Vernon approves Greenway Advisory Committee

VERNON — The Vernon Township Council in a majority vote approved formation of a Greenway Action Advisory Committee.

The committee was established as a measure to advise the mayor's office on sustainability, passive recreation and economic development for the township.

The newly created committee plans to revive the Greenway Trail System as a means of creating passive recreation to create better economic opportunities to the township.

Newly elected Mayor Harry Shortway made the committee and its plan to complete the trail systems a priority in his campaign and proposed approving it as one of his first official acts as mayor.

Vernon currently has more than 2 miles of existing trails. The proposed plan would utilize Open Space funds to link them, creating biking, hiking and walking trails throughout the municipality. With the implementation of the trail system, the mayor and the advisory committee are looking to create a Farmer’s Market and botanical garden to attract new business to the Town Center.

“Since 1995 we’ve had these plans,” Shortway said. “It’s time to move forward.”

The line dissenter was Councilman Patrick Rizzuto, stating concerns over funding.

“What we are looking at, to me, is a significant amount of money,” he said. “I feel like this situation needs to be examined for long-term costs.”

Public sentiment favored the approval. Numerous residents addressed the council in support of the committee and the completion of the trails, citing an improvement in the quality of life and safety for residents and their families to enjoy outdoor recreation.

Young resident, Kelly Winters, addressed the council asking them to approve the measure.

“I like to bike and run and we have to travel far," she said. "I’d like to have a path here so I don’t have to travel so far.”