Home Care In Vernon, CT

VERNON — The town's third Dollar General store is expected to open by the end of the month and is designed to maintain the historic character of its location in downtown Rockville.

The newest store will be located in Courthouse Plaza in the historic Rockville section of town at the site of the former Bank of America, which has since been demolished.

After the Bank of America closed, the property was home to various entities, including a church.

The property was sold several years ago, but remained largely vacant, Vernon's Economic and Development Director Shaun Gately said.

Town officials began discussions with a new developer more than a year ago and when Dollar General was suggested, the town gave specific guidelines for the building considering its location.

The goal, Gately said, is to keep the historic character of downtown Rockville as new construction aims to complement surrounding structures.

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Guidelines include height and building material restrictions, as well as having a large percentage of windows on the ground floor of retail shops, he said.

The window requirement has proven difficult for the developer, as Dollar General stores typically have storage space where the windows will be, Gately said. To that end, the windows are likely to be blocked out, he said.

There will also be some new vegetation planted along the street, including trees, along with some seating, such as a street bench, Gately said.

"The list is lengthy of things they have to consider," he said, adding that the structure meets town guidelines.

Nonetheless, construction is moving swiftly and the developer is "moving aggressively toward completion by the end of January," Gately said.

Currently, there are two other Dollar General stores in town — one at 1188 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30) and another at 426 Talcottville Road (Route 83).

Meanwhile, a new daycare center is also being built behind the Dollar General on Route 83.

The Learning Experience is a roughly 10,000-square-foot structure as well as outdoor play areas.

The company has several similar facilities throughout Connecticut, including Enfield, Glastonbury, South Windsor, and Wethersfield.

Gately said that he believes it will be open this fall. "They want it open as soon as possible," Gately said.

VERNON, CT — The retreat of the Salvation Army into the retail sunset at a Route 30 plaza leaves the shopping center about half empty.

And town officials said there are no immediate prospects to fill it up.

The plaza sits at 295 Hartford Turnpike and stores like Ocean State Job Lot, Town Fair Tire and the Ninety-Nine restaurant are thriving. Next to Town Fair sat the Salvation Army thrift store.

That is, until recently. This week, the marquee sign was gone and not a speck of dust was seemingly left inside the store. A pair of hand-made signs on red construction paper simply said the store was "closed permanently."

The Salvation Army Released the following statement:

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"The first priority of the store was to raise funds to continue offering rehabilitation programs to people in need at no cost, but current circumstances have made supporting these programs through this store impossible.

"The Salvation Army regularly reviews the financial performance of its stores, services, and programs to ensure maximum efficiency and available offerings are discontinued only when absolutely necessary. Despite closing down shop at its Vernon location, The Salvation Army stresses that assistance for financial hardship and a variety of other life issues will continue to be available through their service office located at 217 Washington Street, Hartford, CT, and other area stores, including locations in Danbury, Newington, Hamden, Bridgeport, and West Hartford.

"The store also worked in concert with The Salvation Army’s social services office, providing clothing, furniture and bargain goods to families in need through a cooperative voucher system.Now that the store is closing, The Salvation Army’s Hartford Corps location will work to fill the void.

"The Salvation Army would like to thank the people of Vernon for their understanding during this time of transition and for all of their support over the last nine years."

The Salvation Army vacating its space is an other chapter in the topsy-turvy history of the plaza. The thrift store moved in there in 2015 after the Salvation Army sold its Union Street location across from Maple Street School to the town. It then occupied the Route 30 plaza for nearly a decade.

Fast-forward four-to-five years to a see-saw of business movement.

In June 2019, KMart announced it was closing. A year later, the last remnants of the once-mighty discount chain were removed. In August 2020, Ocean State Job Lot took over the vacancy after pouncing on the opportunity to expand there.

A month earlier, the popular Ann & Hope bath and decor outlet made a surprise announcement that is was leaving the plaza.

Also in 2020, Wang's Buffet opened, closed, re-opened than quietly faded into an abyss. Town officials quipped that they simply lost track of what the plans were there.

All the vacancies are in succession, south of the Town Fair Tire location.

Vernon Director of Development Services and Economic Development Shaun Gately said there have been some inquiries about the plaza, but nothing concrete has come from them.

