Vermont
In Vermont, floods seem to happen faster than communities can recover. How does the state move forward? – The Boston Globe
Last week, in a small conference room at the town’s fire station, Whitehead placed a few sticky notes on a map to note the roads that were still too dangerous to fully open to the public. It was the start of yet another flood recovery effort in rural Vermont, a state that’s been pummeled by flood after flood in the last two years, including two last month.
The thoughts at top of mind for him and others: Why here, why now? And what are we going do?
State and local leaders are also asking tough questions about climate adaptation and what it means for the Green Mountain State. The questions span from the immediate: How to pay the cost of recovering the Vermont they knew; to the existential: Could towns be rebuilt differently, to limit flood risks, and should Vermonters retreat from the very rivers that life here has revolved around for centuries?
Across much of New England, heavy rain has become a hallmark of climate change. Vermont now experiences at least two more days of heavy precipitation per year than it did in the 1960s, most often in the summer, according to the state’s climate assessment. Annual precipitation in Vermont has increased by almost 7 inches since that time, and scientists expect the frequency and intensity of floods to increase here as climate change worsens.
It doesn’t help that Vermont, like much of northern New England, can get storms blown in from all directions due to prevailing winds and the state’s position below the jet stream, according to state climatologist Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux and Globe meteorologist Ken Mahan. Nor does Vermont’s scenic topography help, with its rolling hills and mountains that easily allow water to gain power as it rushes down the slopes to meet roads, bridges, homes, and businesses in the valleys.

“Should we be doing something different, and should we be pulling back on some of this transportation infrastructure that we have?” said Beverley Wemple, director of the Water Resources Institute at the University of Vermont.
Millions of dollars were spent in Vermont on flood protections in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene which, in 2011, delivered 7 inches of rain. At least seven people died in Vermont and hundreds of miles of roads and bridges were damaged. In the following years, state regulators toughened standards for how to build roads, while environmental groups pushed town managers to address decrepit dams and undersized culverts.
Because of those efforts, Vermont’s infrastructure was likely better prepared this summer for floods than it was a little more than a decade ago, experts said. Still, many say that adaptation is not happening quickly enough, and in a largely rural state with more than 200 small towns managing limited budgets, floods seem to be happening faster than communities are able to recover.
“People are really starting to come to terms with the fact that we have a flood problem in this state,” said Lauren Oates, director of policy and governmental affairs for the Nature Conservancy in Vermont.
Across the state, at least 26 homes have been destroyed in Vermont so far this year in flood events and 121 suffered major damage, according to Amanda Wheeler, a spokesperson for the governor’s office who called that a “significant” number given the state’s housing shortage.
Much of that damage was inflicted by Hurricane Beryl which, in early July, caused what scientists call inundation flooding. Water pooled at the bottom of valleys like a bathtub as rivers overtopped their banks. Two people died and more than 100 were rescued.
Some St. Johnsbury residents colloquially call the Beryl event “Flood One.” Just three weeks later, “Flood Two” arrived. Flash flooding at the end of July came after heavy rainstorms left patchy destruction in their wake. (Little more than a week after that, the remnants of Hurricane Debby brought rain, wind damage, and power outages across Vermont, but flooding was limited.)
The vast majority of Vermont’s flood damage tends to occur within river corridors, but outside the floodplain, according to Oates. That means planners need to look beyond traditional flood maps to identify less obvious high-risk areas.
“If we keep building in these places, the next home you build in the river corridor is the next buyout that we, the taxpayers, have to pay for,” Oates said.


State lawmakers this year approved $45 million for hazard mitigation programs, including buyouts, according to Vermont’s emergency management agency. Lawmakers also passed legislation to prevent developers from building in very high-risk flood areas; the bill became law earlier this summer.
“[They’re] really sick of the taxpayer burden of these disasters,” Oates said of the passage of what’s called the Flood Safety Act.
Town managers and volunteers, meanwhile, are encouraging residents whose homes or businesses were destroyed to relocate by applying for federal- and state-funded buyouts, when those become available.
