Charming house surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers in Putney Commons.

Putney Commons

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Home-sharing
  • Town/Small City

Founding year

  • 2003

What we do

Putney Commons (www.putneycommonsvt.com) is a small, owner developed, intentional community located in Putney, Vermont. Six homes were completed in 2009, and a seventh was built in 2014. Our eighth and ninth dwellings were completed in 2022 and 2023.
The 9 units are surrounded by field, garden, hills and woods. We are currently a community of 12 individuals and are open to families, couples, and single persons of all ages. We share a vision for being good stewards of the land and supporting one another in living greener and healthier lifestyles.
The six original houses were built in two clusters of three semi-detached homes. They are single-story, on slabs, have no attics, are super-insulated and boast a Five Plus Star Energy rating. They range from 1100 to 1475 sq. ft. and are clustered on the north end of a 3.5 acre field. Each has a garage with a small storage unit. The seventh home stands alone.
Interior designs vary greatly, based on owner-designed preferences. Five homes have photo voltaic panels; one household has a share in a local solar farm.
Members meet monthly to discuss business and living concerns. We make decisions by consensus. We have no common house and eat independently, but we enjoy sharing pot luck dinners and occasional work days. Our $275 monthly owner’s association fee covers common element expenses, e.g., mowing, plowing, sanding, trash, insurance, land maintenance and an operating reserve fund. Homeowners are financially responsible for repair and maintenance to the exterior and interior of their units. Legally we are a condominium association.
Our 11.4 acres of land are secluded and private; they include fields, woodlands, a bit of Sacketts Brook, a common fenced-in vegetable garden with individual plots available to interested members and several neighbors, and walking trails. Amazingly, we are also right in the heart of Putney village, across the street from the post office and behind the first row of houses. We are within easy walking distance to the many community events and services offered in and around downtown Putney. Putney also has a familty medical practice, a post office, two banks, a town library, a food coop and general store, gas station/auto repair, as well as a rich variety of arts and cultural institutions.
Our nearest neighbor is the Putney Community Center, which houses a community foodshelf. A seasonal farmers’ market is within walking distance of the town center, and there are restaurants /eateries within half a mile. Nearby, the Connecticut River and Putney Mountain offer hikers, bikers, rowers, kayakers, and swimmers many opportunities for enjoyment. Putney has three private schools and Landmark College, as well as a strong public elementary school. Many community-based events are held throughout the year, including a village-wide community supper held on the second Friday of each month.
We are located ten miles north of Brattleboro just half a mile from I-91, exit 4.

Our Mission

We are a small, cooperative neighborhood of diverse individuals, sharing friendship and support while living independently in an ecologically responsible community, making decisions through consensus.

  • Purpose
  • Home-sharing
  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Intentional Neighborhoods
  • Sustainability practices
  • Renewable energy systems
  • Activities
  • Property management

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2003
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2008
  • Started living together
  • 12 Total members
  • Not open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
12

How to join

Contact us via our website for more information.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Please contact us via our website: putneycommonsvt.com.

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

Decision-making process

  • Modified Consensus

Generally seek agreement, but have backup methods when consensus isn’t reached.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Conflict resolution approach

We have 4 designated officers. We meet monthly and make decisions by consensus. Tasks are shared by all community members.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Regular fees: Yes

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Garden(s)

Frequency of communal meals

  • Rarely

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure
  • Substance use is prohibited in the community

Gender composition

  • Majority cis (over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Mixed adults (few or no children)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Land Trust, Home Owners Association, or corporation

Setting

  • Town/Small City

Smaller municipalities with local services but rural character.

Community type

  • Cohousing

    Private homes with shared common facilities, designed for neighborly
    interaction while maintaining independence.

  • Intentional Neighborhoods

    Geographically close groups of independently-owned homes whose residents actively cultivate community relationships and shared values.

Community type

  • Super-insulated to reduce energy usage

Sustainability approach

  • Renewable energy systems

Community type

  • Super-insulated to reduce energy usage

Some or all of the buildings are...

  • Super-insulated to reduce energy usage

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • Up to 33%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Land area size
    11.4 acres

Guest Book

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Location

  • Vermont, United States

Needs and Offers

Offer
  • Communities with Openings
7 months ago

Worktrade Opportunities on Big Island Hawaii

We are continuing our work-trade program at Bridge Hawaii for the right people on this beautiful 86-acre land located along the Hāmākua Coast. Ideally, we want to host those individuals who can help with the garden and who can support with build projects for up to a 3 month stay. This work-trade would include lodging, food staples, community kitchen, running hot water showers, off-grid electricity, and laundry. There is access to high speed wi-fi. We often have a car that can be reserved. We also have full bar signal strength with Verizon cellphone service. We have about 2 acres of permaculture garden that needs to be cared for including; weeding, planting, picking up mulch, some tree trimming, ect. We are currently in a building stage on the land. We have a few current grant projects we are working on and some build projects that are underway. We are an intentional community with about 8 permanent residents. There are rescue dairy cows, mini cows, mini donkeys, horses, a donkey, cats, dogs, and active bee hives. We are a drug and alcohol “free” space. A glass of wine or beer with dinner is fine, but absolutely no day drinking or parties. We have a meditation temple and many waterfall pools that are wonderful for swimming. Close to some of the nicest beaches on island. We have snorkeling gear and a kayak. Since this is an animal sanctuary, we limit the consumption of meat on the land. Fish, eggs, honey, and dairy are fine. Let me know if you’re interested by sending an email or text for our application. Maomi (801) 623-0738 ma***@*****************ii.com

Information

Communities

A residential project: people live here as their primary home.

Organizations

An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).

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