A representative from Northeast Retail Leasing and Management Company could not be reached for immediate comment on the Salvation Army move or the future of the plaza.

VERNON, Conn. (WTNH) – The Town of Vernon is inviting residents to sign a petition opposing Eversource’s proposed rate increase.

“Connecticut electric rates keep climbing and climbing and consumers need a break,” Mayor Champagne said in a statement Tuesday. “I am going to oppose this increase to PURA and I urge others to join me in doing so. We have to speak up.”

Town officials are hoping the petition will encourage the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to reject the energy provider’s 19 percent rate increase request.

What Eversource is telling Vernon and everyone else is that it needs another $784 million from Connecticut customers.

Part of that is to make up for all the people who didn’t pay their bills during the pandemic when a state shutoff moratorium was in place, leading to many people not paying their bills.

The rest is because they say it costs more to buy nuclear power from Millstone than from other sources, and the state requires them to buy from Millstone to keep the plant afloat.

Eversource called Vernon’s petition strategy “misinformed” and said town leaders are welcome to join the collaborative process.

Eversource also released this statement to News 8 Wednesday, following the petition.

“Vernon’s town leaders are dead wrong if they think their approach is anything other than a disservice to their constituents. This rate increase is almost entirely driven by state-mandated and approved programs, which we earn no profit on, and is exacerbated by regulatory policies that delayed and deferred costs. Vernon’s misinformed strategy would only create a further piling up of costs which will lead to an even greater burden for customers next year, which we strongly oppose. Eversource has proposed solutions, with a clear explanation for this rate increase available at eversource.com/solutions. We remain engaged with key stakeholders as we advocate for customer-focused solutions and encourage anyone concerned about rate volatility to contact their legislator or the governor’s office to tell PURA to employ policies that make rates predictable. If Vernon’s town leaders are interested in a constructive conversation about bill predictability, avoiding rate shock, and coming up with solutions, they’re always welcome to join us in the collaborative process we began months ago. Charged political rhetoric makes for good headlines but it does not accomplish anything for residents.“

Town Administrator Michael Purcaro has an idea for collaboration, but it involves what he calls the “multi-million dollar bonuses” some Eversource executives get.

“Maybe they can come up with a rate stabilization account and put some of those bonuses into the account to help the average working person out there,” said Purcaro.

He said they encourage other communities to take the same steps in opposing Eversource’s “continued rate increases.”

“This rate increase will impact everyone, which is why we welcome people from throughout the state to sign on with our effort,” Purcaro said. “We need to join together on behalf of our residents.”

Ask folks in Vernon about their Eversource electricity bill, and you keep hearing the same thing.

“I mean, it’s getting hard for people,” said Vernon resident Al Steinberg. “I was getting $500 to $600 electric bills all summer last summer because I’ve got a pool.”

Tim Curran, of Ellington, said he thinks the rate are high enough already.

“I would love to see more proactivity in terms of telling the public what they’re doing to reduce costs,” Curran said.

The petition may be popular, but most people think neither is likely to work.

“Yeah, I’d sign a petition, definitely,” Steinberg said. “No, I don’t think it’s going to do anything.”

Town officials say you don’t have to be a Vernon resident to sign the petition, any Eversource customer can participate.

VERNON — Superintendent Joseph Macary has been named Connecticut's superintendent of the year on the heels of the school district seeing two of its schools nationally recognized in the last four years and leading in statewide test results among comparable districts.

Macary's recognition comes after Skinner Road School was named a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education in September, one of only four schools in the state to receive the distinction this year.

Northeast School was among the Blue Ribbon honorees in 2020, and Vernon schools throughout the district exceeded the statewide average in English, math, and science on the Smarter Balanced Assessment test last month.

Northeast and Maple Street schools were named "schools of distinction" last week as the district overall was the best-performing Alliance District in the state and in its district reference group for the Next Generation Accountability results.

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Those successes helped propel Macary to be named the state's superintendent of the year on Friday by the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents.

When announcing the award, the association cited Macary's "remarkable achievements, dedication, and exemplary service to the field of education."

"There's no greater honor than to be recognized by your peers," Macary said. "It's very humbling. ... I think it's a great award for Vernon. It's a great award for our teachers, administrators, board, students, staff. It's not just me, it's a joint effort."

