Last Days of Early Voting & Emergency Burn Ban

November 1, 2024

 

Connecticut continues to turn up for early voting across the state. Please read below to find out how much longer you have to cast an early vote.

I have great news for low and moderate-income homebuyers in Connecticut! The state is making a big investment to make it easier for people to buy a house. I'll break down how you can take advantage of the "Time To Own" program.

Our state is spending $30 million to improve our wonderful parks and forests. Please keep scrolling to learn how Vernon is benefiting from this huge investment.

Here are the sections in this week's email:

  • Last Days of Early Voting
  • 'Time To Own' Program Reopens
  • Emergency Burn Ban in Effect
  • Vernon Park Receives Funding for Upgrades
  • Start of Vernon Leaf Collection
  • Community Events
 
Last Days of Early Voting
Time is running out to take part in early voting. Registered voters may cast an early ballot in person through Sunday, November 3 from 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. at Vernon Center 375 at 375 Hartford Turnpike. According to the Secretary of the State's Office, more than 533,000 people in Connecticut have voted early in-person and approximately 78,000 absentee ballots have been returned. 

If you choose to vote on Election Day, polls will be open from 6 A.M. – 8 P.M. at regular voting locations:

  • District 1, Northeast School, 69 East Street
  • District 2, Rockville High School, 70 Loveland Hill Road
  • District 3-0, Skinner Road School, 90 Skinner Road
  • District 3-1, Skinner Road School, 90 Skinner Road
  • District 4, Vernon Center Middle School, 777 Hartford Turnpike
Click here to find your voting location
Connecticut law allows you to receive an absentee ballot if, in your judgment, an absence from your town on Election Day prevents you from appearing at your polling place, or you are prevented from appearing at your assigned polling place on Election Day.
 
‘Time To Own’ Program Reopens

The State Bond Commission approved $40 million in state funding that will be used to reopen the popular Time To Own program to a new round of applicants.

Time To Own has helped thousands of people buy their first homes since launching in 2022. The program provides forgivable loans for down payments and closing costs and has enabled individuals and families to achieve the dream of home ownership, fostering long-term financial stability and contributing to stronger communities. 

To date, Time To Own has helped more than 4,800 homebuyers in 149 towns buy their first homes, more than half of whom are people of color. With the new funding allocation, Connecticut has invested $195 million in the program.

For more information on eligibility, additional considerations, and how to apply, visit chfa.org/TimeToOwn. 
 
Emergency Burn Ban in Effect

An emergency burn ban is in effect across all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas. Outdoor burning is not allowed, and crews in Vernon will enforce the ban, which means you cannot use:

  • outdoor grills
  • firepits
  • campfires
  • jack-o-lanterns with flames

Please dispose of smoking materials responsibly.
The fire danger is still very high across the state. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Firefighters in Vernon extinguished seven open burns last weekend. If you spot a fire, report it immediately by calling 911.
 
Vernon Park Receives Funding for Upgrades

Governor Lamont has announced $30 million in state bonding will go toward improving our state parks and forests. The funding will support much-needed infrastructure repairs and renovations across Connecticut, including $5,000 to replace a bridge ramp at the Belding Wildlife Management Area in Vernon. Crews are removing and replacing the current bridge ramp lumber.

$3 million of that statewide investment will fund urgent repairs at state parks that were damaged in historic floods in August. The storm caused significant damage to:
This funding supports the Restore CT State Parks initiative, which is an historic effort by the Lamont administration and the state legislature to address the backlog of needed repairs. Since 2022, the state has committed more than $70 million of American Rescue Plan Act and state bond funds to support investment in outdoor recreation. 
Click here for a list of projects in our state parks system
Improving our parks and forests will benefit everyone in the state. Access to parks promotes physical fitness by providing opportunities for hiking, biking, jogging, and so much more. The outdoors also helps to improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. Additionally, parks provide recreational spaces where families can come together. Ultimately, this investment will increase the quality of life while preserving Connecticut’s natural beauty.
 
Start of Vernon Leaf Collection

Vernon’s curbside fall leaf collection begins Monday, November 4 and continues through December.

The town is divided into three sections, and Vernon Public Works crews will go through each section before moving on to the next. Crews will place signs to let residents know when leaf collection is approaching.

Please rake your leaves to the curb but NOT into the street or sidewalk by the collection date. Raking leaves into the street or onto the sidewalk creates a safety and flooding hazard and is a violation and punishable by a $100 fine.

Leaf collection is weather-dependent. If weather remains good, crews can complete a group of streets in one to two weeks. Rain, snow, or freezing temperatures will delay collection. All streets are guaranteed at least one pass. If time permits, DPW crews will make a second pass.
Click here for more information
 
Community Events
Take a look at the events below to see what's happening in Vernon!
The Vernon Senior Center at Bolton Road is hosting a Veterans Day celebration on Wednesday at 12 P.M.