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Residents press council for clarity on PILOT referendum and meeting access
Summary
Three members of the public raised concerns about a PILOT referendum and meeting access at the Jan. 29 Vernon Township Council meeting; the mayor offered to provide additional clarity and council members requested employee data ahead of budget hearings.
Residents raised concerns about a proposed PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) referral and meeting accessibility during the Jan. 29 public comment period.
Mike Furrey asked why certain facts about the PILOT referendum were not shared with the public and urged the council to respond to questions similarly to how the municipal utilities authority (MUA) has. He also questioned water and sewer expansion plans. Ann Larsen expressed concern about the PILOT petition and program, and Kirk Stevens said he was unable to participate in the meeting via Zoom and also raised concerns about PILOT.
Mayor Rossi said he would provide additional clarity regarding the PILOT program in response to the public’s questions, as recorded in the minutes. Council Member Sandra Ooms praised the Department of Public Works and asked the mayor for an employee census (names, titles, full/part-time status, salaries, and health benefit eligibility) to help inform potential raises; Council Member Bradley Sparta echoed praise for DPW performance. Council President William Higgins emphasized the need to see the budget before the deadline and asked when the new chief financial officer would start, requesting earlier preparation of budget questions.
The public comment period on these items closed after remarks; the minutes record requests for further information but do not show an extended question-and-answer exchange or a formal response with additional data in the same meeting.
