[0:15] Good evening everyone.
[0:17] Please join me for the pledge of
[0:18] allegiance to the flag.
[0:25] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[0:28] United States of America and to the
[0:30] republic for which it stands. One nation
[0:33] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:36] justice for all.
[0:39] Thank you. Roll call, please.
[0:42] >> Council member Abernathy,
[0:44] >> present.
[0:45] >> Council member Bush,
[0:46] >> here.
[0:47] >> Council member Buckton,
[0:49] >> present.
[0:50] >> Council member Dawson,
[0:52] >> here.
[0:52] >> Council member Geller,
[0:54] >> present.
[0:55] >> Council member Le
[0:57] >> here.
[0:58] >> Council member
[1:00] here.
[1:00] >> Council member Rogers
[1:02] >> here.
[1:03] >> Council member Sykes.
[1:05] >> Council member Tedford
[1:08] Council member Wendis
[1:10] >> here.
[1:11] >> Council member Winkler here. Your honor,
[1:13] you have a quorum.
[1:15] >> Thank you.
[1:16] >> Is there anybody here for citizens
[1:18] forum?
[1:22] » Get ahead of me there.
[1:28] Come on. A good call.
[1:35] » How y'all doing today? Good.
[1:39] My name is Janiro Gonzalez.
[1:43] I live in town 51 turn bike at the
[1:46] hotel. Um, first and foremost, just to
[1:49] get it out the way real quick, I would
[1:51] like to thank Lieutenant Christopher and
[1:53] who else? What was the other guy that
[1:56] gave you the clothes?
[2:00] You know,
[2:03] chubby guy.
[2:06] >> No, no, champ.
[2:12] » Captain Laura.
[2:14] >> Captain Mora.
[2:15] >> Yeah, that guy right there. You know, he
[2:18] gave my kids some clothes, real nice
[2:20] clothes. And um I appreciate that very
[2:24] much. Like very much. That showed a lot
[2:26] of
[2:28] I showed him how I felt and um
[2:36] it's sad that the police department
[2:39] looks out for my family more than a lot
[2:42] of the people. But Matt, too. Matt
[2:44] downstairs gave me some
[2:46] gas
[2:50] clothes more.
[2:52] I didn't even have to ask for it.
[2:55] I just told him about it. He asked me
[2:57] about it and he just said, "Give me a
[3:00] few days." I didn't know he was going to
[3:01] do it.
[3:03] Getting some Jordans and stuff up towns.
[3:05] You know, people don't do stuff like
[3:08] that.
[3:10] People are too faced today.
[3:13] But I'm here because
[3:16] I want to speak about Mayor is uh the
[3:20] school situation with Leonardo.
[3:23] I know that y'all want him to be
[3:24] vaccinated because I know that people
[3:27] get paid and certain companies get paid
[3:29] and I know they do. You know, I know
[3:31] they do. I'm not really for it. I don't
[3:35] agree with it because my sons are
[3:36] protein deficiency.
[3:39] Like they build too much protein. You
[3:41] got nine essentials amino acids. I
[3:43] explained this last one of them is
[3:45] banana line. This body they build too
[3:48] much. So when you give them a vaccine,
[3:51] vaccines are what? Cow fetus, monkey
[3:54] fetus, snake fetus, they're proteins
[3:57] from another.
[4:01] You just got to download the patents on
[4:03] Google and read them. Patent on this,
[4:06] patent on that, patent on this, and it
[4:08] pops up the truth. 5% works, 5%, 3%.
[4:12] When they did the test on rats, they
[4:15] killed the rats. Then they came to us.
[4:18] They were killing rats. They came
[4:19] straight to us. Come on, man. It's a
[4:22] joke. So, I put a million dollar lawsuit
[4:25] or a claim. When I get the insurance, I
[4:29] am going to put a claim on their
[4:30] insurance.
[4:32] All right? And I'm I'm so serious this
[4:34] time, mayor. I want to show you how
[4:36] smart I am. I really do.
[4:40] I give you my word. You'll end up
[4:41] calling me or they'll end up calling me
[4:43] in two months.
[4:46] I promise you, man. I give you my word
[4:47] as a man.
[4:51] I want my son to go to school.
[4:53] I don't want to embarrass nobody. You
[4:56] cannot violate the Constitution of the
[4:57] United States. Rules, regulations,
[5:00] administrative directives are rules.
[5:04] They're just statutes. They're not law
[5:08] whatsoever. They can be challenged in
[5:11] 450 Federal Court Main Street.
[5:15] I ask you, mayor, please to talk to
[5:17] those people. I really do not want to
[5:20] challenge jurisdiction,
[5:23] but he keeps asking me to go to school
[5:25] every day, man. I really don't want to
[5:27] vaccinate him. I don't know what will
[5:30] happen to him if I give him those
[5:31] vaccines.
[5:33] Janiro's already acting crazy.
[5:37] For real, he is. He's acting unordinary.
[5:41] He does things smart, but he does things
[5:44] that he should not be doing.
[5:47] Ever since he got those shots.
[5:50] So now I got to bring him to Yukon and
[5:54] they got to take his blood cuz they want
[5:55] to run his gene on me. They want to
[5:57] check me for Dallas
[5:59] cuz I want to see if that's what
[6:01] happened, if it changed up cuz I got all
[6:02] the test results. But mayor, please talk
[6:05] to him for me. I want him to go to
[6:07] school. I don't really want to battle a
[6:09] quarter,
[6:10] you know. It's not something that we
[6:12] should be doing,
[6:14] but I don't want money. I just want him
[6:16] to go to school. I care less about
[6:19] money. I know how to I know how to jump
[6:20] in dumpsters and and sometimes try to
[6:24] make sure the police ain't looking to
[6:26] try to hop in a dumpster, too.
[6:29] But y'all have a great night. All right.
[6:32] And I appreciate y'all,
[6:35] Chief, man. I appreciate your guys,
[6:36] dude. I I really do. I don't give a
[6:38] what anybody say about y'all, bro. I
[6:40] really do respect y'all and I really
[6:43] thank your guys. They some real to
[6:45] me. I don't care what people they talk
[6:47] about on the internet. Y'all are some
[6:48] good dudes and y'all do your job. Some
[6:50] of them are but that's cool.
[6:52] You need them. Okay. But I appreciate
[6:55] you, Chief. You got some good men under
[6:57] you. You're a good leader.
[7:02] » Thank you.
[7:04] Anybody
[7:07] else for citizens form?
[7:09] Come on up.
[7:19] » Hi, my name is Peggy Shay.
[7:25] 27 Foxill Drive. I've been a
[7:28] resident since 1990. Um, I'm speaking to
[7:32] you today to get uh both a post of youth
[7:38] laurate maintained and also add back the
[7:41] adult poet laurate. The youth laurates
[7:44] in high school are usually excellent
[7:46] writers who in their senior year are
[7:49] trying to get into college. They are in
[7:51] sports. They're often in the top five of
[7:54] their classes. They are uh president of
[7:58] in the student council. They've got a
[8:00] lot of things going on. And I'm afraid
[8:03] and uh uh the uh library director
[8:06] Jennifer Johnson will back this up that
[8:08] the idea of service behind the post of
[8:11] poet laurate has been dropped. Uh I want
[8:15] to keep that youth poet laurate because
[8:17] these fantastic people need to be
[8:19] rewarded and they it would look great on
[8:22] their college applications and their job
[8:24] applications in the future. Um I was
[8:28] poet laurate uh inaugural poet laurate
[8:30] Vernon 19 2019 to 2021. Uh since 2022,
[8:35] I've been president of the Connecticut
[8:37] Council of Poets Laurate and I've been
[8:40] honored and privileged to see all the
[8:42] fabulous programs that laureates are
[8:45] doing around the state. I myself
[8:47] partnered with Parks and Wreck uh youth
[8:50] services
[8:51] um with the library of course with Arts
[8:54] Center East um with the senior center um
[8:58] and I was able to do that because I'm an
[9:00] adult and I can
[9:01] and I've got a network of poets who can
[9:04] help me out. Um I still run a poetry
[9:07] series and I have the youth laurate read
[9:09] of my series every year and I make sure
[9:12] that he or she um participates in an
[9:16] exhibit at Art Center East combining
[9:18] their art with um the students poets and
[9:21] I do workshops in the schools. Um
[9:25] so uh there are precedents for towns
[9:28] that have both youth laurates and po and
[9:32] adult poet laureates and they include
[9:34] Middle East Windsor down the street.
[9:36] They include South Windsor, they include
[9:39] New Haven. Um it's time that Vernon uh
[9:44] gets an adult back into um the post and
[9:48] can help mentor the youth la Laurate. Uh
[9:52] now in the past Jennifer Johnson has
[9:54] shared with me that there's um a concern
[9:56] about the sustainability of an adult
[9:58] poet laurette. Well, Vicky Nordland who
[10:00] built our creative writing program which
[10:03] is renowned nationally
[10:05] um her students have grown up and they
[10:08] are adults and they are thrilled. Um,
[10:12] one young man, um, Jav Priyard,
[10:14] organized, uh, his own open mic at
[10:17] Vernon Coffee Roasters and brought in
[10:19] people from all towns in for to to a
[10:23] Vernon business for an open mic and had
[10:25] over 20 poets and musicians there first
[10:29] time and that's going to become a
[10:31] series. So I urge you to please um,
[10:35] reinstate the post of an adult poet
[10:38] laurate and also keep the youth poet
[10:42] laurate because we need those laureates
[10:43] to grow up and serve us in the future.
[10:46] Um I did send a fact sheet uh to all the
[10:49] members uh yesterday in email. So if you
[10:52] want some facts to back up all of the uh
[10:55] services that the public laurate provide
[10:57] across the state, you've got right in
[10:59] that sheet. Thank you.
[11:01] >> Thank you.
[11:04] Next saw somebody else stand up in the
[11:06] back there.
[11:13] My name is Kelsey Tomco. My address is
[11:16] 68 Westwood Drive. I'm here tonight to
[11:19] request the town's contract and flock be
[11:22] terminated and the cameras removed based
[11:24] on on the basis of privacy concerns and
[11:27] recent data sharing controversies.
[11:30] Citizens trust has been lost by
[11:32] implementing this public monitoring
[11:34] without any regard for the thoughts and
[11:36] opinions of the community. In the last
[11:38] meeting, the details about the limited
[11:40] functionality and purpose of the cameras
[11:42] was discussed. However, you cannot
[11:45] guarantee with 100% certainty that bad
[11:48] actors are not accessing the data and
[11:50] the data is vulnerable to seizure via
[11:53] federal warrants. While the intentions
[11:56] of the use of the cameras stated by the
[11:58] mayor and the chief of police mean well,
[12:00] no one wants to live in a police state.
[12:02] The infrastructure of the cameras is the
[12:05] start of that and needs to be removed.
[12:07] You may argue we are not there yet, but
[12:10] it is the yet in that phrase which
[12:12] concerns me. Since the cameras were
[12:14] installed without public permission, so
[12:16] to speak, where is the line in the sand?
[12:18] Even though the cameras are stated not
[12:20] to have facial recognition or audio for
[12:23] now, and the data is described as secure
[12:25] for now, as long as the cameras are in
[12:28] place, changes and upgrades can be
[12:30] implemented without bringing awareness
[12:31] to it. Several towns and cities across
[12:34] the nation have recently terminated
[12:36] usage of these cameras. It is important
[12:38] to have contextual awareness of the
[12:40] current social societal climate. Thank
[12:43] you for your time and further
[12:44] consideration in removing this
[12:46] vulnerable mass surveillance network
[12:47] that threatens personal privacy and
[12:49] civil liberties.
[12:51] >> Thank you. Anybody else?
[13:05] Wintersville
[13:09] 174.
[13:11] Um, I received a letter from the
[13:13] townated
[13:15] August 27
[13:17] that said
[13:21] resolution concerning open space and
[13:24] town council will further address this
[13:27] matter and discuss the situation at
[13:30] September 15. I look at the agenda and
[13:34] it sounds like there's a resolution
[13:35] ready to be approved tonight. I
[13:38] >> should not see anything.
[13:40] This is a very important issue for me.
[13:43] Um my
[13:46] parents started acquiring property
[13:48] infection in 1943.
[13:52] Uh we uh completed six tracks in 1951.
[13:57] Um built a house in one of the tracks.
[14:00] We now I own one outright. My brothers
[14:03] and I own two. Um and these have been
[14:08] designated as
[14:10] forest land and open space because there
[14:13] are two different tracks that have
[14:15] different notifications
[14:17] and it's very important that that be
[14:19] kept in place and I got the impression
[14:23] with the uh I spoke with the assessor
[14:26] that um all bets were off and it looked
[14:29] like they were trying it looks like the
[14:31] town is trying to or at least uh trying
[14:35] to get full value for these parcels and
[14:38] So that's that's very disheartening. Um
[14:44] the talkable section on Elhill Road, if
[14:46] you've ever been there, it's tre I have
[14:50] two pools on my property that I am
[14:53] protecting. I've had people from the
[14:56] town come and inspect them a number of
[14:58] times.
[15:00] And um keep in mind that the placement
[15:03] of the house on one of the tracks was
[15:05] done back in 1951 before there are any
[15:09] new regulations. So I would hope that um
[15:14] anything any changes would look at
[15:17] grandfathering or considering the
[15:20] history of these properties.
[15:23] Thank you.
[15:24] >> Thank you.
[15:36] Good evening. My name is John Barupy. I
[15:38] live at 178 Brandy Hill Road. I'm here
[15:41] this evening to follow up on the PA 490
[15:44] Forest Land issue that I spoke about at
[15:46] the previous town council meeting. As of
[15:49] yet, I haven't been contacted with any
[15:51] additional information. Heard that a few
[15:53] people have gotten some letters from the
[15:55] assessor. I have not received anything
[15:57] from the assessment office. Uh however,
[16:00] as mentioned, I do see an agenda item
[16:02] this evening for open space and it
[16:05] sounds like it may be good news for the
[16:07] land owners that have open space.
[16:10] Unfortunately, I'm only forest land. Um
[16:13] I'm not open space, so I'm not sure if
[16:15] what's going to be presented tonight is
[16:16] going to apply to me impactly or what's
[16:19] going to happen. Um and as I mentioned
[16:21] last time, forest land has a tighter
[16:24] deadline. So, If the assessor is going
[16:27] to continue to insist on terminating my
[16:30] forest land contract, I need to have a
[16:32] forester come in and have the report
[16:34] done by October 1. Whereas open space
[16:37] and farmland through December 31
[16:39] deadlines. So it's a little
[16:42] disheartening to see an open space
[16:44] resolution be presented and not
[16:46] something forest land. We got two weeks
[16:48] left. Um with that being said, I
[16:51] appreciate the effort that you guys are
[16:53] putting in here and I'll for the
[16:55] discussion around open space this
[16:56] evening. Um I'm hoping it's somehow
[16:58] going to help me with the erroneous and
[17:00] illegal termination of my forest land
[17:02] contract by the assessor. Um so we'll
[17:07] see what happens. And I just had one
[17:09] quick question. Will there be a question
[17:12] and answer during the resolution or is
[17:13] it just the resolution present in the
[17:15] council?
[17:16] >> It's just the resolution.
[17:17] >> Okay. So there's no comments or any
[17:18] questions on that.
[17:20] >> Okay. Um so then one quick one other
[17:23] quick question. And if there's any
[17:25] comments or feedback that you guys can
[17:27] provide me on um
[17:31] you know at the end of this and I hear
[17:33] the resolution it's not going to help me
[17:36] maybe provide me with some guidance on
[17:38] next steps. Once again I want to thank
[17:40] you for your time and everything you do.
[17:44] Thank you.
[17:44] >> Thank you.
[17:47] Come on.
[17:56] » I think I don't think anybody's close
[17:58] enough to that microphone.
[18:00] >> Oh, how is this? Can you hear me?
[18:02] >> That's much better.
[18:04] >> Thank you. I'm sorry to be here again.
[18:07] Um, I hope that you will pass resolution
[18:09] three regarding restoring the PA490
[18:12] open space designation to the plan of
[18:15] conservation and development tonight.
[18:17] >> Name and address.
[18:18] >> Pardon?
[18:18] >> Name and address.
[18:20] >> Oh, sorry. My name is Gene Ms. I live at
[18:23] 144 Phoenix Street in Vernon.
[18:25] >> Thank you, Jean.
[18:26] >> Thank you. Um, thanks to the mayor and
[18:29] the council members who worked really
[18:31] hard on the wording and inclusion of the
[18:33] resolution tonight.
[18:36] you know, you wouldn't take away the
[18:37] historic property designation. It's
[18:40] really important to those people who
[18:42] worked really hard and finally got it.
[18:44] Well, those of us who had this PA490
[18:48] thought that our designation was
[18:50] permanent as well. We understood that it
[18:52] lasted forever until we sold our
[18:55] property. And if we sold our property,
[18:57] we paid a big penalty. The POC talks I I was forced to read it for tonight. It talks about how important the
[19:05] greenways are in Vernon and that the
[19:07] town works with land owners to preserve
[19:09] them and um provide zoning incentives to
[19:13] further low impact design. They call it
[19:17] LIP for property in the greenway areas
[19:20] and the Tanker Husen Greenway. And I
[19:23] hope that that's not just words put in
[19:25] the POC.
[19:26] If it's true that the PA490 was left out
[19:29] of the POC and the resolution tonight
[19:32] puts it back in, that's wonderful. I
[19:36] wonder if it's going to put us back in.
[19:38] We got the letter that said that our
[19:41] designation had been revoked. Another
[19:43] resident got an email showing a listing
[19:46] of PA490 properties put back into their
[19:49] cards, I think, by the assessor. I
[19:52] didn't get that email. So, I don't know
[19:54] how I will know if my 490 has been
[19:58] revoked or reinstated, but you need to
[20:02] pass that resolution. Open space is very
[20:05] important in this town and you know it
[20:07] as well as I do. Thank you.
[20:10] >> Thank you.
[20:12] >> Anyone else?
[20:16] Give me one second. Hold on one second.
[20:19] We need to keep going. We're past our
[20:21] time and just continue until we're done.
[20:25] Citizens
[20:26] >> motion to um continue citizens
[20:31] forum until we're done.
[20:32] >> Second.
[20:34] by Bernie.
[20:36] >> All right. All those in favor
[20:39] unanimous. Go ahead.
[20:43] » Good evening. Cynthia Sodto for Charter
[20:46] Road. um asking you to consider the
[20:49] limited temporary property tax payment
[20:51] for licensed family child care providers
[20:53] that I've been talking to you folks
[20:55] about for the last three meetings. Um I
[20:57] just wanted to talk about some of the
[20:59] questions that came up during those
[21:01] meetings and and maybe I can offer a few
[21:03] answers. This is not a blanket tax
[21:06] break. It's not special treatment for
[21:08] every home business. The legislation is
[21:10] clear about it being specifically for
[21:12] child care providers. A licensed
[21:14] provider must maintain safe, regulated
[21:16] space where children remain throughout
[21:18] the workday. Each child care opening can
[21:20] allow a parent to accept a job or work
[21:22] more hours or remain in the workforce.
[21:24] And that benefits both local families,
[21:27] employers, and the community.
[21:30] So, some people may ask, why should this
[21:32] apply to daycarees but not to plumbers
[21:34] or to other home businesses? And I would
[21:37] add that plumbers and other trades are
[21:40] essential, but they generally provide
[21:41] services at those customers properties.
[21:45] Licensed childare providers must
[21:46] dedicate part of their own property to a
[21:49] highly regulated service that is
[21:51] performed on site. Their business also
[21:53] creates a multiplying benefit. One
[21:55] provider can make it possible for
[21:57] several parents to go to work. This law
[22:00] does not give every child care provider
[22:01] an automatic exemption. It preserves
[22:04] local control. This town council may say
[22:06] no or grant less than the full abatement
[22:09] or limit the benefits to the portion of
[22:10] the property used for the child care and
[22:13] establish safeguards if needed. The
[22:15] benefit may last no more than five tax
[22:17] years so it is limited. Another fair
[22:20] question is why should other taxpayers
[22:22] bear the cost? They should not be asked
[22:24] to fund an unlimited or unaccountable
[22:27] subsidy. Any reduction in revenue should
[22:29] be acknowledged and carefully
[22:31] controlled. But this is a modest
[22:33] temporary abatement. It can be
[22:35] responsible investment and it helps
[22:37] preserve child care capacity. It
[22:40] supports working families and it
[22:41] strengthens the local workforce. In
[22:44] fact, this approach relies on private
[22:46] providers rather than creating a larger
[22:48] governmentrun program. It reduces a
[22:50] barrier for small businesses already
[22:52] serving the community. This proposal is
[22:54] a narrow, temporary, transparent, and
[22:57] locally controlled. It recognizes a
[23:00] specific workforce need and uses a
[23:02] measured incentive to address it. The
[23:06] question is not whether this policy has
[23:07] a cost. Of course it does. The question
[23:10] is whether a carefully capped investment
[23:12] in licensed child care produces greater
[23:15] value for our families, employers, and
[23:18] taxpayers. Not to mention that it also
[23:21] supports small womenowned businesses in
[23:24] town. Thank you. Anybody
[23:29] else?
[23:42] » Again, it's Michelle Eddie, 53 Lake
[23:44] Street in
[23:46] um I'm also affected by the open space
[23:49] and I'm just asking um you folks to
[23:53] please pass the resolution number three
[23:55] to return the a 490 um to the PC. You
[24:00] know, it's not just affecting me and my
[24:02] sister, it's affecting a lot of people
[24:04] in town. And it's it's very hard to
[24:07] maintain property yourself, but we're
[24:11] not saving any money, that's for sure.
[24:13] If you need trees taken down, if you
[24:15] need brush clear, um you try to keep it
[24:18] open as much as you can. So, just please
[24:21] keep that in mind. And it's, you know,
[24:23] I'm not sure why this happened unless it
[24:25] was just an oversight, but come on. This
[24:28] is affecting a lot of people's lives.
[24:31] So, I'd appreciate if you guys would.
[24:34] Thanks.
[24:35] >> Thank you.
[24:50] » Hi, good evening. My name is Amy
[24:52] Patterson and I live at 74 Box Mountain
[24:55] Drive. I've been resident of Vernon
[24:58] along with my family since 1987.
[25:01] Uh we also own undeveloped land on a
[25:03] separate property that is classified as
[25:05] open safe open space under PA490 and
[25:08] I've also u spent the last 40 years
[25:10] working professionally in land
[25:12] conservation. Um I'm here to speak as a
[25:15] Vernon resident to the issue of the
[25:16] proposed changes to the open space
[25:18] classification. I have not received any
[25:21] information directly uh from the
[25:23] assessor's office. So, I'm speaking as
[25:26] to my understanding of what I've heard
[25:28] from residents of Vernon um and
[25:31] neighbors uh by me as well. Um there's a
[25:34] lot of confusion. I'm confused. Uh you
[25:38] don't need to know what public 490 is.
[25:39] Apparently, you all do because there's
[25:41] been a lot of discussion on this. So,
[25:42] I'll skip that part. But I will say that
[25:45] in addition to the statutory forest land
[25:48] and farmland
[25:51] Vernon is so fortunate to have the open
[25:53] space classification and I went back and
[25:55] I did look and see um decades ago when
[25:59] it was put in place. My concern lies
[26:01] with what I'm hearing about proposed
[26:03] changes to the open space program,
[26:06] including that the classification may be
[26:08] removed or modified retroactively for
[26:10] certain land owners. I'm also concerned
[26:13] about the lack of clarity in the in the
[26:15] original resolution. I I don't see a
[26:18] resolution attached to the information
[26:20] here. Um so I don't know if if what I've
[26:22] seen is the most recent, but there is some ambiguity in that in that
[26:27] um resolution and I'm concerned about
[26:30] what is going to be carried forward and
[26:32] whether or not we all have a clear
[26:33] understanding of what the process is.
[26:37] Um, this is an important issue not just
[26:40] because it addresses a statutoily
[26:42] authorized incentive to protect valuable
[26:44] open space in our beautiful town, but
[26:46] more importantly, it raises issues of
[26:48] public notice, participation,
[26:50] transparency, and the need for clear and
[26:53] an unambiguous process in the town's
[26:56] assessment and legislative processes.
[27:00] For that reason, and again, having not I
[27:03] don't know if I've seen the resolution,
[27:05] I'm asking the council to table any
[27:07] action on any proposed amendments to the
[27:09] PA490 open space program that may
[27:12] restrict the program and or change the
[27:15] status of land currently classified as
[27:18] open space for many land owners who have
[27:20] relied upon it since the program's
[27:22] inception and have received letters from
[27:25] the assessor not really understanding
[27:28] the what and the behind it. Recently,
[27:31] when controversy arose at the state
[27:34] level around proposed changes to the
[27:36] valuation method around public 490
[27:39] classifications across all of those
[27:42] forest land, agriculture and well forest
[27:44] land and agriculture. This open space of
[27:46] course as you know is uh municipal.
[27:49] There was tremendous controversy and
[27:51] what the administration did along the
[27:53] department of agriculture is they made
[27:55] the decision to pause it and go back to
[27:58] all of the states that have been put in
[28:00] place to begin with and then convene a
[28:02] working group to study the issue. And I
[28:04] feel like in Vernon we can do the same
[28:06] thing. We can we can study this issue.
[28:08] We can establish an open, thoughtful,
[28:10] transparent process to research and
[28:12] publicly discuss any changes to this
[28:14] important pro program so that the land
[28:17] owners who are impacted now and those
[28:19] that will come will have a very clear
[28:21] understanding of why the program is in
[28:23] place and what it takes to be eligible.
[28:26] So, thank you so much for all you do and
[28:28] for listening to my comments.
[28:30] >> Thank you.
[28:33] >> Is there anybody else? Come on up.
[28:47] » Good evening. My name is Scott Regina.
[28:50] 166 Box Mountain Drive.
[28:54] Members of the council, I am here to
[28:56] respectfully respectfully request town
[28:58] support for continuation of the
[29:00] longstanding PA490 open space
[29:03] classification of my property. My
[29:05] property consists of approximately 13
[29:07] acres. One acre constitutes a building
[29:10] portion while the remaining 12 acres
[29:12] been classified maintained as open space
[29:14] going back to approximately 2000. For
[29:17] more than 25 years, ownership of this
[29:19] property has remained continuous.
