Town of Bennington

Bennington
Town Offices
205 South St.
(802) 442-1037
Town administrators
Town manager: Stuart A. Hurd
Assistant town manager: Paul W. Bohne III
Community development director:
Bill Colvin
Town accountant: David Essaf

Department of Public Works
Water resources superintendent: Terrance A. Morse

Building and Zoning
(802) 442-1040
Building inspector: Larry McLeod
Zoning administrator: Daniel Monks
Chief assessor: Stephen Wright
(802) 442-1042
Town clerk: Timothy Corcoran
(802) 442-1043
Assistant town clerk: Cassandra Barbeau
Treasurer: William Burfeind (802) 442-1041

Bennington Select Board
The Bennington Select Board members are elected to three-year terms at
$1,200 a year. The board meets the second and fourth Tuesdays each month at
Vermont District Court, Veterans Memorial Drive. Meetings are cablecast on
Channel 12. The board sets policy, finances, ordinances and the general
direction of the town. The board appoints a town manager and members of town
boards and commissions.
Chairwoman: Lodie Colvin (until 3/01)
Howard Sinnott (3/02)
Jeff Gauthier (3/02)
Patrick Kinney (3/00)
Salvatore Santarcangelo (3/00)
Sharyn Brush (3/01)
Ronald Hall (3/01)
Other elected
officials
Town clerk: Timothy Corcoran (3/01)
Town treasurer:
William Burfeind (3/01)
Town moderator:
James Colvin (3/01)
Director of collections:
Joan Pinsonneault (802)  442-1046

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Town Boards

Board of Listers
Listers inspect properties, approve assessments and handle appears by
property owners.
Mary Bentley (3/02)
Robert Rousseau (3/02)
Shirley Archibald
(3/00)
Lawrence E. Powers
(3/00)
James R. Horst (3/00)

Constables
Constables may act as law enforcement officers or serve civil process.
First constable: Claude Beckwith
Second constable: Thomas J. Cox

Downtown Improvement District Commission
The commission administers taxes in the Downtown Taxin District and acts as
a liaison between groups advocating for downtown and the select  board.
Kathy Sollien (3/99)
Janet Thompson 3/00)
Gary Corey (3/01)
David Newell (3/02)
(position open 3/03)

Historic Preservation Commission
The commission works to identify and preserve Benningtonıs historic sites
and structures. Members must have expertise in architecture and historic
preservation.
Tordis Isselhardt (3/02)
Victor Rolando (3/02)
Sharon Yorke (3/02)
John Dostal (3/00)
David B. Aldrich (3/01)
Hugh Baker (3/01)
Peter Lucas (3/01)
Housing Authority
An autonomous body that oversees staff, sets operation policy and acts as
the board of directors for Housing Authority properties, including
Willowbrook, Brookside Apartments, Beech Court and Walloomsac Apartments.
Terms are five years.
Edward Dewey (3/99)
Tracie Wilson (3/00)
Ronald Elsell (3/01)
Suzanne Field (3/02)
Susan Parizo (3/03)

Planning
Commission
This commission reviews site plans for new development and existing
properties; drafts, revises, updates and upholds the town plan; makes
recommendations to the select board; and amendments to zoning bylaws, sign
ordinance and subdivision regulations; participates in the preservation of
historic sites and agricultural lands.
James Frechette (3/03)
Mike VonOuhl (3/03)
Ruchard Cutler (3/00)
Barry Horse (3/00)
Robert Burgess (3/01)
Donald Hicks (3/01)
James Jerome (3/01)
Janet Thompson (3/02)
Michael Lockner (3/02)
Zoning Board
of Adjustment
A quasi-judicial board that considers variances from the zoning bylaw; hears
appeals of the zoning administratorıs decisions; and interprets the bylaws
in appeals.
William Congdon (3/02)
Richard Owens (3/03)
Gale Wisher (3/02)
Melissa A. Perrott (3/02)
John Redding (3/03)
Ronald Alderman (3/01)
William Barney (3/01)
Edith Prandini (3/01)

Bennington
County Regional
Commission
The regional commission is a countywide planning group created to develop
regional planning policies.
Bennington commissioners:
Robert Kobelia (3/01)
Jean Jenkins (3/01)

Town Service
Officer
Town agent operates a voucher system to provide housing and meals in
emergencies. Position open.

