Town Overview
Canaan is the northernmost and easternmost town in Vermont. The town covers an area of 21,376 acres and sits at an elevation of 1,355 feet above sea level. Within the town are several distinct villages and communities, including Canaan Village, South Canaan, Canaan Hill, Beecher Falls, and Lake Wallace.
Highways and Transportation
Canaan is located along Vermont Route 114 and is within reasonable driving distance of several major cities, including Montreal, Quebec; Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; and Burlington, Vermont.
The town’s road network includes:
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17.84 miles of state-maintained highways
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2.35 miles of Class II town highways
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13.93 miles of Class III town highways
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9.80 miles of Class IV roads
Public Works
The Town of Canaan provides a reliable and well-managed system of public utilities and services that support both residents and businesses throughout the community.
An ample supply of metered drinking water with adequate fire flows is available through two distinct and independently operated fire districts, each serving different areas of the community:
- Fire District No. 1 serves the Village of Canaan, generally extending from the Connecticut River west to the Canaan Border Patrol Station and along Treatment Plant Road through Christian Hill.
- Fire District No. 2 serves the Village of Beecher Falls and portions of Riverside in Stewartstown, New Hampshire.
These districts operate as separate municipal entities, each responsible for its own water system infrastructure and operations. Both systems draw from well-fed groundwater sources, providing reliable and consistent water supply. As a unique historical note, Fire District No. 1 maintains ownership of spring sources in East Hereford, Quebec, which served as the original water supply and remain available for use in the event of an emergency.
The Town also operates a wastewater treatment facility that serves a broad service area, including all areas of Fire District No. 1 and Fire District No. 2, the areas between them, and the entire Village of West Stewartstown, New Hampshire. The facility is jointly owned, with approximately 54% ownership by the Town of Canaan and 46% by the Town of Stewartstown, New Hampshire, reflecting the shared infrastructure and longstanding regional partnership.
Solid waste disposal is managed through the Town’s transfer station, where materials are separated and recycled as part of an ongoing commitment to responsible waste management. Household recyclables are processed through the Coös County Recycling Center, of which the Town of Canaan is a voting member. In addition, the Town contracts with other recycling and disposal partners in Vermont, including the Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District (NEKWMD), All Metals Recycling, and the Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA), to ensure responsible handling of a wide range of recyclable materials.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition (C&D) debris are transported to the Mt. Carberry Landfill for disposal.
For current hours of operation or additional information regarding public works services, residents may contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (802) 266-3370.
Utilities
Electric service in Canaan is provided by Vermont Electric Cooperative
Phone: 800-832-2667 or 802-635-2331
Telephone service is provided by Consolidated Communications
Phone: 800-585-4466
The local calling area includes Norton and Lemington, Vermont, as well as Colebrook, Pittsburg, and Stewartstown, New Hampshire.
Additional communications and media providers available in the region include:
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Vonage – Internet and telephone services
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AT&T – Television, phone, and internet services
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Allconnect – Utility comparison service connecting customers with multiple providers
Telecommunications and Internet Service Providers
The Town of Canaan has embraced the challenges of the 21st century and offers several options for high-speed internet service. Providers serving the area include:
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Consolidated Communications (formerly FairPoint Communications) – 844-968-7224
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FiberCast Broadband – 603-331-0000
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Netafy – 877-412-9434
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Trailrunner Wireless – 207-761-4286
Post Offices
There are two United States Post Offices located within the town:
Newspapers and Television
Regional newspapers such as the Caledonian Record and the Union Leader, along with a local publication, the Colebrook Chronicle, are available at Solomon’s Store in nearby West Stewartstown, New Hampshire.
Cable television service is available in portions of the town through White Mountain Cablevision (800-233-7350).
Satellite television services are available through:
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