[29:21] There's been no sale or transfer of
[29:22] property and importantly there's been no
[29:24] change in use for the essential
[29:26] character approximately 12 acres
[29:29] maintained as open space. Connected
[29:32] general statute section 12-50H
[29:34] is particularly relevant. The statute
[29:37] provides land classified by the record
[29:39] land owner shall remain so classified
[29:42] without the filing of any new
[29:43] application either until the land's use
[29:46] is changed to use different than that
[29:49] described in the application for the
[29:50] existing classification
[29:52] or the land is sold or transferred to a
[29:55] new owner. Neither of those events has
[29:57] occurred in my property. In addition,
[30:00] Connecticut statute section 12107E
[30:03] addresses open space classification
[30:05] recognizes importance, but whether
[30:07] change adversely affects the property's
[30:09] essential character of the open space
[30:11] land. The essential character of my
[30:14] property 12 acres has not changed.
[30:18] For more than 25 years, I have done
[30:21] precisely what PA490
[30:23] was intended to encourage. I have
[30:26] preserved this acreage as open space
[30:28] rather than developing it.
[30:31] I therefore respectfully ask the town to
[30:33] consider a straightforward question. If
[30:35] the statute provides that the land shall
[30:37] remain classified until there is a
[30:40] change in use or a sale or transfer and
[30:42] neither has occurred, what statutory
[30:45] event has occurred that would justify
[30:47] terminating this longstanding
[30:49] classification?
[30:50] The issue is also broader than my
[30:52] individual property PA49. connect
[30:55] property owners to preserve open land
[30:57] for long term. Property owners have
[31:00] relied upon this law and maintain their
[31:02] land accordingly should be able to rely
[31:04] upon the classifications and statutory
[31:06] protections under which they have
[31:08] preserved the property for decades. For
[31:11] more than 25 years, I have upheld my
[31:13] responsibility by maintaining these
[31:15] approximately 12 acres as open space. I
[31:18] respectfully ask the town recognize the
[31:21] history of this property, the absence of
[31:23] any for use in it ownership in the
[31:26] language of the Connecticut General
[31:28] Statutes allowing the existence of PA490
[31:32] open space classification continue.
[31:34] Thank you for your consideration
[31:36] allowing me to speak tonight.
[31:39] Thank you.
[31:50] Scott
[31:53] also about the PA490.
[31:56] Um
[32:00] the statute says that the PA490 can only
[32:03] be terminated for two two reasons.
[32:06] Change of use or change of ownership and
[32:08] that's it.
[32:11] The assessors do not have the power to
[32:14] anybody from PA490 for any other reason.
[32:17] This had been also by Supreme Court of
[32:21] the state of Connecticut and Wald
[32:23] airport versus Madison where they
[32:29] decided that the assessor did not have
[32:31] the authority anybody for any other
[32:33] reason. And then recently the Supreme
[32:36] Court had a case versus Mansfield where
[32:41] they said that even if there was errors
[32:43] in the filing of PA90 or any other
[32:47] errors they still the assessors don't
[32:49] have the power to remove it by change of
[32:52] use and change of ownership. So
[32:55] therefore whatever is being attempted
[32:57] does not uh the assessor does not have
[33:00] the power to do. In addition the
[33:03] assessor has stated that even if it
[33:05] doesn't go through he's going to raise
[33:06] the assessed value per acre for open
[33:10] space land which he does have the power
[33:12] to do.
[33:14] But that undermines the statute
[33:16] altogether. So that would effectively
[33:19] eliminate PA490 without eliminating it.
[33:22] So these things need to be addressed.
[33:24] But um I don't know if it's something
[33:27] for the town council if what doing is
[33:30] not that he has the legal authority.
[33:37] » Thank you.
[33:56] My name is John Tal 48 Main Street
[33:59] Alterville and my daughter here is
[34:02] Lithia Parsons at 35.
[34:09] I'm just concerned with for example on
[34:12] the Elco road especially we have saved
[34:16] property there for 150 years plus and uh
[34:21] we have never developed it just used a
[34:23] little bit for water there's two spring
[34:25] houses there and use it some of water
[34:29] other than that it's never been
[34:31] developed just we try to be careful
[34:33] about the timber and the woods there and
[34:36] I'll let my daughter talk more about
[34:37] that But we try to not cut it too often,
[34:40] just when it needs it. And otherwise
[34:43] people u just want to be careful if they walk in there. I try to post it
[34:48] because of care falling into some kind
[34:51] of spring house or something. But I'm
[34:54] just concerned about changing the the
[34:56] tax statute because that would obviously
[34:59] make it impossible to maintain that open
[35:03] property for like we have for 150 plus
[35:06] years. But my daughter say some more
[35:08] about it. Uh
[35:10] she's our manager.
[35:14] » Um good evening. I just wanted to um ask
[35:17] that you know the open space forest land
[35:21] um statute that it stays as it has been
[35:24] because it would be you know impossible
[35:27] to keep that amount of property. We own
[35:29] over 75 acres that is classified as
[35:31] that. And um I think it beautifies the
[35:34] town having all these people that have
[35:37] you know open space forest land and we
[35:39] would just ask that um that we can keep
[35:41] it the way that we've been trying to
[35:42] preserve it all these years and um thank
[35:46] you for your consideration.
[35:48] >> Thank you.
[35:52] Is there anybody else coming up?
[36:05] » Hello, my name is Diana Reed from 44
[36:07] Scott Drive in Vernon, but I'm here in
[36:09] my capacity of president of uh Rockville
[36:11] Fishing Game Club located at 90 to 101
[36:15] Fishing Game Road in Vernon. Um we own
[36:18] about 71 acres of land located in Vernon
[36:21] on both sides of fishing game road and
[36:24] it is currently classified a small piece
[36:26] as commercial and the rest is open space
[36:28] and forested land. We have been around
[36:31] for 101 years and we're very proud
[36:34] [clears throat] of the property and our
[36:36] mission to conserve land and wildlife.
[36:39] And so I would hope that this resolution
[36:41] would pass and that we can continue to
[36:43] do all the great things we do in
[36:45] conservation efforts for our community
[36:47] and our club members. Thank you very
[36:49] much.
[36:50] >> Thank you.
[36:52] Anybody else? Come on up.
[37:00] Good evening. I'm Patty H. I live at 90
[37:02] Phoenix Street. I'm here also in support
[37:04] of passing the resolution for PA490.
[37:07] Uh my husband and I have been um in our
[37:09] home since 1992 in Vernon. Our home was
[37:11] built in 1900. We have always maintained
[37:14] our property. It is actually a small
[37:17] little farm. You you see it when you
[37:19] walk through the rails to trails between
[37:20] Warren and Maple Streets. You see my
[37:22] sheep. You see our llama. Um open space
[37:25] is for everybody. We we take that very
[37:27] um seriously into heart. We make sure
[37:29] that we are maintaining our property and
[37:31] we're thrilled that the folks who walk
[37:32] on the rails trails get to enjoy this
[37:34] property as well. We were astounded and
[37:38] I'm going to say it again, astounded
[37:39] when we got that letter. We have been
[37:42] citizens here for a long time and we've
[37:44] been maintaining that property for a
[37:46] very long time. And as Mickey said, it
[37:49] takes work and it takes money and
[37:51] nobody's there doing it but us. So,
[37:54] we're urging you to please, please
[37:57] consider your citizens and don't let
[37:59] them make that decision and take our
[38:01] open spaces away. Thank you.
[38:04] >> Thank you.
[38:06] >> Anybody else?
[38:10] >> No.
[38:11] Another one.
[38:17] My name is Adam Steel. I'm speaking on
[38:19] behalf of Richard and Claudia Steel,
[38:21] Phoenix Street Brewing.
[38:23] uh they can't be here. So they asked me
[38:25] to read this letter. We were shocked and
[38:27] dismayed to receive notice from Mr.
[38:29] Helms regarding the status of PA the
[38:32] PA490 status of 253
[38:35] Phoenix Street. After meeting with Mr.
[38:37] Helms, we were even more confused and
[38:39] dismayed. Mr. Helms has requested that
[38:41] we subdivide our 13.2 acres into two
[38:44] parcels.
[38:46] One with our residence and garage and
[38:48] separate parcel as open space. This is
[38:50] in direct violation of the ordinance Mr.
[38:52] has cited as the reason for this
[38:54] request. In paragraph two of the
[38:56] ordinance, it reads, "No lot which is
[38:58] created through subdivision or
[38:59] reubdivision subsequent to the
[39:01] adaptation of this regulation will be
[39:04] eligible for the classification of open
[39:06] space. Our property has had 12.5 acres
[39:10] of excess land designated at PA490 open
[39:13] space since 1992.
[39:15] We inherited the property in 2005 having
[39:17] bought out the other heirs. We did
[39:19] contact the assessor at the time
[39:21] regarding the PA490 status. We were told
[39:24] that the PA490 status would remain with
[39:26] the property. This is in accordance with
[39:28] section 12-504C
[39:31] K of the Connecticut statutes.
[39:34] The activity on the property has not
[39:35] changed since 1992 when it was first
[39:37] designated. We do not understand from
[39:40] that time to time. We do understand that
[39:43] from time to time we may may need to
[39:45] affirm that the PA490 status remain. We
[39:49] urge the town council affirm all current
[39:51] properties that have a PA490 designation
[39:54] in open space forest to farm. We also
[39:56] urge the town council to clarify how to
[39:58] apply for PA490 in the future as well as
[40:01] how to affirm that status. We thank you
[40:03] for your time and thoughtful
[40:04] consideration on this issue.
[40:06] >> Thank you.
[40:09] Anyone else?
[40:13] No. All right. I'm going to close
[40:14] citizens forum.
[40:17] We're gonna move on.
[40:22] All right. Chief, you
[40:34] may good evening. Chief Mark of Police
[40:36] Department. I'd like to again just take
[40:38] the opportunity as we've been doing as
[40:40] um we brought new officers on board to
[40:42] the department to give an opportunity
[40:43] for the council to meet them. I'd like
[40:45] to introduce you to officer Jacqueline
[40:46] Randazzo. She comes to us with more than
[40:48] two years of experience in the New York
[40:49] City Police Department. She patrol in
[40:51] the Jamaican sector in Brooklyn. She was
[40:53] born and raised in Long Island. Both
[40:54] parents being police officers in Nassau
[40:57] County Police Department. She graduated
[40:58] from uh Kquat High School in 2020.
[41:01] Attended Suffach County Community
[41:03] College. Completed additional
[41:04] certifications from the Suffach County
[41:06] Fire Academy. is also a level two diver.
[41:08] She serves as an EMT in both
[41:10] professional prof and volunteer roles
[41:12] for local fire departments and ambulance
[41:14] services before joining NYPD in 2023.
[41:17] Upon graduating from their academy in
[41:19] December of that year, she was assigned
[41:21] the 113th precinct in Jamaica, Brooklyn
[41:24] and she developed a reputation as a
[41:26] dedicated officer. She was sworn with us
[41:28] on March 9th of this year as she was an
[41:30] officer already certified in New York
[41:32] State. She was able to complete a
[41:33] comparative certification course within
[41:35] a few weeks and moved on to field
[41:36] training. She's completed field
[41:38] training, been on patrol for over two
[41:39] months. We're thrilled to have her on
[41:41] our team and we look forward to a long
[41:43] career dedicated serving the residents
[41:45] of Vernon. So, I'd like to introduce you
[41:46] to Officer Jazz.
[41:58] » Welcome aboard.
[42:02] ask a question.
[42:08] » Mayor, you chief. Um, this I'd like to
[42:11] know coming from New York City, what
[42:13] actually attracted you to coming out to
[42:16] Bern.
[42:27] You just repeat that.
[42:31] I said family and the community aspect
[42:34] as to how Verdon handles itself.
[42:36] >> Well, I'd like to welcome you aboard and
[42:37] thank you for serving and protecting us.
[42:39] >> Thank you.
[42:41] >> All right. Thank you, Chief. Thank you.
[42:48] Now, I'd like to present the
[42:50] proclamation to the members of the
[42:51] Daughters of the American Revolution
[42:52] declaring September 16th to the 22nd,
[42:56] 2026 Constitution Week here in the town
[42:58] of Vernon.
[43:08] All
[43:24] right. Well, we have a proclamation and
[43:27] uh we give you a chance to speak too.
[43:29] >> Okay.
[43:30] >> Just proclamation. Whereas the Daughters
[43:32] of the American Revolution petitioned
[43:34] Congress in 1955 to set aside a week
[43:37] every September dedicated to the
[43:38] observance of Constitution Week. And
[43:40] whereas August 12 August 2nd, 1956,
[43:43] President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed
[43:46] public law number 915 honoring the
[43:48] daughters of the American Revolution's
[43:50] petition. And whereas the celebration
[43:52] emphasizes the D's three important
[43:54] messages. It is all citizens
[43:56] responsibilities to protect, defend, and
[43:58] preserve the Constitution of the United
[44:00] States. Teaches us to mindful of the
[44:02] foundation of the way of life and
[44:04] finally encourages the study of
[44:06] historical events and whereas the town of Vernon the Vernon town council
[44:10] encourages our citizens to take time in
[44:12] September to reflect upon the freedoms
[44:14] we enjoy each day. Now therefore I
[44:17] Daniel A. campaign mayor together with
[44:18] the Vernon Town Council on behalf of the
[44:20] entire town of Vernon do hereby proclaim
[44:22] the week of September 16th 2026 through
[44:25] September 22nd 2026 Constitution Week in
[44:28] the town of Vernon and hereby present
[44:31] the the Maril proclamation to the
[44:33] Daughters of the American Revolution
[44:35] this 15th day of September 2026
[44:46] Um, it's an honor to accept this
[44:49] proclamation on behalf of the Captain
[44:51] Noah Grant chapter of the Daughters of
[44:52] the American Revolution. We were founded
[44:55] October 11th, 1890.
[44:58] And we've been around quite a while. We
[45:01] have three elements that we look at,
[45:04] God, home, and country. and we preserve
[45:08] historical information. And this being
[45:11] the 250th anniversary of our country, I
[45:14] encourage you all to look at your roots,
[45:16] to look at history, to participate in
[45:18] events that are around. I know Ellington
[45:21] has a parade and an event coming up
[45:23] October 3rd. The um
[45:28] Civil War Museum has something coming up
[45:30] the same day. And um it's just an honor
[45:33] to be here. And I also encourage
[45:36] everybody to look up the um preamble to
[45:40] the constitution and the creed because
[45:42] those are things that we recite at the
[45:45] beginning of each of our meetings and
[45:47] it's very moving if you get the chance.
[45:50] >> Thank you.
[45:51] That was Sue Ruer.
[46:10] Okay. Next, we have a presentation by
[46:13] the Vernon Board of Education on the
[46:14] recommendations from the ad hoc 10-year
[46:17] facility study and master plan committee
[46:19] regarding school construction projects.
[46:25] I'll let you guys introduce yourself
[46:27] when you get up.
[46:33] I'll do this.
[47:01] We remember how to turn on our on our
[47:03] computers.
[47:08] » Oh, it's been printed. Okay.
[47:36] I can get us started while they try to
[47:38] figure this out if that's okay.
[47:40] >> Yeah. Yeah, we've got a great PowerPoint
[47:43] uh which I think will be really
[47:44] important. So, I'm Paul Growski. I'm
[47:46] chair of the board of education. I want
[47:48] to thank the mayor of the town council
[47:50] for having us here tonight to give you
[47:51] an important update and u we will get to
[47:55] all the detailed information those
[47:56] powerpoints in a little bit. Um I also
[47:59] really want to thank two town counselors
[48:01] who were on the ad hoc building
[48:02] committee u councelor Lebec and Bush for
[48:06] their work. Um and by way as a little bit of background the ad hoc
[48:10] committee was tasked by the board of
[48:12] education with evaluating a 10year
[48:15] facility study. That 10-year facility
[48:17] study looked at all of our buildings uh
[48:20] evaluated their condition and what work
[48:22] needed to be done to get them up to code
[48:25] uh and uh for safety reasons. So after
[48:28] nearly two years the ad hoc committee
[48:30] after many meetings almost on a monthly
[48:33] basis tours of the building hosting
[48:35] listening sessions uh community
[48:38] conversations and consulting with
[48:40] experts has made its recommendations to
[48:42] the board of education. uh and the board
[48:45] of education has unanimously as of last
[48:47] night approved those recommendations.
[48:50] Um the ad hoc committee as well as the
[48:53] board really carefully considered what
[48:56] were the most urgent
[48:59] building issues that we had to face.
[49:01] Where do we have our biggest risks where
[49:04] our uh students were potential for
[49:07] support had to be placed in other
[49:09] buildings? Um and where do we have those
[49:12] unforeseen liabil in our buildings where
[49:14] something could break um leaving us
[49:17] really in the lurch um with expense and
[49:19] repairs.
[49:21] So with that in mind um the ad hoc
[49:23] committee made a recommendation. That
[49:26] recommendation contains two phases.
[49:29] First phase is what needs to be done
[49:31] urgently. The second is a phase that is
[49:34] to be addressed in the future ideally in
[49:36] the next 5 to 10 years. It was really
[49:38] important to the committee uh
[49:40] understanding the taxpayers in this town
[49:42] um and also understanding the urgent
[49:45] needs that we have that we made two
[49:47] phases. One very clearly addressing what
[49:51] urgently needs to be done. So phase one
[49:55] recommends first that Maple Street
[49:57] School and Northeast School be
[49:59] consolidated into a new school to be
[50:02] built on the northeast school site.
[50:04] That's the first recommendation.
[50:06] Second recommendation is that the HVAC
[50:09] systems at Rockville High School receive
[50:11] a complete replacement and upgrade. So
[50:14] that's phase one, the urgently needed
[50:16] issues. Phase two is to build a new
[50:19] elementary school at Lake Street School.
[50:21] Um that's the first recommendation in
[50:23] phase two. The second recommendation in
[50:25] phase two is to complete HVAC upgrades
[50:27] at Vernon Center Middle School. Again,
[50:30] that phase two is recommended to be done
[50:33] within the next 5 to 10 years. In total,
[50:36] these recommendations, phase one and
[50:37] phase two, really do represent our most
[50:40] pressing needs as a district and
[50:42] represent work that if not done in the
[50:44] long run, will end up costing the
[50:46] district more money. I really want to
[50:48] focus on phase one, and that's kind of
[50:50] what we're going to dig into when we get
[50:51] into the PowerPoint. I'm glad we at
[50:53] least have physical copies for everybody
[50:55] tonight. Um, looking at Maple Street
[50:58] School, we've been over this, we've been
[51:00] here, we've talked about it, we've held
[51:01] listening tours, but it really is
[51:03] important to emphas A few things about
[51:05] Maple Street School. It's over 100 years
[51:07] old at this point. It really has reached
[51:09] the end of its useful life. Um we've
[51:11] held tours. I think we're going to hold
[51:13] some more tours so people can really see
[51:14] what the issues are. Um but is no longer
[51:17] functional as an elementary school in
[51:18] the year 2026. We've got kids that are
[51:22] in classes in the basement. There are
[51:23] water issues constantly scraping and
[51:25] repainting. Um the egress into that
[51:29] basement is down two very narrow flights
[51:31] of stairs. More importantly, the
[51:33] building is not ADA compliant. Um, you
[51:36] have basically three levels. You have no
[51:38] elevators in that building. Um, and one
[51:41] of the significance of not being ADA
[51:43] compliant is that you cannot get state
[51:46] reimbursement for your building
[51:47] projects. So, anything we were to do
[51:49] there, we would not be able to get state
[51:50] reimbursements for. Additionally, the
[51:53] Maple Street School is on a roughly two
[51:55] and a half, I think it's 2.7 acre site
[51:59] school. Um the state of PE would never
[52:01] approve such a site today. Um it would
[52:04] have to be at least 12 acres and a
[52:06] couple more um to for the population
[52:08] that is at Maple Street School.
[52:12] We've had some significant issues there.
[52:14] Uh we anticipate in the next few years
[52:16] that there could be some more. So I
[52:18] think it's of the essence that we work
[52:20] on this plan. Um
[52:23] when we came to the conclusion that
[52:24] combining it with Northeast Street
[52:26] School was kind of the way to go.
[52:28] Norththeast school. Um it's in part
[52:30] because Northeast School is our is in
[52:32] fact our second oldest school and it has
[52:34] some issues as well, right? So it is
[52:36] taking care of two of our oldest two of
[52:39] our oldest buildings. Um
[52:42] it is also presents a site that is built
[52:44] Northeast School does have a buildable
[52:46] site. Um it gives us an opportunity to
[52:49] build expand our programs like prek.
[52:52] Little something about prek. If we were
[52:54] to build and expand our prek into a new
[52:57] school, our state reimbursement rates go
[52:59] up. Goes up from about 70% to about 80%,
[53:02] maybe a little bit more. Um, so that is
[53:05] something we really, really want to
[53:06] focus on and have been doing at the
[53:08] board of education. Um,
[53:12] Rockville High School, the HVAC, we're
[53:14] going to get into some information about
[53:16] that HVAC from our professional who's
[53:18] here tonight, Angela Cahill, who's a
[53:20] project executive at STV. Um the HVAC is
[53:23] original to that building. Contains
[53:25] these old steam tunnels that are all
[53:28] asbestous that go throughout. It has
[53:31] become obsolete. Um it is near
[53:34] impossible to fix a lot of the things in
[53:36] there to get maintenance in there. It is
[53:39] dangerous. And we've had many
[53:41] discussions on the ad hoc board of
[53:42] education about how there's a real
[53:46] possibility for the next five years that system fails. If that system fails
[53:50] and we cannot have our 900 plus kids at
[53:53] the high school, we don't have anywhere
[53:54] to put them. And that's a catastrophe
[53:56] for those students and a catastrophe for
[53:58] uh the town of B. So that has become the
[54:02] top two priorities, right? Um because
[54:05] that is where we actually have some
[54:06] liabilities. If we don't fix these
[54:08] schools, we have some unforeseen
[54:10] liabilities that could cost the town a
[54:12] lot of money down the road. Um,
[54:16] so I hope as we go through tonight, um,
[54:19] you have some questions and we get to
[54:20] answer some of those questions for you.
[54:23] I've really enjoyed being a part of this
[54:25] process, working with folks on the town
[54:27] council. Um, and I hope that we can
[54:29] continue that work and do some great
[54:31] things for our students and and address
[54:34] our biggest concerns that we have with
[54:36] this building. So, I'm going to turn it
[54:38] over uh to Angela Cahel from SDB, again,
[54:40] who's a project executive. interested in
[54:42] working very closely with the board
[54:44] really over the last I think year and a
[54:45] half or so to help guide us in this. Um
[54:48] so I'll without with that I'll turn it
[54:50] over to Angela Kahill and Bill Meyer.
[54:53] >> Well unless Dr. Petty would like to say
[54:55] yours
[55:04] thank you Chairman Gowski and through
[55:06] the mayor. Um, for anyone following
[55:08] along at home or if you're connected to
[55:10] the internet, this presentation and all
[55:11] the information is available on the
[55:13] Vernon public schools web page. If you
[55:15] go to the top banner, um, you'll see a
[55:17] button ad hoc um, 10 year committee. Um,
[55:20] all the materials from the last several
[55:22] years, the committee's work as well as
[55:24] this presentation are there. Um, this is
[55:26] called the August 24th presentation to
[55:28] the board of education um, that we're
[55:30] presenting tonight.
[55:41] Thank you. Thank you, Chair um for Chair
[55:45] Grabowski. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and
[55:48] Council members. I'm pleased to be here
[55:50] tonight for a short presentation and
[55:52] questions. My name is Angela Cahill. I'm
[55:54] a licensed architect. I've been
[55:56] practicing uh school building
[55:58] construction in the state of Connecticut
[55:59] for 30 years. I work for STV and I'm
[56:02] working for the board of education in
[56:04] the capacity as advisor um to help uh
[56:07] move your facilities assessment study
[56:09] that you had done that they had done
[56:11] several years ago forward to uh identify
[56:14] the biggest priorities uh for the um
[56:17] public school buildings. So, I've been
[56:20] meeting with the ad hoc committee for
[56:21] over a year uh to outline those
[56:24] priorities and really try to come to the
[56:26] most cost-effective and efficient
[56:28] solution that you can have to your um to
[56:31] your building projects. Now, your school
[56:34] buildings have all been expertly
[56:35] maintained. have excellent staff at the
[56:38] town and the board of education, but as
[56:40] we know with buildings, uh, they do have
[56:42] systems that eventually become obsolete
[56:44] no matter how, uh, well you maintain
[56:47] them like roofs and mechanical systems.
[56:49] Uh, as an architect, you know, we're not
[56:51] really designing products that go into,
[56:54] uh, buildings to last much longer than
[56:56] 25, 30, 40 years. You know, those things
[56:59] need to be replaced. And as was
[57:01] mentioned, Maple Street School is over
[57:03] aundred years old. Um, theast not that
[57:06] far behind it. The high school as well
[57:09] is is aging. Um as are two other
[57:12] buildings, Lake Street and the middle
[57:14] school. So the ad hoc committee worked
[57:17] very hard to identify what the critical
[57:20] issues are um that could affect um
[57:22] teaching and learning as well as
[57:24] liability. So you can see um on slide
[57:27] three which is school building
[57:28] challenges really narrowing those down
[57:30] to you know it's not just that we have
[57:33] code issues and lack of ADA
[57:34] accessibility
[57:36] um but we have teaching spaces that do
[57:38] not support teaching and learning uh
[57:40] maintenance and repairs have become
[57:42] excessive costs because it's very
[57:44] difficult to get parts um to replace and
[57:47] maintenance is becoming more frequent
[57:48] with those aging systems. So under the
[57:51] master plan process slide four we are at
[57:54] the point we were looking for um
[57:57] authorization to proceed with these
[58:00] projects. On slide five, the history of
[58:03] school renovations, you can see those
[58:04] five buildings outlined. Now, of course,
[58:07] all of your school buildings need to be
[58:08] maintained over time. So, these are just
[58:10] the five buildings that we feel are the
[58:12] highest priority and with four building
[58:15] projects, we can address all five
[58:16] buildings.
[58:18] Um, if you want to uh jump to YAK now,
[58:22] um, there are several positives to this
[58:26] process, um, the town of Vernon receives
[58:28] a very high reimbursement rate from the
[58:31] state of Connecticut. Um, around 70% and
[58:34] as was mentioned by Chairman Grabowski,
[58:37] uh, an extra 10 to 15% for buildings
[58:40] that include preK. So, you want to take
[58:43] advantage of those rates. Uh, they do
[58:45] change every year. Um, and And you want
[58:48] to understand that most school districts
[58:50] receive 50% or less, whereas your rate
[58:53] is much higher. Looking at your
[58:55] neighboring towns, only Manchester
[58:56] receives a similar reimbursement rate.
[58:58] Your other neighboring towns are 50% or
[59:00] less. You also need to um understand
[59:04] that construction costs ever go down.