Aside from the academic achievements, Macary said that Vernon also places an emphasis on social and emotional advancement for its students.

He noted that importance of also building trust within the community to gain its support, which he called "essential."

"Vernon is a microcosm of the state of Connecticut. If we can do it here, anybody can do it," Macary said. "We are proud of what we have achieved, but we will never stop trying to do better."

"The state now knows what we in Vernon have known for several years," Mayor Daniel Champagne said. "Dr. Macary is committed to creating an environment where Vernon children excel in school so that they are prepared to lead rewarding and successful lives. He works hard. He sets high standards. He solves problems. And, like a true leader, he does not ask anyone to work harder than he does to help our children succeed."

Board of Education Chairman Paul Grabowski said that Macary being honored in such a way "reinforces how fortunate Vernon is to have him," and that it reflects the high standards he holds others to in the district, as well as his dedication to providing students with a high-quality education.

Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents Executive Director Fran Rabbinowitz said the organization is "incredibly proud" to honor Macary, calling him a "tireless advocate for students and staff in Alliance Districts," and is "instrumental" to preparing new educators.

Town Administrator Michael Purcaro, who previously worked under Macary's leadership when Purcaro was the director of business and finance for Vernon Public Schools, praised Macary for his relentless devotion to improving the community's schools.

"At the heart of every community is a well-managed and effective school system, where students are prepared academically and socially to analyze problems, engineer solutions, build practical skills, and to approach life's challenges with confidence," Purcaro said. "Strong public schools are the foundation upon which strong communities are built. I am proud of Joe's accomplishments, and grateful for his leadership and commitment to the Vernon community."

Macary has been a superintendent for 15 years, perviously serving in the position in Wolcott before moving to Vernon, where he has been superintendent since 2015.

He credits, in part, his longevity in the district with the success Vernon is now seeing, noting that superintendents in Connecticut serve for an average of only four years.

"You really need time to cultivate things," Macary said. "You need time to build relationships. You need time to have a direction."

He also credits his Board of Education for its members' ability to work collaboratively to find solutions to any problem that arises.

"We have a common vision, and we're always going to do what's best for the kids," Macary said. "It's pretty impressive to be where we are and where we were 10 years ago in Vernon."

Criteria for Macary's recognition includes creativity in meeting students' needs, open communication between the administration and the community, improvement of personal knowledge and skills, providing development opportunities for others, active participation in community activities, and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.

VERNON, CT — The holiday season will officially begin in Vernon Friday with the annual Winterfest celebration.

The event features music, refreshments, the annual tree and wreath lightings and the illumination of the snow flake on Fox Hill Tower.

Santa will also arrive and begin visits at the Santa House across from Town Hall.

People can gather at 5:45 p.m. at Central Park across from Town Hall and the even will kickoff with a torchlight fire vehicle parade at about 6 p.m.

The holiday light display at Henry Park will also be open for the season at that time.

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"Winterfest is an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate the holiday season and to enjoy holiday traditions, such as the tree lighting and fire truck parade," Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. "It's really a magical experience for kids who get to see the decorated fire trucks and Santa arrive to hear their holiday wishes."

After the fire truck parade brings Santa to Central Park, the countdown will commence for the tree and star lightings. The snowflake on Fox Hill Tower is visible from Downtown Rockville.

All aspects of the event are free of charge.

"Holiday traditions, like Vernon's Winterfest, are a valuable way to connect families within our diverse community and give everyone a sense of belonging,” Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said.

Purcaro said a "special treat" at this year's Winterfest will be a performance by the Rockville High School Band and the brass section of the 102nd Army Band of the Connecticut Army National Guard, which is based at the armory on West Street."

Police said road closures will be in effect at 6 p.m. and stretch on East Main Street from the Union Street/Elm Street intersection to the Court Street intersection. They will be in effect until the end of the event and detour will be in place.

"We’ve added more lights at Henry Park for this year's free holiday light display," Champagne said. "Our parks and recreation crews have been at work for several weeks stringing lights and preparing the park."

The Henry park lights will be illuminated each night from 4 to 10 p.m. Visitors can drive through the park and enjoy the lights at their leisure.

The Santa House will be open Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Dec. 23. Children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

In the event of inclement weather, check in to the town website and social media accounts for updates.