The Board to recognize Tyler Dubuc, Somers High School Senior, for his participation and leadership in the American Legion State Police Youth Week. SRO, Craig Jones, will be present to speak about the program.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the July 10, 2023 BOE Meeting Minutes 3
The Board to review and approve the minutes from the July I 0, 2023 BOE meeting.
Approval of the August 7, 2023 Special BOE Meeting Minutes 7
The Board to review and approve the minutes from the Special BOE Meeting on August 7, 2023.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Superintendent Update
Student Activity Account Report 8
Stephanie Levin, Director of Business Services, will discuss the Student Activity Account Report.
FY 23-24 Budget Adjustment
Stephanie Levin, Director of Business Services, will present the FY 23-24 budget adjustment and will answer questions.
OPPORTUNITY TO ADD/DELETE AGENDA ITEMS
CONSENT AGENDA
Warrant of July 21, 2023 / 10
The Board to review and consent to the warrant of July 21, 2023.
Warrant of August 7, 2023 12
The Board to review and consent to the warrant of August 7, 2023.
Warrant of August 14, 2023 20
The Board to review and consent to the warrant of August 14, 2023.
Warrant of August 18, 2023 25
The Board to review and consent to the warrant of August 18, 2023.
Warrant of August 28, 2023 26
The Board to review and consent to the warrant of August 28, 2023.
Resignations
Sean Shimansky, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, has resigned effective immediately after five years of service at SPS.
Scott Grant, SHS Custodian, submitted his resignation effective August 14, 2023, after 5 years of
service at SPS. :
Jeff Keener, MBA Technology Education Teacher, has resigned effective August 11, 2023, after eight years of service at SPS.
OLD BUSINESS
2nd Posting DBS Code 4 - Reporting of Child Abuse, Neglect and Sexual 34
Assault
2nd Posting DBS Code 4 - Physical Exercise and Discipline of Students 38
Somers Board of Education Special Meeting
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 3:00 PM
Somers Board of Education Chambers, 1 Vision Boulevard, Somers, CT 06071
“The Somers Public Schools strives to be an exceptional and innovative educational community.”
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. Discussion/Possible Action: Student Expulsion Hearing - Executive Session Anticipated
3. ADJOURNMENT
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 6:30pm Town Hall, 600 Main Street, Somers, CT
CALL TO ORDER
NEW BUSINESS:
DISCUSSION/POSSIBLE DECISION:
Application #23-003: Mark and Karen Murdoch, 359 Mountain Road, Somers seeking a modification of the Special Use permit and Site Plan; for operation of farm winery, amending the conditions of approval:
#3 regarding parking, increasing the number of parking spaces 195,
#4 allow food trucks,
#5 outdoor amplified music and
#6 pop-up tents maximum size of 12’ x 12’; and
allow an 8’ x 40’ storage container at the rear of the Sugar House.
MINUTES: May 1, 2023; July 5, 2023; July 19, 2023; and August 21, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
The Zoning Commission appreciates citizen input. Please contact the Land Use Office (860) 763-8220, during Regular business hours or in writing to find out the best way to communicate your concerns.
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS TOWN OF SOMERS, CONNECTICUT
Pursuant to Public Act 95-283, the Somers Board of Assessment Appeals will meet for the purpose of hearing Appeals on the October 1, 2022 Motor Vehicle Grand List. The Board will meet on the following date:
Wednesday September 6th, 2023 @ 6:00pm in the lower level conference room at Town Hall on a first come first served basis.
Dated at Somers, CT this 12th day of July, 2023. Francis W. Devlin, Jr., Chairman
Somers Board of Education Meeting
Monday, September 11, 2023 7:00 PM
Somers Board of Education Chambers, 1 Vision Boulevard, Somers, CT 06071
1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the August 28, 2023 BOE Meeting Minutes
The Board to review and approve the minutes from the August 28, 2023 BOE meeting. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1. Superintendent Update
2. Monthly Budget Report
Stephanie Levin, Director of Business Services, will update the BOE on the monthly budget.
