Sudbury

Chartered in 1763, Sudbury is a small town in Rutland County situated between the Taconic Range and the broad valley of Otter Creek. The terrain is relatively flat by Vermont standards, and the land proved good for farming — particularly dairy. Lake Hortonia, in the southern part of town, has long been a seasonal draw for fishing and recreation.

With a population of about 554, Sudbury is a place where the rhythms of rural life have not changed as dramatically as in more developed parts of the state. The town has no commercial center to speak of, and residents travel to Brandon or Middlebury for most services. Governance follows the selectboard model, and the annual town meeting in March is where Sudbury's residents exercise the direct democracy that Vermont has practiced since its earliest days as a republic.