Size: The town of Manchester includes 26,500 acres with 16,000 acres in forest and mountain land. Manchester is a little larger than the traditional six mile square dimensions of Vermont towns and contains 42.67 square miles.
Population: Year round population of Manchester is approximately 3,622. In the Manchester and the Mountains area, approximately a 17 mile radius around Manchester, there is a population of 23,600. The area is a popular four season resort and attracts many visitors and second home owners, so that the population appears greater than it is.
Manchester is the largest of nine towns in the Northshire of Bennington County. Bennington County is the only county in Vermont with two county seats, (probate districts). There are, therefore, two courthouses, one in Manchester Village and one in Bennington, which is the largest town in the county. The population of Bennington County is 35,848. State population is 562,758 as of the 1990 census.
Elevation: Almost a quarter of Manchester is above 2,000 feet in altitude, while a little less than half is below 1,000 feet above sea level. These are important factors influencing climate and precipitation. The elevation at Bennington County Court House, Manchester Village, is 700 feet above sea level. Mt. Equinox in the Taconic Range is at 3,816 feet, the highest mountain in the town and in Bennington County.
Climate: Summers are short and moderate with an average temperature of 61 degrees. Winters are long and cold, but not severe, with an average temperature of 28 degrees. Spring and Autumn feature cool nights and warm days. Monthly average temperatures range from a high of 30 degrees in Winter to a high of 80 degrees in Summer. The monthly low average temperatures range between 10 and 56 degrees. Precipitation is 3 inches plus per month with an average annual rainfall of 52 inches. A blanket of 15 inches of snow is normal with accumulation in the higher elevations of 60 to 70 inches. Topography variations make for a diversity of weather conditions in the area.
Government: The town of Manchester was chartered August 11, 1761. It now has a Town Manager form of government with a five man Board of Selectmen. Manchester Village, while still a part of the town of Manchester, is an incorporated village with its own Board of Trustees and Officers. Separate Clerks and Treasurers serve each municipality. Manchester Village residents pay taxes to both town and village. The Village has its own highway department.
Manchester's Town Meeting takes place the first week in March. A floor meeting allows discussion of the town and school budgets and both are voted upon by registered voters at that meeting. Other town business not being voted by Australian ballots is taken care of at the Town Meeting. Australian balloting takes place at the Municipal Building on Route 7A the first Tuesday of March.
Taxes: Property taxes are based on assessed value and the tax rate is set annually at a level to meet the town and school district budgets approved by registered voters.
Tax rates by town for last three years:
- Manchester: 1.032, 1.112, 1.224
- Dorset: .94, 1.02, 1.24
- Londonderry: 1.23, 1.32, 1.43
- Arlington: 1.55, 1.66, 1.75
- Winhall: .58, .60, .64
State taxes include a personal income tax (28% of the Federal) Corporate income taxes, a 6% sales tax, a 9% room and meals tax where applicable, estate and miscellaneous taxes.
Land Use Regulations and Zoning: Manchester is located in District 8 under the State Environmental Office, and for some projects, State Act 250 permits are required. Manchester has a Planning Commission, a Zoning Board of Adjustment and a Design Review Board. Categories of zoning include Residential, Single Residential, Commercial, Transient Commercial, Farm and Rural Residential and Forest and Recreation. There are also flood, hazard and industrial constraints. For more information contact LEE KROHN, Manchester Town Planner and /or TOM SAWTELL, Zoning Administrator. 362-4824.
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