Public Works
P.O. Box 469 (802) 442-1037
The Town of Bennington Public Works Department can be reached from 7 a.m.-4
p.m. Monday through Friday.

Vermont Agency
of Transportation
District 1 ‹ Bowen Road
(802) 447-2790
There are about 10 miles of state-maintained roads in Bennington, including
Harwood Hill, Northside Drive, Route 9 east and west, and Route 7 south.

Water Resources
Water and
Wastewater Divisions
Superintendent: Terrance A. Morse.
Water Division: Most of the townıs 5,600 properties, particularly in town,
are connected to the townıs water supply. The department has been working in
recent years to replace outdated water lines with new copper pipes.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Harrington Road, North Bennington
Town sewage is treated at the treatment facility. The majority of in-town
residences are on the town sewer lines. Many rural property owners have
their own septic systems.

Refuse Removal & Recycling
Bennington Transfer Station
Houghton Lane (off East Road) (802) 447-8737
Open Wednesday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday from 8
a.m.-1 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Free recycling of food glass, plastics, food and beverage aluminum, box
board, corrugated cardboard, tin, magazines, newspaper, white office paper
and SMO office waste.
Clean brush and scrap metal free. Fees for appliances, tires, household
furniture. Per-bag fee for disposing of household refuse, ranging from $1 a
bag to $4.50 for a 50/55-gallon bag or drum.
A variety of private haulers will pick up trash at homes and businesses.

Highway Division
Working Foreman: Roger Cross, Pat Kinney
The town maintains 110 miles of road.

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Government

Gov. Howard Dean, Democrat, 2-year term
Statehouse, Montpelier (800) 649-6825
Legislature
Statehouse, Montpelier (800) 322-5616; for messages (802) 828-2228
Bennington County Senators, 2-year terms
Richard Sears (802) 442-9139
Gerald P. Morrissey (802) 447-2674

Bennington Representatives, 2-year terms
Neil Hoag, eastern Bennington,
mountain towns
Mary Morrissey, downtown
Albert Krawczyk, downtown
James Colvin, western edge
and North Bennington
Alice Miller, Shaftsbury, Glastenbury,
Bennington
Allen C. Palmer, Pownal

U.S. Government
Congress:
Rep. Bernard Sanders, Independent
1 Church St., Burlington (800) 339-9834

Senate:
Sen. James Jeffords, Republican
2 South Main St., Rutland (800) 835-5500
Sen. Patrick Leahy, Democrat
199 Main St., Burlington (800) 642-3193


Public Works
P.O. Box 469 (802) 442-1037
The Town of Bennington Public Works Department can be reached from 7 a.m.-4
p.m. Monday through Friday.

Vermont Agency
of Transportation
District 1 ‹ Bowen Road
(802) 447-2790
There are about 10 miles of state-maintained roads in Bennington, including
Harwood Hill, Northside Drive, Route 9 east and west, and Route 7 south.

Water Resources
Water and
Wastewater Divisions
Superintendent: Terrance A. Morse.
Water Division: Most of the townıs 5,600 properties, particularly in town,
are connected to the townıs water supply. The department has been working in
recent years to replace outdated water lines with new copper pipes.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Harrington Road, North Bennington
Town sewage is treated at the treatment facility. The majority of in-town
residences are on the town sewer lines. Many rural property owners have
their own septic systems.

Refuse Removal & Recycling
Bennington Transfer Station
Houghton Lane (off East Road) (802) 447-8737
Open Wednesday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday from 8
a.m.-1 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Free recycling of food glass, plastics, food and beverage aluminum, box
board, corrugated cardboard, tin, magazines, newspaper, white office paper
and SMO office waste.
Clean brush and scrap metal free. Fees for appliances, tires, household
furniture. Per-bag fee for disposing of household refuse, ranging from $1 a
bag to $4.50 for a 50/55-gallon bag or drum.
A variety of private haulers will pick up trash at homes and businesses.

