Almost all trails are closed in Vermont from when the snow melts until Memorial Day weekend (to let the ground dry out and not destroy the trails during mud season). While the upper elevations may still have snow the trailheads will almost certainly be snow free so no-go. The toll road can still be hiked.

Green Mountain Farm by Elliott Merrick is about the author who moves to Craftsbury (Horseshoe in the book) in the 1930's and does some farming among other jobs. Generally an enjoyable book to read.

As someone who lives off the grid in northern Vermont it is certainly possible even with relatively small number of solar panels and batteries and we only use the generator <5 hours a year if at all. It does require some additional thought both in the design of the house (like having the already highly efficient fridge and freezer in a cold space so it uses less energy in the winter) and procedural such as unplugging internet etc. when not using them. We do have a propane stove.

Though our system certainly works if you have grid power easily accessible I would recommend hooking onto that but still building and living in the house as if you were off grid to save energy.

If you have questions I would be happy to answer them.

Because then you don't have to deal with all the other stuff that is already there under and above ground.

Though groomed for skiing the Stowe rec path gets a lot of foot traffic so may or may not be good skiing.

As others have mentioned, if you are connected to a Public Water Supply which it sounds like you are, there will be a Consumer Confidence Report which will provide information on the constituents of the water.

Likely why the town officials were cagy on the safety of the water is that they don't know. They aren't the scientists or public health officials making the guidelines and understanding of what those things do to people. They don't want to give wrong info and given that they don't know they will likely give very little info.

I am not familiar with the Vermont Health Connect but do know that there are frequently many problems and they often get the amount of subsidies (for lower income people) wrong - can lead to hours on the phone to sort it out. My parents have had luck with Vermont Legal Aid when they have gotten to a point that VHC just will not work for them though my parents have found somewhere what they should expect to be getting based on income.

As a rule I find that most dog owners think that the rules don't apply to their dog because their dog is a good dog.

Have seen it on a bumpy map for years, don't have a clue why though.