By Jason L. McCoy
Imagine: $218,000 in cost reductions
I opened a recent Vernon Town Council meeting, as I have done for last two years, by giving an executive summary of where the town is, projects being worked on, events I have participated in, and general progress of the town.
I shared what I thought was great news. I informed the council that we saved $90,000 by moving non-union employees to Heath Savings Accounts; that cleaning contracts were re-bid, reducing that cost by $20,000; that we have set in motion the move to P-Cards, electronic purchasing, and implementation of permissions and codes, resulting in savings of $108,000, not to mention the time reduction spent by staff under the old process.
Imagine that: $218,000 in cost reductions.
Good news, right? Maybe a smooth night at a Vernon Town Council meeting.
Oh no, not quite.
Not a single comment, concern, or request about those savings by Councilwoman Marie Herbst and her gang.
But the Herbst gang did move to the usual innuendo and misstatements, soaring off track into a grammar school test on the definition of the word “intern,” moving on to complain about photographs at Vernon parades and events.
Really?
I want Vernon citizens to know that these savings occur because this administration pushes forward (yes, I do mean push) on a regular basis — not at the last minute, not on the day before the municipal budget is due, but regularly.
We continuously move forward on policy initiatives and changes to achieve cost reductions or savings, to spur economic growth and fiscal responsibility with your tax money.
I guess at this point it may seem commonplace under my administration, maybe even expected — and it should be. But these are not simple matters and are not commonplace in government. They require persistence, long-term planning, and careful consideration as to impacts and implications in other areas such as labor relations.
The cost reductions listed above, along with forward thinking and persistence on a regular basis over the past four years, have come in handy allowing Vernon to be ahead of the state of Connecticut’s revenue curveball thrown at every municipality around the state each year. The state’s revenue curveball has come every year when the legislature will not finalize a budget or they cannot get spending on labor to fall in line with proposed or adopted budgets, or labor concessions have not come through.
Connecticut municipality budgeting requirements do not allow municipalities to set budgets the way the state plays. This governor has made it clear that he likes the municipal budget rules as opposed to the state budget game, but I digress.
Let me point out that since being elected by Vernon citizens in 2007, I have never complained about the debt situation incurred before I took office as mayor. I handled it, budgeted for it, and made sure we paid it, while improving our credit rating; we have even reduced it, through early repayment at one point.
Why?
Simply stated, I ran for this position. I have never complained about the extremely generous union contracts that were handed out before I was elected to the 15-plus labor unions.
I have patiently waited until contracts came up for negotiation and meticulously renegotiated contracts for the benefit of Vernon citizens and the employees because the interests of both groups actually meet when you consider the future affordability.
I am proud to tell you that it looks like we saved you $218,000. If we don’t get a curveball and revenue comes in as predicted, we can accelerate capital improvements and reduce the next budget or maybe pay some debt off.
Tell those folks who polarize everything to pay attention to what counts — your services and your money.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor.
Mayor Jason L. McCoy
Showing posts with label "Mayor Jason McCoy". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "Mayor Jason McCoy". Show all posts
May 8, 2011
Then and Now: A Reflection on 9/11 and the Death of Osama Bin Laden - Vernon, CT Patch
Then and Now: A Reflection on 9/11 and the Death of Osama Bin Laden - Vernon, CT Patch: "Then and Now: A Reflection on 9/11 and the Death of Osama Bin Laden"
osama bin laden
united states 
september 11 
google 
bin laden 
jimmy fallon
osama bin ladenunited states september 11 google bin laden jimmy fallon
March 16, 2011
Mayor McCoy’s Budget Address: Budget to Lower Taxes and Reduce the Tax Rate | Mayor Jason L McCoy
Mayor McCoy’s Budget Address: Budget to Lower Taxes and Reduce the Tax Rate Mayor Jason L McCoy
Mayor McCoy today delivered his budget address to the Vernon Town Council. Mayor McCoy’s recommendations highlighted proposals that would lower taxes and reduce the tax rate to under 30 mills. The text of Mayor McCoy’s budget address is below:
“Good Evening!
I want to thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor for the past four years!
This evening, it is my privilege to provide you with some of the highlights of the 2011-2012 proposed Town of Vernon budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
As your Mayor I believe that government has a responsibility to provide solid fiscal budgeting which considers protections in the areas of public health, public safety and public education.
I believe that we must be able to afford to live in Town, and as a result, the government must be accountable to our citizens for its spending. As your Mayor it is that very responsibility and accountability that will keep our Town moving forward.
We must control taxes and strive to have the best schools and the safest streets.
