Election 2025: Gayle DaMore for Board of Health
Incumbent Board of Health member, Gayle DaMore, is running unopposed to retain her three-year seat on the town's public health and safety board.
This article is a part of the Burlington Buzz Election 2025 Series, in which we profile each candidate for election. This year's election is on April 5, 2025, and our mission is to make it easy for all registered voters to vote by ensuring the community has access to information about the candidates and issues on the ballot. ELECTION CORNER
As her first three-year term comes to an end, Gayle DaMore is seeking re-election to the Board of Health, bringing her passion for community well-being to the Burlington community for another three years.
A resident since 2001 and a health educator at a nearby middle school, DaMore served as a Town Meeting member before joining the Board of Health and won her seat in a contested race in 2022. DaMore’s interest in public health stems from her experience in education and her passion for continuous learning about health-related issues. Working in a school has given her insight into the importance of public health, she said. "I wanted to expand my own knowledge in regards to the different aspects of public health... [and] better understand how to help the general public."
Reflecting on her first term, DaMore emphasized the breadth of responsibilities the Board of Health oversees. "From permitting households for chickens to giving flu shots, and making sure that all of the students that are in our public schools have the necessary vaccinations," DaMore said, the Board does a lot more than one might realize.
She also played a role in hiring Burlington's newest Public Health nurse and updating Burlington’s tobacco regulations in response to state law changes. She enjoys continuously learning about how local government functions and its interplay with different aspects of public health. She shared how essential it is to understand how state regulations impact town policies; local bylaws often need to be amended to align with changes at the state level.
One of the most interesting and involved areas of responsibility for the Board of Health, according to DaMore, is the oversight of Burlington’s biotech industry. The technicalities involved in hazardous waste management approvals are extensive, and she said she's learned a lot about the way biotech businesses function and how they ensure the community's safety.
Looking ahead, DaMore sees restaurant safety and tobacco control as key areas of focus for the Board of Health. (While the Board of Health regulates tobacco sales, alcohol regulation falls under the Select Board.)
While there are always public health concerns to address, DaMore acknowledges that the absence of a crisis like COVID-19 has provided time to strengthen the town’s health policies and procedures. “It’s been a great time to step in, learn, and be ready for whatever comes next.”
Though running unopposed, DaMore urges voters to participate in the election. “Even in an uncontested race, showing support for those doing the job is important,” she said. “I’m humbly asking for your vote so I can continue serving our community.”
From restaurant safety to mosquito control, DaMore continues to expand her knowledge and commitment to keeping Burlington a healthy place to live.
Gayle DaMore, along with Ed Weiner, is running unopposed to retain her seat on the Board of Health. Learn more about the Board of Health and visit our Election Corner for more information about the April 5, 2025, Burlington Town Election.
