Oral history interview with Brandon town employees

Oral history interview with Brandon town employees

In this interview, the town clerk and two-person recreation department of Brandon, Vermont, discuss the town's operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. They explain the transition from in-person group recreation to online activities and creative efforts like reverse parades or "Bears of Brandon," where everyone put bears in their windows. They also describe how business processes were adapted. For instance, Zoom was used for tax appeals and a drive through election was organized for the Vermont primary in 2020. The town clerk implemented a short "Five at Five" update every day at 5:00pm on Facebook. Brandon did not experience a surge in COVID cases and the interviewees' consensus was that everyone stepped up to keep town government functioning during the pandemic.

Susan "Sue" Gage was the town clerk and treasurer in Brandon, Vermont, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the time of this interview.

William "Bill" F. E. Moore III worked for the town of Brandon, Vermont, as recreation director, economic development officer, and deputy town manager, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the time of this interview.

Colleen Wright was the assistant to the recreation director in Brandon, Vermont, as well as the coordinator for the Brandon Area Toy Project, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the time of this interview.

Sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-251676-OMS-22.

2024-06-28

Collecting COVID-19: A Vermont Story Project

AudioFileCOVID-010

MP3

WAV

Audio file

Permission to publish material from the Collecting COVID-19: A Vermont Story Project may be obtained from the Vermont Historical Society.

Bosek, Marcia Sue DeWolf

Gage, Susan

Moore, William F. E.

Wright, Colleen

59 min., 18 sec.

Vermont Historical Society Library, 60 Washington Street, Barre, VT 05641-4215