Brandon is great, but how could it be better? That was the question up for discussion at a community forum hosted last Thursday evening by the nonprofit Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD). The event was the first of three scheduled for the coming months, intended to help Brandon residents set goals for the town’s future.
Over a hundred people gathered for the event at Otter Valley Union Middle and High School to brainstorm ideas. And ideas were in no short supply: from developing a recreation-based economy and creating gathering places for young people to remediating mold, incubating small businesses, and building more housing, participants had plenty to discuss. For the most part, the tone was positive.
“You were talking solutions even when I asked you about problems,” Lauren Brady, VRCD’s community engagement and policy director, told the group she was leading.
The forum was divided into six sessions, with a free dinner catered by Eyrnn Doaner and family from Mae’s Place and live music by Kenny Cifone, Doug Ross, and Jeff Haylon in between. (See below for a summary of each session.)
Participant Barbara Scribner said she found the event inspiring. “I like the phrase ‘neighbors helping neighbors.’ We’re in a place where we can help, so we’re trying to see where we fit in,” she said.
At dinner, Stanley Dill was ruminating on how to approach the many challenges ahead. “We need to address the underlying question of how people interact in the community,” he said. “A lot of people throw up their hands, but you get to a certain age and you say, we have to fix this.”
At the next session, scheduled for May 27 at the Brandon Town Hall, participants will vote on which ideas they want to move forward with. And at the final session on June 25, they will come up with an action plan and connect with funders and state agencies that VCRD will invite to the event.
Residents can continue to submit their ideas for Brandon’s future through May 15, either through an online survey or on paper dropped off at the library, town hall, or Legion.
Community Resources
Participants highlighted numerous “bright spots” in Brandon’s community resources, including the Brandon Area Food Shelf, Brandon Library, ReBHS, Brandon Rescue Squad, and SolarFest, along with natural assets like trails, water resources, and conserved land. Beyond downtown, residents emphasized well-maintained roads, local agriculture, and recreational spaces such as Neshobe Golf Course and Estabrook Park. Significant challenges were noted, as well, including limited transportation for non-drivers, weak bike and pedestrian infrastructure, housing shortages, gaps in mental health and urgent care services, and difficulty connecting residents to resources and events. Concerns were raised about traffic on Route 7, isolation among older residents, insufficient access to natural areas, and infrastructure issues like waste costs, parking, and trail access.
Ideas for improvement included building systems that directly support vulnerable residents, such as emergency assistance for housing and mental health, a permanent warming shelter, and stronger coordination with the food shelf. Participants suggested improving mobility through volunteer driver programs, better bike routes, safer sidewalks, and expanded trail networks linking Brandon to nearby towns like Middlebury. The group also suggested community-building tools, including a volunteer hub, time bank, phone tree, and better bulletin boards to share information. Additional ideas included developing a laundromat, increasing funding for senior programs, creating a dementia support group, and partnering with colleges to bring in younger volunteers. Longer-term visions ranged from enhancing recreation and tourism and positioning Brandon as a hiking destination to expanding housing options, supporting renewable energy projects, improving parking, adding a passenger rail station, and organizing ongoing fundraising and volunteer training efforts.
Recreation and Community Engagement
Participants mentioned strengths such as youth programs through the Recreation Department and the library, classes offered by townspeople, music and arts opportunities, and a range of venues and communication channels that help bring people together. They also identified challenges, including insufficient walking and biking trails, a lack of dedicated spaces for teenagers, and limited winter activities for youth. Barriers such as limited personal transportation, affordability concerns, and gaps in sidewalks and transit options (especially to places like Estabrook Park) also restrict access. One person noted issues with community tone, including unconstructive interactions on Front Porch Forum.
Improvements suggested by group members included creating new gathering places such as a community pool, community gardens, and flexible indoor spaces (possibly making use of the vacant Rossiter Street building), as well as designating areas for teen activities and developing a teen job board. They suggested improving infrastructure by marking and expanding trails, enhancing transportation options, and addressing parking constraints. The group also emphasized boosting community life through initiatives like reviving the local newspaper, supporting artists-in-residence, and hosting free music events. Additional ideas included establishing a town-run Airbnb-type rental unit to fund events, working to attract conferences, and creating mentorship programs to better welcome and integrate new residents.
Development, Housing, and Jobs
Participants listed a wealth of resources to draw on, including a “tremendous” sense of community, minimal sprawl, a vibrant commercial district, and a strong arts community. They also noted Brandon’s beautiful natural setting and abundant clean water, three historic districts, and an active library and museum.
As for challenges, many people brought up the need for more housing, especially for low-income residents, young families, and seniors wanting to downsize. They acknowledged the link between housing, jobs, and support services, noting that the three problems must be addressed as a set. Possible solutions included support from the town for homeowners who want to add an accessory dwelling unit, and the creation of a community housing trust to enable affordable home ownership.
