2025 Patch Profile: Maya Nicole Matthews, Enfield Town Council

ENFIELD, CT — Enfield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Maya Nicole Matthews is running for the Enfield Town Council as a Democrat.

The following is Maya Nicole Matthews's questionnaire sent to Patch:

Candidate's Name: Maya Nicole Matthews

What office are you seeking? Town Council District 4

What town do you live in? Enfield

Campaign Website: https://enfieldctdemocrats.org/d4

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: Community leader, 15 plus Years

Family:

My parents made Enfield their home in the late 1970's. My father passed away in 2005 (and would be so proud), and my mother still lives in the house that we grew up in off of Raffia Road.

I am a single parent to my son, Kalebm, who is a senior at Enfield High School.

My brothers both went through the Enfield School system. My brother Millard Matthews III and I were the first in our family to graduate from college (University of Connecticut) and he is now a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and is the commander of the 93rd Bomb Squadron, 307th Operations Group, 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. My brother Michael Matthews lives with his wife and their children in Arizona.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Lt. Col. Millard Matthews III is the commander of the 93rd Bomb Squadron, 307th Operations Group, 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

He is responsible for the development and execution of the B-52 Formal Training Unit, a Total Force Enterprise partnership with the 11th Bomb Squadron that trains all B-52 Stratofortress aircrew in the Air Force through initial qualification training, requalification training, instructor upgrade training, and senior officer training.

As the commander, he leads the largest Formal Training Unit in the Combat Air Forces, supervising 48 reserve personnel and over 250 active duty students and instructors, while directing an annual operational schedule of over 640 sorties and 4,100 flying hours.

Previous public office, appointive or elective: Enfield America 250 Committee - 2025

Why are you seeking this office?

My life’s work has been about service — through nonprofits, the arts, and community leadership —and running for Town Council is a natural extension of that commitment.

I want to bring an open ear and a strong voice to ensure the people of District 4 are heard, and that town-wide decisions are made with the best interests of our community at heart.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the rising cost of living and the feeling that government isn’t listening to them.

I intend to change that by engaging directly with residents, investing wisely in our schools and infrastructure, reducing vacant buildings, and making development work for families — not just big corporations.

By ending unnecessary tax breaks and planning smarter growth, we can keep Enfield affordable while building long-term prosperity.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The biggest difference between me and my opponent is our approach to leadership.

I believe a Town Councilor’s job is to listen to all residents, not just a select few, and to make decisions based on fairness, transparency, and what’s best for the whole community.

While others may play favorites or follow national partisan agendas, my focus is right here in Enfield— on supporting our schools, strengthening nonprofits and social services, investing in our infrastructure, and keeping our town affordable.

I have a proven record of leading with both compassion and accountability through my nonprofit work and years in municipal government.

I am independent-minded, inclusive, and committed to working with every councilor, regardless of party, to move Enfield forward.

My opponent and I differ in priorities and leadership style: I will always put people and community first.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Beyond affordability, I want to focus on the everyday issues that shape quality of life in Enfield.

That means investing in our schools and supporting teachers, fixing our roads, and reducing the number of vacant buildings.

It means providing resources so seniors can age in place with dignity, and ensuring development is thoughtful — bringing in the right kinds of businesses while limiting warehouses and ending unnecessary corporate tax breaks.

Above all, I intend to keep listening to my neighbors so that council decisions reflect what residents actually want for their community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle this job?

I bring both nonprofit and municipal leadership experience that have prepared me to serve effectively on the Town Council.

As executive director of Enfield Loaves & Fishes, I’ve led an award-winning, statewide-recognized nonprofit that provides essential services to families while building sustainable partnerships.

As president of the Opera House Players and director of Enfield’s Fourth of July Celebration, I’ve shown how to unite people, manage large projects, and strengthen our community.

I also spent nearly a decade working inside the Town of Enfield government, where I served as liaison between residents and town leadership, managed communications, and gained first-hand knowledge of how local government works.

Combined with my education from the University of Connecticut and Holyoke Community College, these experiences prove that I not only understand the challenges our community faces, but also have the skills, compassion, and determination to deliver results for District 4.

And most importantly, I am the proud mother of a young man I’ve raised and provided for on my own.

That experience taught me resilience, accountability, and the importance of building a strong, supportive community — values I will carry with me to the Town Council.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice that I was ever given was to believe and trust in myself, even when it's hard.

I was raised by intelligent, loving parents who did their best to give me all of the tools I needed to be successful in life.

When I am in doubt, I try to remember to dig back into the truth of who I am and what I believe in order to always operate with integrity.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would like the voters to know that I was raised to act with empathy and respect.

I will not embarrass them, myself, or my family. I take the oath of office seriously and would be honored to represent our constituents and advocate for their needs.