Council members criticize mayor’s push on pickleball project, call for subcommittee

Several Vernon Township council members sharply criticized the mayor on July 22, saying he directed engineering work and spent money on a proposed pickleball court before the council had approved a contract.

"This is a mess, and we're spending money," a council member said, describing e-mails instructing the town engineer to proceed. The council member said the council had expressed discomfort with the project at prior meetings and that the engineer’s memorandum was produced while the council was still debating other uses for the bond funds. Another council member added that the issue mirrors past incidents in which the mayor moved forward on projects without clear council approval.

Council members urged procedural changes. One proposed forming a council subcommittee to review procurement and purchase‑order procedures; another asked for monthly, year‑to‑date budget reports so members can see encumbrances and avoid surprise spending. "We have to be conscientious of how that money's gonna be spent," a council member said, urging earlier discussion of high‑cost items and more transparency about bid packets and QPA recommendations.

Council members did not identify a formal vote on awarding any contract for the pickleball court at the meeting; several said the council must still vote to approve any contract. The transcript indicates the mayor had asked the engineer to 'proceed with the pickleball courts' in an e‑mail dated July 12, and the engineer followed up with a July 22 memorandum. Council members said the memorandum was prepared using the town attorney retainer and that the engineering work thus far has incurred costs the council had not expected. They asked staff to provide clearer packet materials for future bids and to bring departmental testimony before approving substantial purchases.