“I’m very concerned about housing,” said participant Wyatt Waterman, who currently lives in Rutland’s Dodge House, a transition home for veterans. “It’s a sign of the times that I’m a homeless vet.”
Other challenges raised include the lack of stores selling everyday items like furniture and clothes, and the need to better acknowledge Brandon’s indigenous people and history, to reinvest in the community, and to shift more of the tax base from residents to business and industry. A wealth of solutions were proposed, including invigorating the recreation economy, making downtown shopping easier with a new parking garage, expanding the sharing economy, and mentoring young entrepreneurs.
Kevin Lambert, a representative from Vermont’s Agency of Commerce and Community Development who was invited to participate, summed up the discussion by saying, “You have the brick and mortar, you have everything in place. What I’m hearing is so many good ideas about organizing people and systems.”
Beyond Downtown
Participants pointed to many strengths, such as extensive dirt roads, accessible hiking trails, conserved land, and clean water, along with valued community spaces like Estabrook Park, Neshobe Golf Course, and the Forest Dale Senior Center. They also highlighted unique features including local agriculture, the town forest, historic sites, and events like the Brandon Bluegrass Festival, as well as the presence of SolarFest. The group also reported key challenges for the areas outside the downtown, including limited sidewalks and bike infrastructure, barriers to accessing natural areas, traffic and safety concerns along Route 7, and weak transportation links between areas like Park Village and downtown. Participants also noted the isolation of older residents, a lack of housing diversity, gaps in services for remote areas, and practical issues such as littering, waste disposal costs, and insufficient parking for trail access.
Ideas for improvement included enhancing outdoor recreation by adding trail parking, expanding trail networks, possibly connecting to Middlebury, and positioning Brandon as a regional hiking destination. Participants suggested investing in new amenities such as a swimming pond, indoor recreation facilities, and a bike shop, while also improving basics like sidewalks, bike paths, and safer school and commuter routes. The group emphasized housing development, better transportation options, and infrastructure upgrades in underserved areas, including water and sewer expansion. They also recommended creating a conservation commission, promoting solar access for more residents, and supporting SolarFest as a regional draw. To strengthen community ties, they proposed launching a time bank or volunteer exchange, improving communication through bulletin boards, and creating programs to welcome and support new residents.
Education
When asked about Brandon’s strengths in the area of education, participants highlighted dedicated and experienced educators, special high school offerings such as the Moosalamoo program and theater opportunities, and the extensive land attached to the high school campus. It was noted that each of the three elementary schools that feed into the high school provides distinct advantages, and community institutions like the library and local arts programs and music teachers add to the educational resources in town. One attendee described the high school as being very welcoming of participation by homeschooled students. At the same time, significant challenges were identified: persistent budget constraints, difficulty engaging the public in a meaningful way with school funding decisions, growing complexity in student needs, and increasing pressure on schools to provide social services. The sense was that teachers face competing demands between meeting standards and providing individualized support, while administrative burdens, bullying concerns, and wealth inequality add further strain. Accessibility barriers, including transportation and cost, also limit student participation in programs.
Ideas for improvement centered on strengthening community integration and expanding flexible, inclusive learning opportunities. Suggestions included creating a “Brandon U” model with volunteer-led community classes, increasing mentorship and extracurricular involvement from local residents, and developing more youth-driven, self-directed learning spaces. Participants emphasized the importance of supporting career and trade pathways, encouraging more intergenerational mentoring and offering additional after-school programming. Also discussed were expanding preschool access, simplifying background check processes for volunteers, improving transportation and affordability for activities, and elevating public awareness of educators’ contributions. Overall, there was a strong call to better connect youth with the broader community, address root causes behind educational challenges, and adopt a more ambitious mindset about what Brandon’s schools and programs can achieve.
Infrastructure and Public Safety
Participants spoke of many strengths in Brandon’s infrastructure, pointing to a revitalized downtown, the newly-renovated library, the restored Town Hall and the municipal offices that now serve us well, as well as the new flood-mitigating culvert installed after Tropical Storm Irene. The town’s effective municipal leadership was praised, as well as the vibrant and active volunteer fire department, a reliable highway department, and the responsiveness of the police. Responses about infrastructure and public safety challenges centered on aging sewer and water pipes, challenges to accessibility, safety concerns related to speeding and intoxicated drivers (and lack of enforcement, especially beyond the downtown), inconsistent police presence and pedestrian and cyclist safety in the center of town. Group members also reported concerns related to accessibility and housing affordability.
Ideas proposed for further progress included expanding bike and sidewalk networks, improving signage and enforcement, increasing police visibility, and upgrading public safety resources and education. Participants promoted prioritizing long-term town and school infrastructure maintenance before pursuing broader ambitions, as well as addressing housing development through zoning reform, modular construction, or repurposing existing buildings. Additional suggestions included starting a Habitat for Humanity chapter, building bus shelters, creating a skate park for youth, and establishing a well-run laundromat in town.
