LEICESTER — Now that Vermont Gas Systems has finished work on its Addison Natural Gas Systems pipeline from Colchester to Middlebury, some people are anticipating the possibility of VGS turning its attention to extending its pipeline south toward Rutland.
As such, the public is invited to a Landowner Forum at the Leicester Meeting House on Saturday, Jan. 20, starting at 2 p.m. 
The Leicester Meeting House is the brick building located at Leicester Four Corners — the intersection of Route 7, Leicester-Whiting Road and Fern Lake Road. 
During permitting and construction of the Northern Addison County pipeline project, landowners gained experience and insight as to how Vermont Gas operates and how contracts are negotiated, among other issues relating to the pipeline.
Landowners with this experience want to inform those in the potential path of the pipeline, so as to protect landowner rights and to help those impacted to make sound decisions. Everyone is invited to come and learn more at the Leicester Meeting House this Saturday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
CLARIFICATION: In response to this story, Vermont Gas Systems spokeswoman Beth Parent wished to clarify the company’s plans. Organizers said the forum was being held for landowners in Northern Addison County to share their experiences making contracts with Vermont Gas when it ran its Addison Natural Gas Project pipeline through their property to its terminus in Middlebury. Parent told the Independent on Friday that “we aren’t going to Leicester or Rutland” and that the company does have plans to expand its natural gas pipeline “to Vergennes and Bristol later this year, but have no plans for any other expansions at this time.”