Flea market may get ousted by state hospital plans - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

Flea market may get ousted by state hospital plans

State officials have announced plans to use Waterbury's flea market grounds, as a potential spot for a temporary mental health facility.
     But this weekend, market vendors say that plan is gambling with their livelihood.
   Every summer weekend - for the last 37 years - Vendors and customers flock to this small plot North of Waterbury.
   But Sunday, many worried that the tradition may be coming to a close.
  "I'm going to be sorry to see it go," said vendor Kelly Stygles
   "I'm sure they could find another location for the flea market, but everybody loves coming here," said customer Roberta Allard.
     Thursday, State Mental Health Commissioner Patrick Flood announced the state is considering building a small, temporary mental health facility on the grounds.
     The site would house seven of the 30 patients displaced by Irene last August.
  "We really needed to find a place it is getting desperate," said Vermont's Mental Health Commissioner Patrick Flood.
     If the plan does become reality, Stygles says he may lose his only source of income.
"I may have to move out of state, because I've been doing this so long now, that I'm too old to start over doing something else," Stygles said.  "It's a hard job to get a flea market started anywhere and if we move, there's no guarantee we're going to get a following, customers," he continued.
     Flea market manager Brian Erwin says he's been searching for a new site since news of the state plan broke.
     But he says moving is a risky proposition.
  "If the flea market is not in the right location, the chances of it folding is pretty good," Erwin said.
  "I've been coming here as a customer for a number of years and the money it brings in can't compare to what the state will offer the owner," said customer Dan Dilon.
     No one knows how much of a boost the market provides to the Waterbury economy.
     But those there Sunday, say the gamble could be avoided by finding a different location, location, location.
    State officials say if the plan is ultimately approved, it will take about 90 days to construct the facility-- plus securing the needed permits.