Town of Bennington

09/11/2026

Roadwork for next week September 14-18 includes: Beech St remains CLOSED during work hours, Harbour Road will be CLOSED for additional culvert replacement, Silver St will be CLOSED again MONDAY between Hillside and Grandview. Additional Lane restrictions and/or more information can be found on the Town's Website under "Public Notices"

09/10/2026

There will be a meeting of the Select Board on Monday, 9/14/2026, at 6 pm at the Firehouse. You will find the agenda, minutes of the prior meeting and all public documents by selecting the link below.

09/10/2026

09/09/2026

REMINDER: 25th Anniversary Ceremony for 9/11 at Vermont Veterans Home

The Vermont Veterans Home (VVH), in partnership with the Town of Bennington, local first responder agencies, veterans’ organizations, and community partners including local schools, will host a public ceremony on Friday, September 11, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

This solemn commemoration will honor the lives lost, the sacrifices made by first responders, and the enduring commitment of our community to remembrance. The event will feature musical performances, guest speakers, color guards representing multiple law enforcement agencies, veterans organizations, a wreath‑laying tribute, and participation from local fire departments and the Vermont Army National Guard.

The ceremony will take place on the grounds in front of the Vermont Veterans’ Home by the Memorial Wall. It is recommended to enter via the Park Street entrance for ease of parking.

The public is suggested to arrive beginning at 8:00 a.m and are encouraged to bring their own chairs or be prepared to stand. The event is rain or shine, so umbrellas are encouraged if the forecast shows signs of rain.

The event will begin at 8:25 a.m. with the landing of a Vermont Army National Guard helicopter on the Vermont Veterans Home (VVH) lawn. At 8:30 a.m., the MAUHS band/choir will open the ceremony with the National Anthem, followed by additional selections throughout the rest of the program including God Bless America, America the Beautiful, and American Tears, a post‑9/11 tribute to those who serve. Audience participation will be welcomed for the familiar pieces, with lyrics provided in the event program.

Two moments of silence will be observed marking the times the Twin Towers were struck. These moments will frame the ceremony’s keynote reflections. Chief Doucette will lead a segment honoring first responders, joined by additional voices as scheduling allows. Patti Cody will offer remarks on behalf of families affected by 9/11; her late husband, a firefighter who volunteered at Ground Zero, passed away from 9/11‑related injuries.

After the speakers, color guards from the Bennington County Sheriff’s Department, Bennington Police Department, Vermont State Police, local Fire Departments, and other participating organizations will join in a multi‑agency wreath‑laying ceremony. The MAUHS band will perform Taps, followed by a 21‑gun salute by the VFW, and a benediction by Aaron Leebert.

The ceremony is expected to conclude at approximately 9:35 a.m. with a retiring of the colors. After the ceremony, a reception will be held at the Elks Lodge at 125 Washington Avenue at 10:00 am to which all are invited. Refreshments will be provided, compliments of Walmart.

CAT TV will provide live coverage and recording of the event. A limited‑edition Bennington 9/11 challenge coin has been produced for participating agencies and is available for purchase at the Bennington Police Department. This commemoration is the result of ongoing collaboration among VVH leadership, local fire and rescue departments, law enforcement agencies, veterans’ groups, school partners, community volunteers, and the Town of Bennington.

Special thanks to L&G fabricators and the Town Buildings and Grounds crew for helping with a bracket and stand for the 9/11 artifact from the Twin Towers.

The Town of Bennington invites all residents, families, veterans, first responders, and students to join in this meaningful observance. Parking is available around the Veterans Home and there will be signage directing you where to go. Please consider entering via Park Street for parking to avoid congestion at the front entrance.

For more information, please contact: Town of Bennington Communications Office at 445-1335 or email [email protected]

09/08/2026

FINAL DAYS TO DO THE SURVEY! ENDS SEPTEMBER 13

Bennington Select Board Seeks Public Input on Use of Potential Local Option Tax Revenue

The Bennington Select Board is asking residents to participate in a new community survey to help shape how revenue from a proposed Local Option Tax should be used if voters choose to adopt it this November.

The proposal would add a 1% tax to Sales & Use, Rooms & Meals, and Alcohol transactions. Under Vermont law, 75% of the revenue generated would stay in Bennington, where the Select Board and the community, not the state, would determine how those funds are allocated.

Many common items such as groceries, medicine and medical devices, clothing, and agricultural supplies and equipment are exempt from sales tax. Heating oil and propane do not have sales tax.