Retreating from the flood paths could be the best solution to prevent the devastation from happening again, said Arne Bomblies, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Vermont. Vermont communities ought to consider relocating homes, businesses, and roads further from rivers and outside of flood-prone areas, he said, but acknowledged that idea is “politically fraught.”
There’s also the question of where to go: Many of the towns throughout the Green Mountains and in the Northeast Kingdom are tightly nestled close to rivers because it was the flattest place to build, and because the state’s early industries relied on the power generated by dammed rivers.
“We’ve kind of built ourselves into a very rigid situation,” Bomblies said.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott requested federal disaster declarations for both storms. In a statement on Aug. 3, he wrote: “Although FEMA assistance won’t make towns and homeowners whole for the repair costs, if approved, this will help lessen their financial burden.”
Yet such a declaration is not a guarantee, and if the state is successful, the process of doling out the cash can be frustratingly slow. Some towns are just now receiving federal assistance for flooding in 2023, town managers said.
Jeremy Reed, the highway division director and chief engineer for Vermont’s Agency of Transportation, said that flooding last year caused about $200 million in damage to state-owned transportation infrastructure. Each of the 2024 storms likely caused about $15 million in transportation damage, he said, although those are rough estimates that don’t include municipal damages.
Vermont’s infrastructure planners have leaned on the state’s strong regulations governing rebuilding roads. Among the rules: drainage systems under roads need to be larger to handle more rain, roads must be elevated vertically above where water could come during a storm, bridges must be rebuilt with deeper foundations, and ditches should be lined with stone to minimize erosion.
Thanks to those efforts since 2016, Vermont now has among the best road-building standards in the country for weathering heavy precipitation, experts said.
So far, Reed said, the regulations have worked. “When we build it back to our current standards, they do withstand these flood events.”
However, while the state and municipalities have slowly chipped away at rebuilding, very few roads have actually been upgraded, said Wemple, of the University of Vermont.
Particularly hard to address are steep roads that are managed by rural towns with small budgets, she said. “It’s very expensive.”
In St. Johnsbury, the town manager knows that as well as anyone. Whitehead, a civil engineer himself, is nervous that the town’s engineers will find a bridge that has to be entirely rebuilt, which can spike the cost of repairs. “It can add up really fast,” he said.
With a town budget of about $11 million, “we’re definitely extending ourselves.”
Whitehead is banking on a federal disaster declaration. It would mean at least a partial refund from the federal government for municipal expenses, and would allow qualifying residents and businesses to apply for buyouts. He already knows of a handful of businesses and residents interested in relocating.
One house that would likely be bought out if a declaration is made is owned by Richard Boisseau, 77, and his wife, Diane, 77, who have lived in their St. Johnsbury home for 50 years.
“This has been very hard on my family,” said Diane Boisseau.
The house is likely unsafe since the foundation is compromised and the home took on so much water, Richard Boisseau said. The carport on their property also collapsed into a stream.
Diane Boisseau was a first grade teacher and feels tied to the town through former students and neighbors. But they’re one of the Vermont households that have decided to retreat. They’re going all the way to New Hampshire, where Richard Boisseau’s family gifted them a bit of property to build a new home.
To make that work, the couple will take a big chunk out of retirement savings, which upsets Diane Boisseau. The silver lining is that they’ll be closer to family. She said that her grandson, 14, is already pitching them on good spots to build and warning, of some areas, “not here, it’s wet.”
Erin Douglas can be reached at erin.douglas@globe.com. Follow her @erinmdouglas23.
Vermont
Vermont National Guard holds change of command ceremony
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Vermont National Guard held a change of command ceremony Saturday, with a new adjutant general taking the helm.
The passing of the state’s colors marked the transfer of authority. The flag used was the Green Mountain Boys flag, which has flown around the world.
Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight stepped down after seven years leading the Vermont National Guard. Incoming Adjutant General Harder, who previously served as deputy adjutant general, has 36 years of service across multiple roles within the organization.
