Vernon residents to vote on policing

The Journal staff

Vernon For the fourth time in three years, residents are being asked to decide whether the town should contract with the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department for additional police service, effective next January.

In a referendum to be included on the April 4 general election ballot, voters will be asked if the Town Board should enter a one- year contract with the Sheriff's Department.

The proposed contract calls for 28 hours of police service per week at a cost of about $50,000.

If approved, the town's portion of the property tax rate would increase 16 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, beginning with 1995 property tax bills.

A board committee studied the police issue for eight months and has recommended that the town contract with the Sheriff's Department so local ordinances and other problems can be addressed, according to Town Supervisor Karen Schuh.

In April 1993, voters rejected a similar referendum; other proposals were rejected at annual meetings in 1992 and 1993.

Even if the referendum is approved, residents who oppose the plan could prevent the town from contracting with the Sheriff's Department, Schuh said.

Residents could vote to remove the money for the contract from the 1996 budget at the town's annual meeting in November, Schuh said. Residents Want Enforcement

Schuh, who is running unopposed for town chairman in the election, said the reason this issue kept coming up was because the board received many complaints from residents about local ordinances not being enforced.

Schuh said the Sheriff's Department did a good job in providing protection and enforcing traffic laws in the town, but it did not have the staff to enforce local ordinances.

However, a deputy assigned exclusively to Vernon could follow up on complaints and enforce local ordinances, such as the illegal operation of ATVs and snowmobiles or the firing of weapons, Schuh said.

Another ordinance in need of enforcement is weight limits for trucks driving along town roads. Violations lead to damage and costly road maintenance, she said.

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