We must support sensible environmental policies to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel.
As Mayor, I have found that good environmental policy supports good fiscal policy as well.
As Mayor, I have created a sensible budget and developed new programs to bring in additional revenue to the Town.
I want to talk about Economic Development in a minute, but first, let me tell you a story.
Last week, my son Patrick came home and said:
‘Dad, I took my CMTs today and one of the questions was to be answered in an essay format. The question said that we were supposed to write a letter to the Mayor recommending what he should support for development on a large piece of land and why.’
Patrick tells me:
‘We were given three choices: an amusement park, an athletic field, or a teen center’
So Patrick tells me what he wrote.
‘Dear Dad:
The ideal choice for the property is an amusement park. By supporting the amusement park, you will increase or expand the tax base in real estate, expand the personal property tax base, and increase job opportunities for people in the area. As a result, you will expand the tax base, which will increase tax revenue to the town.
With this choice, you will accomplish three things: Everybody’s property taxes will be lowered, the town can repair and re-develop an athletic field, and the town can upgrade the existing teen center.’
He also pointed out that we might pass our budget at referendum – the essay topic was true, but the rest is an illustrative just in case someone assumes that there is a developer with an amusement park coming to town – really-
I would now like to talk to you about economic development.
We have come to a point where our municipal service costs are out growing our tax base.
As a result of that determination this next budget will commit resources to the expansion of the tax base by increasing the investment in economic development. This is a necessity and we have an economic development plan that needs to be fully implemented.
These resources are necessary for the implementation, which will increase jobs and job opportunities in the area, as well as expand the tax base and repopulate abandoned store fronts and businesses.
In this budget, I have balanced what we want and need with what we can afford.
Despite the challenges inherent during a slow economic period, I want to ensure that Vernon remains stable and affordable to its taxpayers and residents.
This budget does not call for the reduction of any services provided to our residents.
My recommendation is a responsible budget, accountable for all costs and services, as well as taking the responsibility to meet these difficult times with a historically low spending increase.
The budget that I am proposing this year increases spending by 0.80 percent, in-other-words, just more than three quarters of one percent.
This budget lowers taxes and reduces the tax rate to under 30 mills (from 30.02 to 29.96 mills).
In regards to the sewer budget and sewer rates, the current budget is $5,602,523.00. The proposed budget is $5,543,768.00, resulting in a reduction of $58,775.00 or -1.06%
The WPCA reviews and sets the rate in July and the first quarterly billing of the fiscal year is in October. It is done this way so that all revenue projections can be based on actual billing amounts from the current fiscal year as well as any income derived from interest income, septic disposal fees, transported waste, and delinquent interest. Right now, there has been no discussion of a rate reduction.
There was no increase in the rate last year (for the current year) and I would anticipate no increase in the rate for next year, but that will be a decision for the Authority later this year.
Now, I would like to talk to you about how we got to this point.
To achieve savings we have done a number of things:
We have invested heavily in technical infrastructure to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of services.
We have moved our bridge projects ahead; now many of our bridges are completed. Of the final three, West Main Street is in Design Phase, Talcottville Bridge is ready for Design and Phoenix Street is ready for construction. I would like to note that each time we finish a bridge project it lowers future costs.
We have established policies that support our environment, reduce fuel usage which in turn works to reduce our nation’s reliance on foreign fuel, while lowering spending on energy.
We have consolidated costs throughout government, working hand in hand with our Board of Education, ferreting out soft spending figures from real figures.
Over the past three years of my administration, the focus has been on how to address our largest fixed cost, which is labor, keeping in mind the state and national economy as well.
Over the last three years, we were able to successfully negotiate reasonable labor contracts with an eye on not just the upcoming fiscal year, but also many fiscal years down the road.
We have implemented pension reform, wage controls and health insurance caps.
We have held the line on contractual wages over the past three years and will continue to do so in this fiscal year.
Negotiations are difficult, but, we are faced with an economy that cannot support the contracts of the past.
Now, I would just like to touch upon a few budgetary highlights.
This year, I have been able to negotiate health insurance for the Town of Vernon which includes the School Department and the Sewer Department at a mere 2.9 percent increase which is equal to $ 290,140.76. This is in stark contrast to the Town’s 2010-2011 fiscal years’ health insurance increase of 22 percent which accounted for nearly all of the increase in spending in the 2010-2011 Budget.
This year I have been able to negotiate the Property and Casualty insurance rates and that rate has decreased for a total savings of $32,000.00 this year.