At the ceremony, Knight reflected on the periods when the National Guard was deployed, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 floods and current overseas deployments with soldiers in Iran.
“Our duty is to hand both the uniform and the mission forward in better condition than when we received it,” Knight said. “The mantle of leadership doesn’t belong to us. We borrow it for a time and our responsibility is to leave it stronger for the next person who wears it.”
Harder said the role carries significant personal meaning.
“Leading this organization is the honor of a lifetime,” Harder said.
Gov. Scott, a Republican, spoke to Harder’s qualifications during the ceremony.
“General Hank Harder’s service to our nation has proven him to be a distinguished leader with the right character and curiosity to continue the work of guiding the guard into the future,” Scott said.
Harder acknowledged Knight’s tenure during the ceremony.
“Your leadership has left the Vermont National Guard stronger, more capable and ready for the future,” Harder said.
160 Vermont soldiers are currently in Germany on a training mission with Ukraine. Several hundred more are deployed in the Middle East.
Harder addressed the deployed service members during the ceremony.
“We are so proud of what they do each and every day and we’re supporting them from afar and we know what it’s like and we look forward to them completing their mission and coming home,” Harder said.
Harder said the guard has no control over what happens once troops are overseas but is actively providing support to service members’ families in Vermont.
The ceremony was attended by Gov. Phil Scott, members of the military and family members.
Copyright 2026 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Vermont
9 Cost-Effective Towns In New England For Retirees
New England has long attracted tourists and seniors alike with its rocky Atlantic coastal views and its distinctive old-timey streets, from historic seaports to classic riverside mill towns. For seniors looking to settle down on the East Coast, the region is also home to several affordable towns that balance savings and classic charm. Mystic, Connecticut, delivers quintessential coastal living on the Mystic River, anchored by the Mystic Seaport Museum and waterfront dining. And Pittsfield, in Massachusetts, offers a cozy mountain vibe in the Berkshires, with easy access to Pittsfield State Forest and the Colonial Theatre.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Located in the heart of the Berkshires, Pittsfield is one of western Massachusetts’ more cost-effective choices for retirees who want mountain scenery without Boston-area price tags. Day-to-day expenses can feel more manageable compared to many other New England communities, and Pittsfield’s typical home value hovers around $378,000, keeping homeownership within reach for more budgets.
The Berkshire Mountains provide some of Pittsfield’s most appealing views and outdoor recreation. Pittsfield State Forest features miles of trails, scenic picnic areas, and access to Berry Pond, the highest natural body of water in Massachusetts. Back in town, residents can keep things lively with cultural attractions like the Berkshire Museum and the Colonial Theatre, which hosts concerts, performances, and special events throughout the year.
For an easy way to stay active, the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a local favorite. This scenic path runs alongside lakes and wetlands, giving retirees a peaceful place to walk or bike while soaking in classic Berkshire views.
Berlin, New Hampshire
Named one of 2024’s “10 Best Places to Retire in New Hampshire” by NewHomeSource, Berlin is renowned for its affordability. The overall cost of living here is 21% lower than the US average and 26% below New Hampshire’s. But Berlin’s standout way to save is its housing costs—Zillow’s typical home value sits around $243,000, a figure that helps explain why Berlin remains a budget-friendly New England pick.
Along with classic small-town attractions like the North Country Bowling Center, Berlin’s natural surroundings anchor the community. Main Street runs parallel to the Androscoggin River, meaning after-dinner views are a regular delight at spots like Fagin’s Pub and River’s Edge Takeout. With the addition of Berlin’s new 3,200-foot Riverwalk, residents can stay active while enjoying the sights of this beautiful waterway.
A few miles from downtown Berlin will bring you to another outdoor haven. Jericho Mountain State Park is Berlin’s top attraction in every season, with miles of trails for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. This rugged park also has tons of scenic overlooks, picnic spots, and a swimming beach to enjoy in the summertime.
