Land Purchase For Fields Approved At Vernon Town Meeting

VERNON, CT — Residents and taxpayers at a Vernon town meeting Tuesday endorsed a $1.193 million purchase — with a list of contingencies — of land both in town and neighboring Ellington that would be turned into athletic fields, a wetlands preserve and an improved Hockanum River corridor.

The vote was taken as part of a special town meeting on the town council agenda. The council chambers were packed with players, coaches, parents and fans of the local lacrosse and soccer programs and other youth sports in town. The vote reflected that, with a nearly unanimous voice vote and a show of placards with green for yes and red for no.

The only red card thrown toward the fields was from longtime outspoken political referee Carl Schaefer. Every Democrat on the council — including Schaefer's wife, Pauline "Polly" Schaefer — along with Democratic mayoral challenger Calire Janowski — gave Republican Mayor Daniel Champagne's proposal the thumbs-up. In her testimony, Janowski stated she was there "in support of soccer parents and the soccer association" and said she was voting yes based on "my trust in the association’s efforts."

Champagne said it has been a year-long collaborative effort with Ellington officials and it's been close to six years since the concept was first bantered about. The plan is to also partner with local lacrosse and soccer clubs, officials said. The money would be taken from Vernon's general fund with extra revenues from money management, Champagne said. No borrowing has been proposed.

At least three fields are largeted, along with a wetlands preserve and improvements along the river. Ellington would share the services, Champagne and Ellington First Selectman Lori Spielman said. Additions such as a snack shack are also proposed.

The parcels are currently leased farmland and wetlands, roughly behind the CVS and Walgreens stores between Windermere Avenue and Route 83, officials said. Here they are:

• 21.52 acres assessed in Ellington for $799,660 and listed for $550,000. Vernon received an appraisal of $455,000 and made a successful bid of $445,000.
• 9.9 acres along the Hockanum listed for $27,270 and bought for $20,000.
• 11 acres in Ellington assessed at $378,000, listed for $399,000 and bought for $278,000.

Vernon can back out of the deal if several contingencies are not met. They include:

• Soil testing
• A drainage study by a soil scientist
• PZC reviews in both towns
• Inland-Wetlands reviews in both towns

The breakdown is roughly $743,000 for the 41.97 acres with $450,000 for improvements, Champagne said.