Recently Vernon responded to the emergency involving eminent roof collapses which cost our taxpayers over $300,000.00; Good thing we have that insurance to — The Travelers has thus far covered $100,000.00 of that expense and we continue to pursue reimbursement for the remaining difference from The Travelers.
In this budget with those savings from Property and Casualty I am proposing that we increase our reserves in our Worker’s Compensation fund. I firmly believe this is necessary because we are self-insured and it is crucial that the reserves are fully funded.
In the last three budgets the Town of Vernon, including the Education Department and Sewer Department, has funded the pension at an appropriate level. In keeping with good fiscal management, this budget funds the pension at those levels to keep our pension on track with the appropriate amortization schedules.
This has been a conscious effort since I was elected to avoid future swings in funding due to short falls. Why? It is being done to protect the taxpayers from poor practices that have resulted in the State and Federal government pensions having bills due at a time when there is no money available to pay them.
In my first term, I asked that the Town Council pass an ordinance that would establish an Energy Improvement District (EID) in Vernon. This ordinance would allow the Town to produce green energy, including an investment in fuel cells to lower our operating expenses and help the environment.
Now in my second term, the Ordinance was passed and now the hard work has begun, starting with the recent appointment of an EID Board of Directors to move the project forward and investigate all of the options for energy savings and put into place the necessary funding.
This initiative provides an option to our local business community to reduce their energy costs as well, making Vernon more attractive to new business and industry, re-development and most importantly, it works to retain existing employers.
Infrastructure improvements have been a standing priority for my administration. An appropriation of $800,000.00, realized from cost savings in the School Department and Police Department Budgets, were appropriated for road improvements in Vernon along with $500,000.00 of CDBG funds for road improvements in the Rockville section of Vernon. Those funds are being administered in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, meaning the past fiscal year we are finishing now.
To keep my promise during that $800,000 dollar road improvement appropriation public hearing, in this upcoming fiscal year, I am proposing in the 2011-2012 capital improvements plan to designate $131,000.00 of town aid for roads funds and $242,000.00 of LOCIP funds for road improvement projects in the Vernon section of town; as well as $ 450,000.00 designated from CDBG funds for road improvement in the Rockville section of town.
Further, we will complete Hatch hill road repairs in 2011-2012 totaling $954,000.00 from the 2004-2005 bond. Lastly, the West Main Street Bridge will be funded with 80% State, 20% Local Funding; the Local match equaling $34,000.00.
Now, I would like to talk to you briefly about debt service.
This year is the final conversion of the outstanding notes to bonds for the 2004-2005 School and Road Bond authorization. $7,000,000.00 will be added to the total bonding debt, which will increase the debt service payments by $665,000.00 in the 2011-2012 budget year.
This budget supports an investment in Education by maintaining our small class size, supporting curriculum initiatives, supporting sports and extracurricular activities for students and supporting the superintendent’s initiative for student success in grade nine, especially.
Public Safety is fully funded. There are no budgetary reductions that will affect public safety services.
This past fiscal year, we saw a 16% decrease in crime against property.
The head count at the Police Department remains at 49 with 51 authorized and funded, sworn-in Town of Vernon Police department employees, with overtime fully funded.
In 2011 the police vehicle fleet was funded. It is now fully up-to-date and replacements are on track, allowing officers to be able to respond quickly and safely.
Our Environment is protected and we remain committed to our recycling and trash initiatives. Both have been very successful and continue to pay dividends.
We will continue to support the trash and recycling initiatives started in the 2010-2011 Fiscal year.
Since this programs implementation, we have significantly reduced our tipping and hauling fees, and we have increased our revenue from recycling.
We have seen our recycling increase by approximately 24% which has reduced Vernon’s trash going into landfills by over 8%.
This budget includes an appropriation of funds for the trash and recycling initiative to be expanded town-wide, which is certainly a better service to our residents with a large fiscal savings.
In regards to other important services, our Animal Control Department now services multiple towns in our region and is partially funded by those same municipalities.
The Town’s 311 City Alert System has received over 1800 calls for service and information. The software system is called q-send. Folks should know they can register requests and complaints, at the Vernon web site Vernon-ct.gov and that each inquiry is directed by the system to the appropriate department and a return email or call is generated back to the person requesting the information.
A request ticket number for your reference is given. You can ask for a reference number when you call for a service or with a complaint as well, so don’t forget to ask for your reference number.
Through the Town of Vernon’s website you can: Sign up for Parks and Recreation Programs, pay your tax bill, pay for a recreation program, fill out and file your personal property tax listings with the Assessor, or view your property card – All with just a click of your mouse.
This budget will be on-line on the Town of Vernon website and available for you at the Town Clerk’s Office or the Rockville Public Library.
