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ESSEX
MARCH 19, 2015
Vol. 35, No. 11
Prsrt Std ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 266 Essex Junction, VT 05452 Postal Patron-Residential
Pair apply for brewery in Essex Former Guardsmen moving 1st Republic Brewing Co. to River Road By JASON STARR The Essex Reporter Two Vermont Army National Guard veterans who served together in Iraq in 2006 and 2007 are investing in their shared beer-brewing hobby with a new business location in Essex. 1st Republic Brewing Company – the name is a nod to Vermont’s pre-Revolutionary independence and
a reflection of the founders’ patriotism — is currently distributed from co-founder Kevin Jarvis’ home in Fairfax. He and co-founder Shawn Trout are looking to expand into a space at 39 River Road, sharing a building with JP’s Restaurant and Deli. They plan to add a tasting room/brew tour aspect to the business. The Essex Planning Commission is considering a site plan amendment for the space during its March 25 meeting that would allow for an exterior “chiller” and an added rear entrance. In an interview last week, Jarvis said he and Trout never crossed paths during their service in Iraq, but later came to work at the same local company, starting around the same time. They quickly realized they were both Iraq veterans and home-brew aficionados. They also are both Vermont natives with an appreciation for the state’s
unique history. Trout is a native of Arlington now living in Essex. Jarvis is a native of Highgate now living in Fairfax. 1st Republic Brewing was born from their friendship and common interests. “We wanted to tie it into Vermont’s history and heritage and how proud we are of being Vermonters, carrying on that patriot feeling and theme,” Jarvis said. The company enters a crowded regional microbrewing market but one that is expanding. “Vermont is extremely passionate about craft beer. It’s a great opportunity,” Jarvis said. “We feel there is room out there for people who make a good product for the right reasons.
– See BREWERY on page 3a
Fine arts night
Superintendants report to RED committee By MATTHEW PREEDOM For The Essex Reporter
Essex orchestra director Asiat Ali leads his students through Peter Wharlock’s “Capriol Suite,” at Fine Arts Night on Thursday evening at Essex High School.
Oliver Parini Photogarpahy
Essex High School junior Matt Bushey plays the vibraphone during the EHS Wind Ensemble’s performance of “Ignition,” by Todd Stalter.
Parents and students peruse artwork in the Essex High School library.
A sculpture by Essex High School’s Kori Schneider sits on display in the Essex High School library during Fine Arts Night.
On Tuesday, March 3 superintendants Judy DeNova and Mark Andrews presented their perspectives on the state of Chittenden Central Supervisory Union and Essex Town School District respectively. Their reports were highlighted by differences in structure, which promotes inefficiencies and redundancies. DeNova and Andrews agreed that their goals were similar, but the system has thwarted many of their efforts to collaborate. Andrews remarked that the streamlined system in Essex Town allows input to flow from the public, “to the school board, to the superintendant, and to be applied to the school in a very direct manner. And it also allows feedback to flow back up the channel. Essentially, the system leaves no place for me to hide; there is accountability and consistency. Perhaps most importantly, it takes the focus off governance and allows us to focus on the most important thing and that’s providing a quality education to all of our kids.” DeNova agreed that the system in place in ETSD is a “highly functional model.” She noted that the supervisory union on the other hand is “confused” and “full of redundancies and inefficiencies.” DeNova pointed out that a merger would “reduce the number of school boards from five to one, the number of budgets from seven to one, and the number of audits from five to one. This process would offer greater transparency and simplification, and would provide obvious cost savings. An audit is $10,000, so having to only do one each year would mean $40,000 saved on that item alone.” But setting the cash savings aside, DeNova and Andrews pointed out that the focus is on the kids and what benefit or detriment a merger might do to them. The consensus among the superintendants was the a merger would allow data sharing so educators can assess student performance and adjust their methods accordingly. “Currently,”
– See RED on page 3a
Board sets electric car charging fee Considers Town Meeting Day changes By JASON STARR The Essex Reporter The electric vehicle charging station at the Town of Essex’s new police facility is still awaiting its first customer, and the Essex Selectboard on Monday set a charging fee of $1 per hour. The charging station was part of making the police building, which was completed last fall, “green,” Police Chief Brad Larose said Monday during a meeting of the board. It will also serve any future electric police or town vehicle, Municipal Manager Pat Scheidel said. For now, though, the charging station competes for customers with the handful of free charging stations in Burlington and South Burlington. Plus, most electric vehicle owners charge their cars at home. “It’s in the spirit of being green and community friendly and
– See SELECTBOARD on page 3a
LED conversion begins with streetlight survey
Essex Junction is getting in on a national trend of converting street lights from mercury and sodium vapor bulbs to light emitting diodes (LEDs). In order to begin the conversion, village residents are being recruited to a project next Saturday morning, March 28, to assess and account for the village’s current streetlight inventory. Residents interested in pitching in should RSVP to Essex Junction community relations specialist Darby Mayville at 878-6944 or e-mail darby@essexjunction.org. Bring a clipboard and wear walking shoes at 9 a.m. next Saturday to Brownell Library for maps and instructions. It is expected to take approximately two hours to inventory all village street lights. Refreshments will be served. Two years ago, Town of Essex street lights were similarly surveyed, and they are currently being converted to LEDs. The new
– See LED on page 3a
Green Mountain Power crews swap an old streetlight with an energy-efficient LED light earlier this month along Lida Drive in Essex. PHOTO | DAN MELLINGER