Vermont

West Windsor moves to regulate short-term rentals

Published

1 year ago

October 3, 2024

West Windsor moves to regulate short-term rentals

West Windsor is the latest town to adopt an ordinance regulating short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs or VRBOs.

The select board last month approved the new zoning regulation that requires property owners to register with the town every year.

Select Board Chairman Mark Higgins says the town has seen a big increase in short-term rentals since a local mountain bike and trails system opened nearby, and the board adopted the ordinance to address a housing shortage.

“We’ve got a housing issue,” Higgins said. “So we’re trying to figure out how a mountain, a hotel, a general store and STRs all work together to make sure this place stays vibrant.”

The number of short-term rentals across the state increased by more than 30% in just the last year, according to the most recent data — and since the pandemic, it’s more than doubled.

West Windsor is near the Mount Ascutney trail system, as well as the tourist town of Woodstock.

“We have a lot of people who love to come here,” said Higgins. “This is a land of second homes, but there’s a difference between enjoying it and monetizing it, so we’re trying to find the line between those two things.”

This is a land of second homes, but there’s a difference between enjoying it and monetizing it, so we’re trying to find the line between those two things.

Mark Higgins, West Windsor select board chairman
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Under the new ordinance, which will start in May 2025, local operators would pay an annual fee of $150 per bedroom, while operators who do not live nearby would pay $300 per bedroom.

“I’m not really a fan of charging more based on residential status,” said Julie Marks, the Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance executive director. “However, that price point, I think, is absolutely reasonable.”

Marks says her group does not oppose local ordinances, but says they try to get members to engage with local select boards while the ordinance is under discussion to support what she calls “reasonable” regulations.

“It’s a very nuanced industry, and new to a lot of these markets,” Marks said. “There a lot of folks who are unfamiliar with how it works, so we’re very supportive of short-term rental operators to get involved with the conversation as early on as possible.”

The state enacted a 3% tax on short-term rentals in August, largely to address the education tax increase property owners saw this year.

Marks says more than 20 towns in Vermont have adopted local short-term rental ordinances.

Corey Dockser contributed the data visualization to this story.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.

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Vermont

If you own VT woodland, workshop can help you plan for passing it on

Published

5 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Press Room

If you own VT woodland, workshop can help you plan for passing it on

Beth McDermott
| Reporter assisted by AI

Vermont Coverts is offering a free event to help woodland owners plan for the future of their forestland, according to a community announcement.

The event is scheduled for Jan. 26 at Pierson Library in Shelburne, according to the announcement from Vermont Coverts, a nonprofit.

The event is meant to help landowners and their families navigate the complex process of succession planning, especially when it comes to passing on land. Participants will have the opportunity to meet one on one with land managers, conservationists, financial advisors and estate planning professionals to get answers to their questions.

Succession planning can be a daunting task, but the nonprofit says it is an important step for families who want to ensure their land is managed according to their wishes.

The pop-up event is intended to make the process less overwhelming by bringing experts in and letting folks rotate between them to ask questions.

All participants will receive a copy of “For the Future of Your Forest: A Guide to Woodland Legacy Planning,” a guidebook produced by the Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Coverts.

The program is scheduled to occur in two sessions: 3-5 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 26.

Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. To register, contact the library at 802-985-5124 and specify which session you’d like to attend.

This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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Vermont

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Monday, Jan. 19

Published

17 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Monday, Jan. 19

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

MONDAY’S H.S. GAMES

Girls basketball

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Winooski at Stowe, 6 p.m.

Lyndon at North Country, 6:30 p.m.

Lamoille at Spaulding

Thetford at Harwood

Watch Vermont high school games on NFHS Network

Middlebury at Vergennes

South Burlington at Burlington

Champlain Valley at Mount Mansfield

Richford at Missisquoi

Rice at BFA-St. Albans, 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY’S H.S. GAMES

Boys basketball

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Spaulding at Lyndon, 6:30 p.m.

Montpelier at North Country, 6:30 p.m.

Rutland at St. Johnsbury

Rice at South Burlington

Hazen at Lake Region

Essex at Colchester

RIchford at Williamstown

U-32 at Harwood

Northfield at Twinfield/Cabot

BFA-St. Albans at Champlain Valley

Middlebury at Vergennes

Randolph at Thetford

Enosburg at Missisquoi

Oxbow at Stowe

Mount Mansfield at Burlington, 7:30 p.m.

Blue Mountain at Danville, 7:30 p.m.

(Subject to change)

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Vermont

Vote for the Vermont Varsity Insider Boys Athlete of the Week powered by Delta Dental

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

Press Room

Welcome to the sixth installment of the 2025-26 winter season for the Delta Dental Vermont Varsity Insider Athletes of the Week voting by high school sports fans.

This week, and every week during the sports seasons, members of the public may vote for a top girls athlete and a top boys athlete. And since last year, we added to the list of weekly nominees: There are now two stories, one for girls and one for boys, with more athletes on each ballot.

How do I cast my vote?

All voting is through the ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com. We will not accept votes through email or through social media.

Voting began Monday, Jan. 19, and continues through 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan 22.

How do we learn who wins?

The winners will be announced in a story published at burlingtonfreepress.com on Friday, Jan. 23.

May I nominate a deserving athlete for a future ballot?

Yes. Please nominate a Vermont high school athlete by sending an email to sports@burlingtonfreepress.com (Subject Line: Athletes of the Week nomination). Additionally, please include the athlete’s school, sport and any relevant details from that week’s games in the email.

Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

Alex Chagnon, South Burlington hockey: After a 26-save performance in a 5-3 win over Essex, Chagnon pitched a shutout with 23 stops as the Wolves blanked BFA-St. Albans.

Max Demaine, Lake Region wrestling: Demaine had the weekend’s fastest pin and won the 175-pound division at the Michael J. Baker Wrestling Classic at Essex on Jan. 17.

Cahota Lafond, Colchester wrestling: The senior reached 200 career wins and claimed the 126-pound division at the Michael J. Baker Wrestling Classic at Essex.

Camden Leno, U-32 hockey: The sophomore registered a goal and four assists in a 9-1 win over Rutland and had a pair of tallies in a 7-2 decision over Stowe.

Steele Nelson, Harwood basketball: After tallying 24 points, 15 rebounds and two steals in a 60-50 win over Montpelier, Nelson racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds in a 62-44 decision over Spaulding.

Ethan Whalen, Rutland basketball: After a 19-point outing in a 62-42 victory over Middlebury, Whalen dropped 20 points as Rutland bested South Burlington 61-45.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

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