I encourage our citizens and taxpayers to call me or any department head and to ask questions about this budget or a departmental section of the budget.
I encourage our citizens and taxpayers to attend one or more of the upcoming public hearings on this proposed budget during which you will have an opportunity to be heard regarding appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year.
I will be happy to speak to members of the press about this budget or the departmental sections of the budget.
If you have any questions or comments about the proposed budget, you may call or email me directly.
In summary, this budget balances needs, real estate property values and affordability.
I ask the Town Council and the citizens and taxpayers of Vernon to please support this budget.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor.”
jmccoy@vernon-ct.gov
Facebook: Mayor McCoy
Twitter: Mayor McCoy
Mayor McCoy today delivered his budget address to the Vernon Town Council. Mayor McCoy’s recommendations highlighted proposals that would lower taxes and reduce the tax rate to under 30 mills. The text of Mayor McCoy’s budget address is below:
“Good Evening!
I want to thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor for the past four years!
This evening, it is my privilege to provide you with some of the highlights of the 2011-2012 proposed Town of Vernon budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
As your Mayor I believe that government has a responsibility to provide solid fiscal budgeting which considers protections in the areas of public health, public safety and public education.
I believe that we must be able to afford to live in Town, and as a result, the government must be accountable to our citizens for its spending. As your Mayor it is that very responsibility and accountability that will keep our Town moving forward.
We must control taxes and strive to have the best schools and the safest streets.
We must support sensible environmental policies to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel.
As Mayor, I have found that good environmental policy supports good fiscal policy as well.
As Mayor, I have created a sensible budget and developed new programs to bring in additional revenue to the Town.
I want to talk about Economic Development in a minute, but first, let me tell you a story.
Last week, my son Patrick came home and said:
‘Dad, I took my CMTs today and one of the questions was to be answered in an essay format. The question said that we were supposed to write a letter to the Mayor recommending what he should support for development on a large piece of land and why.’
Patrick tells me:
‘We were given three choices: an amusement park, an athletic field, or a teen center’
So Patrick tells me what he wrote.
‘Dear Dad:
The ideal choice for the property is an amusement park. By supporting the amusement park, you will increase or expand the tax base in real estate, expand the personal property tax base, and increase job opportunities for people in the area. As a result, you will expand the tax base, which will increase tax revenue to the town.
With this choice, you will accomplish three things: Everybody’s property taxes will be lowered, the town can repair and re-develop an athletic field, and the town can upgrade the existing teen center.’
He also pointed out that we might pass our budget at referendum – the essay topic was true, but the rest is an illustrative just in case someone assumes that there is a developer with an amusement park coming to town – really-
I would now like to talk to you about economic development.
We have come to a point where our municipal service costs are out growing our tax base.
As a result of that determination this next budget will commit resources to the expansion of the tax base by increasing the investment in economic development. This is a necessity and we have an economic development plan that needs to be fully implemented.
These resources are necessary for the implementation, which will increase jobs and job opportunities in the area, as well as expand the tax base and repopulate abandoned store fronts and businesses.
In this budget, I have balanced what we want and need with what we can afford.
Despite the challenges inherent during a slow economic period, I want to ensure that Vernon remains stable and affordable to its taxpayers and residents.
This budget does not call for the reduction of any services provided to our residents.
My recommendation is a responsible budget, accountable for all costs and services, as well as taking the responsibility to meet these difficult times with a historically low spending increase.
The budget that I am proposing this year increases spending by 0.80 percent, in-other-words, just more than three quarters of one percent.
This budget lowers taxes and reduces the tax rate to under 30 mills (from 30.02 to 29.96 mills).
In regards to the sewer budget and sewer rates, the current budget is $5,602,523.00. The proposed budget is $5,543,768.00, resulting in a reduction of $58,775.00 or -1.06%
The WPCA reviews and sets the rate in July and the first quarterly billing of the fiscal year is in October. It is done this way so that all revenue projections can be based on actual billing amounts from the current fiscal year as well as any income derived from interest income, septic disposal fees, transported waste, and delinquent interest. Right now, there has been no discussion of a rate reduction.
There was no increase in the rate last year (for the current year) and I would anticipate no increase in the rate for next year, but that will be a decision for the Authority later this year.
Now, I would like to talk to you about how we got to this point.
To achieve savings we have done a number of things:
We have invested heavily in technical infrastructure to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of services.
We have moved our bridge projects ahead; now many of our bridges are completed. Of the final three, West Main Street is in Design Phase, Talcottville Bridge is ready for Design and Phoenix Street is ready for construction. I would like to note that each time we finish a bridge project it lowers future costs.
