Putney Commons :: Communities Directory

Formed: 2003 Established: 2008

This page last updated:4/19/2012

Putney Commons

Putney, Vermont,

United States

Putney Commons is an owner developed cohousing located in Putney, VT, population 3,000. We are beginning our fourth year as resident owners and tenants. Six homes are finished and we are seeking three additional creative households to join us in this small, friendly community.

We share a vision for being good stewards of the land and supporting one another in living greener and healthier lifestyles.

Members meet monthly for shared business and living concerns using consensus decision making. Although everyone is busily involved in individual activities in Putney and nearby Brattleboro, we try to meet together to enjoy pot luck dinners and occasional work days

Our homes are single-story,built on slabs,super-insulated with a Five Plus Star Energy rating, 1100 to 1500 sq ft.,south facing, and includes a garage and storage unit. The interior designs vary greatly based on owner preferences.Four houses have photo voltaic panels.

Though secluded and private, we enjoy being within walking distance of medical offices, public school, library, food coop, Connecticut River, and rich cultural offerings. Putney itself is a "transition town," a movement to vitalize community response to peak oil and the need for local sustainable living.

See: transitionputney.com,iputney.com,

sanglasstheatre.com, yellowbarn.org, and putneycrafttour.com.

Owners have designed and built homes in collaboration with our local architect and builder. Owners fund/finance their own homes. Acreage includes fields, creek, woodlands, garden, and trails to come.

We range from 17 to 78, and welcome younger families. Monthly cohousing association fee: $150.

The Connecticut River and Putney Mountain offer hikers, bikers, kayakers, and swimmers opportunities to enjoy. Putney has a history of progressive educational ventures and community efforts. The food co-op is one of the oldest cooperatives in the country, making local organic food available to the public. We are just off US Rte 5, via exit 4 off I-91.

Interested? Contact us by email or phone. Come to visit. If your interest continues, attend several meetings/potucks to explore whether who and what we are fits you.

Status: 6 built, 3 home sites still open, 2 houses for sale

Website: www.putneycommons.com

Contact:

Elizabeth Christie
6-3 Putney Commons Way
PO Box 636
Putney, Vermont 05346 United States
Phone: 802-387-5464, 802-387-4330

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

This page last updated:4/19/2012

Visitors Accepted

(please, call or email first)

Visitor Process: See our website: www.putneycommons.com. Then, contact Elizabeth Christie by email or by phone at 802-387-5464, El Dearborn at 802-387-2382 or elisabethdearborn@rcn.com, or founder Anne Fines at 802-387-4330.

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 6 (2 member owners, 1 spouse FT; 1 member owner, 1 spouse, 1 child PT) Non-member Residents: 4 (frequent visits from grandchildren and adult children) Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No (We have designated officers and we work by consensus.) Leadership Core Group: No (All six owners function ( successfully!) as the leadership body.)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes (yes if you have the capacity to fund building your own home) Labor Contribution: Expected (Monthly business meetings, common life responsabilities as they arise, gardening optional. No set hours per month required.) Join Fee: Yes Regular Fees: Yes (Monthly cohousing association fee: $125.)
Land and Buildings Small Town (population 3,000) Area: 11.5 acres (4.7 hectares) Land Owned By: The community (Putney Commons Owners Association) Number of Residences: 9 (6 completed, 3 still to be built, 2 are for sale) Cohousing: Yes (Somewhat modified)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% (garden began summer 2009) Share Community Meals: 1-3 times/month (potlucks, often include neighbors) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (seasonal farmers market walking distance, local farmers CSA, food coop; ten restaurants /eateries within walking disdtance) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Prohibited	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Ecumenical (includes "all religions") (Ecumenical;We come from Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Unitarian, Quaker and other backgrounds and a common orientation toward service to community.) Educational Style(s): Public schooled (Putney area Homeschoolers; public: Putney Central School (K-8), Brattleboro Union HS (9-12); private schools: The Grammar School (K-8), The Green Valley School (preschool); The Putney School (9-12); Landmark College (2 year /learning differences focused))

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Building

(6 completed, 3 sites open)

Year Completed:

2008

(3 sites still open, 2 houses for sale)

Number of Units:

6,and 3 more can be built

Architect:

Greenberg Architects Associates, Putney VT

Developer:

We as a group developed Putney Commons.

Commercial Lender:

none

Become an Editor Current editor(s): putneycommons

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Comment from little white pines on 1/24/2010 (Reader Rating: 0)

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sounds interesting. it would be nice to have some pictures of the houses and land. i'm very fond of putney...i went to the vermont creative work camp there when i was in high school and then to the putney graduate school years ago. i don't think either are there now. another student and i had our thanksgiving "diner" on top of putney mountain with hunters shooting nearby...youth can be very foolish! i first started thinking about community then. it was and still is one of my most memorable years. i wish you the best.
namaste, rosemary weston

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