3. Presentation of Leadership Coherence Framework
District staff will present the coherence framework. 5. OPPORTUNITY TO ADD/DELETE AGENDA ITEMS 6. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Warrant of September 11, 2023
The Board to review and consent to the warrant of September 11, 2023.
2. Resignation
Jennifer Williams, 10-Month Secretary at Somers High School, will resign effective September 30,
2023, after two years of service.
3. 2nd Posting DBS Code 6162.51 - Survey of Students (Student Privacy)
4. 2nd Posting DBS Code 6172.1 - Gifted and Talented Students Program
5. 2nd Posting DBS Code 7230.2 - Indoor Air Quality
6. 2nd Posting Superintendent Job Description 7. OLD BUSINESS 8. NEW BUSINESS 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Curriculum
2. Policy
3. Planning/Finance
4. Salary & Negotiations 10. CABE/CREC/State Dept. of Ed. 11. AUDIENCE TO CITIZENS/STAFF/STUDENTS 12. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board to enter into Executive Session and invite Dr. Galloway into Executive Session to:
1. Discuss the Superintendent Evaluation format
2. Discuss negotiation updates 13. ADJOURNMENT
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 – 7:00 P.M., Town Hall Auditorium, 600 Main Street, Somers, CT
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
NEW BUSINESS:
ZBA23-006 – 120 Watchaug Road LLC, 120 Watchaug Road, Somers – Application for a variance of an original 1972 variance, granted for an approx. 3500 square foot utility building/hanger; variance revision requested to construct a 76’ x 105’/ approx. 7980 square foot utility building.
PUBLIC HEARING:
ZBA23-005 – 120 Watchaug Road LLC, 120 Watchaug Road, Somers – Appeal of Zoning Enforcement Officer’s denial of application to construct a 76’ x 120’/ approx. 9000 square foot utility building replacing an approx. 3500 square foot demolished utility building.
PUBLIC HEARING DISCUSSION/DECISION:
ZBA23-005 – 120 Watchaug Road LLC, 120 Watchaug Road, Somers – Appeal of Zoning Enforcement Officer’s denial of application
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 27, 2023 and August 8, 2023
Sexton: Need pricing suggestions for special request for Sunday
Landscaping: Need report on Wasp Consider decoy nests to be
. hung on cemetery trees. (Available on line.)
DPW: (if needed)
American Legion: (if needed)
Old Business:
Concern form (standard inclusion starting 2023) Resolution information on prior concerns. See July listings.
Report of billing on IT work done without committee prior approval. From May /July.
Report (Update) on Irrevocable Trust of Committee monies from Morgan Stanley & Finance department.
Discussion of choice of landscape architect for expansion of Center David Morgan needed information from Finance Department on specifics to be presented to vendors.
Discussion of Rules packet. Email feedback given to Morgan who is not available for this meeting. Move to November meeting or earlier if possible.
Plan special meeting to engage vendors for digital storage program of all cemetery Report needed from D. Morgan.
See list of information we'd like in the data base. (Under new business, July meeting, #6 D.)
New Business:
Concern form ( standard inclusion starting with 2023)- Forms from Town Hall office to be reviewed. Discussion on how to proceed with new concerns.
Request from Ann Levesque to discuss ways to advertise Fall/ Spring clean-up. Request to use SPD electric sign for Clean-up announcements was tabled at September meeting.
Set Fall clean up dates for (To be considered: November 1-8, Wednesday - Wednesday) After October flowers and before November Veteran's Day)
Report on Cemetery News page on the town web page (pull down tab).
2024 meeting calendar proposal for November meeting
Vote on any decisions from Old Business
Minutes are not official until voted on at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Adjournment:
Presentation to the Board of Selectmen on our activities.
Aya Po improvements continue,
A locked chain across the parking lot has been installed. Patrice and Chuck are opening and closing it. We are looking for more volunteers to open and close it,
A new telephone pole with a street light has been placed on Camp Road,
Underground power and communication lines from the pole to the trailer are scheduled for the week of September 25,
DPW continues with the brush and tree clean-ups,
DPW will continue to improve the area throughout the fall/winter,
We created and conducted a survey which went out to all households.
We received 565 responses plus many one-of-a-kind recommendations.