We have established policies that support our environment, reduce fuel usage which in turn works to reduce our nation’s reliance on foreign fuel, while lowering spending on energy.
We have consolidated costs throughout government, working hand in hand with our Board of Education, ferreting out soft spending figures from real figures.
Over the past three years of my administration, the focus has been on how to address our largest fixed cost, which is labor, keeping in mind the state and national economy as well.
Over the last three years, we were able to successfully negotiate reasonable labor contracts with an eye on not just the upcoming fiscal year, but also many fiscal years down the road.
We have implemented pension reform, wage controls and health insurance caps.
We have held the line on contractual wages over the past three years and will continue to do so in this fiscal year.
Negotiations are difficult, but, we are faced with an economy that cannot support the contracts of the past.
Now, I would just like to touch upon a few budgetary highlights.
This year, I have been able to negotiate health insurance for the Town of Vernon which includes the School Department and the Sewer Department at a mere 2.9 percent increase which is equal to $ 290,140.76. This is in stark contrast to the Town’s 2010-2011 fiscal years’ health insurance increase of 22 percent which accounted for nearly all of the increase in spending in the 2010-2011 Budget.
This year I have been able to negotiate the Property and Casualty insurance rates and that rate has decreased for a total savings of $32,000.00 this year.
Recently Vernon responded to the emergency involving eminent roof collapses which cost our taxpayers over $300,000.00; Good thing we have that insurance to — The Travelers has thus far covered $100,000.00 of that expense and we continue to pursue reimbursement for the remaining difference from The Travelers.
In this budget with those savings from Property and Casualty I am proposing that we increase our reserves in our Worker’s Compensation fund. I firmly believe this is necessary because we are self-insured and it is crucial that the reserves are fully funded.
In the last three budgets the Town of Vernon, including the Education Department and Sewer Department, has funded the pension at an appropriate level. In keeping with good fiscal management, this budget funds the pension at those levels to keep our pension on track with the appropriate amortization schedules.
This has been a conscious effort since I was elected to avoid future swings in funding due to short falls. Why? It is being done to protect the taxpayers from poor practices that have resulted in the State and Federal government pensions having bills due at a time when there is no money available to pay them.
In my first term, I asked that the Town Council pass an ordinance that would establish an Energy Improvement District (EID) in Vernon. This ordinance would allow the Town to produce green energy, including an investment in fuel cells to lower our operating expenses and help the environment.
Now in my second term, the Ordinance was passed and now the hard work has begun, starting with the recent appointment of an EID Board of Directors to move the project forward and investigate all of the options for energy savings and put into place the necessary funding.
This initiative provides an option to our local business community to reduce their energy costs as well, making Vernon more attractive to new business and industry, re-development and most importantly, it works to retain existing employers.
Infrastructure improvements have been a standing priority for my administration. An appropriation of $800,000.00, realized from cost savings in the School Department and Police Department Budgets, were appropriated for road improvements in Vernon along with $500,000.00 of CDBG funds for road improvements in the Rockville section of Vernon. Those funds are being administered in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, meaning the past fiscal year we are finishing now.
To keep my promise during that $800,000 dollar road improvement appropriation public hearing, in this upcoming fiscal year, I am proposing in the 2011-2012 capital improvements plan to designate $131,000.00 of town aid for roads funds and $242,000.00 of LOCIP funds for road improvement projects in the Vernon section of town; as well as $ 450,000.00 designated from CDBG funds for road improvement in the Rockville section of town.
Further, we will complete Hatch hill road repairs in 2011-2012 totaling $954,000.00 from the 2004-2005 bond. Lastly, the West Main Street Bridge will be funded with 80% State, 20% Local Funding; the Local match equaling $34,000.00.
Now, I would like to talk to you briefly about debt service.
This year is the final conversion of the outstanding notes to bonds for the 2004-2005 School and Road Bond authorization. $7,000,000.00 will be added to the total bonding debt, which will increase the debt service payments by $665,000.00 in the 2011-2012 budget year.
This budget supports an investment in Education by maintaining our small class size, supporting curriculum initiatives, supporting sports and extracurricular activities for students and supporting the superintendent’s initiative for student success in grade nine, especially.
Public Safety is fully funded. There are no budgetary reductions that will affect public safety services.
This past fiscal year, we saw a 16% decrease in crime against property.
The head count at the Police Department remains at 49 with 51 authorized and funded, sworn-in Town of Vernon Police department employees, with overtime fully funded.