North Adams, Massachusetts
North Adams, Massachusetts, is another budget-friendly town for seniors seeking affordable housing. North Adams also offers an overall cost of living 25% below the Massachusetts average, meaning there are plenty of ways to embrace an affordable lifestyle.
Affordability shows up most clearly in the local housing market, where the typical home value in the North Adams area is around $247,000—often far less than what you’ll find in many parts of the state. While some affordable small towns are labeled “boring” for their lack of attractions and activities, that could not be further from the truth in North Adams. This “Museum Town” made the top 10 list of “2024 Best Places to Retire in Berkshire County” by Niche, with users noting the town’s art scene and culture. Highlights include the Berkshire Art Museum and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
As the home of the Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts, students and retirees alike are equally enthralled by the area’s natural landscape. Places like Natural Bridge State Park take the spotlight, offering a chance to see the only natural white marble bridge in all of North America. North Adams also serves as a gateway to a wealth of other picturesque landscapes and recreational opportunities. Whether boating at Windsor Lake, hiking the Hoosac Range Reserve, or taking the Cascades Trail for views of a 40-foot waterfall, natural beauty is around every corner.
Greenfield, Massachusetts
Another cost-effective Massachusetts option is Greenfield, a welcoming Franklin County town with around 18,000 residents. Compared to many communities in eastern Massachusetts, housing here is generally more affordable, while the overall cost of living often lands below the state average. For retirees who want a relaxed pace of life with scenic surroundings, Greenfield is an appealing place to call home.
Greenfield sits near the meeting point of the Deerfield and Connecticut Rivers, giving the area easy access to water views and outdoor recreation. Energy Park, one of the community’s beloved green spaces, offers gardens, walking paths, and seasonal events. A short drive away, the Mohawk Trail—one of New England’s classic scenic routes—winds through mountain overlooks, forests, and charming small towns.
That mix of scenery and value is part of the draw, especially with Greenfield’s typical home value landing around $324,000—often a gentler entry point than many Massachusetts markets. Nature lovers will also appreciate nearby Poet’s Seat Tower, where a short hike leads to panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley. Combined with farmers markets, local arts, and quick access to western Massachusetts’ hills, Greenfield offers retirees a budget-friendly home base with plenty of scenery.
Mystic, Connecticut
For another highly-rated retirement town, we can look to the charming community of Mystic, Connecticut. Niche rated this historic seaport village the #1 “Best Place to Retire in Connecticut” in 2024, applauding its attractions and coastal beauty. While housing is a bit more expensive here, the cost of living helps balance this out a bit, at 5% lower than the Connecticut average. Plus, with crime rates significantly below the national average, many are willing to spend a little more for increased peace of mind.
Similar to North Adams, Mystic boasts a variety of galleries and museums, such as the Mystic Museum of Art and the Denison Homestead Museum. Its shining attraction, however, is the Mystic Seaport Museum, the largest maritime museum in the country. With its remarkable collection of artifacts and a recreated seaport village, visitors can truly envision what life was like for 19th-century coastal New Englanders. For seniors interested in learning new skills, the museum also offers “See Classes” like Adult Beginner Sailing, Open Hearth Cooking, and Coopering for Beginners.
There are also plenty of ways to get out on the Mystic River in this namesake community. Whether boarding a Mystic River Cruise or docking your vessel at the Mystic Downtown Marina, boating is like breathing in this river town. And while prices can vary by neighborhood, the broader Mystic-area typical home value is around $400,000, reflecting the premium many retirees pay for that waterfront lifestyle.
Torrington, Connecticut
Around two hours inland will bring us to Torrington, one of the most comfortable places to retire in Connecticut. Torrington offers a similar cost of living as Mystic, around 5% below the state average. With crime rates well below the state average, the similarities continue. However, the two towns differ in housing prices, with Torrington being the more affordable of the two. In fact, Torrington’s typical home value is about $287,000, making it an especially appealing option for retirees watching their budget.
