Chair Cecil Reniche-Smith said that during the last meeting the selectboard announced it was taking letters of interest from people who want to be on the Budget Committee. The board received letters from former Budget Committee members Tricia Welch and Jan Coolidge, who were both present. Since both applicants are familiar with the role's responsibilities, no interviews were deemed necessary, and they were appointed by the board.

E-bikes “out of control”

There was a heated discussion about e-bikes, dirt bikes, and other electric vehicles operated by children riding through town. Multiple residents described increasingly dangerous conditions.

"I feel like this is a tipping point," selectboard member Doug Bailey said, describing riders performing wheelies on town sidewalks and streets near the pharmacy.

Resident Claire Astone added, "There are kids going down Route 73, blowing through every stop sign at that three-way stop. No helmets. They're in the road, and they're going to get killed."

Hopkins acknowledged the situation while pushing back on perceptions of police inaction.

"The sheriffs are writing tickets," Hopkins said. "The Brandon police are writing tickets." Hopkins also stated that Police Chief David Kachajian was exploring options beyond traditional citations, including confiscating vehicles.

Public comments followed, reiterating concern that the police were not acting on reports they received. Bill Moore asked people to reach out to him and Hopkins if they believed a report had not been acknowledged.

Recreation department fall programming returns

Deputy Town Manager Bill Moore presented updates on fall youth activities and acknowledged the support of the Brandon Masons and Brandon Inn for underwriting affordable swimming lessons at $5 per child this summer.

Moore noted registration deadlines for several programs:

He also said grades 7–8 football will transition to Otter Valley Union Middle and High School management after 14 years of joint programming with the recreation department, saying that the change saves on busing costs.

Family kickball is back after an absence of several years. The silent movie series continues with "The Son of the Sheik" from 1926, starring Rudolph Valentino.

Additionally, Moore held up the Vermont Council on Rural Development's Brandon hub report, which he described as "a fantastic read."

Town-wide reappraisal proposals under review

The last town-wide appraisal of Brandon property values used in tax rate calculation was completed in 2020. The state issued reappraisal mandates two years ago but acknowledges the limited availability of companies able to do the work, making immediate completion of an appraisal unrealistic.

Hopkins said six firms responded to the town's Request for Proposals for reappraisal, but only four submitted formal bids. Hopkins recommended that town staff conduct reference checks for these four companies with municipalities that have recently completed similar projects.

Members of the board questioned the cost quoted by one company, Tyler Technologies, and the lengthy completion date of 2032 from another, New England Municipal Resource Center (NEMRC).

The town currently has roughly $229,000 in its reappraisal fund, supported by a $5,000 annual town contribution matched substantially by Vermont's per-parcel state contribution, which will cover the majority of the cost of the project.

Hopkins clarified that reassessment aims to ensure equity rather than increase revenue. "The statewide education property tax is something that the state has a real interest in being done equitably up and down Vermont. And to make that happen, they need each community to make sure that its grand list is equitable," he said.

The Harvest Bridge Dance

Moore presented a proposal for a "Harvest Bridge Dance" on October 2, 2026, partnering with Colleen Wright Events and featuring food, drinks, music, and dancing on the historic Sanderson Covered Bridge on Pearl Street. The proposal requested permission from the selectboard to close Pearl Street from Corona Street to the intersection of Long Swamp and Short Swamp roads for the event.

Selectboard members expressed reservations. Several members questioned whether the homeowners in the area had been asked and if they approved of the event. Moore said homeowners had not been asked.

Barn Opera board member Tricia Welch noted that neither she nor Barn Opera representatives had been consulted about using the Barn Opera property for parking. "It's great if it's a fundraiser for the bridge, but there's a lot of moving parts there, and to have people on our property ... all that should have been discussed with our board," Welch said.

The Harvest Bridge Dance proposal was ultimately deferred pending additional stakeholder input.

Read the meeting minutes here.