Highway Division
Working Foreman: Roger Cross, Pat Kinney
The town maintains 110 miles of road.

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Utilities

Bell Atlantic
Residential Service:
(800) 585-4466
Business Service:
(800) 941-9900
Bell Atlantic provides local service, line repairs and bills customers for
local, in-state and long distance service provided by carriers chosen by the
customer.
Central Vermont
Public Service
(800) 649-2877
For a power failure:
(800) 451-2877
Fuel oil and natural gas are available from a number of local suppliers.

Adelphia Cable
Entertainment
107 McKinley St.
(800) 347-5002
Adelphia provides a variety of cable television services to residents in
Bennington County. Many residents in remote rural areas use satellite
dishes. There are several satellite service providers.
Catamount Access
Television Corp. (CAT-TV)
P.O. Box 4747 (802) 442-8868
Greg Epler-Wood
The local public access channel CAT-TV Channel 12 is free to all cable
customers.

WBTN
AM (1370) & FM (94.3)
Route 7A, Harwood Hill
(802) 442-6321
Now owned and operated by Vermont Public Radio. To contact public radio,
call (800) 639-2192. School closings are aired on the AM station only, from
6-8:30 a.m. The FM station broadcasts VPR programming.

U.S. Postal Service
Elm Street (802) 442-2421

Second Chance Animal Center
Route 7A, Shaftsbury (802) 375-2898
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

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Services

Civil Air Patrol
Settlers Road (802) 442-8429.

Transportation
Bennington Bus Station
126 Washington Ave. (802) 442-4808
Buses from several different transit lines provide transportation to major
cities in the tri-state area on a daily basis.

Green Mountain chapter
American Red Cross
215 Pleasant St (802) 442-9458
The Red Cross sponsors a free minibus system for local public transit in
Bennington to area shopping centers, colleges, housing complexes and the
hospital. There is also a free bus running from Bennington to Manchester
daily; in Manchester passengers can connect with a bus to Rutland.

Friends in Adoption (800) 982-3678

Bennington Free Library
101 Silver St. (802) 442-9051
Hours: Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and
Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. In summer, Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Benningtonıs public library, located just off Main Street downtown, attracts
nearly 2,000 visits a week, according to its annual report. The
community-based reference center houses some 56,000 books, in addition to
periodicals and research materials in a variety of formats. When a patron
requires books or articles not found among the libraryıs collections, staff
work cooperatively with other libraries to provide the necessary material
through inter-library loan.
In addition to three floors of books, the Bennington Free Library provides
access to the Bennington Banner on microfilm, dating from 1903 to the
present. Patrons may view and print articles from the Banner for a small
fee.
The library has three public access Internet stations available on a
first-come, first-served basis. Patrons may consult a variety of Internet
and/or CD-ROM products, or access web-based email on the designated
terminal. In addition, Reference staff offer free ³Introduction to the
Internet² instruction by appointment.
Patrons can borrow educational and entertaining video tapes, audio
cassettes, including books on tape, and music. The library has a collection
of 33 rpm records for loan.
There is a childrenıs room, an adult reading section containing books geared
toward older patrons, a young adult section and a career corner.
In 1996, the Hemmings Motor News Vermont History Room was dedicated. The
room has comfortable chairs, large windows and a collection of books, maps
and other materials about Vermont. Among the Bennington memorabilia in the
section are high school yearbooks and Sanborn maps of Bennington dating back
to 1891.
The Vermont History Room is open from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday
and also 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. The collection is dedicated in memory of Jean
Campbell Leake.
The third floor of the library is comprised of five meeting rooms, one
equipped with kitchen facilities. The meeting rooms can be used free of
charge by area non-profit organizations. Other organizations are charged a
fee for use of the rooms.
Nearly 200 programs for adults and children are offered at the library
throughout the year and more than 2,500 patrons participated in those
programs in the past year, according to director Anita Gauthier.
Established in 1865 as a library for the people of Bennington, the
Bennington Free Library began in the brick building on the corner of Main
and Silver streets.
The Young Menıs Association cared for the building and ran the library,
which was funded by yearly subscriptions until the town voted to appropriate
$500 for its support, allowing residents to borrow free of charge.
In 1936, a new $25,000 building was erected on Silver Street in memory of
Trenor L. Park. It became the new Bennington Free Library. The stucco
addition to the library was completed in 1988. The $80,000 expansion and
renovation project made the building handicapped accessible with a ramp and
elevator. The Quiet Room, a feature of the 1936 building, still invites
visitors to sit down and curl up with a good book.