[59:06] Once in a blue moon, you might find a
[59:08] dip where there's a lack of work because
[59:11] there's some kind of recession. That
[59:12] hasn't happened since the Great
[59:14] Recession. And that was a very little
[59:15] dip. It was a one-mon time frame. Ever
[59:18] since then, uh construction costs
[59:19] continue to escalate. If these projects
[59:22] are delayed, they will cost more in the
[59:24] future.
[59:26] Um
[59:27] I just want to um this is a very
[59:30] thorough presentation that was given to
[59:31] the board of ed. So we want to move um
[59:33] to WAK now. The mechanical systems are
[59:36] failing. So Rockville High School,
[59:37] that's shown on uh the next two YAK now
[59:40] slides. So, as was summarized by Paul,
[59:44] um you know, this is a steam system that
[59:45] was original to the building. Boilers
[59:47] are at the end of life. There are
[59:49] constant leaks. Um so, both the boilers
[59:52] and then the piping, which is included
[59:53] in tunnels under the school, are very
[59:55] difficult to repair. Um they're not
[59:58] exactly tunnels where you can stand up
[59:59] in. They're crawl spaces. Um some of
[1:00:02] which may be so small that they could
[1:00:04] take a confined space permit um or
[1:00:06] potentially even an SCBA system um to
[1:00:10] get down there. is to shut off valves.
[1:00:12] Um, so it's time to replace. This is not
[1:00:15] unusual. Uh, other schools in the state
[1:00:18] have had the same issue. Bridgeport's
[1:00:20] going through it right now. Very similar
[1:00:22] system. Um, so in order to replace, we
[1:00:24] can't take your 900 students out of the
[1:00:27] high school. Uh, we'll need to phase it.
[1:00:29] We'll need to do one wing at a time and
[1:00:31] move them around so as not to disturb
[1:00:33] their teaching and learning. Um and we
[1:00:35] will need to simultaneously install a
[1:00:37] new system while the existing system is
[1:00:39] in operation. This will take a couple of
[1:00:42] school years. Um but we cannot install
[1:00:44] the new system in the same tunnels. Nor
[1:00:46] do we want to install the system in the
[1:00:48] tunnels because um it's just we wouldn't
[1:00:51] design that that way for maintainers to
[1:00:53] need to go down into a crawl space to
[1:00:55] maintain. Um the new systems again I'm
[1:00:58] positive uh new systems have evolved
[1:01:00] over the last couple of decades in great
[1:01:03] um ways in terms of delivering you very
[1:01:06] efficient um systems that will give you
[1:01:09] ventilation and air conditioning as well
[1:01:11] as replacement of your heating system.
[1:01:13] These schools uh at the age that they
[1:01:15] are were not designed with uh
[1:01:18] ventilation. They do have in the cases
[1:01:20] where they do have some minimal
[1:01:21] ventilation it's not uh really providing
[1:01:24] much. uh the high school has what's
[1:01:25] called unit ventilators and those
[1:01:27] dampers really at this age are not
[1:01:29] working. So uh the state of Connecticut
[1:01:32] uh really supports uh and will support
[1:01:34] financially uh and they're adamant that
[1:01:37] teaching and learning environments need
[1:01:38] to have ventilation and air
[1:01:40] conditioning. So there's a new grant uh
[1:01:42] HVAC replacement grant that started last
[1:01:44] year. Um and again you'll be getting
[1:01:47] that uh around 70% reimbursement from
[1:01:49] the state for this HVAC grant uh for the
[1:01:52] high school and then the subsequent
[1:01:54] phase of the middle school. So um you
[1:01:57] know that's just a snapshot of the
[1:01:59] opportunity that you have to take
[1:02:00] advantage of the uh grant
[1:02:03] reimbursements.
[1:02:05] So, uh, as was mentioned, uh, these are
[1:02:09] four projects that would, uh, take care
[1:02:11] of the needs of five schools. Uh, Maple
[1:02:14] Street being the oldest and non, you
[1:02:16] know, heavily non-compliant with codes.
[1:02:18] Northeast not far behind and also
[1:02:20] needing mechanical system replacements
[1:02:22] along with other, uh, aging systems that
[1:02:25] are out of date. So, one building
[1:02:26] project will take care of those two
[1:02:28] schools, the high school, as I
[1:02:30] mentioned, and then Lake Street can be
[1:02:32] replaced in the next phase along with
[1:02:34] the HVAC and the middle school. Uh, the
[1:02:37] ad hoc committee felt that asking for
[1:02:39] four projects to happen all at once
[1:02:41] would be a financial burden on the town.
[1:02:44] And so, even though all of these five
[1:02:46] buildings are a priority, uh, they
[1:02:48] understood the need to phase them um
[1:02:50] over a period of maybe seven to 10
[1:02:53] years. Um, There's some snapshots in
[1:02:56] this presentation if you like to take a
[1:02:58] look of how uh you know again as an
[1:03:01] advantage. You actually have land at the
[1:03:04] northeast site. Uh which is great. A lot
[1:03:06] of communities don't have extra land and
[1:03:08] don't have a place to put the building.
[1:03:09] So we had an architect do us what's
[1:03:11] called a test fit to make sure that the
[1:03:13] new consolidated uh elementary school
[1:03:15] would fit on that land at Northeast.
[1:03:18] Um to elaborate a little bit on Maple
[1:03:21] Street School, the slide called My Close
[1:03:23] Maple Street. Um, you know, the only way
[1:03:26] you really need uh to the only way you
[1:03:28] really would be able to keep this school
[1:03:30] open would be to install multiple
[1:03:32] elevators because not all the floors
[1:03:35] align and you would need to purchase
[1:03:38] land. You you cannot operate a school on
[1:03:40] the size of the parcel that you have and
[1:03:42] be supported by the state financially.
[1:03:44] Um, if you speak with the principal, you
[1:03:47] know, he'll be able to outline all the
[1:03:49] issues of the cramped site that they
[1:03:51] have there. Um, ing the elevators. Uh
[1:03:56] it's possible, but it would take away uh
[1:03:58] valuable classroom space that's needed
[1:04:00] for the enrollment, meaning you'd have
[1:04:01] to also build an addition. Um and uh you
[1:04:05] know, really digging in and and putting
[1:04:07] elevators into that existing ancient
[1:04:10] school uh would probably uncover some
[1:04:13] issues that we cannot see. Uh older
[1:04:15] schools are very difficult to uh
[1:04:18] implement elevators into the middle of
[1:04:20] them. Um it's a it's a big big risk. So,
[1:04:23] um, whereas it's a, you know, very
[1:04:26] charming school and, uh, very close with
[1:04:28] that neighborhood, uh, we find it, uh,
[1:04:30] financially infeasible to to upgrade it.
[1:04:36] Um, and you know, phase two is in the
[1:04:38] slides. Again, Lake Street is a very
[1:04:40] tight site, but another advantage you
[1:04:42] have, again, trying to focus on the
[1:04:44] positives, if you build a new building
[1:04:46] on the back part portion of the
[1:04:48] Northeast School site, you could leave
[1:04:51] the existing Northeast School building
[1:04:52] in place for a few years in order to use
[1:04:55] it for swing space for the Lake Street
[1:04:57] students. Um, this again is an advantage
[1:05:01] that a lot of towns don't have. So if
[1:05:03] those and Northeast happens to be very,
[1:05:05] you know, as close as you can get to
[1:05:07] Lake Street. So if those staff and
[1:05:09] students can move over to the old
[1:05:11] Northeast building for a year or two, uh
[1:05:13] you could very efficiently rebuild Lake
[1:05:16] Street, remove that structure completely
[1:05:18] and replace it with a more efficient
[1:05:20] building. Um so getting down to the
[1:05:23] costs um we have looked at costs over
[1:05:27] time as uh working with the ad hoc
[1:05:29] committee as these priorities have
[1:05:31] evolved um and if um
[1:05:36] these costs have been calculated in mind
[1:05:38] with the state reimbursement
[1:05:41] uh rate. So I'm looking at a slide that
[1:05:43] says estimated cost new schools and has
[1:05:45] new consolidated elementary in blue and
[1:05:48] new lake street school in red. Um So the
[1:05:51] total project cost, this includes
[1:05:54] construction and then what we call soft
[1:05:55] costs, all your professional fees and
[1:05:57] liabilities and testing and other owners
[1:05:59] things, furniture, etc.
[1:06:02] Um the new consolidated elementary,
[1:06:04] which is a larger building, would be a
[1:06:06] $99 million value. Um and whereas Lake
[1:06:09] Street would be $67 million value. We're
[1:06:12] predicting an 83.25%
[1:06:15] reimbursement rate. Uh a lot of things
[1:06:18] go into that calculation and it really
[1:06:20] you know these numbers are estimates
[1:06:23] meaning predictions.
[1:06:25] Um but if you look at that reimbursement
[1:06:27] rate and what the state will be paying
[1:06:29] versus the town this is highly favorable
[1:06:32] for you to take advantage of uh at this
[1:06:35] time.
[1:06:36] And then similarly with um the
[1:06:39] mechanical and code updates Rockville
[1:06:41] and uh high school shown in blue and
[1:06:44] Vernon Middle School shown in red. a
[1:06:46] lower reimbursement rate there because
[1:06:48] we don't have prek in those buildings.
[1:06:50] Uh but still highly favorable rate. Um
[1:06:53] the Rockville High School uh projection
[1:06:56] of replacing the HVAC along with some
[1:06:58] other code updates mind you um is 62
[1:07:02] million and uh the middle school is 16
[1:07:04] million. looking again at nearly 70%
[1:07:07] reimbursement rate from the state. The
[1:07:09] cost to the town is minimal compared to
[1:07:11] the total project costs um for the
[1:07:14] projects.
[1:07:16] So, moving then to the two-phase
[1:07:18] approach cost slide where you've got
[1:07:19] phase one and phase two with the big
[1:07:21] arrows um in blue and red. Um this is
[1:07:26] how it would lay out. Um and again,
[1:07:28] highly advantageous. The total cost of
[1:07:31] phase one would be $161 million, but the
[1:07:34] town would only bear the $36 million of
[1:07:38] that. Likewise with phase two, perhaps
[1:07:42] you know 5 to 10 years in the future.
[1:07:44] Total costs for those two projects, 83
[1:07:46] million, but the town would only bear 16
[1:07:49] million of those costs. Again, those are
[1:07:52] our predictions. Those will fluctuate
[1:07:54] over time. that gives you an idea uh in
[1:07:57] order to be able to bring this forward
[1:07:59] to your community.
[1:08:01] U there's a hypothetical schedule in
[1:08:04] here that just shows how those uh phases
[1:08:06] could be piggybacked
[1:08:08] um over time.
[1:08:11] And with that, we'll take questions as a
[1:08:12] team.
[1:08:17] Questions?
[1:08:19] Mike, mayor.
[1:08:21] >> Good evening. So, what would
[1:08:26] the uh town of Bern's total
[1:08:30] um bill for this roughly is it just over
[1:08:34] 70 million?
[1:08:39] » Do you mean the town share or
[1:08:40] >> Yeah. The town share
[1:08:42] >> for both phases?
[1:08:44] >> Yeah. For for everything
[1:08:46] >> would be 47 out of 26D.
[1:08:52] » There's two phases. Phase one town share
[1:08:54] we have on there for 36 months.
[1:08:55] >> 36,
[1:08:56] >> right? Phase two is 16,
[1:08:59] >> correct?
[1:09:00] >> So 52,
[1:09:01] >> but then you have the mechanical
[1:09:02] upgrades and stuff, the town share is
[1:09:03] 24.
[1:09:04] >> That's included.
[1:09:06] >> Yeah.
[1:09:06] >> Okay. That's what I was trying to
[1:09:07] clarify. Um, and when you talk about
[1:09:10] like Maple Street not having enough land
[1:09:13] stuff, so it's not, you know, the state
[1:09:15] wouldn't even allow it. Wouldn't that be grandfathered?
[1:09:19] >> No.
[1:09:21] the grants the the state grant school
[1:09:23] construction grant agency has their
[1:09:26] >> minimum requirements.
[1:09:28] >> Okay. So, because the school was built
[1:09:30] when it was, they're not grandfathered
[1:09:31] in as far as acreage.
[1:09:34] >> So, we'd have to get rid of it no matter
[1:09:36] what.
[1:09:37] >> You could you could improve that
[1:09:39] property, but it would be 100% on the
[1:09:41] town's pay for the entire project.
[1:09:43] >> Okay. All right. Thank you.
[1:09:47] >> Anybody else? Charity.
[1:09:49] >> Hi. Welcome to you. Um, I should
[1:09:51] probably note this, but does the town
[1:09:53] own all of the land at Northeast School?
[1:09:56] >> Yes.
[1:09:56] >> Okay. Thank you.
[1:10:00] >> Anybody else?
[1:10:02] >> Patricia.
[1:10:03] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You indicated that
[1:10:06] um property needed to be purchased for
[1:10:08] Maple Street School.
[1:10:11] >> If you would like the state to
[1:10:12] participate in reimbursement, you will
[1:10:14] need to meet that acreage requirement.
[1:10:16] And if the town wanted to bear the
[1:10:18] entire burden of upgrading that school
[1:10:21] because we don't without the property we
[1:10:24] would not qualify for the grant.
[1:10:26] Correct. And if the town chose to bear
[1:10:29] the entire cost of that upgrade, what
[1:10:32] would that total be?
[1:10:34] We would have to look at a design for
[1:10:37] that and and do a project budget for it.
[1:10:39] Like I said, it would be entailing uh
[1:10:43] installing at least two elevators within
[1:10:46] an ancient building and then adding uh
[1:10:50] constructing an addition onto the
[1:10:51] building to mitigate the space that
[1:10:53] you're taking up by the elevators. Um,
[1:10:55] and that would also then snowball into
[1:10:58] redesigning the site itself and hoping
[1:11:00] that playground and parking would fit,
[1:11:02] which it probably wouldn't,
[1:11:04] which would result in us having to
[1:11:06] purchase additional land. That could be
[1:11:09] part of the study. Um but unless you
[1:11:11] meet the 12 or so acreage or whatever
[1:11:14] your dialogue becomes with the state of
[1:11:15] Connecticut uh grants office um you know
[1:11:19] that you would need to satisfy their
[1:11:22] acreage requirement and their uh ADA um
[1:11:26] compliance requirement in order for them
[1:11:28] to participate.
[1:11:30] >> Thank you.
[1:11:31] >> You're welcome.
[1:11:35] Thank you for and if I understand
[1:11:38] correctly right now and it would
[1:11:41] continue that if a student in a
[1:11:44] downstairs classroom breaks their leg,
[1:11:49] they go to another school because there
[1:11:52] is no way for them to get upstairs.
[1:11:56] How disruptive is that? And I hate to
[1:11:59] think if a teacher
[1:12:02] broke his or
[1:12:05] I don't know. Did they have to switch
[1:12:07] with another teacher? The bottom line is
[1:12:12] what this means for our kids education.
[1:12:15] Even with the elevator, we're not going
[1:12:18] to put in an elevator big enough to fit
[1:12:20] a classroom. So, when that class goes up
[1:12:23] to the gymnasium,
[1:12:26] it's going to take a lot of up and down
[1:12:29] and up and down, and you would need an
[1:12:31] extra adult. Um,
[1:12:34] I don't see any way around that. Am I
[1:12:36] missing something?
[1:12:39] >> Yeah, it would be a very complex
[1:12:40] solution. Um, you know, the other issue
[1:12:43] with a 101 year old school is that it
[1:12:45] was not built for the teaching and
[1:12:47] learning of today. Uh, the assembly
[1:12:49] space, as you probably know, the
[1:12:51] gymnasium is not sufficient. Um, so if
[1:12:54] you're going to engage in a project
[1:12:55] where you're modifying a school to
[1:12:58] upgrade for modern teaching and
[1:13:00] learning, there would be other issues
[1:13:01] you want to address. that school such as
[1:13:03] proper assembly space, proper space for
[1:13:06] intervention learning, special ed. I
[1:13:08] mean, these buildings were constructed
[1:13:10] even when kindergarten didn't exist. So,
[1:13:12] you know, a lot of the teaching and
[1:13:13] learning is happening in closets or
[1:13:15] spaces that are not appropriate for for
[1:13:17] learning. So, you know, would you spend
[1:13:19] that amount of money just installing uh
[1:13:22] elevators and putting addition on and
[1:13:24] then not solving the rest of your
[1:13:25] educational issues and assembly issues?
[1:13:28] Having taught in both Maple Street and
[1:13:30] Northeast School, I can attest to the
[1:13:34] difficulties there are that go way
[1:13:37] beyond even the moving around the
[1:13:40] building. HVAC doesn't exist for all
[1:13:43] intents and purposes.
[1:13:44] >> And I don't know where you'd put the
[1:13:45] Maple. This would be such an invasive
[1:13:47] project that I don't know where you'd
[1:13:48] put the Maple Street students. Well,
[1:13:50] there wouldn't be a way to phase this
[1:13:52] project and say we're doing this wing
[1:13:54] and then that wing. So they would need a
[1:13:55] place to go during that you know those
[1:13:58] lengths of years.
[1:14:00] >> Yeah. And the bottom line is it affects
[1:14:02] student achievement and then it also
[1:14:05] attract will u interfere with our p the
[1:14:10] world's perception of us. Do we want to
[1:14:12] move to that town where my kid would go
[1:14:15] to a 102 year old school that's not ADA
[1:14:18] compliant? All of those factors be
[1:14:22] beyond student achievement to me are
[1:14:25] really important. So, thank you very
[1:14:28] much. This is really thorough.
[1:14:32] >> I have two linked questions, one one for
[1:14:36] you and one for Paul. Paul, I think the
[1:14:41] right person. um how uh interdependent
[1:14:47] are phase one and phase two and the
[1:14:50] reason I ask is do we anticipate
[1:14:53] a single bond issue or two bond issues
[1:14:56] and my concern is what's the risk if we
[1:14:58] go forward with phase one and then we
[1:15:01] don't get approval to do phase two
[1:15:03] >> right so right now we would only
[1:15:05] recommend that we pursue for a bond
[1:15:06] phase one that is the primary issue it's
[1:15:09] most recursion that is what we need to
[1:15:12] addressed phase two would be something
[1:15:13] to tackle again in the next 5 to 10
[1:15:15] years to look at they are not
[1:15:17] interdependent right we want to put
[1:15:19] something forward that shows hey we've
[1:15:21] really considered what are the critical
[1:15:24] areas that need to be addressed so I
[1:15:26] would say phase one is what needs to be
[1:15:27] done phase two is important yes but not
[1:15:32] connected to phase one that
[1:15:34] >> to to be clear I support both phases I
[1:15:37] just u worry about
[1:15:41] for a better term, political risk. If if
[1:15:43] we if we if we start
[1:15:47] then don't get approval to finish it.
[1:15:49] >> Yes. And that was on the mind of
[1:15:51] everyone on the adop committee as well.
[1:15:53] Right. We don't want to be in a
[1:15:54] situation where our two most urgent
[1:15:56] needs are not addressed.
[1:16:04] » Thank you, man. So on the similar line,
[1:16:08] I have some similar line here. So you
[1:16:11] They're not dependent on each other. But
[1:16:13] what I'm trying to get is what if we
[1:16:15] make it dependent because I'm seeing
[1:16:18] phase two is a lot of the Hback work
[1:16:21] right that's being done and we said that
[1:16:24] could be five years on.
[1:16:26] >> So that's the middle school which is a
[1:16:28] slightly different situation than the
[1:16:30] high school. The high school is at a
[1:16:32] more critical situation for failure.
[1:16:35] Middle school is not. We've done some
[1:16:37] work there. Middle school is a big
[1:16:38] building. That's why there's a bigger
[1:16:39] price tag. There are some things that
[1:16:42] need there are things that need to be
[1:16:43] done to get it where it needs to be in
[1:16:45] 2026
[1:16:48] like in a lot of that's why is part of
[1:16:51] phase two but they are two distinct
[1:16:53] things you have high school which is at
[1:16:56] critical juncture right now potential
[1:16:58] failure and then you have middle school
[1:17:00] which needs to be done and that's right
[1:17:03] and I do understand and appreciate you
[1:17:05] coming you guys coming with all this
[1:17:07] information so much it's not a concern
[1:17:11] is more of for the students, right? So
[1:17:14] the HVAC so we'll wait phase one to get
[1:17:17] done and we'll wait and then after that
[1:17:19] we'll go and do the HVAC, right? And
[1:17:22] this is the students being in the
[1:17:24] classroom being comfortable, right? I
[1:17:26] understand that this is cold weather.
[1:17:27] They don't get that, but I see that
[1:17:29] you're putting AC where there's not. So
[1:17:33] is it was considering putting some of
[1:17:35] that work towards the phase one?
[1:17:41] » Um so I don't I think phase one is
[1:17:44] solidly the high school and the new
[1:17:46] elementary.
[1:17:52] I would say we are constantly making
[1:17:54] improvements investing in our kids
[1:17:57] learn.
[1:17:59] So as you know we also got increased
[1:18:01] money from the state this year.
[1:18:12] So yeah, you know we are addressing
[1:18:15] things as they are needed. So our kids
[1:18:18] will have where we are able to put in
[1:18:21] units. We have done that in a lot of
[1:18:22] buildings to address those concerns.
[1:18:31] is not tied to this project.
[1:18:33] >> This is a temporary measure to phase
[1:18:35] two, we'll put in those window units.
[1:18:37] So, portable units.
[1:18:40] >> Okay. So, the other question I have is
[1:18:42] um on one of the page it mentioned that
[1:18:45] for the new school that there was
[1:18:47] assumed that this base waiver is
[1:18:49] accepted. Is there was that about?
[1:18:53] >> Yeah. So, um The state of Connecticut
[1:18:55] calculates their grant reimbursement for
[1:18:58] all the towns based on a specific square
[1:19:00] footage. Now, most schools are built
[1:19:04] over that square footage. Um, the
[1:19:06] state's baseline is really just core
[1:19:09] curriculum. Doesn't include special ed,
[1:19:10] which is federally mandated, doesn't
[1:19:12] include, you know, larger assembly
[1:19:14] spaces, things like that. Um so you have
[1:19:17] to go through a process with them an
[1:19:19] application uh asking for a space waiver
[1:19:21] proving that you need the space for the
[1:19:23] curriculum that you're teaching. Um this
[1:19:25] kind of waiver is generally accepted. So
[1:19:28] we put in the calculations that it would
[1:19:31] be accepted. Um the other reason we feel
[1:19:33] confidence in that is that um this past
[1:19:36] spring in uh the legislative approvals,
[1:19:40] there was a lot of special legislation
[1:19:42] for schools all over the state and uh
[1:19:44] many of them received higher
[1:19:46] reimbursement rates for either space
[1:19:48] waiverss or other reasons. It's very
[1:19:50] favorable. Um the governor at the moment
[1:19:52] is uh highly supporting school
[1:19:54] construction to the tune and to 500
[1:19:55] million dollars a year in state
[1:19:57] investment. So we feel confident. So
[1:20:00] what would be the impact if not
[1:20:03] >> um it could range anywhere from a
[1:20:05] discount um of five to 10% depending on
[1:20:08] the size of the school uh that you
[1:20:11] ultimately designed with the architects.
[1:20:13] Um but it becomes a dialogue with the
[1:20:15] state as to again you know why do you
[1:20:17] need this specific space? What is this
[1:20:19] for? You know so you have specialized
[1:20:21] programs at Lake Street and uh other
[1:20:23] schools that you would need to prove is
[1:20:25] part of your uh curriculum and and have
[1:20:28] that dialogue with them.
[1:20:30] So, this is something we're planning on
[1:20:31] submitting before we submit the budget.
[1:20:34] >> It's part of the process. You know, it
[1:20:36] timing will be part of what we talk
[1:20:38] about. Um, it can be in your grant
[1:20:41] application. It can be in next year's
[1:20:43] special legislation language. Uh,
[1:20:45] there's a variety of ways that you can
[1:20:47] look to maximize your reimbursement.
[1:20:51] >> Just seem a little complicated.
[1:20:53] It it's uh complicated, but if you track
[1:20:56] it and all act together as a team, it
[1:20:59] works out.
[1:21:01] >> Has done this before, right?
[1:21:02] >> Yes. Thank you.
[1:21:06] >> Do you mayor? Thank you. Um my question
[1:21:09] is uh you kind of just you hinted
[1:21:11] towards I just want to know if there's a
[1:21:12] clear definition as best as you possibly
[1:21:14] can give us. What has made the
[1:21:16] reimbursement fail in the past to your
[1:21:19] best? I know there's probably many
[1:21:21] things, but just What has made it fail
[1:21:23] when it has?
[1:21:25] >> Um,
[1:21:27] you mean here specifically or just
[1:21:28] generally?
[1:21:29] >> Just general because we're asking the
[1:21:30] state of Connecticut. So, other towns
[1:21:31] have done it.
[1:21:32] >> Yeah.
[1:21:32] >> You know, so what has made them fail
[1:21:34] when they came?
[1:21:35] >> It's very rare. Um,
[1:21:38] missing grant application deadlines. um
[1:21:42] you know not meeting acreage
[1:21:44] requirements or other you know baseline
[1:21:47] um
[1:21:52] it's that's that's really the main
[1:21:55] categories that I can think of at the
[1:21:57] moment. It's a very supportive
[1:21:59] environment right now.
[1:22:00] >> Okay. Excellent. Because I already know
[1:22:02] we have the best team of you guys and
[1:22:03] everyone else who put the energy into
[1:22:05] this. So I believe in believe that you
[1:22:07] guys are good. Thank you.
[1:22:09] >> Thank you. Anybody
[1:22:12] else?
[1:22:16] » Through you, Mayor. Thank you again. Um,
[1:22:19] I forgot a few questions I had. Now,
[1:22:21] you're talking about the the state
[1:22:23] grants and stuff um for helping with the
[1:22:27] cost of the schools. Are there any
[1:22:29] federal grants out there available?
[1:22:33] So um the way that your state grant
[1:22:36] department looks at it is if you accept
[1:22:38] money from another source they will
[1:22:39] discount the state grant. They call it
[1:22:41] double dipping. However, uh over time
[1:22:45] they have become lenient on the
[1:22:48] acceptance of utility rebates and that
[1:22:50] will definitely come into play at the
[1:22:52] high school and middle school HVAC
[1:22:54] projects because that HBAC grant really
[1:22:56] is supposed to go just towards the
[1:22:57] mechanical system
[1:22:59] >> and you have an opportunity now that
[1:23:01] you're going to be um putting in duct
[1:23:03] work and so forth to upgrade your
[1:23:05] ceilings and lighting. Technically,
[1:23:06] lighting doesn't clarif classify for the
[1:23:09] HBC grant, but then you can use the
[1:23:11] utility rebates for that. So that's the
[1:23:13] only, you know, if you have a private
[1:23:15] donation or you have another grant from
[1:23:16] another source, uh, you need to be
[1:23:18] transparent about that and they will
[1:23:20] discount that off of their grant.
