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Fence viewers played an active role in Vermont in the last century.  Today, however, fence viewers are called upon to act only in limited situations.  On occasion, the selectboard will call upon the fence viewers to examine a fence line between adjoining properties to determine what portion of the fence must be made, repaired, or maintained by each party.  Fence viewers may also be asked to determine where a fence must be placed when a fence cannot be placed squarely on a property line.

Three fence viewers are appointed by the selectboard each year.  They must be qualified voters of the town and must be sworn into office.  (24 V.S.A. 831,871)

Fence viewers examine fences and other boundaries within the town when requested to do so by the selectboard.

When called upon to act, the fence viewers must give notice to all interested parties, or their tenants or agents, of the time when they will examine the fence or line between adjoining lands, before they make a division relating to the fence or line.  (24 V.S.A 3811)

All decisions of the fence viewers must be certified and recorded with the town clerk.  A decision so certified and recorded is valid against the parties and their heirs and assigns.  (24 V.S.A. 3811)

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