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General Questions

Show All Answers

1. What are the Town Office hours of business?

Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 

2. How and when can I register to vote?

You can register to vote online at the Vermont Secretary of State's website: Voter Registration (vermont.gov). You may register anytime, including on the day of an election at your polling place. You may also register at the Department of Motor Vehicles when you obtain or renew your Vermont driver's license or at Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours. 

Elections

3. Does the Town offer a Notary?

Yes. Please visit the Clerk’s Office for notary services, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. You will need to provide valid photo ID and your document(s) need(s) to be unsigned. 

4. Can I register my car at the Clerk’s Office?

The Clerk’s Office no longer offers this service. You can register your vehicle through the State’s online DMV portal (https://dmv.vermont.gov/registrations), by mail or through another participating town clerk’s office.

5. What is a Green Mountain Passport and where can I apply?

Green Mountain Passports are available to those who are 62 or older or are veterans and allows for free admittance into State park, historic sites and events that are fully sponsored by the state of Vermont. To apply, visit the Clerk’s Office in the town you live in and complete a brief application and provide a $2.00 payment.  The Green Mountain Passport will be issued on the spot.  You cannot apply on behalf of someone else.

6. When are taxes due?

Taxes are due in three installments: August 15th, November 15th, and March 15th. If the 15th falls on a weekend, they are due on the following Monday.

Property Taxes

7. How can I pay my bill?

Property Tax: Property Tax bills can be paid at-home online via e-check, debit/credit card, or by setting up an auto-cash payment program; at the Clerk’s Office counter by cash, check, or credit or debit card; or in the Brown Drop Box outside the front doors of Town hall by cash or check. More information on these payment options can be found here: https://colchestervt.gov/330/Payment-Options

Stormwater: Stormwater bills can be paid at-home online via credit/debit card or in-person at the Clerk’s Office counter via cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. More information on these payment options can be found here: https://colchestervt.gov/2882/Stormwater

8. Who should I contact about my water service or water bill?

Water supply services in the Town of Colchester are provided by three distinct water entities that are all separate from the Town. Each water district operates under different governmental structures, boards, and bylaws. You can find contact information and other details about the individual districts here - http://colchestervt.gov/502/Colchester-Water-Supply-Services

9. What roads are not maintained by the Town?

Private roads and State roads are not maintained by the Town. The following roads are State-maintained roads: Routes 2, 2A, 7, and 15. If you have a concern with one of these roads, please contact: VTrans District 5 Transportation Administrator Ernie Patnoe at (802) 655-1580 or Ernie.Patnoe@vermont.gov.

10. How do I get to the Causeway?

Access to the Causeway Connector path begins at 500 Colchester Point Rd at Airport Park. Parking can be found at 178 Mills Point Rd or Airport Park. Please do not park on the road if the lots are full. 

11. Is the water safe at the beach?

Water quality is tested regularly. Call the Parks & Recreation Department at 802-264-5640 for updated information. If the beaches are closed due to an issue with water quality an alert will be posted on the main page of this website. 

Water Quality Test Results

12. Can we have a campfire at our house?

Yes, and if it is not greater than 30 inches in diameter, you do not need a permit. For a larger burn, please apply for a burn permit here https://colchestervt.gov/FormCenter/Police-8/Permit-to-Burn-49 for the Fire Warden to approve or contact the Colchester Fire Department at 802-264-4415 with questions. You can read Section 7-13 of the Code of Ordinances at the link below.

Read More

13. Does the Town pick up trash and recycling?

Colchester does not provide trash and recycling pick up. Residents and businesses can contract for private pick up or bring to Myers Recycling Center on Rathe Road in Colchester. Another option is the Solid Waste Districts numerous locations.

Chittenden Solid Waste District

14. Where is the Colchester post office, and what is the phone number?

The U.S. Post Office is located at 218 Malletts Bay Avenue; call 802-655-1376.

15. Where can I get the green reflective house number sign?

The Rescue Department can assist in ordering a sign for you. Call 802-264-5590 or complete the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1u4FNZQaT4iX95CG4hM2HfiB9PCKUzG0wrS9TgyUErMs/edit.

16. Where can I get my car seat fitted?

Contact Colchester Police (802-264-5555), Or Colchester Rescue (802-264-5590) to schedule an appointment for car seat fitting.

Colchester Police

17. How do I register my dog?

Dog registration is completed through the Town Clerk's office. There is additional information on animal licenses in the Town Clerk section of the website.

Animal Licensing

18. Is there a leash law?

Dogs in Colchester cannot be “Running at large,” and must be: On a leash; On the owner's premises; On the premises of another person with that person's permission; or Clearly under the verbal or non-verbal control of the owner as more fully described in the animal ordinances below. 

On recreation paths and sidewalks, all dogs must be leashed on a maximum six-foot leash.  Pets in parks must be on a physical leash, or under the immediate personal supervision and control of the owner.  “Under the immediate supervision and control of the owner” means that the pet will stop and come to the owner upon command and that the pet is at all times prevented from causing injury, damage, disturbance or annoyance to park property or other park users.

For information about pets in Colchester Parks or on Colchester recreation paths see Chapter 9 of the Town Ordinances, at:  https://clerkshq.com/Colchester-vt?docId=Colchc09&path=Colchester_Code%2CColchc09%2C and scroll to Section 9-52.

Leash Law / Animal Ordinances

19. Who can remove a wild animal from my property?

The Town appreciates being notified of human-wildlife conflicts that may concern the general public, but for further human-wildlife conflict resources and aid, please contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Damage Control at 802-223-8690; a Wildlife Control Trapper provided by the VT Fish & Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Services at 802-223-8690 or MaryBeth Adler at 802-289-0629; or visit the VT Fish & Wildlife Department’s webpage: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/living-with-wildlife/human-wildlife-conflicts-resources

20. Who do I call about a dead animal in the road?

For animals located on Town roads or in the public right-of-way, please call the Colchester Department of Public Works at 802-264-5620 to have the animal removed. If the animal is on a State-maintained road, please contact the Vermont State Police, Williston Barracks, Troop A, at 802-878-7111 or the VT Fish & Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Services at 802-223-8690.