[1:23:22] >> Well, the reason why I asked is because
[1:23:24] you had mentioned that the um the
[1:23:27] special ed is fed federally mandated. So
[1:23:30] certain things are mandated, right, by the federal government. So you would
[1:23:34] think that they would help uh when it
[1:23:36] comes to meeting certain standards and
[1:23:39] stuff when you rebuild. Yeah, I mean
[1:23:41] that's a great point and that was picked
[1:23:43] up when the state rolled out the minimum
[1:23:46] square footage require or maximum square
[1:23:48] footage requirements baseline. Uh many
[1:23:50] superintendents were in the room and
[1:23:52] argued that those maximums were
[1:23:55] completely unfair because they did not
[1:23:57] include this the federal mandates. And
[1:23:59] my other question if you don't mind um
[1:24:02] with the construction I know this
[1:24:05] building of a new school where northeast
[1:24:06] school is does this cover the cost of
[1:24:09] demolishing the current northeast
[1:24:11] school?
[1:24:12] >> Uh yes but that would be down the road.
[1:24:14] So we escalated that because we factored
[1:24:17] in that you would want to
[1:24:19] >> possibly maintain the building for a few
[1:24:21] years to help with phase two. And what
[1:24:23] would be the end result for Maple Street
[1:24:27] School?
[1:24:32] » Maple Street School would be a town
[1:24:34] building.
[1:24:35] >> It'll be town building.
[1:24:36] >> Okay. So, that won't be demolished.
[1:24:38] >> Okay. It depends on what the town
[1:24:39] council at the time decides.
[1:24:41] >> Okay.
[1:24:42] I thank you.
[1:24:46] >> Okay.
[1:24:46] >> Phyllis.
[1:24:48] >> Thank you. I was hoping we would hear
[1:24:50] from our superintendent. you've had
[1:24:53] experience in your last district.
[1:24:55] >> Sure. So, I just want to thank everybody
[1:24:58] for their time. I know it's been a lot
[1:24:59] of time tonight. Um, but I really truly
[1:25:02] I know I've been here for six weeks, but
[1:25:04] I hit the ground running. I came in and
[1:25:07] looked at the amount of work that's been
[1:25:08] done by the ad hoc committee, which is
[1:25:10] admirable. And I do know that this is an
[1:25:13] ask for fiscal um fiscals from fis
[1:25:17] fiscal and fiscal ask for the town. But
[1:25:20] when you hired me, you hired me to move
[1:25:22] Vernon into the future for our students.
[1:25:25] And this is, I do believe, a critical
[1:25:27] piece in doing that. Um, I was at the
[1:25:30] welcome back meeting today um at the
[1:25:32] state of Connecticut for all of the
[1:25:33] superintendent and they talked about our
[1:25:36] students being the future of everything
[1:25:40] um from building STEM careers to all of
[1:25:44] the other things, all of the challenges
[1:25:46] that are in the world right now. Our
[1:25:48] kids are the solution for that. And I
[1:25:51] really do believe that this project, our
[1:25:54] students, if you look at our test
[1:25:55] scores, we just had that board of ed
[1:25:57] presentation yesterday, they are growing
[1:25:59] at rates that I have never seen before.
[1:26:02] And and especially in an alliance
[1:26:04] district, um they deserve the best
[1:26:07] facilities. They deserve to be able to
[1:26:09] be in learning environments where they
[1:26:11] can learn everything that we have. Our
[1:26:14] staff is amazing. Our students are
[1:26:16] amazing and these facilities will allow
[1:26:19] them to do that. Um I do have and one of
[1:26:22] the biggest concerns is the phase one.
[1:26:25] If the mechanicals at the high school
[1:26:27] fail within the next two to five years,
[1:26:30] we do not have anywhere to put the 1100
[1:26:32] students that currently go there and
[1:26:34] that will put us back into possibly
[1:26:37] shifting them because it is legal in the
[1:26:39] state of Connecticut all to remote
[1:26:41] learning. But we know what that did
[1:26:43] during CO, we know how that set our
[1:26:46] students back. And that is just not
[1:26:48] something if you're entrusting us to do
[1:26:51] and for me as your new superintendent to
[1:26:54] make sure that our students have what
[1:26:56] they want. I will do whatever it needs
[1:26:58] to be done to help work us through this
[1:27:00] process. We will not miss I have never
[1:27:02] missed a grant deadline in the 26 years
[1:27:04] I've been doing things. I'm super
[1:27:06] uptight about that. Um, so I will make
[1:27:09] sure at my job that we do not miss
[1:27:12] deadlines, that we do not miss details.
[1:27:15] Um, but I really truly do believe that
[1:27:17] this is what we need to move forward.
[1:27:20] Uh, and we are building not only the
[1:27:22] future of burden, but the future of
[1:27:24] everything. Our kids could be the kids
[1:27:26] that cure cancer. They could be who
[1:27:29] invents, you know, the solutions of the
[1:27:32] AI fears that are out there that we've
[1:27:34] been hearing about this this week. Um,
[1:27:37] and I think this is the perfect
[1:27:42] » Oh, sorry. That is not
[1:27:45] >> wrong building.
[1:27:49] » Mike.
[1:27:50] >> Thank you, Mayor.
[1:27:51] >> I'm a teacher. Anytime someone
[1:27:55] » Good evening and welcome. Um, I just got
[1:27:59] to fill you in on something that my my
[1:28:01] oldest daughter talked to me about this
[1:28:03] week. Um, that she's
[1:28:06] getting ready to give birth to her third
[1:28:07] child. We um have an older son who's 39,
[1:28:11] an older daughter is 37 in Arizona in
[1:28:15] Georgia, and she came home to visit
[1:28:17] recently. My youngest just graduated
[1:28:19] from Rockville High, finished her
[1:28:20] freshman year in Yukon. But um she we
[1:28:24] were talking and she goes, "Dad, when
[1:28:27] you're down south, our schools are
[1:28:29] immaculate. They put education and the
[1:28:32] kids first. They said, "Everything goes
[1:28:34] into these schools. Everything for the
[1:28:36] kids." She goes, "I never realized when
[1:28:38] I was there for my daughter's
[1:28:39] graduation, she came here to, you know,
[1:28:42] for my daughter's graduation." She goes,
[1:28:43] "Just how run down Rockville High School
[1:28:46] was compared to where my kids go to
[1:28:48] school." She goes, "It's a night and
[1:28:50] day. Um, it's just a difference of
[1:28:52] mentality, whatever." She goes, "I don't
[1:28:54] know. I didn't realize it when I was
[1:28:56] going there, but when you get away from
[1:28:57] it and then you come home," she goes,
[1:28:59] it's a world of difference. So, our
[1:29:01] schools are old. Um, schools need help.
[1:29:04] They need work. Um we need to bring them
[1:29:05] into the future and our kids deserve the
[1:29:08] best.
[1:29:10] >> Thank you.
[1:29:11] >> If I could, another great point. Um some
[1:29:14] of your neighboring towns have been
[1:29:15] doing school projects. I strongly
[1:29:17] encourage you to visit the schools uh
[1:29:19] that have been renovated or built new in
[1:29:21] uh Vernon, I mean in um Ellington, in
[1:29:25] South Windsor, and in Manchester. Um so,
[1:29:29] you know, you're used to seeing your
[1:29:30] schools, right? You love your schools.
[1:29:32] They're charming. They're delivering the
[1:29:33] education. But if you haven't been in a
[1:29:35] new elementary school, middle school, or
[1:29:37] high school, it's important to go visit
[1:29:39] those just to see the great difference.
[1:29:43] >> Yes. Thank you. [snorts]
[1:29:47] >> Anybody else?
[1:29:49] >> No. You might as well stay seated. We're
[1:29:51] going to move things around, so you guys
[1:29:52] will be up in a second.
[1:29:59] All right. So, I'm going to finish off
[1:30:00] uh just the mayor's comments and then
[1:30:02] we're going to be moving um we're going
[1:30:04] to go right to uh new business one and
[1:30:08] then three for the people in the
[1:30:10] audience. You guys all set with that?
[1:30:14] Any objections to that? All right. So,
[1:30:16] as soon as I'm done the comments, we're
[1:30:18] going to go to uh one and three, right?
[1:30:21] Get those out of the way. All right. Uh
[1:30:24] we got a couple events coming up. The
[1:30:27] fall 2026 planting portion of the live
[1:30:29] here love trees program is underway.
[1:30:33] Interested parties that would like to
[1:30:34] learn more about the live here love
[1:30:36] trees program can uh contact the
[1:30:38] planning department for more
[1:30:39] information. Two educational sessions
[1:30:41] are planned in September. Saturday 9:19
[1:30:45] uh 2026 and Tuesday 9:22 2026
[1:30:50] October month of October. Tommy
[1:30:52] Golinsky, who started this event when he
[1:30:54] was in third grade at Northeast School,
[1:30:56] has reached his 11th anniversary of the
[1:30:58] event. Boxes are decorated and distributed to
[1:31:03] town buildings for those who wish to
[1:31:04] donate clean new socks to be uh to be
[1:31:08] turned in to donate to the homeless
[1:31:09] shelter each year. If you would like to
[1:31:11] donate here, if you'd like to donate,
[1:31:14] there is a box here in the lobby of the
[1:31:15] town hall. And I talked to the
[1:31:18] superintendent today and the schools are
[1:31:19] going to be running the same program
[1:31:21] through Tom
[1:31:22] through Mr. Golinsky. He is uh in
[1:31:24] college right now, so he actually
[1:31:26] reached out to me and asked if he can
[1:31:28] continue this program on because it it
[1:31:31] means a lot to him. So if you haven't
[1:31:33] taken part in that, buy some new socks
[1:31:35] and donate them to the homeless. October
[1:31:38] 2nd, 2026, the Burn Fire Department is
[1:31:40] hosting a comedy night at the Elks Club
[1:31:42] on North Park Street, Vernon,
[1:31:44] Connecticut. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show
[1:31:47] will begin at 800 PM. Seating is
[1:31:48] limited. Please reach out to any member
[1:31:50] of the any of the members on the flyer
[1:31:53] for tickets. Cost is $30. This is a
[1:31:55] fundraiser for the fire department.
[1:31:57] October 3rd, 2026, there will be an open
[1:32:00] house at the new rec center next to the
[1:32:03] senior center 135 Bolton Road from 9:30
[1:32:06] a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Uh we're going to
[1:32:10] look at a time for the seniors to take
[1:32:12] on the town council and chair
[1:32:14] volleyball.
[1:32:16] I'm sorry, but the money's on the
[1:32:18] seniors. Um, they are vicious,
[1:32:21] [clears throat]
[1:32:23] but I think it's going to be fun. So,
[1:32:24] guys, make sure you show up if you can.
[1:32:26] It'll be a lot. It'll be good time. Uh,
[1:32:29] and that's open for everybody to stop in
[1:32:31] no matter the age. There's a couple of
[1:32:34] uh updates around town. So, the drainage
[1:32:36] on East Street that we've been working
[1:32:38] on for a while. Um,
[1:32:40] there was a new twist put into the whole
[1:32:42] thing. We're building a new school.
[1:32:45] That's what the uh the slowdown on that
[1:32:47] is right now until we get some numbers
[1:32:48] and we can get some piping up into the
[1:32:50] school uh because we have the we're
[1:32:52] going to have the obviously have that
[1:32:54] size piping mixed into the the size
[1:32:57] piping that we're going to have down on
[1:32:58] East Street. So that's coming. Uh
[1:33:02] there's some sidewalks on Union Street.
[1:33:04] There's some portions that have panels
[1:33:06] that are broken. Uh we are working on
[1:33:08] that throughout Rockville. We're
[1:33:10] identifying those sections. We're
[1:33:12] pulling them out and we're replacing the
[1:33:13] sections because Union was just done. If
[1:33:16] you drive down, you're going to see the
[1:33:17] curbs are low. It's not that the curbs
[1:33:19] were low. It's that the state comes
[1:33:22] along and puts a whole new layer of
[1:33:24] asphalt down without grinding it down.
[1:33:27] So those curbs are the proper height,
[1:33:30] the road just keeps coming up and up.
[1:33:33] And uh so we each of those wherever you
[1:33:37] have those areas, we are working on
[1:33:39] those. And we've also identified School
[1:33:41] Street and there's a few others around
[1:33:42] town as well as out of Rockville that
[1:33:45] we're looking at as well as a a grant
[1:33:48] that we got for new sidewalks and we're
[1:33:51] also uh looking at the ADA. We're going
[1:33:53] to re-evaluate buildings on the ADA as
[1:33:55] well. Um the biggest point was the doors
[1:33:58] out here. We opened them up. We're going
[1:33:59] to open them up for meetings so it makes
[1:34:00] it easier for people to come in and out.
[1:34:02] But I think most of our buildings are
[1:34:04] ADA um except Street,
[1:34:08] but we're we're trying to hit them as
[1:34:09] much as we can. All right. Yeah.
[1:34:14] I have a question. Who reach out to? Is
[1:34:17] it the town or the state for cross or
[1:34:21] crosswalk? Like
[1:34:22] >> it depends on the road.
[1:34:24] >> Grove Street in front of the um it's
[1:34:28] Grove Street in front of the
[1:34:31] >> elderly the elderly complex. Okay.
[1:34:33] >> There's a crosswalk but there's no
[1:34:35] light.
[1:34:36] >> Gro Street is a state road.
[1:34:37] >> State. So I reach out to the state.
[1:34:39] Yeah. Thank you.
[1:34:40] >> Yep.
[1:34:42] >> All right.
[1:34:43] So, we're going to move on. Uh, like I
[1:34:45] said, we're going to mix things up a
[1:34:46] little bit. We're going to let the
[1:34:47] school finish with theirs. So, we're
[1:34:48] going to go to
[1:34:50] >> Yeah.
[1:34:53] I was hoping to hear an update on
[1:34:55] uh whether you were able to close the
[1:34:58] loop with Hartford Healthcare about
[1:35:00] coming to do a farm here in uh and
[1:35:04] they're they're looking into that.
[1:35:06] >> Great.
[1:35:06] >> Sorry. I I actually went and met with
[1:35:08] them.
[1:35:09] >> Sorry. I I went and met with Harvard
[1:35:11] Healthare to an update on what's going
[1:35:13] on. And literally, um, the reason that
[1:35:17] they're not coming out here, they're
[1:35:19] replacing everything from the IV stands
[1:35:22] all the way up. And I and I have to say
[1:35:25] this, you know, Prospect, if it wasn't
[1:35:28] for the local
[1:35:30] administration, the local doctors, and
[1:35:33] just our local people here, those
[1:35:35] hospitals would have failed.
[1:35:38] All right? So they had when when Harford
[1:35:40] took over the hospitals, they're
[1:35:42] literally building it from the ground up
[1:35:44] from everything from the Ivy stands all
[1:35:46] the way to the roof, air conditioning
[1:35:48] systems. They're putting so much money
[1:35:49] in and we're I'm hoping to get an update
[1:35:52] more as to the future uses. They're
[1:35:54] stuck in contract right now with the
[1:35:56] state, but we're hoping to overcome that
[1:35:58] because they really want to expand
[1:35:59] services in our hospital.
[1:36:02] All right.
[1:36:04] So give us give them a little time.
[1:36:06] There's so much they got to catch up on.
[1:36:09] All right, let's keep
[1:36:13] >> a question or say something.
[1:36:14] >> Question
[1:36:16] just purchased Stern Physicians
[1:36:20] which is on Route 30 and uh then they're
[1:36:23] merging now with them or taking over. So
[1:36:26] they have a lot of you know things going
[1:36:29] on at this point and expanded. So I I
[1:36:32] would imagine from what I heard from
[1:36:34] somebody that I know of that is a doctor
[1:36:36] with them. Um they are uh improving the
[1:36:39] facilities uh drastically especially
[1:36:42] Manchester they're concentrating a lot
[1:36:43] in Manchester right now.
[1:36:44] >> They're doing both.
[1:36:45] >> Yeah. But they're working on Rockville
[1:36:47] too but they're really they have a lot
[1:36:48] of stuff to upgrade. Plus with the
[1:36:50] purchase of certain positions that's a
[1:36:52] whole
[1:36:54] you know taken out you know.
[1:36:57] >> Okay.
[1:36:58] >> All right. Let's keep going. All right,
[1:37:01] let's go to uh
[1:37:04] >> what's that?
[1:37:10] » Yep. New business number one. That is
[1:37:11] the presentation by the Burton Board of
[1:37:13] Education on the expenditures for the
[1:37:15] supplemental education aid uh grant that
[1:37:18] we got from the state.
[1:37:21] You'll find that in new business one in
[1:37:23] your packet. Bill Superintendent.
[1:37:28] >> Thank you, Mayor. Bill Meyer, director
[1:37:30] of business and finance, and Dr. Hills
[1:37:32] Propetti, superintendent of schools. Um,
[1:37:35] so as the council knows, um, we received
[1:37:37] in the state budget this year, fiscal 27
[1:37:39] budget, um, an additional appropriation,
[1:37:42] uh, 3.276
[1:37:44] million.
[1:37:46] um taking the feedback from the council
[1:37:47] and the board. Um we work together uh
[1:37:49] the board and town um to identify
[1:37:52] projects um infrastructure projects um
[1:37:55] really investments uh to avoid future
[1:37:57] expenses some anticipated capital
[1:37:59] expenses that the board knows that we're
[1:38:00] going to be facing in the next several
[1:38:02] years and to use these funds um for
[1:38:04] those expenses. Um so we started with
[1:38:07] the board's capital plan u which is
[1:38:09] developed annually together with our
[1:38:11] principles. We do building visits in
[1:38:13] March, the superintendent, myself, and
[1:38:15] our facilities team. Uh we then work
[1:38:17] together with our athletics director, um
[1:38:19] with our parks and recck director, the
[1:38:21] town's park and recck director, shoot
[1:38:23] shared services, as well as uh the
[1:38:26] department of public works and the
[1:38:28] public works director. Um we identified
[1:38:30] priorities um and budgeted uh estimates
[1:38:33] for these projects. Um, these projects
[1:38:36] listed in the packet were presented and
[1:38:38] approved by the board of education at
[1:38:40] their August meeting. Um, and um, as
[1:38:43] promised, we're bringing them back to
[1:38:44] the council um, to show you our intended
[1:38:48] uh, use for these funds. We broken them
[1:38:50] down by school. Um, you'll see um,
[1:38:53] starting at the top, Rockville High
[1:38:54] School. Um again, you know, prioritizing
[1:38:58] uh infrastructure projects, um you know,
[1:39:01] our continued work on the science lab, renovations,
[1:39:05] um as well as uh the tennis courts uh
[1:39:07] that have been discussed for for many
[1:39:09] years, um along with several other
[1:39:11] projects, um including some HBAC, I
[1:39:15] guess I would call them band-aids or
[1:39:18] intermixes
[1:39:19] to, um help to prevent a catastrophic
[1:39:22] failure before we can move forward with
[1:39:23] a referendum and a and a proposed major
[1:39:26] renovation. Um, mayor, I don't know how
[1:39:29] you'd like to handle the list, if um,
[1:39:31] you want me to go through items or how
[1:39:33] you'd like me to Let's just go right to
[1:39:34] questions.
[1:39:35] >> Okay.
[1:39:36] >> All right.
[1:39:37] Questions
[1:39:40] Bernie,
[1:39:42] you may looking at the the numbers and
[1:39:45] the breakdown to what they're going to
[1:39:47] be u they're going to be working on um
[1:39:50] with the grant money. Uh, let me see.
[1:39:53] So, I don't see the I wanted to make
[1:39:55] sure I don't see the two schools that we
[1:39:56] are looking to build. So, we're not
[1:40:00] going to be pouring into pouring much
[1:40:02] money unless it's absolutely needed for
[1:40:05] the school. So, I'm glad to see that. I
[1:40:07] just wanted to point that out. Thank
[1:40:09] you.
[1:40:17] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[1:40:20] Thank you, Mr.
[1:40:21] and Superintendent Bills Pepetti for all
[1:40:24] the work that you've done as well as the
[1:40:25] board of education in putting this
[1:40:27] together. It can be quite daunting when when money appears and we need to
[1:40:32] come up with a plan that meets the needs
[1:40:34] of the students. Um so please bear with
[1:40:36] me um while I go through some questions.
[1:40:40] So each council member was given the
[1:40:42] board of education budget um
[1:40:45] during budget time, right? And in in the
[1:40:48] budget, as Mr. Myers indicated there's a
[1:40:50] capital plan and some of the items that
[1:40:53] you've indicated on your to-do list are
[1:40:56] listed in the capital plan. So, I want
[1:40:59] to thank you for that. The question I
[1:41:01] have is why are the items that are
[1:41:04] listed in the capital plan not on your
[1:41:07] to-do list?
[1:41:09] For example, in the capital plan, you
[1:41:12] indicated for Center Road School that
[1:41:15] you would be doing the solar camp piece
[1:41:16] on the roof and the HVAC upgrades at
[1:41:19] Center Road School for the years 26 27
[1:41:23] for the HVAC, but both schools 27 both
[1:41:28] projects 27 28 and 28 and 29. But I
[1:41:33] don't see those in your to-do list. I
[1:41:36] see other items that are not on the
[1:41:39] capital plan. So that also poses a
[1:41:42] question for me. If they're current
[1:41:44] needs now, why weren't they included in
[1:41:48] the capital plan? For example, for
[1:41:51] Center Road School, you have a
[1:41:54] playground for half a million dollars,
[1:41:57] bathroom renovations for $79,000,
[1:42:01] an intercom system for $75,000,
[1:42:05] and chimney rack for 18,500.
[1:42:08] I am not saying nor am I disagreeing
[1:42:11] that these may be needs. The question I
[1:42:14] have is why were these needs not
[1:42:16] included in your capital plan?
[1:42:24] » Okay. Um well thank you for the question
[1:42:26] and um so when you look at our capital
[1:42:29] plan um that capital plan is for all
[1:42:31] funding sources. Um so for instance the
[1:42:33] solar canopies um if we move forward
[1:42:36] with that that would be through a a
[1:42:37] financing mechanism um where there's a
[1:42:40] repayment over say 20 years. So we would
[1:42:42] work with a financing company and
[1:42:44] investor they would fund the
[1:42:46] construction capital and then we would
[1:42:48] receive the return on investment through
[1:42:50] um the electricity. Um as far as the
[1:42:53] HVAC repairs that you mentioned
[1:42:55] >> can you hold on for a second? Sorry.
[1:42:58] >> We as a council funded the um solar
[1:43:02] panels at public works. We actually paid
[1:43:05] for them up front. And one of the ideas
[1:43:08] um under Joe was that we want to see how
[1:43:10] the return is on that because when you
[1:43:12] have a contract over 20 years, that
[1:43:14] solar company's going to take a portion
[1:43:16] of that. So I I can take 20 years paying
[1:43:19] it back or we paid it up front. We took
[1:43:21] a loan to ourselves from our general
[1:43:23] fund and if I can pay that back in just
[1:43:26] a couple years because I'm getting a lot
[1:43:27] more money back. We wanted to see how
[1:43:30] that works. We want to see how that
[1:43:32] balances out because if we can do this
[1:43:34] in a much shorter time and we're
[1:43:36] actually borrowing from ourselves and
[1:43:39] we're paying ourselves back because
[1:43:40] we're getting this money back. Um,
[1:43:44] that's something we wanted to look at
[1:43:45] and that's one of the issues we talked
[1:43:48] about with solar panel under shared
[1:43:49] services.
[1:43:51] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[1:43:55] >> What about the items that you have that
[1:43:57] you say are now needs but are not
[1:44:00] included in your capital plan. Why is
[1:44:02] that? Why were they not indicated
[1:44:04] earlier that they were needs? I also
[1:44:06] have questions regarding Skinner Road
[1:44:08] School and Rockville High School. I
[1:44:10] didn't want to take too much time, but
[1:44:12] again, there are items on the list such
[1:44:14] as Rockville High School. You indicated
[1:44:17] that you had auditorium maintenance that
[1:44:19] needed to be done for future years. Not
[1:44:21] this budget year, but the upcoming three
[1:44:23] budget years, but I don't see you
[1:44:25] including that in the $3 point something
[1:44:28] million dollars that you got from the
[1:44:29] state. I just don't understand if there
[1:44:32] needs your capital plan, why aren't they
[1:44:34] needs now that you want to spend the um
[1:44:37] found money on? Would that not save
[1:44:39] taxpayers money or are we still doing
[1:44:42] the auditorium maintenance on the
[1:44:44] taxpayers money
[1:44:47] and not the found money?
[1:44:49] >> You mind if I just say one thing? One of
[1:44:51] the other one of the other subjects we
[1:44:52] have to realize is that we have a year.
[1:44:55] So to to do all these
[1:44:58] projects, we have to complete them
[1:44:59] before within that year. So So I'm just
[1:45:02] saying one of the issues I'm sure these
[1:45:04] guys thought of when they when they did
[1:45:05] this, can we get can we get these done
[1:45:07] in a year?
[1:45:08] So go ahead, Billy. Answer the question
[1:45:10] on what was asked too.
[1:45:12] >> Yes. No, thank you mayor and um through
[1:45:14] the mayor to Dr. Buckston. Um so yes,
[1:45:17] again good question. Um we did um one of
[1:45:21] the big considerations like the mayor
[1:45:22] said what what can be done within the
[1:45:24] year. Um you know keep in mind you know
[1:45:26] these projects need to go through
[1:45:27] procurement, they need to go through
[1:45:28] design and we believe the funds need to
[1:45:30] be fully expended by June 30th which
[1:45:32] means the money is actually dispersed.
[1:45:35] Um and we're waiting for further
[1:45:36] clarification on the state, but we don't
[1:45:38] have that right now. Um as far as the
[1:45:40] high school goes and you know the
[1:45:42] capital plan, like I said, is from all
[1:45:44] sources. Um we generate revenue from the
[1:45:46] rentals of the building. Um and we have
[1:45:49] an account um that contains those funds.
[1:45:52] Um it's intended that we're going to use
[1:45:53] those funds um from the rentals for some
[1:45:56] of that work at the high school. So yes,
[1:45:58] we are still planning to do that work
[1:45:59] just with another funding source and at
[1:46:01] no cost to taxpayers because it's
[1:46:03] through the billing from the extra
[1:46:05] recital and things like that.
[1:46:07] >> Thank you. And if I may ask one more
[1:46:09] question.
[1:46:10] >> Good.
