I share your pain. I've seen trespassers making complaints to the ministry of environment because the landowners where they were walking installed frost fencing at great expense and they couldn't walk in the forest anymore. I would ask them "did you get permission to walk there" and they looked so suprised by my response as if i was a birthright to be able to freely walk thy neighbors property. I categorize these people as entitled bitches.

This, Vermont is the only state where it's safe legally to let the public on your land. Unless you have any unmarked open pits or other obvious hazards.

I'm not saying that there isn't a need for new housing. I'm saying you'll find that VT is populated, in large part, by wealthy old people who will fight development tooth and nail.

I think policy-wise, the emphasis now is on mixed income developments. Concentrated public housing frequently turns into "ghetto" housing projects.

If people are abusing the privileges it's time to post the land for trespassing. If anyone complains you can direct them to the rude neighbors who ruined it for everyone.

For sure. If you partner with a trail organization they can sometime provide insurance that would cover defense in that instance.

For example, people that have landowner agreements with the Vermont Mountain Bike Association have that coverage, along with VMBA's insurance policy.

Vermont's law in it is pretty good and fron what I've read about it, stands up well, but someone could still take action against you. Thrown out, sure, but that won't stop having to pay a lawyer to do the paperwork for dismissal.

Union Jacks in Burlington or Cody’s Irish Pub in Essex

That's the verbiage I couldn't remember. Thanks for that.

The commenter below had the phrase I couldn't remember.

The go-to example is usually a trampoline or pool that isn't fenced off and kids get hurt or drown. The kids aren't blamed because, they're just kids, they don't know any better. The adult, landowner, should have taken precautions to prevent it.

It's good to protect people who can't protect themselves, but it's also a little bullshit that you need to think about how to legally protect yourself vs. providing an area for people to be outdoors.

Elliot Street Fish, Chips, & More in Brattleboro. Really good falafel as well and homemade tartar sauce!

But I live here now....why don't you accept me as if I was your old neighbor!?

I don't think people realize it's years or decades of trust being built between people that allowed that to occur.

Someone hunted this year on some land I have. They asked permission even though I have known them since I was a kid. The common courtesy thing to do. When year was over, they gave me a gift card for groceries.

Nothing crazy expensive and wouldn't be enough to fill a basket of groceries, but it wasn't expected or implied. More of a, "you fucker, you didn't have to do that." They also did the gift card trick because if it was money, it's easier to deny money even though it's exactly the same.

People expect all the benefits of a lifelong neighbor on move-in without building the relationship.

Cool! Another thing for me to worry about. LOL

Except it is going to be 50f and pouring rain when op wants to be here

Thanks so much!

The answer is ‘yes,’ but only under specific circumstances. Google “attractive nuisance” for one example.

This helps and makes sense. How did you handle seeing a guy walking around your property/house with a rifle?

Vermont has a landowner liability protection law. If your land is open to the public, they cannot sue you for injuries sustained on your land (provided there aren't any man-made hazards/extraordinary circumstances).

As far as shopping around for inspections, what's the best way to find someone who might be more willing to overlook a not-so-great homemade rust repair job, and maybe some hazy headlights (hazy on the interior, unfortunately)?

It's an 09 Honda that I believe is still mechanically sound and safe, and has brand new tires (Xmas gift from a parent).

I'm already pretty darn overdue for an inspection and I've already gotten a couple of warnings for past due inpections years ago, so I feel like I'm running on borrowed time at this point.

I'm not great with my hands, have no garage to do car work in this winter, and can't afford to pay someone to do body work because I am already living just barely in the black mostly because of high rent rates around the Upper Valley. So I'll do some sort of homemade rust repair as I'm able, but it probably won't come out pretty.

How do I go about finding a certified inspection place who might be a little less on the strict side as far as passing a vehicle?

Bro it is wayyyyyy too late to book that trip.

Just look at listings for hotels next week. Do you see any?

No trespassing, hunting, fishing, trapping, etc. Yellow plastic Posted signs set as specified by the state, signed and dated, registered with the town.

No permission will be given to anyone who isn't family or friend.

Cellular cameras installed in key areas, backed up with WiFi cameras.

Sounds like overkill but in the 2 months I've owned the land I've seen dozens of guys on my land with rifles.

Have you heard of people being sued by trespassers that have been injured on other people’s property and the owner being liable if it wasn’t posted?

If you want it to be enforced, post it. You can have notes on the sign that people can ask permission. They then contact you.

If you're just doing rules, I'm no lawyer, but opening yourself up to potential lawsuits if they injure themselves.

There's specific rules for posting if you want it to be official. You can start here

Thanks so much. Don't stress I'll research from here.