In addition to historic and cultural attractions like the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum and Warner Theater, Torrington is famous for its state parks. Sunny Brook State Park is the more laid-back of the two, offering a blend of easy to moderate trails. The park’s senior-friendly paths take hikers through serene woodlands along the East Branch Naugatuck River. Similarly, Burr Pond State Park offers a tranquil escape with access to Burr Pond. The namesake centerpiece, an 85-acre manmade lake, is perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. Locals can also enjoy scenic strolls along the 2.5-mile Walcott Trail, which traces the pond’s borders.
Central Falls, Rhode Island
While the cost of living in Rhode Island is generally expensive compared to other states, you can still find affordable gems like Central Falls. Redfin (a real estate brokerage company) named this Rhode Island town the first of “10 Most Affordable Places to Live in Rhode Island in 2024.” A 3% lower cost of living compared to the Rhode Island average might not seem like much at first glance, but the savings add up.
Housing is where the difference really starts to show, and Central Falls’ typical home value sits around $371,000—often lower than many nearby Rhode Island markets while still keeping you close to Providence. As of 2024, NewHomeSource rated Central Falls #1 on their list of “The Best Places to Retire in Rhode Island.” Citing its “proximity to major cities” as a main perk, Central Falls residents have access to big-city attractions and healthcare facilities, like the Rhode Island Hospital in nearby Providence. For retirees looking to enjoy a gateway to urban centers without fully embracing life in the city, this Rhode Island town is the perfect in-between.
Along with Providence attractions like the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Providence Performing Arts Center, Central Falls offers countless small-town attractions for the perfect mix of lifestyles. Jenks Park is a charming local park in the center of town, ideal for your everyday dose of fresh air and footsteps. For a water-based adventure, Explorer River Tours is another popular Central Falls attraction, allowing locals to explore the Blackstone River and its scenic tributaries.
Newport, Vermont
For retirees seeking a small-town atmosphere with friendly locals and simple luxuries, consider the top-rated town of Newport. Its setting on the eastern shore of Lake Memphremagog gives the town a more out-of-the-way feel, resulting in a close-knit community. For introverted retirees, this means local attractions like the Newport Bike Path, MAC Center for the Arts, and Tavern on the Hill can be enjoyed at a tranquil pace.
With a cost of living 13% lower than the Vermont average and 12% lower than the US average, this means more of your savings can go toward leisure at Newport’s breathtaking reservoir. At 27 miles long, Lake Memphremagog is a beloved swimming, sailing, and fishing destination in the warmer months. Memphremagog Trails, on the other hand, can be enjoyed year-round. In the winter, these walking trails transform to snowshoe paths, granting stunning views of the lake in every season.
Another reason Newport stays on the “cost-effective” list is its housing: the town’s typical home value is around $247,000, leaving more room in the budget for lake days and weekend getaways. Locals can also appreciate the waters aboard a Northern Star Lake Cruise, listed as the #1 Outdoor Activity in Newport by TripAdvisor in 2024. The cruise is considered an international experience since three-quarters of Lake Memphremagog is in Quebec, Canada. For retirees who love to travel, Newport is also just a few hours from Quebec’s top cities: Montreal and Quebec City.
Montpelier, Vermont
About an hour and a half south of Newport, Montpelier is a quintessential New England town beloved by seniors. As of the 2023 census, over 23% of its 7,991 locals are 65 and older, and it is easy to see why so many choose to retire here. With crime rates 7% lower than the national average, peace of mind is just one of the many reasons to call Montpelier home. In addition to homes being more affordable than the Vermont average, residents can enjoy the cost of living 6% lower than the national average and 7% lower than that of the rest of Vermont.
These affordable prices are even more remarkable when you consider Montepelier is the capital of Vermont. This means there is plenty to see and do here, from visiting the Vermont State House to touring the Vermont Historical Society Museum. Art and culture are also ingrained in the Montpelier lifestyle at places like the Lost Nation Theater and Artisans Hand Craft Gallery.
