Facing the prospect of losing the hospital’s birthing center, Brattleboro officials are looking for a way to raise money locally to keep the facility open.
The Brattleboro Select Board plans to vote in the city on whether to implement a new resident tax to benefit the birthing center at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.
On Tuesday, it voted unanimously to have city staff prepare a special warning for the city meeting, which the board may vote on at its next meeting.
The proposal would require each property owner to undergo a one-time audit to raise money for the hospital.
“Local investment sends a strong message to Montpelier.”
Peter Case, board member of Brattleboro Select
“This should not be viewed as a bailout, but rather an investment in an essential public good,” Brattleboro Select board member Peter Case said. “An investment locally sends a strong message to Montpelier. It shows that this community recognizes the value of its hospital and birthing center and is willing to dedicate local resources to their preservation.”
Earlier this month, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital announced it would close its birthing center within six to nine months because the center was experiencing losses. The cash-strapped facility has asked Gov. Phil Scott for $3 million to $4 million in state funding to keep its birth center afloat, but the governor has rejected those requests.
“Nothing we’re discussing tonight is ideal,” Case said. “We recognize that Brattleboro taxpayers are bearing a significant burden, and it is unfortunate that we have reached a point where these options even need to be considered. We ask Brattleboro voters to decide whether this is an investment they are willing to make.”
The special board has not yet agreed on a number for how much revenue it would like to raise, although it has talked about $1 million.
City Manager John Potter said raising $1 million through taxes would cost the average homeowner about $150.
“The loss of the birth center stands in the way of all of our long-term goals.”
Oscar Heller, CEO of Brattleboro Select
The board said at its meeting it hopes the potential taxpayer-funded subsidy for the hospital will encourage other towns in the region to also consider supporting the birthing center.
“The loss of the birth center contradicts all of our long-term goals,” said Oscar Heller, chairman of Brattleboro Select. “We would lose quality jobs. We would worsen people’s health. We would harm economic development. We would make this place a less attractive place for all the young families we say we want so much to move to.”
A number of residents who spoke at the meeting said they did not believe local tax dollars should be used for the hospital.
“Frankly, we can’t afford to fund what the community needs,” Dick DeGray said. “You need to think about something before you set up a meeting and burden people who can’t afford to pay their taxes now.”
The board announced it would invite Brattleboro Memorial Hospital administration to its next meeting, but in a prepared statement sent out after the meeting, a hospital spokesman said it was grateful for the board’s commitment to exploring options for investing in the birthing center.
“The response from our community has been extraordinary,” said Dr. Elizabeth McLarney, acting co-CEO of the hospital. “Every conversation, every offer of support and every effort to find solutions underscores how important BMH and the birth center are to this region. We are encouraged that so many people are coming together to help us find a way forward.”
https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2026-07-22/brattleboro-contemplates-raising-tax-money-keep-birth-center-open