In 2011 the police vehicle fleet was funded. It is now fully up-to-date and replacements are on track, allowing officers to be able to respond quickly and safely.
Our Environment is protected and we remain committed to our recycling and trash initiatives. Both have been very successful and continue to pay dividends.
We will continue to support the trash and recycling initiatives started in the 2010-2011 Fiscal year.
Since this programs implementation, we have significantly reduced our tipping and hauling fees, and we have increased our revenue from recycling.
We have seen our recycling increase by approximately 24% which has reduced Vernon’s trash going into landfills by over 8%.
This budget includes an appropriation of funds for the trash and recycling initiative to be expanded town-wide, which is certainly a better service to our residents with a large fiscal savings.
In regards to other important services, our Animal Control Department now services multiple towns in our region and is partially funded by those same municipalities.
The Town’s 311 City Alert System has received over 1800 calls for service and information. The software system is called q-send. Folks should know they can register requests and complaints, at the Vernon web site Vernon-ct.gov and that each inquiry is directed by the system to the appropriate department and a return email or call is generated back to the person requesting the information.
A request ticket number for your reference is given. You can ask for a reference number when you call for a service or with a complaint as well, so don’t forget to ask for your reference number.
Through the Town of Vernon’s website you can: Sign up for Parks and Recreation Programs, pay your tax bill, pay for a recreation program, fill out and file your personal property tax listings with the Assessor, or view your property card – All with just a click of your mouse.
This budget will be on-line on the Town of Vernon website and available for you at the Town Clerk’s Office or the Rockville Public Library.
I encourage our citizens and taxpayers to call me or any department head and to ask questions about this budget or a departmental section of the budget.
I encourage our citizens and taxpayers to attend one or more of the upcoming public hearings on this proposed budget during which you will have an opportunity to be heard regarding appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year.
I will be happy to speak to members of the press about this budget or the departmental sections of the budget.
If you have any questions or comments about the proposed budget, you may call or email me directly.
In summary, this budget balances needs, real estate property values and affordability.
I ask the Town Council and the citizens and taxpayers of Vernon to please support this budget.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor.”
jmccoy@vernon-ct.gov
Facebook: Mayor McCoy
Twitter: Mayor McCoy
February 19, 2011
Town rallies to help re-open schools Article | ReminderNews Vernon CT
Article ReminderNews: "Town rallies to help re-open schools"
Vernon students had an unexpected week of vacation from Feb . 1 to Feb . 7 , as winter storms piled so much snow on the roofs of school buildings that officials wanted to be sure of their safety before allowing students inside .
Before the Board of Education’s special meeting on Feb . 7 to officially approve its budget for 2011-2012 , all schools were expected to re-open on Feb . 8 . Despite another snowfall that morning , they all did .
Mayor Jason McCoy sent out emails at approximately the same time , stating that the schools were safe .
“ I am proud to announce that the school buildings no longer face imminent structural danger , as a result of dedicated workers and volunteers from throughout the community , ” McCoy said . “ After a briefing from my staff and the BOE’s structural engineer , I have decided to close down emergency operations and the Emergency Operations Center , as there is no longer an emergency situation or threat from imminent danger . The snow loads on the buildings have been inspected and certified by the engineer and they are within the code limits prescribed by Connecticut Code . ”
Conway said when the emergency had been declared over , the control of the remaining cleanup at the schools was turned back over to her office .
Town workers began clearing the roofs on Feb . 2 . By Feb . 4 , the task had seemed so large that town employees were asked to volunteer , and members of the National Guard were deployed to help , via town requests to the state .
On Feb . 4 , the town also sent automated phone calls asking Vernon residents to volunteer to help , and many did . McCoy said the volume of snow on the schools and town buildings was calculated , as were the man-hours required to remove it all , and it was clear that more people were needed .
An estimated 17 . 4 million pounds of snow were removed from roofs of municipal buildings , McCoy said , calling that estimate conservative .
“ People just showed up with snow shovels at the high school , ” Conway said . “ It was just phenomenal . ”
On Saturday , Feb . 5 , McCoy had convened an emergency meeting of the Town Council to appropriate additional funds for snow-removal efforts . The council approved an amount of $ 90 , 000 .
Of larger concern was Maple Street School , which had received significant water damage to four of its classrooms .
Conway said several options were considered for the remediation of the damage , including possibly having students utilize another school building temporarily , or perhaps the Board of Education building itself .
However , late in the afternoon on Feb . 8 , it was determined that Maple Street School could re-open along with the rest of the district , and students in the four damaged classrooms would learn their lessons in other parts of the building . A reading room , a computer lab , and a boys’ bathroom also were damaged . Conway said the floor in the computer lab was also heavily damaged . Dehumidifiers are being used in the classrooms , and painters were being called to correct the cosmetic damage to ceilings and walls .
