Better Connections Gilman Village Revitalization
A comprehensive plan that will guide us in prioritizing and tackling projects that support enhanced mobility and recreation, and opportunities for redevelopment that balance economic development with conservation and stormwater needs.
About the Project
The Gilman Village Revitalization Plan is a Vermont Better Connections project, a partnership of the Vermont Agency of Transportation, the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.
In December 2026, the Town of Lunenburg received a Better Connections grant for $105,000, of which $7,500 was provided by the Town of Lunenburg as matching funds. The grant includes $30,000 for a stormwater management plan that will study clean water, storm drains and highway runoff. The Better Connections grant will allow for the development of a comprehensive plan to guide investments in multi-modal transportation (walking, biking, public transit, vehicular travel, etc.), land use decisions and economic development in the village of Gilman.
The Final Plan will be completed by the end of February 2027.
Key Project Goals
- Encourage strong community engagement
- Multimodal transportation infrastructure to create safer, more connected activity nodes
- Recreation for all that emphasizes accessibility, rail-with-trail connections, civic health, and conservation
- Infrastructure improvement analysis— specifically infill and rehabilitation for building reuse and multi-generational housing options
- Develop strategies for managing rail concerns
- Economic enterprise that balances land use with long-term conservation goals
- A stormwater management plan
UPCOMING EVENTS
Public Meeting - July 30
Thursday, July 30, 2026: Public Meeting
6:00-8:00pm at the Gilman Senior Center
Pizza and drinks will be provided for all.
Childcare will be available at Gilman Head Start for free from 5:45pm to the end of the meeting.
We will discuss existing conditions in Gilman and collaborate on initial ideas to address village needs and wants related to safety, travel, recreation, the economy, housing, conservation, social gathering and more.
All Lunenburg residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
PROGRESS TO DATE
Better Connections Steering Committee Formed – January 2026
The Better Connections Steering Committee is comprised of the following people:
Gary Briggs - Project Manager and Lunenburg Town Clerk
Tina Breault - Lunenburg Planning Committee
Harry Williams - Lunenburg Selectboard
Gregg Williams - HW Department
Kate Baxter - Lunenburg Outdoors: Recreation, Trails, & Tourism Task Force
Liz Benoit - Community Events, Social Engagement & Recreation Task Force
Leighann Eaton - Gilman Head Start
Kate Balch - Resident & Business Owner
Annabelle Blake - Ampersand Gilman Energy
Christl Young - Gilman Senior Center
Bob Rice - Fox Chapel
Gerald Mertens – Lunenburg-Gilman Community Trust
Mackenzie Mayer - Gilman Resident
Dennis Earnshaw - Gilman Resident
Faith Ahearn Dall - VT AOT
Natalie Elvidge - VT ACCD
The steering committee also has ad hoc committee members from Essex County NRCD, NVDA, Preservation Trust of Vermont, Vermont Council on Rural Development, Northern Forest Center and Twin State Rail Trail Project.
Better Connections Steering Committee Tours the Village with the Consultant
On April 22nd, Consultant Team Dubois & King met with members of the Better Connections Steering Committee to tour the village of Gilman and start discussing the revitalization plan.
The tour was very productive, starting at the Gilman Senior Center and going up to Fox Chapel and back around to Commercial Avenue.
The meeting ended with the final leg of the tour consisting of Fox Field and then touring the Gilman Middle School.
Consultants conduct Stormwater Management Tour
A team made up of Dubois and King consultants, Department of Environmental Conservation, and town employees toured the village of Gilman on June 4 to begin documenting specific stormwater management needs.
Hello Summer
On June 20, the Better Connections Steering Committee hosted a table at the 2026 Hello Summer celebration at Fox Field.
Community members were asked to provide feedback on what elements they would like to see in the village of Gilman.