Freak Folk Bier, which opened in Waterbury in early 2022, crafts oak-fermented, mixed-culture beers. Last month, the brewery received a grant from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s wastewater management program that would pay for upgrades to keep its sludge out of the waste stream.

Waterbury tourist operations saw plenty of traffic during the peak foliage weeks. Amid the onslaught of crowds and congestion, the season is crucial for local businesses to take in enough revenue to keep them viable for the rest of the year.