The town’s location in the Green Mountains along the Winooski River means outdoor recreation is equally popular. Green spaces like Hubbard Park take the spotlight, offering something to do in every season. With a scenic pond, countless picnic zones, and over 7 miles of hiking and skiing trails, this 200-acre park is the perfect daily escape—especially appealing for retirees who don’t mind that Montpelier’s typical home value is closer to $403,000 in exchange for capital-city amenities in a small-town setting.
Lewiston, Maine
Turning our attention to Maine, Lewiston stands out as one of the larger communities on this list, yet it still embraces that small-town atmosphere New England is famous for. Despite having just under 39,000 residents, the town remains close-knit by hosting a range of festivals and celebrations throughout the year. Of these, the Liberty Festival, Great Falls Balloon Festival, BrewFest, Holiday at the Plaza, and Riverfest are the most popular.
Lewiston’s location on the beautiful Androscoggin River (one of the longest rivers in Maine) means gorgeous scenes are always within reach. Whether strolling the Lewiston-Auburn Greenway Trails or taking a short drive to Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, this powerful waterway is one of Lewiston’s best features.
Affordability, however, is perhaps the very best part of calling Lewiston home. Living here will save you around 9% compared to the US average and 6% compared to elsewhere in Maine, and Lewiston’s typical home value is around $286,000—often leaving more of your nest egg for travel, hobbies, and a packed local events calendar. Adding to the allure, Lewiston locals also have access to a great range of healthcare facilities, including the Central Maine Medical Center and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
Bangor, Maine
Located about two hours from Lewiston, Bangor is a hospitable town with an eclectic range of attractions. Nights on the town can be spent enjoying Vegas-style slots and live entertainment at the Hollywood Casino, while art enthusiasts may prefer visiting the Penobscot Theatre Company and Zillman Art Museum. Bangor’s other local museums are equally enticing, including the Cole Land Transportation Museum and Maine Discovery Museum.
For nature lovers and retirees looking to stay in shape, Bangor offers a fantastic variety of outdoor recreation areas. The town’s proximity to the Penobscot River makes strolls on the Penobscot River Walkway a great way to get your steps in. For a change of pace, the Orono Bog Boardwalk and Bangor City Forest are beautiful alternatives.
Given its diverse range of attractions and local healthcare facilities like St. Joseph Hospital and Northern Light Emergency Care, some assume that living in this casino town would come with a hefty price tag. In reality, Bangor residents pay 14% less than the national cost of living and 12% less than Maine’s—and with a typical home value around $274,000, it’s easier to keep monthly costs predictable.
Why Retire In These New England Towns?
Whether you are currently retired or nearing your golden years, deciding where to buy your final forever home can feel overwhelming, especially if you are on a budget. But if you are someone who loves the quintessential charms of New England, there are plenty of affordable towns to consider. Whether choosing the region for its down-to-earth locals, safe communities, rich history, or breathtaking landscapes, these nine cost-effective towns have it all. From Mystic’s historic seaport to Lewiston’s fabulous festivals, retiring in New England may be peaceful, but it is never dull.
Vermont
House committee requests Vermont Medicaid fraud data
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A Congressional committee has requested documentation from Vermont on possible fraud, waste, and abuse in the state’s Medicaid program. It comes as the Trump administration last week announced a “war on fraud” in the program that provides public health insurance for low-income people.
The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce wants Vermont to provide documentation by March 17 showing the state has a plan in place to identify and address fraud.
Lawmakers cited recent fraud investigations and convictions in Vermont as concerning, and noted that Medicaid costs in the state are rising despite declining enrollment.
Jill Mazza Olson with the Vermont Agency of Human Services said the state intends to respond. “We take fraud, waste, and abuse really seriously. It sounds like Congress is taking it seriously. We know that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services take it seriously. And it is really a multi-pronged approach. So, oversight is part of what Congress does. And we are looking forward to responding to that,” she said.
Vermont is one of 10 states nationwide asked to provide data and information to the committee. Some targeted Democratic state officials have decried the Republican administration’s moves as politically motivated and potentially disastrous for the millions of people who rely on the program.
Copyright 2026 WCAX. All rights reserved.
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