Welcome to the Town of Barnet
Barnet is a small town in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom situated along the Connecticut River. Its five villages are Barnet Village, East Barnet, West Barnet, McIndoe Falls, and Passumpsic.

Town news & announcements:

General Election & School District Special Election – November 5, 2024
General Election and School District Special Election (for proposed change of date for annual meeting election) to be held concurrently at the renovated Town Hall (154 Church Street) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

PLEASE BRING YOUR GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT WITH YOU TO THE POLLS!

Absentee Ballots:

  • An absentee ballot for the General Election will be mailed to each active voter at the voter’s address of record. If you haven’t received your ballot or if you have questions about this process, please call (802-633-2256) or email (townclerk@barnetvt.org) the Town Clerk’s Office.
  • Absentee ballots for the School District Special Election will not be mailed automatically and must be requested to initiate the absentee process. Please see below for process:
    • Call the Town Clerk’s Office at 802-633-2256 or email townclerk@barnetvt.org. A ballot can be mailed to you or you can pick one up at the Town Clerk’s Office during regular hours.
    • Or visit the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office to download a ballot request form or request a ballot online.
    • The deadline to request a ballot is Monday, November 5, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
  • To return a ballot:
    • Drop the certificate envelope containing the ballot in the drop box on the front of the Town Clerk’s Office building (1743 US Route 5 South),
    • Mail the ballot in the envelope provided, or
    • Bring the ballot to the polling location at 154 Church Street on Tuesday, November 5 during polling hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
  • Ballots must be returned, in the hand of the Town Clerk, by the close of polls at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Notice of Vacancy – Selectboard
In accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 961(a), the Selectboard of the Town of Barnet hereby gives notice of a vacancy created by resignation in the office of Selectboard Member effective October 15, 2024.
The Selectboard, pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 963, made an appointment to fill this vacancy at its meeting on October 14, 2024. The person appointed will serve until a town election is had.
CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO PETITION FOR VOTE: Titles 17 V.S.A. § 2643 and 24 V.S.A. § 963 grant citizens the right to petition for a vote to replace the Selectboard’s appointee at a special town meeting. If a special town meeting is called, the newly elected town officer will remain in office for the balance of the unexpired term. If a special town meeting is not called, the Selectboard’s appointee will remain in office until the next annual town meeting. To exercise this right, citizens must present a petition calling for an election for this office signed by five percent of the legal voters of the Town to the Town Clerk prior to the next annual Town Meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION pertaining to this notice and its contents may be obtained by contacting Town Clerk Benjamin Heisholt at (802) 633-2256 during normal office hours.
Click here for copy of original, signed, notice

Town of Barnet Emergency Recovery Fund 
New fund and committee established to provide recovery funding for those affected by the July 10, 2024 flooding event. Grant application form and informational poster are available at the July 2024 Flooding News & Resources page. Committee warnings, agendas and minutes are available at the Emergency Recovery Fund Committee page.

Hiring – Assistant Town Clerk & Treasurer
The Town of Barnet seeks an energetic, team-oriented, and experienced individual with the highest ethical standards to fill the part-time position of Assistant Town Clerk & Treasurer.

The Assistant Town Clerk & Treasurer is responsible for moderately complex tasks of various kinds, including:

  • Administrative,
  • Clerical,
  • Financial, and
  • Customer-service.

Skills and attributes required include:

  • High level of accuracy,
  • Integrity,
  • Confidentiality,
  • Effective communication with co-workers and the general public,
  • Knowledge of routine office tasks, and
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Barnet residency and knowledge of local government are a plus.

This is a year-round 25-hour per week position, with some increase in hours during certain seasons. Compensation is commensurate with experience. To apply submit your resume and letter of interest via email to townclerk@barnetvt.org or via postal mail to Town of Barnet, Attn: Benjamin Heisholt, Town Clerk, PO Box 15, Barnet, VT 05821. Position open until filled.

Hazard Mitigation Plan
The town is in process of drafting a Hazard Mitigation Plan. Once the plan is approved by FEMA, the plan is good for 5 years and the town is eligible for disaster-related funding and cost-savings. As the town embarks on this update process, community input is encouraged and appreciated. To support community input, a Hazards Impact Survey is available to collect your experience and concerns with recent events.

CANCELED: Household Hazardous Waste Collection – Barnet Transfer Station – Wednesday, July 31, 2024 – 3 to 7 p.m.
– This event has been cancelled AGAIN due to forecast inclement weather. It is hoped it can be re-scheduled again for a date to be determined.
– The Transfer Station/Recycling Center will be open as usual from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
– You may call the Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District (NEKWMD) at 802-626-3532 to make an appointment for drop-off of Household Hazardous Waste on a Tuesday or Thursday at 224 Church St in Lyndonville.
– Click the below link for a list of acceptable HHW items:
2024 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Dates & Acceptable Items List

There’s more HHW events throughout the summer. For more information on these and what HHW is, visit https://www.nekwmd.org/household-hazardous-special-wastes

Updated Info from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture for Farmers
https://agriculture.vermont.gov/agency-agriculture-food-markets-news/vermont-farmers-facing-flood-recovery-again
If your farm was damaged by the recent floods and you need help navigating all the available resources, you can contact Amber Reed who works with UVM Extension and farms locally. Her email is Amber.Reed@UVM.edu. She can help you get started.

Dog Licensing – Due April 1
The licensing of all dogs and wolf-hybrids age six months or older was due on or before April 1, 2024. Late licenses continue to be issued. Fees, including late fees, are $11.00 for spayed or neutered dogs and $17.00 for others. A current rabies vaccination certificate also must be presented. Licenses may be purchased 1) by check through the mail (Town of Barnet, PO Box 15, Barnet, VT  05821), or 2) by cash or check at the Town Clerk’s Office (1743 US Route 5 South) during normal weekday hours, or 3) via the drop box at the front of the Town Clerk’s Office.

Town Hall Repurposing
The Selectboard is the process of repurposing of the Town Hall as a municipal office building. Visit the Town Hall Project page for information.

Village Center Designation for Four Barnet Villages
The Vermont Downtown Development Board has designated Passumpsic, Barnet Village, McIndoe Falls, and West Barnet Village as state-recognized village centers. This designation makes properties in these centers eligible for state benefits, including financial incentives, training, and technical assistance needed to attract new business and vitality. To learn more, please visit the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development website

Town Clerk’s Office Closures
Please see the Town Clerk’s Office page for up-to-date information.