Vernon Council Authorizes Multiple Grant Applications for Invasive Aquatic Species and a Humanities Exhibit

The Vernon Town Council approved several grant-authority motions during the meeting, all by unanimous voice vote.

The council authorized the mayor to apply for and receive a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) grant to control aquatic invasive species on state-owned bodies of water; a separate motion authorized the mayor to apply for DEEP funding for town-owned bodies of water. During discussion council members noted a typical total grant request of $75,000 with a required 25% match; one council member stated the 25% match equals $18,750, and that the town counts volunteer hours (for example, Bolton Lake volunteers) as in-kind match alongside any budgeted funds.

The council also approved a motion authorizing an application for a Connecticut Humanities grant in partnership with the Vernon Historical Society to support a traveling exhibit tied to the town’s 250th anniversary. The mayor and his designee were authorized to sign related documents for the grant.

Each of these grant-authority motions was seconded and carried unanimously during the meeting. Council members discussed that the town often applies for these grants and may keep budget money available in case state funding is not awarded.