More than half of the revenue generated would come from non‑residents, including visitors and commuters who shop in Bennington and are using Bennington’s services and infrastructure (according to the SW Chamber Foundation Visitor Survey).

If the tax had been in place over the past three years, it would have generated more than $1.8 million annually, equal to roughly 10% of the Town’s current municipal tax‑supported budget.

The Select Board has adopted a policy which requires half the revenue be used to offset property taxes and requires public input to guide how the rest is spent.. They are now seeking input on specific priorities from residents: if the Local Option Tax passes on November 3, how should Bennington invest the funds to best support its future?

Public discussion will continue at both September Select Board meetings on the 14th and 28th plus a special meeting solely on this subject on October 5.

Here is a direct link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2T79GT6 The survey ends on September 13, 2026.

You can learn more, find a link to the survey, make comments, and subscribe for updates on the Town’s Local Option Tax information page at: https://www.benningtonvt.org/LOT

09/08/2026

NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

Pursuant to T. 32 VSA § 4772, notice is hereby given that Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District Taxes and Town of Bennington Property Taxes are due and payable by Tuesday, November 10th, 2026, at 4:30P.M.

Payment may be made in person at the Collections Department, Bennington Town Offices, 205 South Street in Bennington or by mail to the Collections Department, Town of Bennington, P.O. Box 469, Bennington, VT 05201. Payments by mail must be received no later than November 10th, 2026 at 4:30 P.M., or such payment shall be deemed delinquent.

—Daniel W. Monks
Collector of Taxes

09/04/2026

Reminder: Town Office & Public Works will observe the Monday Sept 7th Labor Day Holiday.
Tuesday through Friday Roadwork will include: Closures on Silver Street & Imperial Ave, as well as Culvert Replacements on Rutter and Harbour Rd; Paving will restrict lanes on Jefferson and Merson. For More Details see the Town's Website under "Public Notices"

09/04/2026

FROM THE Bennington Town Clerks Office - ELECTION INFORMATION:

The 2026 General Election is coming on November 3, 2026.

Starting September 21, 2026, the Elections Division for the State of Vermont will start mailing out absentee ballots. Every active, registered voter in Vermont will get a ballot pursuant to state law (17 V.S.A. § 2537a)

If you choose not to use your early ballot, remember to BYOB, bring your own ballot, to the polls on November 3rd! You can return it to us by drop-box or in person. Please write, VOTING IN PERSON, then we can make sure your absentee request is taken out of the system. PLEASE DO NOT THROW THEM AWAY.

The ballot drop box located at 205 South Street, Bennington, will be available Starting September 21 until Monday, November 2nd at 4:30 PM for Bennington voters ONLY. If your ballot is from a nearby town, reach out to your Town Clerk to find out how to return it. If it is returned to the Bennington drop box, it will not be counted.

As always, the Clerk’s office ONLY will close at 11:30am, Monday November 2, 2026. And will re-open regular business on Wednesday November 4, 2026.

November 3rd, 2026, you will vote at your polling place. 7am-7pm. For Bennington residents, vote at the Bennington Firehouse at 130 River Street. For North Bennington residents, vote at the Old Train Depot at #2 Depot Street in North Bennington.

***Please use this link to check your polling location, your district and sample ballots.
https://www.benningtonvt.org/services/town_clerk/elections___voter_information/index.php

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Clerk’s office.
[email protected] or 802-442-1043

Kayla M. Thompson
Bennington Town Clerk

09/02/2026

FROM VTRANS: Bennington Bridge #6 Project Complete.

Motorists and residents are advised that construction on Bennington Bridge #6 over the Walloomsac River is complete as of Tuesday, September 1, marking the completion of the bridge work that began in April.

Minor finishing work, including landscaping and site cleanup, may continue in the area in the coming weeks and is not expected to affect traffic flow.

VTrans and the project team thank the community for its patience throughout the construction period.

For additional project details, including the full public meeting presentation and notes, please visit the Town of Bennington's website: tinyurl.com/5998x7hu.

Contact Leah Beckett at [email protected] with any questions.

Construction Activities: This week, the contractor will continue general cleanup and address remaining tasks as the project nears completion. Traffic Impacts: There will be no traffic impacts associated with this project. However, there may be traffic impacts from road work on Beech St. as part of ...

09/02/2026

FROM THE SENIOR CENTER VOLUNTEERS: