[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6168802,"mediaKeyId","5406821-b7efb141eb505b837ece4c5c0ee46168","parentId",5406821,"title","Motion to add election of mayor pro tempore to agenda fails after tie; resident had urged open process","audioSeconds",1445,"startMs",82255,"endMs",1527815,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5406821-b7efb141eb505b837ece4c5c0ee46168&start=82&end=1527","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5406821-b7efb141eb505b837ece4c5c0ee46168/thumbnail_82255.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6168802/Connecticut/Motion-to-add-election-of-mayor-pro-tempore-to-agenda-fails-after-tie-resident-had-urged-open-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168802-045321c3eaa05fc49bc8bf1059f2106d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941089&Signature=b0bW2Y4ytXZRZTnJMd-WVfoBJ6XLyuG07D7sLXSQS52ri1plDnqmHdzq~O9p36w0lGIxGokZ9JKXJua2Kj1MtgY3BKk3HHj-NyDdM7t39rYVQU3uo~w7qzfaCv6tdp2c-97JkGG1yPzTG0jXQYs3vCll3EIr2sizMU~JoLey3IlQh11PAhhaBAN6flUAptInmn~sFARppZywVGiAyqRmWT0hLJAYa4oQY2M6RwKDiYXBoiY8ahfvwcndiSOkUJ9heAG-dX7rbBti-NfGU8wFcBc6KirwztUkvj3tqE1e3VODLQh7pJCx3CAptqdobkZSBatahfsJszAhRofpS0KB8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tolland School District","date","2025-07-16T20:22:04Z","article","Councilor Terry Lynn Rogers moved on July 15, 2025 to add a new-business item to the Vernon Town Council agenda proposing the election of a mayor pro tempore to serve the remainder of the 2023–2025 session, naming Councilor Mary Anne Levesque as the nominee. The motion to add the agenda item required a two-thirds vote and failed after a recorded tie of six in favor and six opposed.

The proposal followed a public comment earlier in the meeting by Michael Winkler of 20 Gaudio Drive, who criticized the council’s handling of the mayor pro tempore vacancy at a previous meeting. Winkler argued the prior agenda item—described in his remarks as calling for “the election of blank mayor pro tempore” with a preselected name—did not permit nominations consistent with Robert’s Rules of Order and suggested withholding the nominee’s name from the agenda could violate Freedom of Information statutes and deny the public an opportunity to comment. He urged the council not to handle similar items in executive or “secret” sessions and said he would pursue enforcement under FOI if necessary.

During the council floor debate on adding the agenda item, members discussed whether the town charter requires a replacement election outside the initial swearing-in meeting. A council member said the charter “only talks about the first meeting” and is silent afterward; Rogers and others argued the spirit of the charter favors having a deputy or mayor pro tempore. The council took a five-minute recess to seek clerical guidance before returning and ultimately voting down the motion to add the election to the agenda.

Because the motion to add the election item failed, the vacancy in the mayor pro tempore position remained unfilled at the close of the meeting, and the council did not proceed to a vote to elect a deputy mayor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Vernon Town Council - July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilor Terry Lynn Rogers moved to add a new-business item to elect a mayor pro tempore; the motion failed on a 6–6 tie. Earlier, a resident raised concerns about nomination procedures and Freedom of Information compliance at a prior meeting.","taxTitle","Tolland School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",49401,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6168807,"Council approves disposal of 1986 John Deere tractor and decommissioning of police rifles",421,1067185,1488795,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5406821-b7efb141eb505b837ece4c5c0ee46168&start=1067&end=1488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5406821-b7efb141eb505b837ece4c5c0ee46168/thumbnail_1067185.jpg","/articles/6168807/Connecticut/Council-approves-disposal-of-1986-John-Deere-tractor-and-decommissioning-of-police-rifles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168807-586c3c187469283ae9537b8cb2c3ddf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941089&Signature=mxY-pEeuNzTVax6IHGEHFNZN~hO~KDan-BFYX-Jlvs9mFmVYdZ65LRJfi-BcXSobwQ4Bg1jrb93r1LzuXSRlQu4L4TJTw95Dh18~ESodC~gt5CaKUTbiuHjzb6iJFwvISrd9GpF~3hNa9ETnRCHU9X-08DsWNz7GAz5kpoBurL~Ya~pFwG0DaecCJyasdwu0IdnmXBOF3tffC85ckyacD31OEmAAltqBiu3jAfbi46DQwvIW8Hxaw5XwJ-qiRgh3fw0Kf-47-~hViJdkGCF8LbgD0NuF5kwcYvVwpWxmtPRQ4vyKSTmdLx-mYJErLtYikqfM~Wbg1hi-MEPA4jN51Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vernon Town Council on July 15, 2025 approved disposal of fixed assets from the Department of Public Works, including a 1986 John Deere tractor, and separately approved disposal procedures for Vernon Police Department firearms that are two decades old.

