Leicester

Chartered in 1761, Leicester sits in the lowlands of Addison County between Brandon and Middlebury. The town's relatively flat terrain, unusual for Vermont, made it good agricultural land, and dairy farming has been a mainstay of the local economy for generations. Lake Dunmore, one of the more popular recreational lakes in the region, borders Leicester to the east, nestled against the western slope of the Green Mountains.

Leicester has about 1,010 residents and retains a quiet, agricultural character. The town lacks a traditional village center, with homes and farms spread along the roads that connect Brandon to Middlebury. Route 7, Vermont's main north-south highway, passes through the eastern edge of town, providing easy access to the commercial centers on either side.

Local governance follows the selectboard and town meeting model. Leicester's annual meeting is where residents weigh in on road maintenance, school budgets, and the kind of practical questions that define civic life in a small Vermont farming community.