We collated the responses into three proposed work phases.
I contacted David Elder, the Assistant Planning Director of CT DOT’s Office of Strategic Planning and Project, about the Community Connectivity Program, which is a program that towns can use to fund projects like this.
David suggested we conduct a Road Safety Audit. RSAs, while not required, are recommended (meaning your application is looked upon more favorably if you have an RSA).
I contacted Melissa Evens of the UCONN’s T2 Center. Melissa is the Safety Circuit Rider program coordinator. This program helps towns obtain a Road Safety Audit.
We have scheduled an RSA with Melissa and her team for September 21st at 10:00 AM. We will meet at the library and conduct an RSA on Vision & 9th DST Road. Melissa’s goal is to teach us how to conduct RSA. That way, we will be able to conduct the remaining RSAs on Town Roads.
I sent in an application to the Department of Transportation for an RSA on South Road (Rt. 83) from Main Street down to Geissler’s. The DOT is in negotiations to hire an outside firm to conduct their RSAs. Once they have a contract, they will get to us, hopefully in the spring.
I asked Nick Lapointe with Fuss & O’Neil for a quote for engineering services for construction design and with an opinion of probable construction costs. That proposal came in at $71,800.00.
My thoughts are to complete an RSA and secure funding for the design services.
Once the designs are done, we will go for construction funding.
Once we secure construction funding, we can hold public input sessions.
Sincerely,
Todd Rolland, Director of Land Use and Public Works
Library Board of Trustees
Somers Public Library
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 – 6:30 p.m.
Somers Public Library – 2 Vision Blvd. – Conference Room Agenda:
1. Introduction/Vote for New Trustee
a. Marybeth Marquardt
2. First Audience to Citizens
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Correspondence
a. Notice of Retirement – Shirley Warner
5. Treasurer’s Report
6. Financial Business
a. Year-to-date Financial Report
7. Committees
a. FOL – Joanne Nichting
8. Old Business
a. Student pick-ups in library parking lot
9. New Business
a. Lettering for Warner Reading Room
b. Consider purchase of a new vacuum cleaner
c. Request for library to be open on Sunday, October 22, 2023 for book sale
10. Director’s Report
11. Second Audience to Citizens
12. Adjournment
Housing Authority of the Town of Somers
Meeting September 20, 2023 – 1:00 p.m.
71 Battle Street
Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order 2. Attendance 3. Discussion with individual residents 4. Old Business
4.1. Management of Property (REDI)
4.1.1. Apartment Rental – Update
4.1.1.1. Review plans and prospects for retaining 25% units in Phase I
4.1.2. Review Condition of the Facilities and work orders
4.1.3. Review Financial Condition
4.1.4. Review Resident Services Coordinator’s activities
4.2. Phase I transition
4.3. Other 5. New Business
5.1. Other 6. Approval of minutes from July 19, 2023 7. Resident Questions/Concerns 8. Adjournment
Boards and Commissions: Appointments/Resignations:
Accept the Resignation of Mike and Eileen Blouin from the Open Space and Trails Committee with an effective date of September 28, 2023.
Proposed Motion to accept the Resignation of Mike and Eileen Blouin of the Open Space and Trails Committee with an effective date of September 28, 2023.
Accept the Resignation of Stephen Getman from the Senior Advisory Committee effective 12.22.23.
Proposed Motion to accept the Resignation of Stephen Getman of the Senior Advisory Committee with an effective date of 12.22.23
OPPORTUNITY TO ADD URGENT AGENDA ITEMS
FINANCE
Transfers and Appropriations
CFO Finance Report/Updates
Presentation of Scheduled Payments
UPDATES FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSION
PENDING BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Staffing Request and Discussion for Human Resources Generalist – Request to hire Sophia Bletsos as the Full time Human Resources Generalist for 35 hours with an annual salary of $65,000. Tim Keeney
Proposed motion to approve to hire of Sophia Bletsos as the full-time Human Resources Generalist with an annual salary of $65,000.
Local Traffic Authority Request for the 2023 Annual Holiday Festival Scheduled for Saturday, December 9, 2023. Trooper Justin Pruess and Kim Littig
Proposed Motion to approve the Local Traffic Authority requests for the 2023 Annual Holiday Festival Scheduled for Saturday, December 9, 2023, as presented.
