Community Corner

Road Work Plan Gets Praise - Except at the Lakes

A public hearing took place on Tuesday.

Comments at Tuesday's public hearing on Vernon's proposed $27 million road maintenance program ranged from high praise to a group of Bolton Lakes neighbors feeling left out in the potholes.

And two longtime antagonists even agreed on something. 

The Town Council on Tuesday endorsed - unanimously - a bonding ordinance that sends the issue to a Jan. 28 referendum. The plan calls for 219 roads to be repaired over seven different levels of intensity in a six-year plan. 

There was support across political lines - not only in the council vote. Democratic Town Committee Chairman Bill Dauphin said that "maintaining the town's physical infrastructure is a valuable service."  

Longtime resident Carl Schaefer, considered in town as a true Democratic watchdog over all things public works, joked that he and DPW Director Robert Kleinhans agree that a comprehensive road work program is needed after endorsing the plan. 

Schaefer, though, charged future council's with putting money aside on an annual basis for paving. Same with Dauphin. 

Another Bob - Hurd - a local architect who is active in historical circles,  said the program "is a small start," but added it was a "valuable" one.

"Take it to the people and get their vote," Hurd said. 

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Center 375 on Jan. 28. Town officials said time elements prevented the matter from reaching the November ballot. 

Former Council member James Krupienski tore apart the ordinance for its lack of detail. 

And residents of the Bolton Lakes area were incensed that their roads were, for the most part, left off the list. There is currently a major sewer project taking place in the area, but they still demanded answers on when -  and if - the roads will be included in a major restoration project. 

Among the comments were: 

"We are paying filet mignon prices (in terms of property taxes) for dog food."

"One excuse after  another (for 10 years)."

"The roads are not up to the standards roads should be."

Former Town Planner Thomas Joyce said he would gladly pay more in taxes to support the plan. which is "absolutely necessary." He added, though, Bolton Lakes should be considered for road improvements with the next council.

Republican council member Adam Weissberger said the plan is not a "fly by night," operation and praised Kleinhans and DPW highway foreman Jeffrey Schambach for taking a course at thew University of Connecticut to employ state-of-the-art road work analysis software to the project.

"This is one of those times when we can do great things for the town," Weissberger said. 

Democrats vowed to work with the Bolton Lakes residents as part of the next council. 


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