Julie Clay, Vernon Town Council's 'Keen Eye,' Steps Down

VERNON, CT — Julie Clay, known as a quiet but consistent voice of reason on the Vernon Town Council, has stepped down to spend more time with her family.

Clay was appointed to the council in February 2013 after Judith Hany stepped down because of back issues. Clay and her husband, Richard, own Manchester-based Clay Furniture Industries Inc. Before she became president of the business, she was employed in the mortgage banking industry.

Clay sat down with Patch this week to reflect on her tenure.

"It's been a good few years," Clay said. "I've always thought that, if you have to do anything, you should do public service. There are so many aspects that we deal with in our personal lives that I was able to experience, not only the council, but department heads and policies. I'd like to think I helped out in town and made things better for Vernon.

Clay, 62, has lived in town four more than two decades.

"I love this town that I live in," she said. "Vernon is a beautiful. beautiful town and with a great mayor and a great police chief and a great and fire chief and wonderful department heads. We worked together to right the ship with a zero-increase budget and we fixed buildings. Everyone worked to make Vernon fiscally responsible."

The town's top two executives said Clay will be missed.

"We are all grateful to Julie for her service on the Town Council and will miss her passion and focus. She was as strong advocate for Vernon residents," Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said.

"Julie Clay brought to the Town Council a keen eye for financial matters, a natural inquisitiveness and an unwavering commitment to doing what is best for taxpayers," Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said.

Now it's what is best for the Clays.

"I'm so happy I did it, but family comes first," Clay said. "You always have to put family first and it's time to spend more time with my family. I'll hang around, but I didn't feel I could put my full attention to the council at this time."

Clay said she does have her favorite highlights on the council.

"Taxes," she said. "We were able to keep zero-based budgeting and we were conscientious of that without cutting services," she said. "I was also happy about pay for police and firefighters."

The bottom line?

"I think I've done well for friends, family and neighbors who live in this town," Clay said. "Our job is to to hear what residents need and I think we did that."