McCullough Free Library
Main Street, North Bennington (802) 447-7121
The villageıs public library contains more than 16,000 volumes and more than
80 periodicals. It offers a spring and fall story hour for children and a
wide variety of programming for adults in the winter. The library offers
public access to the Internet, audio books and large-print books.
It is open year-round, Monday and Wednesday from 2:30-8:30 p.m.; Tuesday
from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 2:30-5:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 10
a.m.-1p.m.

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Schools

All public schools in Bennington and surrounding towns are under the
direction of the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU). Elementary
schools in the town of Bennington are represented by the BSD board. Schools
in the small outlying towns have their own board of directors. The middle
school and high school have one board of school directors and the SVSU board
has a representative from each individual board. The chairman of each board
is listed below with each school.

SVSU Central Office
246 South Stream Road,
Bennington VT 05201
(802) 447-7501
Superintendent:
Thomas Gallagher
Assistants: Helene Mellon and George Carpenter.
SVSU School Board chairman: James Comi

Bennington School
District

Elementary Schools
BSD School Board chairman:
James Comi, 442-9636
Bennington Elementary (K-6)
Park St. (802) 442-5256
Principal: Charles Young
Catamount Elementary (K-6)
School St. (802) 447-7543
Principal: Stan Flower
Molly Stark (K-6) and
Lighthouse Program (multi-age)
Willow Rd. (802) 442-2692
Principal: Sue Maguire
Monument Elementary (K-6)
West Main St. (802) 447-7979
Principal: James Law

Independent
North Bennington Graded (K-6)
North Bennington (802) 442-5955
Principal: Ernie Lafontaine
School Board chairman: Scott Creedy
(802) 442-3923
Outlying Towns
(Elementary schools)
Pownal Elementary (K-6)
Pownal (802) 823-7333
Principal: retiring
School Board chairman:
Steven Counter (802) 823-7371
Shaftsbury Elementary (K-6)
Shaftsbury (802) 442-4373
Principal: Norma McShane
School Board chairman:
Peter McGuire (802) 442-4584
Woodford Hollow (K-6)
Woodford Hollow
(802) 442-4071
Principal: William Auty
School Board Chairman:
Mark Tilley

Mount Anthony Union
School District
MAU School Board
chairwoman: Sean-Marie Oller, 447-7827
Mt. Anthony Union Middle School
(grades 7-8)
Main St., Bennington (802) 447-7541
Principal: David Adams
Mt. Anthony Union High School
(grades 9-12)
Park St. Bennington (802) 447-7511
Principal: Sharon Shea-Keneally
Southwest Vermont
Career Development Center
Park St., Bennington (802) 447-0220
Director: Kenneth Rocke

Busing
Dufour Escorted Tours, Inc.
272 Benmont Ave., Bennington
(802) 442-5995

The Tutorial Center
208 Pleasant St. (802) 447-0111
Executive Director: Leitha Cipriano
General Equivalency Diplomas

Religious
Grace Christian School (K-6)
Route 7 and Kocher Drive (802) 447-2233
Principal: Joyce Lloyd
Sacred Heart School (K-8)
307 School St. (802) 442-2446
Principal: David Estes
Private
Southshire Community
School (k-6)
Bank Street, North
Bennington (802) 442-4601
Director: Colleen Healy
Hiland Hall School
(ages 5-11)
Route 7A, Shaftsbury (802) 442-3868
Principal: Jessica Howard

