Benson, VT

Benson Map

Benson is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,039 at the 2000 census. The town is rural, with a concentration of several homes and businesses in Benson Village, at the intersection of Stage Road and Lake Road.

As is the case with many towns in rural New England, the town's government enjoys a degree of autonomy from the county and employs only a few essential service-providers including an elected Selectboard, a town clerk/treasurer, a road crew, and other municipal positions. Small town committees as well as the annual town meeting set the protocols of town policy with particular focus on the town's annual budget. Due to an idiosyncrasy in the redistricting process, it is also the only town in the state of Vermont to share a representative in the state legislature with a town in another county (Will Stevens, I-Shoreham).

The town employs a town constable, however most law enforcement is handled by the Rutland County Sheriff's department and/or the Vermont State Police. Ambulance services are provided by Benson First Response and Fair Haven Rescue. The nearest hospitals are Rutland Regional Medical Center and Porter Hospital. Benson also operates a small, entirely Volunteer Fire Department. Assistance in fighting particularly large fires is provided by other neighboring volunteer fire departments, including Fair Haven, Castleton, Hubbardton, West Haven and Orwell. Similarly, Benson's volunteer firefighters occasionally respond to large blazes in other local towns when needed.

Nearby cities include Ticonderoga, Whitehall, Brandon, Poultney, Pittsford.