The Town is governed by a five-member Selectboard in between Annual Town Meetings. The Selectboard meets the first and third Tuesday nights each month (via Zoom currently, meeting ID 825 4632 0660, passcode Vernon). Public comment is welcome at any meeting. If you want to get on the agenda, contact the Town Administrator at vernonta@vernonvt.org.
Visit our Town Directory for contact information for the Selectboard and all other elected and appointed town officers.
Vernon has a Town Administrator, who answers to the Selectboard. The Town Clerk, Town Listers and Town Treasurer are separately elected. If you’re not sure where to go, start with the Town Clerk or the Town Administrator at 802-257-0292.
To contact other town officers, visit our Town Directory page. For information on meetings of the Selectboard and other boards and committees, visit our Agendas and Minutes page.
Trash and recycling pick up takes place on Thursday, with the exception of major holidays. Trash must go in Pay As you Throw Bags, available at Cold Brook Store, Guilford Country Store and J Spec Auto. The Town sells recycling bins for $14 each at Town Hall.
COVID Reminder—Town Hall closed to drop ins and you need to call first
You can also take materials to the Windham Solid Waste Management Facility in Brattleboro.
Property Taxes are paid three times per year, with payment dates in September, January and May. Taxes should be paid to the Town Treasurer on or before the due dates.
Appointments for motor vehicle registrations and drivers licenses can be made at the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles dmv.vermont.gov.
The Town Clerk is able to renew Vermont registrations, if they are no more than two months overdue.
Yes, Dog Licenses are due without penalty by April 1 of every year. Dogs six months and older must be licensed every year, with a copy of the current rabies information available at the time of licensing. License fees are $9 for spayed and neutered dogs, $13 if not.
During the winter months (Nov 1 to April 1) you are not allowed to park on the road (paved and unpaved) so that the plows can clear the snow. If your car, truck, boat, trailer, etc. is in the way of the plow, it will be towed at your expense.
Vernon has no local zoning, but there are State and Federal land development regulations that do apply. We advise anyone building in Town to check which State permits may be required. You may need an Act 250 permit from the State, check here Act 250 Jurisdiction Categories (vermont.gov)
The traditional "burning season" is spring, but the following rules regarding open fires apply all year round.
Vernon residents should be aware that we have fire wardens, as follows:
- John E. (“JJ”) Wheeldon (Fire Warden) — (802) 254-8185 OR (413 ) 896-3354
- Jesse Jobin (Deputy Fire Warden) —(802) 689-0468
A burning permit needs to be obtained from one of the wardens if you plan to have a fire that’s bigger in size than a normal backyard fire pit fire or barbecue. Permits will be given only for burning natural brush or branches, not construction materials, toxic items, or anything containing oils, paints or accelerants. (Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to: tires, tubes, plastics, shingles, foam rubber, oils, paints and any engineered building products.) Your fire must be attended at all times, safely extinguished, and out before dark.
Permits are free, and issued verbally. No forms, no paperwork, no fees. Just call the fire wardens listed above, provide your name, the time and place of the burn, and ask for an OK. You can leave a message and they will get back to you. A permit will normally be given as long as conditions are not excessively dry or windy, and as long as you have the ability to keep the fire contained, and as long as the materials are limited to brush and branches. Burning permits can be obtained any time of year; there is no set burning season as there is in some areas.