Building Connections - Spring 2002

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Fall 2002

Building Connections

A publication of Vermont Woodnet, a network of small wood workers in Addison and Chittenden Counties working to support Vermont wood products businesses based on a commitment to the sustainability of the forest

Sunken Treasure
By Sarah Carrier

Leon Hopkins, owner of Waterlog, has uncovered a sunken treasure. Once an avid scuba diver, house builder and mill operator, Hopkins has found a way to make a living while satisfying his curiosity for local history and the underwater landscape. He has built a submarine, which he uses to locate logs on the bottom of Vermont lakes and ponds that sunk during log drives of the 1800s after becoming waterlogged. The beautiful old growth wood has been perfectly preserved in the cold water and Hopkin's business is selling it to woodworkers.

Hopkins first got the idea from relatives who lived on and logged the backside of Lake Willoughby in the Northeast Kingdom and told stories of loosing wood on log drives. "There were stories about places with undertow and underground passages between lakes." After looking at a topographic map he ruled out both but was still curious about what he might find at the bottom of the Lake. Since his first dive five years ago Hopkins has recovered and milled several thousand board feet from lakes and ponds within a 75 mile radius of his East Montpelier home.

Out of two propane takes welded together Hopkins built a two-person submarine that can stay underwater for up to six hours.

"Practically wore out a calculator building the thing," remarks Hopkins. "Wouldn't be complicated if you could go to the submarine store but I had to manufacture it from scratch." Hopkins' pride in his work is evident when he talks about building the submarine but it is even more obvious when he shows off the wood he has uncovered and describes its history.

Some of the wood comes from trees that were four hundred years old when they were cut 140 years ago. "These trees started growing before Columbus stepped foot in this country," says Hopkins. He estimates the date the wood was cut by the marks left from the broad axe which was used to fell trees before the two-man saw was used.

The age of the wood is also reflected in its size and the density of its growth rings. The largest tree he has found measures 43 inches in diameter. "Growth rings are like a history book," Hopkins says as he described once counting twenty- two in one inch of wood. The compressed growth rings indicate that the tree grew slowly in a dense forest where it had to complete for light.

The wood's quality makes it ideal for finish work, such as cabinetry, where it's tight grain can be displayed. Hopkins has recovered a variety of wood types but most commonly he has found birch and hard maple. The wood is first air-dried and then kiln dried and can be milled and finished like any other wood.

"The wood speaks for itself" Hopkins remarks, and it has a lot to say about the history of the forests, log drives and lakes. Hopkins and his divers once found the remnants of an old axe resting on a log at the bottom of a lake which they interpreted as a good omen - "we are finishing this guy's work, getting the log out and putting it to use."
To contact Leon Hopkins at Waterlog, call (802) 223-7628.

VERMONT WOODNET SUSTAINABLE WOODS WORKSHOP

Saturday, September 15, 2001, 9- 2:30
Stephen Taylor's Land, 716 West Hill Road, Lincoln

Take a 'woods walk' through a woodlot, learn how to use character and rediscovered wood and explore marketing opportunities for sustainable forest products. Participants include woodworkers, foresters, landowners, loggers, and marketers.

Workshop Schedule:
9:00 Introductions and coffee
9:30 Tour woodlot. See what is done differently when managing for long-term forest health, learn about forest and chain of custody Certification.
12:00 Lunch and wood use demonstration. See how to utilize character, low grade and rediscovered wood.
1:00 Discuss marketing opportunities for sustainably harvested wood products. Sharpen your tools to best tell and sell the story of your product.
2:00 Learn how to get involved in Vermont WoodNet projects including the Governor's table.
3:00 Sawmill demonstration (optional)
Co-Host: National Wildlife Federation.
Co-Sponsors include: Vermont Family Forests, Business for the Northern Forest, Certified Forest Products Council, Cornerstone Project, Department of Economic Development, Department of Forest Parks and Recreation, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Maine WoodNet, Northern Forest Alliance, SmartWood, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association.

Vermont Woodnet Publishes Resource Guide

Vermont WoodNet published its first annual Resource Guide, identifying over 100 woodworkers and wood-related businesses in Addison and Chittenden Counties as well as a series of resource organizations that offer everything from marketing assistance to financial and technical support. The purpose of this Guide is to connect businesses with each other and to local materials. To receive a copy send in the form in the newsletter with your donation.

Governor's Table Design Challenge

Vermont WoodNet has received approval from Governor Dean's office to design and build a conference table for the Pavilion State Office Building. Vermont WoodNet is solicting proposals from businesses which follow a design concept developed by James Burde of Teiki-Techtures in Jericho. Although a gift to the Governor, WoodNet's fundraising efforts will compensate participating businesses for their time and cover material costs. Other benefits of participation are inclusion in promotion efforts and support for WoodNet's efforts to develop joint manufacturing projects for small-scale manufacturers.

VT WoodNet Hosts Legal Contracts Training

By Jim McCarthy
Catherine Gjessing, environmental enforcement attorney for the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources described contracts at the June meeting.

Entering into a contact can help prevent disputes and protect both parties if dispute does arise. Although verbal contracts are legally enforceable, written contracts have the advantage of leaving less room for doubt. In both cases contacts can prevent disputes by offering an opportunity for buyer and seller to talk through their expectations before work is started.

For contacts to be legally binding they must be between competent parties and show consideration (mutual value exchanged between the parties) and accord (agreement). Develop a format to fit your circumstances and then consult with an attorney. Contracts can be changed at anytime in writing if signed by both parties.

Tips on what a contract should contain?

1. Title document "Contract"
2. Introductory paragraph including date, names of parties and roles, location, description and scope of the work
3. Contract price and terms of payment
4. Time line for completion
5. Miscellaneous provisions i.e. power to engage subcontractors or provision to allow contractor to stop work without breaching
6. Signatures and date

The legal remedies to settle a dispute vary in cost and complexity. Disputes under $3500 can be settled in small claims court and disputes over larger amounts can be settled in Supreme Court or though a lien. There are costs associated with these methods and following correct procedures is crucial to collecting your judgment.

Vermont WoodNet
P.O. Box 4562
Burlington, VT 05406
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