5 Things To Know In Vernon: Overnight Route 31 Paving, $250 School Bus Camera Fines And More

VERNON, CT — Overnight paving on Route 31 between Loehr Road and Route 30 is scheduled through Monday night, $250 fines are now in effect for drivers caught on camera passing stopped school buses, and town offices are closed Monday.

Here are five things to know about life around Vernon this week:

1. Overnight Paving On Route 31
When: Sunday and Monday nights, Oct. 11-12, 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. (weather permitting)
Where: Route 31 between Loehr Road and Route 30
What to know: Following milling Friday and Saturday nights, paving of Route 31 and its intersections is scheduled for Sunday and Monday nights, according to the town; rain will delay it. The state Department of Transportation has hired G.A. Wenzel Milling Co. and Galasso Materials. Drivers on Route 31, those exiting I-84 at Exit 67 and on nearby roads should expect lane closures, delays and road closures; local traffic will be accommodated.
More information here.

2. $250 Fines For Passing Stopped School Buses
When: In effect now
Where: Vernon Town Hall, 14 Park Place
What to know: Since Sept. 28, drivers who illegally pass Vernon school buses with red lights flashing and stop arms out face a $250 civil fine, according to the town. BusPatrol cameras recorded 362 violations from Aug. 27 to Sept. 25, each reviewed by Vernon police, and those drivers got warning letters. "Our goal has always been and always will be to keep our school children safe, not to assess fines," Mayor Dan Champagne said.
More information here.

3. Town Offices Closed; No Trash Pickup Monday
When: Monday, Oct. 12
Where: Vernon Town Hall, 14 Park Place
What to know: Town offices are closed Monday, Oct. 12, and there will be no refuse or recycling collection that day, according to the town.
More information here.

4. Absentee Ballot Applications Available
When: Available now
Where: Town Clerk's Office, Vernon Town Hall, 14 Park Place
What to know: Absentee ballot applications for the Nov. 3 election are available from the Vernon Town Clerk, according to the town.
More information here.

5. Town Opposes Eversource Rate Increase Request
When: Petition open now
Where: Vernon Town Hall, 14 Park Place
What to know: Mayor Dan Champagne and the Town Council are asking residents to sign a petition opposing Eversource's 13 percent rate increase request for residential electricity customers, which the town says it will share with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
More information here.