Public Works staff noted the John Deere tractor dates to 1986 and indicated it has “too many” hours; a staff member estimated roughly 17,000 hours. The council approved the disposal request unanimously.

On the police equipment item, staff said the rifles are about 20 years old. The council was told the weapons would be destroyed to the point that they no longer meet ATF criteria for automatic firearms and then sold to a parts distributor; a staff speaker said, “part of the turning process is we actually have to take a saw to them and cut them in half ... They will no longer be functional as a firearm.” Councilors expressed relief at that explanation and voted unanimously to approve the disposition.

Both disposals were approved during the new-business consent and regular agenda votes and are standard municipal property actions; the police department said it will receive a trade-in amount for parts after destruction.","Vernon Town Council approved disposal of an aged public-works tractor and authorized destruction and sale of decommissioned police rifles for parts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6168812,"Vernon council authorizes application for FEMA fire prevention grant to buy indoor training prop",376,894495,1270980,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5406821-b7efb141eb505b837ece4c5c0ee46168&start=894&end=1270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5406821-b7efb141eb505b837ece4c5c0ee46168/thumbnail_894495.jpg","/articles/6168812/Connecticut/Vernon-council-authorizes-application-for-FEMA-fire-prevention-grant-to-buy-indoor-training-prop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168812-e15555e1e476eb299dba7b34d12820af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941089&Signature=FRm9CAW7Sz66Fi0S9wXoOu~hwQJgYi~jV1qkHzyToJuTJMP4RGvxgqLHXwc~6e9yQqSrAPp~r918l-Oy4aAZdYsGqNUNGhZ3Hf~E9A7x~APDNXb8eNBhzrTiFMuPSFm8UoNlSmJvo6w2qGCGRMu8yxc0ZZzR3a0A15Ab2WpxGuyyjBQNesrIdufroybDnCq37b7iGdPpbYMgBrso7HHJmoMl8zxiMZ3H474KHcl1qkqzaD50LXY4ZDbthcw84JD8Se2GioJbNQnbJ6nrK3Fda7K9MSMNml1S4YjmG8MsYxlkt5oKU~2FE5W3IQ8sXgNnZaRYGkNtbjlg6zPqTF5AOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vernon Town Council authorized Mayor Daniel A. Champagne or his designee on July 15, 2025 to apply for FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant funds totaling $27,001.23 and to execute related documents if awarded. The town’s match for the project is $1,285.78.

Fire Department staff described the device as an electronic extinguisher training prop that can be used indoors year-round and is portable for events such as National Night Out. A department representative told the council the current propane-fired prop used for training was obtained about 15 years ago and that more than 200 town employees had recently completed extinguisher training. The representative said the new prop would allow the department to “train residents as well as local businesses and their employees” and noted that fire extinguishers are effective “97% of the time they are used on small fires.”

Councilor Laura Bush asked whether the FEMA grant is competitive; the department representative replied, “It is a competitive grant. It's a national grant, through FEMA. The grants for fire prevention are a little less competitive than for staffing and equipment.”

