Randolph Fire District #1 (RFD1), is a municipality responsible for the water source and distribution system supporting the village of Randolph Center. Vermont Technical College (VTC), although mostly within the Fire District, has it’s own source and water system. The two systems are connected and both utilize the water tower for storage and pressurizing the system.
Randolph Fire District # 1 was granted its charter in 1939 by then Gov. Aiken. This charter identifies much of the village of Randolph Center, including most of the VTC campus, as within the boundaries of RFD1. The charter grants RFD1 municipality status and the accompanying authority to regulate, direct, and approve many village functions and activities. The charter specifically gives the Fire District the authority to adopt ordinances, by-laws, and other regulations related to a variety of community matters. RFD1 is led by a three-member Prudential Committee (PRUCOM) comprised of three district residents, an elected district clerk, a treasurer, a collector of rents and taxes and a water system engineer responsible for supervising periodic testing of district water sources and for ensuring the integrity of the distribution infrastructure.
In 1974, the historic core of the Village of Randolph Center was added to the National Register of Historic Places. An excellent history of the village by Peter Lavigne, with references to the historical research of Wes and Miriam Herwig, can be found at the “Commons of Randolph Center” link.