Bennington School Inc.
(Special needs students)
19 Fairview St., Old Bennington (802) 447-1557
Antioch New England
Graduate School
116 North St. Bennington (802) 442-6113


Continuing
Education

Community College
of Vermont
324 Main St., Bennington (802) 447-2361
Coordinators: Jeannie Jenkins and Dan Flisser
27 associate degrees/certificates including accounting, banking, early
childhood, criminal justice, communications, computer systems management and
entrepreneurial training, as well as self-designed degrees.

Southern Vermont College
Monument Avenue Extension, Bennington (802) 442-6780
President: Barbara Sirvis
College of liberal arts and management. Founded in 1926. Campus is in former
Everett Mansion.

Bennington College
Off Route 67A, Bennington (802) 442-5401
President: Elizabeth Coleman
Four-year, fully accredited liberal arts co-ed college offering
undergraduate and graduate degrees. Founded in 1937 on 550-acre former farm.

Vermont Interactive Television
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
100 Hospital Drive, Bennington
(802) 442-6780
University of Vermont Extension Service
(802) 447-7582
Vermont Adult Learning Literacy Hotline
(800) 322-4004
Vermont Student Assistance Corp.
(800) 642-3177

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Emergency Services

Fire Departments

Bennington Fire
Department
Lincoln and River streets
(802) 442-1051
Until August 1997, the village of Bennington received fire protection from
fire companies in four locations. Those four firehouses have been combined
in one new building, which houses all equipment and apparatus under one
roof.
The $1.8 million, 24,000-square-foot  brick and concrete firehouse was
dedicated in August 1997. Fire personnel and local officials buried a time
capsule containing memorabilia and information about the Bennington Fire
Department. The capsule is on the south side of the building near the
departmentıs flags. It will be opened on Aug. 16, 2097.
Many town events, such as the annual Town Meeting and Battle Day
festivities, are held at the new firehouse.
The Bennington Fire Department is still divided into four companies, with
separate captains, training in specific forms of fire fighting, their own
events and fund-raisers. The department as a whole is run by chiefs and
officers elected from within. All members are volunteers. Funding comes from
town of Bennington taxpayers.
Fire chief: William Latour
Assistant chief: Bob Rogalski
Second assistant: Phillip Frasier
President: Ormal Pierce
Vice president: BJ Maroney
Treasurer: Leo Farrington
Secretary: Jeff Goss

Bennington Rural
Fire Department
The Rural Fire Department covers the outskirts of Bennington and has
firehouses at three locations, each with its own fire company.
Beech Street Fire House (802) 447-1739
Willow Road Fire House (802) 447-7765
West Road Fire House (802) 447-1839
Unlike the village fire department, the rural department is funded by
taxpayers in Bennington District 1, who must approve the departmentıs budget
annually. The prudential committee is charged with collecting and managing
tax money to support the department.
Chief: Walt Sweet
First assistant chief: Randy Bates
Second assistant chief: Kevin Goodhue

Police
Bennington is protected by three law enforcement agencies. All emergency
calls should be reported by dialing 911. Dispatch will direct calls to the
correct agency.


Bennington
Police Department
215 South St.
(802) 442-1030 (non-emergency calls)
Police chief: Richard Gauthier
Established in 1856, the Bennington Police Department has four marked
cruisers, one unmarked supervisors’ vehicle, one unmarked detectives’
vehicle and a three-member bicycle patrol. The police moved into spacious
new headquarters in the completely renovated former federal building during
the fall of 1999. A new use for the former police building has not yet been
determined.

Vermont State Police
Airport Road, Shaftsbury
(802) 442-5421
State commander: Lt. Stephen Poirot
The state police cover state highways and outlying Bennington County towns,
including Pownal, Woodford, Shaftsbury, Arlington and other towns to the
north.
The local barracks has eight troopers, three supervisors, a police dog unit,
a criminal investigation unit and an arson investigation unit.
Plans to severely curtail the hours of the Shaftsbury barracks drew
widespread opposition from area residents, who said there was a need for an
around-the-clock police presence.