Councilors voted unanimously to approve the application and matching commitment. The motion authorizing the mayor or his designee to execute documents was moved and seconded on the floor and recorded as unanimous.","Council authorized the mayor to apply for a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant to purchase an electronic fire-extinguisher training prop costing about $27,000 with a town match of $1,285.78.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6168817,"Vernon council votes to enter executive session on union talks, then adopts three labor contracts",0,1627929,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5406821-b7efb141eb505b837ece4c5c0ee46168&start=1627&end=1627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5406821-b7efb141eb505b837ece4c5c0ee46168/thumbnail_1627929.jpg","/articles/6168817/Connecticut/Vernon-council-votes-to-enter-executive-session-on-union-talks-then-adopts-three-labor-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168817-159b08b04aa352349b0d5eb4c399a3e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941089&Signature=cA7TK9MtrFwymwe1LcKO08I~RPCzZ9dhF~UqnTS7rm18jh3JSg0-2C~GZ6B1lZ~WoHUrG7jVSRArqbWiENRE~zBZMzyum5d72-Wo-Ft5~~b3n6n-f~u6tyaiMsUt2MA8rDLB0RV4E41hen0owycXQlldWJDPAKgB0A~SRpVty0UbVGsgoGKFBAgnesi~NxPKny9f-HPXT6Mi-jD2FDeV1FoJRkKX6KD4gkCpCaxGcU3R4ewLnQpuazBQ6UF8G-mgYzjf85JZyk4PfpTWjefDzeHuGiIWVBEF35ZBzfYFFqox1pJ-yw7LYEE6HXToXL1X3ibE08a~M8qIg8qLEGYUQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vernon Town Council on July 15, 2025 voted to go into executive session under Connecticut General Statute 1-200(6)(d) to discuss contract negotiations and later unanimously adopted three collective bargaining agreements covering multiple town employee groups.

The council went into executive session after a procedural vote that showed divisions among members over whether closed-door negotiations were appropriate when union membership had already voted on the tentative agreements. Councilor Laura Bush moved to adopt the first contract after the executive session; Mary Anne Levesque seconded. All three contracts adopted are effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.

The debate before the executive session centered on whether the town had a legitimate negotiating strategy to protect by closing the meeting. John W. Kleinhands, town administrator, said the briefing and assessment the administration provides to the council is “the very definition of strategizing,” and that officials needed the closed session to explain negotiating positions and outcomes. Councilor Phyllis (last name not provided) argued the town should follow open-government rules unless there is a clear need to reopen negotiations, saying, “FOI law is very clear about this. ... It makes no sense to me at all.” Mary Anne Levesque defended closed deliberations for bargaining, telling colleagues, “So when you're looking at a new version of it, you're looking for improvement for our workers. ... That's best done behind closed doors before we bring the finished product out for the final vote.”

The council’s earlier motion to enter executive session—read citing Connecticut General Statute 1-200(6)(d) and inviting Town Administrator John W. Kleinhands and Assistant Town Administrator Don Masalek to attend—was seconded by Jim and passed by the recorded voice vote reported as eight in favor, one opposed and three abstentions. After the executive session, the council approved:
- A collective bargaining agreement between the Town of Vernon and professional employees represented by Local 818 of Council 4 AFSCME AFL-CIO, effective 07/01/2025–06/30/2029 (moved by Laura Bush; seconded by Mary Anne Levesque; vote: unanimous).
- A collective bargaining agreement with the directors’ independent unit, effective 07/01/2025–06/30/2029 (moved by Andrew; seconded by Terry; vote: unanimous).
- A collective bargaining agreement with Local 1471 of Council 4 AFSCME AFL-CIO, effective 07/01/2025–06/30/2029 (moved by Mary Anne Levesque; seconded by John; vote: unanimous).

Councilors who argued for closed deliberations said that discussing negotiating positions in public would undercut future bargaining. Those who opposed or questioned the executive session urged a simple preliminary question—whether any councilor sought to reopen negotiations—before moving into a closed door. The council’s final adoption of the three agreements means the contracts will be available publicly after approval under the town’s usual posting practices.

The actions followed about an hour of back-and-forth on the floor about procedure, transparency and the line between administrative strategy and public updates.","After a contested vote to enter executive session under Connecticut statute, the Vernon Town Council later unanimously approved three collective bargaining agreements effective July 1, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Motion to add election of mayor pro tempore to agenda fails after tie; resident had urged open process

Council approves disposal of 1986 John Deere tractor and decommissioning of police rifles

Vernon council authorizes application for FEMA fire prevention grant to buy indoor training prop

Vernon council votes to enter executive session on union talks, then adopts three labor contracts