[1:46:10] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um in in our
[1:46:13] packet, we indicate that Rockville High
[1:46:15] School tennis courts are going to cost
[1:46:16] $725,000,
[1:46:19] but your capital plan indicated that project would cost $1.2 million.
[1:46:24] wondering why there's a difference in
[1:46:27] the cost.
[1:46:29] >> Yes. Um through the mayor. Um so
[1:46:31] originally in the capital plan uh we had
[1:46:33] discussed doing a post-tension concrete
[1:46:35] option um which is a very expensive
[1:46:37] option. That's the cost figure that you
[1:46:39] cited. U we've had additional
[1:46:40] discussions including with um public
[1:46:42] works and parks. Uh we feel that it's
[1:46:45] best to do normal concrete uh which will
[1:46:47] give us an easily a 20-y year useful
[1:46:49] life on the tennis courts but be um
[1:46:53] considerably less money. Um in fact post
[1:46:55] tension concrete may even be more than
[1:46:56] 1.2 million. That's just an estimate. Um
[1:46:59] but this price is for um regular
[1:47:01] concrete and not post tension.
[1:47:03] >> And the court would still be able to be
[1:47:06] used for competitive purposes.
[1:47:08] >> Yes. And we also did look at the size um
[1:47:10] and you know in order to hold a varsity
[1:47:12] high school meet um we need to have the
[1:47:15] um there's eight courts there now um
[1:47:17] they need at least six but they
[1:47:19] recommend eight um and I know we've also
[1:47:21] had discussions with the town about
[1:47:23] maybe striping those courts um for
[1:47:25] pickle ball as well at least one of the
[1:47:26] courts u but we're working together you
[1:47:29] know we this um
[1:47:31] you know we're acting quickly to u put
[1:47:34] together plans but obviously thoughtful
[1:47:36] plans with with all the stakeholders And
[1:47:38] those are the conversations that we're
[1:47:39] having.
[1:47:40] >> Thank you, Mr. Myers.
[1:47:43] >> Bills,
[1:47:44] >> thank you. Through you, will you correct
[1:47:47] me if I'm wrong? These all look like
[1:47:51] necessary
[1:47:53] repairs or additions, the science labs,
[1:47:56] all of that look necessary. And some of
[1:47:59] the projects that aren't on here, if I
[1:48:03] understand correctly, on their own might
[1:48:06] qualify for state reimbursement.
[1:48:09] Um,
[1:48:11] like maybe the sewer up at the high
[1:48:13] school. So, to me, it makes sense not to
[1:48:18] use this windfall if we could pay less
[1:48:22] for the same project if there's state
[1:48:25] reimbursement for it. Does that make
[1:48:28] sense?
[1:48:30] >> Yes, that that's correct. And you know,
[1:48:31] our capital plan is all funding sources.
[1:48:33] So, yes, that's that's taken into
[1:48:35] account um when we made this list, you
[1:48:38] know, is are there other available
[1:48:40] funding sources that could be used for projects.
[1:48:44] >> Great. Thank you.
[1:48:48] >> Anybody else?
[1:48:51] >> Okay. Any issues with this plan?
[1:48:55] Okay. Thank you guys.
[1:48:57] >> Thank you.
[1:48:59] >> Right. The next we're going to do is the
[1:49:01] resolution regarding the open space
[1:49:02] preservation because I know we have a
[1:49:04] lot of people here. Um so we're going to
[1:49:06] skip down to that.
[1:49:11] New business number three. Be it
[1:49:12] resolved that the town of Vernon acting
[1:49:15] by its town council adopts a resolution
[1:49:19] regarding open space preservations.
[1:49:23] Full resolution is stated in new
[1:49:25] business number three of the town
[1:49:27] council packet provided.
[1:49:32] » Seconded by Laura. All right. So Lou
[1:49:35] here to uh talk about this. So I you
[1:49:38] know after everybody came to our last
[1:49:39] town council meeting uh one of the
[1:49:41] questions I had was um
[1:49:46] how do we fix this? Thankfully, we
[1:49:49] hadn't we had not it hadn't been put in
[1:49:52] place yet. And I basically said, you
[1:49:55] know, we got to do something to look at
[1:49:56] this and and how can we fix it for the
[1:49:59] majority of the people. Um,
[1:50:01] and almost everyone that this fell under
[1:50:05] was a 1982
[1:50:10] resolution.
[1:50:12] And the resolution basically said that,
[1:50:15] you know, you couldn't have any
[1:50:17] buildings on the the uh the land, the
[1:50:21] actual deed land. So the resolution
[1:50:24] tonight is just going to correct that.
[1:50:26] And so there will be no change in the
[1:50:28] open space. Lou, you want to come up and
[1:50:31] just explain that?
[1:50:41] Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the
[1:50:43] council. Um, I was asked to uh draft a
[1:50:47] resolution that updated.
[1:50:48] >> Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.
[1:50:52] >> None of our computers are working.
[1:50:58] » So, we can't see the rest.
[1:50:59] >> All right. We're going to take we're
[1:51:00] going to take a fivem minute break.
[1:51:02] Sorry.
[1:51:03] >> Sorry everybody. We got to turn our
[1:51:05] computers back.
[1:51:07] >> What a great time to update.
[1:51:10] Yeah.
[1:51:11] >> All right. Let's see.
[1:51:31] » Hey guys, taking a quick break because
[1:51:33] we're going to go make some copies of
[1:51:34] this page and at least get this one.
[1:51:48] has
[1:51:49] >> Oh, she's gonna make
[1:51:51] a computer.
[1:51:52] >> Oh, I thought you wanted me out of the
[1:51:54] way.
[1:52:00] » Yes.
[1:52:05] Hold on.
[1:52:15] » When you
[1:52:46] Hi.
[1:52:56] » Yeah, you know you know
[1:53:05] Yeah.
[1:53:06] >> Yeah.
[1:53:16] I've never seen
[1:53:20] anyway.
[1:53:55] We're not leaving.
[1:54:36] know what you're doing.
[1:54:46] This
[1:55:04] You better
[1:55:45] I didn't hear you.
[1:56:16] I am
[1:56:28] going.
[1:56:33] Fore
[1:57:03] speech.
[1:57:08] I try to walk.
[1:57:19] All
[1:57:41] right, guys. If you can come back in.
[1:58:05] So, while I'm waiting for everybody to
[1:58:06] sit, there was one thing that I did want
[1:58:08] to there's one thing I did want to add
[1:58:10] to my notes that I I I missed.
[1:58:14] There is going to be a department of DOT
[1:58:17] um
[1:58:19] Zoom call on the 27th.
[1:58:23] The state wants to put on our new on
[1:58:26] West Street. They want to put center
[1:58:27] line rumble strips
[1:58:30] from garden from basically garden uh
[1:58:33] street up the road and then on the other
[1:58:35] side of the hill. We're going to put
[1:58:36] more information about that, but anybody
[1:58:38] that lives on West Street, um, if you've
[1:58:41] ever heard rumble strips and the amount
[1:58:44] of traffic that goes down there, you may
[1:58:45] want to get in on that Zoom.
[1:58:48] >> Yeah.
[1:58:52] » Uh, they just want people to wake up
[1:58:56] in the cars, but they're going to wake
[1:58:58] up everybody in the whole
[1:58:59] >> valley. All right, let's keep going.
[1:59:02] >> All right, we read the motion and the
[1:59:03] motion second. The motion has been read
[1:59:06] and the motion has been seconded. Now
[1:59:08] we're on to Lou. Go ahead, Lou. Thank
[1:59:10] you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, when I drafted this
[1:59:14] resolution, I tried to uh address uh the
[1:59:20] uh sentiment that had been uh conveyed
[1:59:22] in uh prior resolutions to this effect,
[1:59:24] which is um
[1:59:27] excess land over the 4 acres
[1:59:31] uh four acres or more. Um the minimum
[1:59:35] lot size in the zones uh would be
[1:59:39] eligible to be preserved uh eligible for
[1:59:42] the tax exemption uh for preservation as
[1:59:45] farmland, forest land or open space. Uh
[1:59:49] that was my understanding was that a
[1:59:51] number of these parcels have a house on
[1:59:53] them but then they have a several acres
[1:59:56] of land um that within that parcel. So
[2:00:00] that's what the first paragraph is meant
[2:00:02] to address. Uh the references to the
[2:00:05] zones are the same zone references uh
[2:00:09] from the uh resolution that was adopted
[2:00:11] back in 1981. So it's my understanding
[2:00:14] this is
[2:00:16] the properties that we're talking about
[2:00:18] are all within those zones. Um and
[2:00:21] further we added uh two specific
[2:00:24] properties that have been uh getting
[2:00:26] this exemption historically that aren't
[2:00:29] uh residential properties
[2:00:31] um to uh so that effectively making them
[2:00:35] uh uh remain exempt.
[2:00:39] Uh other than that, it it largely tracks
[2:00:43] uh the resolution that we had in place
[2:00:46] uh in 1981 that was adopted.
[2:00:50] I'm happy to answer any questions. My my
[2:00:54] understanding was you wanted to preserve
[2:00:56] it as much at the current um with with
[2:01:00] the current uh recipients as possible.
[2:01:05] It was it was drafted in that with that
[2:01:07] goal in mind.
[2:01:09] >> Right.
[2:01:14] » So, I'm assuming listening and reading
[2:01:18] the um resolution and the residents that
[2:01:22] came and spoke
[2:01:24] >> that this will take care of any of the
[2:01:26] issues they may have.
[2:01:28] >> Most almost everybody here.
[2:01:30] >> Okay. So, maybe what I can I can't
[2:01:34] really request it, but I can maybe ask
[2:01:36] just that. And it wouldn't be our our
[2:01:39] town attorney, but it would be the
[2:01:41] assessor maybe sending out updated
[2:01:44] letters.
[2:01:45] >> Yes.
[2:01:45] >> Thank you. Okay.
[2:01:47] >> As long as everybody's notified. Thanks.
[2:01:52] » Mike,
[2:01:54] you may
[2:01:56] um
[2:01:58] So, this is from four acres or more,
[2:02:01] correct? So, Is that how it's written
[2:02:04] now?
[2:02:06] >> Well, the 1981 resolution
[2:02:08] uh
[2:02:10] containing four acres, four or more
[2:02:13] acres is designated as open space.
[2:02:16] >> So, it's it's it's pretty much what it
[2:02:18] was.
[2:02:18] >> Yeah, it provides some clarification
[2:02:20] that that's the four acres over the
[2:02:22] minimum lot size, which is the way it
[2:02:24] was been doing. You've been doing this
[2:02:26] all along anyways, I'm told. So the
[2:02:28] original 1982 one basically said land
[2:02:31] which has not been built upon. Okay. So
[2:02:34] there's no designation of a building and
[2:02:37] then you have which is a certain amount
[2:02:40] of land and then four or more acres.
[2:02:43] That was not included in the 82.
[2:02:46] This one is the new resolution includes
[2:02:48] it.
[2:02:48] >> Okay. So how do you know how many people
[2:02:51] this will affect the increase in their
[2:02:53] taxes?
[2:02:54] >> No.
[2:02:55] >> You have no idea. That's an assessor
[2:02:57] question.
[2:02:58] >> Almost everybody here is going to be
[2:03:00] covered. Unless it was a change in in in
[2:03:03] your status from the original to today.
[2:03:06] You should as long as you had no change
[2:03:08] in the status of the deed or anything
[2:03:10] else, you'll be fine.
[2:03:12] >> So, and when they do go to sell, they
[2:03:14] lose this,
[2:03:16] >> right?
[2:03:17] >> No, I don't. I I believe if it's been
[2:03:20] >> unless there's been a change in use,
[2:03:22] >> unless there's been a change, you know,
[2:03:25] if it gets subdivided, if it gets built
[2:03:27] upon,
[2:03:27] >> yeah, it can be revisited. But
[2:03:29] otherwise, would they have to pay back
[2:03:31] taxes if they do that?
[2:03:33] >> I don't believe so.
[2:03:34] >> No, I don't.
[2:03:37] >> If it's sold,
[2:03:41] » it's governed by state statute.
[2:03:43] >> If they subdivide it, whatever, whatever
[2:03:44] they do, do they have to pay back? You
[2:03:47] know, that's not even part of the the
[2:03:48] concern right now, Mike.
[2:03:49] >> Okay. I was just
[2:03:50] >> You got to stick to what we're talking
[2:03:51] about and that's outside of what we're
[2:03:52] talking about. Everybody here that has
[2:03:54] that open space land knows exactly as
[2:03:56] long as they keep it the way it is,
[2:03:58] their taxes,
[2:03:59] >> okay, are set under open space.
[2:04:01] >> All right. Thank you, Bill.
[2:04:04] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh that at the
[2:04:06] risk of being told, asked, and answered,
[2:04:08] I just want to put a finer point on
[2:04:10] this. The intent of this is to protect
[2:04:13] the current status of all the people who
[2:04:15] have 490 status and your opinion, your
[2:04:20] legal opinion is that it does in fact
[2:04:22] accomplish that.
[2:04:23] >> Yes. And those are my specific
[2:04:25] instructions that were given to me when
[2:04:27] it
[2:04:27] >> but it's it doesn't because there were
[2:04:29] some commercial properties that were
[2:04:30] given this that are not covered.
[2:04:33] >> Okay. All right.
[2:04:35] >> You never should have got it in the
[2:04:36] first place.
[2:04:36] >> I understand. Okay. This the second part
[2:04:38] of my question is in the um
[2:04:43] third to last paragraph
[2:04:45] the last full line it says these these
[2:04:49] properties are the listed properties are
[2:04:52] hereby designated open space land and
[2:04:54] may be classified as such by the Vernon
[2:04:56] town assessor. I was struck by the word
[2:04:59] may. It appears to give the assessor
[2:05:01] discretion here. Was that the intent?
[2:05:04] Should that say shall instead? I'm
[2:05:07] sorry. Where where are you? Uh
[2:05:09] >> third to last paragraph
[2:05:12] open space land and may be classified as
[2:05:14] such by town assessor.
[2:05:16] >> Yeah.
[2:05:17] >> Is it the paragraph that begins with
[2:05:19] further?
[2:05:20] >> Yes. Yes.
[2:05:21] >> Further the excess land
[2:05:26] » designates the additional
[2:05:28] partial by address.
[2:05:29] >> But these with this change these are
[2:05:32] already classified as open space.
[2:05:35] >> Okay. All right.
[2:05:36] >> This what I'm getting at is does this
[2:05:38] paragraph give the assessor discretion
[2:05:41] to remove that classification?
[2:05:46] » It's the same as the current one we
[2:05:48] have.
[2:05:50] >> That's took away the one piece
[2:05:52] >> that created the issue for everybody.
[2:05:54] >> I understand. Okay.
[2:05:56] So
[2:05:58] >> having having come to this job from the
[2:06:00] proposals from the proposals game I'm
[2:06:04] sensitive to the difference between bay
[2:06:06] and sha
[2:06:06] >> right that's the reason I asked the
[2:06:08] question right thank you
[2:06:10] >> thank you mayor so couple questions so
[2:06:14] um it's almost what he said but I I be
[2:06:17] made because child is too strong a
[2:06:18] language for sess to have that kind of
[2:06:20] authority right and so along with that
[2:06:24] what will change that made this all
[2:06:28] happen like this all this
[2:06:30] >> explain that it was the building that
[2:06:33] can't be built upon so essentially the 1982 one said you can't build upon
[2:06:38] it okay on that deed property
[2:06:41] >> right we took away that that portion
[2:06:43] that talked about the deed and it's
[2:06:45] broke down by you have to I think it's
[2:06:47] 62
[2:06:49] is it 26
[2:06:51] there's a certain acreage that you have
[2:06:52] to have around the
[2:06:54] And then four acres
[2:06:57] is included. Okay. So we took away the
[2:07:02] built upon on this right here
[2:07:06] and the assessor has accepted that as
[2:07:09] this is going to solve the issue
[2:07:12] >> and that's what caused some of the
[2:07:14] people here to receive that letter where
[2:07:16] they shouldn't. Is that why I'm just
[2:07:18] asking?
[2:07:18] >> Well, the people received a letter under
[2:07:19] that old the old one. This new one
[2:07:23] will never it will not be taken away.
[2:07:26] >> So with this language we're going to
[2:07:28] preserve and there was no impact to the
[2:07:30] folks that do it. So thank you on that.
[2:07:34] But how can do we prevent this from
[2:07:38] let's say five years from now when we do
[2:07:40] reassess again from happening again
[2:07:43] because we already have this in in the
[2:07:46] rule already. I would recommend that uh
[2:07:51] the PA490 uh issue be more directly
[2:07:54] addressed in the next plan of
[2:07:56] conservation and development when you
[2:07:58] when that's I believe it's done every 10
[2:08:00] years.
[2:08:03] >> I'm not sure I understand
[2:08:05] conservation development that basically
[2:08:07] talks about all of our open land and
[2:08:09] everything
[2:08:09] >> and it has to be this has to be directly
[2:08:11] addressed within that. Um, so we are
[2:08:15] solving the issue and when we do the
[2:08:17] next planning, conservation and
[2:08:18] development, we're going to fix it
[2:08:20] permanently in that.
[2:08:21] >> Okay. So that this will go into their
[2:08:23] incorporated. So that would never it
[2:08:25] shouldn't happen.
[2:08:26] >> Should
[2:08:28] thank you.
[2:08:33] » Do you want to ask you a question? This
[2:08:36] is u, you know, from a resident uh that
[2:08:39] actually has this going out the PA uh
[2:08:41] PA490. I want to specifically a question
[2:08:44] that he said so I can get a direct
[2:08:45] answer from you or you may. This letter
[2:08:49] only mentions PA490 open space but does
[2:08:52] not mention anything about PA490 forest
[2:08:55] land or PA490 farmland properties that
[2:09:01] have been impacted. Does this I know you
[2:09:04] said all I'm going to just hear it. Is
[2:09:06] it all what the three that I just
[2:09:08] mentioned? Is it going to stay what it
[2:09:11] was before this came up?
[2:09:13] >> Right. You read the the paper in front
[2:09:15] of you under it where it says pursuit.
[2:09:20] All farmland, forest land, and open
[2:09:22] space which contains four or more acres
[2:09:25] of excess land in zones R10, R15, R22,
[2:09:28] R27, R40 is hereby designated as open
[2:09:30] space land and may be classif by the
[2:09:32] burn town assessor.
[2:09:36] So, it's talking about all three. Again,
[2:09:38] these are everybody that has this
[2:09:40] designation that has not had any changes
[2:09:44] um since it was designated.
[2:09:49] » Thank you, Mory.
[2:09:52] >> Thank you. Clarification for the last
[2:09:55] paragraph. Um it says all land
[2:09:58] classified as open space by the burning
[2:10:00] town assessor shall be removed from the
[2:10:03] open space classification and the
[2:10:05] convenience paid as required by the
[2:10:07] Connecticut gender stack 12-504A
[2:10:11] and 12-504 C following the approval.
[2:10:15] Oh, is that a subdivision or redivision
[2:10:17] of the plan development that they have
[2:10:19] to reapply?
[2:10:21] >> There's changes.
[2:10:22] >> So this is if they change it.
[2:10:24] >> Yeah.
[2:10:27] only if they change it,
[2:10:28] >> right?
[2:10:28] >> Correct.
[2:10:30] So, if you take your open space and you
[2:10:32] basically say, you know what, I'm not
[2:10:34] going to do this. I'm going to subdivide
[2:10:35] it.
[2:10:36] >> They have to reapply.
[2:10:37] >> Right. So, they're going to build on it
[2:10:39] essentially.
[2:10:39] >> And I believe those two statutes may
[2:10:42] address uh Councilman Wendis's question
[2:10:44] about do you have to pay some
[2:10:47] retroactive tax back? It's governed by
[2:10:50] those two statutes. Yeah.
[2:10:55] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[2:10:57] >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um,
[2:11:00] Mr. Spetti, I have a question regarding
[2:11:02] uh 44 snips extreme.
[2:11:06] Understanding that my background and
[2:11:07] expertise is not in town um assessment.
[2:11:11] However, when I go online and I look up
[2:11:14] 44 Snipic Street on the GIS system on on
[2:11:18] the internet, it's telling me that there
[2:11:20] is 1.35 acres identified as commercial
[2:11:25] and 10 acres of open space.
[2:11:28] >> There's two exemptions that we're
[2:11:30] looking for on this that are already on
[2:11:32] the list. One is the Fishing Game Club
[2:11:34] and the this is other one's the Italian
[2:11:36] club. And the reason that we wanted that
[2:11:39] we wanted the fish and game club is
[2:11:41] because the police department has a
[2:11:42] range on there that we get to use for
[2:11:44] free
[2:11:45] >> and because we're doing one club we want
[2:11:48] to go with both clubs.
[2:11:49] >> Understood.
[2:11:50] >> Right.
[2:11:50] >> Understood. So my question is are there
[2:11:54] other commercial sites in the town of
[2:11:56] Vernon that have in excess of 4 acres
[2:12:00] that are not included in this
[2:12:02] resolution?
[2:12:03] >> I have no idea.
[2:12:05] >> Yes.
[2:12:06] So, the mayor says yes.
[2:12:08] >> All right. Thank you.
[2:12:15] » Jeremy,
[2:12:17] thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um
[2:12:21] my sense is that um not every property
[2:12:27] owner who um has an interest in open
[2:12:31] land
[2:12:33] um has received a letter from the
[2:12:35] assessor's office. Not every property
[2:12:37] owner has seen and studied this
[2:12:40] resolution
[2:12:42] and there is a great deal of confusion
[2:12:45] about the meaning of the uh of the
[2:12:48] resolution and the meaning of the
[2:12:52] assessor's letter. Um I would like to
[2:12:55] move that this resolution be taped.
[2:12:58] >> If you do that, you're going to go past
[2:13:00] October 1st and you can't go past
[2:13:02] October 1st.
[2:13:04] >> I'll finish my sentence.
[2:13:05] >> Okay. uh that the resolution be tabled
[2:13:09] and that uh and that no change be made
[2:13:12] in the status of these properties uh for
[2:13:15] a period, let's say, of one year. so
[2:13:18] that we can uh sort this out with
[2:13:21] language that's comprehensible to uh
[2:13:24] everyone involved and uh and that we can
[2:13:28] uh put on the books and uh and uh and
[2:13:32] give uh property owners uh some
[2:13:35] assurance while also assuring the town
[2:13:38] collects the revenue it's due.
[2:13:42] Can we just tell the assessor that we're
[2:13:45] going to ignore what you're saying and
[2:13:48] we're going to tell you to not do not do
[2:13:50] this without a resolution?
[2:13:52] >> Yeah, I I I would caution against uh
[2:13:56] ruling the assessor on the I I think you
[2:13:59] need to address the issue. Uh
[2:14:03] >> address finish your sentence, please.
[2:14:05] >> Address the issue.
[2:14:06] >> Address Well, I think if you're going to
[2:14:09] put a polic in place. I think you need
[2:14:11] to put a policy in place, but well, I
[2:14:16] suppose a resolution could be passed
[2:14:17] saying everybody who's presently exempt
[2:14:19] can stay exempt.
[2:14:21] >> Precisely. That's the resolution.
[2:14:23] >> If there's no change, of course. What
[2:14:27] you're going to do is you're going to
[2:14:28] take commercial properties that should
[2:14:30] never have gotten it
[2:14:32] >> and you're going to leave them on there.
[2:14:34] Well, for a year until we uh until we
[2:14:37] sort out uh better and more
[2:14:39] comprehensive language.
[2:14:40] >> Okay. And then a year if it hasn't been
[2:14:43] sorted out,
[2:14:46] we we have a whole group of people here
[2:14:47] that want to make sure they're
[2:14:48] reassured. If nobody got a letter, if
[2:14:50] you did not get a letter from the
[2:14:52] assess, you're fine.
[2:14:54] Then you're land if you didn't get a
[2:14:56] letter, you're you're perfectly good.
[2:14:58] And if you didn't get a letter, you're
[2:15:00] good for the next five years.
[2:15:02] Okay. But If you do not have on on
[2:15:05] Adidas section of property, if you do
[2:15:07] not have a building on there, then
[2:15:10] you're fine.
[2:15:12] Okay. But, um, I understand what you're
[2:15:15] saying, but there's other issues that
[2:15:17] apply here,
[2:15:19] um, that have to be resolved. This is
[2:15:22] the the solution that that probably is
[2:15:24] the best for almost every single person
[2:15:26] sitting in this room.
[2:15:29] Um,
[2:15:32] so I Guess I would like to put forward
[2:15:35] revolution a revolution
[2:15:39] a uh
[2:15:41] put forward a a motion that the
[2:15:43] resolution be tabled and that uh with
[2:15:47] the understanding that uh no uh change
[2:15:51] in their status.
[2:15:53] >> You have to make a motion
[2:15:56] to Yeah, I know. You have to make a
[2:16:00] motion to say that not table this.
[2:16:04] You're going to make a motion that we
[2:16:05] just everything stays the same and and
[2:16:08] that we're not going to do it this way.
[2:16:10] Okay. You can't make a motion to table
[2:16:13] because once you make a motion to table
[2:16:15] this subject is done.
[2:16:18] >> Good point.
[2:16:21] And then all these people are not going
[2:16:22] to be happy with you.
[2:16:24] >> Uh I'm not sure about that. The the idea
[2:16:27] is to make these people happy.
[2:16:29] >> Well, if you table it, if you table
[2:16:31] this, they will not be happy with you.
[2:16:39] » I would like a motion would be amend the
[2:16:42] emotion.
[2:16:48] » So, I'd like to make a motion to uh to
[2:16:51] uh maintain current uh PA490 status for
[2:16:55] one year while the town can uh uh can
[2:17:02] create a uh greater clarity on this uh
[2:17:06] on this matter. I'm uh very concerned
[2:17:09] about the property owners and I'm very
[2:17:13] concerned about the town. I want the I
[2:17:16] want the town to receive the revenue
[2:17:17] it's due. I want the property owners to
[2:17:21] have confidence and uh and not to have a
[2:17:26] u
[2:17:27] a sudden change in status.
[2:17:31] >> Second.
[2:17:31] >> That is why I make the motion.
[2:17:33] >> Second by
[2:17:38] » if we do anything with this at all. We
[2:17:43] are left with the same decision that the
[2:17:46] assessor made on every single person's
[2:17:49] property. You cannot direct him
[2:17:53] to take something off the assessor's
[2:17:57] grand list if he's going by the
[2:18:00] resolutions,
[2:18:02] the POC we have in place, any of the
[2:18:07] legislation he has, state legislation,
[2:18:10] statutes, and everything.
