"Vernon is a celebrated place to live and work. From its beautiful parks and lakes, to its vast trails and historic homes and buildings, Vernon has it all. With its easy access to several state routes as well as Interstate 84, Vernon is a diversified community. Because of its locale, Vernon provides homeowners the opportunity to enjoy suburbia, while enjoying a short commute to either Hartford or Springfield business districts." - Town of Vernon website

Vernon Citizens For Responsible Development is committed to preserve the things that are special in our town, such as our quiet and open spaces, our scenic areas, and our parks. We will encourage and assist, when possible, business development that is introduced in a productive and respectful way that complements our community.

Our first project is to address the concert venue proposed at exit 66, which we do not feel fits this model. On this page you'll find information related to the controversy.

The Issue

TicketNetwork sells concert tickets and is located on Bolton Road in Vernon. They want to expand and bought the land between South Frontage Road and the Tankerhoosen Brook. The site is thirty nine acres and is zoned Commercial. The concerts will be on nine acres and be known as the TicketNetwork Forest Summer Concert Series. Concerts are already being promoted online.

They plan to host at least 20 outdoor concerts between May and October on weekends and holidays beginning this summer. Site work is underway. Music will be country and rock bands. Each concert is expected to draw 2,000 people. There will be 3 parking lots at the site and on Bolton Road for 800 cars. The plan shows only a shed as a permanent structure. Stage and toilets will be put up in May and taken down in October. There is lawn seating only. The stage is positioned facing I-84. Alcoholic beverages will be sold onsite.

Coming Up

On Thursday, March 11 a special meeting will be held to deliberate and vote on the application. There will be no further input by the applicant or the public, but the public may attend. It is likely that whichever way the vote goes it will go to court. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. and be held in the Senior Center, 26 Park Place, 2nd Floor in Rockville.

To show solidarity at the hearings wear a white top - sweater, blouse or shirt.

» Go to March 11 Agenda

In The Press

Articles are being published regularly in the Journal Inquirer and Vernon Reminder News as well as 'Letters To The Editor' in the Journal Inquirer. Links to these stories are provided. The tab at the top of this page will also take you to our Press page.

Concerns

There are many unknowns and concerns about the impact rock concerts will have on our neighborhood. They include concerns about noise, traffic, light pollution, litter, alcohol, crime, safety, future plans and more. Which will affect you? The link takes you to a discussion of these areas.

What You Can Do

Quiet Fields

If you are concerned about the impact summer concerts will have on you, your family, your enjoyment of the area and your property values it's important you speak out and make them known - now! Next summer will be too late - once this is approved we're stuck with it. At this time there is only a week left so the primary things needed are to get residents to attend the February 3 and 4 Planning & Zoning Committee Hearings, submit a letter and raise money for our Legal Fund. You'll find details on the linked page. You can also join in several Facebook discussion, write letters and contact your elected representatives.

Reference Documents

We've collected a lot of information relative to the Concert Venue issue. This page has links to TicketNetwork Reports, maps, state and town regulations and ordinances, and long range town plans.

TicketNetwork

TicketNetwork facilitates the buying and selling of event tickets, legal ticket scalping. Long illegal in Connecticut they were recently able to get the legislature to change its mind. Here's the story with background on the industry.

TicketNetwork is ably led by Donald Vaccaro. He is founder and president and is responsible for guiding the tactical direction of the company. Under his direction, TicketNetwork was named the second fastest growing software company in the United States and the fastest growing software company in Connecticut.

» 2009 New York Times story with background on Mr. Vaccaro and his many businesses.
» 2007 Hartford Courant story with background on Mr. Vaccaro and his career.
» 2009 Fox Business interview with Mr. Vaccaro on the secondary ticket market.

On the road to all this success there have been some speedbumps:
  • Their unsatisfactory rating from the Better Business Bureau.
  • They were cited for wetlands violations in Vernon.

TicketNetwork has been planning the concert venue for the better part of a year. The concert site is incorporated separately under the name TicketNetwork Forest LLC. Their website lays out their vision of the site and the business.

TicketNetwork is ably represented at the hearings by Kahan, Kerensky & Capossela, LLP, the consensus go-to Vernon law firm for getting things accomplished in town. Their lead attorney at the hearings is Dorian Reiser Famiglietti.