Priorities and values

I believe our town is best served when there is a commitment to democratic action and financial backing driving policy

A Return to Responsible Financial Planning

We as a town need to thoroughly assess our current and continuous financial obligations, so that we can know what our base cost of living is to keep services and infrastructure at their current statuses, before further changes are considered. Changes to our longterm financial plans will be the first step in this, and begin the process towards stabilized tax increases and better budgeting practices.

Supportive Town Growth

Economic development is a top priority for Brattleboro to offset our property taxes with tourist and sales revenue, as we work towards this, it must be done while ensuring that our community and children will be able to afford to remain in their homes

Listening Together to Collectively Accomplish Goals

Our town government is a system of participation, it is paramount that we welcome and support input from community members and work with diverse viewpoints in pursuit of our shared interests such as affordability, basic infrastructure, and social wellbeing

Endorsements

Civility. Respect for the facts. Listening thoughtfully. Explaining clearly and fully. These are not merely things to hope for (or these days to long for wistfully) in our elected officials; these things are essential to good governance. When these things are present, the public is well served even on those occasions when the Selectboard’s decisions are different from what we would have preferred. And when they are absent, our community is harmed even when the Selectboard’s decisions are in line with our own desires.

Among the first time candidates for this year's Selectboard, Nell Mayo stands out as someone who always does the homework, listens carefully to the discussions, and speaks respectfully and inclusively when it is her turn. She is particularly impressive when she is reminding those in power of facts they have inadvertently overlooked or intentionally disregarded. At times when others are ratcheting up divisiveness and argument, Nell consistently brings down the temperature in the room by speaking in a respectful tone and sticking to the facts. Nell’s thorough, intelligent, even-tempered approach would positively impact the quality of Selectboard discussions and decisions.

Peter Elwell

Former Town Manager

As a born and raised southern Vermonter, teacher, community activist I have a deep love and dedication to Brattleboro, its affordability and well being, and I wanted to put out a proud endorsement for Nell Mayo for the Select board. I have served on the Planning Commission for the better part of two years, as an RTM member, and as a former member of the Brattleboro Tenants Union. In my time meeting and working with Nell, from RTM to community events, I have found them to be an intelligent, compassionate, hard working human who is an asset to any project you are working on. From helping manage the accounting for projects, to washing dishes after community events, Nell is there, looking how best she can help. Having four Nells on the select board would make things work so efficiently, but we should be lucky to have just the one. If you want more compassionate community care and a tighter budget, you should vote for Nell.

I whole-heartedly endorse Nell Mayo as an outstanding candidate for the one-year seat of Brattleboro Selectboard.

I've known Nell for about a year, and had many wonderful conversations about community organizing and town governance with her. I have also been present with her at Town Meeting, and Selectboard Meetings. I am so impressed by Nell's brilliance, and her grounded, respectful, and dedicated engagement with town governance and planning. She served on the finance committee this last year, collaborating with the group of people who together achieved detailed, important oversights to help re-balance the town budget so Brattleboro did not go into deep debt (thank you!). I have been so impressed by her non-partisan, skillful and even-keeled participation in Selectboard Meetings, even when others were overcome by emotions. In addition to her already-dedicated participation in town governance and the finance committee, Nell has real understanding of the challenges working people are facing in Brattleboro, during these years when costs keep increasing in surprising ways. I grew up in Brattleboro in the 80s and 90s, and returned to raise my kid here in 2017, and like many long-term Brattleboro residents, I have experienced heartbreak and stress, through the many tragedies and losses we have collectively faced as a community. I remember what Brattleboro was like in the good Ole days, and I miss our friends and family members who have passed away. When I have witnessed Nell in action, I know she truly cares about this community in a most balanced, non-cliquish way, by how she dedicates herself to municipal decision-making that works for the greatest good. We need Selectboard members who are inclusive and respectful in their approach to town governance, who listen to and reflect the needs of town residents without ambitiously pursuing a personal agenda. Nell has a few years of experience doing this in Brattleboro already, and will continue to work in this way as part of a collaborative Selectboard team. She is one of the younger generation of Brattleboro community members, who is committed to building a better future for this town. Working in construction, she has a background in trades and also understands the economy of renting in Brattleboro. This is important representation for the great percentage of Brattleboro residents who are not property owners. With wisdom beyond her years, she embodies leadership from the next generation of Brattleboro community-builders, workers, family members, creatives. Vote for Nell Mayo for a dedicated, skillful, respectful, and visionary team on our Selectboard this year!

Jess Dolan

RTM Member, Neighbor

Dory Ham

Teacher, Artist, Activist

I’m excited to vote for newcomer Nell Mayo. I first met Nell in the winter of 2024, helping to serve meals to hungry neighbors on Flat Street. In 2025 they volunteered to serve on the town’s Finance Committee, providing citizen oversight on the Selectboard’s budget. They have become well-recognized by those who watch selectboard meetings for their consistent attendance, extensive note-taking, and thoughtful comments.

Due to their service on the finance committee, Nell has a deep understanding of our town’s budget and the challenges the Selectboard faced in developing it. I have deep admiration for the way they connect with people of all different perspectives on budgeting and on other challenges our town faces. Nell has a calm, steady presence and an attention to detail that shows up in the way they engage in Selectboard meetings. There have already been several times that their comments have positively influenced the direction of Selectboard conversations and decisions. I think it’s time we gave them an actual seat at the table.
I also have been extremely dismayed at the incivility with which some of the Selectboard meetings have been conducted. I deeply appreciate both Isaac Evans Franz and Nell for their ability to always speak diplomatically and respectfully even when discussions on the board become very challenging. I hope that by re-electing Isaac and adding Nell to our Selectboard, we can move forward as a town with dignity, thoughtfulness, and a deep understanding of what Brattleboro needs to thrive.

Robin Morgan

Human Services Committee and RTM Member

Hannah Sorilla

Neighbor

I have come to know Nell Mayo over the past year through their presence in local community spaces, and especially through their advocacy at Selectboard meetings. Their consistent presence has allowed me to develop a strong sense of trust in their judgment, their analysis, and their decision making, even when our perspectives might differ. When I think about who I want on the Selectboard, I think about someone who is thoughtful, willing to listen to different perspectives and discern how to move forward grounded within shared values, and someone who centers those most impacted. I trust that Nell has all of these qualities and would be an incredible, balanced presence on the board. Nell is compassionate, has a deep understanding of our budget/financial situation through their involvement on the finance committee, and is constantly helping me learn more about our town through all of their efforts. I am consistently impressed with their willingness to dive into new opportunities and share their learning - they always are accessible when I have questions or am seeking clarity on town happenings. I trust that Nell will fight for our town to be fiscally minded, while also extending compassion to and action around the reality we are all surviving - rising costs, less access to the resources we need, and separation from community. I am excited to vote for Nell Mayo on March 3rd, and I hope others join me so we move towards aligning our intentions and our impact in Brattleboro.

Gary Stroud

RTM District 8 Chair

My strong belief in the following candidates: What's going to differentiate them from the other 1-year candidates is that Nell Mayo and Isaac Evans-Frantz are working for the benefit of our entire community — not just the business community or property owners. Their ability to differentiate themselves — as candidates with experience serving Brattleboro who bring positive energy and a neighborly spirit in the context of disastrous policy — this is what's going to win the election and bring our community's future to a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous and safe unified town for us and generations of our young planting the seed of hope for a brighter future.