[2:18:13] This resolution will help this. The only
[2:18:16] thing this isn't going to do for
[2:18:18] somebody is if they transferred and
[2:18:21] there's a possibility there's one person
[2:18:23] I know that this happened to if there
[2:18:26] was a deed transfer and it could be a
[2:18:29] quick claim
[2:18:31] or removing somebody off, but if that
[2:18:34] may cause it, it may trigger it. So that
[2:18:38] way there we do though ask what we need
[2:18:42] to do next. I don't know if it would go
[2:18:44] as far as doing everything. It's the
[2:18:47] only thing that I can think that would
[2:18:49] do it. Otherwise, this is going to take
[2:18:51] care of a good majority of everybody.
[2:18:55] Um, as a retired assessor,
[2:18:59] we we you come across things we're
[2:19:01] doing. We're in a reval year.
[2:19:05] This is when things get picked up,
[2:19:07] errors. The 2021 PC that missed it. this
[2:19:12] other resolution back in what 1982
[2:19:16] that actually
[2:19:19] all of these people were probably
[2:19:20] getting the 490 and shouldn't have
[2:19:22] because there was a building that was on
[2:19:24] the property and that one wanted it
[2:19:27] split off the property that resolution.
[2:19:31] So
[2:19:33] I've had a couple of people look at it.
[2:19:35] They've had assessors look at it and
[2:19:38] there they said this is going to res
[2:19:40] Yeah, this resolution will be the fix.
[2:19:45] >> Bernie, you're up.
[2:19:48] >> Another specific question that came
[2:19:49] across me um in kind of reading this, it
[2:19:52] says um access land from the town
[2:19:55] assessor u from open space land. Let me
[2:19:57] be very specific again please, attorney.
[2:20:00] It says it will be open space. Does that
[2:20:03] mean that forest land becomes open space
[2:20:06] specifically?
[2:20:13] » Farmland, forest land, and open space
[2:20:15] are different classifications under the
[2:20:18] statutes,
[2:20:19] different descriptions of three talked
[2:20:22] about. Yes, I understand.
[2:20:24] >> But well, they're different tax rates,
[2:20:25] too.
[2:20:28] >> I understand. But uh in that question,
[2:20:33] It's
[2:20:34] if it to me if it was all the same it
[2:20:36] would just say all one line but they're
[2:20:39] specifying three different ones which
[2:20:40] you guys already said it will stay the
[2:20:42] same but it does not specifically say
[2:20:44] here that open space um means that
[2:20:48] forest land excuse me does uh forest
[2:20:50] land becomes open space that that is the
[2:20:53] question I'm just asking for
[2:20:55] clarification
[2:20:57] but forest land will be forest
[2:21:01] which is under the open space rules.
[2:21:06] The language in the resolution tracks
[2:21:10] uh 12-107
[2:21:13] uh which creates this
[2:21:16] uh which is essentially codified as well
[2:21:20] PA490 is codified as 12-107
[2:21:24] and these are the exact words out of the
[2:21:26] statute.
[2:21:30] » Okay. All right. I'll stop right there.
[2:21:33] That's the best one. Okay. Thank you.
[2:21:36] >> Let's have a couple questions for
[2:21:38] clarity. Um it it would be helpful to
[2:21:42] see the former resolution. Um number
[2:21:48] one, and for all the property owners to
[2:21:52] have seen this in advance, um they have
[2:21:55] an understanding and experience beyond
[2:21:58] what we have. Um, so I I'm disappointed
[2:22:02] that they did not get this in advance.
[2:22:05] In fact, I was um told earlier this
[2:22:08] evening that someone requested it and
[2:22:10] they were told no, they they couldn't
[2:22:13] have it before the meeting. Um, I
[2:22:18] believe that there are
[2:22:21] people who were told that they were
[2:22:25] going to lose their status but didn't
[2:22:27] necessarily get a letter.
[2:22:30] And there are people who are affected by
[2:22:34] this who can't be here tonight to air
[2:22:38] their concerns. Um,
[2:22:42] and I understand the October one
[2:22:45] deadline, but I don't understand why we
[2:22:49] can't just go on with
[2:22:52] the
[2:22:54] resolution previously. And I know
[2:22:57] there's the problem with the the
[2:22:58] commercial
[2:23:00] Um, but
[2:23:03] it it just feels like we're rushing this
[2:23:06] with lots of questions from us and from
[2:23:10] the property owners. Uh, one person who
[2:23:13] didn't get that letter was told, "You're
[2:23:15] going to owe back taxes." And then
[2:23:18] they've not gotten the letter. They're
[2:23:20] not going to leave here tonight if we
[2:23:22] pass this feeling like they are going to
[2:23:26] continue with their PA.
[2:23:31] So that's why I support postponing
[2:23:36] and yeah maybe some commercial people
[2:23:39] won't
[2:23:40] get taxed. It's just one more year until
[2:23:44] we are sure. Uh I wonder with the state
[2:23:49] statutes, there's some court cases.
[2:23:53] Partly I wonder why do we need this if
[2:23:56] there's state law and and court law that
[2:24:01] already identifies this? Um I see the
[2:24:05] value in in adding, you know, the fish
[2:24:07] and game. Um that's a real benefit to
[2:24:10] the town, but
[2:24:13] adding the Italian club make me wonder
[2:24:16] about the other clubs that may or may
[2:24:18] not have land. So, I I don't like the
[2:24:24] idea of saying
[2:24:26] I have no problem with the Italian club
[2:24:27] or giving them this, but what if there's
[2:24:30] another club in town?
[2:24:32] >> There's We had the list. There's not
[2:24:35] >> none of them have
[2:24:38] no none of them open space.
[2:24:40] >> All right. But I I just feel like the
[2:24:42] residents in particular, but also the
[2:24:44] town council members need to really
[2:24:48] understand this. Um, and
[2:24:53] I think some people are getting mixed
[2:24:54] messages. Uh, Bill brought up that
[2:24:57] question of may or shall.
[2:25:00] I have a problem saying to the assessor,
[2:25:02] you may do this. Hold on a second.
[2:25:04] >> Yeah.
[2:25:05] >> Need a motion to extend curfew till
[2:25:07] we're done.
[2:25:09] >> Motion to extend curfew till we're done.
[2:25:12] >> Second.
[2:25:12] >> Seconded by Mike. All those in favor?
[2:25:16] >> Curfew. Extending curfew. Unanimous.
[2:25:20] >> All right. Keep going, Phil. Sorry.
[2:25:21] >> So, no, that had to be done.
[2:25:24] Um,
[2:25:26] the bottom line, I think we're all in
[2:25:28] the same place, is that we want the
[2:25:31] residents that currently
[2:25:33] legally have the right to the
[2:25:36] designation under PA490.
[2:25:39] That's where we all are. Number of the
[2:25:42] people sitting here tonight have asked
[2:25:44] us to put it off because
[2:25:48] they're confused. They're not sure if
[2:25:51] they're covered. um given the
[2:25:54] communication they've had and they
[2:25:56] haven't seen this. I'd also like to see
[2:25:59] the changes between that just like I do
[2:26:02] with contracts that we approve to see
[2:26:05] the change from the original resolution
[2:26:09] and the new one
[2:26:11] and also like I said an understanding if
[2:26:13] it's state statute
[2:26:15] um and I know uh Mr. Wernner has you
[2:26:18] know researched and there is uh case
[2:26:22] law.
[2:26:25] I don't I I guess I don't understand.
[2:26:28] >> So, the object is getting this done
[2:26:29] before October 1st and none of these
[2:26:31] people lose it. I mean, unless you had a
[2:26:33] there's one person out there that that we're not going to be able to to
[2:26:37] fix,
[2:26:38] >> right?
[2:26:38] >> Um and sadly, but what I'm saying is is
[2:26:43] that you're going to just have them go
[2:26:44] through this again in the year,
[2:26:46] >> right? But that would give us time. I
[2:26:49] don't like making
[2:26:50] >> it's not you given time. I Essentially,
[2:26:52] this is up to the town attorney and the
[2:26:54] assessor coming up with an idea to solve
[2:26:56] this. And we did.
[2:26:58] >> I understand that, but I don't
[2:27:01] understand all of this. They've not seen
[2:27:03] it, so clearly they don't understand it.
[2:27:06] Um, and there are some mixed messages
[2:27:10] that some of them are getting. So
[2:27:15] I I just don't understand why putting
[2:27:17] this off for a year with language that
[2:27:19] says nobody loses their designation for
[2:27:24] a year which would give us time to make
[2:27:28] sure that we are in line with state
[2:27:30] statute with court cases
[2:27:34] and we honor and respect I mean over 100
[2:27:37] years of property. Um I just
[2:27:43] feel rushed with it.
[2:27:47] >> I And I don't want that word may to come
[2:27:50] back and bite us.
[2:27:51] >> Well, that's that's in the old one, too.
[2:27:52] I mean, you have to meet all the
[2:27:55] requirements.
[2:27:57] And by changing this,
[2:28:00] everybody out there meets the
[2:28:01] requirements. There was just one change
[2:28:05] over the over one property that I know
[2:28:07] of. But many people, number of people
[2:28:10] were told, you have lost that
[2:28:13] designation or you've got to get a
[2:28:16] surveyor, you've got to get a lawyer,
[2:28:18] you've got to start all over and prove
[2:28:20] it. Which
[2:28:21] >> and that's why and that's why we're here
[2:28:23] to fix that tonight.
[2:28:24] >> Right.
[2:28:26] >> But this wording,
[2:28:28] >> I understand what you're saying.
[2:28:30] >> Right.
[2:28:31] >> But you know what? We we've gone through
[2:28:32] the list and and there have been no
[2:28:34] changes to most of these almost all of
[2:28:36] these properties, right? None.
[2:28:38] >> The only thing is was it built upon? Is
[2:28:41] there a house on that property under
[2:28:42] that deed? And because that was built
[2:28:45] upon, it doesn't fall under the old one.
[2:28:47] We changed the wording. So, if you have
[2:28:49] a piece of property that has no
[2:28:51] buildings on it and it's designated as
[2:28:53] open space and you lost nothing, then
[2:28:55] you're fine.
[2:28:57] Okay. Under the resolution, if you have
[2:29:00] a piece of property that has a has has
[2:29:02] been built upon and it fall and it has
[2:29:05] that that that small section that has to
[2:29:08] be cut out for that and you have more
[2:29:10] than four acres, this this change, just
[2:29:13] this little resolution
[2:29:16] fixes the issue with the assessor, which
[2:29:18] means
[2:29:20] if that's the only thing that happened
[2:29:22] out here, none of these people are going
[2:29:23] to lose anything.
[2:29:26] This was the issue with the assessor
[2:29:27] right here and and it's been taken care
[2:29:31] of. That's
[2:29:33] we brought him in and said what is the
[2:29:35] problem? And it was this this agreement
[2:29:38] way back in 1982 and we changed we're
[2:29:43] changing the agreement because as a
[2:29:44] council we can change that resolution.
[2:29:47] at that little piece for anybody out
[2:29:49] there that got the letter that has a
[2:29:51] house on the same deed where you are or
[2:29:53] buildings. That's what they're talking
[2:29:55] about.
[2:29:56] >> So
[2:29:58] maybe Lou could explain what the change
[2:30:02] is.
[2:30:04] >> Go ahead.
[2:30:05] >> Because we don't have the old one in
[2:30:07] front of us.
[2:30:10] Well, the the changes uh the first
[2:30:15] paragraph of the resolution uh which
[2:30:17] starts with pursuant to uh that
[2:30:20] identifies the same statute and the same
[2:30:24] zones. It clarifies that um it's four or
[2:30:30] the parcels that qualify for this are
[2:30:32] four or more acres of excess land which
[2:30:35] was not clear in the uh 1981
[2:30:39] resolution. Um, excess land is defined
[2:30:42] as the contiguous undeveloped portion of
[2:30:46] a lot above and beyond the minimum lot
[2:30:50] area required for the zoning district
[2:30:53] which the parcel is in. So that that
[2:30:56] language was added from the 1981
[2:30:59] resolution to account for uh many of
[2:31:04] these parcels, my understanding, have a
[2:31:06] house on them uh and are developed, but
[2:31:10] they have excess land around it and
[2:31:13] that's that's what's meant to be exempt.
[2:31:16] So those are the changes in the first
[2:31:19] paragraph.
[2:31:21] >> So that language was not in the 19
[2:31:25] 182.
[2:31:26] >> Correct.
[2:31:27] >> Okay. Um
[2:31:29] >> then, uh this whole second paragraph is
[2:31:32] new, the one that identifies the two
[2:31:35] fishing game road and snipstick street
[2:31:38] parcels.
[2:31:40] And
[2:31:42] the last two paragraphs are virtually
[2:31:45] identical to the 1981 resolution.
[2:31:52] » I guess If I had a magic wand, we would
[2:31:56] be able to talk to the residents here
[2:31:59] who took the time to come but have been
[2:32:02] unable to even see what we're voting on.
[2:32:05] Can we take a break? They can all come
[2:32:08] look at our computers and and read it. I
[2:32:11] just don't think it's fair.
[2:32:16] to them to
[2:32:18] walk away. They don't walk away not
[2:32:20] understanding what we did.
[2:32:26] So in 81 it mentions presently built
[2:32:31] upon.
[2:32:34] This also mentions the plan of
[2:32:36] conservation and development.
[2:32:40] What we put in the new resolution
[2:32:43] mentions
[2:32:45] that I know some were worried about
[2:32:47] breaking out and their homes and pieces.
[2:32:53] This is as excessively and continuous
[2:32:56] undeveloped portion of the lot and
[2:32:59] above.
[2:33:01] It's it's in here what you need because
[2:33:04] it's referencing your zones, your
[2:33:06] residential zones.
[2:33:09] It's um saying the four excessive acres.
[2:33:13] Um
[2:33:15] I don't think anything's missing here.
[2:33:17] I've had somebody, like I said, I've had
[2:33:19] an assessor look at this and he said
[2:33:21] this will take care of the problem that
[2:33:24] this one and the POC created.
[2:33:28] So if we wait,
[2:33:31] we're going to keep with where we are
[2:33:35] and everybody will end up in court.
[2:33:39] If we put the resolution through,
[2:33:42] what can happen is it's a revalier.
[2:33:47] So at once you get your reval and they
[2:33:52] give you the numbers, some of you are
[2:33:54] going to be back anyway because the
[2:33:57] house prices have gone.
[2:34:00] It's just unbelievable.
[2:34:03] But you then have that opportunity with
[2:34:05] the board of assessment appeals to
[2:34:07] appeal again. But at least we're making
[2:34:10] the correction.
[2:34:13] The assessor will be putting his list
[2:34:15] together October 1st.
[2:34:18] You will get the letter with your
[2:34:20] assessment.
[2:34:23] You know, it's going to be higher if
[2:34:25] anybody's been watching the real estate,
[2:34:27] but you'll get the assessment. They'll
[2:34:29] break it down
[2:34:31] market value assessment and then the
[2:34:35] breakdown of your home, the building,
[2:34:37] land, and if you have the 490 on it. Um
[2:34:41] I but I've also requested
[2:34:44] that maybe like it would be nice if the
[2:34:47] assessor sent out a letter to everybody
[2:34:50] that was being denied a 490 and who
[2:34:54] would now qualify with this resolution
[2:34:57] that we're going to pass.
[2:34:59] and then take care of that problem.
[2:35:01] Thank you.
[2:35:08] » So, thank you, Mayor. So, I I understand
[2:35:11] point of view. So, I go back to my first
[2:35:13] my original was that if the law is there
[2:35:18] already and the minor change that we put
[2:35:21] to it was that commercial piece, right?
[2:35:25] And so if that is the only if that was
[2:35:28] the only thing that we changed there,
[2:35:30] then why are a resident receiving those
[2:35:32] letter in the first place?
[2:35:34] >> No, we we took out piece.
[2:35:36] >> You took out that one piece, right?
[2:35:38] >> You took out the piece that says they
[2:35:40] presently built the pond.
[2:35:43] >> And so they consider what they see on
[2:35:44] there as a changing of that land. That's
[2:35:48] why it's being assessed. I'm ask I'm
[2:35:50] just asking if nothing's changed other
[2:35:52] than that, why are we no resident
[2:35:54] receiving it.
[2:35:55] >> They got the letter because that the old
[2:35:57] one says um which is not presently built
[2:36:01] upon.
[2:36:02] So what they're saying is you can get if
[2:36:05] you have a deed for 20 acres and you
[2:36:08] have a house on that deed there's a
[2:36:10] house under this resolution you can get
[2:36:14] open space only if there's nothing built
[2:36:16] upon it. If you have a house built upon
[2:36:18] it under this resolution, not any state
[2:36:20] law, under this resolution, that's the
[2:36:22] problem. What we're trying to do before
[2:36:24] these people all lose their open space
[2:36:27] is take the part out that says which is
[2:36:29] not built upon. We're just removing
[2:36:31] them.
[2:36:33] >> I I do I do understand. So I'm saying so
[2:36:36] if that's what we're thinking, mayor,
[2:36:37] then
[2:36:38] >> then that's good. But if they're
[2:36:40] effective, then why don't we just get
[2:36:42] then the grandfather clause in there and
[2:36:44] just say here
[2:36:45] >> because
[2:36:47] What we're doing is we're just taking
[2:36:48] that part out which grandfathers
[2:36:50] everybody because they truly keep the
[2:36:52] land as open space.
[2:36:55] >> So maybe I'm not understanding why if
[2:36:57] nothing other than that change that our
[2:36:59] citizen is being affected as
[2:37:01] >> they're being affected because it's a revalure where every property has
[2:37:06] to be re-evaluated.
[2:37:08] >> Okay. And they went back to this
[2:37:10] resolution that we we saw. So before we
[2:37:14] make any change and anything goes to
[2:37:16] court, what we want to do is we want to
[2:37:19] fix the thing that has our assessor
[2:37:21] saying, "I'm sorry, it's not going to
[2:37:23] work." So before anything else happens,
[2:37:26] we want to fix this. We're going to
[2:37:28] change the resolution that says we're
[2:37:30] going to take out that open the the uh
[2:37:33] which is not built presently built upon,
[2:37:35] which is what essentially happened
[2:37:38] everybody's houses already. And we're
[2:37:41] going to take that out. Now that that's
[2:37:43] out
[2:37:45] in this new resolution,
[2:37:48] you know, that takes away all the
[2:37:50] problems everybody was facing.
[2:37:52] So that's the language that's the only
[2:37:54] language
[2:37:56] >> and we added those the two clubs in
[2:37:58] there because of one of the clubs we we
[2:38:00] actually need that benefit because they
[2:38:03] been more than uh more than helpful to
[2:38:06] the town of we can't if we we lose the
[2:38:09] range um which I don't think they would
[2:38:11] do but you know what if we lose the
[2:38:14] range the last time we went to a range
[2:38:15] was in Cromwell. Okay. Then if you're
[2:38:18] going to transport police officers all
[2:38:19] the way down to Cromwell, you don't want
[2:38:21] that.
[2:38:22] >> No, I understand. I'm just a little
[2:38:25] puzzle that my resident are being
[2:38:27] affected like
[2:38:29] >> right now they're not affected. They got
[2:38:30] a letter. We're going to remove that
[2:38:33] section so that on October 1st there's
[2:38:36] no change.
[2:38:39] That's the deal. That's what we want to
[2:38:41] do. Bill.
[2:38:44] >> So just just to put a finer point on
[2:38:48] what you said, do I understand correctly
[2:38:50] that the only people who got the letter
[2:38:53] are people who have a home on the
[2:38:55] continuous property along with the
[2:38:58] >> building a building on on the property
[2:39:00] >> and that triggered the change because of
[2:39:02] the language in the previous in 1980s
[2:39:05] resolution
[2:39:06] >> 81 resolution
[2:39:07] >> and that's what we're fixing.
[2:39:09] >> Yes.
[2:39:10] >> All right. Thank you. Um, can we take a
[2:39:12] five minute recess, please?
[2:39:13] >> Sure.
[2:39:19] » Five minute recess.
[2:39:22] » All right, we have to continue the
[2:39:24] meeting everyone.
[2:39:44] West.
[2:39:56] » You all done with your questions, Bill?
[2:39:58] >> Are you all done with your questions?
[2:40:00] Okay.
[2:40:02] All right. Questions.
[2:40:05] We are still on the the second motion,
[2:40:09] Mike.
[2:40:11] >> Yes. Uh Lou, I had a question for you,
[2:40:13] please. Um this new
[2:40:18] as it's written, um how will this affect
[2:40:22] people that purchase the house and land
[2:40:25] out there going forward? Would they be
[2:40:28] separated from the building or would it
[2:40:30] be one partial
[2:40:32] >> room for assessment purposes? I believe
[2:40:34] remains one par
[2:40:36] >> and um Okay. And um if I may
[2:40:41] um I like to side with my constituent
[2:40:44] over here. I would like to see that word
[2:40:47] change from may to shall.
[2:40:50] >> You can't force the assessor to do a
[2:40:52] certain am I correct on that loop? It
[2:40:55] just leaves it, you know, word salad may
[2:40:58] it's like wishywashy shall means okay
[2:41:02] you shall
[2:41:04] you write it up as this it's it's
[2:41:06] definite you know I mean
[2:41:11] it's well the the assessor uh is uh is
[2:41:15] bound by his own set of statutes but I
[2:41:19] don't I don't see any reason what you
[2:41:20] know you can make it shall it conveys
[2:41:24] strong sentiment on behalf of the
[2:41:26] council.
[2:41:27] >> Yeah. I just think it's more
[2:41:30] >> definite that one word makes it this is
[2:41:33] what you're doing. You know, you shall,
[2:41:35] you know, list it as such.
[2:41:38] Not may may just leave it open for
[2:41:40] interpretation.
[2:41:45] If I could make a motion to change that
[2:41:48] word.
[2:41:49] >> Hold on.
[2:41:59] I don't like something that's like you
[2:42:01] said.
[2:42:20] » It is kind of
[2:42:32] So,
[2:42:34] first of all, currently you want to
[2:42:36] change something in the what we're
[2:42:38] changing now and we are on a second
[2:42:41] motion. So, you're going to have to wait
[2:42:42] till we finish the second motion before
[2:42:44] we make any changes to this. All right.
[2:42:48] So, the questions are on the
[2:42:50] second motion.
[2:42:52] >> Go ahead.
[2:42:54] >> As a point of order, I think the motion
[2:42:57] that I made
[2:42:59] uh was out of order because we hadn't
[2:43:03] voted on the first motion.
[2:43:05] >> You can make a motion within the motion,
[2:43:07] but then you got to solve the f the
[2:43:09] motion within the motion first and then
[2:43:11] you're going to have to go back to the
[2:43:12] original motion.
[2:43:14] >> I'm going to withdraw that motion.
[2:43:17] >> Second or withdraw? Second, the one that
[2:43:19] I did. Yes.
[2:43:21] >> Okay. So, that that motion was
[2:43:23] withdrawn.
[2:43:25] >> That was the one year commission.
[2:43:30] » We're back to the original motion.
[2:43:41] » Can I make my motion now?
[2:43:43] >> Go ahead.
[2:43:44] I'd like to make a motion to change that
[2:43:46] word um in that paragraph from may to
[2:43:49] shall
[2:43:53] » first point out the word in which
[2:43:54] paragraph so everybody understands where
[2:43:56] it is
[2:43:59] >> from the bottom
[2:44:00] >> third paragraph in the bottom
[2:44:05] » that last line said the open space land
[2:44:09] may be classified as such by the burning
[2:44:11] town assessor I'd like to change that
[2:44:13] may be classified to shall be
[2:44:16] classified.
[2:44:17] >> Okay.
[2:44:19] There there's another may in the first
[2:44:20] paragraph.
[2:44:22] >> There's a may in the first paragraph
[2:44:24] also.
[2:44:25] >> Okay. So, we can change both of them.
[2:44:27] >> Yeah. I wouldn't I wouldn't make them
[2:44:28] inconsistent because that
[2:44:29] >> Okay. Yeah, we'll make the motion to
[2:44:32] change both of them as written to SH.
[2:44:38] » Thanks for catching that.
[2:44:39] >> Where is it? Luke uh third line in the
[2:44:43] pursuant paragraph. It's third line
[2:44:45] down.
[2:44:46] Got it.
[2:44:47] >> And may be classified as such.
[2:45:07] Now, these are all subject to the
[2:45:08] statues as well, right?
[2:45:10] >> Correct. Okay.
[2:45:12] >> I need a second on that.
[2:45:14] >> Somebody already did over there.
[2:45:15] >> Second. Right. I didn't get the second.
[2:45:17] All right. Bill,
[2:45:20] Mr. Please don't throw things at me
[2:45:23] because I I was the one who raised the
[2:45:25] maya question to begin with, but in your
[2:45:28] legal opinion,
[2:45:29] does changing the word may to shall
[2:45:33] which which I suggested in favor, does
[2:45:36] it create any actionable defect in this
[2:45:39] resolution?
[2:45:41] >> Not to my knowledge.
[2:45:47] So thank you man. So on the same note
[2:45:51] the may I think is less restrictive and
[2:45:55] they shall have give the assessor more
[2:45:59] free uh power to exercise.
[2:46:02] >> I think would be the reverse.
[2:46:07] But
[2:46:09] they say may or may not
[2:46:12] but we don't have anything.
[2:46:16] >> Correct.
[2:46:18] >> So you think that she's made or
[2:46:26] show you have to do it right.
[2:46:27] >> I it it limits the discretion. Yeah. But
[2:46:31] if the property qualifies
[2:46:34] You're setting a statement that you want
[2:46:36] that property to be
[2:46:39] given the exception
[2:46:41] >> as long as it falls all state.
[2:46:43] >> No, I understand just that right now
[2:46:45] with you know what I'm seeing right now
[2:46:47] affecting the resident given the
[2:46:50] assessor a bit more authority to make
[2:46:53] that discretion is
[2:46:56] I don't think is necessary.
[2:47:00] >> Bill, thank you. M just clarify my sense
[2:47:05] of it and please correct me if I if I've
[2:47:07] misinterpreted it. My sense of it was
[2:47:10] that when I asked the original question
[2:47:11] was that the word may
[2:47:14] gives the appearance of discretion there
[2:47:17] where the the imply the word may implies
[2:47:21] or may not whereas shall
[2:47:25] is a clear direction and removes that
[2:47:28] discretion. So uh in my head using shall
[2:47:33] gives the assessor less independent
[2:47:35] power and and gives the resolution that
[2:47:38] we're passing more force. Is that am I think that's fair to say?
[2:47:44] >> Yeah.
[2:47:44] >> Okay. Thank you.
[2:47:47] Anybody else?
