Health & Fitness
Families Need Not Apply
In our recent history, some of Vernon's decision-makers thought that young families with school-age children were too much of a tax burden on our Town.
"...Vernon has a higher percentage of seniors than any town in the state ..." Town Attorney/Republican Chair Hal Cummings quoted in VernonPatch.
Being a senior myself, I enjoy the company of so many of my peers. But are we No. 1 in Vernon by accident?
Find out what's happening in Vernonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It turns out that over our history, some of Vernon's decision-makers thought that young families with school-age children were too much of a tax burden for our Town. Actions were taken to limit the number of families in Vernon.
Decades ago, Vernon's Housing Authority refused to build any public housing for families. Unlike many other towns, only single-bedroom and senior apartment complexes were built by Vernon's Housing Authority.
Find out what's happening in Vernonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Vernon's Housing Authority even refused some State Section 8 family housing vouchers until then-Mayor Stephen Marcham publicly pleaded with the Authority on behalf of poor families and landlords.
More recently, Vernon changed its zoning regulations to allow high-density, high-profit, "over age 55" housing complexes. By encouraging high-density senior housing, Town officials could satisfy landowners and developers while excluding families.
Now, "Vernon has a higher percentage of seniors than any town in the state" by design. While this gives me lots of company, I wonder if its best for our community in the long-term.
For years, education in Vernon has been slowly squeezed by budgets that don't cover the costs of inflation, repairs or improvements. If our school system deteriorates and families with children choose to live elsewhere?
"So much the better to reduce taxes", say those who planned and rewarded housing whch excludes families.
