Republican and Democratic Chairmen Supporting Vernon Road Bond Issue

The chairmen of the town's Democratic and Republican town committees on Tuesday released a joint statement supporting the $27.65 million road maintenance bond ordinance up for a vote on Jan. 28.
 
A yes vote at the referendum would allow the town to establish - and pay for - a six-year maintenance project that would repair - and in some case reconstruct - more than 200 streets. 

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Bill Dauphin and Republican Town Committee Chairman Harold "Hal" Cummings released the statement Tuesday night. 

It reads: 

"We urge Vernon voters to approve the proposed road improvement bond issue at referendum on Jan. 28. This investment in our roads will improve safety and save wear and tear for every vehicle that travels them.

"The roads must be maintained, and if we defer this work, it will only end up costing us more in the long run. The time is now to invest in our town’s future.

"Please vote yes on January 28." 

Dauphin and Cummings both said the statement was from both chairmen and not an implication that both parties were formally endorsing positive votes. 

Voting is scheduled for 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. All districts will vote at Center 375, located at 375 Hartford Turnpike - Route 30. 

Absentee ballots are available at the town clerk's office. 

For an explanation of the project, visit: 

http://www.vernon-ct.gov/files/Explanatory_Text_ROADS_2014.pdf

To review the ordinance, visit: 

http://www.vernon-ct.gov/files/ORDINANCE_Road_Improvements_2014_FINAL_FINAL.pdf

For a look at a power point presentation on the project, visit:
 
http://www.vernon-ct.gov/files/Jan_28_2014_ROAD_IMPROVEMENTS_FINAL_Adj_notes.pdf

The Town Council formally approved the plan on Oct. 15.

Treasurer and Finance Director James Luddecke said it is the first bond issue to come before townspeople since 2008, when $1.18 million was borrowed to help fund the Phoenix Street Bridge project.

Public Works Director Robert Kleinhans called the project, "New approaches to an old problem." It includes 219 roads, town officials said. 

Here is an outline of the reasoning behind the proposal from DPW officials: 

• Town roads need an organized plan for their improvements and maintenance and funding. 

• Currently, $100,000 or less of the Annual Town Aid for Roads grant is allocated to road repairs. 

• Local budget road funds have ranged from $30,000 to $50,000 annually for asphalt purchase. 

• The 2013 Road Bond Project with reconstruction, rehabilitation and pavement preservation practices will bring more than 200 roads to "a maintainable standard."

Kleinhans said the goals include:

• Providing a "safe drivable surface" to as many roads as possible. 

• Keeping good pavements in good shape and prolong their lives.  

• Reducing "payment life cycle costs."  

Kleinhans said the "planned preservation program" is needed because: 

• Planned preservation saves money. Routine preservation costs less than deferred repairs. 

• The full cost of preserving one lane-mile in good condition over time is less than half of the cost of letting an identical lane-mile deteriorate to poor condition and then making major repairs. 

How were road conditions assessed? 

• Two members of the DPW attended the Technology Transfer Center at the University of Connecticut for education and training regarding road maintenance and improvements. • An experienced DPW Truck driver then conducted a physical survey of all local roads. 

• The data was entered into "Road System Management Software I" obtained from the UConn T2 Center. 

• Pavement preservation techniques were then assigned to each road based on review of the right treatment for the right road at the right time. 

• Data was input on costs per road mile for the appropriate treatments. 

• Road Bond 2013 cost projections were determined with the RSM Software. 
The methods the would be used to address road conditions are: 

1.  Reconstruction.
2. Reclaim and pave the surface.
3. Cold in-place recycling of the road materials.
4. Milling/paving.
5. Overlay.
6. Shim/chip sealing.
7. Chip/cape sealing.