Are you new to Calais?
Whether you are buying or renting, seasonal or full-time, we would like to get to know you!
The best way to contact us is by email: WelcomeToCalais@gmail.com
You may also call or visit the Town Office. We’re here to answer any questions you may have or to help you find the resources you need.
For example: Is East Calais part of Calais? What about Adamant? Our Villages brochure introduces you to the vibrant and unique village centers in town.
What about a quick fact sheet about Town Government and Town Office services, maybe one you can hang on your refrigerator or keep at your desk? In that case, we recommend our Municipal Services brochure.
The Welcome to Calais program is a joint effort between the Friends of Calais and the Calais Town office.
Our Schools
Calais Elementary School
321 Lightening Ridge Rd
Plainfield, VT 05667
(802) 456-7777
U-32 Jr/Sr. High School
930 Gallison Hill Rd
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 229-0321
Calais Elementary is part of the Washington Central Unified Union School District that includes the towns of Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, and Worcester. Click below for links to Calais Elementary, U32, and the WCUUSD websites.
Central Vermont Career Center
Calais students at U-32 have the option to attend the Central Vermont Career Center (CVCC) during a portion of their high school years. The Center serves 18 towns in central Vermont and offers students courses in career-based skills and trades.
You can learn more at the Central Vermont Career Center website.
Calais Representatives to the Washington Central Unified Union School Board
Elizabeth Brown
Daniel Keeney
Michelle Ksepka
WCUUSD School District
Calais Elementary School website
U32 Middle and High School
Washington Central Unified Union School District
A portion of Calais education taxes go to fund the CVCC, and residents are offered the option of voting on their officers, budget, and other articles annually during the Town Meeting elections.
Public WiFi Hotspots
In an effort to help Calais connect in a digitally-based world, we have installed several WiFi hotspots geographically dispersed around town. These WiFi hotspots provide free internet access to any townsperson, guest or tourist needing access to the internet. This free service is publicly available as a resource for information, communications, remote learning, and working from home.
These sites are accessible at all hours from a parked vehicle in each site’s parking lot. All COVID-19 safety precautions must be strictly adhered to, as well as good neighbor behavior.
Calais WiFi Hotspots:
- Calais Town Office parking lot (Password can be found taped to front door)
- Calais Town Hall parking lot (No password needed)
- Maple Corner Community Center parking lot (No password needed)
- East Calais General Store parking lot (No password needed)
- Adamant Co-op parking lot (Password: blackflies)
CVFiber’s high-speed Internet can now be accessed at the Calais Town Office parking lot and Calais Town Hall parking lot. Click here for additional information on CVFiber’s services.
Trash, Recycling, Food Waste
Saturdays, 8 am to 12:00 noon
The Town of Calais contracts with Brian Perry & Sons Construction, Inc., of Hardwick to operate a trash, recycling, & food waste depot on Moscow Woods Road (up the road from the East Calais Post Office on the left). The hours of operation are Saturday 8 am to 12:00 noon. Closed Christmas.
Brian Perry & Sons: (802) 472-6080, after 3:00pm.
For detailed costs see link below.
Special Items
Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District, (802) 229-9373, www.cvswmd.org for information and disposal of special recycling, hazardous waste, and hard-to-recycle materials. Eco Depot open by appointment only.
Calais Trash and Recycling Information
Vermont Recycling Regulations and Laws Timeline
TOWN TRAILS
Calais has quite a few public trails. Many of these trails traverse private land; please be respectful of property owners and stay on the trail when you are enjoying these beautiful places.
You can find PDFs of trail maps and more information about the Trails Committee’s work on the Calais Trails Committee page. Our trail committee members would be happy to provide you with any information you would like to learn about our trails!
Camping on Curtis Pond Island
If you would like to camp on Curtis Pond Island, please submit the following application to the Town Clerk for approval. There is no fee to camp. However, it’s helpful to keep a record of reservations to prevent double bookings or in case of any complaints or incidents reported.
Permits will only be granted to a Calais resident or with the support of a Calais resident.
You can email your completed application to townclerk@calaisvermont.gov or mail it to the Town Office at:
3120 Pekin Brook Rd
East Calais, Vermont 05650
Once your application has been approved, the camping permit and (if needed) the parking permit will be returned to you, and your reservation will be noted on the Calendar here on the website.
In addition, we’ll send you the Curtis Pond Island Camping Ordinance, as it provides helpful information for anyone accessing the island.
Happy camping!
Curtis Pond Island Camping Permit Application_2025.pdf
Emergency Services
Life threatening, dial 9-1-1
State Police Middlesex Barracks, non-emergency, 802-229-9191
Animal Control Officer: Buffy Langlois, 802-279-5552, animalcontrol@calaisvermont.gov
Washington County Sheriff’s Department, 223-3001, for motor vehicle enforcement.
The Sheriff’s Department does not provide 24/7 police coverage.
For immediate assistance, call the Vermont State Police or 9-1-1.
Emergency Crisis Resources Phone #s Washington County
Fire services have a five minute respond time to anywhere in Calais.
- Fire Department Response Coverage Area Map of Calais
- Fire Dept Public Protection Classification Report 2019
Additional Information
Do I need a permit to use fireworks, burn brush, or have a bonfire?
Yes, in most situations you will need a permit to use fireworks or to burn brush on your property.
For more information about our Swim Committee or about annual summer swim lessons held at Curtis Pond, please see our Calais Swim Committee page.
For a burn permit, contact Calais Fire Warden, Greg Pelchuck, at (802) 454-7377.
The town has a fireworks ordinance based on state statute that mandates a fireworks permit for any use and discharge of fireworks with Calais. Calais is part of the East Montpelier Fire Department District (EMFD). Fire Chief Ty Rolland is in charge of the permitting process. An application for a permit must be submitted at least 15 days in advance of the planned fireworks use date. Please start this process by calling the EMFD at 225-6245 or 225-6247.
In case of fire call 9-1-1. Calais is serviced by East Montpelier and Woodbury Fire Departments.
How do I apply for a building permit?
Visit Calais’s Zoning Regulations page for more information.
How do I register to vote and vote at an election?
How do I register to vote and vote at an election?
Town Meeting is held at Calais Elementary, 321 Lightening Ridge Rd on the first Tuesday of March. All other elections in Calais take place either at the Town Office 3120 Pekin Brook Rd, or Town Hall, 1662 Kent Hill Rd. You can find information about specific elections on our Town Elections page.
To register to vote or to update your voter information, go to https://vote.vermont.gov/public/dashboard.
You can also come to the Town Office and register to vote with a paper form. You must be 18, or turning 18 by the election date. You must be a Calais resident.
How do I post my land?
The state of Vermont offers a couple of different ways to post your land.
- You can post a “Safety Zone” that creates a 500-ft no hunting buffer around all of the buildings on your property. Signs are available at no charge from the Town Office.
- If you would like to extend the posting beyond the space around your buildings, you’ll want to register with the state through the Town Office. This land posting registration must be renewed annually to remain current. The process involves a brief form and a $5 fee and provides you with the backing of law enforcement in the event of unwanted hunting, trapping, and fishing. You’ll need to purchase or make your own signs; they are available from most hardware stores. These signs need to be posted every 400 ft or less along your property lines (or along the lines within which you are forbidding people from hunting, trapping, or fishing).
See “What Posting Means” from the VT Department of Fish & Wildlife for more information.
How do I report a road problem?
If the road problem is an emergency that is dangerous and life-threatening, call 9-1-1.
Please visit the Highway Department page for more information on how to reach the Road Commissioner, Operations Manager, and Town Garage.