Vernon's Budgetary Voyage Could be Rough, Mayor Says

As town officials begin sailing into the budgetary season, Mayor George Apel is predicting  choppy seas.

"We can pretty much control expenses," he said on Tuesday in his report to the Town Council. But then he paused and said the town could be fighting the tide and "at the mercy" of the state when it comes to revenues.

It could translate into "a tough budget season," Apel said.

Apel said the departmental budgetary review process began on Monday and will continue this week and next.He said he would like to finish up "before the beginning of the year," so he can "take a second pass" at the budget.

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In his report, Apel said the Festival of Trees at Town Hall was a "huge success" and raised $450 for the Community School program at Maple Street School. 

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Apel said administrative assistant Diane Wheelock oversaw a review of the town's Verizon Wireless account and uncovered $5,400 in savings that can be applied tonext year's budget.

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Apel said that he has directed the Parks and Recreation Department to provide specific instructions on where to park and what traffic flow to use for those renting the lodge at Newhoca Park.

Residents of the Bolton Lakes area have complained abut traffic and parking during functions. Apel said the directive should take care of 90 percent of their complaints.