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Residents press council on data centers, internet service, duplicate refunds and government-form petition
Summary
Public comment featured multiple topics: opposition to data centers, complaints about poor internet and cell service, questions about duplicate tax-refund entries and a petition to change Vernon’s form of government; councilors promised follow-up information and staff responses.
During the public-comment portion of Wednesday's meeting, residents raised several separate issues that the council said it would follow up on.
Telecom and internet complaints: Multiple residents reported poor cell and internet service from Verizon and Optimum and asked whether providers should appear before the council. One resident said, "I really would like to know what the hell is going on with the service," and asked for a council response after repeated dropped calls. Council members noted a school-board cell-tower project under land-use review that could improve coverage and said they would inquire further with providers and the township attorney about any formal appearance requirement.
Duplicate tax-refund entry: Dorian Edwards asked about item 66140 on the bills list, which he said appeared to be a duplicate tax-refund entry. Officials said they would research the entry and email a response to the resident.
Petition on government form: A petitioner in the audience urged residents to sign a petition to change the township's form of government and said the measure would be on the ballot this November; council members clarified that the petition's goal is to change the structure and distribution of local authority rather than target individuals.
Data centers and land sales: Several speakers, including Christa Garry and Carol Bernham, urged a ban on large-scale data centers citing infrastructure and environmental concerns; councilors noted the Highlands Act and existing zoning constraints and moved to adopt ordinance 2611 (a ban). A resident on the land-sale agenda asked whether land the township plans to auction could be used for data centers; the mayor said no.
Council follow-up: Officials committed to emailing a funding breakout for ordinance 21-12 and to investigating the duplicate refund entry; the land-use board and attorney will continue discussions on other ongoing development matters, some of which will be handled in executive session or via staff follow-up.