Bennington County
Sheriffıs Department
212 Lincoln St.
(802) 442-4900
Sheriff: Gary Forrest
The Bennington County Sheriffıs Department covers the entire county.
Deputies are charged with court supervision, transporting prisoners, traffic
detail and contracted law enforcement services. The department runs DARE,
the local drug awareness resistance education program.

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Courts and the Justice System

Vermont District Court
Veterans Memorial
Drive (802) 447-2727
Bennington Family Court
(juveniles)
Veterans Memorial
Drive (802) 447-2729
Stateıs Attorney
William D. Wright III
Veterans Memorial
Drive (802) 442-8116

Public Defenders
John Lurvey
Fred Bragdon
411 Gage St.
(802) 442-8136
Corrections Department,
Probation & Parole
Veterans Memorial
Drive (802) 447-2777
Bennington
County Court
Diversion Program
Kathy Wallace
439 Main St. (802) 447-1595
Bennington Superior Court
(Also small claims court)
207 South St. (802) 447-2700
Probate Courts
207 South St. (802) 447-2705

Animal Control
(802) 442-1048
Marc Sprague
Chris Crawford
Calls are picked up intermittently throughout the day. Emergency calls or
barking dog calls should be made to the Bennington Police Departmentıs
non-emergency number, 442-1030.

Bennington County
Crime Stoppers
(802) 447-7575
Anonymous crime tips; cash rewards are paid for some information.
DWI reporting, (888) 438-2394.

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Attractions

Bennington Museum
West Main St., Bennington (802) 447-1571; e-mail bennmuse@sover.net; on the
Internet www.benningtonmuseum.com
The museum is home to the largest public collection of paintings by Grandma
Moses and the Grandma Moses Schoolhouse, military collections including the
famous Bennington flag, early Vermont furniture, American glass, paintings,
an extensive collection of Bennington pottery, tools, toys and decorative
arts, and a 1925 Martin ³Wasp² touring car.
Admission charged. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Nov. 1-May 31; 9 a.m.-6 p.m.,
June 1-Oct. 31.

Bennington Battle Monument
Monument Circle (off Route 7) (802) 447-0550 The Dolomite obelisk rises 306
feet above historic Old Bennington. It marks the site of the Continental
arsenal dedicated in 1891 to commemorate the Colonial victory over the
British at the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington in 1777. It is owned
and operated by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.
Open mid-April-Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. There is a small charge to ride up
inside the monument. Gift shop expanded and renovated for the 2000 season. A
statue of Seth Warner stands sentinel on one side of the monument; a new
statue, of John Stark, will be dedicated in August 2000.

Bennington Area Arts Council
P.O. Box 1321
It supports integrating artists and the community.

Bennington County Choral Society
P.O. Box 44
Adult Chorus
Musical Director: Edwin Lawrence (802) 442-8772
President: Joyce Morier (518) 686-3384
Community organization that performs significant choral music, including
regional and local composers. The choral society presents three concerts a
year, with a Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon performance of each
concert. New members welcome; no audition required.

Childrenıs Chorus
Musical Director: Kerry Ryer-Park (802) 442-3356
Non-auditioned chorus in two age groups ‹ 7-11 and 10-17 ‹ study choral
literature written for the treble voice. Classical music education exposes
children to many languages and styles of choral music.

Oldcastle Theater Company
West Road (Route 9) (802) 447-0564
Professional equity company presents summer theater from May through fall at
the Bennington Center for the Arts. Playbills range from Shakespeare to
musicals, drama and British comedy. Reservations; admission.

Sage City Symphony
Michael or Marianne Finckel (802)442-5720
Manager: Guy Rauscher (413) 458-4705
Community orchestra gives four concerts each year with a broad spectrum of
repertory and special emphasis on newly commissioned music by Vermont
composers. The symphony welcomes and needs all string players; solo wind
positions are awarded by audition.

