Welcome to the Town of Dorset Website :
Chartered in 1761, Dorset is a vibrant and historic community nestled in the hills of southern Vermont.
Dorset is well known for its mountains, valleys & New England village charm. The quality of life and schools make Dorset a great place to live. This website covers municipal services and operations.
Dorset is well known for its mountains, valleys & New England village charm. The quality of life and schools make Dorset a great place to live. This website covers municipal services and operations.
Discover Dorset:
Looking to Discover more about Dorset? or plan a visit?
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PUBLIC NOTICES:
Unofficial Town Meeting 2026 Voting Results:
Select Board 1 year (2 seats)
Henry Chandler 203*
Jim Salsgiver 153*
Chris Brooks 135
Carter Rawson 120
Select Board 3 year (1 seat)
Frank Parent 268*
Moderator 1 year
Kevin O'Toole 313*
Town Budget
YES 257
NO 45
Taconic & Green Budget
YES 267
NO 49
Select Board 1 year (2 seats)
Henry Chandler 203*
Jim Salsgiver 153*
Chris Brooks 135
Carter Rawson 120
Select Board 3 year (1 seat)
Frank Parent 268*
Moderator 1 year
Kevin O'Toole 313*
Town Budget
YES 257
NO 45
Taconic & Green Budget
YES 267
NO 49
DORSET TOWN REPORT 2025:
| 2025_town_report_final.pdf |
DORSET TOWN MEETING WARNING:
| TOWN MEETING WARNING |
Draft Dorset Housing Market Analysis - 2/17/26
| dorset_housing_market_analysis_-_communityscale_-_feb_13_draft__1_.pdf |
Raptor Lane Housing:
Housing Committee Info:
At Town Meeting in 2023 Dorset voters approved the article encouraging the Select Board to create a housing committee to work on the issue of housing in Dorset.
In the fall of 2023, the Select Board appointed: Henry Chandler, Liz Ruffa, Ben Weiss, Peter Kinder, Dave McAneny, Julie Citron, Carter Rawson, Seth Dunne, Coleen Clifton, and Greg Boshart.
Over the course of 2024 the committee worked with Enman Kesselring Engineering to facilitate feasibility study to determine the potential capacity for housing at Raptor Lane. In addition, they reviewed information about non-profit housing, creating a housing trust, and keeping abreast of changes at the State level related to housing.
After the Raptor Lane Feasibility Study was completed, the Town contracted with White & Burke to take stock of our process and determine how to move forward.
White & Burke reviewed the process, housing market, land use documents, interviewed area employers and looked at potential alternative sites and methods for the housing effort in Dorset. These findings are attached below.
After this review White & Burke recommended creating a RFQ and RFP for housing at the Raptor Lane property to see if any developers were potentially interested. The RFP was issued during the spring/summer of 2025, with responses in August 2025.
| housing_committee_report_draft_4-8-25.pdf |
Raptor Lane Feasibility Study 2024:
| dorsetraptorlane_feasibilitystudy_non_rte.pdf |
White & Burke Review of Raptor Lane and Alternatives & RFP Info:
| dorset_raptor_lane_housing_project_-_findings_and_recommendations_final.pdf |
| dorset_raptor_lane_rfq_responses_-_summary_and_recommendation__1_.pdf |
Dorset Housing Needs Study 2024:
| Dorset Housing Needs Study 2024 |
Northshire Economic Development Study 2016:
| NED Study 2016 |
Dorset Tomorrow - Vermont Council on Rural Development 2019:
| vcrd_dorset_tomorrow_2019.pdf |
Property Taxes 2025-2026:
Dorset Short Term Rental Ordinance:
| dorset_str_ordinance_amended_1-21-2025.pdf |
| STR Registration Form 4-9-24 |
Upcoming Meetings:
Selectboard - Tuesday February 17 at 7pm
Housing Forum: Raptor Lane - Wednesday February 18 at 5:30pm
Planning Commission - Wednesday March 4 at 7pm
Selectboard - Tuesday February 17 at 7pm
Housing Forum: Raptor Lane - Wednesday February 18 at 5:30pm
Planning Commission - Wednesday March 4 at 7pm
RECREATION INFO:
Dorset Residents:
Did you know the Town offers a discount on:
How to claim the discount:
Simply fill out the reimbursement form with proof of payment and residency and the Town will send you a check for the discount. Discounts are calculated at 25% of program costs with a maximum of $150 per child.
Reimbursement forms can be picked up and dropped off at the Town Offices 112 Mad Tom Road East Dorset or emailed to: townmanager@gmail.com
Recreation Scholarships are available to families making less than $60,000 per year. Scholarships are $300 towards programs.
Dorset Residents:
Did you know the Town offers a discount on:
- JISP
- Riley Rink Programs
- MPR Summer Programs
- Long Trail Summer Programs
- Free Entry at Emerald Lake State Park
- Recreation Scholarships
- Swim Lessons at Lawrence School
How to claim the discount:
Simply fill out the reimbursement form with proof of payment and residency and the Town will send you a check for the discount. Discounts are calculated at 25% of program costs with a maximum of $150 per child.
Reimbursement forms can be picked up and dropped off at the Town Offices 112 Mad Tom Road East Dorset or emailed to: townmanager@gmail.com
Recreation Scholarships are available to families making less than $60,000 per year. Scholarships are $300 towards programs.
| RECREATION REIMBURSEMENT FORM |
| RECREATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION |
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Be sure to "like" the Town of Dorset on Facebook! |
Dorset has Front Porch Forum!
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2022 Dorset Town Report:
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2021 Dorset Town Report:
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