The Brandon Selectboard met Monday evening to discuss a road closure request for an event at Sanderson Covered Bridge, funding for the multiuse court resurfacing, and road salt procurement, as well as to address public comments on sewer rate increases.
The Covered Bridge Harvest Dance
After lengthy discussions in prior meetings, the selectboard approved a temporary road closure for the Covered Bridge Harvest Dance, a free community event for all ages on the Sanderson Covered Bridge, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, 6-8 p.m. The vote was 4-1, with selectboard member Brian Coolidge opposed.
Deputy Town Manager Bill Moore read an updated proposal that addressed previous concerns about the road closure, nearby property owners, event length, and emergency response access. The adjustments appeared to meet with general approval.
Selectboard Chair Cecil Reniche-Smith pointed out that the town manager often has the authority to close roads for events and that this proposal didn't need to be brought before the selectboard, but was presented because town management believed the public should be involved and informed.
Selectboard member Doug Bailey recommended that something be said at the event about the history of the bridge and its uniqueness. "The history of knowing how the bridge was made would be really entertaining or informative for the people who do come out," he noted.
Estabrook Park multiuse court resurfacing tabled
Moore presented a quote for $22,000 from Vermont Road Works to resurface the new Estabrook multiuse court, explaining that while paving was completed in June, it proved unsuitable for use without proper resurfacing.
The multiuse court project creates four pickleball courts and lines for one tennis court, with movable nets, on what had been a double tennis court. There will also be options for skateboarding. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Penny Estabrook endowment.
"If we were to approve this, the $22,000 plus the $47,000 we spent to do this, $69,000 was less than the quote I received from the same company to do just a single court," Moore said.
Coolidge said that, with cooler temperatures coming and possible time required to let the resurfacing cure, it would be better to wait until spring to do the work. Given the cost, selectboard member Ralph Ethier recommended looking at other options, including the town itself doing the resurfacing. Several selectboard members discussed the specialized nature of the job.
Reniche-Smith noted that the quote for the work was valid for 90 days and suggested they needed to learn more. Bailey stressed that the court had already been closed for a year and said, "It's not taxpayer money; I just think it's time to get this thing in service."
The selectboard decided to table the subject pending research.
Road salt purchase approved
The selectboard approved a purchase order for $106,500 for road salt.
The supplier, Cargill Inc. of Ohio, has been used by the town previously. Town Manager Seth Hopkins reported the bid rate is $106.50 per ton, slightly exceeding the budgeted $105 per ton.
The order covers 1,000 tons, resulting in a potential $1,500 budget overrun if all the salt is ordered and delivered.
This amount of road salt, Hopkins said, has been enough to get through past winters.
Town manager's report
Hopkins provided several updates, including selling the 2017 Mack truck through Auctions International with a current bid of $30,000, and a police electric motorcycle listed for sale on Municibid at $500.
He announced that RHR Smith & Co. CPA will conduct the town’s FY26 audit, with onsite work beginning later next month.
Hopkins also highlighted a positive Vermont Public article reporting on Brandon's infrastructure and small business climate.
He said a candidate forum for the Brandon state representative election is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, jointly conducted by the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce and The Neshobe Current.
Public comments on sewer rates
Resident Fred Pockette raised concerns about sewer rate increases, which he said would raise his current yearly cost of $725 "to be over $1,000 next year, almost $1,100. And that's hard on me." The wastewater budget approved in July increases the per thousand gallons rate from $8.50 to $13.00, holds the quarterly base fee at $120, and adds a debt service quarterly fee of $55.
Pockette questioned the equity of the rate structure, pointing out that commercial properties pump substantially more wastewater yet pay the same base fee.
Hopkins explained that the wastewater operation faces state-mandated staffing increases and costly loan payments from $3.6 million (at 1.75% interest) in infrastructure upgrades that voters approved in 2021.
"The equipment down at the wastewater treatment facility is the most expensive thing the town does by a mile," Hopkins said.
Various scenarios were evaluated, Hopkins said, with all rate examples resulting in over $300 in annual increases for typical users.
The selectboard has committed to hosting workshops on sewer rates for the next budget, "so it's fair to everyone, and we don't all start worrying about how we're going to pay them. Because I agree with you, it's a big jump," Reniche-Smith said.
Comments from the Energy Committee
Energy Committee members David Martin and Joyous! Emerson presented updates on energy navigation efforts and weatherization programs.
"We come in and talk to people about what their concerns are, what their goals are, and give them information about what we observe about the age of their equipment, potentially where they're losing most of their heat," Martin explained about the navigation process.
Martin said the committee has completed 21 of 60 grant-goal navigations since November, and he encouraged residents to participate before the grant concludes at the end of the year.