“ The roof is cleared , and the building is safe , ” Conway said . “ We are 100 percent in our own schools , and we are delighted with that . We expect the cleanup to be less than three weeks . ”
At Skinner Road School , there was concern over snow on the large canopies at the entrance of the school . Students were entering and exiting from the rear doors of the building until the snow was removed .
McCoy said the impetus for the school closing was that engineers had determined that some roofs were carrying loads upwards of 50 pounds per square foot – well above the general standards of 21 pounds per square foot , although he added that several schools and town buildings are rated higher .
Tests of the weight load on the roof of Vernon Middle School were at or near limits in a few areas as of Feb . 7 , but Conway said cleanup was continuing in the areas of the roof where snow was still heavy , especially since the possibility of more snow could put those areas over the limit .
Conway thanked the district’s custodians , many of whom had worked extra shifts , as well as contractors , who were still continuing the efforts .
Once all the schools are totally cleared of snow , Conway said she hoped such an effort would not be necessary again this winter .
“ I can’t imagine we’re going to get another 80 inches between now and April 1 , ” she said . “ We’re not anticipating having to do this again . We will be talking about roof maintenance , as part of our preventive maintenance , as we go along . ”
As of Feb . 10 , Vernon schools had accumulated nine snow days . At a meeting on Feb . 9 , the Board of Education voted to revise the school year, eliminating the vacation week from Feb . 21-25 . This would allow for school to end on June 23 , with RHS graduation taking place on June 22 . If more than two more snow days occur , the plan is to begin to cut days from April vacation .
mayor jason mccoy
Vernon students had an unexpected week of vacation from Feb . 1 to Feb . 7 , as winter storms piled so much snow on the roofs of school buildings that officials wanted to be sure of their safety before allowing students inside .
Before the Board of Education’s special meeting on Feb . 7 to officially approve its budget for 2011-2012 , all schools were expected to re-open on Feb . 8 . Despite another snowfall that morning , they all did .
Mayor Jason McCoy sent out emails at approximately the same time , stating that the schools were safe .
“ I am proud to announce that the school buildings no longer face imminent structural danger , as a result of dedicated workers and volunteers from throughout the community , ” McCoy said . “ After a briefing from my staff and the BOE’s structural engineer , I have decided to close down emergency operations and the Emergency Operations Center , as there is no longer an emergency situation or threat from imminent danger . The snow loads on the buildings have been inspected and certified by the engineer and they are within the code limits prescribed by Connecticut Code . ”
Conway said when the emergency had been declared over , the control of the remaining cleanup at the schools was turned back over to her office .
Town workers began clearing the roofs on Feb . 2 . By Feb . 4 , the task had seemed so large that town employees were asked to volunteer , and members of the National Guard were deployed to help , via town requests to the state .
On Feb . 4 , the town also sent automated phone calls asking Vernon residents to volunteer to help , and many did . McCoy said the volume of snow on the schools and town buildings was calculated , as were the man-hours required to remove it all , and it was clear that more people were needed .
An estimated 17 . 4 million pounds of snow were removed from roofs of municipal buildings , McCoy said , calling that estimate conservative .
“ People just showed up with snow shovels at the high school , ” Conway said . “ It was just phenomenal . ”
On Saturday , Feb . 5 , McCoy had convened an emergency meeting of the Town Council to appropriate additional funds for snow-removal efforts . The council approved an amount of $ 90 , 000 .
Of larger concern was Maple Street School , which had received significant water damage to four of its classrooms .
Conway said several options were considered for the remediation of the damage , including possibly having students utilize another school building temporarily , or perhaps the Board of Education building itself .
However , late in the afternoon on Feb . 8 , it was determined that Maple Street School could re-open along with the rest of the district , and students in the four damaged classrooms would learn their lessons in other parts of the building . A reading room , a computer lab , and a boys’ bathroom also were damaged . Conway said the floor in the computer lab was also heavily damaged . Dehumidifiers are being used in the classrooms , and painters were being called to correct the cosmetic damage to ceilings and walls .
“ The roof is cleared , and the building is safe , ” Conway said . “ We are 100 percent in our own schools , and we are delighted with that . We expect the cleanup to be less than three weeks . ”
At Skinner Road School , there was concern over snow on the large canopies at the entrance of the school . Students were entering and exiting from the rear doors of the building until the snow was removed .
