Vernon's Red Barn: Getting Healthier With Money From A Disease

VERNON, CT — The historic red barn at Valley Falls in Vernon has made it through the winter and is now out of survival mode, officials for the property said Wednesday.

Repairs have now been made in a collaborative effort between Northford Timber Framers and the town of Vernon.

Officials said "significant cracks" were found in several barn roof beams. The timber framers provided a temporary fix in December with supplies provided by the town.

They then recently spent a day installing "come-alongs" from eave-to-eave at the base of each truss, officials said.

Up next is using $25,000 approved by the Vernon Town Council from the town's American Rescue Plan Act funds to permanently repair the beams.

Town Engineer Dave Smith, the president of the group, said those interested in learning more about the group can visit its website:

• http://www.northfordtimberframers.com

"These are taxpayer funds that are being reinvested back into the comm in a meaningful way," Vernon Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said in reference to the ARPA funds.

In explaining the premises of the ARPA funding, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney has repeatedly cited outdoor activity and historic preservation as worthy recipients.

Friends of Valley Falls secured a grant grant from Preservation CT that enabled a structural engineering firm, Cirrus Engineering, to analyze and report on the severity of the problem.