Daniel Quipp served on the Brattleboro Selectboard from 2019 to 2025.
BRATTLEBORO-In the last month of my service as a member of the Brattleboro Selectboard, we held an unprecedented number of meetings, the first of which was a joint meeting with the Hinsdale (New Hampshire) Board of Selectmen at their Town Hall.
This meeting was the first time both boards had met in the course of the multiyear project to build a new bridge over the Connecticut River, replacing the bridges that joined our two communities. With hindsight, I wish that the two boards had met long before we did on March 3.
The meeting was intended to have an outcome that would have given the New Hampshire Department of Transportation information on how we envisioned the two bridges would be used so that the engineers responsible could proceed with rehabilitating them to support the weight they would need to support.
As the boards had not met to discuss the matter before that day, the question of how many planters, benches, or food trucks felt somewhat premature. The two boards had not agreed on how the new bridges would be used, though the Existing Bridges Committee had lots of ideas and engagement over the years.
But for some reason there had never been a decision requested by the two boards on what the facilities would actually look like. Instead, the Brattleboro board asked for a meeting a month later to see if we could get on the same page. Budget chaos ensued for a few months, and that meeting never happened.
By the time the dust had settled, Hinsdale's board and town administrator had taken the position that the bridges should be demolished, rather than the agreed-upon "minimal rehabilitation."
This agreement had been part of the funding of the new bridge, and $10 million of federal funds had been set aside for this work. None of that money would go towards programming or ongoing capital expenditures, but it would leave an asset for both communities that would provide all kinds of recreation opportunities, and a place for peace, quiet, and contemplation, as well as a serious economic development boon.
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In the spring and early summer, I often went down to the now-traffic-free bridges and island.
Every time I visited I was struck by what an opportunity this space was and saw people of all different ages and backgrounds enjoying the area: dog walkers, strollers, cyclists, youth, hikers, people fishing.
The view of the back of Main Street was refreshing, as were the sights up and down the river. Renovations at the former Whetstone Station building and the construction site of the new Amtrak station both hinted at the positive change that was coming.
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Unfortunately, Hinsdale decided to act unilaterally and close the bridges to access under threat of trespass prosecution.
The town's rationale was that unhoused people had at times used the island as a place of refuge. Sometimes trash was left behind. Sometimes the police had to be called, and this was a burden to them, as their small number of officers were likely to be coming from some miles away. This, of course, is true for all communities, and the edges of our territory are as much our responsibility as our downtowns.
Hinsdale is now trying to go back on the agreement to rehab the bridges for pedestrian enjoyment. Perhaps this serves Hinsdale's interests, but it is most strange that any Brattleboro Selectboard member would agree with them.
We need vision from our elected leaders rather than the belief that "we can't have nice things." As I understand it, a majority of the board has made a decision in a public meeting that Brattleboro's position is that we wish to honor the agreement and work with Hinsdale and the DOT's to move forward with the rehab plan.
This is a clear benefit to Brattleboro and we should continue to show our neighbors that we are ready to partner, share burdens, and steward our communal resources responsibly.
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I am grateful that board members Oscar Heller, Amanda Thurber, and Isaac Evans-Frantz have a vision for a future that supports this economic development and recreation opportunity. Their commitment today will benefit many generations to come and is supported by local businesses, nonprofits and volunteers.
I am hopeful that my former colleagues Elizabeth McLoughlin and Peter Case will join them in this work and continue to fulfill their pledge to act in the best interests of the people of Brattleboro. I know both of these people to be serious, committed, and hard-working public servants.
If you share my opinion that productive collaboration between the two towns and states on this project will be good for all of us, then I encourage you to voice that before this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is lost to short-term, fear-based thinking.
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