Accreditation for Somers Police – Discussion and Authorize the First Selectman to sign the consulting agreement with Badge Six LLC, in the amount of $7,665.00. Trooper Justin Pruess and Kim Littig.
Proposed Motion to approve the agreement pending the approval of the Town Attorney and authorize the First Selectman to sign the Agreement with Badge Six LLC.
FY2022 Homeland Security Grant Program, Municipal Memorandum of Agreement for Region3. Request to Authorize the First Selectman to execute all documents for the annual Region 3 Homeland Security Grant Program. Todd Rolland
Proposed motion to Authorize the First Selectman to execute all documents for the annual Region 3 Homeland Security Grant Program.
General discussion on the State Firefighter’s Cancer Bill(s) and potential impacts it will have for Somers. John Roache
CIP Requests – Todd Rolland and John Roache
Replacement backup generator transfer switch for the Fire Department
Proposed motion - motion to approve the Capital Improvement Project request for a backup generator transfer switch for the Fire Department in the amount of $20,000.
CIP Request for funding for a diesel exhaust capture system for the fire station.
Proposed motion - motion to approve the Capital Improvement Project request for a diesel exhaust capture system for the fire station.
CIP Request for Fire Department SCBA and equipment washer.
Proposed motion - motion to approve the Capital Improvement Project request for Fire Department SCBA and equipment washer.
CIP Request for new gear racks and storage system so the fire department can accommodate new PPE storage requirements.
Proposed motion - motion to approve the Capital Improvement Project request for new gear racks and storage system so that the Fire Department can accommodate new PPE storage requirements.
Accept the resignation of FF/EMT Mathew Mazione as per the terms of the union contract.
Proposed motion to accept the resignation of FF/EMT Mathew Mazione as per the terms of the Union Contract.
Authorization to post for the position of Part-time Firefighter/EMT for the Somers Fire Department. John Roache
Proposed motion to authorize to post for the position of part-time Firefighter/EMT for the Somers Fire Department.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of September 7, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
The Board of Selectmen waives the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting from September 7, 2023, and that minutes of said meeting be approved.
Somers Board of Education Meeting Monday, September 25, 2023 7:00 PM
Somers Board of Education Chambers, I Vision Boulevard, Somers, CT 06071
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the September 5, 2023 BOE Special Meeting Minutes 2
The Board to review and approve the minutes from the September 5, 2023 Special BOE meeting.
Approval of the September 11, 2023 BOE Meeting Minutes 3
The Board to review and approve the minutes from the September I I, 2023 meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Superintendent Update
Presentation of Leadership Coherence Framework
The administrators from each school will present their Leadership Coherence Framework to the BOE.
OPPORTUNITYTOADD/DELETEAGENDA ITEMS
CONSENT AGENDA
Warrant of September 25, 2023 7
The Board to review and consent to the warrant of September 25, 2023.
Resignations
Rob Wilson, Director of Technology and Information Systems, will resign with his last day effective September 22, 2023, after 10 years of service at SPS.
Matthew Sarantakis, SES Head Custodian, will resign with his last day effective October 6, 2023, after
16 years of service at SPS.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Somers High School Oil Tank 13
The Board to approve to enter into a contract for the SHS oil tank.
1st Warning 2024 Board of Education Meeting Schedule 18
The Board to review the meeting schedule for 2024.
Board to Approve SES Cafeteria Worker
The Board to review and approve the hiring of Devon Dalessio, SES Cafeteria Worker, per DBS Code 4112.8/4212.8 - Nepotism.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
I. Cuniculum
Policy
Planning/Finance
Salary & Negotiations
I0. CABE/CREC/State Dept. of Ed.
AUDIENCE TO CITIZENS/STAFF/STUDENTS
EXECUTIVESESSION
The Board to enter into Executive Session and invite Dr. Galloway into Executive Session to discuss negotiation updates.
This meeting is also being live-streamed and video-recorded and will be available for viewing on the Town’s website in both real-time and after-the-fact.
