Vernon Town Council approves budget transfers, grants and a yearlong opioid services extension

The Vernon Town Council on Nov. 18 approved a package of consent and new-business items that included budget amendments, appointments, grants and contract extensions.

The council approved tax refunds as presented by the collector (16 prior-year refunds totaling $3,682.24 and 16 current-year refunds totaling $4,328.30) and reappointed Mayor Daniel A. Champagne to the Bolton Lakes Regional Water Pollution Control Authority for a term through Nov. 7, 2027. The body approved budget amendments for fiscal year 2025 (amendments numbered 9 through 21) to move funds among wage, contingency and pass-through accounts; the agenda cited a total amount on one amendment page of $12,101,100.85. The chair explained transfers are often used to cover overtime and contract-related pass-through revenues.

The council also approved a $76,300 transfer from the Board of Education 2024–25 budget into the town's capital and nonrecurring account for future projects and approved an updated job description for the Collector of Revenue. Board and administration appointments and the disposal of surplus fixed assets for the fire department and school district (including pianos) were also approved.

On grants, the council authorized the mayor to apply for a Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Recreational Trails grant on behalf of Vernon Parks & Recreation and the Hop River Trail Alliance; the paperwork initially cited $61,700 but the mayor later clarified the town’s portion is $33,433.41 and that a 20% in-kind volunteer match is expected. Council also authorized the mayor to apply for a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) instructor grant through the Connecticut Department of Transportation; the mayor said there is no required local match and staff will share amounts if available.

The council approved a one-year extension of the contract with Hockanum Valley Community Council to provide opioid- and recovery-focused services to Vernon at an amount not to exceed $56,432.80. According to program materials and social-services staff, Hockanum Valley served roughly 225 individuals during the first contract year (the number may include repeat visits), and the extended contract will place additional emphasis on youth- and senior-centered services, peer support, drop-in recovery groups, case management and community education. Steven Jackson, program director, said the provider will continue clinical interventions and broaden outreach; Matt Hellman, Vernon director of social services, said the town has been collaborating with Hockanum Valley on wraparound services.

Smaller items passed included acceptance of two $250 donations from a local Tractor Supply event to the police and fire departments and approval of minutes from the Oct. 21 meeting. Several votes recorded abstentions that were announced on the record (examples above). The meeting ended after routine housekeeping and a motion to adjourn.