Cleanup Starts At Burnt-Out Vernon Mill Site Amid Municipal Order

VERNON, CT — In response to an order from Vernon officials, demolition crews have begun clearing debris from the site of a mill once full of history that was ravaged by a fire two winters ago.

The red brick building at 114 Brooklyn St. has stood for about 130 years, but was destroyed by flames on Dec. 12, 2022. The investigation into the cause was wrapped up last year and officials were not able to pinpoint a cause.

Vernon land use officials then notified the property owner, Meriden-based JFC3 Investments LLC, that the debris had to be cleared and the adjoining sidewalk reopened. In October, the town began to issue notices of violation and, in November, a cease-and-desist order was issued. A citation was issued in December formally notifying the property owner that the structure was unsafe and the property needed to be cleared and that daily fines would be assessed.

"It is a property owner's responsibility to ensure compliance with town ordinances and codes," Mayor Dan Champagne said. "I am glad to finally see progress at 114 Brooklyn St.”

A contractor hired by the property owner arrived on the site last week and is now at work clearing the parcel. Because of the building’s proximity to the Hockanum River, some of the cleanup work will have to be done by hand, officials said.

Town officials have received complaints about the site and the lengthy closure of the adjoining sidewalk. There are many walkers in the neighborhood.

The circa 1890 mill was initially occupied by the James J. Regan Co., which
manufactured textiles.

It was subsequently occupied by the National Printing Co., which produced greeting cards.

In the mid-1950s, the Tober Baseball Manufacturing Co. relocated to the building from Manchester. Tober closed in the early 1970s.

In 1971 the building was sold to Vernon-based Ladd & Hall Co., a furniture retailer with a showroom in the Rockville section of town It was used as a warehouse until Ladd & Hall closed in 2020.

In September 2021, the building was sold to 124 and 126 Broadway LLC. In December 2022 it was sold to JFC3 Investments LLC. It had a small commercial presence inside until the fire.