Another Historic Drive-Up Vote On Tap In Vernon

VERNON, CT — Vernon officials are following up on an historic drive-up town meeting with another, and this time around, a lot more is at stake — $94.1 million to be exact.

Vernon's annual town meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at Rockville High School and it will feature drive-up voting on the proposed $94.1 million budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. via telephone conference. Comments on the budget can be made during the virtual public hearing, town officials said.

Drive-up voting will then commence outside in the RHS auditorium parking area. Voters will enter the RHS campus via the main driveway, bear right along the school building toward the auditorium and then be met by officials who will direct them toward the staff lot and then the traffic circle, police said.

Walk-up voting will also be available.

The meeting falls in line with coronavirus-related precautions, officials said. At a town meeting last month, more than 50 voters approved a $2.9 million housekeeping item by driving up to one station, showing an ID through a closed vehicle window and then voting thumbs up or down through a closed wondow.

Town officials believe the March drive-up meeting was the first of its kind in the state.

Here is the call-in information:

• Virtual call-in: 1-929-205-6099
• Meeting ID: 374 542 721
• Password: 0428

Here is a look at the proposed budget by the numbers:

The Bottom Line

• Total propsed FY2021 Budget: $94,100,096

The Breakdown

• General Government: $31,489,755
• Education: $54,516,892
• Capital Improvements and Debt Service: $8,093,449

The Difference

• Total proposed increase from the current fiscal year: $679,186
• General Government: $32,888
• Education: $646,298

Revenues

• $94,100,096

Tax Impact

• Proposed tax increase: Zero percent
• Current tax rate: 39.63 mills