The Town of Sunderland is located within Bennington County, in Vermont´s southwest corner.  In recent years residents and visitors have branded this beautiful region nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountains as The Shires of Vermont.  Located between Bennington, the South Shire, and Manchester, the North Shire, Sunderland is surrounded by mountains and enriched by the waters of the famous Batten Kill that runs through the valley.  Sunderland and the towns around it have historically been a popular four season destination for those seeking an authentic Vermont experience.  You’ll find canoeing, tubing, camping, mountain biking, hiking and skiing close by.  All within a 4 hour drive from New York City, Hartford, Boston, Northern New Jersey and Canada.

Latest News and Announcements:

IMPORTANT OFFICE UPDATE-  The Town Clerk and Treasurer’s office will be closing at 2 PM Monday, May 20th through Thursday, May 23rd.  Normal hours will resume Tuesday, May 28th.

Property Taxes & Dog Licenses are Past Due –  Property taxes were due Monday, April 15th.  Late or unpaid amounts are subject to an 8 percent delinquency fee plus interest.  Dog license fees were due April 1st.  A current rabies certificate is required.  Including penalties and late fees, neutered and spayed dogs are now $27.00, those that are not are $33.00.

Phyllis Skidmore’s Retirement Celebration – Martha Canfield Library Director Phyllis Skidmore is retiring in June after 44 years of service to the community.  The Library Board of Trustees is honoring Phyllis on Sunday, May 19th from 1PM to 3PM at the Arlington Inn, 3904 VT Rte. 7A in Arlington.  There will also be an Open House Thursday, June 6th from 3PM until 7PM at the Martha Canfield Library to share memories and celebrate Phyllis.

ARPA Meetings-  The ARPA committee is scheduled to resume meeting on Sunday, June 30th at 7 PM. To view the committee’s agendas and minutes, choose Meetings, then Select Board minutes on the drop down menu.  View ARPA committee members discussion of the ARPA Funds on GNATV at this link:  https://gnat-tv.org/sunderland-select-board-members-discuss-arpa-funds/.

Town Meeting 2024 Results and Annual Report –  The annual Town Floor Meeting was held Monday, March 4th, 2024 at the Sunderland Elementary School for discussion and floor voting of public questions.  All Articles presented at the floor meeting were approved.  Australian ballot voting took place on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 at the Sunderland Town Office Building.  The results of the Town Ballot Articles and Elections may be found here and the Presidential Primary results by clicking here.  Click here to view the combined minutes and results of the meeting.  The 2023 Annual Report is still available.  Copies may be picked up at the Sunderland Town Clerk’s office during regular office hours or call the office at 802-375-6106 to request a copy by mail.  View a copy of the current report at this link:  Sunderland Town Report for Year Ending June 30 2023.

Co-Existing with Bears –  Please read the following updated information from Vermont Fish and Wildlife for tips on how to stay safe and successfully co-exist with the bears in your neighborhood:  Bear coexistence PSA.

WIFI Hot spot available at the Sunderland Town Office –  Thanks to a generous donation from Microsoft and RTO Wireless, commercial grade WIFI Hotspot equipment was installed at the Sunderland Town Office Building.  Microsoft/RTO reached out to the Vermont Public Service Department with an offer to provide and install public WIFI hotspots in rural locations in Vermont at no cost. Residents may access the internet for telehealth, remote learning and more from their vehicle while in the Town Office parking lot.  More information about the program can be found in Governor Scott’s press release. Free WiFi is also available inside the Sunderland Town Hall, along with a computer that can be used during normal office hours.

Emergency Preparedness – To help Vermonters be prepared for an emergency situation, the Green Mountain Guide for Emergency Planning is a valuable organizational tool.

Emerald Ash Borer – The VT Urban & Community Forestry Program within the VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation has announced the emerald ash borer (EAB), has been confirmed in both Richmond and Shaftsbury, resulting in two new infestations. The vast majority of the Town of Sunderland is now either within the “High Risk Area” (10-mile radius from a known infested site) or the “confirmed Infested Area” (a 5-mile radius from a known infested site).  You can view the most up to date map here.  The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that attacks and kills 99% of all 3 species of ash trees found in Vermont. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. EAB has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America since it was discovered in 2002. The first EAB infestation was confirmed in Vermont in 2018 and is now in 10 VT counties. For information and resources please visit the VTInvasives.org EAB page.

Front Porch Forum (local electronic forum where we post town information)  Join at http://frontporchforum.com

Declaration of Inclusion – At their March 13th, 2023 meeting, the Sunderland Selectboard adopted the following statement:  The Town of Sunderland condemns racism and welcomes all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, and wants everyone to feel safe and welcome in our community.  As a town, we formally condemn all discrimination in all of its forms, commit to fair and equal treatment of everyone in our community, and will strive to ensure all of our actions, policies, and operating procedures reflect this commitment.  The Town of Sunderland has and will continue to be a place where individuals can live freely and express their opinions.