With the economy stagnant and drugs rampant, a number of Vermont communities are reporting an increase in burglaries. In Dorset, residents are taking action by launching a community policing program to help track crime.

With the economy stagnant and drugs rampant, a number of Vermont communities are reporting an increase in burglaries. In Dorset, residents are taking action by launching a community policing program to help track crime.

Vermont law requires that residents declare ownership of a home and pay the state's education property tax, and it says penalties of either 3 or 8 percent can be assessed by municipalities on any property not listed correctly.

Smart meter technology allows customers to save electricity, and gives utilities the ability to respond quickly to power outages. But the wireless meters have also raised health and privacy concerns, and now voters in several southern Vermont towns will get a chance to weigh in at next month's town meetings.

A new combination firehouse and community center could be in Dorset's future, thanks to an unnamed benefactor who wants to help the town.