Vernon Using Nip Bottle Surcharge Money For Special Needs Jobs

VERNON, CT — The town of Vernon is carrying out a public service along two fronts when it comes to the money allocated to Vernon from the Nip liquor bottle surcharge imposed by the state.

The Vernon Town Council recently endorsed a plan outlined by Mayor Daniel Champagne.

The town has received more than $19,000 through the nip surcharge program and has contracted with Opportunity Works Connecticut, Inc., a non-profit that provides vocational and other training for people with disabilities, and the Vernon Public Schools Next STEP program, which provides students with disabilities with vocational training and helps them build positive relationships and independent living skills.

Teams from Opportunity Works and Next STEP will begin working this week to clean up nip bottles and other refuse at several locations in Vernon, including downtown Rockville, parks and other public places.

Cities and towns receive 5 cents for each nip bottle sold by a liquor store in that municipality and state law requires it to be used to fund litter control or refuse reduction efforts and for safety measures.

"Using these funds to keep our community beautiful while at the same time providing work for Opportunity Works and Next STEP is a win for everyone," Mayor Dan Champagne said.

Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said both organizations were obvious choices when town officials were determining how to initially use the nip bottle money.

"This is a great way to start using these nip bottle funds," Purcaro said. "As additional funds become available we are prepared to expand our efforts."

In the meantime, Purcaro urged people to dispose of nip bottles and other refuse properly.

"We take great pride in our beautiful parks and community," Purcaro said. "We provide refuse containers and urge people to use them. As a reminder, littering on public property is against the law and carries a $319 fine."

The Opportunity Works team is looking forward to getting started, said Rene Lambert, the organization's Executive Director and Co-founder.

"They are super excited and keep asking me 'when do we start, when do we start?'" Lambrt said.

One member of the team lives in Rockville and wants to help improve his community, she said.

Students from the Next STEP program will gain vocational skills while at the same time ensuring Vernon remains beautiful, Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said.

"We require all students to do community service and this program is ideal for that," Dr. Macary said. "Our students are giving back to our town. They are part of the solution."

The cleanup teams will work in neighborhoods and parks, including Saxony Dog Park, West Main Street Playground, Talcott Park, Fox Hill Tower, Gene Pitney Memorial Park, the Scenic Overlook on Tower Road and in Central Park.

The Opportunity Works team is experienced in collecting, sorting and cashing-in bottles and cans. Last year the team raised approximately $8,000 doing that work, Lambert said. Team members visit several area campgrounds and businesses and also have a monthly redemption day when people drop off bottles and cans, she said.

"Everybody wants to make sure our town and environment is clean and beautiful," Lambert said. "This is a great way to achieve that goal. And we love working with the town of Vernon."