[2:47:50] >> All right. So we're voting on the word
[2:47:54] change now. All those in favor of
[2:47:56] changing may to shall raise your hand.
[2:48:02] >> One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,
[2:48:05] eight. Against.
[2:48:08] All right. Terry, Tao, Jim, and Laura
[2:48:11] are against that word change.
[2:48:14] All right. So, the word passes.
[2:48:17] Now, we're back to the original motion
[2:48:20] as amended.
[2:48:23] All in favor of the Another question. I
[2:48:25] think you're up to like six now, so
[2:48:27] sorry.
[2:48:27] >> I'm going to give a little bit of
[2:48:28] leeway.
[2:48:29] >> Thank you. I appreciate that. A question
[2:48:32] was made of me when we took our break.
[2:48:35] Um asking that Lou give a definitive one
[2:48:41] sentence confirming
[2:48:44] this will
[2:48:47] keep everybody who still qualifies on. I
[2:48:52] There's the deed issue, but they want to
[2:48:55] know
[2:48:56] >> Lou can't.
[2:48:58] This was this was something we agreed to
[2:49:00] with the assessor.
[2:49:04] » Can we have a one word sentence that if
[2:49:06] they meet the qualifications of the
[2:49:08] statute
[2:49:11] that they will continue to have their
[2:49:13] PA490?
[2:49:16] I mean, keep saying this fixes it, but
[2:49:20] there are some people would like to hear
[2:49:23] if you meet the qualifications,
[2:49:26] >> right? You don't we don't have the
[2:49:29] authority to kind of tell the assessor
[2:49:32] what to do. We doing a resolution saying
[2:49:35] this is what we expect to be done. Okay?
[2:49:39] And and that's how we're getting this
[2:49:41] passed.
[2:49:51] I understand what you want, but you
[2:49:53] can't go over to the assessor and say
[2:49:54] you're going to do what I tell you to do
[2:49:56] because we don't have the authority.
[2:49:59] >> But isn't that what we're doing?
[2:50:01] >> We're changing a resolution. I'm I'm I
[2:50:04] was nervous about the the shall in May,
[2:50:06] >> right?
[2:50:07] >> Because you're telling him now this is
[2:50:09] what you're going to do. But I don't
[2:50:11] think that's going to be a big issue.
[2:50:14] >> But you're not going back. No one's
[2:50:15] going back. This fixes it. And people
[2:50:19] who currently have 490,
[2:50:22] >> this is going to fix it.
[2:50:24] >> Okay.
[2:50:27] >> Yeah.
[2:50:29] >> I think we have to take into account
[2:50:31] people's
[2:50:32] >> trust me. I I've talked to a bunch of
[2:50:35] people and and I'm in the same for so
[2:50:38] for everybody to know when you guys came
[2:50:40] to the last town council meeting that's
[2:50:42] how we learned about it, including
[2:50:44] myself. All right. Because the assessor
[2:50:48] has his job to do and and because you
[2:50:50] guys came forward and said, "Hey, this
[2:50:53] is what happened. This is this is why I
[2:50:55] was able to have a sit down and say,
[2:50:58] what's going on here?" Um, and this is
[2:51:03] the solution we came up with. Okay. Um,
[2:51:06] thankfully none of it has taken place.
[2:51:08] It's not October 1st yet. So, we're
[2:51:10] doing this ahead of time so that nobody
[2:51:11] loses it.
[2:51:14] Almost nobody. Okay. All right.
[2:51:17] Anybody else?
[2:51:20] All in favor?
[2:51:24] » No.
[2:51:26] >> We're We're in the second. We're back to
[2:51:27] the original motion. All right.
[2:51:28] Everybody in favor?
[2:51:30] >> Unanimous. Okay.
[2:51:34] >> All right. Thank you, guys.
[2:51:36] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[2:51:40] » All right. We're going to go back to the
[2:51:42] original
[2:51:45] No, he's still here. He's got another
[2:51:47] thing.
[2:51:48] >> All right, we are going back to
[2:51:53] » consent. We um Why don't we just Why
[2:51:57] don't we just pull out the first two?
[2:51:59] We're pulling what number? What number?
[2:52:01] >> Four and five.
[2:52:03] >> So, we're going to pull four and five.
[2:52:05] Go ahead with the motion for everybody
[2:52:06] with those
[2:52:07] >> motion to consent agenda without number
[2:52:11] four and number five. So, it will be
[2:52:14] one, two, three,
[2:52:17] six,
[2:52:19] and seven.
[2:52:23] » Yeah. Give me a second on this one
[2:52:24] first. The motion's been made. Second by
[2:52:26] Laura. Yes.
[2:52:29] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. May I add number
[2:52:31] seven to that as well?
[2:52:32] >> All right. We're pulling number seven
[2:52:33] out of that as well. Okay.
[2:52:37] So, the motion will be everything but
[2:52:39] five, six, no, four, five, and seven.
[2:52:43] That's correct.
[2:52:46] >> All right. All right. So, obviously, I
[2:52:49] think everybody knows why we pulled
[2:52:50] number four.
[2:52:53] So,
[2:52:54] >> we
[2:52:56] have to
[2:52:58] >> Yeah, we got to go through each
[2:52:59] individual one. So, we'll start with
[2:53:01] number four.
[2:53:05] » Oh, we're voting on everything. I'm
[2:53:07] sorry. I'm get myself mixed up here.
[2:53:09] It's getting late.
[2:53:10] >> All right. So, we're voting we're voting
[2:53:12] for everything except four, five, and
[2:53:15] seven, right?
[2:53:16] >> One, two, three, six.
[2:53:19] are what we're
[2:53:21] voting for. All in favor of one, two,
[2:53:22] three, six. Raise your hand. Why am I
[2:53:25] put my hand?
[2:53:26] >> All right. Oppose. All right. Every
[2:53:28] unanimous.
[2:53:30] Okay. Let's go down to four.
[2:53:35] Pursuant to chapter
[2:53:38] >> Pursuant to chapter
[2:53:42] Oh, I'm sorry. Pursuant to charter
[2:53:45] chapter 15, section 3, town council
[2:53:49] resolution dated 824 1976.
[2:53:56] Okay. And um
[2:54:00] town council resolution dated 341 1994.
[2:54:03] The town council hereby approves mayor
[2:54:05] Dale Neil A. Champagne's appointment of
[2:54:08] Simone Seaw Wall D 38 Elm Street Vernon
[2:54:13] Connecticut to serve as board of
[2:54:16] education liaison to the youth service
[2:54:18] advisory board set term to commence
[2:54:22] September 166
[2:54:25] and expires November 8th 2027.
[2:54:30] >> Change that right.
[2:54:33] Yeah, we changed that date everyone.
[2:54:37] Is it November 8th or
[2:54:39] >> November 8th?
[2:54:45] » November 28th or November 8th, 2027,
[2:54:48] which is the election next year.
[2:54:53] » The election's on the second next year.
[2:54:55] >> Yes. The first looked it up.
[2:54:58] >> Which which date is it, guys?
[2:55:02] >> It is the eth.
[2:55:02] Thank you.
[2:55:04] >> The term runs through the
[2:55:05] >> eth.
[2:55:07] Okay.
[2:55:08] >> Okay.
[2:55:09] >> All right.
[2:55:12] >> Do I have a second?
[2:55:13] >> I did.
[2:55:14] >> Seconded by Laura. All right. Questions?
[2:55:19] No. All in favor?
[2:55:23] Unanimous. Okay. Why did we pull that?
[2:55:26] All right.
[2:55:28] The date changed. That's why we pulled
[2:55:29] that one. Gotcha. Pursuant to chapter
[2:55:33] charter chapter 15 section 3 town
[2:55:36] council resolution dated 824 1976
[2:55:41] and the town council resolution 3194.
[2:55:45] The town council hereby approves Mayor
[2:55:47] Daniel A. Champagne appointment of Laura
[2:55:49] Bush, R18 Gen Drive, Vernon, Connecticut
[2:55:53] to serve as town council liaison to the
[2:55:56] youth service advisory board in term to
[2:55:59] commence on September 16th, 2026 and
[2:56:04] expires November 7th, 2027.
[2:56:11] » That one's the 7th, not the 8th. Is that
[2:56:13] >> That's correct. Okay.
[2:56:14] >> All right. Do we have a second?
[2:56:16] >> Second.
[2:56:17] Seconded by Terry. Questions?
[2:56:21] All in favor?
[2:56:25] An abstension? One extension. Laura
[2:56:27] Wood.
[2:56:30] >> All right. Let's go to the next one.
[2:56:34] » The town council hereby approves the
[2:56:36] budget amendment request for year 26.
[2:56:40] Number three, number number two, number
[2:56:42] three, number four, number five, number
[2:56:45] six, number seven, number number nine,
[2:56:47] number 10, and number 11 as outlined in
[2:56:51] the budget amendment forms provided by
[2:56:53] Nicole Greco, budget and capital
[2:56:56] projects analyst,
[2:56:58] >> second by Laura.
[2:57:01] >> Patricia,
[2:57:05] » thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a quick
[2:57:07] question for the town administrator. I
[2:57:09] noticed the dates are different on some
[2:57:10] of the requests. Some of the requests
[2:57:13] were put in prior to the end of that
[2:57:15] fiscal year and some of the requests
[2:57:17] were put in after the fiscal year had
[2:57:19] closed and I just was curious as to why
[2:57:23] >> through the mayor Dwight Rhino which was
[2:57:26] on top of this game and uh was able to
[2:57:28] look at his accounts prior. We generally
[2:57:30] do it post the end of the fiscal year uh
[2:57:33] to bring you folks these budget
[2:57:35] transfers um in previous councils in
[2:57:38] previous years. This is an ongoing
[2:57:41] process. Uh we also have a huge turnover
[2:57:43] in our finance department. So I have six
[2:57:45] new staff members down there. So uh in
[2:57:47] the next couple council meetings, you
[2:57:49] may see a couple others. Um but these
[2:57:52] are all uh moving funds within funds
[2:57:55] within actual uh departmental budgets.
[2:57:58] Uh this is not taking any money from
[2:58:00] fund balance. This is moving money
[2:58:01] within uh the different line items. And
[2:58:04] I'm happy to answer any questions on the
[2:58:07] 11 items.
[2:58:13] » Are you all done?
[2:58:15] >> I am. Thank you.
[2:58:18] >> Thank you. Um, in the resolution number
[2:58:20] two, I thought we answered this and put
[2:58:23] it down, but I'm not sure. It said that
[2:58:25] we're spending 18k on copier rentals.
[2:58:28] How many copers do we have for the town?
[2:58:31] >> We have the all copers throughout the
[2:58:34] town are here. So, it's one contract.
[2:58:38] Um, how many
[2:58:42] you figure each department
[2:58:44] some
[2:58:46] like police department has at least two
[2:58:49] does this the school two or so so
[2:58:51] through the merit? This is a so we
[2:58:53] actually have savings right now in
[2:58:54] copier rentals. So, you're taking money
[2:58:56] from copier rentals to cover the other
[2:58:58] fees budget. So, We are spending less on
[2:59:03] our copier rentals because now we own
[2:59:05] most of the copers. We only have a small
[2:59:07] number of copers that we rent now. So, that's where we're moving the 18,000
[2:59:12] to cover our overages in the other fees
[2:59:15] category, which if you look at the
[2:59:17] number one down here, that increases for
[2:59:20] background checks, um because we've
[2:59:22] centralized that townwide, as well as
[2:59:24] we're implementing time and attendance,
[2:59:26] uh which um we have an annual time card
[2:59:30] that's done via paper that all my
[2:59:32] department heads are smiling about
[2:59:33] because it's it's something that drives
[2:59:36] me absolutely nuts. We are modernizing
[2:59:38] uh and moving to a system where uh we
[2:59:42] will be embracing technology uh an
[2:59:44] application for checking in for time and
[2:59:47] things like that so folks can be able to
[2:59:48] see their vacation time, their sick time
[2:59:51] uh on an online system rather than
[2:59:53] everybody keeping their own individual
[2:59:54] spreadsheets. So it's it's a it's a good
[2:59:56] thing. Uh it's good money spent. So
[2:59:59] >> thank you for explaining that
[3:00:03] >> thank you maybe to you. I'm not sure.
[3:00:07] This looks like a good thing, but how
[3:00:09] did we save money on the LEAP program
[3:00:13] that there's excess money?
[3:00:18] » Which page are you on? Which
[3:00:20] >> um on this one? It's number
[3:00:23] consent seven. Number seven,
[3:00:27] uh the last transfer from public works
[3:00:30] le program
[3:00:32] >> was last year. a year that that came
[3:00:35] down pretty quick.
[3:00:36] >> Yeah, we we we moved faster than
[3:00:38] anticipated and we got we're done in a
[3:00:40] short amount of time, which means less
[3:00:41] on salaries, less less on overtime, and
[3:00:44] that's where you find your cost savings.
[3:00:45] >> That's great.
[3:00:46] >> So, the the quicker the leaves come
[3:00:48] down, the more we save money.
[3:00:51] >> If you stretch out that the leaves
[3:00:53] coming down, it cost us more money.
[3:00:55] >> And through and through the mayor, I
[3:00:56] just want to commend our public works
[3:00:58] team on leaf pickup. Every single year,
[3:01:00] we get so many phone calls about how of
[3:01:03] a service it is. There are a lot of
[3:01:04] municipalities who not provide that
[3:01:06] service and our team does an excellent
[3:01:08] job. So,
[3:01:09] >> yep, they absolutely do.
[3:01:12] >> Thank you.
[3:01:12] >> Anybody else?
[3:01:14] >> All in favor?
[3:01:17] >> Unanimous.
[3:01:27] I think we're in uh pending business.
[3:01:32] proposed motion. Be it resolved that the
[3:01:34] town of Vernon upon
[3:01:37] proper annual application will abate
[3:01:41] $1,000 of property tax for any home used
[3:01:46] in the operation of a group care home
[3:01:50] licensed pursuant to section 19A-80
[3:01:56] of the general statutes.
[3:02:00] Or we need to change
[3:02:04] or a family care home
[3:02:09] licensed pursuant to section 19E87B
[3:02:14] of the general statutes pursuant to
[3:02:17] section 13 of public act 22-81
[3:02:22] provided that such home is owned by the
[3:02:26] person holding the license such
[3:02:29] abatement shall apply to the home only and not the
[3:02:37] surrounding land
[3:02:39] or any other personal property. Such
[3:02:42] abatement will terminate after five
[3:02:45] consecutive years or upon termination of
[3:02:50] the child care license which
[3:02:54] is earlier. Be it further resolved that
[3:02:57] such a baitment program will be managed
[3:03:01] and monitored by the town assessor
[3:03:08] » second by the Lord. Okay. Um,
[3:03:12] who wrote this?
[3:03:15] >> Well, in all honesty, I copied it. I
[3:03:19] changed the word Ellington to Vernon.
[3:03:24] Uh they had already passed this vetted
[3:03:29] it.
[3:03:30] >> How long ago?
[3:03:32] >> Uh
[3:03:34] two years.
[3:03:35] >> Two years ago.
[3:03:37] >> So I have a feeling that that public act
[3:03:40] was turned into a law and it no longer
[3:03:42] is a public act. I don't know the number
[3:03:43] of it.
[3:03:52] the public act 2281.
[3:03:55] It's only stays a public act for a
[3:03:57] certain amount of time
[3:03:58] >> and then changes over to a law. So, we
[3:04:00] have the long the wrong statue in here.
[3:04:02] >> Okay.
[3:04:04] Um I can fix that and resubmit it at our
[3:04:09] next meeting if we could put it on the
[3:04:11] next agenda.
[3:04:13] >> Yeah. Why don't we have uh take them to
[3:04:15] get it too because if you don't have the
[3:04:17] right law in there
[3:04:19] I'm sorry I literally looked at it and
[3:04:21] realized what what that was exactly. So
[3:04:25] we're going to have to hold off on that.
[3:04:26] >> Can you
[3:04:28] who who passed this
[3:04:33] » you second it. So we're gonna have to
[3:04:35] table it
[3:04:36] >> make a motion to table.
[3:04:40] >> I have some info
[3:04:42] >> until when? next meeting
[3:04:44] >> until next meeting.
[3:04:47] >> The second
[3:04:48] >> second.
[3:04:49] >> All right. Motion to table and a
[3:04:51] seconded. All in favor?
[3:04:54] >> Unanimous. All right. I'm I'm going to
[3:04:56] take this and give it to Lou and have L
[3:04:58] take a look at it. Okay.
[3:05:03] Let me let the whole thing
[3:05:16] I know.
[3:05:18] >> Okay.
[3:05:20] Um,
[3:05:24] all right. So, that's table. Let's move
[3:05:27] on to new business.
[3:05:30] All right. We did one. Number two is uh
[3:05:34] town council hereby approves the
[3:05:36] disposal of fixed assets for the board
[3:05:40] of education as disclosed on the fixed
[3:05:43] asset disposal request forms.
[3:05:45] >> Second.
[3:05:48] » I'm sorry I missed the second
[3:05:50] >> Phyllis. Phyis seconded by Phyllis.
[3:05:53] Okay. Any questions on that?
[3:05:57] All right. All in favor?
[3:06:01] Unanimous. All right. Number three.
[3:06:03] >> The town council hereby authorizes Mayor
[3:06:06] Daniel A. Champagne.
[3:06:07] >> We did three. Go to number four. I'm
[3:06:09] sorry.
[3:06:10] >> I am reading that.
[3:06:11] >> I said three.
[3:06:13] >> So, you're going to four.
[3:06:14] >> I'm going to four, right?
[3:06:16] >> Yeah.
[3:06:16] >> Sorry.
[3:06:18] >> The town council hereby authorizes
[3:06:20] Daniel A. campaign or is designated to
[3:06:23] execute any and all documents needed to
[3:06:26] apply for, accept, and administer funds
[3:06:30] associated with the 2026 Eversource
[3:06:33] Energy Boost Grant.
[3:06:36] >> Second, Lori, second by Lori.
[3:06:42] » Um,
[3:06:45] any questions on that?
[3:06:47] Sean's here. You can explain it if you
[3:06:49] want.
[3:06:50] It's a grant. So,
[3:06:57] » just give us a heads up what it is.
[3:06:58] >> Sean,
[3:07:08] » just tell us what what is it?
[3:07:10] >> Oh. Oh, sure.
[3:07:13] » Uh, so as uh through the mayor, as um
[3:07:17] indicated in the memo, there is a grant
[3:07:19] that allows uh Eversource Community
[3:07:21] Energy Boost Grant allows
[3:07:24] um communities to apply for and receive for very specific
[3:07:32] items and those items um are listed.
[3:07:36] They can you can receive uh training on
[3:07:38] the energy energized Connecticut
[3:07:40] programs. You can learn strategies to
[3:07:42] encourage community participation,
[3:07:44] support local and state climate goals,
[3:07:46] connect uh with other participating
[3:07:48] communities, and complete uh sustainable
[3:07:51] Connecticut action items. Some of I'm
[3:07:53] sorry, those are the benefits of the
[3:07:54] program. My apologies. Um the the grant
[3:07:58] that we're applying for will be in
[3:08:00] partnership with the Talon County
[3:08:01] Chamber to launch a small business
[3:08:03] energy advantage program and that will
[3:08:06] mostly be um advertising to local
[3:08:10] businesses benefits uh that are already
[3:08:13] available. So it's it's more of a um a
[3:08:16] promotion than it is the funds won't go
[3:08:19] towards any any energy projects. It'll
[3:08:23] go towards promoting the energy projects
[3:08:24] that are already available.
[3:08:28] » Any questions on that?
[3:08:31] >> Sure.
[3:08:32] >> So, when you say projects, is it
[3:08:34] projects that are already in existence
[3:08:37] or
[3:08:39] >> programs? I I probably should have said
[3:08:41] programs. I think I took a nap earlier,
[3:08:43] so I uh apologize. I'm a little rusty,
[3:08:46] but the the the programs that are
[3:08:49] currently available, it will be
[3:08:51] advertising to businesses that they can
[3:08:54] take advantage of them.
[3:08:56] >> And what programs
[3:08:58] are available?
[3:08:59] >> I don't know all of the programs right
[3:09:01] now. So, when we when we receive the
[3:09:02] funds, we'll be able to partner with the
[3:09:05] um Energized Connecticut to promote them.
[3:09:10] >> Okay. Thank you.
[3:09:12] Anybody
[3:09:15] else thoughts?
[3:09:17] >> Just curious. Thank you for you. Will
[3:09:19] our EID
[3:09:22] um commission be involved with this?
[3:09:25] It's partnering with Eversource, but
[3:09:27] will they I know they were a big part
[3:09:29] when we were started the solar project.
[3:09:32] Will they be involved with this at all?
[3:09:35] >> Through the mayor, they certainly won't
[3:09:37] be excluded. The the programs that are
[3:09:39] out there, there are no new programs.
[3:09:41] This is just getting the word out about
[3:09:42] those programs,
[3:09:43] >> right?
[3:09:44] >> So, they will be one of the entities
[3:09:46] that are advised of the programs that
[3:09:48] are out there, but again, it's the one
[3:09:51] we're targeting is for um local
[3:09:53] businesses,
[3:09:54] >> right? But they could be like
[3:09:56] ambassadors.
[3:09:57] >> They certainly could be.
[3:09:58] >> Great. Thank you.
[3:10:04] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Will the expense
[3:10:08] to apply for
[3:10:11] distribute and report on this grant be
[3:10:15] less than the monies that we received
[3:10:18] from the grant in order does the grant
[3:10:20] pay us more than what we have to spend
[3:10:21] to apply for it and monitor it and
[3:10:23] report on it
[3:10:26] >> through the merit that's not our
[3:10:28] anticipate we anticipate that it will
[3:10:29] cover our our expenses
[3:10:31] >> thank you
[3:10:36] anybody else all in favor
[3:10:40] unanimous. Okay, let's move on to the
[3:10:44] >> town council hereby authorizes Mayor
[3:10:47] Daniel A. Champagne or his designate to
[3:10:50] execute any and all documents needed to
[3:10:53] apply for accept and administer funds
[3:10:57] associated with Department of Children
[3:11:00] and Families Youth Services Bureau
[3:11:03] grant.
[3:11:04] >> Seconded by Laura. You want to tell us
[3:11:07] about it?
[3:11:32] Okay. Is that better? Sorry about that.
[3:11:35] Okay. Um, the DCF YSB grant um is a
[3:11:39] grant that we apply for and receive
[3:11:41] every year. It funds our YSB after
[3:11:45] school program coordinator, one of our
[3:11:47] youth workers, their benefits. Um, it
[3:11:49] also funds our supplies, transportation,
[3:11:53] um, food, all of our program related
[3:11:56] costs.
[3:12:00] » Anybody else?
[3:12:01] >> Any questions?
[3:12:03] >> No. All in favor?
[3:12:07] » Thank you. Sorry about that.
[3:12:14] » The town council hereby authorizes Mayor
[3:12:17] Daniel Champagne to apply for and
[3:12:20] receive the 4-year ending 27 driving
[3:12:25] under the influence DUI enforcement
[3:12:28] grant administered by the Connecticut
[3:12:30] Department of Transportation and further
[3:12:33] authorizes Mayor Daniel A. Champagne or
[3:12:36] his designate to sign any and all
[3:12:38] documents for saying hold on.
[3:12:50] So, we're add 27
[3:12:54] that you skip missed those two sections.
[3:12:57] All right. Second by Terry.
[3:13:02] What's that?
[3:13:04] All right. Questions about this?
[3:13:06] Obviously, it's a grant to go after
[3:13:08] drunk drivers.
[3:13:10] >> Mike,
[3:13:12] you may. Good evening, sir. Uh I know we
[3:13:15] apply for this every year and usually
[3:13:17] get it on average during the campaign.
[3:13:21] You send this up. How many people do we
[3:13:24] need to arrest through the mayor? So the
[3:13:27] uh there's no specific campaign time
[3:13:29] when it comes to this. Throughout the
[3:13:31] entire course of the year we are looking
[3:13:33] at uh this fiscal year. I think the last
[3:13:36] time excuse me this calendar year we're
[3:13:37] well over 100 DWI arrests for this
[3:13:39] calendar year. As a matter of fact, this
[3:13:42] grant helps us helps us to meet the
[3:13:44] standard that we are again receiving the
[3:13:47] statewide award for the most of our DWI
[3:13:50] by any department of our size
[3:13:53] that award on Friday actually enforcing
[3:13:57] the influence of marijuana.
[3:13:59] >> Absolutely sir
[3:14:02] for that
[3:14:03] >> through the mayor. We have multiple
[3:14:04] officers that are certified as drug
[3:14:06] recognition experts. Uh I believe we
[3:14:07] have five at this time including one of
[3:14:09] them was an instructor in the course.
[3:14:11] >> Very good sir. Thank you.
[3:14:14] >> Anybody else?
[3:14:17] >> All in favor?
[3:14:24] The town of Vernon hereby authorizes
[3:14:26] Mayor Daniel to apply for and receive
[3:14:31] the fiscal year 27 distracted driving
[3:14:35] high visibility enforcement grant
[3:14:38] program administered by the Connecticut
[3:14:41] Department of Transportation DO.
[3:14:44] Further, the town council authorizes
[3:14:47] Mayor Daniel A. campaign is designated
[3:14:50] to sign any and all documents for
[3:14:54] >> second by
[3:14:57] questions on this.
[3:15:01] » Thank you. I'm just curiously
[3:15:08] distraction
[3:15:12] » through the absolutely cell phone use
[3:15:14] either texting or talking. Yes.
[3:15:25] Just for clarification, this is the
[3:15:26] whole year, right? Like the previous
[3:15:28] one,
[3:15:30] >> the mayor correct? Yes, sir.
[3:15:40] » Bluetooth
[3:15:44] the mayor. That is not a aspect of the
[3:15:47] distracted driving law unless you were
[3:15:49] using that touch screen that's causing
[3:15:50] in some way that's causing you to lose
[3:15:52] focus on the runway.
[3:15:54] >> Thank you.
[3:16:01] for coming. Um question, how
[3:16:04] do you know distracted driving? Are you
[3:16:06] looking at heads down? Do you guys have
[3:16:09] in your vehicle some type of device that
[3:16:11] I mean
[3:16:14] through the To identify distracted
[3:16:16] drivers, there's multiple ways of doing
[3:16:17] it, but it is by the observation of the
[3:16:19] officer. Typically, it's observing the
[3:16:21] specific behavior of the driver. Um,
[3:16:24] usually because we can see them as we
[3:16:26] pull up next to them sitting at a
[3:16:27] traffic light. They're sitting there
[3:16:28] typing on their phone. It's pretty
[3:16:30] obvious. Um, also if a driver
[3:16:34] stopping them for some other reason,
[3:16:36] we'll have drivers that will fast
[3:16:39] because I was talking
[3:16:41] to distracted driving.
