Petition Stirs Controversy Over Emergency Motel Housing Expansion

The petition advocates for establishing a strict limit on the town’s participation in the program, highlighting concerns over the financial burden it places on local taxpayers.

A petition has emerged urging the Select Board to retract its recent decision to propose an increase in the state's emergency motel housing allocation. The board had voted narrowly, with a 3-2 margin, to request an increase from 117 to 137 rooms through the General Assistance program, a figure based on estimates of the unhoused population in the area.

The petition advocates for establishing a strict limit on the town’s participation in the program, highlighting concerns over the financial burden it places on local taxpayers. It emphasizes that while Brattleboro is known for its compassion towards those experiencing homelessness, fiscal prudence must also be prioritized to ensure equitable service distribution for residents. The petition argues that the municipality's resources could be strained due to rising costs linked to the program.

John Potter, the Town Manager, provided updates to the board regarding the state’s feedback on the matter. He indicated that state officials expressed apprehension about the proposed increase, particularly in light of the program's potential winding down. There is concern that an influx of motel rooms in Brattleboro could lead to an imbalance, diverting support away from other parts of the state and resulting in relocations of individuals from various regions to Brattleboro's facilities.

The board will remain vigilant as state legislation progresses. Board Chairman Oscar Heller assured that developments will be closely monitored in relation to the motel program's status.

Additionally, the petition referenced significant costs associated with the emergency program, estimating that expenses for local emergency services related to motel stays might reach $646,000 for the next fiscal year. Notably, recent data indicated an 11% decrease in emergency calls linked to these facilities when the number of available rooms was decreased previously.

Over a short period, Timothy Belknap gathered 211 signatures in support of the petition, expressing gratitude to those who participated. He stressed the importance of community involvement in addressing these critical issues and pointed out that the burden of homelessness should not fall disproportionately on a single town and its taxpayers. Brattleboro's revenue from the meals, rooms, and alcohol tax averages around $500,000 annually, with each motel program room reducing this income.

BRATTLEBORO — Brattleboro will be asking the state to increase emergency motel housing program availability in town by 20 rooms.