Jubellaire Handbell Ringers
Second Congregational Church
Nancy Steffen (802) 442-2559
Church ringers perform for community organizations.

Park-McCullough House
Park and West streets, off Route 67A, North Bennington (802) 442-5441.
www.parkmccullough.org
Built in 1863-65, the mansion is one of the earliest Second Empire
residences in the country. The estate includes the 35-room mansion with
furnished period rooms, art gallery, Victorian garden, carriage barn and
gift shop. Open seasonally for tours and special events. Open daily May
22-Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Guided tours on the hour, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Admission charged.

Vermont Arts Exchange
Sage Street Mill, North Bennington (802) 442-5549
Art classes, workshops and exhibitions, with a focus on bringing arts to
low-income and special needs residents of all ages.
Berkshire Dance Theatre
RR3, Box 4772
Susan Hakes (802) 442-9304
Dance classes in Bennington; North Adams and Adams, Mass. year-round for
ages 3 to adult. Ballet, modern, tap, jazz, creative movement, tumbling,
acrobatics, dance introduction and ballroom.

Bennington Center for the Arts
Route 9, West Gypsy Lane (802) 442-7158
Modeled on oversized barns, the arts center stage showcases Oldcastle
Theater Company productions during the summer, as well as other
entertainment throughout the year. Art exhibits indoors and stone sculpture
outside.

To add your organization to this list, or make a change in a listing, write
the Banner Newsroom, 425 Main St., Bennington VT 05201; or e-mail
news@benningtonbanner.com



Willow Park
East Road
Willow Park is a public recreation area featuring the Catamount BMX track,
horseshoe pits, playground equipment, volleyball courts and lighted sports
fields. The parkıs pavilion, which is equipped with barbecue grills, running
water and public restrooms, can be rented for private functions.
The park is the site of the annual Antique and Classic Car Show, sponsored
by the Bennington Chamber of Commerce and local Rotary Clubs; the Hometown
Fourth of July Celebration; and softball and horseshoe tournaments.
Willow Parkıs large hills make it a popular sledding spot in winter and give
visitors an impressive view of the town.
The park is open from dawn to dusk daily.

Leonard J. Black
Memorial Park
Willow Road (802) 442-1053
Open for swimming and playground during the summer months, with certified
lifeguards on duty during open hours. No admission fee.
Hours: June, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; July-August, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Lake Shaftsbury
State Park
Route 7A, three miles south of Arlington, Shaftsbury (802) 375-9978
Family oriented state park features a swimming area with sandy beach,
playground, barbecue grills, picnic tables, paddle boat and canoe rentals,
food concessions, restrooms, pay phone, nature trails, group camping area
and picnic pavilion.
There is a per-person entry fee to the park and a carry-in, carry-out
garbage policy. There are no lifeguards on duty; swimmers swim at their own
risk.
Open dawn to dusk, Memorial Day-Labor Day.

Woodford State Park
Route 9, 10 miles east of Bennington (802) 447-7169
Swimming beach, picnic tables, hiking trails, boat rentals, restrooms and
camping area. Advance camping reservations required.

Bennington Rec Center
Gage Street (802) 442-1053
The Rec Center has a six-lane, 25-yard indoor swimming pool, a weight room
with universal and free weights and cardiovascular equipment, tennis courts,
locker rooms with showers and restroom facilities and dry saunas.
It is open seven days a week and is handicapped accessible.
Schools and sports leagues use the Rec Center fields for physical education,
practice and games. The Rec Center staff host organized programs on a
seasonal basis, such as aquatic exercise, swim lessons, childrenıs
activities and supervised playgrounds in the summer.
The Rec Center works with non-profit groups and local organizations.
Memberships are available to residents and non-residents, individuals, youth
and families, on a yearly or part-year basis.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday and
Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Stark Street Playground
Stark Street
A town-owned facility with childrenıs playground equipment, an ice skating
rink and indoor activities area. Organized by the Rec Center.

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