Today the Town of Vernon said goodbye to Mark Lucas, a crew leader in the Parks and Recreation Department who has left his mark on Vernon.
Mark worked for the town for 36 years and his retirement is a huge loss for the town, Parks and Recreation Director Marty Sitler said.
Mark did and knew so much, he'll be pretty much impossible to replace. Marty asked Mark to start listing all of the knowledge he has stored in his head about maintenance of Vernon's parks and facilities. It's a long list.
The department hosted a reception for Mark Wednesday morning.
Vernon Town Departments are closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Town offices close at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Refuse normally collected on Thursday will be collected Wednesday.
Refuse normally collected Friday will be collected Monday.

Police Chief Marc Petruzzi, Fire Marshal Dan Wasilewski, Social Worker Christine McFatter, Town Administrator John Kleinhans, Social Services Director Matt Hellman, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Peeler and others joined in to help.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Mayor Dan Champagne and Town Administrator John Kleinhans stopped by to visit.
Help our Public Works crews when the snow flies, and save yourself the cost of a parking ticket.

Vernon Town Departments will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28, in observance of Thanksgiving.
Town will close for the holiday at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Refuse and recycling normally collected on Thursday will be collected A DAY EARLY
on Wednesday Nov. 26. Refuse and recycling normally collected on Friday will be collected the following Monday Dec. 1, along with that day’s route. If delays occur, please leave your carts at the curb.
Residents are reminded that excess refuse and recycling can be taken to the Transfer Station located at 12 Hockanum Boulevard free of charge (permit & punchcards not required) year-round. Normal hours of
operation are Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m.


A variety of money saving ideas and information about energy assistance programs can be found on the following page:
https://www.vernon-ct.gov/page/empower-vernon-energy-efficiency-and-money-saving-resources
You can also check the Eversource page:
https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/payment-assistance
You can also apply for energy assistance through Vernon Social Services.
Go to https://www.vernon-ct.gov/page/social-services or call 860-870-3661.



Vernon DPW workers are in the midst of leaf collection and that requires them to work in the road.
Please slow down and pass our workers and vehicles safely and responsibly.
We want our people to go home at the end of day.
PLEASE GIVE THEM A BRAKE!

Council members sworn in Thursday, as pictured in the portrait, left to right : Laura Bush, TeriLynn Rogers, Jim Tedford, Phyllis Winkler, Laurie Abernathy, Maryann Levesque, Michael Wendus, Thao Nguyen, Patricia Buxton and Bernie Sykes. Two council members, Bill Dauphin and Ariana Nieves, were not able to attend Thursday and will be sworn in Monday.
Mayor Dan Champagne was also sworn in to his new term.
The new terms are effective Nov. 10.
The Board of Education will be sworn in Monday.
Vernon town offices will be closed. Vernon Public Schools are open.
Refuse and recycling will not be collected on Tuesday.
Tuesday's refuse and recycling routes will be picked up on Wednesday. If there is a delay, please leave your refuse cart at the curb.

The intersection is one of several gateways to Vernon that has a garden maintained by garden club volunteers.
The sign replaces one that was in place for many years but was due for replacement. Time and the elements had taken their toll.
Thank you to the Vernon Garden Club for all the work its members perform to make Vernon beautiful.
Please slow down and drive carefully when your see our workers in the roadway.
Please let them complete their days safely so that they can go home to their families.
Contractors will complete the job in the spring with color coating and striping.
Polling places are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Polling places are:
-Northeast School, 69 East Street
-District 2, Rockville High School, 70 Loveland Hill Road
-Skinner Road School, 90 Skinner Road
-Vernon Center Middle School, 777 Hartford Turnpike
Please visit the link below to determine where your vote or if you are registered to vote.
https://www.vernon-ct.gov/page/registrars-of-voters
If you are not registered to vote, same day registration is available at the Registrars of Voters office, 375 Hartford Turnpike, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you have any questions, call the Registrars of Voters at 860-896-2376.

Come cheer the band on as it seeks a state championship!
The band will perform its 2024 competition program, “24601,” a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the Broadway musical Les Misérables, at 3 p.m.
Over the past three years, the Marching RAM Band has experienced remarkable growth—expanding from 21 members in 2022 to more than 65 members this season. Band Director Raymond Sinclair credits this success to the strong support of Vernon Public Schools, the dedication of the marching band staff, the Band Boosters and the passion and work ethic of the band and color guard members.
This season, the RHS Marching Band has shown consistent improvement, increasing its score by 4–6 points each week, positioning the ensemble as a strong contender for the State Championship title.
To purchase tickets and cheer on our Rockville Rams, visit: https://bluedevils.org/events/event_details.php?eventID=12049 and enter promo code Rockville25 to save $5



There is no early voting on Monday.
Tuesday is election day. Polling places are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information on voting in Vernon, please click this link:
https://www.vernon-ct.gov/page/registrars-of-voters

Mayor Dan Champagne, Town Administrator John Kleinhans and Public Works Director Dwight Ryniewicz toured the site on Wednesday.
Mayor Champagne said he is excited by the progress on the project and looks forward to senior center members having access to the facility in the coming months.
See you there!
Open to Vernon families only.

The fire department is serving infants through 12-year-olds.
Vernon Social Services is serving 13 to 17-year-olds.
All children served must be residents of Vernon.
If your child is an infant through age 12, please click on the link below to register for Toys for Tikes. (We have a new process this year. You must register through the link below or call 860-870-3670.)
https://forms.gle/5KZBtWJjgUSGihfa8
If your child is age 13 to 17, Vernon Social Services will begin accepting applications on Nov. 3. To register call 860-870-3661.

