36th Annual Vergennes Day Aug. 26th pg. 10
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August 26, 2017
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BUSINESS OWNERS MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT VERMONT Chamber of Commerce survey results By Lou Varricchio STA FF W RITER
MIDDLEBURY | A survey of over 100 Vermont businesses, located mostly in Chittenden County, by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce reflects an up tick in cheeriness about the state’s business future. But even beyond the Burlington area, the survey reflects more business optimism with business-friendlier administrations in both Washington and Montpelier. The survey, conducted by the Chamber and
DOWNTOWN ACCESS: One lane of the temporary steel bridgle along Merchants Row in downtown Middlebury opened for one-way traffic last week. The bridge, along with its Main Street companion span, is designed to ease traffic flow for work to begin on the railroad tracks below. Track work will enable Amtrak passenger trains to travel the corridor between Rutland and Burlington. “The most significant change is that Merchants Row is now one way only, up the hill toward Court Square and South Pleasant Street,” according to Jim Gish, Middlebury’s project community liaison. Photo by Lou Varricchio
» Chamber Cont. on pg. 18
Neighbors hopped up over hopyard By Lou Varricchio STA FF W RITER
CHARLOTTE | New York businessman Peter Briggs wants to cash-in on the Vermont microbrew boom by growing water-intensive hops and barley crops on 30 acres of the former Mack Farm. The future hopyard, called Mt. Philo Hops, is located on Thompson Point Road in Charlotte near Mt. Philo State Park. Approximately 20 neighbors adjacent to the farm got wind of the operation; they’re not happy with Briggs’ plans and the potential loss of valley views, increased use of subterranean water in the area and agricultural chemicals. Tall wooden poles, nearly 18 feet tall, are used to grow the climbing hop vines. The hop flowers are then harvested from the plant. According to All About Beer Magazine, American brewers have boosted the hopping levels of their IPAs (India pale ales) to such an extent that a new beer style has emerged: so-called double or “imperial” IPA. These big beers feature even more hop power and
alcohol to match. This is the craze that is fueling hop farm plans in Vermont, such as Briggs’. He told reporters last week that lower-growing crops will be used to address neighborhood concerns, but some residents are still not happy. To address local water concerns, Briggs installed two artificial ponds that will hold a total of 1.2 million gallons of water. But that may not be enough, according to one neighbor. Linda Samter is concerned about wells going dry in the area. Such an occurrence has happened even before the hop crop comes in next spring. “[The ponds]...will run dry in just two weeks of operation,” she said. Briggs has hired a hydrogeologist to address the concerns. It appears likely that the 20 neighbors concerned will go down the litigation route to either stop Briggs’ farm or force changes to his plans. ■
Pictured: Inside rows of a mature hop crop. Photo courtesy Jackson Hop Farm
GREENWOOD EARNS SCONE VICTORY Devil’s Bowl racing By Justin St. Louis SPECI A L TO THE EAGLE
WEST HAVEN | Luke Greenwood’s up-and-down relationship with the dirt » Devil’s Bowl Cont. on pg. 18
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