Latest News

February 27, 2026

  1. Peru Plans Agenda and Local Ballot for Upcoming Town Meeting Day: As Town Meeting Day approaches in Peru, Vermont, residents will address several important community decisions directly from the floor, reflecting the town's small size. Voters will choose individuals for various municipal roles, including town clerk, treasurer, constables, selectboard member, and more, with terms ranging from one to five years. A key article on the warning asks whether to implement a 1 percent rooms tax under state law. The meeting will also feature the Taconic and Green ballot for local consideration. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Feb 27)

February 24, 2026

  1. Windham County Towns Prepare for Annual Town Meeting Day on March 3: Residents across Windham County are set to gather for Town Meeting Day on Tuesday, March 3, to discuss local budgets, elect officials, and vote on key warrant articles. Towns including Athens, Brattleboro, Brookline, Rockingham, Vernon, Westminster, and Windham will hold meetings according to their own schedules, with Marlboro casting votes by Australian ballot. Vermont state law recognizes Town Meeting Day as a holiday for state employees, and also permits unpaid leave for others to attend. (Source: The Commons on Feb 24)

February 19, 2026

  1. Londonderry Prepares Agenda for Traditional Town Meeting: Londonderry residents are set to gather at Town Hall on March 3 for the annual Town Meeting, where decisions on local governance, including the budget and public offices, will be made directly by voters. This year's agenda may see extended discussion about a proposed 1 percent local option tax on sales, an item previously rejected in 2024 but now back for reconsideration. The meeting continues the town's tradition of community participation and face-to-face debate. All business will be conducted in person on the meeting floor. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Feb 18)

  2. School Districts Release Annual Reports Ahead of March Town Meeting Day Vote: The Mettawee and Taconic & Green School Districts in southern Vermont have published their annual reports to inform residents about proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. These documents include details on spending plans, tax rate calculations, and frequently asked questions to help voters prepare for the March 3 Town Meeting Day vote. Reports have been distributed to households in the respective communities and are also available at various local sites and online. Public in-person annual meetings will also be held prior to the vote. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Feb 19)

February 18, 2026

  1. Vermont Recognized as Leading Winter Sports Destination by Travel + Leisure: Vermont has been named the top winter sports destination in the United States by Travel + Leisure, citing the state's extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, numerous ski areas, and unique local culture. The accolade highlights locations such as Magic Mountain Ski Area in Londonderry and emphasizes Vermont’s widespread appeal beyond skiing, including snowshoeing and ice skating. Vermont ranked ahead of states like Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire, and Minnesota. This recognition affirms Vermont’s status as a winter tourism leader. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Feb 17)

January 8, 2026

  1. Taconic & Green School Board Advances 2026-27 Budget for Voter Review: The Taconic & Green Regional School District's board has approved a proposed budget of $41,042,088 for the 2026-27 fiscal year, reflecting a 3.2 percent increase over the previous year. If voters approve additional warned articles in March, another $425,000 could be added, though this represents a reduction from last year's supplemental funding. Education spending is set to rise by 3.8 percent, and the district tax rate is projected to see a slight increase. The board allocated funds from its stabilization reserve to mitigate the tax rate impact. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Jan 8)

December 31, 2025

  1. Major Fires in Northshire Prompt Community Action and Fire Safety Campaigns in 2025: Throughout 2025, several tragic house fires in towns including Sandgate, Danby, and Manchester resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, deeply affecting Northshire residents. In response, the Manchester Fire Department spearheaded a campaign to improve fire safety awareness, conducting outreach and distributing smoke detectors to local households. Community members were also involved in these efforts, reflecting a collective push to prevent future tragedies. The initiative marked a significant public safety effort in the region. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 31)

December 18, 2025

  1. Taconic & Green School District Continues Budget Review Amid School Closures: The Taconic & Green Regional School District board met at Flood Brook School in Londonderry on December 16 to review the evolving draft budget to be presented at March Town Meeting. In the wake of recent decisions to close Sunderland Elementary and Currier Memorial School, the district is shifting from operating five schools to four. The board also plans to divide Manchester Elementary Middle School into separate elementary and middle schools to adapt to programming needs. Broader changes in Vermont’s education system may influence final budget outcomes. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 18)

December 5, 2025

  1. Suspect Charged in July Theft at Londonderry Village Market: A Groton man has been charged in connection with a reported theft at the Londonderry Village Market that occurred in July. Following an investigation that included public assistance and review of security footage, Vermont State Police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Nicholas Fortunati. He was issued a court citation to appear in Windham County, where he will respond to a retail theft charge. The incident initially took place on the morning of July 18. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 5)

December 4, 2025

  1. Taconic & Green Board Approves Sale of Sunderland School for Special Needs Facility: The Taconic & Green Regional School Board has approved the sale of the Sunderland Elementary School building and grounds to the town of Sunderland for $1. The agreement stipulates that if Sunderland retains ownership until at least June 2031, no further payments will be required. However, if sold to a different buyer before then, the town would need to reimburse the district for recent building improvements totaling $25,630. Sunderland officials have not yet made a final decision on the purchase. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 4)

December 2, 2025

  1. Fire Extinguished at Former Revival Kitchen Site in Londonderry: Firefighters from Londonderry and Chester responded early Tuesday morning to a blaze at the former Revival Kitchen building on Vermont Route 11. Emergency crews arrived shortly after 5 a.m., quickly containing the fire by 6:45 a.m. Surrounding roads were closed temporarily as a precaution while crews worked. The building has been vacant since Revival Kitchen closed earlier this year and was listed for sale, with no active business present when the fire broke out. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Dec 2)

November 26, 2025

  1. Stratton Mountain Invests $15 Million in Upgrades Ahead of Ski Season: Stratton Mountain has completed approximately $15 million in capital improvements prior to the upcoming winter. Nearly $3 million was dedicated to snowmaking enhancements, which included the installation of over 260 new high-efficiency snow guns on various trails and major upgrades to snowmaking software and piping. The resort also focused on employee housing, investing a significant portion of the budget. These upgrades aim to improve efficiency and reliability across the resort’s operations. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Nov 26)

November 20, 2025

  1. Flood Brook School Students Explore Local Watersheds and Dam Management: Seventh and eighth graders at Flood Brook School in Londonderry, Vermont, recently undertook a project examining the management of local watersheds and the role of dams, some of which are over two centuries old. Their work involved analyzing the necessity and impact of these dams, especially in light of recent flooding affecting nearby mountain towns. The project encouraged students to apply classroom knowledge to practical, real-world issues within their community. Their process highlighted the importance of critical thinking and local engagement. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Nov 20)

November 12, 2025

  1. Manchester Chosen for Vermont Infill Housing Pilot Project: Manchester has been selected as one of three towns in Vermont to participate in a state-led infill housing pilot project. The initiative, part of the 802 Homes For All program run by the Department of Housing and Community Development, aims to encourage construction of new homes on vacant lots within established neighborhoods. Manchester was chosen from a pool of 22 applicants due to its demonstrated commitment to workforce housing efforts. The project seeks to address Vermont’s ongoing housing challenges in a measured way. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Nov 12)

October 29, 2025

  1. Voters in Northshire Communities Oppose Closing Local Elementary Schools: Residents of Sunderland, Danby, and Mt. Tabor in southern Vermont participated in a non-binding referendum on whether to close Sunderland Elementary School and Currier Memorial School. Voters in each community expressed clear opposition to the proposed school closures, with the majority preferring to keep the schools open within the Taconic & Green Regional School District. Voter turnout remained below 20 percent in all three towns. The results are advisory and do not obligate the school district to act. (Source: The Manchester Journal on Oct 29)