Speakers at the citizens forum asked the council to increase funding for charitable causes, recognized the mayor’s support for adult learners, and offered local suggestions for recycling revenue.

Michael Schmidt, who identified his address in the transcript, urged the town to raise charitable contributions from a reported $200,000 to $250,000 to cover local needs and to offset reductions in other charitable funding sources. Schmidt said the $200,000 figure was listed in Vernon’s budget toward charities including HVCC and that the charities had requested $250,000. He said he recently arranged a donation of about 40,000 pounds of food to Connecticut Food Share through his employer and urged the council to consider higher allocations in next year’s budget.

Another resident, Genaro Gonzalez, praised the Vernon Police Department and individual officers for their response in his neighborhood and congratulated Lieutenant Robert Mara on completing an FBI-related program. Gonzalez suggested expanding recycling operations and collecting and breaking down discarded appliances and bottles as a way to raise small amounts of municipal revenue.

Tom Cancil said he was concerned about proposed cuts to benefits at higher government levels and urged the community to help residents in need and expand services for older adults.

None of the citizens’ remarks led to immediate council action during the meeting; the comments were recorded during the public comment period.