[3:16:43] worse ways to do it, but it's by the
[3:16:44] officer's observation. Thank you very
[3:16:46] much.
[3:16:52] » Such as putting your makeup on like this
[3:16:58] for a movie
[3:17:01] sitting on your steering wheel
[3:17:04] and a couple other things I've seen over
[3:17:06] the years.
[3:17:10] texting while driving
[3:17:14] » absolutely texting while driving is
[3:17:17] hugely dangerous
[3:17:24] probably going to be one of the most
[3:17:26] cost causes for accidents it's just
[3:17:29] coming
[3:17:30] to
[3:17:32] >> thank you mayor question how is that
[3:17:36] burn
[3:17:39] the Just just to clarify, how prevalent
[3:17:41] is distracted driving? Distracted
[3:17:44] driving is prevalent in every community
[3:17:46] throughout this country. Um it's it's
[3:17:48] common on any roadway. It's common on
[3:17:50] any any highway, limited access highway.
[3:17:53] You're going to find people doing it all
[3:17:54] the time. It's a societal issue that
[3:17:56] enforcement is one part of the process
[3:17:59] to end this. Education is another aspect
[3:18:01] of it too, but specifically this grant
[3:18:03] is on the enforcement.
[3:18:05] you see a rise in that
[3:18:08] specific
[3:18:10] I don't have statistics in front of me
[3:18:11] as far as number of accidents that are
[3:18:13] directly related to distracted driving
[3:18:15] which is usually the statistic that's
[3:18:17] used to determine if it's being used
[3:18:19] more or not more and more of a problem
[3:18:23] there is a human factor of adaptation to
[3:18:25] technology that does play into it so I
[3:18:28] couldn't tell you if it's increasing or
[3:18:29] not but it's still consistently helping
[3:18:32] >> I'm just asking because I see you don't
[3:18:35] That's what I was going to say.
[3:18:36] >> But you're driving down the road, you'll
[3:18:38] see it all over the place now.
[3:18:39] >> I mean, I stop at green light all the
[3:18:41] time because of people. So, I'm just
[3:18:42] more of a curiosity than numbers. Thank
[3:18:45] you.
[3:18:46] If I just add a point, too, for is
[3:18:48] everyone's information when you're
[3:18:49] stopped at a traffic light or a stop
[3:18:51] sign. This is where the public as well.
[3:18:53] That's still operating vehicle. That's
[3:18:55] still you're not supposed to be on your
[3:18:57] cell phone. You're not supposed to be
[3:18:58] texting when you're stopped at a traffic
[3:19:00] light.
[3:19:02] >> Thank you. Anybody
[3:19:05] else?
[3:19:09] » All in favor?
[3:19:14] » The town council hereby authorizes Mayor
[3:19:17] Daniel. Champagne to apply for and
[3:19:20] receive the fiscal year or ticket
[3:19:24] enforcement grant administered by
[3:19:27] Connecticut Department of Transportation
[3:19:29] DOT. Further, the town council
[3:19:32] authorizes Mayor Daniel A. Champagne for his
[3:19:38] to sign any and all documents for
[3:19:51] You said you didn't say
[3:19:57] » 27. Okay.
[3:20:03] » Okay. Questions on this one.
[3:20:13] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Again, same
[3:20:15] question. This grant is not on the lower
[3:20:17] end. It's $5,000 maximum that the town
[3:20:20] of Bernie can get. Um will that exceed
[3:20:23] the expense uh incurred by applying for
[3:20:27] uh reporting on and completing all the
[3:20:29] paperwork needed to get that amount of
[3:20:31] money
[3:20:33] >> that will be the dollar amount used to
[3:20:36] report on this is nowhere near the grant
[3:20:38] that we would receive.
[3:20:40] >> Thank you. Anybody else?
[3:20:45] >> I just want to thank you for having the
[3:20:47] language that says this is a
[3:20:50] reimbursement and there are no matching
[3:20:52] funds required. So it eliminated
[3:20:56] question in our mind. So I appreciate
[3:20:58] it. Thank you.
[3:21:01] >> These are all reimbursement grants with
[3:21:02] no matching funds. It's forunately the
[3:21:06] state is still recognizing how important
[3:21:07] these types of funds are in these
[3:21:09] efforts.
[3:21:10] Anybody
[3:21:12] else?
[3:21:25] » The town council hereby authorizes Mayor
[3:21:28] Daniel A. champagne to apply for and
[3:21:32] receive the fiscal year 26 DR
[3:21:37] drug recognition expert instructor grant
[3:21:41] administered by the Connecticut
[3:21:43] Department of Transportation DOT.
[3:21:47] Further, the town council authorizes
[3:21:49] Mayor Daniel a champagne or his
[3:21:53] designate to sign all any and all
[3:21:56] documents for sale.
[3:22:03] I only
[3:22:06] hearing it on just this side of my head.
[3:22:07] So you say that I'm looking like that
[3:22:09] wasn't him.
[3:22:12] All right. Second by
[3:22:16] these are the guys that look for the
[3:22:18] those under the influence of drugs. And
[3:22:19] I'll tell you what, if we can have all
[3:22:21] of our second third shift guys certified
[3:22:25] and then move on to day ship, I'd be
[3:22:26] happy. if they want to give us a grant
[3:22:28] and send these guys off to it and if we
[3:22:30] had an instructor that's great you can
[3:22:32] instruct the other guys at the PD.
[3:22:35] forget about this one.
[3:22:43] » This is this is the person they're
[3:22:45] testing to see if you're under the
[3:22:46] influence while you're driving.
[3:22:48] >> Oh, like the
[3:22:52] answer to that. Drug recognition
[3:22:54] certification is actually an extensive
[3:22:57] course to be able to identif for an
[3:22:58] officer to be trained to be certified to
[3:23:00] identify not only the fact if an
[3:23:02] individual is under the influence of
[3:23:04] some type of drug other than alcohol but
[3:23:07] even to break it down to what type of
[3:23:08] narcotic depressant
[3:23:12] through blood pressure through screening
[3:23:13] through exams through different types of
[3:23:16] movements. It's actually a full drug
[3:23:17] recognition evaluation of someone can
[3:23:20] actually take close to an hour to do it.
[3:23:22] The training is about 80 to 100 hours
[3:23:25] for each individual officer to go
[3:23:26] through the training.
[3:23:29] >> Do they also
[3:23:31] instruct or
[3:23:36] medical condition also look the same way
[3:23:38] you're diabetic you reaction low
[3:23:44] through the merit that's actually part
[3:23:46] of every type of under the influence
[3:23:49] training from basic DWI through uh the
[3:23:52] advanced a training system that
[3:23:54] knowledge is very well known by all the
[3:23:55] officers and all officers across the
[3:23:57] state.
[3:24:03] Thank you. I just want to say thank you
[3:24:05] mayor and chief for
[3:24:07] submitt
[3:24:29] all of these grants in general the ones
[3:24:31] leading up to this one are all for
[3:24:33] addition enforcement
[3:24:35] specifically for those types of
[3:24:36] violations. My officers are always
[3:24:38] looking for all those types of
[3:24:39] violations, but these grants give us the
[3:24:41] opportunity to take extra officers, put
[3:24:44] them on the road, and look specifically
[3:24:45] for these. So, we're always looking for
[3:24:48] them in general. Just give us the extra
[3:24:50] to be able to do it. This last one in
[3:24:51] particular allows us to not have to eat
[3:24:54] the personnel cost of having our one
[3:24:57] certified instructor in this go to help
[3:24:59] teach the class, which allows which gave
[3:25:02] us set up for the past and be able to
[3:25:05] training and be able to get that higher
[3:25:06] level of certification to do it. So if
[3:25:09] this last if the first grants disappear,
[3:25:12] we're still going to do those types of
[3:25:13] efforts. I would be coming to the
[3:25:15] council potentially to try to find extra
[3:25:16] funds to do it. I'm not anticipating
[3:25:18] that anytime in the near future. This
[3:25:20] last one, you have to look back and see
[3:25:22] how many how much cost this really was
[3:25:25] uh and have an evaluation at that point,
[3:25:27] but it helps us and it makes a lot
[3:25:28] easier for us to say, "Yep, you can take
[3:25:30] our officer for, you know, up to four
[3:25:33] weeks off the road and be able to cover
[3:25:35] their cost."
[3:25:42] And so, we just want to make sure that
[3:25:44] you have what you need.
[3:25:47] Thank you. Anybody else?
[3:25:52] All
[3:25:52] >> favor.
[3:25:58] So has the
[3:26:03] basically wants us to look into a
[3:26:04] homestead exemption or a couple other
[3:26:08] towns have done this.
[3:26:11] >> Okay.
[3:26:12] I'm proposing that we um look into the
[3:26:16] possibility of the home exemption
[3:26:18] ordinance. Um
[3:26:21] East Windsor has has one. Milford also I
[3:26:25] noticed Stratford is starting up one.
[3:26:27] There's another couple of other towns.
[3:26:30] um with diesel today at 622 a gallon,
[3:26:34] heating oil at 570 a gallon and
[3:26:38] electricity at the rate that is um
[3:26:43] and we know our our numbers are coming
[3:26:45] in high. We know that the homes are
[3:26:50] being actually
[3:26:52] 30,000 over asking price is the average.
[3:26:58] So that inflates the value of the home.
[3:27:01] Commercial is probably fairly level,
[3:27:04] maybe 20%. But the houses are anywhere
[3:27:08] from 60 to 90. So in order to
[3:27:13] find some type of balance,
[3:27:16] I think we need to to look at having
[3:27:20] some kind of homestead exception because
[3:27:22] these assessments are going to hold for
[3:27:25] five years. We have to
[3:27:27] every five years. So they're high and we
[3:27:30] haven't done anything with it. Um our
[3:27:34] taxpayers suffer. So I think at this
[3:27:37] point a broader based
[3:27:41] um exemption for
[3:27:44] single family, two family homes. They
[3:27:47] have to be owner occupied. There's
[3:27:49] certain stipulations with all of them.
[3:27:52] Um, they can't be investment properties
[3:27:56] or anything like that, but it would be
[3:28:00] a resident that have been here 20 years.
[3:28:02] Or it might be somebody that's been here
[3:28:05] three years and has, you know, two kids
[3:28:08] and
[3:28:09] maybe single parent, maybe two, and they
[3:28:12] just can't afford it. It would at least
[3:28:14] help them to adjust with the high
[3:28:19] assessment rate. So that's my thought
[3:28:22] and I know I did send in some
[3:28:25] information. I know there's another one
[3:28:27] coming up which
[3:28:29] I
[3:28:33] what I'm finding is a lot of legislation
[3:28:36] is coming through but unfortunately
[3:28:40] when the legislation comes through to
[3:28:43] the town
[3:28:45] nothing is attached.
[3:28:48] So then we have to something that's
[3:28:51] gonna furnish what we've lost and now
[3:28:55] have to provide.
[3:28:58] But this here, we know, we know we're
[3:29:00] going to be taxing them anyway. Um, I
[3:29:02] know I had the percentage, but I don't
[3:29:04] think I brought that paperwork with me.
[3:29:08] But with the way it looks at the
[3:29:11] ordinary residential taxpayer, it's
[3:29:15] going to have a huge increase. So, I
[3:29:18] think it's worth looking at and I'm
[3:29:21] looking forward to discussing it at a
[3:29:24] future meeting. Um, I think it's quarter
[3:29:27] after 11 this evening. We still have
[3:29:33] an executive session to do.
[3:29:36] So, um, whatever. Thanks. So I think I
[3:29:40] don't think it's a bad idea because the
[3:29:41] house are coming to access
[3:29:44] the homes and what we're talking about
[3:29:48] is I would meet with the assessor sit
[3:29:50] down and say I want you to look at this
[3:29:54] bring your information on this. John's
[3:29:56] going to do the same thing and kind of
[3:29:58] see what we can do to kind of balance
[3:30:00] out this massive increase that we could
[3:30:03] possibly be looking at. But I want to
[3:30:05] get the numbers from him and then see
[3:30:07] what we can do about balancing bill
[3:30:10] that way there's no sticker show.
[3:30:14] » Yes.
[3:30:16] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And thank you for
[3:30:18] bringing up the point that we need to
[3:30:19] see some numbers that actually pertain
[3:30:21] to the town of Vernon. what is this
[3:30:24] going to
[3:30:26] how this is going to impact total
[3:30:27] revenue and understanding that um it
[3:30:31] doesn't decrease the need for money the
[3:30:34] revenue is going to shift so
[3:30:38] you're still going to have to pay your
[3:30:39] bills so I'd like to see how that kind
[3:30:42] of flushes out how those numbers work
[3:30:44] out and
[3:30:47] I have to call out the elephant in the
[3:30:49] room
[3:30:51] I agree with the mayor this is a good
[3:30:52] idea for us to look at, but we as a
[3:30:55] council have to be transparent.
[3:30:59] Everyone on this council owns a home.
[3:31:02] And I am a renter, but we need to make
[3:31:06] sure that the decisions that we make
[3:31:08] that the community understands that
[3:31:10] we're making this for the best of the
[3:31:12] entire town.
[3:31:14] That's super important.
[3:31:26] I understand. I understand that this is
[3:31:28] a balancing act from my understanding. I
[3:31:30] have very little knowledge of this. My
[3:31:32] only concern is that businesses that I
[3:31:35] talked to around the town are actually
[3:31:38] saying how much they're hurting. I think
[3:31:39] a lot of people are hurting.
[3:31:41] >> Everybody is.
[3:31:42] >> Everybody's hurting. But if theirs is
[3:31:44] jumping up, we're going to jump up this
[3:31:46] high and this one stays down. I
[3:31:49] understand, you know, homeowners are
[3:31:51] basically the taxpayers of the town, but
[3:31:53] there's also businesses, too. And I just
[3:31:55] I would like to see the numbers and not
[3:31:57] forget about the people that own
[3:31:59] business.
[3:32:01] That's a plan. This isn't a, you know,
[3:32:04] homeowners are going to save.
[3:32:06] This is a balance. Okay?
[3:32:11] Last time we had a rebound, we bounced
[3:32:12] out of the we didn't very well
[3:32:18] and that's the goal here. So, we put
[3:32:22] this whole thing together and come out
[3:32:25] and it's kind of like this, wait a
[3:32:28] second, let's drop the bill, rate, write
[3:32:31] this out, and I think we're going to be
[3:32:32] good or we may need it. It's like this
[3:32:35] and we want to kind of move it down like
[3:32:36] that, but we need the numbers. We need
[3:32:39] to everything together. This is another
[3:32:41] tool that we that you know Mar for I
[3:32:45] think it's not a bad tool to look at.
[3:32:47] It's just another thing in the in the
[3:32:50] our basket.
[3:32:52] So you know we are starting this whole
[3:32:55] process and we're moving forward and I
[3:32:57] think you know we bring it back and it
[3:33:00] won't be next month. maybe in December,
[3:33:02] maybe the beginning of January, but it
[3:33:04] gives us something else for the budget
[3:33:06] in March.
[3:33:10] » Thank you. So, I think there's the
[3:33:14] potential for that to be great, but um
[3:33:18] numbers and I know we can't say for
[3:33:21] sure, but one of my concerns is it won't
[3:33:25] apply to
[3:33:28] homes that are turned into apartments or
[3:33:32] bigger apartment complexes because
[3:33:34] they're not
[3:33:36] occupied. My concern is what it will do
[3:33:39] to rent if we raise commercial
[3:34:04] » it's a balancing
[3:34:06] >> and
[3:34:08] I'm curious if any of the towns have a
[3:34:17] position, but if I were
[3:34:30] digging way too deep into the
[3:34:34] do
[3:34:36] I may come back and Yeah, this is okay.
[3:34:39] But it's another idea. And you know
[3:34:41] what? We might as well look at
[3:34:43] everything. We live in Connecticut.
[3:34:45] The price of things in Connecticut not
[3:34:47] going down. We have a minimum wage
[3:34:48] increase in January. And you know what's
[3:34:50] going to happen? The cost of everything
[3:34:52] goes up in June. Everything
[3:34:55] including the
[3:34:57] minimum wage that goes up all of our all
[3:35:01] our seasonal guys get a raise every
[3:35:03] single year.
[3:35:05] So we have to
[3:35:07] Patricia,
[3:35:09] >> thank you, Mr. Mayor. That's an
[3:35:11] excellent point and I want to reiterate
[3:35:14] the fact that what Mrs. Winkler said, I really need to know how much revenue
[3:35:20] will we be giving up and where will that
[3:35:24] revenue be made of?
[3:35:26] That's super important.
[3:35:28] >> It's always part of the balancing act
[3:35:29] that I do with this. So,
[3:35:33] we've been through it before.
[3:35:35] >> Understood. Thank you. But also consider
[3:35:37] that the example of East Windsor was
[3:35:40] brought forward
[3:35:42] is not East Windsor. There's so many
[3:35:45] differences between the homeowner rate
[3:35:47] here in Vernon and the homeowner rate in
[3:35:50] East Windsor. It's app oranges. So just
[3:35:54] because another town is doing it doesn't
[3:35:56] mean it's something that's good for us.
[3:35:58] >> Totally understandable.
[3:36:00] Again, it's a tool that we may not use.
[3:36:09] Thank you.
[3:36:11] We need to be careful with this. My
[3:36:14] personal feel
[3:36:18] average medium household income is
[3:36:21] $85,000.
[3:36:27] What I'm worried about is like when we
[3:36:29] were doing the budget, I was screaming
[3:36:31] at the top of my lungs
[3:36:33] using that money. Z
[3:36:38] mayor reassured us that he
[3:36:41] rate I warned you about this coming up
[3:36:44] went up 60%
[3:36:47] didn't go up as much which is what's
[3:36:49] happened here
[3:36:51] now we're facing the reality of it so
[3:36:55] this
[3:36:57] once this is implemented this is
[3:36:59] permanent
[3:37:01] okay this ain't going away
[3:37:02] >> five years Okay. And then now you want
[3:37:06] to give tax breaks to people at home
[3:37:09] care and day care and all that stuff for
[3:37:12] $1,000.
[3:37:14] We have new schools that we want to pay
[3:37:16] for that's coming up. We're going to be
[3:37:17] buying that and everything. Um they just
[3:37:19] think this it's a slippery slope.
[3:37:24] We have to see the numbers and they have
[3:37:26] to make sense
[3:37:28] because you're going to be surprised at
[3:37:30] how much these houses are going up.
[3:37:31] That's what I was screaming at the
[3:37:32] budget.
[3:37:33] >> Well, what you screaming ision
[3:37:38] right now,000
[3:37:41] for next budget. Okay. That that is
[3:37:44] there's a big difference between what
[3:37:46] how that's going to affect.
[3:37:49] So
[3:37:51] again,
[3:37:56] anybody else?
[3:38:01] There's no one.
[3:38:10] » No, no, we're not there yet. We have a
[3:38:12] board discussion on boards and
[3:38:13] commissions.
[3:38:14] So on your desk there's there's the
[3:38:16] sheet. We are going to take that and
[3:38:19] we're going to put it on the website. So
[3:38:22] basically any we're going to on the
[3:38:24] website we're going to simplify it.
[3:38:25] We're going to have the name of the
[3:38:27] person on there. I think I don't want to
[3:38:29] put the addresses or anything. We'll put
[3:38:31] the name and we're going to have
[3:38:32] vacancies
[3:38:34] and it will be the name with either D or
[3:38:38] you so that you can always understand
[3:38:40] that. Again, my message in the next
[3:38:43] magazine will be putting out that we're
[3:38:45] still looking for board members.
[3:38:47] We're constantly looking for board
[3:38:49] members. It's never ending and we've had a couple
[3:38:54] people in the past year.
[3:39:03] So simple question
[3:39:07] >> when you look at the list there are
[3:39:09] places where it says vacancy due to
[3:39:11] resation but there are other places
[3:39:13] where it's just
[3:39:19] so
[3:39:25] there's no
[3:39:29] So in the middle of the page, that's
[3:39:31] where David
[3:39:39] still goes to 27.
[3:39:41] There's a number of them like
[3:39:50] answer
[3:39:52] thinks
[3:40:10] Mr.
[3:40:11] He did move up from alternate to a
[3:40:14] regular member. I see. So anything that
[3:40:18] is out either the term has expired or
[3:40:22] they moved up to an alter from an
[3:40:24] alternate to a regular member or they
[3:40:27] have resigned.
[3:40:28] So any
[3:40:32] person there is a vacancy for them.
[3:40:36] >> Thank you. I miss that part that he
[3:40:41] When this goes
[3:40:45] on the website, well, it's kind of on
[3:40:47] the website. Um, I have a request that
[3:40:51] we
[3:40:53] put.
[3:40:56] Do they meet every Tuesday? Do they meet
[3:40:59] once? because
[3:41:03] they can become
[3:41:08] something like that.
[3:41:10] >> We do have a meeting schedule that must
[3:41:12] be posted on February 1st of every year
[3:41:16] and reach out to the boards and
[3:41:18] commissions.
[3:41:20] They must set their schedule because you
[3:41:23] know that does list the date. Great.
[3:41:27] That will help. So that's also on our
[3:41:29] website.
[3:41:30] That would be great.
[3:41:31] >> But that's per statue. We have to do
[3:41:33] that. So it's a separate document
[3:41:36] that's supposed
[3:41:50] to say cancelled due to no business or
[3:41:54] cancel due to no
[3:42:00] You know, some it seems like they're
[3:42:03] always
[3:42:08] » we post what they send us, you know, if
[3:42:11] they cancel the meeting.
[3:42:15] Sometimes they do
[3:42:18] >> okay,
[3:42:21] you know, but it would be hard to
[3:42:24] understand why, you know, something
[3:42:27] doesn't know like the fair commission.
[3:42:30] Okay. Nobody's filed a complaint,
[3:42:33] >> so there's no
[3:42:36] others, you know, PCC is
[3:42:40] maybe
[3:42:45] if I may also certainly back to the list
[3:42:49] of officials being posted on the
[3:42:51] website. We do update this officials
[3:42:54] list after every meeting in our office.
[3:42:58] Um, we do post them to the website every
[3:43:02] quarter. If you wish that to be done
[3:43:04] more often, just let me know
[3:43:08] to post them after every meeting. I
[3:43:10] think
[3:43:18] we have their dates that way.
[3:43:22] Yeah, great. Thank you.
[3:43:25] >> So, it's already there.
[3:43:27] >> When I talked to David, he said, "Well,
[3:43:29] this is on the website." And I he'll
[3:43:49] look at you and say, "Did you read the
[3:43:59] resility
[3:44:04] as just resil.
[3:44:11] prevents commissions.
[3:44:19] We have a very few that there's leaison
[3:44:21] between
[3:44:26] those commissu
[3:44:40] I think she had a couple weeks that was
[3:44:42] the case.
[3:44:43] >> Okay.
[3:44:46] >> That has happened in the past because I
[3:44:48] was worried that there was going to be a
[3:44:50] lawsuit.
[3:44:53] >> Okay.
[3:45:00] » So my second question is how do you
[3:45:01] become like one of the
[3:45:05] process or application? If it's avoid
[3:45:18] so it's easy.
[3:45:29] » Thank you Mr. Mayor. At some point if we
[3:45:31] could just look at a way that we could
[3:45:34] have been doing it everywhere.
[3:45:42] Facebook
[3:45:44] direct
[3:45:45] >> magazine magazine goes to every single
[3:45:48] house
[3:45:49] >> just a point of just a point of
[3:45:51] observation
[3:45:55] » I just want to ask you about what you
[3:45:57] just said about
[3:45:59] influencing
[3:46:01] members of
[3:46:04] my
[3:46:05] If there's a development issue across
[3:46:08] the street from me
[3:46:11] and directly
[3:46:15] do I lose my right as a citizen to speak
[3:46:18] up
[3:46:28] » I mean
[3:46:29] you know
[3:46:31] >> we are always subject to the ethics and
[3:46:33] we always have to be careful about
[3:46:34] influencing the people
[3:46:36] >> you know
[3:46:39] if you go and say hey I'm just I live
[3:46:41] here I'm not
[3:46:43] compared to
[3:46:46] more
[3:46:48] >> you don't know keep it simple
[3:46:50] >> keep
[3:46:56] » doesn't mean that somebody can't file so
[3:47:01] any more on the I got off a little bit
[3:47:04] there any more on this. So it is on the
[3:47:07] website already
[3:47:12] go through the website.
[3:47:15] All right. There is no motion. Let's go
[3:47:17] to
[3:47:19] let's do the first and then we'll go to
[3:47:21] second.
[3:47:24] >> The town council waves the reading of
[3:47:26] the minutes of the regular town council
[3:47:28] meeting of August 18th, 2026 and moves
[3:47:32] to
[3:47:34] minutes.
[3:47:38] » All right. Are there any corrections or
[3:47:39] deletions?
[3:47:42] >> All in favor?
[3:47:44] Unanimous.
[3:47:47] >> The town council pursuant to the author
[3:47:59] session to discuss the following. Real
[3:48:03] estate and personal property tax appeal
[3:48:07] docket number HHB
[3:48:10] CB 26 6106
[3:48:14] 6921
[3:48:18] network
[3:48:20] of Vernon and John Wle
[3:48:24] town administrator and town attorney
[3:48:29] to attend
[3:48:31] by all those in
[3:48:39] » we'll be back for anybody that wants to
[3:48:41] stick around.
[3:48:49] The town council authorizes the town
[3:48:52] attorney Louis Auchini
[3:48:56] to settle the tax appeal caption network
[3:48:59] incororated versus town of Vernon under
[3:49:03] which network incorporated M3
[3:49:07] tax exempt application dated October
[3:49:10] 29th 2025 filed with the town of Bernie
[3:49:15] in connection with the grand
[3:49:17] October 1st, 2025
[3:49:20] is deemed granted and the subject real
[3:49:25] and personal properties located
[3:49:29] and designated as 145 Center Road,
[3:49:32] Vernon, Connecticut. 14 Jeff Road,
[3:49:36] Vernon, Connecticut. and three personal
[3:49:38] property accounts
[3:49:41] number 2022
[3:49:44] 215 per declaration
[3:49:47] and M3 exemption application are
[3:49:53] exempted from taxation pursuant to
[3:49:56] Connecticut General Statute 12-81
[3:50:01] on the grand list of October 1st 2025
[3:50:05] through October 1st
[3:50:09] Subject to adjustment only where
[3:50:11] otherwise permitted by law or unless
[3:50:15] there is a material change to the
[3:50:18] property.
[3:50:24] Second by
[3:50:28] thing
[3:50:33] to
[3:50:36] favor.