McCoy said the impetus for the school closing was that engineers had determined that some roofs were carrying loads upwards of 50 pounds per square foot – well above the general standards of 21 pounds per square foot , although he added that several schools and town buildings are rated higher .
Tests of the weight load on the roof of Vernon Middle School were at or near limits in a few areas as of Feb . 7 , but Conway said cleanup was continuing in the areas of the roof where snow was still heavy , especially since the possibility of more snow could put those areas over the limit .
Conway thanked the district’s custodians , many of whom had worked extra shifts , as well as contractors , who were still continuing the efforts .
Once all the schools are totally cleared of snow , Conway said she hoped such an effort would not be necessary again this winter .
“ I can’t imagine we’re going to get another 80 inches between now and April 1 , ” she said . “ We’re not anticipating having to do this again . We will be talking about roof maintenance , as part of our preventive maintenance , as we go along . ”
As of Feb . 10 , Vernon schools had accumulated nine snow days . At a meeting on Feb . 9 , the Board of Education voted to revise the school year, eliminating the vacation week from Feb . 21-25 . This would allow for school to end on June 23 , with RHS graduation taking place on June 22 . If more than two more snow days occur , the plan is to begin to cut days from April vacation .
mayor jason mccoy
January 29, 2011
Town of Vernon, CT - News, Events & Press Releases
Town of Vernon, CT - News, Events & Press Releases: "NEWS, EVENTS & PRESS RELEASES"
mayor jason mccoy
mayor jason mccoy
December 29, 2010
May 28, 2010
Volunteers Needed For Memorial Day Observance - Courant.com
Volunteers Needed For Memorial Day Observance - Courant.com
VERNON –Volunteers Needed For Holiday Observance
Volunteers are needed for a few hours on Memorial Day to help with the town's observance that honors those killed in defense of the nation.
Volunteers are needed for a few hours on Memorial Day to help with the town's observance that honors those killed in defense of the nation.
Anyone wishing to volunteer or any local organizations interested in setting up a booth to sell drinks or snacks this coming Monday, Memorial Day, should contact Mayor Jason L. McCoy's office at 860-870-3601.
This year's parade will form on Kingsbury Avenue at 9:15 a.m. and step off at 10 a.m. following a ceremony at St. Bernard Cemetery. The parade will conclude in Rockville center with a wreath laying at the Central Park war memorials.
Brad Davis of WDRC-AM will be broadcasting live from the mayor's office from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.
VERNON –Volunteers Needed For Holiday Observance
Volunteers are needed for a few hours on Memorial Day to help with the town's observance that honors those killed in defense of the nation.
Volunteers are needed for a few hours on Memorial Day to help with the town's observance that honors those killed in defense of the nation.
Anyone wishing to volunteer or any local organizations interested in setting up a booth to sell drinks or snacks this coming Monday, Memorial Day, should contact Mayor Jason L. McCoy's office at 860-870-3601.
This year's parade will form on Kingsbury Avenue at 9:15 a.m. and step off at 10 a.m. following a ceremony at St. Bernard Cemetery. The parade will conclude in Rockville center with a wreath laying at the Central Park war memorials.
Brad Davis of WDRC-AM will be broadcasting live from the mayor's office from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.
January 25, 2010
Recycling Center Collecting Books For Nonprofit - Courant.com
Recycling Center Collecting Books For Nonprofit - Courant.com
There is an eight-foot, walk-in, collection container at the municipal recycling and transfer station to receive donations of used books that will be donated to a nonprofit organization that distributes them globally.
All types of books, whether they are hard or soft cover, on tape or a DVD, are accepted. The donations are being given to "The Reading Tree," formerly "Hands Across the Water," which will distribute them to schools and libraries around the world The collection is for town residents only, Mayor Jason McCoy, said in prepared statement that notes the money saved by removing them from the waste stream as a benefit to taxpayers. Encyclopedias, magazines and catalogs will not be accepted.
The station on Hockanum Boulevard is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. No permit is required to place books in the container.
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There is an eight-foot, walk-in, collection container at the municipal recycling and transfer station to receive donations of used books that will be donated to a nonprofit organization that distributes them globally.
All types of books, whether they are hard or soft cover, on tape or a DVD, are accepted. The donations are being given to "The Reading Tree," formerly "Hands Across the Water," which will distribute them to schools and libraries around the world The collection is for town residents only, Mayor Jason McCoy, said in prepared statement that notes the money saved by removing them from the waste stream as a benefit to taxpayers. Encyclopedias, magazines and catalogs will not be accepted.
The station on Hockanum Boulevard is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. No permit is required to place books in the container.
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