Petition filed by VFW fails

VERNON — The petition requesting the decision to waive the sewer connection fees impost by the Vernon Township and Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authorities for the Wallkill Valley VFW Post 6441 by public ballot failed to get a majority vote at Monday's Township Council meeting.

With Councilman Brian Lynch absent, the peteition failed to get the required majority vote to send the issue to the county for placement on the Nov. 3 ballot.

This issue has been debated in the township for several months, with members of the public speaking in favor of waiving the fees.

“The people of this town have already spoken,” township resident Christa Gerry said. “Please exempt them from the fees.”

According to the township, the petition had a few minor deficiencies and Township Attorney John Ursin said that the council had no legal standing to take action.

“The petition is void on its face,” Ursin said. “The petition requests the council to overrule a decision made by the MUA. The subject matter is simply beyond the authority and jurisdiction of the council.”

Council members Dan Kadish and Jean Murphy voted in favor of sending the issue to the ballot, with Council President Patrick Rizzutto and Councilman Dick Wetzel voted against.

“It’s up to the people whether or not they want to support it,” Murphy said. “We’re not voting to waive the fees; we’re voting to send it to the county clerk to be placed on the November ballot.”

Citing the recommendation of Ursin to take no action, Council Member Wetzel went on record to say, “It’s not the we don’t want to help the VFW, we simply don’t have the authority.”