Dear Village Residents,

I’d like to take a moment of your time to catch you up with the activities occurring with the Village of Vernon. First, I’d like to thank Joe D’Agostino, who I believe did fine job looking over the village until his work required him to move out of the village.  I wish Joe good luck and good fortune in his future endeavors. Secondly, I’d like to thank you for putting your trust in me and the entire village board by re-electing us. This was a strange election season. All four village trustee positions as well as the mayor’s position were on the ballot. I will be fill out the remainder of Joe’s term that runs through March 31, 2024. Filling out the remainder of the two vacant trustee terms are; Jackie Knudsen, the remainder of my term (March 31, 204) and Peter Paravati filling out Bill Davies (also March 31, 2024). Brian Acee and Claude Wolfe won re-election to village trustee for a four year terms, ending March 31, 2026. I can assure you that the board and I will be working hard to ensure your tax dollars are well spent and that we make the village a great place to live and we all can take pride in.

The Village Board meeting are 3^rd Tuesday of every month starting at 6:30pm. I welcome all residents to attend the meetings to keep up with what is happening in the village. Public comment is always welcome. If you have something you’d like to bring to the attention of the board, you can schedule time for “Public Comment” at a board meeting. There are a couple ways to request time for “Public Comment”. Either contacting the village clerk, Karen Rizzo, via email (villageofvernon1137@gmail.com) or in person at the village hall just before the scheduled meeting.

You will be receiving your village taxes soon. As I’m sure as everyone knows, the cost of everything is going up. These price increases have caused us to raise the village taxes by 2%. And because of an ill-conceived and improperly funded water project a few years going, we are also going to have to raise water rates and add a surcharge to our water bills. The sewer rates will remain the same this year.

Phase I of the Waste-Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) project to adhere to new NYS DEC regulations is scheduled to be completed by the end of August. Phase II of this project will commence after the completion of Phase I. This project will result in sewer rate increases in the coming years.

The Vernon American Legion will be having a Memorial Day parade this year, May 30 at 11:00am. The parade starts at the American Legion with a short ceremony and finishes at the Cooper St cemetery. Be mindful that NYS RT5 and Cooper St will be closed during the parade.

The Village of Vernon Garage Sale  will be the weekend June 3^rd, running Friday through Sunday (6/3-6/4). Anyone wishing to have a garage sale that weekend is encouraged to participate. Permits are not required this weekend.

A reminder that our DPW will be picking up light/medium brush and grass clippings this season on Mondays and Fridays. Please have brush cut  into manageable lengths and the grass clipping some be in some type of container (garbage cans, wheel borrow or something in that vein). Pease keep the brush and grass clippings out of the roadways. If left in the road, they may cause blockage in the storm sewer.

We will be placing new banners along NYS RT5 this year. We are looking for sponsors for the banners. The sponsors would share in the expense of the banners. The business name/logo would be to the banner along with a welcome to the village message/logo.

Thank you all again, I look forward to serving the village. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me by e-mail (villageofvernonmayor@gmail.com).

Hope you have a GREAT summer.

Bill Sreca,

Mayor – Village of Vernon